Chapitre 47: This is becoming increasingly difficult
English is not my first language, so you might find some mistakes in the translation of the chapter.
This chapter has been translated by various means in order to obtain the best result so that you may find some simple or regular wordings.
If you find any grammatical errors or misspelled words, please feel free to correct them or write a recommendation to improve the story. Your support would be appreciated.
Enjoy the chapter.
xxxxx
"..." - Dialogues.
'...' - Thoughts.
<...> - Spells
xxxxx
Who knew that one of the most difficult moments I would experience in my career as an adventurer would be on the surface and not in the dungeon. Honestly, I don't know what to think as I continue to walk the streets of Orario.
My family.
My older brother, by a few minutes, but the bastard is still older than me.
I don't even know how I know he is the eldest, however, according to that dream or vision, whatever it was, it showed me that way and well I already considered that way for 5 years, so it is already normal to lucubrate that.
There are things that wouldn't even make me wince, like Floor Bosses or adventurers of a high level, but my brother is something I've been mulling over for years since I first learned about him.
When I first opened my eyes I thought I was in a new world, however, I was not. Another life was thrust upon me as I regained my life as Riku. That life is a mere memory that I will treasure, for it saved me when I needed it most.
To sum it up: I lost 9 years of my life, 7 with my aunt and two years of torture, I had memories of another life, which I thought was mine, I remembered who I used to be, I became adventurous and until now I hardly receive any information about what happened to me.
A crazy life.
Despicable shitty life, just because it's my life, I accept it. Fuck other people's lives, except for some of them, I love them very much.
I sighed as I adjusted my Balor scarf.
I forgot it when I went to the 24th floor. Stupid of me to forget a high-quality item that could serve as an indestructible defense against certain physical and magical attacks.
From now on I will wear it in my day-to-day life, even if it looks a little strange to me because many other people wear unique outfits, so it is normal for others to see strange outfits.
I mean, Amazons are half-naked all the time.
Not that I'm complaining...
Let's change the subject. My brother, who I barely know what he looks like because of that vision of newborn children. Well, at the end of the day, he will be a male self, so it will be a no-brainer.
Snow-white hair and ruby red eyes.
What could differentiate us the most is the hairstyle, my hair is very long and the clothes because the face is not so different and certain aspects are unique, even in the twins.
My clothes commonly are some booties, pants, and long sleeve shirt, all in black because I want to and I can. It's because dirt doesn't show much, with my white hair it's enough to get dirty in the dungeon.
I never like wearing dresses, it's like I'm someone delicate and I don't want that. With pants I can run and move much better without fear of stepping on my own clothes and showing my panties if I ever jump, which dresses do for multiple reasons.
Uhu, I think I'm close.
The buildings are in a state a little worn and others more than the others, but it is habitable. There are areas that are more for accommodation and others not so much.
*Cough* Daedalus Street, that place is a labyrinth that seems to have been poorly constructed, however it is not so.
Oh... that's the Church.
It looks more like an abandoned church. Vines run over the broken bricks, the windows are almost destroyed and the door barely looks stable.
However, according to Eina this is the home of the Hestia Familia. A new Familia in Orario with only a short time to be created.
Come on Riku. If you have the courage to fight one on one against Udaeus you can salute your brother and his Deity.
I stopped in front of the door and took a deep breath. I raised my hand and touched the door
*Knock* *Knock*
I waited for a few moments, but nothing happened. I knocked again a little louder and after a while nothing happened, so I opened the door and didn't look at anyone.
It was definitely an abandoned church, but it didn't look like it at first glance.
"Huh? Who are you?"
I turned my body and contemplated what seemed to be a child... she is not a child, that bust is too big. Wait, this feeling is of a Deity.
A beautiful Goddess with youthful appearance. She has blue eyes and black hair tied in two pigtails. Wearing a white mini-dress, a blue bow around her neck, another one under her bust and white gloves.
What worried me a little was that she looked at me from head to toe as if she was inspecting me and comparing me to something.
"Uh, is this your home?" I pointed to the Church "I'm looking for the Hestia Familia"
"Really?" she blinked and I nodded "Well, it's me! I'm the Goddess Hestia!"
"Ah"
"Sorry for raising my voice" Hestia apologized "It's not like we have visitors constantly. What's your name?"
"Riku..."
