Danmachi: Westward Cloud [Complete]

[Vol.3] Quest 214- Surface

The next day at the opening to the 17th floor.

“The floor, boss Goliath, lurks in the halls above us. Normally this would be a great opportunity for everyone, not just the elites to get experience, but we are still hurting from the string of irregular encounters on our expedition. For this reason, I would like everyone in battle from the beginning. I’m sure everyone here is eager to see the sun again, right? Truthfully, even I’m itching for a good night’s sleep in my bed.” Said Finn.

In the back.

“So wanna make it 3 out of 4?” said Ai.

“Sure, wanna start when the Goliath roars again?”

“You’re on!”

“Oy! Finn, we’ll take care of it!”

“Hey! We’re going to kill that fucker! Don’t try to poach it out of us!” said Bete.

“Well, you aren’t on the Goliath’s floor now are we?” said Cirrus.

He glanced at Ai and they both quickly rushed past them and up to the 17th floor.

“Do they think this is a game!?” shouted Tiona.

“Dammit!!” Bete quickly ran after them.

As the Loki Familia ran, they heard the Goliaths roar—

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!___

— Cut off.

When they arrive at the floor, they could already see the Goliath's body turning to ash and flaps of Ai’s and Cirrus’s clothing going up to the next floor.

“What the hell… They killed it already!?” Bete shouted.

“Look.” Said Ais.

“At what—!!”

They could see 2 slices deeply cut into the Dungeon; one was slightly melted while the other was cut cleanly enough that it could cut from a touch.

“With their strength, I’m sure anything in the upper floors and middle floors is a game for them.” Said Finn. “We’ll follow the path they made and clean it out thoroughly!”

This event would later be known to Orario as a Dungeon Rush. A "Game" first class adventures fight one another while rushing down or up the Dungeon.

A while later, up on the 5th floor.

!!!!!!!!!!!

“What the fuck was that rumbling?” Cirrus said, stopping.

“Hmm… maybe it’s the Dungeon changing? Lord Ouranos said it’s been acting weird.”

“… Well, we can ask him when we get back now.” Cirrus cuts a line into the ground. “On 3 alright, no pushing or punching, nor drawing of the sword!”

“Fine…”

‘You two sure are competitive?’ said Circe.

‘It’s a fun way to test each other! And helps spice things up in the bed—‘

“Hey quiet!!” Cirrus quickly shouted, interrupting Nox. "She does not need to know that!!"

           Back on the 18th floor.

“AHAHAHAHA!!!! Yes!!! I saw it!!! with my very own eyes!!! Zeus!!! Your parting gift!!! No talent!!?? Doesn’t have the ability!?!? What a load of shit!! Don’t make me laugh, Zeus!!! Be proud! Your grandson’s the real deal!! The last hero your Familia left behind!!” Hermes was throbbing in sheer ecstasy from above. “It’s coming, it's coming!!! Finally! A new era is coming!! Something big is happening right here in Orario to usher in a new era!! King, Ottar. Nine Hell, Riveria Ljos Alf. Braver, Finn Deimne. Sword Princess, Ais Wallenstein. Flashing Saint, Ai Zephyr. Uncrowned Emperor Cirrus Zephyr. With so many of these heroes all in the same place and time, how could something not happen!!”

Back on to the surface.

“Hm♪ Hm♪ Hm♪,” Ai was humming a pleasant tune on their way back home after reporting to Ouranos. “I think I’ll have you dress up as a butler and serve me like a queen! Oh! oh! you have to buy a cake too!!”

“Fucking cheater ass-sword drawing tripper,” Cirrus said, muttering to himself at having lost.

‘She has known you for a long time. You know she even knows when you fall asleep. Like the moment you fall into sleep she knows it.’ said Nox.

‘When we were coming up you two were in sync in fighting almost like you and Nox.’ Said Circe back in Lenoa’s place having flown back the moment they reached Babel.

When they reached their home in the east next to Eupheme’s home, a familiar person came up.

“Cirrus.” Said Allen.

“Allen…” Cirrus said, turning around to see him. “You grew up well, so what does your goddess want?”

“She wants to see you and her.” He said, looking at Ai. “I’ll be leaving now.” Allen leave as quickly as he appeared.

“… Seems her gaze has improved.” Cirrus looks at Babel, and he could see Freya looking at him with a glass of wine.

