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

Haruhime answered Hestia's question to Lily.

Although she was the weakest among Bell and the others, she was a former member of a major faction (the Ishtar Familia) and the only one who had participated in the "Expedition," so her opinions were valuable. Even though she was not aware of many things because she was not a combatant, her opinions were still sufficient for reference.

"And then there's... the idea of ​​relying on one's own faction for the 'expedition,' which I don't quite understand. Whether I go with other squads or gather squads from other factions, won't the result be the same? Are there any conditions or anything like that?"

"Uh...it seems that more than half of the members of the [Familia] need to participate to meet the requirements."

"Since the official classification is D rank or higher, as a [Family], one must produce results that conform to this, is that correct?"

In response to Welf's questions, Hestia, having reviewed the "Mandatory Mission" instructions, offered her own insights to supplement the discussion.

To give an extreme example, if the [Sword Maiden] accompanied the [Hestia Familia], they could likely complete the "Expedition" with ease. From the guild's perspective, they also hope that each [Family] can effectively earn [Expedition Points] on the destination floor of the expedition, strengthening the entire faction. This is to improve the efficiency of dungeon exploration.

However, on the other hand, unless they are from a very close "familia", other factions would never send outstanding talents over.

The possibility of adventurers dying at their expedition sites further reduces this likelihood.

"Lily, after some thought, considering the future, 'mandatory missions' are unavoidable. If we're going on an 'expedition'... Lily believes that having Lord Bell, Lord Welf, Lord Fate, and Lady Haruhime serve as sorcerers (supporters) in emergency situations, and then hiring high-ranking adventurers from other factions, would be the safest and most secure team composition..."

Faction strategist (brain trust) Lily proposed the most suitable strategy.

Towards the end of her speech, she had to painstakingly suppress her emotions.

Lily's decision to exclude herself from the squad wasn't self-destructive. It was based on a calm and objective assessment of the role of a Level 1 support professional.

Ultimately, the "mandatory mission" of this "expedition" began with Bell's upgrade.

In other words, "guild" means this:

Adventurer Bell Craney has acquired both "qualifications" and "obligations".

You must select qualified companions and work together to take on an "adventure" that takes you to the next level.

For a moment, the living room fell silent. Faced with this major exploration activity for the [Family], no one could make a hasty decision.

After closing her eyes for a moment, the goddess Hestia turned her gaze toward the boy.

As if guided by her, Welf and the others also turned their gazes to Bell, who was the leader of the group.

"Bell, you haven't said anything. What do you plan to do?"

"I……"

Urged on by Hestia, Bell, who had been quietly listening to Lily and the others' conversation, spoke up:

"For Winnie and the others... and for myself, I hope to become stronger than I am now."

At this point, he paused, "—However,"

Bell looked around at everyone's faces.

"If possible... I hope we can become stronger together."

Lily's eyes widened.

Fate is fate, and so is Chun Ji.

Only Welf, who was of the same sex, smiled knowingly.

"I want to move forward together with all my fellow [Familia] members."

His deep red eyes and those words were filled with unwavering determination.

There was no ambiguity or vagueness, only clear and distinct intentions.

However, Bell quickly regained his composure, a look of remorse appearing on his face.

"Uh... I'm sorry, I'm asking you to do something so unreasonable."

"I told you there was no need to apologize. I'm so glad to hear that... You all think so too, right?"

"...Yes! Lily is very happy!"

"Yes, yes!"

"That's right. If you can't share the good times and the bad, then there's no point in calling yourselves companions (family members)."

Lily smiled with joy, Chunji nodded repeatedly, and the woman pressed her hand to her chest, deeply moved.

Hestia smiled broadly, nodded, and said, "Okay." She then stood up abruptly.

"Let's seek cooperation with Mihe or Ajian! Let's form a faction alliance for the 'Expedition'!"

"Yes! Please have Sakura-sama or Chigusa-sama come along too!"

"Stop being so stingy with the 21st floor, just go straight to the 'lower floor'."

"Wait a minute, Lord Welf! Please don't say such smug things; you're underestimating your opponent!!"

"Haruhime will also try her best... to help as much as she can!"

"Hahaha..."

Hestia and Mikoto, Welf and Lily, and Haruhime alone mustered their energy. The living room instantly became noisy, with Bell's wry laughter joining in.

Everyone was heading in the same direction. Seeing a new goal emerge, the faction's overall enthusiasm gradually increased.

On this very day, the Hestia Familia has decided to embark on an "expedition".

*

The following day, Bell and his crew immediately set off to prepare for the "expedition".

Gathering sufficient supplies and items goes without saying, but they also need to share information with the Mih Familia or the Takemikazuchi Familia, requesting assistance from each other between closely allied factions. Members like Naza and Sakura, including the main god, readily agreed. Only the Hephaestus Familia, adhering to their blacksmithing duties, decided to observe Bell and his companions' "expedition" from the sidelines.

The group that launched the activity was a "factional alliance" consisting of Hestia, Mih, and Takemikazuchi.

The expedition will depart in ten days.

Before that, the adventurers each took care of their own tasks.

"So, who in the Mich Familia is willing to participate...?"

"Yeah, it's just me and Cassandra. The captain (Nazha) seems to have some psychological trauma related to monsters, so let's not force her."

"Please, please guide me..."

Lily met face-to-face with Daphne Lalos and Cassandra Illion of the Mih Familia to confirm the team members who would be participating in the "Expedition".

