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

"...Your grandfather was a picture book author?"

"Ah, hahaha... I don't know?"

Under Tiona's unwavering gaze, Bell's face twitched, and he forced a laugh.

It was probably just the grandfather embellishing things to amuse the children, based entirely on his own personal preferences. Tiony and the others didn't believe it and quickly gave up.

"What happened to that child later? Albert's story, in the end..."

"Yes, the child was caught up in that final battle...it seems he went missing."

Of all of them, only Tiona listened attentively to the end.

She faced the kneeling boy, still sitting cross-legged, and the two continued their conversation while seated on the ground.

"By the way, which girls are among Albert's teammates?"

"Let me think... there's the Amazonian Empress Ivelda, and... Princess Celtia of the Elven royal family."

"Didn't you say he had children?" Tiona asked, seeking confirmation. Bell replied.

The moment the name of that royal was mentioned, the elves reacted with lightning speed.

"—What are you saying!? Lady Celtia is a legend among the elves, pure and flawless, an eternal saint!! Driven by a mission, she left the elven homeland to save the world from crisis, she is our pride!! It's impossible for her to have children with another race!!"

"All these noble people are descendants of Lady Celtia's sister, Lady Lixena! Even Lady Riveria is one!?"

Following Alicia, Lefia continued speaking aggressively.

Tiona and the others were startled. The two, their faces red with anger, approached Bell, making him jump hard on the shoulder.

"There are some fools spreading absurd nonsense, claiming that our ancestors were the orphans of Lady Celtia and calling themselves royalty...! Do you want to support those people!?"

"This is utterly disrespectful, an unforgivable sin!!"

"Yes, yes, yes, I'm sorry...eee ...

"Stop it, Alicia, Lefia! Calm down—!?"

The conversation turned to the Bible, an essential item in every elven village, and then to the issue of revered royalty, which angered even Lefia. The beautiful elf's furious face terrified Bell, causing her to cry out, and Tiona and the others quickly stepped in to calm her down.

A noisy commotion erupted from a tent set up at the campsite, causing the surrounding crowd to turn their heads in confusion.

"While it's very informative... it still doesn't get us close to the core secrets about Ais."

later.

After letting Bell go back, Tiony and the others gathered in a circle in the tent again, pondering and deep in thought.

What secret does Ais, who is being targeted by the "weirdo" and the "fairy clone," hold? Tiona and the others groaned, and Lefia, besides being puzzled, couldn't help but feel saddened that the girl she admired wouldn't tell her anything.

"Don't keep pressing me for answers."

Suddenly.

Someone lifted the curtain and entered Lefia and the others' tent.

"Lady Rivera!?"

"You... how did you get here?"

"You're making so much noise, everyone will notice."

Lefia and Tione were panicking along with the others, while Riveria sighed, tossing her turquoise hair. It was because they were so noisy that Riveria had come all the way from Finn's camp.

She closed one eye and looked around at everyone; Alicia and the others all seemed very frightened.

Chun simply shrugged and said, "This is nothing serious," remaining as nonchalant as ever.

"...Eh, Rivera. Can't you really tell us Ais's secret? Aren't we...family (familia)?"

Tiona stood there, pouring out her heart, and asked her with her brows lowered.

Rivera's expression showed a hint of sorrow, but she still looked into her eyes and advised:

"Indeed, we are a clan with deep bonds. However, you must also have one or two secrets about your past that you haven't revealed to everyone until now."

"!"

"If you're forced to reveal your secrets, will you actually do so?"

Lefia and Angie stared in disbelief, while Tiona and Tione, who were swaying, looked away, not daring to look at Riveria.

"...However, I can understand how you feel."

At that moment, Riveria closed her eyes.

“Eh…”

"The reason we still can't tell anything now is because Ais is fragile. It's also our responsibility, because we kept her in the dark for fear of hurting her. You saw the whole thing on the 59th floor, but we kept everything from you... Perhaps that's dishonest."

Riveria opened her eyes and looked around at Tiona and the others' faces again.

"I wasn't there, so I can't say everything, but..."

She made it clear first, and then confessed her feelings:

"Indeed, Ais has the blood of 'fairy essence' flowing through her veins."

"You still can't tell Tiona and the others?"

After Riveria left the base camp.

Inside the spacious tent, magic stone lamps, like candles, were lit. The entrance curtain was tightly drawn, and Finn's question, posed face-to-face, drew Ais's gaze to the ground.

"...I'm afraid that if I tell you, I'll become weaker."

The girl's lips murmured softly:

"I'm afraid that if I tell Tiona and the others everything and become dependent on them... I'll change again... I'm afraid I'll never be able to become stronger again."

Finn murmured, "That's not true strength." But Ais wouldn't listen.

Regarding the girl bound by her deepest desires, Grace, standing beside Finn, spoke up:

"Ais, there should be more, right? It's just the two of us here, so tell us."

Hearing the dwarf tell her not to keep it to herself, Ais lowered her head.

