"I... don't have a Familia."
As soon as those words left his mouth, the atmosphere, which had just begun to relax, froze once more.
Even Finn and Riveria, who had been quietly discussing something, stood rooted to the spot in surprise.
"...Huh?"
Gareth scratched his head, wearing an expression clearly saying "Are you messing with me?"
"Did these old ears hear wrong? Did that lad just say he's Familia-less?"
Standing right in front of Ryota, Tiona froze for a second, her eyes shining even brighter. She excitedly took a step back and shouted:
"Whoa! Seriously?!"
"No Familia? No Falna? No level?!"
"Don't tell me you came to the Dungeon for sightseeing?"
As soon as her voice faded, Bete's wolf ears twitched. He snorted dismissively and crossed his arms:
"Quit joking around. You want me to believe the guy who blew up the fifth floor is just some level-less savage?"
"This rookie must've read too many comic books!"
Ryota rubbed his forehead.
He really wasn't lying.
But he also had no idea how to properly explain himself.
He couldn't exactly strip on the spot to let them check if he had a God's Falna engraved on his back, right?
"My appearance here was purely accidental. Besides, I'm currently searching for a suitable Familia."
He tried to make his tone as sincere as possible.
At the same time, he shifted his gaze back onto Ais, who was still standing in front of him, and slowly said:
"At least, I have no ill intentions."
Ais still wore that adorably blank expression, though upon hearing his words, her head tilted slightly further.
Then she turned around, facing Finn and the others, and softly said:
"I believe him."
It was a short sentence, yet exceptionally firm.
Everyone was taken aback, exchanging puzzled looks. Even Bete raised an eyebrow and remained silent.
Riveria stepped forward, standing gently beside Ais, and softly said:
"Ais, leave this to me."
Ais nodded lightly and turned back toward Finn, rejoining the group.
Then, the graceful High Elf royal mother-figure waved a hand toward the crowd:
"Lefiya."
The young elf girl, who had been staring blankly at Ryota, jolted suddenly, hurriedly running forward:
"A-ah, I'm here, I'm here!!!"
Her cheeks flushed as she jogged forward, muttering quietly to herself:
"Damn it, how did I get so mesmerized?! That human is really handsome…"
"So embarrassing…"
Stopping at the edge of the scorched, cracked pit, the girl known as "Thousand Elf"—though some called her "Magic Idiot"—Lefiya Viridis squatted down and picked up a pinch of warm, burnt soil between her fingers, carefully sensing its residual warmth.
After a brief moment, she turned to Riveria and nodded.
Ryota watched this entire scene unfold, a giant question mark forming in his mind.
What kind of operation is this?
Is she some kind of human power detector?!
Riveria's eyes flashed with a hint of surprise after receiving Lefiya's confirmation, and she once again fixed her gaze upon Ryota.
After a brief pause to consider, she asked:
"You said you're looking for a suitable Familia?"
Ryota nodded without hesitation.
"In that case, let's go."
"We'll return to the surface together."
"In Orario—you'll surely find a place you belong."
...
Soon, the group ascended the spiraling staircase step by step, emerging from the underground passageway on the first floor of Babel Tower.
Instantly, a refreshing breeze carrying the scent of sunlight swept over them, entirely different from the humid, oppressive magical atmosphere of the Dungeon.
"So... this is Orario..."
Ryota lifted his head, seeing rays of sunlight filtering down from the lofty ceiling of Babel Tower.
Gradually, the number of people around them increased.
As soon as Loki Familia appeared, the murmurs from the surrounding crowd took on an excited tone:
"It's the Loki Familia! And there's Captain Finn!"
"I see the Sword Princess! Oh heavens, she's so beautiful—"
"Did they just return from an expedition? Look, look! Isn't that Lady Nine Hells? She's truly worthy of being a High Elf royal!"
"Who's that pale-skinned kid at the back? I've never seen him before."
"Shh! Quiet down, he might be Loki Familia's secret weapon!"
"..."
Many people enthusiastically waved and greeted them. A few overly excited adventurers even tried to approach, only to be glared back by a single sharp look from Bete.
Ryota, who was trailing at the back of the group, frowned slightly.
His gaze swept over the noisy crowd, and he murmured softly:
"That's odd..."
"When I went in earlier... there wasn't a single soul around."
He carefully recalled the scene when he first entered the Dungeon. At that time, the passageway had been completely empty—so quiet it felt like an abandoned graveyard.
"Could it be... because it was nighttime when I arrived?"
He puzzled over this for a while but still couldn't figure it out.
Eventually, he rubbed his chin and mentally shoved the matter into the "I'll figure it out later" drawer in his brain.
The crowd grew denser and the daylight outside Babel Tower brighter.
Walking amidst the group, Ryota felt a bit uncomfortable under the curious gazes cast toward Loki Familia. He couldn't help muttering quietly to himself:
"This feels kinda awkward."
He glanced down at his own plain clothing.
Then at the group around him, all core members of Loki Familia.
Ryota suddenly felt like an unnecessary accessory.
So he quickened his pace, circling around to the front of the group, and called out to the two people ahead:
"Um, excuse me, seniors."
Finn and Riveria both stopped and turned to look at him.
Ryota stepped forward, smiling somewhat embarrassedly:
"I won't be following you guys further. After all, I'm not a member of Loki Familia."
"I'll just wander around by myself for a bit, get familiar with the city."
Finn smiled gently and nodded:
"We'll meet again if fate allows."
Riveria, still maintaining her cool, elegant demeanor, nodded slightly.
Ryota glanced briefly toward Ais in the crowd, noticing that the adorable airhead was also quietly watching him.
Their gazes briefly touched and quickly separated.
He gave a polite thanks and walked toward the denser part of the crowd.
Several pairs of eyes quietly watched as Ryota's figure gradually disappeared into the bustling crowd.
Only after he vanished completely did Finn slowly retract his gaze, speaking softly, seemingly to himself, but also to Riveria:
"Loki..."
"She won't let this kid go easily."