The room atop the Tower of Babel—the white skyscraper erected at the heart of Orario to plug the Great Chasm—sat at a height that brushed the very clouds. Despite its staggering altitude, the space remained open, offering a sense of liberation as if one stood in the vast wilderness. Within this chamber resided a single goddess, radiating the majesty of an absolute being.
She was beauty itself—a manifestation of every concept of grace found upon the earth.
She stood as a living crystal of the highest aesthetic, commanding every earthly creature by her mere, enchanting presence. Hers was a violent beauty that stained all "values" with its own hue—a splendor no words in this world could truly capture.
This goddess was Freya, the sovereign of the Freya Familia, which stood as the rival pole to the Loki Familia.
"Truly, no matter how many times I look at it, his soul is captivating."
The smile gracing the goddess's face was not the derisive smirk she usually reserved for the denizens of the Lower World. It was a smile so sweet it could shatter human hearts, bright as a flower in full bloom. She looked like a maiden in love or a friend sharing a moment of deep affection.
Had any mortal known this smile was directed at a single individual, the other gods might have died of pure jealousy. The one who garnered this concentrated gaze of beauty was Al Cranel, a member of the Loki Familia—Freya's primary commercial and martial rival.
Freya murmured to herself, watching him with delight. She recalled the sensation she felt the moment he first arrived in Orario: his soul was truly exquisite. This had been her impression since their first encounter. It was the reason she could not stop herself from constantly testing him, yet he surpassed every trial and challenge she threw his way.
Materially and spiritually, Al was the only human whose foundation Freya could not shake.
"If his brother's radiance is a pure, stainless white, then his is a polished, abyssal black. They are truly fascinating brothers. I wonder why he chose someone like Loki? ── You would have been happy if he were in our own Familia, wouldn't you, Ottar?"
If one had to describe the man following the Goddess of Beauty like a submissive servant in a single word, it would be "Monolith." He possessed a body that looked like forged metal, and his eyes held a raging strength shrouded in still silence.
Above all, the aura this man emitted was more than ordinary humans could endure. Though he suppressed his power as a subordinate to the goddess, he harbored a majesty that would make even Level 5 adventurers lose their footing and drop their weapons in his overwhelming presence.
"With all due respect, I prefer the 'Sword Saint' to remain in the Loki Familia rather than be among us."
The man answered in a calm voice, showing no sign of being affected by the divine aura around him. Perhaps this composure stemmed from the knowledge that he was one of the strongest warriors in the world, reigning at the peak of Level 7—or perhaps it was proof of his absolute loyalty to the goddess before him.
Upon hearing the response from the man she called "Ottar," a playful smile played on Freya's lips.
"Oh? And why is that? I suspect you admire him too, don't you?"
"I do. But I prefer him as an opponent, not a comrade."
That majesty, oozing with a quiet fighting spirit, truly befitted the strongest of adventurers; Ottar could easily annihilate even the city's most famous first-tier adventurers.
Freya did not hesitate to tease Ottar with her smile, while he maintained his stony expression, continuing in a dry tone. These were his honest feelings. That young man, who had risen like a "Talent of Calamity" the moment he arrived in Orario—carrying the embers of the flames of the strongest god and most terrifying goddess of the past—possessed a vessel truly worthy of being the "Strongest." Ottar had decided to stand as the "Wall" before this rising hero.
Freya's smile deepened at his words.
"Heh, an answer that sounds just like you. Allen would likely be furious if he heard you."
"But it's true... Rather than him, who is nearly complete now, I deeply desire that as-yet-unfinished vessel: his younger brother."
Freya's grin widened as she spoke. Seeing this, Ottar bowed his head in silence; the words of this goddess were absolute law to him. Freya smiled with satisfaction at Ottar's submission.
●○●○●
Which person did the second-tier members of the Loki Familia fear above all others? Was it the violent Bete Loga, who never hesitated to call them trash? Or Tione Hiryute, who flared up like a raging fire if anyone interfered with her relationship with the Captain? No, it was neither of them.
The one the second-tier members feared most was the Loki Familia's ultimate striking force: the "Sword Saint," Al Cranel.
