Loki Familia, Depart!

Time flies, and days turn into weeks.

Four days slipped through his fingers like sand, and in the blink of an eye, it was time for the expedition.

Donning his newly crafted equipment, Shirou Emiya looked at his reflection in the mirror and couldn't help but exclaim, "I look so cool!"

The light armor, composed of red and white, fit Shirou Emiya's body perfectly, and the short sword slung across his back showcased his valor.

This was Shirou Emiya's latest masterpiece, a Level 1 equipment called Blood Glory.

The reason for naming it Blood Glory was to signify his determination: in this expedition, he would forge his own glory with the blood of his enemies.

"Even though I'm just a rear guard."

Shouldering his prepared backpack, Shirou Emiya grumbled with a hint of resentment.

Honestly, he wanted to be a vanguard. But unfortunately, his strength wasn't enough, so he was forced to become a rear guard.

This made Shirou Emiya quite unhappy.

Even though he was an Archer by nature, what serious Archer used a bow? He certainly didn't want to.

But unfortunately, there was no choice. Circumstances were beyond his control, so he'd just have to obediently accept the rear guard role.

After packing all the necessary items, Shirou Emiya opened his room door.

Outside, Ais and Lefia were already waiting for him.

"Good morning, Brother!"

"Good morning!"

After greeting each other, the three headed to the courtyard of Twilight Manor, where the members of Loki Familia were gradually arriving.

In the courtyard, Loki stood with her arms crossed, looking at everyone.

Completely different from her usual frivolous self, she exuded a powerful presence with her aura fully unleashed.

She was a true goddess.

"Everyone, fight to your heart's content. It's time to show the spirit of Loki Familia."

"Ooh!"

Under Loki's speech, the morale of the Loki Familia expedition team was exceptionally high.

"Then we're off, Loki."

"Yes, I'll leave everything to you, Finn."

"Yes!"

Turning back to face the fully prepared members, Finn emanated a sharp aura.

This was the leader of Loki Familia, the captain of Loki Familia, Finn Tmina.

"Prepare to depart. We'll gather at the central plaza of the Tower of Babel."

"Yes!"

Carrying his heavy pack, Shirou Emiya moved forward with the crowd.

Beside him, Ais and Lefia were constantly chatting.

Of course, it was mostly Lefia talking, with Ais responding.

Ever since Ais began studying Hundred Head Slayer with Shirou Emiya, she had also started calling him "Brother," which gave Lefia more topics to discuss with her.

This made Lefia, who had always admired Ais, even happier.

Not only did she have Shirou Emiya as her brother, but she also had Ais, who was also Shirou Emiya's sister. This was double the joy.

"Lefia, how is your Parallel Chanting coming along?"

Hearing her brother Shirou Emiya's question, Lefia quickly snapped out of her joyful reverie and replied earnestly, "I've basically mastered it, but I'm still not very proficient."

As a Mage with excellent aptitude, Lefia's talent was undeniable.

Under Shirou Emiya's guidance, her crucial self-confidence had also been strengthened, making her learning of Parallel Chanting almost effortless.

All that remained was practice.

Shirou Emiya nodded slightly. Lefia's progress was quite good in his eyes.

Although she wasn't progressing as rapidly as in the original story, it was because she hadn't yet encountered the man she called her rival, Bell Cranel.

Because of this, she wasn't practicing Parallel Chanting through simulated battles like in the original story, but was learning through more orthodox methods.

This was also the reason for her slower progress.

"It seems I haven't paid enough attention to her lately. After all, I've been busy preparing equipment and teaching Ais, and I've neglected her."

Realizing his mistake, Shirou Emiya gently patted her head and said, "Then, after this expedition, I'll accompany you for some proper training."

"Okay!"

Lefia responded cheerfully.

Seeing this, Ais, who was walking beside them, couldn't help but show a slight smile.

She liked this warm atmosphere.

So she extended her own hand and patted Lefia's head.

"Keep it up, Lefia!"

"."

Feeling the intimacy expressed by both of them simultaneously, Lefia felt happiness had come too suddenly.

It was truly a double surprise.

"Yes!"

With a blush and unsteady steps, Lefia shyly replied.

The long line walked along the Northern Main Street, attracting many gazes along the way.

Other pedestrians and adventurers on the street looked at the Loki Familia's procession with expressions of amazement.

"Is that the Brave Finn Tmina, the Nine-Headed Demon Princess Riveria Lios Alfr, and the Heavy Master Gareth Landrock? Are these the Three Greats of Loki Familia?"

"Look quickly, that's Great Cut Tiona Shylut and Angry Snake Tione Shylut, the LV.5 Amazon twin sisters, they are truly lovable!"

"And Fierce Wolf Bete Rocca, he's also a super stylish LV.5, so cool."

"Then there's the city's strongest female swordsman, the Sword Princess Ais Wallenstein, a favorite who combines beauty and strength."

Looking at the executives of Loki Familia, the adventurers on both sides of the street couldn't help but discuss.

"Wait, is that the Thousand Fairies and the Magic Sword Shooter walking beside the Sword Princess?"

"Where? Where is the Magic Sword Shooter?"

"So cool, is that the Magic Sword Shooter? The legendary hero."

"."

Listening to the discussions from both sides from time to time, Shirou Emiya and Lefia both blushed.

Yeah, it was a bit embarrassing.

Titles were like that; when written down, they looked cool.

But to have them shouted out on the street was as embarrassing as it could get.

Fortunately, this wasn't the modern world, or Shirou Emiya would have probably dug a three-bedroom apartment out of the ground with his toes.

Soon, the Loki Familia group arrived at the central plaza beneath the Tower of Babel.

Looking at the flags that had already been erected, Shirou Emiya's somewhat embarrassed heart instantly calmed down.

The clown flags fluttering in the air were the glory of Loki Familia.

Looking at this flag, Shirou Emiya honestly felt his spirit igniting.

"So Ais is in the first team, and Lefia and I are in the second team?"

After receiving the notification from Finn, Shirou Emiya knew which team he belonged to.

"In that case, we'll meet on the eighteenth floor."

After saying goodbye to Ais, Shirou Emiya took Lefia to the position of the second team, where the leader was Gareth, one of the Three Greats.

"Kid, you'll be following me this time."

"Please guide me, senior."

"Haha, don't worry, don't worry!"

Gareth patted Shirou Emiya's shoulder with a smile.

"All personnel, the expedition begins now!"

Hearing Finn's voice, everyone looked towards him.

"It's the same this time; as we advance through the floors, we will split into two groups. The first group, which departs first, will be commanded by Riveria and me. The second group will be commanded by Gareth."

"After we rendezvous on the eighteenth floor, we will head straight for the fiftieth floor. We have only one objective, and that is the unknown realm located on the fifty-ninth floor."

"Everyone, let us go and see the unknown that even the gods have not seen."

"Ooh!"

Hearing Finn's set objective, everyone shouted loudly.

Yes, it was a sight that even the gods had not seen, the ultimate unknown.

"Loki Familia, depart!"