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

While I was about to exclaim in surprise, the adventurer adjusted his glasses with his fingers.

"Shut up, or I'll destroy your throat."

throat!?

I was so frightened that my face turned pale, and I knew perfectly well that this little thing was "a piece of cake" for him.

I trembled like a frightened hare. The other person looked down at me and declared in a calm tone:

"You must come with me. You have no right to refuse."

Faced with this forceful demand that left no room for refusal, I dared not utter a single word.

This is only natural, as the person in front of them possesses exceptional strength that is among the best in this city.

I remember that face.

"Her... Hedin Thranduil..."

His title is [White Elf Wand].

She is also a first-class adventurer of the Freya Familia!

I was brutally kidnapped with lightning speed—but the place I was taken to was unexpectedly near the current headquarters of the Hestia Familia.

This is the sixth district in the southwest of the city.

In a corner of a complex alley, there is a rather elegantly decorated café called "Vision".

"The black tea here is delicious, and I often visit in my spare time."

We found seats inside the store and sat down.

The first-class adventurer who brought me here… Mr. Hedin picked up his porcelain cup and elegantly enjoyed his hot tea, as if nothing had ever happened.

"The key point is that I have some connections with the manager here. And look at this place, it's much more comfortable than those noisy and vulgar restaurants."

As Mr. Hedin said, the once boundless and empty café was now empty except for him, me, and the elfin manager at the bar. This manager, like Mr. Hedin, wore glasses, and he leisurely read a book with an air of indifference. Before we entered, a sign on the door already read "Closed," so it must have all been pre-arranged.

Although small, the café is very clean and decorated with various potted plants. The bookshelves along the wall are filled with many seemingly difficult and heavy books. The entire shop is made of wood, and the first impression certainly suits the tastes of an elf.

Actually, I've been to this coffee shop before, twice in fact.

The first time was to help Miss Haruhime "redeem" herself, and Miss Mikoto met the god Hermes here.

The second time was when Mr. Finn came to me to discuss how to propose to Lily.

However, compared to my previous two visits, I am now extremely nervous.

This is also a matter of course.

Because one of the strongest adventurers, with whom I had absolutely no connection, almost coerced me into coming here.

"Excuse me... why did you bring me here?"

I barely managed to move my tongue, which was almost tied in knots, and asked the question with trepidation.

Mr. Hedin, who was sitting elegantly across the table, placed his porcelain cup on the saucer and then looked at me with his coral-red eyes.

"That goes without saying, it's naturally Lady Seele's business."

I swallowed my saliva awkwardly.

Although I had a premonition of this, I also suspected it was related to this matter.

After all, I received the letter from Miss Herren yesterday.

However, he actually addressed Miss Seele as "Sir"...

"Um, what kind of relationship does Miss Seele have with the Freya Familia?"

Not only Mr. Hedin, but also the high-ranking members of the Freya Familia, including the Goddess Chariot, all seem to have some connection with Miss Seele. Whether it's as a bodyguard or a respectful title... it's as if they treat Miss Seele like a princess.

Who exactly is Miss Seele?

Although I have never delved into her background, the current situation makes it impossible for me to suppress my curiosity.

You don't need to know.

Mr. Hedin's tone was extremely cold.

After he refused to answer my question outright, his sharp, piercing gaze made it almost impossible for me to breathe.

"Besides, what good will it do you to know? Does discovering that she's harboring some secrets change your entire attitude towards her?"

I was quite surprised. No, I was enlightened by someone's words.

That's right... if Miss Seele is indeed related to the Freya Familia.

Will our memories be forever changed?

--No, that's not true at all.

Nothing will change, neither what Miss Seele brought me nor the help she gave me.

"That's not true... I would never do that."

Therefore, I say this with absolute certainty.

My mouth betrayed my frank feelings.

I don't know if this reply will satisfy the other party.

Mr. Hedin simply snorted and made no comment.

"I already know that you received a letter from that person, and that you were chosen by that person to participate in the Goddess Festival, so I will give you a proper evaluation."

He seemed unwilling to waste time and went straight into what appeared to be the topic.

Because Mr. Hedin always spoke with a barbed tongue, making me very nervous, but he said he was coming... to evaluate me?

What does this mean?

“…………”

"W-What's wrong?"

I was quite confused by that unwavering gaze.

Just as Mr. Hedin was staring intently at me, as if trying to pierce through me with his gaze, making me feel flustered—

"Lacking in poise. Hasty in demeanor. A simpleton who's far from being efficient."

“Eh!?”