Most second-tier members were older than Al and had joined the Familia long before him; they could be considered veterans. Yet, none dared to address him by his name alone in the face of a combat style and growth rate that transcended known dimensions.
His eyes held a cold gaze, and he possessed a masculine beauty that charmed even goddesses. He had many admirers both inside and outside the faction, and his popularity rivaled that of Captain Finn. But for the second-tier members, seeing him felt like watching a true hero from another world, causing them to shrink back in awe.
When Raoul, the leader of the second-tier, learned that Bete Loga had insulted Al Cranel's younger brother—the person Bete himself feared second-most—Raoul wished he could simply faint from the horror of the situation.
The "Hostess of Fertility"—a pub where everyone was welcome, whether born and raised in this city or a complete stranger.
Though the prices were a bit steep, it was famous for its exceptional food. At this moment, the pub was completely packed, mostly with adventurers. They were all digging into massive plates piled high with meat and vegetables, gulping ale from large mugs.
Amidst the pub's roar, everyone's attention focused on a single point ── where a massive platter was set down with a heavy thud, carrying an enormous heap of fried vegetables.
Alongside that dish, thick slices of bacon and other plates followed in quick succession: herb-grilled meat dripping with fat and giant chunks of steak sitting in the middle of the table like small mountains. They were all rich, incredibly appetizing dishes.
"Oooooooooh!! Gareth!! Challenge me to a drinking contest!!"
"Hmph, fine. I'll defeat you and write the word 'Mino' (Bull) on your forehead!!"
"By the way, the winner gets the right to... mess with Riveria's chest however they want!!"
"── Whhaaaaaaaaat!?"
"I... I'll join too."
"Me as well!"
"And me!"
"Heh... count me in."
"Eh... Captain!"
"Ri... Riveria-sama...?"
"Sigh... let them talk nonsense."
These massive platters were being hauled to the group occupying the center of the pub. Today, the "Hostess of Fertility" had transformed into a celebration hall for the Loki Familia, marking their return from the expedition. The waitresses moved with brisk, frantic energy, complaining about the workload and the lack of time.
In the midst of this chaos, the young man who should have been the hero of the successful return sat alone at a side table meant for one. He ate his meal in his usual silence, not participating in the noise.
"Shouldn't you join the others?"
"Hm? Oh, Ryuu. It's fine. That loud atmosphere doesn't really suit me."
I knew that this young man, who murmured with a hint of loneliness, possessed a courage no one else had and an incomparable determination.
Four years ago, when I was just starting to get used to my job as a waitress at the pub, Syr brought him along during one of her forced attempts to reel in customers. Back then, I caught a glimpse in his eyes of my former self—when I sought revenge and slaughtered members of the Evils. I was terrified of this boy who was only twelve years old, despite being much younger than I.
Due to Syr's usual persistence, he began frequenting the pub regularly. I saw him gradually exhausting himself, just as I had been before Syr saved me, and I could no longer bear to watch. To make him a little stronger so he wouldn't meet his end, I used the excuse that "Syr likes him," revealed that I was a Level 4, and offered to train him.
I expected him to refuse, being a member of the great Loki Familia, but he agreed with startling simplicity. During our training, I was terrified again—this time by his sheer talent.
What he failed to do one hour, he mastered the next. His daily attribute growth wasn't just "growth"; it was a total evolution. His appearance and talent reminded me of "Silence" Alfia—the one I faced on the 17th day of the 18th floor during the Great Feud, where I broke before her overwhelming power.
Over time, I realized he wasn't someone who was arrogant about his talent, but a burgeoning hero striving hard to protect those around him. My fear of him vanished.
While I wanted to make him stronger, a part of me wished he would never have to fight at all. But the stronger he became, the more he threw himself into situations of extreme danger and certain death.
Now he speaks to me comfortably, though I think he was embarrassed at first by my mannerisms. He has become so strong that I would trust him with my back in the Labyrinth. He reached Level 4, just like me, in less than a year... it might be presumptuous, but I've come to think of him as a younger brother, and I hope he doesn't end up like I did.
