Before the camp, Artemis and the others were making their final preparations.
"Bell, ah—"
Artemis scooped some food with a spoon and brought it to the young man's lips.
The two of them acted like lovers deeply in love, completely unaware of the gazes from those around them.
"Mmm..." Hestia buried her head in her meal.
"Tsk..." Lili couldn't help but click her tongue.
In this final moment of warmth, no one interrupted their intimate exchange.
They were waiting for the last piece of the puzzle.
To fulfill the young man's [plan], the group still lacked the most crucial reinforcements.
A dashing figure arrived as promised.
The next moment, the stern voice suddenly shifted into something far more laid-back.
"I've come to help... um... Cranel-san?!"
The instant she saw Bell, the cloaked mystery adventurer collapsed to the ground.
"Ryuu-san... it's been a long time."
Bell extended his right hand, greeting her softly.
"Why are you here? And who is this goddess...?"
Ryuu looked at the pair, who were standing so closely together, and for a moment, she was utterly confused.
Hermes spoke up to explain, "Well, a lot has happened. Time's running short, and I'm glad you made it here in time."
Asfi murmured a cold complaint, "Hermes-sama, you should learn from the boy. He at least shows more consideration for the team's struggles."
She and Ryuu only learned about the situation after Bell had already set off. They had almost given up on rest, only managing to arrive here at the last possible moment.
"My apologies, but it's really a relief that you've arrived," Hermes said with a light chuckle.
"Hmm... I brought magical tools with me, but please don't expect much from my combat ability."
Asfi glanced at Ryuu, whose face was flushed crimson, and sighed.
"No, Asfi-san, you're key to this operation. Please don't downplay yourself."
Bell gave her a steady, reassuring look.
"I... I understand..." Asfi replied, turning her face away shyly. It seemed that she was beginning to understand why so many girls were enamored with the young man.
Beyond them, the former familia of Artemis had also joined the group.
What the girls longed for wasn't a farewell, but a true reunion.
When they had first arrived at the camp, they had all been in tears.
But now, the faces of Artemis's familia were filled with determination and excitement.
After a brief exchange, Artemis took the young man's right hand.
"Orion, if this were the old me, I would have shot my arrow without a second thought after hearing those shameful words."
Artemis's eyes sparkled with affection. "But now, I truly feel that it's so wonderful to have met you..."
Everyone had been waiting for some time.
Bell gripped Artemis's hand and spoke out loud: "Everyone, what lies ahead of us is a journey into the Abyss."
"We are not favored by others. A small mistake could turn us into villains, remembered for all eternity."
"This is my own selfishness, Bell Cranel's reckless decision. If anyone who hears this plan wishes to step forward and slap me, I'll let you strike until you're satisfied."
The path that the youth had chosen was one into the Abyss.
It was a decision bolder than any gamble.
He was turning his back on humanity's expectations, surpassing the gods' hopes—just to seize that one, slim chance.
"Everyone, have you ever faced a heart-wrenching choice?"
"Have you ever abandoned a loved one, fleeing in panic?"
"Have you ever sacrificed yourself, prepared to say goodbye to your comrades?"
"Have you ever lamented your own powerlessness, cursing fate's injustice?"
Hearing Bell's words, the crowd lowered their heads.
Even a goddess like Hestia was troubled by such choices.
"Why lower your heads? Are these memories so unbearable?"
"No, your choices were noble."
"It's precisely because they were noble that you feel regret, that you agonize over whether you made the wrong choice."
The more righteous a person is, the more painful their decisions become.
Artemis's familia abandoned their goddess to flee alone, in search of the Spear of Redemption.
Mikoto chose to risk her life to save her comrades.
Lili, struggling in the mud, chose to steal from despicable adventurers.
Welf, for the sake of his companions, put aside his pride and chose the Magic Swords he once despised.
Daphne and Cassandra, entangled with Apollo, chose compromise for their own safety.
Everyone has faced unforgettable choices.
"Except for me."
Bell spoke calmly, "I'm an incredibly greedy person."
"Whether it's smiles or heroism, I want it all."
"Who says you have to choose between [the Goddess] and [the World]?"
"I love Artemis, so I'll rescue her."
"Someone's waiting for me to return, so I'll defeat the monsters."
"Noble choices? I couldn't care less about that."
"I'm just that greedy. So, entrust everything to me."
"Your choices, your regrets, your desires—I'll bear them all."
"This journey leads into the abyss, but I promise you, it will be a choice you can be proud of."
"Even as time passes, as the years slip by, you'll look back and know deep in your heart that your choice was not wrong."
"Everyone, for the world, for the goddess—lend me your strength!"
Yearning ignites, passion surges.
The resolve, along with his words, echoed through the forest.
Amid the crowd's shouts.
The unknown battle against [Tragedy] began.
…
Beneath the new moon, the dungeon seemed to tremble with fear and wailing.
Monsters were frantically migrating upward.
"Hold this ground! Offer victory to Goddess Freya!"
Heith unleashed healing magic, not retreating even a single step.
In the face of the rampaging dungeon, both of the city's major factions committed their elite forces.
Freya addressed her Familia: "This is merely the applause of supporting characters. The true stage lies far beyond the horizon. But as support, it must be rousing enough."
"Roarrrr!!"
Ottar, wielding his massive black sword, charged alone into the surging tide of monsters.
Meanwhile...
Loki Familia maintained a calm defensive stance at the main intersection.
"That arrow threatening the Lower World, Bell Cranel's sudden disappearance, and the rampaging dungeon—it's all just too coincidental," Finn said, thrusting the tip of his spear forward as he analyzed the situation.
"We're probably caught up in this incident…"
Riveria elegantly waved her wand, dispatching the monsters that launched surprise attacks.
"Feeling left out because the boy didn't invite you?" Finn chuckled softly.
"...."
Riveria responded with a masterful strike of her wand, silently answering him.
"Everyone, that arrow was forged from divine power. This means the boy is facing far crueler foes than these monsters before us," Finn observed, speaking aloud.
His words instantly ignited the fighting spirit of Loki Familia.
Whether it was the women who had interacted with the boy or Bete, who shared some connection, all vented their emotions in their own ways.
Swords and blades danced, the clash of steel echoing continuously.
Cheers of support rang out across the sky.
The arrow at the horizon's edge had already taken shape.