On the 38th Floor, the skeletons were being systematically eradicated by the Sword Princess's gale-like movements.
CRACK—!!!!
"Ais, aren't you pushing yourself a bit too hard?"
"...It's nothing."
'Nothing, she says... when her eyes are clearly possessed by a singular, obsessive drive for strength.'
"In the end, ye slaughtered the whole lot on yer own, didn't ye?"
"Let's start heading back, Akumo."
An additional six days of investigation had yielded no significant clues regarding the recent incident. If anything, the encounter seemed to have triggered something in Ais, driving her to immerse herself entirely in combat as if to purge the shock through blood and steel.
With the current floor cleared, Finn and Riveria suggested a withdrawal. It was then that Ais made her declaration—she intended to stay behind alone.
"...Are you certain?"
"...Yes."
'Unavoidable, then.'
"Finn, Riveria. You two head up first. I'll keep watch. Leave Ais to me."
Seeing the resolve in Ais's eyes, Akumo knew she wouldn't yield. He offered to stay as a safeguard, promising to intervene only if absolutely necessary.
"No, I won't let you stay alone. I'm coming down with you," Riveria intervened.
"Is that so?"
"Ais is precious to me as well. If anything happens, it will be far more efficient if my healing magic is readily available."
"Efficient... You mean reliable."
"Heh..."
The two shared a knowing smile. Having sent Finn and the rest of the group toward the surface, the trio descended deeper into the abyss of the Dungeon.
After traveling for some time, they reached a particular corridor. The ground began to vibrate with a low, rhythmic thrum before the floor shattered upward.
RUMBLE—!!!!
"Steel yourself!"
"So it's here... The Monster Rex, Udaeus!"
Ais stepped forward, her boots clicking against the stone.
"Riveria, Akumo! Please... don't interfere."
"What? Are you saying you intend to solo this thing?"
"Yes!"
'...Extremely reckless...'
A hand landed on Akumo's shoulder.
"Akumo, she will be fine."
"...If you say so, Riveria."
Akumo let out a soft, resigned chuckle and allowed Riveria to lead him back a safe distance. He fixed his gaze on the ensuing duel between the girl and the Titan, his senses honed to act at a microsecond's notice should things go south.
CLANG—!!!
BOOM—!!!!
"Can she really handle this...?"
".....This is dangerous."
'The fact that Udaeus is wielding a sword is anomalous enough as it is...'
At that moment, Ais compressed the entirety of her Ariel into a focused offensive and lunged. Her desperation and willpower were palpable, casting a shadow of concern over both Riveria and Akumo. Seeing her relapse into this frantic obsession with strength—a side of her they hadn't seen recently—was unsettling.
"[Lil Rafaga]!!!!!"
CRASH—!!!!!!!!!!!
"....Riveria, she needs healing. Now."
"Understood, Akumo."
Ais had successfully subjugated Udaeus single-handedly, but Riveria offered no congratulations. Instead, she knelt beside the exhausted girl, admonishing her for her recklessness while providing treatment.
"I'm... sorry..."
"Why? What drove you to this?"
".....That woman... she called me Aria..."
"!!"
'Aria... that name...'
Riveria froze, her eyes widening as she processed the name. Akumo, however, spoke with the calm, grounding authority of a seasoned patriarch.
"...Ais, do you find us unreliable?"
"..."
"I... no, everyone—Tione, Lefiya—we all consider you family."
"Everyone..."
Riveria placed a gentle hand on her shoulder.
"You are not alone. Lean on your comrades. That is what they are for."
Ais's expression softened, the rigid tension finally leaving her frame. Satisfied, Akumo and Riveria began the long ascent, carefully escorting their wounded ward back toward the surface.
"Yaaawn~"
"You look truly exhausted."
"Of course I am.... I've been stuck in this pit for over six days..."
'Even though I gave Alfia a heads-up, quite a few things have gone sideways.'
"By the way, that sword Udaeus dropped... it's been a while since I've seen one."
"Indeed. It's recorded as a rare occurrence, even for a Monster Rex."
As they walked through the upper tunnels, the three engaged in idle conversation. Akumo had entered the Dungeon on a whim, but the prolonged search had clearly drained his patience.
"...?"
"A Mind Down?"
"Who is this child...?"
