"Aiz's reaction was strange."
Loki and Finn, who were discussing the expedition, stopped their conversation and looked at Riveria.
"In what way was it strange?"
"That child lied to me."
Riveria recounted what had just happened.
After listening, Loki burst into laughter, unable to hold it in.
"Mama Riveria, aren't you being a bit too overbearing?"
"You look exactly like a foolish Mama who's panicked after discovering her daughter has started going down the wrong path."
"Don't call me Mama."
"Understood, Mama Riveria~"
"..."
Riveria narrowed her eyes.
"Ahem~ Let's stop joking."
Seemingly sensing danger approaching, Loki coughed and her expression turned serious.
"Finn, what do you think about this?"
"It is indeed rare for Aiz to lie."
Finn rubbed his fingers, lost in thought.
Like Riveria, he had watched Aiz grow up since she was a child and understood her personality very well.
Since Aiz chose to lie, it meant that what she was hiding was something forbidden.
"Come to think of it, a couple of days ago, Aiz asked me about an organization called the Demon Slayer Corps."
"The Demon Slayer Corps? She asked me about that too."
"I was asked too~"
"Then, the answer is quite obvious."
Hearing Riveria and Loki's replies, a look of realization dawned on Finn's face.
"Aiz's abnormal reaction is related to this organization called the Demon Slayer Corps."
However, having reached this conclusion, a new problem stood before the three of them.
What kind of organization was the Demon Slayer Corps?
Because they had traveled extensively in the past, the three of them were very experienced and had an understanding of the situation in various parts of the world.
But as for an organization called the Demon Slayer Corps, no matter how hard they tried to recall, they had no impression of it whatsoever.
Click—!
At that moment, the door was pushed open.
Tione walked in from outside, carrying a thick stack of lists.
"Captain, the inventory of supplies in the warehouse is finished. These are what need to be replenished."
"Thank you for your hard work, Tione."
Finn took the list from her hands.
The Loki Familia expedition was imminent.
To ensure the safety of the expedition, he had to prepare the necessary supplies before departure.
"Captain, what were you all talking about just now? You all looked so serious."
"We were talking about Aiz. Has she asked you about the Demon Slayer Corps recently?"
"Yeah, she seemed quite curious about that Breathing Technique of Lynn's."
"Hmm?"
Finn's movements paused, and his gaze fell upon the Amazon Girl before him.
It wasn't just him; Loki and Riveria, who had been thinking about the Demon Slayer Corps, also shifted their gazes to Tione.
"What do you mean by Lynn's Breathing Technique?"
Finn felt like he had found the final piece of the puzzle.
"Strange, didn't she tell you when she was asking about the Demon Slayer Corps?"
Tione was somewhat surprised by their reactions: "Before Lynn came to Orario, he had joined an organization called the Demon Slayer Corps."
"In that organization, he learned a special Breathing Technique that allows him to improve his physical capabilities and become stronger during combat."
"Like in the previous War Game, when he swung that blade and took out the captain of the Soma Familia in one hit, he had used that Breathing Technique to enhance his physical capabilities."
"Breathing Technique..."
Finn fell silent after hearing this.
A few days ago, after watching that battle, he had speculated that Lynn possessed a form of chantless magic that could strengthen his physical capabilities in a short period of time.
But if the other party wasn't using magic, but simply using a Breathing Technique to enhance himself, then this was quite astonishing.
"Loki, do you think such a Breathing Technique could exist?"
"Theoretically, it is possible, but I am more inclined to believe that Lynn's situation is special."
Loki thought for a moment and replied.
A blessing is not the only way to become stronger.
In the distant past, before the gods descended to the lower world, heroes without a blessing were still able to fight monsters.
If Lynn possessed the aptitude of a hero and had undergone extensive training before receiving a blessing...
Then after receiving a blessing, his starting point alone would be a cut above ordinary people.
If he were to awaken one or two rare skills that provide stat-boosting effects, combined with the amplification of the Breathing Technique, rivaling a Level 3 is not impossible.
However, regardless of the reason why Lynn is so strong, at least one thing is certain.
"Aiz must have gone to the Hestia Familia this morning, which is why she was absent."
