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

Seeing that Riveria seemed to want to pick a fight again, her attendant (Aina) covered her face with her hands and sighed.

"I'm sorry, you guessed right. But since you're skilled in archery, I don't think I need to learn it. To paraphrase Loki... what a 'familia' is is one where companions can complement each other's strengths and weaknesses."

Finn laughed it off, as if it were a self-deprecating joke.

Rivera seemed somewhat at a loss for words in the face of such a reaction.

"Moreover, with a sharpshooter like you around, it's even more so. As long as Riveria is willing to give her all, the future of our [Familia] is sure to be bright."

"...Well, as you said, I am indeed the best archer in the village. Watch closely, I'll handle all opponents of that caliber."

With a slight flush on her cheeks, Rivera coughed lightly, then raised her bow and continued firing.

Finn, walking leisurely away from Riveria, smiled broadly at Loki and Aina.

"That was easy to handle."

"Wow~ Finn is such a wicked guy~"

(Princess Rivera was completely manipulated...!)

Finn's smile, which should have been sunny and bright, was actually dark and evil.

The clever and cunning little people demonstrated their superior adaptability, quickly switching tactics to manipulate Riveria.

Aina was torn between standing up for her master and feeling sad, but to avoid further conflict between her companions, she had no choice but to harden her heart and keep it a secret.

(Riveria, just like her appearance, is a spoiled princess who doesn't understand the ways of the world; as for Finn, although his personality is more mature than Riveria's, he is still a young man after all... It should be said that he has finally shown the maturity that is commensurate with his age. Perhaps the two of them are surprisingly a good pair who can complement each other.)

Finn's mature personality almost makes people forget that he is only fourteen years old.

Criticizing his behavior as childish shows a lack of understanding of the situation; this level of revenge is actually quite endearing. After all, he must be full of grievances from being constantly looked down upon.

In contrast, Riveria never speaks ill of others behind their backs and is always straightforward.

This was probably the first time Finn had been stared at so directly and "insulted" rather than "mocking." He didn't even realize that he had actually gotten angry; Rivera's personality was just that straightforward.

Loki, thinking this, couldn't help but smile wryly, while also looking forward to the future.

Will the two be able to truly become partners and cooperate wholeheartedly?

If that day ever comes, I'm sure I'll create an incredibly powerful [Familia].

Loki had this premonition.

"Yay! All the enemies are gone! As expected of my beloved Levi!"

"I told you not to call me that disgusting thing!! Who else is on your side?!"

After all the "Dread Wolves" were eliminated, Loki raised his hands in celebration and prepared to rush up and hug Riveria.

Riveria quickly drew her bow to restrain Loki, while Finn pulled his braids behind his back. Aina, who couldn't help but smile wryly at the sight before her, suddenly twitched her long ears.

"...? Wait a minute, I think I heard something..."

"That's... the sound of horses' hooves? Oh no!"

Aina and Finn noticed the rapidly approaching "source of sound" almost simultaneously.

Perhaps hearing the monster's howl, the pursuers immediately approached.

Finn, with no time to think, loudly reminded him:

“Run!”

Loki, who was still cheering, and Riveria, who was in a rage, both changed their expressions drastically in an instant.

The four of them took off running at the same time.

To avoid being caught by pursuers, Finn and his group sped through the forest shrouded in blue and white light.

However, the team included Loki and Aina, whose walking speed was no different from that of ordinary people.

Their speed of travel was naturally incomparable to that of a group traveling on horseback.

No matter how fast they ran, it was all in vain; they were soon overtaken by their pursuers.

"Gotcha, Rivera!"

"Father...!"

This is a clearing in the forest.

Beneath a dome formed of branches and leaves, Riveria and her companions confronted a group of elves.

The knights and soldiers immediately made way for King Raphael, whose cloak fluttered in the wind.

"I was still hoping there was some mistake, but you actually accepted God's grace... This is a nightmare! I'm utterly disappointed in you!!"

Although some fine lines and signs of aging were visible on his face, King Raphael was still considered handsome and dashing.

His eyes, the same emerald green as Riveria's, were filled with rage as the Elf King roared:

"This silly daughter! I knew you were a bit slow, but I never imagined you were this slow!"

This thunderous rage made the surrounding elves shrink back in fear.

Even Riveria, including Aina, took a step back in fear, but she still mustered the courage to retort.

"Father!! I want to see beyond the forest with my own eyes! I want to learn about the outside world!"

"Are you planning to abandon your duties as a member of the royal family!?"

"If being bound to the throne is your so-called obligation, then I have no choice but to do it!"

The verbal sparring among royalty continues unabated.

Even the woods rustled because of the father and daughter who were arguing with each other.

"Why must the royal family alone remain in the forest?! Now that the gods have descended upon this world! We, the royal family, should be actively engaging with the outside world! The customs of this forest are nothing short of shackles! This forest is tantamount to a curse binding the royal family!"

Riveria vents the doubts and grievances she has held since childhood.

What is the significance of the crown within this small, enclosed world?

In contrast, King Raphael firmly refuted the claim.