'Wait, from the Minotaur incident...!'
Lying in the path before them was a boy with snow-white hair, identical to Akumo's own.
'Bell!? Why here of all places... and more importantly, a Mind Down!?'
Panic surged through Akumo, though he carefully masked it behind a mask of professional concern. He quickly suggested to Riveria and Ais that they move the boy to a safer location.
Several minutes later, Akumo found himself unable to leave out of genuine worry—especially since Ais was now awkwardly providing Bell with a lap pillow. However, since Ais insisted on staying until he woke up so she could apologize, Akumo had no choice but to head out first.
"Sigh.... Just when did he develop magic....?"
"Hm? What was that?"
"....Nothing."
'He shouldn't have had any... Is this your doing again, Hestia?'
"Come to think of it, Loki sent word through Lefiya. She wants us to meet her at a certain shop."
Returning to the surface, they were met by Loki, who immediately began pestering them to accompany her to a storefront.
"What is it this time? Why the sudden urgency?"
"Tis Soma's liquor, aye!"
"Ah~ that stuff?"
"Aye! Buy it for me, Mammy!"
"Who are you calling 'Mammy'? I'm only here to restock items."
"Ehh!! Doesn't Akumo want a taste too!? Do it for his sake!"
"Why are you using me as an excuse..."
While Loki and Riveria bickered over the budget, Eina Tulle, who had been in the store's warehouse, approached them.
Eina was seeking information regarding the Soma Familia. Loki, ever the opportunist, agreed to answer her questions on the condition that Riveria actually buy the bottle of Soma.
"You've got your promise, now answer Eina's question."
"I know, I know! Ye wanted to know 'bout the Soma Familia, right?"
"Yes...! Please!"
"Those lot don't worship the god Soma. To be precise, they worship the booze!"
'Addicts living only for a drop of divine nectar...'
Akumo looked upon the Soma Familia with pity. Their fixation on the liquor, their deification of a mere substance... it was a tragic display of spiritual poverty.
"Gah—!!! I can't wait! My first taste of Soma in ages!"
'That version isn't even the finished product, if I recall correctly.'
"Akumo, want a swig?"
"I'm fine. Just give Eina the information she needs."
Gulp, gulp—!!!
"Phew! Alright!"
The details of the Soma Familia matched the dark rumors. By supplying an addictive 'divine wine' to his children, the god Soma maintained a following of junkies who would betray comrades or commit any atrocity just for a single sip of the finished product.
Akumo contemplated the deity behind it. What was Soma thinking? Why did he continue to produce such a corrosive substance?
"HE HIT LEVEL 6!!!!!!!!!!"
SPIT—!!
"Ah!! I'm so sorry! Akumo-san!"
"....It's fine... Haha."
'She spat that out so suddenly I didn't even have time to evade...'
"By the way, Akumo-san... have you ever tasted this 'Soma' liquor?"
".....A little?"
"What!!? Are you alright!?"
"It was certainly delicious enough to be addictive..."
'However...'
"Then..."
Eina fretted over him, checking for signs of withdrawal or obsession, but Akumo's expression remained as immutable as stone. He spoke of the divine nectar as if it were common ditch-water.
"It is insufficient."
"....Pardon?"
"It is not enough."
"If you say it's not enough..."
"Liquor is just liquor. It is merely one shattered fragment meant to fill the hollow within a man. Nothing more."
Eina fell silent, pondering his words, before whispering a soft thank you and departing the Loki Familia home.
"Hmph. You certainly have a way with words."
"I'm simply stating my observations. The world holds many things far more intoxicating than that wine."
"I agree."
"What truly poisoned those people wasn't the liquor. It was the crushing sense of loss that comes from its absence."
".....They must learn to accept that loss and stand on their own."
Even as Riveria said this, she looked deeply troubled. If the Loki Familia—the people she cherished most—were to vanish... would she be able to endure it? If the man standing before her were to disappear...?
Akumo tapped the table.
"Riveria? Why so somber?"
"....It's nothing."
"Is that so? Well, I suppose it's time for me to head back."
"Yes. I shall see you again soon."
"Rest well tonight."
"I will. Hehe."
'Yes... I will trust in this man. Because he has always been...'
A beacon of hope.
Riveria watched with a faint smile as the hero stepped out into the night.