My body wouldn't move. That was the first thing I noticed in my drowsiness.
Huh...? What did I do yesterday?
I'm pretty sure... I was looking for Hermes-sama... No, wait, that was the day before yesterday.
My awareness slowly sharpened.
I was searching for Hermes-sama when I fought Svartá and the others... the house caught fire, then I escaped into the sewers...
"How do you think your Familia will react when they find out?"
The sleepiness vanished instantly.
I snapped my eyes wide open and tried to jump up, but I was stopped by a gritty sound.
Looking down, I saw I was bound by chains. Not just my body, but the entire bed I was lying on was tied up. Judging by the color, the material was… Meryl.
I looked around in confusion, because this was my own room in the Hermes Familia headquarters.
"Oh, you're awake."
Turning toward the voice, I saw Seale, the elf, with Meryl standing further back.
"I'm going to fetch Asfi. Take care of Toki, alright?"
"Yes."
After that brief exchange, Seale left the room.
"You okay? Any pain anywhere?"
"Well…"
I wasn't quite sure what was going on, but I answered anyway. I focused on my body, checking for any injuries... good, nothing wrong.
"No pain anywhere."
"That's good. You looked pretty beaten up, so I was worried."
She smiled, so I asked about the situation. Then she said:
"Asfi will explain everything."
"I see… then could you please undo these restraints, "
"No."
"Huh?"
Before I could finish, she interrupted.
"Um…"
"No."
"The restraints, "
"Can't."
Usually timid, Meryl's tone was surprisingly firm. I was honestly a little shocked by that.
It seemed no persuasion was possible, so I tried to free myself. But I was bound so tightly I could only move my face. Even trying to use shadows was impossible, I couldn't figure out how the chains were wrapped.
This isn't the time to be stuck here. I need to catch that bastard quickly...
"Thank you for your efforts, Meryl."
Just then, Asfi entered the room.
"How are you feeling?"
Her voice was the same as always, but something felt off.
"I'm fine, no problems."
"Good. Then let me explain what happened here and the current situation."
"Y-yes."
I listened as Asfi and the others recounted what Svartá, that guy, had told them. I never expected Lefiya and Ais to be there, too.
I timidly glanced at Asfi's face.
"Hm? What's with that expression? Don't tell me you thought we'd kick you out after hearing this?"
"Uh, well… yes."
"Sigh. Looks like I'll have to add to your lecture then."
Shaking with fear, I urged her to continue.
"Now, about the current situation. After last night's battle, the Loki Familia reported Svartá Deck Elv's hiding place to the Guild. Then, all Familia of rank C or higher were ordered to carry out a forced spy search mission."
"What?!" I couldn't help but gasp.
"W-Wait, this is, "
"Do you intend to say it's your problem?"
Anger crept into her voice. She took a deep breath and shouted, eyes wide.
"What are you thinking!? Yes, it's the group you belonged to in the past. But this has gone beyond what an individual can handle! At the very least, consult with our Familia!"
"B-But, "
"No buts! And what's this about being kicked out if they hear your past? How many people here do you think have a clean history!?"
...I was convinced.
After that, Asfi lectured nonstop, and I wasn't freed until well past noon.
"...Let's call it a day for now. I need to get back to the search, too."
"Wait, you said the forced mission was only for rank C or higher Familia..."
"Yes, but since the Guild learned you were involved, we got the call too. It's a real hassle."
"...I'm sorry."
"If you learn anything next time, report to us immediately. Seems it's still too early to leave the Familia in your hands."
She sighed, the exhaustion and exasperation toward her troublesome little brother clear in her voice.
"Um, Asfi?"
"Yes?"
"What about these restraints?"
"I've already explained about the clones. Since you have multiple clones, we need to make sure there's no confusion and you can be identified as the real one. Your identity is verified by the 'Unlocking Drug Status Thief'."
"Okay."
"Also, you need to stay here so you don't mix with the clones."
It made sense.
"Well, honestly, this is punishment for your reckless actions."
"I knew it."
"So, stay like this a while longer."
With that, Asfi headed for the door.
As I watched her leave, a thought struck me.
"Ah, Asfi?"
"Yes?"
"How's the city wall surveillance going?"
"The city wall?"
"If you can climb a wall that tall, you don't have to use the gate to leave Orario."
Actually, recently Bell had somehow managed to get down from the top of the city wall. It wasn't impossible.
"I see. I'll tell the Guild."
She left for good. Then Lulune came in, probably to stand guard.
Realizing escape was pointless, I thought back over what Asfi had said.
So that bastard's name was Svartá. And he was a royal high elf? The world really is coming to an end.
"Spirit of Rebellion", that's the root of me. Honestly, it didn't click at first, but if shadows are the power of spirits, then it explains why, as a non-magic user, I was born able to use magic. Maybe my sharp intuition comes from that spirit blood too?
