No one's POV

The rain fell from the sky in scattered drops before transforming into a drizzle and pelting one girl's long blond hair. On the roof of a building on Daedalus Street, Aiz was standing, staring out at the dungeon town shrouded in rain without really processing her surroundings.

Loki: Aiiiiizuu.

Aiz:...Loki.

Called out the easygoing voice of her patron goddess. Aiz had already noticed her but didn't turn around, continuing to look down on Daedalus Street.

Loki: Tiona and the others are worried. They thought you might be broodin' over something.

Aiz:...I'm sorry.

Aiz managed to say, but she still refused to turn around. Her back conveyed her desire to be left alone. But Loki didn't leave—nor did she do anything else. Loki simply stood right behind her. Aiz opened her mouth, unable to bear the gaze on her back.

Aiz:...What do you want?

Loki: I came to see how you were doin', Aizuu. Watchin' the sunset all by yourself.

Loki responded playfully, glancing over in the direction of the base camp.

Loki: Believe me or not, Asuna is more conflicted than you right now... She doesn't know which sides to choose. Her Familia or the boy she love, but I was more worried about you.

And then she lowered her voice to a soft whisper.

Loki: Hey, Aizuu, you ran into Itty-Bitty and your Big Bro earlier, right?

Aiz: Ngh...

Right before she'd reported to Finn that Sora had appeared in Daedalus Street, Aiz had run into him while he was with his patron goddess, Hestia.
It had been so sudden that she never got the chance to put her thoughts in order or ask the gloom boy anything. Immediately after, Asuna chimed in and Aiz had obediently followed her instructions to head back to Finn. Aiz suspected that Asuna had intentionally separated them. She was worried about Aiz.

Loki: Not long after that, I managed to meet up with them too. After that, I didn't get to ask the brat anything, but I got an interesting story out of Itty-Bitty... Wanna hear?

Aiz: I don't want to hear it.

Aiz responded tersely, appearing scared to hear the truth from Loki's mouth. It seemed that she was only pretending that she hadn't noticed it herself. She kept thinking about Bell's expression when he asked her a question. The image of the strange monsters in the Labyrinth District kept running through her head as well. That was the reason Aiz's heart was troubled even after so much time had passed.

The relief she felt when she saw the red juggernaut appear was ephemeral, disappearing as soon as she no longer had to wield her sword and fight. Right now, Aiz was conflicted. Loki wasn't annoyed or sad in the face of rejection. With a short "I see," she let it go.

Loki: All right, then, how about something else? Let me ask ya about somethin' that happened a little while ago, Aizuu.

But she wouldn't allow Aiz to run from reality, so she switched to a different tack.

Loki: When Itty-Bitty got kidnapped and you were chasing after her along with Asuna, there was an incident in the Beor Mountains where you were helped by, what was it, Edas Village? What do you think of them now?

Aiz(Mind): Why now of all times? Why bring that up? Why here? Why are you asking me like this?

Edas Village, a community that worshipped the dragon, established and maintained by the protection of the dragon's scales, a hidden village of those abandoned by the world. She'd intentionally forgotten about it, desperately tried to put the memory behind her.

She was struggling to hold on to the determination to wield her sword— and faltering. Aiz couldn't answer Loki's question, instead squeezing her hands tightly into fists.

Loki: Aiz...whichever path you choose is fine. That's your right.

Loki said those words to Aiz's back as if to test her.

Loki: You'll destroy yourself if you don't make the decision for yourself. Worry to your heart's content. If ya listened to us gods now, you'd only be led astray. Whatever answer you come to... I'll still go buy Jyaga Maru Kun with ya.

Even turning around, Aiz knew Loki was watching her with a faint smile and a kind face.

Loki: Hey, Aiz... that big bro of yours pretty interestin'.

As the ripples spread in Aiz's heart, Loki changed the topic with a cheerful voice. By big bro she meant Sora. The goddess put her hands behind her head and cackled childishly.

Loki: At first, my only impression was that he was cheeky for choosing that shrimp of a goddess instead of his little sister or his lover, but...he's fascinating. A true fool of a child. I can understand why that pervert got interested in him.

Aiz:...?

Aiz finally turned around, her eyes questioning, When you said that pervert, did you mean...? Loki smiled back, her vermilion hair soaked by the rain, before finally turning away.

Loki: But...I don't want ya to lose. Not you, Aiz. And not Asuna, either.

Leaving those words, Loki got down from the rooftop. Aiz was left behind, alone with the rain.

Aiz:...I...

