The 18th Floor. Holy chants echoed through the Loki Familia camp. Shimmering particles of light danced alongside the melody like fireflies, weaving a dreamlike scene within the Dungeon. Pure white light swirled in a vortex around the chanter, illuminating the surroundings like a scene from an ancient legend.
Pure, untainted magic circles overlapped, filling the area with brilliance.
The flow of white magic and the singing voice of the woman at the center gently washed over the hearts of the listeners. It was a holy hymn, blending majesty with softness—a performance truly worthy of a Saint.
"Healing droplets, tears of light, eternal refuge. I lay these medicinal melodies here. Three hundred and sixty-five notes. The calendar of healing saves all existence."
The singer's name was Airmid Teasanare. She was the greatest healer in Orario, known as the "Saint."
People said that even Riveria Ljos Alf—the city's premier mage—could not match her in restorative capabilities. Her magic was a high-tier, universal healing spell. It did not merely close wounds; it restored physical strength and purged abnormalities and curses. It literally healed everything, without exaggeration.
"Reach your zenith, and repel all evil. Bury the wounds, shrink the ailments. Let the curse flee to the far horizon, toward the axis of light. In the name of the Holy Conception───I heal."
She wove the incantation carefully, syllable by syllable. The chant spread like a song as the magic activated. This total healing magic could even regenerate lost limbs—a miracle that saved even those who sat at death's door, poisoned by lethal toxins.
White brilliance surged from the magic circle. Particles of light rushed toward the man lying within, activating a restorative force superior even to an Elixir.
"Dia Fratel."
"────With this, all remaining toxins have left your body."
"Ah, yes. Thank you."
Her beautiful, doll-like face—typically expressionless—was now twisted into a terrifying mask of fury. The youth responsible for this wrath, despite having the poison purged from his system, looked pale and shaken, his usual bravado gone.
Since they both possessed the same white hair, they looked like siblings. However, the auras surrounding them were worlds apart. Airmid was livid.
Those who knew her would find this anger hard to believe. Normally a serious, composed lady who rarely showed emotion, she only displayed such passion in front of Al.
As for Al, he had lost his usual heroic composure, shrinking back like a child receiving a lecture. Despite her anger, Airmid did not neglect her duty. She meticulously tended to the remaining scars on Al's body. While the sight of these two strikingly attractive individuals was as beautiful as a painting, the atmosphere was incredibly heavy.
Finally, after finishing the treatment, Airmid spoke quietly. Her voice was low but resonant.
"I am going to treat the Poison Vermis victims now. If you wander off again, I will tie you up and restrain you."
"..... Understood."
●○●○●
A voice that should not be heard in the Labyrinth, yet felt entirely familiar, rang out. I ran eagerly toward that warm, gentle sound. Loki Familia guards had already gathered there, talking amongst themselves. The cave opening in the rock wall where the trees ended was the path from the 17th Floor; I had likely tumbled through it after Goliath threw me.
None of that mattered now. A slight sense of anxiety pushed me forward. I shoved my way through the Loki Familia guards, and looking past their shoulders, I saw────
"Oooooh....?! I never heard about a monster this huge!!"
"Ahahaha!! I thought I was going to die!!"
A beautiful girl who looked young, with wet black hair tied in twin tails────it was my goddess, Hestia.
She sat on all fours, covered in dust and gasping for breath. Beside her, a golden-haired god laughed loudly while drenched in sweat, accompanied by several exhausted adventurers. I caught a fleeting glimpse of a small cat-person and a familiar werewolf, but they vanished so quickly I thought I was imagining things.
"──Bell!!"
"Oof!!"
The goddess lunged at me the moment she noticed me. I caught her instinctively, and we both tumbled to the ground. She sat on top of me as I lay on the floor.
"Bell, Bell! Are you real!"
"M... My Goddess.....!!"
I let her check my body to confirm I was there while I struggled to find my voice. She stopped touching me and looked at me intently. I wanted to ask "Why are you here," but before I could speak, her eyes overflowed with tears. She pulled me into a powerful embrace, her ample chest pressing against me. She whispered into my ear.
── I am so glad you are safe.
I couldn't tell her that the strong hug hurt; I only felt a mix of guilt and happiness. I cautiously reached out to pat her back as she sobbed in my arms, and she squeezed tighter. It was a bit painful, but the sense of security quieted my heart.
I finally felt truly alive again, realizing how much I had longed to see her. I was so happy we had reunited. Thinking that she felt the same way made me want to cry as well.
There was no need to ask why she was here. I heard her sob, and I gently pulled back so we could look at each other. The goddess smiled through her tears, her cheeks flushed red.
