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

Kali, who had been maintaining a calm demeanor, suddenly stood up when she saw the scene below.

"Ishtar, that woman... did she fail?"

The warriors of Kali were instantly suppressed by the adventurers led by the Sword Maiden.

With the entire Ishtar Familia having retreated, the "curse" has been lifted, and the power of Wind Spirit Rush ravages the battlefield. No less powerful than the strong winds, the adventurers' valiant shouts have never ceased. Their momentum is unstoppable. This is how Ais and the others become so formidable when their companions are in danger.

Kali narrowed one eye and gritted her teeth in hatred.

"—You've messed with the wrong person, you brat..."

At this time.

A cheerful voice came from a position higher than Kali, who was overlooking the battlefield.

Suddenly looking up, I saw a vermilion goddess sitting on a protruding rock near the top of the sky.

It's Loki.

"How are you feeling right now? Not only has your entire scheme fallen through, but your proudest kids have been beaten to the ground one by one. How does that feel?"

Behind her was an entrance to a cave.

Loki, who had just arrived, laughed at Kali's embarrassing appearance.

"You look down on me, don't you...?"

Seeing Kali grit her sharp fangs and make a squeaking sound, Loki slightly opened his crimson eyes and curled the corners of his mouth.

"I'll tell you one more time—you've messed with the wrong person, you idiot!"

Loki seemed to want to repay the insult tenfold, and he grinned wickedly with an expression like that of an evil god.

The exaggerated mockery caused even Njord and Rhodes, who were traveling with him under duress, to twitch their facial expressions.

The screams of the warriors echoed from below, and the face beneath the goddess mask burned red with humiliation.

"...However, Tione continues to fight alone, in a place beyond the reach of you people, in accordance with my divine will."

A sullen Kali seemed to want to retaliate, and a bold and fearless smile appeared on her face.

"Oh, then I'm not worried."

"...What did you say?"

Loki waved gently, glancing at the cave that stretched out behind him.

Lefia, who had been imprisoned, and Grace reappeared.

The dwarf servants nodded in response to the gaze of the chief god.

"The strongest knight, go and rescue the damsel in distress!"

✉

Looking from Meron, one can see the sea to the southwest.

On the large ship carrying the Amazonians, the "ceremony" is about to enter its final act.

The warriors of Tyr's Cura, who had witnessed countless deadly battles throughout their lives, knew that the end was near. Facing Tione and Argana, who were still engaged in an endless battle, they shouted to each other words of victory, glory, and death.

Tione and Argana fought desperately to kill their blood-stained opponent. Now, their eyes were fixed solely on their adversary.

—Kill her! I must kill her!

Tione's vision was already stained crimson. The "warrior's" face, revealing his anger, only deepened Algana's smile. The final, decisive blow from both sides would surely pierce through the opponent's body.

Driven by rage, Tione's murderous intent was now decisive.

Neither the main god nor her young companions could stop Tione in her current state.

in case.

If anyone can stop her, it will either be the twin sister, or—

Let's stop here.

—It can only be the man who beat her and took her heart.

「!?」

Just as Tione and Algana were about to deliver their final blow, a gun pierced the floor.

Before the two frozen in place appeared a long spear with a golden tip. Immediately afterward, a small figure—a dwarf—descended from above them and pulled out the spear.

Golden hair swaying in the breeze, intelligent eyes as clear as a lake.

Finn Dimna intervenes in the ongoing "ritual".

"Commander...?"

Seeing that small figure and profile, the anger in Tiony's eyes faded, replaced by a wavering emotion.

Algana had no time to pay attention to her panicked state; she was simply astonished.

"Lilliputians...!?"

Not only her, but the other Amazons were equally astonished.

This ship floats on the open sea, a maritime arena (arena) inaccessible to anyone. Apart from the distant lighthouse, nothing and no one can reach it.

"How is this possible? How did you get here...!"

If we sail close, we will be discovered immediately.

Moreover, at this moment, the only thing being rocked by the waves was this large ship.

Could he have swum here? Algana wondered for a moment, but the little man's clothes were completely dry.

"How--"

She looked out of the ship in a daze—and saw a sight that made her doubt her own eyes.

"An ice bridge...!?"

"Oh, sorry. I'll be back to normal in a bit."

Her beautiful emerald-green hair swayed in the sea breeze.

