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

"A door made of the hardest metal (ostrichite)...!"

"Hmm, found it..."

A commotion arose among Lefia and the others, while Ais fixed her golden eyes on the door.

They finally found the passageway between the dungeon and the man-made labyrinth they had previously suspected. The Loki Familia immediately tensed, carefully inspecting the internal passages of the walls and the "doors" blocking their path. At the same time, they remained vigilant against enemy attacks.

"Could it be that the remnants of the dark faction transported the carnivorous plants to the surface from here...?"

"That's... hard to say. Besides here, there might be other 'doors' connecting to the dungeon..."

Ais points out to Lefia that there may be more than one passageway between the man-made labyrinth and the underground city.

However, this at least confirmed that the artificial maze reached a depth of 18 levels—the "middle level." In that instant, Finn's prediction was confirmed. Lefia and the others once again experienced the terrifying power of the artificial maze, which surpassed human comprehension.

"Miss Ais, we still can't find the 'key.' What should we do? Should we send someone to stay here and keep watch to see if any enemies come in or out?"

"...No, let's forget it. I think they've probably already discovered we're here..."

After carefully investigating the entire "door," Navi returned to report. Ais listened and gently shook her head.

She gazed at the two sides of the doorway, where demon-like statues stood. The stone sculptures' pupils held a pale, hidden light, likely the same technology used by the Loki Familia to remotely manipulate the "doors" and distract their surveillance when they stumbled into the artificial labyrinth. The enemy had already noticed Ais and the others' movements.

Ais's unspoken message was that surveillance was futile, and leaving too few people would only increase the risk of being assassinated by a large number of assassins. Hearing this, the group members could only leave the door with grim faces. The walls regenerated quickly; after the group stepped off the rock face, the walls were blocked off in the blink of an eye.

"Report to Finn... Now, let's take another look around this area..."

"Okay, let's search for any clues, right?"

Ais was fatally clumsy in her speech for a faction leader, but Lefia and the others understood her instructions and carried them out. The blonde, golden-eyed girl's eyebrows drooped apologetically, and her cheeks flushed slightly; the other members were all smiling, as if they especially doted on her for that moment.

In conclusion, they have achieved another success. Although they failed to find the "golden key" to conquer the dungeon, the Loki Familia is indeed gradually surrounding the man-made dungeon.

"Lefia... Bell was also affected back then, right?"

"Yes, yes, Miss Ais. And then... a masked adventurer saved us..."

"The masked adventurer..."

Lefia, who was traveling with Ais, wiped away her sweat and stopped in her tracks.

The group members scattered among the forests and boulder circles, which offered ample cover. Two of them basked in the white crystal light emanating from the ceiling of the building through the gaps in the trees. Lefia squinted at the light filtering through the leaves in the dungeon while discreetly glancing at Ais, who was looking around.

(Even after hearing about Miss Ais's past from Lady Rivera, I still can't believe it... Miss Ais could be so willful and childish...)

Lefia pondered repeatedly what Riveria had said during their night at the campsite.

She was mischievous, and her emotions were more easily written on her face than they were now, making people hold their breath for her… Looking at the beautiful swordsman with his imposing figure in front of her, it was really hard to imagine all of that. Lefia even doubted her ears several times.

(Ah, but I kind of want to see the cute Miss Ais (seven years old) with her missing teeth...! Hmm, but if I ask Loki, she should let me admire Miss Ais's baby teeth... Wait, what am I getting excited about?! I'm not some kind of pervert...!!)

The elf unleashed her wild imagination, sometimes drifting into a daze, sometimes looking serious, and sometimes deep in thought. It was impossible for anyone to ignore her bizarre expressions.

"Lefia, what's wrong...?"

"Huh!?"

When Ais turned around and called her name, Lefia panicked—mistakenly believing that Ais herself had discovered her delusions—and made a long string of excuses to cover up her true feelings:

"Uh, well, that's because Lady Riveria said that Miss Ais used to look a lot like me! That's why I was staring at Miss Ais... Ah, ahahahahahahaha!"

