A peaceful silence enveloped the dining room in the old church. Warm steam billowed from the teacups on the weathered wooden table, carrying the scent of chamomile that soothed the nerves. On Aria's face, the tension that had locked her maternal features for a thousand years slowly faded, replaced by a smile full of relief so pure that it made the air around them feel lighter.
"Through this connection, I know for sure," whispered Aria, rubbing her chest with deep gratitude. "That my daughter is well-sealed... and she is still safe."
Hearing the confirmation, Alfia leaned back in her chair with a long exhalation. Meteria, sitting beside her sister, gently stroked her own belly, as if she could feel the strong maternal bond radiating from the figure of the Great Spirit across the table.
However, that peace only lasted a moment. As soon as the greatest burden on her heart was lifted, the instinct of a mother who had been separated from her child for a millennium took over. Aria stood from her chair. Her movements were graceful, yet tucked within was an undeniable decisiveness. Her eyes, now refracted into a hazel color, stared straight toward the church door.
"Venti-sama," said Aria, turning toward the green-cloaked young man at the end of the table. "Thank you for everything. However, knowing my daughter is sealed and sleeping alone in that icy darkness... I cannot waste any more time. I will descend into the Dungeon right now to bring her home."
The wind in the room seemed to respond to her resolve, rustling softly and vibrating the window curtains. The magical power of the Great Spirit of Wind faintly emanated, showing that she was ready to cleave through anything that stood in her way.
"Sit down, Aria."
The voice was not spoken with a raised tone, nor was it cloaked in anger, yet the absolute authority contained within it made the wind in the room instantly die down. Venti placed his teacup on the porcelain saucer with a soft clack. The face of the young man, usually filled with a playful grin, now looked flat, staring at Aria with a sharp, piercing teal gaze.
Aria was stunned, her body freezing. "But, Venti-sama..."
"I said, sit," Venti repeated.
Aria swallowed hard, slowly obeying her god's command and sitting back in her chair. Alfia and Meteria exchanged glances, confused to see the sudden change in their god's attitude, becoming very protective—or perhaps, very cautious.
Venti crossed his arms in front of his chest. Behind his calm face, his reincarnator brain was spinning at full speed, recalling every memory of his past life on Earth regarding the deepest lore of the DanMachi world.
Descending to Floor 60 alone? That is tantamount to suicide, Venti thought.
He knew exactly what was in those deepest regions. Floor 60 was the Glacier Territory, an unforgiving frozen hell. However, it was not the cold or the regular monsters that Venti worried about. His memory pointed to a deadly anomaly cultivated by the Dungeon itself—the Corrupted Spirits, and there was also a strange magic stone-eating creature named Revis.
Venti tried to remember the timeline of those anomaly monsters' appearance. When do the Corrupted Spirits awaken, and exactly when does the Dungeon start creating them? Venti pondered. During the era when the Zeus and Hera Familia were still glorious, those monsters did not exist (did not appear). But now, after those two strongest Familias were destroyed and the Dungeon sensed humanity's weakness, that labyrinth must be planning something down there. It is this uncertainty of time that is most dangerous. Those monsters might very well be in the process of incubation around Floor 60 right now. If Aria—a pure Great Spirit filled with high-level elemental energy—descended there alone without a guard, the Dungeon would instantly react. The labyrinth would focus all its hatred and predatory instincts upon Aria, making her the perfect fertilizer to accelerate the birth of the Corrupted Spirits.
Of course, Venti could not spew those facts out in front of Aria and Alfia. Talking about secret monsters that even the Orario Guild did not know existed would only raise massive suspicions about his knowledge. He had to use another reason that sounded far more logical to their ears.
"Aria, listen to me carefully," Venti finally said, breaking the silence with a tone that was now softer but remained firm. "I know you want to hug your daughter very much. But you must remember one thing: the Dungeon you remember a thousand years ago when you entered with the Hero Albert, is no longer the same as the Dungeon today."
Aria frowned. "What do you mean?"
