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

To escape the terrifying scolding, I ran forward with abandon, running and running for a long distance... Even after I slowed down, my heart was still pounding wildly.

Even after I regulated my breathing, my heart was still pounding.

My brain is temporarily unable to function properly, and my thoughts are still blank.

What was that just now...?

"There's nothing to be cool about being an adventurer; at the beginning, you just have to fight for survival."

"The person who can still stand on two legs at the very end is the winner. Who cares if they look ugly or whatever."

This was something Aunt Mia said to me a long time ago, almost half a year ago, right?

"I, a member of the Freya Familia," should have never met Aunt Mia before, so why would she say these words to me?

Is it a coincidence?

Did Aunt Mia hear that I was being "baptized"?

Was it because she belonged to the same faction that she wanted to encourage me?

Or is there... another meaning behind this?

(Until the very end... I can still stand... Believe in myself, I must never fall and give up...?)

What is Aunt Mia trying to express?

What did she want to say to me?

Should I go back to the tavern and ask for clarification? But I have a feeling that Aunt Mia won't reveal any more information until I "cheer up."

Is she testing me?

No—is it that you've entrusted me with something?

(...But...even if this passage does have some kind of meaning...)

I am covered in wounds.

Their spirits were also completely worn down.

Overwhelmed by a sense of powerlessness, what can I possibly do?

Memories up to this point flooded back.

Nobody remembers me, doesn't know me, and even resists me.

I lost my home, I lost my companions, and I don't want to be hurt anymore.

What can I possibly do if I'm planning to give up everything and throw myself into the arms of my goddess?

"────…………The only thing I can do is…not give up and admit defeat."

I used both hands to exert force.

Clench your fist.

Reinvigorate my legs, which were about to go weak.

He gritted his teeth, forcing his wounded body, which was sobbing softly, to rouse itself, and reached out to grasp the last embers of flame within him.

"I can only believe in myself...! I absolutely cannot give up!!"

That's right.

The adventurer (Bell Crane) is—

No matter how pathetic—

No matter how embarrassing—

They will all fight to survive.

"—Just keep forging ahead!!"

Run forward with all your might.

Even if it frightens others and earns me astonished looks, I will still run forward.

The female shop owner's words spurred me on, igniting my fighting spirit, and I strode quickly through the streets.

This feeling cannot be explained by reason. Deep down, a voice keeps reminding me that I am no different from a rabbit that has gone mad with excitement, but I just can't suppress this impulse.

I know perfectly well how terrifying it is to "constantly believe in yourself." You'll soon find yourself wanting to accept what others say and surrendering yourself to the sweet words of a goddess and her retinue.

But I've decided to stop running away.

It's time to stop being afraid of getting hurt.

Because there are still people I haven't met yet!

"Huff! Huff! Huff—!!"

I kept running.

I kept waving my arms and swinging my legs, running aimlessly and blindly forward, but I still decided to believe in myself.

Even if this isn't the peak I want to climb, I will continue to strive towards the next summit.

Imagine a beautiful, captivating golden flower in your mind.

Go there and encounter that unattainable flower on a high mountain.

"—Miss Ais!!"

I called out the name of "longing".

Heading towards the northern district where a certain luxury mansion can be seen, they ventured into the social circle that they had hesitated to approach until now.

A girl with long, flowing golden hair slowly turned around in front of me, who was still out of breath.

"Huh? I remember he was...?"

"He's from the Freya Familia. Why don't you remember?"

"Ah, right! Loki and the others told us to be careful, that kid with what-legs name!"

Miss Ais, Miss Tiona, and Miss Tione walked together.

We met on an ordinary street, surrounded by many other people. Amidst the questioning gazes of Miss Tiony and the others, she looked surprised when I called her name.

"Huh, why are the Freya Familia calling out to Ais?"

"What do you want with us? Do you want to start a war?"

"...!"

The Loki Familia and the Freya Familia are enemies.

Miss Tiona and Miss Tione, as always, cast hostile glances at Bell Crane of the Freya Familia.

My heart reflexively jolted.

The last vestiges of reason are crying out in despair.

I am about to reach a "watershed moment".

Once the aspirations before me are viewed with the same wariness that Miss Thione held towards me.

Once the vision before me, like Miss Tiona who no longer calls me "Little Hero of Argonauts," has no impression of me at all.

Once the aspirations before my eyes shut me out, the sacred fire burning on my back will immediately be extinguished.

My broken heart becomes defenseless, unable to resist the goddess's love once it comes into contact with me.

Cold sweat dripped down his back.

I always feel like my heart is pounding so hard it's about to burst my chest.

The root of the tongue is completely unresponsive.

In my moment of utter confusion, golden eyes met mine.

"Miss Ais...do you recognize me?"

"..."

Do you remember all the memories we shared?

“…………”

I've lost count of how many times I've asked myself this question.

I've asked this question to all the members of the Hestia Familia, the staff of the "Abundant Mistress," Ray and the others who live in Labyrinth Street (Daedalus Road), and many gods, but all I've received in return is skepticism and resistance. Before I knew it, despair had left me feeling utterly hopeless, and my throat and limbs felt frozen and uncontrollable.

I put my despair and hopelessness behind me.

Facing her, who was still looking at me, I shouted out the irreplaceable longing in my heart.

"What nonsense are you spouting? Get out! The higher-ups ordered us to stay away from you."

"Let's go, Ais."

“Ah—”

The sisters who resisted contact with me stood in front of my aspirations.

Miss Ais, protected by Miss Tione and the others, is about to walk past me.

Even if you want to reach out, your body remains unmoved.

In the end, all that could be heard was a hoarse groan.

My legs trembled as I lowered my head, my heart pounding so hard it ached.

Still not working?

Just as the sacred flame on his back was about to be extinguished with his despondent will—

As we passed each other, she suddenly grabbed my hand.

"────────"

I looked up.

He stared at Miss Ais in disbelief.

She stopped and gripped my hand tightly.

Her clear, mirror-like eyes opened slightly, and you could feel her slender, jade-like fingers exerting even more force.

"Ai... Ais?"

"What's wrong with you?"

We ignored the flustered Miss Tiony and Miss Tiona, and stared at each other as if time had stood still.

The surrounding scenery gradually disappeared, leaving only that longed-for figure in his eyes, and he was speechless for a moment.

She slowly opened her trembling lips.

"…………want……"

Squeezing out a sound from his mouth.

"Want to...train?"

“““Huh?”””

My voice overlapped with Miss Tiona's and the others'.

The three of us were stunned and exclaimed in surprise at this natural remark.

Miss Ais ignored our reactions and earnestly searched for the right words.

"I will keep...knocking you unconscious..."

"Huh?"

"Then I'll let you lie on my lap..."

"Wait—"

"I'll knock you out again after you regain consciousness..."

"Ai... Ais?"

Miss Tione, Miss Tiona, and I were all stunned and speechless for a moment—Miss Ais closed her eyes tightly as if in considerable pain, then leaned her upper body toward me and said: