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

Bell: "...Yes! I promise, I will protect Winnie and everyone no matter what."

Welf: "Ah... although it went a bit too far, isn't it just fine this way?"

"Yes, Miss Winnie has understood, she now understands what family and clan truly mean."

Hestia: "Heh... Heh heh, I got tricked in the end."

Winnie: "Let's play house one more time!"

Lily: "Hmm?"

Winnie: "This time, everyone is family and friends!"

Lily: "Seriously... there's just no way around it."

The order was "We must go together!"

Welf: "In that case, I'll play along to the end~"

Hestia: "Then I'll definitely play the role of a god~"

Haruhime: "Then, Lady Winnie must be the youngest sister."

Bell: "Let's begin, Winnie!"

Winnie: "Mmm~! We'll always be family!"

~fin~

Volume 17 Prologue SUPER ORARIO PRG

Taiwanese version from Angel Anime Forum

Void Literature Guild × Angel Anime Input Group

Image source: Book Lovers' Club

Input: kid

Have you ever heard of "role-playing"?

This involves having someone play a role or impersonate someone else.

In this way, one can become someone who is not oneself in one's imagination or dreams, and enjoy a fictional experience.

However, for the gods (us), this is not so superficial as to be labeled as "fictional".

It started as just a "game".

Like other gods, I was almost killed by boredom, so I went down to the mortal realm.

Establish a clan there.

Travel around the world.

Bound to Orario.

Conquer the dungeon.

After enjoying all the entertainment in the lower realm, I still felt bored.

The "unknown" that excites us doesn't appear endlessly; instead, the excitement diminishes as it becomes "known," and the days become increasingly dull and monotonous. Seeing my family grow is joyful, and my heart is filled with love for those children. These words are utterly sincere. But I don't know when it started, I've become just like I was when I was in the heavens—bored with life.

Therefore, I suddenly became interested in the "games" of the gods (Zeus).

That is "role-playing".

Some gods can completely eliminate their "divine power," hiding the proofs of their divine status and disguising themselves as inhabitants of the lower realm, blending into the common people and living as children. It can be said that they have given themselves another identity, temporarily forgetting their divine identity to enjoy life in the lower realm.

They alter their own personality and voice, impersonating another person to observe the children's lives.

It's easy to make fun of this behavior by saying "you have really weird quirks," but I eventually couldn't stand the utter boredom of my life, so I started to get involved in this "game."

To pass the time, I chose the role of "city girl" based on my interests.

In this way, the "real name" and "experience" I obtained from the girl (Helen) can come in handy.

The magic the girl acquired was the "only magia".

This move has a very interesting "side effect".

Using divine blood (ichor) as a medium, it connects with the goddess (me), and through divine power, it creates the "girl" appearance that I once used in the heavens.

In the heavens, the male god (Zeus) is also a renowned deity skilled in transformation; besides the bull and the white bird, he can even transform into rain. Even the most disliked god (Odin) is no less impressive. All the gods possess a variety of different forms.

My transformation into a "girl" is similar to these situations. In the heavens, to avoid being surrounded by the gods as soon as I stepped outside, I often sneaked out of the temple not as the goddess of beauty (Freya).

Having successfully transformed into a "girl" without violating the rules of "Arcanum," I couldn't help but laugh. I entrusted my identity as a "goddess" to the girl (Herren) with whom I had made a contract, so that she could repay me in this way.

The thought of the "unknown" below is truly frightening.

The girl (Helen)'s desire to "become a goddess" completely surpasses that of her followers (Ota).

This power successfully summoned the gods—no, it made the gods descend to earth. Besides the desire for the "goddess (Freya)," it may also contain the wish to become a "happy girl (Seele)."

The key point is that exchanging "real names" has very significant meaning.

A name represents a person.

Therefore, it is perhaps inevitable that when I acquire the identity of "girl (Seele)," I can also recreate the appearance of a girl.

In short, I obtained an "appearance (magic)" that is very advantageous when "role-playing", which can also be called a "mask (prop)".

And so my "girl (Seele)" began.

I agreed to allow Mia, a member of the family who had frequently requested retirement, to leave the [Family] under certain conditions, in exchange for me working at her tavern. Although Mia immediately gave me a sour look.

During the time I eliminated my divine power and transformed into a "girl (Seele)," all of the goddess's miscellaneous duties were handled by Heron.

Heron can transform into a goddess (Freya) and a girl (Seele) through secret arts, but I agree that she should only be allowed to transform into the latter very rarely.

