[123] : The Goddess's Personal Massage! Our Familia is Rich!

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"The expedition is set for three days from now," Mika announced to Airmid, Mellie, and Yahweh after relaying the information he received from Finn. "According to Finn's instructions, we'll be moving at night."

"There's no specific departure time, but discretion is paramount."

"We'll rendezvous at the passage leading from the 24th floor to the 25th floor, then proceed deeper into the dungeon together."

"The 24th floor? Why not meet on the 18th floor? I thought large Familias like the Loki Familia usually split up and regroup on the 18th floor," Yahweh questioned.

"Because that's too conspicuous. This is a covert operation, after all," Mellie explained.

"Those on the 18th floor are far too familiar with us high-level adventurers who frequent the deep levels, and we're quite familiar with them as well."

"Lingering on the 18th floor would risk exposing our identities."

"Exactly," Mika added.

"Although we'll be wearing cloaks to conceal our appearances until we reach the 37th floor, that will only deceive strangers. Those familiar with us would easily see through the disguise."

"Especially considering they're all well-known adventurers in the dungeon."

"I see," Airmid nodded in understanding.

"So, you all understand the details?"

"Understood!" Airmid and Mellie replied in unison.

"Good!"

"Continue gathering the necessary supplies. While we've already prepared the items Finn requested, it's best to have extra provisions stored in Gabriel's 'Dimensional Pocket,' just in case."

"After all, we're venturing into uncharted territory, embarking on an unprecedented mission. We can never be too prepared."

Despite their rapid Falna level increases, Mika, Airmid, and Mellie hadn't actually spent much time exploring the dungeon, especially after their return from the Type-Moon world.

They had dedicated themselves to maintaining Orario's safety and hadn't ventured into the dungeon since.

While other adventurers used their free time to delve into the dungeon and improve their skills, Mika and his companions didn't have that need.

They had alternative methods of gaining strength and had focused their efforts on battling the dark factions.

This was one of the reasons why they had gained such renown in Orario in such a short time.

"Understood!" Airmid and Mellie responded seriously.

"But where are you going, Mika?" Mellie asked, sensing his intention to leave.

"I'm going to deliver some money to Alise and her Familia," Mika replied with a smile.

"Remember during the banquet when I mentioned lending money to Alise and the others? I ran into her at the Loki Familia today, and she started complaining about how this expedition had drained their funds, asking for a larger loan."

"So, I'm going to deliver the money to them. Since they're our allies, I won't charge any interest."

Hearing Mika's explanation, Airmid and Mellie imagined Alise's reaction and chuckled.

Adventuring wasn't a particularly lucrative profession in Orario.

Nearly half of Orario's adventurers were Level 1, and their primary source of income was hunting weaker monsters in the upper levels of the dungeon, where space was limited.

The dungeon's structure resembled a cone.

The closer a level was to the surface, the smaller its area.

The deeper one ventured, the larger the dungeon became.

The first floor was only about the size of the central plaza aboveground.

However, by the 30th floor, the dungeon's area was nearly equivalent to the entire city of Orario.

Therefore, the majority of adventurers competed for limited resources in the most cramped sections of the dungeon, battling the weakest monsters for meager rewards.

To increase their income, adventurers had to increase their strength and undertake greater challenges.

This meant upgrading their equipment and purchasing more potions, all of which were expensive.

Decent weapons cost tens of thousands of valis, while third-tier equipment cost millions.

First-tier equipment started at tens of millions.

The executives of the Loki Familia, for example, wielded weapons worth no less than a hundred million valis.

And that was just for weapons.

Therefore, adventurers who didn't level up struggled to earn a decent living.

However, leveling up came with its own set of expenses, as the cost of weapons, armor, potions, and other consumables could quickly deplete their funds.

In short, the stronger an adventurer became, the greater their expenses.

Familias like the Loki Familia incurred significant costs for every dungeon expedition.

Their profitability depended entirely on the spoils they obtained.

In the future, when the Loki Familia encountered a new type of monster on the 51st floor and their weapons were destroyed, they returned to the surface facing financial hardship.

Even the future leading Familia of Orario, the Loki Familia, experienced financial difficulties.

"Then you should hurry up and go!" Airmid said with a grin.

"By the way, how are you planning to transport all that valis?"

The existence of Gabriel's Dimensional Pocket was still a secret, so Mika couldn't simply bring Gabriel to the Astraea Familia and have her pull the money out of her pocket.

"Don't worry, I've already rented a carriage and prepared a chest for the valis."

"I'll go put the valis in the chest then!" Gabriel said, flying off.

"By the way, how much did the Astraea Familia borrow?" Gabriel called out, suddenly flying back.

"How much did they borrow?" Mika chuckled.

"When I asked Alise, she was hesitant and couldn't give me a clear answer."

"She wavered between twenty and thirty million, unsure of how much to ask for, seemingly worried about burdening us."

"So, I just offered her a hundred million valis."

"Oh, a hundred million valis? Understood."

Gabriel nodded slightly before heading towards the courtyard.

Airmid, Mellie, and Yahweh remained unfazed by the amount, continuing their quiet conversation.

"Wait, a hundred million valis? And you guys didn't even react?" Mika asked, bewildered. "When I mentioned that number, Finn and Riveria were both shocked!"

"But a hundred million valis isn't that much for us," the three replied innocently.

Looking at their nonchalant expressions, Mika recalled his Familia's vast fortune.

Thinking of their billions of valis, he couldn't help but sigh. "Indeed, I can't feel any emotional response either."

"These Familias are somehow... poor!"

