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[ Chapter Size: 2808 Words ]
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Some time back.
As Light was listening to the old man's (Hermes') story, an extraordinary group of adventures were making their way to the guild.
The extra- ordinary group of adventurers were the members of the Loki Familia.
The Loki familia's captain Finn Deimne, a pallum, newly promoted to Level 6, after his achievement in the great feud.
By looking at him one would think that he was a child, but that pallum was nearly 35 years old.
Finn was wearing a yellow vest over a purple long-sleeved shirt and trousers.
A step behind him was the vice captain of the Loki familia.
The Loki Familia's vice captain, Riveria Ljos Alf, was a tall female elf with Jade colored hair and her eyes with the same color as her hair.
She had also been recently promoted to Level 6.
Riveria wore a white cloak over her green outfit and the cloak fastened with a golden brooch.
The dwarf next to her was Gareth Landrock, a senior member of the Loki Familiar and another recently promoted Level 6.
Following behind Riveria and Gareth were two second line members of the Loki Familia, Raul Nord and Anakitty Autumn, who were Level 2.
They were making their way to the guild to discuss about the upcoming expedition and to finalize the details.
Raul, looking at Finn who was walking in front of them, and asked the doubt which he had, " Captain, is a Joint Expedition really required just to check the state of the dungeon? And even the other familia's joining, isn't it overkill ? "
After hearing about the joint expedition issued by the guild, Raul had been thinking about this and tried to think of any other reason behind the expedition, but came up blank.
Finn still walking, turned his head sideways to look at Raul and spoke,
" Raul, of course, the joint expedition is not for that reason. Remember the monster Riveria, Gareth, Ais and the members of the Astraea Familia defeated, the one summoned by the Evilus. "
" That monster was moving up the dungeon by blasting holes through the floors. The guild thinks that other monsters from the lower floors may also have come up. It may have even affected the Monster Rex's. "
" We're not sure what effect the summoned black monster had brought in the dungeon. Hence the guild issued a joint expedition. "
" And even if it is a Joint Expedition, I can confidently say that not all adventurers from the registered Familia's will take part. "
" Like Riveria staying back and me and Gareth participating in this expedition along with a few more members of the Loki Familia. "
After explaining to Raul, Finn tuned his face forward.
" Yes Captain. Thank you for explaining. " Raul as if understand nodded to himself and said thanks.
Finn without turning back just nodded his head. Gareth and Riveria just looked on from the sides.
...
A few minutes later the Loki Familia were at the guild's entrance.
Without even needing to wait, a guild member approached them and led them to the first floor and to the office of the guild's head.
" Excuse me Sir, the members of the Loki Familia have arrived. "
The guild member knocked on the door, asking permission to enter.
" Yes, please enter. "
The guild member opening the door wide asked the Loki Familia to enter.
...
Sitting behind a large wooden table was the head of the guild, Royman Mardeel, an elf, with white hair, green eyes.
But unlike the other graceful elves, he was quite short, not to mention fat. Still he was a shrewd person, being able to sit on the position of the Guild head through pure ability.
When Royman heard that the Loki Familia members had come, he quickly got up from his chair and made his way towards the door.
He nodded at Finn, who entered the room and extended his hands for a handshake with the pallum.
" Hello Braver, Hello Nine Hell, Hello Elgarm. " Royman greeted Finn, and the other two behind him.
Finn had asked Raul and Anakitty to stay in the guild hall below.
" Hello Royman. Did you receive replies from all the familia's you sent the quest to? " Finn gave a short reply while the other two just nodded at Royman.
" Braver, as always direct to the point, huh. " Royman moved to sit on a set of sofa's positioned opposite to each other and gestured the three people opposite him to take the opposite sofa.
" Yes, it was once again you who asked me to lead this quest. "
Finn sat down in the middle of the three person sofa opposite Royman, while Riveria and Gareth also sat down one on each side of Finn.
" Yes. Let me give you the latest updates Braver. "
Saying that, Royman took a bunch of papers from the table in front of him and started arranging them.
After a few seconds, Royman began his report.
" First is the Ganesha Familia, they are completely withdrawing from this expedition. Because of the murder incident a few days back, the guild or me, I asked them to not take part in the expedition and keep guard around and inside Orario. "
" Instead of the Ganesha Familia, the Hermes Familia is going to take part in the Expedition. They have already moved to the dungeon to do the initial scouting up to Floor 18. "
Finn interrupted Royman, " But the entire Ganesha Familiar withdrawing from the expedition may cause issues. They have around 6 to 7 Level 5's and their Level 4's are over 10 in number and countless Level 2 and 1's. "
[ A / N : I was not able to find the correct number of Level 5 in Ganesha Familia after the Great Feud hence this rough number. ]
" Even if you bring in the Hermes Familia, their main job is to act as scouts, not to fight in the front line. " Finn interrupted Royman asking a crucial question.
