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

The Ikeros Familia is an exploration (dungeon) faction that was established in Orario more than 20 years ago.

It's said that their floor-clearing records abruptly ended upon entering the "Deep Layer," and not only that, the entire [Familia] vanished at that time. They are rarely mentioned in the adventurer community, and even Lefia herself has no recollection of the [Ikeros Familia].

The faction's rank is clearly B, making it undoubtedly a high-level faction.

"...! The Ikelos Familia was previously suspected by the governing body (guild) of being part of a dark faction...!"

Rafia opened her eyes wide and read aloud a passage written on the paper.

The Loki Familia, Dionysus Familia, and Hermes Familia have formed a united front to track down monsters and other "underground forces" and "remnants of the dark faction." It seems highly likely that the Ikelos Familia is colluding with this enemy force.

Lefia stared intently at the name of the [Family] that appeared on the search line, and then looked up.

Those people capture monsters in the underground city and smuggle them out of the city to sell.

This alone was enough to make her feel shocked and disgusted, but what she cared about now was the result of comparing the current situation with this information.

"Could it be that the 'humanoid monsters' appearing in the city are also because of this [Ikeros Familia]...?"

Could it be that a monster escaped during a smuggling operation and appeared in the city?

Lefia linked the eyewitness reports that were causing such a stir in Orario with new information, however...

"Oh, that has nothing to do with that."

"what?"

"It's not entirely unrelated, but it wasn't done by those people, so there's no need to worry."

"But... what if the 'humanoid monster' reappears..."

"Won't."

But Luluni answered this question with certainty.

Lefia was taken aback, sensing that something was amiss.

It's almost as if the Hermes Familia already knows the truth about the "humanoid monster" that appeared in the city, Lulune...

"In short, we are doing our utmost to track down the [Icelos Familia]. If you discover any members of the [Family]... or even the god Icelos, please let us know."

Lulu said with a tired look on her face, not even noticing the surprise on Lefia's face.

After Lefia nodded ambiguously, the dog-man thief began to speak as if pouring out his grievances:

"Actually, I shouldn't be the one to say something so important. Hermes should tell Loki directly, but... because Hermes doesn't have the energy right now."

"You mean Hermes? I can't quite picture what he looks like..."

"On the surface, he had the same sly grin as usual, but... you could tell he was absolutely furious, even Asphie was obedient to him."

Although they hadn't met many times, in Lefia's memory, Hermes was a carefree, handsome god.

Hearing Lefia admit that she couldn't quite believe it, Lulu shrugged at her.

"...I'm telling you, can't you tell us about the 'harvest' from 'Daedalus Road'?"

"This... actually Loki told us not to tell anyone... saying we had to wait until we figured out what secret Hermes was hiding."

Hearing Luluni ask this slowly, Lefia couldn't help but stammer.

The Loki Familia did not share information with the Hermes Familia regarding the enemy's secret base—the "Man-made Labyrinth"—found during their investigation of Labyrinth Street (Daedalus Road). This was because the often autocratic Hermes was unwilling to reveal his true intentions.

Loki seems to intend to retain information about the "artificial labyrinth" as leverage in negotiations with Hermes. This is what the gods call "reciprocity."

At the same time, she seemed to think so too:

She wanted to ask Hermes, who was connected to the "guild," for the divine will of the old god (Uranus).

"No, it's alright. I think Loki is right."

Seeing that Lefia was stammering, Luluni pointed both palms directly at her, subtly asking her not to say anything.

In fact, it is their actions that are unreasonable.

Perhaps realizing that her side (the Hermes Familia) claimed to be neutral, Lulu didn't mention the artificial labyrinth again.

She only hoped that Rafia could understand their "constraints," and continued:

"I know that since we've formed an alliance, we should share intelligence instead of engaging in backstabbing... but unfortunately, we've also been dragged into a tricky case."

Lulu seemed completely helpless with that "tricky case," and roughly ran her fingers through her hair. It was rare to see her show any "anxiety."

I wonder if these words, which sound a bit like a complaint, are the reason why Luluni is so exhausted.

"We can't reveal any of the problems we're currently facing, so it's understandable that you're suspicious of us and can't hand over the intelligence. No, it's not that there's no way, but... there's just no way to solve it."

I really want to tell you all, I really want to get this off my chest. But no matter what, I just can't say it.

Luluni's attitude seems to be like this.

The sense of unease that had been lingering in Lefia's heart since earlier was growing stronger.

Lulu is aware that she is sabotaging others, but there is "something" that she still can't say... What is it?

"Anyway, please tell Loki and the others about the [Ikeros Familia]. ...Sorry for being so indecisive."

"No, no... Um, please don't push yourself too hard, okay?"

Hearing Lefia say that, Lulu smiled wryly, waved her hand, and left the wall she was leaning against.

She walked in the opposite direction of the street, her figure disappearing into the distant alleyways shrouded in gloom.

Lefia turned her back to her and walked onto the sunlit street.

*

Stone walls and ceiling.

The only light source was a magic stone lamp. The room had no windows and was clearly located underground.

The air was chilly, even a little cold.

The shelves that filled the wall were all made of wood and stored several wine bottles.

