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

(What the gods...the world perhaps desires is that kind of "hero.")

In that case, Finn must also undergo a complete transformation.

To break free from the shell, one must not be inferior to that "hero of the heretics".

He was influenced and moved. He understood this, and didn't care.

Those who witness this "adventure" but stop in their tracks cannot be considered "adventurers".

(I want to... bury myself (Dimna).)

For now, let's bury our hatred for monsters deep within our hearts.

Loki's advice was correct.

Finn was able to make his decision only after seeing the gargoyle.

Whether it's for their companions or for the boy, it's all good.

Because the way the "monster" offered his life was precisely the "courage" that Finn was pursuing.

"...Elke, have the troops withdraw."

“Eh!?”

"Otto and his men are here and won't let us do anything; it's a waste of time. In that case, let's go take care of something else."

One of the members who was called out by Finn let out a strange cry.

Finn shifted his gaze downwards. He could see Lefia, still preoccupied with Bell's battle with the bull, running towards them.

"...Aren't you going to watch it to the end?"

"I already know what Bell Craney will achieve in the future. Besides, the monsters have already left, so there's no point in them staying any longer."

Seeing Finn preparing to leave, Otto showed a rather surprised expression, though it was not so obvious that only longtime acquaintances could see it.

I was fortunate enough to see a rare expression on his face today.

This made Finn feel a bit exhilarated and satisfied, causing him to laugh like a child again.

That's right.

He has personally experienced what kind of "ending" this battle will bring.

The young man will likely ignite the fighting spirit in many people's hearts, just like "back then," and demonstrate his own way of living.

It will surely attract all sorts of people, fascinate them, and drive them to run.

Like a chapter in a heroic tale.

"I'll take a gamble... no, I'll take an 'adventure'."

*

"You're leaving now, Finn..."

Loki murmured as he heard the report brought by the messenger.

At the main camp, where all the key officers were absent, Raul received a report that Finn had led Lefia and the other members to the dungeon. He was startled and panicked. Grace, on the other hand, received a message that he should leave the underground passage and go to the dungeon to meet up with Finn and the others. He complained, "Really! They really know how to order dwarves around!" as he hurried to his destination.

Loki looked down at everything from the spire, sitting cross-legged on the window frame while gazing at the northwest part of the labyrinth street.

Dionysus had already left after meeting with Philweis, leaving her alone, reflecting on the memories from a few hours earlier.

"Hey, old man."

At that time, the battle in Maze Street had not yet begun.

Loki then visited the Guild Headquarters and held a private meeting with the old god at the underground altar.

"I've heard it all. The little dwarf told me. It's about those monsters called 'heretics'."

"……Yeah."

Uranus, seated on his throne, remained expressionless.

It was as if he had already anticipated that the goddess (Hestia) would leak the information to Loki; he was neither flustered nor welcoming of her arrival.

"What you're hiding is indeed a 'bomb,' possibly even more shocking than the urban collapse plan my family is currently investigating."

"..."

"Dionysus's 'intuition' was correct in a sense."

This is not limited to Orario, but is a "suspicious situation" on a global scale.

Loki pointed this out, a cold smile appearing on his face.

Uranus, whose "secret" had been exposed, closed his eyes as if he had given up hope.

The old man's slightly parted lips probably meant he wanted to ask Loki what his future plans were.

"However, this kind of thing is irrelevant right now."

However, Loki didn't let him ask.

"If Finn gives you the 'answer' you want—you are absolutely not allowed to interfere with him."

Faced with the astonished Uranus, she adopted a serious expression and told him this.

"At this moment, the child is about to change. The commotion you've caused has shaken his resolve, making him ponder deeply, and he's about to find an 'answer' different from the past!"

Loki kept watching.

Seeing Finn constantly hiding his wavering feelings after his questioning and answering with his crush (Ikelos), she was deeply moved.

Loki remained a silent observer.

The bystander was deeply moved by Bell Crane's actions, and repeatedly asked himself the same question, feeling troubled.

She didn't interfere.

As a goddess (mother), she entrusted the responsibility of accompanying Finn to Riveria and Grace, waiting for Finn to reveal his own answer. Because she knew better than anyone that Finn did not want either divine advice or guidance.

"I don't know which path he'll choose! Perhaps he'll head down a towering, treacherous road that no one could have predicted! But this is the child's story! It's the choice the child made!"

Because she hoped that Finn himself could weave a "hero's story".

"If you dare to take advantage of that child, I'll kill you all right now! Or threaten him into doing anything, I'll make you pay!"

Facing Uranus's wide-eyed gaze, Loki's tone became increasingly forceful and agitated as he spoke.

This was the hidden worry that Finn had revealed to Riveria and the others.

This is a self-destructive factor that casts a shadow over the path of the "Hero." It is a "collar" that may force one to join Uranus's camp due to the threat posed by being associated with "monsters."

Loki was crushing the "collar" to tell Uranus not to block Finn's path.

