"Moreover, since everyone has been dragged into this incident, unpleasant as it may sound, we're all grasshoppers tied to the same rope. To stand against the enemy, we must share information."
----------------------------------
The Three Gods sat together for some inexplicable reason.
Compared to the two reclusive gods whose true purposes no one knew, Loki's face was full of impatience.
But to underestimate Loki for that reason would be a huge mistake.
On the contrary, whether it was Dionysus or Hermes, neither of them dared to look down on this goddess of mischief.
Her reputation in the Tenkai was simply too great, compared to their petty tricks, Loki was the type who, if she made a move, it would shake the world.
However, unlike her days in the Tenkai, after gaining a Familia in the lower world, her nature had mellowed somewhat.
But… if someone really angered her, Apollo was a fine example of the outcome.
After slightly soothing Loki, who was restless and irritable because her children weren't home, Dionysus let out a sigh.
"Anyway, Loki. Let's have a proper talk first, starting with sharing information. How about that?"
"Tch, fine. Just to kill some time." Loki curled her lips, lifted the wine jug on the table, and drank three gulps.
"Ahem. Regarding the incident on the 24th floor, I believe you've also heard the reports. The [Evilus] has shown up again. And with quite a number of people. Whether you believe it or not, I feel there are still a considerable number of them hiding within this city.
As for the other side, the new species and the Violas, because of Ouranos's Arcanum, it's impossible for them to come to the surface. So they should still be in the dungeon."
Loki sneered twice at the Hermes short speech.
"A whole lot of nonsense. Might as well have said nothing."
The god wasn't angry, only sighed with a troubled expression.
"Without any clues, even if we mobilize our Familia and allies, it won't get us anywhere."
"When our Familias got dragged into this, I never should have let them accept that troublesome commission. Now this whirlpool is only getting deeper and deeper. The more we dig, the more troublesome it feels. Especially since it involves the [Evilus]. Thinking back to that dark era of the city… tch tch… there's no way to escape now."
"This muddy water is already stirred. Running away is impossible, Hermes."
The elegant god spoke calmly to his friend.
"Still, this fallen spirit… this fellow is even more arrogant than the [Evilus] was back then. They don't even put the gods of the city in their eyes."
Remembering the other side's proclamation, Loki snorted.
"Well, it's just hearsay. But from my guess, the Guild must know a lot more than they're letting on."
"..."
Loki opened her crimson god-eyes slightly, glanced at Dionysus, and curved her lips into a clownish smile.
"Alright, let's move on to the next topic."
Hermes folded his hands on the stone table and fixed his eyes on the others.
"From Asfi's report, those huge iron cages with Violas in the 24th floor 'pantry', what do you think of them?"
"Isn't it obvious? Combine that with the Violas in the sewers, and you can figure it out at a glance. The enemy is using some channel to send monsters to the surface."
"Exactly. That's the issue. Through what channel are they sending monsters to the surface right under the Guild's and so many Familias' noses? Loki, do you have any guesses?"
The goddess held her wine cup, her expression turning a bit fierce.
"The dungeon has only one entrance, the great hollow of Babel Tower. Since the enemy can send them up without us noticing, there's only one possibility… that the dungeon has other exits."
The goddess's words struck directly at a terrifying answer.
"The dungeon… has other entrances and exits?"
Hermes and Dionysus also showed surprised expressions. How much of that surprise was real and how much was feigned, only they knew.
"Well, if the sky falls, there's still someone taller to hold it up. The Guild is there. Big matters like this aren't ours to worry about."
"True. But… Loki, your children are currently on an 'expedition,' aren't they? Don't you have some interesting intelligence after what they experienced?"
"In your dreams. You sneak around mysteriously every day without saying a word, and you expect to squeeze information out of me?"
Disdainfully rebuffing the god, Loki felt irritated.
For some reason, she just disliked Dionysus. No reason, just her instinct.
"Looks like Loki has quite the prejudice against me. Ah well, it's getting late. Any further disturbance would be rude. I'll take my leave." The god stood, his movements elegant.
Hermes, "Oh, right, Loki. I heard your children and mine are getting along quite well?"
"Hm? Fron?"
"Hey hey hey, don't give me that look. As main gods, we can't interfere too much in the kids' affairs, right? And if… if they come together, we can't object, can we?"
Loki's cold gaze locked onto Hermes, her presence suffocating him.
"Hmph. If it's that [Peruses ], then fine. Her looks and talents are worthy enough for my Fron. Heh… looks like our next generation is secured."
"...Hey hey hey, shouldn't it be our next generation instead?"
"Pretty boy, one more word?"
"Sorry, my apologies, my fault."
Recalling Apollo's miserable appearance at the last divine meeting, Hermes instinctively straightened his back, bowing in a perfect ninety-degree angle.
Most importantly, he tightened his legs. That bone-chilling pressure sent a shiver through him, making his skin crawl.
"Hmph. If that's all, why are you still here? Waiting for me to invite you for a drink?"
"N-no thanks. I'll be going now!!"
As expected of the messenger god, he ran incredibly fast.
In the blink of an eye, he had slipped out of the Twilight Manor's garden.
"W-we'll retire as well, Lady Loki."
As the escorts of Dionysus and Hermes, Filvis and Lulune also excused themselves.
"Ah, go ahead, go ahead. With gods like those two, you really have it rough."
"..." The two twitched slightly, showing bitter smiles.
...
The undercurrents on the surface, and the meeting of the three gods seemed to foreshadow that the city would no longer be at peace.
At the same time, after being unconscious for three days and nights, a certain man finally opened his eyes.
The portable magic stone lamp glowed warmly in the corner.
Blinking, his blurred vision gradually cleared. Golden eyes regained their brilliance from lifeless emptiness.
"Where… is this?" The stinging pain of his cracked lips made the young man frown slightly.