"Hm, did you say something else?" Hestia asked me when I mumbled the last.
"Promise me you won't do something strange when I tell you my last name"
"Why should I do something like that?" Hestia crossed her arms under her chest "A name is a name, I don't see why I would act badly in the face of that"
"My name is Riku Cranel"
"I guessed it from your... appearance"
I nodded "Younger sister of Bell Cranel who seems to have joined your Familia, Goddess Hestia"
Hestia looked at me for a few moments and then hummed, "I thought you were Bell for a moment, but that answers that question. You want to talk to me, don't you?"
I said nothing and nodded to her. Hestia laughed lightly and motioned for me to accompany her home.
We hope everything goes smoothly.
xxxxx
Hestia considered that her day had become hectic from one moment to the next just because of one person. Rather, Hestia never thought it would be because of that kind of person.
The younger sister of the first member of her Familia. Hestia did not know that Bell had a sister.
When they were enjoying family time, from time-to-time Bell would tell anecdotes of his life before he left his life as a farmer and came to Orario.
In the anecdotes was Bell's grandfather who seems to be the one who took care of him and taught him many things. Bell never mentioned to Hestia that he had a younger sister, but Bell's grandfather told Bell about a sibling story.
Hestia considered that if Riku is Bell's sister, that story was a way of telling Bell about the sister about whom he didn't know.
Probably, Bell's grandfather hid from the boy about his sister, after all Bell's parents were dead and to tell him that his sister was also dead would be very cruel to a pure child like Bell.
Riku told Hestia that she had had a vision of her birth and how Bell and she went their separate ways, as they were taken by different people.
That's when Hestia learned why the siblings didn't meet.
Hestia listened to Riku's sad story and how the girl's life was ruined to become what she is now. Hestia only listened when Riku told what she had done so far and why she did not know her brother.
The Deity sighed as she watched Riku watch her feet with a bit of trepidation. The girl was worried about how things would go and Hestia understood the girl's feeling.
"Riku"
"What's going on?"
"Are you sure you can continue?" Hestia asked with concern "You look a little... upset"
"It's nothing but..." Riku frowned "I'm worried about knowing what my brother is like"
"Why is that? Is there a specific reason?"
"Goddess Hestia, have you ever heard of me?"
"No" Hestia replied thinking a bit "When you told me you belonged to Loki's Familia I thought you would have some of her, however, I remembered that Gods and their followers are not the same. I am not one to do research on others"
"Indeed"
"Why are you asking me that?"
Riku sighed and Hestia felt the regret in the girl "I am not a good person Goddess Hestia"
Hestia frowned when she sensed no lies in that statement "What makes you say that?"
"When I asked you if you could tell me something about Bell it was ... very different from what I considered. I didn't think I could have a normal sibling relationship with him. From what I understood Bell is too pure"
"The latter I don't deny" Hestia affirmed "But what are you worried about Bell?"
"If he's like you told me, I don't suppose it's a good idea for me to live with him" Riku rubbed her forehead "I feel like I'll contaminate him. It sounds strange, but it's the truth. Quick question, what would happen to Bell if he kills an innocent animal?"
Hestia blinked, however, she thought about the question seriously "He would feel bad...he's too innocent to let it go. He would come worried to me to tell me about what he did"
"I see" Riku estimated to herself "You know, I once had a rabbit. I picked it up off the street and didn't ask how because it was there"
"Okay"
"I picked it up because I figured it was cute and I needed to distract myself from the dungeon, but it wasn't how I figured. For one reason I was angry at the time and the rabbit just bit me out of nowhere"
Hestia listened attentively.
"I got mad at the rabbit and hit it. I killed it for short because I didn't contain my strength"
Hestia paused before nodding.
"Then I looked at the rabbit carcass and since I was still angry, well... I decided to prepare it and I ate it"
Okay. Hestia knew that was already brutal in a sense.
"When I finished eating the rabbit I felt good about my revenge" Riku chuckled lightly "Goddess Hestia, did Bell have a wish? A goal when he became an adventurer?"
"Well..." Hestia placed her hand on her chin and remembered the special times she spent with Bell "Bell first wished to be strong to be a hero. He still wishes it and Bell also wishes... to reach out to someone"
"Huh, easy wishes that take time"
"What about you?" Hestia asked curiously "Do you have any goals, Riku?"
