Chapter 496

Chapter 503: What kind of play is this? (Please subscribe!)

Currently, the nominal leader of Izay’s team is Loki.

The group had just stepped into Daedalus Street.

There was no need to mention the composition of the team; apart from Izay, all the members were female.

Including but not limited to Riviria, Ais, Tione, Tiona, Refia, Haruhi, Anqi, Alisia, and Rine.

A team of more than ten people prepared to head towards the “gates” deep within Daedalus Street according to the map painted by Izay.

This time, Loki Familia had chosen one of those “gates,” ready to enter the tunnels connecting to the Dungeon for a thorough exploration.

For the preparation of the operation, Loki Familia undoubtedly brought out all their elite forces.

All members who had reached the second-level adventurer (Level 3/Level 4) or above were selected, along with a few special third-level adventurers (Level 2).

Such as Rine, who served as a healer, and Haruhi, who possessed rank elevation.

Before entering Daedalus Street, in order not to alarm its residents about the main force of Loki Familia being deployed, Loki and Finn had divided the team into two groups, meeting at the designated “gate.”

The former led the female members, while the latter led the male members.

During the division, Finn left Izay with the female members under the pretext of “a promised agreement,” causing Raul and the others to envy him greatly.

Loki, who strongly protested throughout the process, was ignored by Finn and went into a rage.

…

“So, which direction should we go next? Loki, are you really capable of leading us?”

“Of course I am! I can read maps! How could such a small scene possibly be difficult for me!?”

“But I must say, Daedalus Street is even more labyrinthine than the Dungeon. The scenery looks the same to me.”

While Loki was figuring out the map to lead the way, Tione made a snide comment. At that moment, Izay took the opportunity to move to the back of the group and heard Anqi’s words.

“Uh… This place is so complicated… There are so many corners and stairs…”

The fox-eared girl indicated that she was about to get dizzy.

At this moment, the cat-eared girl and the fox-eared girl had surprisingly consistent opinions.

Both thought these places were indistinguishable when turning around.

“Speaking of which, Haruhi, you’ve never been to Daedalus Street before, right? And I haven’t taken you here either.” Suddenly, Izay remembered this fact.

After bringing Haruhi out from the Pleasure Quarter, Izay deliberately took her on tours around Orario.

The Great Library, rental warehouses, Babel Tower, and even the bustling parts of the city center—all these places he had taken the little girl to. However, this southeastern street seemed to have never been visited again.

At most, during the monthly fixed contact with Aisha, he and Haruhi would occasionally come near the Pleasure Quarter. But they had never entered this area nearby.

“Yes, Master Izay, it’s my first time here… It might be… a bit overwhelming…” Haruhi shivered her fox ears and unconsciously rubbed her thick tail against Izay.

What a skillful tail!

Anqi saw this scene and smirked mischievously, taking a step closer to Izay and beginning to collaborate with her tail.

“Izay, how does it feel to be touched by a tail? Is it comfortable?”

“Hmm… The feeling is quite nice! If I were to review the service, I’d definitely give it a thumbs up.”

Izay sincerely evaluated.

Eyes following the approaching Ais and Refia, who exchanged glances with Anqi beside Alisia, all three felt perplexed.

What kind of play is this?

Could it be some avant-garde gameplay?

Tails also?!

Isn’t that a sensitive area for beastfolk?

The three without tails looked at each other awkwardly, their feelings complex.

At this point, Loki stopped at a corner ahead.

“If everything goes smoothly, the rendezvous point should be just two streets ahead. We’ll be there soon… Hmm?”

Loki was about to announce their current progress but suddenly noticed something and fell silent.

Following the corner, they saw a crowded square nearby.

Looking in the same direction, Riviria noticed an old deity standing with his back to a fountain.

That deity held greasy chicken bones and a wine bottle in both hands.

His scruffy appearance resembled that of a street vagrant.

And yet, it was a cultured vagrant.

“Children, leave your filthy coins behind! Only poverty and austerity can cleanse your bodies and minds, allowing your souls to shine!”

Hmm?

Who dares to speak such nonsense!?

Hearing this subtly persuasive speech urging people to abandon their wealth, Izay couldn’t help but pay attention.

In what era are there still people who regard money as dung?

What kind of high monk is this?

Taking a look at the features of the opposing side.

A scruffy old woman, a deity, preaching the abandonment of wealth.

The only deity Izay could think of that fit these characteristics was one.

—Penia, the goddess of poverty.

It’s her… then there’s nothing to worry about.

Suddenly, Izay lost interest in watching.

Not only did the concept of “poverty” promoted by the goddess contradict his own ideology, but the deity herself wasn’t exactly reputable.

Penia’s famous saying was: “Wealth corrupts the spirit, prosperity robs the body of labor.”

At first glance, it seemed to make sense, even appearing as worldly truths.

But Penia herself, while preaching, was enthusiastically gnawing on the chicken bone in her hand with great relish.

How impressive that this deity could confidently utter such words.

Standing in front of the fountain, the deity opened her arms wide, and the crowd erupted in cheers.

“Ah, Goddess Penia!”

“Here is the meager coin I earned, please accept it kindly, Goddess Penia!”

The demi-humans showed gratitude on their faces, each offering large amounts of gold.

Valis coins and money bags piled up at the feet of the deity, mocking the roadside acrobats and minstrels who earned their living. In a short time, the amount grew significantly.

Seeing this, Izay didn’t know what to say.

Either way, it was a big scam artist, yet so many people willingly fell for her tricks.

She truly elevated the art of being a con artist to the highest level.

No, she is a deity after all…

Similarly noticing the scene, even Riviria couldn’t understand.

“What are they doing…?”

“Promoting poverty, that person is called Penia. She is literally the goddess of poverty. Let me tell you, never approach her, and if you see her, stay far away! Otherwise, your money will disappear completely.”

Loki described the old deity as “walking poverty disease.”

Even the gods avoided her in heaven.

Loki, who sometimes enjoyed a period of simple life, knew the pain well. She didn’t want anything to do with that person and thus led everyone to take a detour.

Before leaving, Izay gave a slightly pitying glance at the great con artist deity, lingering his gaze on the expensive wine in her hand for a while.

Her days of enjoying and reveling in the wealth of the lower realms wouldn’t last much longer.