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

The room was filled with laughter and chatter surrounding a girl dressed in a bright red kimono.

As a fox spirit, she held back her tears, forgot those illusory and fleeting things, and laughed from the bottom of her heart.

The sky was clear and cloudless, and the pure blue heavens protected the goddess and her retinue.

As if welcoming the new companions, the badges adorning the facade of the mansion gleamed in the sunlight.

Postscript to Volume 7

"This story is a bit like a theatrical version."

When I handed over the story outline (plot) for this seventh episode, the editor said this to me.

At first, I was thinking, "What is this person saying?" But as I wrote, I realized that what my editor said might make sense. When I was writing the world-building for this episode, the story was still set in a labyrinth city, but this time, when I described the street scenes, I wrote it from the perspective of someone from another city, another world. I think it should be quite different in nature compared to the episodes so far.

This collection frequently mentions terms like "brothel" and "prostitutes." The reason I chose to temporarily forgo dungeon elements in order to include them in the story is because I initially questioned: in a city where rogues and scoundrels swagger around, is it possible that such facilities or people engaged in such professions wouldn't exist? In the end, I concluded that this was an inevitable path; thus, even knowing that this would expose the darker side of the story's world to the readers, I still nervously conceived this part from the early stages of the work.

In my personal opinion, the existence of brothels and prostitutes is an indispensable element in otherworldly fantasy stories. I haven't explored this in detail in this piece, but I imagine some prostitutes, for various reasons, sometimes sell their fleeting pleasures amidst pain—for example, to earn money for tomorrow's living expenses, to support their beloved's dreams or life, or to develop a tragic love affair with a client. These aspects of their lives genuinely moved me, and sometimes even made me feel a pang of sadness. The courtesans and Yoshiwara characters in period dramas I watched while sitting on a cushion with my knees drawn up must have also had a significant impact on me.

On a different note, this episode, in terms of story content, deliberately incorporated a lot of so-called "fan service" scenes, three times more than previous episodes. As I wrote this, I realized that "fan service"... or rather, romantic comedy, is truly profound, almost to the point of profound enlightenment. Including the depiction of "the pain of childbirth," this episode was truly enlightening. Yes, I'm sorry I couldn't maintain a serious tone until the very end.

Normally, we would move on to the thank-you speech at this point, but please allow me to report something first.

The anime adaptation of this work will begin airing in April 2015.

When I first heard it, I jumped up and clenched my fists; now I'm so excited and nervous I can barely sit still. I have to thank everyone who has supported this work, *Is This a Dungeon?! (omitted)*, for this. Thank you so much. I will resist the urge to share this joy with everyone and instead pour this feeling into the work itself, as a way of repaying your kindness. While the anime is airing, I will continue to dedicate myself to writing the original novel.

Then we move on to the thank-you speech.

Thank you to the editor-in-chief, Kogane-sama; Yasuda Suzuhito-sensei, who, as usual, adorned this volume with beautiful illustrations; the editor-in-chief Kitamura, who gave me a push from behind when I was hesitant, saying, "Don't worry about that, just write!"; and all the other people involved.

I would also like to express my deepest gratitude to the production staff and voice actors for the Drama CD included with the seventh limited edition (Editor's note: this is a Japanese version exclusive).

Finally, I would like to express my deepest gratitude to the readers who have taken the time to purchase this book.

Personally, I think episodes five, six, and seven of the main series were a series of exciting developments (I burned so many calories that I lost weight), so the next episode—episode eight—is planned to be a more relaxed slice-of-life episode. I will focus on working hard to create a story that readers will enjoy.

Thank you for reading this far.

See you next time.

大森藤ノ

Illustrations for Volume 7

Celebrating the bonus features of Volume 7?

The online translation is from Baidu Tieba

Translation: Miaopasi

"Huh, what's wrong, Ais?"

Ais, who was deep in thought in the living room, was greeted by Tiona as she passed by.

"Well, when we won the war game, our [Familia] grew bigger, so, um..."

"Ah, I'd like to give Argonot a congratulatory gift!"

The girl, who wasn't good with words, wanted to say something, and Tiona readily understood, smiling as if she understood.

"Yes, we also participated in the training and wanted to celebrate Argonot's victory in the war game. But what should we do? Adventurers, weapons... or food?"

Beside Ais, who was considering what to give as a gift, Tiona also came up with a whole bunch of things. The two first-level adventurers, who had never prepared any celebratory items before, clasped their hands together in a gesture of "Hmm." "Ah."

