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

Even the slightest disappointment or disheartening thought about someone I respect so much is incredibly painful. Although it's not directly related to me, the thought of possibly being looked down upon makes my heart ache like it's being pricked by needles.

Although this was just my whim, I really didn't want to see that teacher, who has always been upright, gentle, and kind, act like that.

Just like Nina had done earlier, I looked up at Professor Leon with trepidation... He rested one hand on his chin and answered without changing his expression.

"As a member of the 'school district,' I do have reason to feel indignant, but... things are not that simple."

"Eh?"

"While it's not that I'm without thoughts, it's not simply anger... I'd say 'anxiety.' In short, is now really the time to do something like this? And why did we have to choose this moment, when they're stirring up trouble over there in the 'valley'?"

"anxious"?

Is this not the time to do this kind of thing?

Moreover, it's said that things are stirring up trouble in the 'Valley'?

"Otta is probably engrossed in self-reflection. Finn is probably dumbfounded by this, and in the end, will he prioritize his own ambition?"

Professor Leon's somewhat monologue-like answer left me utterly perplexed.

Why did I mention Otto and Mr. Finn's names just now?

What exactly is he saying?

Where is he looking again?

The thoughts in those lion-gold eyes had already drifted far away. What exactly had this person witnessed so far?

"Everyone probably has their own thoughts, but we gods and Leon share the same goal: to quell the situation as soon as possible and restore Orario and the 'School District' to a healthy state."

It was at this moment that Lord Bader interjected in a gentle tone.

Hearing the headmaster of the "school district" sitting across from me at the ash-wood table say that, a huge weight was lifted from my heart. As I just mentioned, although they all had their own thoughts, the gods and Mr. Leon were also very worried about the current situation.

"However, the problem is that the guild's proclaimed righteous cause is being questioned. For example, people are saying things like, 'Is the 'Shaft Project' of digging into the dungeon really necessary?' and 'Aren't they blinded by wealth and fame and running wildly down the road to destruction?'"

"The vertical shaft project...?"

"A mega-project conceived by the guild. This incident involving the collection of the hardest metal stems from it."

The words I first heard left me bewildered, but then Mr. Leon explained them to me in a simple and easy-to-understand way.

It is said that the grand plan was to build an elevator system by driving huge pillars made of the hardest metal in the "school district" into the underground city, so as to realize the grand plan of quickly traveling between the lower and deeper areas.

Being naive and inexperienced, I was startled after hearing the explanation, my face contorting into a strange shape as I thought to myself that this was indeed likely to provoke resentment. Just the idea of ​​digging "holes" in the dungeon was terrifying enough...

If Miss Eina had heard this at the guild headquarters, she would probably have the same thought.

"Indeed, the more I listen, the more I realize that the road to reconciliation is long and arduous..."

If the guild were willing to apologize and return the hardest metal to the 'school district,' that would be easy to handle. The problem is that since such a powerful plan is being pushed forward, it's impossible to withdraw all decisions.

Just when I felt helpless, Lord Baldr, who still had his eyes closed, smiled.

"Don't worry. It won't stay like this forever."

"Eh?"

"Things will change soon. The gods certainly won't stand idly by while this 'fun' goes on."

It was as if he had seen through everything.

Immediately afterwards, as if fulfilling that divine will, a huge loudspeaker boomed out.

"Let us gods handle this conflict! Aa ...

Amazing shouts came from the city and echoed all around.

I'm sure I wasn't the only one who jumped in fright.

An uproar erupted almost immediately in the vicinity; it seems Nina, Iglin, and the students in the 'school district' were quite frightened.

As for Orario, who was right next to the sound source, everyone there probably covered their ears in the face of this harbinger of fanaticism.

"That, that voice... Lord Hermes!?"

Lord Bader had already stood up at some point. Seeing him open the window, I hurriedly rushed to the balcony extending from the principal's office.

"We are deeply worried! Why must the guild and the school district fight to the death?! Ultimately, both sides are kin from the City of Heroes! Such bitter enmity will surely cause even our former heroes to lament in the Sky Sea!!"

What followed was a rather dubious—or rather, pretentious—speech that made my cheeks twitch.

The speechless expressions on Lily's and the others' faces in Orario began to surface in my mind.

I could still vaguely see the exhausted profiles of the Hermes Familia, led by Miss Asphie.

I can even clearly picture the face of Lord Hermes as he clenched his fists, shouted loudly into the magic stone megaphone, yet made no attempt to hide his smile!

"So—! To quickly end this conflict, why not have a match between Orario and the school district's representatives?!!"

""""Varied!?""""

"Eh?!?!"

Below the balcony, the students gathered around the outer edge of the school building let out shocked screams, while I, gripping the railing with both hands, let out a deafening wail.

This is not a war game where a single faction fights against each other, but a representative battle between a city with many "families" and a "faction alliance" that brings together multiple factions.

Although I have absolutely no idea how to fight this... it's practically no different from a faction war!

"There are five competitive events. The first side to win three rounds wins! The victor can demand any condition from their opponent! In other words, they can claim the hardest metal for themselves, or demand its return! They can even demand the opponent's eternal obedience! Show your strength and let's settle this!!"

At the edge of the horizon, Orario, surrounded by massive walls, seemed to be in turmoil.

It felt like Miss Eina and her guild were shouting, "We've never heard of such a thing!" and descended into chaos.

