Is it wrong to try to meet someone in a dungeon?

After hearing Loki and Soma's reasons, Hermes murmured to himself, momentarily lost in thought.

He covered his mouth with his hand, squinted his eyes, and pondered.

It was as if they were piecing together missing puzzle pieces, trying to piece together the whole story.

“…I understand.”

After a while, Hermes looked up and gave his reply.

"I also agree with Loki's opinion. To be honest, it was your discovery of this divine wine that forced me to change my mind."

This is the clue to finding the "mastermind".

What he saw before him was the "key" to explaining why his idol had repeatedly acted suspiciously, so Hermes immediately changed his mind and displayed his quick thinking.

"So, what do you want me to do? You didn't come all this way just to share your reasoning, did you?"

"We hope you can help us 'search the house.' After all, whether our guess is correct always needs some corroboration."

"That's right."

Hermes shrugged and walked away before Loki could finish speaking.

"I'll try to find the 'answer' you're looking for."

As soon as Hermes stepped out of the room, he gave instructions to the servants who were waiting outside.

Loki, who was in the room with Soma, watched Hermes leave and then looked down at his hands.

He was holding a bottle of red wine in his hand.

*

"Search thoroughly! Just blame any related questions on the guild and God Hermes!"

Asifi issued orders in a firm and assertive manner.

The scene resembled a "surprise inspection," with sounds of rummaging through drawers and cabinets constantly coming from all directions.

Asif and others conducted a "search" on a certain building—or more accurately, a "suppression."

"No, Asphie! The place is completely deserted!"

There's nobody here!

“Hmm…!”

Upon hearing the reports from the tiger-man Farga and the dog-man Luluni, Asphie bit her lower lip in anger.

The building, searched in search of "physical evidence," was a scene of utter chaos, resembling a robbery. Items from cupboards had been ransacked, parchment lay scattered on the floor, and various antique collections were smashed.

Even so, Asfi and his team did not achieve any further gains.

The other party seemed to have anticipated this situation.

It was as if the Hermes Familia was being mocked for losing the initiative.

After listening to the group members' reports, Asifi went up the stairs to the only place that hadn't been checked yet, the basement.

Accompanied by Falgar and others, the basement door was pushed open.

“Hmm…!”

"This is...the smell of blood?"

Listening to Luluni and Falga's moans, Asphie stared intently at the scene before her.

There was nothing unusual about this basement where fruits and vegetables were stored.

But as Luluni said, the only exception was the strong smell of blood and "that".

Deep inside this dimly lit room.

On the wall was an ominous passage written in blood.

This passage, which seems to mock or provoke people and resembles an evil inscription, is as follows:

"Extinction, Orario. I will open the path to the underworld."

Faced with this sacred text that could be seen as a challenge or a criminal declaration, Asifi, the only one present who could understand its contents, clenched her fists.

And he angrily revealed the name of the faction that owned the building.

"【Demeter Familia】...!"

Gaiden: Sword Oratoria 12 Chapter 2: The Prelude to Darkness

That god has been waiting.

Waiting for the moment when I can take off my mask and burst into laughter.

Waiting for the moment when the "evil" residing within the body is released.

This ignorant city was so peaceful it was nauseating, making one want to spit in the faces of the lower realm inhabitants and gods around them.

I feel only irritation and murderous intent towards this world where people seem to take their comfortable lives for granted.

But to avoid revealing his true intentions, he would usually put on an elegant smile befitting a god and approach those who were merely "trash" in his eyes.

Some people say he is a benevolent god—which is simply laughable.

Some people say they want his love—but once you know my true nature, will you still be able to say the same thing?

Some say they want to form a contract and become his kin—then you'll be used by me until you die.

The god who always wears a fake smile always sees only gray scenery.

To him, the scene before him was utterly ugly.

He believes that this kind of thing is "not worth loving".

He felt that this kind of thing "could not satisfy him".

He thought this was "completely wrong".

That's why the decision was made to open the Underworld.

Open the gate to the underground and let the monsters come to the surface.

And this is also the wish of "Dungeon".

Thus he became the spokesperson for the labyrinth, pursuing the things brought about by the chaotic era.

That's right.

That god has been waiting.

Waiting for the right moment to throw the dice.

Waiting for the moment when I have no choice but to turn back.

Although a group of people finally emerged who were determined to expose the dark side of his heart, it was too late.

It's a shame he already gave a "hint".

