Early the next morning, dark clouds hung low, tinting the sky a mournful gray-white.
Bell stood alone, checking his equipment.
He adjusted the red bracelet on his arm. The small accessory, which had effects similar to [Spirit Healing] and [Abnormal Resistance], was hidden perfectly beneath his light armor and would never be exposed in battle. The ring on his left hand gave off a faint blue glow, as if pouring its affection into the matching magical artifact.
The pitch-black [Goddess's Blade], the blue [Ice Hawk], his new armor with fire resistance and specialized defense, and the crimson [Goliath Scarf].
Once fully equipped, Bell slowly stepped out of his room.
A goddess had been waiting for him for some time.
"Good morning, Goddess-sama. I thought you were sleeping in."
Bell greeted her softly.
Everyone in Hestia Familia knew the boy was leaving for the expedition. Saying goodbye in the morning always carried a kind of sadness, which felt terribly unlucky for an expedition. So the night before, everyone had already shared their worries and blessings with Bell, agreeing to treat this morning like any other ordinary day.
Hestia, however, had broken that rule herself.
"Because I won't be able to see Bell for the next two weeks…"
With their parting so close, Hestia had become much more honest.
This was only a long journey. It was not a farewell between life and death. The goddess kept telling herself that, forcing back the tears of reluctance in her eyes.
"Goddess-sama, when I come back, let's go out together. Just the two of us."
Bell smiled and gently stroked the goddess's long black hair.
Hestia had not tied her hair into her usual twin ponytails. She was clearly too worried about the boy's safety to bother with her appearance.
"Promise?"
Hestia blinked, and a faint smile spread across her childish face. She did not pull away from the boy's gentle touch.
"Yeah. I promise."
Bell gave his answer without hesitation.
As the two shared that soft moment, a beautiful head of blue hair like a vast sea of stars entered Bell's view.
"That is so sneaky!"
Artemis slapped her best friend's shoulder in protest. "Hestia, you're the one who made the rules, and now you're sneaking off by yourself!"
"I-I was just passing by! And why are you here, Artemis?"
Hestia's reply had no conviction at all.
"I was just passing by too."
"That's definitely a lie!"
"Hestia has no right to say that."
"Ugh… stupid Artemis!"
Birds fled from the branches as the two goddesses' bell-like voices intertwined, turning into cheerful teasing.
"Orion, you're about to leave, aren't you? Come a little closer. I have something to tell you."
Artemis pushed her friend aside and showed a mysterious smile.
"Hm? What is it?"
Bell cooperatively leaned in and brought his ear close to his lover.
What greeted him was not a soft whisper, but a blessing kiss.
Artemis stood on tiptoe and lightly kissed the boy on the cheek.
"T-This is a blessing spell."
Artemis had clearly been the one to take the initiative, yet her cheeks were dyed bright red.
"W-w-what are you doing?! Aaaaaah!"
Hestia-sama's scream echoed through the mansion.
By the time she realized she had made a grave mistake, the other girls had already appeared in sight.
"Hestia-sama broke the rules herself?! Bell-sama, please come back safely. Lili will work hard and earn money!"
Lili rushed to the front, clearly having expected this scene.
"Bell-dono, I will continue to train myself. W-when you return, I will make you food from my homeland…"
Mikoto fidgeted as she made her promise.
"Captain… I didn't dream anything. Please be careful."
Cassandra reminded him in a trembling voice.
Perhaps because she was not taking part in the expedition herself, she had not had any corresponding Prophetic Dreams this time.
"Why are all of you crying like this… Captain, over the next two weeks, I'll take them to explore the upper part of the Middle Floors. Please don't worry."
Daphne calmly stated her plan.
"What did Artemis-sama just do? I didn't see it!"
"Bell Cranel, please be careful."
"…"
The rest of the girls arrived one after another, offering their own blessings.
"That indecent goddess actually kissed Bell right in front of me!"
