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

"I...I understand!"

One by one, the group members appeared before Finn, giving their reports repeatedly.

Finn ordered Navi, the girl (human) who mentioned enemy sightings, to ignore her and listen to the report from the elf Alicia. He also ordered Lakta, the rabbit-man (humebunny), to continue drawing maps.

Seeing the leader give clear and fluent orders, the group members felt reassured.

In this unstable situation, most people would be unable to set goals and would be unable to move forward, but Finn is different. As long as Finn's banner exists, the Loki Familia will not lose its way.

Everyone trusted Finn's calm and collected demeanor.

Everyone praised him, saying: He truly deserves to be called a "hero".

No one could perceive his "change of mind".

"...Finn."

If anyone could sense this, it would be either the elven royalty waiting nearby, or the dwarves who weren't present at the moment.

"Rivieria, what are you doing? We're short-handed. Please go over to the underground sewers and take charge."

Finn.

"It's so inefficient for me to be in the same place as you. I also have to give instructions to Grace—"

Finn.

Faced with the dwarfs who didn't even glance at her and were issuing orders in rapid succession, Riveria raised her voice.

Rivera interrupted him first, then asserted:

"You're too impatient."

"..."

This phrase is a veiled criticism...

This shut Finn up.

"I know this is an opportunity that shouldn't be missed, but why are you in such a hurry? This isn't like you."

"..."

"I can understand that you have to put on a show in front of the other members. But don't say those things in front of me."

"..."

"Also, when was the last time you slept? I haven't seen you leave this camp in the past four days."

"……I have……"

"You don't care because you have the [Commander's Medal (Skill)]? Don't bother with that ridiculous excuse."

“…………”

Riveria's stern tone and gaze finally silenced Finn.

On the surface, Finn believed he had remained calm and composed.

However, he couldn't fool his old friend's discerning eye.

Grace... and Loki must have noticed it too.

"You should rest for a bit. Your orders are too hasty and will affect Raul and the others as well."

Once she brought up the morale of the team members, Finn, as the commander leading the troops, had no way to refute her.

He closed his eyes, took a breath, and exhaled.

Finn gave up and finally turned to face Riveria, a bitter smile on his face.

"...Understood, Rivera. I'll take a short nap once I've finished giving these instructions. Is that alright?"

"Yes, that's right."

Riveria nodded generously.

"Let me make it clear first, I will stay by your bedside until you fall asleep."

"Will you sing me a lullaby? It would be my honor, but Alicia and the others might hate me."

"No, I won't sing. Grace will sing."

"...Ha! Hahaha! That's going to be a headache, I'll laugh so hard I won't be able to sleep."

Finn was taken aback when he made a casual joke, but he didn't expect to receive a joking response from the elven royal family. He was stunned for a moment, and then burst out laughing.

Perhaps because the scene was so unusual, the group members moving around nearby were all startled.

Riveria told a joke she didn't usually make, and when she saw Finn relax his shoulder a little, the lines at the corners of her eyes softened as if she were smiling.

(This is terrible, I've troubled her...)

Finn made light of the situation.

He was clearly in the position of caring for everyone, but instead he caused people to worry. This was unworthy of his position as leader.

This isn't like me at all.

Seriously, this is so abnormal.

They thought they were wearing the mask of a leader well, but they never expected that their "heart" would be seen through.

"Commander."

Hearing someone call his name, Finn pulled his consciousness from the inside to the surface.

Annaquite stood before him.

"A guild envoy has come to visit... It is the guild master himself."

Upon hearing the report, Finn turned to look at Riveria behind him.

She nodded, allowing Finn to be put to bed later.

Finn shrugged as he saw the deputy commander temporarily leave to carry out the instructions of the other members.

"Understood, please ask him to come over."

"Alright, I'll agree to your conditions. I'll persuade Uranus, the god of the sky... But! Don't even think about doing anything behind my back! If you try anything funny, I'll cut all ties with you immediately!!"

Guild Master Loiman Madil snorted and spat as he warned Finn.

His fat belly swayed up and down with his rude tone.

I promise you.

