Noon at Central Park.
As skillful as always, Cecil fastened the armor onto Isagi.
A layer of heavy brown beast hide covered the gaps in the dark grey armor, making his already fit and tall stature appear a full size sturdier.
Since more than half of the materials originally intended for a full plate suit were used to make the shield, this armor incorporated Orc fur and hide materials from the 12th Floor, giving the overall set the durability of a third-tier armament.
However, as it was half-plate, it only protected his upper body, while his lower body was covered only by armored skirts on both sides of his thighs.
Apart from that, the vambraces and greaves were made separately, and their defensive power was far inferior to the breastplate, which used the most material.
But this would have to do for now.
Isagi moved his body around. What satisfied him most was the pure white greatshield "Door No. 2," which Cecil had finished forging just two days ago—the previous "Door" was the brass greatshield that had been destroyed, so he decided to let the new shield inherit its name.
In terms of appearance, this thing looked less like a shield and more like a grey-white stone slab.
To emphasize its defense and sturdiness, Cecil hadn't even carved any decorative patterns on its surface, handing it over to him in such a primitive form to maximize the preservation of its original structure.
You don't say, holding it in hand felt heavy, giving a full sense of security.
"Isagi, have you thought about the Title matter Goddess-sama mentioned before?"
"Ah..."
Titles.
Adventurers who leveled up to Level 2 would be bestowed with something like a "nickname" by the gods, such as Ryuu-senpai's [Gale], or the Loki Familia's [Sword Princess] Ais, and so on.
Since Lefiya was previously in the School District which didn't have such traditions, she didn't have a title.
Neither he nor Cecil had one either, as they had come to Orario in secret.
Thus, at the upcoming "Denatus," Goddess Demeter mentioned that she might ask for titles for all three of them.
Isagi had no interest in this.
"Because a true title must be earned with one's own hands!"
Letting those gods bicker among themselves would surely result in nothing good.
In reality, most Level 2 adventurers' titles were ridiculous, some even too embarrassing to mention.
Because many gods did it for their own amusement, like elementary school students giving nicknames to classmates.
Only powerful Familias could avoid this situation, making those unruly gods dare not act rashly.
"Goddess Demeter said there's no need to worry, though."
The Goddess was well-liked in Orario, and since the three of them were nominally in her Familia for now, they naturally wouldn't receive strange titles.
"That sort of thing doesn't matter, Cecil. Anyway, even if we get titles, they'll change later. We are the Familia of the Goddess of Justice. Sooner or later, the entire city will know of the return of the Astrea Familia!"
"Ugh..."
Watching the boy speak his usual chuunibyou lines, Cecil felt a bit of second-hand embarrassment. By the way, Lefiya, what the hell is with that look of admiration on your face?! Don't get influenced by the chuuni guy!!
"It's about time to go."
Confirming that his personal equipment and weapons were all set, at the same time, Lefiya beside him had also shouldered the Supporter's large backpack.
This time, Isagi's goal was to attempt to break through the Fog Gate on the 4th Floor, so they brought a considerable amount of supplies and items, preparing to stay in the Dungeon for several days again.
Waving goodbye to Cecil as usual, they watched the girl drive the carriage towards other parts of the city to continue her daily part-time job.
Afterwards, the two turned and walked towards the direction of Babel.
There were still quite a lot of adventurers heading to the Dungeon in the afternoon.
It was just that the weather was mediocre.
Grey haze and clouds gathered over the city; it looked like it would rain soon.
As they walked towards the somewhat crowded entrance, Lefiya seemed to spot an acquaintance and waved towards the distance.
"Miss Filvis, are you going to the Dungeon today too?!"
The energetic golden-yellow-haired Elf's social butterfly behavior made many surrounding adventurers look askance. Isagi also looked over and discovered that the person Lefiya was greeting was a black-haired Elf maiden.
She wore a pure white, dress-like robe with pale blue trim at the hem, looking elegant without losing nobility.
Her cascading black hair was also adorned with white and pale blue ribbons.
Coupled with the pure white thigh-high boots that Elves seemed to favor, she gave off an inexplicable sense of holiness and aloofness.
