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

"But those people... aren't they the ones you absolutely have to save?"

Fearing further setbacks, Lefia put up a final resistance, but Ais, tilting her head slightly, bluntly saw through her thoughts. Following Ais's gaze, Lefia could see Bardain, who was groaning in pain despite Tiona's help in retrieving his severed limb; Arisa and Nathan, whose lives were saved thanks to the long-haired Tione; and the other students lying around her.

But Ais and the other two alone couldn't protect everyone.

"We will protect you from the monsters. You, the mage, will save us from the monsters."

This is what Riviera taught me—

Ais added this last sentence before instantly turning into a gust of wind.

That was an incredibly distinct wind.

That was a fierce and warlike wind.

That was the wind that crushed the enemy.

The extraordinary strength displayed by the Sword Maiden made Lefia wonder if anyone could be both stunningly beautiful and incredibly powerful. Her long golden hair transformed into a dazzling trail, and her silver rapier achieved a miraculous one-hit kill, bringing a glimmer of hope to this almost hopeless battle.

She was able to fight a colossal giant to a draw all by herself.

It's like a scene from a fairy tale, where the monsters are crushed one-sidedly.

That is the heroic bearing of a "hero".

Lefia, stunned, was deeply shocked when she witnessed Ais single-handedly suppressing Goliath.

That ray of "longing"—just as the teacher (Leon) said—struck straight into the depths of her heart.

Lefia stood up as if drawn by a force.

"Proud warriors, archers of the forest!..."

This is the "magic" she just learned.

It was also the most powerful poetry she had studied at the time.

At that time, Rafia did indeed feel a sense of longing.

To the strong and bold Amazonian sisters.

The blond, golden-eyed swordsman is more valiant than anyone else.

The desire to "become something" at this moment outlines the desire to "become like this group of people".

This is Lefia Viridis, who admires Ais and others; this is the origin of her admiration for adventurers.

"--【Volley of Fire Javelin】!!"

Lefia's arrow, imbued with her will, pierced through all the monsters in an instant, saving Arisa and the others.

Fireballs flew everywhere, tracing parabolic arcs in the air, clearly illuminating Ais's profile as she defeated the giant.

"Wow, that's amazing! It's practically comparable to Rivera's magic!"

"Wow, you're quite something! If you're interested, you can join our [Family]! I can help recommend you to the leader!"

As countless sparks danced in the air, Lefia collapsed to the ground again, causing Tiona and Tione to burst into laughter.

"...You did it! You're awesome!"

Ais smiled at Lefia, who was tearful and sobbing.

(I've completely forgotten how I felt at the time.)

Who am I?

What are your thoughts that led you to consider this place as your target?

"【—Soon, the flames will be unleashed】."

Lefia recalls the "opportunity" that led her to become an adventurer, displaying a level of magical skill and overwhelming incantation far surpassing her previous memories.

I was deeply moved by the emotions I experienced for the first time.

After that, even though she experienced countless setbacks and fell many times, as long as Lefia recalled how she felt back then, she could always pick herself up again, no matter how painful it was.

"The flames of war are creeping in, and destruction is inevitable. The war horns sound loudly, and tyrannical chaos will engulf everything."

Lefia recalled the look in the eyes of the boy (Luke) who had called out to her earlier.

My weakness is reflected in the "mirror".

It's so pathetic that no matter how much time passes, I can't let go of the self I aspire to be.

Lefia decides to reclaim the original Lefia.

—I am Rafia Viridis.

—I am a spirit of the Visien Forest.

—I am a member of the most powerful, glorious, and great kin in Orario, having made a pact with the goddess Loki.

Only by leaving their hometown to study in the "school district" could they have the opportunity to come to their (Ais's) side.

It is curiosity, desire, and longing that have created the Lefia we know today.

Even after losing something precious, and becoming utterly disgusted with my past self—

Lefia could not deny the traces she had left behind.

"Come, crimson flames, savage fire. You are the embodiment of karmic fire."

Miss Phil Weiss.

Miss Phil Weiss.

I still couldn't do it.

Although I really want to become an elf who can protect myself and save others.

Yet it remains the same now, still requiring the protection of others.

They still accepted the protection of others.

I am still "Lefia Viridis" after all.

Lefia looked at the students fighting around her and silently confessed her sins.

However—she always felt that the phantom in her mind (Philweis) seemed to be smiling at her.

"Oooooo ...

Faced with an unprecedented amount of magical power, Goliath, growing increasingly agitated, roared.

The wise giant issued a decree that the elf must be killed no matter what.

"【Then bind and punish the barbarians! This is the forest shrine guarded by the guardians—】—【Silver Vines】!"

