By eight-thirty in the morning, it was time to depart.
"No need for a long speech," Loki said casually. "This time, I hope you all get to see the sights of the deeper floors."
Unlike some overblown company president giving a send-off speech, Loki didn't bother with empty words or drawn-out ceremony. It was a simple, straightforward blessing—no more, no less.
After finishing, she glanced toward the back of the crowd, where Tsuna stood among the other members. Her lips moved faintly.
"Keep your head down."
"Got it."
Tsuna's lips twitched as he silently replied, his fingers brushing over the emblem on his chest. In the next instant, his figure faded from Loki's line of sight.
He wasn't joining this expedition as a front-line fighter. His role was more observational—gathering experience and providing backup if an irregularity occurred. For now, it was better if he stayed out of the spotlight.
"May fortune favor your blades!" someone called.
Finn Deimne raised his voice. "Everyone—move out!"
With that, the Loki Familia began their first expedition in two years. The sight of the fully equipped group marching down Central Avenue immediately drew attention. The streets were packed with adventurers from all over the city—and among them, several gods who had come out to watch.
As one of the two strongest Familias in Orario, any movement from the Loki Familia naturally caught everyone's eye. The Guild had even publicized this expedition, making it all the more of a spectacle.
"Finally, it begins," murmured a man from the balcony of a nearby inn. "Two years since their last descent. Loki really does have patience, doesn't she? What do you think, Asfi?"
"Lord Hermes," Asfi replied calmly, "I believe Lady Loki simply has her own plans."
Hermes chuckled, twirling the brim of his wide hat. "Or maybe she's just too protective of her children. That girl reaching Level 5 at such a young age—Loki must've been terrified the remnants of the Dark Faction would go after her. A year ago, those rats would've gladly ambushed her in the Dungeon, no matter the cost, just to eliminate her future potential."
From the second-floor balcony, Hermes had a perfect view of the departing column. His sharp gaze fixed on the golden-haired figure walking at the front—the one known throughout Orario as the Sword Princess.
"A year of calm and her blade's sharper than ever," he mused. "Her strength might be more stable now, but her temperament hasn't changed at all. Still, that stability alone is enough to make those old monsters back off. They won't risk themselves anymore—too costly to pick a fight they can't win."
He smirked faintly. If they could still kill a future prodigy, they'd take the chance without hesitation. But now that she's out of reach, they'll just stay hidden.
"Any recent news from the Loki Familia?" Hermes asked.
"I'm afraid not," Asfi replied. "Lady Loki has tightened her internal information control. Most of our usual channels are sealed. We can't get a clear read on what's happening inside, but it's certain that the Familia's been under lockdown lately."
"Oh?" Hermes arched a brow, a small grin forming.
"Loki wouldn't impose a lockdown for no reason. If she's hiding something, it must be interesting. Have Lulune keep an eye on them—there's something worth digging into."
"Understood. I'll tell Lulune to monitor the situation."
Resting both hands on the railing, Hermes watched the procession fade into the distance, a mischievous gleam in his eyes.
"Asfi, what do you think? Will Loki's kids break into a new floor this time?"
"I don't think so," she answered promptly.
"Why not?"
"This expedition's their first in two years. For the Loki Familia, it's more like rehabilitation—getting their rhythm back. I doubt they'll push deep enough to reach a new floor. More likely, they'll just let their members readjust to Dungeon exploration before calling it a wrap."
"Any proof for that?" Hermes asked, curious.
"Yes." Asfi adjusted her glasses. "Their supply purchases. The quantities of medicine, consumables, and magic swords were massive at first—but in the last week, they shifted heavily toward medicine. The numbers skyrocketed."
"A sudden increase in medicine?" Hermes murmured. That definitely wasn't meaningless. In any expedition, medicine consumption was naturally high, but shifting from a balanced supply plan to an overwhelming focus on healing items… that was strange.
"What about food?"
"Decreased significantly."
"More medicine, less food..." Hermes chuckled softly. "Then yeah—this really does look like a light expedition. A rehabilitation dive. Maybe Loki's just getting back at the Guild for forcing her hand."
Knowing Loki, it wasn't impossible. Hermes could easily imagine her doing something like that—especially if it meant annoying the Guild, or even Ouranos himself.
"Asfi," Hermes said lazily, "once Loki's brats return from this little adventure, keep an eye on that special one. No matter how the expedition goes, he's got a habit of sneaking off to the Pleasure Quarter. Pass that info along to Ishtar—she'll help us probe him."
Asfi frowned. "Won't Lady Ishtar realize someone's intentionally feeding her information?"
"Doesn't matter." Hermes grinned. "Even if she knows it's bait, she'll still take it. Last time, that kid's slip-up gave her an excuse to mock Loki for weeks. Once she gets a taste of that again, she won't let it go. And I, for one, would rather not deal with Loki's temper myself."
With a roguish smile, Hermes leaned back against the railing, the very image of a carefree god who preferred letting others handle the trouble. After all, he was one of the few truly neutral deities in Orario—and picking fights with other gods wasn't his style.