Chapter 402: You really are something else, Izay! (Please subscribe!)
“Izay, what are you muttering to yourself? I didn’t hear anything~”
Tiona, standing close by, was the first to approach after hearing this.
Izay rolled his eyes irritably: “If it’s ‘talking to myself,’ would I even tell you!?”
“Eh—!? How could you!?”
“Sorry, that’s just how it is.”
He gestured with a refusal, indicating that cuteness wouldn’t work on him.
“Just now, there was this illusion of the ground trembling slightly, as if from below. Did any of you feel it?”
At this point, Finn suddenly spoke up about his discovery.
“A little?”
“Didn’t notice?”
“It seems like…”
However, the results were disappointing for him.
With the ground right before their eyes, who would care about what’s beneath?
It’s like asking someone to abandon the watermelon in front of them to pick up the sesame seed behind them.
Tiona and the others weren’t people like that.
The only one on his level, Riviria, was currently subtly showing concern for Ryu.
Not only because she felt regret over the Astrea Familia incident, but also to quietly probe the relationship between Ryu and Izay.
Hmm, not for any other reason, just to ask on behalf of Ais and Haruhi.
Knowing that Izay has a goddess outside the Familia, will there soon be an additional fairy? (To be determined)
You really are something else, Zek!
Seeing that no one seemed interested in the topic he brought up, Finn helplessly smiled and let the matter slide.
Nothing happened afterward, and the group arrived at the entrance of the labyrinth.
Climbing the artificial spiral staircase step by step, they emerged from the big hole of the dungeon, passing through the great tower’s gate.
After being stuck in the dungeon for so long, they finally felt the wind again.
Successfully returning to the surface, the members of Loki Familia basked in the sunlight, vast sky, and scent of the wind, all wearing expressions of springtime cheer.
“Ah～, blue skies and white clouds～! It’s been such a long time since we’ve come back～!”
The person holding her weapon first expressed excitement: Tiona.
Her shout almost gathered the attention of everyone in the Babel Tower square.
It was morning, the time when everyone was busy diving into the dungeon, yet only they went against the flow, naturally drawing attention.
But once they recognized who these people were, the passing adventurers took it in stride.
“It’s the [Loki Familia]～? They’ve returned from their expedition.”
“Yeah, judging by their appearance, they must have had good harvests during the expedition?”
“I wonder if they’ve broken through to new floors, reaching unknown realms.”
“They definitely did!”
A passerby adventurer gave a very confident answer.
He, passerby A, in the words of the gods, was a loyal fan of the Loki Familia!
Passerby A, who admired this powerful group of adventurers, was full of confidence in their achievements.
“Oh——? You’re quite brave, aren’t you!? Want to make a bet? Let’s wager whether or not the Loki Familia refreshed the reached floor record this time!” Passerby A’s companion teased beside him.
“Bet it is!”
“Alright! Boss is generous, who can help us witness this?”
“Don’t drag me into your games, do what you want, but don’t involve me if he doesn’t pay up～”
In such an atmosphere, Finn didn’t rush to leave with Ais and the others but waited in the square for the rear guard to arrive.
Izay left for a while, sending Ryu back to The Bountiful Mistress tavern.
During which Aniya tried to tease him again, but the now more assertive Izay didn’t back down. He mercilessly scolded her and then ran off, leaving a furious catgirl fuming in the tavern.
Returning to the Babel Tower square and waiting for nearly half an hour, Gress predictably appeared with the rear guard.
As expected, there was no sign of Beier, nor the two deities. Izay could only silently wish them well in their dungeon adventures.
Thinking about taking Ryu away made him feel a bit embarrassed—
Hope they’re all doing fine～(praying with hands clasped and a sidelong smile)
…
Twilight Manor.
A long mansion with several overlapping spires.
The adventurers who went on the “expedition” returned to the main base of Loki Familia, Twilight Manor.
Everyone worked together to process their gains. Upon returning, they immediately got busy with their respective duties, along with those who stayed behind.
It was broad daylight, and although everyone was tired after the expedition, no one would fall asleep during the day.
More members were eagerly awaiting the update of their Ability Values.
Loki, who was just happy to see her children return, looked at the eager faces of her members and couldn’t help but swallow.
“Toothless…”
Updating more than forty people would kill her!
She might not even get to eat lunch!
Naturally, the updates of the officers were the most anticipated.
Beforehand, the members had already mentally prepared themselves, ready to accept more Lv.6 members joining the ranks. Just go for it!
Then.
“Whoa—whoa—whoa—! It’s Lv.6! I’ve caught up with Ais—!”
“Yay—!”
Tiona and Tione’s shouts followed one after another.
Outside Loki’s Divine Room, those waiting exchanged glances.
“They’re happy now, who’s next? Bert, you first or me first?”
Izay leaned against the wall, glancing at the werewolf.
“I don’t need to, I was the first to update, I’m just here to see how much you’ve grown.”
Bert crossed his arms and blew out a breath, looking smug.
Being sent as a messenger, he was the first to return among the expedition team, naturally receiving the first Ability Value update.
“Bert also… Lv.6?” Ais shifted her golden eyes.
“Hmph～, barely passable.”
“Tch, the arrogant Bert using such a haughty tone, look at your tail, it’s practically about to reach the heavens with joy.”
“—!?”
Bert believed Izay’s words and turned around to check, but nothing happened!
“Izay, you bastard——”
“Look, look, Ais! Look, I’m Lv.6!!”
Just as the wolf was about to explode, Tiona burst out of the Divine Room, completely ignoring him as she slammed the door open and shoved her report in front of Ais.
The Amazon girl jumped happily, hugging Ais as usual.
“T-Tiona-sama! You’re doing this again—!!”
The nearby fairy also emitted cheerful sounds.
“Alright, whose turn is next? Is it Haruhi?”
Moments later, Loki also emerged from behind the Divine Room door with Tione, her gaze mischievously scanning the fox girl.
“I-I’ll wait a bit longer, maybe update Izay-sama first…”
Haruhi hid behind Izay to avoid the gaze of the deity.
Currently, among those present, excluding the officers like Izay, there were still a few members with a high probability of leveling up. Everyone tacitly agreed to let them go first.
Haruhi was one of them.
Alisia, the oldest in the second army, also wanted to try, Cruz and Cos thought they were pretty brave too!
Raul… was dragged over by his two good friends.
Anqi wasn’t here because Anqi was responsible for commanding the defense of the camp and wasn’t a frontline supporter.
Without the battle experience in the Dragon Vessel, Anqi didn’t think she could level up.
