Loki continued her conversation with Lefiya for thirty minutes.
Thud—!
"Lefiya!"
Lefiya and Loki emerged from the room with grim expressions. Elfy immediately tried to rush over to check on Lefiya's condition, but Tione held her back.
"Lefiya! Lefiya!!"
"Calm down, Elfy."
Step.
"Lefiya... are you alright?"
Despite their concern, Lefiya spoke with a calm, steady voice.
"...Yes. I apologize for making you worry."
Clack, clack—
Watching Lefiya walk away, Aiz's eyes filled with apprehension.
'None of our encouragement could reach her...'
Grip—!!
'Loki must have told her... that the mastermind has been found, so she should sharpen her blade for reven—'
Aiz was certain that Lefiya had only stood back up to hone the edge of her vengeance, but—
Flick—!
"Ouch!?"
"Aiz, don't worry. It's not what you're thinking."
"Eh...?"
"It's not some black flame of hatred. And even if it were, that wouldn't necessarily be a bad thing, would it?"
Tramp, tramp—
Akumo spoke as he walked past to follow Loki. Before Aiz could even voice her confusion, she saw it clearly.
"You're going to fight, aren't you?"
".....Yes!"
She saw Lefiya's eyes, burning with absolute resolve.
Time passed, and Akumo and Finn gathered at the Grand Round Table on the 30th floor of Babel.
"I assume you've all heard the briefing?"
"To think it was a secret art of the Great Spirits.....!"
Gathered there were Fels, Finn, Tsubaki, and Shakti—the high-ranking representatives of their respective Familias and factions.
"The Ring of Cycles.... Six Demi-Spirits resonating to circulate magical power."
"And the unleashed strike destroys everything..... They're certainly planning something on a grand scale."
Shakti and Tsubaki, having heard the details about Nidhogg from Finn and Akumo, felt a sense of unreality wash over them at the sheer scale of the catastrophe.
But as if to prove the truth of those words, Fels continued.
"The sound the Xenos heard within the warped Man-made Dungeon—that is the ultra-long-range, large-scale chant being performed by the Demi-Spirits."
"If that spell is completed, Orario will be annihilated."
Rustle—!
"The activation of the altars wasn't just an attack on us; it was the foundation for this...!"
Fels spoke with a trace of fear regarding Enyo, the one who had orchestrated all of this. The others felt the same.
"Just how long have they been carrying out such a plan without us noticing...."
"Enyo, was it? He is certainly operating beyond the boundaries of human cognition."
Tsubaki, in particular, thought of the 'sublimity' said to be reached only by the Gods, and felt a bitter taste in her mouth realizing that such a thing could also be a form of sublimity.
"Perhaps all Gods naturally wear such a face."
"Is that so? Is it only the Gods?"
".....Akumo? What do you mean by that....."
"Ultimately, the ones who lent him strength were mortals. In other words, there isn't much difference between a mortal and a God."
"""..."""
"Am I wrong? Ahaha!!"
Whether it was a joke to lighten the mood or his sincere belief, a brief silence followed. Then, Finn spoke again.
"Regardless of who the opponent is, there is no path forward except victory."
"Indeed."
With those words, Finn immediately began explaining the operation.
The primary objective was to destroy all six nodes where the Spirits were chanting. Those locations were all concentrated around the Great Plaza on the 10th floor of Knossos.
"We strike the Great Plaza on the 10th floor simultaneously.... is that it?"
"Exactly."
"That's a rather blunt strategy. The strength of a Demi-Spirit is said to exceed that of a Monster Rex."
"We're past the stage of clever tricks. We have to force a decisive battle."
Tsubaki believed—no, she was certain—that the risk of Finn's plan was immense.
"Furthermore, the Creatures are still there, along with the one who severed Akumo's arm—"
"Ah~ don't worry about that, big sis."
"...What?"
"That guy won't be moving anyway."
"What does that mean? He won't move?"
Before Akumo could elaborate, the conversation between Shakti and Fels reached Tsubaki's ears.
"If we destroy even one of the six Spirits, won't the activation of the Great Secret Art stop?"
"No. It might buy us time, but the ritual formula will not be dispelled. I have already confirmed this with Ouranos."
Shakti then added that the Ganesha Familia and Loki Familia were currently working together to breach the entrance, and they would be able to open the path to the 10th floor by the start of the second invasion.
"The Xenos are also working from within the Dungeon. We've just assigned missions to the other major Familias as well."
With all possible preparations in motion, Finn briefed them on the unit composition.
"We will organize five units. I will take command of the 1st Unit, the main force."
"Riveria and Aiz will lead the 2nd Unit. Gareth will lead the 3rd Unit."
"Tiona and Tione will lead the 4th Unit. Bete will lead the 5th Unit."
"Members below Level 2 will be distributed among each unit, and other factions will also contribute their strength."
Finn intended to divide his elite forces into five equal parts and augment them with other factions to ensure a perfect conquest this time.
"Shakti and I will be in the 1st Unit. Tsubaki, you'll be with Gareth in the 3rd Unit."