The "Heartfire Hall" reception room where Lily and her friends were staying suddenly resembled a war room. Several tables were covered with countless parchments, each listing current information about the dungeon—the presence or absence of the floor master, the location of any irregularities, and so on. The maps of each floor, purchased from the guild, were marked with red ink along the routes or at designated rest points.

Lily, who serves as an advisor, is here to meet with members of other factions and to consolidate all the intelligence regarding the "Expedition".

"Lady Daphne, what are your positions?"

"Recently, we've been doing explorations in pairs, but I used to be the center-back and Cassandra the defender. Everyone used to treat me like a handyman, while this girl is a healer, which I think will be quite useful."

"Daphne actually praised me...!"

"What's there to be ashamed of?"

Lily ignored Cassandra and the others' charade, licked her lips, and began writing furiously on the parchment with a quill.

The paper outlined the squad's formation and arrangement, and now guerrillas and healers have been added.

As Daphne found the names Sakura and Welf in the avant-garde, she casually asked:

"By the way, how big will the expedition team be? It seems like there are already quite a few people."

"The entire Hestia Familia is participating, and the Takemikazuchi Familia has Sakura-sama and Chigusa-sama. Then there's Daphne-sama and Cassandra-sama... and then Aisha-sama."

"You mean Aisha... Aisha Belleka? That battle whore (barbela)?"

"Li, [Antianeira]...!"

Upon hearing the name of the heroine from the former major faction (Ishtar Familia), Cassandra uttered her nickname and shuddered. Daphne exclaimed, "That powerful?" Her eyes widened.

"Yes... I don't know where she heard it from, but she suddenly came to Lily's headquarters..."

Lily arched her eyebrows into an indescribable shape as she recalled what had happened just two days prior.

Aisha ran over and said, "I heard you're going on an 'expedition,' take me with you!" The faction alliance had only been established for a short time then. Like Haruhime, [Lijie] had extensive "expedition" experience and could be considered a top-tier fighter. Bell and the others were extremely grateful and agreed.

"In contrast, everyone feels that since we have such great combat power, we should change our target to the 'lower levels'... That's the only thing that bothers Lily. Well, if we're going to launch an 'expedition' with this group of members, then that's the proper way to do it..."

They were all hot-blooded Lv.4 female warriors (Amazons) who tricked everyone by saying, "We'll conquer the middle area in no time!" Lily sighed deeply.

"Oh, right," Daphne murmured, then frowned.

"A joint expedition... But is that a good idea? Won't there be problems when we act together?"

"What do you mean?"

"I've done it with Apollo before, but going on 'expeditions' with other [families] never ends well. Because whether it's our own people or the enemy, they all act according to their own convenience."

Daphne, who used to belong to the Apollo Familia, spoke about what happened at that time.

Like Lily and the others, their faction level had risen to D, so they launched a joint "expedition".

"Actually, just by looking at the appearance of the main god of a faction (familia), you can tell what kind of people they are. I can almost guarantee that it's all the same kind of people as the main god who become familias. As the saying goes, like begets like. It was really tough back then..."

In short, the gods who always have a sinister smile, and the members of their [Family] are no good either.

Lily inexplicably agreed with Daphne's statement, yet tilted her head slightly, not understanding what she was trying to say.

"Everyone knows each other on this 'expedition,' so I don't think there will be any internal strife. But no matter what, seamless cooperation is very important, especially when going to floors that are the same level or higher than your own."

"!"

"Because the so-called 'working together to overcome difficulties' really depends entirely on how we cooperate."

Upon hearing Daphne point out the key points, Lily realized the parts she had overlooked.

It's about how to cooperate with other [Familia] to fight. Even if many experts gather together, how effective can a hastily arranged formation be in a dungeon? She's being too naive about that.

"And what about you? What are you planning to do? Aren't you a professional (just) supporter? And you're only Level 1. You'll either die or become a burden."

“!…”

"Daphne!"

It was a truly cold and ruthless declaration. Cassandra tried to dissuade her, but Daphne hadn't said anything wrong.

Just as Lily clenched her fist... Daphne looked at her and changed her tone.

"If you still insist on coming... maybe you should just be shameless."

"what?"

"Let me just tell you all: I'm not participating in the fight at all. Instead, you'll have to treat the other team members like your hands and feet."

Lily's chestnut eyes opened wide.

"So you're what they call a commander, right? Before, everyone would dump a bunch of things on me, and I had no choice but to do them."

She drew her weapon—a short sword resembling a conductor's baton—from the sword belt at her waist.

Whoosh! The human girl deftly swung it away and shrugged.

"Standing at the back to see everything clearly is also quite important."

"...!"

"It won't be like previous wars, but communication between superiors and subordinates can still help the troops. Besides, everyone says that the rearguard can determine whether an adventurer can perform at their best. And isn't it said that the famous Finn Deem also climbed up the ranks using this ability?"

At that moment, Lily felt that she saw some kind of image in her mind.

I saw the figure of the [Braver] commanding elite adventurers in the dungeon.

I saw my own reflection overlap with it.

She felt as if she had grasped her present self and could set her sights on the future (prospects).

"However, that little human hero is also ridiculously strong in terms of bravery."

"..."

"So, what do you say? Do you want me to teach you how to command?"

Cassandra, who had been completely left out, lingered between the two of them for a few weeks.

Under Daphne's gaze, Lily snapped out of her daze and cried out:

"Please!"

"drink!!"

The powerful shouts resounded through the blue sky.