---

If the members of the Loki and Astraea Familias overheard Mika's thoughts, they'd likely want to throttle him. Not everyone had the luxury of prioritizing combat over collecting magic stones like his Familia.

Furthermore, Mika, Airmid, and Mellie possessed exceptional crafting skills, allowing them to avoid the significant expenses associated with equipment and other necessities.

This resulted in a consistent surplus of valis.

Over time, this surplus had grown into a considerable fortune.

Putting these thoughts aside, Mika departed from his Familia's home and headed towards the Astraea Familia's base.

He drove the carriage alone, even Gabriel remained behind.

In Orario, Mika, Airmid, and Mellie only allowed Gabriel to manifest when they were exploring the dungeon. Otherwise, she remained concealed.

Although the gods no longer possessed their divine powers, their experience and discerning eyes remained sharp. Hephaestus, for example, while unable to forge divine weapons without her powers, remained unparalleled in crafting weapons for mortals. Only her fellow smith gods could rival her, not humans or other terrestrial races.

Occasional appearances by Gabriel might go unnoticed, but her constant presence would be a sign of disrespect, especially bringing her to visit the homes of other deities.

Soon, Mika arrived near the Astraea Familia's base and spotted a girl pacing anxiously by the entrance.

He recognized her as Neze Rankett, a member of the Astraea Familia.

Over the past six months, Mika had become quite familiar with the members of the Astraea Familia.

As Mika spotted Neze, she, in turn, saw him.

Her eyes lit up, and she quickly retreated inside.

"She ran back in? Shouldn't she be coming out to greet me?" Mika muttered, slightly perplexed.

He surmised the reason for her hasty retreat.

While one hundred million valis might be a trifling sum for Mika and his companions, it represented an immense fortune to the Astraea Familia.

Such a substantial loan was a rarity.

When Alise returned from the Loki Familia, she was still in a state of disbelief.

The other members of the Astraea Familia, noticing her dazed expression, immediately questioned her about what had transpired.

Upon learning that Mika had agreed to lend them one hundred million valis, the Astraea Familia girls were rendered speechless.

A moment of stunned silence was followed by an eruption of joyous shrieks that filled the hall.

"One hundred million! One hundred million valis! Just imagine that much money!"

"Oh, gods! I never even dreamed of such a thing!"

"Equipment! I'm buying new equipment! I can finally afford the gear I've always wanted!"

The excited chatter and celebratory cries brought Alise back to her senses. She immediately dispatched Neze to stand watch at the entrance, instructing her to announce Mika's arrival immediately.

Meanwhile, the other Familia members began tidying up their base to make a good impression on their benefactor.

"Mika, welcome!"

The moment Mika stopped the carriage at the Astraea Familia's entrance, Alise and several other girls rushed out to greet him.

"Whoa, isn't this a bit over the top?" Mika chuckled, noticing the girls lined up respectfully on either side of the entrance.

"Not at all! It's perfectly appropriate!"

From the moment they saw Mika's carriage, an enormous freight wagon, the largest available for rent, Alise and the others knew exactly what it contained.

The sight of such a substantial delivery of valis was exhilarating.

Alise, in particular, was practically vibrating with excitement.

"Quickly, quickly, come inside!"

Alise ushered Mika into the Astraea Familia's base, not forgetting the precious cargo.

"You girls, unload the chests from the carriage."

"Yes, Captain!" the Astraea Familia members responded in unison.

...

"Haaaah..."

"How is it, Mika? Feeling relaxed?"

"Incredibly relaxed!"

Mika leaned back against the sofa, thoroughly enjoying the shoulder massage Alise was giving him.

"Your technique is excellent, Alise!"

"Of course! I learned it from Astraea."

"Oh? Astraea gives massages?"

"Certainly! Astraea is very kind. She often gives us massages after we return from missions, and we reciprocate."

"Everyone in our Familia is skilled at giving massages," Alise said proudly as she continued working on Mika's shoulders.

"That's wonderful. Our goddess, Yahweh, is a fantastic cook. She often prepares meals for us," Mika said, a smile touching his lips as he thought of his own goddess.

"Yes! That's why I admire goddesses like Astraea and Yahweh so much!"

"They're so approachable and down-to-earth."

"I'm so fortunate to have met Astraea!" Alise declared with heartfelt sincerity.

Alise's words resonated with Mika, reminding him of his own encounter with Yahweh. A soft smile touched his lips.

"Me too," he murmured, his voice barely a whisper.

"Don't think I can't hear you praising me behind my back, Alise!" Astraea's sudden voice startled both of them.

Mika, caught mid-massage, felt a blush creep up his neck. He quickly sat up, flustered.

"I wasn't just flattering you, Astraea! There's no need to say it to your face," Alise retorted playfully.

"Oh, Y..." Astraea chuckled at Alise's teasing.

She then turned to Mika. "Why did you sit up? Alise gives the best massages in the Familia."

"Haha, it is quite good," Mika replied, still feeling a bit embarrassed.

"Just 'quite good'?"

With a playful smile, Astraea moved to where Alise had been standing and gently pressed Mika back down onto the sofa.

She then placed her hands on his shoulders.

"Goddess Astraea!" Mika's voice wavered slightly.

"Relax. While that amount of valis might be insignificant to you, it is incredibly important to the Astraea Familia."

"This is my way of expressing my gratitude. Thank you for helping them during these difficult times."

Astraea's fingers began to move across his shoulders.

"Ahh..." Mika inhaled sharply.

A personal massage from a goddess. Was this the Astraea Familia's standard for expressing gratitude?

It was surprisingly… intimate.

He had to admit, though; Astraea's technique was remarkably better than Alise's.

Mika marveled inwardly.

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