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

She left with a serene expression, like a young girl whose love had been rewarded.

The monster's roar echoed through the air.

The blood-splattered stone wall seemed to sneer at both the living and the dead.

Raul and the others trembled, glancing at the mockery of the powerful.

Only Ais noticed the young man's expression as he stopped mocking and looked down at the girl.

That happened four days ago.

Side Story: Sword Oratoria 8, Chapter 1: Lone Wolf

"This is the first time since Lefia and the others joined the group... someone has died in battle."

Riveria's heavy murmur echoed in the spacious room.

The location was in the leader's office. Besides her, Finn, the owner of the room, and Grace were also present.

Early in the morning, they gathered to prepare for the rapidly changing situation. There were many things to do, such as the burial of deceased companions.

Rivera, standing by the wall, uttered these words, and Finn and Grace listened with solemn expressions.

"This is our fault, Riveria. Not only was our group cut off, but we also failed to protect Linne and the others... I'm so sorry."

"How humiliating! This means we all underestimated our enemy."

"Don't be like that, Finn, Grace. I'm not blaming you, it's just... I can never get used to this kind of situation, I can never get used to losing my companions (familiars) whose faces and names I remember so vividly..."

Finn and Grace were filled with remorse for infiltrating the enemy's secret base and causing the death of their comrade; Riveria shook her head at them. Instead, her emerald eyes were fixed on the floor, looking somewhat melancholy.

The long, vertical grandfather clock's second hand played its notes, vibrating through the silent room.

Finn and the others closed their eyes as if offering a silent prayer, but only for a moment.

"I admit I failed. The question is: how do I redeem myself?"

Finn propped his elbows on the desk and said in a loud voice.

His tone was more forceful than usual. His narrowed blue eyes burned with a desire to fight again, beyond self-reproach and regret, even as if it were a vow made to repay his fallen comrades.

The time for mourning the dead has come to an end.

The organization's leadership could not afford to hesitate for even a second and began to verify the intelligence.

"It's too late to talk about this now, but I can't deny that somewhere deep down I underestimated the remnants of the old regime."

"According to Valeta, its official name is 'the artificial labyrinth (Knossos)'..."

"Another great labyrinth (underground city) exists beneath the city, right...? I also infiltrated a small part of it and know that the place absolutely cannot be left unattended."

Grace, Finn, and Riveria spoke in turn, bringing up the enemy's secret base as a topic of discussion.

Knossos, an artificial labyrinth.

This man-made labyrinth exists beneath the labyrinthine city of Daedalus, serving as a base of operations for remnants of the Dark Faction. Its size and depth are immeasurable. Finn estimates its width spans almost the entire labyrinth city (Oario), and its depth is at least equal to the "Middle Level." The sheer scale of this structure is so extraordinary that even Loki, a god, groaned upon hearing of it.

"Not only is the labyrinth complex and strange, but it also has doors made of the hardest metal (aluminum steel), cursed tools, monsters, and 'demi spirits'... and then there's Valetta, who is still alive."

"Six years ago, when I heard that her body had been found in the '27th Floor Nightmare,' I couldn't believe that she could have died so simply..."

Recalling the "Dark Ages" that Orario has endured for fifteen years and the battles against the evil apostles who disrupted the city's order, Grace and Riveria thought of the woman who could be called their nemesis.

Both of them frowned, and Grace continued:

"Regardless, the enemy's combat strength goes without saying, and those guys have an absolute advantage in terms of terrain. I don't think they'll provoke a fight outside the maze. No, there's no point in them doing so."

"Yes, if what Ais said is true, then there are already seven 'treasure pearl fetuses'... 'fairy essence clones' transported to the surface. Those people are now in a 'waiting' state; there's no need for them to take the initiative, they just need to wait for the time to come."

Riveria nodded in agreement with Grace and recalled what Ais had told her.

After getting separated from her companions in the man-made labyrinth (Knossos), Ais discovers a large flask in an abandoned room.

Ais said the contents of the bottle had been removed, but there were indeed remnants of "Fairy Essence" inside. It's conceivable that the "Precious Pearl Fetus" must be holding its breath somewhere in that labyrinth, preparing to transform into a "Fairy Essence Avatar" with astonishing power, just like the female-sized Power Bull that Grace and Tiona narrowly defeated.

"Destroy the labyrinth city".

That was the ultimate target revealed by the eccentrics and other underground forces, as well as the remnants of dark factions.

When all the "Fairy Clones" grow strong and powerful, it will be the defeat of Finn and the Loki Familia, and the end of Orario.

"In any case, we must come up with a solution as soon as possible to conquer the man-made labyrinth (Knossos)."

"Hmm, complaining won't help."

The first-tier adventurers had long since tasted pessimism, and their tone was devoid of gloom. The three, centered around Finn, exchanged constructive opinions.

After giving instructions to Grace and Riveria respectively, the leader of the dwarf race (Palum) raised a new topic, saying, "Now, let's get down to business."

"What happened to the Ishtar Familia, which was wiped out by the Freya Familia?

"What else can we do? We have no idea where to even begin. Although we have a general idea of ​​where the former members went..."

"After all, Ishtar herself, who was suspected of colluding with the remnants of the dark faction, has been sent back to the heavens, and the information we want about 'that' is likely in the hands of that goddess, but now..."

They were referring to the Ishtar Familia, which had been destroyed by the Freya Familia in a single night three days prior. The three of them had gathered early that morning, and it was only after that major event that they had finally managed to sort out the complex and conflicting information.

"To be honest, the reason why the Freya Familia chose this time to attack the Ishtar faction is unclear. For us, the timing couldn't be worse."

"I've heard a rumor that Ishtar touched the man of the goddess Freya?"

"What a foolish reason..."

