"Is it Akumo?"
"Fels, as you likely know, this is about the Xenos."
"It must be due to the contact with [Little Rookie]."
"Correct."
Rumble—!!!
Deep within the hidden sanctums of Orario, Fels greeted Akumo as if he had been waiting, the heavy doors grinding open to receive him.
"The contact with [Little Rookie] was not our intention. We have been strictly cautioning the Xenos against such interactions."
"I imagine so."
"The one who made contact this time is a newborn Xenos. In appearance, she is indistinguishable from a young girl..."
"..."
'And that is precisely why it is a problem...'
Xenos who do not resemble humans are difficult to accept because they are too alien. However, Xenos who do resemble humans are equally difficult to accept; their similarity causes confusion and inevitably triggers the primal vigilance of the masses.
"When can you send her back?"
"We will soon be able to communicate with Lyd and Gros. We can return Viene then."
"The secret village on the 20th floor would be the ideal drop-off point."
"I leave it to you."
'Lyd has a fairly sociable personality, doesn't he...?'
Akumo reflected on the Xenos. At the mention of Lyd, the image of a red Lizardman flickered in his mind, but a sudden doubt surfaced.
'I have never actually met the Xenos in this life...'
"Why does this feel so familiar?"
"What do you mean by that?"
"No, it's nothing... I just feel like I've seen them somewhere before..."
Suppressing the question for now, Akumo walked deeper into the corridor to meet Ouranos.
Step, step—
"What is it...? This sense of déjà vu is undeniable."
"There have been rumors of armed Lizardmen recently," Fels noted.
"Ah...! That must be it. Right... I heard something about a quest being posted at the Guild."
'I must have seen a report on it. If it's in my memory...'
Continuing their conversation, they arrived at the massive central chamber. Akumo stood before Ouranos and spoke with measured authority.
"What is your decision?"
"She must be returned immediately. The current climate is unfavorable."
"Indeed. While Hermes is investigating, the matter of monster trafficking could become a complication."
"I will return Viene quickly. After that, I will handle the trafficking issue alongside Lord Hermes."
"...Very well."
'Is coexistence with the Xenos still too premature?'
Ouranos swallowed his concerns as he watched Akumo depart. As the Pioneer's back receded from the chamber, the God's contemplations regarding the Xenos grew only heavier.
"Bell! Like!"
"Ahaha... Viene..."
"You two certainly get along well."
At that same time, within the Hestia Familia's home, Hearthstone Manor, Bell and Haruhime were protecting Viene, sharing a meal with her in the garden.
Munch, munch—
"Tastes... good."
"Is it? Those are the rice balls Mikoto-sama made for us!"
"I'm so glad!"
Bell and Haruhime smiled, enjoying the peaceful moment as they fed Viene.
"...."
'Bell... will you truly be the one to make the choice...?'
Alfia watched them with a worried gaze. Sensing the trials that would soon beset Bell, she stared blankly at the owl Fels used for surveillance.
"A... lfia..."
"...Are you calling for me?"
"Yes...! I... like Alfia...!"
"Why?"
"With Bell... you worried... for me...!"
Viene was accustomed to the cold, vigilant eyes of adventurers. However, Bell, Akumo, and Alfia were different. They looked at her with concern and warmth rather than suspicion, providing a profound comfort to the girl who had been trembling under the city's frigid gaze.
"I am not as noble as you think I am."
"That's not true, Mother."
"I am merely a being who was saved by Akumo and a hero like you."
"..."
Alfia reached out.
"Even so, I will protect you all as long as my strength allows."
"...Thank you!"
Though she struggled to affirm herself, Alfia declared her intent to act for the sake of her heroes. As she stroked Viene's head, the girl smiled and leaned into the touch. Bell watched the scene with a soft grin.
"I-I want to as well...!!"
Haruhime reached out to pet Viene's head, but Viene naturally dove into Bell's arms, causing Haruhime to stumble forward and tumble over.
"Ehehe!"
"Fufu, a mischievous one, aren't you?"
A small smile played on Alfia's lips, the heavy worries that had plagued her mind momentarily dissipating as she enjoyed the tranquility with them.
Knossos.
Inside a specific chamber, countless iron cages were lined up.
"You lost the Wiivell?"
"Sorry, Dix. We searched the entire 19th floor, but we couldn't find her."
"She was probably finished off by another monster already."
The group of adventurers present were the same ones Bell had encountered on the 19th floor. Standing before them was a man holding a spear imbued with a curse—Dix.
"What a waste of potential profit!!"
"We could have fetched a fortune if we sold her to the nobles of Altena!"
"We can't find the monsters' nest, but she's definitely still in the Labyrinth of Large Trees!"
Thrust—!!!
Dix, berating his subordinates, ruthlessly ran his spear through a monster howling noisily in a nearby cage. He ordered them to continue the search for the Wiivell girl. Simultaneously, he addressed his Patron Deity.
"That's how it is, Lord Ikelos. Can we count on your assistance again?"
"Is that any way to speak to your God? You're a cocky brat, aren't you?"
"Gods can see right through the lies of mortals. If some idiot is hiding that Wiivell..."
Dix grinned maliciously.
"It should be easy to find them, shouldn't it?"
At Dix's arrogant yet confident words, Ikelos laughed and stood up.
"I am a God, after all."
"You won't be bored, will you?"
Step, step—
"I suppose I have no choice~ Keep me entertained this time too, Dix."
"Of course."
The trials destined for the Hero continued to brew.
BOOM—!!!!!!!!!!!!
"How long has he been at that...?"
"Ever since Akumo left."