"You make it clear to that coward too! Tell him that if he dares to interfere with that child, I don't care about any rules of the mortal realm, I'll kill him! Even if he escapes back to the heavens, I'll hunt him down until he's reduced to ashes! Old man, you do the same!"

This almost threatening roar represented Loki's entire innermost feelings.

It was her affection for Finn.

Or, it could be described as the roar of a god trying to protect his children.

"Anyone who dares to hinder that child's ambitions, I will not let them get away with it!"

This is the only "meddlesome" thing Loki ever did.

No matter what "answer" Finn gives, this divine will will protect his path and prevent any god from interfering.

"As long as you abide by this... I can keep your bomb—'Heretics'—a secret."

"……Can."

Uranus probably saw this as a worthwhile contractual condition, and after a moment of silence, he agreed.

The four torches on the altar burst into sparks.

Just as the two gods were secretly making their pact, Uranus asked:

"Loki...why are you helping the [Hero] so much?"

"Ha! Is that even a question? To use that spineless coward's words, it's just—"

Loki, as if treating people like fools, yet with a touch of pride, shamelessly declared to the old god:

"—Because I was the first supporter (fan) of that 'hero'."

The night air gently caressed Loki's cheeks as he reminisced.

The wind blowing from the northwest carried a hint of heat.

It contains the inspiration of a "hero" who returns to the origin.

"Finn, don't fall behind the times!"

Loki narrowed his eyes as he recalled his conversation with Uranus.

"There's nothing wrong with sticking to your original intentions, and I really appreciate your steadfastness. But... don't get too stuck in old ways and let others get ahead of you, okay?"

She offered her support to her family, who were constantly troubled and were now about to provide the "answer."

"Whether it's awareness or responsibility, you are the best because you carry it all on your shoulders and move forward. You have not lost to anyone, not even the little boy's child. So, you must win."

Loki opened her crimson eyes and smiled.

"Win the championship in this hero's race."

*

"For our long-cherished wish—!!"

Another member of the Death (Sanatos) retinue, transformed into a special attack bomb, self-destructed, shaking the Great Passage.

The location is inside the man-made maze, on the twelfth floor.

The three-way battle between the Loki Familia, the Heretics, and the Dark Faction continues.

A chaotic battle erupted in the vast passageway, which resembled a dungeon chamber. The elves under Riveria's command sang and cast "magic" while sweating profusely; the rational monsters, under the cover of the black-clad magician, fought fiercely despite their battered bodies.

The remnants of the dark faction and the "colorful monsters" attempted to crush both forces together. Death's minions roared like beasts and swung their swords, while the tentacles of man-eating plants and the sharp teeth of crystal striders leaped and darted about.

The encirclement, where the many attacked the few, was enough to make Alicia and the other elves anxious.

Despite being a guerrilla force adept at using "parallel chanting" for long-range hit-and-run tactics, they become huddled together in such a chaotic battle, hindering their movement and preventing them from utilizing their signature skills. This outcome is a direct result of the "elf troops," known for their high-speed combat, losing their legs.

The elf Alicia, her face and arms bruised and battered, gasped for breath as she withstood the dark faction's fierce attack, saying:

"—! Don't come near me, you heretical monsters!"

"Gurgle!?"

She turned around and swung her short sword at the singing bird that had inadvertently approached in the aftershocks of the explosion.

A heretic's beautiful golden feather was ripped off, and it fell unsteadily to the floor.

"How filthy! Don't you know shame! How dare you impersonate a human to speak!"

"...!"

"You are not allowed to... mislead us!"

The sharp words of the noble spirit twisted the serene face of the singing bird with sorrow.

The Loki Familia not only retaliates against the dark faction but also against any approaching "heretics." Lizardmen or trolls who have no intention of attacking them are forced to defend themselves. Both factions clearly understand that this creates an opening for the dark faction to exploit.

Even when they were in such a predicament, they resolutely refused to cooperate with the other party.

This deep divide perfectly illustrates the relationship between humans and "monsters".

This unfortunate scene depicts Death watching the spectacle from outside the chessboard, with a smile on his face, envisioning a perfect harmony.

"Ugh...!?"

"Lady Riveria!?"

In the midst of an unpredictable and chaotic battle, Riveria suffers a fierce suicide attack from the dark faction.

To block the city's strongest mage's "bombardment," a strike capable of turning the tide of battle, they risked their lives, charging forward to self-destruct. Faced with a truly self-sacrificing attack that took advantage of a lull in the chaos, Riveria was forced to interrupt her "parallel incantation." The enemy didn't even care that the widespread self-destruction would affect their own people, continuously detonating ruthless and unreasonable explosions.

"So you're going to take us out here, no matter what methods you use...!"

An explosion occurred, the massive body of the man-eating plant collapsed, and the elves' screams echoed all around. Seeing the battlefield in utter chaos, Fels' black robes trembled.

Three forces, intricately intertwined, engaged in a massive melee within a confined space. It was truly a nightmare.