"Tonight, we will host a feast. Don't be late!"
Loki shouted excitedly.
Today, the Twilight Manor was buzzing with energy... members of the Loki Familia hurrying about, carrying crates, sorting gear, and shouting instructions across the courtyard.
It was a stark contrast to the quiet, almost serene atmosphere Judas was used to when they were away.
The manor felt alive, pulsing with movement.
"Huh? Another feast?"
One of the younger members blinked in confusion, a sack of monster stones slung over his shoulder.
"Heh. Last night was a banquet to celebrate our newest recruit. This time, it's to celebrate everyone for coming back alive from the expedition."
Loki said with her trademark toothy grin.
"She's just doing whatever she wants," someone muttered.
"It's fine. Who would say no to another celebration?" another laughed as they heaved a crate onto a cart.
"Hey, I heard the Astraea Familia is about to go on an expedition."
"Hm, at this time? They must have already gone down by now."
More murmurs spread through the courtyard as members came and went, their arms full of loot bags, rare drop items, and heaps of monster stones.
The clatter of metal and the rustling of sacks filled the air.
It was always like this for the Loki Familia the day after returning from the dungeon: noisy, chaotic, and incredibly productive.
Every member had a job to do.
Loot needed to be sorted, recorded, and sent off to the Guild.
Because the familia brought back such an absurd amount of goods every expedition, it required nearly everyone to help process the haul.
And most of the money earned would be reinvested right back into their next dungeon dive.
Equipment maintenance, repairing damaged armor, replacing broken blades, replenishing potions and magic swords... considering the sheer number of members, the expenses were monstrous.
One expedition could burn through more resources than an entire small familia owned.
Yet this flow... earn, repair, prepare, dive... was precisely what kept Loki Familia strong.
And today, Judas found himself watching it all unfold, absorbing the rhythm of a familia that lived and breathed the dungeon.
"Everyone is really busy today."
Judas blinked as he and Ais stepped through the gate, taking in the flurry of activity around them.
"Mn. Everyone is working hard."
Ais said softly, her attention only half on the chaos around them as she took the last bite of her wrapped potato. She brushed the crumbs from her fingertips with her usual quiet composure.
"Ais! Judas! Where have you guys been? We were just about to head to the Guild!"
Tiona's energetic voice cut through the noise like a burst of sunlight.
She came sprinting toward them at full speed, waving her arm overhead with a grin wide enough to split her face.
Behind her, the rest of the executives followed at a steadier pace... Finn at the front giving quick instructions, Riveria glancing over ledgers and notes, and Gareth walking beside a cart stacked with monster drops.
Several more carts trailed behind them, wheels creaking under the weight.
"Tiona, slow down."
Riveria said without looking up from her notes, though the slight twitch of her eyebrow showed she already expected the Amazon's usual burst of energy.
"We're not late, are we?"
Judas asked as Tiona skidded to a stop in front of them.
"Well... not yet."
Tione said as she walked past, arms crossed, giving them both a side-eye that hovered somewhere between teasing and scolding.
"Since you guys are here, we can head out together."
Tiona added with a bright smile.
"When Riveria told me that you brought Ais with you, I had a hard time believing it."
Gareth said as he stepped forward.
"So? How was it? The training with Silence, I mean."
Riveria added as she approached.
'From Judas' recollection, it seems like Alfia is still the same as ever.'
The green-haired high elf had quite a bit of history with the silver-haired woman.
Fifteen years ago, it had been Alfia who delivered the final blow to the Leviathan... one of the three great monsters... using her overwhelming magic.
Back then, the three pillars of the Loki Familia... Riveria, Finn, and Gareth... were nothing more than supporters during that battle.
It was also the first time Riveria had witnessed the true might of the Zeus and Hera Familias.
Ever since that day, she had been determined to surpass the woman who was called the Monster of Talent.
Of course, during the reign of Zeus and Hera, Orario had been a very different place.
Members of the Zeus and Hera Familias regularly picked fights in the streets, overwhelming other factions and making them taste defeat again and again.
Riveria, who was active during that era, had often found herself on the receiving end of Alfia's fists.
She could still remember, with painful clarity, the shape of Alfia's knuckles as that woman calmly chanted Gospel before knocking her out cold.
'Ais and Judas... they must've dealt with something similar.'
She thought.
A harsh baptism born from relentless combat.
Because of that era, the current leading generation... Ottar, Finn, and several others... possessed a terrifyingly sharp sense for battle against other adventurers.
It was something Ais and the rest of her generation lacked.
Which was why Riveria wasn't opposed to letting Ais join Judas in training under Alfia.
The Amazon sisters... and even Bete, who was leaning against a nearby tree... twitched their ears at the mention of Alfia.
They had heard about Judas' circumstances during yesterday's meeting.
Judas and Ais exchanged a brief glance.
In the end, Ais answered.
"It was... hard. But it was... fun."
She said softly as she clenched her fist.
Even after being fully healed by Judas' magic, Ais vividly remembered the pain from Alfia's merciless punches.
'I want to do it again.'
Alfia was stronger, faster, and tougher than anyone she had ever fought.
Painful as it had been, if that experience allowed her to grow, Ais would take that opportunity again without hesitation.
Seeing her earnest expression, Riveria let out a quiet sigh.
'Well... it's better than her wandering around and risking her life in the dungeon.'
She thought as she looked toward the black-haired boy beside Ais.
"Judas... remember our arrangement this afternoon."
Riveria reminded him, her tone stern... but with the faintest trace of excitement beneath it.
"I know."
Judas nodded.
No sooner had he said that—
"Wait, did I hear that right? You brought Ais to your training session with that strong adventurer from the Hera Familia?"
Tiona gasped, eyes widening as she immediately grabbed Judas' arm and pressed it tightly against her chest... or at least the place where something should have been.
"Can I come with you?"
She asked, looking up at him with an exaggerated pair of puppy-dog eyes, her grip tightening as if afraid he might slip away the moment she blinked.
"A-Ahem... maybe I should tag along. I don't want my little sister getting hurt."
Tione muttered, glancing away stiffly.
Even Bete was edging closer, eyes gleaming with eagerness, though he couldn't bring himself to actually say anything.
"..."
Judas stared at the three of them, all practically burning holes into him with their expectant gazes.
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