The Race to Rescue!
Chapter 157: The Race to Rescue!
"Ais, Let's go. Let's find Ryuu."
"Finally, we've got some free time. Let's ask her if she's available these days. It's about time our well-coordinated team tried to explore beyond the lower floors."
Luke adjusted his clothes and spoke to Ais, who was behind him.
Since Tione and Tiona needed further guidance, they were temporarily handed over to Finn and Riveria.
Thus, Luke and Ais were finally freed from their duties as seniors.
The two, having free time to spare, did not hesitate to choose to explore the dungeon.
It had been a while since the trio of Luke, Ais, and Ryuu had teamed up.
Originally, they had planned to attempt exploring the lower and even deeper floors, but their plans were delayed by the incident of Tione and Tiona joining their Familia.
Subsequently, Luke was busy familiarizing the two Amazonesses with the city and teaching them necessary information, which resulted in the postponement of their plans.
"Yeah, let's find Ryuu quickly. We can finally attempt to explore the deeper floors."
A rare expression of excitement appeared on Ais's face.
The battles in the deep floors of the dungeon were completely different from the ones above.
Even Luke and Ais could only go that deep when following the expedition team.
They had previously attempted to challenge the 37th floor on their own.
But both were unable to reach the central area to meet the floor boss and were driven out of the deep floors by the endless 'skeleton-type' monsters.
Since then, Luke and Ais had never tried to challenge the deep floors as a duo team again.
...
Leaving their Familia residence, Luke and Ais were in high spirits on their way to the Astraea Familia residence.
For both of them, who aimed to become stronger, advancing to deeper floors meant significant progress in their strength.
Nothing could make Luke and Ais happier than 'becoming stronger'.
Thud, thud, thud—!
Soon, they arrived at the Astraea Familia residence.
However, what surprised Luke was that the door was opened by the goddess Astraea herself.
"Eh? Why is it Astraea-sama who's opening the door? Where are Alise and the others?"
The Astraea Familia, unlike the Loki and Freya Familias, was different.
Loki was completely integrated with her Familia members, whereas Freya was aloof and rarely interacted with hers.
Astraea, on the other hand, was somewhere in between.
She would chat and even play with Alise and others but at the same time, she always maintained her dignity as a goddess.
Given the respect Alise and the others had for goddess Astraea, it was unlikely they would have her open the door for visitors.
"Is it Luke? Are you here to find Alise?"
"Unfortunately, they are not here right now."
Goddess Astraea answered his question, causing slight disappointment for him and Ais.
Especially for Ais, her expression quickly turned from a smile to one of loss.
"I see, if they're not here then it can't be helped. Sorry for bothering you."
Though disappointed, Luke had no other choice.
He shook his head and prepared to leave.
However, the next words from the brown-haired goddess stopped him in his tracks.
"Alise and the others have gone to the dungeon on a mission concerning information about Evilus given by the guild a few days ago."
"The guild? Evilus? Mission?"
Luke frowned, sensing something was off.
"Can you tell me more about it?"
As a high-ranking member of Loki Familia, Luke would usually be the first to be informed of any significant intelligence.
And as one of the main forces against Evilus, the guild should have informed them immediately if there was any news regarding Evilus.
But in reality, Luke knew nothing about what Astraea had mentioned.
"Huh? You don't know?"
"I thought the guild would have informed you first."
Luke's ignorance also surprised the brown-haired goddess.
She then told Luke about the information Alise and others had received.
After hearing goddess Astraea's description, Luke understood.
This must be a trap.
Luke had been staying in Twilight Manor all this time.
He hadn't heard any intelligence regarding this matter, nor had he noticed any preparation from their Familia to confront Evilus.
"Astraea-sama, unfortunately, I must inform you that our Loki Familia has not received any information regarding this matter."
"How long has it been since Alise and the others set off?"
Luke's words made goddess Astraea realize the seriousness of the situation.
"It's been about two days since they left. Based on their usual pace, they should be in the area near the Water City on the 25th floor by now."
After obtaining the information he needed, Luke nodded to goddess Astraea.
"There are spies inside the guild, perhaps even members of Evilus themselves. Please relay this information to god Ouranos immediately."
After speaking, Luke did not wait for goddess Astraea's reply and left the Stardust Garden with Ais.
Luke was not originally a research party nor a person obsessed with settings.
Like most people, he only went as far as 'having read' the original work.
He did not have the habit to delve deeper.
Luke knew that Astraea Familia would face annihilation around this time, but he thought that it happened during the 'Nightmare on the 27th Floor' incident.
However, after hearing Astraea-sama's words and the ominous feeling he had before, he clearly realized that this trap might be the real reason for the 'annihilation' of Astraea Familia.
Luke, taking Ais with him, headed straight for the dungeon entrance.
He had no intention of persuading Ais to go back.
Apart from whether the stubborn girl would agree, just the fact that Ais's presence could help him clear out surrounding monsters faster, thereby speeding up their progress, was enough reason for him to bring her along.
Rescuing people was a matter of seconds; Luke did not want to waste time elsewhere.
It was better to rush to rescue than waste time arguing.
Moreover, in case of any severe injuries rendering someone immobile, being alone might result in a passive situation due to the need to protect the injured.
And Ais's strength was not weak at the moment; with her skills, ordinary Lv5 adventurers were no match for her.
...
As Luke and Ais entered the dungeon,
Elsewhere,
Alise, leading the members of Astraea Familia, was just as their goddess had anticipated, arriving at the area of Water City on the 25th floor.
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