...This kid's got a point!
Far away in the Hestia Familia, Loki froze for a moment upon hearing those words, then finally understood why Ouranos would protect monsters with independent thought.
If those beings were treated as "invaders" by the Dungeon, didn't that imply the Dungeon no longer acknowledged them as "monsters"?
Conversely, didn't that mean the Dungeon had already recognized monsters with self-awareness as a kind of human?
In a way, the seemingly complicated issue of their identity had already been defined by the Dungeon itself.
"Bell always fixates on problems like this, but this time, his judgment is spot on."
Even Hephaestus had been shocked by the idea, but after thinking it through, she found Bell's reasoning surprisingly solid.
Because the Dungeon is the most impartial existence.
Isn't it the Dungeon that designates who the "invaders" are, then sends monsters to annihilate them completely? If the Dungeon sees self-aware monsters as "invaders" rather than true monsters, then the implication is all too clear.
"Bell-kun's argument might be correct, but there's no way his proposal will ever be accepted."
Hestia understood that Bell's reasoning—and even his harsh solution—was correct, but that kind of correctness was something people simply couldn't accept.
"Ouranos would never approve such a plan. If he did, there'd be no reason to build the city of Orario above the Dungeon to act as a 'seal'."
The gods love humanity.
What draws the gods to humans is the potential that gods themselves lack. That potential captures their interest, draws their eyes to humanity.
No matter their reasons for loving humans, no god would ever approve of a plan that hinges on the destruction of half of Orario.
That alone makes the plan unacceptable.
Even Hestia thought that if the plan were ever enacted—if humanity ever stood on the brink of extinction—then maybe, just maybe, people would begin to accept those monsters with self-awareness as another form of "human."
"Yeah, even an evil god would call someone who came up with that plan evil."
Hephaestus agreed and outright rejected Bell's idea.
Destroy half of Orario?
Even Enyo, the so-called city-destroyer, only ever talked about razing Orario and plunging the world back into chaos.
But talk was all it ever was. Did he succeed?
His plan is still ongoing, even now.
But if Bell's plan were put into action—if half of Orario were truly destroyed—then it wouldn't just be talk. Half the world would be swallowed by chaos.
From that standpoint, no matter how you look at it, Bell's plan simply cannot be carried out.
If Bell's plan really came to pass, even the Evilus faction led by Enyo would probably clap him on the shoulder and say:
"Man, you're even more ruthless than me!"
Just imagining it was bizarre enough to leave a strange look on Hephaestus's face.
Maybe it really was like that.
Finn's expression was heavy with mixed feelings, and he couldn't help but sigh.
Maybe the situation wasn't all that complicated. Maybe the Dungeon had already made the most impartial judgment. It was just them—everyone else—who kept hesitating, trying to figure out how to handle it.
He looked at the Vouivre huddled behind Bell. The fear and wariness on her face were clearly genuine.
From a rational perspective, Finn was certain she was no longer a monster. At the very least, she had a will of her own.
Just like any ordinary person, she felt fear, anxiety, and had emotions of her own.
To treat someone like her as a monster... Finn had his answer. Unless absolutely necessary, he couldn't bring himself to point a spear at a girl.
"Right now, Orario can't afford a disruption like this. Maybe they really are a kind of 'human', but... their existence isn't something that can be accepted at this point in time."
As he said this, the resistance Finn had felt toward monsters with free will faded.
Maybe they still bore the traits of monsters.
Maybe there was something in them that could shift their identity.
But in his heart, Finn had already acknowledged it—they were also a form of "human."
"Bell-kun, let's talk about how we're going to take care of this girl."
Everyone present noticed it—Finn's way of addressing Bell had changed.
Bell gave a small nod and didn't say much else.
"The solution isn't all that complicated. 'Sword Princess', where did the ornament on your sword come from?"
Ais glanced at the charm tied to her sword sheath, clearly unsure why she was being asked.
"Muddle from Hermes Familia gave it to me. The person who hired her to transport the 'goods' gave it to her, said it was part of the request and told her to pass it on to me for the expedition."
"An adventurer from Hermes Familia... was it that Chienthrope we saw last time?"
Of course, Bell recognized the name Muddle. Last time, Hermes himself had brought her into the Hestia Familia.
"Looks like the one who made the request really was the Guild. The one who issued this new request is definitely the Guild again."
"Bell-kun, what exactly is this thing?"
"Well, to put it simply... the Guild wants to observe how Loki Familia explores the unknown."
"...!?"
With that, everyone finally understood the purpose of the accessory.
...
Deep within the Guild, inside the altar chamber, Ouranos sat on the high throne. As he withdrew his gaze, he let out a quiet sigh.
"As expected of Zeus's grandson."
To be able to see different outcomes from so many angles—that kind of insight was admirable.
The method might be extreme, but the idea itself wasn't bad. In fact, it was aggressive but viable.
What impressed him even more, though, was that ability.
"Seems Zeus's grandson really has inherited a unique power… one that lets him see further, just like the 'Silence' once did."
"Ouranos, 'Silence' saw Orario's 'sloth', which is why she started a 'revolution', and handed the future over to the next generation."
"Yes…"
After a long pause, even Ouranos couldn't help but sigh. How strange and similar fate could be—this time, it had fallen upon Zeus's grandson.