PROLOGUE
THE SEQUEL TO LOSS AND RESOLVE
As a certain hero said:
The story of the battles where the Labyrinth City’s survival was on the line will not be passed down to future generations.
The shadowy works of a god who called himself Enyo and even the existence of a demi-spirit will never be known to the world.
There will be nothing more than a single line in the records of the Guild, briefly noting, “clandestine organization eliminated.”
Three days had passed since the allied forces led by Loki Familia conquered the artificial dungeon Knossos.
It would be fair to call the immediate aftermath hectic and bewildering.
The first order of business was repairing the city and giving the townspeople explanations.
Countless carnivorous flowers appeared aboveground like the harbingers of an orgia. Thanks to the herculean efforts of Hephaistos Familia and the other familia, the adventurers of Rivira and Njo˛rðr Familia who rushed over from Meren, no one died. However, the streets and buildings of the city had still suffered damage. The rebuilding was proceeding swiftly, with the Guild organizing the efforts—with help from many familias as well as Goibniu, god of construction and the forge—and Orario was quickly returning to normal.
Dealing with the city’s residents was an affair that also continued around the clock. There was no denying the appearance of monsters aboveground, the earthquake caused by the spirit’s six rings, or the red magic light that had shrouded the city. Some of it had even been noticed outside Orario, and all these things gave rise to terrible unease. A great many people demanded an explanation.
Guild Chief Royman handled this himself, carefully manipulating information and managing public opinion.
As he would put it:
“I’m sure the memory of the armed monsters who threatened Orario recently is still fresh. There is also, of course, the incident involving God Ikelos, who was banished from the city. We recently carried out a raid on one of his hideouts and eradicated a shadowy organization. The monsters that were spotted aboveground and all the other recent commotions are related to that.”
It was an explanation that carefully blended fact and fiction.
Ikelos Familia was indeed the impetus behind the Xenos coming to the surface. He used their convenient existence to explain away the assault on a hidden lair beneath Daedalus Street and the annihilation of the countless monsters that still lurked below even though that familia had already been banished from the city.
“Ikelos Familia was warehousing many new types of monsters, and the adventurers were unable to deal with every last one, which led to the current situation. Allow me to apologize for this whole mess, including the armed monster incident, and for troubling so many people living in the city. We are mortified by how we have failed you.”
It was all the fault of an entirely unpredictable irregular.
The earthquake was simply a coincidence.
The red light that enveloped the city was merely the remnant of magic scattered by the new breed of monsters.
By requesting the cooperation of both Loki Familia and Freya Familia, the unexpectedly dangerous situation was resolved. The man often known as the Guild’s pig had gathered the townsfolk in front of the Guild headquarters to deliver that shameless explanation.
Royman and the other higher-ups of the Guild could not reveal the truth. It was simply not an option to publicly announce the existence of Knossos, as that would mean announcing there was a second path into the Dungeon. Even if most familias had guessed that there was something hidden in the depths of Daedalus Street, to admit it would sow panic, and many would seek out Knossos for sinister purposes.
And more than anything, admitting that the Labyrinth City had been on the brink of destruction would rock the world even outside the city. Orario was considered by many to be the center of the world. Any chaos in this city would ripple out, just like it had during the age of darkness when Zeus and Hera disappeared and the Evils rose.
At the same time, the Evils were a symbol of terror and a chaotic era that lasted until a scant five years ago. Most citizens still remembered the lawlessness and violence of that time all too well. There was no point in sparking panic if it could be avoided.
That was precisely why Royman never once referred to the Evils.
Naturally, there were some who found his explanation insufficient.
“The same happened in Meren. Their hideout was connected to the sewers, and they came out of Lolog Lake.”
“I imagine there are many children worried about not seeing my followers around. The truth is that was because we were also caught up in the incident.”
and Demeter took up the task of providing more credibility to the official statement.
From the Monsterphilia incident to the armed monsters appearing on the surface, the recent string of crises had taken a heavy toll on the Guild’s reputation. The testimonies of these two deities was an entirely different story.
Demeter was hugely influential because of her massive contribution to the city’s ability to feed itself and was beloved by most of Orario as a kind and caring goddess. As such, she was deeply trusted, and most people responded with understanding and compassion.
“I’ve caused so much trouble…and if I can’t at least help the city calm down, I won’t be able to face my children who returned to the heavens…”
Demeter was even willing to carry the blame for it all herself. Even without that, though, her readiness to cooperate was a huge relief to the Guild, and especially Royman.
It was also incredibly beneficial that Finn and all the other first-tier adventurers and influential familias had agreed to go along with the story.
“There was a confederate of God Ikelos in the lair down there as well. Dionysius Familia had been tasked with investigating further, but unfortunately, tragedy struck them and their patron god, as well as Goddess Penia of Daedalus Street. The pillars of return the other day were a result of this struggle. We can only apologize to them for our failure and offer them our utmost gratitude for their honorable sacrifices in the service of defending the city’s peace.”
Royman was crafty when addressing the topic of deities being sent back to the heavens as well.
