"Bell Cranel is a diversion. In other words, he will be used as a decoy."
"Whether it is by his own will or not is secondary; he is currently in a position where he is being utilized by the monsters or their leader."
"Judging by the series of actions that have occurred thus far, there is no doubt about it."
Finn was explaining the operation to all the executives and high-ranking members at the command post. His precise analysis made it clear exactly why he was the Captain of the Loki Familia.
"While our attention is fixed on him, the enemy will head for the entrance to the Labyrinth via the shortest possible route."
"In short, the place we must guard is somewhere other than where Bell Cranel is."
"We will defend the entrance to [Knossos] at all costs."
Having said that, Finn began to mention the most critical part: the enemy's asymmetric forces.
"Above all, the ones to watch out for are the robed monster and the black Minotaur."
"If they appear, prioritize their subjugation above all else."
Shift—
"The robed monster, in particular, is a greater threat than one might imagine. Akumo, I want you to lead the effort to take it down."
When Finn turned his head to look at him, Akumo simply responded with a smile.
"Understood, Finn."
Step—
"I won't go easy on them. Sincerely."
"...I'm counting on you."
'Sincerely... huh.'
Akumo stood up. He had cast aside his usual custom armor and uniform, wearing only light clothing, yet no one dared to question his choice.
"Will Akumo-san... be alright...?"
'Is it because he's worried about Bell Cranel after all...?'
"He'll be fine, in that state."
"...Pardon?"
Lefiya expressed her doubt, but Finn, Riveria, Gareth, and Loki—who had observed him for a long time—knew immediately by the look on his face.
Grin!
"Let's just fight comfortably...!"
'Run along, everyone~'
The shadow of worry that had clouded his face during the previous incident had noticeably thinned.
"The enemy will move soon! Do not let them roam as they please. Stop them with everything you've got!"
Starting with the shout of the [Braver], the clouds of war began to gather over Daedalus Street. They were not the only ones who felt it.
"Whether one has the power of experience or is a former Sage... in a standard tactical engagement, one cannot defeat the [Braver]."
"He is far too intelligent."
"Akumo-kun cannot properly intervene, and even if he could, he wouldn't be able to move freely."
'Because he knows better than anyone what kind of influence he wields in Orario.'
Tap!
"I wonder how many Magic Items exist that can outthink Finn Deimne. If there's a way out, that would be it."
"But the key, as expected, is him."
'Bell Cranel.'
However, even the Gods did not know.
They did not know what kind of anomaly would occur in the battle that was about to unfold in Daedalus Street that day.
As the red dawn broke over Orario, it wasn't long before the sun began to dip, giving way to the dark of night.
"Have we secured all the gates leading to [Knossos] on our end?"
"Yes, Riveria-san and Gareth-san's groups have been deployed."
"I see."
Finn spoke as he looked down upon Daedalus Street.
His mind was filled with calculations: where Bell would appear, how the monsters would move, and whether the robed monster and the Minotaur would show themselves.
However, among all those thoughts, one thing bothered him significantly.
"Heh~ to think a day like this would come."
"Are you alright, Akumo?"
"Why? Do I look like I'm going to hesitate?"
"...Well, you and Bell Cranel are on friendly terms, after all."
Akumo merely offered a thin smile at Finn's words, continuing to gaze down at the sprawling expanse of Daedalus Street.
Step, step—
"Akumo."
"Aiz? You have something to say too?"
"...Akumo, are you really okay?"
"Ahaha!! Is everyone worried about me? I'm touched~"
Only a few days ago, he had been submerged in gloom. Now, seeing him laughing and speaking in a voice that suggested nothing was wrong piqued the curiosity of Finn and Aiz even more than their concern.
"Well~? I wonder why?"
"....."
'Why? Is there a route we don't know about? Or teleportation? No, that's too far-fetched...'
"Just think of it simply. Let's just say the reason for my worry has vanished~"
"....!!"
'Could it be...!!'
Finn, seemingly realizing something from Akumo's words, was about to speak when he was interrupted.
"Akum—"
"Bell Cranel has appeared in the Southeast District!"
Aki appeared to report Bell's location, cutting off Finn's sentence. Finn immediately had to pivot to grasping Bell's movements and analyzing the enemy's psychology.
"I have no intention of letting anyone get hurt, so don't worry."
"....."
"I'm going to be a bit stubborn this time."
"Sigh...."
'Well, I suppose there's no helping it.'
Finn, understanding what he intended, let out a sigh. Ultimately, he couldn't bring himself to scold him, choosing instead to trust him and focus on his own duties.
Step, step—
"As expected, if Bell Cranel is the diversion, the monsters will appear in districts other than the Southeast."
Swipe—!
"However, the possibility that they might deliberately strike where we least expect is not zero...."
As Finn pointed at the map while tracking Bell's movements, Aiz spoke up.
"Finn, I will monitor that boy."
"You too...? Both you and Akumo are being far too soft on him."
"I won't let him escape. If he shows any suspicious behavior..."
Grip!
"I will stop him. Even if a monster appears, I will strike it down."
When Aiz spoke with such determination, her hand resting on her sword, Finn had no choice but to concede.
"Alright. I'll leave him to you."
Unlike a mere soldier, a true swordswoman was moving for the sake of the values she believed in.
Step, step—
'My role is the diversion. I have to lure away as many members of the [Loki Familia] and other adventurers as possible.'
Flick—!
'That makes five adventurers who have spotted me. Information must have already reached the [Loki Familia].'
Bell walked through the streets, checking the adventurers who watched him with wary eyes, performing his role as a decoy.
Welf and Mikoto were prepared for a potential battle, while Hestia and Haruhime were using Fels's communication orbs to brief everyone on the locations of the entrances.