"He's been training alone for days now..."
In a hidden cavern within the Dungeon, Asterius was there, his red eyes glowing as he violently struck the walls.
CRASH—!!!!!!!!!
"Stro... nger..."
'I am still far too weak to reach that man...!!'
Asterius pushed himself through relentless training, the memory of Akumo—the man who had utterly overwhelmed him—burned into his mind.
—'[Fire Bolt]!!!!!!!!!!'
"Grrr...!!!!"
'The white-haired one... just like him...!'
Simultaneously, the memory of the boy who had dealt him a defeat was also being etched deeper into his consciousness.
"Are you really coming along?"
"...Yes!"
"The investigation alone would be sufficient for me, you know?"
"We were the ones who brought Viene here. We can't just step away from this now."
Akumo looked at Bell, Welf, and Lili, who were fully geared up for the Dungeon. Though he expressed concern about them following, they insisted on accompanying him, stating that since it involved Viene, they needed to see it through themselves.
"Is this another encounter? Bell."
"Ahaha...!! It certainly might be..."
"Honestly... Bell-sama is always surrounded by women, isn't he?"
"It's getting to the point where it's actually impressive."
"Welf!? Lili!?"
The gravity of the situation regarding Viene from a few days ago had somehow integrated into their daily lives. Akumo, realizing this was likely Bell's influence, began leading them toward the Dungeon. As they happened to pass by the Hostess of Fertility, a voice called out from behind.
"Akumo-san?"
"Lion?"
"You seem to be heading into the Dungeon. Is something the matter?"
Ryu Lion asked instinctively, seeing Akumo with Bell's party.
"We're planning to make a trip to Rivira."
"Do you have business there?"
"W-we have a... quest that needs to be finished today...!!"
"..."
"Hold on, I'll do the talking. Bell, you..."
'This kid should never be allowed to act...'
As Bell offered a clumsy excuse to Ryu and Syr's questions, Akumo stepped in to smooth things over, but was interrupted.
"Bell Cranel!"
"Aisha-san? Why are you here..."
Grab!
"I came to see how Haruhime was doing, and I just happened to spot you and the [Pioneer]."
"It's been a while, Aisha."
"[Pioneer], so you really are close with Bell Cranel."
Aisha approached casually and wedged herself right between Bell and Akumo, claiming the center position.
"..."
Glare—!
"So? What's the occasion for heading into the Dungeon with him?"
"I'm just off duty, so I'm helping the kids with a quest..."
'Her gaze is stinging...'
Akumo felt Ryu's narrowing eyes as she observed Aisha clinging to him. Feeling troubled, he tried to push Aisha away, but—
"Then may I come along? I'd like to repay the debt from the other day."
"Really!"
"Sure, if it's just a trip to Rivira."
Tighten!
"Eh?"
"Wait... can you let go?"
Bell was about to accept Aisha's help, but he and Akumo both panicked as they felt the strength in the grip on their arms. Aisha licked her lips at Bell's reaction and leaned in, whispering into their ears.
"However, my fee is expensive, you know?"
"Since I didn't get to eat that night—"
WHOOSH—!!!!!!!!!
"""!?"""
THUD—!!!!
A wooden tray thrown by Ryu whistled through the air toward Aisha, who narrowly dodged by pulling back.
"Step away, Amazones. I will not tolerate you performing lewd acts upon them."
"What? Are you fallen for these males too?"
"Do not be mistaken. They already have promises as partners."
"Eeeeh!?"
At Ryu's words, Syr's face turned bright red and she began to giggle, but Aisha took it as a provocation and raised her voice in rebuttal.
"What a coincidence. I happen to owe these two a very large debt as well."
"In that case, you should step away all the more."
"Ha! Step away from a male I like? Don't make me laugh!"
"How vulgar...!"
Grit!
"An Elf clinging to useless pride should just back off."
Snap!
""Why you...!""
As the hostility between Aisha and Ryu reached a breaking point, and they were about to come to blows—
"Will you both stop?"
""!!""
Akumo stepped between them, his voice dropping to a low, chilling register. Ryu and Aisha instinctively sensed that he was different from his usual self and were momentarily taken aback.
"I hate to say this, but I am more than enough on my own."
"...Tch."
"Well, if you say so..."
Though they were suspicious of his words, they had no choice but to back down. The situation was settled as Akumo and Bell's party departed.
"...There is definitely something going on."
"It would seem so..."
"I don't plan on giving up, though. Elf."
"What...!"
"If you keep hesitating like that, someone will devour them completely—even if it's not me."
"..."
Slash—!!
"..."
Crash—!!!!!
"Phew..."
'Ryu... no, the Astraea Familia members would likely find it impossible to accept them...'
Akumo's mind was still filled with skepticism regarding coexistence with the Xenos. While Aisha might be different, in Ryu's case, all her comrades had nearly been killed by the Juggernaut—an irregular among monsters. It was difficult to speak to her about the Xenos, let alone ask for her help.
His complex thoughts manifested in his actions, directed toward the mid-floor monsters targeting him.
Splatter—!!!
"No matter how many times I see it, Akumo-san is incredible."
"He is the strongest adventurer in Orario, standing as an equal to the [Warlord]."
"The [Pioneer]... he certainly lives up to the name!"
Sever—!!!!
Welf and Lili marveled at the overwhelming combat prowess he displayed, their own fighting spirit rising. However, Bell alone seemed to sense the weight of the worry Akumo was carrying.
—Skreeee...!!
"..."
"Bell? What are you doing?"
"Bell-sama, let's finish this quickly and head down!"
"...Right, I'm coming."
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