After concluding his conversation with Ouranos, Tsuna headed toward Babel to meet up with Hestia and the others.
When he arrived, the area around the massive tower was swarming with a chaotic crowd of adventurers and civilians, but he eventually managed to locate his Familia. Learning that Bell had already departed for the Dungeon with the Ganesha Familia, Tsuna quickly ushered Hestia and the rest of the group away from the bustling plaza.
"So, what is the matter, Master Sawada? Why did we have to move so far away from Babel?" Mikoto asked.
"Sorry. There's something I need to talk to you guys about, but I couldn't risk anyone overhearing us," Tsuna explained.
"What in the world is it…?"
"Do you guys remember when we went to the Soma Familia's warehouse to rescue Lili?"
Mikoto looked bewildered by the sudden mention of Lili's former Familia. Hestia and Welf were equally confused by his intent. Haruhime, who had still been trapped in the Ishtar Familia at the time, simply tilted her head.
"I see. So you realized it as well, Master Tsuna," Lili said softly.
Among them, only Lili instantly understood what Tsuna was getting at.
"Actually, Lili was about to bring it up herself, but you arrived before I had the chance. I believe your assumption is correct."
"I knew it…"
"Hey. Stop nodding along by yourselves and explain it to the rest of us," Welf interrupted, crossing his arms in frustration.
"Do you remember what Zanis from the Soma Familia said? He claimed that simply selling monsters would bring in massive amounts of money," Tsuna reminded them.
"Ah…"
"Now that you mention it…"
"He did say something like that…"
"M-My apologies! Then how about we join forces!? I have a highly lucrative business proposition! We can make a fortune just by selling monsters! With Arde's power, you could also… Gah!?"
Because the impact of Tsuna's furious rampage had overshadowed everything else, they had almost forgotten that Zanis had desperately tried to pitch a business deal to save his own skin.
"Before you all arrived to save me, Lord Zanis locked me in a cell and proposed that exact same scheme. He wanted to use my shape-shifting magic to lure out monsters, capture them, and sell them on the black market," Lili explained.
"Luring out monsters, capturing them, and selling them. Simple, isn't it?"
Taking advantage of Lord Soma's utter lack of interest in anything other than brewing his divine wine, Zanis had essentially privatized the Familia to fuel his own greed. Because Lili despised the man and had zero interest in his corrupt schemes, she had dismissed his proposal as delusional rambling. But looking back, a man as exceptionally greedy as Zanis would never waste his time on an unprofitable venture. Lili had concluded that the "monsters" Zanis intended to sell were highly likely the Xenos.
"Furthermore, Reborn mentioned a smuggling route used to traffic the Xenos. He theorized that there must be another entrance connecting the surface to the Dungeon besides Babel."
"I see. And you think this smuggling route might also serve as the Poachers' hideout," Hestia deduced.
If they could locate the smuggling route and the Poachers' base, they could capture the culprits and stop the hunting of the Xenos entirely.
With their next course of action decided, Tsuna and the group headed for the Soma Familia's headquarters.
"Liliruca Arde. …Is your health well?"
"It has been a while, Lord Soma. Thanks to you, I am in perfect health," Lili bowed respectfully.
Upon arriving at the headquarters, they were escorted to the God's Chamber. Sitting before them was a male deity whose long black hair covered his eyes.
This was Soma, the patron God of the Soma Familia. In the past, his obsession with brewing wine led him to neglect his Familia. His dependents had easily succumbed to the intoxicating allure of his divine wine, tearing each other apart in ugly, desperate struggles to obtain it. Disgusted by their behavior, Soma had handed complete control of the Familia over to Zanis and isolated himself.
Even as Zanis corrupted the Familia for his own gain, Soma's profound disappointment in his children kept him from intervening. However, after witnessing Lili overcome the allure of his divine wine through sheer willpower, he had a change of heart. He reclaimed his authority and was now actively managing his Familia.
"I shall call for Chandra…"
After Lili explained their objective, Soma sent for Chandra—the dwarf who had previously freed Lili from her cell.
"It has been a while, Sir Chandra. I heard you were promoted to Captain. Congratulations," Lili greeted him as he led them toward the dungeons.
