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"Their relationship has improved a lot."
In the northernmost spire, inside Finn's office.
Riveria, the elven woman clad in a green magic robe, was gazing through the transparent window, looking down at the two people practicing swordplay in the courtyard.
Seeing the two gradually begin normal interaction and even noticing the faint smile blooming on Ais's face, Riveria couldn't help but let a gratified smile curve her own lips.
"Is it a mother's concern, not bad at all!"
"Shut it, Dwarf. I'm only in my nineties, still quite young by elven standards!"
Riveria's expression turned cold as she shot an unhappy glance at Gareth, who was sitting on a low stool and laughing heartily.
Still, she wasn't truly averse to being called "mom." In fact, she even found it rather satisfying.
The sense of accomplishment from raising Ais with her own hands was something incomparable for her.
"But… trouble's brewing too." Finn sat casually on his chair, one leg crossed over the other, eyes scanning the corners of the courtyard with a faint, amused smile on his face.
A white-furred wolf-man with wolf ears and a tail.
A tanned Amazoness girl with short black hair.
And a golden-haired elven girl with her long hair tied into a ponytail.
The three of them were hiding in various corners of the courtyard, all glaring at the center of the courtyard with gritted teeth.
"Aiya~ I'm really curious to see what kind of relationship will blossom between those two!" Finn had an expression full of playful delight.
"I'm going to call Tione over." Riveria gave him a cold stare.
"…No, let's not do that."
The moment he thought of that overly affectionate Amazoness older sister, Finn's smile immediately vanished.
"Let's get down to business." Finn cleared his throat and returned to a serious expression.
"There's a chance that a Level 1 rookie might join the upcoming expedition team."
"Hoh?" Gareth looked surprised.
"Hold on, Finn." Riveria's expression shifted, and she frowned at Finn. "We only have one Level 1 rookie in our Familia. Don't tell me you're planning to bring him along?"
"Calm down, Riveria. I didn't phrase that quite right."
Finn waved off her concern.
"I should've said , a rookie who will be upgraded to Level 2. Incidentally, I've already confirmed this with Loki."
"Upgrade to Level 2…?!"
"Hoh!"
Riveria and Gareth exchanged shocked looks.
And it was even confirmed by Loki herself… Could it be? Orario's fastest level-up record was about to be broken? And by a junior from their own Familia, at nearly ten times the usual speed?
"He came to me personally, asking to join the expedition team. If my guess is correct, he plans to rapidly accumulate Excelia through the expedition after reaching Level 2, and might even break through to Level 3 at an astonishing pace."
Finn clasped his hands under his chin, his expression full of expectation. "Honestly, even if you think it's a bit soon, I'd like to place him in the Second Army for training."
"Second Army… Executive reserves?"
"Hohou~"
Raul Nord, Anakitty, Alicia, Lefiya… All were core members of Loki Familia's Second Army. Except for Lefiya, all were elite Level 4 adventurers and true executive candidates.
If something were to happen to the First Army, this group would be the spark that reignites Loki Familia's rise.
And now, added to that list was Ryoji, still a Level 1 rookie.
"Judging by his leveling speed, I don't think we have any room to object."
Riveria glanced at Ryoji, who had begun teaching Ais sword techniques in the courtyard, and let out a soft chuckle.
"I agree."
"Same here, old man."
"Then it's decided."
In the end, Finn finalized the decision.
In front of the Babel Tower's archway.
"Weapons, potions, bento boxes… all ready." Line carried a large backpack and was checking the items inside.
"Sorry… The expedition is right around the corner, yet I'm still dragging you two along for leveling."
Fully equipped and cloaked, Ryoji spoke to the two standing before him.
"It's fine! We want to rack up more Excelia before the expedition, too. That way we'll be a bit safer when the time comes."
Line waved her hand with a gentle smile, clearly not bothered in the slightest.
"But we probably won't be able to help after today. We need to get ready for the expedition too, like maintaining weapons and such. Especially Lefiya's magic staff , that thing takes a lot of work."
Lefiya pouted and gripped her magic staff tightly with both hands.
Her staff, named "Elf's Teardrop," was crafted from materials with exceptional affinity to Spirits and Elves. It was considered a top-tier weapon in Orario, second-class equipment, with a price nearing ten million valis.
Because it was so valuable, its maintenance was no joke. Only specialized mage item shops could handle it, and she wouldn't be able to use it for the next few days.
"So today's the last day."
Ryoji lowered his gaze and thought for a moment.
If they could keep grouping together, they might reach the 18th floor tomorrow. Leveling there would be even more efficient. But if they couldn't team up, then there was no helping it.
With his current strength, several times stronger than before, solo leveling around the 15th floor shouldn't be a problem. It wouldn't be as efficient, but not too far off either.
"Are you mad?"
"…No."
"You're not still angry about me laughing at you yesterday, right?"
"Of course not! I'm not that petty!"
Lefiya pouted, turned her head away, and now had the back of her head facing Ryoji.
This morning, she'd unexpectedly seen Ryoji and Miss Ais training together, and it completely stunned her on the spot.
From Miss Tiona, she found out that the two of them had already been training together for several days , she was the only one who didn't know.
This left Lefiya feeling incredibly conflicted.
She admired Miss Ais, dreamed of being close friends with her, of sharing everything, of being intimate enough to playfully pat each other's heads.
When she'd hidden behind the wall that morning, watching Ryoji, her mind was filled with thoughts of taking his place beside Ais.
But then, when she looked at Miss Ais, her thoughts started drifting again. Her mind unconsciously began imagining a scene of herself and Ryoji training together with staff techniques.
By the time she snapped out of it, she'd been scared half to death.
"Lefiya, oh Lefiya! You can't betray Miss Ais! This man only looks decent on the outside, inside, he's a total scumbag!"
She kept lecturing her tiny inner self like a righteous instructor.
After confirming their packs, the group stepped through the arched entrance and descended the silver stairway beneath the Tower of Babel, entering the only gateway into the Dungeon.
And after they had entered—
A few Amazonesses in the hall exchanged glances. One of them immediately left to report, while the others remained behind to continue monitoring the entrance.
From then on, every two minutes, an Amazoness entered the Tower of Babel.
After thirty minutes, more than a dozen Amazonesses had already followed into the Dungeon.
(End of Chapter)