After a brief rest and once everyone had recovered, Belle couldn't help but pepper Judas and the others with questions about the upcoming expedition.
Her questions revolved around what the deep floors were like, what kind of monsters lurked there, and similar things.
"I wonder how many... what floor you guys will reach this time?"
She asked, eyes bright with curiosity.
"Our goal is to reach at least the 59th floor."
Tione replied with a proud lift of her chin.
"Wow!"
Belle's eyes went wide with stars in them.
For someone who had only ever ventured as deep as the middle floors, the 59th floor felt like another world entirely.
"Of course, it's all thanks to our captain's brilliant leadership."
Seeing Belle's admiration, Tione puffed her chest out even further, making sure to heap praise on Finn in the process.
"What about you, Belle? I heard the Hestia Familia recently gained a new member."
Judas said.
"Ah, right! After a new captain was assigned to the Soma Familia, Lili worked up the courage to face her old deity and requested a transfer. She joined us not long after."
Belle said with a smile.
What she didn't know was that Lili had originally intended to join the Loki Familia.
The reason was simple... she wanted to be closer to Judas.
However, she lost her nerve upon arriving at the gates of the Twilight Manor.
She lacked the confidence, believing she wasn't worthy of joining one of the top factions in the city.
In the end, she chose to join the Hestia Familia because of her familiarity and friendship with Belle.
From that point on, the Hestia Familia's member count finally increased from one to two.
"Lili? You mean that brown-haired pallum from that day?"
Tiona said, scrunching her face in thought.
"Yep, that's her."
Belle nodded with a smile, then her gaze drifted subtly toward Judas.
A faint pink crept into her cheeks.
"Umm… Judas, since you're going to be away for a while… do you… do you want to hang out together?"
Belle said, blushing profusely as she tapped her index fingers together.
The moment those words left her mouth... it felt as if thunder had struck the area.
Ais, Tiona, and Alfia froze completely.
Tione and Bete both raised an eyebrow.
'Why did the atmosphere suddenly get so heavy?'
Bete thought with a frown.
'I'm getting out of here.'
He wisely excused himself from the premises.
'Don't tell me... does Belle actually like Judas? Like that?'
Tione thought with mild surprise.
'That look on her face... I see it now. It all makes sense.'
Tiona, who had already had her suspicions from the beginning, let out a quiet sigh.
'So Miss Argonaut turned out to be one of my rivals after all.'
Still, she seemed to be taking it in stride.
But for Ais, it was a different story.
Her golden eyes slowly lost focus, the light fading slightly.
Even if she didn't fully understand it...
'...My heart feels restless.'
Her chest felt tight, unsettled in a way she couldn't explain.
As for Alfia, her expression was completely unreadable, a shadow falling across the upper half of her face.
But the gloomy aura radiating off her was enough to make anyone nearby break into a cold sweat.
Judas lifted his head and stared directly at Belle's flushed face, completely unaware of the storm brewing around her.
Then he shifted his gaze toward Ais… and Alfia.
'If I say the wrong thing here... I'm done for, aren't I.'
For the first time since his reincarnation, Judas felt like he was walking on eggshells.
He wasn't oblivious.
The fact that Belle had leveled up this quickly meant she had already awakened her Liaris Freese skill.
As someone who had watched the anime, he knew exactly what that skill entailed.
He also wouldn't rule out that Belle could swing that way.
But the way Belle looked at Ais felt more like admiration and friendship than anything romantic.
She looked up to her as a fellow female adventurer, not as someone she harbored deeper feelings for.
'It can only mean that, right?'
He was also very much aware of the feelings from several women around him.
A memory surfaced... something from Estelon's life.
...
"Estelon... a woman's heart is like a bomb. Volatile, and liable to go off in your face if you don't handle it with care."
Akasha had said, fixing him with the look of someone imparting hard-won wisdom.
"Who starts a conversation like that? I just sat down."
Estelon had replied with an expression of pure bewilderment.
"Hmph!"
