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

"Yes, Loki also wants to get information about the series of disturbances."

Uranus didn't even glance at Fels, who had emerged from the shadows, and responded only with his voice.

The old god and his right and left hands began their conversation in the prayer hall beneath the guild headquarters.

"Do you believe the key to the event truly lies deep within the dungeon... on the 59th floor, Uranus?"

"I don't have concrete evidence, but I can say for sure."

"Is it because of God's intuition?"

"Exactly."

Under the flickering flames of the torch, the two engaged in a brief question-and-answer session.

After hearing the old man's concise answer, Fels nodded and replied, "I understand."

"I'll try to prepare an 'eye' within the Loki Familia, so that we too can know what's happening deep within the labyrinth."

Upon hearing what the black-clad magician (magus) said, "Thank you for your help," Uranus replied.

"I'd like to organize the intelligence first, Uranus. If you know anything, please tell me."

As soon as the god slightly lowered his chin, Fels spoke from the depths of the dark, clogged hood.

"The first fact I learned on the 24th floor was the existence of a red-haired woman named Revis—a strange person."

"The one who commands the man-eating flower monster to protect the 'precious fetus'..."

"That's right. And if we believe what the mastermind behind the 'Nightmare of the 27th Floor,' the resurrected white-haired demon (Olivas Actor), said... the new species (monster) and the fetus containing the 'Colorful Magic Stone' both originated from 'her' existence."

She transplanted the "Colorful Magic Stone" into the dying Olivas, reviving him and giving him a new life as a hybrid of human and monster. The red-haired woman, Revis, is also one of these beings. They are "enhanced species" who can improve their abilities by absorbing "Magic Stones"—monsters who live in the truth of monsters and surpass the wisdom of humans and gods.

These strange individuals, along with "her" who uses the man-eating flower (monster) as tentacles, are likely the core of a series of events since the Monster Festival, the culprit behind it all.

"'Sleeping deep underground,' 'Wanting to see the sky'... These are also things the Hermes Familia heard the white-haired demon say. Based on these statements, it can be inferred that 'she' should reside in the deepest part of the underground city—"

"Is their goal the same as those 'ancient' monsters—to climb onto the surface?"

After hearing Uranus's statement, Fels replied, "I'm afraid so."

The eccentric Revis directs Ais to the 59th floor, where something likely related to "her" awaits her.

"The relationship between Ais Wallenstein and the 'Precious Pearl Fetus' can also be used as one of the data points for judgment."

"..."

When Ais first came into contact with the fetus on the 18th floor, "Rivera Town," she showed a rejection reaction that almost made her collapse, and the fetus itself did indeed react to her "magic."

Upon hearing what Fels said, Uranus lowered his eyes slightly.

The torchlight illuminated the old man's profile, his body shrouded in shadow. He remained silent for a moment, seemingly pondering some clue.

Fels, seeing Uranus deep in thought, sensed something, but continued speaking:

"Next up are the remnants of the dark faction. We don't know if they are the spirits of the past that we know, nor do we know who the leader of the organization is. We only see them trying to transport the captured carnivorous plants somewhere on the 24th floor."

The Dark Faction was an extreme group, which the guild had destroyed in the past by working with many other factions.

The dark faction of the past, following the instructions of the gods who called themselves "evil gods," has repeatedly disrupted order and destroyed Orario. Their actions of disturbing the peace of the city and pursuing chaos have various reasons, sometimes with clear objectives, and sometimes simply because the gods enjoy committing crimes.

The Dark Faction's [Familia] has been completely wiped out, and the self-proclaimed evil god has been sent back to Heaven. Whether the remaining remnants are their survivors or have been replaced by those who inherit their will is currently unclear.

The number and size of the factions that make up the remnants, and even the leading deity, are still unclear.

"The surface forces and the underground forces formed by 'her' colluded to destroy the labyrinth city... Is this the cause and effect of the incident?"

"To be precise, it should be said that the remnants of the dark faction used the power of the underground forces, or perhaps they were used by them in turn."

The voices of Fels and Uranus rang out in turn on the altar.

Finally, the two speculated that Revis and the others were using each other with the dark faction, and the conversation was temporarily suspended.

"...Uranus, may I ask you a question?"

Fels, clad in black, turned to face Uranus, who sat enthroned on the throne.

The old god urged Fels to continue with his gaze, so he went on to say:

"During the incident on the 24th floor, it is said that the red-haired woman mentioned a name... no, it might be the name of a god, called 'Enior'."

That was one of the sentences that the dog-people (Luluni) and the others, who had accepted Fels's commission, heard.

"Although it's not fully grown yet, it's big enough now. Take it to Enyo!"

Rives did indeed say this when the person wearing a mask and a hooded robe—likely a remnant of the dark faction—took away the jeweled fetus.

Fels, referring to the information reported by Luluni, asked the old god:

"This person called 'Eni' is likely an important deity (figure). Does this name ring a bell for you?"

"...As far as I know, there is no god in the heavens with this name."

In response to Fels's question, Uranus replied firmly that there was no god named "Enior".

But then he said "however," and continued:

"In the language of the gods (us), the word 'Enyo' means—"

Uranus narrowed his azure eyes.

"—'The Destroyer of the City'."

◆

The day before the "expedition".