Finn ended the negotiation, which was called "negotiating terms," ​​and gave the other party a slight smile.

After watching Loiman's retreating figure with his entourage, Rivera returned in his place.

"This is really a headache... that guy is still the same as always."

"Haha, while I wouldn't trust Lloydman, I do trust him. He's good at using incentives, so he's easy to understand."

Leuman came to advise them, demanding that Finn withdraw his troops from Daedalus Road.

It is likely that they came here following the divine will of the old god (Uranus).

"Is this really a good idea? I can accept the information about the 'artificial maze,' but you're also agreeing to give him the 'key'?"

According to the god Icelus, there is more than one "key". We only need one.

When Finn negotiated with Leuman, who demanded to retreat, Finn promised to transfer the "key" to him.

This was to persuade Lloydman to allow the Loki Familia to officially establish a presence on Daedalus Road. As long as the Guild grants permission, neither the residents nor the adventurers will object.

Finn wanted to avoid causing unnecessary trouble (accidents). In addition to the "armed monster", he also considered the possibility of fighting other "enemies" and thought that giving up a "key" as a price was cheap.

"So, even though the guild has its own agenda, it can still be considered as an 'assistant'?"

"At least Lloydman can. Just like that time when they issued the mandatory quest, there's still something fishy about the whole thing. We still know too little about this matter to fully trust the guild."

While Finn was discussing the situation with Riveria, a blonde, golden-eyed girl arrived.

"Ah, you must be tired from patrolling, Ais."

"Um……"

"Is there a problem?"

"...That child, Bell has arrived at Daedalus Road."

Upon hearing the report, Finn narrowed his blue eyes.

"They've taken action."

"Finn... are you still doubting Bell Craney?"

While observing Ais's expression, Rivera asked him on behalf of the girl.

"I'm certain he's a key witness to the incident. The adventurer I confronted that day wasn't the Bell Craney I knew."

That's right, the Bell Crane that day was not the boy Finn knew.

He was by no means the "fool" who would plant the "seed" of instability in Finn's heart.

Finn spoke as calmly as possible to avoid revealing his inner turmoil.

"Assuming those armed monsters have some kind of 'insider information'... and Bell Craney acted strangely because he knew that 'insider information,' then what happened that day would make sense. And that 'insider information' forced him to become our enemy."

Finn carefully chose his words to avoid provoking the silent Ais.

He noticed Ais staring at him silently, so he gave her a forced, bitter smile.

"Ais, I won't label Bell Crane as an enemy without careful consideration. Don't let my appearance fool you, I admire him greatly, both as a person and as an adventurer."

"..."

"But this time the problem is different. Is he on our side, or could he become our enemy...? That's the only thing I want to figure out."

These were all his true feelings. And within these sincere words, he cleverly concealed his "inner confusion."

Finn glanced in the direction of the towers or the rows of buildings, and said:

"Rivia, I'm leaving this place to you. I'll be right back."

"What?"

"I don't want to attract attention or arouse suspicion. Ais, is Bell Craney here on Daedalus Road alone?"

"...It was with the main god (deity)."

"Okay, I understand. Tell me where you saw him."

Finn spoke casually to Riveria and Ais.

"I'll go meet with Bell Craney and be right back."

Finn smiled and looked up at Riveria's face.

The elven royalty looked back at him, and after a long while, nodded in response.

"...Alright, I'll take care of things here for now."

While Ais was still in surprise, Riveria allowed Finn to go out.

Finn thanked her and left the camp.

At the same time, he muttered to himself: I've troubled her again.

*

In order to make contact with Bell Crane, Finn followed the route Ais had told him to take.

The alleyways, a labyrinth of interconnected paths, were deserted. Only the footsteps of Finn, armed with spears and armor, echoed against the overcast gray sky.

Finn tried his best to objectively re-examine himself along the way.

His thinking was indeed lacking in composure, so much so that Riveria had to advise him against it.

Why is that?

Because you absolutely have to get the "key" no matter what?

Because it concerns the survival of the city?

This situation, fraught with numerous "problems," made him anxious.