"Kill every single member of Evilus in the cruelest ways possible"
Hestia definitely couldn't avoid surprise and even more so when Riku giggled foolishly upon noticing the Deity's expression.
"You see?" Riku looked at the Deity "My desires are darker than they appear. Were it not for my unique appearance I would look like someone else. I'm sorry for that Goddess Hestia, but Evilus took my life from me. One that I truly wish I had"
"I'm sorry" Hestia apologized, although it wasn't her fault, the Goddess felt bad for digging more about Riku "Sorry for trying to find out more, but Bell is my only Familia, you know? I was alone for a long time until I found him"
"I understand and-"
"Goddess, I'm back!"
Riku froze when a person entered the basement of the church.
Hestia sighed and cleared her voice "Bell, please sit down. This is something serious you need to know"
"Hm" Bell looked at his Goddess questioningly, but when the newbie looked at the other person he was puzzled by what he saw "Who...?"
Bell looked at Riku without knowing who she was. What caught Bell's attention the most was that the other girl there resembled him in a certain way. White hair and red eyes, Bell pondered for a while staring dumbly.
"Bell, sit down" Hestia ordered the boy who stopped looking at Riku and obeyed his Goddess "As you are seeing, we have a guest"
"Uh, why does she look like me?"
Riku slapped her face while Hestia rolled her eyes "Bell, even you must know what's going on"
"Ah" Bell giggled foolishly as he scratched his cheek in embarrassment "I'm sorry Goddess, but she looks so much like me that I thought for a moment if you bought a giant mirror"
"No" Hestia sighed giving an embarrassed look to Riku who still continued with an indifferent look, however, inside she was uneasy "She is real and she is someone close to you"
"Close to me?" Bell looked at Riku and shared a glance with her. Then Bell smiled, smiled sympathetically "My name is Bell Cranel, nice to meet you"
"A pleasure..." Riku smiled a slightly forced smile not knowing what to reply.
"Excuse me, but what is your name?" Bell asked curiously "I feel like I've met you before, however, I don't remember where"
"It's normal that. The only time we were together was at our birth"
"Birth?" Bell muttered in confusion and looked at Riku again for a while until he opened his eyes "Are you...?"
"Hm, did you find out?"
"You... Are you my sister?"
"You figured it out pretty quick, even though it's not that hard to do" Riku hummed and took a deep breath "Did your grandfather ever tell you about me or did you live in ignorance so you could live in peace?"
"Hm" Bell shrugged at Riku's words "Grandpa once told me a story of siblings who were separated at birth but were reunited sometime later" Bell played with his fingers shyly "From the way you looked I remembered that story and thought you were my sister, was I wrong?"
"No" Riku smiled a little more peace inside her "My name is Riku Cranel, nice to meet you brother"
"Wait, are you my sister?" Bell's eyes widened and she looked at her Goddess "She's my sister?!"
"I don't detect any lies in Riku, Bell" Hestia replied using her ability to discern lies "She really is your sister and I don't see how you can doubt it if you are almost the same. Just let your hair grow out and you'll look just like her"
Bell blinked and this time looked at Riku with excitement in his eyes. The boy didn't know what to think and just opened and closed his mouth.
For Riku the situation was completely different. She felt slightly disgusted at the pure innocence Bell exuded. Compared to him, Riku was tainted, like pouring oil into water.
Riku was completely different from Bell.
"May I..." Bell caught Riku's attention.
"What's wrong?" Riku cocked her head "Tell me without pain what you want"
"Hm" Bell blushed a little "Can I give you a hug...?"
Riku listened intently and was puzzled, by what she had just heard. A hug? Riku wasn't one to give many hugs and Tiona was clingy which sometimes got a little annoying for Riku.
Now that Riku reflected on it, she never received hugs. Usually in the past it was only in moments of sentimentality or to show mild affection between her and someone in her Familia, but to have someone ask her for one just like that was a no.
"Why?" that was Riku's question.
"Well..." Bell blushed slightly looking away "Grandpa told me that a good way to show something is with a hug"
Riku blinked, she looked at Hestia, but the Deity just shrugged shoulders saying that she had nothing to do with that decision.
"I... I guess it's okay" Riku nodded slowly "I'm not good with affection, but I'll try"
Bell nodded and got up from his seat with Riku copying him. Bell then extended his arms a little towards Riku, however, she just blinked at him not knowing what to do.
