Chapter 153: Fateful Day
The rescue operation for the Xenos was officially set for the following night. As the time approached, everyone gathered in the living room. The Oculus rested in the center of the table, and they all watched it with bated breath.
A letter detailing the operation's time and date had arrived from Fels. It instructed them to visit a specific shop and give the shopkeeper, a woman named Lenore, a secret password. Bell and Lili had followed the instructions perfectly. Upon hearing the password, the shopkeeper's expression changed instantly. She guided them to a hidden warehouse filled with Fels's magic items, telling them to take whatever they needed to aid Fels's cause.
Afterward, they attached the Oculus to Fels's owl familiar, sending it off to deliver the crystal to him. Now, they were simply waiting for the call.
"Where is Reborn-sama?" Mikoto asked, noticing his absence.
"...He said he had something to look into and went outside," Hestia explained.
"...Will he be okay?" Bell asked worriedly.
"It's him. He'll be fine," Welf replied with absolute confidence, knowing full well that Reborn possessed monstrous strength.
"..."
Listening to their exchange, Tsuna wore a somber, gloomy expression. Suddenly, the Oculus on the table began to glow brightly. The images of Fels and Lyd flickered into view.
"Can you hear me, Bell Cranel?"
"Fels-san!!" Bell cheered, his voice filled with overwhelming relief.
"First of all, please allow me to express my deepest gratitude. Goddess Hestia, I am eternally grateful for your boundless mercy."
"Let's drop the formalities, Fels-kun, the Fool," Hestia replied. "This is only the second time we've spoken like this, but I've found myself unable to abandon Wiene-kun either. Besides, Bell-kun and the others are the ones who made this choice."
Even though he was causing them tremendous trouble, Hestia accepted his gratitude warmly. They had met previously when Hestia demanded to see Ouranos at the underground altar while Bell's party was on their mandatory mission to the 20th Floor.
"Bell, Haruhime!!"
"Wiene-sama!!"
"Bell-chi, Lili-chi too!! I'm so sorry you guys have to save us again..."
"We're already in too deep. I gave up trying to back out a long time ago," Lili sighed, offering Lyd a resigned but genuine smile over the crystal.
Seeing Wiene safe, Haruhime teared up with pure joy.
With the reunions out of the way, the strategy meeting commenced. Their primary objective was to return the Xenos to the Dungeon. To accomplish this, they had to navigate through the countless hidden entrances to Knossos scattered throughout Daedalus Street. Hermes had secretly obtained Daedalus's journal from Ikelos, which detailed the labyrinth's layout, and passed it to Ouranos. From there, Fels's familiar had secretly delivered the information to the Hestia Familia.
According to the journal, there were six specific entrances leading into Knossos. They just had to slip through one of them to reach the Dungeon. Of course, they would have to break through the Loki Familia's ironclad defenses to do so. To thin out the opposition, Bell was assigned the most dangerous role: he would act as a decoy. Given his current infamy, his mere presence on Daedalus Street would draw the fury of countless adventurers, pulling them away from the Xenos and giving them a much higher chance of reaching Knossos. Lili and the others were also given specific, critical assignments.
"And Sawada Tsunayoshi. I need you to engage the Loki Familia members alone. I know it must be incredibly painful to fight those you once stood beside... but you are the only one I can ask. Can you do it?"
"...It's fine. I knew it would come to this," Tsuna replied calmly.
"I'm so sorry..."
Hearing Tsuna's heavy response, an unbearable wave of guilt washed over Fels and everyone else in the room.
"I'm s-sorry... Sawada-san... doing this for us..." Ray, acting as a representative for the Xenos, apologized with a pained, sorrowful look.
"Ray."
"?"
"I won't let anyone die."
"Ghk!?"
Seeing the fierce, unwavering resolve burning in Tsuna's eyes, a deep blush spread across Ray's cheeks.
"Ray. Why is your face so red? Does it hurt somewhere?" Wiene asked, tilting her head with pure, innocent worry.
"W-Wiene!!" Ray stammered, flustering wildly.
In the middle of a life-or-death strategy meeting, Tsuna had unknowingly charmed the Siren. Hestia and the others face-palmed at the absurdity of it all, while Haruhime couldn't hide her visible dismay.
Once the meeting concluded, everyone dispersed to make their final preparations. Tsuna, still looking troubled, asked to be left alone and retreated to his room.
"Tsunayoshi-sama..."
"It's completely understandable... No matter how much he has steeled his resolve, the members of the Loki Familia are Sawada-dono's dear friends..."
Watching Tsuna leave with such a heavy heart, Haruhime stood frozen in sorrow, while Mikoto deeply sympathized with the agonizing burden he was forcing himself to carry.
"...Do you think Tsuna will be okay?" Bell asked.
"We just have to believe in him," Welf stated firmly.
"Let's give him some space for now. Lili, let's get our things ready," Lili commanded.
Knowing that offering empty comfort would only make Tsuna feel worse, Bell, Welf, and Lili focused entirely on their own preparations.
"..."
Left alone in the living room, Hestia clenched her fists tightly, her face twisted in bitter anguish.
.....
The next night finally arrived. The fateful hour was upon them.
"The fate of the Xenos rests entirely on your shoulders. Fight with your Dying Will," Reborn declared at the entrance, offering them a sharp, encouraging smirk.
Anticipating that intruders would likely break into Hearth Manor looking for clues—and potentially steal anything valuable—Reborn had elected to stay behind and guard their home. Tsuna and the others didn't offer a verbal reply. Instead, with burning determination in their eyes, they marched silently toward Daedalus Street.
. . . . .
Babel
"So he finally made his move," Freya murmured with a captivating smile from the top floor of Babel.
Freya knew full well that Bell was suffering under the suffocating hostility of the entire city. But she also knew, without a shadow of a doubt, that he would rise again.
"Now then. What kind of miracle will you show me this time?"
She was absolutely certain Bell would forge another impossible miracle, just as he had against the Minotaur and Hyakinthos.
"?"
Suddenly, Freya's vision shifted to pure white. A thick, unnatural mist rapidly engulfed the city, completely obscuring her view of the streets below.
"Mist?"
. . . . .
Temporary Camp
"Mist...?" Raul muttered, squinting into the sudden whiteout.
The temporary camp had already been stripped down to Finn and a bare minimum skeleton crew; the vast majority of the Loki Familia was already deployed in their combat positions. The bizarre weather anomaly left Raul deeply confused.
Poor visibility is a disadvantage, but the same goes for the enemy.
Finn calmly assessed the situation. Even if their sight was compromised, the Loki Familia possessed numerous beastmen with superhuman senses. Tactically, they still held the advantage.
And yet... I can't shake this terrible premonition...
. . . . .
The sudden, dense fog threw everyone on Daedalus Street into utter confusion. Even Bell and his allies were initially startled, but they quickly adapted and moved to their designated positions.
"OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!"
A thunderous, echoing howl shattered the silence of Daedalus Street. During the chaos five days prior, the Xenos had been scattered to the winds. With no way of knowing where the others were, Lyd used his powerful roar as a signal to rally his hidden comrades. Understanding his intent, the other Xenos immediately howled back in response.
Hearing the monstrous roars, the adventurers' eyes lit up with greed, and they swarmed toward the sound. Bell and his team sprang into action.
"Let's go. Everyone."
With a quiet murmur, Tsuna stepped forward into the battlefield.
----
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