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

"Huh? Is that... Bell?"

Hermes, who was strolling along the street after accepting Asphie's suggestion, happened to witness this scene.

A white-haired boy, dressed differently from his usual self and in a different atmosphere, making him almost unrecognizable, was strolling down the street with a girl in his hand.

"What? Look at how carefully he dressed up, and he's with a girl by his side! It's like they're on a date!"

"Hormes, please don't go and cause trouble because you're too excited."

Asphie, looking somewhat helpless, gave the playful God some instructions while carefully observing the scene before her.

"The person next to Bell Craney, I remember, is the 'Mistress of Abundance'..."

Halfway through her sentence, Asphie realized something was wrong.

Hermes, who was excitedly planning to prank someone, suddenly stopped.

To be precise, his expression froze as soon as he saw the light gray-haired girl next to Bell.

"It's not Hestia or Ais... it has to be Seele?"

"Your words... seem rather hurtful?"

Asphie frowned at Hermes's thoughts, but was also puzzled by his unusually surprised reaction.

Both of them were dressed up, and more importantly, the atmosphere they exuded was different from usual. Hermes seemed quite shaken—no, more like terrified—after learning that they were "really" dating.

"Hey... is this really okay?"

Hermes murmured in astonishment, then turned to look at the central square.

Look towards the direction of the "Tower of Abundance" where the goddess resides.

"Hmm, hmm... phew~"

Ais is eating.

With a slightly melancholy expression, she took a fried potato ball from the paper bag in her hand and put it in her mouth as she walked.

Ais, feeling somewhat saddened by the many events that occurred at the Elegy Festival, decided to eat her way through every potato ball shop in the city in order to cheer herself up.

"Pumpkin-flavored potato balls... I initially thought it was some kind of weird or unorthodox method, but they actually taste pretty good... Hmm."

Ais's plan to sweep away the gloom was largely successful. After eating the limited-edition flavored potato balls that were only available during the Goddess Festival, Ais couldn't help but let out a satisfied sigh.

at this time.

She happened to meet Bell and Seele.

"...Huh?"

Ais screamed in a strange manner, losing her composure.

Faced with Belle's obvious disguise and Seele's adorable appearance, Ais, who had a potato ball in her mouth, took a beat to come to her senses.

"Miss Ais...!"

In contrast, Bale's entire face froze.

Compared to the boy whose face flushed red and then turned pale, completely panicking, the girl beside him remained calm and composed.

Huh? Bell?

He looks different than usual? Is he dressed up specially? He seems particularly handsome?

He was walking with a female bartender? It looked like they were alone together?

—And the two were holding hands.

These questions flashed through my temporarily frozen mind.

The two people in front of me, yes, they looked like a couple.

As Ais was still confused as to why she was stunned, Bell anxiously prepared to explain—but his right hand was grabbed by Seele.

"Hello, Lady [Sword Maiden], I never expected to meet you here. As you can see, we're on a date!"

「!?」

Seeing Seele smile brightly and lean gently against the boy, Ais stared in astonishment.

"Wait, Miss Seele!?" Despite Bell's scream, Ais couldn't hear her at all.

"We're getting ready to buy gifts for the kids! Right, darling?"

"Who are you calling Darling!? And aren't the kids you mentioned Rye and the others!?"

A child!? The two of them!? The fruit of their love!?

These two have actually developed a relationship that's even deeper than that of lovers!?

"!?!?!?!"

Ais is in a state of confusion!

She was stunned, as if struck by lightning, with a potato ball still in her mouth. Meanwhile, Seele had already pulled Bell away. The boy could only weakly shout, "Miss Seele~!!" before disappearing into the crowd.

An indescribable emotion washed over Ais, who stood frozen in place.

If I had to describe it, it would be like the feeling of desolation you get when your beloved little white rabbit, which you've been secretly raising without your parents' knowledge, is suddenly kidnapped.

"Miss Warren standing there!!"

"...!! Hestia, the goddess?"

While Ais was still standing there dumbfounded, a noisy shout came from behind her.

Looking back, she saw Hestia, dressed in a bar uniform, running towards her.

"Have you seen my Bell!?"

“Eh…”

"Because my most prized Bel is now a Level 2 Adventurer, and quite famous! Plus, he's so adorable! So, by asking around along the way, I can easily get several eyewitness accounts, which I'll use to track down his whereabouts!"