"For these thousand years, that labyrinth has continued to live, breathe, and evolve," Venti explained, stringing his logic together. "Its floor structures change, its routes shift, and new monsters with anomalies you have never seen have been born. You don't know where its newest traps lie, and you don't know what awaits you in the darkness. If you descend alone with unstable emotions, you will get lost, or worse, trigger a chain reaction from the labyrinth that could bury you and your daughter forever."
Aria fell silent. That logic hit her hard. She indeed knew nothing about the current condition of the Dungeon. She lowered her head, squeezing the hem of her dress with mixed feelings. "Then... what should I do? I cannot just sit idly here while my daughter is in there."
Venti smiled faintly. He shifted his gaze from Aria, looking straight at the silver-haired mage sitting on the other side of the table.
"You will not go down alone. Just to be safe," Venti pointed at Alfia, "the Aunt of this Familia will be your guide."
Alfia, who had only been listening all this time, suddenly choked on her own saliva. She pointed at herself with wide eyes. "Me? To Floor 60? Now?"
"Who else?" Venti leaned back in his chair with his signature annoying flair. "You are from the Hera Familia. You know the exact routes, and you yourself admitted earlier that you know where the 'Dungeon Girl' is sealed. Armed with your power and your knowledge of the labyrinth's current structure, you are the most logical person to accompany Aria into those depths."
Alfia furrowed her brow deeply. Her facial expression was filled with reluctance. She turned her head away, looking at Meteria sitting beside her.
"I... I planned not to set foot in that cursed hole again until my nephew is born," muttered Alfia, her tone sounding heavy. "I don't want to leave her side for a single second. What if something happens to her while I'm trapped on Floor 60?"
Hearing the very human worry from the most feared mage, Venti's smile softened. He rose from his chair, walked around the table, and stopped right behind Meteria's chair. Venti placed one hand on the back of Meteria's chair, while a soft green wind element rustled gently around them, providing immense warmth.
"Alfia," Venti called, his voice carrying the absolute promise of an Archon. "As long as I am here, this old church is the safest place in the entire Gekai (Lower World). Nothing can touch or hurt Meteria and the Bell in her womb. I will never let them get hurt."
Meteria smiled sincerely. She reached for her sister's hand resting on the table, squeezing it tightly. "Venti-sama is right, Sister. You don't need to worry about me anymore. Go. Help Sylphie... I mean, help Aria bring her family home. I will be fine here waiting for you."
Alfia looked into her sister's clear eyes, then looked at Venti, who nodded reassuringly. Slowly, the wall of reluctance within the mage crumbled. She let out a long sigh that sounded resigned, but as she straightened her back again, the aura of an elite adventurer from the Hera Familia emanated from her body once more.
"Very well," Alfia decided, her eyes sharpening. She looked at Aria with the gaze of an expedition commander. "If I am the guide, then you must follow my rules, Aria. Floor 60 is not a place for a mere afternoon stroll. The temperature there can freeze blood in seconds, and the monsters in the Glacier territory have no mercy."
"I understand," Aria nodded firmly. "I will follow your instructions."
"We will depart tomorrow morning, right when the city gates open and the sun isn't too hot yet," Alfia continued, beginning to lay out her plan with terrifying efficiency. "I need all day today to prepare logistics. We will need several warming cloaks, stamina recovery potions (Mind Restore), High Potions, high-level antidotes, and long-lasting food supplies for the journey down and up."
Venti chuckled softly. "You're Level 7, Alfia. Shouldn't taking care of the monsters there be as easy as snapping your fingers for you? Especially since you're accompanied by a Great Spirit. Is it necessary to bring a backpack full of potions?"
Alfia glared at Venti sharply. "It's precisely because I have reached the deepest floors that I know arrogance is the fastest killer inside the Dungeon. Considering we will be bringing back a small child who might need treatment after coming out of the ice, there is no harm in being cautious. I will not let this expedition fail just because I lack one bottle of antidote."
"Agreed, agreed," Venti raised both hands in surrender, admiring the woman's caution. Alfia's logic was very satisfying; at least, with preparations this thorough, whatever anomalies the Dungeon prepared down there, they would not be caught off guard.
The atmosphere thawed again. The heavy discussion about the expedition concluded with an absolute agreement.
