The return journey always seems longer than the trip there.
After all, compared to the sense of exploration when descending, the trip back always feels quite a bit more tedious.
Especially upon reaching above the 10th Floor.
Those Orcs or Imps that occasionally popped out, before they could even get close to the party, would have their heads blown off by Amou Kirukiru, who was in a bad mood.
There wasn't even a need for others to make a move.
"This road..."
"Why does it feel even longer than when we came down?"
Hanasaka Warabi lay completely paralyzed on the back of the black bear Kyoubou, holding a lollipop she pulled out from who knows where, stuffing it into her mouth, and mumbling indistinctly.
"That's your illusion."
Walking beside her, Onigawara Rin rolled her eyes at Hanasaka Warabi.
Kikakujou Mary, on the side, expressed.
"This is probably what they call 'being anxious to return home'."
"However."
"Speaking of which."
"Although this is just a temporarily formed party."
"We still haven't had the time to formally get to know each other."
"Should everyone introduce themselves to one another?"
"After all."
"Constantly calling people 'that one holding the axe' or 'that one carrying the backpack' isn't very polite, is it?"
Ah! Yes!
Hearing Kikakujou Mary's words.
Walking at the back, Kashima hastily took two quick steps forward, and even though he was carrying a massive backpack, he still offered a standard bow.
"Um..."
"Let me introduce myself first!"
"I am the Captain of the [Takemikazuchi Familia], Kashima Ouka!"
"This is Mikoto."
"That is Chigusa, and also Asuka."
"We are all from the Far East."
"Because of our Main God, we are currently in Orario, working part-time while conducting adventuring activities."
"The Far East?"
Hearing this term.
For Onigawara Rin and the others who had already been in this world for a few days, it was clearly no longer unfamiliar.
"No wonder."
"I was just thinking about your attire, and the weapons you use."
"Especially Miss Mikoto."
Onigawara Rin glanced at the tachi at Mikoto's waist.
"That kind of curvature and forging craftsmanship..."
"Is very similar to the style from our side."
"Yes."
Mikoto smiled somewhat embarrassedly.
"Although the mainstream weapons in Orario are longswords and short swords."
"But..."
"It's still most comfortable to use the weapons from my hometown."
"Speaking of which."
Mikoto looked at Onigawara Rin and the others curiously.
"I look at the swordsmanship styles of you all..."
"Although they are a bit unfamiliar."
"But that sharp and fierce feeling seems to also carry a heavy Far East style?"
"Could it be..."
"Are you all also from the Far East?"
"Uh..."
As soon as this question was asked.
Onigawara Rin got stuck.
From the Far East?
In a certain sense, their academy was indeed located on that island nation.
But...
That was the Far East of another world!
"Ahem!"
Onigawara Rin coughed dryly twice, speaking vaguely.
"You could say that."
"But it's just a very remote place, that's all."
"Let's not talk about this!"
Onigawara Rin forcefully changed the subject, patting her chest.
"I am Onigawara Rin."
"This is Kikakujou Mary."
"That one over there who is constantly sleeping is Nomura Satori."
"As for that one..."
Onigawara Rin pointed to the small figure riding on the black bear's back.
"She is Hanasaka Warabi."
"And that blind girl is Inaba Tsukuyo."
"As for that guy who is always charging at the very front ignoring everyone else..."
Onigawara Rin let out a helpless sigh.
"Although she looks very fierce, actually... well, as long as you don't fight with her, she's still a pretty normal person."
The group just chatted casually like this.
The atmosphere was surprisingly harmonious.
For the people of the [Takemikazuchi Familia].
Although the strength of this group of girls was terrifyingly like monsters.
Their personalities were unexpectedly easy to get along with.
They didn't put on any airs, and could even be said to be quite easygoing.
Except for...
That Amou Kirukiru.
Just as everyone passed by a relatively wide T-junction.
"There is someone."
Inaba Tsukuyo, who had been walking in the middle of the party all along, suddenly took the initiative to speak.
She abruptly stopped in her tracks.
Her ears twitched slightly.
"Where?"
Onigawara Rin's hand had already gripped the hilt of her sword.
"Ahead."
Inaba Tsukuyo extended her finger, pointing towards the winding tunnel ahead that led to the upper floors.
"Very hurried footsteps."
"There is only one."
"But..."
