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

Miss Haici said this to me, who was still unable to move and could only stay in one place, in a tone that could hardly be considered a joke.

"Incidentally, the [Battlefield Saintess] can bring back even those who are one second away from death," she added immediately.

I couldn't help but look at her with fear in my eyes, as half of her face was obscured by the shadows of twilight.

Miss Hei Ci seemed to have misunderstood my reaction and gave me a relaxed smile.

"Ah~ Don't worry, based on my observations so far, you're the first person to be punished to this extent. After all, you're 'special'."

My face turned pale again because of this remark, which was hardly a word of comfort.

Resuscitation after death.

This is... "The Fierce Warrior".

This is a powerful clan born from the "battlefield" and obeying the goddess's commands.

"The end of the road for those who have lost their memory, a celebration of transformation... As far as 'Day One' is concerned, it's amazing you survived."

Two elves, who had been "baptized" across the wilderness and become top-tier masters, passed by me.

Mr. Hegny, who had already sheathed his black sword, gently comforted me, while my master gave me a cold glance.

"Starting tomorrow, we will be your opponents, so remember to be prepared."

I am truly in despair this time.

From now on, we will have to undergo this kind of training...?

Before I even have time to feel fear of this lonely world, am I already forced to confront despair from other sources...?

Now I realize that no matter how scared I am, I can't escape it.

"Come on, Bell, you probably can't stand up yet, can you?"

Miss Haici reached out her hand and pulled me up from my dazed state.

Because of anemia, I was so weak that I couldn't stand up straight and could only fall into her arms, who was dressed in white. I was so tired that I couldn't even feel ashamed.

Whether it was Mr. Alfred's quadruplets, Mr. Paine, or the other adventurers, they all headed in the same direction.

Even those who were unconscious were dragged there by their hands or feet.

Apart from the first-level adventurers, everyone dragged their battered bodies back to the manor on the hill.

Bathed in the glow of the setting sun, the soldiers' shadows stretched across the shimmering sea of ​​grassland. The scene, as if everyone were preparing for a final battle, filled me with an inexplicable sadness and sent chills down my spine.

The wildflowers blooming in the fields sway gently in the evening breeze.

*

The "battlefield" is shrouded in the pale moonlight.

The fields were silent as night fell, but the mansion on the hill, which resembled a palace or temple, was brightly lit and bustling with activity.

The noise originated from the "Grand Hall" located on the first floor.

In stark contrast to the fierce "battle" during the day, the atmosphere was like that of a banquet.

"Bring the meat up quickly!"

"We're out of alcohol here!"

"I need to eat something to replenish my energy! Otherwise, how am I supposed to fight tomorrow?!"

Ten long tables were set up side by side, where a large number of adventurers sat, constantly eating the various dishes served on them, devouring meat and drinking wine with gusto. This was a struggle known as dining.

The day, which began with battle, ended with a sumptuous dinner for the members of the Freya Familia.

The custom here is that everyone who goes to the fields for battle comes to the "Special Hall" to feast and recover their strength—to be honest, after such a long day, without a big meal to finish off the day, they won't be able to replenish the energy needed for the next day. Even with a lot of restorative magic, eating is absolutely essential for truly healing a tired and wounded body. Therefore, the men and women present were all focused on transforming the food into their own flesh and blood, nourishing their bodies with alcohol.

"Phew~ Everyone's eating a lot today too~ Even though it's always like this~... I still really hope someone can cover for me~~"

Meanwhile, the therapists and pharmacists, led by Heci, were busy in the kitchen.

They were responsible for the cleanup work after the "baptism," including the healing that helped people resurrect. The pharmacists were grinding herbs to enhance physical strength, and next to them, a large urn that looked like a witch's potion jar contained stewed wild boar (this dish is not meant to mock the leader (Otto), it's true), and they also provided mead made with goat's milk and honey.

In addition to their original title, they are also known as "the soothing gray-faced ones (Andhrímnir)".

Although the origin of the nickname is debated, it is generally believed to mean "the maidens who comfort the warriors returning from battle" and "looking disheveled from overwork." The young and capable Heiji is a representative of the "comforting maidens (Andhrímnir)," deeply trusted by Freya. Another well-known characteristic of hers is her perpetually deadpan expression. One amusing anecdote about Heiji involves several gods in a tavern discussing "who gets more abused, her or the omnipotent one," when she silently picks up her staff and taps them on the back of the head.

This aggrieved party seemed to believe that adventurers all possessed indestructible stomachs, and was diligently sprinkling salt and spices haphazardly onto the dish.

"I really hope that legendary dwarf lady who can handle all the kitchen work by herself can come back soon~"

This is Haici's heartfelt sentiment.

The custom of conducting combat training at sunrise and enjoying a delicious meal at sunset did not originate from the deity (Freya), but was spontaneously decided upon by former members of the guild... that is, the guild that joined earlier than Biota and others, and thus it has been passed down.

Therefore, the non-combatants who help in the kitchen and serve the dishes one after another, as well as the maids in elegant uniforms, are always very busy day after day.

"Here they come! Because we're short-staffed, I'll be in charge of bringing the dishes to the table... Mr. Paine, what's wrong with you all? Why do you all have such sour faces?"

After Haici wobbled and snaked her way to the table, she tilted her head and asked with concern.

When the pork and mead were served, Pain, with a furrowed brow, answered.

"...Let's just reluctantly accept that brat as an ally. Although he's annoying, he's really strong, and he even defeated us in the 'Courtyard' today, so we have to admit he has the ability to join the ranks of the 'Fierce Warriors'."

However—Paine added a caveat, glaring angrily ahead. The other members of the group also glanced sideways in the same direction, unwilling to give up.

There is an empty seat here.

