North Street, one of the city's main streets, stretched straight from the central Tower of Babel's Plaza all the way to the northern gate.
Compared to the usual crowd at the gate, the number of people recently had surged sharply, putting a huge workload on both the Ganesha Familia security force and the [Adventurers' Guild] staff in charge of registration.
With a backpack on his shoulders and a smile on his face, Fron listened to the cheerful chatter of a few girls beside him, his gaze occasionally drifting ahead with a trace of impatience.
There was no need to look closely: nearly everyone lining up to leave the city carried either wooden crates or backpacks. They all shared the same identity, members of commercial-type familias.
He even spotted a few acquaintances with whom he had exchanged little more than greetings in the past.
Though those people wore smiles, Fron could see clearly beneath the surface: peers in business were always enemies, always competitors.
Especially now, when there was money to be made on the battlefield, the rivalry was sharper than ever.
Don't be fooled by the friendly greetings, inside, they were surely cursing each other.
"Wow, I heard that every commercial familia in the city was mobilizing, and it's actually true. So many banners, it's even more spectacular than Adventurers' Street!"
Lefiya covered her mouth and whispered in amazement. As an adventurer of the Loki Familia, and disciple of Riveria, she might be young, but her insight was anything but ordinary.
Given their position, they often dealt with all kinds of people in daily life, especially when purchasing supplies and medicines.
"The number of captured soldiers is in the tens of thousands, and all of them just came from the battlefield. In their current state, they need food, clothing, shelter, everything. That's a golden opportunity for the larger familias to make money, especially in weapons and medicine."
"The Rakia Kingdom doesn't even have adventurers above Level 3, and as for rare professions like smiths, alchemists, they're even scarcer. Which means all those supplies are best-sellers. And don't forget, everything stamped with 'Made in Orario' is already a brand in itself."
Yet, after searching for a while, Lefiya still hadn't spotted anyone from the Hephaistos Familia or the Dian Cecht Familia.
"I wonder why I haven't seen the Dian Cecht or Hephaistos Familia here," Lefiya muttered.
Alicia smiled gently, stroking her junior's silky hair as she explained:
"[Dian Cecht Familia]'s medicines and [Hephaistos Familia]'s weapons, those are in high demand even within the city itself. They don't need to worry about sales. The ones taking advantage of this chance to promote outside are usually the familias whose businesses and products are only so-so within Orario."
Alicia didn't fear offending anyone by saying this, after all, she had the backing of the [Loki Familia].
Those queued nearby naturally overheard the elf's words, but none dared to cause trouble. They only cast wary side-glances at the small group, muttering silently to themselves.
"I see." Thanks to the detailed explanation, Lefiya finally understood.
Fron noticed the shift in atmosphere, but only smiled unconcernedly.
The [Loki Familia], that name alone was a powerful brand. And with the lowest among them being Level 4, plus himself, a Level 6, standing as their shield, who would be reckless enough to pick a fight with them?
"Well, if it isn't our dear [Night Weaver]. What's this? Rubbing shoulders with those people? Weren't your crafted weapons selling quite well at [Hephaistos Familia's] shop?"
Guarding the gates under wartime regulations wasn't a job for just anyone. The speaker was none other than one of Fron's old acquaintances, the captain of the Ganesha Familia, the Level 5 Shakti Varma.
"Long time no see. We sure end up running into each other often in these places."
At her words, the girls also greeted her warmly.
"Shakti, how have you been lately?"
"Good day, Miss Shakti."
Alicia and Anakitty clearly knew Shakti well, greeting her casually, while Lefiya bowed respectfully as the younger junior.
"Ah, it's you all." Shakti's eyes swept over their figures with playful interest before landing on the ever-smiling man among them. Her lips curled upward.
"Not bad, huh? Snatching up the flowers of the Loki Familia. Aren't you afraid your goddess will explode in fury? I heard something from Lord Ganesha in private, that Loki seems…"
"Cough, cough!" Fron hurriedly cleared his throat, signaling her not to gossip, there were too many people around!
Shakti gave him a knowing look, her expression practically saying I knew it.
With a tinge of sympathy, she thought: Impressive. Daring to go against a god? As expected of you. Respect, respect…
Fron's sharp mind instantly read the meaning behind her look. The corner of his mouth twitched, and he quickly pulled the girls aside for the routine entry-exit inspection.
Unlike last time, he had no guild-issued pass this time, so he had to present the Loki Familia's wartime mobilization orders and his own identification.
"…Alright, you're cleared. But given your status, if you don't plan on returning tonight, stay within the camp. You know how greedy the outside forces are for Orario's high-level adventurers."
Before they left, Shakti gave them a word of caution.
Fron wasn't worried for himself, nor for Alicia or Anki, who were all seasoned adventurers. But the younger one… well, she might attract trouble from bandit gangs.
"Thank you for the warning, Shakti."
"Stay safe!"
"See you in a few days!"
What none of them noticed was that, among the line of people waiting to enter the city, a few cloaked figures whispered quietly to each other.
"Damn, scared me half to death. Those just now, they were [Loki Familia] adventurers, right?"
"Yeah. My heart's still pounding. The others didn't lie, roses have thorns. Their looks, their figures, their strength, terrifying. Even the weakest of them was Level 4. Too damn scary."
"We almost blew our cover. If we were exposed, at worst we'd be captured, but Lord Ares's entire plan would be ruined."
"You idiots, that's not the point! Didn't you see that man leaving with them? That was a Loki Familia executive, a top-class adventurer at Level 6!"
"Level 6? From the Loki Familia? …Wait, don't tell me that was the [Night Weaver]!"
"Exactly. Another Level 6. And the direction he's headed…"
"…"
"…"
"…Hah."
"Our kingdom's army… we might be doomed this time."
"Hissss…"