Ais widened her eyes slightly at Lefia, who was laughing frantically.

Huh? Just as Lefia was feeling puzzled, the blonde, golden-eyed girl stared intently at her.

Then it came right up to her.

"Excuse me...?"

"..."

Ais gazed at the elf's bewildered face, then looked down at her gently raised left hand, running her fingers through her soft, thick golden hair to caress it. Refeia, subjected to Ais's touch, which resembled a tactile examination, cried out in surprise and embarrassment, squirming involuntarily.

After checking all the equipment, including the clothes and wand, Aislian put down her hand and nodded.

"Hmm...it's alright."

"No, it's alright...?"

"Lefia is more independent than me."

"what?"

"I'm nothing like I used to be."

At this point, Ais smiled slightly.

That smile was enough to surprise Lefia—she had never seen Ais as a child, yet it was enough for Lefia to imagine her childhood smile.

Lefia was speechless.

That smile didn't convey self-deprecation or anything like that; it just felt like she was honestly stating her thoughts. Lefia, however, was confused as to why Ais would say such a thing.

As a result, Lefia couldn't say anything and left the floor with the returning members.

*

While the family members were busy running around, the God was also taking action.

"That idiot Ares should know how much difference there is between the two sides, so why does he keep attacking?"

Loki swallowed a yawn, then dropped his languid mood.

She rested her arm on the armrest of the seated goddess and leaned slightly towards the goddess of beauty sitting next to her.

"Speaking of which, let's change the subject, Freya."

"What's the matter that you're taking so seriously?"

"—Do you know a boy named Tamuz?"

As the battle cries echoed back, Loki's sharp voice pierced Freya's heart.

The silver-haired goddess, who had been gazing ahead, remained silent for only a moment before turning her silver eyes toward Loki.

"...What happened to the child?"

"Don't answer questions with questions. Do you know or don't you know? Tell me."

"I don't know what you're trying to say, Loki. If I can't grasp your divine will (true meaning), I can only answer 'I don't know'."

Seeing the atmosphere between the two goddesses suddenly become tense, the members of the guards on both sides immediately tensed up. Just as the followers were exchanging glances to restrain the opposing faction intending to harm their chief goddess, Loki, as if he had already guessed half of Freya's answer, exclaimed:

"You got involved with Ishtar and caused that troublesome brawl, during which the woman's vice-captain went missing. I want to know where he went."

Why are you asking me?

"On the day that man disappeared, your child was causing a ruckus all over the red-light district. It's normal for me to ask you if you saw him, if you dealt with him, or if you hid him. It's not unusual to investigate these possibilities."

Why are you looking for this child?

"I'm looking for something. A magic item with strange markings that give me the creeps."

"..."

"The item was originally with Ishtar, but she has now been sent back to the heavens. The item may have been taken away by that woman's right-hand men... That's my guess."

Track down Tamuz Beliri, the vice-captain of the Ishtar Familia, and further discover the location of the "key" to the man-made labyrinth (Knossos).

In order to find out these two points, Loki took advantage of the war with the kingdom (Lachia) to go to this place in person, with the aim of meeting the capricious goddess of beauty, who is extremely difficult to meet.

Freya now understood that the war with the kingdom (Lachia) was just a side issue, and Loki had made a special trip to meet her.

"Hey, Loki, let me give you an example?"

Knowing this, Freya remained calm and composed, and said to her.

"For example, suppose I've taken a liking to that child you mentioned... suppose, for some unknown reason, someone is hunting him down..."

"..."

"Do you think I'm so loose-lipped that I'd reveal where this child is?"

Freya is in charge of "beauty" and "love".

No matter what happens, she will protect her beloved child. No matter what happens, Freya will not let anyone take him away.

Freya smiled, a subtle hint to the silent Loki.

In other words, that's the gist of it.