As she stared out over the cityscape again, Aiz reflected on Loki's comment—rethinking, looking back, questioning herself...But she wasn't able to come to a different answer. She stuck with her determination, what she had told him before. That was all there was. That was all there could be. The young Aiz in the back of her mind didn't say anything, hanging her head, her bangs covering her eyes, standing there like a ghost. In other words, that was her answer.

Aiz: Asuna is...unsure, too...?

Aiz considered, thinking back to her conversation with Loki. Aiz lifted her eyes to the sky.

Aiz(mind): If Big Sis started saying the same thing as Bell and Big Bro, asking about right or wrong and killing or sparing monsters, then—

Aiz would surely turn against them, abandoning herself to the black flame inside her heart.

(Timeskip)

Lost and alone in the middle of her room, Asuna lay down on her bed. Endless amounts of tears were spilling through her eyes falling down like a rain. She was like this the moments she had separated herself from Aiz and the rest of the group.

After meeting with the man she loved so dearly, she with the ability to read a person's thoughts and see through their memories had seen the swordsman memories from start to finished. From the day he had rescued the vouivre girl, bringing her to the surface, sending her back towards the dungeon, rescuing her from Ikelos Familia and Evilus, and finally her death before she was resurrected.

Asuna: Yui...

On her hand was one single family picture she had. It was a picture of her, her beloved, and her daughter all smiling together happily like a family. Her tears wouldn't stop falling, her mind was a messed. Sora had told her that if she goes through with this, seeing through his memories would only be unpleasant and hurtful. She was prepared for that, but what terrifies her was when she saw her daughter dying on her father's arms. She regretted so much that she decided to follow through her lovers request of not assisting him but assist her Familia instead.

Asuna: Ngh...

She buried her face on her arms. Her despair was so deep that she didn't even realize the Spirit Girl standing in front of her with gloom expression.

Slyphid: Asuna...

Asuna: Leave me alone, Slyphid...

Asuna's voice was so dead and lifeless that it truly hurt Slyphid so much. Seeing the Spirit Queen so distraught after seeing and hearing about what happened through out the whole events that led to now aches the Spirit Girl's heart.

Slyphid: You don't have to feel so bad. Instead, you should look at the brighter side that she was brought back to life.

Asuna: Mh...

Slyphid: In fact, I too was surprised. I never thought other than my two Primordial Sister, anyone could have resurrection magic.

Asuna: T-That's not what weighing me down.

Slyphid: Then what is it?

Slyphid ask even though she already knows the answer to her own question. But still, she wanted to hear it from the high elf's mouth. Then after so long Asuna finally spoke up.

Asuna: Everything! I did nothing during my own daughter's crisis! I saw the man I loved so much who was hurt more than anyone else and I couldn't even lend him a shoulder to cry! I saw their suffering! I saw their pain! I saw their cries! And what did I do?! Nothing!

Slyphid:...

Asuna let out her pent up emotions towards the Spirit girl like a waterfall. Her voice was hoarse, dead, lifeless and tired. She was mad at herself that she did nothing during times of crisis. Slyphid hear all of Asuna's complains without batting an eye as stay silent till the end.

Asuna: *pant*pant.

Slyphid: You don't have to get yourself so down. The past cannot be undone. What matters now is what you will do in order to change the future.

Asuna:...

Slyphid: Right now... You are conflicted on which sides to choose. The man you love or your own Familia. But don't. Create a third choice.

Slyphid places both her hand in Asuna's own, wrapping her palm gently around it.

Slyphid: Before I met Sora, me and my sisters are always alone. We couldn't make direct contact with anyone in the mortal world. I couldn't have done anything like this on my own. I never would have loved the world so much had it not been for you and Sora. It's only this beautiful because you're in it.

She tugged at Asuna's hand, catching her as she rose to her feet.

Slyphid: We all make mistakes. But we can choose to learn and accept our mistakes and moved forward to new possibilities. If you have the ability to do so, then please...learn to forgive yourself.

Those words pierced Asuna's heart and seeped deep inside. She had been ready to reject them, to turn them away, but Asuna could offer no resistance. She had no choice but to accept them as they were.

Asuna: Slyphie...I— I...

Slyphid: Yes. I'm listening.

Asuna: I'm sorry...! But... But... I want to see Yui again. E-Even if it means... I—

Slyphid: That's not how it should be

Asuna's voice was starting to calm down. She wanted to say that she's willing to betray her familia in order to save her daughter. Knowing full well that she will be kicked out by her own Familia that she had grown attached to. But the Spirit Girl cut her off.

Slyphid: I told you, didn't I? Create a third choice. One where you could still save your daughter and have your Familia accepted it. I know it will be difficult, and you will struggle to find it yourself. But I'll take your hand. I need you... both of us do.

