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

His pale gray eyes gradually became moist.

"I'm in so much pain, all I want is to be held in your arms. I'm fed up with feeling anxious about tomorrow."

Those eyes probably didn't understand why they were condensing water droplets.

"I don't want to know the answer, but I can't help wondering what the future holds for this longing!"

Accompanied by a heart-wrenching scream, I couldn't help but shudder.

"I like you... Belle."

My chest is trembling.

The sound fades away.

His eyes reflected only her image.

There are only the two of us left in this world.

The surrounding silence was so profound it could trigger tinnitus, and we were momentarily plunged into an eternal stillness.

It's something she's always wanted to keep hidden.

It's something she's always tried to hide.

It was something she was terrified of beyond measure.

Everything has been exposed, everything has been conveyed.

I am not allowed to turn away and run away; I must pay an equal price and offer my true feelings.

I always feel a tightness in my chest.

His brows were completely furrowed.

I really want to squeeze and burst her heart, which is crying and screaming nonstop.

I long to end this pain, to accept her confession, and to find relief.

but.

but.

But──

Even so—

I remembered.

I recall that conversation with Welf.

I want to confirm.

I want to confirm the person who is currently holding a place in my heart.

I began asking questions.

What do you yearn for? What are you seeking? What are you vowing to forge ahead for?

I've figured it out.

—A complete scoundrel, he doesn't know how to lie at all.

A drop of water hit my shoulder.

You can feel the sky about to weep.

She looked at me, and I looked back at her.

The last remaining distance between the two seemed to symbolize their ultimate fate.

I never expected this.

I really never expected this.

I never knew that refusing someone's kindness could be such a painful thing.

"sorry……"

The sky wept silently.

Volume Sixteen, Final Chapter: "Alea iacta est II"

The sky keeps crying.

As if trying to silence all other sounds, as if trying to immerse herself in grief, large tears fell one after another.

The torrential rain, enough to cover the entire field of vision, thus robbed the city of its hustle and bustle.

Many people rushed to take shelter under the eaves, and the streets became deserted. The sky, shrouded by the deep black sea, appeared utterly cold. Everyone gazed up at the scene with worry.

Even the white towering structure that pierced the sky was covered by rain.

The blessing of abundance has vanished from the city.

In the midst of this, one can hear the sound of footsteps moving through the rain.

Seele walked alone on the road.

She didn't use an umbrella, and just stood there in the rain, letting her clothes, skin, hair, and everything else on her body get soaked.

Sometime later, the flat shoes that were originally on her feet had disappeared.

Her battered legs couldn't recall ever having run so fast. When she came to her senses, she realized the scenery around her had changed. The boy who should have been in front of her had vanished without a trace; the only reality was the lonely sound of her footsteps echoing in the rain.

Bare feet waded through the puddles.

This caused a ripple.

She walked along the empty street.

Water droplets frequently welled up from the bangs that covered her eyes, running down her cheeks.

After awhile.

As if guided by the heavy rain that accompanied her, the girl arrived at the deserted "Amor Square".

This is the place where she had arranged to meet someone.

It is also a garden named after the word "love" in the language of the gods.

The bronze statue of the goddess standing here, only at this moment, is exposed to the lament of the heavens.

Seele continued walking forward.

She remained silent and unresponsive.

Like a ghost, like a lost child.

She seemed like an envoy, or a dignified saint.

She stopped in the center of the square.

The relentless downpour seemed to be trying to wash everything away from Seele's body.

To wash away the sadness and pain in her heart.

She quietly lowered her head.

Her pale gray hair clung to her cheeks, and the pale gray hair ornament reflected the raindrops.

Soon after, her slender body began to tremble slightly.

As if unable to withstand the chill caused by the rain hitting their bodies, they trembled more and more violently.

Then──

"Oh it."

Seele called out that name.

In this world where the heavens weep incessantly.

She cast aside the girl's voice and called out in the clear voice of a goddess.

"exist."

It's unclear when it appeared.

A burly boar-man warrior stood behind her.

The visitor also let the rain pelt his body, like a loyal servant awaiting the next words.

"Have your men prepare; I'm going to kidnap that child."

This statement sounded without the slightest hesitation.

It's like stating a perfectly legitimate truth, issuing a cold and ruthless order.

"Are you sure you really want to do this?"

The man only gave a brief confirmation.

"What's the meaning?"

The girl returned the question with an equally brief question.

The man remained silent, seemingly wanting to apologize for his offense.

The heavy rain continued.

The tears that fell from the sky, immersed in sorrow, now sounded like the growls of a wild beast when threatened.

As if gripped by fear of that one supreme being, the sky began to stir.

"The girl's time has come to an end... Why didn't we just do it this way from the beginning?"

She felt refreshed.

The gloom in my heart vanished instantly.

Once you break free from the shackles of emotion, the whole thing becomes very simple.

Even she couldn't understand why she had been so stubborn before.

Things that were once so cherished can now be treated with such indifference.

The girl was dead, and she gave a faint smile.

"This game is over."

She raised the corners of her mouth.

It's like she has transformed into a witch, like she has transformed into an absolute ruler.

She lifted her bangs, untied her ponytail, and let her hair fall down her back.

The "divine power" that had been suppressed emanated from his body, and the only existence descended into the world.

The light gray hair turned into "silver hair".

The light grey eyes glowed silver.

After revealing the "divine countenance" hidden deep within her eyes, the "goddess" smiled.

"I won't give you to anyone. Belle, I'm going to make you the goddess's possession."

Postscript to Volume Sixteen

Finally, the leader started warming up.

Since it is inconvenient to delve into the content of this book, I would like to discuss here what romantic comedy is (in philosophical terms).

Having mentioned in the afterword of volume eight of this series that "romantic comedies are truly profound," I again struggled a lot with writing this time. What exactly constitutes an interesting romantic comedy? How can I satisfy readers? Is it simply about being cute enough? Making people smile involuntarily? Making them blush and their hearts race? How can I earn the praise, "This romantic comedy is absolutely fantastic!"? I bought countless light novels to study dating scenes, which truly racked my brains. Ultimately, I realized that I simply couldn't write the best romantic comedy.

Therefore, when I was writing, I focused only on the element of "how to please the female protagonist".

I tried my best to present the story from the male protagonist's perspective, racking my brains to plan everything just to make a girl happy. Conversely, while portraying my selfish desire to make her understand me, I also showed my willful desire for her to do things my way. This sixteenth volume isn't for all readers, nor is it for any deity; it's purely written for one girl. This is my current answer to what a romantic comedy (philosophically speaking) is, and it's the work I poured my heart and soul into.

This romantic comedy will eventually evolve into a seesaw game of selfishness.

This leads us to stories of blood and tears shed for love, or for other things.

The biggest "bomb" in the series has been detonated, and the dice thrown from the hand have been blown to smithereens.

This is my selfishness as an author; I urge all readers to follow the developments until the very last moment.

Next is the thank you speech.