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The Loki Familia's expedition into Daedalus Street began with meticulous planning. To ensure an efficient exploration, the members were divided into several groups. Shirou was placed in a group led by Finn, alongside Bete, Raul, and a few other experienced adventurers. Their mission was to investigate the underground sewer network rumored to contain a hidden passage to the Dungeon.
Meanwhile, another group led by Loki herself—comprising Aiz, Lefiya, Tiona, Tione, and several other adventurers—was tasked with scouring the surface of Daedalus Street for clues to uncover the underground path.
As Shirou and his group approached the area, Daedalus Street looked starkly different from other districts in Orario. Its narrow, winding, labyrinthine streets created a disorienting atmosphere. Towering, aged buildings with intricate yet chaotic architecture flanked the streets. Small, tightly sealed doors dotted the area as if guarding secrets behind them.
The streets were paved with rough, worn stones covered in moss and cracks, betraying the district's ancient and neglected nature. The air was damp, mingled with the foul smell emanating from the sewers below. Some of the locals eyed the Loki Familia members with suspicion, while others quickly retreated into their homes, slamming their doors shut.
"Honestly, this place looks worse than I imagined," Bete scoffed, arms crossed as he surveyed the disarrayed streets.
"This is what Daedalus Street is like," Finn replied, his sharp gaze fixed ahead. "It was built by a genius architect obsessed with labyrinths. It's no surprise everything looks chaotic."
Raul, standing near Shirou, scratched his head nervously. "I've heard stories about this place before, but seeing it in person... It feels like you could get lost here in an instant if you're not careful."
Shirou nodded slightly, his eyes scanning every corner of the street. "It seems the architect wanted to create a place where everyone feels trapped, both above ground and below," he murmured, trying to decipher the labyrinthine design.
Finn called for the group's attention. "Alright, we don't have time to be awed. Focus on your tasks. Don't lose your bearings and stay in communication. Shirou, get ready. We're heading into the sewers."
Shirou followed Finn and the rest of the group to a small iron door tucked into a corner of the street. At first glance, it looked like an ordinary door. But when it was opened, the damp, pungent smell from underground rushed out, causing some of them to cover their noses.
"Ugh, smells like a Minotaur that's never bathed," Bete grumbled sarcastically.
Shirou gave a small smile, trying to hold his breath. "At least we know this isn't a place people frequent."
With cautious steps, they began descending into the underground network, leaving the clamor of Daedalus Street behind.
Meanwhile, Loki led her surface exploration group with a relaxed but vigilant stride. Aiz, Tiona, Tione, and the others followed closely, inspecting every narrow, complex corner of the labyrinthine streets. The atmosphere turned increasingly odd as the sound of shuffling footsteps was suddenly accompanied by a sharp smell of alcohol.
"Oh, here it comes!" A raspy voice called out from one of the narrow alleys, revealing an old woman in a ragged cloak clutching a bottle of liquor. Her wrinkled face and unkempt hair were offset by a cheerful smile, making her appearance slightly unsettling.
Without hesitation, the old woman approached Loki and leapt toward her. "Looookiii~! You're a rich and beautiful goddess. Surely you have something for me, don't you?"
"Eh?!" Loki exclaimed, attempting to dodge, but the old woman had already enveloped her in a tight hug. "Penia! Let me go; your reek of alcohol is making me dizzy!"
The members of Loki Familia looked on with expressions caught between amusement and confusion. "Who's that?" Tiona asked, tilting her head.
Loki sighed heavily, trying to free herself from the old woman's grip. "This is Penia, the goddess of poverty. And yes, as her name suggests, she's always broke and often begs from her followers or other gods."
"Eh? There's a goddess like that?" Aiz asked, sounding puzzled, while Tiona stifled a laugh behind her hand.
Penia finally released Loki after being handed a gold coin. "You're so kind, Loki. No wonder you have so many loyal followers," Penia said drunkenly before taking another swig of her liquor.
Loki groaned. "Don't get your hopes up. That was just to get you off me. Now, I need some information from you."
Penia raised an eyebrow, leaning against a wall. "Information? You know I don't meddle in other people's business."
Loki pulled a parchment from her pocket, showing a caricature of a man. "Look at this. Have you seen this man around Daedalus Street?"
