Chapter 31 The main force returns! Newcomers enjoying preferential treatment?
At the main entrance of Twilight Manor, the lingering warmth of the morning sun still hung in the air.
Several lower-class adventurers on standby, all smiles, pulled open the heavy doors, welcoming the safe return of the expeditionary force.
The first to catch the eye was an Amazon girl, dressed in a light, dancer-like gauze, unreservedly showing off her healthy, wheat-colored skin.
She rushed through the door like a gust of wind, her arms raised high, shouting joyfully.
"Yo-ho! We're back!"
"I say, do you have to be so loud every time you come back? It's embarrassing."
Another long-haired Amazon woman, with one hand on her hip, looked at her younger sister with a helpless expression.
To their left was a slender, blonde girl in light azure attire.
Although she remained expressionless, her exquisite beauty was even more striking than the golden-yellow-haired Elf beside her.
A Werewolf youth, hands in his pockets and wearing metal boots, stepped forward from the crowd.
The lightning-shaped tattoo on his face seemed to come alive with his undisguised sneer.
"Always so noisy and boisterous, it's truly irritating."
"Shut up! You damn Werewolf, it's not your place to lecture me!"
"Ha! Want to fight, you idiot Amazon!"
While the young men and women argued, the true three leaders of the Loki Familia stood behind them, each with a different expression.
The muscular Dwarf warrior laughed heartily.
"Youth is truly wonderful; everyone is so full of energy."
The calm-mannered Pallum captain helplessly rubbed his forehead.
"Being energetic is good, but don't use it in such a place."
The beautiful Elf woman, with only one eye open, spoke faintly.
"Let them be; dealing with important matters comes first."
...
At the same time, Arthur stood on the high-level corridor, looking down, taking in the figures of everyone at the main entrance.
He had previously reviewed most of the information in the library, gaining a basic understanding of the Loki Familia's main force, but this was indeed the first time he had seen them in person.
The short-haired Amazon at the very front of the team was Tiona, LV5, a Familia executive, with the title [Great Destroyer].
Her long-haired Amazon sister beside her, with a proud bust, was Tione, LV5, a Familia executive, with the title [Raging Serpent].
The quiet, doll-like blonde girl beside the two was Ais, LV5, a Familia executive, with the title [Sword Princess].
The golden-yellow-haired Elf accompanying Ais was Lefiya, LV3, with the title [Thousand Elf].
The Werewolf youth with the lightning tattoo on his face and a crude tone was Bete, LV5, a Familia executive, with the title [Furious Wolf].
The muscular Dwarf warrior was Gareth, LV6, a Familia executive, with the title [Heavy Breaker].
The beautiful Elf woman was Riveria, LV6, the Familia's vice-captain, with the title [Nine Witches].
And the calm-mannered Pallum captain was Finn, LV6, the Familia's captain, with the title [Brave].
These individuals, with the exception of Lefiya, Riveria's disciple, were all the first-tier main force of the Loki Familia.
"Raging Serpent, Furious Wolf, Brave, Loki… Hmm? Where is she?"
Arthur suddenly remembered something, turned his head to look, but found that Loki had disappeared at some point.
Bang!
The main hall door was roughly pushed open, and Loki, like a whirlwind, her eyes gleaming, spread her arms wide and pounced towards the returning expedition members.
"I've missed you all so much!"
The female members, who had been either bickering or chatting, collectively frowned and simultaneously moved aside, precisely dodging her.
Only the Goddess, having missed her target, slid awkwardly a long way on the floor, leaving a clear friction mark.
"Spare us, Loki, the expedition was tiring enough."
"Seriously, we just finished with Tiona, and now Loki starts."
"Why is it like this? I'm not as disgusting as Loki."
"Indeed, if Loki catches you, the outcome will surely be terrible."
Although it was unclear which female member uttered this sentiment, the statement received unanimous agreement from all female members present.
After the female members collectively moved to a safe distance from Loki, Finn walked over to their deity and raised a hand in greeting.
"We're back, Loki."
"This expedition wasn't very smooth, but thankfully there were no casualties. I'll report the detailed situation to you later; for now, let's arrange for everyone to rest."
Loki rubbed her red nose, her voice sounding a bit muffled.
"No problem, you can arrange it."
Finn smiled as was his custom, then turned and gave orders.
"The members on standby are responsible for moving luggage and spoils; the expeditionary force members should go bathe and rest first. After the executives have bathed, remember to come to the meeting room."
"Yes!" × N
The members responded one after another, busying themselves with their respective duties.
Arthur was also among the standby personnel, so he leaped from the high-level corridor, landed steadily on the ground, and walked directly towards the bundles piled up by the expeditionary force.
Seeing this, Loki quickly raised a hand to stop him.
"Kid, just let them do these chores. You might as well continue to shine in the Dungeon."
Arthur nodded compliantly.
"Then I'll be going. I'll definitely be back before dinner."
Before he finished speaking, he strode off, walking directly out of Twilight Manor under the varied gazes of the crowd.
...
Witnessing the brief but informative interaction between Loki and Arthur, the returning expedition members all looked puzzled, not understanding what their deity was up to.
Tiona, always lively and outgoing, her eyes darting, pulled over a standby member and quietly asked.
"Hey~ that silver-haired young man just joined the Familia, right? What's his name? What's his level?"
The member looked back at Arthur's disappearing figure, awkwardly scratched the back of his head, and quickly explained.
"Actually, we're not very clear either. Loki-sama personally brought him back about a week ago."
"But he always ventures into the Dungeon alone, so we haven't had a chance to talk to him."
Tiona released the member, letting him go move luggage, and then looked thoughtfully in the direction of the entrance where Arthur had long disappeared.
"An adventurer who goes alone? That sounds a bit familiar…"
Tione looked up at the high-level corridor where Arthur had previously stood and the ground, a look of admiration on her face.
"He generated almost no excess impact when landing; his physical abilities are quite excellent, and his control over his strength is terrifyingly precise."
Bete, who had been leaning against the wall with his arms crossed, watching, snorted disdainfully and retorted.
"Even an LV2 nobody wouldn't be hurt jumping from that height; what's there to make a fuss about?"
Ais subtly glanced at Bete, a strange displeasure rising in her heart; she didn't like that kind of talk.
For some reason, she felt a faint but strange sense of closeness from Arthur.
But she… should have no family left.
Gareth stroked his steel-wire-like rough beard on his chin, speaking with some concern.
"The habit of fighting alone isn't a good sign; I hope he's not another Bete."
Riveria, however, shook her head in denial: "It shouldn't come to that. Besides, didn't you see he was going to help move the luggage just now?"
Finn habitually licked his thumb; no stinging sensation came, and he smiled slightly.
"It shouldn't be anything bad; at least my thumb didn't warn me."
"Everyone is tired from the expedition. If there are any questions, let's discuss them in detail in the meeting room later."