Before the Expedition

"Welcome, little brother Falan."

The Freya Familia's base was located on the highest floor of Orario's Central Tower.

After ordering a Magic Sword from the Hephaestus Familia along the way, Falan came here as well.

Standing guard at the entrance were, surprisingly, two Level 2 adventurers.

He knew both of them. One was Golan, who had served as his guard last time, while the other was called Allen.

According to Falan's information, Allen was an adventurer Freya valued even more highly than Golan.

"Yeah, I'm here to report in. I also wanted to find out when your 'expedition' will begin."

"..." The two armored warriors fell silent at once. After all, they were both Level 2.

Leaving aside Golan, a veteran adventurer, even Allen, who was more favored by Goddess Freya—

At this point in time, could not possibly know the exact starting date of the expedition.

"Golan, stand guard here. Little brother Falan, come inside with me."

"Alright." Silently following Allen while ignoring Golan, Falan felt a faint sense of satisfaction.

After all, Golan had been so arrogant last time and had even forced him to "steal something."

Now, he was deliberately showing just how much importance the Freya Familia placed on him.

Though he could not guarantee that this would intimidate the other man.

He believed that Golan would at least notice that Falan did not think much of him.

Following Allen, the two entered the base. Along the way, they passed through a long corridor.

Inside were quite a few adventurers dressed in full armor, just like Golan and Allen.

Yet when they saw Allen leading Falan through, none of them questioned it in the slightest.

Falan could not help admiring how strict this Familia's discipline was.

Even with Allen as a guide, encountering them halfway should have prompted some questioning.

Falan understood and cooperated with that arrangement. After all, there were countless kinds of magic in this world.

Even magic capable of changing one's appearance or controlling people's minds would not be surprising.

And so, the two made their way through the corridor and entered a lavishly decorated hall.

Falan could not help looking around. Two more adventurers stood guard on either side of the entrance.

Their mere presence brought immense pressure, along with the murderous aura of those who had spent long periods exploring the Dungeon.

Unlike the ordinary adventurers standing guard and patrolling outside, they were the pillars of their Familia.

They were core members of the Freya Familia, each of them at least a Level 4 adventurer.

"Allen? Why did you come in at this time?"

"Uh... This is little brother Falan from the Soma Familia. He came to ask when the expedition will be held."

"Yes. The Freya Familia only informed me through Golan that I would be accompanying you on the expedition, but no one explained when it would begin. That leaves me at a disadvantage when preparing, so after ordering a Magic Sword from the Hephaestus Familia, I came specifically to ask."

"..." The two adventurers standing to either side fell silent.

The elf dressed as a mage exchanged a glance with his companion, then picked up his staff from the ground.

"In that case, please wait here. I'll go inside and ask Captain Mia."

"..." Mia? So the captain of the Freya Familia was called Mia...

Falan silently remembered the name, since it would make future communication easier.

After a few moments, the elven mage returned to the end of the corridor.

"Captain Mia has agreed to see you. Follow me."

During that brief walk, Falan also learned the identities of the two guards.

Hedin Selland, Level 4, known as the White Elf's Wand.

Hogni Ragnar, Level 4, known as the Black Elf's Magic Sword.

Just as Falan had guessed, they were core members of the Freya Familia, second only to the captain and vice-captain.

"You're the one who wanted to see me, Falan? That's your name, right?"

"Yes, Captain Mia. It's a pleasure to meet you."

"Oh? You actually know my name?"

"As one of Orario's famous twin powers, surely few people would not know the name of the Freya Familia's captain!"

At Falan's flattery, the middle-aged woman sitting on the sofa could not help laughing.

The Freya Familia might indeed be one of Orario's twin powers, but few people did not know her name?

As a member of the Freya Familia, Mia understood her own Familia all too well.

Put nicely, they were people who believed in Goddess Freya. Put bluntly, they were mostly adventurers who had been **.

For the sake of their friend—namely, their goddess Freya's favor—most adventurers of the Freya Familia—

Feared that if their reputations spread too widely, their own goddess would become jealous and they would fall out of favor.

As a result, most of the Familia kept a low profile in Orario. That was why even her name as captain, and the names of the Freya Familia's adventurers, were not actually well known, leaving her somewhat surprised.

"Hedin told me you came to inquire about the timing of the expedition?"

"Yes. This is my first time working with you, so I don't know how much preparation time I have. I only ordered my Magic Sword not long ago."

"Oh, you don't need to worry too much about that. After all, there are only a few weapon merchants in Orario."

"Especially equipment for the same expedition. It is usually all finished at around the same time."

"So, little brother Falan, may I call you that? Is there anything else you want to ask?"

"..." Falan took a deep breath before finally voicing the main reason for his visit.

"Um, Captain Mia, does the Freya Familia have any spare magic books?"

A magic book was, as its name suggested, a book that recorded magic. Even non-adventurers could use one to learn magic.

"A magic book? What do you want one for?"

"Self-defense," Falan said quietly, feeling rather awkward about making this request.

"After all, my status is magic-oriented. Everyone knows that."

Captain Mia nodded after hearing this. During the last Divine Assembly, someone's status and Life Magic had indeed been displayed before everyone.

"So?"

"Other than Life Magic, I can only fight with my body. On the upper and middle floors, I might be able to protect myself, but once we enter the deep floors—or even the deepest floors—if something goes wrong during your battles, I won't have the ability to save my own life even if I want to."

"Hahaha, listen to you. I'll have Hedin give you one later." Then the middle-aged woman's hearty expression turned serious.

"But little brother Falan, remember this: the Freya Familia is investing in you right now. Don't take this as something normal."

"Understood." Falan appeared calm on the surface, but his back was drenched in sweat.

Just as Captain Mia had said, what he had done was far too risky.

In truth, he had come here this time to gamble—to gamble on how important he was in the eyes of the Freya Familia.

Fortunately, he had won the gamble. Captain Mia valued him far more than he had imagined, and she was far kinder as well.

Otherwise, he might very well have been carried out horizontally today.

Besides—

Magic book acquired~