A week has passed and it's time to return!
Where were we?
Before the side chapters, Hestia had just gone to meet with Ouranos after the Denatus.
As for the side chapters, they were about Silver taking care of Loiju's nephews and a meeting with Hephaestus regarding his equipment.
There is a lot to cover still in this Volume, regarding his future actions and his Familia that is growing.
There is a LOT of world-building, character introductions, POVs, and a bit more in the next 20-25 chapters.
They'll cover the aftereffects of what happened before and set the base for the future too.
Enjoy!
PS: If you didn't already know, Azimuth is back, better than ever so make sure to go there and drop a review so we can reach even more people!
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/Around a week after Amphisbaena was killed…/
'Bellow Babel at the grand staircase leading to the first floor…'
'A large crowd of people made their way up, forcing some of the descending adventurers to make way.'
'But they didn't feel offended at all, in fact, they felt it was proper to give way...'
/Step step…/
/Whyspers…/
"I can see it… The sun…" Someone said meekly as he rested his hand on the walls
"Sniff… I can't believe it." Another adventurer said with teary eyes
"You guys… Can you all be any more dramatic?" A beast girl replied with a helpless expression
'Most of them looked haggard, or at the very least, tired.'
'Their weapons were slightly dented and cracked, their shields worn and dirty…'
'Carrying a banner on their backs, it was the Loki Familia!'
"Sigh, this expedition took its toll on everyone." Finn replied as he shook his head
"Can't blame them, we've been down there for far too long, even I am already past my comfort zone." Gareth said as he carried his war axe on his shoulder
/Nod/
'Next to them, a reasonably tall Elven girl nodded, saying:'
"I believe they all deserve some rest, we should push the next expedition a little and give them time to rest, it's a bit embarrassing, but I would also like to take a breather."
"You heard her." Gareth said with a smile
"I wasn't planning on taking away their rest in the first place." Finn replied with a helpless smile as he lowered his head, slightly defeated
'Even then, he soon raised it, staring at the golden light that faintly made its way down…'
"Let's go, knowing her, Loki should be waiting for us outside."
This has been one of our longest expeditions, as we had to time it in order to hunt down both Udaeus and Amphisbaena.
We managed to determine Ais and the others' growth, it's certainly fearsome and their newfound prowess made it all that much easier, but it doesn't change the fact everyone's tired, and Loki is also surely eager to see us well and in one piece.
Though… I'm pondering if her appearing now is a good idea or not…
'Loki's way of being could, oftentimes, be more tiresome than soothing to a normal person…'
I need to at least have everyone settle… Before the others dive again.
'Finn looked back to stare and Ais and company, compared to the others, they participated in the frontlines from start to finish, having exhausted themselves long ago.'
'Their desire for growth has pushed them forward constantly, even Bete was so tired he barely snickered or bickered with anyone.'
'While Ais herself had a look that seemed to indicate she was about to melt…'
'Tione had already wasted all of her salivae complaining about her discomfort with her body and hair's condition, while her sister was much more contained, which was uncharacteristic of her.'
'Lefiya's ears were completely down as she walked like an old lady, relying on her staff for support, the poor girl was already on her last legs, that was the curse of trying to keep up with the main vanguard, despite the difference in Level.'
'Even then, he could tell they were unsatisfied, they wanted more... He knew some of them might dive again as soon as they were given the opportunity, especially Ais.'
I'm sure they've improved greatly.
'Finn didn't worry about their growth anymore, perhaps he once did 3-5 years ago when most of them joined the Familia, but now that their path was already mostly set, he only had to worry about giving them opportunities, while giving them advice whenever necessary.'
'It was clear that each of them had their own problems they needed to face and overcome, their own shadows they needed to conquer.'
'And when they do conquer them, they would become the next generation to look after the Familia.'
'Without much ado, they climbed out of the Dungeon.'
…
/Chatter chatter…/
'As always, the central Plaza was full of people coming and going, a truly lively place that made Finn realize that all of his efforts in the past, and in the future, weren't for naught.'
'Others may forget, but he'll never forget that it was here that Ottar breached his limits and essentially saved Orario from certain destruction, blood was spilled, wars were won, people died…'
'Whenever he came here, he remembered those moments, but this didn't stop him from smiling for those around him.'
"OIIIII!"
'Just when he was about to relay orders, a small goddess with red hair came running like a bullet from the crowd within the Plaza surrounding Babel…'
'Finn and a few others immediately realized something was wrong merely by gazing at her expectant and excited expression.'
'It wasn't a good look for her to have, it was the same one she usually had when she plotted something really devious…'
"L-Lo…"
"COME WITH ME, EVERYONE!" She exclaimed suddenly
'Her expression was fierce, maniacal even.'