We began practicing "Parallel Casting" inside the Dungeon because we couldn't do it on the streets of Orario. Half a year later, Jura—a remnant of the Evils who discovered I was "Gale Wind"—set a trap. I was accused of murder in the town of Rivira, and a warrant was issued for my arrest.
Despite being hunted by adventurers, he continued to believe in me. Together, we hunted the remnants of the Evils, but we were attacked by that cursed "Juggernaut," summoned by the Rudra Familia to recreate the nightmare of five years ago.
I thought we couldn't win as two Level 4s against an opponent that the entire Astraea Familia couldn't face together. I tried to make him escape, but he refused. Despite his fatal wounds, he never lost his will to fight; he looked like "Alise" to me, not himself, thanks to his fire magic.
It was a bitter fight, and we gave it everything we had. He protected me, defeated the Juggernaut while on the brink of death, and leveled up to Level 5. Our training ended there. Now, years later, he has reached Level 7, just like "Silence" Alfia, and he still works as hard as ever.
Ah, truly──
"You are a person worthy of respect."
"Huh?"
── The words slipped out of my mouth unintentionally. How embarrassing. Look at him, with that expression that says: "What is this Elf suddenly talking about?" Am I a fool?
"No... it's nothing. Oh, right, I just remembered. Al, do you have a younger brother...?"
── Crash!
"Bell-san!?"
A white-haired boy suddenly stood up with immense force and rushed out. Syr called to him, but he didn't listen and burst through the door. Yes, I had intended to ask if that boy was his brother.
But what happened? His state seemed strange to me. While I was thinking about it...
"── That boy who just left is my brother."
Al murmured that without me asking. Then, he gave me the money for his brother's meal, stopped the "Sword Princess" who intended to chase after him, and headed toward the large table.
"So they really are brothers. ── But I wonder what happened?"
I asked Anya, who was at the table where the "Iron-Biting Wolf" (Bete) was hanging from the ceiling by ropes. She said the boy rushed out as if he could no longer stand Bete's words, but the real reason remained unclear.
●○●○●
I run, I run, I run. Driven by intense emotions akin to anger, I run through the dark Dungeon, lit only by the faint glow of phosphorus.
To me, Bell Cranel, my brother Al Cranel was a true, flawless hero. Since I first became aware of my surroundings, my brother had protected me from bullies, from monsters, and from every kind of terror.
He wasn't just strong; he was compassionate and intelligent. The village elders always praised him, and I felt proud of that.
I thought we would live together forever—me, my brother, and my grandfather. But that dream shattered four years ago when my brother suddenly left the village. Grandfather said my brother went to Orario, the city of adventurers. I agreed immediately; no one deserved the title of adventurer more than my brother. I felt lonely, but I decided to support him in becoming a first-class adventurer.
Four years after he left, Grandfather departed this world. That was the spark that made me follow my brother to Orario.
At first, I thought about living by my own strength, but I quickly realized the impossibility of that; I learned how ignorant and helpless I was. Yet, I met a Goddess and managed to become an adventurer like my brother. The life of an adventurer was hard but worth it. I met a kind Goddess and Eina-san, and most importantly, I owe my life to the "Sword Princess" Ais Wallenstein. First love had found its way into my heart.
But ──
"Trash doesn't belong with Ais Wallenstein."
Yes, that is exactly right. Trash cannot stand beside the "Sword Princess." Only a hero like my brother is fit to stand by her. I heard that my brother had achieved brilliant success as an adventurer in just four years, known by the title "Sword Saint," serving as a pillar in the very Familia the "Sword Princess" belongs to.
"I want to become strong. Like my brother—no, even stronger than him!!"
This yearning for my brother Al Cranel and for my first love Ais Wallenstein is the reason I crave strength.
●○●○●
Damn it, I messed up. I got too busy talking to Ryuu and missed that scene.
____________________________________________________________________________________
(Note: Ryuu is the one who took over Al's combat training, and the Rudra Familia incident has been resolved; Al did not fail to protect Ryuu but instead defeated the Juggernaut).
"Equipment"
[Mistilteinn] A special first-class weapon. A one-handed sword with the "Unbreakable" attribute. Its glowing emerald blade was forged from the hardest metals and rare drops from the Floor Boss "Balor."