"Starting with the Level 1 adventurers of the Ganesha Familia, capable Level 2 adventurers will be added in order."
"Ilta will be in the 2nd Unit, Amid in the 4th Unit, and Aki and Lefiya in the 5th Unit."
""Wait, Finn.""
At that moment, Akumo and Shakti questioned him simultaneously.
"You go first~"
"The number of Demi-Spirits we need to subjugate is six. Five units are not enough."
It was Fels, not Finn, who answered Shakti's question.
"The Xenos will handle it."
"!!"
"We have recruited elites from among them who can participate in battle. All of them are at least Level 3."
"..."
"They will not fall behind in terms of combat power."
Despite speaking with such confidence, Fels unconsciously added a final word of concern to Shakti and Tsubaki.
"I ask that you please trust them."
Contrary to her worries, however, they had already accepted the situation long ago.
"If Akumo, Hephaestus-sama, and Bell-kichi all trust them, then I must trust them as well."
"That is the creed of Ganesha."
"Akumo and I never had any objections. In fact, we were going to ask for their help ourselves."
Hearing this, Fels looked at Akumo for a moment, then offered a small smile as she thanked them all.
"Fels, you won't belong to any specific unit. You'll lead the independent detachment."
"Covert operations? Fine by me."
"Additionally, we've prepared several non-combat units centered around Raul for logistics and as a general reserve."
Snap—!
"They will act as reinforcements for each unit in case of emergency, but don't expect too much from them."
Naturally, each unit would be issued an Oculus for communication. In Revis's case, it was certain she would target Aiz specifically.
"What about the Hermes Familia?"
"They have another matter to attend to. Something they must verify."
"Then what about Akumo?"
"...."
At Tsubaki's question, Finn seemed to ponder for a moment before turning his head toward Akumo.
"You have your own task, don't you?"
"Thanks, Finn."
'It's going to get a li~ttle chaotic, though...'
Whoosh—!
""""!!""""
In an instant, Akumo vanished, signifying he had headed somewhere.
"I won't bother explaining. I simply trust him."
Step.
"Our task remains the same! If we lose, the Lower World is in danger anyway."
Finn smiled, trusting him as he always did, then turned back to face everyone.
"Shall we save Orario without anyone ever knowing? For us adventurers, that's just about the right level of recognition."
At those words, there wasn't a single person who didn't smile.
"Ooh~ that's a lot of people~"
From Lefiya's Rank Up to the equipment prepared by the Hephaestus Familia and the medicine from the Dian Cecht Familia.
"Including all that~ is this the total number gathered?"
Akumo couldn't wipe the smile from his face as the moment of the decisive battle drew near.
"Now that Enyo's identity and everything else has been revealed, all that's left is to fight!"
Akumo recalled what had happened just two days before the operation began.
Caress— caress—
"Was there a need to tell me?"
"Tell you what?"
Akumo was lying on the bed. Beside him, Alfia lay close, gently stroking his body.
"Revealing Enyo's identity so easily...."
"Since he loves chaos so much, I made some for him myself."
"You've certainly become bolder than before."
Pull—!
"Like this?"
Seeing that his eyes had become heterochromatic just like hers, Alfia smiled at Akumo's response and surrendered her body to his touch, nestling into his embrace.
Creak—!
"You and that woman both... you have no patience."
At that moment, the door opened and Riveria, wrapped in a towel, entered the room. She wore a slightly pouting expression at the sight of them.
"You're the one who suggested it first, you Ero-elf."
"W-Who are you calling an Ero-elf!?"
"For both of you to be doing this right before an operation...."
""Quiet.""
Well, since this was the direction they wanted their lives to take, no one truly found fault with it.
However....
"Good grief...."
"If you're already struggling with just the two of us, things will be difficult from now on."
"I didn't get stronger just for this kind of thing..."
Akumo sighed, wondering how things had ended up like this. Though he was used to giving warm smiles to those around him, he couldn't pinpoint the exact reason why his life had become so complicated.
Grip—!
"If you even think about running away, the consequences won't be pleasant."
Alfia gripped his hand, her eyes turning cold—resembling the gaze of the Goddess who had granted him his Falna—as she stared at her partner.
"It seems you'll need to learn Elven etiquette as well."
A terrifying aura also leaked from Riveria as she leaned into him, already planning what to teach the man who would become her husband once this was all over.
'W-Well, I suppose this too.... is what it means to be human...'
"Ahaha...."
Laughing awkwardly, Akumo glanced at his right arm. He could feel its energy pulsing, as if it were enjoying the situation.
Hummm—!!
'Does this mean I have to become even more shameless to handle this....'
Swoosh—!
'What happens when I can't handle it....'
For a moment, he wondered what would have happened if he had chosen only one path, and a certain scene flashed through his mind.
—""""Catch him.""""
Shiver—!
—"This is your home now."
".....Ugh, it's cold....."
At the vision of being chased by people filled with murderous intent, eventually caught, and locked in a basement somewhere, Akumo felt a chill run down his spine and hugged Alfia and Riveria tightly.
"That guy must be preparing as well, right~?"
"Most likely."
