Chapter 116: The Loki Familia Takes Action

In fact, the situation was very much like what Bell had speculated.

Right now, Loki's Familia wasn't focused on preparing for the expedition. Instead, both Finn, the leader, and Riveria, the vice leader, were fully absorbed in digging up dirt on the Ishtar Familia.

They had both received very reliable intel confirming one thing: recently, quite a few Pallums and Elves had been sold to the Pleasure District.

Upon learning this, the two leaders dropped everything else and became obsessed with sending Ishtar back to Tenkai.

As for the Evilus, they planned to interrogate them after catching them.

With Raul's assistance, Aisha returned once more to Loki's Familia.

After spending two days away, Aisha had indeed uncovered quite a bit. Today, under the pretense of a "rendezvous," she had come again to report her findings to Loki's Familia.

To the outside world, she now appeared to have some sort of connection with the extraordinary members of Loki's Familia.

Of course, this was all with Ishtar's permission, for the sake of gathering intel on Loki's Familia.

But Aisha knew it wouldn't be long before Ishtar grew suspicious of her. So this time, aside from reporting to Loki, she also intended to alert her about Ishtar's suspicions.

As for the secrets hidden beneath the Pleasure District, Aisha had truly uncovered quite a few.

It was the same conference room from two days ago. Aside from Loki, the other three present were all Lv.6 members of Loki's Familia.

Loki asked with anticipation, "Aisha, how's the situation in the Pleasure District?"

Aisha didn't disappoint.

"Loki-sama, I've confirmed that there are eight specially excavated chambers about thirty meters underground. There are still quite a few people down there—I believe they're the ones who were captured."

"Three of those underground spaces have passages that connect to the outside of Orario."

"The remaining five are connected to... the Dungeon."

"!?"

The results of the investigation startled everyone present.

Loki's usually narrowed eyes flew wide open. This outcome had far exceeded her expectations.

She wasn't entirely unaware that the Evilus had been hiding in the Dungeon.

The incidents involving the Evilus that occurred in the Dungeon a few years ago already pointed in that direction.

Those fugitives had never once emerged from the Dungeon.

Which could only mean one thing—there were other routes in and out of the Dungeon, or some members of Evilus were simply hiding deep inside, refusing to come out.

"That's enough to convict Ishtar."

Loki's face twisted into a cold smirk. The fact that the underground space beneath the Pleasure District connected to the Dungeon was a serious issue.

It meant Ishtar was undoubtedly entangled with the Evilus.

If they also found people who had been abducted or trafficked down there, then Ishtar could very well be sentenced as early as tomorrow.

"Human trafficking, collusion with members of the Evilus, and plotting to destroy Orario."

"One charge after another—as long as we get solid evidence, and better yet, capture a few Evilus members, sending Ishtar back to Tenkai won't be a problem."

"Aisha, confirm the exact locations. I'll have Hermes investigate the external passages, and I'll send the Guild guys to check the internal ones."

This time, Loki had made up her mind. She intended to take Ishtar down in one blow.

If she didn't remove Ishtar, how could she possibly bring Aisha and that child over to her side?

But then Loki noticed Aisha looking like she had something to say, and a sense of unease crept into her chest.

"Aisha, is there something you want to say?"

"...Loki-sama, you might need to act quickly. Ishtar-sama only allowed me to accept this invitation because she was curious about your Familia's intentions. But two visits in such a short span—she might already be sensing something's off."

"That damn woman has sharp instincts."

Loki understood that once Ishtar grew truly suspicious, all their groundwork would be for nothing. They had to move now.

"Riveria, you're coming with me to the Guild. Once I've convinced Ouranos, you'll lead a team to locate the passage connected to the Dungeon."

"Gareth, go find Ganesha right away. Get that idiot to investigate the passage to the surface."

"Finn, you're with Aisha. Keep watch around the Pleasure District. Once Gareth and Riveria start their respective operations, your job is to suppress any resistance… and make sure that child stays safe."

Time was tight. Loki knew that today was their best shot. If Ishtar caught on, it would all spiral into a mess.

"Move out immediately!"

Without hesitation, Loki strode out of the Familia headquarters, with Riveria accompanying her to the Guild.

The others didn't waste a moment. The moment Loki issued her commands, the entire Familia sprang into action.

Gareth headed straight to the Ganesha Familia.

With many Lv.5 Adventurers, the Ganesha Familia was among the top-tier forces in Orario. Whenever a crisis hit the city, Ganesha's group was always the first to be contacted.

Even late into the night, the Ganesha Familia remained as bustling as ever.

Gareth's visit was treated with due respect, and he was swiftly granted a meeting with Ganesha.

"I am Ganesha!"

The muscular man in the elephant mask stood with his hands on his hips, puffing out his chest as if to flaunt his physique.

This was a trademark pose of the ever-flamboyant god.

"Ganesha-sama, I'm here on a matter of utmost importance."

"Oh? Something important from Loki's child... Go ahead. But if it's a personal issue, I won't get involved."

Ganesha was a god of principles. He made it a point never to meddle in squabbles between deities. As a guardian of order, private affairs weren't his business.

"Ganesha-sama, it's about the Evilus."

"Evilus…"

A sharp glint flashed in Ganesha's eyes. Among Orario's upright gods, the Evilus were a universally reviled presence—monsters everyone wanted to crush.

Those lunatics existed solely to upend everything.

Not only did they destroy the gods' places of entertainment, but they also endangered every child of Genkai.

From both personal and public standpoints, the Evilus were the ones Ganesha loathed the most.

...

(90 Chapters Ahead)

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