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

The fairy's suffering didn't end there. Even though she managed to cross over the enemies and reach the route she remembered, a 'door' that shouldn't have existed there before blocked the passage, turning forks into straight paths, or simple forks into crossroads. The ever-changing labyrinthine scenery disrupted the 'escape route' that Ryu barely remembered.

—This was all the work of the 'man'. Because he had set up a deadly trap, 'he' was able to easily end his surveillance on Ryu.

The water striders born in this 'labyrinth' are designed to erase any trace of intruders. Even though they are not strong in combat, the massive swarms that lurk in the darkness are indeed the 'vanguard of the labyrinth'.

(I have the 'key' in my hand, but I don't know the 'direction'!)

Although he tried to escape by randomly opening "doors," the result was either that he would run out of energy and be unable to reach the exit, or that he would be forced into a dead end and face a miserable fate.

Even if she wanted to curse herself for neglecting to make a map, who could have imagined that following the clues of the Dark Faction would lead her to a maze? It was even more unrealistic to prepare the equipment for making a map in advance—her rationality cried out.

Ryu sensed it.

The real threat is not the horde of monsters, but the 'labyrinth' itself.

Realizing that this is a "devil's den" that one cannot attempt to enter alone.

"Aaaaaaah!"

As they hesitated, the monster was closing in.

Ryu is now at a crossroads. Without even knowing where she is, monsters are pouring out from three directions, while in the remaining direction, silence and darkness are spreading.

The only way to escape is towards the latter. However,

(—Very suspicious)

Ryu sensed the presence of a 'trap'.

In fact, it was a trap set by the "man," leading to the depths of the labyrinth, completely opposite to the entrance and exit. At the end of that path, ruthless hunters, unaware of anything, were gathering.

A bead of sweat trickled down Ryu's face as she was forced to make a decision, and then...

"Coo-choo—!?"

"!"

From the dark depths behind, where there were no water striders, something came running along, accompanied by a cute cry.

Seeing the thing rushing towards her in what seemed to be in a panic, Ryu instinctively grabbed it.

"Chirp!?"

"This is... 'Carbonkel'?"

Grasping the soft fur that had accumulated on the back of its head, it cast an appraising gaze, forgetting its current situation.

It has fluffy emerald green fur and a body that resembles a cat.

The protrusion on her forehead was a gemstone, brimming with a beautiful red glow.

This is the rare species that rivals the 'unicorn' in rarity, the 'Carbonkel'.

"..."

"..."

The fairy and the mythical beast locked eyes.

Cabonkel was covered in wounds. It looked as if he had forcibly escaped from his cell, avoiding the gaze of his cruel guards. His round, red eyes were blurry with tears, as if he were saying, "Save me!"... It wasn't impossible. Despite being a monster who was an enemy of humanity, it wasn't impossible that he evoked a protective instinct in people.

Between this person and this creature, a wondrous passage of time is unfolding, and then...

"...Then I'll extract the magic stone and take the 'dropped item'."

"Goo-hoo!?"

The stone on its forehead, known as the "Crystal of Cabonkel," is extremely rare and extremely expensive.

The four-legged monster (it looked like it) was stunned, its mind reeling.

Although she had only done it once, Ryu was indeed an adventurer.

'Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh'

"——!"

"Goo-ya!?"

During this time, the water strider completed the close-range attack.

Ryu suddenly flung the Cabonkel she was holding horizontally. This wasn't out of protection. It was simply because she judged that she couldn't break through the current situation with one hand occupied.

However, the little beast Cabunkel mistakenly thought, "She saved me!" and felt grateful.

Although Ryu was already engaged in a fierce battle, he didn't have the time to check out the strange sight.

(There are so many! Can we break through...?)

Although she whispered incantations to her lips in preparation for her "bombardment," even if she could overcome the current predicament, escaping the labyrinth was uncertain. The number of monsters emerging from the depths of the various passages was steadily increasing. Faced with a "malice" far exceeding that of the underground labyrinth, Ryu was extremely anxious—and that had become her "weak point."

"Puhu wuwuwuwuwuwu!"

「!?」

Dissolving liquid—no, 'Venom'!

The water striders that followed opened their tiny mouthparts and sprayed out a strange purple liquid.

No. There's no way to dodge it. The venom sprays out from the front and both sides, except for the rear, at the crossroads, and everything in the passage is within range. Moreover, its power even engulfs the water striders around Ryu, causing them to scream and fall into a near-death state.

Ryu's face showed bitterness, and he prepared to fight to the death to avoid being shot and wounded.

『——Huuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu! ! 』

「!?」

at that time.

Cabonkel, who should have been thrown aside, stood in front of Ryu, causing the secret crystal on his forehead to glow.

What unfolded next was a "wall of light".

A completely enveloping, emerald-green 'barrier'.

(Carbonkel's Magic Wall—!!)

Even among monsters, Cabonkel is known for his exceptional 'magic power'.

They are also one of the few races capable of manipulating a 'magic barrier' using the secret crystal on their foreheads as a medium. Its strength is no less than that of a high-ranking mage's 'barrier'. Not only are they extremely rare, but the defensive power of their 'magic barrier' and their remarkably agile potential are also the reason why they are called 'mysterious beasts' whose numbers are pitifully small.

(Save me? No, it was the instinct for survival...? I just happened to be within the effective range of the 'barrier'?)

The hemispherical "barrier" covered Ryu along with it, completely keeping the "venom" rain out.

Sparks of light and poisonous smoke surged forth violently, causing not only Ryu but also the water striders to waver.

