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

The words came with the merciless sword strikes and endless impacts.

Faced with the astonished girl, the wild boar man threw this "truth" right in front of her.

"The formidable enemy you are about to face is merely a necessary step in the process."

"!!"

A scene replayed in Ais's mind.

It was a desolate winter scene. A young girl had lost everything and was crying out loud.

Then, there is a unique "long-cherished wish" that must be fulfilled.

"—!!"

Ais roared.

She played a thunderous tune, deflecting Otto's attack and launching a fierce counterattack.

A sharp, stabbing pain shot through my back. It was the divine script etched on my back causing the pain.

However, that was not the destructive fire that engulfed Ais.

Instead, it was directed at the "target" she was staring intently at—the burning fighting spirit towards an enemy.

Don't let it engulf you, but conquer it.

Don't get them mixed up.

I don't kill enemies out of hatred.

It is for our companions, our family, our clan, and this labyrinthine city—we must defeat them all to protect them.

"Aa ...

Ais's will ignited a flame.

With unprecedented force, she unleashed a storm of swords and blades.

"That's right—"

This is a kind of "motivation" that only Otto can provide.

Even if it were Rivera, Grace, Finn, or Loki, who knew about Ais's "past," they wouldn't be able to move her.

Only someone who has no connection to the girl, and most importantly, who is a "fierce warrior," can impart this "method of making a decision" to her.

Ais's swordsmanship was faster and faster with each move.

She stared intently at the enemy who had to be eliminated.

The figure of a woman overlaps with the martial artist in front of him.

Ota squinted at it, responding only with its own power.

Side Story: Sword Oratoria 11 Chapter 4: Avengers ~Knossos War~

Ais Wallenstein

Lv. 6

力量：H100→154 耐久：H117→153 灵巧：H131→189 敏捷：H112→174 魔力：H154→G202

Hunter: G Abnormal Resistance: G Swordsman: I Spirit Recovery: I

"Your total proficiency is over 250... I don't know where you went, but it seems you've done some incredible training."

Loki's suppressed laughter came from behind.

Ais, who was shirtless, looked at the [ability value] update paper that Loki had given her and quietly clenched her fist.

She lit the paper with a candle and burned it.

After reading the paper, which had burned to a bright red, she put on her combat suit and turned her face toward the window.

"Alright, that's it. — Let's start the battle today."

The day the man-made maze conquest operation began.

The eastern sky is about to be filled with the glow of dawn.

Illustration 54004

The southeastern part of the city, Daedalus Road, is shrouded in an atmosphere of impending war.

There were heavily armed adventurers and numerous military police here. The former were the Ganesha Familia, who were defending the city's order, and the latter were "guild" employees.

Currently, all residents of the slum have been evacuated.

On the surface, it was claimed to be for street repairs. Under the pretext of the reconstruction progress of "Daedalus Road," which had become a battlefield due to the invasion of "armed monsters" on the surface, ordinary people have been relocated to temporary housing in the northwest of the city under the instructions of the "guild."

The truth is that it was to prevent them from being affected by the upcoming "conquest operation".

After the "heretics" returned underground, the Loki Familia continued to assist other factions in reconstruction, and for this reason: to remain in the Labyrinth Street unsuspectingly, avoid causing chaos, and smoothly allow the general public to evacuate, thus constructing a tight "encirclement." All the disobedient lawbreakers have been arrested and forcibly removed.

Intelligent people should have already realized it.

It was noticeable that Daedalus Road was unusually quiet compared to the bustling surrounding area.

"Big sister! How did they inform the guild staff about this operation!?"

"Keep your voice down, Ilta. The only hint they've given is that there's a second entrance to their dungeon, and the official explanation is that they're investigating that place. I heard Leuman has made arrangements behind the scenes to prevent any unnecessary chaos among the staff."

The location is in the central area of ​​Daedalus Road.

Amidst the array set up by the Ganesha Familia here, a red-haired Amazon named Ilta spoke in a loud voice.

"Sorry, big sister... but I'm so annoyed! Why can't we participate in that first wave of the offensive?! That little dwarf always treats us like tools...!"

"Our mission is to guard Daedalus Road. In addition to preventing ordinary people from entering, we also have to stop anyone who tries to escape. This is also part of the 'encirclement'."

A tall, beautiful woman with swaying blue hair answered her like this.

It was Shakti Bama, the leader of the Ganesha Familia.

"Besides, the Hephaestus Familia wasn't even in the first wave of people, let alone us. Finn didn't underestimate us; he was just making that judgment based on what would happen later."

"...Now that you mention it, I really haven't seen the [One-Eyed Giant Master]."The figure of [the blacksmith].Putting that aside, there's no reason not to let that woman participate. What do you know, big sister?

"During the recent battle in the Labyrinth Town, she apparently launched a surprise attack on the Loki Familia. While that doesn't mean she's lost credibility, considering the feelings of the other members, we didn't let her participate in this operation. She's currently upset about it."

"What on earth is that woman doing...?"

Hearing that he was a master blacksmithThe fact that Chun Kobrand, who possesses Lv. 5 strength, had done such a thing left Ilta completely dumbfounded.

"...But I still can't accept it. Our comrade <Hassanar> also died on our side."

At this point, Ilta bit her lip, revealing a mix of emotions.