"Many are following behind."
"Many?"
Tsubaki furrowed her brows.
"Are they monsters?"
"Yes."
Inaba Tsukuyo nodded.
"That sound of carapace scraping..."
"They are Killer Ants."
"H-Help me!!!"
A cry mixed with sobs subsequently carried over.
It was an extremely petite figure.
—A Prum girl.
Liliruca.
Wearing a worn-out hoodie. On her back, she carried a massive backpack that was a full size larger than her entire person.
Because she was running too frantically, that backpack shook violently on her back, as if it could crush her frail body at any moment.
Furthermore.
Judging from the terrified expression on the Prum girl's face and the way she was covered in sweat.
She had clearly encountered massive trouble.
"H-Help me——!!!"
The Prum girl ran while letting out cries mixed with sobs.
Behind her.
"Click, clack—"
A scalp-numbing sound of rubbing arthropod limbs closely followed.
Amidst the flying dust.
Five Killer Ants, entirely dark red and brandishing massive scythe-like forelimbs, were biting dead on her tail.
As those hideous mandibles opened and closed, they dripped with foul-smelling saliva.
The distance to that petite figure was less than five meters!
For an isolated Supporter, this was absolutely a dead end.
She had clearly already panicked and was fleeing blindly.
However.
When she abruptly raised her head.
And saw that there was actually such a large group of people standing ahead.
In that instant.
A ray of hope flashed in her eyes.
If it were this many people...
If it was a strong party...
Even if she just used them as bait... even if they just slightly blocked those monsters behind her...
Wouldn't she have a chance to escape?
As soon as this thought emerged, she gritted her teeth, subconsciously wanting to run toward the crowd.
Lead the monsters over!
As long as chaos breaks out!
As long as this group of people starts fighting the monsters!
She could live!
Although despicable.
Although shameless.
But...
She wanted to survive herself!
However.
Just as she had taken two steps, preparing to implement this plan of diverting the disaster.
In this instant of distraction.
Because she was too frantic, the backpack too heavy, and the road too rugged.
"Thud!"
The Prum girl's left foot tripped over a protruding stone on the ground.
Her body instantly lost balance.
Coupled with the momentum of the massive backpack behind her.
Her entire person directly smashed face-down heavily onto the ground.
She even rolled twice on the floor.
That massive backpack also broke open as a result, the miscellaneous items inside scattering all over the ground.
"Ah!"
A cry of pain.
The girl wanted to crawl up.
But the sharp pain coming from her ankle made her slump back down.
It was over.
A trace of despair flashed in the girl's eyes.
Hearing the increasingly close "rustling" sounds behind her.
She turned her head back.
Looking at those Killer Ants that had already charged right up to her, their scythe forelimbs raised high.
In that instant.
Many scenes flashed through her mind.
Those greedy faces, those endless insults, and that debt that could never be repaid.
It seemed that ending just like this was fine too.
Rather than living like a rat in the gutter.
It would be more merciful to just die.
Several Killer Ants, seeing their pursued prey fall to the ground, already let out excited hisses.
They raised high those scythe forelimbs capable of severing bones.
And swung them down viciously toward that frail back.
"Not good!"
Kashima and Mikoto paled, wanting to step in and rescue her, but at that distance...
Plus the fact that they were carrying such heavy things.
They simply wouldn't make it in time!
She's dead.
That child is dead for sure.
This was the thought that flashed through the minds of Kashima, Mikoto, and the others.
However.
Just as the Killer Ants' scythe forelimbs were about to fall.
Right when they were about to completely pierce through that tiny figure.
In the very nick of time.
"Swish—"
Everyone only felt their vision blur.
A white afterimage instantly crossed the distance of several meters.
The next second.
"Clang—!!"
An extremely crisp sound of a blade ringing out!
—Inaba Tsukuyo!
That red and white furisode kimono!
Appeared between the Prum girl and that swarm of Killer Ants!
"Unyou: Shun Satsu!"
Inaba Tsukuyo's voice fell!
The blade was like water!
Drawing a perfect semicircle in the air!
"Swish—! Crack!"
A sudden, crisp sound.
The head of the foremost Killer Ant slid off.
The cut was as smooth as a mirror.
Immediately after.
The second, third, fourth...
Five Killer Ants.
At the exact same time.
Were decapitated.
