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

Just then, Chun asked a question.

"Finn, where did the Hermes Familia go?"

"...They have 'other important matters' to attend to, and they absolutely must be resolved...no, they absolutely must be confirmed."

After Finn gave his answer, no one present asked any further questions.

Because everyone is very clear that the true face of the "mastermind" must be exposed no matter what.

At the end of the meeting, Fells mentioned the "final deadline" for the operation.

"I have confirmed the enemy's spell. Although the spell will differ from the original version due to the fairy spirit being transformed into a monster..."

Fels has interpreted the "chanting" that most people are completely unaware of, and which continues to quietly emanate from underground until now, and has announced his conclusions.

"The final deadline—it's tonight."

Everyone present had a solemn expression.

"...It's too late to evacuate the citizens, and suddenly evacuating them to the outskirts of the city will only cause chaos."

"After all, the repatriation beams appeared twice in a row, causing panic among the people in the city."

"We currently lack the manpower to maintain order and guide the public. Rather than causing panic, it's better to pretend 'nothing happened.'"

Finn and Fells looked at Shakti and Chun, who had made the suggestion.

The half-dwarf blacksmith quietly narrowed his eyes.

"Does this mean the matter will simply end without anyone knowing?"

"That's right."

"If we fail, innocent civilians will die, [group leader's] family?"

"As Finn said before, if we mess this up, the 'Great Hole' will be resurrected, which means the entire Netherworld will be in crisis. This means that if we lose this battle, all survivors will be slaughtered."

Faced with Tsubaki's accusations, Shakti calmly analyzed the situation.

She was willing to sacrifice her own original mission to prioritize participating in the "second wave of the offensive," and it's not hard to hear the will behind her words. This is the unique determination of someone who has overcome their inner struggles and is ready to make a decision.

The only thing to do is win.

If we lose, we will lose everything.

Then we should focus on maximizing the win rate, and disregard all other issues.

"Since the military police chief has made this judgment... I am willing to respect her opinion."

Finn, who had been silent all along, finally spoke.

"Actually, she's absolutely right. What we can do now is minimize the unstable factors and concentrate our forces to annihilate the enemy forces lurking in the underground demon city. If we hand over victory to others, not only Orario, but the world will face a tragic future... and it's probably the ending that 'Enior' desires."

Shakti, Chun, and Fells listened carefully to every word Finn said, imprinting it in their hearts.

Feeling the gazes fixed on him, Finn chuckled and said:

"Saving this city without anyone knowing is just right for us adventurers."

Upon hearing this, smiles appeared on everyone's faces.

No one present disagreed with Finn's statement.

"...Shakti, you're in charge from now on. I'll be leaving for a bit."

"Finn, where do you think you're going?"

Finn, who had turned his back to Shakti and the others, suddenly walked towards the door.

When someone called out to him, the little warrior looked up.

He looked up at the high ceiling in the hall, supported by several round pillars.

To be precise, it's the other end of the ceiling, the endless sky higher than the skyscrapers that reach the clouds.

"I have to do something important that could influence the course of the operation."

*

"[The Hero] They seem to have already devised a battle plan."

Hermes led Asif through the alleys of Orario.

"So, tonight you'll lead the entire army in a general offensive?"

"Yes."

"After all, this is the only way. If we can't kill the immortal spirit within the time limit, it's all over."

The dimly lit alley was deserted.

After listening to Asif's report, Hermes smiled.

Despite being on the eve of a decisive battle that would determine fate, their own god was still able to laugh and joke. Asphie glanced briefly at Hermes' profile and continued her report:

"Furthermore... we have discovered the secret base of the Demeter Familia."

This news made Hermes squint.

"In the Bio Mountains, directly north of Orario, there is an inconspicuous building on the mountainside."

"I heard that Demeter built 'granaries' to store food in case of famine, and I think that refers to that building."

The Demeter Familia, including the chief deity, has many members whose whereabouts are unknown.

Asifi believed that the giant granary could not only provide a place for the group members to hide, but also allow them to "defend" inside.

Therefore, there may be armed enemies waiting there.

"Asphie".

"What's up?"

"Do you think the goddess of abundance, who is terrifying when she gets angry, would hide deep within the labyrinth near the underworld, or remain on the surface where she can witness the end of the world?"