"Give it a rest. Don't remind me. A position like 'boss' doesn't suit me at all. I can barely drink Lord Soma's wine anymore. It's a disaster."
"Well, it's still a massive improvement from how things used to be. And we owe that to you." Chandra smirked at Tsuna.
Chandra had originally joined the Soma Familia solely to drink the divine wine. However, he possessed a strong moral compass and refused to betray or backstab his comrades to obtain it. He had always despised the sickening state of the Familia, but lacked the power to change it. Because Tsuna's violent intervention had awakened the dependents and forced the Familia to reform, Chandra was genuinely grateful to him.
"How is the former Captain holding up?" Tsuna asked, slightly concerned.
During the rescue, Tsuna had been so enraged by Zanis using Lili as a hostage that he had punched the man square in the face, instantly knocking him out.
"Physically and mentally, he's fine. But even after having his Falna revoked and being thrown into a cell, his rotten personality hasn't changed a bit," Chandra sighed, shaking his head at the man's lack of remorse.
They finally arrived at the cell block—the exact same place Lili had once been imprisoned.
"Hey! Where's my food!? I'm starving! Bring me my food right now!!"
They could hear Zanis screaming long before they reached his cell. Just as Chandra had warned, Zanis hadn't reflected on his actions in the slightest. Despite being a prisoner, he carried himself with the same arrogance as when he ruled the Familia.
"Shut up, Zanis. Keep your voice down," Chandra scolded, stepping up to the bars.
"Hah? Chandra, what the hell are you doing he—"
Zanis glared at him. His glasses were gone, his clothes were little more than filthy rags, and he looked pathetic. Yet, a vivid bruise from Tsuna's punch still lingered on his face.
"────HIIIIIIEEEEEEEEEE!!"
The moment Zanis's eyes locked onto Tsuna standing behind Chandra, his arrogant demeanor vanished, replaced by an ear-splitting shriek of terror.
"W-W-W-Why the hell are you here!?"
Zanis had firmly believed that once Tsuna rescued Lili, their paths would never cross again. The terrifying reappearance of the boy who had effortlessly dismantled his forces and shattered his face brought the trauma rushing back with vivid clarity.
"S-Spare my life!! Please, just spare my life!!" Zanis begged, scrambling backward until he hit the wall.
"I-I'm not here to hurt you!! I just came to ask you a question!!" Tsuna frantically tried to calm him down.
"W-What in the world did you do to him…?" Haruhime asked, terrified by the man's panic.
"Well… a few things…" Tsuna mumbled, looking away.
"Somehow, I highly doubt it was just 'a few things'…" Mikoto noted, a sweatdrop forming on her brow.
"I mean, the guy still has a massive fist print on his face…" Welf added dryly.
Hestia offered a vague, nervous laugh to cover for him, but Mikoto and Welf knew full well that whatever Tsuna had done to the man went far beyond a simple scuffle.
"U-Umm! We need you to tell us where the smuggling route for the talking monsters is! If you tell us, we'll leave immediately!!"
"It's on Daedalus Street!! I answered your question, now please, just leave!!"
"W-Wait, we need a bit more detail—"
"I'm begging you, just get out of hereeeee!!"
Tsuna had hoped to extract the exact location, but Zanis was practically foaming at the mouth in terror and incapable of holding a rational conversation. Judging that further interrogation was impossible, Tsuna and the group left the Soma Familia headquarters.
"Sorry… Because I went overboard back then, we couldn't get any detailed information…" Tsuna apologized as they walked back.
"What are you talking about? He was the bastard who locked Lili-suke up. He got exactly what he deserved," Welf scoffed.
"Sir Welf is correct. You fought to save a comrade. No one holds that against you," Mikoto agreed firmly.
"They are right. Lili is only standing here today because you took action back then, Master Tsuna. Please, do not blame yourself," Lili said, looking up at him with immense gratitude.
Tsuna had felt responsible for the dead end, but his Familia refused to let him shoulder the blame.
"Everyone… thank you."
Warmed by their unwavering support, a soft smile returned to Tsuna's face. Hestia watched the exchange, her heart swelling with pride for her children.
"Alright, let's head to Daedalus Street and see what we can find."
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