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

(But... thinking about it, it makes sense. This victory is all thanks to my master...)

Thanks to Master Hedin, who risked turning against the Familia and stood up for us even after being punished, we were finally able to win the War Game.

Of course, this victory was not solely due to that reason, but without Master's help, we would have undoubtedly lost and would not have been able to save that person from suffering.

"...Master, thank you for your willingness to lend us a hand."

"Don't flatter yourself, idiot. I didn't help at all; I was just using you."

Even so, I am still very grateful to you, Master.

I remained seated on the floor, while my master stood beside me.

He leaned against the wall, watching Hestia and the others laughing and joking in the center of the hall, as well as Miss Seele who was caught up in it.

Although Miss Seele was forced to accept all sorts of unreasonable demands, she still had a smile on her face.

"I think that without her master... Miss Seele would probably never have had the chance to show that smile again."

We didn't look at each other, we just stared at Miss Seele, letting time pass by in silence.

A moment later, the master exhaled.

"Stupid rabbit."

Even though it was really quiet—

However, looking ahead, I vaguely heard the elf beside me chuckle softly.

Then, the master, seemingly impatient, left the wall and straightened up.

"If I stay any longer, your dullness will start to affect me. I'm leaving."

"OK."

"Never break the promise you made to her."

"……yes."

After speaking, the master walked towards the kitchen, his long golden hair swaying in the breeze.

I have a strange feeling.

That fierce and painful battle has finally come to a true end.

"Have you all got your drinks? Now, let me tell you about my heroic deeds!"

"Yay!!"

The feast between the adventurers and the gods was not yet over. Everyone continued to savor the afterglow of victory. As Mr. Mordo led the toast, happy laughter filled the room.

Judging from this situation... everyone will probably party until the next morning.

I glanced at the adventurers and gods who were having a great time, and slowly rose from the ground—

"Bell".

A clear, ethereal voice called to me.

I looked back and saw an elf standing there dressed in travel attire, not tavern uniform.

"Miss Ryu..."

As I saw her, who had just returned to the tavern, my eyes widened in surprise. Her sky-blue eyes met mine, and she asked:

"Would it be convenient for me to take up a little of your time now?"

"Miss Ryu, about... your 'main god'... have you finished talking to her?"

We left the "Abundant Mistress" and entered a small alleyway a little further away.

As the laughter from the tavern and the clamor from the street gradually faded away, after a moment's hesitation, I finally asked that figure what had just left.

"Yes, I have already bid farewell to the goddess Astraea."

Miss Liu stopped and turned around.

The goddess Astraea, the chief deity of Miss Ryu, came to her aid during the recent "faction war".

To bid farewell to the goddess who had moved away from the labyrinth city—more precisely, to escort the goddess Astrea back to her current headquarters—Miss Ryu was away from Orario for a period of time.

She naturally traveled with the second generation of the Astrea Familia.

"I have safely returned them to the sword-forging city (Solingen), and this is the only way I am allowed to honor the Lord God."

Thanks to the help of Hermes and others, Miss Ryu was able to leave Orario.

She stated that this was her final act of willfulness, and also a way of putting an end to things.

Loyal and devoted, she regarded this journey as her final one, escorting the main god and her new kin along the way.

Actually, I've always felt that Miss Ryu might never come back. Because of this doubt, when I saw her return, while I felt relieved, I couldn't suppress the confusion in my heart.

"Are you really sure it's alright if you don't return to the goddess Astraea's side?"

Miss Ryu still bears the "blessing" bestowed by the goddess Astraea on her back. No matter what painful experiences she has gone through, she is still a follower of justice, so she can continue to follow the goddess Astraea.

I've imagined what it would be like to be in Ms. Ryu's shoes; I know I would be torn inside.

If, for some reason, I must part from the goddess Hestia—

If it were possible afterward, I would definitely choose to be with the gods.

"Yes, that's good. After all, I once abandoned 'justice' and chose to leave Goddess Astrea for my own selfish reasons. It would be really shameless of me to beg the goddess to take me in now."

"But...but even so...!"

"Moreover, the goddess Astraea has built a new residence and has many new followers who admire her."

When I couldn't help but want to retort, Ms. Ryu was like an older sister trying to comfort her younger brother, a gentle smile appearing on her face.

"And I, too, have found another place to belong, which is by Seele's side and yours. Bell, this is my choice, this is where I want to be."

"Miss Ryu..."

"I want to stay with you who saved me from pain."

Miss Liu clearly expressed that she would no longer stop and look back on the past, but instead chose to embrace the "future".

She used to always dye her hair light green.

Now, her waist-length hair is no longer concealed, revealing its original golden color, and I believe this is the answer she has come to.

