At first, when Hermes greeted him, Orsted didn't find it odd.

Though Hermes seemed unusually curious about him, Orsted didn't dwell on it.

Breaking the rank up record had drawn many gods' interest, but none except Hermes, among those he didn't know, had approached him directly.

Given Hermes's character, his curiosity and actions weren't surprising.

But now, Orsted couldn't treat this as normal.

The situation mirrored Bell's treatment in the Anime.

There, Hermes followed Hestia into the dungeon to test Bell for heroic potential, orchestrating a conflict to force Hestia to release her divine power, spawning the Black Goliath.

Orsted wasn't Bell, and Bell hadn't appeared.

Yet Hermes gave him Bell's treatment, making Orsted uneasy.

Even without Asfi's request, Orsted planned to confront Hermes on the surface.

This needed clarity.

Having achieved her goal, Asfi bid Orsted farewell and left.

"Lord Orsted, why does she call you Teacher?" Lili asked, more curious about the title than Asfi's request to fight the Black Goliath.

The Black Goliath wasn't her concern—this was.

A teacher implied a master-student bond. How had Orsted become Asfi's teacher after one mission?

Lili's lips pursed, a hint of jealousy showing.

The others shared her curiosity, eyeing Orsted.

He smiled. His Familia's care warmed him, though they respected boundaries.

He explained lending Asfi magic items, prompting her to call him Teacher.

The items were already reclaimed. Hearing this, Lili relaxed, amused by Asfi's quick shift. Then she turned to business.

"Lord Orsted, will you fight?"

"Lili, tell everyone in the battle, including Ais, to evacuate. They'll face consequences if they don't," Orsted ordered.

"Yes, Lord Orsted!" Lili nodded seriously.

Lili's prior Goliath victory gave her words weight among the safe floor adventurers.

Many heeded her call, retreating after brief hesitation.

Her warning of consequences was ominous. Staying risked trouble they couldn't handle.

Soon, most adventurers fled to Rivira, including Ais, who returned to Orsted.

"Orsted, you're fighting?" Ais asked, sheathing her Desperate.

The battle had frustrated her.

Rivira adventurers' lack of coordination hindered her.

At Level 6, she could've ended a Level 5 monster quickly, but they dragged it out.

Hearing Lili's call and Orsted's intent to fight, she withdrew instantly.

"I'm going to kill it with one strike," Orsted nodded.

"The golden light from before?" Ais' eyes flickered.

"That's the one."

"Lili, why make us retreat?" Bors asked loudly, approaching.

Spotting Orsted, he added, "Orsted! You're here. So you ordered Lili to send the message?"

Bors had met Orsted once during Rivira's defense but hadn't spoken much.

He'd watched the war game, knowing Orsted's strength far exceeded his level.

He didn't grasp why Lili called for retreat.

Now, it was clear—Orsted, Hestia's captain, had ordered it.

"Have all the adventurers evacuated?" Orsted asked softly, his voice carrying undeniable authority.

"They're gone. Do what you need to, or the Black Goliath will hit Rivira soon," Bors replied instinctively.

"The town's newly rebuilt—it can't take another hit."

"Good. I can act freely now," Orsted said, smiling.

He drew Excalibur from his waist, gripped it with both hands, and raised it high, facing the Black Goliath.

"Yes. Let's put an end to this."

[Seal five—Decision start!]

[—Approved. Bedivere, Gareth, Lancelot, Mordred, Galahad.]

[This is a battle to save this place.]

[Arthur.]

Ex——calibur!!!!!!

A golden torrent erupted, sweeping the sky and earth, bathing the entire floor in radiant light!

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