While fighting, Mililia, who had been setting up magic points, squeezed out her last bit of mental energy to cast a "magic spell" on the monsters that were trying to devour Lefia in one go.

There are five magic points in total. The emerald green magic circles, like blooming flowers, extend "magic vines" to bind the monsters tightly in place in order to protect Lefia.

"Gurgle!?"

Unable to eliminate their target, the monsters, huddled together, instead formed a "barrier," hindering the other monsters who came to help kill Lefia. Forced to become meat shields, the monsters roared in anger after being attacked, eventually turning into a fight to the death.

"Well done, Mi Li!"

In this way, the monsters could not interfere until Lefia finished chanting.

Luke and the others, who were cheering, focused their attention on the last Titan.

"──────────────────────────!!"

After ordering the entire army to move out, the one-armed Goliath personally went to the front line. Luke and Cole went to meet the enemy, while Miria used her trembling fingers to nock her arrows.

There's no reason why a level 4 floor master couldn't defeat students who aren't even adventurers.

However, the "Seventh Squad" racked their brains to come up with various methods and countermeasures to fight against the powerful enemy.

Ignored by Goliath, Luke aimed at its feet—and unleashed a full-force Lv.3 attack at the wound inflicted by Lefia.

Seeing that the giant's movements were slowed due to injury, Cole seized the opportunity and used the chains taken from the girl's (Nano's) weapon to tie the enemy's legs together.

Facing a monster that had lost an arm and was struggling to maintain its balance, Mililia delivered a fatal blow by shooting out its eyes.

Goliath let out a wail and fell to the ground with a loud crash.

"[Sweeping away thousands of troops and bringing the curtain down on large-scale warfare]."

"Gaa ...

Enraged, the floor master tore off the chains and launched an uncontrollable attack. Luke and the others tried to stop him, but they were all knocked away.

There are only ten seconds left until the chanting ends.

But it was still too late.

Goliath would reach out and grab Lefia first.

"────"

--The Battle to Defend the 24th Floor.

—Countless carnivorous plants.

—I was also under protection at the time.

In an instant, a strong sense of déjà vu washed over Lefia.

When the monsters launched their attack to kill Lefia, it was the white shield cast by the girl (Philwis) that stopped the enemy at the critical moment.

No matter how much you don't want to face reality, she's no longer here.

Just as Lefia's attention was about to be interrupted—

"Ugh ugh ...

Luke and the others, their heads covered in blood, clung tightly to the remaining chains. Even though their hands were torn and bleeding, they held on with all their might.

This level of obstruction is naturally insufficient to stop the giant's attack. It's impossible to stop it.

But for a fleeting moment, Goliath's movements did indeed slow down.

Moreover, "just a moment" is enough.

"Nano──────────────────────────────!"

The girl who was inside the magic circle, standing in front of Lefia and continuing to chant, heard the three people calling out to her.

Nano suddenly opened her tightly closed eyes and stretched out her magic wand toward the giant who was right in front of her.

"【Azure Fleet】──────────────────────!!"

Ten bolts of lightning converged into a single, massive thunderbolt, which struck the astonished Goliath.

With a deafening roar of thunder, a powerful bolt of lightning blasted the giant off the ground, sending it flying backward.

--No problem.

As Nano exhausted her mental energy and lost consciousness, and Luke and the others all collapsed—

Lefia, her eyes wide open, did indeed hear someone's voice behind her.

Lefia, her eyes welling with tears, felt as if a hand was placed on her shoulder, bringing her warmth, and a serene smile appeared on her face.

"Burn everything, Surtr's sword—my name is Alfred!"

Then, her eyes widened.

An explosive burst of "magic power" was released from the horizontally held "Double Staffs of Fairy Stardust," unleashing a magic circle with a high-pitched resonance.

She expanded the magic circle to its maximum extent, covering the entire cavern.

While the giant (Goliath) and the monsters were stunned by the rising "magical" breath beneath their feet, Lefia chanted the great "magic".

"【Advanced Sword of Victory】!!"

The karmic fire roared, igniting a crimson glow.

Countless enormous pillars of fire erupted from the ground, instantly piercing through the monsters and incinerating them, making them victims of the roaring flames. Goliath was no exception; its massive body was pierced and burned by the pillars of fire, and before it could even struggle in pain, it vanished without a trace.

The monster army was burned to ashes one after another.

The Roar of the Fiery Realm that annihilates all things.

Only Luke and the others, who were temporarily unable to speak, were not engulfed by the pillar of fire. To avoid damaging their lungs with the high temperature, they held their breath and silently looked up at the specks of fire flying in the air.