●○●○●
The secret of Ais, targeted by the "Mutant" and the "Spirit-clone." The women of the Loki Familia suspected a connection to Spirits. They began by questioning Welf Crozzo, who inherited Spirit blood, and Bell Cranel, Al's brother, who was well-versed in heroic tales.
"The information was useful, but nothing brings us to the core of Ais's secret."
After releasing Bell, Tione and the others returned to their tent and sighed. They sat in a circle, feeling stumped. Talent alone couldn't explain the power of that wind magic; perhaps she really was descended from Spirits... but Ais was human, which was the puzzling part.
"Don't look too deeply into it, girls."
Riveria spoke with a bitter smile as she appeared at the tent where Lefiya and the girls were gathered.
"Ri.. Riveria-sama!!"
"W.. Why are you here?"
Lefiya and her companions stood up quickly before the green-haired beauty. Tiona and her sister's eyes widened in surprise. Riveria ignored the commotion and spoke with a sigh. She had come from the main headquarters to warn them because Tione and the others were being too loud.
"With all this noise, everyone would have noticed."
Riveria sighed again as the Elf members grew flustered under her royal gaze, while Tione and Tiona didn't change their posture at all.
"Tell us, Riveria. Is Ais's secret something we aren't allowed to know? Aren't we one family?"
The expressions of Lefiya and the others darkened at Tiona's words. Riveria had spent the most time with Ais out of everyone there. She had to know a great deal. Tiona's words were direct, but Riveria, sensing the feelings behind them, looked sad and conflicted.
Riveria addressed Tiona, who asked with furrowed brows, speaking in the tone of a calm teacher.
"We are certainly a family bound by ties. However, each of you surely has a secret or two about your past that you haven't revealed yet."
"If forced, could you speak about what you carry in your heart?"
Unease spread with Riveria's words. It was true; there was no counter to that logic. Tiona and Tione fell silent and lowered their heads—they, in particular, had pasts they preferred not to dwell on.
".... But I understand your feelings."
"Her inability to speak until now is a weakness in Ais. Because of my over-protectiveness, I allowed it. It would be unfair not to tell you something after you witnessed the events."
She looked at Tione and the others, then continued after a short silence.
"I cannot tell you everything in her absence, but..."
"Ais certainly has 'Spirit Blood' flowing in her veins."
●○●○●
"────I believe I was targeted because my mother is the Wind Spirit, Aria."
Inside the tent reserved for Al alone, a magic lamp flickered like a candle. Under that light, Ais's expression was dark.
After Airmid had treated and restrained him, Ais was telling Al about her origins as if confessing her sins. It was a secret known only to her, Finn, and Riveria, but Ais felt it was unfair to hide it from Al, who had nearly died for her. Despite her fear of how he might look at her, she did not remain silent.
When Ais finished speaking, Al's response was────
I already knew.
●○●○●
After a period of treatment by the amazing healer, Miss Airmid, the golden-haired god Hermes—who had come to save us along with my goddess, Miss Ryuu, and the Takemikazuchi Familia—began to speak.
Lord Hermes looked handsome like all gods; he was tall and very attractive, but I somehow felt he had an aura similar to my grandfather's.
"..... It's time."
"Huh?"
"Bell, can you accompany me for a moment?"
As I sat bored in the tent after being fully healed by Miss Airmid's magic, Lord Hermes suddenly entered and said that. He lowered his voice and looked around as if fearing prying eyes, then beckoned me with his hand.
"I have been waiting for this moment. In fact, it isn't an exaggeration to say I came to the Labyrinth for this very moment—the moment I could be alone with you."
I tilted my head at Hermes, who spoke with a serious gaze. His usual playful tone had vanished, replaced by eyes expressing a strong will. That expression reminded me of my grandfather again. Hermes said he had an important talk for me.
Welf and Lilly didn't seem to notice, and my goddess wasn't nearby. I didn't mind being alone, but was it a subject he didn't want others to hear? Hermes's expression was entirely serious, without a hint of jest.
He faced me with a tense face, took a deep breath, and looked at me earnestly once more. He told me to "follow him" and began walking.
I followed, moving quietly to avoid attention. We slipped out of the camp and walked for a while until we reached the forest. We ventured so deep that no one would find us.
"Excuse me, Lord Hermes, where are we going?"
We were so deep in the woods that I no longer knew which way the camp was. This place was certainly secluded enough for a private talk; there wasn't a trace of another person.
"Right, this is good."
Hermes stopped before a remarkably large tree. He placed his hand on the thick trunk to check it, then skillfully climbed up. He stood on a branch and signaled for me to climb while I stood there stunned. I quickly climbed up after him. I hoped we didn't look too ridiculous.