From what I heard from Asfi and others, Lefiya hearing about my past and still treating me the same makes me truly lucky.
𓂀═════════════𓂀
Enough nostalgia. Time to focus on what I can do now.
Based on Svartá's personality, I considered where he might be hiding. Recalling recent strange events...
"Daedalus Street"... It's like a maze, and crowded. If something had happened there, I'd have noticed because it's nearby.
"Sewers"… Svartá is still an elf. Instinctively, he would avoid places like that. Depending on his condition, it could interfere with the production of his doll clones.
There are other possible locations I can think of, but none are conclusive. Since a forced mission has been issued, they'll likely try to leave Orario soon. Before that happens…
"Recently, monsters on the third floor have been unusually scarce."
No way... Could it be!?
"The dungeon?"
The third floor of the dungeon. Even without fully developed stats, it's possible to navigate. It's vast enough to avoid prying eyes, and the guild doesn't monitor the dungeon entrance 24/7, so hiding out there is plausible. After all, Hermes-sama and Hestia-sama entered there not long ago.
But even the third floor is huge. We could try a full-scale search, but in the dark dungeon, they have the advantage. Also, if they only used a room as a base, they'd be in trouble whenever monsters appeared from the walls. So it must be a place where monsters rarely spawn, or don't spawn at all.
"…Of course, the Pantry!"
The Pantry is less likely to spawn monsters compared to other areas. It can serve as a decent base, and a group can handle the monsters if they appear. Thinking about it, the third floor has many humanoid monsters, which suits those specialized in fighting people perfectly.
"Lulune-san!"
I reported my sudden insight to Lulune.
𓂀═════════════𓂀
By the time the light through the window started turning orange, the god appeared.
"Hey, Toki. That looks like a pretty uncomfortable way to be dressed."
Hermes-sama, in an unusual mood, smiled wryly as he took a seat in a chair in the room.
"You're back."
"The whole of Orario has been in chaos, and they say you're at the center of it. So I flew back immediately."
Well, he actually only found out a little while ago, Hermes-sama chuckled.
"…Did something happen to Bell?"
"Ah, so it did."
I asked just to see if it would catch, but I really didn't expect it to.
"I can't believe I got caught off guard by this. So you're really a descendant of that 'spirit', huh?"
"Hermes-sama, that's, "
"Ah, I knew. It's well known among the gods."
I was left speechless by the usual beaming chief god.
"Well then, shall we... update your status?"
"…Huh?"
"But we can't do it like this. Alright, wait here, I'll untie you quickly."
Hermes-sama started working on the chains.
"That Asfi sure tied you up tight. Let's see, this goes here and, "
"Um, Hermes-sama? I don't mean to interrupt, but are you sure it's okay to untie me?"
"No worries! I'll tie you up again after the update!"
"…Alright then."
A few minutes later, I was freed from the restraints.
"Alright, let's get this over with!"
"…Okay."
I took off my jacket, exposing my back. Hermes-sama's fingers traced over it.
𓂀═════════════𓂀
I was planning to let him rest longer…
Hermes thought to himself as he adjusted my status.
But he decided to face his past.
The power in his fingers flowed deep into me.
A parent's duty is to send their child out in the best condition, right?
What appeared next was another magic, one Hermes-sama had never recorded in my status before, something he had deliberately kept hidden, letting it lie dormant all this time.
Now, show me, Toki.
He carved it into me with full intent.
Show me your true power!
𓂀═════════════𓂀
After an unusually long update, I received the new parchment with my updated status.
"Eh…"
I couldn't help but let out a small sound.
My basic abilities hadn't changed, but new characters were written in the 'Magic' section.
"Hermes-sama, what is this…?"
"Well, this is the third one now. I never thought it would manifest so quickly!"
Just as I was about to question him, Hermes-sama casually remarked like it was no big deal. It was clearly a lie, but I gave up pressing him.
"Well then, I'm off, "
"Where do you think you're going, Hermes-sama?"
Hermes-sama stopped just as he was about to leave the room. Slowly turning, he faced Asfi-san standing there.
"At such a critical time, where on earth have you been!?"
"W-Well, just out for a bit…"
"We've already investigated your visit to the entertainment district two days ago!"
"W-Why do you know that!?"
"I have a lot to say! …But this is urgent, so complaints will wait until later."
Hermes-sama breathed a sigh of relief.
"Toki."
"Y-Yes!"
"We're heading to the dungeon to capture the Kingdom of Rakia's spy. Come with us."
I hadn't understood at first; I thought I'd get scolded for escaping my restraints, but instead I received an order.
"…My reply?"
"Y-Yes!"
I don't know why, but permission was granted.
Now, it's time to settle things with my past.
𓂀═════════════𓂀
Note: There is a tale among the gods: when a god speaks of the 'Rebellious Spirit,' calamity befalls that god.
Slip.
"Eh?"
"Gyaaaaaaaah!!!"
==========
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