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

—I saw it.

Deep in the distance, at a distance that ordinary people could never see, those sky-blue eyes caught sight of the 'Labyrinth City'.

After undergoing two "sublimations," Ryu's physical abilities and five senses have been significantly enhanced. She takes out a feather-shaped magic item from her pocket and breaks the blue gem installed near the feather's stem.

Gemstones made from twin crystals release a resonant magic.

This way, the creator (Asphie) of the Magic Item, who is located far away, can be informed.

[Gale] approaches Orario, sending out a 'signal'.

"Ryu, are you contacting Asphie?"

"Yes! As agreed beforehand, destroy a pair of feathers! Andromeda, having received the 'signal,' should come to greet us!"

Behind them, the goddess's voice gently brushed against the fairy's delicate ears.

Ryu raised her voice to Astraea, the goddess of justice who was clinging to her back, so as not to be drowned out by the loud hoofbeats.

The place where family members and God converse is "on the back of a bouncing horse".

Ryu and Astraea rode together at an astonishing speed, with Ryu holding the reins in front.

And it wasn't an ordinary horse.

It is the "elf horse" that has changed its appearance and is known as the embodiment of mystery.

From the newly established stronghold of the Astrea Familia, the sword-crafted city of Zoringen, to the westernmost point of the continent where Orario is located, the journey was swiftly traversed like a whirlwind, thanks to the unparalleled speed of the elven horse, which surpassed that of ordinary horses.

"A new 'weapon' plus the 'elves' are ready! Your insightful vision ahead is truly admirable!"

"It was just a coincidence. You only needed the help of the elf (her) to create your weapon."

Five years ago, Astrea, who had left Orario, was preparing to do two things.

The first is Ryu's new weaponry, the production of "Alvis Jutitia".

Astraea was certain that when Ryu, consumed by the flames of vengeance, reappeared by her side, it would be the moment when he had ended his journey and found his own answer to 'justice'. Having completed his long journey, the truly awakened fairy would surely need new power and starlight. For this reason, the goddess moved to the sword-making city (Zoringen), requesting the assistance of the blacksmith (a young girl) from there, and welcoming her into her family.

The second is the negotiation with the "elves".

In order to create "Alvis Jutitia", they found a spirit known as "the avatar of God" and received its assistance. Unexpectedly, in order to rush to the War Game, the wind spirit exerted all its strength, even becoming weaponized rather than "beast-like".

"Ah, wait a minute, Commander (Cecil)!! I'm exhausted...! Ugh...!"

"We can't wait any longer! The War Game has already started! If this continues, Ryu-senpai will be too late!"

"I know, but I've been running all the way from the sword-making city (Zoringen) to here...! Ugh!!"

"Lady Astraea's retinue is wailing—!!"

I glanced briefly at the noisy area behind me, right behind the elven horse—the newly formed [Asteria Familia] were making a racket.

The entire clan was female, with only the young female leader barely holding on, roaring furiously, while the human and orc members chased after them, chattering incessantly.

They traveled together to protect the goddess Astrea and their senior (Ryu), whom they had just met.

Honestly, if Lv.6 Ryu went alone, she could reach the Labyrinth City very quickly. That would be much faster than the 'Elf Horse'.

However, since the battle category of the War Game is "Hide and Seek"—a competition in which the main god and his followers participate simultaneously—therefore, even if Ryu participates alone, a dispute will inevitably arise if the main god is not present.

When the Hermes Familia delivered the file containing details of the War Game to the sword-making city (Zoringen), Astraea pointed this out, and Ryu then chose this "forced march".

In order to rush to the battlefield with Astrea and to conserve their strength, they fought fiercely against the strongest faction (Freya's Familia) in the best possible condition, and also relied on the power of the "Spirit Horse".

Without a doubt, this is Ryu's "top speed" for participating in the War Game.

"Hey, Ryu. Has your answer to me changed?"

In the distant distance, the shape of the Tower of Babel stretching towards the sky gradually became clear, and a gentle question came from behind.

When they reunited in the sword-made city of Zoringen, she had already told Astrea everything.

And she poured out all her thoughts.

When asked this question, Ryu briefly closed her eyes, then immediately opened them and answered forcefully.

"Yes, Lady Astraea. I'm going to see Seele and punch her in the face!"

If my past self heard this, I would be utterly astonished by the rude words that drifted on the wind.

"Drag her to us and talk to her! We must reclaim the 'place of refuge' she gave us!"

The girl with light gray hair, and that "abundant tavern," were both important to Ryu.

Like Ariste and the others' former Astrea Familia, no, it's an irreplaceable and incomparable "home." Anya, Chloe, and Lunova must all think so.

That's where Ryu and the others' "home" is now.

Therefore, Liu must be taken back.

Go and confirm.

Go to the girl who is pretending to be a tyrannical 'witch'.

In order to know her 'true self'.

"I see..."

I could clearly feel Astraea smiling behind me.

She lovingly and gently placed her hand on Ryu's back.

"Ryu, after this battle is over, leave the nest. From here."

"!!"

"You have found a new home. So, spread your wings and fly to where you desire. In the place that rises in your heart—under the light of finding the 'just answer'."

"The Abundant Tavern" and another place that now comes to mind for Ryu.

Those were the backs of white-haired boys.

It tells the story of the kin who repeatedly helped him, fought alongside him, and guided him toward the "righteous answer" of "hope," as the white bell tolls.

Justice is cyclical.

The story also repeats itself.

If the answer to the path forward, guided by the gray-haired witch, is "now," then Ryu must want to witness the hope (justice) and the story of reincarnation, and then snuggle together. Deep down, Ryu must be thinking this.