Akasha snorted, and in the next instant, Estelon found himself launched all the way to one of Celestia's moons.
...
'A bomb, huh.'
Judas' gaze darted around, searching for an answer.
But no matter how much he thought...
'Fuck… there is no correct answer.'
As he stood there, completely stuck in a dilemma
Alfia suddenly stepped forward.
She grabbed Belle by the top of her head.
"Eh…?"
Belle blinked in confusion.
"I'm sure Judas is busy preparing for the expedition. Don't distract him."
Alfia said as she casually lifted the much smaller girl off the ground as if she weighed nothing.
"And also, if you want to hang out with someone, you'll need my permission first."
"Then… can I—"
"No."
A firm refusal.
"W-Wait, what? That's too much!"
Belle squeaked as her feet dangled helplessly in the air.
"Oh? Are you talking back to me now?"
Alfia said, her gaze sharpening.
"N-no! Mother! I would never!"
Belle stammered, breaking into a nervous sweat.
...
The day of the expedition arrived.
Several large flags bearing the Loki Familia's emblem stood tall across the central plaza, their crimson banners snapping sharply in the morning wind.
It was not only the members of the Loki Familia, who stood armed to the teeth in tightly organized formations, but also members of the Hephaestus Familia.
Following the previous expedition, where they had encountered monsters capable of melting weapons, Finn had arranged for several of Hephaestus' smiths to accompany them.
Though Judas' enchantments would certainly help, it was still better to have expert craftsmen present in case of emergencies.
Finn wanted this expedition to succeed no matter what.
The last one had ended in retreat, and that was a stain the Loki Familia fully intended to erase.
A massive crowd had gathered in the central plaza to see one of the city's top familias off on their expedition.
"It's the Loki Familia!"
"Looks like they're heading out to the deep floors again!"
"I finally get to see Lady Riveria in person!"
"Isn't that Braver? He looks just as handsome as the rumors say!"
"Personally I think the rookie, Judas Spade, is even more handsome!"
"The Sword Princess! I think she just looked at me!"
"Go get them!"
"Slay everything down there!"
"We're all cheering for you, heroes!"
The cheers of Orario's citizens echoed throughout the plaza like thunder.
Adventurers from other familias, merchants, children, and ordinary residents all gathered to witness the moment.
For them, these expeditions were more than just journeys into the dungeon.
They were battles fought for the city itself.
Looking at the people of Orario cheering them on, Judas took a slow breath... his gaze settling on the entrance to the dungeon.
...
In the central plaza, adjacent to the dungeon's entrance, the Loki Familia's commanding trio stood together, overlooking the assembled force.
"All preparations are complete."
"Everyone had their status updated last night. Loki pushed herself too hard doing it and is still recovering."
Riveria spoke calmly, recalling the scene of the entire Loki Familia lining up for their status updates... and Loki's scream of agony that followed.
"Let her rest. I'm also glad morale is high… it seems the aftermath of Evilus' attack has only fired them up."
Finn said with a quiet smile.
"Ais and the others have grown. Seeing everyone here… it feels nostalgic to think back to when the three of us were the only members."
Gareth said, stroking his beard.
"Speaking of growth... I heard Lefiya qualified to rank up to Level 4 after the incident on the 24th floor but chose not to."
Finn said, glancing toward Riveria.
"Loki and I suggested that she raise her stats a bit more before leveling up, that's all."
Riveria answered, her gaze drifting briefly to Lefiya, who was in the middle of a conversation with a female elf named Filvis, a new friend she had made recently.
Seeing this, Riveria's lips curled up slightly.
"Why don't we address the elephant in the room…"
Gareth said, trailing off as his gaze shifted to a particular black-haired boy.
"Judas Spade… I'm looking forward to how he'll perform in this expedition."
He added, tapping his belly idly.
"Look at him, already surrounded by women. That guy's a natural playboy, alright."
"I even heard he gets along well with your students... the Fairy Force… 'Elf Slayer,' wasn't it? That's what they called him back when we visited the Hostess. Now I know why…"
Finn said with a grin as he turned toward Riveria.
