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

It was also because the girl often thought about her mother who was suffering from illness and hoped that she could be cured one day that this thought had a great influence and replaced Wang Sen's White Garden.

"Nina...!"

To the rabbi's surprise, his body was completely healed.

In addition to removing abnormal statuses, the purifying light, which also has the effect of "continuous healing," washed away all the filth from his body, including the "Light Erosion" cast by the "Blue Dragon," whose potential power far surpasses that of Nina.

"Ughhhhhh...!!"

Nina's legs trembled uncontrollably as the continuously emitted aurora began to invade the pure white territory, attempting to break through the protective barrier she had erected.

But Nina didn't lose, nor did she think she would lose. Because at this moment, for the first time in her life, she felt such a strong sense of mission, holding onto a very clear "goal," which was "to protect those she cherishes with her life."

Faced with the unwavering, pure white garden, Changlong felt a surge of rage.

It stopped breathing aurora and swooped down at high speed to tear the girl's body apart with its sharp teeth.

Nina stared in astonishment. Since [Ragrelle Kulisheim] wasn't a shield, it couldn't block attacks or magic that caused direct damage.

The instant she tightly closed her emerald-green eyes—

"Thank you, Nina."

A hand caught Nina as she fell backward.

He had started this "endurance race," but the half-elf girl ended up bearing the brunt of it. So, while thanking her, the boy quickly came to the girl's side and drew the "black dagger" that he never parted with from his waist.

"Roar!!"

"drink!!"

Just as the sharp teeth were about to reach her, she was knocked back by a powerful slash. Nina, who was rescued, stared in surprise as the boy quickly jumped onto the dragon.

Even as the Aurora Dragon hurriedly flew upwards, the boy clinging tightly to its fins also rose into the sky.

"────"

The boy, following the beautiful yet terrifying aurora, flew alongside the dragon through a space composed of waterfalls and crystals.

This scene was deeply imprinted in Nina's mind.

At the same time, this dreamlike "adventure scene," as if taken from a heroic biography, completely touched her heart.

"Nina, no one can answer the questions that are troubling you."

Leon once said this to Nina.

When Nina felt suffocated by the environment known as the "school district," and Leon invited her to transfer to the "Combat Technology Department," his advice was, "Don't stop reflecting on yourself."

Neither Leon nor Baldr would utter words like "Just do it this way" or "Go in this direction." Even though such suggestions would have allowed Nina to suppress her emotions and blindly follow orders.

The school district's leaders were unwilling to mold Nina into a "doll."

"If you really want to hear your teacher's advice, then when that moment comes, please be honest with yourself."

I just wanted to encourage her and hope that she would have this opportunity someday.

"When you feel a powerful emotional impact on your heart—that's the moment you find your dream."

The "dream" ignites a raging "flame".

"[Flame Lightning]!"

Rabi was flung away by the twisting dragon, and landed directly above it. He then infused his black dagger with crimson flames.

Then came a loud chime.

As the white light converged, the Blade of God was given a suit of armor made of flames.

Terrified by the sudden surge of firelight, the dragon decided to unleash aurora from its mouth as a last-ditch effort.

A total of four seconds of charging time.

The "Adventurer" let his body fall freely, and swung a blow directly at the dragon's breath that was launched at point-blank range.

"Argo Vesta: The Sacred Flame Slash!!"

Crimson Lotus Slash.

"──────────────────────────Hiss!?"

The condensed holy fire slashed and devoured the aurora, and the dragon was reduced to ashes in an explosion.

The flames and wind pressure caused Nina and the others who were looking up to close their eyes.

The entire floor shook, and the giant waterfall even roared in terror.

What followed was a sudden downpour of fly ash.

The dragon's corpse turned into countless dust particles in the air—thud!

After seeing the boy land safely by the waterfall pool, Nina staggered over to him.

"Yay!" Perth, Iglin, and the others cheered and ran toward the boy.

"Rabbi!"

"Nina...are you alright?"

The boy wiped the blood from his face; his clothes were tattered, yet he still showed concern for others first. Nina felt she needed to give him a good talking-to for his actions.

However, she felt that, at least for this moment, she had to follow her own restless heart.

So she looked at that smile—

Facing that tenderness—

Facing the "dream"

Nina, deeply moved, made her declaration.

"I want to become an adventurer."

She shouted loudly in front of the bewildered boy.

"I want to be by your side and see more different scenery!"

I couldn't hold back any longer and blurted it out.

"Huh?"

