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

"...I'm sorry, I'm telling you something that will offend your ears."

"H-How could this be!"

"In short, I am a shameless and rude elf... I have failed Mr. Crannie's trust."

Seeing Ms. Ryu speak with a calm expression that sounded almost self-deprecating, I was speechless for a moment.

I couldn't think of anything nice to say, and in a moment of panic, I retorted:

"Miss Ryu! ...Please don't belittle yourself like that. I'll get angry too."

Her sky-blue eyes were wide open.

She was speechless for a moment, and finally...

"I've really lost to you this time."

The lines of her lips are slightly softer.

Although it couldn't quite be called a smile, her eyes were slightly narrowed.

I simply quoted Ms. Ryu directly, like a thief, yet I felt a little proud. Because I had slightly removed the stubborn coldness from her face.

A ray of sunlight illuminated the grassy ground and the cemetery, creating a warm atmosphere between us.

"……that……"

"What's up?"

"Why did Miss Ryu come to Orario?"

I think it's okay to ask now.

What was her purpose in coming to Orario, a place many people visit with ambition and hope?

What kind of fate allowed me to meet her like this?

"..."

Miss Liu parted her lips slightly and first looked up.

The white light filtering through the branches and leaves made her squint.

"...We elves are considered a race with beautiful appearances."

His eyes were slightly open, his gaze lingering on the ground.

Miss Liu finally began to recount her story.

"Everyone says we're exceptionally good-looking, and we think so too. That's an undeniable fact. We're proud, we're fastidious, and we don't easily allow others to touch our skin..."

"..."

"Some elves also find other races ugly, both inside and out, and are unwilling to communicate with others, choosing instead to live in seclusion in their home forests. At least, the villages I used to live in were almost entirely populated by such people..."

"However," she continued.

"Seeing my fellow countrymen not identifying with ethnic groups outside of their own, and despising others as filthy beings... gave me a thought."

Then, she slowly raised her head again, gazing up at the white sunlight.

"Perhaps the most beautiful elves are actually the ugliest."

That kind of thinking would probably be considered heretical among elves who have a strong sense of racial identity.

Among the villagers who were proud of themselves, she was the only one who harbored doubts and disgust.

"Once this thought took hold, I couldn't stop. I felt ashamed to leave my birthplace and wander in other places... and then I came to Orario."

Was it a coincidence?

"No... because I've heard that in Orario there are gods, humans, and elves, transcending racial boundaries and gathering various races. I thought I might be able to discover something here... no, that's not right."

Miss Liu looked down at her hands as if she were reminiscing about her past self.

"What I really want is a partner with whom I can respect each other."

Things she could not obtain, having grown up in elven culture and customs.

Friends who appreciate each other's personality and laugh together, regardless of race or appearance.

"I visited this city with high expectations... However, I was immediately disappointed. I only exposed my skin to my fellow countrymen, wore a mask the whole time, and even waved away the helping hands that others extended to me."

Deeply ingrained elven customs... have been binding Miss Ryu all along.

Unlike when she was in the village, her beautiful appearance attracted curious glances, which she found unbearable. The elven trait of "only allowing those she identifies with to touch her skin"—an ingrained habit that was ultimately impossible to correct—was likely still tormenting her.

"What a joke. I chose to leave my hometown because I rejected the village. Seeing the world outside, which is different from the village, made me feel embarrassed and wavering. I built high walls around myself and refused to let others get close."

This is why she can't remove the mask in Orario.

She said that she ended up being no different from the villagers, and her inability to break free from the elf's framework left her utterly disappointed.

"Perhaps I am the one looking down on others," she said.

As a result, her feelings about her fellow elves (the elves) eventually came back to her, which deeply hurt her.

"I failed to change myself. In the end, I was nothing more than a wicked elf."

"Miss Ryu..."

"But."

In an instant, Miss Ryu's tone changed.

Then she walked up to me and gently took my hand.

"—Huh."

"Someone is willing to take my hand and hold my hand like this."

Miss Ryu shook hands with me.

It felt as if it would break if you held it; the cool, soft touch made my face flush immediately.

"This is our second handshake. Do you remember?"

"W-What?"

"That was the time you lost your dagger and caused a commotion."

I panicked and didn't understand what she was saying at first, but the touch of her hand brought back my memory. It was about Lily stealing my "Goddess Blade" after she transformed.

