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

Page 1216

Demeter tossed her honey-colored hair, opened her arms as if to embrace the sky, and exclaimed:

"I offer thanks for the bounty of the earth—I hereby declare the Goddess Festival officially open!"

Wow!

Cheers erupted throughout the city.

Thunderous applause erupted, and upon closer inspection, it became clear that the management was also simultaneously launching fireworks. Mages from other factions appeared to be assisting, firing tri-colored fireworks composed of flames, ice crystals, and lightning, the explosions accompanied by rising white smoke. While children danced with joy, cheers echoed throughout Orario after the opening ceremony. Whether it was the Stock Exchange, the Red Mansion, or even the newly renovated slum "Daedalus Road," everything was bustling with activity.

The "Goddess Festival" begins and ends with the announcement of the Goddess of Fertility.

The goddess who delivers the opening address each year is Demeter, who oversees the city's main agriculture.

There is no other goddess qualified to announce the Harvest Festival than the one who brought the bountiful harvest to Orario. The Demeter Familia, utilizing the fruits of the year, brings joy and vitality to the entire city.

This is a wonderful day that would make anyone happy and laugh heartily.

A bountiful feast thus begins.

"That's truly spectacular..."

The cheers that could be heard throughout the city without having to strain my ears filled me with admiration.

This is my first time participating in the "Goddess Festival" and my first time experiencing Orario's Harvest Festival.

It would be a lie to say I wasn't looking forward to the festival held in the labyrinthine city hailed as the "center of the world."

The pleasant melodies brought by the orchestral instruments must have been created by the bards.

It was as if urging people to seize the time and enjoy the festival to the fullest.

(I really want to enjoy the Goddess Festival... but there's another equally important event waiting for me.)

Excitement and tension each accounted for half of the feeling.

If I had to describe how I feel right now, this would be about it.

I stood before the bronze statue of the goddess, patiently waiting for her to come and keep our appointment.

"Still haven't seen Miss Seele..."

Right now, I am in "Amor Square".

The square's surface was paved with colorful stone slabs, complemented by potted plants made of various flowers, adding a touch of glamour to the scene. Looking around, aside from myself, the vast majority of people were couples walking together, clearly in love.

The fairy wanted to invite me to dinner before, and they also wanted to meet at this place (but I couldn't make it because the goddess and others were chasing me). As for the café "Vision" that I went to a while ago, it's actually in this area. In the letter Miss Seele sent, or rather, the second letter, she specified that we should meet at this square.

"Did I come too early...? No, no, I have to trust my master's teachings."

I felt restless because of the romantic atmosphere around me, and at the same time, I tried to suppress my unease.

I recalled the words spoken by Mr. Hedin, whom I respectfully called "Master," during that brief period of hellish life—a five-day intensive training.

"If I need to remind you again now, you are truly incredibly foolish. However, the so-called war had already begun long before we agreed to meet."

My mentor, whose teaching style was even stricter than Miss Eina's, spoke with the sharpness of a scolding for a dull student, instructing me as I, despite my disheveled appearance, maintained my upright sitting posture.

"The hierarchical relationship between men and women can change depending on whether you decide to arrive early, late, or on time. This is more complex and profound than how adventurers cope with crises."

"Is it... more complicated than how adventurers respond to crises...? Please, what is the correct answer!?"

"There is no right answer. Just as there are vastly different ways to deal with different monsters, the options will increase significantly depending on your and your partner's personalities, or different combinations. Even the weather on the day and the environment of the agreed location will have an impact."

"Even climate and environment are affected...!?"

Faced with so many factors, I turned pale with fright.

It seems that the complexity of this part is indeed far beyond the adventurers' "crisis response methods".

Dating is indeed a war... no, dating is a maze!!

Incidentally, I always felt that my master, seeing my hopeless inexperience with relationships between men and women and realizing my complete lack of understanding in this area, used knowledge related to dungeons or adventurers as analogies to explain things. The results of this were astonishing, and even I was surprised by my own enlightenment.

But for some reason, my master gave me a disdainful look and called me "you adventure addict." Why?

"After all, even when you meet someone, you have to make good use of your skills and adaptability—but in your case, using those tricks would just be a waste of time."

"what?"

"The reason is that it doesn't suit your personality. Besides, the target is Lady Seele, and half-baked psychological warfare will only be seen through and lose points, so just rely on your straightforward, almost foolish, attitude to fight back."

"What...does it mean?"

"No matter what, we must arrive at the agreed location before Lady Seele, whether it's an hour or three hours early, as long as we can make a good first impression as the embodiment of innocence."

My master, like a brilliant strategist, elegantly pushed up his glasses and told me his "strategy" for this situation.

"The tactic you should adopt at the Goddess Festival is to 'strike first,' and you must thoroughly implement this principle."

The time has come now.

Having received some guidance, I followed the instructions and arrived at "Amor Square" five hours early to be fully prepared.

The increasingly questioning gazes that seemed to ask when I had appeared here made me feel increasingly ashamed.

To calm myself down, I took several deep breaths before Miss Seele arrived.

Just you wait, I will not let my master's special training go to waste.

The important thing is that if this date doesn't end perfectly, we won't see the sun rise tomorrow.