"Huh? What? Both of them look troubled?"

“Ah, Loki,” and Tiona turned to face the chief god who had appeared in the living room. To be frank, if it were a close faction, it would be fine, but congratulating their sworn enemy, Hestia, was something to be utterly disgusting for Loki. He opened his mouth as if to reprimand her—heh heh.

For some reason, a smile appeared on his face.

“Aistan, let me teach you. What kind of celebratory gift is appropriate for this occasion—”

"—Flowers, really? Wow, thank you!"

The next day, Belle received a congratulatory gift from Ais, who had come to her house.

She handed him a flower as pure white as the boy's hair.

"War game, congratulations... Your [Family] has grown up, that's great."

Bell blushed and lowered her head several times as Ais smiled faintly at her. After watching her leave, Bell happily hugged the bouquet and returned to the living room of Hestia's relaxing home.

"My Lord, everyone, look! Miss Ais has arrived, with such a beautiful bouquet—"

Then, the moment Hestia and the others saw the bouquet Bell was holding, they let out a cry of agony. (Note: "A cry of agony" is a Sanskrit word meaning a very tragic or desperate cry for help.)

"Beibeibeibeibeibeibeibei Belle-kun!? Isn't that Snowfall Flower (Sunōdoroppu)!?"

"Ha, the flower's meaning is 'I wish you all to die'... Hey, Bell, was it really brought by [Sword Princess]!?"

"This is... a de facto declaration of war from the Loki Familia!?"

"[Hestia Familia] is finished!!"

"Eh, eh ...

The screams echoed through the sky in the order of God, Welf, Life, Lily, and Belle.

The white bouquet brought by [Sword Princess], as if from the Grim Reaper, plunged the house into chaos.

Later, after learning the whole story from a terrified Bell, Ais, with tears in her eyes, kicked Loki to the ground.

Volume 7 Bonus: Familia Joining Contract

The online translation is from Baidu Tieba

Translation: Miaopasi

"Now, let me explain about my [Family]."

With her hands on her waist, Hestia, for some reason, adopted the affected demeanor befitting a deity.

It was a morning just days after the war game. In the newly acquired living room of the damaged mansion, all the members of the [Hestia Familia] were gathered, except for Guild Leader ‹Bell›, who had gone to the guild to report on various matters. Before the moving work had even begun, Hestia started talking to Lily, Welf, and Mikoto, who had recently joined the guild after their conversion, as well as the rules of her own faction—the precautions for joining the guild.

"Gateway hours are until 10 PM except during emergency periods. Be sure to report to me if anything happens. When going to the dungeon, please tell me the floor you arrived at before you set off."

"I know about the report on the dungeon... Is there a curfew, Lady Hestia?"

"Of course, Supporter. My Bell is not allowed to go out at night, show his face in the tavern, or come back in the morning, nothing. We have to make sure it's all planned in advance for the sake of the faction's discipline."

"Whose Bell is this?" Hestia continued, her eyes fixed on Lily.

"We'll all eat breakfast and dinner together from now on. During the day, everyone has part-time jobs and dungeon exploration, so there's nothing we can do about it. But otherwise, let's all eat together. Because we're already a family."

"It's okay for me to be like this. In fact, I agree."

"Yes. Spending time together around the table, enjoying time of reunion and togetherness, is very important in deepening our bonds."

Welf and Fate smiled and nodded at the Lord God's instructions. After saying "thank you," Hestia fluently explained the factional rules and then took out three pieces of paper from who-knows-where.

"Finally, please sign your names on this contract. Although my 'favor' is already engraved on you all, please allow me to leave you with this contract as proof. Once this is finished, you will officially join my faction."

"Sigh, that's really thorough..."

The unbelievable contract was handed to Ming, sweating profusely, and Welf and Lily accepted it as well. The sheer volume of Koinē, a common slang term, filled the page, leaving Ming bewildered. Welf prepared to skim through it casually and write his own signature—Lily stared intently at the paper, her eyes following each word.

Then, those chestnut-colored eyes discovered a very small note at the bottom of the contract.

"Interactions between men and women within the [family/clan] are prohibited, especially contact with the group leader. Holding hands is also forbidden."

Lily used all her strength to tear the contract apart.

"Huh!? What are you doing, Supporter?!"

"These are my lines!! Who do you think you're trying to get an autograph from, making it sound like a lie!?"

Facing the two young girls wailing and arguing, he held the contract in one hand and Welf in the other, a strand of sweat on his face and a sigh.

