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

Facing this mature woman with a slight blush on her cheeks and such an elegant smile, I, a complete scoundrel, couldn't help but stare in a daze.

Immediately, I felt embarrassed and awkwardly gave a silly laugh, while Miss Eina covered her mouth and chuckled softly.

Seemingly seizing the opportune moment, or perhaps wanting to offer a special treat after witnessing such a heartwarming scene, the waiter poured a clear amber-colored wine into Miss Eina's empty glass. Incidentally, since I had to return to the "school district" later, I only had juice.

After we thanked the waiter, we were about to drink our beverages as if we were about to toast again in celebration when we heard a "thump" from the side.

We were sitting by the window, and the noise came from next to us.

The problem is that besides the aisle, the only other view we have on one side is a window on the other side… Thinking this, I turned my head and looked—

"Bell".

"Bel-da-sama".

I saw the fairy and Lily pressing their foreheads against the glass window, their eyes filled with resentment as they called out to me.

"Wa ...

"Aa ...

Miss Eina and I were so terrified that we almost fell off our chairs and screamed at the same time.

Upon closer inspection, I saw that Welf, Miss Mikoto, Miss Haruhime, and Miss Ryu were all standing behind the fairy and Lily. In short, the entire [Hestia Familia] was present, which startled me so much that I couldn't help but shout in my mind, "How could this be!?"

At the same time, the fairy, whose forehead was pressed against the window, and Lily took three steps at a time to circle around to the restaurant entrance, ignoring the waiter's exclamations and attempts to stop them, and rushed into the store!

"What the hell are you doing?! Belle!!"

"God, a deity!? What are you doing here!?"

"Please don't throw the question back at us and change the subject, Lord Bell! Why didn't you stay obediently in the 'school district (mission location)'?!"

"Lily, Lily! Um, I just happened to have something to discuss with Miss Eina, so I slipped out for a little while...!"

Faced with this oppressive feeling that seemed to be dragging me into an abyss, I trembled uncontrollably. Even though I hadn't done anything wrong, I felt guilty and kept making excuses. Immortal and Lily then raised their eyebrows and widened their almond eyes, shouting in unison.

"Who would believe that?!"

That thunderous shout pierced my eardrums instantly!

"The problem is, this consultant is dressed so elegantly and fashionably, she's clearly just trying to seduce you!!"

"H-Goddess Hestia, I didn't mean to seduce anyone! It's just that it wouldn't be appropriate to dine with adventurers while wearing the guild uniform, so I had to change my clothes...!"

"No way! You were clearly trying to seduce him! You were obviously giving him a woman's look, trying to lure the innocent and naive Lord Bell home!! Don't think you can fool Lily's sharp eyes!"

"I didn't give her that look! Miss Erd!!"

Miss Eina, blushing and trying to explain, only made things worse, leaving me completely confused!

Could someone please help explain the situation?

"Lord Bell, actually... Lord Heron, with a cold expression, delivered a secret letter to headquarters on behalf of Lady Seele..."

The members of the Hestia Familia followed closely behind the goddess and Lily into the store, where Miss Fate, looking embarrassed, explained the situation to me.

"The letter said... a witch has appeared near the White Rabbit that Lord Hegni is tracking, and he needs to come to the rescue as soon as possible. A map was also attached."

"What!?"

"There's no guarantee that the doting White Rabbit Warrior (the fierce warrior) won't indulge Lord Bell, which is why they hope we... or more precisely, that Goddess Hestia and the others will step in..."

Mr. Hegney is following me!? How did he do that!? I didn't sense any suspicious "gaze" at all!? Does Mr. Hegney have some kind of in-depth knowledge about how to avoid scaring the rabbit (pet)!?

There shouldn't be any way to hack into the "school district"... Could it be that I've been monitored the whole time I was in the city (Orario)?! What are you thinking?! Miss Seele!!

"The tavern's waitress seems to have been caught red-handed by the voluptuous mistress and can't escape. Also, it took us a lot of effort to finally subdue the 'goddess's follower,' who went completely out of control as soon as she completed her master's command... She rushed into the kitchen to grab a cleaver, and we barely managed to knock her unconscious..."

"Well……………………!?"

Following Miss Ming, a disheveled and exhausted Welf recounted the horrifying sudden situation, which terrified me so much that I felt as if I had entered an ice cellar and was completely speechless.

