Chapter 68: The Great Feud (Part 2)

As I looked at Erebus I internally debated whether to strike him down or not.

In only a few seconds I came to an answer.

No.

Killing him right now might save people in the long-run, but it would also cause me no end of trouble. The same for Athena, my familia, and my friends.

So as much as I want to run Vortex Vanquisher through this guys gut I'll hold off.

But in the future should we meet again, I won't hesitate to do so.

That's a promise.

Noticing my gaze Erebus looked directly at me. "Young man, is there a reason you're staring at me?"

"Sorry lord god, you just look very familia to me. Have we met somewhere before?" I asked him. Keeping up my poker face.

"No, I don't think we have." Erebus said.

"My mistake then." I told him.

"It's no problem at all." Erebus replied. "So, may I know the names of the people who got my things back for me?" He asked.

"I'm Ardi from the Ganesha familia." Ardi spoke.

"Good to meet you lord god, I'm Alise Lovell, captain of the Astraea familia. A top executor of justice." Alise spoke. A stupid grin on her face.

Filvis looked away, pretending not to see her captain's outrageous behavior.

I gave her a brief wry smile before answering Erebus's question.

"Morax Lapis, captain of the Athena familia. And these are my allies." I said to him.

"I see, well thank you for that." Erebus spoke. "To think I would be saved by members of the three familia in Orario who attempt to portray the thing known as justice. Truly, what a day this has been."

After Erebus spoke Ryuu looked at him with a confused expression on her face. "Sorry god Eren, but what do you mean by "attempt to portray justice"? We do represent justice." She said.

"Well certainly I understand why you feel that way, but that's just your own personal belief's aren't they?" Erebus questioned.

When he did so Ryuu was left speechless.

"Even if that is the case god Eren, isn't everyone else the same way?" Diluc questioned. "People develop belief's and stick to them. Justice is no different."

"Mhm, you have a point." Erebus said.

We then chatted for a bit longer before Erebus excused himself and walked off.

Once he did so Ardi slammed a fist into her palm. "Oh that's right, before I forget Ryuu there is something you should know. We got some information the other day that a piece of a sacred tree from your home forest was smuggled into Orario. Though we haven't been able to locate it yet. But don't worry, once we do I'll take it back and bring it right to you." She explained.

"No need." Ryuu said. "I left that place a long time ago and cut all ties with the people living there. So you have no reason to bring me that piece of the sacred tree." She said.

But Millhiore, Diluc, and I can all tell Ryuu is lying through her teeth.

She still cares for her homeland, even though she left it.

"Ryuu, it's not good to lie like that you know." Ardi said, giving her a pat on the shoulder.

"I'm not-"

"-As I said, I'll bring you the piece of the sacred tree once we've retrieved it." Ardi interrupted Ryuu. "Well see you all later." She said.

Ardi then ran off before Ryuu could say anything else.

Once she did so I moved over to Ryuu and gently patted her on the head. I then leaned into her and whispered. "It's ok to be a bit more honest you know."

At my word's Ryuu nodded.

Once she did so I stopped patting her head.

But just as I did Lyra arrived on the scene.

"Alise, we've just received orders from Finn." She said.

As she did so Alise put a serious expression on her face. "What's happening?"

"Adventurer's are currently under attack by Evilus members on the 18th floor. We've been ordered to move out and assist them." Lyra quickly explained.

"Understood." Alise said.

"Hey, you guys mind if we tag along?" I questioned.

"Not at all. The more the merrier." Alise said.

"Great." I said.

Once we did so we all started getting a move on.

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(3rd Person: POV)

Arriving back at Stardust Manor, Morax's group picked up Kaguya.

Since they needed more firepower to deal wit the Evilus members running amok on the 18th floor.

Once they collected her they quickly worked together and cleared the dungeon floors to arrive at their destination.

As soon as they did so they spotted multiple fires, and heard the sounds of countless people screaming.

"Morax, how do you want to divid things up?" Alise quickly asked.