"W-What? Loki, explain what's happening first."
"No time for that, the longer we stay here, the bigger the chances of someone spoiling this moment!" She said loudly as she held Finn's hand and shook them fiercely
I swear if someone already spoiled it for them while they were in the Dungeon...
But by the looks of it, they're clean, I can't let this change.
"But we need to settle the spoils first, it wouldn't be good to leave them behind."
"TSK! Then leave some people behind! It's a shame, but someone has to take the short end of the stick."
"..."
How troublesome...
'Finn looked at Gareth who just shrugged in response while Riveria shook her head, Loki wouldn't be convinced out of this…'
"I imagine you didn't meet with those brutes on your way up did ya?" She asked with a frown as she looked around with a sharp gaze
"Brutes?" Tiona asked as she yawned
"..."
"!... Were Ottar and the others in the Dungeon?" Finn asked with a frown of his own
It seems this may be more serious than I expected.
'Finn immediately recognized who she was talking about, and in view of that, for Ottar and the other important members of the Freya Familia to have descended…'
'It meant something pretty serious had happened, though he was somewhat thankful for not having met them, the last thing he wanted was for some conflict to arise and their schedule to be pushed back.'
"Oi, someone tells me what's..."
'But Tiona was interrupted once more...'
"By the looks on ya faces I say you didn't, which is great! Now, follow me before it's too late!" She said as she turned around and marched away
"... Sigh, Raul, I'll leave you behind to deal with this, meet me in my office by noon." Finn said as he looked behind
"Understood Boss-su!" Raul replied with a salute
'Raul was relatively far away, as such, he didn't hear what Loki said only Finn addressing him.'
'Had he heard what she said, he might've complained a little due to his curiosity...'
"As for the others… Make sure to help Raul unload, come meet me in the Manor later so we can plan for the update ceremony."
""Understood!""
"With this… You're all dismissed!"
'With a loud voice, the members of the Loki Familia started working, albeit most were still on the first floor holding onto the loot and waiting for the others to help.'
'The backline group composed of the people protecting and driving several wagons were still considering behind on the 4th floor, and they needed help to unload it all.'
'But that was for Raul to settle, as for the Executives, they all left after Loki.'
…
/Around an hour later…/
'Inside Finn's Office, everyone gathered one by one.'
'Their clothes had changed and they looked at least somewhat presentable, but it was clear Loki herself was already at her wit's end.'
"I'm glad you all took your time."
I told everyone to shut up, if anyone opened their beaks...
It isn't going to end with a mere scold.
'Smiling evilly, she turned back.'
"Now that we are all gathered… I can finally use this!" She said as she took something from beneath the main table
""Hum?""
'It was some sort of strange object… A pyramid…'
'Riveria and Lefiya immediately recognized that it was some sort of magic tool.'
"What is that?" Tiona asked as she helped her sister brush her hair
"Hehehehe… It's something I have been dying to use." Loki said with a large devious smile
A surprise tool I was holding onto for later... This very moment!
"You have no idea how much I pestered that fat Elf in order to get my hands on this."
"..."
'They all could imagine merely based on her excitement, and Riveria felt a bit bad for the Guild's head…'
'The moment Loki learned about the existence of Silver's new magic tool, she needed to get her hands on one.'
'After all… From what she knew, only a few such objects existed.'
"We'll have to give it back to him though… Well, I'm sure I can come up with an excuse, this is too good to give it back hehe." Loki said mischievously
"Loki… If you borrowed it at least think about giving it back…" Riveria said with a sigh
"Ha! Let's see if you can say that after you see this!" She said as she twisted one of the corners of the magic tool
"While you all were away, a lot happened you see. And it's all connected to the person that made this very item I'm holding."
'Her smile grew wider while Finn quickly understood who she was talking about based on her actions and tone...'
"Don't tell me… But is that even possible?" Finn asked as he looked at Loki
"Oh? Did you all meet with him, perhaps?"
'There was no need to lie now, especially with them.'
"Huh?..."
'Though not all of them seemed to understand.'
'So amidst their confusion, Finn said a bit more clearly:'
"If you're talking about the Captain of the Hestia Familia, then yes we did, we meet him on the Lower floors and he accompanied us to defeat Amphisbaena around a week ago."
"A week ago?... Well, I guess that if he came running back from the 24th floor, then it's indeed possible for him to arrive at the surface within a day." Loki added as she pondered
"Regardless, that's not the point here!"
'As she talked, the magic tool displayed an image, it was one of Hermes' divine mirrors…'
'And its presence meant…'
""?!""
"By now you should've already realized it… Hehe!"
"While you were all down there… Something incredible happened!"
"I'll let it show you the rest…"
"Show us?"
"This thing's a marvel I'll tell ya, a magic tool that can record image and voice, he calls it, 'Video', rather proper I must say."