He was glad that, out of a sense of fairness, he gave the other party the opportunity to stop the "plan".

Ironically, he had been enjoying this operation to hunt down the criminal god.

He hid deep within the cracks of drunkenness and madness, constantly observing and mocking his opponents.

"Ernie" could no longer hold back and burst into laughter.

*

"This is outrageous!"

Fels shouted excitedly.

The four torches crackled and burned. The magician's words echoed in the dim space, which was lit only by pure flames, not by magic stone lamps.

This is the underground altar located in the "Guild Headquarters".

It is also the "prayer room" where the old god Uranus resides.

"You're talking about the [Demeter Familia]... You're saying the goddess Demeter is a city destroyer!?"

Fells wanted to deny one of the reports.

The Hermes Familia went to investigate the headquarters of the Demeter Familia.

However, recent information indicated that not only was the goddess nowhere to be found, but even her entire retinue had vanished, with only an ominous message discovered in the basement.

"The goddess Demeter, like the gods, is a benevolent deity who has consistently supported the development of the labyrinth city! She could never be 'Enior'!"

The magician in black was almost flustered, implying that this situation was simply impossible.

The Demeter Familia is indispensable to the labyrinth city. This faction primarily engages in agriculture, producing everything from grains and fresh produce to many agricultural products exported from Orario. The Demeter Familia, with its large-scale agriculture outside the city, practically single-handedly supports Orario's food supply, even surpassing the Nyod Familia in its contribution to seafood production.

If we include those non-combatants who did not receive the favor and worked on farms outside the city, their numbers even exceed those of the largest [Ganesha Familia].

Because this "familia" specializes in production and commerce, it is hardly a fighting force.

However, their faction level still reached C.

If the Demeter Familia were to collapse, it would trigger a famine, which the citizens would even describe as the arrival of a "perpetual winter."

"Doesn't she even consider how much she contributed to the order and peace of Orario!"

After Fels, dressed in black, finished his angry rebuke, Uranus, seated on the altar throne, slowly spoke:

"However, it is an indisputable fact that clues related to 'Ernio' were left in Demeter's headquarters."

“──!”

"Moreover, Demeter is one of the gods who can freely enter and leave the city."

Faced with Uranus's truthful account, Fels, who had covered his face with his hood, was rendered speechless.

According to guild rules, anyone wishing to travel outside the city must first complete a rather cumbersome application process. However, given the scale of Demeter's agriculture and the fact that she has a base outside the city, the guild has made an exception for her, allowing her to skip the application process.

The ability to freely enter and leave the city is crucial to this series of events. This is because the dark factions and underground forces need to frequently travel in and out of Orario to raise funds for building the artificial labyrinth, buying and selling "Heretics," and sending carnivorous plants to the port city, among other things. If the mastermind is two-faced and feigns innocence while leaving the city to plot evil, they can easily achieve their goals.

Aside from Demeter, the only other gods with such privileges are Ganesha, who also serves as a member of the military police, and Hermes's "familia" (family). Of course, there's no need to elaborate now, as these two gods are no longer on the list of candidates to offend the gods.

"The reason Demeter was chosen as a target of the search is because she met all the criteria for offending the gods."

Furthermore, Demeter chose this crucial moment to disappear along with her [Family].

To say that she was unrelated to the incident is a gross oversimplification.

Moreover, considering her relationship with Dionysus, the goddess Demeter is highly suspicious.

Only the Demeter Clan, who controls the city's food supply, has the ability to gather the special "grapes" needed to make "divine wine," and secretly uses "divine wine" to bribe Dionysus.

Demeter only needs to put on an innocent smile and pour wine into a glass to get her crush drunk.

With a little more persuasion, you can turn the other party into your "puppet".

"...And how do you yourself view this matter, Uranus?"

The dim altar, illuminated by torches, projected various imagined scenes.

Having run out of counterarguments, Fels squeezed out the words as if in deep pain.

“…………”

Faced with the magician who longed for divine guidance, Uranus closed his eyes, letting time pass in silence.

Only the sound of flames dancing remained inside the altar.

"if……"

After a moment, the old man opened his lips with a serious expression.

"If everything goes as I expect... we must find Demeter's whereabouts as soon as possible."

"..."

"We have to find her before it's too late."

What came out of his mouth was an unwavering divine will.

Uranus clearly demonstrated his will to the goddess from his own land.

"...I understand, Uranus, I will obey your will. After all, this is why I am standing here."

Fels did not press the old god for his answer.