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

"So... 'It's nice to meet you for the first time,' I'm your sister Nina."

Upon hearing these words, Eina's eyes, which shared the same color as Nina's, welled up with tears, and she smiled happily.

"I saw you when you were a baby, so what I want to say to you is 'long time no see.' I am your older sister, Eina."

Despite being blood-related sisters, they greeted each other with the awkwardness of strangers when they reunited.

Despite their significant age difference, the two women, who look remarkably alike, smile at each other as if looking in a mirror.

"I'm sorry, sister, I didn't reply to you afterwards. Actually, I was very happy to receive your letter, but I was afraid to reply."

"Yeah?"

"Yes, because I always imitated my older sister and followed in her footsteps. Later, I became discouraged and suffered a lot because of it."

Nina smiled broadly as she explained the whole story to her sister, who always had a gentle smile on her face and listened patiently to what people had to say.

She loves to imitate Eina's things.

She enjoys reading, but unlike Eina, she doesn't know how to grasp the essentials.

The experience of repeatedly encountering setbacks.

Actually, she's quite good at sports.

But in the end, it didn't become "Eina Zur".

Now, she is embracing her "dream" as "Nina Zur".

Nina spoke at length, using this as a substitute for the reply she hadn't been able to send in the past.

Words that could not be written on any more sheets of paper welled up from the depths of her heart.

She didn't understand why her eyes welled up with tears as she spoke, and Eina, who was listening patiently, also had teary eyes.

"So, I figured out a lot of things during my special (dungeon) internship! It's all thanks to that person I cherish; he taught me many important lessons!"

"I see... It seems you've met a wonderful person. Is this person a classmate from the 'school district'?"

"No! It's Mr. Bell Craney!"

"────Huh!?"

Then, Nina dropped this "explosive declaration".

The warm and cozy moment was instantly shattered, and Eina couldn't help but gasp in surprise.

At first, Nina tilted her head in confusion, but she wanted to share this joy with her older sister no matter what. Her cheeks, unaffected by the cold wind, began to flush, and she excitedly continued speaking.

"Mr. Bell Craney... no, Senior Bell is an incredibly skilled adventurer! He's helped us countless times with the demeanor of a first-class adventurer...!"

"Um, Nina? Could it be that you have feelings for Bell...!?"

"Yes, I've made up my mind! Sister, my goal is to join the Hestia Familia!"

"Eee ...

Completely oblivious to her sister's panicked state, Nina, who was totally immersed in her own world and creating a youthful (naive spring) space, waved goodbye with a smile.

"So, big sister! You absolutely have to help me register as an adventurer from now on! We promised!"

"Wait, wait! Nina! Please stop and listen to me!! Bell's crush is Miss Wallenstein! And a lot has happened here, so I suggest you find someone else...!?"

"I want to stay by his side and see more different scenery!"

"Nina────────────!?"

The older sister's screams ultimately failed to reach her; the bewildered younger sister had already turned around and started running forward.

A slight blush rose to her cheeks as she exhaled white breath, moving forward along the straight road without any obstacles toward her "dream".

Heading towards an "adventure" that is not just about glamorous things, but also about countless hardships and setbacks that may await, yet still holds many precious treasures.

"Yes──────!! I must become a great adventurer!"

The girl, transformed into a "dream chaser," begins to race forward.

Postscript to Volume 19

The nineteenth episode, which marks the beginning of a brand new chapter, is a campus story that I've always wanted to try since becoming a writer.

While I was writing this, I always had the feeling that this episode should have been the first in a series.

In other words, the "protagonist who hides his strength" befriends many classmates after enrolling in the university, who secretly provide him with assistance, and finally unleashes his power to cause a huge disturbance. This is a very orthodox plot development, and in some ways, it's also a clichéd and old-fashioned story; however, presenting the "clichéd content of the first episode" in the "nineteenth episode" gives it a different meaning and a special feeling.

The protagonist, who has persevered through so much thanks to the readers' support, has become so powerful. What was once such a useless boy has grown so much through various adventures and with the help of his companions. It would be my greatest honor if everyone could feel this way as they reminisce about the past.

Although this is a bit off-topic, when writing, I try my best to avoid projecting my current feelings or my own thoughts onto the characters.

