In the water-mirror, scene after scene of fierce battles, the Violas the Evilus had poured massive manpower and resources into cultivating were effortlessly destroyed by the adventurers.
When all the images were put together, their numbers were beyond counting.
Cut off at the source, the rate at which new monsters were being born could no longer keep up with the invaders' rate of extermination.
At this rate, it wouldn't take long before the balance between both sides tilted completely toward the faction alliance. As for the Evilus, the only ending awaiting them was defeat.
So the intelligence gathered from the previous two invasion operations… it's finally taking effect? Especially the information gathered by that "Nightweaver."
This entire situation was single-handedly caused by the Loki Familia. All the factors accumulated before today, in this exact moment, had become the foundation for their victory.
Even Barca, the controller here, had to admit, if they didn't use their trump card, the "Fallen Spirits," their end was inevitable.
"Daedalus' thousand-year history, built with blood… the great 'Man-made dungeon: Knossos,' the greatest miracle of our lineage… is it really going to be trampled and lost…?"
At that thought, ripples stirred deep in Barca's heart.
Through this defensive battle, he had come to understand something, something none of his countless predecessors before him ever had the chance to experience or comprehend.
This truth was something Fron had also once mentioned to Amid. Clearly… Barca had realized it too late.
...
Fron had said: "In this world, no matter what it is, if it's created by humans, it is destined to have certain characteristics."
"For example: it will always give rise to some kind of rules and order."
"The 'Man-made dungeon: Knossos' is no exception. Compared to the real Dungeon that defies the gods' expectations, the hand-crafted Knossos built by the Daedalus family is nothing more than arranged stonework and structured pathways."
"And look at where the 'Gates' are placed. As long as a passage or junction contains a gate, there must be some human intention behind it."
It was known to all that mortals were imperfect. That trait applied to man-made creations as well. If the creator was not a god, then perfection was impossible.
Muttering under his breath, Barca felt as if he was finally understanding the meaning behind the madness of Daedalus.
At the same time, he also deeply understood the insurmountable difference between mortals and gods, and between mortals and nature.
Lost in deep thought, he paid no attention at all to the Evilus remnants around him, who were shouting and roaring like wounded beasts inside.
"The enemy's main force has passed the 9th floor and is attacking the 10th!"
"Damn it, the monsters are being wiped out way faster than we predicted!"
"Those despicable adventurers, our traps are completely worthless!!! Damn it!!"
"No choice, let the officers join the battle too!"
"The officers? What good are Level 3 officers? Can they even take a single move from the 'Nightweaver' or the 'Braver'?"
The chaotic group sounded like a noisy marketplace. The fiercer the invaders' assault became, the more internal conflict and division erupted among them, making an already dire situation even worse.
Glancing once at the pitiful bunch, Barca made up his mind. He absolutely would not follow the same doomed path as these people.
He was not the same as them.
As the direct descendant of Daedalus, Barca would do anything, no matter how unscrupulous, to achieve his ancestor's wish and complete the miracle known as the Knossos.
Even if… he had to betray the Evilus and defect to the other side, he would not hesitate. As long as the miracle could be preserved, he would pay any price.
Just as Barca slowly rose to his feet, ready to take action,
"Hehe… my dear little Barca."
A hoarse, strangely accented divine voice whispered into his ear.
Barca's body froze. He turned his head, and met the purple eyes of Thanatos, the god of death.
Compared to the emotion on the god's face, Barca's own unshaven, gloomy face remained calm and indifferent, as if he were an unrelated outsider.
"You should be busy handling the invaders right now. You wouldn't want to disappoint me, would you?"
Smiling, the god of death wrapped an arm around Barca's shoulders and leaned close to whisper.
"You're not very good at socializing, little Barca. Right now, you must be thinking of secretly selling information about the labyrinth and switching sides to the faction alliance, right? Don't deny it… you know you can't lie in front of a god…"
"..."
"Hehe… to protect your family's miracle, you'd betray us and our allies?"
"..."
The god had seen straight through Barca. No, after spending so long with him, even a mortal could have seen through the lonely craftsman who had lived his entire life buried in darkness.
Let alone a god renowned for manipulating the human heart.
That the god had exposed his thoughts didn't surprise Barca.
What Barca desired was the same wish passed down from Daedalus, the completion of Knossos.
If he could achieve that, then who he cooperated with, who gave him tools or space, was irrelevant.
If necessary, he could even abandon the Evilus.
The only reason he had cooperated with the Thanatos Familia until now was because it made expanding the labyrinth easier.
For the past seven years since that great incident, the Thanatos group had been its "residents." With shared interests, they maintained a mutually beneficial but insincere partnership.
Now that they were clearly losing and the Loki Familias' breakthrough seemed only a matter of time, then obviously,
If changing partners could solve everything, why fight to the death?
Barca had no loyalty.
What he carried was only the "Obsession" inherited from his ancestor.
And for Thanatos to approach him at this exact moment meant the god had already seen through everything.
"Hehe, little Barca. Have you thought about this? Even if you betray us now and save your own life… I believe that Ouranos of the Adventurers' Guild, along with the Loki Familia and the faction alliance, will never allow the Man-made dungeon to continue expanding. Believe me, the outcome will absolutely be as I say."
"From the bigger picture, if it's for the city's peace, then anything connected to the Dungeon is nothing but an obstacle."
"Don't you think so?"