"Moreover, this is not a farewell that will last forever. I can visit the goddess at any time if I wish. In addition, we have agreed to keep in touch by letter again starting today."

—The bond between me and the goddess Astraea, and with Alyssa and the others, will never disappear.

After speaking, Miss Ryu glanced tenderly at the goddess's blood residing on her back.

I have never seen Miss Ryu make such an expression.

This was a decision made jointly by Miss Ryu and the goddess Astrea, without a trace of regret or confusion.

Therefore, I've decided not to say anything more.

There's only one sentence I should say to her.

So I straightened my posture, smiled at her, and said:

"Welcome back, Ms. Ryu."

"...I'm back, Bell."

We smiled at each other under the soft glow of the magic stone lamp.

The alley, which was slightly dim with only the two of us left, inexplicably felt particularly bright and warm.

"Bell, now comes the real reason I called you here."

"Ah, that's true. May I ask what you'd like to discuss with me?"

After a burst of laughter, Miss Liu politely said to get back to the main topic, which made me realize that I had gone off-topic first.

Since she deliberately chose to be alone away from the pub, she must want to talk about something very important, right?

Perhaps they didn't want outsiders to hear it—I suddenly realized this the moment I thought of it.

At the same time, his shoulder swayed.

"Bell, before that, there's something I need to make clear to you."

"Please speak."

"I like you."

"It's... huh?"

So much happened that I completely forgot—but Miss Ryu confessed her feelings to my face!

I see you as someone of the opposite sex... I like you.

It was so clear and obvious that I couldn't possibly mistake it for a kind gesture towards a friend or a rabbit (pet)!

I could feel my face getting hot. My heart started pounding wildly when I realized I was alone in an alley with a beautiful, ethereal fairy-like woman.

At the same time—my face turned deathly pale.

A series of images flashed through my mind as I rejected Seele's confession during the Goddess Festival.

A complete scoundrel (Bell Crane) cannot abandon his aspirations.

If Ms. Ryu asks me for an answer regarding the confession, I will only have one answer!

I can clearly feel that I've become afraid of "feelings from the opposite sex." Even though I'm not qualified to say such things, ever since Miss Seele confessed her feelings, I seem to have developed a psychological trauma regarding "rejecting other people's affections."

Although if my grandfather were here, he would most likely scold me, saying, "Don't be so arrogant! Or I'll take over, you silly kid who's so enviable!", but for me, that would just be torture!!

Miss Liu's sky-blue eyes were already focused on me!

There's no way out! No, no, no, even if there were a way out, I couldn't choose to run away!!

"...To be honest, besides you, we should have invited the goddess Hestia to the event as well."

Miss Ryu, do you hope our relationship can be approved by the Lord God?!

As I was imagining all sorts of stupid things, I don't know if Miss Ryu noticed anything unusual from my expression, but she was staring at me with a serious look in her eyes.

There were only the two of us in this alley paved with stone slabs.

In this perfectly opportune moment to discuss private matters, her cherry-like lips parted slightly.

"Bell--"

"P-Please wait a minute! I'm not mentally prepared yet—!!"

My incredibly embarrassing pleas for mercy had no effect, and Ms. Ryu immediately got to the "topic".

"Please allow me to join your [Family]."

"……………………………………………………………………Huh?"

Needless to say, my expression at that moment must have been utterly ridiculous.

"Lord Ryu, would you like to join our [Hestia Familia]!?"

The next morning—

Miss Ming's exclamation pierced the clear blue sky.

"Yes, the conversion has been permitted by the goddess Astraea."

Miss Ryu's clear statement surprised not only Miss Mikoto, but also Lily, Welf, Miss Haruhime, and even the deity.

This is the courtyard of the "Hestia Familia's" headquarters, the "Heartfire House".

As the group leader, I am acting as the introducer and am holding this meeting to discuss this matter with everyone.

"I know you're a top-tier elf with a straightforward personality, and as the chief god, I'm naturally very happy to welcome you..."

"Wouldn't that mean you have to quit your job at the tavern? It's amazing that the dwarf agreed..."

"Seele... no, Mother Mia once said that if I want to go somewhere, I should leave this shop as soon as possible."

Both Hestia and Welf couldn't help but recall the terrifying dwarf shopkeeper, while Miss Ryu recounted the "ultimatum" issued by the shopkeeper during the incident involving Heretics (Vinnie and others).

"It's precisely because of her troublesome sense of justice that she can't stay put in one place."

Miss Ryu had sneaked out of the tavern many times to help us, which Aunt Mia complained about with a sigh. I felt quite guilty that Miss Ryu often went out for our sake... She said that she told Aunt Mia about her determination after the war game ended.