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

Compared to her colleagues who were cheering her on, she was the only one who reacted differently.

She stared wide-eyed at the girl with light gray hair.

"...Xi...Xi'er...when did you extend the invitation?"

"Um, I wrote a letter... and asked someone I know to deliver it to the headquarters of the Hestia Familia."

When Ryu managed to squeeze the question out of her mouth, Seele answered with a smile as if trying to hide her shyness.

Liu was speechless for the time being.

Despite having heard Seele say it herself, Ryu was still so shaken and stunned when the facts were laid bare before her eyes.

"So you had someone deliver that letter for you, meow? That doesn't seem like you at all!"

"Why not hand the letter to him yourself?"

Anya, having unbuttoned her uniform and causing the collar to flare out, leaned forward to express her opinion, revealing a breast that was fuller than expected. Lunova, who had casually tossed her black stockings aside, also questioned the situation with a puzzled look.

"Well..."

Seele looked unusually embarrassed, her light gray hair swaying gently with her movements.

Then she smiled gently.

"Because if I go to see Mr. Bell now, I feel like I'll tease him as usual... and Mr. Bell will relax and smile... then I won't be able to have a real date with him."

These are the girl's heartfelt words.

Moreover, her expression was both sweet and shy, something her colleagues had never seen before.

Seeing the shy smile on Seele's face, Anya and Lunova exchanged bewildered glances after sensing her sincerity.

The next second, the two of them burst into laughter at the same time.

"Meow~! I understand Seele's feelings now, meow!"

"It seems you've finally made up your mind! I'll support you then!"

"Anya, Lunova, thank you. Well, I have a favor to ask. If Mr. Bell comes to the bar looking for me, could you please lie and say I'm not there? And if I see him now, um..."

"Leave it to the cats, meow! The cats will definitely find a way to chase that white-haired guy away, meow! We'll just say that men are currently not allowed in the bar, and watch the cats sprinkle salt to drive him away, meow!"

"I don't think you understand what you're talking about at all, you stupid cat."

Look at Anya, clenching her fists with great enthusiasm, as everyone laughs and jokes around her.

Looking at Lunova and the others who were cheering her on, Seele smiled brightly.

"..."

Liu stopped what she was doing and stared at the scene.

To be precise, he stared blankly at Seele, who was wearing a shy smile.

"...Is it really okay to just let things continue like this, meow?"

Only Chloe noticed Ryu's strange behavior.

Faced with Koroi's unusually unserious attitude and her quiet question, Ryu finally snapped out of her daze.

“I, I…”

Liu really wanted to say something, but she kept stammering and couldn't get the words out.

Then she lowered her head, her gaze falling to the ground, and finally managed to squeeze out a sound from her throat.

"...That's a stupid question. Seele has always loved Bell, and I've known that for a long time. I fully support her. The only person who is worthy of Seele is Bell...and the only person who is worthy of Bell is Seele."

Ryu was more talkative than usual, and to avoid interrupting her speech, she used all her strength to finish the whole sentence in one breath.

However, she failed to conceal the various emotions hidden in her words.

"Bell... huh...?"

Chloe whispered.

She whispered, repeating the way Ryu addressed the boy, a way that was different from before.

She narrowed her eyes slightly, adopting her usual demeanor.

"Then I hope you won't regret your decision today, meow~"

After changing her clothes, Chloe waved and left the dressing room alone.

Liu, left alone in the same spot, still looked down at the floor.

"..."

The girl with light gray eyes had already noticed the elf's strange behavior.

But she didn't say a word and silently looked away.

Under the cover of night, despite Orario's reputation as a city that never sleeps, the situation today is different from usual.

The reason lies in the elegiac ceremony.

People would feel awkward if they immediately started frolicking and making merry as soon as the festival mourning heroes and adventurers ended. Although the gods didn't care, death and the loss of loved ones were still serious matters that the inhabitants of the lower realm had to take seriously.

Therefore, for a period of time after the Elegy Festival—specifically, until the start of the Goddess Festival, one of the "two major festivals"—citizens tend to be more restrained in their enjoyment than usual. This is not due to any explicit restrictions imposed by the governing body; it is simply a custom unique to the Labyrinth City.

It's unclear whether the adventurers, who always enjoy a drink at the bar, would mind the atmosphere in the city, or if, despite their rough nature, they actually cherish this time, as they were unusually quiet as they drank. After all, no one valued this rare opportunity to raise a glass and enjoy themselves with their fellow Starfarers more than they did.

Of course, there are exceptions. The Ganesha Familia, also known as the "Urban Military Police," are the only ones who can enjoy a moment of peace during this period.

The stars, usually obscured by the overwhelming magic stone lights, appeared exceptionally bright that day.

A bright moon hangs high in the night sky, silently overlooking the city like a calm sea.

However──

"An emergency meeting will be held next."

A group of people, seemingly ignoring the atmosphere on the street, gathered here with solemn expressions, responding to this serious and somber call to action.

The location is the fifth district within the city.

It's practically the heart of the bustling city.

