I love time travel the most!

Ais then recounted to them in detail what had happened the night before: her return from the dungeon, her encounter with Kobayashi, and her seeing monsters appear on Seventh Avenue, only to be stopped from defeating them.

Finn began to think.

Tiony asked curiously, "Captain, do you know anything?"

“No, we don’t have enough information.” Finn shook his head and added, “But I think we’ll find out the reason soon.”

Just then, their kin, the god Loki, rushed back, bringing news of the monster's appearance. Unfortunately, the information was too fragmented to deduce anything meaningful.

"But Ais, you said someone rescued the monster in the end, right?"

"Yes. She's a little elf girl."

"The elves..."

Finn stroked his chin, pondered for a moment, and said, "Tiona, Tione, you two go to the Hestia Familia's headquarters immediately and see if they're there. Loki, go to the guild and probe Uranus, the High God, to see if the guild is protecting monsters. Also, please keep an eye on the other familias that have close ties with the Hestia Familia. And send people to guard the dungeon entrance as well."

……

...

"I think Finn will definitely arrange it that way."

In the dungeon, Kobayashi and Bell and others escorted Winnie to the monster's lair, and talked to them along the way to avoid making the atmosphere too oppressive.

Zolf chuckled and said, "It wouldn't go that far, would it?"

"No, if it were Finn, he would definitely do that."

"Hey, hey, is it true?"

He really didn't want to believe that the other party could be so smart, but seeing how confident Kobayashi was, he had to admit it.

The others also looked grim.

Unexpectedly, the atmosphere did not become more relaxed; instead, it became even more oppressive than before.

There is nothing we can do about it.

Finn, the hero, is just that clever.

First of all, Kobayashi is a member of Uranus's family, so it's impossible that he was unaware of such a large disturbance in the guild. His act of stopping Ais already speaks volumes.

Kobayashi was always with the Hestia Familia, and Ais even mentioned vaguely seeing Bell's figure at the scene. Does this mean the Hestia Familia also has a problem?

"I think the Loki Familia has already begun its operation."

"Uh……"

The others fell even more silent.

Seeing the tense atmosphere, Zolf quickly smiled and said, "Well, we really have to thank Kobayashi for planning to bring us to the dungeon in advance. That way, even if we run into members of the Loki Familia on the way back, we can come up with another excuse to leave."

"Ah, that's right."

Kobayashi agrees with this point.

As long as they don't find any fault with them, the Loki Familia won't do anything to them without concrete evidence, regardless of the reason.

As for whether the Loki Familia has this authority.

All I can say is that the moment they decided to help Winnie (the monster), everyone else would stand on the opposite side and become their complete enemy.

Moreover, the other party is one of the most powerful families in the city, so it's not unreasonable for them to act a little eccentrically.

At the same time, Kobayashi also revealed a little bit.

—Vinnie must leave them!

Otherwise, it would be a devastating blow to her, Belle, or the other "heretics".

Dungeon level 20.

Having been there once before, the group's fear of this place was greatly reduced.

"Bell... I feel so nostalgic here... but it's also so scary... so cold."

Winnie clutched Bell's sleeve, nervously patting her chest. The dragon girl, who had unpleasant memories of this place, recalled the horrific scene, causing her already pale skin to turn even more bluish.

"It's okay, Winnie, I'll protect you."

Bell offered gentle words of comfort.

The dragon girl, who found solace in the white-haired, red-eyed man before her, also smiled gently in response.

"Lord Bell, this way next."

"Well, I see."

After traversing half the floors along the proper route, Bell followed the direction Lily was pointing and stepped into the dangerous depths of the floor.

This path formed by tree trunks is the only way to the lair of the Heretics, and everyone is on high alert, proceeding cautiously.

Fortunately, apart from some low-level monsters, we didn't encounter any other difficulties along the way.

No, to be precise, it has become much easier.

Because Bell, who was leading the charge, no longer categorized "heretics" and monsters together.

We arrived at the cave.

Rey of the Songbird was already waiting there.

She stood in a thick fog, completely shrouded in a cloak, appearing so mysterious.

"You are finally here."

Seeing that the others were unharmed, Rey breathed a sigh of relief; it seemed she also knew what had happened on the surface.

It must have been Fels who said it, and he also asked her to greet them outside the nest.

Rey glanced at Winnie, who was huddled behind Bell.

This companion, who had caused a ruckus on the surface of the earth shortly after birth, was left wondering whether to be angry or heartbroken upon learning of its plight.

Seeing Winnie's fear and resistance, she removed the cloak that concealed her face, revealing her own face as a fellow "heretic," and smiled gently at her.

When Winnie saw Rey, who was similar to herself but more mature and beautiful, she suddenly felt a strong urge to get closer to her.

She understood deeply that the singing bird before her was of the same kind as herself.

"Are you Winnie?" Rey stretched out her wings to Winnie and said, "I am a singing bird, my name is Rey, hello Winnie."

"I...I am...Winnie, you...hello Rey." Encouraged by Bell's gaze, Winnie timidly reached out her little hand.

"Let's go, everyone's waiting."

After a brief encounter, at Rey's invitation, the group ventured deeper into the area.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

"So, Uranus, is there something you want to discuss with me?"

In the guild's hidden room, a petite goddess with a broad mind looked up at the ancient god sitting atop the altar.

He was the one who orchestrated this incident.

Or……

"What on earth are you planning?"

Hestia asked the question.

Uranus showed no joy at the long-awaited reunion; the unmoving king—the true ruler of the guild—looked down at the diminutive goddess below.

"Don't be shy, Hestia."

"...I have many questions for you. Can you answer them first, Uranus?"

"Alright. If this keeps the conversation going."

Hestia's request was not refused, and she seized the opportunity to glare at her with stern eyes and questioned her:

"Why play such complicated tricks and do such roundabout things?"

“I must hold this secret meeting quickly and without anyone noticing. Of course, I also anticipated that you, Hestia, and your retinue would be wary of me.”

"Is that why you let Kobayashi reveal his identity, but didn't tell him the truth?"

"exactly."

Upon hearing the ancient god's reply, Hestia had a premonition that she had been tested.

The other party must have known all along that they were hiding Winnie, and they have been observing them until today, including after Winnie was returned.

They were observing Hestia and the others' thoughts, and whether they were qualified. His retinue member, Kobayashi, was also being observed.

Is it necessary to do this?

Hestia couldn't help but have doubts.

When she asked this question, she received the answer, along with the answer to what had happened to the [heretic] and the dungeon.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

"Welcome, welcome, Winnie!"

When they arrived at the lair where the Heretics were hiding, Reed greeted them with a friendly smile.

The lizardman must be a close relative of the dragon race.

That's why they're so enthusiastic?

In fact, it wasn't just her; the other "heretics" also shook hands with Winnie with great enthusiasm and happily introduced themselves to her.

The newborn dragon girl gradually relaxed from her initial restraint.

"Indeed, this is where she belongs."

Bell couldn't help but sigh when he saw how quickly Winnie blended in with them.

You should know that they were terrified when they first came here, and they couldn't help but secretly breathe a sigh of relief until they left.

Reed patted him on the shoulder and said sincerely, "Thank you for taking care of our compatriots, Bell. You really are a good person."

"Ha...good person..."

Bell's face showed a hint of bitterness.