" Braver, I know your thoughts but the Evilus have been sighted near the magic stone factories again in the last two days, we are not sure what they are up to as they did not attack anything. We need the Ganesha Familia to stay on the surface and guard Orario. "
" But so as to not affect the Expedition, I have sent in requests to Freya Familia and Astraea Familia. This can make up the lack of numbers. "
Riveria and Gareth both intensified their gazes on Royman as soon as their heads that an invitation was sent to the Freya Familia.
" Ahem, I know I sent a request to Freya Familia without consulting with you, but it was necessary, you can check with Loki, she'll have an idea about this. Just tell her that this is directly from the Guild's leader."
Royman has a face that almost said, 'Don't ask me about this. '
" Fine in that case, we'll check with our goddess, but if the Freya Familia is involved, I need to know who are going to join this expedition. "
Finn seemingly took a step back, only to ask the crucial question.
" I'll tell you, they haven't asked us to keep it a secret anyway, Dainsleif (Hogni Ragnar), Hildrsleif (Hedin Selland) and the Bringar (the four Gulliver Brothers) and some healers from the Andhrímnir, Freya Familia's team of healers. "
" I tried my best but even then the captain and the vice captain of the Freya Familiar are not joining this expedition. "
Royman spoke with a look of regret, for not being able to get the two to join this expedition.
" Fine. " The Level 6 pallum did not say anything, just a small nod.
" Everyone from the Vidar Familia are joining this expedition, and from the Astraea Familia, except for four members staying on the surface, the rest of the members are joining. "
" Airmid and four other healers from Dian Cecht Familia are joining this expedition. "
" There are also various others adventurers from small Familia's like Dellingr, Hathor and Magni are also joining. But they are only Level 2's. "
" There is a shortage of supporters and porters as the Ganesha Familia withdrew, but we're trying to fill it up. That's all from my end. "
Concluding all the information he had gathered, Royman put down the paper in his hand and leaned back.
" And the final thing, how many people from Loki Familia are joining this expedition? You said you'll let me know when I asked the last time. " Continued the elf.
Looking at the fat elf sitting in front of him, Finn gave a sigh, crossing his arms he began, " First things first, from the Loki Familia, Riveria is not going on this expedition, Ais had just gotten better after overusing her ability one month back in the dungeon. "
" Me and Gareth were joining this expedition, but if the Freya Familia members are also going to join, then Gareth can stay on the surface, in case the Evilus does something. "
" What do you think about it, Gareth? That is okay, no?" Finn asked turning to look at the dwarf next to him.
" Whatever you say Finn. It'll be good to beat those bastards from the Evilus if they do show up. But will ya be okay in the dungeon? " came the gruff voice from the dwarf.
" No need to worry about me, we're only going down till the 34-35 floor and even if I hate to say it, those Freya Familia members are strong. "
" The second line members from our Familia will also join this expedition. Many have recently levelled up so they need to get used to their abilities. " Finn once again turned towards Royman and continued.
" And Royman, about the supporters, why don't you just post a notice through the guild asking if any adventurers are interested in joining ?"
" Also, coming to the next important part, the funding and rewards of this expedition, do the familia's pay their separate shares or how is it calculated ? "
Finn spoke with a tense look on his face, the Loki Familia, simply put, was currently in a serious financial strain.
They had to rebuild the Twilight Manor after it was damaged in the Great Feud and had to re-equip their members because of the level-ups.
This was why Finn had been silent even when Royman had said that he had invited the Freya Familia without even asking them.
As normally, inviting the Freya Familia when the Loki Familia was already there was like not giving face to them.
Royman scrunched up his face as if he had eaten a sour lemon, and spoke in a low voice,
" As it is a joint expedition, the guild will fund the entire cost of it. Whatever the adventurers hunt in the dungeon, even drop items, they can sell it to the guild at full price, the guild will not charge even a penny. "
" And the guild will also provide antidotes to all Level 1 adventurers, who take part in the expedition, for the Large Tree Labyrinth in the dungeon. "
" A good idea, will post a notice and see if any adventurers want to join as supporters. "
Three small gasps sounded from the Loki Familia members, the guild was being so generous, no too much generous, it almost gave them goosebumps.
