Chapter 281

Chapter 281: Chapter 281

Just as Tione found herself at a loss for how to respond, another voice suddenly cut in.

"Ais-san, Tiona-san, Tione-san... Captain Finn is looking for you. He asked me to invite the three guests over as well."

Everyone turned toward the voice and saw an orange-haired elf girl with hair reaching her waist hurrying toward them, a staff clutched in her hand.

She had clearly rushed over as quickly as possible and was still slightly out of breath, but she nevertheless managed to faithfully relay Finn’s message.

"Oh, right, right. Come on, let’s go."

Tione immediately seized the opportunity to change the subject.

Relieved, she gestured for them to follow and took the lead.

"Well, since we happened to run into each other, we might as well. I’ve missed them a little too."

Kiriya chuckled and followed while holding Ryuu and Jeanne by the hands.

"Seriously, what terrible timing..."

Tiona muttered under her breath, though she followed along anyway.

Seeing this, the orange-haired elf finally breathed a sigh of relief before turning toward Ais with concern.

"Are you all right, Ais-san?"

"I’m fine. Why are you asking, Lefiya?"

Ais tilted her head in confusion.

"N-No reason."

The girl called Lefiya hurriedly waved her hands before quickly changing the subject.

"Let’s go too."

She grabbed Ais by the hand and began leading her forward, inwardly celebrating her success.

’Thank goodness. I managed to keep that womanizer away from Ais-san.’

That was exactly what Lefiya had intended.

She had briefly separated from Ais and the others earlier because of another matter, only to hear afterward that they had gone to meet a boy named Kiriya.

The moment she heard the name, alarm bells had gone off in her head.

She had already heard about him so many times that her ears were practically developing calluses.

Captain Finn talked about him.

Riveria, the vice-captain and her mentor, talked about him. Tiona and Tione talked about him.

Worst of all, even Ais-san, who normally said very little, mentioned him—and whenever she did, there was obvious admiration in her words.

How could Lefiya possibly allow that?

Yes, she knew the boy had recently become incredibly famous and was considered one of Orario’s brightest rising stars.

But...

He already had a lover!

And that lover was his own goddess!

What business did Ais-san have getting involved with someone like that?

For the sake of protecting Ais-san’s purity, she—Lefiya Viridis, future pillar of the Loki Familia’s mage corps—absolutely could not stand by and do nothing.

That was why, the moment she learned what was happening, she had immediately sent someone to inform Finn before rushing over herself to call everyone back.

The result seemed excellent.

At the very least, she had not seen Ais behave particularly intimately toward Kiriya.

What Lefiya did not realize was that the idol she was trying so desperately to protect was currently staring at Kiriya holding the hands of two different girls.

Ais’s expression remained calm.

Her emotions underneath were anything but.

...

"Welcome, welcome."

Near the front of the expedition, Finn, Riveria, and Gareth stood together, greeting Kiriya with friendly smiles.

"I really didn’t expect you to reach Floor 50 this quickly, Kiriya."

Finn sounded genuinely impressed.

"If I remember correctly, before we left on this expedition, you were still somewhere around the thirtieth floors, weren’t you?"

"Hahaha! That’s exactly how young people should be!"

Gareth stroked his beard and laughed heartily.

"Keep pushing forward and charging ahead!"

"Since you’ve made it to this floor, that means..."

Bete stared directly at Kiriya.

"You’re Level 5 now, aren’t you?"

The atmosphere around them instantly fell silent.

Every nearby adventurer turned toward Kiriya.

"Yeah."

Kiriya had nothing to hide and admitted it without hesitation.

"Tch. Figures..."

Even Bete clicked his tongue.

"So you’ve already made it this far too."

"Hiss—!"

A chorus of sharp breaths immediately spread through the surrounding Loki Familia members.

The collective shock seemed enough to raise the temperature around them by a full degree.

Lefiya simply stared at him in disbelief.

"Seriously, how old is this guy?"

"That’s not even the right question. You should be asking how long he’s been an adventurer. Hasn’t it only been about half a year?"

"What the hell? He really is a monster!"

The surrounding Loki Familia members immediately broke into heated discussion.

Riveria also looked deeply impressed. She glanced toward Ais, who had clearly been shaken by the news, before offering a reminder.

"Leveling up is certainly a good thing, but you should also make sure your foundation remains solid. Your path ahead is still very long. There is no need to damage your foundation for the sake of momentary speed."

Her words were directed at Kiriya, but they were also intended for Ais.

