"That was one of the abnormal monsters from the fifty-ninth floor, dropped by a tree-like monster."
"Moreover, before that, we have to face another problem."
Mentioning this topic, Riveria, who was in charge of financial management within the Familia, instantly looked gloomy.
Judging from the exploration records, their footprints had advanced from the fifty-first floor to the fifty-ninth floor in one fell swoop, which was undoubtedly a major breakthrough.
Finn sighed: "The reserves of magic swords are almost completely exhausted, and at least half of the potion reserves were destroyed in the barrage of [Meteor Shower]."
After hearing this, Riveria only felt a tightness in her chest.
"Judging from the income, the result of this expedition is likely to be unprecedentedly惨烈."
"In this situation, we can only ask everyone to work a little harder and go to the dungeon to earn money."
Riveria sighed helplessly: "But, why is it so quiet now?"
Finn: "Maybe it's because their performance in battle this time was not satisfactory, and they inevitably feel a little depressed. Everything went too smoothly in the early stages of this expedition, but in the end, we encountered such a difficult situation."
"However, those children don't have to worry too much."
Finn nodded with a smile: "That's true."
Seeing this, Riveria didn't say much. She turned around and prepared to leave: "Alright, I'll go check on Shirou's condition."
Before long, a burst of noise came from the camp.
"All of you get out of here!"
Then, Alexia, Aiz, Tiona, Lefiya, and the others were seen being kicked out of the tent by Riveria one after another.
"No buts, don't disturb Shirou's rest!"
The adventurers of the Loki Familia returned to their base, each with their own thoughts and dragging their tired bodies.
Then, soon, their attention was drawn to another major event.
229
Chapter 229: Peering Beyond the City.
Riveria leveled up, and the labyrinth city Orario gave birth to its second powerhouse.
This was also the first time someone had caught up to Ottar, known as the [King], in terms of level since the Hera Familia and Zeus Familia left.
Although she was grateful for the enthusiastic support of her comrades, she couldn't stand that excessive enthusiasm, especially Alexia and Lefiya, who were even designing some kind of "celebratory costume" for her.
Riveria stirred her coffee with a small spoon and said softly: "However, there are no new skills."
"No need to worry,"
Riveria smiled faintly and said gently: "You two are absolutely trustworthy."
Although it seemed calm on the surface, Emiya could faintly feel a kind of invisible gunpowder smoke spreading quietly between the two elves.
Just as Emiya was trying to divert his attention with coffee, suddenly, he felt a gentle touch on his back—Ryuu quietly wrapped her left hand around his back.
The girl's movements were very subtle… but, that suddenly blushing face, and the subconscious action of looking away, left Riveria speechless.
Although she appeared calm on the surface, Riveria's heart was filled with a different kind of emotion at this moment.
However, at this time, in front of Ryuu, seeing her slightly smug expression in her shyness, Riveria became even bolder.
He began to talk about serious matters, but the boy also hoped to shift the subtle atmosphere between Riveria and Ryuu through this topic.
Fallen Fairy, or rather, Corrupted Fairy, or even Fairy Monster—this is what adventurers call that monster.
She paused and continued: "But Aiz seems to know something."
Emiya was a little surprised: "What did she say?"
"Clone…?"
"Yes."
Riveria replied: "Aiz said that the Fairy blood in that monster was particularly mottled, not like a complete individual."
Riveria nodded, without concealing anything, and explained directly: "Aiz is a 'Child of the Fairy'."
Riveria showed a wry smile: "This is probably one of the unknowns of our Lower World."
"After all, before the era of 'God's Grace' began, the god Ouranos sent fairies to the Lower World many times. If anyone can unravel these mysteries, I'm afraid it would only be him."
Because of the unpleasantness of the last Enhanced Species incident, the relationship between the Loki Familia and the Hephaestus Familia and the Guild has become somewhat strained.
Riveria chuckled: "The goddess Loki said that the people of the Freya Familia are probably going to come to us with dark faces to trade for information about the Deep Layers. But for now, we are also waiting for their actions."
Because Riveria leveled up to , now in the city, the saying that "the Loki Familia has surpassed the Freya Familia" is already rampant.
Emiya nodded and said with a smile: "Yes, I will participate."
Hearing this, Ryuu, who was sitting next to him, couldn't help but become anxious and immediately said: "I… I will also participate."
The Elf Princess had always maintained a composed demeanor, while Emiya maintained an indifferent appearance, until it was time to leave the coffee shop.
Riveria's originally calm expression suddenly froze.
Emiya's fingers suddenly exerted force.
[Attack power against Elven women is greatly increased]
An unspeakable feeling instantly penetrated her fair skin, directly hitting the soles of Riveria's feet, and spreading quickly throughout her body like an electric current.
Ryuu, who was on the side, was completely stunned.
Her pretty face flushed with red, her lips trembled slightly, and she muttered to herself in an almost inaudible voice: "This, this is the Elf Killer…?"
The base on the fifty-ninth floor was breached by the Loki Familia, and that precious Fallen Fairy was killed just like that.
Not only that, but the city also welcomed another powerhouse—Riveria of the Loki Familia, who successfully advanced to a mage.
"The attitude on the goddess Ishtar's side has also become much colder… that willful goddess always changes her mind."
His gaze turned to a world map spread out on the table next to him, marked with several forces in different colors.
And, the mad fighting nation, Tyrskula.
"Loki Familia, we'll see."
Dionysus crushed a glass wine glass with his fingers, then put the glass shards into his mouth and chewed them.