"This is a solemn and sacred struggle! This is a duel that cannot be disputed! I swear in the name of the gods! What I have just said will be kept! Under the witness of the gods, why not hold a ceremony that is both incredibly simple and incredibly grand?!"

This is the true face of gods who crave entertainment.

Even our anxieties and disturbances can be turned into a 'celebration,' which is precisely the bad habit of transcending existence (male and female gods)!

The Orariopiad (Urban Sports Festival) has officially begun! (Aa ...

(Translator's note: "Orariopiad" is a reference to Olympiad.)

After a tremendous sound reverberated through the cloudless sky, a moment of silence followed.

But in the next instant, an astonishing outcry erupted from both Orario and the school district.

"Ooh o ...

Confusion and excitement, scorn and restlessness—this is a cry that contains everything.

I looked down from the balcony again and saw the students raising their arms and shouting with great enthusiasm. They seemed to be scoffing at the extremely barbaric "declaration of war" while also adopting an attitude of "since the other side has this intention, we will fight to the end."

Is...really going to war?

The final battle between Orario and the school district!?

"That really was 'immediately'."

"So this is the solution after all? Truly worthy of being called the City of Heroes."

I stood frozen on the balcony, the soft murmurs of Lord Bader and Teacher Leon behind me.

Hearing the voices of the gods, who showed absolutely no surprise, just like I had, I turned around, still looking dazed. Was my expression really that funny? Lord Baldr shrugged, seeing this.

"It seems a showdown is inevitable... May I ask which side you're on?"

"Huh...?"

"You are both an adventurer belonging to Orario and a student who recently enrolled in the 'School District'. Considering all factors, there is nothing wrong with you fighting for the 'School District'."

My eyes widened instantly, despite my blank expression.

After realizing his situation, the color drained from his face so quickly that even Mr. Allen's speed paled in comparison!

"Could you join our 'school district' camp, 'Lapi'?"

"Please wait, please wait!? Even if you're suddenly asking me this...!?"

"Nina and the 'Third Squad' will be very upset if they know you abandoned them."

"That's a very cunning way of putting it!"

As Lord Baldr slowly walked onto the balcony, I couldn't help but let out a scream.

When we first met, I thought he was a 'benevolent god' or a 'god of light' or something like that. Sure enough, Lord Baldr is a true god! He gave me a harmless, mischievous smile, secretly observing my reaction!

While the guild's actions were indeed despicable, I can't just betray Lady Hestia and Orario like this, but I also can't bear to abandon Nina and the others... What should I do?!

"Lord Badr, let's stop teasing now. Lapi is already a frightened bird."

(Translator's note: The phrase "a bird startled by the twang of a bow" in this context is "矢を射られた兎," which literally means "a rabbit shot by an arrow." It is used to express a state of panic and fear, and also serves as a pun on Bear Grylls' image of a rabbit.)

"Hehe, sorry, sorry. This child is just too cute, I couldn't resist."

Seeing that I was at a loss and on the verge of tears, Professor Leon offered this advice.

Lord Badr smiled and said, "The joke went a little too far, I'm sorry, I'm sorry," and then dropped the matter.

Although I was glad that Professor Leon came to my rescue, I still felt that his shout of "Rap!" had blocked my escape route, so the tension hadn't subsided.

Now that things have come to this, it doesn't matter who wins or loses, I just want to be a spectator in the stands...!

Although I've now become a Level 1 adventurer...!

"Hmm...you feel awkward, right? Lapi."

"Eh!? Ah, yes, this is very difficult...!"

Professor Leon, who had been staring at me, suddenly asked a question.

He supported his right elbow with his left hand and placed his right hand on the corner of his mouth. Even this gesture appeared quite proper.

Even though Lord Badr was right next to me, I looked at Teacher Leon with the mindset of praying to God, and embarrassingly kept nodding.

Professor Leon looked at me, then removed his hand from his mouth and said:

"If I could resolve this unrest by offering a solution that neither favors Orario nor the school district, would you be willing to help me?"

"Hey! Is there, is there a way!?"

When faced with the question, I instinctively asked a question in return, but then I came to my senses—although it was a short time, I had still attended classes in the 'school district'—and gave the answer.

"I'm willing to help! Please tell me what to do!"

After I quickly gave my reply, Professor Leon narrowed his eyes.

That look in his eyes seemed to be gazing at some kind of comforting scene.

Or, it's like whispering "deduct points" to a careless student.

(Huh...? Could it be... that I was too impatient...?)

Cold sweat trickled down my neck.

Lord Bader, like a parent who knows their child inside and out, closed his eyes without saying a word and simply watched us quietly.

at last.

The lion's long, golden hair reflected the winter sunlight and swayed gently in the breeze, while at the same time, Professor Leon smiled at me.

"Then, let's embark on the promised 'adventure.' Give 'me' a hand, Bell."

(Translator's note: In the original text, Leon suddenly changed his usual humble self-reference to "I" and adopted the slightly arrogant "I". Due to the difficulty in translating and distinguishing between them, this is explained in the footnote.)

I left the school district and secretly changed my clothes in a corner of the port city.

After returning to the city, I found that Orario was already bustling with activity.

"A 'city sports festival' or something, they've come up with this kind of thing without permission..."

"So these gods really are..."

"We just had a battle with the Freya Familia here."

There were complaints about Lord Hermes and his companions.

"Isn't that obvious, you bunch of idiot gods!"

"I've been annoyed by those well-behaved students for a long time!"

"Let's settle this once and for all! And while we're at it, let's seize all the assets in the school district!"

You can also hear such energetic voices.