The Cloud-Raised Brave Man's Travels

"Manager, this is our first time here. Please serve us your signature dishes. I don't eat much. Thank you."

"Well, you are much more polite than the pretty boy next to you. Kitchen, two orders of our signature spaghetti bolognese, one small and one large, and two glasses of beer—"

Soon, two servings of pasta were placed in front of Koya and the others. The golden noodles were covered with meat sauce. The rich aroma whetted Koya and Hatsune's appetites. Two glasses of bubbling barley drinks were also served. The refreshing wine just neutralized the greasiness brought by the meat sauce. It was worthy of being the signature dish of this tavern!

·Dividing line·

"That's great... I want to eat pasta covered in meat sauce too."

"If you want to eat, go ahead and eat... Although supplies are scarce here right now, we still need your portion of spaghetti bolognese, right?"

"Hey, I just felt a little greedy when I saw him eating so deliciously. Eating late-night snacks will make you fat! I have to resist this temptation!"

[…Okay. By the way, have you shipped anything today?]

"It's out! Five-star SSR!"

You are so lucky.

The system was helpless. It couldn't understand why its host had such good luck! Every time it drew a card, it always got a good item. Compared to its own system with a delayed effect, the instant combat power gained from summoning a heroic spirit was really too good to be true. Whenever it failed to get a good item, it would urge the girl to use her precious resources to buy goods in the mall to strengthen herself. However, she always got a good item, so there was no reason to persuade her.

[Ritsuka, even though you have the help of these Heroic Spirits, you still need to become stronger yourself. After all, those Assassin's Servants can specifically kill their Masters.]

"Mashu will protect me!"

【Ah this...】

"Haha, I know that personal strength is also very important. I have been training with Big Sister Martha frequently recently."

【All right. 】

There is nothing much to say about the system. There is no performance assessment for the subsystem anyway, so just let it go.

·Dividing line·

About the Daedalus Familia

Sorry, I haven't read the spin-offs; I just randomly picked a famous architectural god and didn't expect he'd even have a role in the original story. I'll leave this bug here for now, and if I plan to write about the port city in the future, I'll figure out how to fix it.

There are pictures here, which can be viewed after the updated version

Chapter 41: The Doctor and Jizi Step into the Storm

Let's turn our attention to the Terra world after a long absence. After several days of fighting, the Patriots finally laid down their arms against Rhodes Island. The people who played the biggest role in this were naturally Operator Frost and the Doctor. The Patriots' guerrillas were also completely preserved. This is a well-trained and combat-experienced super force. Under the leadership of the Patriots, this guerrilla force might be able to capture a mobile city, which is very important for Rhodes Island.

After Koya showed his strength, Rhodes Island has inevitably stepped to the forefront. Strength is what Rhodes Island needs most now.

As the last pure-blooded Wendigo, Patriot possesses the qualifications to inherit the Wendigo Court. If not for his previous position in Ursus, he would surely have a place in the current court. Ifrit, who is recovering in Rhodes Island, has inherited the legacy of the Fire Demon Court. Mudstone, a former leader of the Reunion Movement and now a Rhodes Island heavy operator, also seems to have close ties to the Stonewing Demon Court. Then there's the Banshee Court...

Right now, the Sarkaz regent, Tracy, is in Londinium, and Rhodes Island also happens to have the operator King of Push who has a strong claim to Victoria's throne, and the fire dragon Tallulah who is about to be captured. To be honest, it would be a shame for Rhodes Island's current configuration if they don't give it a try!

So what are our Rhodes Island leader Amiya and chief military doctor doing now?

"Amiya, this is [Das Kapital], this is [Marxist Philosophy], and this is [The Communist Manifesto]. Your most important task now is to read these three books! If you have any questions, you can ask me."

"Eh?! Doctor, aren't we about to attack the core area? Why are you suddenly asking me to endorse you?"

"As a leader, Amiya, you're undoubtedly immature. In the past, if you were just the head of a pharmaceutical company, it wouldn't matter; after all, Kal'tsit would help you. But now, Rhodes Island is in a period of rapid development, and we all know what the future holds. Before Rhodes Island reaches that stage, you must make everyone in Rhodes Island realize that you are the only leader. Kal'tsit and I are merely your subordinates. So, you must grow up."

"PhD……"

"Amiya, you don't have to go on the mission to capture Tallulah. From now on, you must make everyone realize that you are not just a warrior charging into battle, but the leader of our Rhodes Island."

"Doctor, you're so brave! If you put any of these three books into the Terra world, it would be a truly explosive existence."

"If Amiya wants to realize Theresa's ideal, she should understand that peace is impossible. The Terra world is a cesspool. If you don't blow it upside down and blow all that shit away, then don't even think about peace."

[Doctor... have you recovered your memory? ]

Suddenly the system realized something. How did the doctor get these three books? There are no such things in the world of Terra, so there is only one possibility left.

"Yeah, otherwise where do you think I got those three books? After my physical condition improved, my memory gradually recovered a lot, but there are still some things I can't remember clearly, such as how we humans became extinct, and what my identity is... I still can't remember these things."