"Well, since all the adventuring business has been discussed, how about we focus on the most important thing this morning?" Venti clapped his hands cheerfully, then pointed toward the table. "Breakfast! Alfia, the aroma has had my stomach growling for a while now."
Meteria laughed softly, immediately distributing plates filled with warm soup and toasted bread. Venti enthusiastically grabbed his large portion right away, while Alfia ate with composed elegance.
Aria, sitting in her chair, just smiled watching them. She had no intention of eating. As a spiritual entity, human food provided absolutely none of the nutrition she needed. However, suddenly a plate full of warm soup was pushed right in front of her.
Aria looked up, staring at Venti who had pushed the plate. "Venti-sama... I am a Spirit. I do not need this food."
Venti shook his head. "The Great Spirit Aria might not need to eat. But, remember who you are now inside this church. Your name is Sylphie. You are a part of this family. Who refuses breakfast with their family? Eat."
Hearing those words, Aria's heart trembled. She stared at the bowl of soup in front of her. The thin wisps of smoke carried the aroma of chicken broth and simple spices. Slowly, she picked up her wooden spoon, scooped up a little of the soup broth, and tasted it.
The warmth of the food spread down her throat, seeped into her body, and warmed a soul that had been frozen for thousands of years. A deeply human sensation of nostalgia hit Aria. Back then, when she traveled with Albert and his comrades, they also often cooked simple soup around the campfire.
A single tear of happiness escaped the corner of Aria's eye, but she quickly wiped it away with a wide smile.
"This is... very delicious," said Aria with a trembling voice. "Thank you for the food."
Alfia smiled seeing the woman's response, feeling pleased her cooking was appreciated so sincerely.
The four of them enjoyed breakfast and tea that morning with full warmth. Laughter was occasionally heard as Venti recounted (with exaggerated embellishments) his journey out there, while Alfia interjected to correct the nonsensical facts.
However, just as Venti lifted his teacup for the final sip, the fragile glass of the church window suddenly vibrated softly.
Ring... Whoosh...
A small, bright turquoise wind vortex entered through the window gap. The wind spirit taking the form of a highly familiar little ball of light—the Venti Wisp—spun nimbly in the air, darted toward the dining table, then danced around Venti's head.
Alfia set down her teacup, looking at the little spirit warily. "What is that? Is that yours?"
Venti did not answer immediately. He closed his eyes, letting the Venti Wisp attach to his forehead and channel the memories and information it had gathered from the east.
In an instant, visions of the aftermath of the battle in Hjaðningavíg, the surrender of Hedin's and Hogni's crowns, and the absolute decision of Dina and Vena flashed through the Archon's mind. He saw those four formidable pilgrims sailing across the lake, pointing their compass straight toward the west. Toward the Labyrinth City. Toward him.
Venti's teal eyes slowly opened wide. He fell silent for a few seconds, before finally leaning his head back and laughing awkwardly. He massaged the bridge of his nose.
"Venti-sama?" Aria asked, slightly worried seeing her god's reaction. "Is there bad news?"
Venti sighed, lowered his hand, and looked at the three women in front of him with a forced smile.
Venti smiled wryly, then raised his teacup in a toasting gesture to the empty air.
"Well, it seems my instincts as a god are indeed never wrong," Venti said, his tone a mix of amusement, enthusiasm, and anticipation of the coming headache.
"Our quiet old church is about to become very lively. News from the east has arrived... we will be receiving four new Familia members. And just so you know, they are not the kind of people who can be told to sit still."
Alfia narrowed her eyes, her instincts as an elite adventurer telling her that the god in front of her had just brought trouble to their doorstep.
"Four people?" hissed Alfia. "Don't tell me you picked up more troublemakers out there."
"Troublemakers? Ah, perhaps it's more accurate to call them heroes of revolution... or crazy former kings," Venti laughed freely, imagining the meeting between Alfia the strongest mage and Hedin the arrogant White King. The stage of Orario had just been set.
The wind of change blew once again, carrying the promise of a tomorrow far from peaceful, yet filled with a new destiny that would shake the foundation of the world. The expedition underground and the arrival of a storm from the east... the curtain for the new act of the Barbatos Familia had officially been drawn.