[The Labyrinth City, Orario]
The stone-paved streets gleamed faintly under the morning light. A gentle breeze drifted across the plaza, carrying the warm scent of freshly baked bread from the nearby market street.
On both sides of the street, the wooden signs hanging in front of shops swayed softly in the wind, making faint creaking sounds. Inside a jewelry shop, gems and silver ornaments glittered under the sunlight. The weapon shop displayed elegant swords and shields, as well as shining armor. On their signboards, the crest of a volcano and forge hammer stood out clearly.
In the alleys, some taverns were already lively with laughter and chatter. Cloaked adventurers left their lodgings, climbing the stone steps to the Guild, unfolding yellowed quest sheets to choose suitable commissions.
Ding-Ling~
The silver bell hanging at the door chimed brightly.
A young elf girl stepped into the jewelry shop. Her short, amber-gold hair shimmered with a soft glow, and her blue eyes were as clear as a sunlit lake, bright, tranquil, and full of spirit. Her figure was slender yet poised, every motion carrying the grace and confidence of someone born of higher blood.
"Welcome, Lady Flame Rose. Good morning," The shop clerk immediately recognized her and greeted her politely.
"Flame Rose" Lefiya Viridis, a first-class adventurer of the Loki Familia, Level 5.
After reaching Level 5, Lefiya's title changed from "Thousand Elf" to "Flame Rose."
Blessed with the Fairy Ring, Lefiya was known as the Kaleidoscope of Magic, capable of wielding over a hundred spells.
Among them, the ones she used most, and the ones most representative of her, were the two large-scale fire spells: [Fusillade Fallarica] and [Advanced: Sword of Victory].
When she cast them, her magic flames became a blooming sea of fire, crimson petals swirling and overlapping, sweeping through the air with merciless heat. Every spark burned like a blade, cutting the air, scorching all that dared stand before her, turning the battlefield into a blazing furnace.
The light of the fire illuminated her face; her orange-golden hair fluttered in the waves of heat, like a rose blooming in the heart of a flame: beautiful, but perilous.
During one Denatus, the gods who witnessed that scene unanimously decided her new title: Flame Rose.
"Hello, I came for weapon maintenance," Lefiya said, producing a staff.
Its shaft was silver-white, sleek and graceful, with a red gemstone embedded at its tip. Within that gem, a crimson flame flickered continuously.
The staff's name was [Fire God's Gaze (Loki's Eyes)], Lefiya's primary weapon.
Jewelry stores in Orario differed from those in the outside world. Here, they sold not only luxury ornaments, but also magic stones, magical tools, and equipment such as enchanted staffs.
And the price of these magical armaments far exceeded that of mere luxury accessories.
In fact, staffs had the highest average price among all weapons. A single high-quality staff could be worth more than an entire street of jewelry shops.
As for Lefiya's Fire God's Gaze, it was a national treasure-class weapon. The debt she had taken to purchase it still wasn't fully repaid.
"I see, its condition is excellent, you've taken very good care of it," said the clerk, who was also an appraiser of the Hephaestus Familia. After a careful inspection, she smiled, "Please wait a moment. I'll do a basic maintenance on the shaft."
Lefiya nodded, "Thank you."
The clerk retrieved a delicate set of tools from beneath the counter: a soft Fire Spirit Cloth, a bottle of clear oil, and a silver brush engraved with runes.
She gently swept along the engravings on the staff, clearing away dust and residue. Then she applied the oil evenly and carefully polished the surface with the cloth, ensuring every inch gleamed.
"All done," the clerk said a moment later, handing the staff back to Lefiya.
Lefiya smiled and thanked her, taking the staff back.
As she stepped out of the shop, the bustling sound of the street returned all at once.
This was the district managed by the Hephaestus Familia. Along the streets stood all kinds of equipment stores, dwarven blacksmiths, elven magic workshops, and more.
After the Babel Tower was rebuilt, the Familia's flagship store had moved there. The equipment sold at that location was of the highest quality, but also so expensive that most adventurers could only admire from afar.
By contrast, the shops along this street were smaller, but filled with affordable, high-quality goods. Those seeking the best balance of practicality and price still came here to browse.
"Alicia, I'm done," Lefiya said as she rejoined her companion.
The Ice Rose, Alicia Forestlight, Level 7 adventurer of the Loki Familia, was standing before the neighboring display window, examining a finely tailored ceremonial dress.