Facing Lefiya's greeting, however, she simply cast her gaze over with those crimson eyes, seeming puzzled as to why she was being called.
Is she not really that close with you, Lefiya?
"Eh?! Miss Filvis is the Captain of the Dionysus Familia. Cecil and I met her often when we went to make deliveries."
"So that means you aren't that close."
Isagi said.
If he remembered correctly, Dionysus was also a God of Wine. The wine brewed by his Familia seemed particularly popular at the gods' banquets, and the grapes used were carefully cultivated by Goddess Demeter's side.
"Let's go."
"Oh~"
Lefiya didn't feel awkward at all; before leaving, she still smiled and waved at the other party.
Only then did she catch up with Isagi and walk into the Dungeon.
In response, Filvis in the distance remained silent and turned her head away somewhat awkwardly.
It wasn't that she disliked her compatriot's enthusiasm, but rather that she could not forgive herself, nor the things she was about to do...
...
"[Fusillade Firebolt]!"
Dungeon, 3rd Floor. Crimson flames exploded once again within a Goblin camp inside a certain cavern.
With incomparable proficiency, Lefiya...
Accurately rained down wide-range magic bombardments one by one on several key positions in the camp: the watchtowers with Goblin Archers, the Goblin Priest dancing wildly in the center of the camp, and the kennel located at the camp's edge...
The troublesome monsters were dealt with first by the maiden's magic, and even if there were fish that slipped through the net, they were taken out by the shuriken launched from Isagi's Shinobi Prosthetic.
Subsequently, the large number of ordinary Goblin soldiers pouring out of the camp naturally posed little threat.
Isagi held the greatshield "Door No. 2" in one hand and shouldered the Glimmer Greatsword with the other, standing right in the center of the cavern facing the mass of oncoming Goblin soldiers without any thought of retreating.
As the Elf maiden behind him chanted aloud once more, Isagi even took the initiative to charge forward towards the group of Goblins.
Swing sword, horizontal sweep.
The greatsword's crowd-control ability was simply much stronger. In this not-so-spacious cavern, its swinging range encompassed the entire space, preventing the Goblin soldiers before him from advancing a single inch.
Meanwhile, all their attacks were blocked by his greatshield.
After leveling up to Level 2, Isagi felt that his strength was simply several times greater than before.
The Glimmer Greatsword, which had been difficult to even swing when he first obtained it, could now be used one-handed without any issue.
And as Lefiya's magic chant behind him finished once again.
Isagi lowered the shield, planting it directly in front of him while resting his left hand atop it.
[Shinobi Prosthetic: Flame Vent]!
Crimson flames spewed forth, mixing with the magical bombardment projected from the rear by the Elf maiden. In the blink of an eye, the area before them transformed into a sea of fire.
Most of the Goblin soldiers were reduced to charcoal within seconds.
The remaining ones were also quickly cut down by Isagi using his katana.
Done!
When grinding levels previously, Isagi and Lefiya often coordinated like this to clear out these Goblin-only camps unique to the 3rd Floor.
It could be said they were richly experienced!
Thus, they quickly cleared a path and arrived before the Fog Gate, which was piled high with monster flesh and blood.
"Let's go, Lefiya."
"Mn!"
The Elf maiden's expression was grave, yet showed no sign of fear. She simply followed Isagi's steps firmly and disappeared into the Fog Gate.
It was Lefiya's first time entering this place.
So.
When the thick fog dissipated and the maiden saw the huge cavern interior filled with small pale blue flowers, she couldn't help but marvel at the beauty of the place.
However, very quickly...
The pool of blood located in the center of the sea of flowers, along with the churning monster limbs within it and the emitting stench, made one unable to stop frowning.
———————!!!
The massive two-headed lizard descended from the sky once again, smashing directly into the pool of blood. Its colossal body writhed as it crawled up from within, letting out a frantic roar.
And as three figures wearing magnificent robes and holding weapons crawled out of the lizard's large maw...
The name of this monster surfaced simultaneously in the minds of Isagi and Lefiya— [The Strongest Saints]!
___
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