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

"Is that so..."

Miss Ais came to me and placed the bouquet in front of a tombstone.

Then she lowered her gaze.

Just as we were lost in silence, she looked up.

"Then I'm leaving..."

She said that briefly and walked past me.

I really want to see her, but I can't call out to her now.

There was a certain atmosphere between us that made it impossible for me to call out to her.

"..."

I watched that figure walk away, and then, as if my consciousness had been pulled back, I turned back to face it.

I moved to the tombstone where Miss Ais had laid flowers.

That was the tomb of the "ancient" heroes, which was also mentioned in "The Sacred Tales of the Labyrinth," a book I loved during my childhood.

This is the final resting place of the great heroes who rose to fame in this land of Orario, who saved countless lives by stopping the invasion of monsters from the "Great Hole".

(Is this a memorial service...? Miss Ais, are you here to offer flowers to the heroes too...?)

Many flowers were also placed in front of the monument.

There were also many burnt-out candles.

Miss Ais placed the flowers in front of the largest memorial stone.

I read out the name of a hero that was engraved on the stone tablet.

"Hero, Albert...?"

Not only "The Maze Sacred Tale," but many fairy tales also tell the story of this great hero.

Beneath the dark tombstone where she offered her prayers, the freshly laid white bouquet swayed in the wind—

It was at this very moment.

Without any warning.

It wasn't that any clues were lying on the ground.

However, as I uttered the hero's name, a blinding flash of light streaked through my mind.

My grandfather's voice, echoing in my ears, and a passage from a poem, struck my mind like a thunderbolt.

(The great hero Albert... some books write him as Albert, Eusebius, the Sword Master... he has various names... no, that's not right! Not these, I remember—)

The brain is about to recall something.

Memory is about to bring some information.

correct.

This passage appears in one of the heroic tales I have read.

The title recorded in the book "The Sacred Tales of the Labyrinth" that my grandfather gave me is...

That great hero's nickname is—

"Waldstein, the Mercenary King".

Thump.

My heart trembled the moment I uttered that name.

That was the strongest hero who appeared in the final chapter of "Labyrinth Oratorio".

The people he led were called mercenaries in "ancient times," which are explorers—the same as modern adventurers.

In other words, this title means "King of Adventurers".

(Walderstein...Wallenstein?)

I could clearly feel my eyes trembling.

Even today, many people still use the names of heroes to name their children.

It is not surprising that people want to emulate those great heroes.

But is this really... a coincidence?

Is it a coincidence that she, one of the strongest adventurers in modern times, is also known as the strongest hero?

Is it a coincidence that Ais Wallenstein, the Fiora, offers flowers to the tombstone of the Mercenary King?

"..."

I slowly turned my head and looked behind me.

The long, golden hair swaying in the distance gradually faded into the distance.

Leaving me speechless, the figure of the person I longed for disappeared into the depths of the rising sun, gradually vanishing.

Postscript to Volume 15

Let me state first that I do not intend to write a harem plot.

I want to write about everyday life.

However, with the increase in female characters, the flirting and banter between them and the protagonist will inevitably increase as well, which is unavoidable.

That concludes episode fifteen.

First, the chapters marked with numbers in this volume are all revised and polished versions of the short stories included as a bonus with the 2015 Blu-ray release of the main anime; only Chapter Seven is a completely new creation. We chose this moment, when we've accumulated a lot of experience and are updating our growth all at once, to compile these stories into this book.

Incidentally, back then... or rather until recently, I had absolutely no intention of leveling up the dwarf supporter. She was originally a representative of someone lacking talent, or perhaps a character constantly struggling with the story setting called "worldview," but a certain editor-in-chief gave me the heavy pressure of "Lily has to level up!"... Correction, it was a suggestion. I was initially reluctant, but after rewatching the story from episodes one to fourteen, I felt that not leveling up was indeed strange, or rather, if she didn't level up even after all this, how brutal must the other adventurers have to overcome to do so? (But if I had to say, it would also be strange for the dwarves in the seventh episode of the side story, who traversed an extremely brutal battlefield, not to level up, but it was only for the sake of story development... Sorry, veteran (Jeghan)).

That's how it is. Congratulations, Miss Supporter.

Is it the feeling of improvisation during the creative process? I think I was both nervous and on the verge of my heart racing as the characters who ruined my planned plot appeared, while at the same time I was experiencing the essence of creating a story.

If we had to give this topic a name, it would probably be a "contrast" between the present, which has grown, and the past, which was immature.

Perhaps I hope readers will know that the protagonists, who unknowingly become ridiculously strong, actually had this side to them when they "set out." It's a little embarrassing to say this seriously, but I personally really enjoy plots that allow you to witness their "growth trajectory." Veteran authors have also taught me that "a key indicator of a light novel's appeal is how much a character grows within a single volume." While this fifteenth volume is essentially a recap of the entire series, I'd be very happy if it helps you recall even a little bit of the protagonists' encounters and cries of admiration.

Thinking about it this way, it seems that only the final chapter is truly different from the others. However, regarding the past of the strongest female protagonist, I hope everyone can wait a little longer. I hesitated for quite a while about whether the "Hero's Elegy" chapter should be included in this volume, but considering its in-depth exploration of the world-building, I really wanted to release it at this time, so I included it in this volume. I really like this chapter; it also allowed me to reflect on the meaning of adventurers, dungeon cities, and heroes from multiple perspectives.

I apologize for the fact that my postscripts have been getting longer and longer lately. Please allow me to proceed to the acknowledgments section.

