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

Bell only now truly understood why elves were so popular among other races.

"...Alicie, everyone. Do you think this is okay?"

On the other hand, Ryu, who had disappeared from the dazed boy's sight, stopped in front of the back door of the tavern and looked up at the night sky.

Facing the starry sky, he murmured to himself.

(My "justice" was burned to ashes by the ugly flames of revenge. Nevertheless, to witness the fruits of justice left behind by Alisha and the others, I concealed my identity and remained in Orario...)

They were also unable to return to the side of the Supreme God.

There's also a reason for repaying Hill and the Harvest Tavern.

To this day, Ryuto considers himself a plant. Or perhaps a weathered stone statue? Unable to go anywhere, nor able to dedicate himself to the teachings of past "justice." He can only watch as Orario, having traversed a tragic era of "evil," is headed, becoming a tree that can only watch.

That's why Ryu wants to meddle in things outside of her daily tavern work today.

(Bell Craney...the one who held my hand.)

There's also the reason that the boy was Hill's sweetheart.

As mentioned earlier, there are probably reasons why people acknowledge his good character and respect him.

But most importantly, when he took the dagger back from the thief, he held Ryu's hand.

(Like Hill and Alicia...)

Contaminated by the habits of spirits that she herself finds disgusting, Ryu avoids contact with people she meets for the first time, and will immediately shake off anyone who touches her hand.

Two people disregarded Ryu's bad habit and took her hand.

They are Hill, and Alisha, the now-deceased leader of the Astraea Familia.

Then recently, the "special case" that originally had only two people has increased to three.

(It would be extremely rude to superimpose his image with that of Alicia. It would also be inappropriate to discuss the request for training in terms of its justice.)

Ryu didn't intend to measure everything by the standards of good and evil.

In short, Liu's sadness stemmed from her unauthorized superimposition of Alicia's image with that of the boy, and was also influenced by Alicia's advice: "If someone comes along and you can hold their hand, never let go." This concern likely also arose to prevent her benefactor's beloved from dying.

Therefore, time has not yet begun to move.

Liu's steps remained stationary.

They cannot restart their journey to find 'justice'; they can only waste their time aimlessly.

"……so."

So Liu had a little bit of expectation.

He had the expectation of meeting someone who wanted to lend him a helping hand.

The anticipation of something within oneself changing upon contact with the boy holding one's hand, even in the smallest way, and the start of a clock that had stopped five years ago.

Although I felt ashamed of myself for having such ulterior motives.

But even so.

"Leon, justice!"

The precious words of twilight I heard seven years ago, and the smile of the girl who is no longer alive, resurfaced in my mind.

After closing her eyes for a moment, Liu slowly opened her eyelids.

The stars still shine upon Ryu, protecting her.

"I don't think this will make 'justice' work... but if it's just about passing on what everyone has taught me to him and helping him out... that should be forgivable, right?"

The stars in front of my eyes seemed to flicker for a moment.

Ryu smiled slightly at this.

After the fairy looked away and returned to the tavern, as if blessing a traveler walking in the boundless wilderness, a shooting star streaked across the sky.

Then, the next day.

The sky above was shrouded in darkness.

Dawn had not yet broken in the eastern sky; it was a time of time in which the boundary between night and morning was ambiguous.

Having gotten up much earlier than usual, Bell arrived at the open space.

It's called an open space, but to be precise, it's actually an open-air warehouse. It's a space surrounded by wooden buildings.

This place, located in the inner courtyard of the "Abundant Mistress", was originally intended to be a separate building, so it is quite large.

The rectangular space is now cluttered with wooden crates and cleaning supplies in the corner, and the unsightly flooring is also very conspicuous. It doesn't look like it's being used effectively at all.

Standing in the middle of the unused storage area, Bell inhaled the cold air and tried to calm himself down.

He did this solely to receive combat instruction from Ryu in this courtyard.

"Sorry for the wait."

A chilling voice, born of the early morning, rang in my ears.

Startled, Bell turned around and saw Ryu walking out of the store's corridor empty-handed.

Instead of wearing the tavern uniform that Bell often saw, Ryu was dressed in shorts and a simple shirt. It was an outfit completely disregarding fashion, chosen solely for ease of movement.

"Not at all, not at all! On the contrary, I'm very grateful that you agreed to my unreasonable request and even took the time to come! Uh, uh, well... good morning!"

"...Yes, good morning."

The reason for choosing this time period is because of Ryu.

The "Abundant Mistress" starts preparing for opening early in the morning, and the staff, under the owner's supervision, rarely have a moment to spare throughout the day. Although Ryu, who has a dark past, doesn't complain about working all the time, she has no free time to spare.

Therefore, it would be practically impossible to be Bell's opponent if it weren't so early in the morning. Bell, who is currently in a position of asking for help, is also nervous due to guilt and remorse, unsure whether to express gratitude or offer a greeting.

Seeing the boy's appearance, Liu smiled faintly, walked up to him, and gently extended her hand.

"Miss Ryu? May I ask...?"