Click!
"!!"
'Aiz-san...?'
At that moment, Bell was startled to see Aiz looking down at him from atop a building.
'Is Aiz-san alone...?'
Swipe—!
'This is different from the plan... I have to tell everyone quickly—'
The fact that Aiz was marking him meant the [Loki Familia] had already seen through the diversion and intended to monitor him with minimal force. He realized he needed to change the plan immediately, but just as he was about to retreat—
Grip!
"Woof!"
"!?"
"Yo."
"Naaza-san!? Why are you here...!"
"....."
Naaza looked at Bell in front of her and fell into thought for a brief moment.
'Why help monsters...?'
'Surely he's not... into that? No, that can't be it....'
—"Just as tragedy is equal for everyone, I only wish for salvation to be equal as well."
"Hmm~"
—'Coexistence..... huh.'
Her left arm caught her eye.
The proof of her broken spirit caused by monsters, the burden she had placed even on her Familia....
"I'm here to... assist you, I guess?"
'As expected... I still don't quite get it...'
"I don't know the details, but no doubt you've gotten yourself into trouble chasing after a girl's skirt again, right?"
"N-No, that's not it!"
From the incident with the Soma Familia, the War Game with the Apollo Familia, the events with the Ishtar Familia, and now this situation—Bell's eyes were still filled with resolve. Seeing that, Naaza decided to stop thinking and help him—to help Akumo.
"Besides, this is Miach-sama's instruction."
"....!!"
"He told me to help Bell without asking any questions."
"Naaza-san...."
"So tell me anything, Bell. No secrets between us, okay?"
Her trust moved Bell deeply. Seeing Naaza standing there, ready to believe in and help him, brought him nearly to tears.
Pat—!
"Bell, you really are a crybaby, aren't you?"
Seeing him act like a child moved to tears by someone's kindness right after showing such firm resolve, she decided to set aside her worries a bit more and patted his head.
Then, she took a sack from Bell and parted ways with him.
"Then I'll borrow this."
"Yes, please. I'm counting on you."
Step, step—
"...That's a relief for now."
Shift—
After seeing Naaza off, Bell turned back toward Aiz, who had been monitoring him. For some reason, she looked quite pouted.
".....?"
'Why is she acting like that all of a sudden...?'
"Bell Cranel!"
Thump—!
"!?"
Before he could wonder further, a familiar female voice called his name and a sudden impact hit his back. He turned around immediately to see Aisha Belka and Ryu Lion.
"Aisha-san, and Ryu-s—"
Swish—!
"I've heard the circumstances from [Andromeda]. We've come to help you all."
"If there's anything you want us to do, just say the word."
"Then....!"
Grateful for the additional reinforcements, Bell immediately began to whisper something to them.
"...More women? Two this time?"
'First the Chianthrop, and now...'
Aiz watched Bell with a dissatisfied expression, but Bell, busy talking to Aisha and Ryu, was completely unaware.
"You're asking for something quite outrageous, aren't you?"
"Let's do it, if that is what you wish."
"Thank yo—"
Glom—!
"Mmph!?"
Aisha and Ryu readily agreed to his request. Bell tried to thank them, but Aisha suddenly pulled him into a tight embrace.
"I don't mind doing it~ but once it's all over, I'll be expecting a suitable reward, okay?"
Clack—!
"Unhand Cranel-san!"
'She's doing it again...'
Fed up with the sight and remembering what happened in front of the shop last time, Ryu pointed her wooden sword at Aisha again. But Aisha only laughed boldly in response.
"If you don't, I will take you down first!"
"Ha! Why don't you try? I've got a lot of pent-up frustration from having my prey snatched away by everyone from the [Pioneer] to this brat!"
Squeeze!!
".....!!!"
Whoosh—!!!!!!!
Angry that Aisha mentioned Akumo while hugging Bell even tighter, Ryu immediately attacked. Aisha dodged the strike while still holding Bell, but eventually released him and escaped over the buildings.
"He got hugged?"
It was an added bonus that another woman watching from afar had completely misunderstood the situation.
"They're finally gone...."
'Wait....!'
Whish—!!
Stare—!!!!
'She's staring so hard....!!'
Feeling the pressure of Aiz's gaze, Bell tried to leave the area immediately, but then he heard someone calling his name loudly from somewhere.
"Bell-kun!"
Flinch—!!
"E-Eina-san!?"
The owner of the voice was Bell's advisor, Eina Tulle. She approached Bell with the sound of clicking heels, looking somewhat angry.
Click, clack—!
"Why are you here...!"
"I waited and waited, but you never came, so I came myself!!"
"I-I'm sorry! I just... I felt awkward... I didn't have the face to see you...!"
"Even so, you could have at least sent a message! I guess I was just a convenient woman for you to use!"
"Use...!? Putting it like that is going to cause all sorts of misunderstandings!"
Bell tried to look toward Aiz, but under Eina's powerful momentum, he couldn't easily turn his head. He tried to explain himself with a troubled expression, but Eina showed no sign of backing down.
"Anyway, I'm not letting you go today until you tell me everything I want to hear!"
Grip!!
"Ah, wait...! Eina-san!"
Eina pulled Bell's arm into her embrace and tugged hard. Bell was flustered and didn't know what to do, and the scene was perfectly captured by Aiz's eyes.
—~!!!
"Yet another woman came."
—!!~!!!
"It's nothing but women."
'Is Bell a delinquent?'
However, Hestia, who was listening to the commotion through the communication orb, was able to grasp the current situation from the words Bell had passed to Naaza, Aisha, and Ryu. She relayed this to Welf, allowing the operation to truly begin.