Their massive bodies crashed to the ground, turning into clusters of black ash about to dissipate.
With this.
Silence.
A dead silence.
"Click."
Until Inaba Tsukuyo flicked her wrist.
The long sword returned to its sheath.
Emitting a crisp sound of impact.
"..."
Kashima's mouth fell wide open, the backpack on his back almost slipping off.
Mikoto's eyes widened, her hand resting on the hilt of her sword, her fingers trembling.
This...
Instant kill?
So it turns out this blind girl who looked the frailest and even seemed to need protection was also a monster?!
"S-So strong..."
"S-So fast..."
The hand Mikoto used to grip her hilt was trembling slightly.
As a martial artist who also used swords, she knew better than anyone just how much worth was held within that instant just now.
Meanwhile, at this moment.
The Prum girl, still lying prone on the ground.
Was completely dumbfounded.
The anticipated agonizing pain did not arrive.
Replacing it was that dreamlike red and white figure, and the black ash drifting down from the sky.
"I... I survived?"
The Prum girl blankly stared at that back.
However.
When Inaba Tsukuyo slowly turned around.
And those red, unfocused pupils landed on her.
"..."
Meeting this gaze.
The Prum girl snapped back to her senses.
She looked up at Inaba Tsukuyo.
Then looked at that group of girls wearing various strange uniforms, holding weapons, and looking like people not to be messed with at a single glance.
A deep sense of fear welled up in her heart.
Who... who are these people?!
Why are they so strong?!
And...
They look so unfamiliar!
If they discovered that she was actually planning to lead the monsters over to use them as scapegoats just now...
Would she be pestered by them to demand a reward for saving her life...?
"Th-Thank you, Milady!"
Thinking of this, the Prum girl's voice trembled.
She scrambled up from the ground on all fours.
Not even caring about the pain in her ankle.
She frantically grabbed a few scattered items from the ground, haphazardly stuffing them into that tattered backpack.
"B-But I don't... don't have money to repay you!"
"Anyway, thank you!"
"G-Goodbye!"
Then, throwing down this string of incoherent words.
This Prum girl grabbed the straps of her backpack, ignoring the sharp pain in her ankle, and dragged that massive pack, limping as she dashed into that gloomy tunnel leading to the upper floors.
In the blink of an eye, she disappeared into the shadows of the corner.
On the spot.
Inaba Tsukuyo stood stunned.
The red and white furisode sleeves still suspended in mid-air looked somewhat desolate.
Originally, she had already prepared a mental draft, wanting to ask the other party if that backpack was heavy, if she needed help, or to remind her that it would be best to treat the injury on her foot.
In the end.
She wasn't even left a chance to breathe a word.
The person just ran off and vanished.
"Hold on..."
Onigawara Rin also looked at this scene in astonishment.
She turned her head somewhat blankly, looking at Kikakujou Mary.
"Tsukuyo saved her, right?"
"Why did she run?"
"Could it be that we look scary?"
Onigawara Rin touched her own face.
She had already taken off her Hannya mask, so it shouldn't be enough to scare someone away, right?
"It's probably because she was terrified just now."
Kikakujou Mary was deep in thought.
"In that kind of situation, it's normal to still be in shock."
"Don't forget, we still have a big black bear beside us."
"Roar-woo?"
The named black bear Kyoubou blinked with an innocent face.
"You can't exactly say that either."
"After all, inside this Dungeon."
"Sometimes, running into your own kind."
"Can be even more terrifying than encountering monsters."
Tsubaki said.
"?"
"What do you mean?"
Amou Kirukiru raised an eyebrow, seemingly somewhat interested in this statement.
"Literal meaning."
Tsubaki shrugged.
"Just like what I've been often telling you these past two days."
"Want to know that child's race from just now?"
"That height, and that build."
"Prum."
"In the Dungeon, they aren't exactly a dominant race."
Tsubaki said while signaling everyone to continue on their way.
The party began to move once again.
Except.
The topic had become slightly heavier.
"Because Prums are born with frail constitutions; their strength and endurance are inferior to humans, and they are even less comparable to natural-born warriors like Beastmen and Dwarves."
"If they don't possess special talents."
"In Orario, where strength is supreme."
"Most Prums can only serve as Supporters."
"That is to say..."
"Coolies specialized in carrying luggage and picking up Magic Stones."
