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

The Amazonian twin sister, who usually pretends to be calm and composed because she is concerned about the opinions of her crush (Finn), still has a calm expression, but the corners of her mouth are slightly upturned. She reveals a hint of ferocious fighting spirit as she swings two recurve kukri knives, and her long, black, shiny hair flies wildly in the steam.

Lifting his helmet, which was pulled low, Grace looked up at Finn, who was standing on the rock.

"It's nothing, we just saw an adventurer on the way here, and everyone seems to have been infected by him."

"Hmm? Are there any middle managers with that kind of energy?"

"No, it's the upper echelons."

"What?"

According to the rules of the "Expedition," the Loki Familia split into two groups, with Grace leading the follow-up force. To prevent any unforeseen circumstances, as the last Level 1 adventurer of the Loki Familia, he followed the vanguard, where the main force was concentrated, advancing through the dungeons to meet at a pre-arranged floor (location). Therefore, he had no idea what Finn and his group, who had set off first, had seen.

Grace's amber eyes widened slightly, and she showed a surprised expression.

"I suspect someone orchestrated this, and a Minotaur appeared on the 9th floor. Later, a Level 1 adventurer defeated it all by himself."

"Lv.1 defeated the Minotaur? No, wait, how do you know that person was Lv.1?"

"We know because we had the opportunity to see his [ability stats]. But that's assuming Rivera didn't misinterpret the [sacred script]."

"What, do you doubt my eyes, Finn?"

"Oh, Rivera."

The elven woman Rivilia, who came from behind, joined Finn and his companions in their conversation.

Her long, shimmering emerald-green hair and her flawless, translucent white skin remained completely dry, without a drop of sweat even in the sweltering heat.

She, dressed in a beautiful blue dress, stopped in front of Finn and the others.

"Finn, I think I'll wear a robe next time too. The fairy (water sprite) dress is too much trouble to put on."

"Hmm—. Loki bought this especially for her, so let's just bear with it for her sake, shall we?"

"Hmm. It suits you very well."

"Just thinking about that person's predatory gaze makes me want to throw this dress away..."

Riveria coldly looked down at her main god while pleading, "Riveria, I'm begging you, put this on—!" as she handed him the thin dress.

Underneath their armor, Finn and Grace were both wearing blue shirts of similar material to hers. Like Riveria, they didn't seem to be bothered by the heat at all.

They used the protection of this equipment—"Fairy Essence"—to withstand the sweeping heatwave.

"Getting back to the main point, besides me, Ais can also testify. Because that child also saw Bell Crane's back (ability stats)."

Upon hearing the adventurer's name mentioned in the conversation, Grace raised an eyebrow and turned her gaze to the direction Riveria was looking—to Ais, who was standing silently by herself.

"...If what you're saying is true, then Ais should have rushed towards the monster first, right? Am I just overthinking it?"

"Hmm—? Speaking of which, what's wrong with her? She's been so well-behaved that I'd completely forgotten she existed."

"It's nothing, just let her have some peace and quiet. She'll be back to normal eventually."

Compared to the surprised Finn, Rivera seemed to understand, revealing an expression that was almost a wry smile.

Ais slightly tucked her chin in, maintaining a posture as if she were staring at the ground, lost in thought.

Despite his expressionless face, it seemed as if one could hear him making "hmm" sounds at any moment.

"Just listening to your description, I find it hard to believe... When you saw that adventurer, did you sense anything?"

"His combat skills are still rough, and there are many clumsy moments... But, well, I can understand why Bert and the others couldn't contain themselves. That kid reminds me that I'm an adventurer just like him."

Finn, his golden hair swaying, turned to Grace, a gentle, childlike smile spreading across his innocent face. Riveria, seemingly sharing his sentiment, added:

"As leaders of our clans, we're too used to fighting to protect ourselves and our comrades. For us, who now avoid taking any risks, those close-quarters battles... they're really dazzling to watch."

"...I'm starting to feel sorry for them."

As he listened, Grace reached up and touched his beard, muttering a regretful note about not being there.

Before the three leaders of the [Family], who could not act rashly, they saw the young members following the heat of their bodies and showing off their skills.

"...Rivia."

"What is it, Ais?"

Suddenly hearing a whisper, Riveria reacted as if she had expected it.

After a long pause, Ais spoke:

"What do you think we should do... to break through the limits of our abilities?"

The implications of this question surprised Grace and Finn, who were listening nearby.

However, Finn seemed to immediately understand something, narrowed his eyes, and stared intently at Ais and the others.

"That's a realm we can never enter. We can only reach the peak, but we can never surpass the limit."

Riveria answered Ais's question.

Taking her as a mage as an example, she can train her "magic power," an ability related to magical effects, to the highest rating of S. However, abilities like "strength" and "endurance," which are inherently difficult for elves to train, cannot be improved significantly. Just like academics and martial arts, everyone has areas of strength and weakness, and each person's ability stats do indeed have their upper limits.

Reaching the peak value is already quite difficult, let alone breaking through the limit of the divine blessings (ability values), Riveria asserted.

"Don't overthink it, Ais. Our physical and mental capacity is fixed at each stage (level)."

"……Um."

Ais fell silent after being met with a stern look from Riveria.

Finally, she seemed to stop moving as if her consciousness had flown into the distance—and then she drew her sword.

The sharp blade that emerged from its sheath slashed through the suffocating heat with a "whoosh".

With Riveria and the others watching, Ais walked towards the battlefield.

"...Hey, Rivera."

"It's no use. She's already determined to fight."

Just as she was tired of dealing with a daughter who wouldn't listen, Riveria responded to Grace without sighing.

