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

Large drops of water kept falling from his eyes.

Ah, I was indeed long ago dominated by optimism and resignation. My heart was like a dry desert, devoid of any emotional fluctuations, so I shouldn't feel sad. But now I feel like a naive young girl covering her face with her hands, the unstoppable rain turning into gold dust that slides down the red flowers and wets the earth.

Can't find it.

Still can't find it.

Even what I'm looking for, I can't find.

However, I am indeed searching.

I am searching for "something" that can free me from the "yoke of the goddess's neck".

Empty water droplets, devoid of sorrow, kept falling, and this continued for a thousand... two thousand... or perhaps three thousand nights.

She appeared as the petals withered, the stems and leaves died, and my body was immersed in the golden spring water.

The visitor was a goddess from my hometown (Eden).

Possessing beauty comparable to the "Goddess of Beauty," and being an innocent and benevolent goddess, she stated that she couldn't bear to see my dissolute and extravagant lifestyle, and had decided to come and preach to me.

She explained that she was covered in sweat because she had been searching for me everywhere, and then she began to talk at length about "youth," a thing she was in control of.

She said that men and women should know how to maintain their chastity and self-respect in their interactions.

She said that to live in this world, one must know how to share joys and sorrows with others.

She said that no matter how many years pass, one should keep their soul young.

She said, "So come and enjoy your youth too!"

So I decided to kill her.

As I stood up, walked behind her as she continued to speak freely, I prepared to grab her slender neck with both hands—

"So, why don't you go find your own partner (Odr), Freya?"

-- Partner?

I couldn't help but stop what I was doing.

The goddess (Eden), completely unaware that she had almost been strangled to death on the spot, laughed and said:

"The partner who can bring you fulfillment must exist somewhere."

"Just enjoy the innocent springtime together with the other person."

"I believe that as long as you do this, you will be able to break free from all kinds of shackles."

After hearing this, I couldn't help but burst out laughing at the goddess (Eden).

Such a thing could not possibly exist in the world.

However, I decided to believe the goddess's (Eden's) nonsense.

The reason is that I also cannot prove that such a thing could not possibly exist in the world.

Returning to the temple caused an uproar, and from that moment on, I developed a collecting obsession.

I collect beautiful things from all over the world, especially the souls of children. I always love to gaze at them, searching for something that belongs to me.

After the turmoil subsided, I would often sneak out of the temple in secret.

They embarked on the journey solely in search of a partner.

I transformed into a "girl" as if I were "addicted," wandering aimlessly to the ends of the earth.

I repeatedly ran away, evading my pursuers, but only to be met with disappointment; I still couldn't find a partner. I refused to let the poison of boredom corrupt my soul, and in search of excitement, I would sometimes casually invite multiple gods to accompany me, continuing my wandering life. It was probably around that time that I happened to meet the Virgin Goddess (Hestia) while posing as a goddess (Freya).

When I almost lost control again and strangled the goddess (Eden) who was leisurely smiling and asking me, "Have you found a partner yet?", I suddenly realized something.

It is because we, the "goddesses of beauty," are all incomparably beautiful, and it is because we all govern "love."

Therefore, there is only one thing that we can never obtain.

While I wondered what the other "goddesses" thought about this, I quickly stopped thinking about it, because doing so would obviously be a waste of effort.

Other "goddesses" would never create such trouble for themselves as I have, firmly believing themselves to be the supreme queen, taking all favors and offerings for granted, and proclaiming to the world that they are the absolute rulers, disregarding all other beings.

The arrogant goddess of beauty (Ishtar) is the object of envy.

The foolish goddess of beauty (Aphrodite) is enviable.

Because even if they find " ", they can still sneer and mock it, or turn it into a scar from the past.

After countless years, I have actually explored the entire celestial realm.

My partner is not on this sea and sky.

Therefore, my next destination is the "Netherworld".

It just so happened that it was the age of gods, when the gods descended upon the human world, and I joined them.

I lied and said it was to relieve the frustration of having nowhere to vent my emotions while staying in the heavenly realm, and to dream of finding possibilities in an incomplete world.

With a sliver of hope, I wish to encounter the "unknown" here—the partner I seek.

However──

I quickly explored the mortal realm, which was far narrower than the heavens, and my prayers turned into despair.

