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

Hegney was deeply impressed and could never forget it.

She is the girl chosen by the goddess Freya—the fairy [Swift] from the Abundance Bar!

Unlike during the Goddess Festival, when the girl was clearly overwhelmed and unable to defend herself in that encounter.

Now, however, he is able to fight Hegni to a draw.

Even when faced with Hegni's speed and strength, the girl could hold her own.

She was not enveloped in that mysterious golden light, and her abilities had not undergone a temporary enhancement.

These are the inherent [ability values] of the elf before us.

A look of surprise flashed in Hegni's eyes, his brows furrowed, and he unleashed a slash.

After knocking Liu out of his attack range, he roared:

"You are—Lv.6!!"

As the valiant warriors stood frozen in disbelief, Hegni's question had already spread throughout the entire battlefield.

"Did you 'level up' twice from Lv.4!?"

"That's very possible!! And extremely possible!!"

The scene shifts back to the thirtieth floor of the Tower of Babel.

Hermes let out a roar of cheers, no less enthusiastic than the surrounding gods.

"Since the day the Dark Ages ended, Little Liu has continued to fight! Even after leaving the Goddess (Asteria), she has continued to fight!! And the 'great achievements' she has made are comparable to the fierce battles experienced by Sister Ais and her group of first-level adventurers!!"

—The main fighting force that single-handedly annihilated the Evils.

-- Defeat "Black Goliath" on the 18th floor.

-- Engage in a war game with the [Apollo Familia].

—Multiple battles sparked by heretics.

—A desperate journey with Bell into the "deepest" depths.

—And defeating her greatest nemesis in this life, the Destroyer (Zagnat).

Based on Hermes's knowledge alone, Ryu has already experienced so many deadly battles.

These are "great achievements" that even male gods have to acknowledge, and a series of "trials" that deeply evoke sympathy and affection from female gods.

In fact, even five years before [Swift] disappeared, she was already a top-tier player at Lv.4.

Legend has it that she was almost able to "level up" back then.

Given the time it took for [Sword Girl] to level up from Lv.4 to Lv.6, it is entirely possible for Ryu to achieve such a "great feat" in five years.

This can be described as an "unprecedented" "continuous upgrade" since the age of gods.

Even the world's fastest rabbit (the record holder) has not been able to achieve such a feat.

The Loki Familia and Ais, who were watching the battle from the main camp (headquarters), were all speechless with astonishment.

"Although she still lives in confusion to this day, she didn't hesitate to sacrifice herself for the 'justice' she once believed in, saving Bell and countless children! Therefore, her continuous leveling up is by no means a pipe dream!!"

Furthermore, her continued fighting at the "limited" level of Lv.4 only accelerated her growth.

This means that what would be a slightly challenging "trial" for a first-level adventurer would become "extremely harsh" for Ryu. Her accomplishments of such a large number of difficult "feats"—and the continuous acquisition of high-quality "experience points"—naturally give rise to "unknowns" capable of overturning the lower realms.

And all of this is thanks to her relentless pursuit of her own justice and her successful discovery of the ultimate answer called "hope".

"Luckily, we made it in time, little Liu... and Astraea too!"

Hermes, who helped Ryu reach the main god (Asteria) before the war game, smiled knowingly upon seeing this eagerly awaiting "reinforcement".

"I was utterly defeated by you and the [fierce one]."

Ryu wore the dark green cloak familiar to the boy (Bell) and others, paired with wooden shorts and boots.

Wearing a pure white combat suit on her upper body, she said as she swung her sword:

"Since that's the case, I can't continue to be stuck in my ways."

So she left Orario alone and embarked on a journey to the goddess (Asteria).

This was precisely to update her stagnant [ability value], in order to become stronger.

Thanks to the assistance and intelligence provided by Hermes and Asphal, Ryu finally arrived at the sword-making city of "Solingen".

This place is the world's number one "sword manufacturing capital," and it is also the place where the goddess of justice settled five years ago because she believed she could help Ryu one day.

Therefore, Ryū's acquisition of a new weapon can be seen as both accidental and inevitable.

The sword she now holds is the Stardust Sword, named "Elven Goddess of Justice (Justitia)," forged from the wooden sword "Elven Radiance," which was destroyed in the fight against the Destroyer (Zagnat).

This is another name for Astrea, and also the new sword the elf received under the name "Star of Justice".

"【Black Essence Demon Sword】—This time I will defeat you."

The wind that quietly ignites fighting spirit transforms a calm resolve into words and proclaims it from the outside.

Ryu launched an attack on Hegni, who was still in shock.

Ryu, letting her golden ponytail sway in the wind, unleashed a series of attacks. The wooden sword, whose attack range rivaled that of Hegni's longsword, possessed the user's "magic power." Combined with Ryu's own [Mental Reload (skill)], it unleashed a savage power unbecoming of a defensive race (elf).

Despite having a clear advantage in terms of "strength," Hegni's attacks were repeatedly deflected, and his brown palms were even slightly numb from the impact.

"—Brave warriors, surround and attack that elf!"

"!!"

Just then, the order came from the healers waiting in the rear.

It's Heci.