It took her a moment to speak it out softly, bit by bit:

"I wonder what Tiona and the others will think of me if they find out what happened to me... I'm scared."

Finn and the others, who had watched her grow up, could easily understand that this was the main reason.

Rivera and the others all knew that it wasn't the aloof and independent "Sword Princess" who was the real Ais Wallenstein, the girl who had been lost and confused.

The camp fell silent.

"...I think this is just needless worry."

after a little while.

Grace, like a kind old man, stroked his beard and spoke softly, while Finn beside him gave a wry smile.

"Ever since that red-haired woman appeared, Ais has been in a lot of turmoil. Originally, she should have wanted to be honest with you about everything, including her bloodline."

When Riveria admitted that Aisliu had the blood of "fairy spirits", Lefia and the others gasped.

Rivera's gaze drifted into the distance for a moment, then she continued:

"Ais doesn't want to reveal her past under these circumstances."

"..."

"One day the child will speak... Please give her time, wait a while."

At last.

The fairy princess pleaded with everyone present, like a mother.

"Then, after you know everything... I hope you can treat her with the same attitude."

The silence lasted only a brief moment.

Upon hearing Riveria's wish, Tiona exclaimed "Hey!" and stepped forward, a smile spreading across her face.

"Of course, Rivera! We're family (family clan)!"

She smiled innocently and said without hesitation.

"Ais is Ais!"

Starting with this statement, the others also spoke up:

"Hey, why are we still talking about this now?"

"I...I will never, ever, ever hide from Miss Ais again!!"

Tiony and Lefia took turns speaking, with Lefia especially unwilling to lose to Tiona, her face flushed as she challenged her. Angie and the others, with wry smiles, nodded to each other, agreeing with what Tiona and the others had said.

Tsubaki watched the girls' appearance with amusement.

Rivera slowly narrowed her eyes and smiled.

Thank you.

Sword Oratoria 5 Side Story Chapter 3 1/3 Pure Passion

"Huh?! You're going to go on a date with that guy in town—no, wait! You're going to take him sightseeing?!"

"Morning" on the 18th floor.

Last night, after meeting up with Hestia and the search team, the population density at the campsite increased even further; Lefia let out a strange cry after hearing Ais tell her about today's itinerary.

This is the time after breakfast.

According to Ais, Bell and the others plan to travel from the 18th floor with the Loki Familia. They seem to think it's a rare opportunity and intend to spend the whole day sightseeing, with Ais acting as their guide. Not only that, but Tiona and Tione, who are bored out of their minds, will also be going.

Lefia was deeply shocked to see Ais and the others in front of her.

"Since we have such a rare opportunity, Lefia, why don't you come along? It'll be more fun if everyone goes together!"

"Uh, well! I need to take care of all the patients, so it's not convenient for me to leave right now...!!"

Unlike Ais and Tiona, who are faction leaders, Lefia is still a mid-level member, and miscellaneous tasks must be completed first by mid-level and low-level members.

Although many people had some free time after procuring enough food yesterday, they still could not abandon their assigned duties without authorization.

Lefia has to take turns caring for the wounded for three hours starting this morning, and she barely managed to squeeze out a refusal from the smiling Tiona.

"Alright, alright, you can't force her. Look how troubled Lefia is."

"No, no! I don't find it bothersome at all...!"

I really want to go.

I really wanted to go.

I really want to go and stop... or rather, keep an eye on that shameless jerk who made a promise to Ais to go sightseeing in town, and prevent him from succeeding. Also, I really want to play with Ais and the others.

Lefia's mouth opened and closed as she looked at Tiona, who was giving her instructions.

"Uh... I'm sorry, Rafia?"

Then, finally, Ais apologized with remorse.

The blonde, golden-eyed girl probably felt guilty for leaving all the work to Lefia and the others. Lefia, on the other hand, didn't think it was a problem; in fact, she would feel guilty if the executives had to help with the work. The executives had been fighting and working tirelessly in the "Deep Layer," far surpassing the other members, and Lefia really hoped they could relax and get some rest.

So she had no complaints, although she had no complaints...

Seeing the smiling goddess and her group gathered with the boy behind Ais and the others, Lefia couldn't help but groan inwardly.

"Wait, wait until work is finished! I'll definitely rush over there!!"

"……?Um."

Raising her beautifully shaped eyebrows, Lefia held Ais's hand tightly.

Ais tilted her head, looking completely bewildered, at the younger elf's sense of mission. Finally, she said, "Don't push yourself too hard," before heading off to join Bell and the others.

"We'll be right back—" Tiona waved, and Lefia and the other members watched Ais and the others head towards "Rivera Town".

"Sakta, do you want some water?! Should I call the healer?! Or should I wipe your body down?"

"No, no... Please, be quiet, Lefia..."

Lefia immediately began caring for the members suffering from the "poison," diligently performing her duties with a chilling expression. However, the humebunny girl lying in the tent looked ashen-faced, pleading with her unnecessarily noisy elf companions to have mercy.