'The others didn't seem to understand what the word meant though...'
"What's important are its contents! So sit back and relax, let it do its job." Loki said as she sat down next to Ais, taking Lefiya's spot…
/STEP STEP STEP!/
"I'm sorry I'm late… NOOOO!"
Is the seat next to Ais already taken?!
'Lefiya came back running, a white towel still around her hair as she dried it.'
"He! Too late kiddo!"
"..."
'Ais looked at Loki and Lefiya, she then tapped her legs as if indicating Lefiya could sit there, making Loki's expression ashen.'
"A-Ais… Let me sit there…" Loki stuttered as she looked at Ais' slender legs
"No."
"ARG?!..."
'Faced with an instant rebuttal, Loki's mood plummeted.'
"Wa-wa-wa-wa…"
'While Lefiya sat down next to Gareth since she couldn't take the embarrassment of sitting on Ais' lap.'
'And with that, they all focused their gazes on the mirror, what sort of events it'll display?...'
…
/A few minutes later.../
'With a decisive screen, the video playback ended, leaving only silence in the room.'
/Step step.../
"Ais! Oi, Ais!... Annnd there she goes..." Loki said with a neutral smile as she saw the golden-haired swordswoman leave
"I'll go after her." Riveria said as she got up from her seat
"No, I find it difficult to stop her... Isn't that right, everyone?" Finn said as he looked at Tiona and Tione, who were about to sneak out of the room
"Eh?!... Hahaha..."
"You can go if you wish, just promise us you all won't go below the Lower floors, though it would be best to not even go there."
"Make sure to say that to Ais as well, I comprehend her feelings, but she must rest properly before doing anything like that."
"Understood!"
'Tiona spoke eagerly, leaving the office after her sister, Lefiya going after them silently as she held onto her dress.'
'On the side, a grumpy werewolf pondered deeply.'
"..."
"You'll be going to? It's rare to see you so pensive." Gareth joked as he looked at Bete
"... Enough old man, I already understand."
"There's no need to say it again." Bete replied in a raspy tone as he left for the door in a calm manner, his hands on his pockets
'It was easy to say he was frustrated, perhaps even embarrassed.'
'Though... Were those his true emotions?...'
'If you asked Garath, he might say...'
"The lad's quite motivated."
"Aren't you the same?" Loki teased on the side
"Can't say that I'm not, it's been a few years since I rooted for someone that much." He replied as he crossed his arms
"Would you like to go after them?"
"I would, but m'legs are sore, besides..."
'He smiled as he looked at both Finn and Riveria.'
"Someone has to stay behind and prevent the others from doing the same no?"
"... Thank you Gareth." Finn replied with a smile
'It was obvious that the news of the Hestia Familia's impossible victory would spread amidst the rest of the Loki Familia, and if the reactions of the Executives were something to go by, soon enough, more people might go after them, each for the own reasons.'
'If Gareth were to go as well, they would have little to no sway in stopping them, no that's wrong, no one would ignore them.'
'But it's true this might cause some adverse effects later on.'
'And they couldn't let that happen.'
'So despite his willingness to go and split some Minotaurs Skulls, Gareth choose to stay and help Finn take care of the rest, so did Riveria.'
"So so? What did you think of my surprise?" Loki asked with a big smile
"... A bit overwhelming." Riveria replied as she closed her eyes
"Isn't that right?" Loki said with a chuckle
"I can understand now why Ottar and the others went to the Dungeon as I myself felt the necessity to go." Finn mumbled with a smile
"Perhaps later, after all of this is done, we can end a good month of hard work with some good beer." Gareth said with a large smile
"... That might be a good idea." Finn said as he rested his head on the couch
An impossible victory, Level 3 against Level 6.
Phryne wasn't weak by any means, she might not be the most agile and dexterous adventurer, but she was strong enough to contend with both Tione and Tiona in strength.
When Ais became Level 5, they fought and Ais could be considered the victor, but that was after the use of Ariel.
Ais still struggled to defeat her at the time, though it could be said to have been an overwhelming victory.
A new Level 5 defeated a veteran one that stood on her podium for a decade.
Then... What is there to say about a new Level 3 that defeated her upon turning Level 6?
It's...
"WAIT! Someone call Ais! We need to update her Status!!!" Loki exclaimed in a loud tone as she stormed out of the room
How can I lose the opportunity to touch her pristine back...
/FWOOSH!/
""....""
'The executives watched with helpless expressions as they saw Loki run outside...'
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Notes
And we're back, for real.
I won't repeat everything I said above, everything I wanted to say has been shared...
Though, if you do like my work, consider dropping a power stone.
And if you're bored, you can always go to my other Novel and check it out.
Peace!