Upon hearing her mention wanting revenge for Hassana, the Fist Fighter who was brutally murdered in the 18th-floor inn town of Rivera, Shakti fell silent for a moment…

"Don't be angry, Ilta!! Calm down!! Yes, just like me, Ganesha!!"

"Shut up, Ganesha!"

"Don't make a sound, Ganesha."

Then the elephant-faced god, striking a strange pose, appeared.

Ganesha was not discouraged by the cold attitude of his retinue—he straightened his posture and put away his original attitude.

"We don't need to be avengers, it's enough to be a shield protecting the people. The departed Hassanal would surely not want us to go astray because of him."

These words made Shakti and Ilta's eyes widen slightly.

Then, they immediately nodded in response to the gesture upheld by the main deity.

They turned their heads and stared at the entrance carved into the wall, leading to the underground.

That was the hidden and invisible demonic lair, the "artificial labyrinth of Knossos".

"Ah, Amid! Amid, you're going to join this operation too!?"

Tiona's surprised voice echoed through the stone passageway.

While the Ganesha Familia were on guard duty on the surface, the assault force, centered around the Loki Familia, was underground. This underground passage led to the "Gate" of the man-made labyrinth, Knossos.

Amidst the bustling crowd of adventurers, Tiona and Tione stepped forward to greet the beautiful girl with swaying silver-white hair.

"Yes. Partly at Commander Finn's request, but also voluntarily. However, more than that... I must apologize to everyone first. It was our pharmaceutical project that delayed the operation, and I am truly sorry."

"What are you saying? The captain also said that if it weren't for Amid and the others helping us prepare the secret medicine to resist the specific curse, the success rate of this operation would be greatly reduced."

"Exactly! They can't even heal a minor injury! Even if we rushed in, it would only result in total destruction!"

"It's jade, you idiot."

Watching the conversation between Tione and Tiona, Amid, who had been bowing her head in apology, revealed a faint smile.

Renowned as the city's top therapistShe wasn't wearing her usual Familia uniform. Nor was she wearing the combat outfit that Tione and the others often saw when they went into the dungeon.

It is a white "robe".

This must mean that, including the main combatant on the floor, Amid is not acting as a mere healer, but rather as the "Battlefield Saintess."She dons her formal battle attire when going into battle. She holds a crystal staff.Both the belt and the waist bag contain healing items.

While the members of the Loki Familia were mesmerized by the saintess in her sacred robes, Tiona and Tione simply said, "It's been a long time since I've seen you dressed like this—" "It's different from my usual uniform, it's a little confusing for me." Their reactions were normal.

Seeing her two friends' reactions, Amid smiled again.

"Amid is here with us too?"

"Yes. I discussed it with Commander Finn and asked him to assign me to your Northeast Army."

Amid nodded in response to Tiona's question while glancing around at the mixed forces of various [Familia].

The assault force does not concentrate all its forces in one place.

Instead, they were assigned to several "gates" in the man-made maze.

"Bert Roca—!"

"You...you...guy, what are you doing here! Amazonian brat!!"

At the southeast gate of the man-made maze.

Several healers from the Dean Clan could also be seen among the troops here; Bert roared angrily among them.

What angered him was that the Amazonian girl Lina Tally appeared before him.

"I asked Aisha! I asked her what the Loki Familia is up to these days~ like this!"

Lina unabashedly exposed her tanned skin beneath her revealing clothing, exaggerating the events with adorable, exaggerated gestures. The Amazonian girl radiated an immature yet alluring sexiness, her eyes sparkling like a sky full of stars as she excitedly recounted what had happened.

"I told her that if she didn't tell me, I would expose her shady dealings with the Hermes Familia, and I pestered her relentlessly for ages! Even the leader, Aisha, finally said, 'Whatever.' The power of love is truly amazing!"

"She's just being a spoiled brat! Love you my foot!"

"Anyway, how about I add some more of my love? The battle is about to begin, your body must be so excited you can't hold back anymore, how about I release it with Lina's tender body!?"

Boom!! Without waiting, the iron fist struck the girl squarely on the forehead.

The Amazonian, spouting nonsense, emitted a frighteningly heavy thud from his skull. Lina's head slammed against the ground, and she screamed, "Gurglea ...

Members from other factions whispered amongst themselves overhearing this series of conversations, but [the wolf]...His bloodshot eyes widened, and he immediately let out a short, miserable scream before looking away. The members of the Loki Familia, needless to say anything, completely ignored this scene, which they were already used to, adhering to the attitude of respecting ghosts and gods but keeping their distance.

Lina stood up unsteadily, tears welling in her eyes, but she smiled without giving up.

"And then, Aisha apparently went on an expedition with the Hestia Familia! She even told me to absolutely not get involved in this!"

"Then why are you even coming, you stupid woman..."

"But I feel like I can't not come!"

Seeing Lina talking nonstop before anyone could ask, Bert looked extremely annoyed.

Faced with him like this, Lina straightened her upper body.

"Bert Roca!! Take me with you...!"

"Mind your own business."

Without saying a word, Bert grabbed the girl's head with his right hand.

"Gurgle!?" Lina cried out, and Bert, with an almost murderous expression, told her:

"You are not allowed to come."

“!…”