No matter who it was, anyone could basically tell at a single glance that the combat capacities of the two teams dispatched by Finn were imbalanced.
The first group contained two Level 6s, whereas the second group lacked even a single Level 6, possessing merely three Level 5s. No matter how one looked at it, the members of the first group were stronger in terms of combat capability.
This did not conform to logic.
Logically speaking, even if one Level 6 needed to be stationed here at the camp, the most appropriate consideration would still be to incorporate one Level 6 into each of the two dispatched teams. Only in this manner could the combat capacities of the two teams achieve balance.
However, for this outing to execute an adventurer quest, what needed to be considered was not logic and combat balance, but whether the objective could be achieved.
To complete the adventurer quest, they needed to acquire the spring water of the Cadmus Spring. And to acquire the spring water, they would inevitably need to consider facing off against the powerful dragon Cadmus. Therefore, when organizing the teams, the primary consideration should be how to guarantee the defeat of the powerful dragon to take away the spring water guarded by it.
And to defeat a powerful dragon whose strength could even surpass the 37th-floor boss Udaeus, relying solely on the combat strength of a single Level 6 carried far too great a risk.
Udaeus's own classification tier fully reached Level 6. Even if Cadmus was merely stronger than it in terms of raw power, it was still best to dispatch multiple Level 6s to conduct the raid, thereby ensuring that the final outcome would be a safe venture despite the danger.
Consequently, Finn's method of assigning himself and Gareth to the same team was correct.
But as a result, the combat capability of the second group truly caused a bit of worry.
A powerful dragon that required the mobilization of multiple Level 6s to guarantee a safe raid was instead left to be raided by the second group relying on three Level 5s; this risk was arguably a bit too great.
Even though this team included Ais, conducting a raid on the powerful dragon without unsealing her own skills and relying solely on the power of magic still carried no small amount of risk.
Aside from the aspect of combat capacity which failed to put people at ease, the lineup itself was also highly reassuring-deficient.
Look at what kind of talents made up this team.
Ais, a Berserk Swordswoman who only knew how to slash, slash, slash, and a total airhead.
Tiona, an innocent and romantic little angel who fundamentally would not ponder over anything, who would transform into an incomparable Berserker once combat commenced.
Tione, who appeared steady and calm on the surface, but whose essence was wilder and more violent than the previous two; once she fell into a state of rage, she would instantly lose control on the spot.
With these three individuals forming a team, could there really be no issues?
Of course there would be issues!
Therefore—
"Leon."
Finn looked toward the youth sitting silently beside Ais.
"I'll leave the second group in your hands."
The moment these words were spoken, everyone was instantly moved.
"What's this, what's this? Is Leon being incorporated into our team?"
Tiona's eyes lit up, and her entire being grew visibly excited to the naked eye.
"—Why are you leaving it in his hands?"
Tione, however, began to throw a tantrum, seemingly displeased that her sweetheart didn't trust her and instead chose to trust someone else.
Ais likewise turned her head to look at Leon, her eyes shining slightly.
Finn's voice drifted out once more.
"I am additionally incorporating Leon into your team. With his firepower, it should certainly suffice to compensate for the gap in combat capacity between you and the first group."
Leon's own normal firepower could already reach the Level 5 tier. Once he went all out, he could even raise his firepower once more, exerting strength comparable to or even surpassing Level 6.
With this force combined with three battle-hardened first-tier adventurers, it should certainly not be difficult to deal with the powerful dragon Cadmus.
Concurrently, Leon would also act as the decision-maker for the second group. With him present, at least Ais would listen to instructions and wouldn't act recklessly. As long as Tione didn't lose control, she likewise wouldn't go so far as to refuse the instructions of the decision-maker chosen by Finn. As for the remaining Tiona, she was inherently filled with curiosity and anticipation toward Leon; given her attitude toward Leon, she would certainly not turn a deaf ear to his words.
"Is there a problem? Leon?"
Finn inquired provisionally, causing everyone's gazes to begin converging upon Leon.
The group actually harbored no objections toward this decision of Finn's; even Bete merely curled his lips and said nothing.
Leon had already proven his capability; incorporating him into the team of first-tier adventurers was entirely without issue.
As long as he could erupt with Level 6 firepower, plus Ais whose capabilities were completely on par with a Level 6 after activating her magic, the second group would essentially possess two Level 6 combat forces as well.
In this manner, dealing with the powerful dragon would be perfectly secure.
In response to this, Leon met everyone's gazes and replied calmly.
"I have no problem."
It just so happened that by taking advantage of this opportunity, he could personally go and check out those things that would cause the entire Familia immense headaches in the future.
In the event that something occurred, he could also offer a few suggestions depending on the situation, lest the Familia suffer too great a loss when facing off against that thing.
Thinking up to this point, Leon looked toward Riveria, pondering whether he ought to enjoin her regarding a few matters.
But if he did that, he wouldn't be able to explain how he knew the intelligence regarding those things.
What a headache—
"That's good then." Seeing Leon state his stance, Finn instantly smiled faintly and continued: "As for the supporter of the second group, let Lefiya take charge of it."