Even though I didn't witness it with my own eyes, I can clearly imagine the situation at that moment!

Miss Herren, do you still want to take my life?!

Miss Haruhime made a "waaaaa" sound, looking back and forth at me, who was already terrified and looked like I was terminally ill, and Miss Eina, who was still arguing with the gods and others. It's no wonder I felt that Miss Haruhime was the only person with a conscience present.

That is to say, among all of them, Miss Ryu, who stares at me with a blank expression, is the most terrifying!

"Bell, you wouldn't have been out here flirting with countless women and spending the night at their homes these past few days away from headquarters, would you!?"

"No way! I've never done that!! I've been studying hard!!"

"That's hard to say, Goddess Hestia! Because Hermes might instill some unnecessary things in Lord Bell!"

"Lily! Please, please believe me!?"

"Bell, more importantly, you still haven't given me a reply to my confession?"

"What───────────────────────────!?"

"Eeee ...

After the fairy, Lily, and Miss Eina let out horrified screams, my own scream exploded on the spot!!

Why did you have to say it at a time like this?! Miss Ryu──────────────!

"Bell! Is this true!? Ryu-san confessed to you... Hmm? Come to think of it, this incident did happen during the War Game..."

"Hmm, I remember you even broadcast it to the entire Orario via the 'Divine Mirror' -- Ah, Ryu-sama!? Why did you suddenly collapse to the ground!?"

"Your face is as red as an overripe strawberry!"

"My vows of love... were broadcast throughout the entire city... were heard by everyone in full view of us... this is an utter disgrace... please save me, Alexie..."

"You idiot, don't add fuel to the fire and then you'll explode!!"

"What's going on!? Bell──────────────────────!!"

"Please tell the whole truth!! Don't even think about leaving until you've explained everything clearly! Lord Bell! The important thing is that you return to headquarters immediately!!"

"I'm so sorry, Bell... I should have stopped them for you... It's all my fault for being so useless..."

Miss Eina, who was about to press me for an explanation, suddenly remembered something and stopped. Miss Mei panicked when the elf suddenly slumped down. Miss Haruhime was terrified by the elf's blushing face, which looked like she was about to spontaneously combust. Miss Ryu, covering her face with her hands, looked like she was about to utter self-deprecating words like "How fragile justice is." After Welf finished his loud吐槽 (tu cao, a Chinese internet slang term for sarcastic or critical remarks), the fairy and Lily roared at me. Finally, I thought I vaguely heard Mr. Hegny apologizing, but it was probably just my imagination.

Faced with this chaotic scene that was spiraling out of control, I had an urge to roll my eyes and faint on the spot.

In short... I sincerely apologized repeatedly to the restaurant that was victimized and secretly vowed never to go near it again.

"Rabbi!"

As if I had burned out my life, I finally returned to the "school district" late at night, almost until the next day.

The gangway, which connects the control floor to the port like a drawbridge, should have been retracted by now, but it is still open to traffic, and I can see Nina standing in front of the gangway waiting for me with an uneasy look on her face.

After returning to Granny Renova's shop to change back into my wig and combat uniform, I tried to hide my wounded heart and forced a bitter smile at Nina, who was running towards me.

"Where have you been?! I've been so worried about you not coming back yet!?"

"I'm so sorry... I encountered a lot of problems in Orario..."

"...Is it my fault? It's all my fault for causing you so much worry..."

"No, no, that's not true! You've misunderstood! This wasn't your fault!"

I thought Nina would get angry, but after seeing her sad and dejected look, I quickly denied it.

Meeting with Miss Eina was my own decision, and this action felt more like sneaking around prying into someone else's private affairs. As for what happened afterward, it was almost entirely beyond my control and a consequence of my own actions...!

To avoid Nina blaming herself, I tried my best to emphasize that this had nothing to do with her, but she seemed to have noticed something amiss.

"...You're lying."

So she said it in a low voice.

Although her expression seemed like she was throwing a tantrum or blaming me, she also seemed inexplicably happy.

"...But I've also caused a lot of trouble for Rabbi and the others, so we're even now."

"Is that so? Although I don't think you've caused any trouble for anyone... as long as you don't pursue this further, you've done me a great favor."

I scratched the back of my head and accidentally blurted out my true feelings, which made Nina burst out laughing.

