Is it wrong to try to meet someone in a dungeon?

"I'm so sorry to have troubled you to spare some time..."

"No, I also have something to say to you. Before the operation to create the artificial maze begins..."

The last sentence was spoken in a low voice, and the two left the large streetlight where they had agreed to meet.

After Loki finished discussing matters and returned to the manor, Lefia relieved herself of her guard duties. She had just been waiting for Philvis to escort Dionysus back to the main camp.

Although it was Rafia who invited her out, she didn't have anything to discuss with Philweis.

I've been too busy lately and haven't had a chance to talk to Phil Weiss in a long time, so I wanted to take this opportunity to have a good chat with her.

Rafia suggested finding a coffee shop to sit in, but Phil Weiss shook her head and led her elsewhere.

They walked through the city streets and came to a high platform that offered a panoramic view of the entire city.

It's a place where no one visits and you don't have to worry about being overheard.

"It seems that it has been officially decided that the members of the group other than me... the Dionysus Familia, will also participate in the battle."

"I see... I thought so too."

Hearing Philweis say this while gazing at the street scene, Rafia nodded deeply.

This operation requires manpower. Although the Dionysus Familia's combat capabilities are far inferior to the Loki Familia's, their sheer number makes their participation almost inevitable.

Unlike before, when only Philvis participated, Dionysus was serious.

"Lefia... will you also participate in this operation?"

"...? Yes, of course."

When Rafia heard Phil Weiss ask this with her back turned, she frowned in surprise.

At the same time, it also has a sense of déjà vu.

That's right, she was asked the same question four months ago during her special training before the "expedition".

At that time, Philwis taught Lefia the barrier magic <The Holy Grail of Gods and Salvation>.

And now-

"—Lefia, why don't you leave Orario?"

She made that suggestion.

"Varied……"

"I want you to leave the city until this battle is over. You can go to a distant city, or even to the countryside of your fellow countrymen. If you don't want to leave alone, I can go with you if necessary. I hope to continue serving as the protector of Dionysus, but since my comrades <Aura> and the others are participating in the battle, it will be fine to leave it to them. Even if you are gone, the size of the [Loki Familia] won't make much of a difference—"

"Wait, wait a minute! Please wait a minute, Miss Philweis!"

When Rafia came to her senses, she realized that her voice had become louder.

She leaned forward, staring at Phil Weiss who hadn't even looked at her and was only focused on talking.

"Why are you suddenly saying that!? Yes, I may not be able to stand alone yet, but I would never do something as despicable as running away before the final battle! I am also a noble and honest member of my race, an elf!"

The sudden suggestion made Lefia lose her composure, and she couldn't help but ask her what she meant by saying such a thing.

Faced with this, Philweis remained silent for a long time before turning to her.

"You will die."

“Eh…”

"The last intrusion made me realize this completely."

At that moment, she glared at Rafia.

Phil Weiss's original serious attitude vanished, replaced by a reproachful look as she stared at Lefia with half-open eyes.

"W-What happened?" Lefia was sweating profusely, feeling guilty about what Philweis had said.

Because when Lefia first invaded the man-made maze, she did something quite "dangerous".

It was so dangerous that even Philvis, who was traveling with her, yelled at her. The outcome was predictable: she encountered the opposing faction's chief god, Thanatos, and was surrounded, then... (The sentence is incomplete and ends abruptly).The confrontation between the "celestial spirit clones" can only be described as a near-fatal encounter, no matter how nicely it's put it.

Phil Weiss must still be holding a grudge about what happened back then... or rather, she's worried.

"You would disregard your own life and death, and then sacrifice yourself."

"I...I can't..."

"No, I knew it would. You will...despair."

It was at this moment that Phil Weiss first revealed her emotions.

To Lefia, the tone of his voice sounded both pessimistic and pleading.

"Since that day, this is the first time...yes, the first time I've been afraid of losing you. I should have only cared about Dionysus...but now, I'm afraid of losing you."

Lefia knew that the day she was referring to was "the nightmare on the 27th floor".

He was insulted as a "death reaper".This taboo name, which had frozen Philweis's heart, now made her so concerned about Lefia.

"Please, Rafia... could you grant me my request?"

Rafia was very happy. Really very happy.

but……

Faced with Phil Weiss's earnest gaze, Rafia lowered her head for a moment before raising it.

Accompanied by an unshakeable will.

"I'm sorry, Miss Phil Weiss."

"..."

"I will not choose to run away."

Phil Weiss's crimson eyes narrowed sadly.

