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

Rivera noticed a hint of warmth in the girl's unchanging expression. "Ah..." she murmured, relaxing her own expression. Then Rivera turned back to face the girl, heading from the courtyard towards the tower.

Ais's gloomy expression had not yet returned to its cheerful state.

If only this could help her calm down, it would be great, but unfortunately Riveria is not good at motivating others.

(Although I didn't mean to quote Loki, but...)

Therefore, we can only follow the instructions of God and use the appropriate method for the appropriate task.

She decided to entrust the task to those girls to encourage the young girl.

■

“Hmm—”

Tiona crossed her arms over her chest and groaned.

"Miss Tiona...?"

"What are you yelling about?"

In the restaurant that morning, under the watchful eyes of Lefia and Tiony, she fell into deep thought.

"Ais still looks very listless."

After finishing breakfast, Ais, who had been beside him, was gone.

The four of them ate together as usual today. When you spoke to her, she gave brief responses as usual, and it seemed like nothing was different.

but.

Tiona knows.

Although Ais wasn't forcing a smile, she wasn't in her usual state either.

"She's just angry with Bert, isn't she? Let her calm down."

"No, I don't think it has anything to do with Bert. Maybe there's a tiny bit of a connection, but Ais never cared about that werewolf man from the beginning."

"You, you clearly beat Bert up like that at the tavern..."

"Ais is still feeling down because of something else."

Tiona is not good at thinking.

She couldn't fathom Ais's feelings to offer any thoughtful assistance, nor could she alleviate her worries. Even if she tried to meddle, it would only backfire.

This is how it is now, and it will be how it is in the future. Tiona can only act lively and cheerful, trying to make Ais happy.

"Lefia, Tione. Do you have any appointments today?"

"No."

"I'm going to help the team leader today, just like before..."

"So you're free now? Keep me company today!"

"Wait a minute!"

Don't worry about those minor issues.

To put it bluntly, Tiona just didn't want to see Ais looking listless.

She hoped to see Ais with a reserved, pure smile, like a small white flower blooming on a mountain ridge, swaying gently in the wind.

Tiona, who claimed to be Ais's best friend, shoved her chair aside and stood up.

"I'm going to find Ais!"

She suddenly rushed out of the large restaurant.

Like a wild boar that can't stop running once it starts, or a bird soaring through the sky without any confusion, Tiona was running around the headquarters.

Rooms, attics, libraries, reception rooms. She pushed open every door she saw, then climbed up and down the stairs. The surprised expressions of her fellow members repeatedly caught her eye. She also went to Loki's room, but only smelled a pungent odor of alcohol; the room's occupant wasn't there. Tiona groaned, pinched her nose, and dashed out again.

She walked back and forth in the corridor several times.

"……Hello."

"Wow!"

As she ran down the narrow corridor.

A long leg braced against the wall like a log, blocking Diona's path. Diona nearly crashed into it, barely managing to stop, and glared at Bert who had suddenly appeared to block her way.

"That's dangerous! Get out of the way, Bert!"

The incident at the tavern was still upsetting Tiona, and she emphasized her point.

Bert's lips curled down at her obvious hostility, and he gestured with his chin towards the view outside the window.

"If you're looking for Ais, she's in the courtyard."

“Eh…”

Bert glanced at the stunned Tiona and moved his leg away.

He pouted, scratched his gray hair as if throwing a tantrum, and left immediately.

Tiona was momentarily at a loss for how to react. Watching the figure disappear at the other end of the corridor, she closed her eyes and stuck out her tongue.

Then he ran frankly towards the courtyard.

"!"

As Bert said, Ais was there.

She sat on a bench under a tree, gazing at the sky.

Tiona immediately beamed and ran to her side.

"Ais!"

"...Tiona?"

Upon seeing her appear before him, his golden eyes blinked.

Tiona took her slender hands and helped her stand up from the bench.

"Let's go shopping!"

▲

After meeting up with Lefia and the others, Tiona took Ais out onto the street.

North Street is not far from the headquarters located at the northernmost tip of the city. This avenue is also near upscale residential areas for guild members, making it a vibrant shopping street as well.

Several carriages passed each other in the middle of the road, and many demi-humans strode along the road.

"Seriously, they really managed to bring him out..."

"It's nothing serious, it's just once in a while! Didn't Tione say before that she wanted to go on a shopping spree to relax?"

"Um, Miss Tiona, so what are we going to buy?"

