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

"No matter how many bribes are offered, they firmly maintain that 'the competition must be fair'...! Even if a small group of greedy gods are won over, it's just a drop in the ocean! If the schedule is unfavorable, Orario might very well lose!"

Faced with the gods' arbitrary decisions, Royman's round belly throbbed with rage. But since the dice had already been rolled, he had no choice but to accept it.

However, he then began to complain.

"The most difficult one to deal with is Leon...!"

Leon Wadenberg, the school district's "chief teacher".

He was the de facto leader of the Baldban, and Royman was well aware of his strength.

Fifteen years before the gods and goddesses reigned supreme in the labyrinth city, Leon was already one of the next generation of Familias who shone brightly alongside Finn and Otto.

Just like Bell Craney, who is famous throughout the city today.

"We've negotiated with the Divine Society, but as expected, [The Mighty One] and the others still haven't received permission to participate...!"

"Unfortunately, according to the official announcement, the Freya Familia has been officially disbanded, so the resilient warriors are now nominally just a group of unemployed adventurers waiting to be converted...! No matter how much they claim they belong to the Hestia Familia, those guys have stated unequivocally that the Freya Familia cannot participate in this tournament!"

"And the Loki Familia is determined to go on the 'expedition'! Even the forces from other factions, such as the One-Eyed Giant Master and the Battle Maiden, are expected to join! The Hero even just stated that there is absolutely no possibility of changing the departure date...!"

"With neither the 'Hero' nor the 'Fierce Warrior' around, the 'Knight Among Knights' is practically untouchable!"

"Lord Royman, what should we do now...!"

"Mmm...!"

Chaos reigned at the council meeting. The guild that managed the most prestigious [Familia] and adventurers in the lower realms had lost its usual composure.

However, there was nothing that could be done about it.

After all, the strength of Leon Wadenberg, the strongest fighter in the "school district" whose reputation has soared...

"...He's on par with that 'Fierce One' Otto. Although the three leaders of the 'Loki Familia' have finally officially announced that they've reached Lv.7...in the eyes of both Orario and the 'School District,' Professor Leon is the superior one."

Coincidentally, just like Nina, who was serving as the secretary in the student council office, Eina was also currently in the decision-making room taking notes on the meeting due to a shortage of staff.

Eina gazed into the distance, as if the objection to the levy on the hardest metal had just happened yesterday.

"Professor Leon, he's probably still the same as always..."

Eina, who had attended the "school district" and was a student at "Baldl's School," couldn't help but sigh softly when she heard how much Royman and the guild leaders feared this name.

His power was so vivid and awe-inspiring that even Eina, who had not chosen combat as her aspiration, knew a little about it.

"A single sword can cleave a city."

"A single strike from a thousand troops is enough."

The Pinnacle of Knights (Knights Among Knights)

And—'Heroes of Our Time'

These are all praises for Leon, but they are also true.

This being, who is no less than an adventurer, has now become Orario's enemy.

Even Eina, who had always revered him as her mentor, couldn't help but feel complicated and unable to let it go.

"Damn it, summon the Ganesha Familia and the Hestia Familia immediately! Especially Bell Crane! All the well-known ones have to participate! We must win over the public's support, no matter what!!"

at this time.

The name that came out of Royman's mouth was someone that Eina couldn't ignore, just like Leon.

Coincidentally, just like her younger sister Nina who was startled in the student council room, Eina also panicked at the same time—or so she thought.

"That's true..."

She murmured to herself.

"After all, Bell-kun is already a Level 1 adventurer..."

That's how I convinced myself.

Unlike Nina, Eina already understood that the boy couldn't remain uninvolved and would inevitably be drawn into the center of this commotion. She was simply a little worried about him.

The third day of training, the last morning.

I hope Miss Ais can use "Gale" one last time.

Faced with my capricious request, Miss Ais readily agreed.

I want to experience more of Miss Ais's strength when she gets serious, and through that, I can understand the gap between myself and her.

It was based on this idea that I made the request.

Sure enough, I was no match for her and ended up losing miserably.

"Are you alright...?"

"Oh no, I'm not...!"

Completely overwhelmed and unable to defend myself, I lay sprawled on the ground, utterly humiliated. Miss Ais's slightly worried voice reached my ears, but I was gagging so badly that I could barely speak. How utterly shameful!

So far away.

It's still too far away.

However, this is not out of reach.

I understand that. As long as I understand that, I can keep running forward.

Next time, I hope my hand can touch that silhouette.