"Alfreson is the sacred land of the elves! If this holy land and our royal family were to degenerate, our people would be lost and become no different from the little people around you!"

"...!"

"On the contrary, what right do you have to insult this sacred forest! You are utterly shameless!!"

Because they take pride in their race and hold a lofty sense of self-respect, they will quickly fall into depravity if they lose their faith.

In response to the questions raised by his fellow elves, King Raphael pointed out some of the facts incisively.

Riveria was rendered speechless, while Finn, standing to the side, coldly watched the Elf King.

However, the dwarfs seemed to understand the other's concern for the future of their race, and silently closed their eyes.

"Even with our growing numbers, our elven royal family has a limited number of offspring. For the sake of our race, the royal bloodline must not be allowed to die out... I will never allow you to be defiled by the outside world!"

As a long-lived race, the Elf race has a significantly lower birth rate than the Human race or other subhuman races.

Not to mention the elven royal family, whose lifespan is longer than that of ordinary elves.

King Raphael had only one daughter, Riveria, and he believed he could provide her with a carefree life while protecting her from the corrupting influences of the world.

This is how he shows his love for his daughter.

Even to her daughter, this was incredibly twisted.

"What exactly are you dissatisfied with!? I have given you everything you wanted! After eliminating all the impurities, I have left you only with the purest light! Until you give birth to an heir, you only need to fulfill your duties as a princess!"

Just then, the person who was so angry that she silently clenched her fists was actually Aina, who had always been closest to the princess.

With mixed feelings, she turned her head away and looked at her owner with a reluctant expression.

Rivera was seen trembling slightly all over.

So she reached out her left hand and gently took Riveria's right hand in hers.

Although the fairy princess did not look at her attendants—

However, being proud and arrogant, she gripped that hand tightly in return.

"Father...why can't you understand that these ideas imposed on others, and the birdcage-like life you created, are the things I hate most!"

Riveria shouted loudly.

"I hate you all! And I hate this place the most!!"

"...!"

"I don't need this birdcage you've imposed on me!"

Riveria drew courage from Aina's supportive, warm hand and finally revealed the words she had always wanted to tell her biological father.

"I am not your 'puppet'!"

This time, the princess's heartbroken accusations spread throughout the scene.

The surrounding elves hesitated after hearing this, and sighed as if they understood.

King Raphael's face contorted in frustration.

"It is precisely because this is an era in which gods have descended to the mortal realm one after another that we must become objects of reverence for our fellow human beings. Why can't you understand...!? Why can't you understand that beings like the gods, who willingly degenerate for their own amusement, will inevitably poison our race in the future!?"

Then, he angrily turned his gaze to the only god present—Loki.

The fact that many gods were causing chaos in the world to satisfy their own desires made the Elf King feel a sense of crisis.

However—Loki, who had completely ignored the conversation, scratched his head in exasperation.

"Hmm... As for the politics of the lower realms, it's all just nonsense to us gods... Besides, I think everyone could live a little more freely..."

After whispering like that, Loki suddenly put on a serious expression.

"Your Majesty, what I want to tell you now is much simpler and clearer."

Then she took a step forward and suddenly bowed ninety degrees.

"Please give me your daughter in marriage!! I promise to make her happy!!"

The scene fell silent for a moment.

Not only the elves watching, but even Riveria and Aina's cheeks twitched.

Only Finn understood that he had been cruelly poisoned and desperately suppressed his laughter.

Finally, there was King Raphael—who, in a fit of rage, transformed into a red-faced ghoul (ogre).

"Capture the princess!! Kill the rest of them if you want!!"

The scene transformed into a hellish rage of fury from the Elf King.

"Even a god cannot forgive this!! In the name of Alfred I declare! This wicked scoundrel must be severely punished!!"

Riveria was, after all, the Elf King's beloved daughter, and naturally there was no way she would be betrothed to such an intruder of unknown origin. In addition, the Elf King had accumulated a great deal of dissatisfaction with the gods, so he blushed and lost his temper on the spot.

This is the signal to start war.

The elven knights drew their swords, while the soldiers raised their wands.

The elven army launched an overwhelming attack, ambushing Loki and his companions.

"Huh—why—!?"

"That's perfectly normal! The king already loathes the gods, and then you went and said those things...!"

"The point is, I don't remember ever becoming your woman! Change your story and clarify!!"

"Well, there's no other way now that things have come to this. We can't just surrender obediently... The thought of what will happen next is depressing."

"Let's get started." Finn ignored the noisy Loki and the others, and gave the brief order.

"The enemy outnumbers us, and fighting in an open area is disadvantageous. Let's fight in the forest."

Finn immediately proposed a solution.

The three people, along with a god, rushed towards the narrow path.

Because the terrain suitable for riding is limited, the enemy's movements are relatively easy to predict. In addition, the more cover there is, the more it will affect visibility. In order to avoid accidentally injuring Riveria, the elves cannot easily cast "magic".

While covering Loki and Aina, Finn and Riveria took the initiative to attack while the enemy was tied up.

Finn wielded his lance, knocking down the charging elven knights on horseback, while Riveria shot an arrow, wounding an elven soldier chanting magic in the rear.