"It's okay. Once Koya becomes stronger, maybe these memories will be restored."

'Well, I hope so.'

The Doctor was not in a hurry to capture Tallulah. Kal'tsit was still engaged in a heated argument with Ursus and Yan Nation. Taking Tallulah in his hands too early would be a hot potato. Moreover, the survivors of Che City were more important than Tallulah. If nothing unexpected happened, Che City would belong to Rhodes Island in the future. So it would be very important to let these indigenous people identify with Rhodes Island, although there were not many of these indigenous people left after the massacre by the Reunion Movement.

·Dividing line·

But Jizi in the world of Honkai was not as relaxed as the doctor. The third Honkai was coming... The third Herrscher appeared in this world. Jizi felt a headache whenever she recalled the consequences brought about by the Herrscher during the second Honkai. However, she still drove the Hyperion without hesitation and arrived at Changkong City first. However, the scene that happened next made her doubt whether she was seeing an illusion.

On the rooftop of a school, a man with purple long hair who looked like a Herrscher was grabbing a white-haired girl by the neck and lifting her from the ground. Just when Himeko was about to rescue the white-haired girl, she actually tore off the wings on the back of the Herrscher with her bare hands... and then the two of them fell to the ground together.

Jizi didn't know what kind of mood she was in when she brought the two girls back to Hyperion. Anyway, she felt that she had lived a miserable life for so many years. Even an S-class Valkyrie couldn't defeat the Herrscher, and then a girl who looked like a JK crushed the Herrscher with her bare hands. What kind of magical world was this? The gap between people was indeed greater than that between people and dogs!

"System! I'm going to cheat!"

【Gold changes your destiny, bring money! This system has all the plug-ins you want!】

"Let's not talk about anything else for now. Where's the promised synchronization skill? Why hasn't my reward for hard work arrived yet?"

"I'll be able to sync with you soon once Koya reaches Lv. 2. Don't worry. Aren't you already an S-rank Valkyrie?"

"I'm shocked. A JK single-handedly silenced the Herrscher. How should I, a big sister, feel about this?"

[Don't worry, it's only a couple of days away. Once the synchronization is complete, you'll have time to make Orchiddale and the like become rubbish!]

Hyperion circled the sky above Changkong City several times, confirming that there were no more survivors in the city. Soon, the battleships of Destiny gathered and the general cleanup began.

Laser weapons and kinetic weapons were poured towards Changkong City like crazy as if they were free. A hundred-meter-high skyscraper was reduced to rubble without a single intact stone in just ten seconds. The Honkai Beasts and Deadpools in Changkong City were blown everywhere.

Soon all the buildings in Changkong City were wiped out, and the low-level Honkai cannon fodder was blown to pieces. The Valkyries of Destiny began to land from the battleships in an orderly manner. Ji Zi was naturally among them. She was wearing her most commonly used assault-type Valkyrie armor, and she wielded the greatsword in her hand with great vigor. Even the tank-level Honkai beasts that could not be killed by missiles and lasers could not last more than three seconds in her hands.

"That's great! If it were before, I would have been in so much pain that I couldn't speak. But now I feel so relaxed."

"Who told you not to take care of yourself before? Other Valkyries can at least live to fifty. If you didn't have my system and you could live to thirty, you'd be thankful."

'Hahaha.'

Ji Zi swung the sword with great energy, the power flowing through her body giving her an unprecedented sense of comfort. This was her first time on the battlefield after receiving the "treatment," and it was also the first time she realized that swinging a sword shouldn't be painful, but rather a refreshing feeling!

Chapter 42: Breakthrough

Three days had passed since the banquet held by Ganesha. Koya did not rush to ask Hestia to upgrade him. It was not for the purpose of suppressing his level. Koya simply wanted to see what the limit of Lv.1 was.

During these three days, the Loki Familia also began their expedition. This time, they joined forces with the Hephaestus Familia and a medical Familia, and were thoroughly prepared. When the expedition entered the underground city, they brought a full twenty carts of supplies, which would be taken to the safe floors first. There were simply too many things to consider on an expedition, especially this time, exploring unknown floors...

It is worth mentioning that Bell will also set out with the expedition this time, but he will stay on the safe floor and will not directly participate in the expedition activities on the lower floor. However, even so, it can be seen that the Loki family attaches great importance to Bell. It seems that this little rabbit is not the kind of person who relies on girls to get to the top. He is just going to live off girls.

Generally speaking, an expedition will last for several months. This world mainly spends time entering new levels and drawing maps. The composition of the expedition team is also very particular.

The vanguard team is responsible for exploration and combat. The time it takes them to reach the last exploration site from the upper level will probably be suppressed to within ten days. Next is the logistics center army. They will enter after the vanguard team has established a stronghold on the lower level. They are mainly responsible for weapon maintenance, treatment of wounded personnel and logistical support. Finally, there is the left-behind group. The left-behind group will stay on the safe floor to protect supplies and ensure that the retreat route is unobstructed.

Expedition is the most direct test of a clan's strength. In the current Orario, only Freya's clan and Loki's clan have the strength to go on an expedition.

