Seeing those words, Artemis fell silent.
After all, Rosen had a point.
Although she'd never lived the events of the anime, if that situation ever occurred, she and her Familia would indeed be annihilated.
And as a goddess she truly could condense a thought-body at the last moment.
More importantly… Andaris was a real monster.
[Avenger: "I'm curious—how could a creature like that capture a god? It didn't look so strong in the final battle."]
Though Andaris was plot-killed in the end, several Adventurers at only 1v2, 1v3, even 1v4 held their ground against it early on; its power was hardly impressive.
At the very least, in Tendou Mokore's eyes a deity ought to be on Rosen's level.
[Hells Fubuki: "I agree… felt like a mere Dragon-level Monster."]
[I Dont Want to Eat Monsters: "It was huge, still felt intimidating to me."]
"She really doesn't look that strong—at least she hasn't shown any power beyond what I imagined. Probably on par with a high-tier demon."
"Seems even less impressive than a Super-class Danger Beast."
After chatting together for a while, the group members felt the story boss's strength didn't match its reputation at all.
"A monster that looks so-so swallowed a goddess in one gulp—so it seems gods aren't all that mighty either."
"But that's probably because gods can't use Divine Power in the Lower Realm."
"That might be part of it, yet the fact that her forced return spell was interrupted is still true. In that situation she should have been able to wield at least partial Divine Power, right?"
"That's why I condensed a thought-body at the end and summoned the god-slaying weapon from Heaven."
"Andaris is a very special monster: pitch-black and equipped with an ability that specifically counters Divine Power, so we call them 'Assassins of the Gods'."
"So they can kill even gods?"
"Exactly. They're probably Avengers born from the Dungeon that resents the gods for blessing the surface races."
Once, this land was overrun by monsters pouring out of the Dungeon.
At first some surface heroes could fight, but they were outclassed in both quality and quantity by the sturdy underground monsters.
Only after we gods discovered this place did we descend and grant blessings to resist the monsters.
We built a city above the Dungeon's largest cavern, and the very labyrinth that had cast shadow and despair upon the land became the 'treasure vault' countless Adventurers crave.
All of it was wrought by the gods.
Otherwise the surface would have been flattened long ago.
"Though most monsters were driven back, a few powerful ones survived and bred on the surface. Among them the strongest are these Assassins of the Gods. Orari organized many campaigns against them; Andaris in particular was sealed only after vast cost in manpower and resources."
"My Familia took part in that battle under my command, and we've inspected the Seal periodically ever since."
"That's exactly why I left Orari this time."
Who could have guessed? After watching the anime she learned not only that Andaris's Seal had loosened, but that it had set a trap to lure them all to the deepest level for a massacre.
Yet anime was anime; Artemis still harbored doubts.
Under normal circumstances the Seal should last several centuries.
Barely a third of that time had passed.
And now she was told the Seal had already broken?
It wasn't that Artemis refused to believe it—such news was simply too bizarre. Did it mean all the sacrifices back then had been for nothing?
Besides, they had visited the ruins just last year.
The Seal had been perfectly intact!
"The newbie must be torn right now. Investigate and risk walking into an ambush, or stay away and remain in the dark—a real catch-22."
That was exactly what Artemis was agonizing over.
She wanted the truth, yet she couldn't send her Familia to their deaths.
Judging by the plot, Andaris had hoarded enough power to wipe them all out effortlessly.
"If nothing unexpected happens… something unexpected is bound to happen."
"Unexpected? With the Boss around there can't be any accidents! Let the Boss step in and those Andaris or whatever Black Monsterss will be nothing but fleas."
"Suddenly feeling a bit nauseated."
"Masaka! Don't tell me you're…"
Tokisaki Kurumi instantly caught Gabriel's implication but didn't take the bait.
"I just find your constant boot-licking of Lord Rosen a bit sickening."
"Do I really?"
"Yes. I feel physically unwell—directed solely at you, Fallen Angel."
"Hmph! You're all just jealous inside!"
In moments the chat group topic veered off course again.
Rosen, one of the parties involved, stayed out of it.
"Moon Goddess, I understand your dilemma, but rest assured. According to the anime timeline Andaris may not have fully broken free yet; even if it has, with the chat group around you'll come to no harm."
"So the chat group will protect me?"
"Not exactly. If you meet the danger shown in the anime, the chat group will issue a Group Quest, and we members will handle the mission. You stay safe and we earn Points—a win-win."
"To save time, I suggest you grant us Entry Permission to your world in advance, so we can come and go whenever you need us, Miss Artemis."
Reading Kurumi's long message, Rosen felt deeply gratified.
Ever since Kurumi became his Familia member she had really gotten the hang of things.