Along the shore where the waves crash against the bank, below the view of the tall lighthouse.

Rivera, holding her silver staff in one hand, calmly told the lighthouse keepers who were staring down at her in disbelief.

Stretching across her front is the "Long Bridge of Ice," a structure built over the sea.

It is about five meters wide and extends in a straight line toward the large ship at sea illuminated by the lighthouse light.

Freezing magic: Ecstasy - Fimbulwinter.

Rivera froze the ocean with a powerful ice cannon attack. She infused it with immense mental energy, narrowing the area of ​​effect and infinitely extending its range. This was a skill only she, hailed as the city's strongest mage, could possess.

The rest is self-explanatory. Finn ran across the large ice bridge that stretched to the side of the ship, leaped into the air, and jumped onto the deck of the enemy ship.

"Bring Tione back quickly, Finn."

The elven royal mage spoke to the other side of the wave in a completely unconcerned tone.

"I don't know if we can communicate, but I'll say it anyway. Can you please stop here, warriors of the Kingdom of Dou (Tir Scylla)?"

Finn shielded Tiony behind him and leisurely told everyone.

The Amazons around them were enraged when the Dwarf gunman shouted at them in Common Tongue.

"—Kill him!"

The warriors were enraged when their sacred "ritual" was disrupted.

They brandished their weapons, ready to execute those who defied God's will, and pounced on them from all sides.

"Since you're going to make a move, then I can't show any mercy."

The moment Finn made that resolute statement, his body flipped over.

Centered on her standing position, the golden tip of her spear, the Spear of Fortia, shimmered in all directions. The lightning-fast shot sent the Amazons, along with their weapons, flying through the air, tumbling overboard in terror and screams.

"After all, you seem to have bullied my beloved subordinates (familia) quite badly."

Countless columns of water erupted around the ship.

Only Finn, Tione, and Argana remained standing on the deck.

"...!"

Witnessing Finn's power, which was so different from others, Algana was speechless with astonishment.

As for Tiony, who was being shielded behind Finn, she seemed to have hardened her heart and shouted:

"Please don't do this, Commander! Please don't get in my way!"

"You're saying I'm in the way..."

Although Tiony shouted loudly, she appeared weak and vulnerable, something that would not have happened before.

She cried out to Finn, who still had his back to her, fearing the loss of their relationship:

"Argana... I'll be the one to take her down! If I don't, Tiona will... Ais and the others will... that guy will keep bothering the Familia!"

Tiony poured out her emotions in a jumbled, incoherent manner.

However, the small figure remained unmoved.

"Tione. When did we become so cowardly that we need your protection?"

“!…”

"Is this stubbornness of yours a result of spite or personal grudge? If it's due to personal resentment, then let me tell you, you've really put us through a lot."

The merciless words pierced Tiony's heart.

Finn's retreating figure coldly and thoroughly condemned Tiony's actions and excuses to this day.

—I was scorned by the one I love.

Tiony's desperately feigned bravado crumbled. His wounded body surged with a burning emotion completely unrelated to his previous rage. Tiony's eyes were about to burst forth uncontrollably.

"Based on this, I must say..."

Just as Thione was about to dejectedly bow his head.

Finn turned his profile toward her.

"...Really, he's usually so proactive, but he only becomes reserved at times like this."

“Eh…?”

"When did you learn this psychological technique?"

Tiony raised her eyes to look.

Finn slung the gun over his shoulder and gave a wry smile.

"Please don't make me worry so much, okay, Tione?"

Tiony's eyes widened.

"I'm so glad you're okay."

It's so unlike me; I've become a princess (the female protagonist) waiting to be rescued by a knight.

Actually, she longed for that kind of scenario a little bit.

Honestly, just a little bit, I envy the fantasy stories that Tiona reads to herself.

Because she has found someone she loves.

"I'm going to give you a good talking to later. Go wait over there."

"……OK!"

Seeing Finn give her a gentle smile, Tiony replied with a sob in her voice.

Her body collapsed to the ground as if all her strength had been drained. Her body and mind, already damaged and nearing their limits, finally snapped as the depths of her soul melted away.

Tiony heard a different emotion filling his heart, replacing the worn-out anger.

"What are you talking about? What does this mean?!"

At this moment, Algana, who had been silent, roared.