This Loki Familia expedition also includes a side quest, where Aisi prepares to complete a great feat and level up. Her chosen opponent this time is the Lone King of the Level 5 Labyrinth... Like the Goliath below, he's the gatekeeper to the safe floor. Though only Level 5, he's already a Level 6. Due to his massive size and incredible strength, it usually requires three or four experienced Level 5s working in perfect harmony to defeat him. This time, Aisi intends to take on him alone.

"Aisi, are you sure? Even if we rescue you in time, there's a high chance you'll get hurt."

"Finn, I want to try. I want to become stronger."

"You..."

Finn was in a state of panic. As the leader, he shouldn't agree to such an unreasonable request. Aisi was an indispensable force for the Loki Familia. If she were injured during the challenge, she would likely be unable to participate in the expedition, and the probability of failure would increase exponentially. However, as the head of the Loki Familia, he couldn't refuse Aisi's request. He needed others to help him make a decision.

"Rivilia?"

"Let her try. After all, even if you reject Aisi, she will still try it secretly by herself. It's safer for us to watch her."

Finn looked at Ai Si's stern little face and sighed helplessly.

"You're right, Aisi. I agree with you. The position of floor master of the lower floor will be handed over to you."

"Ok!"

·Dividing line·

"Ota, have you seen the child?"

"I've seen it before."

"I knew a child with a soul as bright as the sun would grow up, but I never imagined that time wouldn't be a constraint on his growth... In less than a week, his strength rivaled that of a Lv. 2 adventurer. Even the Families of Zeus and Hera have never produced such a child."

Freya had investigated Koya thoroughly, even knowing exactly when he'd arrived in Orario and what it was like to work as a bricklayer in the Loki Familia. She knew Koya's strength wasn't something he'd trained up to, but rather a rapid growth after becoming a member of the Hestia Familia...

"Now he's truly on the path to becoming a hero. To be honest, I can't wait to have him."

"Do you want to grab it?"

"No, no... Let's wait a little longer. Just like fine wine, it takes time to mature. Right now, he still has his own story to complete."

Freya shook the goblet in her hand. Even Ota beside her couldn't figure out what Freya was thinking at the moment... No, Ota would not think about such things. As Freya's most loyal believer, he was just like what other gods who had seen him said. Ota had no thoughts of his own and would only be loyal to all the instructions Freya gave him.

"Ota, do you think our little hero is missing something?"

"His fighting skills are still immature but are rapidly developing. What he lacks right now is probably the means of attack."

"Method of attack? Magic?"

"It's not limited to magic. Bows and arrows, spears, or greatswords can all enrich his attack methods. Considering the current situation of his clan, I prefer bows and arrows. Magic requires chanting, but he probably doesn't have the conditions for it."

"Hmm, as expected of Ota, you accurately pointed out the shortcomings of our little hero."

Freya nodded in satisfaction, chuckled, and handed the wine glass in her hand to Ota, saying that good wine must not be wasted.

"This wine is quite delicious. Although it's not as good as the divine wine brewed by Soma, it's still a rare treasure. Ota, try it."

"Thank you, Lady Freya."

Freya walked to the window and looked down from the tall Tower of Babel. She would take some time every day to observe the adventurers coming in and out of this dungeon, but now she felt a little bored because she had already found the most dazzling one and she no longer cared about the others.

"Ota——"

"what happened?"

"Don't you have any feelings? I was obsessed with that child, and I left you, the members of the Familia, behind."

Ota's expression did not change at all. Although he was the leader of Freya's clan, he actually didn't care about those people at all. He only cared about the goddess in front of him. If the goddess wanted to develop the clan, Ota would train those people wholeheartedly. If the goddess didn't care about the clan, he wouldn't care either.

"What would you do if that child became stronger than you? Perhaps I would consider that child more important than you. Perhaps I would take away your current position and let that child take your place."

"If Lady Freya wants me to, I will train him now, make him stronger quickly, and make him the leader of Freya's clan."

"Aren't you jealous?"

Ota's expression remained unchanged, and he said sincerely, even trustingly:

"Your love is equal to everyone. There is only special, no superiority or inferiority."

In the silence, Ota bent his huge body and lowered his head quietly.

"I have overstepped my bounds and shouldn't have presumed to guess what you were thinking."

"It doesn't matter. I like you even more now."

"This is my supreme honor."

The two of them exchanged words, as if they were joking. Then, a somewhat malicious smile appeared on Freya's face, and she spoke in her beautiful voice.

"Ota, I hope you're stronger than him. Don't let him catch up. After all, a hero always needs a lofty goal."

"Your will."

"But the little hero needs a little help on his growth journey. Ota, can you buy me a better bow?"

"of course."

Chapter 43: Bow

The next day, after returning from the dungeon, Koya and Hatsune were exchanging magic stones at the guild's front desk when Eina pulled them into a small room nearby. It had been a while since Koya had been in this room, and for a moment, he actually felt a little nostalgic.

"Aina, I haven't done anything dangerous these past few days. I've been grinding with Hatsune on the upper floor."