"First, I swear an oath. Though I am unworthy, please allow me to be your guide. I will do my utmost with all my heart, and I ask for your guidance."

"I...I am the one!"

Faced with Ryu, who, while not exactly rigid, had been very serious from beginning to end, Bell hurriedly grasped her outstretched hand.

Then, as Bell was clasping his hands together with Ryu, his mind filled with trepidation, he suddenly noticed something.

(Elves only shake hands with those they approve of... So, is it okay to be a little proud?)

As they felt the touch of the cold, soft hand and were shaken by what they were realizing, their hands finally separated.

Ryuya looked down at his hands and said, "As expected, you can still hold my hand." His tone softened slightly.

Can I hold it...? Just as Bell was wondering about this, Ryu brought out cleaning tools (scrubber) from a corner of the inner courtyard that was full of tools.

I examined the handle carefully, and then pulled it out without hesitation.

With a crisp sound, the long wooden stick fell into her hand.

"Since it's an adventurer's guide, I originally intended to combine my experience with some miscellaneous knowledge... but considering what Mr. Craney said, this isn't what you want to learn from me, is it?"

"Yes, yes."

"Speaking of which, the guild should have capable people for dungeon-related knowledge. We'll leave the classroom teaching to them."

So, although she's a mixed-race person, Eina is also an elf... If you include her in the dungeon study sessions at the guild, then all of her teachers are elves—though it's a bit late, Bell noticed this.

To outsiders, this must be a rather enviable situation... Just as Bell couldn't help but cross his arms, blushing with embarrassment, Ryu continued, "Let me focus on 'practice'."

"Regarding the most important teaching principles... unfortunately, there's not much I can teach you. To be honest, I'm still hesitant about what to do."

"Um, Ryu... teacher? What does this mean...?"

"You don't need to respect me as your teacher. I'm just a young man who's only lived for a little over 20 years, and I don't have the talent to play the role of a teacher in a proper and respectable way."

Upon hearing such a stern reply, Bell fell silent.

Although he felt it was a bit too modest, Bell thought it was very much in Ryu's style.

He was indeed very serious and upright.

Facing Bell, whom she had only recently met, she considered many things for him, just as she had done just now.

"Let's continue. My conclusion is that neither Mr. Crannie nor I are mature enough. As teachers and those being taught, we are not yet accustomed to it."

Bell would think to herself that her humility was certainly justified.

The elf before me is a true powerhouse.

According to her, her [ability value] is Lv.4.

It's about making the title of a Level 1 Adventurer, like that of Ais, readily attainable.

In other words, Lv.4 is infinitely close to Lv.5.

"Considering difficult methods will likely fail. So the answer is simple and clear—a decisive battle (····)."

moment.

Ryu's demeanor has changed.

Holding a wooden stick with the same range as a longsword, he quietly assumed a fighting stance.

Just standing there, Bell's skin reacted sensitively.

In an instant, he reached to his waist and set up the guild's ration item, the "Short Sword".

"I see. In that case, there's no need for further explanation."

“Hmm…!?”

"Just as you've reacted now, learn from my 'lessons' in the upcoming simulation battles. Study them, and then use them as sustenance. Then steal everything you can get your hands on."

Support the right side of the body.

He bent down, lowering his hand that was holding the wooden stick.

The tip of the stick was pointing towards Bell. It was just an ordinary wooden stick, yet it had intimidated him.

"...If...if my weapon, the blade, breaks it..."

"It's okay. If you get hurt, it's my fault for being immature. Please do your best."

"But...but..."

"Mr. Crannie. Don't worry about what might happen (·········)."

This will never happen.

That's what the powerful person known as "Swift Wind" meant in the past.

After holding his breath, Bell's breathing began to tremble.

Nevertheless, the kind-hearted boy, who was more timid than anyone else, was still uneasy about the possibility of something going wrong. However, after being sharply reprimanded by Ryu with the words "Please concentrate," he could only hastily abandon his previous thoughts.

He only focused on Ryu in front of him.

The tense air crackled deep within our ears. The eastern sky was still dark.

The elf before them remained motionless. Bell didn't move either.

No, Bell cannot move.

His plans to close the distance (an illusion) were shattered. Bell was certain that the moment he took his first step, he would be struck by an attack beyond his range and speed.

"First, I've learned one thing. You're a promising adventurer. But you're also a 'coward.'"

「!?」

"That being said, it's also a compliment. For someone who challenges a dungeon alone, the word 'coward' is the highest compliment. You have nothing to be ashamed of."

Seeing Bell's astonishment, Ryu praised him in a voice devoid of any comfort.

At the same time, take a step forward and quietly shorten the distance.

"However, if you are forced into an unreasonable situation, you probably can't break that reality."

You'll probably have no choice but to run away.

The words, imbued with conviction, struck Bell's cheek.

That was the insight of someone infinitely close to a first-rate adventurer. It was an infinitely accurate correction. An unsuspecting area was invaded from an unguarded angle, and Bell's inner body felt a burning sensation, as if it were about to make a sound.