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

It might not be the best way to put it, but as a first-class adventurer, Mr. Finn, no matter how old he is, should be in high demand and won't have trouble finding a wife.

I don't think he fell in love with Lily at first sight.

Since he arrived at the store, his tone had remained unchanged. Well, how should I put it... it was the exact opposite of any passionate affection or love; it was extremely objective and calm.

When I asked him that question, Mr. Finn first closed his eyes, then opened his blue eyes and looked at me.

"About two months ago, right? The day you defeated the Minotaur on the 9th floor..."

That was the opportunity that led to my first upgrade—the fierce battle against the Minotaur, the greatsword-wielding bull.

Mr. Finn and Miss Ais, along with the Loki Familia, who were on an "expedition" at the time, witnessed my fierce battle with the enemy.

And it wasn't just anyone; it was Lily who had been searching everywhere for help to bring them here.

"She risked her own injuries to save you and brought Ais and the others to you... I was deeply moved."

"This is the truth," Mr. Finn said, pressing his left hand against his small chest.

"That girl was by no means tough, but she displayed a 'courage' that was second to none."

As he said this, he narrowed his blue eyes.

"I do say I want to get married, but not just any dwarf. What our race needs now is 'courage'... I will also require my spouse to possess the weapons that the dwarfs have lost."

Among humans, the Dwarves are known as the most vulnerable race.

They are physically inferior to humans, neither skilled in "magic" nor possessing superhuman strength like elves or dwarves, nor boasting the proud combat skills of Amazons, nor possessing the superior five senses of orcs.

Being shorter than any other race, their only weapon is—"courage".

Like the valiant knights of ancient times, they are strong and brave, daring to confront enemies larger than themselves.

However, over the long course of time, even this unique advantage has been lost.

The banner that Mr. Finn raised to revive his race must be the essence of the Dwarf race: "courage."

He is known as the "Hero," and those around him must also possess the "courage" to lead the clan and pass it on to their offspring.

"So, Lily..."

Did Lily gain Mr. Finn's appreciation in this sense?

To help me, Lily didn't run away. Instead, she came to Miss Ais and the others, bleeding and crying. Mr. Finn admired her "courage".

Lily's "courage" successfully touched this person's heart.

"But...it seems like it's not just Lily, anyone who meets the requirements can...?"

"Yes, you're right."

I paused for a moment, then pressed on, and Mr. Finn nodded readily.

He said he did not have any special feelings for Lily personally.

"Anyone who meets the qualifications and has a minimum level of good character is a potential marriage partner for me, and I don't mind marrying multiple wives."

—I opened my eyes wide.

A sharp impact pierced my chest.

When I noticed, my throat had already made a gurgling sound.

He said it didn't matter if he married several wives... which means...

My grandfather always told me about men's dreams, men's ideals, men's romance...

"...A harem?"

I, in my foolishness, once indulged in a fantastical dream...!

Trembling, I opened my trembling lips to the little warrior sitting across the table.

"I...I heard it's a very difficult road...?"

I asked him tentatively, and Mr. Finn said:

"I'm serious about this."

He was serious about it...

Seeing his bright and open eyes, I understood the enlightenment of the person in front of me.

As a man, I have the utmost respect for true heroes who uphold their unwavering beliefs for the sake of their mission.

"...However, I'm not going to actually take a bunch of concubines."

Mr. Finn's expression changed as our eyes met, and he gave a wry smile.

He added, "I'm not that good either," and closed one eye with a hint of helplessness.

"Now I have the position of group leader, and I cannot damage the image in the eyes of the group members."

"Ah...that's it—?"

I forced a smile and nodded repeatedly.

I was so stupid to have deified the person in front of me.

"...From that time on, I have abandoned all those grand principles. I will only sacrifice my life for the revival of the race."

Soon, Mr. Finn straightened his posture and his expression became calm.

A voice, like that of a young man but high-pitched and resolute, rang out in the store.

"As I just said, this matter ends here as long as the person involved and the goddess Hestia refuse. However, if I get a good response, I will not be rude and will treat her with sincerity, and I also want to develop a good relationship with her."

I could only listen in silence as Mr. Finn laughed.

"I can promise you that I will never let her be unhappy. Could you please convey this message, along with what I just said, to her?"

After saying that, Mr. Finn finished the rest of his black tea.

He stood up, took out a folded piece of paper from his pocket, and placed it in front of me.

"Unfortunately, I'm only free tomorrow." He left a parchment note with the designated location and then got up to take his leave.

Mr. Finn paid my bill, gave me a final wave, and left the café.

