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

"Rivia, are you worried that Lefia will die?"

Faced with this question, Rivera fell silent for the time being.

"Whenever Lefia goes to the dungeon, I always make sure I have a plan. I also asked Elfie and Alicia to make sure that the child doesn't go out alone."

"Is it because you're worried she might do something reckless?"

"That's right. To be precise, it's because she was 'possessed' by a phantom that has already passed away."

Loki, understanding her unspoken meaning, listened silently.

"The sealed-off dungeon is essentially in a state of complete isolation... Even with students from the 'school district' around, they probably can't stop Lefia. Once she's in a desperate situation, she'll want to take the opportunity to demonstrate the growth she's achieved up to this point, thereby confirming the choices she's made."

The dungeon now has all the elements that could drive Lefia to act impulsively.

After speaking, Rivera affirmed what Loki had just said.

"Those who dedicate themselves to their delusions will one day be devoured by the dungeon... After all, I've seen far too many of these people."

The Tower of Babel was reflected in her emerald eyes, which seemed to be reminiscing about the past.

Loki neither denied nor confirmed her concerns.

Loki only said:

"That's true~ After all, the current Lefia is trying not to be herself anymore."

"God Bald, regarding the changes in Lefia's heart... what's going on?"

Inside the bridge in the center of the "school district".

Once the instructions had been given and the subsequent situation could only be handled by the on-site personnel, Yarisa raised questions about what Baldr had said.

Then the male god slowly began to speak.

"After guiding her students for some time, I believe that Rafia has the capacity to think things through... but without the individuals involved being aware of it, the scales in her heart are wavering."

That's why Lefia didn't understand the other people's advice.

Because Lefia was completely oblivious, no amount of persuasion from the Loki Familia, Baldr, and Leon could change her mind.

After hearing what her crush said, Yarisa's expression became even more confused.

Baldr smiled quietly.

"Yarisa, how did you feel when you reunited with Lefia?"

"...Lefia is completely different. She cut her hair short and became both mature and beautiful, making me feel that she has truly become an adventurer..."

"Really? In my eyes, she has truly become 'someone else'."

"!!"

Arisa's eyes widened in surprise after hearing Baldr's words.

At the same time, she also remembered.

— "Completely different people".

This is what Baldr said when he reunited with Rafia in the principal's office.

If this is not a metaphor, but simply the literal meaning—

The words of "someone other than Lefia" are also reflected in the eyes of the gods.

"When I heard that Loki had personally appointed Lefia as the Familia Recruiter, I had a premonition. After meeting her, that premonition turned into certainty. Driven by anger, regret, or a desire for redemption... she wanted to become 'someone else'."

Yarisa's shoulders trembled after hearing this.

During this period, Rafia often looked into the distance with a gazing expression.

At that time, Rafia's profile no longer looked like her; it was as if she had become "a different person."

In that instant, Lefia's image overlapped with that of the elf with long, glossy black hair whom Yarisa had never seen before.

"Lefia is likely chasing after the 'phantom' of the deceased, wanting to sacrifice herself for them."

The male god ignored the dumbfounded Yarisa and spoke in a tone devoid of any emotion, as if stating a fact.

"Once Lefia's body and mind catch up with that 'phantom'... even if she comes back alive, she will no longer be the Lefia Viridis we know."

*

The screams of countless monsters echoed loudly.

The giant let out a groan powerful enough to shake the earth.

However, the sword dance and opera performed by the elf alone did not stop, continuing to cause bloodshed and painful cries.

Lefia let out a roar.

The chanting melody never stopped, and through her still-sounding voice, it overlapped with the phantom of the "beautiful and ugly girl," making it attach itself to her.

The chanting speed increased continuously, without any hesitation or unnecessary words.

In order to express her singing voice, her purity, and her elegant and graceful figure, Lefia continuously erased her own existence.

It was so close, so very close.

Although we haven't won yet, we've already gained the upper hand.

One more step and I could kill my weakness. Just one more step closer to her strength, and I could cross this ocean of terrifying monsters and dominate the mountain peak called Giant.

What else can be given up?

What other parts can be replaced?

Philweis was once eaten by a monster and only had one arm left because of Lefia.

In that case, it might be better for her (Lefia) to lose an arm as well.

If I could at least understand her pain and sorrow at the cost of losing an arm, then the "she" standing in my heart would smile.

Let's go.

no problem.

She can become a true "magic swordsman (Philweis)".

The magic circle on his left hand eagerly awaited the moment of its release; the trump card and time bomb that would turn the tide of battle was now in its final countdown.

Lefia stared at the monster, locking her gaze on Goliath, and raised her hand, preparing to unleash a "magic" that she could use to defeat her opponent alone.

"【Pursuit of Liberation】──!!"

Just as she was about to unleash her "choice" into the dungeon—

"Senior Lefia--!!"

