Lefiya hadn't seen her for a long time.
Previously.
It was always Filvis who taught her the techniques of Concurrent Chanting, as well as the practice of "Close-Quarters Combat," and so on. But for these past few months, the other party seemed very busy, frequently absent from the city.
The Elf girl hadn't expected to encounter her here in Rivira.
She found a bench at the edge of a cliff and sat down. In the distance, Tiona was dragging Cecil along to line up to buy sweets. This place was located at the edge of the small town; not far away, the wooden suspension bridge was still swaying amidst the "nightscape."
Accompanied by the rustling sound of a small waterfall cascading down from the heights of the mountain.
Lefiya also felt it.
The Under Resort was truly a wonderful place with beautiful scenery visible everywhere.
"——The reason there are so many people here recently, is it because of that anomaly that happened before?"
The girl absolutely hadn't expected it.
The reason the adventurer town had become crowded recently was actually because of their side...
Oh no, to be precise, it should be because of Isagi!
The last time they came to the Dungeon, it caused an anomaly to occur here in Rivira as well.
Lefiya listened as Filvis spoke of it.
The mountain forest outside the town had turned into flat crystal, and beneath it, a magnificent city was unexpectedly sealed. Furthermore, it echoed the pitch-black city suspended upside down above the chamber, forming an incomprehensibly spectacular scene.
And not only that.
Monsters would come to the town from the pitch-black city, and then—
"They capture adventurers and take them into the city?"
"Yes!"
A few "lucky" fellows would be caught by Monsters and taken to the pitch-black city suspended above.
Then they would suffer all kinds of "torture" as well as—
The details were somewhat unsuitable for children.
Filvis's face flushed slightly. No matter what, as an Elf girl, she simply couldn't bring herself to speak of such shameful things to a compatriot.
Thus.
She just mentioned a tiny bit, but unexpectedly, Lefiya understood instantly!
"Cough, cough, cough..."
She coughed hurriedly, pretending she didn't actually understand, while simultaneously beginning to blame her former "roommates" from the [School District] in her heart. It was all their fault for talking about those strange things every day, making her become impure!
At the same time.
Far away in the sea outside Orario, inside a massive ship floating on the distant ocean.
A certain girl wearing glasses, who was conducting alchemy experiments, gave a small sneeze. She then sniffed, wondering who was talking about her?!
"In short, that's how it is."
"Oh, oh."
The two Elf girls, both with slightly flushed pretty faces, quickly skipped over this topic.
Lefiya was going "Pah, pah, pah" in her heart.
She wondered how there could be adventurers who liked that kind of thing! Being whipped by Monsters, stepped on, and also... and after being taken away, really doing that with Monsters... Were there really adventurers who liked this?!
Speaking of which, with so many people in Rivira now, could they all be thinking that when the anomaly happens next time, it might be their turn...
Better change the subject quickly!
"Filvis, you guys are also going to participate in the general offensive on the Artificial Labyrinth later, right?"
Lefiya asked in a whisper.
Regarding Isagi and Cecil, including the Goddess and the others, they were very suspicious of the Dionysus Familia; the girl was aware of this.
Thinking about it carefully, it was indeed suspicious, but regarding the compatriot before her eyes...
The naturally kindhearted Elf thought that even if that golden-haired God of Wine really had some conspiracy or scheme, the children who were his dependents should be unaware of it, right?
"Yes."
Seeing Lefiya bring up this topic, Filvis simply went along with it.
" The Deity said that we will be responsible for support when the time comes."
She could not give her compatriot a hint directly.
Children of the Lower World cannot deceive Gods, because they can see through the lies of mortals.
Therefore.
To avoid a situation where, if Dionysus asked about related matters, her lying would lead him to detect something, causing the plan to fall short at the last moment...
Knowing what a cautious and timid fellow her own Deity was, Filvis was also extremely careful at this moment.
She could only help the other party through side remarks or indirect means.
For example—
"Lefiya, will you guys be adventuring in the Dungeon before attacking the Artificial Labyrinth?"
"Yes."
Currently, the Loki Familia had not yet set the time for the general offensive.
Although they said earlier that it should be as soon as possible.
But after all, it was a massive operation involving the entire city. Furthermore, since it had been confirmed that the Artificial Labyrinth was connected to the Dungeon, Isagi speculated that the Dark Familia definitely had "entrances and exits" or even temporary camps in Rivira.
This was inevitable.
With a little thought, one could know that the chaotic adventurer town already harbored many "criminals" who had committed offenses in the city. This place must also be the best location for the Dark Familia to purchase supplies and conduct various transactions usually.
Regarding this.
The Loki Familia's intention was to have the Ganesha Familia directly blockade Rivira when the time came, but this would be somewhat treating the symptoms rather than the root cause.
There was still too little intelligence.
Although they could guess that the Artificial Labyrinth was connected to the Dungeon, exactly how many entrances and exits there were remained an unknown variable. Since that was the case, before the plan was finalized, Isagi certainly wouldn't wait in the Familia home, but would instead continue his Dungeon adventures.
"Then you must also be careful."
Saying words of little consequence.
But after Filvis learned that the boy and girls would continue adventuring next, as well as the approximate dates, she already had a plan in her heart.
She knew.
Ais of the Loki Familia had already joined Isagi's squad. Since that was the case, her plan was even more secure.
If it were before, the girl probably would have just foolishly persuaded Lefiya and Isagi not to participate in the Artificial Labyrinth operation or something.
But now, her mind was made up.
Filvis had already decided to destroy the Deity's plan and die together with him, to repay her sins.
And the more determined she became, the calmer the girl's heart felt instead.
That's right.
This was her ending...
After a long time.
