A few minutes earlier.
Inside the vast, empty hall shaped like an ancient temple, torches along the walls cast flickering light across the Great God's resolute face.
"Bad news, Ouranos-sama. The Dungeon has gone berserk again."
The black-clad figure clutched a commission taken from the Guild counter, his voice tense with urgency.
The parchment read: Dungeon, Floor 24. A sudden outbreak of monsters.
Seated at the center of the altar, Ouranos slowly opened his eyes.
"This was not caused by Artemis's arrows."
Fels nodded.
"I think it's the same kind of situation as the Food Pantry incident on the thirtieth floor. But this time, we can't let our comrades handle it again. Acting recklessly would lead to massive casualties."
Ouranos remained seated, his expression solemn as he spoke.
"This matter must not be known by others."
Whether they were [enemies] or [comrades], their involvement would plunge Genkai into chaos.
"I share that view. That's why I suggest leaving this incident to the Sword Princess."
Fels looked at the silent god and continued.
"I investigated the attack on Rivira Town and found that the Sword Princess reacts unusually to the [Jewels]. She may be able to help us uncover their secrets."
At those words, Ouranos's expression wavered for a brief moment.
After a long silence, he finally spoke in a deep, steady voice.
"Leaving Loki aside, how do you plan to persuade the Sword Princess?"
"She must have some attachment to the Orb," Fels replied after a pause. "And besides, Bell Cranel may also be drawn into this."
"That would hardly be good news for that boy."
Ouranos closed his eyes, as if sinking into thought.
After a short silence, he spoke again.
"Fels, I'll leave this to you."
"…Understood."
Fels's voice carried a heavy weight.
A week earlier, Artemis had been devoured by an ancient monster. Her Divine Power gathered in the sky, forming the Moonbow and triggering a violent upheaval within the Dungeon.
Because of that, adventurers had become far more sensitive to incidents of this nature.
Familias of mid to high standing would likely catch wind of it and rush to the twenty-fourth floor to suppress the disturbance.
When that happened, every secret concerning the Jewels and the enemy would be completely exposed.
"I'm sorry… Sword Princess…"
Fels let out a quiet sigh and turned to leave.
If given more time, Fels could have used the falsified level incident to involve the usually secretive Hermes Familia.
But the situation was far too sudden.
In the end, there was no choice but to place everything squarely on Ais's shoulders.
...
In a deserted alleyway.
Fels suppressed the guilt in the heart and looked at the blonde girl standing ahead.
"Sword Princess, I have no intention of harming you."
"Who are you? What do you want with me?"
Ais had only agreed to come here because no hostility could be sensed. If the black-clad figure had appeared even more suspicious, she would have left without hesitation.
A pitch-black robe. A pitch-black hood. Only the gloves, etched with strange patterns, made it clear this presence was not merely a shadow.
This was no ordinary individual.
Ais rested her hand on the hilt of her sword and waited.
"I am nothing more than an unnamed magician. Lulune Louie accepted my quest."
Fels went straight to the point.
"There has been a monster outbreak on the twenty-fourth floor. I want you to handle it. Naturally, a generous reward will be prepared."
"..."
Ais was momentarily stunned.
The conversation had advanced far too quickly. Lulune, the Violas, the Jewel, the quest… fragments of cause and effect flashed through Ais's mind.
There were many powerful figures in Orario, yet this request had not gone through a familia. Instead, it was a private approach.
This had to be connected to the mysterious Orb.
Fels continued, confirming Ais's suspicion.
"Regarding the commission to transport the Jewel, a similar monster surge occurred at the Food Pantry on the thirtieth floor."
Ais wavered.
The Jewel was linked to the red-haired woman, and that woman knew the name [Aria].
As Ais hesitated, one final sentence followed.
"Sword Princess, you are close to Bell Cranel. He may be drawn into this as well."
"...?"
Ais had not expected the boy's name to surface here.
She blinked in disbelief.
"Bell is only Lv.2… There's no way he could reach the twenty-fourth floor."
"No. The little rookie has already reached Lv.3. Because the leveling speed was far too abnormal, the Guild confirmed it multiple times and chose not to spread the news."
The explanation continued calmly.
"The gods are currently holding a Denatus to discuss his advancement."
"..."
Ais recalled everything from the past two days.
Loki's constant complaints. Riveria's strange unease. And the boy who had still managed to endure her pursuit for a time.
It was true.
Bell had reached Lv.3.
In just over a month.
An achievement far beyond her own.
A brief flicker of joy surfaced in Ais's heart, only to be swallowed by worry.
According to the Guild's warnings, the Hestia Familia was now capable of advancing into the Middle Floors.
With Bell's strength and judgment, it was possible he would push straight to the twenty-fourth floor and become entangled in the monster outbreak.
"I understand."
After weighing everything, Ais accepted the commission.
"Thank you. The target is the Food Pantry deep within the twenty-fourth floor. Reinforcements will be arranged afterward. Please don't push yourself too hard."
The words carried unmistakable sincerity.
"Yes. I'll head out right away… Before that, could you pass a message to my familia?"
Ais asked softly.
"That can be done. But the matter of the Jewel cannot be known by too many people."
The risk was stated plainly.
That was precisely why this meeting had taken place in private.
If the Sword Princess could resolve the Dungeon's abnormality alone, that would be ideal.
If more members of the Loki Familia became involved, suspicion from the Freya Familia and other major familias could follow.
"Mm. I'll just let Riveria and the others know…"
In the past, Ais had often rushed into the Dungeon alone.
Now, aware that her companions would worry, she took out paper and pen from her bag and wrote down her destination.
After adding sacred script, Ais handed over the letter.
"I promise this letter will be delivered to the Loki Familia immediately."
The assurance was given without hesitation.
To resolve the urgent situation, both Ais and Bell had been used. That much was undeniable.
The guilt was pushed aside, and one final reminder followed.
"Sword Princess, remember this. Don't act on impulse."
"Even if something goes wrong, your strength will allow a safe withdrawal. If that happens, regroup with the reinforcements first before making any decisions."
As a Lv.6 adventurer, Ais stood among Orario's strongest.
All hopes rested on her.
"Mm. I understand…"
Ais nodded.
Carrying concern for Bell and lingering doubts about the Jewel, she broke into a run toward the Dungeon.