" Royman, what's the catch ? From when did the guild become so generous? Have you found any changes in the dungeon ? "
Finn with a raised eyebrow, asked Royman in front of him who had turned his head and was looking at a flower pot, which suddenly seemed interesting and so beautiful.
Royman felt like praising the flower pot, but gave a sigh and replied,
" Ahem, it's nothing, it's because this is a joint expedition and we, the guild, want to be careful. "
Seeing the elf evade the question not answering it, Finn did not continue and stood up.
" Then if that's all, we'll be leaving now, need to make purchases and get ready for the expedition. See you, Royman. "
Riveria and Gareth also said goodbye to the guild head and followed behind Finn.
" Braver, be careful, the monsters may be stronger. " Finn already at the door, did not turn back and just nodded.
...
" Ouranos, is it really necessary to make the expedition so big ? This seems almost too much just for the 35th floor. Even if monsters from the deep floors have entered through the hole blasted by Delphyne, they would not be that strong. "
In the prayer room below the guild, the God King Ouranos was sitting on the throne as always.
Standing in front of him, was a person wearing black robes that cover their face, making it impossible to tell their gender or any other features.
The black robed individual was questioning the God King about making such a fuss regarding a simple expedition into the dungeon.
" Fels, my divine intuition is telling me that this expedition may be a turning point that the adventurers of Orario require. It may either benefit the entire of Orario or create a far greater terror than the Great Feud. "
" Remember recently there was almost a great change in the trajectory of the world. Thanks to Zeus, we were able to change it. But this time it's not so clear, it may either be good or bad. "
" That is why, I asked Royman to try and include the Freya Familia and the Astraea Familia into this expedition. "
" I even asked him to fund the entire expedition and provide any help required, because this time I want to grasp this chance and turn this opportunity into a chance which can benefit the entire Lower world. "
" I can feel that the winds of change have started blowing, now it's a race against time. "
" Will that black dragon wake up once again before Orario can grow stronger or will Orario grow strong enough to defeat it before it wakes up. "
" I will not spare any chances this time, unlike with the Zeus and Hera Familia. I had left everything to their choices. "
" But this time, all or nothing. "
Ouranos was fired up, with a grim look on his face.
Hearing the God King's declaration, the black robbed person felt as if he could almost see the opportunity for Orario.
" Fine, Ouranos, if you are so sure that this must be a chance for Orario, then let me contact my friends in the dungeon and see if I can learn about any more details from them. "
Saying that, the black robes person, Fels, disappeared from his place leaving only the God King contemplating on his throne.
...
" -so the guild is funding this entire expedition Loki. "
Finn concluded.
In a reception room in the Twilight manor, Finn, Riveria and Gareth was sitting opposite to their familia head, Loki.
Loki, a goddess with light red hair and red eyes, was wearing a jeans and a shirt that showed off her stomach. Her hair tied back in a single pony tail.
The five members of the Loki Familia had returned from the guild, they were welcomed by the Goddess Loki herself.
Finn, Riveria and Gareth directly followed Loki into a reception room, while Raul and Anakitty were left in the main hall.
Finn had started recounting the discussion with the guild head, Riveria and Gareth adding some details from the sides.
' umu, umu, so the usual stingy guild is funding the entire expedition. And directly from the leader of the guild, that means Ouranos, and the recent use of his arcanum. '
' Combining all these are not giving me a good feeling about this expedition. But still, it's Finn, in that case there is not much for me to worry about.'
The red haired goddess though, then shaking her head she drowned a cup of alcohol which was on the reception table.
While Loki was organizing her thoughts, the three senior Loki Familia members were silently waiting for their goddess reply.
" Anyway don't worry too much Finn, just be careful this time in the dungeon, Freya's children are also going with you. It'll be easy. "
Loki encouraged Finn, and then turning to Riveria with a simple of her face said,
" Mama, Ais was asking for you, saying that now that the Riveria was not there, she wants to train again and go to the dungeon. I was barely able to hold her back. Please check on her once. "
Hearing Loki's words, Riveria face showed resignation at the goddess's addressing her and then anger after hearing about Ais wanting to go to the dungeon, and excused herself.
" Excuse me, I'll go check on check on Ais. " Saying so the jade haired elf turned on her feet and soon left the room.
Soon sounds of an angry elf's shouting was heard through the entire Twilight manor.
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A / N : I tried my best at creating a foreshadowing for the upcoming arc !!!
Another big chapter! Let me know your thoughts.