It wasn't actually their first time coming across the monster that was going to be known as Black Dragon in their search for the 'King'. It was a unique small-sized reptilian monster that had the ability to enter and melt into the walls of the Dungeon and evade pursuit. Since it wasn't a particularly strong monster despite its unique ability, everyone was just warned of its ambush and evasion because despite it being weaker than most monsters of that time, it still continually and intelligently ambushed groups of Adventurers.
They hadn't realized it yet, but it was there that they made the mistake of letting it go on multiple occasions for its ability is not to traverse the Dungeon freely, but assimilation.
"As a living being, the Dungeon has the same properties that make up a Spirit. With its power of beguilement and assimilation, it silently and secretly, was able to amass its own strength by absorbing the power of Spirits. And when we found out about it, it had already broken through to the surface and wreaked havoc among its inhabitants without much contest.
"I won't go into detail on how we found out but it essentially 'farmed' the Spirits it captured deep into the Dungeon and after years of doing so, it gained strength and power that dwarfed the previous 'Kings' by a large margin. Even then my and Hera's children were able to defeat it after a great sacrifice."
"But it's still clearly flying around until now." Loki interrupted him, getting impatient from his long story.
"We weren't able to kill it..." Zeus sighed once again, "To be precise, it ditched its body and hid within Aria and was not able to be detected until it was already too late."
Ais was shaking and clenching her fist as a certain memory resurfaced in her head.
"After a few months of staying silent, the monster suddenly sprung into action and took over Aria's body while also assimilating Ais into itself. We weren't able to save Aria at that time but we were able to get Ais back thanks to Aria's consciousness still being present and Albert taking away one of its eyes... However, the weak child was strongly affected by its aura so one of my children sealed her in a barrier to let the aura dissipate slowly and naturally."
"More than twenty years ago, the seal was finally broken and we're able to save the child that Albert and Aria protected with their lives. However, the monster, now known as the One-Eyed Black Dragon and secretly known as Aria, felt the barrier going down too and tried to take her away. We don't know if it's Aria's lingering consciousness but it was very adamant to consume the child and we're only able to fend it off after another great sacrifice. It was that time that I entrusted Ais to Loki, hoping that she'd grow stronger and would have a chance to change her fate."
Zeus then looked at the frightened Ais directly in her eyes and said, "And now that the Black Dragon is calling out to you, it's causing the lingering aura to go uncontrollable. That monster is actually the source of your black 'Wind' and your skill 'Avenger'."
Silence then took over the entire room as everyone was trying to digest everything he just said. Zeus was about to ask how Aria was able to present herself here when something on Riveria's wrist started ringing.
With all eyes converging on her, Riveria was making a fed-up expression as she raised her right arm with the wristwatch that she's quite fond of, "You bastard... You even modified my watch."
She then took it off and placed it on the table and a slightly translucent screen appeared in the air showing the man with the striped bucket hat, "Hello everyone~ I hope I didn't interrupt something important~"
"Tsk!" Riveria clicked her tongue angrily, "Enough of your bullshit. You were probably listening to all of that so tell us what you want."
Though Kisuke couldn't reply to her as Aria suddenly exclaimed, "Ah! It's Kisuke! It has been a while. Thank you for taking care of my daughter."
"Ah, Aria-san. It has really been a while. Though I don't really deserve your gratitude since I didn't really do anything remotely like taking care of her. Your daughter is already a grown adult and doesn't need directions from a strange uncle."
Loki, on the other hand, gritted her teeth, "Kisuke... Damn you. You knew everything about this but stayed silent!"
Kisuke raised his palm at her and replied, "I know you have a lot of questions, but I don't really have much time on my side so I'll just say what I want to say."
After clearing his throat, he continued, "Most of you already surpassed the greatest Adventurer in history, Albert Waldstein, so if you all work together, you'll be able to defeat the Black Dragon. However, if you want to kill it, Wallenstein-san here would have to do it herself. Due to some requirements, whether you like it or not, that reptile would go after Wallenstein-san like how it did with her mother."
Finn wanted to say something but Kisuke stopped him by saying, "And regarding the corrupted Spirit, just leave that thing to Riveria. Alright, that's all. Have a good day, everyone." The screen disappeared leaving a group of unsatisfied people behind, but before they could let out their frustration, the screen went up again, "Oh, and before I forgot. Lysa, always be by her side. Even if it means dying together.", before disappearing once again.
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As Kisuke turned off the communication device, Yoruichi sat by his side and said, "How kind of you to not tell her that the one beside her isn't really her mother."
"It's not kindness." Kisuke answered back, "She needs to realize that herself, or else she's just going to be the next Black Dragon."
"That might be true, but it's also nice to let her swim in her fantasy one last time. And what Aria said is also true. You've been taking care of her."
Kisuke stayed silent.
"If not for your intervention, those Deities would blindly look for a 'Hero' to save her. Story-wise, it is amazing and moving."
