As the ridiculous bickering echoed through the main tent of the Ares familia, a traveler-dressed "neutral god" happened to walk by.
Hermes… in the past, he would probably have barged right in, fanning the flames just for fun.
But now, the golden-haired god, usually giving off a smiling but cunning vibe, wore a rare frown.
Seeing that expression on his face, this master of schemes, is almost a miracle.
Right now…
"Hermes-sama, are you sure it's not too late to start looking for that person?"
Behind him was a blue-haired, blue-eyed woman wearing glasses.
Asfi Al Andromeda, the current leader of Hermes's familia. Though her officially registered Blessing Level in the Guild was only Lv.2, this was a deliberate underreport. Her true Blessing Level was Lv.4, and she had awakened the ultra-rare development trait [Mystery], making her a top-tier magical item creator.
At this moment, the god and his companion had come to the Ares familia (Rakia Kingdom) camp to borrow a few tamed dragons for rapid travel.
They urgently needed to return to Orario in the shortest time possible.
The reason was simple…
"The usage conditions for that spear are far too strict. None of the Lv.1 or Lv.2 adventurers gathered here can meet its approval… including your friend under the Justice Goddess."
Hermes shrugged helplessly.
"Artemis has already checked in the past few days. Even among the tens of thousands of Rakia Kingdom soldiers, no one qualifies. Not even lower-level adventurers."
"Then… we have no choice but to take her to Orario and gamble on luck."
Hearing this…
"But given Artemis-sama's current condition…"
"She'll hold on."
Hermes's eyes narrowed slightly, his tone serious:
"Her compassion for the lower realms, her self-affirmation… even her regrets over what she's lost… no matter what, the 'Virgin Goddess' will persevere. And the time she fights for, we must use wisely."
The god tilted his hand to pull down his hat brim slightly.
"After all, this world hasn't yet produced a true hero. We can't just let that potential be wasted."
==========
Meanwhile, elsewhere…
"The scorpion swarm's attacking again!"
"All units, prepare for combat!"
"These pests are driving me insane."
Because of the stubbornness of the one-track-minded Ares over the past years, the Rakia Kingdom and Orario had publicly been at odds. Even though the two forces now had a rare opportunity to cooperate, their tents were still set apart.
The border defense was divided between the two familias, each guarding a section.
It was around 5 a.m., the night soon to end.
"Click-click~"
A massive number of scorpion clones burst from the Large Tree Labyrinth, advancing seemingly chaotically toward both camps.
During this process…
"Although Finn and Riveria, the strategists, aren't here, I can't shake the feeling these monsters aren't attacking randomly."
In truth, the alliance's forces were extremely scattered.
Not only did the Rakia soldiers and Orario reinforcements have no common ground, even adventurers from different familias barely interacted.
Walk into Loki familia's camp, and you'd only see Gareth, Lefiya, Alicia, Anakitty, Raul, and a few others.
Freya familia's camp was nearby, but neither the White and Black Knights nor the Gulliver Brothers paid any attention.
About a week ago, the Dainsleif and Hildrsleif had ventured into the Large Tree Labyrinth. They returned quietly yesterday, carrying a faint stench of blood. What happened there? No one knew, they clearly didn't intend to share.
So Gareth, along with Lefiya and the others, spent their days mechanically fending off what looked like just large numbers of one-eyed scorpions.
Even the term "scorpion swarm" had only recently started circulating in the camp.
Now, as the monsters attacked again, Gareth resumed his mechanical defense.
Ten minutes later…
"Every wave is just a minor skirmish, then they wait before coming again."
Gareth, wielding his Axe, grumbled as Lefiya and the others cleaned the battlefield:
"Zero threat, just incredibly annoying."
"Were ancient monsters that had to be sealed really only this weak?"
He could hardly believe it. After all, the White and Black Knights had returned silently with a blood trail. That meant the two Lv.6 adventurers had failed.
Suddenly…
"If you underestimate ancient monsters like that, it only proves you're getting old, Gareth."
The familiar voice came from behind.
The veteran dwarf didn't turn. He hoisted his giant axe onto his shoulder and muttered:
"Coming this late, and with such attitude…"
"What, noble elf, even traveling makes you OCD?"
"Heh, you…"
Riveria, holding her Magna Alfs, stepped beside Gareth:
"I'm afraid I'll disappoint you. The reinforcements you asked for haven't arrived. It's just me for now."
"Hm?"
Gareth finally turned his head. Looking around, there was no one else, except excited Lefiya and Alicia running over from a short distance, having noticed the situation.
"Just you?" Gareth asked, puzzled. "You rode a dragon here?"
"No, I was originally walking with Claire and the others. Orario has no dragons to spare."
Riveria shrugged.
"But… Lumine helped me a lot. When I realized the situation was urgent, I left the team under Claire's care."
"And we also made a quick detour to the Kaios Desert."
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