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

The city's strongest adventurer, without any support, carried a large number of spare weapons and was fully armed as he headed directly into the depths of the dungeon.

"What a headache. He's a real martial artist. That lifeless, sour face is just as it always has been. He won't say a single word to me."

Chun's pouting gesture drew Ais's attention back to her.

The former put on a smile again, raised her hand and greeted, "Hi, [Sword Princess], I forgot to say hello." Ais nodded in return.

"Miss Tsubaki, how could you be with that person..."

"I just happened to run into him on this floor. I thought I'd try selling to such a powerful warrior anyway, but he's still the same old guy. That guy probably hasn't been to the dungeon in a long time... Maybe it's because some random girl triggered the [Familia] feat and spurred him on?"

Chun said this with a joking expression, leaving Ais speechless for a moment.

"So, Miss Chun is...?"

"I brought my new work here to test it out. And I'll also gather some weapon materials while I'm at it."

Although she hadn't finished asking the question, the city's master blacksmith skillfully deduced Ais's intentions. She shook the bag on her back with a large naginata attached to it as a gesture, and with a bright smile, she walked past Ais.

"It's time for me to get going too. Remember to take me on an 'expedition' another day, [Fiora]."

After watching Chun leave, Ais took another step.

Follow the route of the "expedition" that led us to areas we had not yet reached.

Recalling her encounter with the "Fierce One," or perhaps unconsciously guided by it, Ais arrived at a familiar cave.

The battlefield where a fierce bull was once defeated.

It is also the birthplace of a true "adventurer".

"ah--"

A boy stood inside the cave.

"—Bell."

"...Miss Ais?"

Hearing the whispers from the other end, the white-haired boy Bell turned around with a look of surprise on his face.

There was no one else around; it seemed he had come to the dungeon alone. As Ais approached, the boy standing in the center of the cave turned to face her.

"Are you alone...?"

"Ah, yes. I'm on vacation today, and I suddenly felt like taking a long time to explore the dungeon by myself..."

The boy was already a second-level adventurer; if he wanted, he could easily reach the bottom of the "middle layer" on his own. Compared to when he fought the Minotaur here, the boy had grown a lot. Ais squinted at Bell, who looked around.

"I don't know why I ended up here. There was just this urge to come..."

As if reminiscing about the decisive battle with the bulls, or as if returning to the starting point, the young man seemed quite emotional.

Ais also recalled the face of the boy who had resisted her offer of help and stood up on his own.

And then there was that figure that reminded Ais of her father—a silhouette overlapping with that of a hero.

The feelings of exhilaration and loneliness that have emerged recently have been vividly revived.

"……Thank you."

"Thanks to you...we were saved."

"what?"

The boy initially looked surprised, but what he said next left him speechless.

Bell was unaware of this matter, nor did he need to know.

Recalling the boy's courageous actions, and the scene of the Loki Familia, which was almost about to surrender when faced with a powerful enemy, regaining its strength.

After witnessing the boy's retreating figure, the crowd's inner flames were ignited, and they ultimately defeated the "Filthy Fairy".

Ais simply wanted to take this opportunity to express her gratitude.

At the same time, we express our respect and admiration for this young man who continues to thrive.

"Um... Miss Ais, are you about to leave the dungeon?"

"That's right."

The profile that had been deeply shaken finally returned to its usual expression.

He reverted to being that shy and timid boy who was always focused and hardworking.

"Then I'll keep working hard—goodbye."

The young adventurer, who had just become capable of handling things on his own, said with a smile.

"Um... take care, and good luck!"

Ais smiled in return, expressing her support.

The ground is at the transition between day and evening.

Under the still-shining blue sky, Ais passed through the Ferris wheel (Tower of Babel) and arrived at the central square when she heard a noisy noise coming from the southwest.

「… … ?」

Feeling uneasy, Ais followed the sound toward the southwest district of the city.

Merchants dominate the area, and most are associated with merchant guilds. Upon entering the exchange, where one can find a wide variety of goods, from agricultural products to luxury items, Ais is immediately surrounded by a unique cacophony.

Foreign merchants and wagons carrying goods crammed all the passageways, while adventurers shouted and ran about. These people all bore the insignia of Ganesha, members of the Ganesha Familia, who served as the city's military police.

Just as Ais was wondering if something had happened, she suddenly received a sales pitch from a vendor.

"Beautiful adventurer! Here's a giant black fish I just caught. Take a look! To be honest, I caught this fish myself!!"

「… … ?」

"Look at these shiny scales, and the size isn't too exaggerated. It's the best fish God has ever given us—oh my!"

Ais initially thought he was just a fisherman selling his catch, but this human male gave her a strange sense of déjà vu, and she began to observe him more closely.

But the other party's previously deep and powerful tone was replaced by a strange groan.

At the same time, his glasses slipped off.

His slightly elongated face turned pale instantly, and cold sweat poured down his face.

