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

"Then, so..."

Although I was somewhat at a loss, I still led Miss Cassandra slowly toward the shop. Miss Daphne, for some reason, looked at us with a dumbfounded expression the whole time.

The shop was made of wood, and the manager was a burly man even more imposing than the town's local bully. He looked menacing and didn't seem like the type to sell fancy desserts. He stared intently at us as we approached—or rather, at Miss Cassandra, who was covering her flushed face with her hands and groaning incessantly—before finally grinning and saying, "You've passed." What on earth was going on...?

I bought two extra-large dungeon sandwiches using a faction agreement.

(Hmm...! Judging from the name, it's easy to guess that this dish will be a large portion, but this is still beyond my expectations...!)

The two slices of bread were filled with cloudberries, red berries, and other fruits from the maze, along with several kinds of cream, making it incredibly lavish. The filling was so abundant that it would have burst out long ago if it hadn't been wrapped in paper. I couldn't help but glance at Miss Cassandra, who had added more cream and red bean paste, and found her eyes shining with childlike excitement.

Miss Cassandra seemed to sense my gaze—no, or rather, she misunderstood—she started looking back and forth between me and the dungeon sandwich in her hand, then blushed and handed the sandwich to me.

"Would you... like to try some of mine?"

So cute. Shy Miss Cassandra is really adorable... but my face froze.

Because that sickeningly sweet taste would definitely kill me. Just as I was about to politely decline, I changed my mind.

The reason is that I caught a glimpse of my master out of the corner of my eye and saw him giving me a cold and ruthless look that forced me to accept.

This situation is so frustrating, but I have no choice but to grit my teeth and go through with it.

I mustered my courage, gently took Miss Cassandra's outstretched hand, and then took a bite of the sandwich.

“Huh!?”

I took Miss Cassandra's hand in one hand and ate a bite of my sandwich.

My face was burning hot, and I was so embarrassed that my ears turned red. Miss Cassandra had the same reaction as me.

However, thanks to this, I couldn't taste the sweetness of the sandwich for the time being, which made it possible for me to swallow it.

Miss Cassandra's eyes widened, and her blushing face made her look like she was about to be roasted.

"...Would you like to try some?"

"what?"

"I can share a bite with you too..."

To be honest, I was incredibly embarrassed, but my master's gaze was burning into my back, ordering me to press my advantage.

With my cheeks already flushed red, I handed over my dungeon sandwich.

Miss Cassandra froze for a moment, then bit her lower lip before finally opening her mouth slightly.

"Ah... um~~"

Take one bite.

Miss Cassandra ate the cream with her cherry-like lips.

She didn't utter a word while chewing, her whole face flushed red.

However, there was a little bit of cream on her cheeks.

—I remember a similar situation when I participated in the monster festival with the gods.

As I felt a sense of familiarity, I naturally reached out and gently wiped the cream off Miss Cassandra's face.

I followed Mr. Hedin's teachings and tried to avoid bringing shame upon women.

"—Being licked on the cheek by a rabbit—exactly as the edict stated~ ...

"Ah, ehee ...

Miss Cassandra then lost consciousness.

I quickly caught her soft body and hugged her tightly.

Perhaps she was too shy for Miss Cassandra to handle, because she collapsed into my arms, feeling dizzy and disoriented.

"Please don't make me feel nauseous..."

"Easy to handle, but this is for the best."

"This cannot be treated as a rehearsal at all."

As the boy cried out in near agony for the woman in his arms—

Daphne, feeling ignored, complained in a low voice in frustration. The store manager closed his eyes and revealed a smug smile, while Hedin calmly continued to arrange the next practical training session.

The bright moonlight shone down on the earth.

The city still retains the lingering atmosphere of the funeral procession, and a solemn atmosphere permeates the air today as well, though people are quietly filled with anticipation and excitement.

Because after tonight, the "Goddess Festival" will be held tomorrow.

“…………”

Liu, living in the "abundant mistress" house, silently washes the dishes with her sleeves rolled up.

She stared intently at the sink, washing dishes with practiced ease.

One, two, three... and so on, over and over again.

"How long are you going to keep washing, silly girl?"

“Hmm!?”

A fist as hard as rock landed on Ryu's skull.

As Liu groaned, she turned around and saw the tall, imposing female shopkeeper standing behind her.

"Miya's mom...?"

"The shop has been closed for ages. Are you going to wash those dishes several times before you're satisfied?"

“Eh…?”

After being reminded, Ryu was stunned.

The lights in the bar were already off, leaving only Ryu in the kitchen. The mountain of dirty dishes had long been washed; she simply moved the washed utensils from left to right, then back again, in an endless cycle. Ryu stared at her hands, stunned once more.

"What on earth are you thinking that makes you so confused? Honestly... you're almost back to the glutton you were when you first came to the store."

“Hmm…!?”

