Walking through the streets of Orario, Judas made his way toward a particular street and spotted the familiar female chienthrope.
"Judas Spade, you're here. Follow me."
Lulune said as she turned and walked ahead.
Judas fell into step behind her without a word.
"I was surprised that you personally made a request of us... though I can't help but be curious, but..."
Lulune slowed her pace until she was walking beside him.
"Mind telling me what the request is...?"
She added, glancing over at him with a grin.
Judas met her gaze, shrugged, and pulled out a crystal orb.
It was the magic surveillance item he had recovered during the 24th floor incident.
"I found this magic item. Your captain has the [Mystery] development ability, right? I was wondering if she could recreate it... or at least something close to it."
Lulune eyed the orb in his hand and rubbed her chin.
"Eh... is that so?"
"Well, you're in luck. The captain happens to be in today."
After a few minutes of walking, they arrived at the Traveler's Inn... the home base of the Hermes Familia.
"Ah, Judas Spade. What a pleasure to have you visit our humble abode."
The first to greet him at the door was the feathered-hat wearing god himself, arm already extended for a handshake.
Looking at Hermes' thoroughly punchable face, Judas shook his hand and returned the greeting.
"It may not compare to the Twilight Manor, but please, make yourself at home."
Judas gave a nod and stepped inside.
"I'll go fetch the captain."
Lulune said as she slipped past.
"Oh... Judas Spade?"
"What's he doing here?"
"Is he our next client?"
Members of the Hermes Familia began appearing one by one, murmuring amongst themselves.
"Judas Spade... to think we'd be seeing each other again so soon."
Falgar said as he walked up beside him with a grin.
"Falgar. Good to see you on your feet."
Judas said, which made the vice-captain's grin widen.
"Heh, of course. Takes more than a few injuries to put me down."
He said, thumping a fist against his chest.
The rest of the members quickly swarmed in, most of them piling on with praise and gratitude for what had happened on the 24th floor.
"Alright... alright, can't you guys see you're overwhelming him? He must be here for business... don't waste too much of his time."
Falgar said, and everyone naturally settled down.
But there was one particular female elf who hadn't moved from her spot, her eyes fixed on Judas from across the room.
She wasn't present during the 24th floor incident, so Judas didn't recognize her.
"N-No way... is that... is that actually J-Judas Spade?"
The female elf stammered, her face going red.
Her name was Laurier Swall. A Level 2 member of the Hermes Familia.
'My savior... why is he here?'
She thought as her heart began to race.
Judas wouldn't remember it, but Laurier was one of the adventurers he had saved during the incident on the ninth floor... the time he fought the irregular Juggernaut.
But Laurier remembered it vividly... like it happened yesterday.
Judas standing between her and the horde of irregular monsters, his back to her, completely unshaken.
In that moment, she had felt exactly like the heroine of her own story, rescued by her destined hero.
Ever since that day, she had admired him... and eventually fallen for him.
She had been one of the first to defend him when the accusations of level-hiding and cheating had started circulating.
"Uwa~ he looks even more handsome up close..."
Sensing a gaze on him, Judas glanced in her direction.
Laurier flinched like a startled animal and immediately ducked behind the nearest cover.
Crunch.
The sound of someone eating came from beside her.
Lulune had materialized out of nowhere, snack in hand, watching the entire scene unfold with the expression of someone thoroughly entertained.
"W-Wait, Lulune! It's not what you think!"
Laurier said, hands waving frantically.
"Heh... no need to explain yourself, I understand."
Lulune said, nodding slowly with a knowing look.
'That was odd.'
Judas thought, though he didn't dwell on it.
"Please, have a seat."
Hermes gestured toward a chair with a gracious sweep of his arm.
Judas obliged and found himself seated across from the god, who was watching him with that ever-present smile.
"Judas Spade... I heard everything about what happened on the 24th floor. I cannot thank you enough for protecting the lives of my familia members."
Hermes said as he lifted his hat and bowed his head.
"I only did what needed to be done."
Judas replied with a small wave of his hand.
Hearing that, Hermes' smile widened.
'As expected... though his face is mostly stoic, he has a good heart... he would make a fine candidate for the Last Hero.'
It wasn't long before Asfi appeared.
"Good day, Sir Judas."
"Lulune filled me in on the details. May I see the item?"
She said, her eyes already fixed on the orb in his hand.
Judas handed it over without ceremony.
Asfi turned it over carefully in her hands, eyes narrowing as she examined it.
"Hmm... I thought as much. This was made by someone with the same Mystery development ability as mine."
She muttered to herself.
"Can you recreate it?"
Judas asked.
Asfi adjusted her glasses.
"Of course I can... though it will be difficult. If I admitted that I couldn't, that would make me an inferior item creator... and I have no intention of losing to whoever made this."
She said with a smile, a competitive glint flashing behind her eyes.
After ironing out the finer details, Asfi estimated it would take roughly one to two weeks to produce a working replica.
Between reverse-engineering the mechanism of the original and sourcing all the necessary materials, there was a fair amount of groundwork to cover first.
"You don't need to worry about the timing. I know the Loki Familia's expedition is coming up in a few days... the Hermes Familia will handle the material gathering."
Asfi said before her expression shifted into something more businesslike.
"That said... naturally, all of this will require appropriate compensation."
Her pupils briefly took on the unmistakable shape of coin symbols.
"If you succeed, I'll pay you generously."
Judas said without hesitation.
Asfi's smile returned in full, and the two shook on it.
With his business at the Hermes Familia concluded, Judas handed the orb over to Asfi and turned to head back to the Twilight Manor.
But on his way back, he caught sight of a group of girls moving together along the street, led by a blue-haired goddess.
"Isn't that..."
He glanced in their direction.
As if sensing his gaze, the blue-haired goddess turned her head and their eyes met.
'Artemis?'
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