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

Rivera stretched out her wand, summoning a will no less powerful than a dragon's roar, and forced air into her chest as she shouted:

"I absolutely must go out into the world and embark on a journey!!"

Rivia, cherishing the "dream" that still shines brightly in her heart, made a vow to stand shoulder to shoulder with Finn against the raging dragon.

"【O Demon Lance, accept my blood, pierce my forehead】—【Hel Vanges】!"

The little man's lips held a hint of a smile.

Finn received the elf's determination, and while running, he completed the incantation, transforming into a fierce warrior.

"Oooooo ...

"────────────────────!!"

The giant dragon before him had probably attacked a large number of monsters in the forest, absorbed enough "magic stones", and grown into a powerful enemy that was even stronger than Zhan Sha (Eren). Moreover, he had to hold the dragon back by himself, so he naturally could not hold back his strength.

As soon as the battle began, Finn immediately activated his "magic," abandoning reason and going all out to fight the tree dragon to the death.

Sharp claws, twisted fangs, and a ferocious tail repeatedly clashed head-on with the spear.

"[The harbinger of the end, the snow-covered landscape!]"

Seeing the shocking scene before her, Riveria sang again.

One person was possessed by fighting spirit and engaged in fierce battle, while the other was focused on weaving incantations.

Despite the complete lack of coordination, it was indeed the kind of action a "forward" and a "defender" should take.

Finn and Riveria are fulfilling their duties for each other.

Loki silently narrowed his eyes, gazing at his two companions who were both determined to defeat their powerful enemy.

"...Why...? Why did you do this? Rivera..."

On the other hand, King Raphael was stunned and stood there dumbfounded.

As he watched the princess's retreating figure, ignoring her father's calls and bravely fighting on, a feeling akin to despair welled up within him.

That resolute demeanor stands in stark contrast to my current state of stagnation.

"Your Majesty, please escape from here immediately! Your Majesty!? Your Majesty!?"

The shouts of the Royal Guard Knights sounded strangely distant; my mind was completely occupied by the groans from the depths of my heart.

That "dragon" is a symbol of the outside world.

Outside the forest teems with all sorts of terrifying and dangerous things, and the princess will surely be humiliated by humanity, which is far more evil than any monster.

Why can't she understand?

No, why did she insist on embarking on the journey even knowing this?

Even though they are of the same race, even though they share the same bloodline—

This scene made him realize that he and his daughter were completely different.

"So you just... just like that..."

Do you hate me and this homeland that much?

King Raphael did not voice his question.

In fact, he had long seen that the root cause of his daughter's impulsiveness was not due to these reasons.

Throughout the long history of the Elven race, many royal women have abandoned "Alfred" and embarked on journeys to the outside world.

The most incredible thing about them is that they are all equally curious about the outside world. Thinking about it now, Riveria's deceased mother was the same, not to mention the first elven royal to leave the forest—"Eternal Saintess Celtia," who appeared in the Labyrinth Sacred Tale. Perhaps Riveria and the others inherited her soul deep in their hearts, which is why they all wanted to do this.

In fact, King Raphael once harbored aspirations for the outside world.

However, he ultimately failed to take that first step.

The reason given was to fulfill the duties of royalty—but that was just a nice-sounding excuse; in reality, it was simply because he couldn't escape the customs and rules of his clan.

"Why are you so curious about the outside world? Why can't you understand that even if you're a caged bird, you're still living in paradise!?"

When Raphael removed the armor that made him a king, his true self was incredibly cowardly.

And I'm terrified of being abandoned.

Fear of the blood of that noble saint (Celtia).

I fear that without any support, I can still uphold my lofty will and venture into that vast, ocean-like outside world.

The only way he knew how to survive was to stay on the throne deep in the forest.

They could not defy the honor and curse that came with royalty.

That's why he also wanted to keep Riveria confined in the forest.

Let Riveria sink into this forest with him.

"Why would you abandon your homeland (us) and embark on this journey!?"

As if forgetting the dignity that a ruler of a country should have, the father questioned his daughter loudly, as if he were crying.

"...Elven uncle, I remember your name is Raphael, right?"

Loki walked calmly toward Raphael.

"Regarding your question, even if I'm not Riveria's biological mother, I know the answer."

A smile appeared on her face as she answered on behalf of Rivera, who was still fighting:

"When the children grow up, they will leave the nest and go to that world full of possibilities that even the gods (parents) cannot predict... Each of these children is an 'adventurer' who embarks on a journey in search of a safe haven."

Raphael was stunned speechless after hearing this.

Determined to be independent and unafraid of it, Riveria quickened her chanting.