"Furthermore."
"They are the cheapest kind."
"Especially in a lawless place like the Dungeon."
"Because of their weak individual strength, Prums can only act as Supporters."
"Being bullied by other adventurers in the Dungeon, having their pay withheld, or even being abandoned by their companions..."
"Is commonplace as well."
"So that child from just now."
"Either she got separated from the main group."
"Or she was used to do the dirty work."
Tsubaki didn't spell it out completely.
But everyone present.
Even the most pure-hearted Inaba Tsukuyo.
All understood the meaning behind 'dirty work'.
—Being abandoned.
—Or, being used as bait.
In order to allow the main party to escape from a monster encirclement.
Leaving behind a useless burden, or even intentionally injuring her so she would scream and attract the monsters' attention.
Thus.
It was easy to understand.
It was like a lamb shivering on a wasteland full of wolf packs.
When a pride of lions suddenly appears and drives away the wolves.
To the lamb.
Are these lions truly saviors?
No.
In its eyes.
They are nothing more than a group of stronger, more terrifying predators with an even bigger appetite.
That fear carved into the bone marrow.
Stemmed from the absolute inequality in strength.
When the right to survive was entirely in the hands of another's whim.
Something like "trust".
Was simply too luxurious.
Therefore, a group of suddenly appearing powerhouses.
Might be even more terrifying than the Killer Ants behind her.
After all, although Killer Ants would want to eat her flesh.
Sometimes, one's own kind would want even more.
"Well~"
"Anyway, the person was saved. If she ran, she ran."
"Besides, we shouldn't speak in absolutes."
"In this world, there are always some monsters that cannot be measured by common sense."
"And not all Prums are like that either."
"Just like you guys."
"You are clearly humans, yet you possess physiques even more exaggerated than Dwarves."
"Clearly blind, yet with senses even sharper than Beastmen."
"By the same logic."
"In Orario, among those monsters standing at the apex, there is no lack of Prums either."
"Eh?"
Hearing these words, Onigawara Rin and the others raised their heads in some surprise.
"Prums... can also stand at the apex?"
"Of course."
"Anything is possible."
Tsubaki's single eye narrowed slightly, seemingly thinking of an interesting person.
"Just like..."
"You should have heard that the [Loki Familia] and the [Freya Familia] are known as the two strongest Familias in Orario, right?"
"The Captain of the [Loki Familia]."
"Finn Deimne, who was bestowed the title of [Braver] by the Gods."
"Is a genuine Prum."
"Furthermore."
"He is a Lv.6 First-Class Adventurer."
"A Lv.6 Prum?"
Amou Kirukiru raised an eyebrow.
"Exactly."
Tsubaki nodded.
"As a Prum, although Finn is small in stature."
"His mind is incredibly sharp..."
"Even I wouldn't want to make an enemy out of that guy who is shrewd to the bone."
"Besides him, there are also those four from the [Freya Familia]."
"The Gulliver Brothers, known as the [Bringar]."
"Although they are all Lv.5."
"Those four guys share a telepathic bond; their combined combat power is something even a Lv.6 would have to avoid taking head-on."
As the topic unfolded.
The return journey didn't seem so tedious anymore.
Amidst their casual chatting.
The surrounding scenery gradually changed.
The moss on the rock walls turned light green, and the smell of blood in the air was replaced by the damp scent of soil characteristic of the Upper Levels.
The passing adventuring parties also gradually increased.
However.
Most of them were adventurers with hurried expressions.
When they saw this strange party accompanied by a giant bear and exuding a fierce aura all over.
Without exception.
They all slinked away hugging the walls like frightened rabbits.
Thus.
When the group finally finished walking up that long, spiraling staircase.
"Phew—"
An exceptionally fresh breeze blew against their faces.
—The wind of the surface had arrived.
"Finally..."
"We're finally back!!!"
Hanasaka Warabi cheered, jumping down from the black bear Kyoubou's back and stretching grandly.
"I feel like the air in this Dungeon is completely moldy!"
"It's still better up here!"
...
Ahead.
Beyond that massive archway.
Was the setting sun, as well as an incredibly noisy environment.
The ground floor hall of Babel Tower.
No matter the time, this was always the most bustling place in Orario.
Especially when they appeared.
At Babel Tower's wide exit.
At this very moment.
