Mist drifted through the bath, yet Finn's words were perfectly clear.
"Bell Cranel, I understand how you feel. If you and a woman from Loki Familia ever reach that final step, I will definitely support you."
Finn viewed the matter differently from everyone else.
Take Riveria, for example. If the other members of Loki Familia, or those conservative Elves, learned that the boy and Riveria had feelings for each other, they would surely stand up and oppose it fiercely. A noble Elf Princess and a Lv.3 Adventurer pursuing a harem. The gap in status, the gap in strength, and the issue of the harem itself all stood between the boy and Riveria, inviting no shortage of doubt and abuse.
But Finn's gaze was fixed much farther ahead. Just as he himself had prepared to gather a harem and revive his race, Riveria, as an Elf Princess, would surely have to shoulder certain responsibilities as well.
An elf's lifespan, combined with the effects of Falna, had blurred Riveria's age. But could she really spend her entire life alone without ever seeking a partner? The more time passed, the more Riveria, as royalty, would be troubled by that question.
On top of that, Riveria had always disliked being treated with excessive reverence by others. She wanted to live more freely and without restraint.
Setting aside responsibility, from a woman's perspective alone, Riveria had met many different kinds of men on her journey. Yet she had never once thought of any of them romantically.
Now, Riveria had developed feelings for the boy. If that rare bud of affection could continue growing into mutual love, then no matter what anyone else thought, it would surely be a beautiful future for Riveria, who had always pursued the unknown.
As her friend, Finn also blessed Riveria from that standpoint.
"Finn-san, you must have another reason for bringing this up, right?"
Bell saw through his intentions.
Because of the previous incidents, Bell and Loki Familia already had an unspoken alliance. Finn had no need to bring up the harem issue openly just to deepen their relationship. The reason he had done so could only be to lay the groundwork for the negotiation that would follow.
That was exactly why Bell had chosen to reveal his own thoughts. For two people as sharp as them, the conversation just now had been both a sincere exchange between friends and a way of negotiating with each other.
"....."
Finn fell silent for a moment.
Then he raised his head in the mist and showed a relieved smile. "Yes, you're right."
During that honest exchange, Finn felt as though he had glimpsed a part of Bell Cranel's true nature.
If the Gods of Heaven were watching the two of them, they might think Bell and Finn were extremely similar.
Far-sighted.
Pursuing harems.
Their goals were grand and distant, yet they pursued them without wavering.
The two of them were indeed very alike. But Finn realized that he and Bell Cranel were fundamentally different.
After seeing through Finn's negotiating tactics, Bell could have used Finn's goal, as well as Riveria's feelings for him, to gain the upper hand. But the boy had not done that. Instead, he had laid bare his passion and his heart, placing their positions in the negotiation on equal footing.
That was pure goodwill, and it was the shining part of Bell's soul.
Bell Cranel was a boy.
Wrapped within that strategy and courage was an innocent heart that made others yearn for it.
From the past into the future, no matter how the world changed or how much hardship he endured, that would never change.
A boy in body, a boy at heart, until the very end.
Finn realized that this was an essence he, as an [imposter], could never reach.
Perhaps one day, the two of them would disagree over something and walk down the path of a final break.
Perhaps Finn could borrow the boy's light and bring true revival to his entire race.
No matter what lay ahead, the friendship they shared now, crossing age and race, was genuine.
And so, following the excitement in his heart, Finn voiced his request.
"To answer your honesty, I'll speak plainly. Bell Cranel, could I ask you to join this expedition?"
Loki Familia's goal was the unexplored realm of the 59th Floor. Aside from their own members, they had also asked others to accompany them. Tsubaki from Hephaestus Familia was one of them.
Finn explained his view in detail.
A threat was brewing within the Dungeon.
The Viola whose transport route remained unknown, Evilus lurking in the darkness, the divine power that caused the Floor Boss to mutate, the resurrected [Vendetta], and the red-haired woman carrying the [Jewel Fetus] with the goal of destroying Orario.
These dark forces were tangled together, forming a massive threat that could not be ignored.
The enemy's forces were complicated. Evil gods, Evilus, Viola... and the strangest among them was the red-haired woman, who seemed to defy all common sense, as though she lived in the depths underground.
"Thanks to your efforts, the enemy's forces have suffered a heavy blow. The red-haired woman is gravely injured now, making this the best opportunity to uncover the enemy's true nature."
Finn knew that the red-haired woman mentioning the 59th Floor might be a trap meant to lure them deeper in.
But their plan to keep digging downward would not change. As long as they continued exploring the Dungeon, Loki Familia would have to face these risks sooner or later. If they stopped now and hesitated out of fear, it would only give the red-haired woman time to recover and allow the threat to grow even further.
Finn intended to seize this chance and first grasp the enemy's outline. Only by knowing what kind of threat they were facing could they respond properly afterward.
Bell silently listened to his explanation.
He had already wanted to speak with Finn about the Black Goliath and discuss whether it had truly been the work of an evil god. Now that Finn had openly told him all of his own suspicions, it saved Bell a great deal of trouble.
"Finn-san, I understand that Loki Familia is already at the point where the arrow has to be released. So why invite me?"
Only a few days had passed since Bell reached Lv.3. His combat strength would basically be of little use on an expedition to the 59th Floor.
Compared to Bell, there were many powerful people in Orario who could serve as insurance for the expedition.
"For one thing, you're deeply involved in these incidents. Since you were the first victim to come into contact with the Viola, you might be able to uncover the identity of the mastermind."
Finn paused for a moment, then added, "For another, my finger has been aching faintly. My intuition tells me that you can help us get through this."
"What kind of reason is that? As a captain, aren't you being a little too careless, Finn-san?"
Bell teased.
"That's simply how I do things. Bell Cranel, I won't restrict your actions, and I'll do everything I can to keep you in a safe position. So, what is your answer?"
Finn asked again.
Even Lefiya had been included in the expedition's front-line team. The boy's strength was impossible to measure, and he would definitely have a positive effect on the expedition.
Bell thought for a moment, then replied, "Finn-san, I can join the expedition team, but I have one request."
"Mm... I want Riveria-san."