Orario.
This miracle of a city, famed as the "Labyrinth City," sits atop a vast Dungeon.
It is a gathering place for gods, and a stage where the dreams and nightmares of countless adventurers intertwine.
Massive, sturdy walls encircle the city.
Buildings are taller on the outskirts and grow lower toward the center, where the white spire of Babel pierces the clouds—the city's most iconic landmark.
At Babel's base lies the entrance to the Dungeon.
Every day, tens of thousands of adventurers descend from here, seeking wealth, glory, or simply the meaning of their own survival.
The city is divided into eight sectors by main avenues radiating from the center, with the Guild as the hub.
Blessed by many deities, races live side by side—joining different familias, finding companions, and throwing themselves into adventuring, trade, entertainment, and the occasional brawl.
Orario began as a fortress city founded by the God Ouranos.
The Guild he established holds full authority over the Dungeon and all related affairs.
Beyond managing familias and the Dungeon and supporting those who delve within, the Guild also buys back magic stones and pays adventurers for them.
Because of the Dungeon, Orario monopolizes most of the world's magic stones, giving rise to an entire industry of magic-stone products.
It employs far more laborers than there are dungeon delvers, and these workers live in the city as well—one reason Orario has become truly prosperous and diverse.
In Orario, a tavern called the Hostess of Fertility is a favorite haunt of Dungeon adventurers.
Tonight it's especially lively—the Loki Familia has arrived.
The Loki Familia is one of the city's largest and strongest factions, led by the Goddess Loki herself.
Together with the Freya Familia, they are considered Orario's mightiest.
Present today are Loki's core members:
Ais Wallenstein—Level 5, the "Sword Princess," a human–spirit hybrid with a cool, absent-minded air. The golden-haired girl sits quietly in a corner, a glass of juice in hand, eyes a little vacant as if her thoughts have drifted far away.
Finn Deimne—the captain, a Pallum. Small in stature but commanding in presence, he's the party's chief strategist. He's chatting with Mama Mia, the tavern owner, wearing his trademark gentle smile.
Riveria Ljos Alf—the vice-captain, a royal elf known as the "Nine Hells," a Level 7 mage. Calm and decisive (Loki loves to call her "Old Woman"), Riveria sips tea with poise, her gaze sweeping the room now and then, ever vigilant.
Gareth Landrock—a dwarven Level 7 adventurer, titled "Elgarm," an older, dependable mentor who looks after the juniors. He's discussing their next expedition with Bete Loga, a Level 5 werewolf, whose eyes keep straying toward the spaced-out Ais.
Tiona Hiryute and Tione Hiryute—the Amazonian twin sisters, both Level 5; Tiona the younger, Tione the elder. They're in a heated, laughing conversation about something or other.
Lefiya Viridis—an elf, Level 5 mage known as the "Thousand Elf," cheerful and kind, regarded as Riveria's heir apparent. Sitting beside Ais, she tries to chat with her idol, but Ais only answers briefly.
Raul Nord—a supporter who joined in the same cohort as Anakitty, handles coordination on the front line. He's currently discussing gear maintenance with Anakitty Autumn—a Cat Person, Level 5, titled "Alchat."
Other adventurers in the tavern look on with awe or envy.
After all, this is one of Orario's strongest familias; every expedition they make becomes the talk of the city.
The Hostess of Fertility hums with warm, rowdy energy.
Members of the Loki Familia crowd around the tables, celebrating another successful Dungeon foray.
The clink of cups, bursts of laughter, and lively chatter weave together into a vibrant scene.
In one corner, the goddess Loki shows none of a deity's supposed decorum—more like a boisterous drunk—downing ale by the mouthful and shouting between swigs, "Another round! Nobody goes home sober tonight!"
Her familia is long used to this.
Finn can only smile and shake his head.
Gareth watches their patron's antics with indulgent tolerance.
Bete wears a scowl but doesn't interfere.
The Amazon twins even join the revelry, matching Loki drink for drink.
Only two people seem out of step with the mood:
Riveria, the royal elf, who sits with elegant restraint, sipping tea and keeping her habitual watch on the room—and Ais, the Sword Princess, quiet in her corner, long golden hair cascading like a waterfall, a glass of juice in her hands, gaze drifting somewhere far away.
Suddenly, Riveria notices Ais's pupils contract sharply, the muscles across her body tightening.
As vice-captain, she's keenly sensitive to anything amiss among her own. She steps over at once. "Ais, what's wrong?"
"…"
Ais is silent for a moment, a flicker of confusion in her golden eyes.
Then she looks up at Riveria and asks softly, "Riveria, did you see anything strange?"
"Hm?"
Riveria's wariness spikes. Her senses unfurl and sweep the entire tavern.
After a moment, she glances back at Ais, puzzled.
"Sorry—I didn't detect anything. Did you notice some kind of anomaly?"
Ais tilts her head, searching for the right words.
In the end, she shakes her head.
"No. Maybe I imagined it."
She rises to her feet.
"I might just be tired. I'll turn in first."
Under everyone's curious looks, Ais slowly leaves the tavern.
Riveria watches her back recede, worry in her eyes.
Having watched Ais grow up, she can tell something really did happen just now—Ais simply chose not to say what.