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

With the help of Eina's power, he actively absorbed knowledge of all the floors and monsters he planned to pass through during the "Expedition" into his mind. In order to challenge the floor he was seeing for the first time—the "Unknown"—he devoted the entire ten-day preparation period to studying.

If you don't know, ask Eina; if you have any questions, study them until you understand.

There is often a gap between knowledge and reality, but after only five months in the adventurer's industry, Bell learned that this preparatory knowledge could be a treasure that could save his own life and a sharp sword that could protect his team.

He should do what he can do now, think about what he needs, and use the past or the future as a reference.

Having gone through the life-or-death journey in the "middle level," Bell became wary of "abnormal situations" and began to examine projects in the deeper areas, repeatedly using his far from shrewd mind to think things through and greedily seek knowledge.

(He's changed...)

—Eina gazed at Bell in a daze.

She propped her cheeks up on the table with her arms, her gaze repeatedly drawn to those deep red eyes.

"Miss Eina?"

"Ah...no, it's nothing! Sorry!"

When Belle suddenly looked up because she felt someone's gaze, she quickly waved her hands.

After confirming that Belle had turned her gaze back to the book with a puzzled look, she secretly sighed.

At the same time, she knew her face was burning.

(I've changed too...)

Ever since the day Bell lost to the Black Bull (Minotaur), Eina has been suffering.

She wasn't in pain; in fact, she might even quite like it. But she really didn't know how to handle these feelings and felt a little ashamed. When Bell came to ask her to "teach me how to read," she was even overjoyed for a moment, and was surprised by herself for doing so.

The distance between them, separated by the table, made her anxious.

The distance, though seemingly close, felt strangely far, which caused her to lose her composure.

The fact that there were no other staff members around besides herself and Bell made Eina uneasy, and she stole another glance at Bell's profile.

(So ​​boys... can grow up so much.)

Just as he now reads picture books with great enthusiasm and concentration, he's even started asking to attend lectures he previously disliked. While he still makes mistakes on the pop quiz, the number is much smaller.

From that day on, Bell was transforming. No, perhaps he already had.

(I really want to ask him what happened, but...)

Eina knew nothing about the "heretics" incident. She wanted to ask, but in the end, she didn't.

In the past, she would have asked Belle to discuss things with her and tell her what had happened, just like she did one day.

Out of concern for her younger brother.

However, now she feels she doesn't want to get in Bell's way.

Like a woman gazing at a man.

(...No, I'm completely smitten with him...)

Eina surrendered and gained a new understanding.

She could only be aware that this was a "romance" she had never experienced during her childhood or school years.

—It was the first time I had ever seen a boy… or a man, sobbing uncontrollably.

The events of that night, accompanied by a sweet flutter in my heart, vividly returned to my mind.

In an instant, her face flushed again.

Enough—enough indeed—Eina buried her head in her hands and slumped onto the table.

This startled Bale.

"Um... Miss Eina, are you alright...?"

"...I know perfectly well that Bell admires Miss Wallenstein..."

"what?"

"It's nothing!"

She pressed her burning cheeks against the cool tabletop and sniffled.

(He's so much younger than me... I can't look him in the eye.)

How childish! You're already several years old.

Eina thought this way and felt ashamed of her own heart.

“Hmm!”

"What's wrong, Hestia?"

"I think a sweet and sour, ethereal energy is approaching Belle!"

"What the heck is going on...?"

*Beep beep!* Seeing the black-haired (twin-tailed) girl react, Mihe asked, and Hestia answered; Takemikazuchi, upon hearing her words, looked dumbfounded. The little goddess, relying on her divine intuition, turned her face repeatedly to peer around.

Under a starlit night sky, Hestia and her companions sat facing each other in a suburban tavern off the main road.

In preparation for their joint "expedition," the main gods decided to have a drink together.

"Although I'm worried about Bell, let me thank you again, Mih and A-Jian. Thank you for your assistance."

"You're welcome, Hestia. We're good neighbors."

"Mich is right. Besides, when it comes to 'expeditions,' we can't stay out of it."

After Hestia bowed her head in thanks, Mih and Takemikazuchi returned the smiles.

At first, they interacted, self-deprecatingly calling it a friendship between weak factions, but Hestia smiled to herself, thinking: It's so wonderful to know these gods with noble divine qualities and their [families]. If it weren't for them, she and Bell probably wouldn't have survived in Orario.

"But then again... it's a bit awkward that we've left the preparations to our families (children) while we (the gods) are here drinking."

"What can I do? Bell and the others have already taken care of everything themselves. I offered to help, but the supporter said something like, 'It would be a problem if you ruined what we prepared, so please ask Goddess Hestia if you want to go to work or whatever,' and kicked me out!"

Hearing Takemikazuchi say this as he reached for the food and drinks, Hestia even imitated Lily's voice, pouting her lips. Takemikazuchi and Mih couldn't help but smile wryly at this.

"Well, Ming has been asking me to practice martial arts with her for several days in a row, she's really enthusiastic."

"Nazha, too, said she was determined to develop a new drug for Bell and the others, and she put in a lot of effort... Everyone is striving towards the same goal, what a beautiful sentence."

