"Do you think that makes any damn sense!?"
BOOM—!!!!!!
"You let it go because of some sentiment!!!?"
Bete Loga kicked the floor violently, roaring his protest at Akumo. Akumo stared at him with a hollow gaze before speaking with measured, heavy authority.
"The initial appearance of the Vouivre suggested it was the primary target of the armed monsters."
Akumo shifted his weight, his presence grounding the room.
"As you all know, those creatures are not ordinary monsters."
"Meaning, even the act of killing the Vouivre could have introduced an unpredictable variable into the combat theater."
Akumo rose slowly, looking down at Daedalus Street from their vantage point.
From here, the scars of destruction left by Wiene and the scorched zones decimated by the Black Minotaur's Magic Sword were visible in a single, grim panorama.
"In that chaos, the adventurers had already inflicted a lethal wound on the Vouivre, and the monsters were converging on that location."
"I moved to intervene because I feared [Little Rookie] would become the primary target of that swarm."
Finishing his explanation, Akumo bowed his head slightly toward the executives—a pragmatic gesture of a veteran acknowledging a breach in protocol.
"I apologize for prioritizing the life of a junior over the elimination of the targets due to personal ties."
"...My apologies."
"""""..."""""
The Loki Familia executives remained silent in the face of his blunt admission. Only Finn Deimne spoke up to address the remaining tactical anomalies.
"Then, what of that pillar of light and those exceptionally powerful monsters?"
"...I don't know. Not even I."
'I cannot reveal why Fels' magic succeeded, nor can I provide detailed intelligence on their nature yet...'
"I see."
Finn exhaled a heavy sigh, mentally cataloging the critical points of the previous day's incident.
The abnormal behavior of the armed monsters, the capture orders, the Black Minotaur and the robed monster—both confirmed as Level 6 threats—and finally, the pillar of light that radiated an ominous, transcendent energy.
"Haaa..."
'My thumb is still throbbing quite annoyingly...'
"That's enough, Akumo. Let's focus on the search together."
"...Understood."
At Finn's command, Akumo and the executives dispersed to their assigned sectors within Daedalus Street.
"Akumo."
"Riveria...?"
Riveria Ljos Alf stepped toward Akumo as he prepared to move. She reached out, her hand resting gently against his cheek in a soft, grounding caress. Her words suggested she knew he was withholding a deeper truth, yet her eyes remained anchored in absolute trust.
"I do not know what you are concealing, but that boy is not the only one who shares a bond with you."
"..."
"Whenever the weight becomes too much, share it with me, Akumo."
"...Thank you, Riveria."
Akumo placed his hand over hers, offering a warm, faint smile. Internally, however, he swallowed his mounting concerns as he descended into the labyrinthine streets.
Meanwhile, at the Hestia Familia's home, Hearthstone Manor, Hestia spoke to Mikoto and Haruhime with a face etched in worry.
"Was there any trouble in the city?"
"Nothing direct happened, but the way people look at us..."
"As expected, Bell-dono's actions have had an impact. The gazes of the townspeople have turned razor-sharp."
"I see..."
Haruhime and Mikoto, who had gone out to purchase supplies, reported the shift in public sentiment. Hestia looked out the window, sensing the tightening noose of the city's disapproval.
"Is Welf-dono still...?"
"He's shut himself inside."
"..."
Lilliluka Arde, who was moving groceries onto the table alongside Mikoto and Hestia, was also consumed by dread for the future. In the distance, the rhythmic strike of metal echoed from the workshop.
CLANG—!!
CLANG—!
"...Dammit."
'I couldn't do a single thing...'
CLANG—!!!
Welf Crozzo was incensed by his own impotence when the Xenos were being slaughtered by the adventurers. Having heard of Wiene's death and the Xenos' whereabouts from Bell, he poured his frustration into his hammer, forging his resolve.
"..."
In his own room, Bell stood silently, staring out at the horizon with a heavy heart.
'I decided to save them. That was my choice.'
"I have no regrets, no matter what anyone says...!"
Knock, knock—!
"...!"
'Who is it...?'
"Come in."
As Bell steeled his heart, the door opened and Hestia entered.
"Hestia-sama?"
"Bell-kun, you have a guest."
"...For me?"
"You look remarkably healthy for someone who's become the city's most hated ugly duckling, Bell-kun."
"Hermes!!"
"You've heard the talk in the streets, haven't you?"
Hestia, who had stood up the moment Hermes spoke, found herself unable to offer a rebuttal and sank back into the sofa.
"Did you come all this way just to mock him?"
"If you've had your fill, leave immediately—"
"The Xenos are seeking your help."
""!!""
Both Hestia and Bell were jolted by Hermes' words, their minds racing to understand his intent.
"What do you mean...?"
"There's no point in hiding it anymore. I was also commissioned by Ouranos."
Hermes relaxed his posture as he saw their interest piqued.
"I've been moving behind the scenes this entire time."
Bell and Hestia exchanged looks, realizing Hermes likely held more information regarding the Xenos' current status. Bell immediately pressed him.
"Where is everyone right now?"
"I have Asfi and the others searching, but we haven't mapped out all of them yet."
"....."
"They seem to be scattered in several hiding spots, but ultimately, they're hunkered down in the underbelly of the city."
