"You really know how to make trouble for me."
In Finn's office at the northern spire.
After several days of treatment, Finn's complexion had improved significantly, showing almost no signs of weakness. Tione, who had just used a recovery potion, was fussing over him, making him secretly regret not staying a few more days in the infirmary.
"Bete, I can't defend you on this matter without drawing everyone's ire. At this critical time, I don't want discontent spreading—it would hinder our next operation. I hope you understand this."
Finn was equally troubled.
"For now, you should leave the Familia temporarily. I'll send a signal when it's appropriate for you to return."
If mishandled, this situation could truly cause a rift within the Familia.
Neither Eiji nor Finn could resolve it easily.
As the Familia's leader, he couldn't side with Bete nor ignore the others' feelings.
Thus, the only solution was to distance Bete—send him away until tempers cooled before reconsidering.
Without a word, Bete left the office.
Soon after, amidst angry shouts from Raul and others, Bete departed Twilight Manor alone, without even taking luggage.
"Isn't this a bit risky?"
Tione voiced her concern.
"If Bete becomes completely alienated from Loki Familia and considers changing allegiances, wouldn't that be bad for us?"
From a comrade's perspective, her words sounded harsh.
But it was a genuine concern.
Bete was, after all, a Level 6—a significant asset to Loki Familia. Losing him would be a major blow.
"At least on that point, I don't think we need to worry."
Eiji suddenly spoke up. "Even when facing scorn, he won't change his principles—a man of his word. I believe Bete is that kind of person."
"It's surprising to hear you defend him."
Riveria muttered, raising an eyebrow.
Within Loki Familia, Eiji and Bete were famously at odds.
"Though I don't particularly like him, I have some faith in his character."
Eiji said this without a trace of a smile.
"Of course, I think anyone who'd say such things beside Line and the others' corpses must have serious issues."
While he trusted Bete's integrity, his opinion of Bete had never been favorable.
Tiona, Ais, and Tione nodded in agreement.
Being tsundere enough to say such things to their faces—his emotional intelligence must be in the negatives.
"Setting Bete aside for now, regarding Knossos—"
Finn gave a resigned smile before turning serious.
At the mention of that infuriating name, everyone's expressions hardened.
"From now on, we'll slow our assault and focus on intelligence gathering."
Finn interlaced his fingers, his voice growing somber.
"Most crucially, we must find the labyrinth's key!"
"Our failure this time stemmed from underestimating the enemy, falling into their trap, letting them toy with us like fish in a barrel—all because they could manipulate the maze at will!"
"Only by obtaining the key can we seize the initiative in the labyrinth and proceed to the second phase of our operation!"
Everyone nodded in unison.
The labyrinth key, a red jewel engraved with the letter 'D,' was held by only a handful of high-ranking members. Securing it would allow control over the labyrinth's gates, turning all disadvantages into advantages.
From this point onward, all efforts would focus on retrieving the key!
"Finn, I'd like to request leave for the next phase of operations."
As the meeting was about to conclude, Eiji suddenly stood up.
"Something important?"
"Indeed."
"Very well."
Finn pondered for a moment before nodding agreeably.
After all, he was just a fifteen-year-old boy, even younger than Lefiya. The recent events must have weighed heavily on him. A break would do him good.
...
South side of the city, Fifth District.
The sun had just dipped below the horizon, vanishing into the western sky as night deepened overhead.
Before Eiji stood a towering wall—no, even in this prime real estate of the bustling district, it could only be described as a massive fortress.
There were no guards, yet the imposing gate barred all entry, exuding an aura so forbidding it seemed to roar at intruders to stay away. The surrounding streets were deserted, not a soul in sight.
Thud! Thud! Thud!
Eiji stepped forward and knocked on the gate.
After a moment, the heavy doors groaned open, revealing a vast expanse of emerald-green fields beyond.
It was a meadow so breathtaking—adorned with white, yellow, and countless other blossoms swaying in the breeze—that its existence in the heart of the city defied belief. At its center stood a small hill, crowned by a mansion so lavish it might as well have been a palace.
Eiji stepped onto the soil-scented grassland.
Behind him, the gate clanged shut.
Whoosh!
Whoosh!
Whoosh!
In an instant, figures dropped from the sky and leaped from shadows, encircling him. Weapons were leveled, each radiating identical hostility.
"To think you'd come here of your own accord!"
The speaker was a beastman, clad in black and silver fur. Though short in stature, his presence was overwhelming.
"If we kill you now as a rogue element attempting to incite a top-tier Familia war, even Lady Freya couldn't object!"
His words were laced with violence, eyes burning with unrestrained bloodlust.
"Damn right!"
"Insolent brat!"
"Hoarding our lady's favor like this!"
"You deserve death!"
Four nearly identical dwarves—wielding sword, hammer, spear, and axe—glared at him with venomous envy.
Nearby, two elves of extraordinary aura gripped a black demonic sword and white staff respectively. As their eyes narrowed, their murderous intent thickened, magic power coiling like serpents ready to strike.
"If you can manage it, be my guest."
Eiji ran his tongue over parched lips.
In the past, he would have simply invoked Freya's name to scare them off.
But now, battle lust surged within him, and he was itching for a good fight.
"Bastard!"
The cat-man youth felt insulted.
Not just him—the surrounding warriors all revealed their killing intent, their hands tightening around their weapons.
The tension in the air was palpable across the plains.