One day later, Elise followed the time previously given by the members of Loki Familia and headed to their Familia residence—the Twilight Manor.
As one of Orario's two great pillars, Loki Familia truly lived up to its reputation. Even the building's decorations were imposing and magnificent.
As requested beforehand, Elise concealed her appearance beneath a black cloak and partially turned herself invisible. After ensuring that no one could possibly track her, she arrived at Loki Familia.
I wonder why Finn insisted on this... He must have his reasons, right?
After all, Finn was a wise and brilliant hero.
The Loki Familia member who had guided her brought her to the entrance of a room before taking his leave.
"You've arrived, Elise!"
"Finn."
When the door opened, the golden-haired prum looked toward her and greeted her warmly.
However...
Did he invite others besides me?
Elise took in the people inside the room. Among Loki Familia's members, only Finn and Riveria were present.
The other five were not members of Loki Familia, yet like Elise, they had been invited here.
Their strength... at least on the surface, was around Level 2—just like Elise. Moreover, including Elise herself, everyone who had come to Loki Familia today was someone who had recently gained a certain level of fame in Orario.
What exactly did Finn want with these people?
"Since everyone is here, let's begin!"
It seemed Elise had been the last to arrive. With her appearance, the meeting officially started.
"All of you have taken time out of your busy schedules to come here, so I won't waste words."
Finn's expression grew solemn.
"According to the intelligence we've gathered, Evilus appears to be preparing for a major operation..."
Before he could finish, one of the adventurers interrupted him.
"Wait, Finn! If Evilus is planning something big, why call people like us here?"
"All of us who were invited are around Level 2, right? Are you expecting us to deal with Evilus?"
As soon as those words were spoken, anxiety spread among the group. Go up against Evilus?
If they were first-tier adventurers—Level 5 and above—that would be one thing. But asking a group of Level 2 adventurers to confront Evilus? Wasn't that just sending them to their deaths?
"That's not what I mean. Please, calm down," Finn replied steadily. "We're not asking you to confront Evilus directly. We are well aware of how powerful they are. Ordinary adventurers are no match for them."
"However, even so, you must be careful. What comes next is the real issue."
Finn stepped forward and swept his gaze across the room. Only after confirming that everyone's eyes were on him did he continue.
"According to our inside sources, Evilus is planning a special assault. Unlike their usual operations targeting the entire city, this time they intend to strike only a small group of adventurers."
His words shocked everyone present.
A special assault...
Targeting only a small group of adventurers...
And Finn had specifically gathered them here...
Could it be that the ones Evilus plans to attack... are us?
Once those three pieces of information connected in their minds, the conclusion came almost instantly.
"Finn, don't tell me—"
"It can't be—"
Before they could finish, Finn gave a troubled nod, confirming their suspicions.
"Yes. Evilus intends to target newly risen talents who have recently gained fame, in order to crush Orario's morale. If nothing changes, the target of their attack will be one of you..."
At last, they understood why Finn had gathered them here. They had assumed he wanted these newcomers to deal with Evilus—but it turned out they themselves were the targets?
"You'll protect us, right, Finn?"
Everyone present was a newly promoted Level 2 adventurer. They had their pride, but that pride meant nothing before the might of Evilus. Only by relying on veteran adventurers like Finn did they have any hope of survival.
"Yes, I will assist you. But I also hope you will lend me your strength."
Finn looked at everyone in the room seriously, including Elise.
The determination in his eyes made it clear—the hero had already made his choice.
"What do you mean, Finn?"
The newly promoted Level 2 adventurers clearly could not keep up with Finn's line of thinking. Just then, a clear female voice cut in, interrupting the man who had spoken.
"You're planning to use us as bait, aren't you, Hero?"
The one who spoke was Elise.
"Since Evilus is targeting us, you might as well let us serve as bait, lure them all out, and eliminate them in one decisive strike. Is that what you intend?"
Though her eyes were hidden, Finn could feel her gaze fixed on him.
"Yes. That is indeed the plan I prepared..."
The moment Finn admitted it, the other adventurers erupted.
Use them as bait? Wasn't that still sending them to die?
"Please, calm down..." Finn tried to reason with them, but no one was listening—until...
Riveria suddenly struck her staff sharply against the ground. A terrifying wave of pressure spread through the entire room. Only then did the group fall silent, allowing Finn to seize the moment and continue.
"While this plan does carry considerable risk, we will provide you with comprehensive protective measures."
"During this period, both Loki Familia and Freya Familia will suspend their Dungeon expeditions. We will remain in the city, waiting for Evilus to mobilize in full force."
"When that time comes, we will wipe them out in one fell swoop."
Finn clapped his hands. Several members of Loki Familia entered from outside, pushing in a small cart.
"High-grade magic tools... and equipment... Is all of this for us?"
When the contents of the cart were revealed, everyone sucked in a breath. These were high-end items—worth an enormous amount of valis.
"Yes. During this time, Loki Familia and Freya Familia will strengthen surveillance throughout the city to ensure we detect Evilus immediately. We will also provide you with sufficient weapons and items to guarantee your self-defense."
The prum bowed deeply to those present, a trace of apology in his voice.
"I am sorry that you have to be involved in something like this, but there is no better option. We do not know the exact timing of Evilus' attack. This is the only way to draw them out."
"They might even strike while you are on your way back to your own Familias after leaving here... If this continues indefinitely, you won't be able to live normal lives, will you?"
Finn's strategy was indeed clever. A carrot in one hand, a stick in the other—he had firmly grasped the psychology of these adventurers.
Under such circumstances, the likelihood of them agreeing to serve as bait would increase significantly.