That is, the last day of training.

On the outskirts of the city, as the dawn light from the eastern sky shone upon the massive city walls, two elongated shadows overlapped on the stone pavement. The shadow of a girl with flowing golden hair launched a series of attacks, while the shadow of a boy with swaying white hair desperately tried to keep up with her movements.

The waving scabbards and short swords, as if from days of training, were engaged in fierce offense and defense.

The beautiful morning light shining from the mountains far from Orario scorched Ais's cheek, and the boy's skill before her made her eyes widen.

The thrusting sword sheath was blocked.

Faced with his own swift attacks, the boy steadily increased the number of times he could defend.

That was the defensive method Ais had always demonstrated, using "skills".

Instead of deflecting the opponent's attack head-on, strike horizontally or diagonally, deflecting the force by changing direction.

This kind of defense is the homework I want Bell to do, and it's the ultimate goal of this training.

Through the simulated battle, the boy saw and felt Ais's "skills" and tried to learn them. On the day when everything was about to end, he did his best to show her.

“——”

The short knife embodies a simple and honest spirit.

The combo attacks, impossible to completely dodge, grazed his body, leaving abrasions, but the boy still managed to deflect the force and fight back with each strike.

then.

The boy broke through the defense and launched his first counterattack against Ais.

"...!"

The roar of the blades reached the morning sky.

The boy's attack was easily blocked, but it did hit Ais.

His arm, along with the short sword that had been deflected by the scabbard, hung limply at his sides. The boy was panting heavily, and Ais watched him silently.

A body scarred and battered, eyes that have held the same unwavering sincerity since day one, and a deep red glow that has never faded.

Suddenly, the rising sun flashed like a ray of light. The intensified brilliance instantly turned the field of vision white.

Seeing the boy's figure appear in the pure white light, Ais smiled with joy.

"That's it..."

Ais whispered to Belle.

Looking towards the eastern sky, the sun was already peeking over the majestic mountains. This marked the end of the week's training.

Ais turned her face to the side, and the beautiful sunrise after dawn made her squint; the boy who was also watching the scene turned to her and bowed.

"Thank you for your guidance up to today."

The boy bent down, his face turned toward the stone pavement, and thanked her.

This week has passed in a flash. Looking back on the seven days of innocent rendezvous between the two childhood sweethearts, Ais was filled with mixed emotions.

As a result, Ais didn't learn any secrets about Bell's "growth," but at some point, she found enjoyment in watching the boy grow day by day, feeling excited and joyful, and discovering the joy of teaching others.

Ais, who had unknowingly become someone who only knew how to fight, was very happy.

These past few days have been filled with frantic worries, frustrations, and deep thoughts, followed by a mix of joyful and bittersweet experiences, all while spending time with the boy.

She cherished the time she spent with the boy, and this irreplaceable moment, deep in her heart.

Her rabbit-like white hair fluttered gently in the wind, and Bell finally straightened her bent body.

Ais, whose eyes met his, softened the lines of her gaze and whispered in a gentle voice that surprised even herself:

"I also want to thank you. ...I'm very happy."

The two of them stood together in the embrace of the rising sun, and Ais smiled at the boy once again.

Bell blushed deeply, his mouth opening and closing repeatedly before he finally lowered his head. Seeing him constantly blushing from the first day of training until this very moment amused Ais, who kept laughing.

Ais realized that the white rabbit was actually very shy.

"...Well then, good luck!"

"……yes."

Their intertwined gazes slowly dissipated, and Ais turned her back to Bell.

From this moment on, both she and Bell had to start running again. Not wanting this distance and relationship that Ais cherished to hold her back, she left only a few words before preparing to depart from the boy.

This is not a separation.

Starting today, the two will once again strive together towards different peaks, each pursuing their own goals.

"..."

After walking for a while on the sun-dampened city walls, Ais slowly turned her head.

The boy, his back to her, walked away into the distance, heading down his own path.

She took a breath of the clear blue morning air, a smile playing on her lips.

"...See you later."

Ais turned her back to the boy and ran forward.

◆

She tossed her thick golden hair as she dodged the thrusting attack.

The beautiful, melodious song echoed throughout the vast, veiled underground labyrinth. Despite the several flashes of swords, the song neither ceased nor faltered.

Lefia, holding the wand, moved her lips smoothly, weaving incantations.

To counter the blonde, golden-eyed girl's sharp slashes, Lefia repeatedly moved and dodged, trying to create distance between them. Even when faced with attacks that she couldn't completely dodge, she suppressed the damage to a minimum so as not to affect her chanting.

I will never close my eyes in fear of attack again, like I did on the first day of training.

She stared at the attack before her, keeping her vision clear, and mentally visualized her position and actions a few seconds later in order to continue chanting.

Lefia repeatedly pondered the various teachings that others had given her, which had accumulated within her.

Riveria taught her her chanting techniques and the Heart of the Great Tree.

Phil Weiss instructs herself on her "parallel chanting" technique.

She showed all of this directly to Ais, the swordswoman she admired.

"Snipe, elven archer. Pierce through, arrow that will surely hit!"

Just like a graceful dance, she played her own song in harmony with her opponent's sword dance.

Then, Lefia and the unfolding magic circle together completed the "magic".

"[Spirit Bow and Light Arrow]!"