Asuna:...

Asuna didn't know what kind of feeling she is currently feeling. There she was, weeping like a child as she clung to the Spirit Girl. Unable to maintain appearances any longer, she wept, letting out everything she had held in for these past 4 days. All the while, Slyphid stroked her back. Her touch had saved Asuna. She surrendered herself to that feeling.

Asuna(mind):...How long did we remain that way?

Finally, once she had calmed down, Slyphid took her by the hand, helping Asuna to her feet.

Asuna: Thank you. Now I have no more doubt. I know what I need to do.

Slyphid: Mmh-hmm...

With a new sensed of determination, Asuna smile through her tears.

(Timeskip)

Night had come. The ashen clouds filling the sky prevented the sunset from breaking through and gradually got darker. Finn opened his eyes in silence. He was in an empty room that he'd borrowed to nap. He pulled aside the blanket and posed a question to the two other people in the room with him.

Finn: How long was I asleep?

Riveria: Exactly one hour.

Gareth: You'd do well to sleep a bit longer...You've been working nonstop.

The two people in the room responded—Riveria with exasperation and Gareth with a sigh. The pair should have been taking command for him, but they were keeping him company instead. In other words, they were concerned about Finn enough to stay behind. The only saving grace was that they hadn't said anything to the others in the familia and kept it to themselves. Finn smiled bitterly and sat up.

Riveria: They found a door to Knossos in the southeast area of Daedalus Street. It's the fourth one we've managed to run down.

Gareth: We searched up and down the hidden passage underground. That might be all of the entrances. Whether the other doors connect to the Dungeon... and whether that underground passage is the only connection... we don't know. As expected, we can't cover everything.

Finn: I see...

Finn listened to their report on the edge of the bed. After making sure that no one else was around, he started to speak again.

Finn: Riveria, Gareth, listen up. If my prediction is right, this should cover everything regarding this incident.

He explained the reality of the armed monsters and Ouranos's and Hestia Familia's connection to them, reviewing his deductions to Riveria and Gareth alone—only to those two, his comrades-in-arms and equals.

Riveria:...If your theory is true, Ouranos's goal of trying to hide the self-aware monsters is...

Finn: Yeah. Given the current situation, he's definitely trying to get the monsters back to the Dungeon.

Gareth: Big picture...No. In the end, how does Ouranos want this to turn out?

Finn: Who knows? Something along the lines of people and monsters living together hand in hand or something like that?

Gareth:...That's absurd.

Finn's eyes were half-serious, half-joking when he fired back with his suggestion, and Gareth's beard twitched as he groaned.

Riveria:...Setting aside dreams of reconciliation between people and monsters.

Riveria prefaced her thoughts before continuing.

Riveria: What about a cease-fire in this one instance...? Wouldn't it be possible to negotiate with intelligent monsters?

Use Ouranos at Guild Headquarters as an intermediary to negotiate safe passage for the monsters in exchange for the key. Riveria was bringing up that option as a potential resolution. If the monsters really didn't have any intention of bringing further harm to the city—which seemed believable, judging from Sora Yatagami's words and actions—then wouldn't it be possible to contact them secretly to negotiate?

Finn responded.

Finn: It's impossible.

He denied the very possibility.

Finn: Colluding with monsters in order to get the key might work. But what happens next?

Riveria:...

Finn: Won't morale drop in the familia? Will no one be alienated? There are many in the familia who have lost family and loved ones, comrades. Can we really get them to accept the truth?

Riveria and Gareth:...

Finn: Will she—will Aiz accept my decision?

No. That was exactly why it was impossible. Riveria and Gareth silently confirmed his assessment. There would undoubtedly be internal conflict in the familia. If it leaked that they had secretly made a deal with the monsters—if they betrayed the others in the familia, Bete would lead the pack rushing to denounce them. The strife between people and monsters ran deep. The word misfortune didn't even do it justice. It was a tragedy.

If the situation were different, he might have been able to actually consider the option. But it was hopeless. He couldn't have Loki Familia in disarray with the impending destruction of Orario so near.

Finn: And if we go along with Ouranos's divine will even once, he'll hold it over us from then on.

If they rolled the dice on this chance, once they agreed to a negotiation with the monsters, Ouranos and Hermes would have Finn on a leash.

Gods wouldn't abide by something so weak as "trust." They would manipulate the mortals to achieve their goals. If Ouranos knew that Braver, the hero of the masses, made a deal with the monsters, Loki Familia would be blackmailed into his camp.

That would be a serious obstacle to Finn and his ambition—a road to ruin, with only his self-destruction waiting at the end. As soon as it came out that he'd dealt with monsters, it would be the end of Braver.

