Within a tent of a temporary base that was set up by both Yoruichi and Serafall, Lefiya dropped down face first on her soft bedding while muttering, "Ugghhh... When will this end?"
Two of her friends also entered the large tent given for the girls of Loki Familia, "It has been a while ever since you started saying that. Haven't you gotten used to it yet?" Tiona approached her and sat beside her feet.
"There's no way I'm going to get used to this kind of lifestyle!" Lefiya immediately retorted, "I don't mind studying Magic theories and practice, but did we have to fight monsters for 8 hours straight every single day!?"
"It's not actually that bad, though?" Tiona replied while punching the air, practicing her mastery over Ki.
"I think their words are true that the best way to use what you've learned is through practical application and monster hunting is one of those." The second one who'd entered, Filvis, added. Ever since they'd reached the 63rd floor of the Dungeon, she had already stopped wearing her mask. Not because Filvis didn't want to, but because she was forced to reveal her identity by Yoruichi, announcing what sort of being she is and threatening everyone who showed any sort of hostile reaction.
The current expedition would be added to the annals of history, not just as the greatest but also the biggest because it was composed of various members from the Loki, Freya, Hephaestus, Ganesha, Hermes, Takemikazuchi, Miach, and even Kali Familia. It was an unthinkable level of cooperation considering the first two Familias' relationship, but it was made possible by the members of the Hestia and Artemis Familia's, who came to convince the Deities.
The children and most of the Deities participating thought that this proposal wasn't a very good idea, but beyond their expectations, Freya and Loki readily agreed and arranged everything for it to become possible.
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Before the expedition, Hermes arrived at the entrance of the secret tunnel near the Guild with an unusually serious expression and before he could get through, a black-robed figure appeared from its shadows and said with a ghastly tone, "We were expecting your arrival, Hermes-sama. Please follow me. I'll lead you to him."
"Expecting me, huh? It at least looks like he has an amazing excuse for this." Hermes sarcastically replied.
Fels didn't say anything else and just quietly walked forward and it didn't take very long for them to reach Ouranos' dim-lit altar.
After Fels left, Hermes immediately asked, "What's going on? Why are you approving this expedition?"
Ouranos looked down on him and answered, "I think you're mistaking my influence. Even if I wanted to, I have no way of stopping them. And aren't your children participating in this?"
"That's because this is such a big thing that I have to send my children just to get a gist of what's going on. And don't lie. You could easily dissuade either Freya or Loki as the 'Supreme God'. You do know that all of Orario might descend into chaos if those at the top suddenly went away, don't you? So why are you taking this risk?"
But instead of answering his question, Ouranos went off tangent, "I see... So you don't like the fact that Zeus' last 'Hero' was getting involved in something outside of your own arrangements and knowledge. You are not his caretaker, so why obsess over him?"
Hermes scratched his head in frustration and said, "I thought you already understood. In the current age where we lack true heroes, he's the only one who could get strong enough to defeat that thing. My duty is to protect him until he can finally slay it. He's Zeus and Hera's last card. The last card of the only Familias who came close to saving this world."
"Only that child? That arrogance of yours has grown quite big. What made you think that he's the only one who's capable of that feat? Bell Cranel is indeed excellent, but aren't there many other children, although they can't develop as fast as him, they still have amazing potential? The Sword Princess for one and not to mention, the entirety of Hestia and Artemis' Familia. By just focusing on Bell Cranel, you're discounting those children's potential."
"Are you seriously saying that? You know that the Sword Princess could never be a hero due to her origins. Not to mention, Kisuke Urahara's group is just a gathering of unknowns ready to explode. I hope you didn't forget that the only way to defeat and overcome the Black Dragon and the subsequent consequences is through a Hero with a completed Divine Blessing. Although I applaud their methods to get stronger without the help of Deities, it was already proven that it was the wrong approach. Do you want to repeat the tragedy of the Great Spirits?"
"No one, including the Dungeon, would ever wish for something like that to happen again."
Ouranos's reply made Hermes raise his brows, "...What do you know about the Dungeon?"
"A little bit more than everyone else. However, I have no obligation to reveal that information to you. In any case, the Guild's decision to allow them to partake in a joint expedition wouldn't change even if you complain to me. Whether you accept their invitation or not will be up to you."
Hermes stared at him for a minute before sighing and turning around to leave. While going through the dimly lit tunnel, he thought to himself, 'Should I really send Asfi with them? But if I don't, I won't be able to get a clue to what these people are trying to do.'
The open-minded and intelligent God, Hermes, fell victim to his own biases due to Kisuke's group of 'unknown' variables and his obsession with the 'traditional' hero.
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At first, Filvis' existence was the biggest controversy among the expedition members, and many would even be openly hostile against her. If not for her being a member of the Loki Familia, she would have been attacked in her sleep. But these days, the concern over her was already largely abated, not just because she saved many of them from harm, but also because Yoruichi suddenly brought three Minotaurs, all-around Level 5, to join the expedition, and they were calling her boss...