"If we burn away that mass of green flesh sealing up the huge cave entrance, then send skilled adventurers to dig inward along the opening… even without precise calculations, even with just a rough estimate, it's obvious this would require an enormous amount of manpower and time."
"At least according to my calculations… such a massive project couldn't possibly reach the floor where the 'Fallen Spirits' are lurking within one or two days. Under the current conditions, we can basically consider invading the artificial labyrinth impossible."
As the few who truly knew the deep, pitch-black darkness buried beneath this Orario, they were more aware than anyone of how urgent the situation had become."
"Yet at this critical juncture, a solid wall now stood before them as a blockade, not something that would bring things to an immediate end, but something fatal nonetheless."
Thinking of this string of dire circumstances and the disadvantaged group, Fels, who was tightening his hold on his black gloves, seemed to let out a sigh as he loosened his clenched fist.
With their discussion finished, only the crackling of torches burning in the giant brazier echoed throughout the underground hall.
On the altar, four torches wavered constantly, their shadows twisting, a hooded god, Ouranos, his half-hidden face obscured by the cowl, slowly opened his mouth:
"In that case… I fear the mastermind on the other side must have aimed for this from the very beginning. If the adventurers doesn't attempt to raid the artificial labyrinth, then he can simply sit back and wait patiently for his plan to fully mature before launching the final strike."
"Conversely, if the Loki Familia chooses to take the initiative and attack the Knossos… then just as we see now, he'll use the remnants of the Evilus, shrinking within their secret strongholds, as expendable pawns to wear down the combat strength."
"Even if they ultimately fall, they can still be 'repurposed' as living sacrifices to activate this unknown ritual… finally wiping them out in one sweep and burying them all within that 'Demonic Pit'. Even if he can't cripple them, he can at least drive them back to buy time…"
After such an explanation from Ouranos, how could Fels not understand the twists hidden within?
Even though his skeletal body couldn't feel temperature at all, he couldn't help but shiver.
The cruelty and decisiveness of the mastermind, too terrifying, too oppressive.
"You mean… the remnants of the Evilus were abandoned pieces?"
As allies and collaborators, the Evilus remnants were, in his eyes, treated purely as consumables, not even regarded as people…
Ouranos lightly shook his head.
"Abandoned pieces? Not quite accurate. It would be better to say… highly useful, high-value disposable tools. That would be more fitting."
Seeing Ouranos narrow his pale eyes, Fels weakly shook the hood of their black cloak.
"What devilish cruelty… So that means, in all of this, whether it's the Evilus, or we of the 'Guild Headquarters', or even the Loki Familia or the adventurers, we've all been dancing in the palm of that hidden mastermind Enyo?"
Ouranos sighed.
"I'm afraid we have no choice but to admit… that is indeed a regrettable truth."
Hearing that, Fels shook their head again.
Yes, this enemy was too cunning, faceless, too mysterious. Their true identity wasn't confirmed at all, like a dark silhouette of a god, hazy and unreal. It was terrifying.
"With time running short, even if we mobilize all manpower and resources to keep investigating the Knossos, which has turned into an 'Sealed Pit', the problem is, we still haven't uncovered the true face of Enyo. That is the most severe and urgent matter. But now, we can't even filter out suspects."
But this time, the god gave the already-discouraged Fels an enormous surprise.
"The suspects… have already been gathered."
Ouranos lifted his head toward the pitch black ceiling and declared.
Then, he spoke words that shocked Fels to the core: "The suspects are… every god within this Orario."
It was as though unseen eyes in the dark were watching everything, laughing at everyone as if they were clowns; even the distorted Knossos seemed to be laughing mockingly.
So then… in the end, who exactly is ENyo!?
....
The top echelons, namely, the gods, began their strategic games, while the adventurers, their "children", kept acting without pause.
Whether it was the Loki Familia or the others participating in this subjugation effort, all obeyed their respective leaders' orders, mobilizing all their strength to search for any trace the enemy had left behind.
Walking through the streets, the ordinary citizens who had no idea of the truth, and the outsiders uninvolved, felt none of the undercurrents in the shadows. Their lives continued as normal.
Obviously, all parties had joined hands to seal the terrifying intel regarding the impending destruction of the Orario within a tight circle.
To avoid panic, they could only do this.... Still, those with keen senses could faintly pick up the urgent atmosphere beginning to seep out from behind various industries.
At the center of the city, atop the highest level of the Tower of Babel, a pair of eyes cast their gaze downward, searching for something within the city.
Before long, the goddess lightly parted her lips and issued an order to her loyal servant.
"Ottar…"
....
After the tense and thrilling raid, one of the most idle among the Four Top Executives, Fron, strolled through the streets like a hands-off shopkeeper.
Of course, he still had chores to handle, restocking consumables, potions, repairing gear, replenishing magic items.
This time, he was out to complete the task of escorting Aura, the sole survivor of the Dionysus Familia, to the Dian Cecht Clinic.
Conveniently, he was returning through the Adventurer Street.
Walking down the bustling main avenue, Fron thought about the fact that he hadn't visited the Hostess of Fertility in a while, so he decided to have lunch there today.
Within the familia, everyone, pressured by the recent raid and their own shortcomings, had begun yet another round of self-training… one by one scattering off to train…