"[Snowflakes fall heavily, three harsh winters have passed—the end is near]."

This is the third time she has used her "magic".

The powerful artillery barrage greedily devoured her mental energy like an act of violence, causing Riveria's legs to go weak and almost causing her to kneel down on the spot.

Mental exhaustion sets in on the body that has just received "favors".

Even for a powerful magical race like an elf, the act of overindulging in "magic power" would leave her feeling weak all over.

In her hazy consciousness, she stubbornly refused to stop her lips weaving incantations.

"[Soon, flames will rage. The approaching war will bring inevitable destruction. The war horns will sound loudly, and violent turmoil will engulf all things.]"

Loki was so excited when he saw the displayed [ability values] that he accidentally let slip that it was an attack spell that surpassed the first tier.

Rivera is now using "Chant Link" to cast a second-tier attack spell, also known as "Annihilation Spell".

"Come forth, crimson flames, brutal fire! You are the embodiment of karmic fire!"

She forgot she was chanting magic and shouted loudly.

It's as if they are saying goodbye to the forest that nurtured them.

"[Sweeping away countless troops and bringing the curtain to a major war!]"

This place evoked many unpleasant memories for Rivera.

But it also gave her a variety of precious memories that were just as remarkable.

The babbling brook plays a melody, and the verdant leaves rustle. It would be a lie to say that she has no attachment to her hometown, which she still tries to keep from leaving.

However, Riveria had already made up her mind.

Even if the harsh winter freezes everything, even if the flames of the apocalypse turn everything to ashes—

Even if the most agonizing hardships await ahead—

"[Burn everything, Surtr's sword—I am Alfred!]!!"

This is the final incantation.

The fairy princess unleashed an immense "magic power" that a Level 1 could not possibly possess, hurling her inner will towards the forest that nurtured her.

"【Advanced Sword of Victory】!!"

There is only one.

With Riveria's current abilities, she can only summon one pillar of fire.

However, the crimson flames, powerful enough to incinerate everything, were released from the magic circle that had been deployed on the ground.

"────────────────────────────!?"

The flames pierced through the "Tree Dragon's" body at an angle almost parallel to the ground, and continued to charge forward unaffected.

Finn, who narrowly escaped, was stunned and speechless, only to find that everything in his field of vision was engulfed by the dazzling flames.

The dragon was completely unable to withstand this attack.

I thought the claws, which seemed to be rooted to the ground, would break under the impact, but instead, the huge body of the "Tree Dragon" was blasted to ashes with a mournful cry.

"Go! Aa ...

The raging flames were unstoppable.

It burned away all the obstacles along its path and pierced through the dense forest that served as a barrier—after the deafening roar subsided, a large hole was seen in "Alfred Forest".

"Princess Rivera!?"

The wand slipped from her hand, and the exhausted Riveria was caught in Aina's arms just as she was about to collapse.

Suddenly... a "light" shone down on her, who was exhausted.

"what……"

On the other side of the forest, where sparks of starlight dance in the air—

From the other side of the huge hole carved out by "magic," one could see the rising sun emerging from the "horizon."

Because the trees in "Alfredo Forest" are so dense and leafy that one cannot see the sky, both sunlight and moonlight can only penetrate through the gaps between the branches and leaves, reflecting off the trees and transforming this sacred forest into a dreamlike world.

In other words, this was the first time Riveria had witnessed the sunrise and the first time she had seen the "outside world".

"…………ah."

Enjoying the beautiful scenery with Aina, who was temporarily unable to speak, Rivera quietly had tears welling up in her eyes.

A tear welled up in her emerald eyes and slid gently down her right cheek.

"...The flames actually..."

Looking at the forest where the fire had not spread—Finn, having broken the spell, was utterly astonished by the countless sounds that soaked the leaves high above and his own shoulders.

It's raining.

As the magnificent sunrise illuminated the eastern sky, a sudden downpour of rain fell from the western sky.

As if bestowing a blessing upon the elven royalty about to embark on a long journey, the heavens bestowed their grace upon the wildfire.

The rain stopped not long afterward.

After the fire was extinguished, the forest, nourished by the rain, no longer groaned.

"Father..."

Riveria released Aina's hand and turned away.

She spoke to her father, who was standing still:

"I've decided to go out into the world."

With tear stains still on her cheeks, she clearly expressed her thoughts.

"...Ahh..."

This was also the first time Raphael had ever seen a sunrise.

The world has entered a brand new day.

The scene was so dazzling and spectacular.

The daughter, bathed in sunlight, was so beautiful that she seemed to no longer need the protection of her clan.

The Elf King, having stopped moving, quietly squinted his eyes in the morning light.

"Do as you please... silly daughter."