Is it wrong to try to meet someone in a dungeon?

However, Peneya also appears to have used the savings donated by her followers to help the poor along Daedalus Road. She brought economic activity to the slums, which is one of the reasons she wasn't seen as a fraudster.

The god of "poverty" enjoys widespread support in this slum.

"Could he be considered the lord of Daedalus Road?"

Rivera said with a sigh.

Including her, who is of royal lineage (high elf), Ais and the others have never encountered a divine object of this type before, and they were wondering how to deal with it when Loki leaned out his upper body.

"Peneia, judging from what you're saying, you've been hanging around Daedalus Road for a long time?"

"It's just a moment for me, but on a child's scale, it's been centuries, isn't it?"

"That's perfect. Do you know this guy?"

Loki showed her the portrait.

Peneya brings the exquisitely depicted, somber male face into view.

"...What's wrong with this human?"

"We need to speak with him and are trying to find out where he is. I suspect he might be on Daedalus Road."

After Loki's brief explanation, Penea looked through the portrait from beginning to end, then looked up and glanced at Loki and the others.

Then, she immediately snorted through her nose.

"I don't know anyone like that. I've never seen him on Daedalus Road. Besides, even if I did, I wouldn't tell outsiders like you for free."

"If I pay you, could you help us find him a little?"

"Are you kidding me! I hate trouble! Don't drag me into this!"

"Ugh—I hate it, that's what glamorous people are like." Penia said, turning her back to them.

After collecting enough money from the surrounding believers, she left the square.

"No, I can't go on... I was thinking of saying she's a representative figure of Maze Street (this place), so even if I don't know anything about her, at least she could help..."

"We had no choice but to come ourselves, as planned."

After Riveria finished speaking, Loki replied with a sigh.

She changed her mindset and turned to look at Ais and the others.

"Alright, let's get started—the meeting point is this square, everyone split up and search 'Daedalus Road'. I feel like too many people will get lost if we split into too many groups, so let's try splitting into two groups first."

"Two groups? That's really extreme."

"Because I was badly humiliated by that war god (brat) in the port city (Melon), it's always better to be cautious if this place is indeed the enemy's lair, as we suspected."

Tiony interrupted to question Loki's instructions, and Loki's answer made Ais and the others realize the truth.

Just like the [Kali Familia] kidnapped Lefia, if a scattered squad were to be attacked in this labyrinthine town, they would be in serious trouble.

After a while, the people obeyed God's will and split into two groups.

One group was led by Loki and Riveria, and consisted mostly of lower-ranking members.

The other group consists of familiar faces such as Ais, Tiona, Tione, and Lefia.

"But—if we just wander around aimlessly, we'll definitely get lost, right? What should we do?"

"Heh heh, I have an idea."

Tiona, seeing the chaotic streets of the labyrinthine district, already complained of being tired before even entering; Tione smiled at her younger sister, as if she had some secret trick up her sleeve.

"Daedalus Road has many 'ariadne' signs. Just follow them, and you'll reach the exit no matter how lost you get. I often hear that even residents who are used to the maze-like streets here use the 'ariadne' signs when they encounter problems, right?"

Tiony is right; bright red lines indicating the direction of the entrance are painted on the square wall.

Lefia and Tiona glanced at the road sign and tilted their heads slightly.

"Uh, that's right..."

"What exactly does this mean, Tione—?"

"If I wanted to do something bad in the labyrinthine town (here), I would hide so well that not only adventurers but even the local residents would be able to find me. Then, I would make a 'signpost' myself... to lure everyone in the exact opposite direction from the secret base."

Upon hearing this, Ais exclaimed, "Ah," as if she had guessed something, and then said:

"In other words, all you have to do is go in the opposite direction of the 'road sign'..."

"That's right—we should be able to reach the enemy's secret base soon!"

"oh oh!"

Tiony nodded to Ais and said confidently, while Tiona and Lefia exclaimed in admiration.

The other team members also whispered among themselves, saying that it seemed to make a lot of sense.

"I feel like this idea is actually pretty good!"

"Hmm, that's convincing..."

"Of course! The commander asked me to find the enemy's weakness."

Upon hearing Tiona and Ais's approval, Tione placed one hand on her ample bosom. The Amazonian warrior, burning with love and burdened by the expectations of her beloved, displayed unprecedented intelligence.

However, Lefia thought to herself: It must be that the captain (Finn) said something nice.

"No one objects, right? Let's go then!"

Ais and the others split up with Riveria and the others, and set off from the square.

Led by a smug Tiony, the group set off into the labyrinthine streets.

★

then.

"Absolutely nowhere to be found—!!"

Tiona raised her hands and let out a wail that echoed through Daedalus Road as night fell.

"Forget finding the enemy's secret base, we're completely lost! It's getting so dark, what are we going to do, Dione—!"

"You're so noisy!! This shouldn't be happening! This shouldn't be happening...!"

The ugly sisters' quarrel broke out in a corner of the roadside. Apart from Ais, who was at a loss, Lefia and the lower-ranking members were all leaning against the wall, exhausted.

It was well past midnight, and the sunlight had long since vanished. The nickname "Maze Street" was well-deserved, completely shattering Tiony's petty cleverness.