She didn't give many hugs and her biggest friendship she had was with Bete which led to constant insults and fights so it wasn't a normal friendship.
"Just be yourself" Hestia said looking at Riku "Stop thinking of yourself as an adventurer and think of yourself as Riku Cranel"
Riku looked at Bell who was anxious and she moved closer to him. She allowed Bell's arms around her and hesitantly reciprocated the embrace as well.
Hestia looked at everything without missing every detail. This was because Hestia knows how Riku is after the girl told her about her life and Hestia understood that behind all that, Riku actually still feels a fear for what she will do.
Killing those who ruined her life and stating it so simply made Hestia understand what Riku was trying to tell her.
"I guess it was..." Riku murmured already separated from the embrace with Bell while the boy just looked at his Goddess because someone from his family was alive "That was strange"
"I-I'm sorry" Bell apologized "I know it was sudden, but Grandpa told me that my parents died sometime after I was born. Oh, that's right, they're your parents too" Bell laughed nervously at the last.
"It's okay, it's normal to be wrong" Riku shook her head "You know Bell, honestly I don't know what to talk to you about"
"Huh?" Bell blinked in confusion "I don't understand. what do you mean?"
"I don't know what a sibling relationship is like" Riku explained "The normal thing would be that I would be very sentimental now that you're here, but I'm not. I feel happy, yes, but also worried. Orario isn't very nice to say the least"
"Ah, let's change the subject" Hestia butted in when she noticed that Riku was starting to get melancholy "Let's consider that your first meeting with each other went well. Riku was just coming to meet you"
"Hm, in that you are not wrong Goddess Hestia" Riku nodded "I wanted to know what Bell was like and that's good enough for me, however, I can see that Bell was more excited to know that I am alive"
"Ever since Grandpa looked I felt lonely, but then I met the Goddess" Bell was first sad, but then he smiled with joy "Now I just need to be strong enough to be by her side"
"Do they have an interest?" Riku raised an eyebrow.
Bell looked away with a blush giving his answer to Riku. Hestia just sighed because Bell had already been attracted to someone else.
"As much as I would like to talk to you Bell, I have things to do. Some other time we can share a moment together, but first we need my Goddess and Goddess Hestia to share a few words"
"Are you an adventurer?" the Bell's eyes sparkled and then he remembered that he had seen Riku once before when he first came to Orario.
"I am part of the Loki Familia. Riku Cranel, alias [Astrid]. Level 5 adventurer a pleasure"
Bell's mouth dropped open in amazement.
His sister was not only an adventurer like him, but she was also a High-Class adventurer and belonged to one of the strongest Familias in the city of Orario.
'She has an Alias!' Bell thought 'Like a hero's!'
Bell was still fantasizing many things and one of them was that when he leveled up the Gods would give him a cool Alias. The white-haired boy was imagining cool names without having any idea what was going on at the meeting of the Gods to give Aliases to adventurers.
Many Gods came out of these meetings depressed.
Riku coughed making Bell take off his dumb face "As Bell was saying...I don't know what to do with you really. To sum up my life compared to yours was shi-, *cough*, it was horrible"
Hestia narrowed her eyes as Riku was about to curse, but Riku stopped herself in front of someone innocent like Bell.
There was no need to ruin the image of a good sister.
Riku pretended not to notice Hestia.
Bell opened his mouth, however, he stopped himself before speaking. Then Bell decided to do so "May I ask about...?"
"My life, yes" I nodded at Bell's surprise "I don't know what yours was like, but what I know after we were born is that our aunt took care of me"
"We have an aunt?"
"She passed away 7 years ago"
"Ah"
"Yeah" Riku nodded at Bell's discouragement "Ignoring that. Don't feel bad, but I forgot the first nine years of my life and 5 years ago I woke up in Orario not knowing who I was and where I was. That gives in total 9 years of amnesia, tehe"
"That...!" Bell's eyes widened in bewilderment at what he was hearing "W-What? Who would do something like that?!"
"I don't know Bell. The world is ugly, that's why our aunt sacrificed herself for the future" Riku commented "Don't ask about her, really don't" Bell nodded frantically at his sister's look "As I was telling you, I only have 5 years of memories and a little more to this day"
"That's why I don't know what to do with you, since my friendships didn't prepare me for things like this" Riku's cheeks colored slightly "I'm not like you and I have a lot of responsibilities as an adventurer, but in all of that..."