"Huh? "

Not only Rabi, but also the "Third Squad" and other adventurers like Perth stared in disbelief at the half-elf girl.

When the girl finally realized what she had just said, she did not blush with embarrassment on the spot.

The reason is that the boy who took the dragon's breath head-on suffered severe damage to his equipment, clothes, and magical artifacts.

With a faint sound, his wig fell to the ground.

"ah."

""""""ah.""""""

This time, it was the girl's turn to stare at the boy in disbelief.

Her deep red eyes, which were always hidden by her bangs, were now revealed.

His long rabbit ears had disappeared, and his snow-white hair shimmered under the spray of the waterfall.

Rabbi—no, Bel stood frozen in place.

All the members of the third squad remained frozen in place, maintaining a subtle posture.

Amidst the helpless shrugs of the residents of Perth and Rivera, a deafening scream erupted.

"Ah────────────────────────────!?"

Volume Nineteen, Final Chapter: So I Started Running Forward

It is early morning, before the sun has risen.

Because I had been in the underground city for a long time and was having trouble adjusting to the time difference, I was called to the "principal's office" to report for duty.

"You really worked hard on this 'special (dungeon) internship'."

This is the top floor of the temple tower. Baldr, sitting across from me at a table made of ash wood, offered words of comfort, and I felt quite guilty after hearing them.

"But I eventually revealed my true identity..."

"Yes, I've heard about it. Incredibly, the Third Squad hasn't mentioned a word about the appearance of a Level 1 adventurer on the 25th floor, so there's no need to worry about this getting out."

Although it's unclear whether this situation can be described as "blatant lying," the god of light chuckled after speaking.

After I revealed my true identity on the 25th floor, all the falling rocks on the 18th floor and the "Cave Labyrinth" were cleared, so the "Third Squad" was able to return to the surface smoothly. However, no one spoke on the way back, even though it was not a time for me to feel embarrassed... No one reprimanded me for impersonating a "rabbi".

A sense of—

I don't know how to face each other.

"After being stranded in the dungeon, you decided to hold a 'school trip' right there... What a brilliant idea! Is it a uniquely Orario adventurer's thought? Or is it just that only you could come up with such a sudden inspiration?"

At that moment, besides the two of us, the last person in the principal's office—Mr. Lyon—was looking at the report with a wry smile.

I heard that Professor Leon devoted himself to the rescue operation more than anyone else, saving many victims. Professor Leon was the one who greeted us on the 18th floor, along with everyone else.

"Just as I expected, you have successfully broadened Nina's horizons and perspectives."

"As you expected...?"

"That's right, it far exceeded my expectations."

Contrary to his usual behavior, Mr. Lyon closed one eye like a mischievous child and smiled at me, who had my eyes wide open.

Does that mean...Professor Leon thinks highly of me?

Is it because I'm already a Level 1 adventurer? Or is it because I'm known as the world's fastest white rabbit (record holder)?

I have no idea about that part.

Finally, Mr. Lyon looked me straight in the eye and said:

"I hope that next time 'I' can go on an adventure with you, Belle."

It's like they want to make a "promise" with me.

"By the way, did you speak with Nina after that?"

"Ah, about that... because I felt a little awkward myself, I didn't say much..."

When Baldr asked me the question, my answer was somewhat vague.

However, I added a "but" and raised the corners of my mouth.

"However, she... happily told me, 'I'm going to see my sister now.'"

I looked out the window.

Looking towards the sky turning a pale white, and towards the direction of the labyrinthine city where the sisters finally reunited.

Autumn has gone, and winter has arrived.

On a morning when many people would likely struggle to get out of bed, Eina, alone in the empty park, exhaled white mist as she headed to the "Guild Headquarters" for work.

We've now reached a point where scarves and gloves are indispensable.

As she pondered whether she and her beloved younger sister could get along like family when the harsh winter ended and spring arrived—

"elder sister."

"!"

This moment arrived sooner than expected.

This park is a shortcut to the "Guild Headquarters." A little investigation will quickly reveal that many guild employees take this route to work. Nina, dressed in her "school district" uniform, slowly walked over, waiting for Eina to appear.

The roadside trees, almost entirely bare of leaves, stood silently watching the two half-elves.

The older and younger sisters stood in the middle of the road, gazing at each other.

"...Eina...Sister."

"……Um."

"...I'm sorry, I still have no memory of my sister at all."

The younger sister, who lowered her eyes slightly and honestly spoke her mind, still didn't look away, but forced a stiff smile onto her face.