"Even though I'm busy..."
"Don't drive me away just yet."
"Today, I still want to lead the team personally."
"After all, I want to see."
"Just how much time it will take for these little monsters to break the record for the fastest level-up left by that'Sword Princess'."
"That Ais Wallenstein."
"Back then, it took her a whole year to go from Lv.1 to Lv.2."
"That is already a recognized myth in Orario."
"But now..."
"I have a hunch."
Tsubaki glanced at Kirukiru Amou, then at Inaba Tsukiyo.
"The record for the fastest level-up left by the'Sword Princess' is likely to become a thing of the past in these next few days."
"If I can't witness these little monsters grow with my own eyes..."
"I'll always feel like something is missing in my heart."
...
While talking.
The group had already crossed the bustling plaza.
That towering white giant tower—Babel—was already close at hand.
As the only entrance to the Dungeon.
The huge plaza at the base of Babel was a sea of people no matter the time.
"So many people..."
Rin tightened her grip on her sword and couldn't help but sigh as she looked at the dense crowd of heads.
For girls like them who came from a secluded academy.
This hodgepodge scene, which gathered not only humans but also beastmen with animal ears, short dwarves, and even the occasional elegant elf mixed in.
It was fresher than anything they'd ever seen.
"Of course."
Tsubaki walked ahead to clear the way; the surrounding crowd, seeing her iconic eyepatch and her undisguised aura of a high-level Adventurer, consciously stepped aside to make a path.
"This is the center of the world, Orario."
"Everyone in the world who wants to get rich, get famous, or find some fun eventually gathers under this tower."
"Look over there."
Tsubaki pointed to several stalls at the edge of the plaza that were shouting enthusiastically.
"Potion sellers, map sellers, and those who specialize in scamming newcomers."
"In a place like this, you have to keep your eyes peeled."
"If you're not careful for a moment, the valis in your pocket can be picked clean."
"Thieves?"
Hearing this, Hanazake Warabi, who was sitting on the Black Bear's back, immediately sat up straight. She stopped eating the lollipop in her hand and widened her eyes to look around.
"Where? Where are the thieves?"
"I've never seen what a thief from another world looks like!"
"..."
"Idiot."
Rin, walking beside her, couldn't help but roll her eyes.
"Stop embarrassing us there."
"How is it embarrassing!"
"We fought our way to the 12th floor yesterday!"
Hanazake Warabi puffed out her cheeks indignantly, swinging her short legs.
...
As for Kirukiru Amou, who hadn't spoken, her gaze was constantly locked on the huge entrance of Babel.
The surrounding clamor seemed to have nothing to do with her.
In her eyes, there was only that entrance leading to the Dungeon.
Although she had lost the sparring match with Ryu.
The feeling after being defeated made every cell in her body clamor for battle right now.
"Let's go."
Haimo looked at Kirukiru Amou's nearly uncontrollable appearance and smiled.
"Today's goal..."
"...is to continue the path you didn't finish yesterday."
"Understood!!"
"Let's go! Let's go!"
Haimo watched as Tsubaki led the girls toward the Dungeon.
...
At the same time.
At the end of Northwest Avenue.
Standing here was a building that, even in Orario with its many wonders, could definitely rank in the top three of 'landmarks people least want to admit are landmarks'.
—The base of the Ganesha Familia.
—A giant elephant-headed god statue named 'I Am Ganesha' sat there with its legs crossed.
The massive body was dozens of meters high, wearing a red and yellow elephant mask, overlooking the entire city.
What was even more ridiculous...
...was the entrance to this building.
It happened to open right between the statue's crossed legs.
That is to say.
The crotch.
"..."
At this moment.
Inside the hall.
"..."
Shakti Varma, with her blue hair and light armor, was standing straight in the center of the hall.
On that face, which was always rigorous and cold, there was currently no expression.
Her posture was upright, her eyes looking straight ahead.
But.
If one looked closely.
They would notice the index finger of her right hand, encased in an iron gauntlet, was irritably tapping against her arm.
This was her habitual movement when she was anxious.
After all.
From the time she returned last night until now.
Her own primary god had gone to find several other primary gods and had been missing for an entire night.
Although nominally it was to discuss the turmoil caused and the subsequent appeasement matters.
But.
So much time had passed, and Lord Ganesha had not yet returned.
This was a bit strange.
"Captain."
At this time, a member of the Ganesha Familia responsible for guarding the door carefully approached.
"Has Lord Ganesha not returned yet?"
"It should be soon."
Shakti glanced at the wall clock.
"According to past custom, those gods should be tired of arguing by now."
Just as her voice fell.
"I Am Ganesha!!"
A loud, energetic shout came in from outside the door.
This was Ganesha's habit when entering and leaving the Ganesha Familia's base—"I Am Ganesha."
Immediately after.
Sure enough, the door located beneath the crotch of the Ganesha statue was pushed open.
A burly figure wearing an elephant-head mask, with muscles bulging all over his body, strode in.
—Ganesha.
The main god of one of Orario's largest Familias.
"Those guys are really difficult to deal with!"
Ganesha exuded a sense of deep exhaustion.
"Lord Ganesha."
Shakti immediately took a step forward and bowed slightly.
"Thank you for your hard work."
"What was the result?"
"Regarding the issue of Lord Heimdall's compensation plan..."
Hearing this question.
Ganesha's movements paused.
"Don't even mention it."
Ganesha waved his hand and plopped down onto the oversized chair belonging to him in the center of the hall.
"Those guys, as long as it's about Heimdall, every single one of them is as slippery as an eel."
"Especially regarding the source of Heimdall's spear; Hephaestus is in seclusion and won't see anyone, and the Captain has been by Heimdall's side the whole time, yet the reason still can't be found."
"As for other matters."
"I argued with the gods all night."
"The conclusion was for us to handle it ourselves."
"..."
Shakti fell silent.
Although she had expected it, hearing this result still gave her a headache.
"Handle it ourselves."
These three words were naturally the most troublesome.
"Then your meaning is..."
Shakti asked tentatively.
"What else can be done?"
Ganesha sighed.
Even with the mask on.
One could still feel the helplessness emanating from the god at this moment.
"Since those guys intend to keep playing dead."
"So..."
"Tomorrow."
"Shakti."
"You'll have to make another trip."
"Go to that fellow Heimdall's new home."
"After all."
"You were the one who handled things yesterday, and you're more familiar with him."
"..."
Go again?
Shakti felt her temples throbbing.
"Lord Ganesha."
Shakti sighed, attempting a final struggle.
"For something like this, wouldn't it be fine if you, a god, went yourself?"
"I am the Captain."
"There's still a mountain of Familia business waiting for me to handle."
"I can't!"
"Dealing with him will definitely cost me a layer of skin!"
"So."
"Lord Ganesha."
"What exactly are the gods so wary of regarding Lord Heimdall?"
-------------------------------
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