Suddenly, a high-pitched roar imbued with magical power rang out, and the "Ice Barrier" shattered in response.

「!?」

Lefia and the monsters all looked to the west in astonishment.

Looking at the base of the towering "Wall of Sighs".

Sparkling ice crystals and electric currents scattered across the atmosphere, and the battered and bruised "Seventh Squad"—Nano and the others—appeared.

How could it possibly be broken? It shouldn't be possible for it to be broken.

The students could not possibly destroy the "Ice Barrier" set up by the high-ranking mage (Lefia).

But they still managed to do it.

It was Nano's "magic cannon" that was fired.

Despite the potential harm, the students persisted in destroying the barrier from the inside, repeatedly firing their cannons at point-blank range.

"Why—"

Before Lefia could finish her sword dance and song, still stunned and unable to finish her question, the four people running towards her had already given the answer.

"Of course it's to help you!"

Squad Seven, whose entire bodies were burned and whose blood had even dried, launched an attack on the monsters surrounding Lefia.

The monsters, completely unprepared for what was happening behind them while trying to ambush a young girl, were caught off guard and killed.

"Why did you act on your own initiative?! Why are you so self-righteous?! Since you already reprimanded me for 'going to my death,' then don't do the same thing yourself!!"

Luke swung his sword at the monster army and roared.

"You clearly taught us adventurers to help each other!"

"You said you couldn't conquer a dungeon alone!"

Miria, who was drawing her bow and shooting an arrow, and Cole, who was stabbing the monster with a dagger, also desperately tried to explain.

"Senior! Please don't act recklessly on your own! Don't abandon us and make decisions on your own! We don't want to be 'outsiders' anymore! Please let us fight alongside you!!"

Despite her faltering steps, Nano, having already exhausted a great deal of mental energy, insisted on running towards Lefia, crying out in pain.

The words spoken by Nano and the others were "what Lefia had said".

Lefia, acting as a "mentor," racked her brains and faced the situation wholeheartedly, ultimately summarizing her "her own teachings."

The knowledge that Lefia sincerely wanted to impart to her students returned to her at this moment.

All the guidance she had received was projected onto her, leaving her speechless.

"Listen to me, senior! I really want to help others! This kind of arrogant sense of mission is just self-indulgence!"

Luke, his short gray hair fluttering in the wind as he moved, launched a solo attack on Goliath.

Luke single-handedly acted as bait, charging towards the roaring giant. Although the intense pressure made his sword-wielding hand tremble, he still expressed his feelings in words and fought bravely for Lefia.

"But! I'm starting to have a slight admiration for you, adventurer!!"

Lefia's hands trembled slightly.

The heart plays a melody.

"Therefore! I don't want to be protected by someone else unilaterally!!"

The mirror named after the boy (Luke) reflects "the former Lefia".

She was a girl who, no matter how weak, naive, or prone to tears, still insisted on pursuing her dreams.

Despite suffering countless setbacks and falling down, she still couldn't stop yearning for the origin of Lefia Viridis in her heart.

"Senior, where are you looking?! Who is that person you're staring at?!"

With her messy golden-red hair, Nano ran forward along the bloody path that Mililia and Cole had fought their way through.

Even as the monster's roars continued, she kept her eyes fixed on Lefia, panting and running forward with unsteady steps.

"Actually, I'm really scared! Even though Lefia-senpai is Lefia-senpai, sometimes she becomes 'someone else'! I always feel like you're going to leave us, and that really terrifies me beyond words!"

She ran up to Lefia, who was frozen in place, and shouted.

"Please look at us! Stop staring at people who aren't here! Senior!!"

The mirror called "Nano" does not reflect her past self—but rather a stunned "Philweis".

It was a hypocritical white elf chasing after illusions, donning the skin and mask of a young girl.

The scene reflected in the "mirror" made Lefia suddenly realize the truth.

The polished "mirror" forces Lefia to confront the "truth."

"Lefia is Lefia!"

Yarisa cried out like this.

Even when facing an inviolable god, she still had to refute him for her best friend, and as if to protect the bond between them, she said:

"Lefia is gentler than anyone else, and she cries and feels sad for others! Precisely because she is so excellent yet clumsy, and so straightforward, she can never become anyone else!"

Glistening tears welled up in the corners of her eyes as she thought of her dear friend.

"Yes, you're right, Yarisa. No matter how much you follow in someone else's footsteps, don their skin, or wear their mask, you'll only end up as a twisted being. Compared to clinging to a rotting corpse, this is a far more tragic and pathetic end for the living."

Looking at the girl who was peeking out from under the bus, Baldr smiled sadly, indicating his agreement.

Although a certain student (child) who was still lost in confusion was causing Baldr a lot of worry, he looked up as if he wanted to believe in the other person, letting his thoughts wander.

"She can't become anyone but Lefia."