Riku clenched her hands and hugged Bell, taking the boy by surprise. Bell was about to say something, but the way Riku hugged him was what stopped Bell.
"I'm happy to at least know that you're okay..."
Riku's feeling was visible, the slight tremor in her showed Bell that he simply had to accept.
'Bell, if you allow a girl to cry in front of you, forget about calling me grandfather.'
The white-haired boy remembered his grandfather and many things he used to tell him about women and how to treat them. Bell filled his head with ideas, but after that encounter he no longer follows those teachings, however, Bell does employ several teachings.
Bell considered the situation similar to Riku crying because he thought so, however Riku just hugged him with a lot of feeling. Bell reciprocated Riku's hug who now looked more fragile than at the beginning with a calmer posture.
For her part, Hestia nodded at Riku's honest attitude. When she and Riku shared words, Hestia felt it more like a professional talk, about certain things, but when Bell arrived Riku became more meek.
An aggressive rabbit was calmed down by a calmer rabbit.
"!" Riku realized what she did and quickly pulled away from Bell without hurting him "I-I'm sorry, it's just..." she looked away "I've never been sentimental before, I haven't felt like this in a long time"
"No problem" Bell replied with a gentle smile "If you want another hug, then I'll do it" Riku nodded without looking at Bell. She was very embarrassed.
"Riku" Hestia caught the girl's attention "Was this what you wished for?"
"I guess" Riku mumbled playing with her fingers not knowing how to act "It was sudden for me" Riku shook her head and stiffened "It was... unique meeting you Bell. Goddess Hestia, thank you for accepting Bell into your Familia"
"No problem" Hestia smiled warmly "I must also thank Bell for accepting me as his Goddess"
"Goddess..." Bell murmured glad that his Goddess is happy with him. Bell was rejected by many Gods, so when Bell met Hestia it was like a miracle for him.
"Then, if you will excuse me, I must leave. My duties will not fulfill themselves"
"It was a nice visit Riku" Hestia said with a friendly smile "I hope to see you soon and remember to tell Loki about me, as we need to discuss about certain things"
"Sure"
"Bell, why don't you accompany your sister and say goodbye to her?"
"Of course!" Bell nodded cheerfully and led his sister down the stairs that led from the basement to the church.
Hestia who was left alone, changed her face to a more serious one. She could now reflect on the things Riku told her about her.
It was obvious that Riku was not concerned about his brother in the sense of caring for him, but that Bell would not learn of Riku's true nature.
Although Hestia glimpsed that Riku's meek form was caused by Bell. Hestia considered that it was a state in which Riku was self-confident and did not need to act as she usually did.
That's why Riku considered herself out of place at times and did things she normally doesn't do.
Hestia sighed and shook her head when she heard the shout of Bell who was saying goodbye to her sister.
Then Hestia opened her eyes remembering that Riku didn't mention about her being the younger sister and not the older one.
At least Hestia knows that Riku can be shy and not indifferent as she knew her at first.
xxxxx
Ahhh! Why the fuck was it so hard and easy at the same time?!
Yeah, sure, I had to feel worried that Bell was innocent and I scared him off with my anger-filled, vengeful nature, but it wasn't like that at least.
It was an acceptable and good meeting for me and the Hestia Familia.
Bullshit! I barely knew what to say!
I honestly never prepared myself for a situation like that. My... friendships are not the best as far as families go. There's Tiona and Tione, but they're Amazons and I don't want to compare myself to that.
The truth... it was better than I expected. I'm glad to hear that he lived well....
It's horrible not to worry so much about myself as I do about others.
Ah, I'm getting melancholic. Fuck the weak thoughts and up with the gains of a battle to the death with my enemy. If only that would work to keep those sentimental thoughts away.
It would do me good to go one on one against Udaeus even if I can't beat him... no, no. I'll get strength first and kill him later.
I think I should visit someone who can help with the behavior and who can understand me. Unfortunately, such people don't exist at all and the vast majority of us are a bit out of our minds.
It's not that we're mentally unstable, but the dungeon definitely leaves something in one. It's not pretty down there...
Whatever! Concentrate, Riku!
