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

I was afraid of the huge risk of being targeted by a major faction (the Ishtar Familia), so I stood there, too afraid to move.

I didn't have the courage to reach out to her as she hung her head.

I hesitated.

My vision blurred, and my eyelids felt unusually hot.

I'm such a loser, so ugly, and I even had to save myself because of the girl I hurt, Chun Ji.

The worst part is that I can't make any decisions; I just run away from them.

His hands, which were braced against the wall, clenched into fists, trembling.

Regret, shame, and remorse are driving me crazy.

"Bell, sir..."

Beside me, Miss Ming was also desperately trying to suppress her sobs.

She is suffering too.

He was also caught between his feelings for Miss Chunji and his ties with the gods.

Clenching his fists so tightly they dug into his skin, he blamed himself for being unable to make any decisions.

We both held back our tears, overwhelmed by a sense of powerlessness.

"I……!"

What should I do? What's the right thing to do?

Should we protect ourselves and abandon Miss Chunji?

To prevent the immortals from getting into danger and forget everything, he turned his back to her.

Should I still indulge in this stubbornness that I can't shake off?

Listen to the roar in your own heart?

Endless regret, opposing options, and an unyielding heart.

I wander aimlessly in a maze with no exit, while time cruelly slips away.

The distant sky above was quietly transitioning from dusk into the darkness of night, awaiting the full moon.

(Who will come...?)

Someone tell me.

Humans, immortals, gods, anyone.

What should I do? What's the right thing to do?

What do I want to do?

(If he were still alive...)

If my grandfather were still alive.

If my adoptive father were still alive, what would he say to me?

If he sees that I know a girl is facing difficulties and is now undecided, what will he say?

I let go of the wall, stood there, and asked myself a question.

I said, "There's someone I want to help."

There are also family members they don't want to lose again.

What do you think I should do?

What do you think is the right thing to do?

Do you think I can shout out... this feeling that's about to overflow from my heart?

I call out to and inquire about the childhood memories that lie dormant deep within my heart.

then.

He resurfaced deep within my heart.

My grandfather in my memory—only raised the corners of his mouth.

"—Go."

He told me this with a smile that was so bright it was almost infuriating.

"!!"

A light shone in my eyes.

Clench your right hand as tightly as possible.

"What kind of man can't even save a girl?"

He would say that.

He would definitely say that.

My grandfather would definitely give me a hard push!

(—That's right.)

Make a decision.

Make a decision!

Make a decision!

Even if you are ridiculed and pointed at, there is nothing to be ashamed of!

The most embarrassing thing is that I can't make any decisions and I'm too afraid to move!

(I--)

Go ahead.

Go save her.

Go and save her, who can only offer a fleeting smile.

"...I'm sorry, Miss Ming."

I apologized in a trembling voice. Miss Ming seemed to be afraid of something and swayed her shoulders.

I slowly came face to face with her, my eyes brimming with tears.

"I want to save her."

Upon hearing me express my will, Miss Ming opened her eyes wide.

I must go to save Miss Haruhime, which will put the Familia in danger. Please forgive me.

As I apologized with a tearful voice, she leaned forward.

"But...but! Even if we can rescue Lady Haruhime, what will we do afterward? The major faction (Ishtar Familia) will keep chasing us—"

"I will escape the city (Orario)."

As I spoke, my face trembled with fear, and Miss Ming was greatly surprised.

I will apologize to the gods with all my might.

I will accept it when I apologize and am forced to leave the city.

This is different from the time of the Apollo Familia.

I left the city to save a girl.

"I will escape the city... and I will definitely come back."

"what?"

"I will become stronger—strong enough to protect her! Stronger than I am now!!"

Then, I will definitely come back, back to Orario.

No matter how much time it takes, even if it takes us further away from our dreams.

I will train myself to be able to protect Miss Haruhime, and then I will definitely return to this city.

I watched Miss Ming gasp for breath and told myself: It's about time you faced it honestly.

When I see Miss Haruhime's beautiful blonde hair, who is the first person that comes to mind?

Whom did I imagine in my mind?

If I were to stand by and watch Haruhime die now... every time I encounter that swordsman I admire...

I will always remember Miss Haruhime, and I will never dare to stand in front of her again.

I would become unable to hold my head high and say that I have become a man worthy of my idol (her).

Whether it's Miss Haruhime, my companion, or someone I admire, I will never give up. I will continue to struggle, so—

Seeing my firm gaze, she looked at me resolutely.

A thin film of tears slowly rose in Miss Ming's eyes, revealing a smile.

"To be able to become the same [familia] as you... this is the moment I am most grateful for."

She made a face that was both crying and laughing, and wrapped her hands around my right hand.

"It's so wonderful to have you as our leader, to have met you..."

Finally, she spoke in a weak voice, holding her bandaged right hand to her chest.

She lowered her head and whispered "Thank you," a few drops of water falling onto the back of her hand.

"...I will also kowtow and apologize to Goddess Hestia and the others, let them curse me to their heart's content!"

Miss Ming let go of my hand, wiped her eyes, looked up, and gave me a big smile.

Seeing that she not only smiled and accepted my willful behavior, but was also willing to help me, I almost shed tears.

We both gave each other a furrowed smile and nodded in agreement.

It doesn't matter if it looks bad.

It doesn't matter if you get covered in mud.

Just this once is enough.

I want to be her "hero".

Whether she's a prostitute or destruction, I want to be the "hero" she longs for, the one who can hold her hand.

"...!"

I stared wide-eyed as I looked back with Miss Ming.

Looking up from the depths of the dark path, one can see a magnificent palace standing before them.

■

"So you're just going to shamelessly let 'Rabbit' and the others get away like that!?"

Freni's loud voice made the fox-girl hiding behind her tremble.

In a large hall of the palace, where many fighting prostitutes had gathered, Aisha, who was protecting Haruhime, remained calm and composed.

"To be honest, you were the one who defied the divine command (the goddess Ishtar) and caused this. If we're going to investigate, you're also at fault."

"Stop talking nonsense! If that ugly bastard hadn't let my prey escape, things wouldn't have gotten this complicated!"

She stared at Chun-hime with her huge, frog-like eyes.

The giantess clicked her tongue at the trembling fox-girl, her bloodshot eyes fixed on Aisha.

"They've already learned of the existence of the 'Killing Stone,' so we absolutely can't let the 'Rookies' go!? If we just let them escape like this... how do you plan to take responsibility, Aisha!?"

At the Temple of the Goddess of Prostitution, the Amazons were busy running around. Half of them were preparing for the "Killing Stone" ritual, and the other half were chasing after Bell and his group, who had learned of the plan. The two groups were rushing around the area near the headquarters.

The noise also reached the hall near the top floor of the palace. Aisha glanced at Frini and calmly said:

"That little brother will come."

"What's your basis for this...?"