Fels sat under a tree, flipping through Charles' notebook.
"Hmm... I see, this does seem feasible...
...This step, could it really work like this...?
...This principle... it needs to be tested."
He kept muttering to himself as he turned the pages.
Only after reading it twice did Fels finally close the notebook and look at Charles. "I underestimated you. To think you've developed something this astounding.
Though the technology isn't yet perfected, it truly has the potential to realize the miracle of resurrection. At the very least, it's far more viable than my resurrection magic.
But given the level of completion here, you must've been working on this for quite some time. You don't strike me as the type to be obsessed with research… so you must have someone you want to bring back?"
Even though the other had no visible eyes, Charles could still feel Fels' gaze on him.
Charles remained silent, and Fels didn't press the issue.
"Never mind. Everyone has their own obsessions—I'm not that curious.
Still, with your idea, it might really be possible. But I'll need more complete data."
Charles nodded. "No problem. Then it's settled."
Fels added, "But first, we need to deal with the Icarus Familia. If we let them keep interfering, forget your project—we won't even be able to maintain the current situation."
"That's exactly why I came here," Charles replied.
He then shared the intelligence he had gathered on the Icarus Familia's poaching operation, and Fels quickly realized this might indeed be the most efficient way to resolve things.
However, the outcome was disappointing for both of them.
Once inside the artificial labyrinth, Charles couldn't detect any strong presence.
Luckily, as a Dragon Slayer Mage, Charles had a keen sense of smell. Following the lingering scent of both humans and monsters, they eventually located what was probably the Icarus Familia's base.
The reason it was only "probably" was because the place was already abandoned—only a few bloodstained iron cages remained.
As Charles approached the cages, he could almost see the monsters that had once been trapped inside, and the people outside torturing them for fun while the creatures screamed in pain.
Fels walked over and said, "Looks like the Icarus Familia acted fast. They've already abandoned this place. At this point, there's no solid evidence left."
Charles was speechless. How come when Bell ran into this situation, Dix practically delivered the evidence to him on a silver platter, but now that it was his turn, the villains cleaned up the crime scene so quickly?
Fels noticed Charles' grim expression and added, "Since we can't catch them red-handed for now, we'll just have to focus on your project. That's the way to solve things at the root.
And anyway, the Icarus Familia won't be able to stir up too much trouble in the short term."
Charles nodded, and the two of them left that sinful, filthy place behind.
But both Fels and Charles were wrong—what Icarus was up to next would soon become a massive headache for them both.
…
Babel Tower — Freya's Private Chambers
Normally, no one but Freya herself and the top members of her Familia were allowed into the chambers of the Goddess of Beauty.
Today, Freya was sipping tea with an elegant smile as she watched Icarus sitting across from her with keen interest.
Icarus had suddenly appeared, claiming to have something important to tell her.
Freya had a feeling this would be interesting, so she broke her usual rules and invited him in.
"Let's get this straight, Icarus—if you're about to bore me, I'll be very upset."
Icarus glanced at Ottar, standing behind Freya, then chuckled. "Relax. I have no desire to experience the strength of Orario's mightiest adventurer."
Freya set her teacup down. "Then what exactly do you want to say?"
Icarus began, "Freya, did you know that there are intelligent monsters within the Dungeon?"
Freya's expression turned intrigued. "Oh? That is interesting. Go on."
Outwardly calm, Icarus was inwardly ecstatic. The big fish just took the bait.
"One of my children discovered a dragon girl in the Dungeon—she had the same emotions and intelligence as a human.
You understand what that means, right? If monsters gain intelligence, it'll be a disaster for all adventurers. Surely you wouldn't want your beloved children encountering such a monster, would you?"
Freya's smile didn't fade. "That certainly sounds troublesome. But whether it's true needs to be confirmed first.
Icarus, don't tell me that dragon girl is already dead?"
Still as difficult to deal with as ever... Icarus thought, raising an eyebrow.
Aloud, he said, "Of course not. But when my child tried to capture her, someone interfered. I suspect that dragon girl is now in his hands."
Freya straightened slightly. "And who would that be?"
"Your old acquaintance—the Dragon Forge of Hephaestus' Familia," Icarus replied without hesitation. "That's why I came to you for help. After all, only your warriors can stand against him."
As he spoke, he glanced at Ottar, standing silently in the shadows like a statue.
Freya didn't give a clear reaction and only said, "So that's what those recent rumors were about…"
Icarus added fuel to the fire. "For an adventurer to harbor a monster—it's beyond belief. And not just anyone—the Dragon Forge, no less."
Freya raised her hand. "Enough. You don't need to say more. If things are as you say, I will take action."
Satisfied, Icarus smiled. "Then I'm relieved. I'll leave it to you."
With that, he stood and left the room.
"…Lady Freya—" Ottar began, but stopped when he saw her raised hand.
"I understand," Freya said softly. "That man isn't the altruistic type. But his motives don't matter.
Ottar, I want to know just how much that child is hiding. You can manage that, can't you?"
Ottar recalled their last inconclusive fight, then said with conviction, "If it is your will, I will make it so."
Freya's smile turned intoxicating. "You're always so dependable."
…
Elsewhere — The Loki Familia's Training Retreat
Their group was suddenly stopped, and someone relayed to them the same information Icarus had just told Freya.
Finn licked his thumb and stared coldly at the man in front of him. "This is some pretty blatant provocation.
We've fought alongside the Dragon Forge—you really think we'd trust you, someone known as the 'Mad Brute,' over him?"
Dix let out a shrill laugh. "Oh, brave little Hero. I don't care if you trust me or not. What matters is that the story is true.
You can go verify it yourself. Once you do, you'll know what needs to be done. After all, you're Orario's reigning kings, right?
One more thing—don't trust the Guild in this matter."
With that, Dix turned and walked away without giving them a chance to question him further.
Riveria, standing beside Finn, asked, "What do you think, Finn? About what he said…"
Finn licked his thumb again. "I'm a bit confused too. But I can't think of a good reason for him to lie. If anything, even if he does have ulterior motives, they only work if it's all true.
Otherwise, he'd be inviting disaster. After all, not just anyone can use us Loki Familia as pawns.
As for the Guild—Loki's been suspicious for a while now. She suspects that Uranus has been hiding something. Maybe it's this."
He paused, then added with frustration, "And Charles—how could he do something like this and get caught?"
Ais asked calmly, "Are we going to fight Charles?"
Everyone's face turned heavy. On the one hand, they had once fought side by side. To suddenly raise weapons against him would be difficult to accept.
On the other hand, they all knew how powerful Charles was. If they really did fight, the outcome would be unpredictable.
Finn looked around at his companions and said, "What are you all thinking? The situation isn't at the point where we have to fight.
We'll talk to him first."
Gareth, blunt as always, asked, "And if talking doesn't work?"
Finn's expression hardened. "Then we settle it with our weapons. Because we are adventurers."
What Charles didn't yet realize was that his opponent was no longer just the Icarus Familia—but both of Orario's twin kings: the Loki Familia and the Freya Familia.
(End of Chapter)
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