"Clothes, let's go buy some clothes! Is Ais okay too?"

"Uh, um."

Holding Ais's hand tightly, Tiona led the group forward.

The area around Beida Street is famous for its clothing-related industries.

Surprisingly, there are significant differences in clothing styles between races. This includes not only physical differences but also variations in race and local customs. In Orario, a community of numerous demi-humans from around the world, this issue is particularly prominent, leading to frequent disputes with customers when making clothes.

However, the businessmen deliberately focused on this point.

They opened many shops catering to various races, quickly gaining credit and sales success. Furthermore, some commercial [Family] members joined the market, further boosting Orario's clothing industry.

In Orario, especially near the North Street, there are a large number of clothing stores that are unmatched on the entire continent.

"Miss Tiona, I think the shops in the back alleys have a wider variety of styles than the shops on the main street, and there are also more shops there."

"I know! The shop Tiony and I frequent is just around the corner, a short walk away!"

"Huh? Miss Tiona, the shop you frequent wouldn't happen to be...?"

Lefia's tone carried a sense of urgency, and Tiona, standing beside her, pulled Ais's hand and led her forward. Just as she had said, they turned the corner and entered a bustling back alley, soon arriving at the shop they were going to.

"W-Where is this...?"

Looking up at the purple-toned billboards and storefronts, Lefia froze.

Even from the open doorway, one can glimpse the extremely revealing clothing; this is an Amazonian clothing store.

"It's been a while since I've been here. I'll indulge in some shopping once in a while."

"Ais, let's go!"

"Uh, that—"

Ais was led into the shop by Tiona and Tione, with Lefia hurriedly following behind.

In conclusion, this store is simply too visually unappealing for people of races other than Amazons.

Behind the counter, the displayed merchandise consisted entirely of clothing that anyone with a modicum of shame would want to look away from. Since it was designed specifically for female warriors (Amazons), everything was women's clothing, with the dancer-like traditional costumes being particularly eye-catching. As for the Amazonian shop assistants, their attire was practically indistinguishable from underwear.

Tiona and Tione were asking the shop assistant to bring them the clothes to take a look at. Ais blushed slightly and looked at Lefia, whose face was already extremely red.

"Ais, would you like to try this on? You have such a slender figure, it would look great on you."

"W-How did it come to Miss Ais having to wear clothes from this store?!"

"It won't cause any harm, we've come all this way anyway. Lefia, why don't you give it a try?"

"I...I'm not going to wear it!"

Seeing the high-slit dress in Tione's hand, Lefia shook her head repeatedly. Ais, whose gaze was shifting, also seemed somewhat timid.

Perhaps influenced by the gods who descended to the mortal realm, the trend of dressing up in the finery of other races, disregarding moral principles, is gradually seeping into the lower realm.

Depending on the occasion and purpose, some people may try out clothing from other races out of interest.

"Ais, how about this one? It's the same as mine—"

"Uh, this..."

Tiona recommends a red wrap dress paired with a tube top.

Seeing this outfit, which was similar to what Tiona was currently wearing, Ais finally blushed.

"No—you can't!"

Lefia's shoulders trembled, and she erupted.

"How could I allow Miss Ais to wear such obscene clothes? I absolutely will not allow this! Miss Ais must dress more innocently, more beautifully, and more gracefully! Yes, just like us elves!"

Rafia patted her chest, her face flushed, and asserted strongly.

Seeing the unconscious burning of racial antagonism within her, Tiona tried to move her.

"But wouldn't you like to see Ais wearing this kind of outfit?"

Lefia froze instantly.

Her azure eyes lingered on the wrap dress and bodice that Tiona was wearing.

“How, how is this possible!?”

"You've thought about it, haven't you?"

"What nonsense are you talking about!" Rafia shook her head, blushing, to hide her embarrassment, and took Ais's hand.

"Miss Ais, let's go to the elf's shop! Although I'm not very skilled, I'm willing to do my best to choose clothes for you!"

"Rei, Refia..."

Ais was both surprised and confused as she was pulled outside the store. If Lefia were to recall this scene after regaining her senses, she would surely be shocked and dizzy.

Tiona and Tione exchanged a glance, their lips curving into mirror-like twin smiles, before they ran off to chase after them.

Later, they continued to confuse Ais.

"""Whoa whoa--"""

Three exclamations overlapped.

Tiona and the others exclaimed in unison, while Ais, her cheeks flushed with shyness, stood like a doll with her head slightly lowered.