"Everything ready?"
"Our objective this time is to completely clear out the artificial space hidden within the Dungeon and hand it over to the Xenos as their future living space. Therefore, none of the enemies inside are meant to survive."
Loki's words were heavy and absolute.
But many members of Loki Familia still hadn't fully grasped the situation.
Seeing this, Finn added,
"Loki, the mission's target has been officially designated as Evilus, correct?"
That single question made everyone's ears perk up.
Loki smiled faintly, then nodded without hesitation.
"Though their current actions only target the Xenos, according to the Guild's information, they have dealings and ties with Evilus—and even with the Ishtar Familia."
This wasn't a rumor. It was fact.
Finn frowned at the revelation.
"They're connected to the Ishtar Familia too?"
"They're engaged in trafficking. Only, their cargo isn't ordinary people. The uniqueness of the Xenos sparks some people's desire to buy them, while others are simply trying to uncover the cause of their existence."
"For that reason alone, a market has formed."
Loki's lips curled slightly, but anyone could tell her mood was anything but good.
"That bitch Ishtar just had to stir up trouble, didn't she? Getting involved with that scum."
"And she even treats that love-struck woman as some kind of rival? I really wonder if Ishtar's brain is broken to think like that.
That whore has done every single thing in Orario that's either forbidden or barely tolerated.
And it's not just her—she even turned it into an industry."
Loki couldn't help but think, 'If you don't die, then who will?'
If Ishtar hadn't already been banished back to Tenkai, Loki would have dragged that bitch out just to whip her corpse.
"Ishtar can be set aside for now. That woman no longer has the right to descend from Tenkai—and she may never have it again."
At that, Loki let out a few cold laughs.
Now that she knew so many of the world's secrets, she was certain: the gods who had been banished back to Tenkai almost never had a chance to return.
For the ones sent back long ago, the impact wasn't so severe. But for those more recently banished, their mentality had completely collapsed.
Loki already pictured herself years from now, laughing arrogantly in their faces and mocking them: "Who told you to do something so stupid? Now you can't even come down, can you?"
"Forget Ishtar, that idiot who always picks pointless fights with Freya. The ones hiding in the Dungeon right now, running their trafficking operations, are practically no different from Evilus."
"If we catch them, their Familia God won't just get off with banishment this time."
Banishment meant survival. But falling into that kid's hands? Loki didn't even want to imagine the spectacle.
She'd make sure to be there to watch.
Maybe the one they caught would be the first god to actually die—a moment worth remembering.
"Then what about their Familia God?"
"That's not something you need to worry about."
Loki waved her hand dismissively, cutting Finn off.
"Our role is to cooperate with Ganesha Familia in purging that space and annihilating every last force inside."
"It would be better to leave matters concerning the Familia God to Hermes."
At that, Loki put on an exaggeratedly pitying look.
"Ah, poor fool. You might just be the unluckiest of the unlucky."
"???"
Finn and the others glanced at Loki, baffled by her antics. Still, it was obvious she was gloating with ill intent.
Checking the time, Loki grew a little impatient.
"Why hasn't that kid shown up yet? Does it really take him this long?"
Before her words had even finished, the space behind her split open, and Bell stepped out from the crack.
"My apologies, Loki-sama. The internal inspection took a bit longer than expected. Also, a small problem cropped up, which delayed me further."
That so-called problem immediately caught Loki's interest.
She knew full well that with Bell's current strength, hardly anything could trouble him. Even the Level 5 Arachnia had been ambushed and killed by this kid, hadn't she?
Could a couple of kittens really have slowed him down?
"Go on, tell me—what problem held you up?"
Bell faltered awkwardly...
"Ahem. Does Loki-sama really enjoy hearing about other people's blunders?"
That only made Loki's grin widen.
"I don't care about anyone else's. But yours? Those, I find interesting."
"So… I should consider myself honored?"
"Yes, you should feel honored."
Loki lifted her chin proudly, looking every bit like she was declaring, 'You're lucky I even care.'
Bell let out a helpless sigh. Truth be told, he didn't want to admit to his rash actions.
"After scanning the entire area, I discovered someone whose behavior… crossed the line. So I gave him a bit of a lesson, and made sure he understood one thing."
"What's that?"
"If you raise a weapon, then be prepared to die."
Finn was slightly taken aback. That was indeed a harsh truth.
Riveria and Gareth exchanged surprised looks as well. Apparently, some rather interesting events had unfolded in the Dungeon.
Loki narrowed her eyes.
"Oh ho~ now this is getting interesting."
In that instant, she realized who inside that underground base had provoked Bell, even enough to push him into acting on impulse.
"Rare. Truly rare."
"Ah… Did I come back too early? If I'd stayed, I might have seen the whole thing play out, right?"
Bell ignored Loki-sama's teasing and quickly reminded her,
"Loki-sama, that's not the priority right now."
Pfft.
Loki pouted but didn't push the matter further.
"Fine, then let's get down to business. Is everything ready on Ganesha's side?"
Bell understood she was asking him, so he nodded slightly.
"I checked earlier—Ganesha Familia's forces are already assembled and waiting."
"Good. Then let's move out. Bell, take the lead and clear that damned place completely!"