Before Finn could finish assigning positions, Alise slammed her hands onto the table and declared, "One of those places will be handled by the Astraea Familia."
Her sudden proclamation even made Asfi blink in surprise.
Finn let out a bitter smile. "I haven't even said who's going where yet."
"You're going to split the familias for the assault, right? Loki and Freya will take two, so we'll handle the last one." Alise leaned forward, eyes blazing. "When it comes to mobility, we won't lose to anyone."
Looking at her, this reckless girl who feared danger less than anyone else, who charged forward in the name of justice without hesitation, Shakti finally spoke.
"Finn. Let's join forces with the Astraea Familia. That will give us sufficient manpower."
Finn nodded. "Alright. Then, according to the plan, we'll take one location. For the other…"
He turned to Ottar. "Can I leave it to you?"
Ottar's massive frame shifted slightly as he gave a single, silent nod.
The morale in the room was running high. With two of Orario's major familias officially joining forces for this operation, the air was thick with anticipation.
Yet, amidst the fervor, Kaguya's expression remained calm and sharp. Narrowing her eyes, she cut through the rising enthusiasm with a voice as deep as a blade drawn in the quiet of night.
"I'm sorry to interrupt but could this be a trap?"
The room fell into a brief pause at her words, as though a splash of cold water had been poured over the table.
Finn, however, didn't miss a beat.
"We will take that possibility into account." He replied smoothly, his tone steady and calculated.
"Not only will we assign sufficient combat strength to the assault team, but we'll also station scouts to monitor other areas."
His mind already held a perfectly detailed strategic map, one he now shared verbally with those present. The meeting space seemed to narrow under his commanding presence as he outlined the plan, distributing specific instructions without hesitation.
"As expected, this will be a large-scale annihilation operation." Finn concluded, his eyes sweeping across the adventurers gathered at the round table. "Since the enemy base has been found, there is no option to leave it untouched."
The flicker in his gaze was resolute as he said, "This time, we take the initiative. The operation will commence within one to three days."
He raised his fist, the simple gesture charged with conviction. Several adventurers mirrored it, their knuckles tightening against their knees in silent agreement.
"Stay alert during preparations. Do not let the enemy catch wind of this. Let this be the turning point of the battle."
Alise was the first to break the heavy atmosphere, rising with a wide grin and her usual unstoppable energy.
"Leave it to me. We'll show the enemy exactly how powerful we are."
A ripple of chuckles followed her bold words, even from some of the usually composed first-class adventurers. Yet Finn remained composed, giving the signal to conclude.
"Meeting adjourned."
Meanwhile, on the other side of Orario, Akira and Lili were making progress of their own.
The front of the Soma Familia base loomed ahead, its worn exterior giving away little of the god's true nature. Akira stepped forward, announcing his name, rank, and purpose. When the gatekeeper moved to block his way, he tossed him a bulging coin pouch without a word.
Clang!
The heavy bag hit the ground with a sound so rich and satisfying that the gatekeeper's expression flipped instantly. His pride and that of his Familia shattered like cheap glass.
"Ah, sir, please, right this way."
He even shouted at the other members nearby. "You! Blind fool, move out of the way!"
The three of them made their way up the management tower. The third floor was unlike the rest, a single spacious room beyond a simple passageway. The manservant pushed open the double doors for them and quickly excused himself.
Inside sat a thin young man. His loose, robe-like clothing was stained and dusty, the fabric hanging lifelessly from his frame. His hair was an unkempt mess, long bangs shadowing his face. He sat with knees drawn to his chest, muttering to the wall as though it were the only one listening.
Despite his appearance, pathetic, almost defeated, the divine aura surrounding him was unmistakable. This was Soma, god of wine and head of the Soma Familia.
Akira's eyes swept the room. Along the wall was a fixed cabinet, rows of pristine white bottles displayed like hidden treasures. The real magic wine Lili told him about.
Stepping forward, Akira spoke, " God Soma, I am here to pay the withdrawal fee for Lililuca Arde."
At the mention of his Familia member's name, Soma slowly turned his head. His shadowed gaze fixed on Lili before he murmured coldly, "…Leaving the Familia?"
Lili inhaled deeply, stepping forward to steady her voice. "Yes, Soma-sama. I have decided to leave the Soma Familia."
For a heartbeat, his gaze lingered on her face before drifting away again to the wall. His tone was flat, indifferent, and heavy with laziness. "As you wish. Take off your clothes."
A short while later, Lili sat in a chair, shirt removed, her back bared to reveal the divine script of her falna.
Soma approached, retrieving a small silver knife. A tiny cut on his finger let divine blood drip onto her back. As his fingers traced over the etched symbols, ripples shimmered across the two wine glasses that marked her blessing. The sacred words flickered briefly, then vanished, leaving only the raw stats behind.
The "lock" was gone. The chains binding her to the Soma Familia had been broken, allowing her to carry her abilities to a new home.
Lili reached behind her back, fingers brushing the spot as if to reassure herself. She couldn't see the change, but she could feel the reality, she was free.
Once she was dressed, Akira placed the heavy pouch of two million Valis onto the table, ready to take her away.
But Soma's voice stopped him. "Morning Star, I have a request."
Akira turned, brow furrowing slightly. "A request, God Soma?"
Soma reached toward the cabinet, drawing out one of the gleaming white bottles with casual ease. The movement stirred dust from his tattered sleeves.
"My wine. Do you want to try it?"
The bottle gleamed against the dim, cluttered backdrop, an unmistakable artifact of divine craftsmanship.
Just as the weapons forged by Hephaestus far surpassed anything mortal smiths could dream of, this wine, brewed with Soma's divine skill, was in a realm far beyond the cheap drinks of Orario's taverns.
The divine wine was infamous in Orario, not for its taste, but for its terrifying, almost supernatural "toxicity."
Once an ordinary person took even a single sip, it was as if they were cast into an endless abyss. Their senses dulled, their thoughts melted, and all that remained was the blissful intoxication, pulling them deeper and deeper until escape became impossible.
For most, it was no different from shackling their own soul. Only adventurers of Level 2 or higher could resist its enchantment.
And yet, the Soma Familia was built upon it. Most of its members had tasted the divine wine and afterward, they would stop at nothing to earn the coin needed for another drop. It was the chain that bound them to their god.