It was crowded with people, forming an entire two-layered ring of a crowd.
"Is it them?!"
"That rumored rookie Familia?"
"That bear... my god, they actually brought a bear inside?"
"Why don't I see any loot?"
"That's a given! And didn't you see those members of the Takemikazuchi Familia following behind them? Each and every one of them is carrying such a huge bag?!"
The passersby pointed and gossiped, the awe and terror in their eyes unconcealed.
Many had even proactively stepped back to make way.
"This..."
Following behind, how could Kashima and the others have ever seen such a spectacle?
Each of them felt uncomfortable all over.
"This is the price of fame."
Tsubaki, on the other hand, was long accustomed to such scenes.
She even waved at a few figures maintaining order up ahead.
"Yo, thanks for the hard work!"
"It's no trouble, please do not crowd, everyone!"
"Maintain order!"
As Orario's military police, the [Ganesha Familia] was already well-versed in maintaining order.
Several [Ganesha Familia] members wearing elephant head masks nodded at Tsubaki, signaling that they could pass through.
Tsubaki didn't stand on ceremony either.
Leading the group, she swaggered straight through.
Walking out of Babel Tower.
The afterglow of the setting sun spilled onto the massive circular plaza, dyeing the white flagstone path a golden yellow.
"Kami-sama..."
Just as they walked out the main gate.
Inaba Tsukuyo, who had been walking in the middle of the party all along.
Suddenly stopped in her tracks.
Although those unfocused red pupils were unable to see.
She tilted her head slightly.
That strand of silvery-white hair gently quivered.
Amidst the thousands of noisy footsteps, hawking voices, and conversational chatter around them.
Inaba Tsukuyo faintly heard it.
That most familiar, most reassuring sound.
"Kami-sama..."
"Is over there."
Inaba Tsukuyo raised her hand.
Pointing toward a corner of the plaza.
It was by the fountain bathed in the setting sun.
There.
Under the sunset's afterglow.
Beside that massive flowerbed.
—Haimer.
Was currently standing beside the flowerbed.
Moreover.
Beside him.
Also stood two figures they had never seen before.
One was a flat-chested tomboy with short fiery-red hair, wearing a midriff-baring outfit, and sporting a thoroughly unserious smile on her face.
The other.
Was an Elf girl with long orange hair, wearing a mage's robe, and tightly gripping a long magic staff in her hands.
"Who are they?"
Onigawara Rin was somewhat puzzled.
"Are they Kami-sama's friends?"
"They look..."
"A bit strange?"
Kikakujou Mary also slightly furrowed her brows.
That red-haired, squinty-eyed person...
The aura she exuded, although very laid-back.
But.
That feeling...
Was very similar to Lord Haimer.
Could it be a Kami-sama?
"That's..."
When Tsubaki got a clear look at that red-haired woman, she also couldn't help but be somewhat surprised.
"Lady Loki?!"
Following behind, Mikoto, Kashima, and the others, hearing this name, landed their gazes on that red-haired Goddess beside Haimer.
"!!!"
That face...
And those signature squinted eyes...
Along with an outfit utterly lacking any divine airs...
As long as it was an adventurer who had mingled in Orario for a while, it was impossible not to recognize her!
The Main God of the [Loki Familia]!
—Loki!
That existence who stood at the apex of Orario, neck and neck with the [Freya Familia]!
"L-Lady Loki?!"
"That Main God of the [Loki Familia]?!"
"Why is she here?!"
After all, Loki was the Main God of the [Loki Familia], one of Orario's two strongest Familias.
To actually...
Be together with that Lord Haimer?
And from the looks of it...
The relationship between the two was quite close?
This was something absolutely unheard of before.
Without waiting for everyone to step forward and pay their respects.
"Yahoo~"
Beside Haimer.
Loki's eyes, which were already narrowed into slits, after noticing the figures of Amou Kirukiru, Inaba Tsukuyo, and the others walking over...
"Are these the kids Haimer chose?"
Loki darted in front of the girls like a slippery loach.
A sly smile hanging on her face.
Especially when she stood in front of Inaba Tsukuyo.
Looking at this delicate, porcelain doll-like blind girl, she nodded repeatedly.
"Incredible! Incredible!"
"Haimer's eye for talent truly isn't bad!"
"Especially this little one!"
"This pitiable, frail and sickly vibe!"