The populace's hostility toward Sora Yatagami was a perfect example of what was potentially awaiting him.

Finn(mind):...Don't lie, Deimne.

He was disgusted with himself. These were his true feelings but also an excuse for others. The greatest wishes rooted in the deepest crevices of his tiny body were tied to his success as Braver and his ingrained hatred.

Both of Finn's—no, his parents had been killed by monsters, murdered before his eyes by monsters' claws and fangs as they'd scrambled to protect their child. On the same day the monsters had taken his parents, he swore to rebuild the pallum race.

If monsters had never existed, Finn would never have been born.

If monsters had never existed, he would've lived his life as a cocky child in his small hometown.

Cooperating with monsters would mean turning his back on that day, the beginning of everything.

It would be a denial of Finn's entire existence.

Finn(mind): As for me...As Deimne, that's the one thing I cannot do.

That was absolute. He couldn't do something that would negate the hero—Finn.

Riveria:...

Gareth:...

He recognized that Riveria and Gareth were looking at him, worried. But it wasn't with sympathy or pity by any means. Like their patron goddess, the two of them had stood by his side as he fought and devoted himself to his ambition. What they felt was resignation and respect.

When it came to his ambitions, he would never seek assistance, unlike when it came to advancing the interests of their familia. He would never hesitate to say that it was his own goal or try to share that heavy burden with anyone else.

Riveria and Gareth would occasionally admonish him, occasionally advise him, and always watch over him—but that was all they could do.

Riveria: I understand...I'll abide by your judgment.

Riveria was the one who broke the silence. Beside her, Gareth closed his eyes and nodded.

Finn:...Sorry.

Gareth: Fool.

Gareth snorted.

Gareth: What are you apologizing for? Your answer was perfectly reasonable. No one said you were mistaken about anything.

Finn's response was more realistic than negotiating with the monsters, let alone an absurd proposal like coexistence. Gareth said as much when he tried to apologize. Looking up, Finn smiled wryly as if to thank his two friends.

Gareth: But a secret deal is a nice train of thought. Pretend to negotiate to draw out the monsters and wrangle the key from them by force. That would make things easier. Gah-ha-ha!

Riveria: Gareth...I completely misjudged you. Even if they're monsters, there's no way I could approve something so cowardly.

Gareth: It's a joke, a joke! Sheesh, this is why inflexible elves are just... Even if we were willing to open negotiations, we'd have no choice but to go through Ouranos. And if you've any qualms, the eyes of a god will see through it immediately. Even if we wanted, we'd have no way of pulling off a surprise attack.

Gareth and Riveria started bickering as if a switch had been flipped, intentionally criticizing each other in a joking tone to lighten Finn's mood. Finn was grateful for their concern, descending into thought to determine their next moves.

Finn: At this rate, there's no avoiding a clash. Daedalus Street will be the battlefield. In order to get the key, we'll have to contend with...

Riveria: Hermes Familia...and Hestia Familia? In addition to the monsters.

The static hit again. The image of Sora Yatagami's face flashed through the back of his mind, which could be due to the fact that he'd just reaffirmed he couldn't discard his persona as Braver.

Finn(mind):...But that man didn't hesitate at all, did he?

That swordsman didn't worry about losing everything he'd built up, as Finn fretted. For better or for worst, Sora Yatagami could be said to be more famous than Finn, as much as he hated to admit it. Finn might be considered as the hope for the pallum, but for Sora, he considered as the hope for all humanity and gods alike.

Every where you go, just the mention of his name is more than enough there to calm people's heart. The people had faith in him; the adventurers had placed their trust in him; he had his social status and honor. He hadn't considered this in the balance against that monster's life, had he? Had he committed that folly thoughtlessly and without regret?

Finn couldn't say for sure, other than one thing: Sora had done it. He hadn't cast it aside but protected it—that monster. If it were Finn, he would have abandoned it. For the sake of his ambition, Finn would have made the sacrifice, but Sora had thrown away his position as a hero, as the people's Light of Hope and chosen the path of the fool.

Finn couldn't do that, as he fought for possibly the most meaningless thing in the world—fame. That was why Sora Yatagami's behavior was noble. That was why he was dazzling—to the extent that Finn wished he could be like that, too.

Finn:...I'm surprised. To think I harbored such a destructive desire.

Riveria: Finn?

Riveria turned to him when that slipped from his mouth. He just smiled, replying, "Nothing," and looked down at the palm of his hand, laughing at himself. His right thumb ached like never before. It was as if it were pleading with him. That train of thought was dangerous. It would be the death of "Finn."

Finn(mind): I know.

