Training? It could wait until after the "expedition." Bete wasn't going to forge himself during days like these. He didn't think his strength justified that kind of swagger—especially with the 17th-floor boss, "Goliath," waiting tomorrow. He wasn't about to miss that hunt.
Everyone washed up early and went to their rooms to rest.
The next morning, spirits were high. After waking, everyone gathered in the tree-house dining hall to await breakfast, and couldn't help remarking:
"Slept great last night."
"Yeah. On past 'expeditions,' rest shifts were a pain. Most tents packed four or five to a space, with sentry rotations—you could never sleep straight through till dawn."
"And a bath. Who thinks about bathing on an 'expedition'? If we passed the 'Huge Azure Falls,' we'd just jump into a stream and splash twice—that was it."
"That's us men. Look at the women—do you think they'd jump in those streams under the Falls?"
"Tch! I mean, I'd kind of like to see it—especially Lady Riveria."
"Shut it! Who wouldn't!"
Within the familia, Riveria had always been the paragon of elegance and beauty. Elves were generally striking; royal-blood elves even more so—pure lineage, exceptional bearing. Plenty of adventurers admired Riveria—just as many women admired Finn.
"Shame Lady Riveria's too elegant. I can't picture her jumping into a stream at all."
"Mhm, mhm."
The topic slid badly off track—so much that even a male elf jumped in.
"That's enough about Lady Riveria. This kind of talk profanes her. Also, what happens if she hears you? You'll die."
"…"
Silence fell.
True enough. Every male suddenly sensed mortal peril, traded looks, and dropped the tinted topic at once.
"The rookie who made this space—I already thought his power was busted, but not to this degree. It really is pure imagination run wild."
"Right. It's ridiculous. But the more I think that, the more I want to grin under my blanket—because he's ours. I can understand the captain's worries now."
No way could they let other gods poach someone like that. Anyone would fear it.
"Sir Bete's only worrying flaw is after he drinks; otherwise he's reliable. With his personality, he won't blab. If someone tries to pry, I can see him putting on that scowl and snarling, 'Hah? Why should I tell you, runt?'"
"Whoa, that impression was spot on."
The speaker even nailed Bete's disdainful look—the kind of detail only a frequent observer could reproduce. But a foul-mouthed Bete was oddly reassuring at times like this.
So long as he didn't drink, Bete was reliable. Nearly everyone agreed. The other big mouth, by contrast… inspired concern.
"Think Raul will be okay? He feels unreliable. I've always thought he'd die by a woman's hand someday. Hopefully not the Amazon courtesans on Pleasure Street."
"Honestly, the odds of Raul getting stuck there keep rising in my mind."
"Nah. Lady Loki's punishment alone is enough to keep his head clear. Last time he leaked familia intel on Pleasure Street, it was because the courtesans had charmed his brain clean out. Now that Lady Loki's laid down hard orders, if he still can't think straight, I guarantee she'll cut him. Maybe not just half, either."
"And Raul's the poster child for hard work. Hitting Level 4 doesn't mean he's stupid. He's not ruled by his lower half. With Lady Loki's orders, even if he's a bad actor, he'll act well enough to fool the women on Pleasure Street."
"True. Raul can handle at least that much."
Everyone knew Raul's flaky side. But no one was blind to his grind. No skills, no magic—but steady level-ups every year for four straight years put many adventurers to shame.
Excitement ran high in the morning—especially after the most comfortable rest they'd ever had in the Dungeon. Tongues wagged more freely than usual.
In a corner of the dining hall, Finn lifted a teacup for a sip and looked at Raul fidgeting across from him.
"Heard all that?"
"Mhm. I heard."
Raul sat very carefully, then drew a deep breath and mustered the courage to ask his senior:
"Captain… if I mess up this time…"
"Loki will be furious. Right now, Tsuna's importance in her heart ranks above Ais. Even adding the three of us together doesn't outweigh keeping Tsuna's secrets. So Raul—of all times, do not screw this up. Understood?"
So I'm dead. Raul felt the sky collapsing. Lady Loki wasn't joking, and Captain Finn echoed the warning. It wasn't his imagination: if he failed, he might not even be able to stay in the familia.
"Finn, don't tease him. Raul will take every word you said literally."
Riveria shook her head slightly. Finn smiled.
"He earned it with last time's stunt. He needs to understand leaking internal intel is serious—and to keep his wits on Pleasure Street. Not everything needs to be said."
"Eh? So what you said before was… fake?"
"No. All of it's true."
Finn's reply sent Raul plunging back into the abyss.
"It's just that Loki thinks you're a bit unreliable, so she's having Tsuna arrange a package that will make sure the plan is carried out to the letter."
…Why does that sound dangerous? Raul felt suddenly unwell. Instinct told him this "package" wouldn't be easy to accept.
(End of Chapter)
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