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

The werewolf, supported by the Amazonian girl, turned around and left the scene.

It was as if they were averse to the girl's tears, as if they didn't want to hear the girl's cries.

It was as if only at this moment could the girl have some peace and quiet.

The others followed suit and left.

The elves who remained at the scene cried and sang incessantly.

No matter when, no matter where.

She longed for a young girl and sang a song composed of tears.

The white-glowing ashes, as if wanting to stay by the girl's side forever, landed on her slender shoulders and slowly disappeared.

Side Story: Sword Oratoria 12 Afterword

In terms of timeline, episode 12 of the spin-off takes place between episodes 14 and 15 of the main series.

Volume 15 of the main story was released on June 15, 2019, a month earlier than Volume 12 of the spin-off. Actually, I originally wanted to release both books on the same day, and if possible, even release the spin-off first. (Editor's note: This is the Japanese release schedule.)

What I really want to say is that I'm very sorry for the delayed release...!

It's all my fault for failing to follow the planned schedule, which has caused a lot of trouble for everyone involved.

This twelfth episode brings an end to the great battle that has continued since the first episode.

Surprisingly, I have nothing to say here.

I thought that as I faced the final battle, I would be overwhelmed with emotions and would want to take this opportunity to express myself, but I really couldn't think of anything to write. If I had to describe this feeling, it would probably be that I had burned myself out and given it my all.

In terms of "difficult birth," this volume, including all series including the main story and spin-offs, is definitely the most difficult to write, tentatively. During the writing process, I said "This is way too difficult to write!" 177 times. I believe the editor-in-chief also gloated and laughed at me 177 times while I was struggling. It was practically hell.

Rather than saying that this episode was so difficult to produce, I think it's more accurate to say that I went through all sorts of challenges alongside the characters in the show.

This is at least the most massively epic story I've ever read. Even so, the fact that I have other characters I want to explore is less surprising than terrifying. I believe there will never be a war surpassing this one (let's pretend we didn't see the outline of the final volume of this series for now).

This kind of content alone is not enough to satisfy me, so I want to try to touch on one of the characters.

The following content contains spoilers, please be aware.

This can be said to be the first time in the original series that a girl who can be considered one of the heroines faces the moment of "saying goodbye".

Initially, I avoided describing her inner world in this episode. My reason was that I didn't want to write about it. I didn't want to see what her conflicted inner world had become at this moment. If I went into a deeper description, I felt I would become too emotionally invested and unable to extricate myself. Her inner world was indeed so fragmented.

But in the very end, I decided to stick to my opinion and rewrite the final battle.

Describing the protagonist's emotional changes within battle scenes is a fairly common writing technique, but this is the first time I've focused on the enemy's psychological journey. Although it was incredibly challenging, I tried to tap into my inner voice to spark inspiration, but the result left me with deep regret.

But this also allows us to understand how much she cherishes the girl of the same race, and how much salvation she received from their first encounter.

Her actions were indeed "evil," but as the author, I cannot definitively categorize her as either "enemy" or "ally." However, I believe the friendship and aspirations she held in her heart were entirely genuine. After all, she was willing to defy a certain deity with a beautiful appearance but an incurable true nature (this is ultimately just the author's personal opinion) and insist on her own beliefs.

Picking up previous episodes and rereading the scene of their encounter, I realized that it hadn't been described in much detail. Of course, this was to avoid revealing foreshadowing, but thinking about the smile she gave after holding hands made me want to cry. Anyway, I think that's the gist of it.

You've worked hard, please rest well until the day we meet again. — To ensure these words aren't just empty promises, I will continue to keep an eye on the girl who stayed behind.

Next is the thank you speech.

Dear Editor-in-Chief Takahashi and Chief Editor Kitamura, I am very sorry for causing you considerable trouble regarding the progress this time. I also extend my deepest gratitude to Ms. Kaimura Kiyotaka, whose work has been able to reach this stage entirely thanks to her creations of Ais and Lefia. Thank you so much. To everyone who has supported me along the way, I express my deepest thanks.