He never had the option of taking the wrong path from the start. Ever since he decided he would become the light of his race, he knew he had to swallow everything for that. He was aiming to be a man-made hero, a hypocritical hero, a hero of the masses. Maybe Finn was being narrow-minded.

He would use everything and discard whatever he had to. If that starstruck young prum could see this side of Finn, he would be crushed by disillusionment. That much was certain. But—

Finn:—I'll get past this.

That was Finn's path, the one he'd chosen long ago when he was a young man like Sora Yatagami, the pallum adventurer. There was no more doubt in his eyes. The throbbing in his thumb and the image in his mind disappeared. As he stood up and raised his head, Finn announced.

Finn: Call a strategy meeting. Gather everyone for me.

(Timeskip)

Finn: Loki Familia is focused on Sora Yatagami—I bet that's what our opponent is thinking.

The sky had gotten dark, and the curtain of night was drawing closed over the city. The meeting had started in Loki Familia's encampment in a corner of the Labyrinth District. All the leaders and almost all the lower-tier members of the familia were in attendance.

Finn: The armed monsters will use Sora Yatagami as a diversion to sneak into Knossos. We'll pretend that we've fallen for their trick and lay a trap in a different location. But the most important thing is to pay attention to what's happening in the opposite direction of Sora Yatagami.

The magic-stone lanterns lighting the camp illuminated their faces. A restless buzz filled the air as Finn announced how things would unfold.

Bete: Hey, Finn, is that mangy flashing bastard working with the monsters?

Riveria: You're certainly in a bad mood, Bete.

Bete: Piss off!

Bete snapped back at Riveria. Finn chose his words carefully, since the werewolf didn't seem aware of the fact that he was focusing on the swordsman.

Finn: At the very least, Sora Yatagami is in a position where they're making use of him—whether of his own volition or because he's being deceived.

Sora Yatagami was at the crux of the situation, a fact that evoked a range of reactions from the members of the familia. There were those who were grimacing sourly and others who looked unsure how to feel, including Tiona.

Lefiya:.........

Raul: D-did something happen to Lefiya? She's making a really scary face...

Aki: No clue.

And in an entirely different direction, there was an elf practically overflowing with disappointment and rage. Raul was frightened, and Anakity could only hunch over in response to his question. Lefiya had been this way since she'd been removed from the Hestia Familia surveillance squad. The others were keeping their distance, leaving a big berth between them and her.

Finn: At any rate, Sora Yatagami will not be our ally in this situation...Keep that in mind.

Finn warned—aimed particularly at Aiz, who was still brooding.

Tiona: Mm, I don't really get it, but I'm guessing that you're trying to say not to get distracted by Mr. Flash?

Finn: Yes. We can't simply let him do as he pleases. Right now, Cruz and a couple of the others are watching him.

Tione: Better yet, Captain, why don't we capture him before he has a chance to do anything? You know, use a bit of force.

Finn: C'mon now, other than Asuna, even if we all combined our strength, we wouldn't be able to win against him. And besides, even with everyone treating Sora Yatagami as a villain, there's no definite proof against him. If we resorted to preemptive force, I think we'd end up becoming notorious ourselves. The Guild already has its eye on us. And Hephaestus is friendly with Hestia Familia. Getting her worked up is a scary proposition.

Finn said assessing Sora's strength to the rest of the Familia. Tione's mouth shut close. She'd seen it with her own eyes on how Sora was able to overpowered the Red Creature and the Demi-Spirit all by himself. Then Tiona chimed in.

Tiona: Speaking of Asuna, where is she?

Asuna was the only Loki Familia member that aren't present at the current strategy meeting.

Finn: Well... You all know how Asuna is very loyal to Sora Yatagami. So she came to me before this meeting started. She said that she'll not be siding with neither of us. She will help us obtain our goal, but at the same time she will not interfere with Sora Yatagami's goal.

Asuna wouldn't cooperate with her Familia in destroying the armed monster, but she will cooperate with her Familia in obtaining the Knossos key. Aiz and some other member grimaced when they heard that. After Finn responded to the Amazonian sisters' questions, Tione came back with another.

Tione: And one other thing. I know the armed monsters are highly intelligent, but it's nothing more than that, right? Can they really pull off this strategy...?

Finn: They've got a leader of some sort. Right, Gareth?

Gareth: Aye. When we were fighting before, I got a good look at the situation from atop the building. It was wearing a black robe, and I can't say whether it was a person or a monster, but...it's fair to think of it as a tamer.

