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

The goddess sat on a chair so luxuriously designed it could be called a throne.

A book lay open on her slender, crossed thighs.

"This matter should have been resolved yesterday, but unfortunately I have a book I need to finish reading first."

After speaking, the goddess had just finished reading the book—"Eina's Journal"—and handed it to Herren, who was attending her, for safekeeping.

To perfectly answer the boy's questions, the goddess decided to prioritize reading through dozens of adventurer (Bell Crane) observation logs—journals and materials written by the earnest half-elf. This likely encroached on her sleep time, as the goddess let out a soft yawn. Witnessing this, the quadruplets and Hegni simultaneously groaned, "Ugh…!" and knelt on the ground, clutching their chests. Their inner thoughts were simply: "Goddess Freya has been so cute since this morning…!"

Otto, who had developed a high level of resilience as a follower, remained unmoved, while Hedin gave him a look of utter contempt, as if to say, "May all the rude people die."

Being fortunate enough to catch a glimpse of the goddess's unguarded appearance is a privilege reserved only for faction leaders and their close attendants.

"Then let's have a meeting. But before I get to the point, you've already taken action, haven't you?"

The issue is to ascertain the current state of the "closed world" in which the boy (Bell) lives, and to formulate a course of action.

"Yes!" Alfred and the quadruplets responded in unison to Freya's trusting smile.

"We have fully aligned ourselves with your settings to accommodate the heretic's (Bell Crane's) role within the faction."

"We will continue to monitor the situation closely and strive to eliminate any potential risks."

"It includes not only the goddess Hestia, but also the heretics (monsters) who have not yet been affected by the 'charm'."

"The cat people who did not attend the meeting will be responsible for monitoring the Abundance Tavern starting today."

The four little quadruplets simultaneously took a step forward and reported one by one in identical voices.

Next to step forward was the dark elf Hegni.

"We...we'll be going to the 'Courtyard' later too! Just like yesterday, Duribel Crammy! Hmm...!? Hmm~..."

Hegny, whose excessive shyness caused severe communication difficulties, spoke normally in front of the Queen. Unfortunately, he bit his tongue several times, causing him to lower his head in shame and despair. Freya responded with a kind smile.

"Don't be afraid, Hegny, just speak slowly in your own words."

"Freya, Goddess...! Thank you so much...!"

Unlike the deeply moved Hegni, the quadruplets beside her simultaneously smacked their lips. Of course, they kept the volume just right so as not to offend Freya's ears.

Even though they are all first-class adventurers, the members of the Freya Familia don't get along very well.

"Bell Craney is indeed very capable; he can basically see and react to our attacks. I thought he only knew basic combat skills... but when his life is threatened, he becomes like a cornered rabbit, using his skills in unexpected and adaptable ways. This kind of person is a practical fighter; it's very interesting to train him. Of course, we held back throughout!"

"Heh, and then what?"

"Yes, yes... His weakness is his lack of experience in dealing with unreasonable situations and the number of times he has fought. However, by letting him continue to fight in the 'battlefield,' this weakness can be improved."

"Is that so? It seems that it was the right decision to hand that child over to the first-level adventurers (you) for training."

Freya looked on with delight at Hegni, who was talking faster and faster with joy, then glanced out the window at the roaring sounds coming from outside.

The only prohibition on the "Battlefield" is that first-level adventurers are not allowed to engage in combat.

Avoiding the loss of outstanding "fierce warriors" is certainly one reason, but the main reason is to prevent other factions from taking advantage of the situation.

For this reason, it is almost impossible for first-level adventurers to gather in the "Courtyard".

In other words, it was Bell Craney who set the precedent.

To be trained by a group of first-class adventurers like this was unprecedented, and certainly beyond an honor; it was a nightmare. Bell was destined to be thoroughly tortured by Hegny and his crew from now on.

This was the only part where the other members felt sympathy for Bell.

"Since we can't be sure whether Bell's rapid growth is due to 'skills,' we'll leave it to you to train him from now on. This kind of rigorous training will not only prevent him from having any time to overthink things, but it's also true that we have to push forward with the dungeon raid now."

"Does that mean we'll take him on 'expeditions' in the future?"

"That's right, that kid is also a 'hero candidate'."

Having witnessed Bell's [ability stats] and seeing through Freya's [single-minded yearning (skill)] nature, he feigned nonchalance and sternly gave the order:

"Therefore, he must not be killed, nor should he be allowed to die."

Faced with this order—

Ota, standing next to the goddess, didn't even flinch.

"If that child dies, I will follow his soul back to heaven"—even though the Supreme God's mindset has changed compared to half a year ago, Oota, like a model follower, did not interrupt at all and fully accepted the Supreme God's will.

"Also, give Bell a certain degree of freedom. After all, keeping him cooped up at headquarters all the time will arouse his suspicion."

""""yes!""""

"However, we still need to arrange surveillance and protection for him, especially since the children who are close to Bell are prone to conflicts (except for those). If it gets too serious, we'll have to use 'charm' again... But excessive 'charm' could cause the children to have mental breakdowns, so we must find a way to distance ourselves from this group."

After others other than the Alfred quadruplets responded, Freya smiled gently.

"I won't go to the 'Tower of Babel' for now; I'll stay at headquarters."

Upon hearing this, the room was instantly filled with joy.

To be precise, it originated from the maids waiting by the wall.