She was tall and elegant. Her orange-gold hair cascaded down like a waterfall, the ends softly curled and glimmering warmly under the sun.
Compared to before, Alicia's hair had grown much longer, from waist-length to trailing nearly to her knees, silky and light, swaying faintly with her breathing.
And, lefiya secretly glanced at Alicia's chest, a faint trace of envy flickering in her eyes.
Among the generally slender elves, Alicia had one of the most full, voluptuous figures. And now, Lefiya keenly noticed that her "measurements" seemed to have grown even more.
Hearing Lefiya's voice, Alicia turned slightly, brushing her hair behind one ear, "It's still early. Shall we go for a cup of coffee?"
Lefiya nodded, a nostalgic smile crossing her face, "Mm, let's go to Cafe Wishe. Even though the shop moved, the flavor's still the same."
At this time, a year had passed since the Black Dragon War. Orario had been completely rebuilt.
The new Orario had broader streets and more magnificent buildings. The elven girls had slowly grown used to this reborn city and its new rhythm of life.
Throughout that year, the Loki Familia had continued their expeditions into the Dungeon. They had advanced all the way to the 71st floor, matching the record once held by the Zeus and Hera Familias.
However, unlike before, although the monsters' strength had not weakened, the Dungeon's overall hostility had diminished, making expeditions slightly easier. Many believed that the Zeus and Hera records still carried more weight.
Now, like those two great Familias before them, the Loki Familia was blocked by the gate leading beyond the 71st floor, unable to enter the 72nd.
A "key" was required to open that gate. But despite scouring every corner of the 70th floor region, neither Zeus, Hera, nor Loki's teams had found any clue.
They had even tried digging through the frozen soil beneath the 71st floor, but it was as hard as Adamantine Steel, almost impossible to excavate.
Even when they managed to dig a few meters, the Dungeon's self-repair was so rapid that their efforts vanished in hours.
And even then, they couldn't confirm if digging downward would actually reach the next level. In their last expedition, they had drilled several dozen meters down, but still failed to breach the 72nd floor.
As for breaking through the gate by force, they had tried. Even the full-powered magic of Level 8 Riveria, capable of wounding the Black Dragon, hadn't so much as scratched it.
Three days ago, their latest expedition ended. Now, Captain Finn, Vice-Captain Riveria, and Anya were investigating the key's whereabouts, while Lefiya and Alicia enjoyed a brief, rare holiday.
Soon, they arrived at Cafe Wishe. It was run by an elf, and the entire interior was steeped in a forest-like atmosphere. Green vines coiled around wooden beams, sunlight filtered through translucent crystals, and the air smelled faintly of flowers and dew, like being deep within a tranquil woodland.
This was the favorite resting place of Orario's elves.
Inside Wishe, Lefiya and Alicia unexpectedly encountered several familiar faces.
Ryuu Lion, the Star of Orario; Sanjouno Haruhime, the Nine-Tailed Fox; and Aisha Belka, the Warrior Beauty.
Alicia waved to them and approached.
"Ryuu, long time no see. Congratulations on your level up," Alicia said with a smile.
Ryuu Lion, the Star of Orario, the third adventurer in the city to reach Level 8, currently, Orario's strongest.
Because of the Black Dragon War, Ryuu had gained the great achievements needed for ascension. Her stats, Strength D, Endurance S, Dexterity S, Agility S, Magic S, had reached their limits, granting her the promotion.
After her upgrade, she was challenged three times by the other Level 8, Mightiest Warrior Ottar. Ryuu won all three, lowering Ottar's already miserable PvP record even further.
And not just her, the other participants of the Black Dragon War had also earned enough great deeds to break their limits. Alicia had risen to Level 7 by virtue of that battle.
But not everyone broke through immediately.
For example, Ais Wallenstein, the Sword Princess of the Loki Familia, her deeds from that war were already sufficient for a level up. But her own stats weren't yet at the standard she personally sought, so she remained at Level 7.
As for the two standing at the very summit, Ottar the Mightiest Warrior and Riveria the Queen of the End, both stayed at Level 8.
Ottar's raw combat style meant that in such large-scale wars, the amount of "achievement" he could accumulate was limited. He'd need a new opportunity to advance.
Riveria, conversely, already had enough great deeds, but due to "certain reasons," she had been on recuperation for over half a year, unable to participate in expeditions, leaving her stats stagnant.
Her magic ability had yet to surpass A-rank, so she wasn't in a hurry to ascend.
