As the gods appeared one after another, it signalled that preparations for battle were nearly complete.
Among them, the figure that most drew Fron's attention was the golden-haired god who looked every bit the elegant nobleman.
Noticing Fron's gaze, Ais and Amid also turned to look at that particular faction , one they rarely had contact with.
"That god… that's Dionysus and his Familia. From what I know, they're not very active in Orario. The only famous member they have is their captain, Filvis Challia, known as the 'Maenads.'"
As the city's best healer, Amid was naturally familiar with powerful adventurers who had earned a title, even more so with a figure like Filvis. Especially after the nightmare incident on the 27th floor some years ago, that name had left an unforgettable impression.
"I remember their Familia basically never joins any expeditions after the incident on the 27th floor. They basically never take part in large-scale joint expeditions like this. Why would they…"
Amid tilted her face upward, looking at Fron in confusion.
Fron gently ran his fingers through her soft, silvery hair before withdrawing his gaze. His eyes narrowed slightly, his expression calm.
"There's a saying, 'When something strange happens, there's always a reason behind it.' There must be circumstances we don't yet understand that made him break his usual rules."
"And that god… gives me a bad feeling. You two should stay away from him. I'll say it plainly, he and his Familia are dangerous, especially that 'Maenads.'"
Ais, Amid, and Fron were all human. To expect Filvis to develop goodwill toward them at a time like this, let alone change her deeply rooted views, was impossible.
Elves were already a stubborn race, and Filvis's particular past only made things worse.
Thinking of that, Fron sighed softly.
"Fron, it's time to gather."
"Coming."
Amid was assigned to the eastern unit, while Ais was a main attacker in the second wave. The three would be separated here.
"In your vanguard unit, there are some of my Familia members. I hope you can… look after them, for my sake."
Before parting, Amid hesitated, her voice soft and shy.
Hearing that, Fron's lips curved upward. He looked at her blushing face, his fingers idly playing with the tips of her hair, amusement glinting in his eyes.
Who would've thought that behind Amid's strong and capable exterior was a shy, passionate girl, especially when they were alone together, her demeanor changed completely.
So when Ais left first, Fron decided to tease her a little.
"Is that a request?"
"If… if you want to think of it that way, then… fine."
"Then how will you thank me?"
"..."
The moment he said that, Amid immediately recalled their private encounters in the workshop, and her mind went straight to the wrong place.
Her cheeks puffed up as she looked away, her neck and ears flushing bright red. And when she noticed Fron's amused gaze lingering on her long legs wrapped in white stockings and knee-high boots, she realized exactly what that shameless man was thinking.
Overwhelmed by a dizzying mix of embarrassment and nervous heat, Amid struggled to find her voice.
"W-what kind of… thanks do you want?"
There was no denying it, the combination of Amid's pure aura and her shy expression was enough to make Fron's heart melt.
His eyes gleamed mischievously as he leaned close, his breath brushing against her ear.
"Just a word of thanks."
...
At the rally point, the gathered adventurers wore serious, grim expressions , all except for Fron, who looked relaxed, cheerful, and positively radiant, a clear contrast that left his comrades puzzled.
Standing tall without a care, he stood out so much that even Finn, from atop a raised crate, couldn't help but notice. After a flicker of confusion, the commander quickly dismissed it, though he couldn't help glancing again, especially at Amid.
After all, he had gone to great lengths to recruit Orario's top healer as the expedition's strongest line of defense. And yet…
Are you two here for a war, or a spring picnic?
Even behind his mask, Finn's lips twitched uncontrollably, and the other members looked just as speechless.
"Ahem."
"Everyone, take your positions."
"Prepare yourselves."
Finn's orders were brief and sharp, the mark of a capable commander.
Before the man-made dungeon's gate, Fron stood ready , cloaked, armed with his staff-lance.Around him, the members of various Familia radiated fierce tension, blood surging with battle fervour.
This was nothing like a regular expedition. The environment, the enemy, everything was different.
There was no need for morale-boosting speeches. Everyone already knew the gravity of the coming battle.
Fron turned his focus briefly to the magic tool in his left hand, a crystal orb seized during the previous "Xenos" operation, originally belonging to an Xenos. It was one of Fels's proud creations, an Eye Crystal.
Naturally, when Loki Familia obtained a sample, they immediately handed it to Fron.
And Fron, with his innate talent for crafting and reverse-engineering, didn't even need a week.
Between training Ais and the others, he had already deciphered the Eye Crystal's principles and developed a working prototype.
Now, every squad leader held one.
Of course, something that powerful didn't come free, he'd charged for it. Thanks to that, Fron had earned enough to repair weapons, restore magic swords, and replenish equipment across the board.
"Operation, begin!!"
At Finn's command, the vanguard squad, Fron among them, surged forward.
"Fire Ball!!!"
Boom after boom shook the tunnels as Fron's incantation burned away every visible obstacle.
Columns of roaring flame illuminated the corridor, reducing the horde of Violas, to shards in an instant.
Colorful magic stones scattered across the ground, glittering like jewels beneath the lingering smoke.
"Don't let Fron outpace us! Keep up and push forward!!!"
A thunderous roar echoed through the ranks,
"OOOHHHHHH!!!"