The Loki Familia's training grounds were as lively as ever, with Tiona and Tione continuing their conversation.
"Right now, he's probably thinking, 'Why hasn't Tiona challenged me yet?'"
Tiona nodded enthusiastically, clearly convinced.
Cut to Judas, several meters away, calmly drinking water as he mentally replayed the spar in his head.
'Her sword gives her a reach advantage... maybe I should try fighting with a spear next time. I've been neglecting that aspect for too long.'
"...See?"
Tiona said confidently.
"Living rent-free in his head."
Tione pinched the bridge of her nose.
"You are delusional... and that's coming from me."
While the Hiryute sisters continued bickering, with Tiona practically shoving the book into Tione's face...
Nearby, Ais had just finished wiping the sweat from her blade.
She paused mid-motion, her ears subtly angling toward their conversation.
"...Play hard to get?"
She repeated the words quietly, her expression serious... almost reverent... as if she had just been handed some profound wisdom.
Riveria, standing beside her, followed her line of sight and frowned.
"Don't listen to such nonsense. Just be yourself."
She spoke calmly, with the air of someone dispensing well-earned wisdom.
Completely forgetting the minor detail that she had absolutely zero romantic experience and was, in fact, a century-old virgin.
Ais flinched.
"I... wasn't. I just... overheard."
Riveria offered a faint smile but said nothing more.
...
A couple of hours passed, and soon the afternoon sun hung high in the sky.
After changing into fresh clothes following hours of training, Judas walked through the courtyard.
Along the way, he spotted Loki seated across from another deity... a man with long blond hair and green eyes, wearing a perpetual, easy smile.
Yet something about him felt... off.
'Am I imagining it?'
There was no overt hostility, no obvious malice... but Judas' instincts prickled all the same.
For reasons he couldn't quite explain, the presence of that smiling god gave him an uneasy feeling, enough to make him frown.
Behind him stood a female elf with jet-black hair and crimson eyes, positioned slightly behind the male deity like a loyal attendant.
As Judas stared at them, the moment he made his presence known, the two guests shifted their gaze to meet his.
The male god's eyes widened ever so slightly before he composed himself a second later, a gentle smile forming on his face... his expression unreadable.
Then there was the female elf, whose reaction he found far more interesting.
The instant her eyes landed on him, her pupils visibly trembled, though her expression itself never changed.
"Ah, to think I would have the honor of meeting the most famous rising star in Orario... Judas Spade. My name is Dionysus, and this is my follower and the captain of my familia, Filvis. It is my pleasure to make your acquaintance."
The handsome god... now introduced as Dionysus... spoke with a gentle smile, while Filvis inclined her head in a slight bow.
"Nice to meet you, Lord Dionysus."
Judas returned the greeting in a flat voice.
'This scent... why do I smell wine all over him? Is it because he's a god whose divinity is tied to wine?'
Judas kept his eyes on Dionysus' face.
For some reason, he couldn't bring himself to feel even the slightest bit of goodwill toward this particular god... not one bit.
"Judas, good timing. I was just about to call you over."
Loki stood up from her seat and gave his shoulder a firm pat.
"I've got a mission for you. Apparently, something's going on on the twenty-fourth floor. I want you to investigate and report back."
"With your versatile arsenal of magic, you're basically the perfect fit for this kind of job."
Hearing her words, Judas sighed and brushed her hand off his shoulder.
"I'm kinda busy right now. I'm going to have to decline. Bete and the others are at the training grounds... have them take this quest instead."
He shook his head as he spoke.
"Even if I tell you this mission involves Evilus?"
Loki added, her words immediately piquing his interest.
Catching his reaction, she broke into a grin.
"The info came from this bozo behind me."
She jerked her thumb toward Dionysus.
The god merely chuckled and gave a casual wave.
"There have been traces of Evilus activity."
Dionysus said calmly.
"Nothing confirmed... but enough to warrant investigation."
"Whatever is happening on the twenty-fourth floor is dangerous. That is why I requested assistance from Loki and her children."
Judas shifted his gaze to Loki, silently questioning her with his eyes.
"This guy knows about Evilus."
Loki explained, hands resting on her hips.
"Apparently, his children were slaughtered by them. Now he wants revenge."
"That is correct."
Dionysus spoke again, his expression darkening.
"I will never forgive them for what they have done. My precious children... their souls will never rest unless I uncover the truth and make the culprits pay."
The anger on his face was unmistakable.
Judas narrowed his eyes, scrutinizing him carefully.
For once, his instincts detected no deception.
Dionysus' fury wasn't an act.
It was real.
But even so... there was a sense of dissonance in this god's words that Judas couldn't quite explain.
"Well, that's pretty much the gist of the situation."
"I'm not going to force you to take this quest, and it's not like I don't trust the others with something like this."
Loki said as she stepped forward.
"It's just that when it comes to dealing with unexpected situations, you're the most capable."
"In addition, I heard from Riveria about your strength from that little trip you guys made to the deep floors. She told me that you wouldn't lose even to Finn or Gareth."
"With the three of them out, that effectively makes you the strongest member of the familia right now."
Loki continued, her expression unusually serious.
It was rare to see Loki like this, and Judas knew that anything involving Evilus was a matter that demanded utmost caution.
"You're worried it might be a trap?"
Judas asked. Loki nodded in response.
"That's a possibility. Which is why I'm thinking of sending you along with Bete and the others, so you can work together on this mission."
Knowing Evilus was involved, Judas understood that declining was no longer an option.
There was a score to settle.
"Alright... I'll go fetch the rest of my gear."
Judas said. Loki immediately broke into a grin.
...
Some time later, Judas returned to find a small group already gathered.
Bete, Lefiya, and Filvis.
These were the ones Loki and Dionysus had chosen, since the others were unavailable.
Tiona and Tione were out after getting into a heated argument that escalated into a match in the training grounds... one that ended with both of them knocking each other unconscious.
Finn, Gareth, and Riveria were busy making preparations for the upcoming expedition.
As far as Judas knew, they were currently in a meeting with the Hephaestus Familia.
And Ais, for reasons unknown, had gone off on her own without informing anyone.
But Judas heard some hearsay that suggested she had headed to the public library in search of a particular book.
As Judas looked over the people who would be his teammates for this mission, he couldn't help but frown.
Before his arrival, a quiet but tense atmosphere hung between them... especially between Bete and Filvis.
Caught in the middle was Lefiya, fidgeting nervously between the two.
The moment Judas entered her line of sight, her eyes lit up, and she hurried over to him.
"J-Judas, this is our first quest together. Let's do our best."
Judas gave a small nod.
"This is going to be a dangerous mission. Stay on your toes."
"R-right!"
Lefiya replied with renewed enthusiasm.
In contrast, Bete shot them an unfriendly glare.
"You'd better not hold me back, you weaklings."
His voice was sharp, dripping with venom.
"Mind your own business, werewolf."
Filvis glared back coldly, clearly displeased by Bete's attitude.
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