Thank you to Editor Matsumoto, Chief Editor Kitamura, and everyone at the GA Bunko editorial department for your continued support this time. I'm truly sorry that I always end up staying at the publishing house to finish my manuscripts. Thank you to illustrator Yasuda Suzuhito for creating such beautiful illustrations this time as well. I'm so sorry to ask you to include illustrations for all the numerous chapter title pages… the thought that so few works will have the opportunity to be illustrated with so many makes me feel uneasy. Thank you also to everyone involved.

And then, dear readers, this story has reached its fifteenth episode, which is quite a lot now. Thank you all for your continued reading. The story is still a long way from its conclusion, and we hope you will continue to support us.

The story of the fourth installment will continue, and the next episode will likely be about the town girl in the tavern.

I'm already feeling quite nervous, but I hope I can get through this. Anyway, I want to avoid a romantic comedy. Is that not allowed? Oh well. Then I'll just consume a lot of sugar first, so I can throw it all up when I'm really suffering. Ugh...

Thank you for reading this far.

See you next time.

大森藤ノ

Volume 15 Illustrations

Volume 15 Bonus Advisor Drinks with Lolita Goddess

"Have you heard what Bell said?"

"Yes, I've heard..."

This is a tavern. Amidst the boisterous revelry of adventurers drinking themselves into oblivion, Hestia and Eina sit facing each other in a corner, their voices heavy. Or rather, devoid of any imposing presence, they are utterly exhausted.

It was dusk, just after the guild's business had concluded. Eina was unusually invited by Hestia to go for drinks.

It wasn't for the other adventurers in Eina's stead, but rather to express the hardships and struggles of us struggling young newcomers.

"It was originally intended to be sent on an 'expedition' to the lower levels, but it ventured deeper into the 'deep layers' instead. Well, I know it's beyond our control, but..."

"I understand perfectly..."

"Don't even mention eight times, I've almost died twenty times already, with this so-called ability growth..."

"I also heard about the Ability rating from him, so I just lay down on the table..."

"Ah—, after all—?"

Glug, glug, snore...

Eina and Hestia, who were waving their beer glasses, sighed deeply.

It was precisely because they knew Bell's "current situation" as an adventurer and the "miracle of the trail" that the two were able to share the hardships and mental exhaustion. A very close feeling developed between them.

That being said, although it wasn't Bell's own fault, but...

"It's less about being naturally drawn into things, and more about being a troublesome child because they can't bear to abandon the kind-hearted people they're too good for..."

"But is that his reason...? I think that's also what makes Bell so great."

"Oh, you know quite a bit about this too, Advisor! Um, let's have a few more drinks!"

But when I came to my senses, the talk of hard work had somehow turned into casual conversation.

Their voices livelyened as they discussed the boy's cuteness and handsomeness, and the atmosphere became increasingly animated.

"What are you talking about, Goddess Hestia?! Bell's greatest charm is his contrast! He's unreliable most of the time, but he becomes stronger in crucial moments. Isn't that the best thing about him?"

"No, that's not right!! The most captivating thing about Bell is his expression when he's crying and laughing! Bell the boy is the ultimate, why don't you understand that?!"

—This eventually escalated into a debate about "what is the cutest thing about Bell Craney?"

Amidst the argument between the half-elf hybrid fairy and the little girl god, whose emotions reached their peak after drinking, the previously noisy adventurers around them also felt listless.

In exchange for a hangover headache, the memories of the day were erased from each other, which was perhaps a lucky thing for Eina.

Volume 15 Bonus Feature: A Virtuous Wife and Loving Mother, well, what can you do about it?

"Whoosh, whoosh!"

With a beastly roar, the food was stuffed into his mouth at an astonishing speed.

"...Wow, I'm so hungry, Lord Bell..."

"...That's too wild, Bell-kun..."

Hestia and Lily stared wide-eyed at the sight of the boy wolfing down his food.

This happened after Bell woke up following his return from the "expedition".

Bell, who was rescued from the deep zone along with Ryu and transported to the medical facility in the Tower of Babel, immediately received treatment from the Battlefield Saint Amid Teshanaree under the arrangement of the god Hermes, thus saving her life.

And now, we are having a meal on the ground, something we haven't done in a long time.

For four days, the adventurer Wuwo had not eaten properly, and he was greedily indulging in the food in his dream.

This was definitely not the gluttonous, boorish eating scene of Bell; it was certainly a novel sight. The quiet boy's expression changed, and he pressed the van and meat tightly against it. He was about to throw away his utensils and start eating. At the same time, his cheeks puffed out as he bit into the vegetables, reminiscent of a hungry rabbit munching on wild greens. A heart-fluttering scene of two little girls. Bell's signature cuteness score: 100 points!

But there, "Ah!" they both realized at the same time.

Bell's arm—his left wrist, badly struck by the Destroyer Zagnot—was unusable, as was inevitable, and food dripped down, staining his mouth.

—This is a great opportunity to take care of Bell-kun (Lord Bell)!

Hestia and Lily stared at each other, sparks flying between them.

"I'm the one who takes care of Belle and creates a good atmosphere!"

"Lady Hestia, whose wicked thoughts are outwardly revealed! Someone like that cannot be given 'Eh~' to Lord Bell!!"

Sizzle—Sizzle—! The Hestias abandoned themselves and a cat fight broke out, but...

"Are you alright, Lord Bell? Please sit quietly and open your mouth..."

"Ah, yes, I'm sorry... Miss Haruhime."

Chunji, who had come to visit him, had no evil intentions and approached him with concern.

While supporting her left side, Belle gently wiped her mouth with a handkerchief, her face turning red.

Suddenly stopping, Hestia and Lily, who had been beaten to it, stared at the scene—