"However, let me think about it. If I find out anything, maybe... I'll let you know."

Freya didn't make any definitive statements, showing consideration for the gods who were evenly matched in status and combat power. Then, as if to say, "That's all I have to say," she looked away.

As for Loki, he kicked his leg and stood up.

"Well, that's about it. Just knowing that he's being kept by the most troublesome woman is a gain in itself."

"Hehe, I don't understand what you're talking about."

"But let me warn you upfront: if you continue to act like a queen as usual, you'll regret it."

"Hey, are you threatening me?"

"I'm telling the truth. You might not even realize it until you've been completely wiped out, along with your castle... If that happens, I'll treat you like an idiot and laugh at you mercilessly."

Loki snorted unhappily and left the scene with his guards.

Under Freya's silent gaze, the God of Jest quickly strode away.

That happened on the first day of the war.

"Loki and the others are also tracking Tamuz's whereabouts, right...?"

On the vast plains outside the city, in the military camp of the Freya Familia, Freya, in the enormous tent reserved for the main god, reflected on the events of the past few days. As she sat on the prepared throne, she spoke to the figure before her:

"Talmuz, please tell me again, what was Ishtar planning back then?"

"Yes, yes, Goddess Freya! In order to kill you, Goddess Ishtar has not only colluded with the remnants of the Dark Faction (the Kali Familia) of the God of War! She plans to lure the [Warrior (King)] and others into the artificial labyrinth and defeat them using the 'Demi Spirit'...!"

The kneeling, brown-skinned, black-haired youth blushed and answered every question the goddess asked.

Freya listened while fiddling with the metal sphere with the "D" mark engraved on it in her right hand—the "Daedalus Orb".

On the day the red-light district fell, Freya "bewitched" Tamuz, the favorite of the goddess of beauty. Whether elsewhere or right in front of Ishtar, she stole him away. Just as Loki suspected, the important figure was being hidden by the Freya Familia.

It started out of curiosity. To find out how Ishtar planned to defeat Freya and the others, she brought Tamuz back to headquarters. However, just days later, Tamuz's life was threatened. Mysterious assassins broke into Freya's castle, attempting to kill him.

Tamuz, skilled in martial arts, beautiful, and loyal, had already won Freya's favor and was receiving her affection. The "Goddess of Beauty" could not possibly abandon her beloved child. To protect him, Freya ordered Ota and others to eliminate the assassins. And they did so thoroughly, preventing any further leaks of information.

To protect her family, Freya didn't tell Loki about it... but now she fully understands why Tamuz was assassinated by some cunning scheme.

Everything stemmed from the turmoil caused by the "key" that was brought out when the Ishtar Familia fell.

"Remnants of a dark faction, a man-made labyrinth, 'fairy clones'..."

Freya squinted at the "key" reflecting the light of the magic stone, her moist lips murmuring the information brought by Tamuz.

"It seems something very interesting has happened somewhere I'm unaware of."

"What should we do, Goddess Freya?"

The boar warrior, Ota, stood solemnly beside the throne, awaiting his master's commands.

Although Freya had obtained the keywords, Tamuz's information alone was not enough to connect everything; after a short silence, she spoke:

"I'd like to know what's going on in Orario right now."

"You mean you want to make contact with the Loki Familia?"

"No, Loki will definitely demand this 'key' as a price for providing the intelligence."

Freya answered Ota, looking up at him with a radiant smile.

"I feel that this 'key' is best left in my hands for now... although it's just a gut feeling."

Freya used "divine intuition" as evidence and stood up from her throne.

"Call Allen over. I'm sending him to the city."

"I will prepare a reward for you to find this magical artifact."

Loki arrived at the base of a certain "familia" and immediately told the deity (figure) before him this.

"This is so sudden. Didn't we form an alliance? Tell me what this is."

Hermes held the correct sketch of the "Dardaros Jewel" drawn by Finn at Loki's request between his fingers, shook the paper, and a handsome smile appeared on his face.