This area, separated from the outside world by four high walls, is called the "Battlefield" because it is located within Orario but allows you to see the open fields.

This is the headquarters of the Freya Familia, hailed as the strongest faction in the city.

In the middle of the wilderness stands a mansion. The leader, Otsuki, summons the faction's "strongest fighters" to the "Round Table Room" inside the house for an emergency meeting.

"What do you want by calling us here? Oh, don't do it again for some nonsense like last time."

All the first-level adventurers from the faction were present, and one of the cat-man men sitting at the round table stared sharply at Ota.

This cat-man is only about 160cm tall, but his tone and gaze are incredibly intimidating, making even seasoned adventurers tremble with fear. His aggressive demeanor and name are Alan Fromo, and his title is "The Chariot of the Goddess."

Even when facing the faction's deputy leader, he still maintained a menacing demeanor.

"You look more serious than usual, oh dear."

"So, you mean there's a good reason for summoning us here?"

"Has it finally been decided to fight the Loki Familia to the death?"

"Or has the goddess made another impulsive decision?"

The quadruplets, who looked almost identical, each spoke in a voice that was exactly the same.

Despite being the weakest race, the Dwarfs, their strength is as high as Lv·5. They are none other than the famous Jariba brothers.

The eldest sons, in order, are Alfred, Duvalin, Bellin, and Ger, whose title, "The Four Warriors of Flame Gold," strikes fear into the hearts of their peers.

"Hmph... The goddess's festival is approaching, a bountiful feast is about to begin. It seems this gathering is a blood-soaked celebration to add luster to the eve of the final battle... The heavens crumble, the earth trembles, and I am the guardian of my lord. Hmph, hmph hmph hmph...!"

A voice, seemingly taken from mythology, came from across from the four Jaliba brothers. It sounded sinister at first glance.

This person is a very rare dark elf in Orario.

He has brown skin and silver-purple hair. The way he deliberately covers his right eye with his bangs and raises the corner of his mouth to reveal a wicked smile would surely make the gods unanimously exclaim, "Poor chuunibyou!"

"Shut up, Hegny. Listening to you is a waste of time."

Compared to dark elves, they are relatively common elves—another white elf said this with venomous words.

His appearance was as striking as that of his fellow dark elves, possessing golden hair comparable to a beautiful woman's and fair, delicate skin. His eyes were a coral red, like dazzling jewels. A pair of glasses adorned his handsome face, which could hardly be described as divinely blessed, perfectly showcasing his intellectual beauty.

These two men were named Hegnie Ragnar and Hedin Thranduil.

In fact, they do not want to be mistaken for a pair of partners; they are both "magic swordsmen" with overwhelming strength.

"There is only one reason why I have summoned you all."

O'Tac first surveyed his group of first-level adventurers, each with their distinct personalities, and without beating around the bush, got straight to the point.

He spoke slowly, as if in great distress.

"That lady... to be precise, Lady Seele, has decided to invite Bell Crane on a date."

Even when the burly martial artist uttered the word "date," no one present dared to complain.

Instead, several people suddenly stood up from their seats.

The four short Lilliputian brothers even stood directly on the chairs.

"What's going on? Oh it."

"You mean Lady Seele and that 'brat'?"

"I'm completely confused by that."

"Explain this to me clearly!"

"I received a report from the head maid that Lady Seele has invited Bell to attend this Goddess Festival. And this invitation is not a joke, but a serious one."

In response to the continuous speeches from the four Jaliba brothers, Otto gave his explanation in a standardized tone.

Upon hearing this, the quadruplets once again showed expressions of great shock.

"Seriously, such a thing exists..."

"You said it wasn't child's play... are you serious?"

"And they're going to the Goddess Festival together?"

"Wait, what should the 'guards' do in this situation?"

After listening to the quadruplets' questions, Otto continued to answer them.

"Naturally, we will split our forces into two groups."

Upon hearing this, everyone present immediately understood why an emergency meeting had been convened that evening.

"We must take this opportunity to assign everyone their roles at the Goddess Festival."

-- Who will serve as the bodyguards for the "goddess" and the "girl" respectively?

"Oh," he said in a dignified tone.

As everyone present showed expressions of understanding, Hegni spoke first.

"We, the chief gods, also govern abundance, and will surely appear in the heart of this vast city... In that case, we must also consider the safety of the destined woman... However, I already have a foolproof plan to eliminate this worry... Hmph, hmph hmph hmph."

"What nonsense are you talking about, you idiot?"

"Speak like a human being, you idiot."

"That old, anxious, and cunning little devil."

"Translate this, Hedin. You're this idiot's translator, aren't you?"

"I'm not this idiot's babysitter."

Faced with the quadruplets' insults, the blonde-haired white elf calmly retorted.

"Stop talking nonsense and hurry up and translate."

Hedin let out a sigh and glanced sideways at the dark elf beside him.

"To sever the eternal chaos, the white rabbit will be disposed of as a sacrifice...!"

"He meant, 'To save trouble, why not just assassinate Bell Craney?'"

"Stop joking, you idiot, I'll kill you!"