"I disagree."
The moment Riveria heard that Shiro intended to investigate Daedalus Street alone, her expression hardened. With a firmness he had rarely seen from her before, she planted both hands on the desk and stared straight at him with her emerald eyes, attempting to pressure him into reconsidering.
"Among the Evilus forces we already know about, there is at least one combatant comparable to a Level 6. There are almost certainly more hidden in the shadows."
"If they discover that you're investigating them alone, they will never pass up such a rare chance to eliminate one of Loki Familia's executives."
During the incident on the twenty-fourth floor, the creature Revis had displayed two unusual abilities while fighting Ais.
The first allowed her to strengthen herself by devouring Magic Stones, much like a Dungeon monster.
Revis had swallowed the Magic Stone embedded in the chest of Olivas Act, the mastermind behind the [Nightmare on the 27th Floor], and raised her combat strength from Level 5 to Level 6 in only a few minutes.
More than a week had passed since then.
No one could say whether Revis had grown even stronger during that time.
What Riveria feared even more, however, was the second ability Revis had demonstrated.
She could cultivate monsters and command them to attack adventurers.
Both the Monster Feria incident and what happened on the twenty-fourth floor proved that Evilus's creatures could control Violas.
At this point, nobody knew whether countless Violas might already be hidden beneath Daedalus Street, just as they had been during the Monster Feria.
If Shiro were surrounded while investigating by a Level 6 Revis, an endless swarm of monsters, and the remaining members of Evilus, escaping would become extremely difficult.
"Hmm~ I normally prefer having the kids work together too, but this time I agree with Shiro."
Loki's voice cut into the conversation.
"If Mama-san has a better idea, though, feel free to say it."
Hearing her goddess speak made Riveria calm down slightly, but her position did not change.
"I still believe investigating Daedalus Street alone is far too dangerous. At the very least, wait until Finn and Gareth return."
Riveria looked directly at Shiro.
"Even if you want to hide Alfia's existence, there is no need to rush this much. Please try to understand how I feel."
"I get why you're worried about the younger generation."
"Then if you understand, you should—"
"But~"
Loki rudely propped her legs on the desk and cracked open her narrow crimson eyes as she looked around the room.
"Mama-san is worried Shiro might walk straight into an Evilus trap, right? But before worrying about that, have you actually checked how strong he is now?"
Riveria frowned.
She had expected Loki to counter her argument with some elaborate plan.
Instead, Loki chose the one argument Riveria was least likely to accept.
Strength alone did not guarantee safety.
When Ais had first become an adventurer, her unique skill had already allowed her to slaughter monsters on the upper floors despite her inexperience. Riveria had still refused to let her recklessly charge into the Dungeon alone.
She had even spent several days personally teaching Ais about the dangers of the Dungeon.
Knowing Loki, she should have understood perfectly well that Riveria would never accept "he's strong enough" as sufficient justification.
Which meant...
'Did something happen to Shiro that I don't know about?'
Riveria raised her eyes.
Before she could ask, Loki turned toward Shiro and began exaggeratedly winking at him.
"If you want to say it, then just say it."
Shiro sighed.
"Why are you looking at me like that? Even if you tell them, it's not like I can physically stop your mouth."
The moment he saw Loki's expression, Shiro knew she was doing this deliberately.
She simply wanted to use the opportunity to put some pressure on Riveria and the others, who had been stuck at Level 6 for years.
Unfortunately, that method was not particularly kind to Riveria.
"I was just thinking you might want to surprise them yourself."
Loki chuckled.
Then, under Ais's curious gaze, she slowly continued.
"His last status update seriously scared me. For gods like us who love pretending we know everything, nothing could be more ironic."
"Shiro's status actually—"
Loki deliberately stretched out the last word, obviously enjoying the suspense.
Riveria's irritation immediately rose.
Without saying anything, her right hand slowly closed around the staff leaning against the side of the desk.
"Eek?! Mama-san, calm down! I'll say it!"
Loki quickly waved both hands.
"After Shiro came back, he reached Level 7."
"Level 7?!"
"Level 7..."
Two voices spoke at once, yet the emotions behind them could not have been more different.
Riveria's mouth opened slightly in disbelief, completely shattering the refined elegance expected of elven royalty.
Ais, meanwhile, had a visible spark appear in her eyes before lowering her head and falling into thought.
"Well? Mama-san doesn't have anything left to complain about now, right?"
Loki grinned happily while enjoying the rare sight of Riveria being genuinely stunned.
"Level 7..."
Riveria sighed again.
She had already lost count of how many times she had sighed today.
"If that's really the case, then with Alfia accompanying you as well, I suppose you should at least be capable of escaping no matter what happens."
Ever since Shiro returned, one absurd development after another had been appearing in front of her.
At this rate, even if Loki came to her tomorrow and announced that Shiro had somehow become a god, Riveria suspected she might no longer be surprised.
"Still, that is a separate matter."
Riveria stood.
She picked up her highest-grade magic staff, [Magna Alfs], and walked over to Shiro before looking down at him.
"If you insist on investigating Daedalus Street alone, then you must promise me one thing here and now."
Her expression became serious again.
"If you refuse, then even if you have reached Level 7, I will not simply let you leave."
"Go ahead."
Shiro nodded slightly.
His impression of Riveria was much the same as that of most Loki Familia members.
She was an elegant elf who constantly worried about both the physical and emotional well-being of her companions.
He did not believe she would deliberately make things difficult for him now.
As expected, the moment Shiro agreed, the tension in Riveria's face finally disappeared.
Then the corners of her lips slowly rose.
Her smile was feather-light, quiet and gentle, yet strangely captivating, the kind of expression that left itself deeply imprinted in anyone fortunate enough to see it.
Even Loki, a goddess, seemed momentarily stunned as she stared at Riveria.
"No matter whether you discover anything or not..."
Under Loki's openly envious gaze, Riveria smiled softly at Shiro.
"I expect to see you in the dining hall tomorrow night."
…