You already fixed a void that had been with you for a long time when you found out you had a brother. Now the next step is to build a good relationship with him and keep Loki from being a sourpuss with Goddess Hestia.
After seeing Hestia I understood why Loki sometimes rants about the Goddess of the Hearth.
That was a divine bust...
Too big and Loki's was small, heck, sometimes I think there's nothing there. Loki's 'shirt' just proves the point more than it already is. Just need to keep her from realizing what we think.
Let's just hope Bell never finds out my real face.
I may normally act calm or simple, but when I get carried away by anger it's a completely different story.
If one day my brother sees me releasing my bloodlust... I won't know if he could forgive me.
I told Hestia my objective, I did not hide anything from her because Hestia was able to discern lies and she was a means for me to reunite with my brother in a very fast and effective way.
Ah, it's just me raving again.
Hey wait. The look I'm feeling is not a delusion.
I stopped quietly and turned my head in a specific direction.
Years of experience were not for nothing.
When I looked at what I was looking for, I squinted. There, on one of the roofs of a random building, was an owl, however, one of the eyes was a magic item.
Hoh~.
That's interesting.
Someone is trying to get my attention and this is the first time they've done it through some sort of familiar.
The owl flapped its wings and approached my position as it dropped a note, which I quickly took. I watched as the owl returned to its perch and continued to look at me.
I looked around and walked to a bench that was slightly away from the people. Better for me, if no one sees me acting suspicious, Orario people create rumors for entertainment.
Let's see...
Someone is playing with fire.
It is a simple letter, however, the request that is in here is very dangerous, not for me but for the person, who is addressing me.
They are trying to convince me to help them with a certain thing and they specified that the enemy they have is the same one I have, Evilus. They also say that several people are probably collaborating with Evilus and they need my help.
What is puzzling me is that the individual who wrote me this letter says is writing to me because I am someone who is outside of the Orario order. I live for my Familia, but much of my desires are rooted to me and no one else.
Apparently there is a possibility that the letter is from someone in the Guild because of the personal information that is written...I'll take it. This also says that the sender is the same one who sent Ais to the 24th floor.
Hohohoho.
Let's see who is the asshole who dares to use my hatred to get me to help them.
According to this, if I accept I must keep the card and if I refuse I simply have to tear it up and the card will disintegrate by itself.
I kept it of course and winked at the Owl, who soared into the sky and disappeared into the distance.
There is a location on the chart that is the rallying point. They specify that they do not desire conflict and they understand that to make their enemy is to make an enemy of the entire Loki Familia.
According to the creator of the letter, they have known me since I intervened in [Tempest] salvation, letting me know that they have been aware of my existence for years and that is why they know I hate Evilus.
It's time to prepare for tomorrow.
xxxxx
Having free time can be a blessing when there are too many things to do, but it can also be annoying when there is nothing to do and you just have to wait for time to pass on its own.
Daedalus Street, one of the most inhabited places in the city of Orario because it is an area considered for the poor class, however, there are some areas that do not have the same stigma as the others.
Excessive signage to keep people from getting lost is common, but thanks to my adventurous senses I have a good memory for remembering the path I took earlier.
I mean, entering a new path in the dungeon is dangerous and thanks to my experience it is easy for me to remember, however I cannot trust myself in this place called the second dungeon.
There's the building the letter specified. One that would be seen anywhere but could go unnoticed at any time anyway.
Anyway, I don't want to be on the streets anymore.
I walked towards the building, entered the small alley, and made sure no one was noticing me. When I was sure of my privacy, I touched the wall in a specific pattern so that it opened to show a hidden path.
I entered and closed the entrance to walk through the secret passageway relatively calmly, however, my position was one in which I could engage in combat if I received any attacks from different angles.
When I finished the short tour there was a dark room that was being illuminated by a lamp in the center of the room. In the center was a table and around it were some chairs, like shelves and furniture.
"You plan to stay hidden? It's rude"
"As expected from [Astrid]. Hiding from you is complicated"
"Being on the lookout for anyone in my daily life is an ongoing danger" I commented dryly "So, are you going to show yourself or not?"
Out of the shadows a figure in a black robe that covered it completely came out of the shadows. Its face was not visible and nothing else was black in the present opening.
Uhu, a stranger.
