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/Later that day…/
/Fwoop… Crack…/
'Back at Orario, after parting ways with the Hermes Familia in Melen, Silver made his way back home, somewhat tired and worn out.'
"... Phew… It's done." He said with a sigh as he took in a deep breath
Let's see… I woke up in the morning, met up with the Hermes Familia, and was beaten up by them before being almost harassed by Aisha...
At least now I know where she is.
Then I went on a slight investigation adventure with Hermes, saw the remains of the Leviathan, shed light into the corruption of the Guild Branch, and unveiled the truth about the Monster Repellent Powder before Melen itself was attacked by a few dozen Violas and a group composed of the remnants of the Ikelos Familia's attack force and a few other unidentified members of Evilus.
After fighting them off and figuring out why they were so strong, Njord's name as a member of Evilus was cleared after a meeting in the Guild's Branch, and to a certain extent, Melen can be said to be safe for now.
"What a rough day..."
In short, around three to four years ago Njord coincidentally had an encounter with Evilus after one of their Violas escaped the sewers, contacting a strange sickly-looking man who I can only imagine to be Dix's brother.
This eventually led to everything that happened today.
By now, neither the Guild nor Hermes is aware of who Dix's brother is and his significance in this entire plot.
Still, I wouldn't be surprised if Evilus purportedly let one of the Violas escape just so they could meet like that.
In this meeting, the man proposed something to Njord, he would give him the solution to his problems, and in exchange, he would take care of one of theirs.
Obviously, Njord is smart enough to consider a deal with a strange-looking guy he found on the sewer, much less one that controlled an unregistered monster...
As for the reason he accepted it... Well, seeing how his children were constantly dying out at the sea to feed their families, Njorn made his choice... It would be more accurate to say he had none.
A deal with the man to help raise the Violas in the Lake in exchange for their protection and the extermination of the monsters at the lake.
And from time to time, to turn a blind eye to their smuggling operations, together with hiding everything of course, since if they were found out, Njord would be punished accordingly also.
The rest was the involvement of the other two powers at Melen, the governing force acted as the front, introducing this miraculous powder and taking away the attention from the Njord Familia while the Guild was the supplier and the one in charge of keeping news and rumors contained so they did not reach Orario.
And that was mostly how things went.
"Despite how things ended today, I'm still somewhat fearful of what the future has to offer..."
We're already in a cold War of sorts, with the power they have at hand, it wouldn't be impossible for them to make moves in the dark, and with Ishtar in their ranks...
In any case, following the meeting at the Guild Branch, for the next few hours, I helped the Hermes Familia in the reconstruction of Melen and treated the injured while also finishing the investigation and building a full timeline of events of what happened.
I needed to understand as much as possible from all sides so that I wouldn't be too late with what was going on.
Information is something I'm in dire need of, the more I know, the more I can make use of what I already know and achieve a more coercive and satisfying ending.
Moving on, after all of this happened, the Guild moved to completely seal Melen, and the Ganesha Familia was summoned to see if they could tame some of the remaining caged Violas in the hopes of maintaining the use of the Powder so the fisherman could safely work.
And also to protect its citizens.
It's definitely possible, but taking on the very nature of the Violas as not being monsters created by the Dungeon, it's to be seen if they can be properly tamed.
If not, it's left to someone else to develop a Magic item that can forcefully override their senses, and with it in hand, the Fisherman can return to what they did best without even knowing what's underneath the waves.
Though I wouldn't be surprised if Asfi created such an item on her own.
As for the other two powers, the Mayor has been put on probation but he should be out of jail soon and resume his Office since his actions, albeit illegal, were directed towards the betterment of Melen and its Citizens.
It's as if nothing ever happened to begin with… Can't say the same for Rubato, the Guild Branch Manager… Ex-Manager…
As I expected, he's now in jail, and soon enough his punishment will be decided, albeit it shouldn't be that bad…
'Silver shook his head, a talented man's future was destroyed by his greed, a classic tale sung across time.'
Soon enough Melen should stabilize and normalcy will return to its streets.
Until then, the Guild has completely and utterly locked down the city and is now conducting investigations to try and figure out the merchants and smugglers that did, were, and are actively working with Evilus, however, that will be tricky to deal with.
The Guild's power doesn't extend that far into the Continent and I'm pretty sure most of Evilus' clientele are Nobles from the many Kingdoms deep down the lands, they're not the sort of people the Guild can touch.
At least, not without causing a War or some annoying issue.
It's not a matter of power, since the Guild could probably thwart a Kingdom by sending one Level 5 adventurer or a group of them to fight.
However, Ouranos will likely track down everyone through Hermes and make sure to use their actions against them, likely blackmail them.