Mia let out a heavy sigh. Ryu, completely embarrassed, had no rebuttal.

A slight blush appeared on her fair cheeks, revealing an expression she had never shown in front of the boy and the others.

All day today—no, to be precise, five days ago, Ryu has been absent-minded. And the symptoms have become more and more serious as the "Goddess Festival" approaches.

As for the reason, even without prompting from others, Ryu knew it herself.

"If even you're like this, it's no wonder I'm worried about tomorrow's 'Goddess Festival.' Honestly, that silly girl said she's going out to play tomorrow..."

Ryu was alarmed after listening to Mia's sighs and complaints.

The image of her colleague with light gray hair flashed through her mind, and before she knew it, the words had already slipped out.

"...Won't Mia's mother stop her?"

When faced with this question, Mia glanced at Ryu.

"Do you want me to stop her?"

It was just a simple question, but Ryu felt as if someone had grabbed her heart.

"No, no! I didn't mean to get in Seele's way! That's the one thing I would never do! But..."

But... what is it?

Ryu couldn't put her thoughts into words. Her feelings at that moment were like lighting a lamp and walking deep into the forest to chase after a fairy that was fluttering about, but the trail left by its wings was fleeting.

However, Ryu knew that her feelings were wavering.

All she knew was that she didn't want to see the girl lose her smile, nor did she want the boy to leave her side.

(I really betrayed my best friend...)

Ryu recalled the question that Seele had asked a few days earlier.

(I've fallen for him... have I fallen for Bell?)

Then, she finally figured out her own thoughts.

I finally understand what that emotion that has been troubling me ever since I came back from the depths is.

Ryu didn't want to admit it, at least not at this moment.

This feeling, which was both sweet and tender yet also caused a hidden pain in her heart, now felt to Ryu like a block of ice frozen deep in the ocean. She didn't know how to face Seele and Bell.

Liu gripped her frozen arm tightly.

"...You're such a stubborn little elf, you haven't changed at all in five years."

Whether she had seen through Ryu's thoughts or not, Mia said this with a helpless tone.

“Eh…?”

"It means you should learn more about the lifestyle of us drinking enthusiasts."

After speaking, Mia took something from the shelf and stuffed it into Liu's arms.

It took Liu a little while to realize that it was fruit wine carefully brewed by Mia.

"Miya's mom! What's this?"

"Drink this and go to sleep. With your gloomy face, thinking about it any more is just a waste of time."

It's probably what's known as a bedtime bar.

After realizing that Mia was showing concern for her in her own way, a feeling of disbelief welled up inside Ryu.

Faced with the "motherly love" she hadn't felt in a long time, her sky-blue eyes showed a hint of emotion, and she felt a little relieved.

"...If there were a way to stop that silly girl, I'd like to tie her up with a rope, but it's not hard to imagine she'd try to cheat me."

"...?"

"Continuing from the previous topic."

Mia spoke softly, seemingly deciding to answer Ryu's earlier question.

"And the trouble isn't with me, it's with 'the people around me'."

Then Mia changed to a look of disgust.

"what?"

"God knows what those idiots who overprotect the silly girl will do. If they dare to interfere with the store's business, I'm absolutely willing to fight them... But the most infuriating thing is that doing so would be a thankless task."

Mia, seemingly talking to herself, frowned and looked towards the Tower of Babel through the window.

Liu looked up in confusion and met the eyes of the dwarf proprietress who was turning her head to look at him.

Anyway, that silly girl has already slipped away.

Mia extended her thick index finger and aimed it at Liu's chest.

"If you dare to skip work, I won't let you off easily."

"Tomorrow is the Goddess Festival, I wonder if I can skip work, meow!?"

The cat-woman Anya asked a question loudly.

It was late at night, and the day-to-day busy work came to an end after the bar closed.

While one of the colleagues was having a heart-to-heart talk with Mia in the store, Anya, Chloe, and Lunova, unaware of what was happening, were having a private conversation elsewhere.

"I'm absolutely fascinated by Seele and the white-haired guy's development, meow! Also, I want to enjoy all the sweet potatoes and fruits at the festival, meow!!"

"This is what you really think, isn't it?"

Runova rolled her eyes at Anya, who yelled "Meow—!"

However, Lunova also sighed and complained in a low voice:

"I understand that the festival period is the busiest time for the shop... but scheduling shifts for all three days of the Goddess Festival is really too much. There's no rest from beginning to end..."

Among the various festivals in Orario, the "Goddess Festival" is the most exciting and lively.

Unlike the Monster Festival, which is held in the second district—East Orario, where the circular arena is located, this Harvest Festival is a celebration of the entire city. Therefore, not only roadside stalls, but also bars such as "The Abundant Mistress" are all in full swing.

"Miya's mommy is definitely trying to make us overwork ourselves to death, meow! Waaah!!"