"It feels like I haven't been here in ages."
"This is probably my first time," Shirou said to Lefiya, who stood beside him, quietly observing their surroundings.
Lefiya had not become an adventurer in Orario right away. She had gradually risen through the ranks, arriving in Orario as a Level 3 adventurer before joining the Loki Familia.
So, she hadn't joined Loki Familia much earlier than Shirou himself.
The two rookies exchanged a glance, smiled faintly, and continued on their way.
Before long, they reached the highest point where the city of Rivira stood.
As they approached the city gates, Lefiya suddenly pointed at the entrance and asked, "There's something that has fascinated me for a long time. What does the number 334 written on the gate mean?"
"That's the number of times Rivira has been rebuilt. In other words, it's already been destroyed 333 times."
"333!?"
Lefiya was left stunned.
Although this was a so-called "safe floor," where monsters did not spawn, it was still part of the Dungeon. One could never predict when something unusual might happen.
Whenever danger struck, adventurers would retreat and only return to rebuild once it was safe again.
That was the reason for the staggering number of reconstructions.
Upon entering Rivira, Shirou Emiya marveled at the wooden buildings nestled tightly together, impressed by the resourcefulness of the people who lived there.
"We need to sell the magic stones and materials first."
"And then? Are we camping in the forest like usual?"
"Not this time. We'll stay at an inn. We didn't bring camping gear."
"But, Captain, staying here for a week will cost us a fortune, right? This is Rivira after all!"
As the only supply point within the Dungeon, prices in Rivira were outrageously high.
Not only were magic stones and materials bought here for far less than surface prices, but even a simple meal or a weapon could cost more than four times the usual rate.
It was shameless price gouging—proof enough of how expensive the inns were here too.
"Tiona, you're so stingy! What's the harm in staying here once in a while?"
"Don't call me stingy, you're the stubborn one!"
Hearing the bickering between the Amazon twins, Finn chuckled and said, "No worries, I'll cover the cost for this stay! Besides, it looks like you all need to save up."
"Sorry, Finn," Ais muttered, embarrassed.
With a warm smile, Finn reassured her, "This is one of the few chances I have to spend money, so it's fine!"
Hearing Finn's casual remark, Shirou couldn't help but click his tongue.
(If only I could say something like that so easily!)
"Don't you think the atmosphere on this street feels strange?"
"There are so few people around."
Since Rivira was the only supply hub in the Dungeon, many adventurers used it as their base of operations.
So, while it wasn't usually crowded, it certainly shouldn't have been this eerily quiet either.
After hearing Rivira's history, the group finally realized something was wrong. Finn thought for a moment and said, "Looks like we need to gather some information."
Walking through the deserted streets, they noticed many stalls still stocked with goods, though their owners were nowhere to be seen.
Eventually, after some searching, they came across a trading shop where the owner was still present.
After exchanging items and asking questions, they learned that someone had been murdered nearby.
Since they had to stay there regardless, Finn decided to visit the victim's lodgings in hopes of finding some clues.
"There are so many people! We can't even squeeze through!"
The group was shocked by the sight of the inn, swarming with adventurers clustered outside.
"I'll head in first. You all wait here with Riveria," Finn said curtly, slipping inside with his small, nimble frame.
As Shirou, Ais, and Tiona exclaimed in surprise, Tione broke into a frantic panic.
"Captain, wait a minute!"
"Hey, move aside!"
"Oh—it's the Loki Familia!"
Intimidated by Tione, the adventurers immediately made way.
Though a little embarrassed, Shirou and the others followed her into the inn.
Passing through several door-like corridors, the six finally arrived at the victim's room.
The moment they entered, they were struck speechless.
The room was drenched in blood. The corpse of a man, headless, lay sprawled across the floor.
"Don't look, Lefiya!" Shirou said firmly, blocking her view without hesitation. He then ushered her outside before returning to the scene.
"How disgusting."
Tione frowned at the appalling sight.
Inside, Finn was already speaking with Bors Elder, the mayor of Rivira.
Across from them stood Billy, the innkeeper, his face pale and unsettled.
"What happened here? Do you know the identity of this adventurer—or the killer?"
"The dead man came in with a woman, both wearing full armor. Since she had a helmet on, no one knows who she was. But the woman he brought is missing. So, she must be the culprit!"
"Is that so, Billy?"
"At least I only allowed that man and woman to check in," Billy continued, clearly frustrated. "They came at night, hiding their faces, and asked to book the whole place."
"Two people wanted to reserve all the rooms? Ah, so that's it!"
"Exactly. This inn doesn't have good soundproofing, so if anyone screamed, the whole building would have heard."
Finn immediately understood the implication behind Billy's words. Lefiya, who was listening nearby, blushed deeply, as though she had just realized something.
Shirou, watching from the doorway, raised an eyebrow.
(Lefiya sure seems to know a lot!)
Meanwhile, the questioning continued inside.
"You're the manager of this inn, and you don't even know what was happening in that room?"
"Ha! A man bringing a woman with such a gorgeous figure into a room? I'd have gone mad with jealousy if I'd heard anything. So I closed up the inn and went drinking instead."
"There's no trace of her anywhere in Rivira now?"
"None."
The investigation hit a deadlock.
After a fruitless discussion, silence filled the room.
"As expected, we still need to confirm the victim's identity. Do you still have the Unlocking Potion?"
"Here!"
Receiving the potion from a newly arrived adventurer, Bors hurriedly dripped it onto the victim's back.
Moments later, the Falna etched on the corpse appeared before everyone's eyes.
"Ah, I can't read the divine script."
"Wait—I can decipher it."
"So can I," Riveria and Ais said at the same time.
Riveria bent down and carefully read the sacred text etched into the dead man's back.
"His name is Hashana Dorlia. He belongs to…"
"The Ganesha Familia!"
"What!? Did you just say the deceased was Hashana Dorlia—the 'Hard Fist Fighter'? That man was a Level 4 adventurer!"
Bors roared upon hearing Riveria's interpretation.
If a Level 4 had been killed here without making a sound, then the killer's strength had to be at least Level 4—if not higher.
The thought that an assassin on par with a Level 5 adventurer might be lurking in the streets sent a chill down Bors' spine.
This place had suddenly become far too dangerous.
---
(End of Chapter)
"Hmph. If you really want to be useful, then entertain me, try to throw those pathetic power stones at me. Let's see if even your insolence can amuse a king."