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

As dusk approached, the sunlight slowly began to take on a maroon hue.

Loki silently observed Dionysus's expression.

*

Many of them haven't even noticed yet.

The "humanoid monster" that appeared in the city was the "opportunity" that the Loki Familia had been waiting for. They had no idea that it was the very thing that signaled the end of their relentless wasted time and was the catalyst for upheaval in the situation.

They failed to notice that the situation was about to change.

The little warrior felt a slight tingling in his thumb.

The clown goddess intended to use this commotion as a starting point.

The blonde, golden-eyed girl reaffirmed her resolve to slay the monster.

And when everyone learned of the appearance of the "humanoid monster," five dawns had passed in a row...

"That day" has arrived.

Gaiden: Sword Oratoria 10 Chapter 2: Its Name is Fool

That day, the sky was clear and cloudless.

The sky above the city was a clear blue, with no clouds in sight.

The inhabitants of Orario firmly believed that today would be another dull but peaceful day, their sweat accompanied by the strains of their folk songs. The gentle breezes of early summer had long since passed, and the blazing sun overhead announced that summer had officially arrived. The stone slabs covering the ground were warm, and mirages were about to appear.

As Ais walked in Central Park, a thin layer of sweat seeped from her skin.

(Today I need to reach the 18th floor and gather more information...)

Among the Loki Familia members searching for clues, Ais is specifically in charge of the area within the dungeon.

Her primary task until now has been to discover and eliminate the man-eating plant (monster) production facility exposed in the incident on the 24th floor. The aim is to cut off the monster supply being transported into the artificial labyrinth. To date, she has searched all the pantry up to the 30th floor. Finn judged that lower floors wouldn't have plantations built there due to the risks of transporting the monsters. Thanks to the active performance of the elite force, including Ais, all remaining plantations within the dungeon have been completely wiped out.

Freed from a dangerous combat mission, Ais plans to visit "Under Resort" that day.

They have determined that the man-made labyrinth and the underground city are connected. Ais plans to confirm the passageway discovered at the eastern end of the 18th floor a few days ago, and then go to the inn town (Rivera) to gather information.

("Humanoid monster"...though winged monsters are intriguing...)

Along the way, she saw citizens whispering and talking amongst themselves.

If you listen closely, you can also hear the word "monster".

Although nothing has happened in the past few days, and the turmoil has gradually subsided, the news of the monster's appearance remains an unsettling factor for the general public. While it's understandable that carefree bards are cheerfully and optimistically using this as a topic in their tavern songs, it's worth considering the possibility that this could lead to rumors spreading and people believing that the monster will attack humans every night.

Even though it was much less intense than during the Monster Festival, there was still a palpable atmosphere of tension and suspicion.

(Everyone's afraid of monsters...of course...they're not like adventurers (like us).)

Not everyone has the means to fight monsters.

Rather, there are far too many people who can only sit and wait to die.

For them, the "monster" is a symbol of "fear" and an embodiment of irresistible "violence".

Such things cannot take root in people's lives. Sharp teeth suck blood, claws hurt people, and roars bring screams of agony.

As Ais walked into the skyscraper facility (Tower of Babel), she thought: I hope I can find a way to dispel people's anxiety.

(We're too late... By this time, the other adventurers have already entered the dungeon...)

She walked towards the first basement level of the white-walled giant tower leading to the underground city.

Looking down from the ceiling painting on the floor, Ais descended the silver staircase built along the "Great Hole". Since it was past peak hours, there were few other people in the industry around.

Ais followed about two or three adventurers who seemed to be acting alone down the steps, but stopped halfway down.

(Bell...?)

An adventurer was walking up the stairs.

The swaying white hair and slender body belonged to a boy Ais knew well. This boy was also a rookie adventurer (newbie) who had recently become a celebrity, causing a sensation in the city.

However, at first, Ais wasn't sure if he really was Bell Crane.

His downcast face and drooping arms conveyed a sense of frustration... no, a profound sadness. Even Ais, who wasn't good at judging subtle changes in emotions, could tell that he was troubled, as if he were trapped in a bottomless swamp.

He is always nervous, always proactive, and always smiling shyly.

