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

Page 1219

When I realized my abilities were far inferior to that of the unattainable beauty, she comforted me, saying, "It doesn't necessarily have to be risky." When I participated in the war game, she gave me a talisman. When I was disheartened by the heretic incident, she so gently embraced me.

I will remember all of this.

I received many things from her.

Therefore, I want to repay her as much as possible.

Even though I've never understood what dating is—I still want to do everything I can to win her over.

"...I understand. Please take me to where you wish to go, Mr. Bell!"

Miss Seele stopped and gave me a gentle smile.

I was very happy and smiled back, blushing.

"Since it's quite a distance, let's take a horse-drawn carriage there."

So we came to the road where horse-drawn carriages often came and went.

After I waved, a lightweight two-wheeled carriage equipped with built-in shock absorbers stopped, unlike the cheap carriages commonly found in Orario that are simply covered wagons for carrying passengers. In fact, regular carriages are quite bumpy, and these shock absorbers cushioned the ride, preventing sore bottoms. Of course, this knowledge also came from my master, who strictly instructed me to choose at least this type of carriage for Miss Seele, or he wouldn't let her off easily.

If I were traveling alone, I could simply walk, but since I'm going with Miss Seele, it would be more appropriate to take a carriage. Even though a high-class carriage is quite expensive, one shouldn't be stingy with money on a date. Besides, I've earned plenty of funds through my master's special training.

The coachman sat in the high-ceilinged back seat of this carriage, which was unlike any other, and drove forward with a crack of the whip.

Although the car is small for easy steering, the comfortable seats are just big enough to accommodate two people.

Perhaps I'm being too sensitive, but the carriage was so ornately decorated that I could feel the stares of others the whole way. Maybe it was because I was sitting next to a beautiful and refined woman that I attracted so much attention.

The carriage did not go directly through the central square, but instead traveled through the southwest district toward its destination. This route made it impossible for the carriage to completely eliminate the bumps caused by the road surface. Whenever the carriage swayed and Miss Seele and I bumped into each other's shoulders, we would look at each other and laugh shyly.

"Miss Seele, please take my hand."

"thank you."

I got out of the car first, and then reached out to help Miss Seele.

After getting off the carriage, we arrived at the main avenue in the eastern district.

Even though it wasn't as crowded as the "bustling area" to the south, it was still incredibly lively. The amphitheater used for the monster festival seemed to be hosting an event, with cheers constantly emanating from it.

I took Miss Seele's hand and turned from the main road into the alley.

This alleyway was also imbued with the festive spirit, filled with various flowers and decorations.

"Eh? Where is this..."

Miss Seele looked around as if she had noticed something.

Soon after, we passed through the alley.

"Ah, it's Brother Bell!"

"And Seele too!"

Many children greeted us with smiles.

"Lai? Fina?"

"Wow~ Sister Seele looks so beautiful~!"

"What?! Big Brother Bell dressed up specifically to look cool!"

"They are truly not to be underestimated..."

“Ahahaha…”

As Miss Seele was surprised, the dog-woman Fina, the human Rai, and the half-elf Xiaolu were the first to run to our side.

The children at the orphanage welcomed our arrival from the bottom of their hearts.

"Oh, Mr. Bell, I didn't expect you to actually come."

"Hello, Ms. Maria."

Ms. Maria, who is the director of the orphanage and also cares for Ray and the others like a mother, also came to welcome us.

This is near the entrance to "Daedalus Road".

After descending the wide staircase connecting to the entrance, residents of the slum set up stalls along this walkway. To be precise, it was a flea market held for the Goddess Festival.

The orphanage where Ray and his friends lived also had stalls here.

"Fina, what does your shop sell?"

"Um... ale!"

I was so shocked that I burst out laughing.

Fina burst into laughter upon seeing this, and indeed there were several wooden barrels beside her.

The wine will flow out as soon as you turn on the tap.

"The dwarf uncle said that the best-selling item at the festival is ale! We even helped with making the ale back then!"

"Ray said smugly. Behind him, a slightly drunk dwarf who also seemed to live on Daedalus Road, grinned broadly and gave us a thumbs-up. Indeed, everyone drinks to celebrate festivals, so some people have been secretly drinking since childhood…Ray and the others probably haven't been sneaking a drink, have they?"

"Want a drink? Want one?" The children, their faces full of anticipation, began promoting their wares. I gave a wry smile and politely declined. After all, I wasn't in a good mood for drinking while on a date with Miss Seele, and I was also worried that doing so would anger my master and trigger a magical attack...

Soon after, the children were vying to get our attention.

Fina held Miss Seele's hand, while Ray wrapped his arms around my waist, and Lu clung tightly to my arm like a spoiled younger brother (or sister?). The other children happily pulled us around, giving us almost no time to catch our breath.

