Chapter 12: Time Moves On
It'd been a week since the guild had spread the news around. Everyone heard about the Loki Familia's removal of the ban. Even Argonaut himself heard of it on the first day. He however couldn't pull himself from Hestia's couch. The warmth of the hearth kept him warm, and burned away the sorrow he felt.
He didn't want to go back. Or rather he couldn't bring himself to face Loki again after what he did. He realized that he'd used violence instead of words. A choice he never made before. A choice he despised himself for choosing.
He slowly sat up and stood up from the couch. It was the afternoon now. He figured it'd be okay to go out. He hoped the Loki Familia wasn't out. He'd heard from Hestia and Bell that they'd been looking all around Orario for him. Even Loki herself joining the search, however he wasn't someone so easily found. Even with the Falna on his back.
His steps were slow and methodical as he moved up the stairs and out of the Abandoned Church. His black scarf pulled over his mouth. He wanted to hide his smile. It was the easiest way to tell it was him after all. That and the black blade he had, but he had no real way of hiding that.
It was a bit longer than normal for his trip to the dungeon entrance. He'd chosen to use the alleys and parts of the streets nobody was on in hopes that he wouldn't draw attention to himself.
Eventually he made it to the dungeon. He wasn't sure why, but he knew many adventurers sought fame and wealth, however Argo didn't. As such he didn't even bother to collect the crystals he left behind. His slashes felt right and easy to handle in the dungeon. Like he was finally able to clear up the jumbled mess inside of his head.
It wasn't long until he'd made it into the middle floors. He'd been following the route he took while running from Ais before. It had tons of creatures, As a result there were crystals lying about the floors he passed through. He didn't understand the error of his actions as he'd never really been informed of the customs of the dungeon.
He'd unintentionally been leaving power boosts for all the creatures that respawned. Although not knowing any better.
Eventually Argo made his way down to the giants room. Or rather what appeared to be the boss room. The Giant from before nowhere to be seen. It caused the Hero to scratch his head a bit wondering why this room alone refused to spawn in more creatures.
"Would've been great if you did this on the lower three floors." The Argonaut complained. Having a panic attack when he saw Minotaurs wasn't great. Although he was absolutely over the moon when he realized those creatures were much easier to deal with since they hadn't been feasting on people for years.
Eventually Argo go tired of waiting for his old nemesis, and something felt off in the boss room. Like eyes were watching him from the wall. He made his way towards the slope down happily jumping down the shaft and into the next floor.
Chapter 12: Moving On Part 2
After Argo jumped down the shaft and slide at great speeds he finally landed on the seventeenth floor. His eyes wide in amazement as he saw a sea of green before him. His scarf had fallen from his face a while ago letting a brilliant white smile cross his lips.
"Guess the dungeon has a soft side too!" Argo said a bit louder than his normal tone. He noticed a village off in the distance, however he knew none of them could hear him from so far away. Unless they were some kind of beast-human or elf.
Argo didn't let much time pass before he started running towards the small town. A air of nostalgia was around him. The memories of fighting windmills and sheep slowly coming back to him as he grew closer, however he couldn't help but notice something off as the townsfolk seemed to be moving somewhere else.
Argo couldn't help but follow behind the group as they all walked down a long stone staircase that led to a gathering area of some kind. Argo couldn't be sure since he'd decided to hide behind a large crystal sticking out of the ground. Avoiding the detection of others in case the meeting was about himsef.
"ATTENTION EVERYONE!" A man called to silence the townsfolk. Apparently using the tone of a leader Argo assumed as much being as perceptive as he was.
"WE'RE LOOKING FOR A WOMAN CAPABLE OF MURDERING A LEVEL FOUR, BUT AS WE ALL KNOW MANY OF POWERFUL MAN HAS FALLEN VICTIM TO A WOMANS SEDUCTIVE CHARM!" The man added. A devious smirk overcoming his face as he went to continue.
"WHICH IS WHY WE NEED FULL BODY INSPECTIONS OF THE GIRLS! CLOTHS OFF!" The man shout pumping his fist in the air.
A tick mark grew on Argo's forehead. He hadn't seen the ratio of men to woman, however he wasn't going to allow that. He hadn't even seen the girls yet. He didn't know if any of them were off limits for himself. Immediately coming out as the men shouted in joy about the inspections.
"LIKE HELL YOU ARE YOU BASTARDS!" Argonaut screamed causing the crowd to turn to the newcomer on the stairs. His face filled with a curious look. As if he was inspecting rather than actually looking angry.
Suddenly his eyes locked with the Freya Familia adventurers. Most importantly was Finn. Their eyes directly met as a tinge of emotions boiled inside Argo. His body felt dragged down by guilt as his serious look turned into a more saddened expression.
Finn might not have been as strong as Argo, but he noticed the expression on his face. His mind still more focused on the mission. He knew The Argonaut hadn't done it since he was a male. So his gaze broke from the Heroes as it fell upon the females.
Argonauts gaze fell elsewhere. To an elf on the side of the Sword Princess. "Feena"
It wasn't long after that a certain female ran up the stairs. Argo noticed her, but did nothing to stop her. It wasn't long after that Ais and Lefiya passed him as well. His brotherly instincts took over. He knew he was at odds with the Loki Familia, and most likely Ais herself, but the girl who resembled his sister so much took priority.
So he followed. His speed keeping pace with them, however a bit further behind. A smile regrowing on his face as he reminisced upon the days he ventured with Feena as he followed at a safe distance as to not make them think he was giving chase.
Eventually the scenery changed as they ran. The once sparse crystals turning into walls that blocked in a stairway going up. Eventually the amount of stairs seemed to lower the stamina of the strange girl running with a bag until Ais and Lefiya were able to box her in causing the girl to fall to her knees.
Argo listened in as Ais and Lefiya spoke. Their minds solely on the mission ahead of them as they decided on how to handle the matter.
Argo however was watching the demeanor of the girl. 'A murder wouldn't just kneel down. They'd at least try to fight back' Argo thought to himself stepping closer hearing every word the girl was speaking until the tears came.
Argo didn't give either Loki members a moment to speak before butting in. "Nobody is going to die" Argo said kneeling in front of the still crying girl. "I wont let you die, and I believe you didn't do it" The boy said with a bright smile on his face.
The odd yet appealing gesture seemed to calm the girls tears. At least for a moment. Seeing such a kind display brought forth a red hue on the Beast-Humans face.
The display also seemed to resonate with the girls from the Loki Familia as well as they all went to a area outside the walls of the dungeon town.
It was there that the girl named Lulune told them everything she knew. Her expression looking somber as she spoke. Argo was quick to pick up on it, however he knew she was most likely feeling guilty being somehow involved in a murder.
It wasn't long after that she produced an orb. Unwrapping it seemed to do something odd as Argo notice the creature inside the balls eyes open. Causing the sword princess to lose all of her strength in that moment.
Argo was quick to draw his blade. He wanted so badly to destroy the orb right then and there. Only opting out of the decision only to further the investigation. Eventually leaving it to Lefiya to pick up and wrap back up. She quickly put it inside a bag to avoid harm, however as she went to throw the bag over her shoulder Argo took it from her with little effort.
"I'll carry it. I don't want that happening to you" Argo said pointing to the slowly recovering Sword Princess. "After al-" Argo began before a loud roar echoed behind him.
The moment the scream of a monster met Argo's ears he instinctively turned to face it. Massive plant creatures had invaded the town causing mass panic. "Well I wasn't expecting that" Argo said with a dreadful expression as he drew his black blade.