Clatter-!
A crisp sound of something hitting the floor echoed in the private room.
Syr and the others, who had been enjoying their meal, paused their actions and looked toward the source of the sound.
"Ryuu, are you okay?"
"I'm fine. My hand just slipped."
Ryuu picked up the fork from the floor and set it aside, looking completely distracted.
Seeing this, Syr and the others exchanged glances, their expressions turning subtle.
They were all too familiar with this state of hers.
When Ryuu had returned from her leave over half a month ago, she had been almost exactly the same.
"I'm going to the restroom."
After calling out, Syr left the restaurant, found an inconspicuous corner, and slipped inside.
At the same time, a cat-person youth wearing a cloak appeared not far away.
"Allen, you were on the first floor just now, right."
"Mm." Allen nodded.
Because Mia was present, he hadn't stayed by Syr's side as usual today.
After Mia and the others went up to the third floor, he stayed alone on the first floor to pass the time.
Seeming to guess what Syr wanted to ask, he recalled what he had just witnessed.
"That Elf came down from the third floor and went toward the kitchen."
"When she came back out, her expression was like that. I don't know exactly what happened."
"That's fine. It's enough."
A thoughtful look appeared on Syr's face.
Now, the situation was quite clear.
Earlier, after Ryuu left with the excuse of seeing an acquaintance, she had gone straight to the kitchen to find Cain.
As for what the two talked about that caused Ryuu to become so dazed again…
"Allen, how is Hedin's progress lately? Has he found out anything?"
Allen thought for a moment: "He went to the Eighteenth Floor a couple days ago and hasn't returned yet."
"I understand."
Syr nodded and didn't press further.
After telling Allen to keep hiding and not expose himself, she returned to the private room on the restaurant's third floor.
Compared to the absent-minded state she had been in when Syr left, Ryuu had clearly recovered somewhat now.
After a brief consideration, Syr walked over and poked the Elf Girl, who was enjoying her meal.
"Ryuu, are you free next week?"
"I am. Why do you ask?"
"I'll be busy next week. If you're free, please cover my shift."
Syr blinked: "In exchange, I'll cover your shift this week, is that okay?"
...Okay.
Looking at the smiling grey-haired girl in front of her, Ryuu hesitated for a moment, then nodded.
Although she didn't know if it was a coincidence, Syr's proposal came at a very timely moment for her.
Entrusted by Cain, she needed to help investigate the Ishtar Familia and find a Foxfolk girl named Sanjono Haruhime.
If all went well, it would take about a week, which perfectly matched the time Syr mentioned.
"Syr, thank you."
"Eh? Why is Ryuu thanking me? I should be the one thanking you."
"Well... I still have to say it, just in case."
Ryuu didn't explain much, turning to walk towards Mia, who was sitting not far away.
Anyway, she still had to tell Mia about switching shifts with Syr.
...
Time flew by, and soon it was night.
After the dinner, Syr and the others parted ways with Ryuu and returned to The Hostess of Fertility.
The busy working hours quickly passed, and Syr returned to her room to call out her vice-captain.
"Allen, where is Ryuu now?"
"The Entertainment District."
"Huh?" Syr was stunned for a moment.
She, who was usually unperturbed by anything, now showed a rare hint of hesitation.
"The Entertainment District? Which Entertainment District? Is it the one on Northwest Street with all the food stalls?"
"No, it's the one managed by the Ishtar Familia."
Seemingly understanding Syr's confusion, Allen rephrased his words and continued.
"After parting ways with you, that Elf went directly to the Ishtar Familia's headquarters."
"Later, she seemed uncomfortable with the atmosphere there, so she went to the Hermes Familia and got a magic item that grants invisibility from them."
"As for after that, I only know that she went to The Entertainment District again, but I don't know where exactly."
Although he was LV6, Allen was not a superhuman who could track an invisible person from a long distance.
After watching Ryuu put on her helmet and disappear, he decisively left The Entertainment District and returned to Syr.
"The Entertainment District, Ishtar Familia..."
Syr snapped out of Allen's report.
Although this news was quite sensational, she didn't think Ryuu had gone to The Entertainment District voluntarily.
Combining this with what happened at the dinner, it was highly likely that Ryuu was doing this at Cain's request.
But the question was, why would Cain ask Ryuu to investigate the Ishtar Familia?
Unlike the Soma Familia, which was a small Familia, the Ishtar Familia was a truly large Familia with LV4 and LV5 combatants within its ranks.
Even if Ryuu was LV4, trying to infiltrate the Ishtar Familia for an investigation was still not a simple matter.
"Could it be... that the Ishtar Familia is also secretly smuggling those special monsters?"
Syr's face showed a thoughtful expression.
According to Hedin's investigation, the mastermind behind the Xenos smuggling was related to the Dark Faction Remnants.
If her guess was correct, then Ishtar might have connections with the Dark Faction Remnants.
"It seems I need to take this seriously."
Syr was aware that Ishtar harbored ill will towards her.
However, due to the huge disparity in strength between them, she had never paid attention to the other party's small actions.
But now, it seemed that the other party's small actions might not be as small as she thought.
"Allen, go back to the Familia and send someone to the Eighteenth Floor to assist Hedin."
"Oh, and pass on the information about the Ishtar Familia's problems to Hedin. This news might help his investigation."
"I understand."
Allen nodded and accepted the task.
After Syr's analysis, he also realized that Ishtar had problems.
Since the other party harbored malicious intentions towards Freya, it was necessary to target them.
Leaving The Hostess of Fertility, he returned to the Familia and found Ottar, who was training.
"Ishtar Familia?"
The Boarman fell into contemplation.
"Just a reminder, Lady Freya has not given permission to attack."
Allen crossed his arms: "Before we get permission, we cannot act on our own."
"Then send the people below."
Ottar readily gave his reply.
Since First Class Adventurers couldn't make a move, then adventurers below LV5 would.
It was only reasonable for them to have some friction with the Ishtar Familia while exploring the Dungeon every day, right?
Ottar picked up a greatsword from the side: "I'll leave the matter of selecting people to target the Ishtar Familia to you. I'll go to the Eighteenth Floor to assist Hedin in investigating the Dark Faction Remnants."
Allen was stunned: "You're going personally?"
Ottar nodded: "Even if the people below have some friction, the Guild will still send people to find me. I might as well hide in the Dungeon."
Although he was slow in some matters, Ottar would never hesitate when it came to Freya's affairs.
Since the Ishtar Familia wanted to cause trouble, then they would be targeted until they couldn't cause any more trouble.
Thus, because of one of Cain's requests, the Freya Familia began to take comprehensive action.
...
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