"You'd better be careful around him, Riveria. Who knows what might happen?"
Gareth added, mirroring Finn's grin.
In response to their teasing, Riveria closed her eyes.
"If the both of you don't want to get hit in the head, I suggest you stop those jokes at once."
She said, opening one eye and sending them a chilling glare.
Finn and Gareth immediately flinched and shut their mouths.
'Though I can't say for sure... it seems Ais is already developing feelings for him.'
Riveria thought to herself, saying nothing further.
...
Meanwhile, Judas felt an arm drop over his shoulders.
He turned to find Tsubaki grinning at him, teeth and all.
"Hey there, Judas! Looks like we'll be working together from here on out!"
"I'm counting on you to protect me out there, oh mighty adventurer."
She said, pulling him in.
Judas turned into mist and slipped out of her grasp.
"Protect you? You're two levels above me. I think you'll manage."
He said, straightening his collar.
"Hah! The guy whose strength far exceeds his actual level is saying that?"
Tsubaki replied with folded arms, giving him a you-can't-fool-me look.
"Oh, looks like we made it in time."
A familiar voice came from behind. Judas turned to find Alise, Kaguya and Lyra approaching.
"You guys..."
"Hehe… surprised? We're here to wish you luck on your first expedition."
Alise said with a wide grin, patting his shoulders.
"Here."
In contrast, Kaguya suddenly tossed him an expensive-looking dagger.
"A gift. Use it well."
"Thanks…?"
Judas said, slightly caught off guard as he inspected the intricate craftsmanship.
'Not as good as the Hestia Knife… but still well-made.'
After Alise and her group left, Ryuu and Syr appeared.
"Mr. Spade, for Syr's sake, make sure you return in one piece. And I'd better not see you passed out again when you come back."
Ryuu said with her usual straight-faced expression.
"Jeez… don't scare him like that, Ryuu."
Syr said with a smile as she handed him a bento.
"I've always wanted to give you one of these. I hope you'll like it."
She added, crossing her fingers delicately and fluttering her eyelids.
"Ah… sure."
Judas replied, forcing a small smile.
But the stream of visitors didn't stop.
"Judas, good luck on your expedition."
Rose, his guild advisor, said in her usual uniform, looking at him with a dreamy expression.
"Judas, this is filled with some of our highest quality potions and elixirs. Please share them with everyone."
Airmid said as she handed him a crate.
"This is thanks for the other day. Everyone in Orario is wishing for your success... good luck."
She added with a gentle smile.
"Yo! Judas Spade, how are you doing?"
Judas turned to see Asfi and Lulune approaching, with a blonde elf trailing behind them... Laurier, who introduced herself.
From the side, Ais watched the scene unfold, her expression tightening.
'Women… women… women… they're all women.'
Some of them even looked at Judas in ways she didn't like.
'Is Judas… a playboy?'
She clenched her fist, recalling a line from the book she had been reading.
"Men who hang out with too many women are trash! Don't associate with them!"
'Judas is… trash?'
Ais closed her eyes, steadying her thoughts.
'No… this isn't the time to be emotional.'
Her gaze sharpened as she looked at Judas.
'But I don't like it.'
...
Judas suddenly felt a sting at the back of his head.
'Is someone glaring at me?'
He rubbed it with a puzzled expression, but sensing no hostility, he let it go.
That was when Finn stepped forward and the noise around them began to settle.
"We will now begin our expedition!"
"Our destination is the 59th floor! A place no one has reached since the age of Hera and Zeus!"
"You are all courageous adventurers who have endured countless trials!"
"We will gain wealth and fame by exploring the unknown!"
"But I want every one of you to swear by the light on the surface... that you will come back alive!"
A brief silence.
Then the collective voice of the entire Loki Familia roared back in answer, shaking the plaza.
The corner of Finn's mouth lifted.
"Then let us move out!"
He called, stepping to the front.
'A new adventure awaits... or something along those lines.'
Judas thought to himself with a faint smile, and walked forward.
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