"..."

—If she's willing to reply, ask her to come to the store tomorrow.

—If you don't intend to reply, it's okay if you don't come; I'll wait there all day.

The parchment was on the table. I looked at the beautifully written common language and map on it, then looked up at the shop's ceiling. I sat motionless in the chair, my weight pressing against the backrest.

To be honest, I feel very heavy-hearted.

However, including what happened to Miss Ais, I owe Mr. Finn and the Loki Familia many favors. They've helped me so much, how could I be so rude as not to help them back?

At least I feel I have a duty to convey the contents of our conversation to Lily.

(……if……)

After hearing this, if Lily accepts Mr. Finn's proposal... what should I do? (Typist: If you're still unmoved even if your hat turns green, then I'll kneel before you...)

It felt like wandering in a maze with no exit. I lost track of time and kept looking up at the ceiling.

*

Lily went to great lengths to prepare dinner at headquarters.

On the surface, she pretended to be the same as usual, chatting with the group members. In order to avoid making the atmosphere at the table heavy, she hid her gloomy mood in her heart, forced a smile, and even laughed.

She praised Mikoto and Haruhime for preparing dinner, chatting merrily about trivial matters. Welf simply ate, asking no questions. The goddess Hestia seemed to know everything, gazing at her with her mysterious azure eyes, but said nothing, joining Mikoto and the others' conversation as usual.

Bell seemed preoccupied, glancing at Lily a few times, but she pretended not to notice.

Not long after, after dinner.

Lily decided not to go to the living room, but to return to her room alone.

"Um, Lily...can I bother you for a moment?"

"!"

As Lily walked into the hallway and was about to go up the stairs, Bell called her from behind.

Lily's heart skipped a beat when she was called. The wavering emotions she had felt since last night made her inexplicably concerned about the boy.

"W-What is it, Lord Bell?"

"Um, there's something I want to tell you..."

Lily answered in a slightly off-key voice, and Bell, who had caught up from behind, looked embarrassed.

She should have refused to let others see through her troubles, but the boy asked her so earnestly that she had no choice but to reluctantly agree. The two of them went into an empty room on the second floor that no one was using and lit the magic stone lamp.

She was restless, unsure whether to sit or stand, and was facing Bell in the center of the room.

Then--

"To find Lily, to discuss marriage...?"

"Uh, um..."

Lily opened her chestnut eyes wide.

Bell told her about the Lilliputian marriage proposal, saying that Finn Dimna himself had asked him that evening to meet Lily in person.

Lily took the parchment note and looked up blankly, nodding vaguely at Bell.

The question of why the hero Braver would take a liking to him lasted only a moment.

No, that's not right, it's not important.

Lily pursed her lips and lowered her head.

(Lily is indeed... for Lord Bell.)

Bell's proposal of marriage only made her more upset.

His act of arranging a marriage proposal for someone else left Lily feeling as if she had been clawed at the heart. Following the incident with Ais, this caused Lily a second wave of pain, leaving her speechless and unable to do anything but stare at the floor.

Seeing her sullen and downcast, Bell, who had brought up the matter herself and was now troubled by it, hurriedly said:

"If you don't like it, you can refuse, that's okay! Mr. Finn also said he wouldn't force you! I'll go and tell him for you...!"

She also understood Bell's position.

I also know that his personality is such that he can't refuse other people's requests.

Moreover, Loki's Familia and Finn had helped them a lot, so it was even harder for them to refuse his request.

(But……)

But she didn't want to hear it.

Lily didn't want to hear Belle say it herself; it was heartbreaking, and she couldn't help but think that.

The boy didn't care about himself at all, which is why he helped others find a match.

At most, he held onto family ties.

It is the bond between companions and [family].

He didn't see himself as a woman at all.

Lily's eyes trembled, filled with regret, embarrassment, and sadness, and tears almost welled up in her eyes.

A myriad of thoughts were about to overflow from her chest, refusing to obey her commands.

A jumble of emotions swirled within her. Lily lowered her head and asked with trembling lips:

"Lord Bell, what are your thoughts...?"

Regarding this marriage, and how I will respond.

Through the slightly ajar curtains, a glimpse of the vast night sky could be seen. Bell's profile, illuminated by the magic stone light, was clearly beginning to waver.

"I...I think..."

He opened and closed his mouth, twisted and turned his body, but couldn't utter a second word.

Seeing the boy panic and unable to utter a single word for a long time, a surge of anger rushed to Lily's head.

She gritted her teeth, clenched her small fists, and her chestnut eyes glared fiercely.