"I-it was only on the cheek…"
"Wh-what? Artemis-sama was that bold?!"
The girls' lively commotion lingered for a long while. Under Artemis's gaze, filled with shame and prayer, Bell left the mansion.
...
At a street corner, a young man leaned against the wall, his short crimson hair burning like flames.
"Bell, are you heading out now?"
There was no sadness on Welf's face, only the firm resolve forged by a blacksmith's hammer.
"Yes. I'm going to meet everyone at the square by the Tower of Babel."
Bell answered honestly.
"I'm not good at saying pretty words, so just be careful out there. By the time you come back, I'll definitely have forged you an even stronger weapon."
Welf smiled and held out his fist to Bell.
"Yeah. I'll be looking forward to it."
Bell clenched his right fist and bumped it against that thoroughly tempered fist, as though sealing a promise.
After saying goodbye to Welf, Bell ran into Eina.
"Bell, did you memorize all the notes I gave you?"
When Eina learned that the boy was joining the expedition, she had stayed up through the night putting together notes on what to watch out for on each floor, then handed them to Bell yesterday.
"Yeah, don't worry. Just like Eina-san's beautiful face, they're all etched deep in my memory."
Bell replied softly.
"Honestly, joking at a time like this? Make sure you come back safely, all right?"
Eina gave him her blessing in a gentle voice.
...
As he neared the Tower of Babel, two girls from the tavern came to see him off.
"Wait, don't wrap your tail around Bell's arm!"
"I'm just saying hello, nya~"
"That's not a real custom!"
Syr stopped Chloe's behavior.
Surprisingly, Syr did not say anything teasing this time. Instead, while offering her blessing, she shared a piece of information that caught his attention.
"Ryuu disappeared yesterday. It seems she went into the Dungeon and still hasn't come back. There's no need to worry, but if Bell runs into Ryuu, please tell her to come back quickly. Mama Mia is very angry."
"Young man, when you come back, I'll reward you, nya~ Hunya? Don't pull my tail, nya!"
"Bell, see you in a few days."
Syr tugged on Chloe's swaying tail and waved goodbye with a smile.
At the foot of the Tower of Babel, Loki Familia was gathering in the square in orderly fashion under Finn's command.
Jester flags fluttered in the wind.
Silver armor gleamed, and the wide variety of weapons drew envious looks from passersby. Children in the distance were swept up by the powerful atmosphere, cheerfully calling out the titles of Loki Familia.
[Hero], [Sword Princess], [Nine Hell]… Every shout from the children was filled with awe and admiration.
Bell walked toward the massive formation. His two lovers were standing at the edge of the group as well.
"Lefiya-san, please accept these."
Airmid handed over a package filled with potions of different colors.
"Mind recovery potions, high-grade healing potions, and even Elixirs? Airmid-san, these are…"
Lefiya's eyes widened in surprise.
"These are support from our familia. We've always been in your care."
Airmid's attitude was no longer as formal as before. There was now a touch of casual friendliness in it.
Dian Cecht Familia and Loki Familia could be considered mutually beneficial partners. One side provided potions, while the other brought back high-grade materials. Beyond that, the two of them had another connection.
"I also gave Bell some potions, but medicine isn't a cure-all. Please take care of him during the expedition."
Airmid spoke her request softly.
"I-I understand…"
Though Lefiya was embarrassed, she still accepted those words as the boy's lover.
On the other side, Laurier was doing something similar.
"Riveria-sama, please take good care of Bell."
Laurier had been responsible for delivering the ring-shaped magical artifact, so she understood who the boy would be traveling with on this journey.
"Yes. I will do everything I can to ensure Bell Cranel's safety."
Riveria deliberately raised her left hand, letting Laurier see the ring-shaped magical artifact on her middle finger.
It was impossible to know what thoughts were carried within that faint blue glow.
"…"
Laurier froze for a moment.
Rough, careless adventurers might not pay attention to such things, but Laurier had traveled for years through the cities outside Orario, so she naturally knew the relevant customs.
