Rayleigh subdued the three men with Bakudō, feeling the enhancement of his Kidō from the level up.
Although two of them were Level 1, one was a Level 2 Adventurer.
Yet even he was unable to resist a simple bakudo spell.
"What's happening?"
"I can't move..."
"What did you do to us?!"
Rayleigh walked over to the first man he knocked down, grabbed his ankle, and tossed him in front of the others.
Ryuu's eyes widened. "Amazing! Rayleigh's movements are so different from before."
"Well, He's Level 2 now," Lyra remarked.
"Rayleigh has always been a fast learner," Kaguya added. "His stats just could not keep up with his talent before."
Seeing the four men powerless to resist, Rayleigh turned to Ardi. "Time for the constable to make her entrance."
Ardi stood up. "Leave it to me."
She stepped before the four men and introduce herself, "I am a member of the Ganesha Familia. I witnessed you provoking others and causing property damage to this tavern."
One of the men paled when he saw Ardi's attire and hair color.
"You... you are the Vyasa?"
As the younger sister of the Ganesha Familia's Captain, Ardi was a well-known figure in the city.
Moreover, she had just reached Level 3, making her a rising star in Orario.
"Oh? Since you know who I am, this will be simple," Ardi said with a sharp smile. "You will compensate the tavern for the damages, then report to the Guild. Understood?"
"We understand."
"It will not happen again."
"Good. Now get going, and pay your tab."
The four men scrambled to their feet, paid for the damages, and crawled over each other to flee the tavern.
The Ganesha Familia maintained order in Orario and was allied with the Astraea Familia.
However, the Astraea Familia was small.
The Ganesha Familia had its own military police force to keep the peace and guarded the city gates.
They held law enforcement authority granted by the Guild, but no judicial power.
While the Guild managed the Familias within Orario, the most it could do was impose fines, it lacked the authority to imprison anyone.
This was why weaker Familias dared not antagonize stronger ones.
The most severe consequence was a fine.
For example, after Bell Cranel reached Level 2, he caught Apollo's attention, leading to his Familia being attacked.
During that incident, the White Rabbit was nearly crippled. Even so, the Guild did not intervene because the Apollo Familia took full responsibility.
In a situation like that, even the Ganesha Familia was powerless to act.
But Rayleigh knew the girls by his side would never stand by due to political concerns.
Even Hermes, the God of Travelers, praised them as paragons of true justice.
"Our good mood has been ruined. Should we call it a day?"
"Good idea."
"Alright, let's disband."
"Everyone, tomorrow we are diving straight to the 18th Floor. Make sure you get plenty of rest tonight!"
"Understood!"
The group dispersed.
Back at the Familia's dormitory, Rayleigh maintained Ruri'iro Kujaku. Afterward, he picked up another blade and entered Jinzen.
When he awoke, it was morning.
Through a night of training, Rayleigh had mastered the techniques for his new sword and he felt confident about the battle ahead.
...
At the Central Plaza, Rayleigh met with the girls and noticed Shakti was there as well.
"I heard from Ardi that you plan to take on the respawning Floor Boss," she said.
Rayleigh nodded. "That's right."
Shakti asked, "Just the six of you?"
Alise spoke up. "Six of us is enough."
"I agree," Ardi added.
Shakti remained unconvinced.
She had commanded numerous Floor Boss battles, defeating not only Goliath but also the Amphisbaena of the Lower Floors multiple times.
She knew how difficult these subjugations were.
Even a party of twenty to thirty level 2 Adventurers would struggle against them.
"In that case, allow me to accompany you. I will not interfere—unless it's a critical moment."
Shakti had barely finished speaking when the voice of the Pallum hero drifted over.
"Well, well... I seem to have overheard something interesting."
Finn stepped forward.
Upon seeing him, Lyra's expression turned to one of pure adoration.
To Lyra, a Pallum herself, Finn was the Pallum hero—the hope of their people.
She had heard tales of him long before joining her Familia, idolizing him like a prince.
It was not romantic love... but Lyra's attitude was that of a starstruck fan!
"Finn?" Shakti was surprised by the Pallum's arrival.
Several others emerged from behind Finn: Ais, Riveria, and another Elf girl.
Finn looked at Rayleigh. "You intend to fight the Floor Boss with this lineup?"
Rayleigh nodded.
Seeing his confirmation, Ais stepped forward.
As Ais approached, Rayleigh lowered his gaze to meet hers. Their eyes locked, and he saw a deep yearning in her eyes.
'Does she want to join the subjugation too?' he wondered.
Witnessing this scene, an idea struck Finn.
"Riveria," he suggested, "I recall you still owe this young man a favor. How about we act as bodyguards and provide support for these.. rising stars?"
'Huh?'
Riveria glanced at her old friend, puzzled. "Finn?"
Their eyes met, and the Elf Princess understood he had a hidden motive for his proposal.
Closing her eyes, she replied, "I have no objections."
Rayleigh froze.
'Is this really happening?'
Without doing anything, they had gained two Level 5 bodyguards!
"Thank you."
There was no reason to refuse.
Even if Rayleigh suspected Finn had ulterior motives, their interests did not conflict.
It was a win-win situation.
Lyra was ecstatic.
Ryuu reacted with deep respect. As an Elf royal, Riveria was an object of reverence for all Elves.
Seeing this, Shakti relaxed.
With the Brave and Nine Hell present, along with five users of Zanpakuto, this luxurious lineup might surpass the entire Ganesha Familia in strength!