Quietly letting a tear trickle from his eye, he expressed deep regret and commended the deities who were no longer with them, invoking a tender mood. For someone who had endured days of heart-wrenching anxiety and stomach-roiling pain, this was a masterful performance and a clever transition.
For once, even his patron god, Ouranos, did not comment on the massive expense for all the stomach medicine he had to buy.
“—The danger to the city has passed. Nothing will threaten Orario’s peace again.”
Lifting his head, Royman made a clear and simple declaration.
And that was how the Labyrinth City completed its ritual purification.
“Daddy, does that mean we can’t see Lord Dionysus anymore?”
“…Yes, that’s right. It’s sad. It is…I won’t get to try out any more of his new drinks…”
“That’s…nooo!”
“…It’s okay. He’ll be watching over us from above in the sky. Always…”
The actions of Dionysus, the true mastermind of it all, were never mentioned.
The inconsistency in Royman’s explanation was born of his fear of the god and out of respect for his followers. Ironically, Dionysus became a just god who died in battle with his familia. No one could say whether the people of the neighborhood who interacted with him and a certain family being able to grieve his return to the heavens was a blessing or not.
And finally, the dead were buried.
It went without saying that there was a funeral for all the adventurers who had passed in Knossos.
More than a few people had died in the demi-spirit’s massive attack, including members of Ganesha Familia, high smiths of Hephaistos Familia, healers of Dian Cecht Familia, and members of Loki Familia. The vanguard force of the second assault had pushed themselves to the limit, and their sacrifices had made the clearing of Knossos possible. Members of Demeter Familia, whom Enyo had taken hostage, were among the dead, too. The ceremonies were solemnly carried out by people from each familia. Those for Dionysus Familia, which was wiped out in the first assault, were handled by Loki Familia.
Every effort was taken to recover whatever was left of those obliterated by explosions and those who had been devoured by the massive wave of green flesh in Knossos. But there were still many empty caskets. All the mementos that could be found were gathered, too, but most adventurers were surprisingly lacking in worldly possessions, to the annoyance and amusement of their friends and familias.
“Makes sense you barely had anything to your name when you were always trying to look cool and live in the moment” was a common sentiment, accompanied by smiles, laughter, and somber looks up at the sky. The skies were clear, but a little bit of rain fell.
People who had connections with the various familias would notice those who were gone and inevitably ask:
“What happened to them?”
When asked, the familia members would hide their sorrow and smile.
“They bought it in the Dungeon.”
The people of Orario were used to that answer and would leave it at that.
Maybe say a soft “Oh.”
Maybe shed a few tears.
Or maybe they would curtly pretend to lose interest.
But if the innocent people who lived in this town continued going about their lives with a smile, then the people who did battle in the shadows considered that reward enough.
So the adventurers smiled, laughed, and raised a racket like always.
They alone would never forget the nameless heroes who joined the eternal procession in the heavens.
Thus, the Orgia Saga, a tale of Enyo’s mayhem that would go untold, came to a close.
No matter how it was polished, no matter the lip service paid, countless people had been scarred by this battle.
Mortals and deities alike.
And also a certain girl.
There was no sense of time.
After a never-ending stream of tears and a doleful song of grief, she quietly stood up.
Turning her back on the space where the circle of light was fading, she walked forward.
She did what needed to be done and followed through to the end. She reported everything she had seen to Riveria and Finn. A complete account of everything. She was grateful for their simple responses. “I see.” “Good work.” She was grateful for the lack of sympathy or compassion in their voice.
Though there were not many, she mourned for her comrades who had lost their lives.
And alone, she mourned the beautiful yet monstrous girl who most would never forgive—the girl who she considered a lifelong friend.
Surely, some would have scowled at having her buried in the First Graveyard, where so many adventurers lay in their final rest. She would probably not have wished it herself.
So she asked her patron goddess, Loki, and got permission to leave the city and go to the Alv Mountains, the sacred mountains of the elves. She carried with her a paltry amount of ashes, which were all she could find despite looking as hard as she could.
With a cool, clear sky above, she let the wind atop its peak carry away the remains of her dear friend.
She did not leave a gravestone.
Perhaps it was because she could not bring herself to make one.
She stood quietly on the silent mountain of her people.
The sun set, and the moon rose, and the sun rose again across the horizon.
The dazzling rays of dawn seared her eyes, making her realize finally that she had been standing there all night. Descending the mountain, she quickly returned to the city.
She felt bad about leaving her familia and not helping in the cleanup. But one of the older human familia members causally brushed it off, telling her not to worry about it. Her wonderful roommate clung to her, crying and saying how afraid she was that she wouldn’t come back. The girl she looked up to smiled gently and simply said, “Welcome back.”
It felt like time was standing still.
But she never stopped moving her body, always trying to do what needed to be done.
She prepared a new set of magical gear.
This was her way of saying good-bye to her old self.
She had a new staff made.
Combining her rod with her wand.
She took up her sword.
Even if it was nothing more than a stubborn refusal to let go, she swore to carry on with her.
And so.
At daybreak, before the sun had even cleared the horizon.
Alone in a dark room.
She put on her enchanted gear, secured her wand at her waist, and picked up the waiting sword.
Then she cut her long, bright blond hair.
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