Though knowing Ouranos, he'll likely only want to keep an eye on them, Hermes will be the bastard to threaten them and blackmail them…
Still, it's not right to call him a bastard either.
As for the attack itself, not many died but a few did, those were the people I was completely and utterly unable to resuscitate.
I can't pull a Soul from Heaven, but as long as it has yet to make its way there, I can fix their body, at least to a state where they can wake up.
Unless they're completely out of commission...
I also can't bring back lost memories or their personality if their brain rots or is damaged considerably, that is too difficult... It may even lead to a vegetative state, death is a better option in those conditions...
Either way, likely by now, Hermes should be knocked out after being pummeled by everyone for his actions.
Even if not, Asfi will have done so.
His actions of enticing an attack led to this, and as I said before, even if he cannot be held responsible for the brutality of a terrorist organization, he is also a God and should thus act as such.
Amidst his Godly brain, there had to be a plan and way of conduct better than this, where things did not have to end with the city in flames.
Yet he turned an entire Town into a battlefield.
Whatever his reasons may be, neither I nor many will wish to hear them, and he likely knows that… But what he does with such information only he knows.
The Gods and their ways of looking at the mortal world.
"... Humm…"
'Silver crossed his arms, thinking deeply before he let out another sigh, taking a step onto the streets as he scratched his head.'
Nonetheless… I can safely say that things have come to an end.
I can relax now, maybe visit some old friends and catch up before leaving Orario for a while.
Since I don't plan on returning anytime soon.
I should also warn the others and the people I invited about the beach party… Tomorrow is likely too soon but after tomorrow is the weekend so I think it'll be the perfect day to relax.
"Urg…"
Is it a bit much to act as if nothing happened despite having just killed a few people and burned a city?...
It certainly is hypocrisy…
Well… I can't let such things hinder or pull me back.
But I can never forget... At least not that quickly.
/Step.../
'With those thoughts on his mind, Silver kept walking on the street, whistling calmly as he vanished amidst the crowd.'
'Now, just as he said, there was nothing else on his schedule, it was time to relax and take it easy.'
'Who knew when such an opportunity would reappear again…?'
"Maybe I should invite a few more people?..." He thought out loud as he passed down a restaurant
/Growl…/
"..."
'And after thinking for a while, he decided to make a quick stop.'
'After all, how long had it been since he had some time for himself to just sit and eat at his own pace?... Not counting the Dungeon, he couldn't relax there.'
'He wouldn't be getting another chance like this for the next few months that's for sure.'
'And maybe… With all the people around him… For the rest of his life…'
'Not that he minded, he loved to eat with company. But each company had their own table manners.'
'Sometimes, there was nothing better than eating with your thoughts.'
…
(This would be the part where the side chapter will take place, I'll post it soon but since I can't quite this chapter, I'll just leave it here)
...
/A few days later…/
/Shuaaa…/
"THE WORLD!!... Is truly beautiful!" Hestia exclaimed out loud as she opened her arms wide, letting the sun fall on her body and the wind to move between her fingers and hair
"It sure is." Artemis replied calmly as she looked at the horizon
"..."
'Standing at the summit of Orario's Northern Walls, Silver, Artemis, and Hestia could be seen staring at the horizon, smiling brightly as the sun took over the skies, the wind blowing their long hairs away.'
'They had already properly notified everyone of their departure, and while only their Executives were aware of where they were going, the others were under the impression Silver was bringing Hestia to an important mission outside of Orario.'
'While those of the Artemis Familia knew she was going on a trip with him, and despite her worries, they all encouraged her to go do something else apart from training all day long.'
'The Guild was also backing them off, just in the situation trouble brewed within the city while they were away.'
'Everything from what they were planning to do to where they were going was being kept tightly under wraps.'
'Not only for the safety of the city, but also for the safety of their Familias.'
'Because the news of Silver and two Goddesses leaving the city would without a doubt shake some things, mostly due to him, that was how notorious he was right now.'
'Ouranos already thought of him as a Level 6 Adventurer with his ability if not more in some specific scenarios.'
'Him leaving the city would severely alter its stability, after all, how many First Class adventurers were there to begin with?'
'The only reason Silver wasn't being pushed so far with propaganda like Finn and other adventurers of his Level was that Silver himself was still Level 4.'
'Even if Oraunos and the Guild testified for his ability, there would still be many who wouldn't accept him to be placed amidst such legends, and to not cause division within the populace, it was best to remain put.'
'Something he did not mind at all.'
"Silver? What are you thinking about?" Artemis asked as she turned to look at him
"... I'm a bit excited, that's all." He replied calmly as he closed his eyes
It's been so long since I left for this journey… Despite everything I did to be here, it is somewhat overwhelming in its own right to look back like this.