For the past few days, Grace had been gathering intelligence. Rivera, after hearing the rumors he'd heard, made a headache gesture, rubbing her forehead. "Hmm—..." Finn didn't respond, focusing on his thoughts. Then, Rivera's headache subsided, and she spoke:

"Finn, there's another matter to report, but it has nothing to do with the artificial labyrinth (Knossos)..."

"Judging from your expression, it doesn't seem like good news. What is it?"

Riveria, a beautiful and elegant elven royal whose beauty even the gods envied, frowned slightly and, urged by Finn, told him: "Ais and the others... no, it's Bert's matter."

Upon hearing the name, Finn and Grace both became serious, as if they had sensed something.

"Now, among the group members, he—"

Just as Rivera was about to continue speaking...

Loud noises came from the direction of another tower and reached the office.

"...Looks like we're a step too late."

"This is really a headache."

As soon as Grace finished speaking, she walked towards the door, and Finn followed her with a wry smile and a sigh.

Rivera, as if suffering from a recurring headache, rubbed her forehead and quickly walked into the corridor.

★

"I can't believe it, Brother Bert!!"

Raul's loud voice echoed throughout the large dining room in the morning.

This is the "Twilight Mansion," the headquarters of the Loki Familia.

The mansion's large dining room, where the group members were gathered, was now in complete chaos.

This was all because of the outburst of dissatisfaction among the group members.

"Saying that Rine and the others died in vain... How could you say such a thing at a time like that!? To your fallen comrades (familia)... How could you say such a thing!!"

"Although I already knew that guy's personality... that time was really too much."

Raul, usually indecisive and always the peacemaker to avoid conflict, was now shouting, his face red and neck bulging. Standing beside him, the cadre candidate Anaquiti made no attempt to hide her disgust. As a cat-person who often acted alongside deceased girls, the way she was digging her nails into her arm clearly showed she was trying to control her temper.

The argument was about the man-made labyrinth (Knossos).

The criticism was directed at Bert, who remained arrogant and domineering even when his companions died.

The werewolf youth's long-standing arrogance and power-hungry nature are well-known within the Loki Familia, but his frequent disdain and insults towards adventurers have always instilled fear and resentment in his crew members. Now, after the decisive event of "the death of an insulting comrade," the crew members' emotions have finally erupted.

Faced with the relentless storm of condemnation, Lefia stood frozen by the door, terrified.

"What's wrong?"

"Miss Ais! It's...it's like this..."

Ais rushed over upon hearing the commotion, and Lefia quickly explained the situation to her. Ais understood the situation without even hearing the whole story, her gaze sweeping across the entire room.

Not only was Raul's face flushed, but tears were even welling up in his eyes. Every member of the group who had been in that stone chamber condemned Bert. The elf Alicia, the chienthrope Kos, and the human Navi, who were also in the Second Army like Raul and the others, did not speak out, but they all kept their lips tightly pursed.

Tiona and Tione, who were not present when Lina and the others died, may have heard the rumors. They stood against the wall with an expression so cold it sent chills down one's spine.

Ais had never seen the band members so passionate; even she was awestruck.

No one spoke up for Bert.

And this is a natural outcome.

Because his insults were truly excessive.

"...Lefia, what do you think?"

"I...I was scolded by Mr. Bert...no! I was encouraged by him, which is why I was able to help Miss Ais and you all..."

Lefia was referring to the incident at the 24th-floor food pantry. She recalled how she, Phil, and Bert, as a three-man cell, went to rescue Ais and the others.

"From that time on, I felt that Mr. Bert was not just a fierce person... But after hearing what Mr. Raul and the others said about that incident... I don't understand anymore."

However, lacking in assertiveness, the words quickly became as thin as a thread.

Ais could tell that her wavering feelings were leaning towards Tiona and the others.

His tone was tinged with genuine discouragement and disappointment.

"...Where is Miss Ais?"

"I……"

When asked by Lefia, who had her head bowed, Ais couldn't answer immediately.

What flashed through her mind was the young man's gaze before the dying girl. Ais's lips couldn't convey the scene and her emotions at the time to her [Familia], which frustrated and angered her the most, yet she was helpless to change it.

"Lene and the others...they all died so unjustly!"

Just as Ais was at a loss for words, Raul roared even louder.

The man covered in gray hair walked into the large restaurant with an air of nonchalance.

"What a load of nonsense this early in the morning."

It's Bert.

The moment he appeared, the grand restaurant fell silent.

All the group members' eyes were on him.

"Bert..."

Ais and Lefia stood speechless near the entrance when Bert stepped in front of them and entered the main dining room without hesitation. His attitude was as languid as ever, with one wolf ear unhappily stuck to his head.

Seeing him like this, the group members reacted in different ways. Some lost their momentum and became timid, some frowned, and some made no attempt to hide their almost hostile anger. The only thing they had in common was that everyone's accusations against Bert swept through the room.

Even when surrounded by enemies, Bert is still Bert.

"What are you yelling about? If you have something to say, say it to my face. You won't dare to do anything unless you bully others, huh?"

Upon hearing this, the group members were furious. Raul wanted to step forward and argue, but Bert only glanced at their reactions, too lazy to pay attention, and decided to sit down and eat.

Unexpectedly, a pair of beautiful brown legs blocked Bert's path.

"Miss Tiona, Miss Tione..."

Rafia trembled as the Amazon sisters blocked Bert's path in her line of sight.

Tiony narrowed her eyes in a chilling way, and Tiona put away her smile and stared at the young man.

"Is something the matter, Amazonian?"

"..."

Tiony remained silent, but Tiona spoke first:

"Hey Bert, don't you feel anything at all?"

"..."

"Lene and the others are dead? We'll never see them again?"