The matter of the dark faction is Orario's eternal pain. Even though that dark era has passed, the restless chaotic gods always want to stir up something.
And now, the dark factions, which once ran rampant, haven't disappeared but have gone into hiding.
Just like the Dark Forest, no one knows who is a friend and who is an enemy.
Of course, Loki doesn't want to be Hestia's enemy.
Although the two have always competed, they actually think quite highly of each other.
However, the Hestia Familia's leveling speed is truly abnormal. You know, even Ais took a whole year to reach LV2. Now look at the Hestia Familia members.
In three months, what are the levels of the first batch of members who joined?
One LV6, one LV5, one LV4, and three LV3 adventurers.
Look, is this something a human can do!?
If it were one or two, it would be fine, but the key is that all of them are like this.
Actually, it's not surprising that Loki thought this way, after all, who would have thought that someone would have a skill to accelerate growth, and it's a group skill!
In the first month of adventuring, every member of the Hestia Familia, except for Haruhime, leveled up, and Mei even gained two levels under the dual accelerated growth skills.
You know, no one in Orario has ever heard of a skill that accelerates growth.
So Loki's first reaction was that Hestia cheated with divine power.
But Ouranos didn't issue a warning, which meant this possibility was very low. Then the greatest possibility was… illegal experiments were conducted.
Coupled with Takatsuki's previous mention of the Dungeon, the talking monsters encountered in the Dungeon, and the strange monsters that attacked the Loki Familia in the Dungeon, Loki suspected that the Hestia Familia members had all increased their levels through Renovation experiments.
The result… was a big misunderstanding.
"Hahahaha, I didn't expect that we've been talking for so long, but we weren't even talking about the same thing."
Both sides quickly realized they were talking about different things. Loki laughed a few times and said, "Then why did your the Hestia Familia level up so quickly? It's very normal to be suspected because of this, right?"
Takatsuki also gave a wry smile: "Although this might be considered a violation, to clear my name, I'll still say it. I believe Loki will keep it a secret, right?"
Loki looked at the four people on both sides: "Of course, if it's not something that would destroy Orario, I will naturally keep it a secret, and so will the members of my Familia."
The four people around also nodded in agreement.
"Then I'll say it. The reason for our rapid leveling is that we possess a rare skill that can accelerate the growth rate of a team."
As soon as Takatsuki finished speaking, Loki slammed the table and stood up.
Being able to discern lies, she naturally knew that Takatsuki was not lying, and if what Takatsuki said was true…
"Oh~ I think the relationship between our two Familias should be pretty good, right? Next time we go on an expedition, we can cooperate again and do a joint expedition."
Everyone around looked at Loki's sudden change in attitude with a speechless expression.
"We can discuss the expedition later. For now, let's talk about the talking monsters."
Loki's expression returned to normal, and she said, "Since you say you have nothing to do with those guys, does that mean the talking monsters you mentioned are unrelated to the strange monsters encountered in the Dungeon?"
At this point, Takatsuki finally understood that Loki had confused Xenos with other things.
"Although I don't know what you're referring to, I'll be direct to prevent any further misunderstandings."
Takatsuki saw that the other party had no intention of interrupting him and continued: "The talking monsters are called Xenos. Xenos are actually born from an error in the Dungeon."
"Just as humans have soul reincarnation, monsters also have souls. However, their souls are controlled by the Dungeon. After they die, their souls are reclaimed by the Dungeon and reborn into new monsters. In this continuous cycle and accumulation, some individuals develop their own intelligence and are born; these are what are called Xenos."
"They possess intelligence similar to humans, but their bodies are still those of monsters. And because they are an error of the Dungeon, they are also hunted by the Dungeon's monsters, and many adventurers also hunt them. They do not attack humans instinctively like ordinary monsters; they possess reason and language. They yearn for communication with intelligent races. In my opinion, they are no different from other races on the surface. The moment they gain an inner self, they are no longer monsters."
Takatsuki looked at Loki and said, "Of course, this is just my personal bias."
"These are Xenos. The Dragon Girl Lefiya encountered in the Dungeon is a newly born Xenos. Although she is a monster, she has a pure heart, so we don't want to kill an innocent girl, nor will we let others do so. However, her very birth makes it impossible for people on the surface to accept her. So, I think Loki, you must also understand that if the matter of Xenos is exposed, not only some Familias, but even the Guild itself…"
Loki's voice was low as she finished Takatsuki's sentence: "will also have its authority questioned."
"How do you know this?"
Loki looked at Takatsuki, but Takatsuki merely smiled faintly: "That's a secret."
Gods can see through lies, but they cannot read minds. Takatsuki openly stated that he wouldn't say, so the other party had no way to force him.
But who is Loki? The God of Trickery! She had dozens of ways to make Takatsuki speak.
However, Takatsuki was not without a plan; he had thought of it when he arrived: diverting the trouble elsewhere.
"I once met a Merfolk in the Dungeon. She was a Xenos, and I once received help from her."
This was both truth and lie. Takatsuki subtly used a linguistic loophole to cover up the fact that he was lying.
Loki asked him how he knew about Xenos. If he answered that question directly, it would be a blatant lie, because he knew it from watching anime in his previous life.
But he answered, "It's a secret."
And what he then said about Marie, the Merfolk, was not an answer to Loki's question but a statement of his own experience. This event was real, so it wouldn't trigger a god's lie alarm.
But who was Loki? Even without divine power, she could see through others' lies, so she immediately understood Takatsuki's little trick. However, her next words made her abandon the idea of exposing Takatsuki.
"If you want to know the specifics of this matter, you can visit Ouranos. He knows about this, and has known for a long time, even secretly funding Xenos."
Compared to the young Takatsuki, Ouranos was clearly a greater threat. Loki made a judgment in an instant.
"Alright then, I'll go ask Ouranos. Until I understand this matter, I'll have the informed members of my Familia keep it secret."
Loki was about to say something else when Takatsuki spoke again: "There's one more thing. Lefiya's friend Filvis also knows about this, but I'm not familiar with her or her god. Do you know them, Loki? If we're slow, they might spread this news, and that would be troublesome."
"I'll handle Dionysus. Don't worry. But in return, you keep an eye on that little Dragon Girl. If she's discovered, I won't be responsible."