“Then shall we go tomorrow?”

“Yeah… I’m tired for today—Ah Wait, I have something I need to do.”

“What is it?”

“I need to pay Mia a visit to ask where Freya's room is in Babel."

The next day in Babel.

“It’s nice to see you again, Lady Freya.” Said Cirrus, entering an elegant dining room.

In the room were only Freya and Ottar sitting down.

“Ooo…” Ai said, looking at Orario’s most beautiful goddess, but she noticed a familiar feeling.

‘I’m losing myself, like Aphrodite!’

She quickly pulled herself back before she completely soaked in her charm.

“Ahem! I’m sorry for staring Lady Freya.”

“Fufu it’s alright, I’m used to it. Come sit. I would like to hear of your time away from Orario, like say…” she looked at the ring on her and Cirrus’s finger. “Your wedding?”

As they went to sit down, Cirrus went first.

“Sorry if we didn’t invite you. I figured it would be a bit insulting to rub something like that to one who is searching for her Odr.”

Freya made a nice, small smile.

“How kind of you, but I actually wanted to talk to you about having another match with Ottar like when you were a boy.”

“Ah… well, I—"

“I’ll do it!” Ai interjected. “Remember when we were waiting for Alfia and Zald to come?”

“Yes…" Ottar remembering her words back then. "I wish to see how formidable your swordplay is.” Ottar said, pleased with the idea.

“… Then why not make it that?” Cirrus said. “I’m sure it’ll be fun to watch and besides, I would rather fight Ottar when he reaches level 8. I think it would be more fun for the both of us, wouldn’t you think?”

A grin appeared on Freya’s perfect face.

“That would be more fun, wouldn’t it, Ottar?”

“Hm, yes.”

“Then shall the fight be at the Colosseum? I’m sure many would pay to see this happen again, like last time.”

Her grin was growing even more.

“That would be lovely!”

Knock! Knock!

“Lady Freya, lunch is prepared.” Said a Familia member, coming in with dishes of food for all 4 of them.

“You even prepared lunch. How thoughtful of you.”

“Well, I wanted to know what you were up to and to confirm that the other ring belongs to a certain virgin goddess?”

“Now Freya…” Cirrus said with a smirk. “You know it’s not gentlemanly to kiss and tell, besides,” He said, leaning back. “When she comes, I’m sure she’ll make an appearance.”

“Oooh~, this smells pretty good!” said Ai, looking at the plate of food placed in front of her.

“It’s as they say, opposites attract.” Said Freya as she took her fork and knife. “So, shall we enjoy this nice meal?”

“Of course.”

They got their utensils and began to eat.

Outside Orario.

“Lady Artemis, are you sure you do not need rest?” said Kalion with a magic item hiding his true form.

“I’m fine, Rethusa, Phi, Cale, Secas, Lante. How are you all holding up?”

“Sleepy.” Said Phi.

“We’ve been riding for 3 days. Our horses aren’t Bicorns, Lady Artemis.” Said Cale.

“If only we were higher leveled like you captain.” Said Secas.

“Yeah, being a level 4 must be nice!” said Lante.

“Lante, you are only a level below me and if you really wished to have leveled up, you should have taken up Cirrus’s offer.”

“Tch! Fighting that monster? No, I would actually rather fight an actual monster than him, besides were about 2 days off from Melen, and from there it’s just a day’s ways!”

“Speaking of our horses, they need to rest, Lady Artemis.”

“Hm, very well Kalion, you rest as well.”

“Hm.”

           Down in the Dungeon.

“Ein.” Said Revis. “Who was that adventure? Had Thetis not stepped in to help, I would have lost my life.” She said while putting on an artificial leg from the Dungeon.

“Wu said his name was Cirrus Zephyr. I only know of one by that name and he was that one, the only level 8 in the world, the Uncrowned Emperor.”

“He was certainly strong, but it was rather easy to get away, no?” said Thetis.

“He has been away for a long time; I would assume his edge has dulled, but make no mistake. The next time you see him, he would have regained his edge.”

“Then we should get Arbuda more magic stones than what she is currently hunting.” Said Revis. “We will need more muscle to deal with him.”

“Then I will see you in the Knossos then,” Ein said, leaving. “You still have your key, right?”

“Hm, I do.” Revis then holds up an orb with a ‘D’ on it.