"...I can't answer that, but I can only send people from both sides to search deep inside."

I don't know if they were asking a question they already knew the answer to, or if they genuinely wanted to get someone's opinion.

Faced with the frivolous attitude of the main god, Asphie slowly shared her insights.

The handsome man, who deliberately pulled his hat down low, replied, "That makes sense," chuckled, and continued:

"I will also go to the secret base. Tell the members not to make any rash moves until further instructions are given."

“…As you command.”

Asphie noticed that the voice of the Supreme God was somewhat low.

However, as a member of the family, she didn't say much about it.

"Is that all the report has to say? Then it's my turn to speak. I'll need your help with some 'errands' from now on."

"...If you have any further instructions, I am confident that I will die from overwork before long."

"If we lose this battle, we'll all be dead sooner or later, so please bear with us a little."

Asifi covered her dark circles with her silver glasses and sighed heavily.

When Hermes heard his commander complaining about being overwhelmed with important matters, he shut him down with an unserious remark.

Then he stopped and reached out to touch the head of the person in front of him.

At the same time, he revealed a gentle smile that was rarely seen on his usual face.

After pausing for a few seconds, Asifi slapped the hand away with a look of disgust.

Please deliver this letter to the designated address.

"This is……?"

"In order to maximize our chances of winning, this is also part of the 'preparation' process."

Looking at the several parchment scrolls in front of her, Asifi looked puzzled.

But she didn't delve into it or intend to verify the contents of the letter; she simply obeyed the command of God with a resolute expression.

"Furthermore, order all city gates to be opened."

"Open the city gates...? Why is that? The Ganesha Familia believes there's no time to evacuate the people, and if they're forced to seek refuge..."

"This is for future planning. It's assuming things go smoothly for you, Asphie."

Facing the ever-calm and enigmatic God, Asphie sighed again and put on the black helmet she had taken from her bosom.

This is the magical item "Hades Helmet," which allows the user to become "invisible" and disappear from sight.

"Good luck."

This was the only sentence Asphie left behind before she departed.

But this is enough.

Hermes smiled slightly and strode quickly through several narrow alleys.

To reach the destination by taking a shortcut.

"Then, I will also try to prolong 'hope'."

The door of this mansion is painted with an emblem of "orb of light and herbs"—

*

"Hi~ Amity sister."

When that god came to visit Amid, the [Family] was in a state of chaos and war.

"What brings you here, Hermes? As you can see, we are currently extremely busy."

"Are you also going to participate in the operation to attack the artificial maze?"

"Of course. I can't abandon my post after the last attack. This time I will do my best to support all the Familias and take good care of the Loki Familia and its members."

This is not the clinic of the [Deankaite Familia], but the mansion where their headquarters are located.

Amide has many band members busy with various tasks, and they are already overwhelmed just preparing props and wands as backup equipment.

The Deankat Familia has decided to send out all of its healers.

In order to allow the attacking force of the artificial maze to focus on defeating the "Fairy Spirit", they took on all tasks related to restoration or resupply.

Although the chief god Dean Cate kept shouting from behind, "Leave the trouble to Loki and the others! Everyone, get ready to run for your lives!", he was completely ignored.

In truth, he was caring for his kin in his own way, but if the "second wave of offensive" failed to achieve victory, Orario... no, this world would have no future.

"I will do my best."

The massacre of the Dionysian Clan caused Amid considerable psychological trauma.

To prevent further casualties, she, driven by a therapist's sense of mission, agreed to participate in this final battle.

Therefore, she had no reason not to do her utmost to assist Finn and the others.

"How can I help you? Please keep it brief if possible."

Seeing that Amed was no longer concerned about his own attitude, Hermes shrugged.

So I followed her request and got straight to the point.

"Have you taken care of 'that request' of mine?"

"Hmm...? Thanks to the materials provided by the god Hermes, I have created a fairly complete magical artifact..."

Amid initially looked completely bewildered.

Because the task Hermes assigned was a "commission" that he had just completed not long ago.

"If you ask about the result, I believe I have done my best."

"Since the [Battlefield Saintess] dares to make such a guarantee, then we can rest assured."

Hermes nodded in satisfaction, but the next second he lowered his voice and asked again.

"So—how did it go?"

Amed couldn't help but pause for a moment.

"...Everything went smoothly, so what?"