"These are wheat cakes baked in someone else's stone oven!"

"Sister Seele, Brother Bell, please have some..."

Besides alcohol, their stall also sold unevenly shaped, golden-brown cookies and fried snacks made from vegetables grown by the orphanage itself. I did buy some, and perhaps because Fina and the others had made them themselves, I found the food especially delicious. Ms. Maria stood gently to the side, watching the children play with us just as they had when we first visited the orphanage.

Actually, because of the "heretic" incident, I broke Ray's and the others' hearts.

They even kept me at arm's length for a time.

So I'm really glad to be able to share my joy with these children again.

"Sister Seele, let's dance together!"

"...Okay, sure!"

Perhaps emboldened by the wine, the slum dwellers, emboldened by the alcohol, took out their old musical instruments. Even though their impromptu performances were somewhat off-key, the joyful melodies inspired the mixed-race demi-human girls to invite Miss Seele to dance on the main street.

And so everyone began to dance the unique folk dance of the maze street.

They formed a circle, singing the nursery rhyme I had heard when I first came to the orphanage, and began to dance.

Miss Seele had a gentle smile on her face.

Perhaps describing that smile as kind would be a more accurate description.

She took the children's hands and danced with them. When the little Amazonian girl hugged her from behind, Miss Seele pretended to be angry, then turned around and hugged the girl tightly. I stood a little distance away, squinting, admiring her genuine smile.

Just like what I saw the other day, that wasn't the side of Miss Seele that she usually shows when she works as a bartender, but another side that I didn't know about.

I really want to see that innocent side of her again.

"Big Brother Bell~!"

"No, Fina, Mr. Bell wants to rest a bit more."

Fina, full of energy, gave me a big hug as I stood alone by the roadside.

"Please have some," Ms. Maria said gently to Fina before handing me a glass of freshly squeezed juice.

I readily accepted the wooden cup containing the juice.

"Thank you for coming, but is it really alright for you two to be here alone...?"

"Please don't say that, Ms. Maria. Actually, I have thought about it a lot... but I believe Miss Seele will have a lot of fun here with you."

Ms. Maria, who had initially looked guilty, smiled gently after hearing my heartfelt words, and then thanked me again. Looking at that motherly smile, I replied in a slightly mature manner, "That's what I should say."

"Big Brother Bell, you look so handsome today!"

Fina happily wagged her creamy-colored little tail, rubbed her cheek against my belly, and looked up at me.

Being praised like that to my face made me feel a little embarrassed.

"Sister Seele is the same! She's wearing an incredibly cute bra! I could feel it even through her clothes when I hugged her just now! I'm sure it's her secret weapon!"

Is Fina some kind of lingerie expert?

"Big Brother Bell! Where are you planning to take Sister Seele to spend the night tonight?"

"What are you talking about!?"

Seeing me panic and exclaim in surprise, Fina's eyes lit up as she continued to press for answers.

Does this child really understand what he's asking...?

"Isn't today the harvest festival? Maria's mom told me that this is the day when many people are given babies!"

My cheeks twitched, and my face turned bright red.

In the blink of an eye, "Fina!?" Ms. Maria displayed a speed that would astound even adventurers, covering the innocent child's mouth with her hand.

"Hmm~!?" Ms. Maria, blushing, ignored Fina's struggles and let out an embarrassed "Ah, ahahahaha" laugh. I could only awkwardly laugh along.

An awkward atmosphere permeated the scene.

After all, that kind of situation is impossible... It's completely beyond my imagination.

My face was still flushed, and I couldn't help but glance at Miss Seele—

“Ah!”

One of the little boys who was dancing accidentally fell down.

Moreover, the fall was quite severe; his scraped wrist was bleeding slightly.

"Oxin!"

Lei exclaimed in surprise.

The pleasant performance was temporarily interrupted.

Tears welled up in Osin's large eyes, threatening to spill over—

Miss Seele walked forward faster than Ms. Maria and I.

She helped Osin up.

"Are you alright, Osin?"

"Seele... Sister...!"

"Your wound looks so painful, you must really want to cry, right? But don't worry, your older sister knows a spell that can make you smile instantly."

After Miss Seele finished speaking, kneeling on the ground, she hugged the little boy into her arms.

She held Oshin gently, not caring that her clothes got dirty as a result.

Osin tried desperately to stop her tears, but she still cried in Miss Seele's arms.

Miss Seele raised her fair hand and gently stroked Osin's back, patting it lightly.

"Cry, cry."

You, who are sad, are not there.

Crimson tears and dazzling gold were scattered throughout the garden.

Please lead us with unprecedented brilliance.

Laugh, laugh.

I believe that one day we will meet again.

Miss Seele slowly wove a lullaby-like "incantation" from her mouth.

Everyone present was captivated by this scene and remained mesmerized for a long time.