Emiya Shirou doesn't want to work overtime

Under the blinding light, Bert and Ais's figures appeared in the air.

In the critical moment, Bert unleashed unprecedented speed, grabbing Ais's collar in an instant and dodging the barrage of crimson laser beams.

Ais remained incredibly calm; even in this life-threatening situation, she did not choose to unleash her [Ariel] to dodge.

Instead, they placed their utmost trust in Bert.

"laugh!"

With a faint whooshing sound, Ais's figure swept through the sky and appeared above Balor's back.

In his hand, a greatsword with a steel-like luster, a silver blade, and a blue gemstone inlaid at the tip of the hilt emitted a dazzling twilight-colored sword aura, illuminating the entire 50th floor.

A crimson light also shone from above Balor's head at that moment, and it was likely that the light would hit Ais, who had no way to dodge in the air, before Ais could release her Noble Phantasm.

"I won't let you succeed—!"

As the light flickered, Finn's voice rang out.

"【Tir na Nog】!!!"

In that instant, Finn's spear trembled violently, and the magic power in his body began to flow, surging towards the crimson spear in his hand.

A surge of magical power erupted from the spear in his hand, creating waves of air that shook the space and disrupted the atmosphere.

In an instant, the spear in his hand transformed into a bolt of lightning, piercing through space like a randomly flashing bolt of electricity, and shot towards Barol's head.

Even the sound couldn't keep up with the speed of the spear Finn threw.

The sonic boom only began after the spear struck Barol's head.

If it were just an ordinary floor master of the 49th floor, it would probably lose its life directly under this attack.

"Roar--!"

The intense pain caused its emitted laser to deflect, grazing Ais's cheek as it shot away.

The head nearly exploded under the attack.

But his tenacious will to live allowed him to survive with great difficulty.

However, at this moment, the word of liberation was chanted from above Barol's head.

Although it was not a dragon, the power that the sword itself could generate was enough to finish off Barol, who was in a heavily injured state at the moment.

"The evil dragon will eventually fall"

"The light and shadow that cuts off everything"

"The world has now reached sunset"

"I'll shoot you down—Fantasy Greatsword: Devil's Fall!!"

With Ais's release, the true name of the greatsword, which radiated a dazzling twilight-colored sword aura, suddenly expanded to its peak.

"choke!"

Immediately, amidst the resounding sword cries that echoed through the space, the surging twilight-colored sword energy, with a single swing from Ais, transformed into a descending semi-circle, like a falling crescent moon, and landed heavily on Balor's back.

Chapter 501 The One Who Has Not Returned

Night will eventually pass.

The sky gradually began to brighten.

The sun had not yet risen in the east, but a veil of light had already descended on the distant horizon, telling people that dawn had arrived.

The birds’ calls echoed clearly and loudly throughout Orario.

The dewdrops on the leaves, along with the light from the horizon, slowly fell to the ground.

A faint, refreshing chill, only present in the morning, permeated the air, enveloping the perfectly round Orario.

The scattered residents also took advantage of the good weather to get busy.

Everything seemed so well-organized, and everyone had their own tasks to complete, contributing their share to the entire Orario community.

"I'm back—!"

In the central square bustling with adventurers, before the Tower of Babel, Finn, with an expression of utter exhaustion, looked at the rising sun and spoke slowly.

The expedition has finally come to an end at this moment.

I've cleared floor 59.

They broke through a group of enhanced monsters that were dozens of times larger and far stronger than before.

They defeated the floor master, who was a strengthened species.

Along the way, they experienced trials they had never imagined.

Finally, the entire expedition returned to Orario, a place that allowed them to finally relax.

Those following Finn, bathed in the golden light, raised their hands and cheered towards the blue sky, their faces beaming with joy.

This is an unimaginable honor. Today, the news that the Loki Familia expedition team has conquered the 59th floor will spread throughout Orario.

However, in contrast, Finn, Tiona, and the others wore expressions filled with exhaustion and sorrow.