Now that we have searched the land thoroughly, we can only patiently wait for time to pass.

At that time, having already established my own "family," I felt physically and mentally exhausted.

Even though I maintain the queenly smile in front of my lovely children, my mind is also being eroded by a poison called boredom, and I even have thoughts of just falling into eternal sleep.

One day, I secretly slipped out of my family's sight and arrived at a place by myself. The scenery there was strikingly similar to what I had witnessed in my heavenly homeland.

It was a field of red flowers tinged with the twilight.

I couldn't help but walk to the center of the flower field, kneel down, and shed tears.

This time, my tears were filled with sorrow. I could only silently endure the mockery of the yoke on my neck and desperately resist the despair that welled up within me.

I thought this would be the first and last time I would cry my heart out in the lower realm.

Ah, it seems I was wrong.

Because the girl (Seele) couldn't help but shed tears in front of you.

Volume 18, Chapter 6: Goddess's Conquest ~ Orario Apocalypse~

My hair has grown longer.

By the time I noticed, her hair had already covered the back of her neck and even touched her back.

If you pick up a small section of hair and examine it closely, you can still see the original golden strands within the light green dyed hair.

To conceal my true identity, she was always the one who dyed my hair and cut it for me.

Those gentle eyes that were once reflected in the dressing mirror are now so far away from me.

Even that slight smile at the corner of my mouth, I can hardly recall anymore.

Because the woman who used to cut my hair is no longer here.

After I rejected her, she chose to leave.

Now that things have come to this, I inexplicably feel that she herself also hopes to become like that.

What was she thinking when she combed my hair?

What were her true feelings when she praised my beauty?

Was all the time we spent together a lie?

These questions have flashed through my mind countless times as I feel anger and sorrow.

With her light gray eyes, she once said it was just "role-playing".

He stated unequivocally that everything that has happened in the Abundance Bar to date is a "game".

There are too many things here that I don't understand.

I have also experienced countless heartbreaking things.

Is it enough to just accuse the other person of betraying you?

Is it enough to just cry and complain that the other person lied to you?

Would it make you feel better to yell at the other person and demand they give you back your sincerity?

Locked in the basement, I kept thinking about this question.

but……

I suddenly noticed something.

Actually, she hasn't changed at all.

Because she always acts willfully and recklessly.

They say they cherish us, but they always hide their own secrets.

She would laugh and dodge the question, slipping away from our grasp without any clear explanation.

She is always like a free and unrestrained "wind".

Even now it's the same.

She unilaterally finished telling her own story and then unilaterally severed the relationship.

I haven't even figured out the situation yet, and I'm not sure what to believe.

That's right—

I haven't had a proper conversation with her to my satisfaction yet.

Since that's the case—

Even if I refute "what does that have to do with me," it would be a reasonable response to go and question her.

No matter how she tries to distance herself from the past by saying "it was just for fun" or mocking it as an illusion.

I haven't revealed any of her deepest thoughts yet.

If she wanted to abandon her identity as a common girl and play the role of a willful queen, she could do whatever she wanted.

At least for this moment, I, the Gale, will also transform into a raging "storm".

"...I brought it as you instructed. After all, I just happened to find it during that battle."

This is outside the city wall. I took what he asked for from his hand as he stood in front of the city gate.

Those were damaged "wood chips".

After thanking the burly man who had specially brought the things from the inn town in the maze, I slowly looked up at the sky.

It was at the juncture of day and night, before dawn.

You can see the twinkling stars in the dark of the night.

I will never take my eyes off those twinkling stars again.

"The god Hermes instructed me to tell you... I've heard that 'that great one' is currently located in the sword-making city (Solingen) in the far east."

I nodded and thanked my friend who was relaying a message on behalf of my family's deity.

Thanks to her help, I am fully ready to set off.

Now all that's left is to say goodbye to this city for now.

I stood with my back to the city wall, gazing at the clearly visible horizon.

For him to have a head of white hair—

For her to have light gray hair—

And in order to conceal his blond hair until this day—

The final "ritual" must be completed.

I looked at the stars still shining in the sky, then whispered to the city behind me, letting my voice drift away on the wind.

"Just you wait, Seele. I won't let this go until I've slapped you across the face."

*