Unable to accompany them to the top of the Tower of Babel, the girls who remained there for the sake of their god were so overjoyed they almost wept. In contrast, the other group of maids staying in the Tower of Babel must have been heartbroken. For Freya was so deeply loved and respected by everyone.

The meeting proceeded smoothly thereafter. After listening to the reports from her clan, Freya issued instructions one by one.

The "closed world" in the goddess's mind was thus strengthened once again, becoming even more perfect.

"Finally, please allow me to report one more thing."

As the meeting drew to a close, the white elf, who had remained silent all along, finally spoke.

"What is it, Hedin?"

"The night before last, Bell Craney inquired about 'Lady Seele' from his subordinates."

The atmosphere became extremely tense, even among the first-level adventurers.

The reason was that this matter was so sensitive that no one dared to ask for confirmation. The smile on the goddess's face also disappeared.

"and then?"

My response was that there was no such girl here.

"Really? Then why did you choose this time to report this?"

"I want to confirm how the 'girl' was dealt with. 'Silly Frova' no longer exists in this city."

When Hedin brought up the "seductive" aspect of her character, Freya gave a firm answer.

"Just insist that she never existed in the first place."

"As commanded."

After watching Hedin bow respectfully for a while, Freya was no longer the magnanimous goddess, but instead raised the corners of her mouth like a fickle witch.

"By the way, Hedin? I remember you did a lot of things on your own initiative before the festival began... What exactly were you planning?"

His tone carried an atmosphere as if he would be immediately condemned if he said the wrong thing.

Even when glared at with resentment by the head lady-in-waiting (Helen), Hedin calmly answered.

"I am truly sorry for my overstepping of my bounds back then. I simply could not have agreed to let Bell be your protector without seeing it for myself. He was such a wimp that I had to give him a little 'training'."

"Is it based on your love?"

"It's based on my loyalty."

Looking into the elf's upright and honest eyes... Freya seemed to lose interest and put away her questioning posture.

The atmosphere at the scene immediately eased.

"In conclusion, it's all my fault for not training that silly rabbit properly, which caused you to be displeased. I'm willing to take full responsibility for it—"

"I didn't take what happened back then to heart?"

"..."

"I really didn't take what happened back then to heart?"

Freya immediately interrupted Hedin.

"The goddess must be holding a grudge." Everyone in the room had the same thought, but no one dared to say it aloud.

Hedin fell silent for a moment, but as if trying to regain his composure, he adjusted his glasses with his fingers and made a suggestion:

"Goddess Freya, I humbly request that you entrust me with the full responsibility of 'educating' the silly rabbit."

Like a taut bowstring, the atmosphere inside the shrine became tense once again.

Freya narrowed her eyes as if trying to see through the elves' thoughts.

"What's the reason?"

"I firmly believe that I am the one who can bring out its potential."

"What is the purpose?"

"For you."

Hedin asserted with an unwavering gaze and tone:

"I have dedicated all my loyalty to you."

Silence fell over the scene, broken only by the sounds of fighting coming from outside.

Freya stared at Hedin for a while before finally giving her answer.

"...Alright, it seems you're not lying. I'll leave it to you, Hedin."

Children cannot lie before God. Freya agreed after acknowledging Hedin's "loyalty".

Hedin ignored the gazes shot at him by the boar-men, disregarded the bewildered dark elf standing beside him, and paid no heed to the clear smacking of the lips from the dwarves, respectfully bowing to the goddess.

Then he turned around and left the room before everyone else.

*

The rhomphair, a long sword capable of easily taking the enemy's head, sweeps across without mercy.

"Too slow!"

"Well!?"

The handle of this long-handled weapon, which functioned as a "magic wand," struck me hard in the face, sending me sprawling to the ground. I propped myself up with trembling hands, lying on all fours on the grassland, blood streaming from my mouth due to the injury.

"What are you still lying there for? Get up! Do you want my head chopped off?!"

My master's angry rebuke landed on the back of my head.

As if reacting to the murderous aura that followed, I stood up unsteadily.

—After that, I began a wonderful life.

They fight in the fields from sunrise to sunset, and then go to chat with the goddess Freya after nightfall.

With my movements restricted, I had no choice. In the end, being rushed to fight early in the morning left me no time to take care of myself, let alone do anything else.

"Blind spots aren't just behind you."

"Pay close attention to your surroundings in all directions."

"Overcome all visual blind spots."

"The minimum requirement is to be able to evade, defend, and counterattack simultaneously."

"This...this is too difficult...!?"

"If you're certain you can't do it, then that's your guillotine. As for the executioner's blade, it could be a monster's fangs and claws, or a human's sharp knife."

"Wow!?"

I was battered and bruised by the combined attack of the four Alfred brothers, and knocked to the ground by Mr. Hegny's deadly slash. But no matter how many times I fell, my wounds and strength would recover, and I could only continue fighting like a warrior who was not allowed to die.

"...Bell, you often reflexively raise your right hand, don't you?"

"Huh...? Ah, yes, I seem to have this habitual action when I'm in a hurry... Could it be that I haven't improved?"

"On the contrary, because you deliberately correct it, it's easy for others to see through your right hand's attack preparation. While this isn't a problem when attacking monsters' 'magic stones,' it's a fatal flaw against first-class adventurers."

There were also some unexpected changes.

At dinner, when almost all the group members were present, Mr. Paine became adept at giving me guidance.

"Instead of trying to change this habit, you should use it as 'bait' in battle. It's a kind of 'tactic' against people. Although this trick can't be used often, if you don't know how to make the most of it, you'll never be able to beat a level one adventurer."