Before returning to Orario, the expedition rested for half a day on the 18th floor, and did not set off back to Orario until the morning.

If we count from the day they set out on their expedition, Finn and his men returned to Orario on the morning of the third day.

The injuries on everyone's bodies were initially treated on the 18th floor.

However, the mental exhaustion and emotional turmoil could not be recovered in such a short time.

As the entire expedition team emerged from the dungeon.

In the central square where adventurers came and went, almost everyone turned their attention to this place.

"How long has it been, and the Loki Familia has already returned?"

"This expedition ended a little too quickly, didn't it?"

"Did you encounter some difficulties? You're back so soon. I heard Commander Finn's boastful words just the morning before yesterday!"

Listening to the conversations of the adventurers around him, Finn's expression turned somber.

Bert lowered his head, his ears drooping down in utter dejection.

Tiona and Ais also looked sad.

They cannot accept this honor, nor will they endorse it.

They didn't expend a single bit of effort to conquer the 59th floor.

Emiya Shirou single-handedly stopped the attack from the monster on the 58th floor.

This gave the expedition team enough time to leave that dangerous area and the dungeon.

If it weren't for Shirou Emiya, with pursuers in front and a house to retreat from, they would have been doomed.

"Rivia, you take them back to the Familia. I'll go to the guild first to explain the situation. This honor should belong to Shirou Emiya!"

Finn ignored the words of the adventurers around him and turned to speak to Riveria, who was also very tired beside him.

Everything they encounter must be reported to the guild immediately. If such a situation were to occur again, the consequences for adventurers exploring the dungeon would be unimaginable.

"I understand, Commander. Don't put too much pressure on yourself. This is all beyond our control. Even if we encounter a similar situation again, we might not be able to escape this way."

Riveria nodded and comforted Finn, explaining that she wasn't unafraid of Shirou Emiya's sacrifice in covering their retreat.

On the contrary, she felt the same way Finn did, feeling incredibly heartbroken for this partner she had only spent three days with.

However, this was not Finn's responsibility. In fact, it was already quite an achievement to bring everyone else to Orario unharmed under those circumstances.

"I know that accidents can happen at any moment in the dungeon, but as adventurers, we must bear the consequences of the death of our companions—"

Finn answered Riveria with a faint, reassuring smile. He understood, he understood perfectly. As the leader, he understood exactly what the dungeon was all about.

He wouldn't naively believe that the dungeon is a harmless place that provides magic crystals and materials specifically for adventurers.

Every day, countless adventurers die in the dungeons.

Long before Finn decided to become an adventurer, he was already prepared to lose his life and his companions.

But how many people can calmly accept the death of their companion?

He couldn't do it.

"I will return later and report the details of the expedition to Loki, and then—"

As Finn explained this, his gaze unconsciously drifted into the distance.

"I will personally inform those whom Emiya Shirou knows about these matters!"

At this moment, Finn remembered that Shirou Emiya did not have his own god, and he still lived in a tavern. Even when exploring dungeons, he rarely teamed up with others.

However, this loner single-handedly improved the security of the entire Orario.

He single-handedly rescued the expedition team from dire straits.

"Commander, let's go together!"

At this moment, Tiona also rallied her spirits. Shirou Emiya had saved the entire expedition team, and no matter what, Finn should not be left to bear all of this alone.

"I see!"

Finn nodded, not rejecting their offer, after all, they were a team, weren't they?

Finn then glanced at the cheering adventurers and walked toward the guild without saying a word.

He wouldn't blame the adventurers who were celebrating; Shirou Emiya was practically a stranger to them, having no connection to them.

Moreover, dying in a dungeon is a common occurrence for adventurers.

Only things that happen to you personally can cause you deep pain.

"Commander Finn, hello, what service do you need?"

With a smile on her face, Eina asked Finn, who had come to the window.

Through the passionate accounts of those adventurers, a considerable number of people in Orario now know that they have surpassed the floor they reached years ago, setting a new record in Orario.