"This aura that makes one's protective instincts burst at the seams!"
"Top-tier! This is absolutely top-tier!"
Speaking of this.
Loki couldn't help but shout at Lefiya, who was standing beside Haimer with a red face, unable to bear watching all this:
"Lefiya!"
"Did you see that!"
"This is the gap!"
"Learn from her!"
"If you can have even half of this child's aura in the future, I'll wake up laughing in my dreams!"
"Lord Loki!!!"
It was too embarrassing!
Lefiya wished she could find a crack in the ground and crawl into it.
It was bad enough that her own Main God was lusting after girls from another Familia right on the streets!
Why did she have to drag her into this as well!
Now...
She really had thrown away all the face of the [Loki Familia] in front of the Haimer Familia!
As for this outrageous stunt pulled by Loki.
Unaware of the truth, Onigawara Rin and the others were also completely dumbfounded.
Just as Loki wanted to continue evaluating the others.
"Smack."
A hand suddenly pinched Loki's ear.
"Hmm?"
Loki blanked out.
Then.
Before she could even react.
Clockwise.
Twist.
One hundred and eighty degrees.
"Eeee—!!!"
"Ouch ouch ouch!!!"
"It's gonna snap, gonna snap, gonna snap!!!"
"My ear is gonna fall off! My ear is really gonna fall off!!"
Loki's entire face instantly distorted into a mask of pain.
Haimer remained expressionless.
Gripping the ear of this top-tier Orario Main God, not only did he not let go, he instead continued to twist it another half-circle clockwise.
"I say, Loki."
"Right to my face."
"Harassing my Familia."
"Do you think I'm dead?"
"My bad! My bad! My bad!"
"I was just thrilled to see such a catch!"
"Everyone loves beauty, right?!"
"I was just looking! Just looking!"
"I'm just standing to the side and looking!"
"Give me some face! Haimer-chin!"
"I do have some prestige in the Lower World, you know!"
At this point.
Loki had to cover her ear that had been pinched red, grimacing in pain and looking at Haimer with a face full of resentment.
"Ugh—"
"Honestly..."
"You're still so heavy-handed..."
"If you really felt the pain, you wouldn't dare act like this."
Haimer rolled his eyes.
Following that, he looked at Onigawara Rin, who had a face full of vigilance and even had her hand resting on the hilt of her sword, as well as the bewildered-looking Inaba Tsukuyo and the others.
He pointed at Loki, who was currently covering her ear and grimacing in pain.
"Let me introduce you."
"This fellow is called Loki."
"Nothing special about her."
"Just an... old friend I knew back in the Heavens."
"Although she looks like a pervert."
"And her brain isn't too bright either."
"However..."
Haimer paused.
"Consider her a harmless idiot for now."
"Who are you calling an idiot!!"
Upon hearing these words, Loki immediately grew displeased.
She didn't even care about her hurting ear anymore.
Jumping up directly, she threw her arm around Haimer's shoulder with extreme familiarity.
And revealed a huge smiling face towards the girls.
"Don't listen to his nonsense!"
"I am Loki!"
"The genius beautiful girl Kami-sama who manages Orario's strongest Familia!"
"Little ones~"
"Since you were brought here by this block of wood, Haimer."
"From now on, if you encounter any trouble in Orario."
"Just drop my name!"
"In this neck of the woods, there isn't anyone who dares not give me..."
"Eeyaaaaahh!!"
However.
Before Loki could finish her sentence.
Haimer's hand.
Darkly reached over once again.
Precise lock-on.
Target—Loki's other ear.
"Ahhh! Stop pinching! If you pinch it anymore, it really will grow longer!"
"Isn't it better if it grows longer?!"
"Weren't you complaining about those Elf clerks treating you differently?!"
"I'm fulfilling your wish right now!"
"I'll turn you straight into an Elf!"
"Ah!! My bad!!"
"My bad!!"
"Haimer! Are you even a man?!"
"I'm a delicate Goddess! Is this how you treat an old friend?!"
"If my tender ear breaks, can you afford to pay for it?!"
Loki was pinched so hard that tears were about to come out.
Haimer was too lazy to bother with this drama queen; he let go of his hand, turned around, and looked at the girls up close.
Regarding the fact that Loki, an existence capable of summoning wind and rain in Orario, would actually act like this at this moment.
