Danmaku, my skills refresh weekly.

Finally..., there's the mercenary king, Albert Valentine.

"It is said that the word 'mercenary' was originally used to refer to ancient adventurers, and he should actually be called the 'King of Adventurers'," Alfia explained to Sharko.

"Did he shout something like, 'If you want my treasure, go find it! I've hidden everything there,' before he died?" Ciel quipped.

“Maybe. Didn’t we actually bring the ‘treasure’ out of the labyrinth?” Alfia smiled.

Charles placed the white bouquet he was holding on the black tombstone.

On the other side, Riveria arrived late with Ais.

Are you here to pay your respects too?

“Isn’t that obvious? It was I who reminded you, Lady Riveria.”

Rivera nodded slightly, her gaze sweeping over the gray-haired girl who was following Ciel and barely noticeable:

"Who is this?"

“My contract blacksmith,” Charles introduced, “was once a member of the Phobos Familia…”

Riveria had heard about this; Phoebus seemed to have been involved in the internal strife and had been sent back. It was also said that Hephaestus had recently left the city, probably to recruit people.

Presumably, this young girl was also waiting for Hephaestus to return.

The girl carried a greatsword wrapped in strips of cloth on her back, which appeared to be her own creation. She wore an eye patch and a collar around her neck that seemed to be a magical artifact.

Riveria shook her head. She didn't remember any girl like that. She could only dismiss the strange sense of familiarity as an illusion.

After accompanying Ais to pay respects to Albert, Charles bid farewell and headed towards a secluded corner away from the cemetery.

The two arrived at Central Park.

The central pool has now been fully restored, and Mali sits on the artificial hill and rocks in the center of the huge spring, softly singing a mournful melody.

The surrounding area was filled with devout believers holding candles and listening quietly, as well as adventurers who were drawn to the singing.

In just a few months, this has become the norm in the city.

Charles wasn't worried about Marie's safety. Not far away was the "Abundant Mistress," Mia's mother, who was level 7. If there was any danger, she could summon the strongest woman in the city with just one word.

It has even more prestige than Charles.

Without lingering at Marie's place, the two walked through the dense woods outside the park and found three newly built tombstones in a secluded corner where no one paid any attention.

There are no names on the tombstones, but one of them has curses written by the goddess herself.

On another tombstone lay a white bouquet, indicating that someone had come to pay their respects beforehand.

"It must be Hermes, he's the only one willing to sweep that guy Erebus's grave."

"That guy doesn't need to pray. For him, death is just going home," Alfia scoffed.

“Ha, that’s true, the underworld is his territory.” Charles took out some homemade paper money from behind his back and lit it.

"I wonder if the Underworld is poor or not. Once you're on your own turf, don't just run around with 444 Fali. I wonder if you, a Western god, can even handle the money burning here."

Alfia was fascinated by the customs of the Shard: "What are they doing?"

“It’s to burn money for a friend who went to another world,” Charles said matter-of-factly. “No matter which world you’re in, you need currency, right? Giving some money to the god in charge of reincarnation might help you get a better rebirth in the next life.”

"This... really?" Alfia hesitated. "If it's really possible, then I hope she can also have a healthy body."

"You could try thinking of Metluja and burning the money for her."

Alfia did as she was told, taking the paper money from Charles's hand and staring blankly at the flickering flames.

The paper money slowly carbonized in the flames, turning into ashes, which rose with the heat, seemingly heading towards the heavens.

"There's an... incredible sense of relief, as if I've really said goodbye to Metluja."

“Reincarnation really does exist in this world. Perhaps Metluja is watching us from heaven,” Ciel smiled.

Alfia stared blankly and said, "If the celestial realm can really receive wealth passed down from relatives in the mortal realm, should I burn some for myself too?"

"Huh?" Charles blinked blankly.

I'm so tired, so alone

Alfia replied matter-of-factly, "No matter what, everyone dies eventually. With our reputation, we'll probably be scorned after we die. If we don't save some money now, won't we go hungry when we go to the Heavenly Realm?"