Her steps toward Bert and the others were steady and resolute. The girl, her golden hair swaying and a calm flame burning in her golden eyes, possessed a beauty as cold as ice.

Another side of Ais Wallenstein.

She was once called "War Maiden".

A girl obsessed with pursuing power keeps throwing herself into the battlefield.

(...I can become stronger.)

Muttering to herself, she disappeared into the heat of the dungeon, and Ais flew toward the possibility that lay before her.

The image of the boy who pushed his limits in front of everyone is still etched in her mind.

◆

Early in the morning.

When the sun rises and emerges from behind the city walls surrounding the city.

Just as I was about to explore the labyrinth, Miss Seele stopped me, and I'm currently standing in front of the tavern.

"Excuse me, could you please wait a moment? The cooking turned out a little badly..."

"Um, Miss Seele, you don't have to force yourself... I get your lunch every day, so take a day off today..."

"No, I will definitely be ready! So please, you must accept it!"

Miss Seele leaned her face close to mine with a frightening expression, almost touching my nose. I could only nod and agree repeatedly. She blushed with embarrassment and rushed back to the tavern.

I get my lunch from Miss Seele every day. It seems there was a problem with the cooking process today. Since Miss Seele rarely shows weakness, her flustered appearance today is quite rare and rather cute. However... what will today's lunch taste like? Although it's not good to complain about taking someone else's food, I can't help but feel apprehensive and break out in a cold sweat.

Good morning, Mr. Crannie.

"Ah, Ms. Ryu. Good morning."

"I'm sorry to have taken up your time. But Seele is trying her best... I hope you can wait for her."

Just as I was idling around, the clock on the door rang out, and Miss Liu came to chat with me. Hearing her speak up for Miss Xi'er, I smiled and said it was alright, acknowledging her kindness.

The shop was busy, but Miss Liu kindly took the time to chat with me.

"Oh, I see. You've found your teammates successfully."

She had asked me about the team members before, so I told her we had found one for now. Ms. Ryu, dressed in a maid uniform with a white headband, then asked me a question.

"Mr. Crannie, is he a trustworthy person?"

"Uh, eh...?"

"No, I'm sorry, I'm not doubting you, it's just that things are a little different when other members of the [Family] join the team."

Miss Liu looked at me with her sky-blue eyes and said that in addition to personal issues, we must also pay attention to the backgrounds of different factions.

I immediately realized she was concerned about me. On the day of the celebration, she even staged a full-blown fight to protect me from the adventurers; she must be worried about me now too.

I was delighted by Miss Liu's sincere feelings, and I replied to her:

"The other party belongs to the [Hephaestus Familia], so there shouldn't be any problems with our [Family]. Besides, the relationship between our two chief gods seems to be quite good."

The Hephaestus Familia has contracts with various organizations and individuals, making them an authority in the forging industry and therefore quite trustworthy. Although it's said that Familias based on self-interest are easily defeated, the Hephaestus Familia cannot be compared to such factions.

I certainly have no problem with Mr. Welf himself... but...

Recalling my conversation with the deity last night, I pondered for a moment before saying Mr. Welf's name and deliberately observing Miss Ryu's reaction. I also added a few gestures to let her know that he was a top-notch blacksmith.

I'm practically digging into people's privacy...

"Crozzo..."

Upon hearing Mr. Welf's surname, she froze. She murmured the name to herself.

I rarely see Miss Ryu react like this, so I was slightly surprised.

"What...do you know?"

"No, rather than knowing anything... it's more accurate to say that 'Krozo' is a name that cannot be ignored by some elves."

Jing, elf?

I was quite surprised to get information about "Krozo" from such an unexpected angle.

"If possible, could you tell me? I'd really like to know about Mr. Welf..."

"...Alright. But this isn't the kind of information you're looking for."

Ms. Ryu made her statement clear first, and then began to speak:

"I think you've heard of 'The Demon Sword of Crozzo,' but do you know who these demon swordsmiths work for?"

No, I don't know.

"Their employer is a country called 'Kingdom (Lachya),' which is relatively close to our Orario."

Lachia... I seemed to have heard this name often before I came to Orario, when I was still in the countryside.

Such phrases include "That country has started another war," or "I heard they're going on an expedition to such-and-such place this time."

"Lachia itself is a nation-type [familia] ruled by a god. In order to gain status, the Crozo family provided this divinely ordained nation with a large number of 'demon swords'."

What I heard here was largely the same as what Lily had told me. I nodded.

"Based on the will of their chief god, who claims to be the god of war, Lachia is a rather warlike nation. Even now, they still wage war against other countries and cities whenever they have the chance."

(That's really true...)

"In the repeated wars of the past, the 'Demon Sword of Crozzo' has shown its power without reservation."

I sensed that the core content was about to be revealed, so I held my breath and listened intently.

"Mr. Crannie, can you imagine an army where even the lowest soldiers wield magic swords?"

"...Could it be...?"

"That's right. Back then, Lachia used the magic sword and prided itself on its astonishing firepower. That overwhelming firepower was so strong that they could wipe out the enemy without even having to devise a plan."

A winning streak, invincible, an undefeated legend.

At that time, with the blessing of the magic sword, Lajiya was truly invincible and unmatched.

"Lachia went too far. I heard that the misuse of the magic sword caused the terrain of every battlefield to change, turning it into barren wasteland. ... And the flames of war also spread to the forests where our fellow elves live."

Since the gods descended to the mortal realm, communication between humans and demi-humans has become more frequent, but even in modern times, some people still hold closed-minded views.