"In the long history of the elven royal line, many noble women chose to abandon Alf's Royal Forest in search of lives beyond its borders." Riveria began softly.
"My mother was one of them. When I was very young, she left the forest and journeyed to the outside world. After that, she simply vanished."
"For years, there was no news until I came to Orario and began to grow strong enough to dig through the Guild's archives. That's when I discovered her trail."
Riveria's gaze darkened slightly, as if traveling back through time.
"She left the Royal Forest decades ago and joined the Hera Familia."
"At the time, she was the strongest mage under Hera's banner, arguably the strongest in all of Orario."
"But then she disappeared again, lost during an expedition."
Her voice wavered faintly. "Before I learned the truth, I had always wanted to leave Orario, wanted to travel the world like she did. But after discovering her fate, I gave up that dream."
"Instead, I decided I would remain in Orario and dive deeper into the Dungeon. I wanted to find her traces. To uncover her past. To understand who she really was."
Riveria gently brushed her fingers across the relic, her voice nearly a whisper now. "I never expected that… my mother's final remains would lie between the 60th and 61st floors."
Then she looked up at Leon, and though her face was calm, her eyes burned with quiet determination.
"Leon… you're heading to the 60th floor soon, aren't you?"
"Take me with you." Riveria murmured in a low voice, as if she was telling herself.
At the end, Riveria's eyes burned with unyielding resolve. She looked at Leon with a serious gaze.
"Hey, don't act on your own, Riveria. At least discuss your plans with us." Finn chuckled bitterly.
Gareth joined in, voice calm but firm. "Yeah, old woman, since when did you become so impulsive?"
"I'm not impulsive. Since I found any clue about mother, the whole purpose of my expedition has been to track down whatever traces she left behind. And I will see it through, no matter the cost."
Riveria met their words with serene calm. She didn't even flinch at Gareth's teasing "old woman" jab.
"We're not saying we won't go on the expedition, but we need to prepare carefully first."
Finn said with a wry smile, "Besides, Leon came here looking for our Loki Familia to team up for this expedition, didn't he?"
Leon nodded, returning the smile. "That's right. I came to you all to continue our cooperation."
Though he was confident enough to venture alone, undaunted by any accident that might occur, he welcomed the idea of having the Loki Familia at his side.
Their situation was similar to that of the Hestia Familia, both could be regarded as family units born of the same bond. After all, Tione and Tiona were Loki's, not his.
If Lili and the others weren't so low-leveled yet, Leon would have loved to bring them along on this expedition too.
But as it stood, Lili, Belle, and the others were still too weak. It was wiser to let them grow stronger at middle or lower floors before taking them on a big expedition. By the next trip, they'd definitely be ready for a level up.
"That's good." Riveria exhaled a relieved breath and smiled. "Then let's discuss the plan for the next expedition."
"Leon, did you bring the Guild intelligence with you?" Finn asked, watching Riveria's mood lighten.
Information on dungeon floors was vital for a familia expedition, it allowed the team to prepare essential materials and strategies ahead of time.
"Yes, I brought it. Let's go over it together."
Leon pulled out the data he'd received from Royman stored in his system storage and began discussing details with Finn and the others.
According to Royman, the 60th floor was a frozen world, known as the Glacier Territory.
Unbeknownst to them, while plans for the 60th floor were being mapped out, a vast army of Amazons poured into Orario through the city gate. The streets were practically overrun by the imposing Amazon force.
Residents and adventurers alike parted respectfully, lining the sidewalks as whispers and murmurs spread through the crowd.
Back at the Guild, Royman had barely seen Leon off before greeting his new guests.
"Kali's, by the order of Ouranos-sama, you are permitted to settle in Orario and become an official familia." Royman declared formally.
He warned with a serious look, "However, please do not bring the customs of Telskyura with you. Otherwise, there will be plenty of adventurers here ready to deal with you."
Sitting in the living room, Kali faced the short figure across from her with an expression of measured gravity. She was accompanied by Argana and Bache standing behind the sofa.
Over a month ago, the Kali Familia had submitted documents requesting to settle in Orario.
Royman had spent weeks negotiating terms with their representatives, and after protracted wrangling, an agreement was finally reached.
Today marked the Kali Familia's official arrival in Orario.
Despite facing a goddess and two Level 6 adventurers, Royman showed no fear nor did he bother with formalities. He welcomed the Kali Familia with open arms.
The more powerful adventurers Orario had, the better. But Royman was well aware of Telskyura's harsh customs, and the lengthy negotiation had stemmed largely from these concerns.
As the Kali Familia settled in, Royman gave them one last stern reminder.
Kali said, "I already warned those young ones before you arrived, so no worries."
"If any trouble arises, there will be consequences."
Kali waved a dismissive hand. "I'm well aware."
Royman nodded seriously. Then, as the conversation shifted, Argana spoke up, directing a pointed question at Royman.
"You're called the Guild's pig, right? Do you know where the Lucifer Familia's base is?"
Her intention was clear—to find Leon. Argana had her eyes set on him and planned to make him her partner.
"How rude!" Royman's face darkened, glaring at Argana.
Though annoyed by her bluntness, he didn't withhold the information. Royman directed her to the location of the library. He didn't know Argana's true motives but was glad she was searching for Leon.
The unruly Amazons from Kali's Familia needed a firm warning from Leon to temper their wild personalities.
Kali, Argana, and Bache quickly left the guild and headed straight toward the library. Halfway there, they ran into Ais and the others, who were being dragged along by Loki on a shopping trip.
Argana and Tione shared a tense history. When their paths crossed, hostility simmered beneath the surface but no outright clash broke out.
"Hey, little number two, what are you doing here?" Loki waved playfully at Kali.
"Flat-chested Loki, shopping for what? Bras?"
Kali glanced disdainfully at Loki's bag covered with feminine clothing brand logos and sneered venomously.
"Well, I think you really deserve a beating." Kali's words shattered Loki's cheerful facade instantly.
Her smile vanished, the corners of her eyes twitched, teeth grinding.
"Tione! Tiona! Teach them a lesson!" Loki called out, ready to send her Familia sisters into action.
But before she could finish, a soft voice cut through the tension.
"Long time no see, Loki."
Everyone turned toward the newcomer.
"Oh, Astraea… you're back… huh!!!"
Loki's eyes lit up as she greeted Astraea, only to freeze when her gaze landed on the many figures trailing behind.
The next moment, a sharp roar echoed down the street.
"Scarlet Harnel?!!!"