The joint expedition of the Loki Familia and Hephaestus Familia soon arrived at the 18th floor, the "City of Rivira."
Considering the significant amount of ti, stamina, and energy required for the expedition, they decided to pause on the 18th floor for a day to reorganize.
Reaching the deeper floors wasn’t sothing that could be done in just a day or two. The Loki Familia almost always stopped at each safety floor to reorganize before continuing the conquest of the next levels. Each safety floor took roughly a day to clear, followed by another day for regrouping and recovery. So, for both teams to reach the 50th floor together, it would take at least eight days.
After all, this wasn’t a small party of two or three people—it was an expedition involving a group of eighty. With numbers like that, speed wasn’t the priority; ensuring the team’s safety was.
Whenever the Loki Familia stopped on the 18th floor, they would spend a night in the City of Rivira. Doing so saved a day’s worth of rations and gave everyone a chance to properly rest.
As regular custors, the innkeeper didn’t try to gouge them. The Loki Familia were repeat clients, showing up for expeditions regularly. If he overcharged them now, how could he expect to keep their business in the future? Driving such a lucrative deal to a competitor would be more painful than losing money himself.
So, despite the sheer number of people they brought, the innkeeper actually offered them a very reasonable rate. While the price was still 30% higher than in Orario, that was only natural—this was the 18th floor of the Dungeon, after all.
The Loki Familia didn’t mind the added cost, so they quickly checked into the inn they had reserved in advance.
"Hey, those kids have co a long way, haven’t they?"
After hearing Finn and Riveria’s evaluation of Liliruca and Daphne, Gareth was a bit surprised. He hadn’t expected those two girls to show the most growth.
"No wonder things have been going so smoothly this ti."
"The kids were split into different teams for the expedition, and each one made noticeable progress. It’s gone even better than we expected."
The first half of the expedition was designed to help new mbers adapt to the Familia’s expedition environnt. It also served to build their confidence and give them room to grow.
That phase was usually difficult to get right, yet this ti, it had gone surprisingly well.
"It’s all thanks to Daphne and Liliruca’s growth. Both of them have a knack for command, and they led their lower-level companions smoothly through the advance."
Finn was smiling as he spoke—partly because so many in the Familia had grown stronger, and even more so because one of them was a fellow Pallum.
"For the next stage, I’m planning to let Liliruca and Daphne keep proving themselves."
"The next part covers the middle and lower floors, huh? That’s going to be a real test for those two."
Gareth couldn’t help but worry whether the girls would be able to handle the pressure—leading expeditions on the middle and lower floors wasn’t sothing just anyone could manage.
"It’ll definitely be a challenge, but it should be a valuable experience for them."
Finn understood well that commanding on the Middle and Lower Floors was nothing like the Upper Floors. The monsters they faced were on a completely different level, and the strain it placed on a commander was far greater. Still, it was an excellent opportunity.
"Once we reach the deeper layers, I plan to have Liliruca and Daphne assist with command. When I’m not actively leading, I’ll teach them a few things about strategy and tactics."
"You’re thinking of handing your position over to those two already?"
Riveria could tell from Finn’s tone that he was preparing to pass on his command role.
Finn gave a slight nod.
"Once we get to the deeper floors, the pressure on as a commander becos intense. In the past, only a handful of people in our Familia could handle that kind of responsibility. I need soone who can support with command decisions."
There was a trace of resignation in Finn’s expression. After all, age was starting to catch up with him, and his energy wasn’t what it used to be.
"Even if it’s not a drastic drop, my stamina is clearly declining. So while I still can, I want to take this chance to start developing new talent within the Familia."
The issue of age and waning energy was sothing they could no longer ignore.
When the topic of age ca up, Riveria and Gareth both fell a little silent.
"Yeah... we’ve reached that age ourselves, huh."
"Gareth, don’t lump in with you. Elves typically live close to five hundred years. I’ve only just entered my youth."
Riveria gave Gareth a sharp side-eye.
"Finn, don’t you Pallum live longer than regular humans? And Gareth, it’s the sa with Dwarves, right?"
Caught out, Finn and Gareth scratched their heads awkwardly.
"Ahem... compared to pure-blooded humans, who barely make it to a hundred, most of us Pallum can live up to 150. But after about 120 or so, we start to lose that youthful vigor. Those last 30 years are pretty much retirent."
"Dwarves generally live to around 200. But we’re not much different from the Pallum—once we hit a certain age, it’s all about taking it easy."
Compared to pure humans, both Pallum and Dwarves had a clear edge in lifespan. Nearly double the ti ant they also had more opportunity to prepare for what lay ahead.
"Then why are you even complaining?"
Riveria could hardly believe them—lanting their age when they’d only gone through a third of their lives.
"Training new blood is sothing that takes ti. It’s not sothing we can rush."
"Our job is to guide them through more experiences—and make sure they co back safely. Everything else isn’t for us to worry about."
That was what Riveria saw as the duty of a senior mber.
To leave behind enough sparks for the Familia so it wouldn’t fade away when their generation stepped down.
"Alright then. In that case, I should go have a talk with Bell-kun."
...
(100 Chapters Ahead)
p@treon com / PinkSnake
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