"Even the wording is offensive and makes it obvious that they lack manners."

“Hmm!?”

"The worst thing about you is your stupidity. Just seeing you sitting in front of me is enough to ignite a nameless fire in my heart. If I were a woman, when I found out that I was going on a trip with you alone, I would definitely spit on your stupid face without caring about my image, to make it clear that I refused."

“Puhuh!?”

Suddenly I was criticized and made to feel worthless!

This is equivalent to being punched several times in the stomach, leaving one bent over in pain. Add to that being verbally abused by a beautiful elf, and it's truly hard to recover!

Mr. Hedin rested his elbows on the armrests of his chair, propped his cheeks up with his hands, and elegantly crossed his long, beautiful legs, "criticizing" me like a high and mighty king, while revealing a look of great disappointment in his eyes.

Ugh, this is so painful! It's so painful that I just want to kill myself!

"...But ultimately it was that person's choice, and I cannot raise any objections."

This sounds like he's talking to himself.

Mr. Hedin adjusted his glasses and began to question the man in an interrogative tone.

"What will you be wearing on the day of the appointment? What are your itinerary plans? Have you already chosen the places to visit?"

"Huh? Huh!?"

"You good-for-nothing! I'm asking you how you plan to please Lady Seele. Is your brain even less intelligent than an animal's?"

I was forced to continue enduring relentless insults.

That's incredibly harsh language! Compared to Lily's scolding, it's nothing! What exactly happened just now?!

No, no, compared to this...!

"Wait a minute! I haven't agreed to go on a date with Seele yet...!?"

"Are you crazy? You have no choice but to accept this honor with tears in your eyes."

"Accept it with tears in my eyes!?"

"If you really have to say what your only remaining option is, it is to give Lady Seele the ultimate happiness in this mortal realm, or to bring her eternal pleasure."

"It doesn't matter which one you choose, right!?"

This option is so unreasonable!

Just as I was feeling utterly bewildered by this unprecedented situation, Mr. Hedin suddenly put on a stern face.

"If—and I'm just saying hypothetically—if you dare refuse that lord's invitation—I will wipe out the Hestia Familia, including you."

"Eee ...

A cold-blooded declaration, screams echoing throughout the store, and the unmoved elf shopkeeper continuing to read his book.

This must be what it felt like for the villagers to be executed before the throne. I turned ashen-faced with terror, as if I were about to face the end of the world.

The way the white elf swaggered into his chair and uttered those harsh words was almost indistinguishable from that of a tyrant.

This person is serious; he genuinely intends to do this!

The strongest faction in the city will mobilize all its members to wipe me (and the immortals) off the face of the earth!

I had no choice but to accept it!!

I haven't even spoken to Miss Seele in person yet, but I've already been forced to accept this date!

"That person's wish is equivalent to the goddess's will."

Mr. Hedin said to me, whose expression had been constantly changing since the beginning:

"Therefore, we will do everything in our power to fulfill her wish. Even if it displeases her, we will act on our own behind her back."

These words were like a declaration, and also like an attempt to block my way out.

I was so scared that I broke out in a cold sweat.

An unprecedented sense of crisis welled up from the bottom of my heart.

However, I have my own "aspirations," and I have goals that I want to catch up with.

If I accept this date without making things clear first—I feel like it would be really bad!

I feel like I'm about to make an irreparable mistake...!

"Um, actually, I already have someone I like—!!"

The next moment.

With lightning speed, his right hand grabbed my face again.

「!?」

"Don't make me say the same thing again, you stupid rabbit. On the day of the date, you can only look at Lady Seele. You're not allowed to think about other women, or even have any other face in your mind. You must abandon all evil thoughts, only think about her, only try to make her happy, and live your life with her as the center."

I was lifted off the chair. To be precise, my feet were dangling in the air, and I was lifted into the air.

I struggled like a rabbit with its ears grabbed—it was all in vain!

Mr. Hedin also rose from his seat, bowed slightly, and uttered a speech that sounded almost morbid.

Then he flicked his hand to the side, and I groaned and rolled on the ground.

When I looked up again, I saw an elf, far more terrifying than any monster, staring down at me with eyes as cold and sharp as blades.

"This won't do at all. Simply evaluating you isn't enough. I'm going to completely 'reform' you, from your mindset to how you should lead conversations with ladies."

"Modification!?"

"There are still five days until the Goddess Festival, so be prepared to work non-stop."

"But... but I still have things to take care of with my [Family] members...!?"

"Fool, how can a mere companion be compared to Lady Seele?"