"You really have gotten stronger..."

Miss Ais reached out her hand to me as I struggled to my feet and said this.

I raised my head, but I couldn't see what kind of expression she had on her face, which was turned away from the rising sun.

But in that voice, I seemed to sense that she was quietly smiling.

"You seem to have more tricks up your sleeve and stances now, so... instead of just throwing things at your opponent... how should I put it, hmm..."

I started having this feeling from the second day onwards.

Just as I aspire to become stronger, Miss Ais seems to be working very hard to become a "competent teacher".

After all, Miss Ais was trying her best to express what she was thinking in words.

She had previously said that she was taciturn and not good with words, but now she is constantly thinking and carefully choosing her words for my sake.

I felt bad for her, but I was also very grateful to her, and most importantly, I was really happy.

"It would be best to try to think about... how to drag your opponent into your own rhythm."

"Yes!"

In response to Miss Ais's teachings, I replied with great confidence.

I grabbed her hand, stood up, and thanked her.

"Thank you, Miss Ais. ...The 'expedition' begins today, right?"

"Um."

"Please be very careful. Please make sure you come back safely."

Although it might be impolite to say such things to members of the city's largest faction, I still conveyed my sentiments.

Just like what I told her back then, at the 18th-floor labyrinth amusement park.

Miss Ais narrowed her eyes and nodded in response once again.

"Will there be any more training afterwards?"

"...!"

"I also feel that... I discover a lot of new things when training with Bell."

“Okay, okay!”

Upon hearing Miss Ais's suggestion, I almost suppressed the urge to cheer and made the agreement with her.

Needless to say, a smile had already blossomed on my face.

"Well... goodbye then."

Miss Ais turned around and walked towards the entrance of the city wall.

I silently watched that figure as it walked away, but then quickly shook off my reluctance and turned to leave as well.

When we meet again, I must be stronger so that I can stand confidently before her.

With this vow in mind, I took the first step, then the second, my steps becoming more and more firm, and finally I started running.

I'm about to set off too.

Like Miss Ais and the others, they went on an "adventure".

"Bell-kun—! Wait for me—!"

Back at the mansion, after taking a shower, my sleepy-eyed god started pestering me to update my [ability stats].

I changed into the "school district" combat outfit and wig specified by Teacher Leon and the others, disguised myself as a "Lapi," and then draped the robe over my body to complete the transformation. Otherwise, it would be terrible if anyone discovered that a student was lurking in Orario. Just as I was about to sneak out through the back door without Lily and the others knowing, God rushed over in a panic.

"Lord God? What's wrong?"

"I almost forgot because I went back to sleep...! Bring this with you!"

The deity, his hair disheveled and black, came running up, panting. He was dragging a large, heavy-looking white cloth, which he then handed to me.

Inside... was a sturdy greatsword and a crimson short sword.

"Could this be... Welf's...?"

"Yes. I asked Mr. Welf to prepare it."

I kept blinking, feeling a little nervous.

This greatsword is a weapon I have never seen before.

That short sword was a "demon sword," and not "Welf's demon sword," but "Klozo's demon sword."

In other words, there is some rather terrifying thing waiting for me ahead, so much so that I have to bring such a powerful weapon.

What exactly is the adventure that Teacher Leon is talking about?

What exactly was written in that 'letter,' and what did God know?

Since God has not revealed any information so far, I have been following His will until now.

But now, I can't help but ask clearly at the very last moment.

"Bell, what you are about to experience is something I believe is very necessary for you."

Lady Hestia, who saw through everything, said this to me.

"Although I feel a little annoyed that Badr and his gang succeeded... but essentially, my thoughts are the same as Badr's."

Seeing my surprise, she continued.

"What will happen ahead, what is Leon thinking, I don't think I should tell you all this."

"..."

"What I hope is that you will use your still innocent eyes to see and experience everything for yourself."

The deity told me his innermost thoughts without reservation.

Since that's the case, I only have one answer.

"Understood. I'm off!"

That is, to embark on the journey without a single doubt.

Since God has already said so much, there is no reason to feel uneasy.

Even if something truly extraordinary awaits me, all I need to do is wholeheartedly believe in God's words and accept everything.

With a smile on my face, I picked up the weapons I had just acquired and set off from the mansion.

The goddess watched me leave, and I waved goodbye to her until she disappeared from sight.

"Hey~! Over here~!"

The streets were sparsely populated in the early morning, and I headed straight for the northeastern part of the city.