Volume 7 Bonus: Full Moon Throw ‹Thunder God›

The online translation is from Baidu Tieba

Translation: Miaopasi

"Haa!" "Ugh!?"

With a sharp cry, Bell, who had been thrown into the air, rolled freely on the lawn.

One afternoon, in the courtyard of the Hearth Hall. Bell, Ming, and Welf were training—competing against each other.

"No matter how many times I watch it, it's always amazing. The Far East's 'skills' are incredible. You're truly impressive."

"No, no, this is a blessing from the martial god ‹Takemikazuchi›, it's definitely not because I'm so powerful...!?"

While resting, Welf called out to Bell and praised her, causing Ming to blush and vehemently deny it. Bell gave the shy Ming a wry smile and asked a question as if to change the subject.

"Um, among all the skills Miss Ming possesses, what is the most powerful... the strongest skill?"

"The strongest, right? Judging based on the situation will be difficult... As expected, is it the Full Moon Throwing ‹Thunder God›?"

After Bel responded to the question, "Um," he explained.

"This is the ultimate move that the War God ‹Takemikazuchi› created after many special training sessions in the courtyard. It's an improvement on a foreign skill... and its power is like a thunderbolt. Therefore, combined with the War God ‹Takemikazuchi›'s own name, it became known as 'Full Moon Throw ‹Takemikazuchi›,' and that's how it was named."

"Wow, that's amazing..." "Can you do that?"

"Hmm. For now, among those taught by the Martial God ‹Takemikazuchi›, only I can truly understand... But the Martial God ‹Takemikazuchi› who taught us the Full Moon Throw ‹Takemikazuchi› was severely reprimanded by the Goddess ‹Tsukuyomi› with a hand chop for 'What are you trying to teach!'..."

Perhaps it was recalling the figure of the war god ‹Takemikazuchi› who was being reprimanded, its trembling life telling of skills that could be sealed away.

"This looks interesting. Let's do a little demonstration. Bell, you want to see it too, right?" "Uh... yeah, yeah."

"Eh!?" Surprised, she was forced by the young man, who claimed it was to enhance the faction's power, to decide to perform that skill. Because it was extremely dangerous, several bedding mats stacked together were prepared in a corner of the yard.

"Well then... let's go, Lord Bell."

"Why am I in this predicament...?"

Sweating profusely, Bell faced his fate with trepidation, striking a pose.

In the next instant, with astonishing speed, the leaping man clamped Bell's face between his thighs.

「!?」

Belle's face was surrounded by soft thighs, her gaze fixed on the crotch of her manhood—no, blocked by his underwear.

Then, in the next instant, a shout of "Ouch!" was slapped onto the bedding mat from above.

"Well, Lord Bell, is this the Full Moon Throw ‹Thunder God›... Waa ...

"Ah... Lord Takemikazuchi, the martial god who taught this girl, must have been reprimanded."

Sinking into the mattress, Belle, her face flushed and steaming, rushed to tend to her wounded child. Welf, who had been watching intently from beginning to end, seemed to understand everything and sighed.

The improved foreign throwing technique "Full Moon Throw" by the God of War ‹Takemikazuchi› — also known as the Happiness Throw ‹Frankenstein›.

Note 1: The annotations above "Martial God", "Goddess", and "Full Moon Throw" are translated by name, not transliterated.

Note 2: Frankenstein, considered the world's first true science fiction novel, is a full-length novel by British author Mary Shelley, titled *Frankenstein: The Tale of a Modern Prometheus*. Here, Omori is likely paying homage to the Japanese film *Frankenstein vs. the Monster*, a still from which shows the protagonist throwing the monster over his shoulder.

Volume 8 Prologue: The Advancing War God

Taiwanese version adapted from Angel Anime

Scanned image by: Yuuyu Murasaki

Entered by: Yuuyu Murasaki

——The army of the Kingdom of Lakia is dispatching troops.

The news spread to neighboring countries in an instant.

Soldiers clad in heavy armor, hundreds of armored warhorses, and tens of thousands of spears gleaming dimly in the overcast sky. Many merchants and travelers witnessed the massive armed procession advancing along the border.

Kingdom of Lakia.

It is a monarchy located in the western part of the continent. It is said that the population exceeds 600,000, and there are huge royal cities and towns in the royal capital.

This lush and fertile country also has a barbaric side, namely, it is a so-called "military state".

Everything was done in accordance with the will of a god who reigned over the monarch—the king.

Ares, the god of war.

This male god who rules the country is the de facto supreme leader of the nation.