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

"For to me, the messenger god who governs 'negotiation' and 'contracts,' this matter is of sufficient value, little brother Kos."

When Koss heard Hermes call his name, he inexplicably got goosebumps.

He didn't understand what that meant.

I don't understand the purpose of Hermes's request, nor do I understand what this smiling god was saying from beginning to end.

This is a "trap". No, he must have some ulterior motive.

Koss sensed the fear and hesitation of the other band members behind him, and sweat streamed down his face.

"...Our mission is to suppress this underground passage. I cannot act on my own. Let me consult with the commander—"

"no."

Before Kos could finish speaking, Hermes, with a smirk playing on his lips, defiantly told him:

"Right here, now, it's your decision."

Upon hearing the god's announcement, Koss gasped.

This requirement carries an absolute divine will that forbids Koss from escaping.

This negotiating table is too awkward; there's no way they should respond. Yet, they're willing to use any means necessary to obtain the "key." How about simply capturing Hermes and forcibly taking the "key"? A god's power is no different from an ordinary person's; subduing him would be a piece of cake. But, but, but how can they be so disrespectful to an unarmed god—

Faced with a choice beyond the scope of a single member's decision, Koss's face turned pale and then red.

Hermes exhaled sharply.

"If you can't accept it, then there's nothing I can do. Anyway, there seem to be plenty of people who want this 'key,' so let's just give it to them..."

"Please wait a moment!"

As Hermes made a move to turn and leave, Koss called out.

Once this opportunity is missed, the "key" will be forever lost. Koss had a feeling that the god would actually do it.

In his final moments of distress, Coase recalled what Finn had said.

He said that the "key" was the top priority, and eliminating the remnants of the dark faction or the "armed monster" was secondary.

Forced to make a decision... the dog-man ultimately obeyed the leader's orders faithfully.

"...I understand, we will retreat from here."

"Thank you, the negotiations are successful. Please accept this."

Hermes immediately handed over the "key" with an affectionate smile, and Koss silently accepted it.

He and the silent members of the regiment pursed their lips and quickly ordered the troops to withdraw through the underground passage.

The sound of numerous boots kicking the ground echoed for a moment before abruptly ceasing.

During the silent visit, a voice in the air spoke to Hermes:

"They should have all retreated by now. There are no Loki Familia members in the vicinity."

The beautiful Asfie Al Andromeda, with her flowing, light blue hair, deactivated her "invisibility" and reported this while holding her black helmet in one hand.

Hermes nodded after listening.

"I see—then bring them over."

Not long after, a group of "armed monsters" appeared in the opposite direction from the passage where Kos and the others had left.

"I never imagined this was the 'shortcut' you were talking about..."

"What's the difference? It's just that this escape route is one that I'm creating now."

After a magician at the front of the group shook his black suit with a look of disdain, Hermes gave a nonchalant reply.

At this time, the Hermes Familia were truly "deliverymen".

They made a secret pact with the "armed monsters" being hunted by the Loki Familia, skillfully using feints and stealth to move undetected through the underground tunnels, eventually leading the "monster" group here. Finally, Hermes ordered the main force of Kos and his men to retreat.

The troops were then led away from the passageway, which had entrances and exits that resembled a man-made maze.

"Now you can say goodbye to the surface. Once you enter the man-made maze, please find a way to escape on your own. I can't take care of you all that way. I hope you can return to the underground city safely."

The "armed monsters" are all silent and do nothing.

Although their expressions belonged to "monsters," they were clearly dull and colorless.

The Hermes Familia members responsible for surrounding them—Lulune and the other members—tried their best to avoid making eye contact with the "armed monsters."

They seemed focused on fulfilling their duties, yet there was also a sense of incongruity in their desperate attempt to ignore the "monster" right beside them without actually fighting to the death.

Asphie, who was waiting near the main god, had a furrowed brow that revealed complex emotions.

"Hermes... allow me to confirm one last time. Is it really alright to let 'them' go?"

"Yes, I will definitely repay the gargoyle (Gross) for his 'sacrifice.' That's what the 'contract' stipulates."

"Sacrifice." This word twisted the monsters' faces.

Their appearance, which should have been ugly and unsightly, looked exactly like the grief-stricken expression of a human.

They moved like a funeral procession, until they reached the "door".

Using the "key" held by the black-clad magician, the "door" made of the hardest metal (orogen) opened easily. Coincidentally, the inside was empty, just as Koss had predicted.

No members of any dark faction are guarding this place.

There was only darkness and cold, odorless air.

"Hermes, the god... what is your purpose...?"

"Didn't I say it before? The world wants 'heroes'."

After the last monster entered the maze, the magician turned around and asked.

Hermes responded to this question with indifference.

The next instant, the "door" slammed shut with a loud bang.

The monsters vanished from before the Hermes Familia.

"Come—let the heroes return."

Asphie and the others fell silent, while only the male god turned around, lowered the brim of his hat, and curled the corners of his mouth.

Side Story: Sword Oratoria 10 Chapter 6: Hero's Self-Discipline

"Captain, I'm so sorry... we lost track of those monsters."