Seeing that smile finally made me breathe a sigh of relief.

"Shall we head back to the dorm? Even though we don't have to do the 'special (dungeon) internship' tomorrow, we still have to participate in training."

"Ah, about that... Can I go to the 'Faction Experience' tomorrow, Nina?"

Too much happened tonight, so the goddess Hestia ordered me to return to my Familia.

Regarding Orario's "Faction Experience," the "School District" adopts a self-application system. Students can do so at any time as long as they apply to their teachers and receive permission. I've heard that, apart from the "Combat Arts Department," several students have participated in "Faction Experience" several times before "Family Recruitment."

Actually, I was also saddened that I couldn't accompany the "Third Squad" during training, but this request wasn't too abrupt—Nina seemed quite hesitant.

"Lavi... have you decided on your future path?"

"Huh? Ah, well, I'm not sure yet, but I'd like to become an adventurer for now..."

In a moment of desperation, I used the backstory that Professor Leon had prepared for me to cover it up... Nina lowered her eyes sadly and said, "I see..."

"...Nina?"

"...! I'm so sorry, I'll go start the elevator right now! Let's apologize properly to the supervising student (Arisa-senpai) later!"

Nina, snapping out of her daze, quickly forced a smile and walked up the gangway.

The sound of waves can be faintly heard from here.

It was the sound of ocean waves crashing into a vast brackish lake.

I could only watch silently as her figure disappeared into the depths of the control layer.

"Hmm~ So youthful!"

"...Goddess Eden?"

"Whether it's sweet or bitter, it's all part of the pattern that adorns life! Let's shout together~ the tender spring~☆"

"...The tender, green spring?"

Faced with this blonde goddess who suddenly appeared from the inside of the gangway with a radiant smile on her face, I imitated her gesture, raising one hand high towards the night sky.

It must be Nina who asked the principal (Badr) for my sake, which is why the gangway hasn't been put away yet.

I thought about it for a moment and realized what the tender spring really is, and at the same time, I expressed my gratitude to the compassionate goddess.

But afterwards, he was still forced to write several pages of a letter of repentance...

"The enemy is approaching from the one o'clock direction!"

Lily gave the order in a stern voice.

Loud flapping of wings echoed from within the maze covered in tree bark, and the entire team focused their unwavering fighting spirit in the same direction.

"I'll handle 'Gun libellula,' and 'Deadly Hornet' is yours, Welf!"

"receive!"

The vanguard split into two groups. I went to deal with the sniper dragonflies that had long-range attack capabilities, while the deadly wasps that appeared later were handled by Welf, who was radiating the light of his level-up.

The combat suit I'm wearing now is the Goliath Scarf and Welf's newly created rabbit armor.

This is also my "adventurer" outfit that I haven't worn for a long time, no longer playing the role of a "student".

Although the "school district's" combat uniforms are not bad, I still prefer this outfit.

I felt a surge of joy welling up within me and unleashed my full potential at Lv.5.

Instead of using Rapid Fire (Flame Lightning), I closed the distance and leaped into the air like a spinning top, dismembering the entire swarm of sniper dragonflies in one go.

If it were the old lineup, my reckless charge into the enemy's backline, where they could launch long-range attacks, might have put Lily and Haruhime in danger.

"Haruhime, lower your head."

"Ah, yes!"

But now we have the "invincible center" Ms. Ryu to help us out!

As a large swarm of "crazy beetles" rapidly attacked from the side of the group, Miss Ryu transformed into a gust of wind, passing through the swarm and gently slicing her new weapon, "Elf Justice Goddess," across the enemy's body. A series of beetles then exploded and died, causing a deafening sound that nearly shattered eardrums.

Because of the current chaotic battle, in order to prevent the monsters from taking advantage of the chaos to seize the "magic stone", this battle-hardened adventurer has switched to a fighting style that destroys the core with a single blow, showing an amazing "skill" that left even me speechless, and making full use of the meaning represented by the number "Lv.6".

At the same time, as if to finish the instructions she had given to Miss Haruhime, she threw one of the pair of small katanas she was carrying.

The throwing knife sliced ​​across Haruhime's black hood (Goliath robe). It was initially thought she had accidentally thrown it at nothing, but the kodachi precisely pierced the chest of the monster that was just emerging from a crack in the tree bark.