"It's been a while. So your expedition's done, huh? How's Lady Riveria's condition lately?", Ryuu asked.
"Of course, Her Highness Riveria is perfect as always," Alicia replied, "Besides, with Lady Tiamat helping take care of the child, she can go on expeditions without worry."
"I see... how enviable," Ryuu murmured, gently running a finger along her cup's rim.
"Yes," Alicia agreed earnestly. Haruhime sighed in agreement.
Lefiya, knowing exactly what they were envious of, stayed silent and quietly sipped her coffee.
"Is something like that really so blissful?", Lefiya murmured, her eyes downcast as she recalled Lady Riveria's gentle smile.
But more vivid than that smile was the image of Loki's reaction that day. Laughing so hard she nearly passed out, pounding the floor in excitement, and almost stripping to run naked around the Familia compound.
Loki's unrestrained joy was something Lefiya knew she'd never forget.
"By the way, Aisha, are you still with the Ganesha Familia?", Alicia asked casually.
"Nope," Aisha waved a hand, "Turns out the constable job really wasn't for me."
She took a sip of coffee, "I've transferred to the Demeter Familia now. And I don't plan on changing again."
Recently, Aisha Belka had advanced to Level 5, finally becoming a first-class adventurer.
With her ability, over ninety percent of Orario's Familias would gladly have her. She could have chosen any home she wanted.
But in the end, she chose the peaceful, free-spirited Demeter Familia.
Alicia nodded knowingly. The goddess Demeter was close with Ryuu, and with Aisha joining that Familia, it was no wonder they often gathered together.
"I remember, the time we defeated the Black Goliath, it was the five of us too," Aisha said with a soft laugh, her tone nostalgic.
At her words, the group fell silent for a moment, a look of fond remembrance on their faces.
Back then, Ryuu had still been [Gale], only Level 4. Now she stood at the city's pinnacle as Level 8 Star of Orario.
Alicia had climbed from Level 4 to 7, Lefiya from 2 to 5, Haruhime from 1 to 4, and Aisha herself from 3 to 5.
Only now, looking back, did they realize how long ago that was. Yet those memories remained vivid, as if it had all happened yesterday.
"Truly... nostalgic," Alicia murmured softly.
Then—
"I wonder... how he's doing now," Ryuu said quietly.
That battle, too, had someone else fighting beside them.
A man who had stood before them all, burning with unmatched resolve, facing an endless tide of enemies.
Haruhime lifted her head, her golden fox ears twitching, her voice steady and her gaze firm, "My lord will definitely return!"
"The goddess said so too," she added.
A god would never make a promise without meaning it.
Though Emiya's Divine Blessing had long faded, his contract with Hephaestus had never been broken.
———
In the labyrinth city, within the mansion of the goddess Tiamat—
It was an eastern-style residence, quietly standing at the city's edge. The garden flowed with clear running water, and cherry trees, blooming year-round, danced in the wind, creating a tranquil, ancient beauty.
The Goddess of Creation, Tiamat, had no Familia, no followers. Yet somehow, she was close with many of Orario's goddesses. She lived here, alone, guarding this spacious, mysterious estate.
It was one of the most secretive places in the entire city. Not long ago, when several goddesses disappeared for months, there were rumors of them being seen here.
"You called for me, Tiamat?", Loki asked, standing in the mansion's garden.
Tiamat tossed her an object, "Here. Take this."
Loki instinctively caught it. Looking down, she saw, it was an old, ornate key.
"What's this?", Loki asked, raising a brow.
"A key," Tiamat said calmly, "The key to Emiya's house."
Loki blinked, then her eyes lit up, "Oh! Perfect!"
Until now, since Riveria and the child were staying here under Tiamat's care, Loki had always needed an excuse to visit. With this, she could just walk in freely.
"But," Tiamat continued, "it's also the key to that gate."
"Oh," Loki replied absently, twirling the key between her fingers, then paused. Her eyes narrowed, a flicker of realization in her expression.
"..Which gate?", she asked slowly.
"The one on the 71st floor of the Dungeon," Tiamat answered, her tone utterly calm.
Before returning to the past, Emiya had anticipated the possibility of failure. He had sealed the Void Sea's Gate, the rift connecting to this world, with a one-sided lock that could only be opened from outside.
Only Tiamat knew of this.
A breeze swept through the courtyard. Cherry blossoms fell silently, tracing pale pink arcs through the still air.
Loki froze, her expression blank. After a long, long silence—
"What?"