The more they ignored the "signposts," the deeper Ais and her friends were lured into the maze, sometimes ending up in dead ends, sometimes going around in circles, leaving them in a sorry state.

"Although I expected this... Daedalus is really tough to deal with..."

Exhausted, Lefia spoke softly, and Ais nodded in agreement.

Even a single road branching out like a grid, with countless steps and ramps stretching up and down, or spiraling endlessly. Looking up, strange buildings, seemingly jutting out from cliffs, stand side by side, their stone skywalks intricately interwoven. The blackened brick and tile buildings and streetscape resemble an optical illusion. The healer girl (Lene), who supports the combat troops in every way, tries to draw a map, but even halfway through, she apologizes with tears in her eyes, saying, "I can't do it anymore~"

The complexity of Daedalus Road has even been jokingly described as "a glimpse into the madness of the construction workers, who were once known as 'eccentrics'," and seeing this landscape, one has to admit that this statement is indeed true.

Even Ais, who was used to navigating mazes, couldn't help but squint her eyes when she saw this mesmerizing sight.

"Uh... what should we do? Should we go back to the square first?"

"No! To meet the leader's expectations, we need to find at least one clue!"

"It won't be available in a day or two~, there's nothing we can do about it~"

Ais timidly suggested it, Tiony angrily objected loudly, and then Tiona wearily objected to her opinion.

Just when the team was divided and unable to move forward or backward.

"Lefia!"

"Eh... Miss Philweis!"

An elf jumped down from the roof of the building.

The first-level adventurers almost prepared for battle immediately, but once they learned that it was someone Lefia knew, they immediately lowered their guard.

She has long, glossy black hair and crimson eyes, and wears a pure white battle cloth. Her attire makes her resemble a priestess, and she is none other than Philvis of the Dionysus Familia.

"What brings you here?"

"Dionysus instructed me to do this; he wants me to assist you, the Loki Familia. It happened so suddenly, it may have startled you, but... could I travel with you?"

"I, I'm totally welcome! Thank you, I'm so happy!"

Philwis gave Lefia a gentle smile. Ais also remembered her; she was the elf who had fought alongside her in the battle of the pantry.

She seemed to have come here after hearing Tiona's earlier wails.

"Um, Miss Tione, could Miss Philvis join us...?"

"Well, the more people the better... it doesn't really matter, right?"

"Yes, and it's more lively this way! Your name is Philvies, right? My name is Diona! Nice to meet you!"

Lefia couldn't hide her joy, but still asked for permission. Tione agreed.

Ais, needless to say, and the other members all nodded in agreement. Tiona, beaming with smiles, was the first to introduce herself, and then—

"...Philwis Sharia".

Faced with Lefia's warm smile, everything changed; the temperature emanating from the elven girl plummeted.

Tiony and the others were surprised to see Philweis quietly and coldly give her name.

Tiona and Ais blinked their eyes incessantly.

"Ah, hahaha..." Lefia's dry laugh echoed weakly.

"...I'm saying,

Lefia. What's wrong with that elf? She's so shy, isn't she?

"No, I don't think so, it's just... Miss Philweis has her own secrets..."

"Ugh, the atmosphere's so gloomy! It's rare to be teamed up like this, let's cheer up!"

Tiony beckoned Lefia over, who desperately tried to explain. Meanwhile, Diona cheerfully pleaded, but…

"I only said I wanted to help you, I don't intend to pretend to be familiar with you... It would be inconvenient if you were misunderstood as being too close to people from other factions (others)."

Phil Weiss turned her head to the side.

Her strikingly white skin was rarely exposed, truly reflecting the elves' fastidious nature, a stark contrast to the fashion sense of Tiona and the other Amazons. While not exactly sarcastic or mean, her replies were always icy.

Seeing her like this, some members of the group couldn't help but frown.

Elfs with rigid personalities are often difficult to approach, and she is even more extreme.

Lefia trusts her so much, she probably can't be a bad elf, but... Ais thought to herself with a hint of self-awareness that she might be even more difficult to get along with than she, who is clumsy in speech.

"Lefia, what are you doing right now?"

"Ah! Miss Philweis, uh, it's like this, we're currently debating whether to continue the investigation or go back to the meeting point first..."

Knowing the origin of the nickname "banshee," Lefia, mindful of Philvies's feelings, busied herself shuttling between her and Tione and the others.

Ais and the others decided to turn back for the time being, so they began to move.

Following the "road signs" they had previously ignored, the group moved forward as a group. However... the group members were concerned about Philweis, who stayed by Lefia's side and wouldn't leave. An indescribable atmosphere permeated the group.

Just as Ais desperately wanted to do something but was powerless to do so, deeply regretting her own incompetence, and Lefia was caught in a dilemma...

"Hmm~, I still think this is not good! I should say I don't like it."

The clueless and naive Amazons take action to disrupt the status quo.

"Hey, Lina, do you know any topics that girls can talk about right away?"

"Huh, huh? You're asking me? Let me think—...about romance...or something like that?"

The therapist girl was suddenly pulled aside for questioning, and after blushing, she offered her idea...

"Let's talk about relationships!"

Tiona smiled broadly and immediately adopted the idea.

then……

"Who does Phil Weiss like?"

"puff!?"