Kisuke looked at her and said with a grin, "But we're in reality and the tragic heroine should also have a chance to fend for herself. I just don't like how boring these Deities think. What would you feel if you were in that girl's shoes?"
"With those Deities trying to weave a story for me? I'd cut them down once I'd realized it."
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A few days later at dawn, all the Adventurers and Mercenaries that came through Teleportation Magic heard the menacing roar of the Black Dragon and knew it was the signal for war.
Although everyone had already prepared as much as they could, they still couldn't help but feel nervous, "Is this how it felt when the monsters were still running rampant on the surface a thousand years ago?", Narvi Roll, one of the old Loki Familia members, asked.
"Who knows?... But I sure don't like this feeling." Her fellow Familia member, Elfy Colette, answered back.
"Want to know how to feel a bit less nervous?" Alicia Forestlight asked.
The other two looked at her with confusion and the latter just pointed at the man with short black hair at the distance holding the flag of Loki Familia, "Look at Raul, about to faint from nervousness."
The two looked at the executive that looked like he was about to soil himself and much of their nervousness disappeared and was replaced by immense worry, "Is he going to be alright?"
"Err... Probably. When push comes to shove, the inner leader in him pops up. He's going to be fine... Probably."
"Right. Raul has always been like this so there is no need to worry about him so much." Alicia nodded, "But have you heard, once the Black Dragon appears, we're going to focus our entire force on it, and if the corrupted Spirit decides to move at that time, Riveria-sama alone would have to hold it back?"
"Ah, we're also curious about that. However, it seems that Riveria-sama proposed this herself and the captains of the other Familias agreed to it. Riveria-sama probably has some secret weapon on her."
Editors:
28th00: Yeah, if I found out the gods are fucking with me by making my existence a tragedy because it’d be “Enteraining”, I’d instantly want to kill them too. People absolutely despise being manipulated and controlled, especially for petty and/or pointless reasons.
A cloud of dust was rising up from Orario and those who were on the lookout immediately shouted about what they saw, "Monster rush!!! Most of them are small and medium class! Some large class in the back!"
Finn immediately appeared at the top of the temporary tower and used Magic to amplify his voice, "Archers! Once they are in range, fire the first volley! Mages, focus your attacks on the large monsters, and don't let yourself receive a Mind Down! First to fifth squad, get ready to meet the monsters after the first volley! Sixth to ninth squad, spread out and guard our flanks! Tenth to Fifteenth squad, get ready to pull out the injured and those who are unable to continue fighting and replace them!"
As Finn yelled out his first commands, the whole camp erupted into action. Thankfully, they didn't have to worry about their supplies as they were continually coming in from the rear through transport vehicles, 'Nevertheless, we can't really keep this up for a long time. Sooner or later, those behind us would soon exhaust themselves to the point that they won't be able to feed themselves. And surely, those who are looking to take advantage of this situation are watching this war closely so we can't really afford to exhaust ourselves either.' Thought Finn while watching the marching army of Adventurers and Mercenaries, 'Looks like we really have to create an elite team to reach the Black Dragon and the corrupted Spirit.'
Although it was a sloppy march, it's still better than just blindly rushing in and creating a very chaotic battlefield. Since they were at a disadvantage in terms of numbers, they couldn't let everyone just run around and do whatever they wanted.
"Anakitty."
"Yes, captain!" The cat person behind him hurriedly answered.
"Tell the others of the elite team that we're going in before sunset."
"This early?"
"The Dungeon will continually produce monsters while our supplies can only last for so long. It's better to do it now when we still have a chance to retreat and plan for another engagement after the information we could get from the initial one."
"...Understood."
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Before the sun sets, the sounds and warcry of the battle are still going without any signs of it letting up, "As you can see, we can't last like this. Although the supplies are coming in, the fatigue will set in first and no matter how careful, we're only going to keep losing our comrades. As such, I decided that we should strike now when things haven't gotten worse."
Finn looked around at the members of the elite team that comprised various Familias that are familiar with Orario and each one of them is at least Level 7.
Aside from the executives of the Loki Familia including Line, there's Tsubaki from the Hephaestus Familia, Ottar, Allen, and Hogni from the Freya Familia, Shakti and Ilta from the Ganesha Familia, Kashima Ouka from the Takemikazuchi Familia, Tenestra from the Astarte Familia, and Asfi from the Hermes Familia and finally, Bell and Haruhime from the Miach Familia. As for the rest of their members, they were left behind to take control and lead the battlefield.
"We'll go straight through the heart of the enemy territory and even though we'll have a window to retreat, we don't know what might happen and that might close as soon as we approach it. Nevertheless, we can't let a situation like this go on forever so those who are not ready to place their lives on the line, please leave as you'll just be a big detriment to the team."
Finn looked around once again and could see the determination in their eyes. He smiled and continued, "It seems that I don't need to say any uplifting speeches to rouse everyone's fighting spirit."
"Haah? We're not newbies. Why would we need something like that? You'll only snuff out my motivation for taking so long." Bete immediately answered with a click of his tongue.