Finn was hiding the fact that the armed monsters were intelligent creatures, concerned about chaos spreading among the familia if word got out. But he still wanted them to be wary of high-level tactics the enemy might use, which was why the pair had arranged this story beforehand. They exchanged glances as Tione and the rest of the members accepted their explanation.

Finn: And on top of it all, we need to be wary of that red juggernaut...Even if it's wounded, we can't underestimate its ability to break through our formations.

The atmosphere shifted when Finn mentioned that monster. Bete and Tione raised their eyebrows, and even Aiz's face tensed up.

Tiona: If Tione hadn't snapped, we would have beaten it easily.

Tione: Say what?!

Bete: Its techniques weren't anything to write home about. If we can just get into close range, it won't be too hard to fight. But...it was stronger than every other monster we've pulverized.

Riveria: And its resilience was abnormal. It didn't matter how much Tione and the others hit it; and that crazy regenerative capability when Aiz cut its hand. And not only that, it show sign of holding back—not until Asuna came to interfere.

Gareth: Its skin was tougher than an enhanced Valgang Dragon's scale. If it got any stronger, it would pose a big problem for us. It's better to think of it as a floor boss than a regular monster. But as long as we don't mess up while dealing with it, we can beat it, exactly like Tiona said.

After Tiona, Tione, Bete, Riveria, and Gareth all spoke, Aiz finally chimed in.

Aiz: But...that monster...is going to get even stronger.

No one in the upper echelon of Loki Familia denied her comment. All the first-tier adventurers were thinking the same thing. The crimson-red monster was still developing, as unbelievable as that might have sounded. Raul, Lefiya, Narfi, and the other candidates for the upper echelon gulped, along with everyone else who'd been trampled by the monster.

Finn: If nothing else, we have to make sure to kill that red juggernaut. The fact that it's still developing is dangerous. Sooner or later, it'll become a menace.

Now that Finn had a full grasp of the incident, he judged that the juggernaut's unique condition alone was Irregular. Unlike the other armed monsters, it didn't seem to have any higher reasoning. It seemed to be only a creature starved for combat, a symbol of destruction steamrolling everything in its path. If the monsters were rational, Finn could predict their movements, but that red juggernaut alone was unreadable.

It was annihilation incarnate. Finn made clear that enormous Irregular was to be erased.

Finn: If we consider the route taken by the enemy from the eighteenth floor to the surface, there's no question they have a key. We need to defend all the entrances to Knossos we've discovered.

The pallum leader raised his head as he gave his order.

Finn: Familia members will be stationed throughout Daedalus Street. That's how we'll lay our trap.

Everyone nodded vigorously at the plan. Finn paused for a moment before his tone of voice changed dramatically.

Finn: Everything up until now will be part of our ostensible plan.

Without waiting for a response, he continued.

Finn: The real plan is to use the armed monsters as a decoy to draw out the Evilus' Remnants from Knossos.

Loki Familia: !!

Aiz and the main forces were shocked—let alone the lower-tier members.

Finn: The armed monsters have a key...The Evilus in Knossos can't ignore that. If we defeat the monsters, they'll be forced to watch the key fall into our hands. There's no way any of them will be content to watch from the sidelines.

Lefiya and Raul were taken aback by his explanation. Finn had predicted that Daedalus Street would become a battlefield. It would draw in not only the monsters but their supporters in Hestia Familia and even the remnants of the Evilus.

It wouldn't be a three-way battle but a four-sided one.

No, depending on the situation, it might even turn into a five-or six-sided conflict.

The possibility made their throats tremble. The only ones unmoved were Riveria and Gareth, who'd been told beforehand, along with Alicia and Anakity, who were wiser than Aiz and the other main group members.

The latter pair actually broke out into a cold sweat, because despite anticipating that the Evils might make a move, they hadn't expected Finn to plan on it happening.

Their apprehension was due to the difficulty of the proposed plan.

Aki: A plan on two fronts...

Alicia: To suppress the monsters and lure out the Evilus while controlling every little thing...

Tiona: Uhhhhh?! Wait, what do you mean?!

Tione: We can't beat the monsters too quickly, and we can't let them get away. We have to keep them busy without killing them until we've reeled in our true target.

Tiona: Didn't this just get waaay harder all of a sudden?!

As Anakity and Alicia groaned, Tiona clutched her head so tightly that it was about to burst. Tione explained it in a way that even an idiot could understand, shattering Tiona's mind.

Finn: Waiting for the monsters to invade Knossos...The enemy won't rely on such a foolishly optimistic strategy. They believe Loki Familia will try to capture the monsters outside the labyrinth...They won't be able to think otherwise.

Raul: C-Captain...that means we can't let the monsters get away while guarding the entrances to Knossos...and we have to take care of any Evilus coming out of Knossos as well...?