I clearly recall that I grabbed her hand in the midst of the chaos.

"I was really startled at that moment. One reason was that you suddenly grabbed my hand; another reason was that I didn't manage to shake it off."

Miss Ryu gave me a slightly mischievous look; it was the first time I'd ever seen her like that.

Back then, even if she had chopped me up, I wouldn't have said anything... I'm only realizing this now. My face is still red, but a stiff smile appears on my face.

"You are the third person who held my hand for the first time and I didn't pull away."

Miss Ryu held my hand and told me this.

—What, your name is Ryu? That's hard to pronounce. From today onwards, I'll call you Ryo!

The first person was a cheerful young female adventurer who invited her to join the [Family].

--How are you?

The second person is a kind-hearted tavern girl who gradually brings warmth and a sense of belonging to her cold self.

And the third person is...

"Please don't make that strange face. It makes me feel like I'm being treated like an idiot."

“S-Sorry!”

"Just kidding... I've been observing your words and actions, and I'm aware of your gentleness, sincerity, and unwavering will."

"Ryu, Miss...?"

"Mr. Craney, you are very kind."

The aura she exuded made me only able to call out her name; I couldn't do anything else.

At this moment, the sky-blue eyes closed first, and then slowly opened again after a short while.

"You are a human being worthy of respect."

Miss Liu smiled.

Her calm and composed expression seemed to melt away, revealing a faint smile.

The lines of the thin eyebrows became softer and the small lips opened slightly.

Miss Liu's smile was like a delicate white flower, making my face instantly turn bright red.

“…Wuwu.”

"Mr. Craney?"

It was only then that I realized firsthand how dangerous the smile of an elf could be.

Especially the usually stern and unsmiling elf, whose smile is even more menacing. Even though I already have someone I love, I can't help but stare in a daze. That smile can bewitch a big fool like me; it's truly a family heirloom.

Elves are not only beautiful in appearance.

And she only shows that sweet smile to people she trusts.

Before me lay the bright sunlight, the swaying flowers and plants in the cemetery, and her head tilted to the side.

I think I can understand why elves are loved by other races.

◆

"Ouch, ouch, ouch... What if my face gets deformed, Asifi?"

"That's what you deserve!"

The 18th floor has entered "night".

Two figures secretly left the campsite set up in the forest; they were Hermes and Asfi.

"For a god to be spying on people... Please have some shame!"

"Spying is a very common behavior among us guys."

Bell, who had been missing after the voyeurism incident, returned before dinner. Since he was instigated by the gods, everyone only gave him a stern warning—he himself kept kowtowing and apologizing, almost burying his head in the ground—and in the end only the culprit was punished.

"...So, where are you taking me so late?"

"Is it even possible to take a woman anywhere else this late?"

Walking on the vast, dark grassland, the lights of the western town of Rivera flicker.

"A tavern."

"hateful!"

This is one of the few taverns in "Riviera Town".

The shop, built using a natural cave, was covered with a slightly dirty carpet, and contained crudely made tables and chairs. Small portable magic stone lamps hung on the walls. Crystals emitting a pale blue light grew from some of the walls and corners of the ceiling.

In this peculiar shop frequented by adventurers, a man slammed his wine glass heavily on the table.

"You've got a lot of temper, Modo."

"Enough! What kind of magic did that brat use to get here... daring to ride roughshod over me!"

"Oh, so it's jealousy."

Seeing Modo's angry expression, the adventurers around him who were drinking and having fun burst into laughter.

In Rivera Town, which is accessible only to selected high-level adventurers, you'll find almost always the same few familiar faces. So the longer you spend here, the more people you'll get to know.

Although the tavern's regulars belonged to different factions, they had some connections with Modo and his group, so they spoke without restraint.

"Don't think this is none of your business! This arrogant newbie has only been promoted a short time and already arrived in the middle area of ​​the middle level (here)! Doesn't that make us a laughingstock, those of us who've been here for ages!"

Although these words carried a personal grudge about the "abundant mistress" incident, Modo did get to the point.

These people present were among the few high-level adventurers in Orario, a fact that made them quite arrogant. Now, a country bumpkin newbie had stepped in without even taking off his shoes, which was certainly unpleasant.

Furthermore, the fact that the newcomer was a "rabbit" closely watched by some of the gods made them even more unhappy.

Modo roared, and the tavern immediately fell silent.