"Let's start with the Soma Familia."
The man—Nobu—stated before giving his 'basis'.
"It is written here that they had a reformation."
Few days ago, Soma Familia ushered in a reformation. The previous captain was internally detained along with some of their officers. It couldn't escape the eyes of Hermes Familia.
"I caused that one."
Nobu said while smiling proudly. The two of them lost words for a moment upon seeing this.
"I raided their base and got their ledgers."
He took out a thick notebook filled with notes. It is Zanis' personal handbook. He opened it and stopped on a certain page. He showed it to them.
While clutching another magic tool, Asfi carefully read the contents.
"It shows how Ishtar Familia is their number one buyer. What of it?"
"No, not that one." He pointed specifically to a certain familia's name. "This one."
"Ikelos Familia? What—?"
Her words were halted as she saw something. They are the second-largest buyer below Ishtar Familia.
"I see."
A glint went past Hermes' eyes. He looked towards Nobu with understanding.
"Asfi, do we have intel about them?"
"Yes. According to their official records, they are an exploration-type familia." She responded. "Is the ledger real? There's no way they could make that much in a month."
"Mister Hermes should know if it's real."
Hearing his playful reply, Asfi felt there is currently two Hermes in this room.
"It's real."
"..!"
"What can you say about this abnormality, Trespasser-san?" He asked Nobu.
"Well… They are definitely hiding something. I mean, how could they rake in millions and trade them for Soma's wine? I bet they're reselling this outside Orario, too."
Soma Familia did not deal with anything outside Orario. Hence, Ikelos Familia took the chance to buy Soma's wine en masse and smuggle it over the gate. They have methods of sneaking with the help of hidden underground passages—something Daedalus built in his time.
With a contact outside, they then distribute it to Gekai, in turn earning millions of valis every month. It wasn't noticeable due to how they spent these for Knossos' expensive building materials.
"Ikelos… Tsk, tsk. How did I not see this?"
Hermes recalled the few times he recalled the said god. He is just as suspicious as Hermes, which tells a lot about his troublesome personality.
"If you think it ends there… It doesn't." Nobu declared. "Ikelos Familia make huge amounts of money. Are you curious about where it goes?"
"...Something expensive. The type that requires huge amounts of funding…"
Hermes entered his thinking state. The god who originally uncovered Ikelos Familia's connection with his wits. He was also involved in the investigation of Enyo's real identity.
Nevertheless, gods aren't omniscient in Gekai.
"The man-made labyrinth of Daedalus Street, Knossos. That's where they spend it."
"Knossos..? Isn't it just a myth?"
Asfi recalled reading that certain myth. Daedalus used to be the greatest architect of Orario. He built the design for Orario's sewerage systems, pipelines, and the general layout of the city itself.
Unfortunately, he became crazy in his later years. He was caught up in making a labyrinth that rivals the dungeon itself.
"Nope. Not really. You see… Daedalus completed his initial designs before he died. It was then passed down to his descendants. A thousand-year-long mission is happening without anyone in Orario noticing."
"It does exist."
"Lord Hermes?"
"Knossos exists. It's one of the few things I found after the Great Feud."
Four years ago, the Great Feud occurred. Evilus attacked Orario with organized terrorism. Their main aim is to destroy the dungeon city itself. If not for every single familia uniting against them, Orario would've been destroyed.
With Erebus executed, Evilus was destroyed. Some of the remnants hid all over Orario, which was then cleaned up by Ryuu's rampage.
It was inevitable to find scant amount of information about Knossos' existence.
"I presume you know where to find it?"
"As expected of Hermes-sama. I did not choose the wrong partner." Nobu replied. "Its location is could be found with common sense. That place literally shouts Daedalus' well-known legacy."
""Daedalus Street.""
Both Asfi and Hermes came to the same conclusion.
"Bingo."
Nobu pulled up their partial map of Daedalus Street. He started scribbling lines after the disconnected ones while correcting some incorrect places.
"Your topography is messed up."
"You made it sound an easy job." Asfi retorted.
"Touche."
The duo inside the room had fun throwing light-hearted banter. Anyone wouldn't expect that Nobu is an intruder five minutes ago.
"This will serve as a gift."
Nobu gave them a fourth of Daedalus Street's correct map. It was something he learned after weeks of [Correspondence] and Miku's help. By bringing a magic tool connected to the smartphone, something like a GPS could be completed.
Though it is more like opening a new minimap. The data from [Correspondence] is inputted into her system before 'drawing' the said map.
"I won't even ask how you got that. I'll gladly take it."
"I'm flattered."
Seeing their interaction, Asfi forgot the tool she was holding. She became speechless at their actions.