The voices of the band members melted away into the night air on the ground and disappeared.

The Loki Familia headquarters is located in the central area of ​​Daedalus Road.

As Finn listened to the report delivered by the group member who was biting his lip, he silently pondered deeply.

(Should I have sent Riveria when Grace was held back by the enemy? That black fog made it difficult to transmit intelligence... Never mind, thinking about it now is pointless.)

The conflict that broke out on the west side of the maze street was particularly crucial in the battle on the surface.

If they could win that battle, perhaps they would have already caught the "armed monster".

The enemy was able to survive that battle because Finn underestimated their strength—the strength of the [Hestia Familia] who were backing up the monster—and it was also a consequence of his stinginess with his fighting power.

(Besides, to be honest, even Rivera leaving the underground passage would pose a risk... After all, it wasn't certain when they would obtain the "key.")

If even Rivera is brought to the surface, the dark faction will gain control of the underground passages. A lightning-fast "surprise attack" launched to catch the enemy off guard will likely fail.

This is exactly what they mean by "you can't have your cake and eat it too."

It's good if greed can bring you everything, but it's terrible if you end up with nothing. As the commander, Finn must carefully assess this kind of risk no matter what.

(I haven't found the black bull (Minotaur) either. Could someone have taken care of it...? No, I sense some kind of ulterior motive.)

He also failed to detect the "abnormal situation" that he was most concerned about.

There was no distant barking of bulls, and the overly quiet maze street seemed eerie and terrifying.

(The biggest problem is that I can't predict the enemy's actions...)

Finn was referring to the "armed monsters'" path. Their actions were unconventional, repeatedly catching Finn off guard... no, it was as if they were being led in the wrong direction.

"You did lose track of those monsters near 20th Street, right?"

"Yes, yes."

Finn frowned after confirming with the group members.

(Twentieth Street... We've investigated that too, how could that be...?)

He had sensed something was wrong a long time ago, like hearing the discordant sound of gears not meshing properly.

Finn looked down at his right hand.

His thumb didn't feel any throbbing pain at all.

"...Where exactly is the enemy's destination?"

The muttered words were drowned out by the sound of the wind.

Perhaps mistaking Finn's deep contemplation for a remorseful silence, Raul, who was serving as his advisor beside him, spoke up:

"I'm sorry, Commander... It's all my fault. If I hadn't fallen for your trick and disrupted the formation..."

"Raul, I'm not blaming you. Besides, your failure is also my failure. I underestimated the Hestia Familia, and the responsibility lies with me."

Raul hung his head in utter disappointment, but Finn wouldn't allow him to take it as "his own fault."

"Although we successfully avenged ourselves on the man-made maze, the 'armed monster' managed to escape..."

This muttered phrase encapsulates the entire current situation.

He wouldn't comfort himself with phrases like "losing the game but winning the match."

Finn was originally greedy and lustful, wanting to win everything.

He originally planned to annihilate the "Armed Monsters" after using them, quell the chaos in the city, obtain the "keys" to the monsters, and defeat the hostile Hestia Familia and the boy.

The failure to achieve these goals was due to Finn's misjudgment of the situation and his disrespect for the Hestia Familia. Mobilizing some forces to deal with the remnants of the Dark Faction cannot be used as an excuse.

This was Finn's mistake.

"Not everything goes according to plan... It's a headache."

Finn crumpled up the completed drawing in his mind, threw it away, and sighed softly.

He switched his mindset.

Although the ostensible objective of annihilating the "armed monster" was not achieved, the actual operation—the surprise attack plan in the artificial maze—was successful, and we should be happy about that.

Besides, the war isn't over yet.

There are other things to do.

"Send pursuers to 20th Street, and have them thoroughly search all the impassable underground passages. I want to know the monster's whereabouts."

"yes!"

"Rox and his men were injured on 277th Street. I think 'Black Bull' is probably there. Tell Bert and Tiony to search the East District... no, search the North District, and tell them to send a signal into the sky as soon as they spot the target."

"OK!"

"Raul, have Angie and the others reported anything?"

"Yes, they are still fighting in the underground passage! It seems they've secured a position by opening the southeast 'door,' but... the remnants of the dark faction also appear to be putting up fierce resistance..."

"Understood. Tell Angie they can prepare to retreat depending on the enemy's resistance, especially if a monster appears, they must abandon the position immediately. Now that we have the 'key,' there's no point in clinging to a 'door.'"

"learn!"

Finn gave instructions quickly and repeatedly, and the members responded one by one.

When Finn launched his "two-front war," he divided his forces into two groups: one on the surface and one underground.

The surface was left to the young, first-tier adventurers like Tione, while the underground, due to its higher importance, was entrusted to the most trusted Grace and Riveria. Even with some decisive changes in formation made on the spot, minimal results were still achieved.

In Finn's mind, the course of the war was already set.

He believes that if they can find the elusive route and trail of the "Armed Monster" and capture the "Black Bull," the battle on the surface will be over.

"If Riveria and the others are proceeding according to the battle plan, they should have already found an escape route. Sooner or later, someone from the dungeon will come to report. Let's wait for news."

"learn!"