Most importantly, I want to thank all the readers for supporting this work so far. It is because of your support that this series, which is a spin-off and has an awkward position, has been able to continue. If my work has brought any feedback to the readers, I would be very honored.

The spin-off series "Sword Princess Oratorio" has reached its twelfth episode, which is exactly one segment.

That being said, this work is still scheduled to continue serialization. Considering the timeline of the main story, I plan to give the strongest protagonists here a "vacation," and I hope all readers can wait patiently.

This concludes the third installment of the spin-off series.

The next chapter will be the new chapter: Spirit Awakening.

Thank you all for your unwavering support along the way.

Then I'll take my leave for now.

大森藤ノ

Side Story: Sword Oratoria 12 Illustration

A short story that breaks off the sibling relationship?

The online translation is from the Kingdom of Light

Translation: cleverchm

Image source: uiop031

"Hey, I heard Eina's brother is in great shape!"

It's only just past noon.

The location was the marble hall of the guild headquarters. Eina was sitting at the window handling business when her colleague, Michael Flott, who also worked as a receptionist, spoke to her.

"Younger brother...?"

"That's the adventurer Eina is in charge of! The one with white hair, red eyes, and who looks like a rabbit! Although he's still relatively unknown among adventurers, he's already become the talk of the town among his colleagues!"

Misha, who has been friends with Eina since their school days, has short, cherry-blossom-colored hair. She swayed her petite body excitedly as she talked about the adventurer, Bell Crane, whom Eina was in charge of.

Over the past month, we've witnessed Bell's unstoppable growth, and the number of dungeon floors, which serves as a benchmark of strength, is also rapidly increasing.

The young adventurer's rapid progress was astonishing, just as Michael had said.

"That child is alone, right? Even though he wasn't in a party with other adventurers, he still managed to conquer the dungeon smoothly... He's already reached the 10th floor! Everyone finds it incredible!"

The guild's management office collects information on adventurers and their floor levels, and the latest data is updated in real time, so the guild staff can grasp information such as the adventurers' strength, status, and achievements immediately. Watching Misha's excited discussion, Eina said nothing, instead revealing a bitter expression.

Although the reason is unclear, Bell's growth is simply too fast. Eina hopes that Bell can systematically conquer the dungeons and accumulate experience, so from her perspective, worry outweighs admiration.

Moreover, based on past experience, the smoother the strategy goes, the more likely the dungeon is to become an "abyss".

"If this continues, he'll be able to reach level 13 immediately after he levels up, right?"

"No, I will never let him go to the 'middle management' level right away."

In response to Misha's remarks, Eina narrowed her eyes and gave him a serious warning.

Facing her wide-eyed colleague, Eina continued in a serious tone and with what sounded somewhat overprotective words.

"Even if he's in his growth phase now, whether he can level up or not is irrelevant... Besides, whether he levels up or becomes a mid-level player is still a long way off. Moreover, Bell is inherently prone to getting into danger..."

A while ago, Bell had gone on a crazy stunt to save the girl who was a supporter. Thinking of this, Eina closed her eyes. Then she told Misha, "Anyway, even if he can level up on his own, I will absolutely not let him go to the 'middle level' immediately." Misha smiled wryly and said, "I feel like you've been saying that a lot lately."

"But he'll probably team up with someone else eventually, right? What will you do then? He might just rush from the 13th floor to the 18th floor in one go! And if he reaches a safe floor, Eina's rating (bonus) will definitely go up, right?"

"Haha, impossible, impossible."

This was utterly absurd, and Eina couldn't help but burst into laughter.

then.

The guild headquarters suddenly became lively. Although there weren't many adventurers and staff around, Eina noticed the reaction around her and looked up, only to find a girl standing at the entrance of the hall.

Eina was as shocked as everyone else when she saw this blonde, golden-eyed girl whose beauty rivaled that of a goddess.

The girl seemed to be looking for someone. She made eye contact with Eina and immediately walked over.

"…Wallenstein?"