Penia squinted at the drawing, trying to focus. After a few seconds, she shook her head. "Never seen him. I've lived here a long time, but I don't know this guy. And even if I did, I wouldn't get involved. My own affairs are messy enough."
Loki sighed in exasperation. "Of course, you're always like this. Fine, go away before you start begging again."
Penia chuckled softly, waving goodbye as she retreated back into the alley. "Good luck with your search, Loki! And remember, if you have more coins, I'll always be here!"
After Penia's departure, Tiona grinned. "So that's the goddess of poverty? She really lives up to her name."
Tione nodded. "I can't believe there's a goddess like that in Orario."
Loki pocketed the parchment again. "Believe me, in the world of gods, there are stranger ones than her."
They continued their trek through Daedalus Street, though the encounter left an amused impression on the members of Loki Familia.
Daedalus Street, with its chaotic maze of streets and countless narrow branches, seemed designed to confound and disorient. Every alley looked identical, creating an illusion that could easily trap anyone. Observing this, Loki decided to divide her members into smaller teams for more efficient exploration.
"Alright, listen up!" Loki stood in the middle of the gathered Familia members, all ready for their assignments. "We'll split into three groups. This place is a labyrinth above ground, and if we're not careful, we'll lose track of one another. Use your signal bells if anything suspicious happens, got it?"
She turned to Riveria and the Fairy Force, her trusted squad of mages. "Riveria, you and the Fairy Force will come with me. We'll explore the main section in the east. Remember, don't act recklessly if you find anything unusual!"
Riveria nodded gracefully, joined by the Fairy Force members, including Alicia, Sylvie, and Melina. Despite being mages, they were all prepared to face any threats that might arise.
Next, Loki addressed the second group, consisting of Aiz, Tiona, Tione, Linne, and Aki. "You're responsible for the southern area. Aiz, I'm entrusting leadership of this group to you. No one should act carelessly."
"Understood," Aiz replied simply, followed by nods from the others. Tiona added cheerfully, "This is going to be fun! I hope we run into something big to smash!"
Tione sighed, glancing at her excitable sister. "Don't get too excited. Just focus on the mission."
Lastly, Loki addressed the third group, made up of second-string members, all at Level 3. "You'll handle the northern area. Don't overextend yourselves if you encounter anything suspicious. Notify the other groups immediately with your bells."
One of them, a man named Stark, looked nervous but nodded firmly. "Understood, Lady Loki."
"Good. Now, let's move out!" Loki clapped her hands, signaling the groups to disperse.
The three groups began moving in their designated directions, spreading out through the confusing streets of Daedalus Street. Loki and Riveria confidently led their group, while Aiz and her team advanced quickly toward their assigned area. Meanwhile, the second-string group moved more cautiously, ensuring they avoided traps or threats beyond their capabilities.
The deeper they went, the quieter the surroundings became, as though hiding something ominous within.
Aiz's group, composed of Lefiya, Tiona, Tione, Linne, and Aki, continued exploring the narrow, twisting pathways of Daedalus Street. The further they ventured, the more they realized the complexity of the place.
"This is really like the Dungeon," remarked Tiona, scanning her surroundings with curiosity. "It might even be worse. At least in the Dungeon, we have a map!"
"True," Lefiya agreed, eyeing the Ariadne guide marks, a guiding system designed to help people navigate and avoid getting lost. "But here, maps are useless if we can't figure out the layout."
In the middle of their small debate, Tione suddenly stopped and smirked.
"I have an idea," she said, crossing her arms.
"What idea, Tione?" Lefiya asked curiously. The group focused their attention on her.
Tione explained her theory confidently. "If I were part of Evilus hiding in a place like this, I'd stay away from the Ariadne guide marks. They know those marks are meant to guide people. So, if we want to find their base, we should take routes that avoid those marks."
The group paused, considering Tione's logic. "That makes sense," Aki said, nodding in agreement.
"I like your idea, Tione! Let's try it!" Tiona exclaimed enthusiastically.
"If everyone agrees, we'll go with this plan," Aiz said calmly, though she felt some internal hesitation. "But stay vigilant. Don't let your guard down."
The group then followed paths opposite to the Ariadne guide marks, hoping to uncover something suspicious. However, the further they walked, the more convoluted the pathways became. Identical branches appeared at every turn, and they found no signs pointing to Evilus.