"Don't be like that! Smile! I bet you're still tired from the party! Let's rest on our way there!" Hestia said with a large smile as she patted his back.
"... Right." He said with a laugh as he looked at the distance
I'm not the only one excited it seems.
"So? Where are we going first? Despite leaving Orario many times in the past I don't know much of the outside." Artemis said awkwardly as she looked at the distant mountains
"..."
Right, Artemis wasn't always a Familia based around Orario.
They used to work outside at the edges of Orario's territory and beyond protecting the people from monsters, always seeking new adventures.
That was how most of her members Leveled Up despite being on the surface.
She chose to come to Orario after the fall of the Astrea Familia and the rumors of the tense atmosphere and the city's Dark age.
And even when outside, she must've focused solely on protecting the people and not indulging in any sort of pleasantries at all… Because she was someone super serious.
She still is, but she won't refuse to spend time buying cute clothes anymore and enjoying eating nice food by a park.
Artemis really needs a hobby, and although training can be one, it's not easy to talk with someone about it as let's say... Gardening and Cooking.
Take would certainly love to talk with her about it, but he's a dunce in his own right... I'm also not too happy with leaving any girl next to him and Miach...
She still trains just as much as before if not more, but due to that, poor Retusa has her hands full with how much time Artemis spends on anything other than managing her Faamilia.
So in a sense, her absence won't be that severe, as long as it's not for long.
I organized a training event between the Familias so they can interact while we're away, this should be enough to occupy them while we're away.
And since the recruits are still in their One-month training schedule, there should be no Dungeon dives for now, I've talked with Daphne about this before.
... No use thinking about it now.
"I don't really have a route, I was just planning on backtracking." Silver replied as he rested his arms by the wall
"But you do have a destination, right?" Hestia asked as she sat next to him
"Several." He replied with a smile as his gaze went beyond the mountains
"Then what are we waiting for?"
"..."
'Without saying anything much, Silver raised his hand to hold Hestia's and Aartemi's.'
'And without a single sound or spec of dust, they vanished.'
…
/Meanwhile.../
"..."
'Staring from atop Babel within her luxurious room, Freya watched with a serious and somewhat displeased gaze as Silver vanished from atop the wall.'
'Initially, she wasn't intending to keep an eye on him, but by luck, she saw him.'
'And what she saw plunged her otherwise happy mood down to the ends of the earth.'
"Ottar, have you ever thought about touring the outside?" Freya asked gently as she placed her hand on the window
"No, Goddess." He replied sternly
Sigh, there she goes again.
"Shall we then? I..."
"You mustn't."
"Hm? I didn't even finish." Freya replied, somewhat upset
"You were about to do it again, say it was time to go after your destiny." Ottar said as his expression turned somewhat awkward
She's having one of her Fits again, I can tell.
Odr, the one she's fated to be with one day, she's been relentlessly searching for said person, to go on an aimless journey once more to find them, whenever they are.
"... Ottar, where did you learn how to speak with me like that?"
"That is not how I would usually speak in such a tone with you, Goddess, however, I always keep your best interests and desires in mind."
"As your Vassal, it is necessary and my job to admonish you if necessary, for your own safety."
"..."
'Freya didn't reply at first, looking at the far distance before she turned to Ottar, even more displeased than before.'
"I wasn't going to suggest that Ottar."
"This time... I only... Hm..."
'Her words were suddenly disrupted by her own eyes as they shined in faint light.'
"It seems it's time for me to go to work, Ottar, forget I ever brought this subject up." She said as she turned to the side, moving to a cabinet
"As per your will." He said as he bowed slightly before walking to the door, already knowing she was about to change
'He did not hesitate even for a moment, and until he left the room, he said nothing nor did he stop.'
'But as soon as he left the room, his expression changed slightly as he began to think.'
Something is plaguing the Goddess's mind and it's causing her great distress.
Something I'm unaware of.
I've failed, to not understand and help her in her time of need.
'Reflecting silently, Ottar waited in the dark.'
...
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Notes
Next chapter will be the side chapter, it's best we deal with it first before the next Arc since it's quite packed with events.
Where do you think Silver will go to? Where would you want him to go?
Either way, once this is over, there will literally be nothing standing in his way to prevent Silver from descending deeper into the Dungeon, there should be a major timeskip again, maybe one leading directly to Winter and the New Year which is Silver's birthday before we resume.
The number of original plots is coming to an end and I'm also beginning to create plots of my own creation based on what I know of the characters, and I've been recently seeing all Memoria Freese events to make things even better.
I've recently finished the Winter Festival and Aedes Vesta, which together add to about... 22ish hours of content.
It was rough...
Anyway, thank you for reading so far! I hope this work continues to entertain you, peace!