“Abnormal monsters, abnormal adventurers, abnormal magic stones…”
Riveria supported her forehead: “This is really a headache.”
Finn changed the subject and said in a deep voice: “About financial issues.”
Loki Familia's expedition was, in a sense, both a success and a failure.
However, from an economic point of view, this expedition was a disaster.
“Four first-class armaments were lost, and nearly ten second-class armaments were destroyed.”
“The magic stones and dropped items we harvested were also severely damaged.”
He paused and sighed: “Although we picked up some valuable dropped items on the way back from the [Dragon's Womb], it can't make up for our overall losses at all.”
Finn said with a wry smile: “Even saying we lost everything would be an understatement. If it weren't for the compensation we received from the Razia Kingdom to cover some of our expenses, we would probably be facing a bankruptcy crisis now.”
He scratched his cheek: “I thought the fifty-ninth floor would be as weak as the information said, but I didn't expect to encounter a Fallen Elf… As a result, the fifty-ninth floor we faced was completely different from the one the [Zeus Familia] faced.”
Riveria said: “Besides Raul and Lefiya, they may need us to enlighten them. As for Aiz and the others, I believe they will cheer up soon.”
Finn watched her hurried departure, shook his head, and showed a helpless smile.
He heard Riveria's voice coming from a tent.
“But, Riveria—”
Ais looked aggrieved and wanted to say something, but Riveria interrupted her.
Riveria's tone was firm, and she waved her hand mercilessly to signal them to leave, then quickly tied the curtain at the entrance of the tent from the inside.
“Riveria! Leveled up, !!!”
Loki's excited voice came from the center of the camp, resounding throughout Twilight Manor.
Without a doubt, this is currently the biggest topic in the entire city.
From the Great Struggle era to now, people have waited too long.
The entire city, especially the Elven race, began to celebrate.
And in these cheers, Riveria, in a quiet corner of the [Viscum] cafe, was temporarily avoiding the noise, seeking a moment of peace.
Thinking of this, Riveria sighed helplessly, only feeling a headache.
“I have obtained a new development ability [Magic Burst].”
Sitting across from her were Wei Gong and Ryu. The elf girl politely responded: “Princess Riveria, is it appropriate to tell us such things…?”
The eyes of the two elves met in the air. Riveria's expression had a faint smile, while Ryu still maintained a calm expression, but a hint of alertness seemed to flash in her blue-green eyes.
Being caught between the two, Wei Gong felt that the wisest choice at this moment was to keep a low profile, so he tried not to attract attention and lowered his head to drink the latte in his hand.
The Elf Princess maintained an elegant smile on the corner of her mouth, but a hint of unwillingness welled up in her heart.
Under the table, she quietly took off a sandal, her right leg quietly raised, and her toes gently rested on Wei Gong's knee.
If they were alone, perhaps she would feel shy about such a move.
Wei Gong thought for a while and finally said: “Riveria, regarding that 'Fallen Elf,' does the Loki Goddess know anything about it?”
Hearing the word “Elf,” Riveria's expression became a little serious, but her right leg was still on Wei Gong's knee, as if she didn't intend to put it down.
Riveria said: “Unfortunately, the Loki Goddess doesn't know much about elves.”
“Ais?”
Riveria nodded, “Ais said that she felt that the elf wasn't the real body, but a 'clone' parasitic in a monster's body.”
Wei Gong pondered slightly for a moment: “Then, may I ask, Ais herself… she seems to know a lot about elves?”
Hearing this, Ryu's expression suddenly looked very surprised, and she asked with an incredulous look: “Can elves actually have children?”
She continued: “Loki is now trying to exchange information with the God Ouranos. Although the Guild's position is indeed suspicious, the only God who can truly understand elves is probably Ouranos.”
However, in any case, they will report the information. Whether it is a special variant monster, the semi-forested fifty-ninth floor, or the Fallen Elf, this information is extremely important for the familias who will go on expeditions later.
Ryu suddenly understood: “Ah… no wonder, judging from the current situation, the Freya Familia's mood must be a little anxious.”
“Shirou.”
Riveria's voice became a little softer. She gently curled a strand of green hair with one hand, lowered her eyes and looked at him: “The Loki Goddess plans to hold a celebration banquet in the tavern to celebrate this victory and level up…”
Riveria looked at Ryu's nervous and serious expression and couldn't help but smile, her eyes full of tenderness: “Of course you are welcome, Ryu.”
His right hand dropped, silently grasping Riveria's foot opposite him, his thumb pointing at the center of her sole.
“Eh? Wait, wait a moment…”
【【Innocent Monster】 effect activated】
【(Another unanalyzable hidden effect)】
“Ah—”
The Elf Princess couldn't restrain herself and couldn't help but let out a scream, and suddenly fell on the table, her cheeks stained with a shameful blush.
At the Dionysus Familia's base, a gloomy atmosphere shrouded the entire hall.
The God Dionysus, his handsome face twisted by an uncontrollable rage: “Loki Familia, you really did it…”
To make matters worse, important information has probably been leaked.
He cursed fiercely in his heart, those stupid adventurers, those guys who didn't know how to live or die, actually dared to ruin his plan.
“In this case, the funds for the operation have also become a problem… It seems that we still have to find a way to get support from other places.”
Dionysus's gaze slid across the map.
Because of the incident caused by Riveria and others, the Razia Kingdom, whose conflict with the Elven race is deepening; the magic power that covets the [Thousand Elves]; the sword-making city that harbors desires for the [Holy Sword User]…
Scarlet liquid overflowed from the corner of his mouth, appearing particularly hideous and eerie in the dim light.