Finn: Yes. We'll be caught between a rock and a hard place.

Raul's face twitched as Finn casually nodded.

They would have to keep track of the monsters making a break for Knossos while maintaining a firm grasp on the movements of the Evilus' Remnants at the same time. In particular, the movements on the Knossos side would be troublesome. The enemy would obviously be protecting the inside of their fortress, but they would definitely be mounting attacks outside of it, too. Loki Familia would be stuck between the hammer and the anvil.

It would be a complicated affair to maintain communication lines while the plan unfolded across Daedalus Street, which covered a massive area in the city. On top of that, there would be several other groups of adventurers tossed in the mix.

Every member of the familia understood that achieving their goal would be extraordinarily difficult.

That said, Finn was still ordering them to carry it out.

Finn: We can't let this chance pass us by. The armed monsters will be our bait to lure them out of their fortress...This is our first and last chance.

Finn intended to use everything at his disposal.

He discarded the possibility of negotiating with the intelligent monsters, because they could use them as effective bait. The armed monsters tromping around with a key would be a serious source of concern for the Evilus.

By discarding all elements of uncertainty, Finn confronted the reality before him and chose to use the situation in a way that had the most potential.

Finn: We'll place sufficient forces at the four doors in the hidden passageway. Riveria and Gareth will take command there. The enemy has been passive up until now, but they will start harassing us. Stay alert.

Riveria: Right.

Gareth: Aye.

Starting with Riveria and Gareth, Finn began giving each member their orders. No one cut in. They all abided by the battle plans he laid out.

Finn: Our number one priority is to obtain a key. The destruction of the monsters and the Evilus is secondary—if worst comes to worst. Make sure you don't forget the shape of this key.

Finn pulled out a replica of the Daedalus Orb. It was a copy created from his memory, based on the one he'd seen and the testimony of the former Ishtar Familia member Lena. It was just a lump of gold. Everyone stared intently at it on the palm of Finn's hand.

Aiz: Finn...What if the red juggernaut appears?

Finn: I'll leave it to the people on the ground to decide what's best if it happens, but...under no circumstances should anyone here try to face it alone. Wait for support to come and stall for time. Got it, Aiz?

Aiz:...Yes. But Finn, when you say 'anyone here'? Does that mean...?

Finn: Yes. Asuna will be the only one to take it out alone. I have faith in her ability.

Finn gave a forceful explanation to make sure she didn't mistake her priorities. Her golden eyes held the pallum's blue ones in their gaze before she nodded slightly.

Finn:...I know you're all concerned. This time, our plan carries significant risk and difficulty.

After announcing all the orders, Finn looked around at everyone, speaking slowly.

Finn: And what of it?

He asked with a sharp gaze and a strong will.

Finn: Do you remember the faces of our friends who fell in Knossos? If you remember them, we will perform the impossible and give the odds a good thrashing. Aren't I right?

Loki Familia: Yes!

Shouted everyone in the room. The heat rose under their feverish response. There was no more fear or anxiety in their eyes as they responded to their leader's question with a roaring will to fight. Braver was alive and well, using even the memory of their lost comrades to bring out the familia's anger and stiffen their resolve. With a nod to confirm that morale was high, Finn added one last point of warning.

Finn: If anything is going to provoke Irregulars, it would be him. Do not let your guard down and do not overlook him. That adventurer will blow past our expectations as he's done in the past.

It was almost as if he was acknowledging that swordsman, as if saying that folly was the one source of uncertainty. Finn's eyes narrowed.

Aiz: Finn...'Him'?

Finn: Yes—

He started, nodding at Aiz as he said the name of a single adventurer, which crashed into her chest, ringing endlessly.

Finn: Sora Yatagami.

(Elsewhere)

Freya: Intelligent monsters, huh...?

Hermes: That's right. They're the root of our current problem and what Ouranos has been hiding.

In the highest location of the city, a secret discussion was taking place where no one could overhear them. On Babel's highest floor, a certain god was visiting the castle where Freya held court. Hermes stood there, his hat removed and his orange hair swaying.

Freya: And what of it? What's your goal in sharing that information with me?

It was nighttime. Hermes had recounted to Freya the full story of the incident that dragged the city into chaos—as well as the true nature of the armed monsters. Plus, Ouranos's will. And the existence of Knossos and the evil hidden away in it and, on top of all that, its relation to Loki Familia. Everything.

In response, Freya mustered a "humph." There were some surprises, but she already knew much of what he had shared. And none of it particularly interested her. The Goddess of Beauty was fixated on a single swordsman. To the point that the fate of the armed monsters and Ouranos's intentions were trivial compared to him.