"..."

Dionysus himself poured the wine into a glass on the small round table.

This is the basement of the Dionysus Familia's headquarters.

It was set up by the universally acknowledged god (Dionysus) who was "very particular about wine," and it was a wine cellar he was very proud of.

Besides bottles, there were also barrels of wine. Seeing this exquisite structure and the countless varieties stored within, if Loki were present, he would surely call this a treasure trove. In fact, Dionysus forbade his retinue from entering this wine cellar, except for one person.

He poured the wine into his glass and sat down to down it in one gulp.

He neither savored the rich aroma of the red wine with his tongue nor tasted its flavor; instead, he drank it all in one gulp, making it seem as if he was drowning his sorrows in alcohol.

"...Dionysus, you may have had too much to drink."

The elf Philweis, who was standing at attention beside him waiting for orders, offered her advice.

The Lord ignored her words and poured the wine back into the empty glass.

"I can't survive without drinking it... right?"

He lowered his head slightly as he uttered those words.

Phil Weiss remained silent and did not respond.

Dionysus picked up the glass and held it up to the light of the magic stone lamp on the ceiling.

"The situation has been stagnant for a long time. We find clues, but they slip away, and there's been no progress. We've already dragged Loki and the others into this chaotic situation, and it's still the same old story..."

"..."

"I am the clown, I am... the fool... but even so, I can only move forward."

He kept uttering monologues, as if trying to persuade himself.

The handsome man gazed at his own clear eyes reflected in the glass and murmured:

"That's right, I am Dionysus... Even if it means losing face, I must join forces with Loki and the others to avenge my children."

That was a form that Dionysus would never allow Loki and the others to see.

Even the [Family] are no exception; only Philvis can see this aspect of the gods.

The elven follower lowered his eyes quietly, as if facing something he shouldn't be seeing.

"...Let's go, Loki is looking for me."

Dionysus finished the rest of the wine and stood up, his previous demeanor completely gone.

Some possess a serene and sweet beauty, and divine eyes that conceal a strong and determined resolve.

The handsome man took the coat from the elven attendant and left the basement.

"Hermes' child came into contact with my child. They also left a message saying that the Ikelos Familia is suspicious."

"Ikelos... what a formidable name of a god."

In the garden of "Twilight Pavilion".

The few plants and brightly colored flowers are bathed in the afternoon sun.

Loki summoned Dionysus and Philweis and immediately told them the information Lefia had obtained that day. She sat down across the table that had been prepared for her from the two of them, and sat there rudely, rocking the back of her chair so loudly it creaked.

"If I remember correctly, over in Ikelos..."

"That's right, some people have long suspected they're connected to the dark faction. Ikelos is a typical god who's driven mad by his desire for amusement... This god is capable of 'going too far' when it comes to entertainment."

Loki was standing diagonally behind Lefia, while Philweis stood beside Dionysus.

The families of both sides exchanged smiles and greetings, while the two deities continued their discussion amongst themselves.

"I heard that the headquarters became an empty shell a long time ago, and they have definitely moved their residence (secret base) to another place."

"I think so."

"...I'll be frank, I think Ikelos is hiding on 'Daedalus Road'... or most likely in the 'Man-made Labyrinth'."

"..."

"Ikelos and his group likely possess the 'key.' Then, as long as we hand over the information about the man-made maze to Hermes, that shrewd coward might be able to pinpoint the enemy's location immediately."

"I object."

Dionysus responded firmly to Loki's "analogy".

At the same time, he looked back at Loki with his unwavering, glassy eyes.

Loki slightly opened one of his eyes, just a slit.

"I feel that at this stage, we can no longer be picky about the methods we use... and there are only a limited number of noteworthy clues."

"I should have said this before, Loki. Hermes is Uranus's lackey, and as long as that old god is behind him, I will not trust that guy. At the very least, he has to be completely honest with us, otherwise I'm not even willing to sit down and negotiate."

Dionysus's will was unwavering. Even before he made contact with Loki, he had already harbored doubts about Uranus, the creator god of the "Guild"—the labyrinth city (Oario).

Loki also concluded that Uranus must be hiding "something".

However, putting that aside for now... Loki didn't believe that the old god was involved in the "Labyrinth City Collapse Project." That was her intuition when she went directly to the guild headquarters to question the old god.

Loki, sensing Lefia's anxious expression as she listened from behind, took it a step further and said to the handsome man before him:

"Aren't you making yourself too stubborn?"

"..."

"Why are you so fixated on Uranus? It seems a bit off. Do you have some kind of grudge against him?"

Loki asked probingly.

Unable to interrupt the two gods' exchange, the retinue (Philweis) watched with worried eyes as Dionysus spoke:

"Well, when exactly did this start... I began to feel that I didn't like that old man."

He seemed to be searching for memories, his gaze slightly turned upwards.

Dionysus directed his gaze toward the sky visible from the mansion surrounded by high walls.

"I remember it started when I was still in the Celestial Realm... but I can't remember why... what was it about?"

There were no lies, no truths, only pure questions falling from the lips.

The male god's eyes drifted into the distance as he immersed himself in memories.