Haici immediately regarded Ryu, who was temporarily tied with Hegni, as a dangerous element, and took it upon himself to issue orders to the valiant warriors.

"Haichi!! Are you trying to interfere with our duel!?"

"I'm sorry, your reserve is irrelevant to me, Lord Hegni! The most pressing matter is to deliver a glorious victory for the Goddess Freya! Am I wrong!?"

“Hmm…!”

"Our mission is to eliminate even the smallest variable in order to offer the sacrifice (Bell) to the goddess!"

Hegni, who quickly distanced himself from Ryu and launched into a tirade, was so annoyed when he heard the other party invoke the most exalted supreme god that he seemed to be biting his teeth off.

As a healer, Haici was exceptionally skilled. She was able to strategize and issue orders in place of the commander (Hedin) of her unit, completely preventing the enemy from igniting a counterattack. Since the right flank and central forces of the Allied Army had already been routed, the valiant warriors in the center of the "main battlefield" immediately took action upon receiving the order in order to concentrate their forces to besiege Lv.6 Ryu.

Although this situation greatly relieved the pressure on the struggling left-wing forces (Aisha and others), Ryu was soon surrounded by more than forty second-level adventurers.

“…………”

Liu slowly surveyed the cage made up of warriors.

Standing at the center of the encirclement, she was targeted by arrows, wands, and various swords and spears.

"...This is now a knight's graveyard where one-on-one duels are no longer an option. So feel free to resent our decision."

Once the order to attack is given, the elves will have their wings broken by countless weapons.

Seeing the tragic outcome a minute later, Hegni regretfully dismounted from his fighting stance.

"No way...! Lord Ryu!"

"Don't even think that I'll leave any spark that could ignite a war to the faction alliance (you)."

This is the difference in remaining combat strength.

On one side is Lily, who is forced to wait for her fate due to a lack of available pieces; on the other side is Haici, whose strongest fighters are still alive and whose eyes are filled with ferocity. Both gazes are fixed on the "executive ground of the elves".

The clothes on her body were burned to almost nothing but rags by Modo, so the healer girl, who had tied her clothes in a knot to cover her chest, stretched out her hand and gave the order.

"Brave warriors, end this battle—"

To be precise, it means they intend to issue an order.

However, Ryu had already whispered before Haici finished giving the order.

"I'm going to use it now, Goddess Astraea."

Okay.

Like stardust falling from the sky, only the elf's slender ears received the response.

That is "the smile of the goddess".

That is "the blessing of the stars".

Ryu gripped the Stardust Sword, the Elf Goddess of Justice, with both hands, pointing the tip towards the sky, like a knight—or a Valkyrie of the stars—standing the sword upright.

Then, she closed her eyes and announced the name of the new magic she had learned (Power).

"【Astrea Record】"

The next instant, "Starlight" lit up.

“Eh!?”

"A magic circle!?"

it's not true.

What bloomed beneath the elves' feet were not the cannons that mages were so proud of, but an immense number of "glowing strings of text".

Like the blessing (ability value) branded on her back, it is the sacred script (hieroglyph) symbolizing the "sword of stars and wings".

"When the mission is fulfilled as intended, Libra will achieve balance."

The elf began to weave righteous poems from her lips, like sacred words.

"Chanting...!?"

"It's magic! Don't let her activate it!"

When the valiant warriors heard the incantation that resounded all around them, they were first stunned, and then immediately took action.

Arrows and cannon fire from the "Demon Sword" came from all directions—but were all blocked by "Starlight".

"What—!?"

Even the fierce warriors, including Hegni and Heci, were shocked by what they saw.

A field of light with a radius of five meters was formed around Ryu, blocking all the arrow rain and magical bombardment from the surrounding area.

Crystals of light drifted in the air, and countless sacred characters covered Ryu like stardust, forming a protective barrier around her.

"A barrier!? No—that's the 'Star Realm'!?"

There is no more suitable adjective than this.

Under Hegni's astonished gaze, the elf quickened his chanting.

"A fortress of order, a crown of integrity, a beacon to dispel evil."

Faced with the righteous domain that could block all attacks and the clear, resounding Star Poems, the valiant warriors rushed forward anxiously.

They decided to take direct close-range action, swinging their swords, spears, axes, and hammers at the glowing text.

However, none of it worked.

Before their astonished eyes, neither the slash nor the thrust could break through the barrier; instead, they were all bounced away.

"[In the name of the goddess, like a streak of light piercing the sky, leaving behind a trail of brilliant stars across the earth]"

"Ugh... Ohh ...

At the last moment, Hegni transformed into a jet-black arrow.

He abandoned his previous thoughts of resignation and sympathy, and wielded the black sword in his hand in order to destroy the Star's Protection.

With a deafening flash of light, the domain shook for the first time.

Facing the radiance that was about to send the attacker flying, Hegni roared with a fierce glint in his eyes.

"Drink it all!!"

With a piercing sound like shattering glass, Zheng Yu was breached in the next instant.

Hegni bypassed Star's Protection, which had been defeated by a full-force attack from a Lv.6, and took a quick step forward, swinging his sword to attack Ryu, who was located in the center of the field.

"Justice will prevail!"