Generally speaking, an unmarried woman like Riveria, even if she chose to wear a ring, would only wear it on her index finger or little finger to avoid causing misunderstandings.
In ordinary people's eyes, wearing a ring on the middle finger of the left hand meant that she was already engaged to someone important and would soon be walking into marriage.
Laurier knew very well that Riveria was experienced and hardly the sort of person who did things without understanding them. There had to be meaning behind that gesture.
"Th-then, I'll leave Bell in your care…"
Laurier hid her tangled thoughts and hastily ended the conversation.
It seemed her intelligence network needed an update…
Laurier and Airmid noticed the boy's arrival. Together, they turned and reluctantly said goodbye to Bell.
Once the two girls had left the group as well, Bell greeted his expedition companions.
"Little Rookie, I heard you caused quite a bit of trouble at Twilight Manor."
The senior blacksmith with an eyepatch over her left eye greeted him first.
She was fully armed, with a katana hanging at her waist. Her samurai-style outfit carried a touch of Orario's Western flair, and she gave off the unmistakable presence of a strong warrior.
"Cyclops, it's been two days. I'll be in your care on the road."
Since she opened by bringing up Bell's rough experience from yesterday, he naturally answered in the manner of an Adventurer.
"I told you not to call me by that title, you harem bastard."
Tsubaki shot back without the slightest restraint.
"I heard Tsubaki-san has a special obsession with weapons. Are you really sure you're fine with maintaining mine along the way?"
Bell ended the greeting and got straight to the point.
The expedition would be a long one. To allow for maintenance during the journey, several senior blacksmiths from Hephaestus Familia had joined the expedition. Among them, Tsubaki had personally volunteered to maintain the boy's equipment.
"If it's you, I don't mind. Hell, you can even kick that guy aside and let me forge your weapons instead."
Tsubaki flashed a bright, easygoing smile.
"I'll have to refuse. You really are cruel."
Bell could not help retorting.
"Haha, that's just how blacksmiths are."
Tsubaki laughed loudly as she patted the boy on the back.
Her armor clung tightly to her body, and her impressive chest had an undeniable presence.
"You permanently horny rabbit! Where do you think you're looking?!"
Lefiya stormed over, furious. "Unbelievable. Even at a time like this. Come with me already!"
She grabbed Bell's hand and fled from Tsubaki's side, her face bright red.
"Lefiya-san, your hand…"
Bell reminded her that their contact was rather intimate, the sort of thing lovers would do.
"Ugh… Don't say anything!"
Lefiya held the boy's right hand tightly as she wove through the crowd of Loki Familia members.
Although yesterday's commotion had already been cleared up, and the claim that Riveria was going to kiss the boy had turned out to be nothing more than a rumor Elfy had spread on her own, Loki Familia, especially the elven women, still held quite a bit of resentment toward Bell.
Unfortunately, because of the limitations of Riveria's skill [Alf Regina], the people around her were, without exception, all beautiful elven women.
"Little Rookie…"
"Ugh, Riveria-sama…"
"The ring on his hand? Could that mean?!"
Lefiya brought Bell to Riveria's side. The moment they met, the atmosphere around them turned dangerously tense.
"Everyone, this expedition is not a date. If I hear any more remarks that damage morale…"
Riveria swept her gaze across the elven women one by one.
Aside from Lefiya and Alicia, the rest all lowered their heads and pressed their lips tightly shut.
After finishing her reprimand, Riveria turned her gaze to the boy. "Bell Cranel, as I said before, try not to leave my side during this expedition."
"Yes. I'll keep that in mind."
Feeling the elves' dark resentment, Bell answered quietly.
After the greetings ended, Finn spoke from the front of the formation.
Flags fluttered as the Braver's voice rang out across the center of the square.
"Everyone! The expedition officially begins!"
Finn stood at the very front of the formation. Despite his small prum body, his heroic presence overwhelmed everyone there.
