As night fell, Eiji led the special operations team back to the surface.
The entire day had been spent on the blitzkrieg assault against the artificial dungeon. Not only Alicia and the others, but even Eiji found it utterly exhausting—especially mentally, as if he'd fought an intense battle against Freya—no, against Ottar.
Yet there was no helping it. With Bete absent, Eiji and Ais were the fastest runners in the entire Loki Familia. Finn had assigned them as leaders of the blitzkrieg operation with this in mind.
Upon returning to the surface, Eiji handed all their gains to Finn.
Setting aside various other spoils, the most crucial prizes were eight keys—all confirmed genuine—and one enormous unexpected windfall: Daedalus's notebook.
"Bete, huh?" Finn murmured thoughtfully after hearing the report.
"What what? Did Bete betray us?" Tiona exclaimed, running over in shock.
"Listen properly. This notebook was intentionally left behind by Bete," Eiji rolled his eyes, disdainful of Tiona's intellect. "If he'd truly betrayed us, why would he leave something this important behind?"
"Then why did he let Valletta escape?" Tiona grinned sheepishly. Knowing she wasn't the brightest, she asked straightforwardly.
"Probably had other business to attend to," Finn chuckled lightly. "In any case, Bete would never betray us. That guy keeps his promises more fiercely than anyone."
"Seems like the captain really trusts Bete?" Tione tried sneaking a hand toward Finn's backside, only for him to swiftly lock her arms behind her back. Seeing his benign smile, she hurriedly changed the subject.
Ever since returning from the Ishtar Familia incident, Tione's condition had worsened significantly.
"Well, I do know a bit about his past."
"Bete's past?" Ais's eyes gleamed with curiosity.
"Yes, but you should ask him directly. If I were the one to tell you, he'd definitely curse me out," Finn vaguely deflected the topic. Ais nodded in understanding.
"When are we preparing for the final battle?" Eiji asked Finn, swatting away Tiona's attempt to hug him.
"Hmm..." Finn flipped through the small notebook, his wise eyes absorbing each piece of information.
"To be honest, the seven—now six—spirit clones worry me deeply," he unconsciously gnawed at his thumb, brows furrowed.
"I'll need to consult with other familias... Three days at most!" Finn finally declared with resolute determination.
"We launch the final battle in three days!"
Though his unease refused to dissipate, knowing Orario was already on the brink left no room for hesitation—they couldn't allow the flames to keep burning!
The threats of the artificial dungeon and Evilus had to be eliminated as soon as possible!
...
"What's going on?"
"Why are you forcing us out?"
Daedalus Street.
The residents greeted the Guild staff with hostility.
"This is for everyone's safety. There will be imminent danger in Daedalus Street, and our Guild will eliminate it as quickly as possible. During this time, we ask for your cooperation!"
A black-haired half-elf girl with glasses held a megaphone, loudly explaining to the surrounding crowd, while a cute, pink-cheeked doll-faced girl nodded vigorously beside her.
Many other uniformed staff members urged the residents to evacuate.
Tonight, this place would become a battlefield.
Daedalus Street lay directly above the artificial labyrinth, making it highly susceptible to being caught in the decisive battle against Evilus. If it were hit by the artillery fire of the corrupted spirit clones, the consequences would be unimaginable.
Under the Guild's guidance, the residents evacuated in an orderly manner.
One after another, adventurers began to take up positions—among them were members of Loki Familia, Ganesha Familia, and other factions.
"Is the decisive battle about to begin?"
A golden-haired, blue-eyed god stood at the entrance of Daedalus Street, his gaze vacant as he stared at the overpass deep within the district.
"Lord Dionysus, play with us!"
Several children from the slums ran out, laughing as they surrounded him.
The golden-haired, blue-eyed god was none other than the patron deity of Dionysus Familia, an ally of Loki Familia.
"Sorry, but today of all days, I'm a bit busy."
Dionysus snapped out of his daze, offering the children a kind smile as he gently ushered them away.
"Make sure to follow the Guild's big brothers and sisters closely. Don't cause any trouble, alright?"
"Okay~!"
"Lord Dionysus."
A pure-white elf girl appeared behind him, casting him a helpless look.
"I've already inquired. Goddess Loki has no intention of bringing us along."
"...I see."
He shook his head with a bitter smile.
"Our Familia is indeed too weak. It's only natural Loki wouldn't consider us."
For this decisive battle, Loki had not extended an invitation to them.
After all, the strongest member of their Familia was only Level 3, with a handful of Level 2s and the majority being lower-tier Level 1 adventurers. Such a Familia had no business getting involved in a battle of this scale.
"But I can't accept this! To just stand here and watch while they act, while we're sidelined...!"
Dionysus let out a low growl of anger. "I must avenge the children we lost. I won't let those vile Evilus get away with this!"
Three children—each had died at the hands of Evilus.
He had sworn to avenge them, working tirelessly for months toward that goal. How could he give up now, when the moment was finally at hand?
"Filvis, come with me to see Loki!"
Dionysus turned, his gaze resolute.
"I'm confident I can persuade her!"
Undercurrents surged throughout Orario.
Conspirators leaped onto the stage of the labyrinth city one after another, stirring wave after wave in these unfathomable depths.
But none of this concerned Eiji.
Freya Familia, Battlefield Wasteland.
Three days had passed since the blitzkrieg.
Boom!
A fierce gale howled past.
The cat-person Allen gripped his spear, thrusting it repeatedly in a high-speed sprint. Dozens of spear flashes materialized in the air almost simultaneously, the atmosphere shattering into fragments.
In the blink of an eye, he had unleashed dozens of strikes!
If one were to rely on the naked eye to discern the attacks, they would likely be riddled with holes in an instant!
Clang—!
At the same time, the elf wielding the black demon sword swiftly closed in, bringing the sharp blade down in an overhead strike.
Eiji stood at the very center.
His eyes were closed, his mind as calm as still water.
In that fleeting moment, he opened his eyes.
Clang!
Despite having no time to observe his opponent, with just a single swing of his blade, he sent the black demon sword flying.
Simultaneously, another strike surged forth like a tidal wave, transforming into countless dazzling flashes of lightning. One precise slash after another intercepted dozens of spear glints.
Blade light and spear tips collided incessantly, the piercing sounds sharp enough to rupture eardrums.