After the boy who had been sitting there finally filled his stomach, he was summoned by the goddess.

"We've always wanted the goddess's love, so why did that guy get to monopolize it all...!?"

Pan En spoke on behalf of the group members, expressing their jealousy and resentment.

Haici shrugged his shoulders, revealing a magnanimous expression, and said:

"It's very simple, because he is 'special' to the goddess."

"Goddess Freya".

Freya, who was reading a book, looked up after hearing the call.

This is the shrine located on the top floor of the main camp (headquarters).

Freya, dressed in a black sheer nightgown and sitting on a recliner, glanced sideways at the doorway.

"I have brought Bell."

"Let him in."

Freya almost burst out laughing when she heard the rugged-looking attendant (Ota) call the boy "Bell".

She suppressed a laugh and hid the closed book under the cushion of the recliner.

Then, she subconsciously ran her fingers through her long silver hair two or three times.

Then, revealing a smile that would be immediately seen through by the attendants (Otto and others), but the person in question would certainly insist, "I'm not really looking forward to it," as they greet the boy who walks in through the door.

"Welcome, Bell. Thank you for coming to see me."

*

"Welcome, Bell. Thank you for coming to see me."

My master led me out of the huge restaurant and into the shrine. As soon as I entered the room, I heard the greeting of the goddess Freya.

The goddess even came to my side, and when she took my hand, I felt my heart skip a beat. My heart raced because of her silky hands and gentle manner. I don't know if she noticed my reaction, but she just led me to the center of the room.

The goddess Freya sat back in her recliner, while I sat in an armchair with a single-legged round table between us.

"You don't look too good. Did you undergo a rather severe 'baptism'?"

"...Yes, I was beaten up by my master... by Mr. Hedin and the others in the 'courtyard'... no, I fought them countless times..."

"Oh, I see. You're already so tired, I'm sorry to have bothered you."

Tonight, it's just the two of us in the room again.

In this sacred room, bathed in the pale moonlight, which was so beautiful it seemed like a dream, we chatted as if we were having a casual conversation.

Even now, I still can't believe that the legendary "Goddess of Beauty" is sitting right in front of me.

This situation still feels very unrealistic to me. Although I feel extremely tired, I still can't believe that my own memory is distorted... Even though I know it's rude to do this, I still decide to "test" it.

"I can't believe I've survived such intense battles day after day... I'm both scared and exhausted."

"Hehe, that makes sense. Maybe you lost your memory because you were against baptism."

"..."

The goddess, however, easily brushed it off with a joking tone.

I returned a subtle smile and gave up on asking further questions.

The reason is that I had forgotten that when facing the gods, any test is meaningless.

The goddess Freya seemed to find my appearance amusing and chuckled softly.

"Then, as agreed, can you tell me what you remember?"

"...Are you really willing to listen?"

"Of course, otherwise why would we have bothered to call you here?"

The goddess, sitting gracefully in her chair, gazed at me quietly.

After much hesitation, I finally decided to recount my memories.

"I came to Orario alone. Since it was my first time visiting a big city, I was very excited at first... But every Familia I interviewed refused to let me join... When I ran out of travel money and was wandering the streets... it was the goddess Hestia who found me."

I rarely talk about my past like this, and I didn't know where to begin. After careful consideration and choosing the right words, I stammered them out. I even felt a pang of heartache when I said "the goddess Hestia".

"I see... You went through a lot of trouble to finally join the [Family]. What happened next?"

The goddess Freya listened intently to what I had to say.

She didn't dismiss my words as nonsense, nor did she ridicule me for daydreaming. Instead, she asked questions when she didn't understand something, urging me to continue. Her pleasant and soothing voice made me speak more and more fluently, even leaving me somewhat bewildered.

Is this what is called divinity (charisma)? Or is it the unique charm of the "goddess of beauty"?

I wish I could keep talking to this goddess forever.

She seemed to possess a "magic" that could unconsciously bring such thoughts to mind.

"...Goddess Freya, where did we meet?"

To avoid being misled, I shook my head vigorously and instead asked Bell Crane of the Freya Familia for advice.

"It was at the Adventurers' Graveyard. When I arrived there with flowers I was carrying to offer to my family (children), I happened to meet you admiring the Heroes' Monument. That's when I fell in love with you at first sight."

"1. Love at first sight...!?"

I was flustered by that embarrassing and heart-pounding remark.

"When I asked you if you wanted to become my dependent, you replied, 'Can someone like me really do this?' You were so flustered that you almost tripped and fell."

"...!"

"After I took you back to the headquarters, you were so scared when you saw the strongest person in the city (Otto) that you turned pale."

Putting everything else aside, the "story" shared by the goddess Freya is flawless.

If there is "another me" in a different world, I always feel that these things really happened.

Even I think those reactions were very much in line with Bell Craney's style.

Despite my desperate search for any "flaws," everything seemed so real that I couldn't find any inconsistencies.

"Later you went to explore the dungeon. The reason was that you insisted on going there before receiving the 'baptism', so I asked Hedin to take you... But you just defeated a 'goblin' and then ran back to me excitedly."

“──!?”

"I couldn't help but laugh at you. You were so happy, and you looked so adorable."

Seeing the goddess smile knowingly, as if her memories of the past had been stirred up, I was quite shocked.

That was a little episode that actually exists in my memory, to be precise, it was an embarrassing moment I accidentally revealed in front of the main god (the goddess Hestia).

No matter how well they know me, they could never just spout this unprecedented story of "returning in triumph after defeating the weakest monster (goblin)," which is almost indistinguishable from the dungeon's unusual events!

The only explanation is that the goddess Freya witnessed it with her own eyes...!

(I've never told anyone about such an embarrassing incident! The only people who know about it are the gods and Miss Eina...!)