Tiona and Cecil returned from queuing up with the bought so-called "specialty sweets."
The taste was average, and they were very expensive, making the Amazon girl puff up her cheeks in anger, revealing an indignant expression and saying something about going to tear down their shop.
Filvis smiled faintly.
After chatting with the girls about some daily topics, she left first using the excuse that "companions from the Familia are still waiting for me."
Very quickly.
The Elf girl weaved through the town and returned to a certain bustling tavern located in a corner.
The simple wooden house contained a hidden world.
Turning into a small room on one side of the corridor, inside was impressively a basement leading downwards.
This was a secret stronghold of the Dark Familia; similar places were simply countless within Rivira.
And at this moment.
In the wide basement, there were a dozen or so fellows dressed in black robes, either standing or sitting, resting here temporarily. Filvis walked straight toward the red-haired woman located at the side of a long table.
She was Revis. Just like herself, she was a fellow who had once died in the Dungeon but was revived as a "Creature" due to the power of "That Existence" in the Deep Floors.
The woman was wearing capable brownish-gray light armor, and with a face full of displeasure, she was currently eating a Magic Stone.
Just like a Monster.
These Creatures of theirs all increased their strength by devouring Magic Stones. However, what was actually more important was "adaptability," or perhaps "talent."
Filvis was a Level 7, while Revis was only a Level 5, and she had become a Creature who knew how many years ago.
This was the gap.
She had been sent by That Existence in the Deep Floors to assist the allies in guarding the Artificial Labyrinth. But Filvis knew that she had only run over wanting to take Ais (Aria) back after hearing that the Loki Familia was responsible for the attack.
From beginning to end, Revis was that Existence's loyal dog.
Therefore.
Filvis quickly informed the other party of the "intelligence" she had obtained.
[The Dungeon's Anomaly] as well as [Ais is currently teaming up with adventurers to explore the Dungeon where the anomaly appeared].
"Really?!"
Revis clearly didn't quite trust her, but she had no choice but to believe.
"Wouldn't you know if you went and looked yourself? Moreover, That Existence is also very concerned about the anomaly appearing in the Dungeon, isn't She?"
"Mm..."
The woman nodded.
"Mother" was indeed very concerned about the anomaly appearing in the Dungeon. It was just that previously, it mainly appeared in the Upper Floors, which was simply too far from the Deep Floors. Coupled with the appearance of Aria, She didn't have time to investigate it.
"—Hope your news is correct, otherwise..."
Revis was very unhappy.
After coming here from the Deep Floors, she ran to the surface, listened to Dionysus nag for a while, and then returned here to wait, wait, and wait.
Truly troublesome!
The woman had become completely impatient.
She was even thinking that if Filvis's intelligence was correct this time, then while exploring the special Dungeon, she could catch Aria and return directly to the Deep Floors.
As for those so-called "companions" in the Artificial Labyrinth, who cared about them?
That's right, that was it.
Revis smiled faintly. The woman, who couldn't hide her thoughts at all, had long been betrayed by her expression at this moment.
And this was also within Filvis's plan—
Back in the city.
Ryuu, Cecil, and Lefiya, and even including the idiot Tiona.
They were all thinking: they had only gone to the Dungeon for two days, so why did it feel like something wasn't quite right after coming back?
They felt that Lady Astrea and Isagi's relationship had gotten better!
For example.
She would always subconsciously stand beside the boy, and she stuck very close. It wasn't hand touching hand, but touching the other's... body!
It was the same when resting; the Goddess would always subconsciously sit by the other's side, and also stick very close!
Especially in the evening when it was time to cook.
Nominally saying she was going to help, but the way Lady Astrea walked back and forth in the kitchen simply felt like some newlywed wife...
!!!
Impossible, right?
The girls unanimously believed they were overthinking it!
Thus.
Time quietly passed again for quite a few days. During these days, the most important matter was actually that Isagi's hamburger shop was about to open.
This was probably the power of money.
With Goddess Demeter's funding, the storefront and such were not a problem at all.
It could be said that as Orario's largest "Commercial Familia," the shops Goddess Demeter had in the city were simply as many as one could want.
After finalizing the address and the renovations, based on the basic style and layout Isagi had roughly thought up, professional craftsmen quickly designed the blueprints and began construction.
And during these days.
The girls, led by Ryuu-senpai, also began learning how to make hamburgers in the Familia home, as if joining in the fun.
After all, the hamburger shop was not Isagi's alone, but the business of the entire Astrea Familia!
Only Cecil was an exception.
After returning from the Dungeon, the girl dove into her workshop daily as usual.
Working with all haste, she actually managed to forge the First-Class Armament for Tiona, who was about to level up, ahead of time.
This made the Amazon girl incredibly happy.
She jumped up and kissed Isagi twice—she really kissed him, leaving the boy somewhat dazed.
He thought he was just there to help deliver something; because forging the weapon had been too tiring these past days, Cecil had already gone back to her room to rest.
"Don't mind these details!"
Tiona was cheerful.
Hugging her "Exclusive Weapon," she was about to run back to the Loki Familia to show it off to her sister.
It was just that...
Under the winter night.
Relative to the impending arrival of Tiona.
In front of Twilight Manor, amidst the garden where a thin layer of snow had accumulated and several large, round snowmen were piled up against a side wall.
As the High Elf Princess, Riveria looked with a rather complex expression at her own "child," Ais, not far away.
At this moment.
The golden-haired girl was holding the "weapon the boy recommended to her" in her hands. It was constantly rotating, and still emitting bursts of noisy "buzzing" sounds.
It was a drill!
Isagi had said that drills are a man's... ah no, every adventurer's romance.
____
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