I will protect the Hestia Familia...!

"—Mr. Bell!"

The call that came at that moment was like the sound of a gong signaling the start of a duel.

To prepare for this moment, I turned around—but for a moment I forgot to breathe.

The reason was that Miss Seele had changed into an outfit I had never seen before and ran towards me.

Miss Seele wore a dress that seemed specially prepared for this date. The skirt reached about knee-length, revealing her long, beautiful legs, which were very eye-catching. The ribbon that replaced the belt around her waist further accentuated her shapely waist. She also wore a cute short knitted cardigan on top and flat shoes that suited her beautiful legs perfectly.

She wasn't wearing makeup, yet she looked far more elegant and beautiful than usual.

A pair of earrings could be vaguely seen beneath her long, light gray hair swaying with her movements. The thought that Miss Seele never wore earrings made my heart flutter.

To put it bluntly, I was just like a fool, staring at Miss Seele.

"You're here really early! I made sure to leave home well before our agreed time."

Miss Seele seemed to have deliberately quickened her pace, so her breathing was a little rapid and her cheeks were slightly flushed.

She took out a pocket watch from her small handbag to check the time, then smiled gently at me.

So cute, she's just too cute.

I was completely stunned, and all I could think of was this stupidity. I couldn't say a word for a long time.

"...Speaking of which, Mr. Bell, your outfit..."

Miss Seele opened her eyes wide with curiosity and carefully examined my attire.

The outfit I'm wearing for my date is what you'd call "fully armed."

A plain shirt paired with a cropped vest.

Then add a blush-colored coat.

He also wore a tie.

My lower body consisted of trousers and leather shoes. Anyone familiar with my usual attire would surely stare in astonishment as Miss Seele. Actually, I was also wearing a pair of white gloves.

This kind of all-over attire might remind people of a gentleman or a butler.

It might also give people the impression that it "closely aligns with the preferences of elves".

But that's only natural, since my master chose this outfit for me.

I usually only wear armor and combat suits, and in my master's eyes, I'm a boorish person with no taste in clothing—actually, I believe that spending money on clothes contributes nothing to the faction's development—my master first spat at this, then berated me, "You piece of trash, do you want Lady Seele to experience both disappointment and disillusionment at the same time?" Since there's not much time left before the "Goddess Festival," my clothing choices are completely left to my master's discretion.

In addition, the hairstyle has also changed slightly, with some of the bangs combed straight back.

I realized my outfit was very different from what I used to wear, so I couldn't help but ask myself:

"Will...will that be strange?"

"Huh? Oh, no, that's not it. But... it's the first time I've seen you dressed like this... so I'm a little surprised..."

After regaining her senses, Miss Seele waved her hands, which she had raised to her chest, slightly.

Looking at my face, I always felt it looked a bit rosy.

Faced with such a reaction, I, who had been completely captivated, finally calmed down a little.

Just as I had the impression that I had "never seen Miss Seele dressed like this before," it seems she felt the same way.

"Hmm~ Mr. Bell looks quite different from usual, but this look is... no, it suits you quite well... yet it feels like someone has seen through you. I hope you will change into this outfit..."

Unlike Miss Seele, who was stroking her chin and muttering to herself, I was struggling to fight off my increasingly violent heartbeat.

My master once reminded me to "thoroughly implement the principles".

It also warned me that if I missed my "first chance," my personality, which is as childlike as my inability to shake off shame, would make it impossible for me to take the initiative again.

This principle is "preemptive strike".

I followed the teachings and mustered the courage to reach out my hand.

"Miss Seele, let's go."

"what?"

"Let's go to the Goddess Festival together."

Miss Seele looked at my outstretched hand and stopped moving for the moment.

Am I laughing right now?

Did you not look too stiff from being too nervous?

"Please hold my hand." -- I desperately suppressed the burning sensation within me that was enough to set my ears on fire.

Looking directly into Miss Seele's eyes, he made this suggestion.

Miss Seele seemed taken aback by my words and froze.

She showed an expression I had never seen before.

"………………Okay, okay."

Those pale gray eyes darted back and forth between my face and my hands.

After a while, Miss Seele timidly placed her hand on mine.

Miss Seele is indeed very embarrassed right now.

Although she immediately lowered her head to hide it, it was still clear that a blush, like a flower, bloomed on her fair cheeks.

To be honest, I was just as overwhelmed as I was. Feeling the touch of her palm and soft fingers, I desperately tried to control my wildly beating heart, then gently took her hand and slowly started walking.

The world, which was originally in turmoil, seemed to stand still at this moment.

We always felt like everyone around us was staring at us.

No, that's just an illusion. It must be true, so let's get moving!

I need to work harder!

"ah."

"Strike first, strike first"—I stopped in my tracks, desperately trying to recall my master's teachings.

I haven't said the most crucial sentence yet.

Miss Seele turned around in surprise when I suddenly stopped. I looked into her pale gray eyes and said:

"Miss Seele looks so beautiful today, she's so cute!"

I was incredibly shy.

I could only hide my feelings with a smile and put them into words.

This time, it was obvious that Miss Seele's cheeks were flushed.