It was too awful to look at.
Truly too awful to look at.
Especially since the girls had long learned from Tsubaki's mouth that this red-haired, squinty-eyed person was an incredible God.
But...
Right now.
This God was way too lacking in divine airs, right?
It was even...
A bit disillusioning?
Onigawara Rin, Kikakujou Mary, and the others had already mentally stamped the "weird" label onto Loki.
"Is this the legendary... Main God of the strongest Familia?"
Onigawara Rin's mouth twitched, and she whispered softly into Kikakujou Mary's ear beside her.
"Why does she feel so weird?"
"Shh—"
Hearing this, Kikakujou Mary immediately raised her finger, making a silencing gesture.
Although she also thought so in her heart.
But as a well-educated young lady, she knew very well what to do in social situations.
No matter how unserious this God looked, she was still a God who stood at the apex of Orario.
Especially since she was their own Kami-sama's friend.
Therefore.
No matter how much she muttered in her heart, she absolutely couldn't lose face on the surface.
Particularly, she couldn't bring shame to Kami-sama.
Thus.
Kikakujou Mary smoothed her skirt, taking the initiative to step forward, and offered a standard salute to Loki, who was still rubbing her ear.
"Lady Loki, a pleasure to meet you."
"I am a member of the [Haimer Familia], Kikakujou Mary."
"Please forgive any offense we might have caused just now."
With Kikakujou Mary taking the lead.
The others also reacted.
"I am Onigawara Rin."
"I am Nomura Satori."
"Hanasaka Warabi!"
"Amou Kirukiru."
The girls stepped forward one after another to pay their respects.
Tsubaki similarly offered a greeting.
"Oh?"
Looking at this group of little monsters who were rumored to have gone on a massive killing spree in the Dungeon on their very first day, yet were actually behaving so obediently and sensibly right now.
As Loki rubbed her ear, those squinted eyes of hers opened slightly to a slit, flashing with a sharp glint.
"Not bad at all."
"Haimer."
"These kids you chose have quite a good upbringing."
Having said that.
Loki didn't dare to pull any more stunts either, so she reached back and shoved Lefiya—who had been shrinking behind her trying to lower her presence—straight to the front.
"Since everyone is being so polite."
"We can't lack manners either, right?"
"Lefiya!"
"Come, come, come!"
"Stop hiding!"
"Hurry up, introduce yourself!"
"Give me some face!"
"Eh?!"
Pushed so suddenly, Lefiya stumbled forward two steps.
She finally managed to steady her figure.
Looking up.
She saw several pairs of eyes staring straight at her in unison.
"Ugh..."
Lefiya only felt her scalp go numb, the palm gripping her magic staff entirely covered in sweat.
But.
Since she had already been pushed out by Lord Loki.
And it was in front of another Familia to boot.
If her performance was too subpar, it would be a loss of face for Lord Loki and Lady Riveria!
Thinking of this.
Lefiya took a deep breath, forcefully suppressing the nervousness in her heart.
She tried her best to straighten her back.
Although.
Lefiya's cheeks were still somewhat slightly red, her eyes had already turned serious.
"A-A pleasure to meet you!"
"I am a Lv.3 Adventurer of the [Loki Familia], title 「Thousand Elf」—Lefiya Viridis!"
"Please take care of me!"
Although Lefiya's emotions were still a bit unstable.
She had at least managed to say it all completely.
And that clear aura characteristic of Elves, paired with that exquisite mage robe, truly did make her look the part of an elite from a large Familia.
"A Lv.3 Adventurer..."
"And an Elf too!"
"Her ears are really so long!"
"Also..."
"Did you say your title is... Thousand Elf?"
"It sounds so impressive!"
"N-No, not at all..."
Facing the sparkling light in Hanasaka Warabi's eyes and such straightforward praise, Lefiya's face couldn't help but redden a few degrees, and she hastily waved her hand.
"Th-Those were just casually chosen by the Gods..."
"I'm still far from it... I'm still far from it..."
Looking at this easily embarrassed appearance of Lefiya's.
The girls also glanced at each other, a trace of goodwill showing in their eyes.
Although she was from that weird God's Familia.
This Elf girl...
Was unexpectedly cute.
"Alright."
Seeing that if they continued chatting, it was going to turn into a tea party.
Haimer interjected at the right moment.
