This is what the youth discovered upon returning to Orario.
The conclusion of the "Orariopiad" Sports Festival:
The result was a tie — two victories, two defeats, and one draw.
Throughout the competition, Leon clearly outclassed Bell.
If points were awarded for presentation alone, the "School District" would have taken the crown.
Yet, no one wanted to get caught up in petty arguments.
The "School District" proved to possess power equal to Orario's, which led—just as Hermes had predicted—to the dismissal of the demand to gather all the orichalcum under the mediation of the gods in Denatus.
Instead, the "School District" agreed to participate in the "Vertical Tunnel Project" led by the Guild.
— "If it's a project to save the world by exploring the dungeon, we're more than happy to cooperate. Moreover, if our academy's alchemy department helps design the tunnels, the risk of accidents would drop drastically. Isn't that an ideal situation?"
Baldr, the academy's director, said with a serene smile and his eyes closed.
The guild finally relented, albeit reluctantly. They even offered additional benefits, like reopening recruitment for families — an opportunity too good to pass up.
The guild leader, Royman, was forced to accept the agreement with tears in his eyes, signing the document while leaving behind his ambitions to monopolize the fame and authority of this "project of the century."
Denatus' Maneuvers and a Stunning Gesture
To ease the tension between the city and the academy, an extraordinary event was organized: the gods of Denatus persuaded Orario's founder, Ouranos, to appear publicly and shake hands with Director Baldr.
The scene was so grand that it spread across newspapers throughout the continent, accompanied by excited artists' illustrations capturing the moment in paintings that were widely distributed.
— "This was an absolute victory for Ouranos," said a black-robed mage, frustrated but resigned to the flawless move of the ancient deity who had secured the academy's full cooperation.
Meanwhile, Hermes, standing atop the city walls, murmured with satisfaction:
— "This went better than expected. Bell has grown even more. But hey, Baldr, after helping you with your plan, I expect a good reward."
The Academy Students and Acceptance of the Agreement
Among the academy's youth, some remained unconvinced, but ultimately they accepted the decision.
They knew better than anyone the danger the world faced, and they chose to mature a little, inspired by the stubborn bravery of Bell — the adventurer they once looked down upon.
The academy saw a significant increase in applications for practical training with families, a clear sign that dungeon exploration was revitalizing.
A New Title for Bell Cranel
In Orario, the guild made an important decision: to grant Bell Cranel a new title.
His title, "Light of the Lion and the Rabbit (Regulus Arne)," symbolized the hope inherited from Zeus and Hera, representing a link between the past and the future.
With this recognition, Bell officially rose to first-class adventurer status (Lv. 5), boosting his prestige.
The city celebrated, the academy accepted it, and the world dreamed of a new future full of possibilities.
— "I'm sorry for pushing you so hard, Bell."
— "Oh, no, it's okay. I was surprised, but it was necessary for Orario and the school district to reconcile… Besides, it was much kinder than the Folkvangr battlefield… so… haha…"
A Conversation Under the Blue Sky
Still far from Orario, Bell walked alongside Leon and a half-elf under a clear sky, surrounded by meadows full of flowers.
— "Leon… Were you able to see your parents again?" Bell asked bravely.
After a pause, Leon answered with a shy smile:
— "Yes, I visited them after becoming a master. When they saw me, they cried tears of joy. It was embarrassing, but it also made me really happy."
Hearing this, Bell smiled sincerely as well.
Return to Orario
— "I'm tired… Do you think everyone will be mad because we left the school district without telling anyone?"
Nina stretched as they passed through the city gate, so tall she had to look up.
They were on the main street of the northern district.
After returning from the 'Black Lands,' Bell and the others basked once again in the warm sunlight.
— "They're probably worried. But this was my decision, so don't worry, Nina. I'll make sure to apologize to everyone."
— "Huh? I can't let Master Leon handle that alone!"
— "Haha… I also need to apologize to Lili and the others."
In a quiet corner like this, Leon—honest and serious as always—made Nina wave her hands hastily, while Bell wore an awkward smile, as if he couldn't quite distance himself from the matter either.
Beneath a clear sky, Leon narrowed his scarlet ruby-colored eyes.
Bell recognized the change within his heart throughout this journey.
He renewed his determination never to abandon this blue, even if lost amidst the black wastelands covered by the northern miasma.
(I have to become stronger. Much stronger than I am now. With the help of the gods, my family, Ais-san, and everyone else...)
With a promise deeply rooted in his heart, he resumed his steps.
Grateful until the very end to Leon for carrying both his and Nina's luggage, Bell made his way toward the Guild headquarters to submit several reports.
Upon his return, citizens offered words of encouragement and admiration to the troublesome hero who, once again, brought life to the city.
──However, that scene soon became fleeting.
Silence spread.
Throughout the entire city.
And at the same time, a strange murmur began to spread, growing faster by the moment.
Bell and the others came to a halt, bewildered by this unfamiliar Orario.
—"What is this feeling…? Has Orario always been like this…?" Nina asked nervously, glancing around.
—"…It seems the city center is in chaos," Leon replied, using his Level 7 hearing to pinpoint the source.
—"…? Let's go!" Bell exclaimed, a bad premonition blooming in his chest as he shifted direction—toward the northwest, where the Guild headquarters stood.
Citizens, adventurers, even gods.
Everyone within sight was murmuring to one another, urgency in their eyes, all headed the same way:
Toward the foot of the great white tower.
As if drawn by something invisible, Bell and the others quickened their pace.
From a fast walk to a jog. From a jog to a sprint.
The closer they got to the city center—to the south side of town—the murmurs turned into shouts.
The unease in Bell's chest twisted into outright dread.
The calm he'd earned had been swallowed by rising anxiety.
(What… what happened?! What's going on?!)
Before long, they arrived at the Central Plaza.
A place that would normally be empty — with adventurers already departed for the Dungeon — was now packed with an ever-growing crowd.
There was no doubt that something serious had happened.
Leaving many behind, Bell rushed into the center of the commotion: the interior of the massive white tower — Babel.
And then—
"B-Bell-kun…!"
"Sister! What's going on?" Nina asked, startled to see Eina standing there, frozen.
Her face had gone pale. Eina stared at Bell, not even responding to her younger sister's voice.
With trembling eyes, she barely managed to whisper:
"Get away from here…"
—pleading desperately.
Bell's heartbeat distorted in his ears.
The air was thick with the unmistakable scent of blood, and red and black flashes clouded his thoughts.
Holding his breath, Bell gently moved aside Eina's faint hand and forced his way through the frantic crowd.
What lay beyond…
Was the source of the metallic stench.
Adventurers soaked in blood.
Some gravely wounded.
Others with limbs torn from their bodies.
A Familia shattered.
The emblem of the jester on their tattered, bloodied banner revealed their identity.
—"The expedition failed! It failed! The allied forces were annihilated on the 60th floor!"
cried a young man with black hair, his voice cracking under the weight of despair.
His body was smeared with blood, one arm hanging limp and useless. Tears welled in his eyes as he begged:
—"Please—help us! We need reinforcements! Our comrades… the leaders… they're still down there!"
Time froze within the divine tower.
Bell stood frozen, his eyes wide as he scanned the scene.
She wasn't there.
Among the injured, among the broken…
Her figure was nowhere to be found.
She wasn't there.
The sword princess.
The girl with golden hair.
The idol he had chased all this time was not in this world.
Despair, sneering at hope, whispered her name:
—"The Loki Familia has been annihilated."