Hermes: Lady Freya, I'm anxious for Sora.

Sora Yatagami was falling into ruin. His accomplishments were undoubtedly crumbling, tumbling down the staircase he'd managed to climb. He was on the verge of losing everything after betraying the hearts of the people, just as a certain hero elsewhere feared would happen to him. That wasn't the end the god had wanted.

Hermes: I have a few plans myself, of course, but I'd like to ask for your assistance.

Freya:...

Hermes: You don't want that white light to collapse over something as meaningless as disappointment, right?

It wasn't a development she'd desired, either. Upon emphasizing their shared goals, the dandy god made his courteous request. Freya's response:

Freya: Have you forgotten what you did to me during the dispute with Ishtar?

She wore a smile that could charm the hearts of a thousand men. But the divine intention hidden behind it was entwined with wrath.

In destroying Ishtar Familia, which had been connected to the Evilus' Remnants, the Goddess of Beauty had been forced to dance to Hermes's tune, and she still hadn't forgiven him for that incident.

Freya was the type to smile modestly, and Hermes's face twitched visibly when he saw her grinning from ear to ear. He quickly raised his hands, indicating his surrender and recoiling.

He didn't apologize, or explain himself, or acknowledge his sin. But he did make a simple request.

Hermes: Then, I hope you will find a way to watch over us.

Look after the fate of that boy. And witness what I've prepared to flip everything on its head. Hermes left it implied, unspoken.

Freya: Which means you'd like me to do nothing.

Hermes: Yes.

He returned her gaze, and the silver eyes of the goddess bored into his orange ones. Hermes deliberately bowed deeply.

Hermes: If you believe me and if you're willing to entrust it to me... I'd like you to give me the key.

For the first time in their conversation, Freya flinched. She raised a single eyebrow.

Hermes: With the key to Knossos...I'll take care of the intelligent monsters. And bring that swordsman back once more to the role of a hero.

Freya: What do you intend to do?

Hermes: I'll set a stage, one where the hero can return.

Freya contemplated this as Hermes continued to remain bent over before her.

When Ishtar was sent back, Freya had protected one of the exiled goddess's followers, Tammuz. He'd held the key to Knossos, which was now under Freya's control.

Freya(mind): To hand it over to Hermes when I didn't give it to Loki...If I'm being honest, I don't trust him...But if my Light of Hope can overcome it, then this side might be...

A stage for the return of a hero.

A dramatic play prepared by a god—or a farce.

With a firm grip on Hermes's divine will, Freya decided it had the potential to be a sufficient trial.

And setting aside the wishes of the god before her, this would satisfy her own desire: It might be possible for her to witness the great scene. It wasn't her divine will but the swordsman's fervent wish to overcome.

Freya(mind): In that case, I...

Freya realized that her instincts had been correct when she had refused to yield to Loki and kept the key to herself.

Freya: Ottar. The key.

Ottar: My lady.

Echoed a curt response from a dark corner of the room. After the briefest of pauses, the boaz attendant approached Freya, respectfully holding out a magic item with the symbol D engraved into it.

Freya: Very well. I shall give it to you.

That was the goddess's decision—or whim. Its effects would greatly surpass her intentions, eventually going on to sharpen everyone's branching paths.

Hermes: Thank you, Lady Freya.

Hermes smiled as Freya handed him the Daedalus Orb and then hurried toward the door to the goddess's room, as if not wanting to waste any more time.

Hermes: Pardon me.

He said as he left the room.

Freya:...Hermes? For someone who claims to be a fan of the Light of Hope, you sure don't understand a single thing about him. Don't get tripped up, all right?

The door closed behind him. The god disappeared, and Freya grinned upon giving him a warning that didn't reach his ears. Standing by her side, Ottar offered a response instead.

Ottar: What do you mean, my lady?

Freya: You'll know it soon enough, Ottar. After all, he's the student of Predator. And the child of Silence. Not only that, you've faced off against him several times.

She responded as she approached the window. Outside the gigantic, seamless window was a gray and black sky filled with thick clouds. She stared out at it.

Freya: I have no need for a god-made hero. I'm tired of them.

Ironically, it had the same ring to it as the "man-made hero" a certain Braver had spoken about before.

Freya: I want to see... No, the world itself desires a hero who's never been seen before. After all, I've seen it with my own eyes, 7 years ago.

The goddess smiled sweetly, and her eyes narrowed, as if looking at something elsewhere in the distance, as she hooked her hair behind her ear.

Freya: To break the stagnation of the mortal realm, we need...a heretical hero who betrays the gods.

Her murmur was swallowed up by the darkness.