"It's great to be able to meet with you" the hooded one spoke "The last time I contacted someone from your Familia was with [Sword Princess] on the 10th floor with a request"
"The 24th floor" I said.
"Of course. The cellar and the nest of the Violas. Thanks to your intervention the mission could be successfully completed, I am grateful"
"Yes, yes. it was good that we were there for Ais, since she warned us of her action" I frowned "Evilus... Olivas Act, Violas and corrupted spirits. how long?"
"Excuse me?"
"How long has all that been forming?" I looked at the hooded man "And who are you?"
"Right, I didn't introduce myself properly" the hooded one placed its hand, metal claw, on its 'chest' "My name is Fels, I am a mage who is under the orders of Lord Ouranos"
"That God?" I narrowed my eyes "I thought Ouranos was neutral and he keeps praying towards the dungeon. Kind of strange for a Deity to pray..."
"Lord Ouranos' goal is a future for the world. Maintaining peace in the dungeon is his job, however, over time we have found anomalies in the dungeon"
"Put that down, answer the other question. How long has Evilus been around?"
"Do you have that much hate for that organization?" Fels asked me and he/she, I don't know what it is, but I'm going for a he by the voice, took a step when I narrowed my eyes looking at him.
"Hate?" I whispered letting the weight of this word run Fels body "They took my life from me. A life I could have enjoyed, my memories were forgotten and now my mind suffers with spontaneous memories coming back... killing them would be merciful of me"
"... I understand" Fels nodded slowly "I apologize. I don't know the exact date, but it is thought to have been at the time Orario called for strength. When the Zeus and Hera Familias perished before the black dragon, at that instant many people were free from the power of those two Familias"
"Ah... 15 years? More or less, fuck it. What matters is that they're still alive and I'll kill them, end of story. So Fels, what about my help with that God Ouranos thing?"
"Of course" Fels began to explain "As I had mentioned Lord Ouranos found irregularities in the dungeon, there were also certain changes, but there was one that caught my attention in specific"
"There are Familias that trade illegally with materials coming from the dungeon, likewise they do it with monsters. I have come to gather information indicating that a portion of the finances of various Familias come from anonymous sources"
"And this source will be Evilus?" I interrupted him.
"It was believed at first, but most of these things were resolved. The end of the illegal trades ends mostly at Daedalus Street, however there are many sources outside the city that lead to a single point and that is the Ikelos Familia "
"Ikelos?" I murmured doubtfully "Do they do anything?"
"Apparently they have gotten into certain deals below the view of others, however, I managed to confirm that they are collaborating with Evilus"
I smiled.
"After the Dark Age, many Familias were investigated and the Gods were returned to heaven. The Ikelos Familia went unnoticed, but lately it has been affecting my... clients"
"They're the reason you want my help, aren't they?"
"Of course. The Ikelos Familia has recently attacked them and trapped several of them to sell as merchandise to people outside of Orario. I'm afraid many have died in the process"
I listen carefully.
"Let me tell you about my allies...the Xenos"
xxxxx
Right, I will say it in the most summarized way what I think. I got a little stuck on how to continue, since the part about the expedition to the 59th floor is coming, however, with what I did it will come in handy for the future.
Take advantage of Riku's curiosity and hatred to relate her to the Xenos, it won't be a direct friendship and it will be more of a working one where they fight together, but they will always be on the lookout that one doesn't jump on the other with bad intentions.
Riku has been killing monsters for 5 years and she considers them monsters, not people and so there will be a development until she accepts them with trust. Wuah, I can already imagine what I will write when the Xenos surface and Riku helps her Familia or Bell Familia.
Something I've ignored is romance and well... I missed it. I can't find a clear situation to make Riku get into a relationship with someone, but the only one I see well is Lefiya, since she's half lesbian in my opinion and it's good because Riku and her have known each other for a while.
I just need the moment where I can put Lefiya and Riku together to make a couple and with that I can write interesting moments...
What I was coming to. The next chapter will be omakes like the one in chapter 34. Some will be continuation and others will be slightly developed. This is because I need to distract myself a bit and read the novels for fundamental information.
Thank you for reading.
L’AVIS DES CRÉATEURS 
Lacrima_de_Sal
Lacrima_de_Sal Thanks for reading.
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État de l’alimentation hebdomadaire
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Power Stone 
-- Power
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