"But Loki's children are patrolling Daedalus Street, aren't they?"
"Correct. Babel is under Freya-sama's watchful eye, and the Dungeon entrance is guarded by the Ganesha Familia."
Hermes laid out the grim reality of the situation. The walls were closing in on the Xenos.
"They know that if there are monsters to be found, they have nowhere to go but Daedalus Street."
"Aiz-chan and her group are likely monitoring the area as well."
"Aiz-san too..."
Bell was shaken by the confirmation that the Loki Familia was leading the investigation. Because of his own preemptive attack on the adventurers, he couldn't ask them for help. Even with Akumo there, the veteran's hands were tied by his position.
"Hermes, this is a gamble... but what if we just told Loki everything?"
"That is..."
"We don't need their cooperation. If they would just allow the Xenos to return to the Dungeon this once..."
"It's useless."
"...!!"
Hermes cut Hestia off with cold finality.
"Even if Loki allowed it, her children never would."
"Furthermore, the captain, Finn Deimne, has a lifelong ambition to restore the glory of his race. He would never jeopardize that by harboring monsters."
"Even if they know these creatures possess intelligence, to them, a monster is still a monster."
Hermes' gaze sharpened.
"Creatures that have killed their comrades, killed their friends, and threaten their very existence."
"You cannot expect any choice from them other than total extermination."
The reality Hermes presented was a crushing weight. Hestia and Bell's expressions darkened further, but the god of trickery wasn't finished.
"Even Akumo-kun won't be able to help this time."
"We have no intention of burdening him—"
"Even if you don't ask, you've already received his aid, haven't you?"
"...!!"
"Now that the special nature of the situation is public, he cannot move easily without drawing suspicion."
Hestia recalled the worry in Akumo's eyes and the way he had sternly lectured the panicked Bell after his reckless attack. She realized Akumo was suffering his own internal conflict regarding the Xenos.
"If there's anything I can do to help, tell me. I'll do what I can."
"...Thank you, Hermes."
"Don't mention it."
With those final words, Hermes rose and walked out of Hearthstone Manor.
CLANG—!
"The sound of a hammer..."
CLANG—!
"Crozzo's Magic Sword, is it?"
'That won't be enough...'
Hermes knew that to save the hero Bell Cranel from his current precarious position, a massive event—one that could eclipse the previous day's scandal—was required.
"As I thought, is that the only way?"
A faint, enigmatic smile played on his lips as he exited the front gates.
"...."
'The Trickster, Hermes.'
Alfia, standing atop a nearby building and gazing at the overcast sky, watched Hermes depart. His actions and aura reminded her of Erebus, the one who had orchestrated the Great Feud.
"You, too, must be a god who craves a hero."
'Are you choosing the hero again this time...?'
Sensing another storm brewing, Alfia vanished from her perch, her heart heavy with concern for the trials yet to face Bell and Akumo.
"Bell-kun, you really are a strange child."
Bell and Hestia walked toward Daedalus Street after hearing Hermes' report.
The district was still choked with debris from the recent conflict. Residents were busy clearing the wreckage, while adventurers were stationed at every corner to prevent further outbreaks.
"I'm sorry. But after hearing Hermes-sama's story, I couldn't just sit still..."
Glare—!
"..."
'The stares are so sharp...'
As Bell walked, the adventurers threw piercing, hostile looks his way.
"Wait...!? You...! You're [Little Rookie]!"
THUD—!!
"...!!"
It wasn't just the adventurers. A man clearing debris spotted Bell and immediately spat words laced with venom.
"You've got some nerve walking around here! You're the bastard who dragged the name of adventurers through the mud!!"
"Don't walk around with that carefree face!"
"Say something, you traitor!"
"Do you even realize what you've done!?"
A torrent of furious accusations poured over Bell. He stood frozen, unable to find his voice.
"....."
His fists clenched tight.
He could only bow his head and swallow the consequences of his choices.
"You people, that's enough!"
"""!!"""
"Bell-kun only acted that way because of the debt I owe!"
"Kami-sama...!?"
Unable to watch any longer, Hestia intervened, even bringing up her debt to Hephaestus to divert their anger.
"It was the result of Bell-kun's deep, thick love for me!"
"If you want to blame someone, blame me, his goddess!!"
Hestia's outrageous claim silenced the citizens. While the mockery didn't stop, the direct verbal assault ceased, replaced by cold, lingering glares.
"Let's go, Bell-kun."
"Ah, yes!"
Hestia took Bell's hand and led him away from the crowd.
"I'm sorry, Kami-sama. Because of me..."
"It's fine! Bell-kun has become quite a handful lately, hasn't he?"
She squeezed his hand.
"I'm actually a little happy. I finally got to act like a proper goddess for you."
"...Thank you, Kami-sama."
Bell's heart lightened slightly. He followed her lead, scanning the streets as they walked.
"But at this rate, even if we try to find Wiene or the others..."
"Yes, moving recklessly would be dangerous."
The adventurers in the alleys, the citizens on the sidewalks, and even the people watching from their windows—none of them looked upon them with kindness.
'I hope Wiene, Lyd-san, and the others are safe...'
Suddenly, figures appeared in the path ahead of Bell and Hestia.
""!!""
"Bell...?"
"Akumo-san.... Aiz-san....?"