"The expedition route and schedule will proceed according to plan! Our objective is the unexplored region, the 59th Floor!"
His shout stirred the heart.
It was courage that carried the hopes of the people, the resolve to resist the end and step into hell itself.
"We are Adventurers. We are warriors. We are the spears that pierce through all darkness! I will not ask you to cast aside your fear. We do not need tragic sacrifices or hollow fame!"
Everyone fixed their eyes on Finn, silently listening to that glory that belonged to humanity.
Sealed beneath the chalk-white giant tower were countless tragedies and disasters, and Loki Familia was about to challenge the depths of hell for everyone in the world.
Glory, wealth, all of it was what they deserved.
"Everyone, carve the sight before you into your hearts! The next time we stand here, we will hold wealth in our hands and wear glory on our shoulders! Let us stand together until the very end and seize everything we have dreamed of!"
Beneath the sky, the Braver's passion seemed to shatter the clouds, letting a few rays of sunlight spill through.
Everyone said their farewell to that sky and stood ready to depart.
"Loki Familia, the expedition begins!"
"Ooooooh!"
With Finn's shout as the signal, Loki Familia's roar tore through the Tower of Babel and echoed for a long time at the entrance to the abyss.
...
Within Orario, many girls sent their prayers into the sky.
Adventure tales were always filled with romance.
In a certain lavish room, a gray-haired woman held a hand to her aching chest and kept murmuring softly.
The pink-haired Healer beside her seemed affected as well, staring blankly into the distance.
Adventure tales could not do without those who sang their praises.
"Damn Bell Cranel. He made me stay up all night updating my members' Status!"
After seeing her members off, Loki grumbled as she headed to the top of the tower.
She sat beside the Joker flag, narrowed her eyes, and looked toward the towering structure. "Now then, what's going to come out…?"
The Underground Sanctuary.
"Ouranos, the Eye Crystals have been arranged."
The black-robed figure spoke softly.
"Mm…"
The Great God gave no further response. In the flickering firelight, he slowly opened his eyes.
Outside the city.
A goddess with walnut-brown hair sat in a carriage.
She and the girl from her familia looked out the window, silently offering their blessings.
Beside an unnamed spring.
A woman was leafing through a book. Beside her, another gray-haired woman leaned silently against a chair, as if taking a short rest.
The silence around them was broken by an intruder.
"Listen…"
"Huh? Uncle made food? I still wanted to keep reading the heroic tale of Argonaut, but I'll be right there!"
The short-haired girl showed a cheerful smile and left together with the messenger.
"…"
The gray-haired woman glanced at the [Argonaut Heroic Tale] on the table.
As if something had come back to her, she closed her eyes and slowly walked over to the book.
The clear spring water, the tranquil air, everything around them soothed the heart.
The gray-haired woman closed the book, her thoughts drifting toward an unreachable distance.
...
Adventure tales were never short on danger.
The deeper one went into the Dungeon, the wider the terrain became. To keep the party from clogging up the Upper Floors, Loki Familia split the group into an advance party and a rear support team transporting supplies.
With Ais and the others clearing the way, Loki Familia reached the 18th Floor in just over half a day.
They had planned to adjust their formation here and proceed through the later floors together.
But no one expected the residents of Rivira Town to bring terrible news.
"Someone was killed on the Safe Floor! The body was in awful shape!"
An Adventurer shouted the news in a panic.
"Calm down. Was it done by a monster? What exactly happened?"
Finn frowned and stepped forward to ask.
"No, it was done by a human! Someone saw the culprit! Bors and the others are about to chase them down!"
The Adventurer answered hurriedly.
The image of the red-haired woman flashed through Finn's mind. "Do you know what the culprit looked like?"
"Yeah! Everyone's saying… the culprit is Gale!"
The shout reached the boy's ears.
The Crystal Sky gradually dimmed, announcing the arrival of night.
***
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