"Millhiore, Diluc, Ryuu, you three go with Filvis and rescue any survivors. I'll tag along with Kaguya, Lyra, and Alise." Morax said. "Any objections?"

No one spoke up.

"Alright then, let's go." Morax said.

The two groups then moved out and split up.

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"Die, you ungrateful swine!" An Evilus member shouted with glee.

As he moved to cut down another adventurer fleeing from him.

But before his blade could reach his target Diluc appeared and parried the strike.

He then launched a kick to the Evilus's members chest and sent them flying backwards into several of his allies.

"Everyone over here!" Diluc shouted to the survivors.

All of them then ran in his group's direction.

As did the Evilus members as well.

"Millhiore, Filvis protect the survivors, Ryuu with me." Dliuc instructed.

The ladies followed his instructions without question.

Even if he is lower-level that Millhiore and Ryuu, he has good decision-making skills and can instantly analyze a situation.

It's why in the Athena familia Diluc is considered third-in-command behind Morax and Leonmitchelli.

Drawing her blade Ryuu came to stand beside Diluc as they started to engage the Evilus members in battle.

Seeing a spearman come from his left Diluc evaded the strike, and then slashed the enemy across the chest.

He then leapt backward to avoid a sword thrust and then got into the enemy's personal space to deliver a slash across their chest.

"Shit, that red-haired bastard is annoying. Take him out!" One of the Evilus leaders shouted.

After he did so several Evilus members converged on Diluc without hesitation.

But he wasn't thrown off in the slighest.

He kept his cool and fought off all the enemies surrounding him easily.

Seeing this some of the Evilus members didn't understand what was happening.

There were ten of them and only one of Diluc. Yet he was pushing them back without trouble.

All of this is thanks to the skill Diluc obtained upon reaching level two.

[Chevalier]

A skill which increases all stats by a third and resistance to physical attacks when fighting in a group or party, or defending a territory or party.

This skill allows Diluc to become stronger when defending his allies and those he chooses to protect.

The skill [Chevalier] is also the reason for Diluc's alias he received upon achieving level two.

Crimson Chevalier.

A name which his friends teased him about to no end, but one he didn't mind in the slightest.

Swinging his blade with precision Diluc cut down the Evilus members in front of him, while Ryuu dealt with any magic users who attempted to attack.

Millhiore and Filvis did their job, guarding any surviving adventurer's who grouped up with them.

Seeing that they were on the loosing end, the remaining Evilus members decided to flee.

Diluc and the others let them go, because tending to the survivors was more important at the moment.

So they got right too it.

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Moving through the forest of the 18th floor Morax's group stepped out into one of the clearing's only for blood to splatter across the ground right in front of them.

A head landing on the ground just a moment later.

Seeing the decapitated body in front of them Alise couldn't hold back and threw up.

As did Lyra.

While Kaguya and Morax did all they could to hold down the bile in their throats.

"Oh my, more guests." A male voice spoke up.

When it did so the group directed their gaze in its direction.

In doing so they saw a man with red hair, his foot atop the back of a female adventurer, her body littered with cuts.

Morax immediately recognized the man as Vito from the Erebus familia.

Looking at Morax's group the female adventurer slowly reached her left hand out in their direction. "Help me." She pleaded.

Only for Vito to decapitate her with his sword the moment after she did.

"No, no, no, we're having none of that." Vito spoke.

He then directed his full attention to Morax's group. "Looks like interesting prey as has appeared. I'll do hope you'll do better than the trash I've been playing with up til now."

"Bastard!" Alise shouted drawing her rapier sword from her scabbard.

Morax, Kaguya, and Lyra drew their weapons as well.

When they did so Vito put a smile on his face.

The signal for the battle to begin.

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A/N: Cliffhanger! Wait until tomorrow for part three.

Diluc Ragnvinder

Alias: Crimson Chevalier

Level: Two

Skill:

Chevalier A skill which increases all stats by a third and resistance to physical attacks when fighting in a group or party, or defending a territory or party.

Just a little information for clarity.