Therefore, after much deliberation, I've decided to hold off on including certain content in this episode. While this might seem selfish of me, and perhaps just nagging to readers, please allow me a few words to express my thoughts.

The words "dream" and "goal" were mentioned several times in the latter half of this episode, but I actually think it's fine even without them. It's good to have them, but they are not indispensable.

If anyone feels uneasy about their aimless life, there's really no need to worry.

For me, the so-called unease is just the first step forward.

That's right, this is exactly the same as light novel authors who are scrambling to write because "the deadline is approaching, I have to hurry up and write...!"

On the contrary, I think that being so oblivious to any sense of unease might be the most dangerous thing.

If someone is troubled or uneasy about choosing another path, I think it's okay to start with a blank mind. This can be applied to studying, clubs, and work, and even sports or part-time jobs.

Some people might think, "Don't say such irresponsible things," but I'm really sorry to say that these are just some thoughts I've come to based on my own experiences.

In order to write this episode, I searched through a lot of materials and memories from my student days. I found an essay I wrote in elementary school, in which my future dream was to "become a school teacher". When I saw this essay, I was immediately in a state of "this is too far-fetched".

The reason is that I was not good at studying during my school years, or rather, I was quite averse to it.

In fact, I once ranked second to last in the entire school year on a test. I secretly hid the report card deep in my desk drawer and didn't show it to my parents. As for the homework I hated most, it was writing reading notes.

I, who was once so utterly useless, am now actually writing light novels. I was someone whose grades in both modern and classical Chinese were hopelessly bad.

It all started with the idea of ​​"Let's give it a try."

Of course, I am interested in writing, but at first, it was just a "let's give it a try" mentality.

Therefore, even if you don't have lofty ideals like "dreams" or "goals," you can still relax and start trying with a "let's give it a try" mentality.

If you're interested, please muster up the courage to try it out.

Even though no one can guarantee success, the effort you put in will definitely help you grow.

Even though embarrassing or painful experiences can be agonizing, they will ultimately become your assets. If this experience makes you feel frustrated, it proves that you have grown. While you may feel hatred, jealousy, or resentment towards others depending on the person, it is entirely worthwhile if you can transform these feelings into motivation for improvement.

After trying and persisting for a while, if you still feel dissatisfied, you can certainly look for other solutions. If you feel tired of the search itself, try talking to someone, whether family, friends, or strangers. Also, go and enjoy the clear blue sky; I believe this will more or less lift your spirits. Although things often don't go as planned, please don't forget this: every time you take action, things will improve.

Although I've said so much, I still implore everyone to at least take in half of what I've said.

However, this is ultimately just my personal experience. After all, life is very diverse, and no single person can possibly discuss it all.

But when you feel very uneasy or need courage, hopefully you can recall that a foolish writer once said these words.

Next is the thank you speech.

To editor Usami, illustrator Yasuda Suzuhito, and everyone involved in the production, including the story CD bonus (editor's note: this is a Japanese edition exclusive), I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude. Thanks to everyone, I was able to endure twelve months of continuous publication, and I am truly grateful. Furthermore, to all readers who have perused previous volumes of this series, including this one, please accept my sincerest thanks.

This episode has already planted a seed (that makes me very uneasy about whether it can be successfully recovered), and it seems that the "School District Arc" will end in the next episode. It would be my honor if everyone would continue to support this work.

Thank you very much for reading this far. Please excuse me.

大森藤ノ

Volume 19 Illustrations

Volume 19 Bonus: The Master and Disciple

The online translation is from the Kingdom of Light

Translation: Miaopasi

Occasionally.

It really is only occasionally.

The Master sometimes stays overnight at the "Heart Fire House".

"Master, I apologize for disturbing you..."

"Didn't I tell you you didn't need to come over, you stupid rabbit?"

I walked into the quiet corridor at night, opened the door with a little nervousness, and was met with an indifferent voice.

Deep within a room furnished only with a bed and a table, the Master… Mr. Hedin is reading a book.

She didn't turn on the magic stone lamp, but relied solely on the moonlight shining through the window, crossing her long legs.