Within the Man-made Dungeon [Knossos], numerous Evils and several Demi-Spirits were being kept in reserve for the final battle.
Rumble—!!
And even a certain monster being prepared in the deepest depths of the labyrinth.
Grin—!
"This might be our farewell?"
Stroke—!
"Please don't say such things, my dear."
"Ahaha! Alright, alright~"
No, compared to the existence standing before Filvis Ein, even the monster buried deep below or the dragon trapped in some valley were not to be feared.
Tight—
"I was saved by you, and I am staying here by my own choice."
'I don't care about chaos or anything else anymore....'
The vines that once shackled her no longer existed.
Swoosh—!
"Indeed. For a man who loves chaos so much."
'To not even see the foundation of the world and create blindness for the sake of one's own chaos....'
"Even that is chaos."
'But there's a price to pay for stealing the chaos of others~'
As if responding to the light leaking from the star embedded in his chest, Akuo held Ein in his arms, his heart full of anticipation for the coming battle.
Stroke, stroke—!
"You really are mad."
"Everyone is mad about something, to the point of possessing a realm that others cannot understand."
"A very 'you' thing to say."
Recalling the memories of two days ago, Akumo vowed to win with all his might—to protect that daily life and to continue having more interesting adventures in the future.
"Ahaha...!! Right, right~ It really is the final battle now."
The 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Units would enter through the large hole on the surface, while the 4th, 5th, and 6th Units would infiltrate from the 9th floor of the Dungeon.
"Now, where... should I go~"
The positions were assigned to prevent congestion in the passages by the large force and to reach each area where the Demi-Spirits were hiding via the shortest distance.
"Considering the scale of the battle, we definitely need to fight in a somewhat open space...."
'I wonder if he prepared for that too? Probably not, right?'
While Akumo was pondering when to deploy and where to enter, Finn's voice reached him from the units below.
"Listen to me. We begin the operation now."
"As previously communicated, each unit will infiltrate the Man-made Dungeon via their designated routes."
"Each of you will aim for the 10th floor and subjugate the six Demi-Spirits."
It wasn't just a voice for a combat briefing.
"Let me say this beforehand: there is no wealth or fame in this fight."
It was a hero's declaration filled with resolve, a warm yet strong speech meant to bolster everyone's morale.
"We head toward the jaws of death, unknown to anyone."
"We will throw ourselves into a desperate struggle without reward."
"Those who die here will have their names carved into tombstones without their valiant deeds ever being known."
Step—!
"..."
Finn took a moment to steady his heart, then shouted to everyone.
So that even though they were participating in a story that would never be passed down, they could all fight and move forward together.
"If there are those who survived at the cost of sacrifice! They are the ones who must continue to fight!"
Meaning can only be conveyed if one continues to live.
That was why they could not easily give up or die.
"They are warriors who will be driven into even harsher trials in exchange for escaping the death called the end!!"
"We must stake our lives to prove the meaning of the lives that were lost!"
"There is no atonement!"
"There can be no condemnation!"
Whether it was for what they desired, or out of anger, complaints, sadness, or hatred toward the one who created this situation—it didn't matter. They would give everything to succeed.
"Let that damn God fall into despair!!!"
As if recreating the Dungeon Oratoria of a thousand years ago, they had gathered by fate.
"History is about to repeat itself now."
"By our own hands! Like the heroes of the past who resisted the destruction threatening the world and protected humanity!"
The story of the Great Hero Albert and the Spirit Aria, the heroes who fought to protect this Labyrinth City a thousand years ago.
"Yes, this is a story that will never be passed down!"
"There is no wealth in this fight! Nor is there fame!"
Clang—!!
"The only thing that will tell of this battle is the sword held in your hand!"
No, this was the story of the adventurers, their own story. It was not a recreation of anything. It was not a play for the sake of anyone's convictions.
"All that remains is the sword etched with wounds!"
"Therefore, we shall become nameless heroes and save this world!!"
Everyone would clash with their true feelings, sweep away the enemies before them, and save the people.
"So let us name it!"
A story like a fairy tale, nothing more.
"The name of this decisive battle is Sword Oratoria!!"
Grip—!!
"Leaping across a thousand years once more, adventurers shall become the foundation for the peace of the Lower World!!"
As they created and wrote their own fairy tale, they would soon embark on a great adventure.
"Engrave a new Oratoria here!!!"
"""""""""OOOOH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"""""""""
The roar of everyone's cheers filled the surroundings, and it eventually reached Akumo as well.
"Yes, I've decided."
"Begin the operation!! All units!"
"...."
"Charge!!!"
He intended to prove that a single warrior was also part of that story.
Boom—!!!!!!!!!
"""""""""!!"""""""""
There was no longer any need to hold back, nor any need to protect everyone.
"Because you are already warriors who know how to protect yourselves."
That was why he would pour everything into facing his brother, with all his heart.
Grin—!
'You've come, Akumo!!!!'
"The target is the Vicious Palace, Knossos!!!"
Dash—!!!
With his comrades smiling as they watched him enter the dungeon first, he trusted them, trusted everyone, and gave it his all.