"That's what I think too."
Finn nodded in agreement.
Aiz only thinks about getting stronger, and often does things without thinking them through.
If it were her, she would likely attribute all the reasons for Lynn's strength to the Breathing Technique.
In this situation, the possibility of Aiz seeking out Lynn to learn the Breathing Technique cannot be ruled out—in fact, it is very high.
"I'll go find Aiz and ask her about it clearly."
Riveria walked toward the door.
"Riveria, wait a moment."
Finn's voice came from behind: "There's no need to rush this; we can observe for a while."
"Observe?"
Riveria paused, a rare look of surprise appearing on her face.
"Finn, you should understand the consequences this could lead to, right?"
"Of course, I am very clear on that."
Finn nodded.
Aiz is an executive of the Loki Familia.
If the fact that she is learning the Breathing Technique from Lynn is exposed, all sorts of rumors could arise.
If the situation becomes serious, even Finn, as the captain, would be affected.
For Finn, who values his reputation, this is undoubtedly unacceptable.
In the past, Finn would certainly have called Aiz to his office, reasoned with her, analyzed the pros and cons, and made her keep her distance from Lynn.
But this time, Finn hesitated.
Regardless of the method Lynn used, it is a fact that he possesses the strength of a Level 3 while being a Level 1.
In the history of Orario, the last person with a similar achievement was named Alfia.
"If Lynn can maintain this potential, then it wouldn't matter even if our reputation were damaged."
Looking at his right thumb, which showed no reaction, Finn analyzed the situation with a calm expression.
"As long as we can get closer to Lynn and use his power to conquer the Black Dragon and the Dungeon, then everything will be worth it."
Like Royman not long ago, Loki had taken a liking to Lynn's potential.
Conquering the Black Dragon and the Dungeon has been the long-cherished wish of humanity in the lower world.
If this goal can be achieved, even a rat in the sewers would become a hero for the ages.
Compared to the potential losses caused by rumors, the choice was self-evident.
However, ...
"What about Aiz?"
Riveria frowned: "Aren't you essentially using Aiz by doing this?"
"Riveria, Loki said something very right, you are interfering too much with Aiz."
Finn reminded her: "You should understand very well what the Black Dragon means to Aiz, right?"
"If I reveal this matter, Aiz will probably be even more proactive than she is now."
"..."
"I do not agree!!!"
Just then, Loki, who had just been mentioned, jumped out and loudly vetoed.
"Aiz cutie is mine! I won't allow Finn to give her away to someone else!"
"Loki, stop messing around."
"I'm not messing around! In the end, it's Finn who is too hasty!"
Loki curled her lip: "Regardless of future potential, he is currently just an LV1."
"There has never been a shortage of Hero Seeds who died on the path to growth; the Astrea Familia is the best example."
"Unless that guy can break through to LV6, don't even think about taking Aiz cutie away."
"That's right, I don't agree with this matter."
Riveria, who had been somewhat wavering, now firmly held her opinion.
"Unless that man named Lynn can defeat me, I will not agree to this marriage."
"..."
Has the topic gone off track?
Looking at her suddenly fired-up old friend, Finn's expression was a bit strange.
However, this time, he did not deny Riveria's words again.
Whether Lynn was just a flash in the pan, falling on the path of growth,
Or if he could maintain this potential and become famous in the near future.
Which outcome would materialize indeed required some observation?
Thinking of this, Finn looked towards Tione, the Amazon Girl who was eavesdropping nearby.
"Tione, I'm leaving the observation of Lynn to you. Also, help me look after Aiz and prevent her from doing anything out of line too early."
"Can I refuse?"
Tione was reluctant to get involved in this troublesome matter.
"No, this matter can only rely on you."
Finn forcibly thrust the task onto the other party.
Aiz was not an ordinary person.
If a strong person wasn't sent to watch over things, an accident might easily occur.
And within the Loki Familia, the only one with brains, strength, and sufficient time currently was Tione.
"Anyway, this is entrusted to you. If any accident happens, remember to report back to me."
"Fine."
Tione sighed inwardly.
She never thought that one day, she would become someone's nanny.
...