Even if our contract is broken... the starlight will always protect you.

The "Grace" of Justice (Asteria) still engraved on her back is a symbol of warmth.

Even if we move to a new place, our bond will never disappear.

Astraea's divine blood (Ichor) remained on Ryu's back. The goddess's words had not lied.

Don't let him get away!

The red-haired girl's voice echoed in my mind.

Having 'inherited' their justice on her own back, Ryu, who had always been with them, smiled.

"--yes!!"

The wind blows across the vast grassland, scattering fragments of flowers and grass, as if echoing the fairy's resounding determination.

Traverse the eastern grasslands of the labyrinthine city.

Just as Astrea and the others could see the outline of the massive city wall (Oarori) with their naked eyes, 'she' appeared from above.

"Rion!"

"Andromeda! Sorry I'm late!"

Unfurling her wing boots, Asif, who had come at high speed from Orario, gracefully glided down in front of Ryu and her friends. Her hand held a pair of feathers that shimmered with precious jewels. Ryu expressed her gratitude to her friend who had come after receiving her 'signal,' offering words of apology.

"We'll talk about that later! The outcome of the War Game is decided!! Leon, I'll take you to the 'Orza City Ruins' first! Lady Astrea and the others...!"

"It's alright, Asphie. We'll continue towards the 'Bio Mountains'. Hurry up and take Ryu away."

"Excuse me!"

Astraea, who already knew about the War Game setting from Hermes's documents, nodded.

I booked the 'transportation by wing boots' a long time ago.

Presumably, Asphie and the others must know that Ryu's participation in the War Game has reached its final stage, so their plan is to send Ryu to the battlefield first, and then guide Astrea and the others there.

"We're going to take off! Please don't get thrown off!"

Asifi extended her left hand, and Ryuya grabbed it with her right.

In the blink of an eye, Asif and Liu took to the air and flew towards the vast Bio Mountains in the northwest.

"Keep it up, senior!"

"We can't lose—!"

From the grasslands and seas that now lie beneath their eyes, the voices of their descendants (the Astrea Familia) echoed.

While thanking the girls who had clashed with her many times before lending her their power, Ryu travels through the sky with the omnipotent (Perseus).

We'll see soon.

Towering mountains and steep ridges.

A huge depression lake (extinct volcano crater) with a bright green color (emerald green).

Despite the many who have fallen, the adventurers continue to fight to the very end, never giving up hope.

"It's over! -- Victory, my comrade (Rion)!!"

As you release your hands from each other, a feeling of floating instantly envelops your entire body.

The sound of the Stardust Sword being drawn from the waist was a response to the encouragement of her comrade (Asif).

Fall.

Breaking the wind.

Fall.

The prophetic girl looked up in amazement.

The place where they landed was the "duel arena" where a Dark Elf stood ready to fight again.

A fierce wind howled.

Volume 18 SS: A Collection of Scattered Fragments

"Please give me all the magic items."

Lilyluka Erd said this.

Before Asphie, whose head was covered in sweat, and Fels, who, even without sweating, was just as overwhelmed by the aura of the "Omnipotent One (Perseus)".

"To defeat the Freya Familia, please bring over all of your magical items. Oculus, Burst Oil, Reverse Veil, Flying Boots (sandals)—everything that can defeat Lady Freya! Everyone, everyone, hurry up, hurry up, hurry up! Bring them out, bring them out, bring them out! Feed them! Jump, jump, jump!"

"Wait a minute, Lilyluka Erd! That's too domineering! And besides, I'm not jumping around!"

"I promised to help, but way too many magic items were taken! And I can't even jump around anymore!"

The Hestia Familia's stronghold (home), "Kamakura-kan" (Heartfire House). Late that night.

The magic makers who secretly entered the museum are being "coerced".

Because of the War Game with the Freya Familia, they were summoned by the Hestia Familia—they assumed it was a request for assistance—but what awaited Asphie and the others was a little girl with dark circles under her eyes, whose deep gaze intimidated them.

"You two aren't planning to participate in the War Game, are you? Then, as 'rear support,' wouldn't it be reasonable to pay for all the supplies, including one or two? Aren't you still owed to Lord Bell and Lady Hestia for removing Lady Freya's charm (brainwashing)?"

"I... I didn't mean I can't fight...! It's just that Lord Hermes decided whether to participate in the battle or hold back...! And then there's Leon to pick me up... gurgle...!"

"I'm a private soldier in Uranus, what can I do...! A strange-looking mage's fight is being broadcast on city TV...! And I'm a bone...! Glug glug...!"

After days of relentless command training with the hero (Finn), and with each newfound understanding of enemy threats, Lily's condition has deteriorated from stress to insomnia and severely impaired eyesight—it's frightening, to say the least. There's an atmosphere that could easily bury someone in darkness. She's actually already at Lv.2; it's not impossible, but this is no joke.

Because it was so terrifying, Asphie and Fels, who should have been stronger than her, became nothing more than vague and incoherent figures.

"Even if you hadn't said anything, we were still planning to assist, and we were even willing to give up the magic items, but in terms of everything... just making one magic item alone would cost far more than you imagine!"

"Oh—is that so? Then, without any magic items, without reinforcements from the Loki Familia, without anything at all, please teach Lily how to defeat the Freya Familia. That way, we won't need any magic items."

"Th-that's...!"

"If you don't have one, please provide a magic item. If you don't, even if you learn a curse, you will curse Lady Asphie. You will continue to wreak havoc in a world without Lady Bell."