"Good morning."

Ais Wallenstein, a Level 1 adventurer standing at the window, greeted her.

A few days ago, through the introduction of Riveria of the Loki Familia, Eina met Ais. Now Eina finds it somewhat unbelievable, while Ais seems to have made up her mind and speaks.

"Um, I have something here... I'd like to return it to the adventurer in charge of you, it's this..."

Eina was initially confused, but her doubts vanished when she saw the protective gear Ais had taken out. Emerging from the white cloth was a bright green gauntlet. It was a gift Eina had bought for Bell because she couldn't stand his shabby outfit.

The taciturn Ais awkwardly explained what had happened. Three days earlier, at Eina's request, she went to rescue Bell, who had been caught up in a conflict between girls. It was at that time that he was attacked by orcs on the tenth floor, and his gauntlets were lost there.

She then explained everything that had happened to the boy since the Minotaur incident. After saying this, the girl clasped her hands to her chest and let out a sigh of relief. Seeing her expression, Eina smiled and nodded, replying, "I understand."

"I will give this to Mr. Bell... to Bell Craney. Is there anything else you need me to convey?"

By this time, Misha had already cleverly left, and Ais, who was in front of him, seemed to suddenly become serious—or rather, nervous—and spoke.

"that……"

"?"

"...I think I should just return it to him."

Although she frowned slightly while speaking, Ais still expressed her will.

She wanted to return the protective gear to Bell, who had caused trouble and even injury because of the Minotaur incident, and apologize to him—to offer her sincerest remorse to that rabbit-like boy who kept running away.

Looking at Ais, who was staring straight at her and carefully choosing her words to ask for her help, Eina pushed up her glasses and nodded seriously.

"I understand, and I will help."

"?"

“To prevent him from escaping—no, to ensure he can’t escape—I will make arrangements. I will arrange for you to speak face to face.”

Eina now made the suggestion like a protector, no, more like a caring older sister.

"He really has no manners. I am truly sorry, Mr. Wallenstein, please allow me to apologize for his various rude behaviors."

Bell's extremely rude act of immediately running away upon meeting her angered Eina, while Ais smiled. Looking at Ais, Eina returned the smile and they began discussing what to do next.

"In short, I will lock him in a room, and then as long as I let Wallenstein in, he will really have nowhere to escape."

"Um... is this okay? After all, lying to him like this is a bit..."

"It's okay, it's the only way."

Then, they began planning how, before the Loki Familia's "expedition" began, Eina would lock Bell in the interview room, and then Ais would launch a surprise attack. They were seriously discussing the details of this plan when...

Eina noticed the figure appearing in front of her, behind Ais.

Eina jolted in surprise, and Ais turned around to see him too.

That was the white-haired boy, Bell Craney himself.

"..."

"..."

"..."

As the three of them stood frozen in place, Eina thought to herself, "This is such a terrible time."

In an instant, Bell turned around and began to run.

"Bell-Bell-kun!? Stop right there!"

Eina tried to call out to the boy who was fleeing at all costs, but he didn't turn around at all.

—Honestly, you're giving me nothing but headaches.

While complaining in her heart, Eina shouted to Eina, who was standing still.

"Mr. Wallenstein, hurry and chase after them!?"

Ais only came to her senses when she heard Eina's call.

In the next instant, [Fiora] transformed into the lightning-fast wind, capturing the fleeing rabbit with a force that shocked Eina.

*

"—Bell, you two should have a good talk next."

Bell, his face flushed, pleaded, "Please stay here!?", but Eina said sternly, "Don't you have a lot to say? Then say it all by yourself." With that, she left Ais and the others.

Eina, who had returned to the guild headquarters, kept watch over the two of them in their room.

The boy kept nodding in front of the girl, and Eina's expression finally relaxed.

"Eina, do you have any brothers or sisters?"

Just as Eina was watching over Bell and the others, Misha came over and asked.

"...Yes, I do have a younger sister."

"Why do you ask that?" Eina asked, tilting her head. Michael answered with a smile.