Learning from masters, practicing martial arts, forging, magic, and attending classes. Each of the familiars strengthened their power in different ways to prepare for the "expedition." Mih laughed happily, a hint of envy in his eyes at the act of "honing oneself," something beyond the reach of even a transcendent being (Deus·Dea).

"It's not just Bell; everyone is growing...and they need us to take care of them less and less."

"What's wrong, Hestia? Are you feeling lonely?"

"Of course I'm lonely! I can't go to the dungeon with them, I'm so lonely!"

Seeing the young goddess tilt her head back and gulp down the wine before straightening up, Takemikazuchi leaned back slightly, wondering if she was already drunk.

Hestia, whose cheeks were slightly flushed, changed her expression and smiled as she spoke.

"But equally, I feel very happy. No, perhaps I should say proud?"

"Hestia..."

"Everyone... Bell has grown so much... it makes my heart ache deep in my chest."

She candidly revealed the heart (parental heart) that she could never say to her children.

Many things have happened since then. The boy has gone through many "adventures" and tasted the bitterness of setbacks, but he has gained the strength to keep going even when covered in mud.

The myth of the clan written on the boy's back is the goddess's treasure.

Seeing Hestia smile like a girl her age, Mih and Takemikazuchi felt the same way and narrowed their eyes.

"Yeah, Belle, who used to cry so easily, has become so independent and can clearly express his opinions in front of everyone... I've fallen in love with him all over again, oh my god—! My heart was pounding back then!? Look—! I will never let Belle go to anyone—!!"

"As long as that last sentence wasn't in it, it would be a wonderful story."

"That's right."

Seeing Hestia raise her hands and roar loudly, Mih and Takemira took a sip of their drinks.

"To be honest, I'm a little worried about the 'Expedition'... but I believe Bell and the others will be able to overcome it again."

"They'll definitely be fine."

"Yes, Hestia is right."

Soon after, the three celestial beings simultaneously raised their wine cups.

"Alright, cheers to Bell and the others!"

"Isn't this usually a time for raising a glass in celebration?"

"Let's save the toast for when Bell and the others return."

The tavern was bustling and noisy, with warm magic stone lights illuminating the pale blue darkness.

The bard, performing songs before the drunkard, played as if announcing the start of an adventure, the music cheerful and melodious.

"Well then, I wish those children a successful 'adventure'—"

The goddess and the god smiled at each other at the three-seater round table and lightly clinked their glasses.

""Cheers.""

*

That day, the sky was clear and vast.

As the morning sun peeked over the massive city walls in the east, Orario gradually came to life. When the morning sunlight shone down from the cloud-covered sky, a large number of humans and demi-humans gathered in front of the "Heartfire Hall," located in the city's sixth district.

This group of adventurers is crossing factional barriers and is about to embark on an "expedition".

"Is everything ready?"

"Yes, absolutely. Food, supplies, and spare weapons—we've packed in as much as we can."

Aisha, carrying a large broadsword on her shoulder, smiled at Lily and then put her backpack, which was even more bulging than usual, back on.

"Sakura-sama, did you ask Welf-sama to make a new weapon? Oh my, it's quite a powerful weapon."

"What an exquisite axe... But cherry blossoms? How do you have money...?"

"...I will earn back the cost during this 'expedition'."

"I don't accept loans, you big guy?"

Mikoto and Chigusa marvel at the gleaming silver axe, while Sakura, with a somber expression, conveys her resolve.

Welf, carrying a large sword, stood behind them, a smirk playing on his lips.

"Haruhime, this is a new medicine that was just completed today... Take it and use it. Good luck, my comrade..."

"Thank you so much, Lady Nazha!"

Chun-hee received the prop set from Nazha, who had dark circles under her eyes from exhaustion. Hearing the encouragement from her kinsman, Chun-hee, dressed in a black hooded robe (the Goliath Robe), was deeply moved and bowed in gratitude.

"Leave headquarters to us to guard; go and have a good fight."

"Don't do anything reckless."

Be careful on the road.

Standing a step away from the adventurers, Takemikazuchi, Mih, Hephaestus, and the remaining members of the party watched as the adventurers headed off to the dungeon.

The main camp of the [Family] will be guarded by Takemikazuchi's members and Naza, among others. As for the [Hestia Familia], whose entire members have gone out to fight, Hephaestus will dispatch a high smith to guard it. Once they know that a highly skilled combat blacksmith resides in the mansion, bandits will likely dare not approach. With support, the adventurers are finally able to participate in the major exploration activity, the "Expedition."

The group split into two groups: one departing and the other watching. Bell looked at them, then at the sky, thinking how nice the weather was.

The teammates' expressions were also bright, and their morale was quite high.

"Daphne... Could we not go on the 'Expedition'?"

"Huh? What kind of time is this to say such things?"

However, it seems there are exceptions.

"I had a precognitive dream today... I had a feeling that something serious was going to happen..."

"He's saying that again! How can we possibly stop?"

Cassandra, feeling ignored by her companions, was on the verge of tears and looked to Bell for help.

"Uh... I'm sorry, there's really no other way..."