"what?"

No, even if you could burn it, you don't have an account at the Heaven and Earth Bank, do you?

"The Celestial Realm probably won't keep it for you," Charles reminded him.

Alfia nodded: "Public officials like Royman are not trustworthy. Let's burn it for Metluja and have her keep it for me."

"Ciel, make more paper money. I want to burn a mansion for Metlujah."

Ciel smiled through his tears: "Alphia..."

"Ok?"

"You're so cute."

"What?" Alfia asked, puzzled.

Charles said irritably, "It's just like prayer, merely a form of spiritual comfort."

"Gulp—" Alfia opened her mouth, her ears turned red, and then the corners of her mouth turned down, exuding murderous intent:

"Then make it real for me. Doesn't old hag Fels already have [Mysterious A]? Do it this way."

"Ha—Fels will cry. It would be better to let her try to revive Metluja."

Metluth was cremated, and it's unknown whether Fels can revive her ashes.

It should be possible, after all, the Dragon Girl only had one gem left, and she was able to be resurrected.

“No…” Alfia was silent for a moment, then said calmly, “We shouldn’t disturb the dead. That child left with a smile; we can’t let her experience the pain of the mortal realm again.”

"At least, not until we kill the black dragon."

……

Under the unseen night sky.

Valetta, wielding a crimson beast whip, watched the city flicker with a cold smile.

A murderous intent, both resolute and insane, filled the air as he gritted his teeth and said:

"Weep bitterly, and then enjoy your final prayers. You will soon be reunited with your companions, adventurers."

Chapter 302 Audacity! Facing Ciel's Woman in Front of the Witch

"Valeta, you're getting cocky again."

On the towering, dark stone pillar, Tina stood in the moonlight, murmuring softly.

"Shut up, doll. This time I'm going to teach Finn a lesson he won't forget!" Valeta gritted her teeth.

“You said the same thing last time,” Tina delivered another heavy blow.

"Damn it, wouldn't it have been better to give these adventurers a good beating while they're still enjoying the festive atmosphere?" Valeta grumbled.

"At the Goddess Festival a few days from now, let's stage a massive upheaval, as a clarion call for the final battle!"

"This time, I don't need any overlords. I'll rely on myself to create a gap in the ranks of adventurers in Orario! So, make your choice, hero."

Yes, this was a meticulously planned counterattack by Valetta to crush Finn's reputation.

The main objective is to lure the opponent, who is about to target the artificial maze, into the dungeon.

at the same time……

She no longer focused on the outcome of the battle, but learned to attack Finn from other angles.

Don't you want to become an artificial hero?

Then I'll ruin your reputation and expose your despicable nature—your willingness to do anything to revive Palum—to all your clans.

This deterred other adventurers from allying with the Loki Familia!

In this way, the man-made maze, with its fortified city, would not face large-scale attacks; they could defend the city and slowly accumulate new strength.

"So what if it's level 6? I think I can do it too!"

At only 16 years old, she is far more talented than Finn!

Valeta grew increasingly excited, convinced that her plan was foolproof.

She had already foreseen her side's inevitable defeat and was prepared to feign failure and fake her death to escape. Any action that could harm Finn beyond that would be a victory for her.

"As long as I throw quickly, I haven't failed!"

Tina pouted: "Shifting the blame, indeed. It suits you perfectly, Valeta-chan."

"No Road Race!"

……

In the dimly lit city, where candlelight flickered, people began to chant in unison.

Adventurers and city dwellers, holding candles, walked around the various memorial stones, starting with the "First Cemetery," before finally returning to the central square to sing dirges.

Unlike previous years, this year's grand chorus was led by "monsters".

Even the most rigid guilds had no complaints about this "abnormal situation".

Even the few residents who harbored a deep-seated aversion to monsters could not muster the slightest resentment towards the fish-men sitting on the reef, weeping and chanting.

Too many people died in Orario. Most of those still able to move have eaten "human blood buns" mixed with Marie's blood. No one knows better than them how they survived that hell.