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

"I'm sorry for suddenly stopping you, but I have absolutely no intention of hurting you. I hope you can relax."

Seeing my panic, Mr. Finn smiled gently at me.

His smile calmed me down. Being a renowned and esteemed first-class adventurer in Orario filled me with trepidation, but I still spoke:

"Um, what can I do for you...?"

"It's nothing. I just witnessed your battle with the Minotaur and what happened on the 18th floor, and I've been wanting to talk to you for a while now. However, if I were to visit you directly now, it would lead to speculation from outsiders... So I'll wait for you here at headquarters. I'm sorry."

The Hestia Familia's status has risen considerably after the war game.

Mr. Finn said that our rapid rise to a core position within the Familia had attracted public attention, so he didn't want to openly visit me at headquarters. He said he was the leader of the Loki Familia, the largest faction in the city, and didn't want his actions to arouse unnecessary suspicion from other factions.

"Actually, even the members of the faction don't know I'm here to see you," Mr. Finn said, and the female adventurers and others around him gradually began to notice him.

"So small!" "So cute!" "So cool!" The cacophony of voices rising and falling within the guild headquarters made the first-level adventurer of the dwarf race give a wry smile and look up at me.

"Actually, there's something else I'd like to ask you. If you have time, I'd like to discuss it with you properly, how about it?"

Of course I couldn't refuse.

Mr. Finn and I left the guild headquarters, took a walk through a back alley, and arrived at the café "Vision" in the southwest area.

"A young female mage told me about this shop," Mr. Finn said, walking towards the small shop nestled in a maze of narrow alleys. This was only the second time I had stepped into this quiet little shop since Miss Fate was invited by the god Hermes. I sat down at a table, facing Mr. Finn, who was sitting directly in front of me.

"This is a secret meeting between faction leaders, could you please keep it a secret?"

"Okay, okay...!"

Apart from the elf shopkeeper, Master, there was no one else in the shop, and the first-level adventurer in front of me still made me nervous.

My body swayed embarrassingly, but Mr. Finn didn't react. He drank some black tea and then said:

"First of all, let me congratulate you on your victory in the war game. I also watched the battle; it was truly spectacular. Congratulations on forming your faction as well."

"Th-thank you for the compliment!?"

Hearing his sincere praise, I quickly bowed and thanked him.

To receive praise from such a renowned dwarf hero... that's truly an honor. Plus, the one-on-one conversation with an Orario star makes it feel a bit unreal.

Seeing my joy and racing heart, Mr. Finn smiled and gazed at me with his blue eyes.

"Let's change the subject. Has anything unusual happened to you lately?"

"what?"

"Although things are peaceful inside the city walls, it's probably best to be more careful about your safety... After all, things haven't been very peaceful lately."

As Mr. Finn spoke while sipping his black tea, I tilted my head slightly.

Is this... advice?

The recent unrest... does it refer to the Kingdom of Ares Familia?

As a humble adventurer, I know that the army of that country invaded Orario and is still fighting the [Family] City Alliance today.

Strange, now that you mention it, I remember that the Loki Familia was also summoned by the guild to fight against the Kingdom's army...

Is it alright for the commander to be here? Just as I was wondering this, Mr. Finn himself spoke up, "Enough with the introductions, let's get down to business."

"I hope you can let me meet your supporter, the little man with the chestnut hair."

"…Huh!?"

It took me a while to understand what he meant, and my astonishment was written all over my face.

I was startled when he suddenly approached me to discuss something, saying he wanted to see my supporter—Lily.

However, Mr. Finn continued in one go:

"No, I've made it clear that I want to discuss marriage with her, who is from the same clan."

He actually said that.

"—Eh, eh ...

I almost tipped over along with the chair.

Mr. Finn wasn't joking; his expression was completely serious. I cried out, overwhelmed by the biggest shock of the day.

Someone proposed to Lily!?

"W-what did you say...?!"

"Calm down first. I hope you can understand that I'm not talking nonsense because I've lost my mind."

In contrast to my panicked and flustered state, Mr. Finn remained seated, calmly telling me what was happening. Under his gaze, as clear as a lake, I swallowed hard, managing to regain a semblance of composure.

The shop owner, wearing glasses, was casually wiping glasses behind the counter. I straightened my back and sat back in my chair, wanting to hear what Mr. Finn had to say.

"First, regarding why I would make such a request to my fellow members of other factions... Bell Craney, have you ever heard of a goddess named 'Fiana'?"

I've heard of the goddess "Fiana".

She is a fictional goddess devoutly worshipped by the Lilliputians.

It is a deification of the "ancient" heroes—the elite and proud Lilliputian knights.

Compared to humans and other demi-humans, the Dwarfs are generally considered to have lower potential abilities than all other races due to their cute and petite appearance and other factors. In fact, from ancient times to the modern era, there are overwhelmingly few legendary tales of heroism about the Dwarfs.

In these times, the knightly order achieved great feats as the spearhead of the battlefield in the "Ancient Times," representing the first and last glory and pride of the Lilliputians. They were even deified as a result, becoming the spiritual pillar of their race.

Even I have seen their active performances in many heroic tales.

However, the "ancient" era came to an end, and the real gods descended to usher in the "age of gods," causing the "Fiana" faith to decline rapidly.

Because among the gods who descended to the mortal realm, there was no goddess worshipped by the dwarves.

I've heard that the little people, having lost their spiritual support, have fallen into ruin as if they'd been hit with a final blow, reaching their current state...