"Rupert, how many times have I told you not to sell things without permission... Hmm? Oh? Isn't this [Fiora]?"

"You are... Mr. Rhodes?"

A giant human, whose appearance perfectly embodied the term "man of the sea," approached from the side.

Ais immediately recognized him as Rod, the leader of the Njord Familia, who ran a fishing business in the port city of Mellen.

Earlier, Ais had heard information about the appearance of man-eating flowers, so she left the city and headed to the large brackish lake (Lake Rogue).

I received his help during the investigation.

"I didn't expect to run into you here! Do adventurers often come to places like this?"

"No, rarely... Uh, may I ask who that is?"

"Hmm? Oh, this kid's name is Rupert. Former guild branch manager."

"Rhodes!? Shut up, don't reveal my background!"

"ah."

Ais remembered.

Guild branch leader Rupert Lane. Like the male gods (Njord), he suffered because of the man-eating flower incident. He was the former top leader who was expelled from the guild as punishment for abusing his position to embezzle and smuggle "magic stones" for profit.

According to Loki, after losing his job, he sought redemption under the guidance of the god Nyod... The whole story is now connected.

The face that Riveria once described as "seemingly more neurotic than an elf" is now slightly tanned, and the muscles of her slender body are becoming more defined. She is currently wearing a simple top and pants that are quite different from the style of the guild uniform, and there is even a headscarf tied in a braided shape on her forehead.

"At first, he was always complaining and whining. But when we took him fishing, we caught some amazing prey. After that, he completely became a 'sea man.' You saw how radiant he looked just now, didn't you?"

"Oh~..."

"No! You're not allowed to look at me with that pitying look!!"

Ais was genuinely impressed by Rhodes's words, but Rupert started rolling on the ground, clutching his head.

It seems he's recalling his past self as a high-paid guild elite. Rhodes explains, "He occasionally 'goes on strike' like this." Although Ais shows no sympathy whatsoever... Rupert is probably struggling between his awakened self through discovering the fisherman and his former pampered self.

(It wasn't long after that incident...)

Hearing Rod's description, it became clear that Rupert was already quite used to his new life. Ais couldn't help but feel a pang of sympathy; people really do change.

On the other hand, I also smiled knowingly at this wonderful and pleasant time.

"What's wrong? Is Rupert having another emotional outburst? Ah... haha, we have a rare guest here."

"Nyod the God..."

At this moment, the main god of Rhodes and the others appeared to have just finished a business deal and returned to the exchange.

The handsome and gentlemanly god Njord showed no concern for the deeply distressed Rupert, and smiled at Ais.

"You were with the people of the [Family]..."

"Yes. We came here to sell the fish we caught in the harbor (Meyron). We didn't expect to run into you here."

At this point, Njord wore a peculiar expression.

"I'm so sorry about last time. I caused you a lot of trouble. I didn't get to properly apologize then, so please allow me to make it up to you now."

"What are you saying..."

"After that, I discussed with Rhodes and the mayor (Madoll) how to improve fishing methods. We just wanted to stop using such a radical approach as fighting poison with poison."

Njord scratched his head and added with a smile, "Just you wait and see." Ais responded with a smile to the kind fisherman god, thinking that the port city (Melon) would surely become more and more prosperous in some way in the future. Ais had this premonition.

At this moment, Ais remembered why she had come here and asked about something that had bothered her earlier.

"Excuse me, there seem to be a lot of adventurers around here... Has something happened?"

"Ah~..."

Njord hesitated, as if he wanted to say something but then stopped.

It wasn't an attitude of being unable to speak out out of guilt. It felt more like he thought Ais shouldn't know about it, or that it was better for her not to know.

"...I won't make things difficult for you. But I advise you to leave here as soon as possible."

"Me...?"

"Well, it's not just you. To be precise, everyone in the Loki Familia is the same... I don't think it will cause a serious situation, but... it might get a little tricky."

Njord whispered, which only confused Ais more. He left with a warning-like remark, "That's it. I warned you, didn't I?" and left the exchange with Rhodes and the others. They pushed the cart while pulling the still-sulking Rupert along.

Although she cared a lot, Ais still heeded the advice and prepared to leave.

"Fiora!"

Right at this critical moment.

A voice called out Ais's nickname.

Ais looked back toward the source of the poor Common tongue tone—and saw a female Amazon rapidly approaching.

"Fiora, stop right there! Or I'll kill you!"

"!?"

Ais was terrified.

(Ah...this person.)

At the same time, they sensed the newcomer's identity. Long, sand-colored hair, a revealing combat suit, and slender, snake-like eyes. She was Algana Garif, a warrior from the Fighting Kingdom with a history of conflict with Tiona and Tione.

"Where's Finn!?"

"Huh?"

"Where is Finn!?"

"You mean Finn..."

"It's that little man who defeated me! Handsome, cute, incredibly powerful, an impeccable male!! Tell me! Where is he!?"

Algana's face pressed tightly against the bewildered Ais.