The Takemikazuchi Familia, who had joined the expedition as supporters, made it clear to Liliruca that they only served a supporting role during the journey.
There was no need to split the drop items.
Even if the other side had been willing to share, Kashima would have felt far too embarrassed to accept, considering how little they had contributed.
The good news was—
Everyone who had joined the expedition returned to Orario safely, without injuries!
Compared to the Hestia Familia's shabby setup, their own base looked more imposing — a rented apartment.
After completing the expedition, it was, of course, time to report back.
Standing at the entrance, Kashima turned to Chigusa and Mikoto.
"As for the matter of the expedition share, I'll explain it to Lord Takemikazuchi."
"The reward we received is already more than enough."
"The key point is… during the expedition, we didn't really contribute much."
Wiene Mikoto didn't argue, simply nodded silently.
"I'll follow your lead. But after all this time training in the Dungeon on this expedition—"
"Our abilities should have improved quite a lot."
"We can think about it once things settle down."
Her words touched a sore spot for Kashima.
Their so-called "training" had mostly been being used as monster bait.
Durability and agility had gone up, sure…
But instead of focusing on his updated stats, what Kashima really wanted—urgently—was to ask his god about something.
About the true identity of Liang Yue!
"Alright." Unlike the innocent Chigusa, Mikoto immediately picked up on his hidden meaning.
She too was very curious.
The mysterious adventurer Liang Yue, unmatched in swordsmanship and strength…
Meanwhile, Takemikazuchi — who usually worked part-time frying potato balls — happened to be back at the familia's residence today.
He noticed his tired but safe children returning from their expedition.
His expression was calm, surprisingly so. He merely smiled as he greeted them:
"Kashima, Chigusa — you're back from the expedition."
"Yes, Lord Takemikazuchi."
"Everything went smoothly enough, I hope?" He asked with warmth, especially toward Kashima, the boy he had watched grow up.
Kashima forced a smile, put away his equipment, changed into casual clothes, then walked toward the sofa.
After hesitating, he finally spoke what was weighing on his heart:
"Lord Takemikazuchi… are you familiar with Liang Yue from the Hestia Familia?"
"What happened?" Takemikazuchi frowned slightly.
"Well… during the expedition, there were some things that…" Kashima struggled to find words, so he simply recounted everything he had seen in the Dungeon.
From using "Monster Feasts" for training, to his sword-energy-like magic slashes, to his overwhelming techniques—
From speedrunning through dangerous middle floors with no prior exploration,
To utterly crushing the rare monster Moss Giant,
And finally, defeating the floor boss Goliath on the 17th floor alone!
By the end, seeing even his god's shaken expression, Kashima felt a brief sense of relief.
Spreading his hands with a bitter smile, he said:
"I really can't understand…"
"How he managed to do all that!"
——
Takemikazuchi hadn't missed the divine gathering where "Sword Soul" Liang Yue was discussed.
Even joining this expedition, he knew, had only been because Hestia wanted to protect that boy.
The fastest to reach Lv.2, breaking the world record, with so many feats attached to his name…
Somehow, it made sense that Liang Yue could do all this.
Even if it did make sense… as the God of War himself, Takemikazuchi still couldn't calm his shock!
Just recently a brand-new adventurer—already grown this much?!
"The key point," Kashima muttered, "is that Mikoto, Chigusa, and I have been adventuring in Orario for years—"
"And not once had we ever heard Liang Yue's name!"
The gap was so overwhelming that Kashima no longer even thought of chasing after it. His only goal now was to understand.
If he could just know what Liang Yue had done before, maybe his emotions wouldn't be so shaken.
Takemikazuchi listened to his last words, then raised his head with a gentle smile and countered softly:
"He didn't tell you?"
"Tell us… what?"
"What he's done here in Orario."
"A true warrior always keeps moving forward."
And moving forward wasn't about blindly chasing a goal. Seeing Kashima's discouraged mood, Takemikazuchi chuckled warmly.
He shook his head, explaining:
"Do you feel that, as a fellow Lv.2 adventurer, the difference in strength is simply too vast?"
"…Yeah. Something like that."
Instead of answering directly, the god gave him a question of his own:
"But what if I told you—Liang Yue is the one who broke Ais Wallenstein's record, the fastest to reach Lv.2…"
"And that he shortened the time—"
"To just ten days as a rookie adventurer?"
"?!"
At those words, Kashima, Chigusa, and Mikoto all froze in place—
Their expressions had never been so vivid!
——
Adventurers' Guild.
The one receiving Liliruca of the Hestia Familia was none other than the Guild's director, Royman. After reviewing the expedition report, even he could not keep calm.
Before setting the objective of this mandatory expedition, Royman had estimated — based on their strength — the likely time it would take.
Roughly half a month.
But the reality was far beyond his expectations.
In just seven days, they had reached the deepest part of the middle floors, even defeating the rare Moss Giant!
Digesting all the information, Royman forced himself back to his usual calm demeanor. But when speaking to Lili, his tone still carried tremors.
"So…"
"Your familia's captain, Liang Yue, not only completed the expedition's objective smoothly—"
"But on the way back to Orario, he casually defeated the floor boss Goliath?"
The Guild's information network could easily verify the truth of this. The repetition wasn't out of doubt—
It was because Royman himself couldn't calm his emotions.
Lili, with a serious smile, replied:
"Mr. Royman, we wouldn't joke about something like this."
"…I suppose not."
The boy who orchestrated the fall of the Soma Familia, who left evidence to ensnare the Ganesha Familia, who gambled with talent and the Guild itself…
Objectively speaking, Royman still couldn't quite pin Liang Yue down.
But now—this boy of the Hestia Familia might very well possess the ability to change the entire balance of Orario.
"…Congratulations on completing the expedition."
As he prepared to report to Ouranos, Royman paused for a moment. Turning back, his tone was laced with helplessness.
"Do me a favor and pass on a message to Liang Yue."
"Tell him… to keep a lower profile."
"If something like this happens again, the Guild won't be able to explain it to the adventurers and citizens of Orario."
---
patreon.com/dzeref887 for access more chapter.