'Two Lord Hermes… Please don't let it be double the headache.'
Unfortunately, her premonition was right.
"It's… here."
Nobu marked a certain spot.
"You will find a hidden entrance on Daedalus Street's sewers. It conceals the pathway to Knossos. I do hope you wouldn't storm immediately. Even with Loki Familia's help, it won't suffice."
"And why is that?"
"Enyo."
For a moment, the air around Hermes changed.
"...What did you say?"
"It is what it is. The destroyer of cities in your language. It seems like you caught a whiff of those traces."
Along with Knossos, Hermes also came to know of Enyo during his years. It was only small snippets of information at first. It is said that Enyo declared that he'll finish what Evilus couldn't. However, Hermes Familia still couldn't find him.
The elusive name resurfaced in Nobu's mouth.
"I'm saying Enyo is involved with Evilus. You don't know the kind of stuff they could pull over."
"How did you know everything?"
Hermes composed himself again.
"That's a business secret."
With that, Nobu took out a metal cylinder from his bag.
"Til next time."
Click.
Bam-!
A blinding light came from it. Nobody was prepared when he suddenly threw the weird contraption.
It took them twenty seconds to completely clear the flashbang's effects.
"What was that..?"
Asfi was shocked. That was one of the few magic tools she was theorizing. She looked as if someone plagiarized her design.
Tap.
Hermes caught the flying business card he had left behind. There, it was written:
[It was a fun meeting. Place a red flag on the third window southeast of the mansion for another meeting. I'll come over within a day.]
[PS: Apologies for the flashbang. It won't happen next time.]
[Sincerely, Red.]
Hermes could only laugh at his eccentricity.
"Looks like the coming days will be troublesome."
Hearing his alarming statement, Asfi knew coffee would be her trusty comrade once more.
*****
Everything went smoothly after my visit to Hermes Familia. I dove into the dungeon with a different appearance. After that, I trained with Lili, Tiona, and Aiz. I also attended Eina-san's lessons before sleeping. I woke up around 1 PM which led me to meet Ryuu-san when I bought lunch.
Thinking about it, a month passed since I landed in this world.
Three weeks were enough to recreate many weapons and tools I previously had.
The magic tool (ring) for stealth, Composite.
The string gloves, Filament.
Flashbangs.
Grenades.
Smoke bombs.
In my eighth iteration, I didn't make tools like [Filament]. I didn't see the need to do so since I never had another identity. If I wasn't ambushed by two Level fives, one Level four, and several Level threes, I would've survived.
That's how resilient I am after seven iterations. Unfortunately, I didn't see that attack coming. They gave me the boss monster treatment right off the bat and never gave me the chance to use more tools.
Now I know they are after me, the tables had turned.
"Yawn…"
"Ye fine? We could put this off."
"I'm alright. I just woke up."
Currently, I am in our home's courtyard. I asked Tsubaki-nee's help to test out my magic—Mana Furnace. When I used it, I didn't have any control over my body. That abnormality pushed me to use this with supervision.
Hephaestus-sama told me I acted strange while Lady Artemis mentioned my abnormality.
It's strange they don't want to talk about the magic's direct effects. Though they did advise me to use it with supervision. They don't want me to lose control.
"I believe yer about to reach level three?"
Tsubaki-nee threw a question.
"That's right. I only need a small push to level up."
Looking at my current status, it won't be long before I max everything at 1599. Perhaps a few more days is all I need.
"Well then. Let's start." I declared.
The spell composition ran in my mind. It is a special spell that didn't depend on the number of circles. This spell is merely a trigger to the 'dream organs'. These will awaken as a result, transforming me into a non-human.
Sirius is a spell produced by it. That was far as I could go with [Mana Furnace] in the past. I could only overlay the myths and the modified robustness in my body.
If that is an imitation, this is not.
"Archiatus Overload."
A bright white circle appeared on my feet. A strange sensation overcame my body. It is similar to the itchiness I feel with my cheat.
A second later, I felt different sensations.
I lost the need to breath.
My heart stopped beating.
I lost the requirements to live.
Just as I thought of something, I blanked out.
*****
"Oh~?"
At first, Tsubaki was curious about the spell Nobu wanted to try. It needed her supervision, after all. Where would you need a Level five for testing like this?
Crack.
"I see."
She marveled at his current state. A heavy pressure came from his small body. It caused several cracks on the soil. For weaker adventurers, they'll have trouble breathing.
The air around him became distorted. It even alarmed the magic formation Nobu placed in the familia home. An invisible barrier surrounded the place. It successfully contained the pressure from him.
"—Ah?"
