Chapter 51: The 'Deceased' Come Knocking
"By the way, Hyacine, where exactly did Barbara go?"
"Hmm... she went somewhere interesting. She's probably having a great time right about now!"
Inside the Loki Familia, in the captain's office.
Having experienced the attack of the Corrupted Spirit and the Creatures, followed by a full day of meetings, Finn looked somewhat weary. However, because the physical stamina of a high-level adventurer far exceeded that of an ordinary person, he was still able to push through.
The reason for summoning Hyacine to the office this time was another important matter... Barbara had vanished!
Since Loki had gone to the Guild to explain the situation and had been in meetings all day, the members of the Familia naturally enjoyed a rare holiday. Finn had intended for the members to take this rare opportunity to rest properly, but reality had dealt him a harsh blow.
In less than a day, half of the 'Deliverers' had gone missing!
Even asking the other half yielded no real answers, as Hyacine had been dodging the questions, clearly having no intention of telling the truth.
Finn found this incredibly headache-inducing, yet he was helpless.
Could he actually force a Deliverer?
The issue was that Barbara had just demonstrated the ability to resurrect the dead; he truly didn't want to play that trump card yet. Otherwise, the Loki Familia would certainly become the focus of every other Familia, including Evilus!
By then, Barbara would undoubtedly be at the top of Evilus's hit list, because as long as she lived, it would be even harder for Orario's adventurers to die.
Consider this: knowing the opponent has an invincibility hack, would you choose to go head-to-head with them? Or would you choose to report and ban their account?
Any sane person would choose the second option!
Of course, there are always some eccentrics who would choose the third option... 'I'll use hacks too.'
This is both 'fighting fire with fire' and 'repaying them in their own coin'—essentially making things difficult for the opponent.
But the problem was, this was the real world!
Even if you wanted to use a hack, there had to be a hack available for you to use.
Predictably, Evilus did not possess such a capability, but Hyacine and Barbara did!
If possible, Finn wished for the two girls to remain within the Familia permanently, but what would be the difference between such a Loki Familia and a cage?
The reason those two Deliverers chose the Loki Familia was to be adventurers, not to become canaries in a cage!
"Hyacine, I know you and Barbara are very close and you want to help her hide something, but I also hope you remember..."
"No matter what happens, the Loki Familia will always stand behind you!"
The title of 'Deliverer' was simply too resounding. Even Finn didn't have many ways to handle it; he could only use words and actions to demonstrate that he and the entire Familia were the girls' solid support.
If they encountered any difficulties, they could tell them everything.
They might be of the older generation of adventurers, but they weren't dead yet!
"Thank you, Finn."
"But please let me think about it..."
Finn's meaning was clear: if anything happened, the Loki Familia would cover for them, so they should feel free to act boldly.
But the events at the Pleasure Quarter were a bit hard to talk about... and the implications behind them were too vast; it was best to keep them separate from the Loki Familia.
"Of course, that's fine. But I have to remind you of one thing."
"Things seem to be quite chaotic at the Pleasure Quarter. If Barbara went there, it's best if she returns quickly..."
As one of the two top Familias currently in Orario, the Loki Familia had naturally received intelligence at the earliest possible time: Goddess Ishtar had died following a sneak attack by Evilus.
The monsters used in the sneak attack were suspected to be the same as those the Loki Familia encountered in the Dungeon—Demi-spirits of a Corrupted Spirit.
What did this signify?
Evilus, which was thought to be extinct, was now showing signs of resurgence! Orario was very likely to fall into a Dark Era once again, just like seven or eight years ago!
Upon hearing this, the expression on Hyacine's face shifted slightly.
Things were chaotic at the Pleasure Quarter?
It wasn't just 'chaotic'!
Even the goddess of the Pleasure Quarter had been dealt with. Was there anything more chaotic than that?
But Hyacine had to hold it in; she couldn't laugh...
"Ne-hehehe~"
"..."
The laughter was so bizarrely catchy that Finn didn't even know what to say.
However, someone soon broke this rare moment of tranquility.
"This is bad! Finn!"
Riveria's voice suddenly came from outside the door. This elven royal, who was usually always elegant and poised, appeared exceptionally out of character now, even forgetting to knock as she burst straight into the room.
"Riveria, what happened?"
Seeing such a change in his friend, Finn instantly knew the gravity of the situation. His joking expression vanished immediately, reverting to the familiar Lord Captain.
"Barbara is back!"
"And she brought back three people. Moreover, two of them are people we both know..."
What did that mean?
Finn frowned. Riveria seemed so shocked that her words were becoming somewhat incoherent.
"Don't be in such a rush, Riveria. What could be more important right now than the return of the deity of the Pleasure Quarter to Heaven?"
"Relax, speak slowly."
Finn had been active in Orario for so many years; what major events hadn't he seen? There was almost nothing left that could shake his core.
"Forget it. Even if I tell you the details, you might not believe me... It's better to see it for yourself."
Riveria sighed helplessly, then led Finn and the others toward the Loki Familia's reception room.
As the door opened, the first thing that met their eyes was that familiar blonde girl—Barbara herself.
However, compared to before she left, there seemed to be a golden 'accessory' attached to her?
A Renard lady who looked incredibly seductive was using her tails to cling to Barbara like an octopus, having no intention of letting go.
The moment Finn saw this, he understood everything. Barbara really had gone to the Pleasure Quarter!
Had she started a war with Evilus at the Pleasure Quarter?
And that little fox on the girl looked like someone who had come out of the Pleasure Quarter no matter how one looked at it; she definitely couldn't be a normal adventurer!
Girl and girl?
Barbara and an unknown beastman...
No matter how one thought about it, it seemed quite scandalous!
If such news got out, the Loki Familia really would become the harem Familia of Loki's dreams.
And it wouldn't be Loki's harem, but the Deliverer's harem... which actually sounded kind of nice?
Quickly tossing those thoughts aside, Finn turned his gaze toward the other two women.
However, the moment he saw those two women, Finn's eyes widened, his expression looking as if he had seen a ghost.
'I thought my heart would no longer be wavered, but who knew reality would kick me again...'
"Alfia? Alise?"
"What are you doing here?"