The boy had lost his former appearance. This gave Ais a strong sense of unease, shaking her heart.

Although Ais's expression remained unchanged despite her emotionless appearance, she was somewhat shaken inside.

"what……"

Before long, the other person also noticed her.

He looked up, staring blankly at Ais.

"Miss Ais..."

As if drawn to Ais's eyes, Bell murmured.

The two suddenly stopped in their tracks, one looking down and the other looking up.

A few adventurers glanced at Ais and the others with surprise, then walked past.

Facing Ais's silent gaze, Belle took a moment before slowly speaking:

"Are you going into the dungeon next...?"

"Um……"

"...Um, Miss Ais..."

"..."

"Is now a convenient time... um... uh..."

Vague and indistinct words scattered across the page.

Perhaps unable to compose himself, Bell stammered several times, his gaze drifting to his feet.

Seeing him like this, Ais snapped out of her daze and realized that she had called out to him.

"let's go."

“Eh…?”

"Let's find a secluded place..."

After saying that, Ais reached out her hand.

Bell opened his eyes wide, staring at the slender fingers extended in front of him, and timidly placed his hand on them. He looked just like a lost child abandoned in unfamiliar land.

Ais suspended her original plans and left the Tower of Babel.

The two left the central square and headed for a secluded spot. Along the way, their pair of high-ranking adventurers inevitably attracted attention, but she ignored it.

She could sense from their overlapping skin that Bell seemed embarrassed by their holding hands, or perhaps he felt pathetic, yet he couldn't let go.

Ais pretended not to notice.

The two crossed several roads and stopped in an open space surrounded by houses.

"...Um, excuse me for taking up your time."

"Won't……"

There was no one in sight, except for Ais and Bell.

Bell released his grip and turned to face Ais, his gaze almost lowering for a moment, but he didn't.

He seemed to have made up his mind, his gaze meeting Ais's golden eyes.

"..."

"..."

The two hadn't looked at each other at such close range in so long.

This untimely thought occurred to Ais.

For some reason, she felt a deep longing for the boy.

The white hair and deep red (rubellite) eyes still evoke the image of a white rabbit. His usually expressive face, which even includes Ais, is now shrouded in some kind of sorrow, causing Ais to feel a pang of sadness as well.

Distress, entanglement, confusion.

These emotions were evident in her pleading gaze.

(Are you having some kind of trouble...?)

Ais murmured her unanswered thoughts.

Ais had an idea: she hoped to help the child remove the seeds of trouble.

Coincidentally, this was exactly the same idea she had just had: to eliminate the monster and relieve people's anxiety.

"……What's wrong?"

What happened?

What's making you so confused?

Ais gently tapped into Bell's heart, wanting to ask him these questions.

Bell placed his right hand on his chest, as if to calm his restless, swaying heart.

"Miss Ais..."

"..."

After swallowing a small mouthful of saliva, it took some time.

Bell finally spoke up.

"If monsters had a reason to live... if they had feelings like us, what would you do?"

Upon hearing these words...

Questioned with that kind of look...

Ais's true feeling is "confusion".

(What are you saying?)

He spoke his true feelings from the bottom of his heart.

This question is meaningless and misses the point.

However, because the boy's plea was so earnest, Ais pursed her lips for a moment.

She didn't want to give a casual answer; she carefully considered the meaning behind the words and interpreted them in her own way.

"..."

Ais pondered.

If monsters were like humans, they would have smiles on their faces.

If they were like humans, they would have inner turmoil.

If they could shed tears like humans.

Will I (Ais) still be able to wield my sword and kill enemies?

Time flowed quietly by, and the artificially planted roadside trees cast dappled sunlight through their leaves, gradually changing the shape of the shadows cast on the ground as the leaves swayed. A slightly annoying summer breeze blew between the two of them.

Ais thought and thought, thought and thought, thought and thought.

In the end, the only answer I came up with was extremely simple.

"If the monster wants to hurt me... no."

She shook her head first, then told Bell:

"If a monster makes anyone cry—I will kill the monster."

She asserted this in a tone devoid of any confusion.

「!?」

Bell was stunned and speechless.