Tsubaki was startled by his changes. He suddenly grew out a pair of white wolf ears and a thick bushy tail. She caught his pupils turning dull.
A foreboding occurred to her.
"T'is why he wanted my help!"
She knew about skills that cause their wielder to lose control. Finn's skill is one of them.
Nobu started charging toward her. His fast speed is completely different from before. It far surpassed his previous limits.
Tsubaki intended to catch him. She could handle this speed as a level five.
Just as she caught his arm, it turned blurry before passing through her.
Fluff.
Nobu successfully completed his mission. His face dove to her chest. As usual, he wanted to 'save' the scents of people important to him.
For a moment, she became silent. She couldn't fathom how the refined boy turned into this.
"...Pfft—!"
She burst out laughing. She was not embarrassed by his actions. Tsubaki is not someone who cares about it.
"I see, I see!"
She recalled Hephaestus' flustered look few days ago. The latter tried to tell her a story but backed out.
"No wonder Hephaestus-sama got that looks! This is cute, indeed!"
The tail swayed as a response—a sudden attack that dealt fatal damage.
"Tsubaki?!"
A beet-red Hephaestus arrived in the courtyard. She came back and saw the familia home's defenses flaring up. Then, she saw the absurd scene.
Immediately, Nobu went for her instead. When she was hugged, her face turned an even brighter shade of red. With only Tsubaki present, she did not need to hide her true feelings nor keep up her cool facade.
"Eh? It seems like the boy's attached to you, Hephaestus-sama."
"W-what did you two do?!"
"Nothing. He insisted trying his new skill." Tsubaki paused before adding, "If stealing him is all you're wor—"
"That's not it!"
She was shut down by Hephaestus' strong rebuttal.
"A-anyways! We should turn him back to normal."
"How 'bout we help him try it? Nobu-kun might listen to you."
It was clear to Tsubaki that Nobu wanted to try the skill's capabilities. She had a peak on its effects with his arm passing through her grasp. Her instincts are telling her that his current state is a formidable one, far surpassing what she could deal with.
"Alright… Nobu-kun."
Swiftly, his gaze turned to her. Hephaestus met his pupils that showed one constellation at a time. For a god, it is still captivating. It is even more for Hephaestus who felt as if she could 'see' his thoughts. It is a deeper connection than the one offered by falna.
"Can you use the most complicated magic you have? It has to be harmless."
Hephaestus added the last line upon remembering his dangerous arsenal of spells. She saw his feats of fighting against dragons and wiping out cities alike. Although she wasn't sure if he could do it without his so-called assistance, it is best to remain cautious.
"Um."
Nobu nodded enthusiastically. He separated himself from her as his hands started moving.
A huge outline of a magic circle appeared. The smaller circles appeared on the tip of his fingers. He threw all of them out swiftly. These smaller circles took up space on the huge outline.
Five seconds later, he chanted:
"Militaris Fortilitia." (Military Fortress.)
Crackle-!
The magic circle let out arcs of energy. One by one, magic circles encapsulated the three of them. The golden circles spun as it took the origin of a military base.
"This is magic..?" Tsubaki muttered. "How amazing…"
"Nobu-kun doesn't have the magic limits."
"It looks beautiful. T'is even better than Riveria's barrier skill!"
Tsubaki recalled the events of four years ago. Riveria used her magic to protect the civilians and adventurers alike from Evilus' attacks. When she saw this, she had a feeling it surpassed the high elf's magic.
Upon seeing Hephaestus' satisfied look, Nobu returned back to her embrace.
"He could be this clingy..." The goddess muttered.
Hephaestus became embarrassed once more.
*****
"Ah..?"
I felt like being doused by cold water. Darkness greeted my sight or is it..?
"..lp me out?!"
"...un seei…"
Hephaestus-sama… and Tsubaki-nee?
I moved from my place. Light entered my sight.
White… long-sleeves?
I could hear my surroundings going silent. With each backward step I took, I saw Hephaestus-sama looking at me with a red face.
…
…
…
"...What happened?"
I found Tsubaki-nee. She is somehow laughing moments ago. I sent a perplexed look to the two of them.
…
Wait a minute.
I realized how close I was to Hephaestus-sama. It's as if… I hugged her..?
"Uhm…"
"Ahem! I'm glad you returned to your senses, Nobu-kun." Hephaestus-sama turned around and started walking away.
"Ye curious what happened?"
"...Yes..?"
Alright.
I organized my thoughts.
I came to the courtyard with Tsubaki-nee to test out [Mana Furnace]. A few seconds after casting it, I blanked out. Then, I woke up in Hephaestus-sama's chest.
Hephaestus-sama… chest…
Click.
"Ah."
I realized what's going on.