But Ryu wouldn't let this opportunity slip by. As soon as Cabonkel broke free of the 'barrier,' she transformed into a whirlwind, blowing away the maze's vanguards. Just as the water striders were being smashed to pieces by the chaotic dance of wooden swords, Cabonkel darted through countless legs, heading towards the passage to Ryu's right.

"Coo-choo!"

Then, he turned back and shouted loudly.

It was almost as if they were calling out to Ryu, "This way!"

(Is this also a survival instinct...? Is it a survival instinct?)

She protected herself only to protect Ryu, no, she wanted to use him as a shield.

Ryu understood it this way. Or rather, there was no other way to understand it.

After all, where would you find a monster that would rescue an adventurer?

Hoping for the best, they followed closely behind, the guide Cabonkel sniffing as if trying to catch a whiff of the outside world. They dealt with the attacking water striders one by one, then opened the "door" blocking their path and ran through it at full speed. Cabonkel quickened his pace. The exit must be near. This was undoubtedly the final sprint. However—

"Chirp!?"

As you round the bend in the passageway, what comes into view is a multitude of water striders, water striders, water striders.

Faced with an enemy wall numbering far greater than 50, a number from which there was no way to break through, Cabonkel let out a strange cry, his eyes filled with despair.

"—[Conquering the enemy with the brilliance of a galaxy]"

The 'incantation' attached to the fairy's lips was completed instantly.

During the 'Parallel Chanting,' Ryu's heart remained as firm as a rock. Just as Cabonkel was still in shock from the intense release of magic, she unleashed the 'Bombardment.'

"[The Wind of Light]!"

The continuous barrage of light from the Great Light Jade cannons engulfed the large swarm of water striders lying in ambush. The vanguard soldiers, who didn't even have time to utter their final cries, vanished into the light and wind, clearing the final passage for the fairies and the mysterious beasts.

Seeing the radiant glow of the demonic wind and the spirited figure of the fairy wielding a wooden sword and directing the cannon fire, Cabonkel froze for a moment, then became completely mesmerized. Those eyes made one mistake her for a princess captivated by a treasure more beautiful than her own secret crystal, or even a girl who had encountered a 'fateful encounter'.

"Is the exit just ahead...?"

"ha!?"

Seeing Ryu immediately start running, Cabonkel, who had just come to his senses, quickly caught up with her.

Now, countless water striders are chasing after us from behind, emitting unpleasant cries.

A short while later, a "door" made of the "hardest metal" that seemed familiar to Ryūya appeared deep inside the straight path.

She reached out the 'key' she was holding in one hand, opened the door, and then escaped the maze in one breath.

Then, he shot out the last large luminous orb he had left, destroying the rock wall and heading towards the 18th floor.

"Haa, haa...!"

"Whoosh, whoosh...!"

After entering the forest from the east end of the building and confirming that there were no pursuers, they finally stopped.

Surrounded by the Crystal Forest, Ryu, catching her breath, sighed, "We'll postpone the next attack for now." At least, without thorough preparation and a team of capable and willing companions to share secrets, they might be killed by that 'labyrinth' instead. Caught between the relief of escaping death and the helplessness of defeat, Ryu, her eyes lowered... soon raised her head.

"Coo-choo..."

For some reason, the 'Kabonkel' that escaped from the maze together did not run away, but instead kept an eye on them.

She touched the wooden knife with her hand, and her small body trembled violently in fright.

Ryu met the monster's eyes—then sighed again and removed his hand from the wooden sword hilt.

"Even though it's a monster, I was still saved. Even though we might not speak the same language... You can go now."

While feeling helpless about her deeply ingrained obsessive-compulsive disorder, Ryu decided to release the little beast in front of her.

Cabonkel's face brightened instantly. Then, ignoring Ryu's surprise, he rubbed his face against her boots and licked them with his tongue as if it were 'proof of intimacy'.

After letting out a "Coo-choo!", Kabunkel disappeared into the depths of the forest.

Liu, who had been momentarily at a standstill, seemed to be tired and uttered a private murmur.

"What exactly happened...?"

This happened just ten days before the incident triggered by the "Armed Monster"—when the boy met the dragon girl.

Season 3 Blu-ray Bonus: The Heretic's Letter, Chapter 3

Dear Mr. Bell:

First of all, it was not Winnie who wrote this letter.

Goblin Lettuce. Do you remember me? The one wearing the red hat was me.

This time, I will be writing on behalf of the busy Winnie and the penless Fia. It might make you feel uncomfortable, so please bear with me. We, along with our companions, have various indescribable feelings of longing for Mr. Bell and the members of the Hestia Familia (this more solemn opening than any human's will continue to be upheld in the future).

—Well then, please allow me to change the subject. Could you please hear my request?

Fia and I are currently searching for an adventurer.

On the day the battle took place in that earthly labyrinth, we were saved by that noble person.

That night, we saw a kind of "hope" that was different from what Mr. Bell had seen.

In her view, it was perhaps an unintentional act on a whim.

But for me, it felt like crossing racial barriers—if I had to put it another way, it might be that I gained recognition as a 'warrior,' that's my humble opinion.

It wasn't the friendship and understanding that Fels and his group had been struggling to come up with until now, but rather respect and resonance.

This made me realize that, in addition to our steps to conform, are these things also essential?

Fia and I have not yet expressed our gratitude to her. Therefore, we would like to see her again.

So, if it's possible, could you please tell me her name?

She is an Amazon with long hair and long legs.