"We're... lost," Lefiya said softly, glancing around with unease. "We've tried multiple paths, but there's nothing here."
"I think this was a bad idea," Aki muttered, looking at Tione.
Tione sighed, scratching the back of her head. "Well, I never said the idea was perfect. At least we know they're not in this area."
"You're just trying to console yourself," Tiona teased playfully.
After a brief silence, Aiz finally spoke. "We're heading back to the Ariadne guide marks. We need to report to the others about this area. There's no point wasting more time here."
Though slightly disappointed, the group agreed. They decided to retrace their steps to the marked paths, hoping the other groups had better luck in finding clues about Evilus.
As Aiz's group returned to the Ariadne guide marks, a shadow gracefully leaped down from a rooftop ahead of them. Instantly, everyone tensed, but Lefiya recognized the figure.
"Filvis!" Lefiya exclaimed with excitement, her face lighting up. She hurried toward her friend, who had just landed elegantly. "It's so good to see you here! I'd like to introduce you to my team."
Filvis, clad in her white uniform bearing the emblem of Dionysus Familia, stood calmly, her cool gaze sweeping over the group. Despite her poised demeanor, there was an aura of politeness that prevented her from seeming arrogant. "I'm here to assist. Lord Dionysus has decided to ally with Loki Familia for this mission. Therefore, I'll be joining you."
Tione, ever sociable, extended her hand with a warm smile. "Pleasure to meet you, Filvis. I'm Tione from Loki Familia. I hope we can work well together."
However, Filvis merely glanced at the offered hand before completely ignoring it. She stood with her hands clasped in front of her, maintaining her distance. Tione, used to blunt rejections, chuckled lightly to ease the tension. "Well, maybe next time," she said.
Seeing the awkwardness, Lefiya hurriedly explained, her tone a bit nervous. "Please don't take it personally. Filvis doesn't like being touched. It's... a common trait among Elves, especially those who value their personal space."
Tiona, watching the scene, leaned slightly toward Lefiya and whispered, "She's always like this? I thought Aiz was the only one who could be this cold."
"Tiona..." Aiz muttered quietly with a sigh.
Filvis regarded Lefiya briefly, then gave a slight nod, acknowledging her friend's defense. "We should move quickly. If this group hasn't found anything, it's likely they've moved further ahead."
Aiz nodded and signaled for them to move. "Let's continue. With Filvis here, she might help us find clues faster."
The group resumed their journey, with Filvis now walking beside Lefiya, speaking quietly to her. However, the initial atmosphere was stiff.
Since Filvis joined the group, the mood had become increasingly tense. As they navigated through Daedalus Street, the previously lighthearted conversations gave way to silence. The stillness made Tiona uneasy. She turned to Linne, walking nearby, and whispered softly.
"Hey, Linne, what do you think is a good topic to get the girls to bond? I can't stand this kind of atmosphere," Tiona asked, scratching her head as she brainstormed.
Linne, caught off guard by the sudden question, stammered. "U-um… maybe gossip? Or… romance?"
"Great idea!" Tiona exclaimed without hesitation, drawing everyone's attention. With enthusiasm, she immediately directed her question to Filvis. "So, Filvis, is there anyone you like?"
Filvis, entirely unprepared for such a blunt question, froze. Her face turned bright red, and she shot a sharp glare at Tiona. "You tactless Amazoness! That's not an appropriate question to ask someone you've just met!" she reprimanded sternly.
However, Tione, walking behind Tiona, chuckled. "Actually, it's the best way to lighten the mood. Trust me, nothing breaks the ice faster than talking about love," she said with a wide grin.
Lefiya, walking beside Filvis, was surprised to see her friend's flushed face. She tried to suppress a smile, but her curiosity got the better of her. "C-could it be…" she murmured softly before blurting out her guess. "The person Filvis likes is… Lord Dionysus?"
Lefiya's words exploded like a bomb in the group. Filvis flushed even deeper, covering her face with one hand. The previously awkward mood immediately shifted to one filled with varied reactions.
"Ohhh!" Tiona teased, glancing at Tione, who looked even more excited. "That makes so much sense, Lefiya! Filvis must admire her handsome and elegant god Dionysus!"
Filvis, unable to tolerate the spotlight any longer, snapped in frustration. "Enough! There's nothing like that! Focus on our mission, not this pointless gossip!"
