Chapter 75

Chapter 76: Artemis’ Gaze Gradually Sharpened (Fifth Update)

Inside the Dungeon, two figures with somewhat disheveled appearances were making their way back to the surface.

“Yare yare, exploration is finally over. I’m exhausted! My back and waist are killing me…”

Raul, with his spiky hair, stretched his limbs with an expression of exasperation, his bones cracking repeatedly.

Although during combat, he had been mostly observing and distracting monsters without directly exerting much effort,

Izay’s magical effects still left him feeling entirely uncomfortable.

At this moment, Raul became even more determined to head to Southeast Street for some relaxation!

Then he glanced at Izay who was walking beside him, carrying a spear.

“Izay, what’re you thinking about? You haven’t said much along the way.”

“Eh? After such tough battles in the Middle Layer, isn’t it nice to return quietly?”

“Ahh… that makes sense…”

The naive Raul easily believed Izay’s casually fabricated excuse.

After all, the two had indeed worked hard exploring the Middle Layer; that was a fact, which was why his back and waist were sore too.

But Izay wasn’t quiet for that reason.

He was just pondering the incident on the twenty-second floor.

Active in the “Middle Layer,” concealing their movements, possessing near Level 4 or even higher strength.

Such existences could only be those “Heretics,” Izay thought of no others.

They possessed traits common to humans.

Compared to ordinary monsters, these beings exhibited high intelligence and rationality, and most importantly, they had souls—comprising will and emotion, not falling short of humans in any way.

They could be considered another type of humanoid.

At least in Izay’s view, they counted as humanoids, akin to beastfolk races.

Because the absolute distinction between intelligent beings and wild beasts was whether they possessed “rationality.”

The “Heretics” were undeniably rational beings.

Since over a decade ago, their existence had been concealed by the main deity Uranus of the Adventurers’ Guild. Under the help of Sage Fels, they lived in the middle layers of the Dungeon, and even in the unexplored lower regions.

The unexplored regions truly lived up to their name—they were territories untouched by predecessors.

Those routes not marked on maps—areas even first-tier adventurers hadn’t stepped into.

The young Izay hadn’t thought deeply about these matters before because they hadn’t come directly to his attention.

And now, nearly encountering the Heretics directly made him reconsider the matter.

Though, more than anything, he felt powerless.

The Loki Familia seemed quite unfriendly towards the Heretics…

The only one currently known who might accept the Heretics would likely be little angel Tiona.

Someone who, upon learning of the Heretics’ existence, could maintain composure to a certain extent and refrain from attacking.

Ais and Refia… perhaps Raul could count too.

Refia followed Ais’ decisions. As for Raul… forgive Izay for being blunt, but he was just an old lecher.

Their interactions over this period fully exposed his dual nature: half honest and straightforward, half secretly perverted.

Izay was seventy percent confident that if this guy met a female Heretic and she didn’t show hostility towards him first, he wouldn’t make the first move.

As for the others… uncertain.

“Maybe we should approach this from a different angle; they don’t necessarily need to know about this.”

“What do they need to know? What’re you muttering about, Izay?”

“Hmm… I think it’s better if the rest of the Familia doesn’t know what we’re going to do next.”

“…”

Upon hearing Izay’s words, Raul, who had been enthusiastically interested, instantly looked deflated.

“Don’t, don’t look at things so pessimistically. It’ll be fine just this once… umm, probably.”

With Raul himself unsure of his own promise, Izay and he returned to the surface.

The moment they exited the dungeon entrance of Babel Tower, Raul immediately perked up, his face brimming with anticipatory smiles.

“Ah~ Finally, the tense yet exciting part has arrived. Let’s go! Pipi Ze, let me show you the vibrant nightlife of Orario!”

Bathed in the crimson sunset, Raul dragged Izay towards South Street, heading toward the adjacent southeast area.

Using teasing words he had sneakily learned from Izay.

On the other hand, still on South Street.

A team entirely composed of female adventurers had arrived in Orario.

“Artemis-sama, should we submit the quest next? Or…”

After gathering together inside the city, Team Leader Letsha asked her deity.

Artemis glanced at her children’s slightly weary appearances and shook her head.

“No, Letsha. Let everyone rest first. We’ve been traveling all day; everyone’s tired. We can submit the quest tomorrow.”

Although Artemis demanded strict discipline from her girls within the Familia, she also had a kind and approachable side.

It was something she only revealed to those close to her.

Perhaps she had become more diplomatic since descending to the mortal realm.

But compared to that, the daily interaction with the girls of her Familia gave Artemis a comfortable feeling that the stern goddess cherished.

A feeling indescribable in words.

“Hmm, then we’ll wait for Artemis-sama…”

“Wait for me? No need, Letsha. Take everyone to find a place to rest on West Street first. I’ll catch up later. There’s a bit of time needed here for processing documents.”

Letsha’s suggestion was rejected. As the deity of the Familia, Artemis needed to stay here a little longer.

Orario had very strict checks for adventurers with divine blessings entering and exiting. With so many members in Artemis’ Familia, naturally, it took more time to process the documents.

This was the rule.

Understanding the reasons, Letsha couldn’t help but glance sideways and look back with the goddess.

Near the tall and heavy walls, a peculiar figure wearing an elephant mask stood out prominently.

“I am—Ganesha!”

Seemingly noticing the two looking at him, this old friend, also a deity like Artemis, greeted them in a unique manner.

The reason Artemis and her group had already entered Orario despite not having their travel documents processed was due to Ganesha’s prior clearance.

“…I understand. Then please come find us at the tavern on West Street later, Artemis-sama.”

“Hmm, okay.”

No specific place was mentioned, but the goddess understood clearly.

It wouldn’t be anywhere else but either the “Flame Bee Pavilion Tavern” or “The Bountiful Mistress.”

They could slowly search for it when the time came.

Soon, Letsha led the team away.

However, Lanti stayed behind, acting as a self-proclaimed bodyguard accompanying Artemis.

About fifteen minutes later, the travel documents were ready. Artemis collected the papers and prepared to head to West Street with Lanti.

While passing a corner, a familiar figure caught her eye.

“Artemis-sama, it’s that Izay guy!!!”

Likewise, Lanti saw the figure and pointed her small hand in Izay’s direction, speaking rudely.

“Hmm, I see him.”

Eh? Such calm tone?

Something’s off…

Lanti’s mind began to churn. She had expected at least some excitement from Artemis upon seeing him again.

At least some reaction, right? He’s the man you hugged!

When the girl couldn’t resist turning her head to observe, she found the goddess had already narrowed her beautiful eyes, staring at Izay’s back with a strangely sharp gaze.

That direction is… the red-light district?

Coincidence? Or was it his intended destination?

The goddess’s indigo hair fluttered slightly. Before Lanti could react, she had already taken a step forward.

“Let’s go, Lanti.”

“Eh? Oh! Wait for me, Artemis-sama.”

The half-elf girl belatedly followed the goddess’s pace.