Lefia felt a pang of pain in her heart, but she gritted her teeth and forced a smile.

"Besides—that human has already reached Level 4!"

"Huh...?"

"It's Bell Crane! Bell Crane!! He's even received a new nickname and confirmed to take on the mandatory 'Expedition' mission! People are saying he's some kind of 'rising star of adventurers,' I just want to scoff! That human isn't like that at all! That boy is even more... even more...!! Miss Philvis must have heard something about him too, right!?"

"Yes, I've heard of it..."

"I don't care!? I just need to ask Loki, and he'll level me up to Lv.4 right away! I've never been chased by him! Although I was caught up to...!! But, but it's still early, we'll see who wins and who loses later!"

"Rei... Refia...?"

"That's right, so I can't run away! That human didn't run away even when he encountered that black bull! He's so passionate, so strong, his noble spirit almost drives me crazy! I can do that little thing too...! Or what? Miss Philvis, do you also think that what that human can do, I can't do!?"

"I...I didn't say that!"

"I can do it too! As long as I'm determined! No, I'll show everyone!!"

Lefia stomped her feet and roared.

His eyes were tightly closed, his hands were clenched into fists, and his whole face was flushed red.

She lost her temper halfway through her speech because anger returned, but it was all the truth.

Seeing her kinsmen's fighting spirit reignited in a fit of rage, Philweis, who had been pleading with her, broke out in a cold sweat.

"……so."

soon.

Lefia finally calmed down, stared into the crimson eyes before her, and said:

"I want to be a source of strength for Miss Ais and the others. I will face fear and despair head-on... I will definitely save everyone."

This is also her pride as a mage.

She wants to become the sword and shield, to save and protect the adventurers.

The words that Riveria and Ais taught her have now become Lefia's "vow".

The fragile mage is no more.

Like a certain boy, the girl grew stronger and shattered Philweis's wish.

In an instant, a gentle breeze swept by.

Her silky black hair and thick golden hair swayed in the wind.

On the high platform far from the hustle and bustle of the city, after a while, Phil Weiss smiled.

"You are such a willful, stubborn... noble spirit."

"what……"

As if she had already anticipated Lefia's response, she spoke decisively, yet with a hint of fragility.

"In that case, I will protect you. You are the only one I will never let die."

"Miss Philweis..."

"I would give my life for this."

These were the words she had said to Lefia at some point in time and place.

Like Lefia, Philweis also has things she "swears" to.

Please don't say anything about being willing to sacrifice your life for this—Lefia wanted to say that, but she stopped herself. Just like herself, her crimson eyes told Lefia that this was the one thing she could not back down from.

So Rafia smiled with her eyebrows lowered.

"Let's win this battle. Then, together... let's come back safely."

"...You're right. Let's do our best and leave the rest to fate."

Hearing a response that suited her personality, Rafia exchanged a smile with her.

Under the blue sky, Rafia and Philweis walked forward in unison.

They left the platform where they had exchanged vows and began to walk forward.

"However... going for a walk outside the city might be a good idea."

"what?"

Lefia was walking alongside her when she inadvertently uttered those words.

She smiled at Phil Weiss, who looked quite surprised.

"Ever since I met Miss Philvies, we've been fighting non-stop. So, how about we go on a trip together after this war is over?"

"Lefia..."

"Why don't you come and visit my village? In a while, the Great Sacred Tree will be adorned with a 'crown of light.' It seems to be a unique feature only found in the 'Visien Forest,' something you can't see in other settlements. It's incredibly beautiful! Like wearing a floral crown, it scatters shimmering points of light..."

"Like cherry blossoms in the Far East?"

"Yes! And there's a garden in the village that only I know about! It's just as stunningly beautiful! So... let's go admire it together."

She talked about her hometown, "Weixian Forest".

It would be even more beautiful if the two of them could enjoy Lefia's hidden gem together. Perhaps someone else has already discovered the garden, but that doesn't matter. Because the memories created there will forever belong only to Lefia and Philvis.

After we get through this war.

We must go see it together.

Lefia made a promise to her.

"good……"

In front of the smiling Lefia.

Phil Weiss's face was filled with a clear smile.

"We'll go after everything is over. I promise you."

Illustration 53232

The Freya Familia's headquarters, "Battlefield," is, as its name suggests, a place where members engage in "fierce battles" day and night.

The battle was far too intense for a simulation; it was more like "self-destruction" disguised as training. To win the favor of the goddess Freya, everyone fiercely clashed with each other, each striving to become the strongest warrior.

However, on this day, the members of the Freya Familia stopped what they were doing.