"However, he's still different from 'Silence'."
"It's as if he instinctively understood the flaws in adventurers. He never interacts with those he doesn't need and always pushes Loki to act."
Ouranos had been observing Bell's actions for some time. But because Bell kept a low profile, even he hadn't uncovered much.
What little he did find all led back to Loki.
Like the time Loki approached him about dealing with Ishtar—she ended up pulling a child into her Familia.
Or when it was Apollo—Loki stripped him of all his assets and even forcibly took in two of Apollo's children.
These clearly targeted actions were too deliberate to ignore.
It even felt like those children were Loki's real goal all along.
Ishtar's forced return to Tenkai was likely because Loki knew she wouldn't let go easily—so she made the first move.
Apollo, on the other hand, probably avoided that outcome simply because he chose to back down. If he'd been as stubborn as Ishtar, he might have met the same fate.
"Every move Loki makes has a purpose. And the one giving her direction behind the scenes... is likely that child."
But Fels was confused.
"Ouranos, if that child knows so many secrets of different Familia, then why not bring those talented kids into Hestia Familia?"
"If it's just about mutual benefits, there's no reason to keep involving Loki Familia, right? Plenty of gods have ties with Hestia Familia. Among them, Hephaestus Familia is probably the closest."
Ouranos already had the answer in mind.
"Because Hephaestus Familia is a production-based Familia, while Loki Familia is an exploration Familia. Hephaestus needs craftsmen with talent for forging. Loki needs adventurers who can take on the Dungeon."
"That child is likely trying to use Loki Familia. On one hand, to build them up; on the other, to trade that intel for certain resources from Loki."
It sounded far-fetched at first, but given the circumstances, it might just be the truth.
After all, who goes out of their way to help other Familia grow without getting anything in return? That kind of effort only makes sense if there's a purpose behind it.
Many found Bell's actions irrational, but from his perspective, everything he did was calculated.
Help others? Hah. Maybe the greenhorns in Orario would act like that, but any seasoned adventurer wouldn't lift a finger without something in it for them.
And Bell—someone who'd always carried the weight alone—clearly wasn't the type to believe in the nobility of adventurers.
So the actions that seemed illogical to outsiders... were actually the smartest moves for someone in his position.
Look at it from that angle, and it all adds up.
"Trick Loki?"
Fels reacted as if she'd just heard the most ridiculous joke in the world. Of all people, she knew exactly what kind of person Loki was.
"Do you really think Loki can't see through it?"
Ouranos shook his head slightly. When it came to things like this, those involved often understood best—Loki had likely suspected it from the start.
"Loki loves to play around, but she's no novice. As a former evil god in Tenkai, she toyed with countless deities—very few could outwit her. Something this minor? There's no way it escaped her notice. If anything, she was probably the first to see through it."
Fels paused briefly, then suddenly realized.
"I see. It's not that she didn't notice—it's that their interests align."
Because their goals were the same, there was no reason to expose one another.
Bell wanted to use Loki Familia, so he helped them grow stronger.
Loki's goal had always been to strengthen her own Familia. So when she realized Bell's intent, she simply allowed it—without resistance.
"But isn't Bell Cranel worried Loki Familia might grow too strong and get out of his control?"
"No, that won't happen."
Ouranos shook his head again, certain that things wouldn't tilt in Loki's favor.
"Remember, the 'Spirit Fetus' was retrieved by that boy. Fels, how powerful do you think the guardian who nearly took the 'Sword Princess' was?"
"Far stronger than the 'Sword Princess.' At least a solid Lv.6."
"Then tell me—could an Adventurer at only Lv.2 manage to drive off a Spirit guardian at Lv.6 with just a surprise attack? Even cutting off one of its arms?"
Fels thought for a moment, then slowly shook her head.
"Even with the element of surprise, that wouldn't be easy."
"Even with Bell Cranel's ability—his light-based skill that boosts attack power—it's still nearly impossible. A Level 6 Adventurer has a much sharper danger sense than those at lower levels. Even the slightest threat would provoke a reaction."
"Besides, Lv.6 bodies are trained to the point where normal weapons can't even scratch them. And the guardian wasn't just a normal Adventurer—it was a different breed of monster entirely. Physically, it's on a whole other level."
"So, Ouranos... are you saying Bell Cranel isn't really Lv.2? Not even Lv.3... but maybe Lv.4?"
That was exactly what Ouranos meant. He looked up at Bell, who was still speaking on the screen.
"It seems he may possess talent and potential that even the greatest Adventurers in Orario's history couldn't match."
...
"Captain Finn, the party's planning to rest on the 28th floor Safe Zone, right?"
"Yeah, that's the plan. From here on out, we'll push forward ten floors at a time and stop at each Safe Zone to recover."
"Alright—head to the 28th floor and pick up the incoming personnel sent by the Guild's surveillance."
The 28th floor was a Safe Zone, rarely spawning monsters, making it one of the few places in the Dungeon where Adventurers could truly rest.
Unlike the 18th floor, which had a full-fledged underground city, the 28th floor didn't have such structures. The 18th remained the only floor with a proper Adventurer settlement.
But that wasn't a bad thing for this situation. A group of beings with monster-like appearances showing up in a built-up zone would attract too much attention.
The 28th floor's Safe Zone, however, was perfect.
Right now, only Loki Familia was active in the Dungeon's deeper layers. Even Evilus and the Corrupted Spirit faction were lying low to avoid them.
Which made this the ideal moment for the Guild to move.
...
(100 Chapters Ahead)
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