Finn chuckled, "That's true. Well then, Black Dragon Subjugation Team... Move out!"
"YES!!!" Most of them answered.
Watching all of this as if she's not part of it was Ais. After yesterday's event, Aria also disappeared citing that she couldn't keep that form for too long, "...is. Ais!"
Ais woke up from her stupor with Finn calling out to her, "Are you alright? You also have the option to remain here."
Ais shook her head, "You know I can't do that."
"Then get yourself together or you'll get yourself and others killed."
Ais swallowed a mouthful of saliva and nodded thoughtfully at his scolding, "I'm sorry. I'm going to be fine."
But just as they are about to leave, "Hold up!" Loki's voice from behind them.
They turned around and saw that aside from her, there were Freya, Hermes, Hephaestus, Takemikazuchi, Miach, and Zeus behind her.
"Loki. What's going on?"
"We're coming too."
Finn and the others were frozen in an instant before he reacted with an unbelieving face, "...Haaah!?"
"You heard me. We're coming too."
"I can't allow that. We can't even guarantee our safety much less yours. If we lose any of you, it'll be a huge blow for us that we would have no way of recovering." Finn could also see that their respective children are persuading them against this and most notably was Asfi directly scolding Hermes.
"It's going to be alright. Riveria can protect us."
Everyone stopped and looked at Loki before turning their heads to Riveria. While Ottar and Tsubaki could agree, it's not the same for everyone else who doesn't know what she could do.
"Hold on, Loki. Even though I'm assigned to watch the corrupted Spirit and won't participate in the fight with the Black Dragon, I still can't risk it." Riveria immediately reminded her. Even though she could have leeway while fighting the corrupted Spirit, she doesn't know how things would develop and that unknown could pose a great danger to the Deities.
Loki looked at her seriously and contrary to her character, she suddenly pleaded, "Riveria... Please. I have to see through this until the end."
Riveria was startled and looked at the other Deities who had the same expression. Although most of them didn't know how Riveria would protect them, they really needed to watch this until the end.
Being bombarded by those intense stares, Riveria could only sigh before raising her arm and tapping the watch on her wrist, "Anyone there?"
A few seconds later, Kisuke's voice answered, [Riveria? What's up?]
"I need a bit of assistance here."
The wristwatch stayed silent for a few more seconds before a reply returned from Kisuke, [Sera-tan will help you out. You know the Sitri Clan's crest, right? You can summon her through that.]
"Thank you."
Riveria then brought down her arm and brought up the other to construct a Magic Circle. Within just a second, Riveria managed to complete a Summoning Circle with Sitri Clan's crest in the middle of it.
"Fast!" Tenestra exclaimed, "What are those parameters? Wait... What is this system in the first place?"
Riveria didn't answer her question as the same Summoning Circle appeared on the ground in front of her. Within a few seconds, a twin-tailed bubbly beautiful girl appeared in front of her, "The Devil King Serafall Leviathan at your service~☆! I can do almost anything for an appropriate price~☆! Who or what should I destroy today?"
"I don't think I could afford you destroying anyone or anything worthwhile so I'll just request an escort and protection service."
"And the protection target and escort location?"
"The Deities that are coming with us to Orario and the entirety of their stay there until this battle is over."
"Understood☆! Let's discuss the price at a later time in private. Is that okay with you?"
Riveria nodded.
Everyone forgot that they are trying to convince their Deities to not come with them due to Serafall's sudden appearance and the subsequent strange conversation. However, they were not ready for what was going to happen next.
"Then let's get this over with~! I'm expediting the escort request." Serafall turned towards the direction where Orario was and said, "Tell them to stay out of the way, if they don't want to die."
Finn knew that she was talking to him but didn't understand what she was talking about, until a dense amount of Magic Circle suddenly descended from the sky and made it hard for everyone to even breathe, "I'm giving you fifteen seconds." Serafall turned to Finn with her shining blue eyes.
It was as if his thumb was about to explode into pieces and he didn't have to think about it any further, "Squad 2 and 3! Vacate your space! Now!!!"
The second and third squad heard his Magic Amplified voice but was confused. Nevertheless, they still followed his instruction and went left and right respectively, leaving a large hole on the front line.
But before they could receive their next instructions, a wave of blue light passed through the place they were standing just now and left a frozen path. It didn't stop and went through all the monsters, instantly freezing them before disintegrating into tiny pieces and being carried by wind. In an instant, a 10-meter wide ice path with a wall of ice on both sides and not a single monster in the way was created and directly connected to Orario a few kilometers away.
"Well then, let's go~☆!"
While everyone was speechless and terrified, Riveria could only sigh while muttering, "Can I really afford to hire a Devil King?... Well, if I can't pay it off, I'll just sell Kisuke to her."
Editors:
28th00: Serafall absolutely heard Riveria say that. She’d take that deal instantly! No questions asked! Then she’d freeze at the realization that she took the deal.
Serafall has been training, but even if she wasn’t… she had continental level range with her magic in the first place.
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