"Eh?" Lefiya was originally let her mind wander a bit because of Leon and Ais being assigned to the same team. Suddenly being called upon at this moment, she could not help but be startled, saying flusteredly: "M-Me?"
"That's right." Finn looked straight at Lefiya and said: "Your magical capability is not much inferior to Leon's, and you even far surpass him in the sheer quantity of magic. Merely going to the second group to act as a supporter, you are fully qualified."
"This is a pretty good opportunity. You will have to inherit Riveria's position sooner or later in the future, so go along with Ais and the others to see the world."
Hearing this, though Lefiya was a bit flustered, seeing Leon looking at her, she instantly gritted her teeth and accepted the task.
"I-I understand! I will work hard!"
Although Lefiya felt she fundamentally lacked the qualifications to take over Riveria's duties, and the mere thought of accompanying Ais and the others to the 51st floor to deal with the powerful dragon Cadmus also made her incredibly nervous, the moment she thought of Leon's performance along the way, as well as the scene when he single-handedly killed the floor boss Goliath, a surge of unyielding courage instantly sprouted within her heart.
She did not want to admit she was inferior to Leon, let alone be left far behind by this man.
Therefore, even if she was a bit flustered and a bit nervous, Lefiya still decided to be brave for once.
"Well then, once both teams have brought along sufficient supplies, let each depart."
Finn clapped his hands, delivering the conclusion.
"The rest of you, remember to follow Riveria's instructions and guard the stronghold well."
Amidst a synchronized response, the group dissolved on the spot.
Leon also watched Riveria's retreating figure leave, ultimately following her up.
"Riveria."
Leon, who called out to stop the other party, rarely refrained from using honorifics this time, causing Riveria to turn her head with some surprise.
"What is it? Is something the matter?"
"Yes! Captain!"
Riveria inquired as if perceiving something from Leon's uncharacteristically serious countenance.
"—It's nothing." Leon pondered for a moment within his heart, then promptly spoke thus: "I just wanted to remind you that after we leave, it would be best to heighten security, and dispatch a few more people to keep an eye on the vicinity."
"I have a rather bad presentiment, always feeling like something is about to happen on this side."
Hearing these words, Riveria's eyes narrowed, and the gaze she directed toward Leon likewise became somewhat profound.
A rather bad presentiment—this sort of phrasing sounded highly unreliable at a single listen. Were it anyone else, they would absolutely feel that Leon was creating groundless anxieties.
But Riveria would not think so.
It couldn't be helped; the Captain of this Familia was also a person with a highly potent intuition. Whenever some major event was about to manifest, that Pallum Captain would feel a throbbing pain in his thumb, which would in turn give rise to bad presentiments.
Having accompanied such a Captain for many years, Riveria was also accustomed to this sort of phrasing and attitude.
Thus, she reflected for a moment and nodded her head without asking further.
"Since you've said so, then let's do as you intend."
Heightening security wasn't a bad thing anyway; at most, the personnel for sentry duty, patrols, and night watches would just be scheduled more tightly.
It was better to believe it might exist than to assume it didn't. In Riveria's view, a person like Leon would always possess a few unusual traits; perhaps he truly could foresee something, who could say.
She wasn't some savage princess who refused to listen to advice either. Since someone offered such counsel, then let's do it.
As a temporary teacher who had instructed Leon for a period of time, Riveria still trusted Leon.
Just like that, under Riveria's arrangements, the camp's security grew visibly tighter to the naked eye. Leon, Finn, and the others also successively brought along their supplies, advancing toward the 51st floor.
They stepped down from the giant rock, advanced a certain distance through the grey great forest, and then walked toward the western side of the 50th floor.
At the end over there, upon the westernmost wall face, resided a pitch-black, massive cavern.
This massive cavern was the tunnel connecting the 50th floor and the 51st floor. Its interior formed a perilous slope, the steepness of which was roughly on par with a cliff. Ordinary people jumping down would naturally face only a single road to death, but everyone present was a recipient of Falna, and the lowest tier among them was a Level 3 second-tier adventurer; this tiny height naturally could not stump them.
"Well then, let's head down as well."
Not long after Finn and the others jumped down, Leon drew the Jade Staff worn upon his left waist, speaking thus.
"Alright! Let's go cause a grand scene!"
"What a shame, not being able to let the Captain see the scene of my heroic combat."
Tiona and Tione both extracted their weapons, one revealing a radiant smile while the other sighed over there.
"It's fine—I can do it—"
Lefiya carried the backpack meant for supporters, still muttering over there, conducting psychological construction.
Ais looked at Leon, nodded to Leon, and took the lead to jump down.
The members of the second group instantly jumped into the massive cavern one by one, arriving at the ultra-deep domain—the 51st floor.
The structure of the 51st floor resembled a labyrinth. Whether it was the walls, the floor, or the ceiling, all appeared as perfectly flat as if having gone through meticulous design. Square and upright natural underground pathways formed several corners and crossroads; a single glance sufficed to know it would cause people stepping into it to lose their orientation. The overall material was neither stone nor soil, but instead displayed a deep graphite color, intricate and oppressive.
The five-person team arriving here was immediately met by a challenger.
"Garuaaaaaahhhhhhh—!"
Accompanied by the low-pitched roar of a monster, a massive dark shadow came stampeding over.
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