The girl gratefully took over the duties of the goddess (Freya)—watching her complete these chores with such radiant enthusiasm as if they were an honor, she couldn't help but want to remind her, "This doesn't suit my image, does it?"

Putting aside appearance and divine power, no matter how Harren imitates me, Loki will immediately see through it. Therefore, I personally attend the "Feast of the Gods" and the "Assembly of the Gods." Although I rarely attend them.

Having Allen and the others act as guards was a compromise. To be honest, I really wanted to be alone, but I could understand the love these children had for me, so I had no choice but to accept it.

This was just a passing fancy to relieve boredom.

It's just a casual activity.

That was all I thought at first, but I was betrayed in a surprising way.

The children visiting the tavern.

All kinds of brilliance.

I have experienced many upheavals from the perspective of someone directly involved.

I can't sit still for even a moment.

And I realized that I wasn't good enough to easily play the role of a city girl (the designated role).

It's like cleaning versus cooking.

My companion (Miya) stared at my dumbfounded expression as I kept messing things up.

This made me feel both frustrated and humiliated, and I don't know how many times I tossed and turned in bed because of it.

But...yes, I feel very happy.

Whether it's interacting and cooperating with each other from a child's perspective, or even forming friendships and gaining trust, it makes me very happy.

Children are imperfect and unstable to the point of being almost incomprehensible to me. They get annoyed, confused, and saddened by trivial matters, yet they can also pick themselves up again with strong willpower. These are indeed the brilliance that the unchanging gods do not possess, and I regard them as my greatest treasure.

I like beautiful things.

I admire people who show their best side for the sake of others.

Lost kittens, lonely black cats, girls seeking refuge, and elves who are willing to make mistakes to stay true to themselves—these are all children I particularly admire.

After interacting with many children, I made countless eye-opening new discoveries.

Meeting more unfamiliar children became my interest, and I couldn't wait to do it.

Playing the city girl (designated role) – Playing the girl (Seele) brings me endless joy.

Later, I found him.

No, it was me who met him.

That was the pure and innocent "boy".

It was the " " that made me lose control.

So I...

Whether it's etiquette, respect...

Reserved, dignified...

Even the emptiness in one's heart is completely abandoned.

That's right, so I—killed the girl (Seele).

Volume 17, Chapter 1: Thus the "Invasion" Begins

After I refused to accept her "feelings"—

She walked quickly away from me with her head down.

At first I wanted to catch up with that figure, but in the end I couldn't take a step.

I've already rejected their confession, yet I want to keep them here. It's irrational, cruel, and contradictory. Another part of my mind keeps berating me for not deserving to try and keep them.

Thunder rumbled from the sky as if the sky were choking with sobs.

It started to pour rain.

The raindrops hit me like bullets.

I stood there, unable to move for a long time.

"...I have to hurry...to find Miss Ryu and the others...and Miss Ais......"

I don't know how much time has passed.

I muttered to myself as if in my sleep, and it took me a lot of effort to leave the garden.

I struggled to keep running forward, my body already soaked through and feeling like it was melting in the rain.

Finally, they arrived at the second district in the northeast of the city, where Miss Ryu and the others stayed behind to hold off the Freya Familia.

"Bell Crane, thank goodness you're safe! We were so worried because we couldn't contain the Vana Freia group..."

"Because everyone was injured, we couldn't come to see you... I'm sorry."

Upon arriving near the abandoned house, Miss Asphie and Miss Ais, who were under the eaves, noticed me one after the other. With the help of the goddess Hestia and the god Hermes, Miss Ryu and the others had already received treatment.

Miss Lunova and Miss Chloe were both unconscious, their tavern uniforms stained with blood. Miss Anya, on the other hand, had completely lost her usual energy, sitting listlessly on the floor with her head down.

"Bell...where's Seele!?"

The only injured person, Ms. Liu, who was still able to speak, came over and questioned me.

"...Miss Seele...is alright...the people from the Freya Familia have all left."

That's the only answer I can give.

I can't answer anything else.

Actually, the woman being chased, Miss Seele, was not herself.

The real Miss Seele was heartbroken because of me.

How am I supposed to explain this?

At this moment, I simply cannot explain the whole story clearly.

"...Bell? What's wrong?"

Miss Ais saw me standing there in a daze and gently reached out her hand to me.

She seemed to want to warm my cheeks, which were wet with cold rain, with her hands, but I couldn't help but be startled.

And then he reacted excessively and retreated.

"Bell...?"