The meeting progressed quickly—and ended just as swiftly.
After reviewing the intelligence Bell had brought back and confirming Evilus's situation, the discussion wrapped up completely.
Hermes and Ganesha were eager to uncover "Enyo's" true identity, but Bell brushed them off with a calm, "You'll find out in three days."
Though they still didn't know who Enyo really was, both gods understood that the person must be closely tied to the coming battle. The reason for Bell's silence was obvious: to avoid alarming the enemy before the operation began.
Once the unnecessary attendants had departed, only the key participants remained.
That meant mainly the Loki Familia, along with representatives from the Freya and Hephaestus Familias.
This operation would primarily rely on Loki Familia as the main strike force. Freya's and Hephaestus's groups wouldn't need to take part in the assault on the Dungeon's hidden "080" floor.
"The focus of this expedition rests on Loki Familia."
Bell opened the second meeting directly with that declaration.
"The internal space of the hidden floor is vast—it can withstand large-scale battles without collapsing. Its outer walls are built from special metals that block both magic and perception. Even powerful magic used inside won't affect the structure as a whole.
"But because of this, using large-scale fire magic could rapidly raise the internal temperature. So, large-scale fire spells are prohibited."
That restriction, of course, was aimed at Riveria.
"I've already identified all the traps inside. Once the counter-assault begins, I'll immediately deactivate them and completely seal the floor. No one will be able to escape from within, and no one from outside will be able to enter."
"So during the operation, only our forces and Evilus will be inside the hidden floor?"
Finn asked, his tone sharp.
"Yes," Bell confirmed.
Finn nodded, then raised another question.
"In that case, what about the 'Spirit Soldiers'?"
Riveria's expression tightened as she spoke up in agreement.
"Right. Even fifty-four Spirit Soldiers, each equivalent to a Lv.5, would be difficult to manage—even if every Lv.5 adventurer in Orario joined forces."
"True," Finn said. "Even with the three of us—me, Riveria, and Gareth—holding part of the line, if we had to face all fifty-four head-on, we'd still die."
Despite stating the grim reality, neither of them looked particularly anxious.
They both understood that Bell must have already taken this factor into account.
And indeed, Bell had.
"That would be true for anyone," he said plainly. "Fifty-four Level 5s are enough to wear down even a Level 7. In an enclosed space, three against fifty-four would be suicide."
"I'm aware of that. Which is why, during the Spirit Embryo incubation, I added… a few special modifications."
"I can't explain the details—it's related to personal magic—but what I added should weaken them to some extent."
"Therefore, Captain Finn, you should make your own preparations as well."
Bell's gaze held meaning, and Finn immediately caught it.
The moment Bell said it, he recalled one of their past arrangements—an operation so difficult he'd thought it might be his last.
This feeling… was exactly the same.
Finn's smile faded, replaced by quiet resolve.
"Yes, we'll prepare in advance."
Riveria and Gareth exchanged puzzled glances, but Finn gave no further explanation. Some things weren't suitable to discuss in front of everyone. Explanations could wait until after the meeting.
Bell then turned toward Ottar.
"As for the Freya Familia..."
"I believe that, in terms of overall power, the Freya Familia still surpasses the Loki Familia."
"Hah!?"
Loki immediately bristled.
"Who said that? I've got three children who've already reached Level 7! She's only got one! How exactly are you calculating this?"
There was a trace of irritation—and something else—in Loki's stare, the kind of look that made Bell suspect she wasn't just arguing about strength.
Still, Bell didn't shy away from the statement.
"It's based purely on my direct assessment of actual combat capability," he said calmly.
Now that his relationship with Loki Familia had grown closer, he could afford to be blunt.
If this had been in the past, he would have kept silent.
After all, the truth tends to offend.
"Even though Captain Finn and his two companions have reached Level 7, they've only just stepped into that realm. Do you really think they can match the 'King' who's been steeped in it for years?"
"..."
Loki was struck silent.
"Besides the 'King,' the rest of Freya Familia's members are hardly just for show. They each possess a clear goal and a hunger for power far more terrifying than even the Sword Princess."
"And there's another thing you've forgotten."
"The Sword Princess grew under protection, while the rest of Freya Familia rose through relentless competition. The difference in their growth is vast."
"Unless the Sword Princess reaches Level 7—or even Level 8—Freya Familia remains the stronger one."
It was a harsh truth, so harsh that Loki couldn't find a single word to counter it.
Ais had indeed grown up in an environment where she was protected. Her strength might be considerable, but the gap in mentality between someone constantly struggling to surpass others and someone shielded from hardship was immense.
The same applied to Finn and the others.
Ottar had been at the peak of Level 7 for seven or eight years. How could Finn and his group, who had only just reached that realm, possibly compete with him on equal footing?
True parity would likely take another year or two—only then could they hope to fight Ottar at a fifty-fifty level if he went all out.
With Loki's irritation temporarily defused, Bell steered the discussion back on track.
"And precisely because Freya Familia remains the strongest force in Orario right now, they can't act carelessly."
"If Loki Familia moves, those underground bastards will surely find ways to lure people into their base and ambush them one by one. But if Freya Familia moves, someone down there will almost certainly be warned in advance."
"That's why Freya Familia must serve as Orario's final safeguard—to ensure those guys don't have a chance to execute any desperate, last-minute plans."
Ottar stayed silent, simply waiting for his goddess's command.
Freya finally spoke, her tone composed and decisive.
"Follow his arrangement, Ottar."
"Yes."
...