"As for catching up, there will be plenty of opportunities in the future."
"Right now."
Haimer's gaze swept over the girls, ultimately landing on those members of the [Takemikazuchi Familia] in the back, each of whom looked as if their backs had been bent out of shape by the weight.
"Let's talk about today's harvest first."
"Yes!"
As soon as business was mentioned, Tsubaki immediately stood up as well.
Stepping aside, she revealed the several massive backpacks on the backs of the few people behind.
"Lord Haimer."
"Today's spoils of war can be said to be incredibly abundant."
Tsubaki pointed to those bulging backpacks.
"Besides a large amount of Magic Stones."
"There's also quite a few rare monster materials, such as the long horns of the Middle Level's specialty, the Almiraj, as well as some teeth and pelts from Hellhounds."
"It's just that halfway through, these little monsters' backpacks couldn't fit anymore."
"Therefore..."
"We temporarily hired these friends from the [Takemikazuchi Familia] to help carry them."
"That's them."
Onigawara Rin reached out and pointed at Kashima, Mikoto, and the others.
In an instant.
All gazes gathered onto Kashima's group.
"Gulp."
Kashima's group only felt their throats run dry, subconsciously swallowing their saliva.
The pressure of being stared at by an important figure made his hands gripping the backpack straps unconsciously tighten.
But.
As the Captain of the [Takemikazuchi Familia], Kashima could only bite the bullet and try his best to make his expression look less stiff.
"H-Hello! L-Lord Haimer!"
"I am the Captain of the [Takemikazuchi Familia], Lv.2 Adventurer, Kashima Ouka!"
"These are my members..."
"Inside these backpacks are all of the ladies' spoils of war!"
"We've kept careful watch over them the whole time, there absolutely aren't any missing items!"
"Mhm."
Haimer smiled warmly and nodded, his gaze merely sweeping briefly over those heavy backpacks.
He had no intention of opening them for inspection.
After Haimer took a glance, he looked at Kashima, Mikoto, and the others, displaying no arrogant airs, but instead speaking with a reassuring tone.
"Thank you for your hard work."
"Since they proactively hired you."
"Then we should go by the rules."
"Miss Tsubaki."
Haimer turned to look at Tsubaki beside him, who had been smiling without speaking all along.
"According to the Guild's standards for that kind of Dungeon transport commission."
"Plus..."
Haimer paused, taking a look at the extremely obvious exhaustion on Kashima and the others, as well as the dirt and bloodstains on their clothes.
"A thirty percent hardship bonus."
"Deduct it from the profits of these drop items and pay it directly to the [Takemikazuchi Familia]."
"What do you think, Miss Tsubaki?"
"Sounds good to me."
Tsubaki wasn't ambiguous either, directly giving Haimer a thumbs up.
"After all, these little ones from the Takemikazuchi family truly did put their backs into it."
"..."
"Th-Thirty percent?!"
The conversation on this side hadn't even ended.
Over there, Kashima, Mikoto, and the others, due to this casually spoken sentence, widened their eyes in direct shock.
If it was according to the Guild's standard commission fee, plus another thirty percent...
Kashima rapidly did some calculations in his head.
Then.
Kashima and the others couldn't help but start breathing heavily.
Just from this one trip.
Just this sum of money alone, even without counting their own previous harvest.
Was enough to let their entire Familia rest comfortably for a while!
They could even send a huge sum of money back to the shrine!
"Lord Haimer!"
"This... is too..."
Kashima, Mikoto, and the others were so excited their faces turned red; they wanted to say some words of gratitude, but felt that language was too pale.
"There is no need to say much."
"This is what you deserve."
"Expend labor, receive rewards."
"It is perfectly justified."
Haimer waved his hand, interrupting their thanks.
"Furthermore."
Haimer took a glance at the sky.
The setting sun had already sunk halfway, and the magical street lamps on the plaza began to light up one by one.
"It is getting late now."
"Let's go."
"To the Guild."
"To exchange these things for actual Valis."
"And then..."
"If you are free tonight, you might as well join us for a feast."
"A feast?!"
Upon hearing these words.
Onigawara Rin and the others' eyes lit up.
"Is it the same tavern from yesterday?! Lord Haimer?!"
"Indeed, since you are the heroes, naturally it is up to you to decide the location."
"Yay!"
____
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