"L.. Lord Hermes?"
"Just as I thought. Look, Bell, we can advance through the branches like this."
When I stood on the branch, I found it resembled a path people could walk along. I thought we were going to talk atop the tree, but I was wrong. Hermes pointed forward, where an aerial path of thick branches stretched into the distance. He left me confused and continued ahead.
"L.. Lord Hermes, didn't you say there was something you wanted to tell me?"
"Something to tell you? Good heavens, Bell, I never said that."
Hermes turned and smirked as he moved along the aerial path. This god really was like my grandfather, and I wasn't good at dealing with him. We continued until I caught up with the nimble Hermes, at which point I heard the sound of splashing water and voices. A waterfall with clear blue water came into view.
"Since we've made it here, you understand now, don't you? It's peeping."
Hermes said that with a smile identical to my grandfather's. I stood frozen in shock. My mind tried to process the situation, growing utterly confused.
"The girls are bathing there, aren't they? It's only natural to peep, right?"
"It isn't natural at all!"
"Don't be shy now, Bell. Don't you wash Hestia's back all the time anyway?"
"I do not!!"
I shouted with a bright red face. Hermes shrugged with a mischievous grin. The movement was exactly like my grandfather's. Why were they so similar? As we stood there, we seemed to have reached our destination. When I saw the scene before me, I reflexively held my breath.
"This isn't right, let's stop, Lord Hermes!! We shouldn't do this....."
"Bell, if you make a noise here, the Level 1 adventurers will discover us easily."
The waterfall's mist hit my face like fog. I grabbed Hermes's arm to stop him, but he grabbed mine instead. He whispered into my ear.
"Lord Hermes, Lord Hermes, we can't! They'll kill us!!"
"How pathetic, Bell. Peeping is a man's romance, isn't it? I thought we would drink some delicious wine together..... Who raised you, and what did they teach you?"
Grandfather..... well, he taught me things, but I didn't think this was right. I am a man too, and I'm not uninterested, but this situation was extremely dangerous. My grandfather told me lewd stories when I was little. I didn't understand them then and wondered why he said such things to a small child. Every time, my brother would stop him.
"L.. Let's go back. Herm── Guh!"
The moment I grabbed Hermes's hand to return, both of us were yanked by our collars by something resembling a rope and dragged from the tree to the ground. While I was stunned by the surprise, I heard a familiar voice.
"Bell, if you're going to keep living in Orario, remember this: never believe a word from a god who laughs foolishly, nor a goddess of beauty."
Brother..... Hermes's rope was tightening around his neck, and he couldn't breathe.
Ah, a white-haired woman dragged my brother away by his hair and took him somewhere.....
●○●○●
A massacre was underway. Dozens of low-ranking cultists in white hoods were accompanied by yellowish-green monsters equivalent to Level 3. This army of death gods, which meant certain doom for third-tier adventurers, was becoming a mountain of corpses at the hands of one man. He ran like a silver storm, tearing through the attacking enemies one by one with incredible speed.
"Are you the ones from the 'Evilus'?"
The swift adventurer known as the Vana Freya pointed his spear at a prisoner whose limbs were shattered and whose fire stone had been removed. The remnants of the Evilus posed no threat, even with their monsters. Since reaching Level 6, no one stood before him. Few could match his speed even among first-tier adventurers.
Every time he moved, blood danced. Every time he swung his blade, souls vanished. With every spear thrust, a life was harvested. The silver flash sweeping the battlefield destroyed everything like a hurricane. A single trap-type monster made Allen swing his spear twice due to its durability; the rest fell in a single blow without exception.
"Sending me or that damn pig means the situation isn't that simple....."
Actually, it was annoying to admit, but his ability to handle emergencies wasn't high among the leaders—he only knew how to fight. It would have been more appropriate to send that Elven advisor who loved taking care of others if the goal was to save the Rabbit. But assigning him or the "Pig," who specialized in pure combat, meant there was a massive obstacle.
Something that required the intervention of the second-in-command of the city's strongest Familia.
He caught a sword about to pierce him with his bare hand and shattered it, then immediately slit the enemy's throat. He killed another. Killed. Killed. He killed and killed until he had eradicated them all. Allen didn't think for a second that these Evilus soldiers were the real target, but he said, "The sprouts must be pulled up by the roots." After revealing their Status using an unlocking potion, he resumed the slaughter.
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[The Ranking of People Al Fears]
1st Place: Airmid
2nd Place: Mama Mia
3rd Place: Z... Grandfather
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