Her flushed face, however, only drew more chuckles from Tiona and smiles from the others.
Still feeling embarrassed from the earlier conversation, Filvis decided to turn the tables. With a firm yet composed tone, she asked, "What about all of you? Do you have someone you like?"
The group fell silent for a moment. But Tione was quick to respond enthusiastically. "Of course I do! I'm absolutely in love with Captain Finn!" she declared unabashedly, adding with a playful tone, "He's the perfect man—strong, smart, and with a smile that could melt anyone's heart!"
Tiona, walking beside her twin, sighed and commented, "I don't really understand love like you do, Tione. But if supporting someone from afar counts, I suppose that's enough."
Lefiya, intrigued by Tiona's casual reply, turned her attention to Aki and asked curiously, "What about you, Aki? Do you like Raul? You seem so close to him."
Aki raised her eyebrows and shook her head nonchalantly. "Raul? Not a chance. I don't see him as more than a colleague." She added jokingly, "Besides, he panics way too much to be attractive."
Meanwhile, Tione continued to gush enthusiastically about Finn, detailing how she admired him and wished he would notice her feelings more. "He's truly amazing! If only he paid more attention to me, we'd make a great couple!"
Aiz, unaccustomed to such conversations, remained quiet. Her eyes darted to the side, unsure of what to say. Ultimately, she opted to stay silent, avoiding the topic altogether.
However, the group's attention shifted to Linne, who had been quiet the entire time. Tione noticed and teased her. "Hey, Linne, you've been so quiet. Don't tell me you have someone you like too?"
All eyes turned to Linne. Her face reddened, and she avoided their gazes. After a moment, she answered in a small voice, "I… I like Bete."
Her confession hit the group like a bombshell.
"WHAT?!" Tiona and Tione shouted in unison, their eyes wide with shock. Even Aiz, usually calm, looked slightly surprised, while Filvis stared at Linne with a puzzled expression.
Lefiya, equally stunned, quickly asked, "A-are you serious? Bete?!"
Linne nodded slightly, her face even redder. "He may be rough and often angry… but I feel like he has a gentle side that no one else sees."
Tione covered her mouth, trying to stifle her laughter, while Tiona couldn't hold back and burst out laughing. "I can't believe it! Linne, you're so… brave."
Filvis sighed and remarked flatly, "Love truly is strange."
As the others laughed and teased, Tione suddenly turned her attention to Lefiya, who seemed uneasy. With a knowing smile, she asked, "Hey, Lefiya? You haven't answered. Do you have someone you like?"
Lefiya froze, her face beginning to redden. She tried to deflect, but everyone's eyes were now on her. Nervously, she replied, "I-I don't have anyone… I just admire someone's elegance." She glanced at Aiz, hoping the answer would be enough to end the questioning.
However, Filvis, smiling faintly as if seizing a golden opportunity for payback, calmly retorted, "In that case, I can guess who Lefiya likes. How about Shirou?"
"WHAT?!" Lefiya nearly screamed, her eyes widening as she looked at Filvis. Her face turned bright red, and she panicked. "Me? Like Shirou? Impossible!"
Filvis pressed on, her tone calm yet pointed. "When I was training you, you kept mentioning Shirou. About how he helps out with Loki Familia and how he cheers you up when you're down."
Everyone—except Aiz—nodded, recalling how often Lefiya had been seen with Shirou.
Desperately trying to justify herself, Lefiya stammered, "T-that doesn't mean I like him! I just feel… comfortable around him!"
Tione raised an eyebrow curiously. "And?"
Without realizing it, Lefiya began speaking honestly. "I just like seeing his serious face when he's teaching something. I just like how he cares for others selflessly. I just… sometimes feel my heart skip a beat when I'm near him."
The group fell silent before Tione burst out laughing. "Oh, Lefiya. 'Just this,' 'just that.' You're totally in love with him!"
Filvis patted Lefiya's shoulder gently, smiling. "It's okay, Lefiya. I'll support you." Deep down, Filvis felt a certain kinship with Shirou. They were both people carrying past wounds but striving to move forward for the sake of others.
Meanwhile, Aiz's mood subtly shifted. Listening to the conversation, she felt a strange unease in her heart. A rare, unfamiliar feeling—like something was bothering her.
As the others continued to tease Lefiya, Aiz remained quiet, pondering that peculiar emotion deep within her.