Despite no one asking questions, Hestia began explaining the whole story on her own. As if she had just stayed up all night, she was extremely excited—or rather, she was inexplicably agitated from being overwhelmed by the grueling work at the bar—and gave Ais a thumbs up.

Perhaps, as she explained, she had inquired her way here. Hestia's shoulders heaved as she gasped for breath.

"So! Did you see my Belle, looking like a loving couple on a date!?"

"...He, he and the bartender...went that way, arm in arm..."

"What did you say?! He was not only holding hands with her like a couple, but they were also linking arms like a pair of silly lovers?! Why didn't you separate them?! What kind of Miss Warren is this?!"

"Eh... Oh... I'm sorry..."

Naturally, he was terrified by the goddess's roar.

"In that case, you'll come with me to chase after Bell and the others! The enemy is stronger than we thought; for now, we can only take a temporary break and stand on the same side to fight them together!"

"Ah, yes."

Ais nodded in agreement without even realizing it.

As if to say "Great!", Hestia suddenly reached into the paper bag in Ais's arms, took out an energy booster pill, and stuffed it into her mouth.

Ais let out a sad "Ah," and the little goddess, who had successfully replenished her nutrients, raised her fist high to the sky.

"Let's go! Miss Warren... let's take Bell back from Miss Seele!"

Hestia took off running, and Ais, who was a beat slower to react, quickly chased after her.

Ais was still confused, but thought it would be better to chase after her.

Ultimately, she still couldn't figure out her own feelings, and unexpectedly joined forces with Hestia to start tracking Bell and the others.

"P-Please wait a moment, Miss Seele!"

I let out another pathetic cry.

As if trying to avoid the limelight for a while, we turned from the main road into one of the alleys.

Miss Seele finally let go of my hand after hearing my protest as I was being pulled forward.

"Is there anything I can help you with, Mr. Bell?"

"And you actually asked me why I said that!? And of all times, in front of Miss Ais...!"

"Did I say something wrong? I am indeed on a date with you, Mr. Bell."

"That's true!"

But I always felt that Miss Seele deliberately said some things that could be easily misunderstood...!

When Miss Seele saw that I looked like I had something to say but couldn't express, she sadly lowered her brows.

"So, you really prefer to be with Lady [Sword Maiden] rather than me?"

"As expected"...?

I couldn't understand what that sentence meant for a moment, and I completely panicked.

Not knowing how to answer the question—no, unable to give an answer at all—I hastily spoke in an attempt to bluff my way out.

"Because my master never instructed me on how to handle encountering Miss Ais..."

As soon as these words came out.

Miss Seele shuddered.

"Master...? Guidance...?"

what……

Oh no, I promised my master I wouldn't let Miss Seele find out about this...!

I quickly covered my mouth with my hand to stop myself from saying the wrong thing. Miss Seele stared at me intently, then smiled.

"Mr. Bell, did you really prepare this outfit yourself?"

"W-What?"

"Your taste in this outfit is almost exactly the same as someone I know."

Guilty.

His name was Hedin.

Feeling guilty.

"Could it be that Mr. Hedin gave you advice on how to date—"

This speculation was spot on, like a sharp spear piercing me.

Not knowing how to deny or defend myself, I was so nervous that I broke out in a cold sweat.

Seeing this, Miss Seele sighed helplessly.

"I see. I found it strange. Mr. Bell's reactions today were completely unlike the person I know. It turns out they were the work of Mr. Hedin."

"Uh, that's not how it is! While that's true in principle, Mr. Hedin wanted you to have a pleasant date...! That's why I asked him for advice...!!"

I stretched out my hands and began to explain what had happened.

There was no room for negotiation, so I reverted to my usual way of speaking. Miss Seele, who was staring at me with half-open eyes, turned her back to me, seemingly quite angry.

I kept apologizing to my master in my heart, and to convey my feelings, I said aloud:

"I feel the same way! To repay you for always taking such good care of me! I hope to make you happy and keep you laughing and having fun on our date today!"

Did I manage to convey my feelings?

Miss Seele glanced back at me first, then smiled.

That gentle gaze didn't seem to indicate that he was truly angry.

"Then, I will forgive you if you grant me one request."

"Please, request...? What is it?"

Since the truth had already been revealed, I was terrified that I would be punished by my master immediately. I asked Miss Seele with trepidation.

She turned and our eyes met—closing the distance between us to zero.

"Eeee!?"

Miss Seele hugged me tightly.