A stable foundation and a steady heart were indispensable qualities for anyone who wished to become truly strong.

"You don’t need to worry about that."

Ryuu’s cool voice suddenly interrupted.

"Just a few days ago, he defeated the entire Freya Familia, including Ottar."

Bete’s tail shot straight up.

The fur on his ears practically stood on end.

"What?"

Finn nearly bit down on his own thumbnail.

Gareth actually tore out a small handful of his beard.

"Little lass, that isn’t something you joke about."

"You’ve been in the Deep Floors, so you haven’t received the news."

Ryuu remained perfectly calm.

"Everyone in Orario knows about it now. The Freya Familia has already become subordinate to the Hestia Familia."

Riveria gave a helpless smile.

"It seems I underestimated him."

"What a monster..."

Bete muttered again, his tail swishing restlessly behind him.

The news made him feel an immediate urge to rush deeper into the Dungeon and train.

"Heh... so this is what the world of monsters looks like."

Finn gave a dry laugh.

"Just like that woman back then."

His thoughts turned to the terrifying prodigy once belonging to the Hera Familia—the Silence, Alfia, known as a monster of talent.

She had reached Level 7 at only fifteen or sixteen years old, and whether it was Skills or combat techniques, she seemed capable of mastering nearly anything after learning it once.

Her talent had been absurd enough to defy common sense.

"So strong..."

Tiona’s eyes had already turned into hearts.

A man this powerful had to be held onto tightly.

"A child born from a man that strong would definitely be amazing too, right?"

Tiona’s fearless declaration instantly shocked everyone around her.

Lefiya looked seconds away from overheating completely.

"So strong..."

Ais stared blankly at Kiriya.

The boy before her had already reached a height she could not currently touch.

’But if I follow behind him... maybe I can become stronger too.’

While the Loki Familia remained overwhelmed by the revelation, Kiriya leaned close to Ryuu and whispered,

"Why are you making it sound like I did everything? You contributed plenty too. Weren’t you the one who dealt with the Gulliver brothers?"

"I’m only Level 5. There’s no reason for me to draw attention to myself."

Ryuu answered calmly.

Feeling the shocked gazes around them, Kiriya silently raised a thumb toward her.

As expected of his Ryuu.

She really knew how to show off without making it look like she was showing off.

"And this young lady...?"

Finn’s gaze shifted toward Jeanne, curiosity appearing in his eyes.

"Her strength isn’t below mine."

Ryuu gave the shortest possible answer.

"This is truly... astonishing."

Finn smiled bitterly.

The Hestia Familia might have very few members, but with just these three, it was already unquestionably among the strongest forces in Orario.

"We’re heading to Floor 51 to find Cadmus Spring."

Ais, who had remained quiet until now, suddenly spoke.

"Would you like to come with us?" ℯ

Her question surprised several people.

Normally, a Familia’s objectives during an expedition were confidential and would not be casually disclosed to members of another Familia.

But...

Kiriya was an exception.

Lefiya stared blankly at Ais, her fingers unconsciously tightening around her staff.

’Ais-san, no...’

"Sure."

Kiriya nodded without hesitation.

"We’re pretty interested in that Cadmus Dragon anyway."

A Level 6 monster whose overall abilities surpassed even Udaeus, the Floor Boss of Floor 37.

Yet in Kiriya’s eyes, it was practically a dish waiting to be served.

It would be perfect for testing his newly developed sword technique.

"Hahaha, the younger generation really is terrifying."

Finn smiled before quickly arranging the teams.

"In that case, Ais, Tiona, Tione, and Lefiya, you four will form a group with Kiriya and the others. I’ll lead the other team."

In Finn’s view, Kiriya’s group would still benefit from having a dedicated mage.

Besides, Lefiya needed the training.

"Yes!"

The opportunity to form a party with the Ais she admired made Lefiya’s heart leap with excitement, though she forced herself to maintain a serious expression and merely nodded.

"Tione, keep an eye on those two. Don’t let them rush too far ahead."

Finn’s tone became noticeably gentler when he spoke to her.

"Yes, Captain~~"

Tione answered sweetly.

"Then that settles it. Riveria, I’ll leave the camp to you. Once we retrieve the spring water, we’ll regroup at the entrance to Floor 52 and head directly into the next floor for training."

"Understood. Be careful."

Riveria nodded.

"All right, then. Kiriya, we’ll see you at the entrance to Floor 52."

With that, the expedition split into two groups and went their separate ways.