Watching his figure and the way he turned the pages of the book, despite being male, one couldn't help but be captivated. He truly was like a noble among fairies.

I stood there dumbfounded. My master dismissively said to me, "If you have nothing else to do, hurry up and leave. Your undignified face is really irritating to me." Feeling the aura of the Zero Second Lightning Bomb (Karus Hilde) about to strike, my face turned ashen instantly. I entered the room and closed the door in a split second. Of course, without making a sound.

Slightly annoyed that my hands were occupied by the plate, I timidly approached my master.

"Uh... how many people came today...?"

"Twelve kidnappers and four gangs. Today's number is relatively small."

Oh no. Miss Haruhime is finished. Her level (level up) wasn't high enough.

Faced with the relentless attacks from different dimensions, my tone became somewhat unstable, and my gaze became wistful.

At the same time, I truly felt that it was wonderful that Master and the others were able to protect Miss Haruhime and the Home. Perhaps the first-class adventurer (me), the ninja (Miss Life), and the battle prostitute (Aisha) alone could have held on, but they definitely wouldn't have been able to concentrate on dungeon exploration and other activities. Without a doubt, thanks to Master and the others, we were able to live a life that hadn't changed much from before.

Like today, the Master (occasionally Mr. Hegny, Mr. Van, etc.) resides at the "Heartfire Mansion" to protect Miss Haruhime—more precisely, to protect the entire Hestia Familia, including the former top bounty (Miss Ryu). Needless to say, they keep watch over the mansion and its surroundings throughout the day and night.

Fortunately, the original owners of this mansion, the Apollo Familia, were a large family, so there were still empty rooms left in the "Heartfire Mansion." Although it couldn't compare to the Battlefield Field, it was still perfectly fine for Master and the others to stay overnight.

Although Master had clearly stated to God that he refused to contact them, and thus used the empty room to eliminate any trace of their presence, Welf and the others were still somewhat doubtful: "Is someone really there?" They couldn't sense their presence. It was so subtle that it wouldn't even attract our attention in our daily lives—no, it had reached a level where it wouldn't even register with us.

"This state of alert will remain in place for some time."

Mr. Alfred and his companions, who were also guarding the mansion alongside their Master, said this.

The public reaction to the Level Upgrade (Upgrade) announcement—or rather, the backlash—is expected to continue for some time, during which time this system will likely be implemented. However, since Miss Seele has been visiting the Home whenever she has the chance lately, I also think that the Ironclad Protection of the Resilient Warriors (Enheria) shouldn't change...

So, yes, that kind of situation can happen.

When my master and others stayed at the manor, I would go to the kitchen alone every night and bring them a midnight snack. This had become my daily routine.

"You really don't know how to learn!"

To avoid disturbing my reading, I slowly placed the plate on the table—it was reheated food prepared by Miss Ming, who was in charge of cooking tonight. For the first time, Master looked up from his book and looked at me.

I looked back into those coral-red eyes, put one hand behind my head, and frankly spoke my mind.

"Thank you for your many kindnesses..."

"Do you want more abuse and unreasonable behavior?"

"Well……"

I was speechless.

Indeed, what I experienced was extremely harsh, demanding, and severe. If I had to do it all again, I would put aside my pride and even kneel down to apologize, saying, "Please forgive me."

But... now I know that all of this was for Miss Seele, so I can't resent or hate her no matter what.

There was no gentleness in my master's strictness. Although he was extremely strict and harsh, to the point of being frightening, I didn't find him 'cruel' at all.

I think that, aside from being strict, I wanted 'Bell Crane' to gain recognition for his growth more than anyone else.

Perhaps... I hope he'll say, "This fool is my apprentice"?

Because only when he was called a "foolish disciple," as if a thunderclap had erupted, could his heart be so shaken.

(However, this is only my expectation; Master is different...)

My master, who still treats me coldly, feels no guilt, but my service seems to be "uncompensable" and "unfair" in light of my past words and deeds.

Therefore, he extremely disliked my worries.

It's not that they don't accept me, but that they can't forgive themselves.

Miss Seele once told me a story from a long time ago. Without a doubt, this person was once a 'king'.

He is a very scary, very smart, very arrogant fairy knight who, unlike a 'king,' is very caring towards others.