I nodded ambiguously, and Mr. Finn said, "Then we can talk."

"The Lilliputians are still in a state of decline and need the light to lead them. Our race needs new hope to replace our faith in the goddess."

"...You...you mean..."

"Just as you think, I came to Orario as an adventurer to revive my race. It was all for fame, to become a leader of my kind."

As I listened to Mr. Finn describe his ambition... no, his grand mission, I gasped.

He was concerned about the corruption among the Lilliputians and resolved to sacrifice himself for their revival. He entered the gates of this labyrinthine city to spread his fame and glory throughout the world and inspire his people.

This person successfully became a Level 1 Adventurer—one of the strongest Level 6 adventurers in the city.

In Orario, which is known as the "center of the world".

Now his name must be known to everyone, not just us other races, but even the gods.

Mr. Finn's renowned fame and great achievements should have become a source of pride for many dwarves.

His lofty purpose and unwavering commitment to keeping his word left me trembling, unsure whether to feel fear or respect.

"But—that's not enough."

Ignoring my inability to speak, Mr. Finn then raised his voice.

"A moment of glory is not enough to inspire a race to strive for strength; the light of hope must endure and continue to illuminate the little people."

Otherwise, the dwarfs will never prosper, Mr. Finn asserted.

He immediately and decisively stated his thoughts.

"In short, we need a successor for the next generation. And that person should ideally inherit the bloodline of [the Hero].

"...!!"

"They cannot be of mixed human and non-human descent. In order to bring glory to the race, they must be of pure human blood."

The revival of a race requires a leader of equal standing—to ensure the lineage hailed as the Brave continues for generations, the successor must be a dwarf. That's what Mr. Finn said.

Only demi-humans of the same race can reproduce.

Needless to say, the infertile "fairies" are not a mix of elves and dwarves, or orcs and dwarves. Only ordinary humans can have children with any race, and the Amazons, with their maternal advantage, can give birth to daughters of their own kind regardless of race.

Needless to say, the Amazons, and the half-humans born from their union with humans—the "Half-Palums"—cannot be seen as symbols of hope for the race.

In order to produce the Lilliputian successors that Mr. Finn spoke of, a mate of the same race is indispensable.

"Could it be...!?"

"Yes, I want to marry that girl and have her bear my children."

I understood everything, and Mr. Finn blushed and said it very clearly.

—Let Lily have his child.

My face felt like it was burning up, on an overwhelming scale, making it hard for me to process what was happening. I was flushed and restless.

In contrast, Mr. Finn was very calm, even serious. I asked him in a tone of utter helplessness:

"Isn't intermarriage with other [families] forbidden...?"

One of the issues I mentioned regarding the "family" is intermarriage between factions.

Mr. Finn replied, "That's no problem."

"I have already asked Loki, the chief god, to agree. No, it should be said that this was the plan from the beginning. When I joined her [Family], I made two conditions: first, to help me revive my race, and second, not to interfere."

According to Mr. Finn, he was the first member of the Loki Familia.

The faction that started with Loki was, in other words, a relationship built on mutual benefit.

The goddess gains outstanding children, who then use the faction led by the goddess to realize their ambitions.

He said that the initial contract is still being fulfilled.

"Of course, I have a deep affection for my growing family and relatives, and I believe that is a home I must protect."

I was stunned by the inside story of the murderous faction and clan formation. Mr. Finn shrugged, hoping I wouldn't misunderstand.

His youthful yet dignified appearance conveyed the sense of responsibility of a regimental commander, while his smile revealed his affection for his family.

"Besides, even if Loki allows it, I can't arbitrarily cause trouble for the Familia. As long as your supporters... Lilyluka Erd and the goddess Hestia refuse, this matter ends here."

After saying this, Mr. Finn, who understood the problems between factions, gave a wry smile and said:

"Besides, I'm not getting any younger, I can't force someone to marry me."

"Oh... excuse me, Mr. Finn, how old are you?"

"You must be in your forties, right?"

"Forty...forty...!?"

"Oh dear, don't you know the secondary effects of [Ability Values]?"

Because he was a dwarf, Mr. Finn's features were as youthful as a beautiful young boy's. I stared at him intently, and Mr. Finn seemed to find it amusing and explained it to me.

According to him, the ability value that increases the level has the effect of inhibiting aging.

Strictly speaking, a sublimated "vessel" becomes less prone to aging and extends its prime. It is also said that the higher the LV. is, the more pronounced this tendency becomes.

Aside from the "Great Sage" who created the Philosopher's Stone, which grants eternal life, humanity has not yet achieved immortality. Mr. Finn stated that, as an alternative, the LV. Ascension, which many people have undergone repeatedly over thousands of years, offers the possibility of immortality to the people of the Lower Realms.

...To borrow the words of the goddess Hestia, "leveling up" means getting closer to the gods.

Ascending to a higher level brings one closer to the gods, and at the same time, one gains many abilities; simply put, it's akin to approaching the immortality of the gods...

I can understand that.

However, reaching that level is almost impossible.

Mr. Finn advised me that it's best not to judge high-level adventurers by their appearance.

"We've gone off on a tangent... If you don't mind, could I speak with her alone?"

Mr. Finn said he spoke to me first because I, as the leader, could reliably convey the matter to the Lord God and Lily herself. That's how he finished explaining his hopes.

I'm still a bit confused, but I'm trying my best to calm myself down.

They were so preoccupied with wavering that they hadn't even asked the most important question.

"Why...why was Lily chosen?"

Purely a question.

Among so many little people, why was Lily chosen?