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

I wavered so much that I just blurted out what I had to say, one sentence after another.

The thought that all I've ever done is panic and confusion, and that I've even made this person apologize to me, fills me with such shame that I want to die.

"Um, so..."

My face was burning hot as I desperately searched for the words I truly wanted to express, and finally, finally, I uttered them in my own voice.

"You saved me so many times... I really thank you!"

I bowed sharply and saluted.

His trembling eyes saw the stone slab at his feet, and sweat trickled down his forehead, dripping from the tip of his nose.

The noise on the main road sounded like it came from afar, only the sound of heartbeats was particularly loud.

I stood there frozen for several seconds.

After a while, I managed to return to my original posture.

Miss Wallenstein stared wide-eyed for a moment, then gave a small, noticeable smile.

"——!"

With a bang, I blushed from head to toe.

I lowered my head to avoid her smile, covering my eyes with my bangs.

My chest felt hot, and my back was burning unbearably hot.

"..."

"..."

The conversation was interrupted.

Neither Miss Wallenstein nor I could speak; only time continued to pass.

Ironically, at this very moment, not a single adventurer, not even a single person, passed by. In the center of the guild headquarters' spacious front yard, we fell silent, standing there frozen in place.

"...You're exploring the dungeon quite thoroughly, aren't you?"

“Y-yes!”

When I heard the other person speaking to me, I quickly looked up.

Miss Wallenstein continued with a detached expression:

"I heard you've already reached the 10th floor... That's amazing!"

"Uh, no, that's because a lot of people are helping me. I... I'm still far from it! I'm still a long way from my goal...!"

Being suddenly praised by the person I admired kept me in a state of confusion.

I felt dizzy and my hands were flailing around wildly.

"As for fighting style, I'm self-taught. I'm a complete novice and often do strange things, almost getting killed by monsters. I know I need to become stronger, but I'm just completely useless, utterly incompetent. I mean—…!"

I don't know when to shut up; nonsensical things keep spilling out. Am I trying to be humble or just feeling inferior?

"..."

Seeing that I had lost my composure, Miss Wallenstein stared intently at me.

Then, she slightly tucked her chin in, as if she was considering something.

Panicked, I only noticed her appearance later; her face was still hot, and I asked tremblingly:

"Um... what's wrong?"

Miss Wallenstein, who had remained silent, glanced at me, looking hesitant. After a few seconds, she uttered the last sentence, albeit tentatively:

"Then...would you like me to teach you?"

“…Huh?”

"...Fighting style. Nobody taught you, right?"

It took me a long time to understand what she meant by that sentence.

My eyes widened, and I almost lost my mind.

"Why, why, why would you think of...!"

"...It's probably because you seem to really want to become stronger. I can understand that feeling."

"Consider it an apology," Miss Wallenstein said haltingly.

Compared to her, I simply couldn't stay calm.

Please, someone teach me how to fight? I want to become the apprentice of the person I most want to catch up with.

Is this a good idea?

Is this correct?

I am completely unworthy of her; do I even deserve to be with her?

Furthermore, problems can also arise between clans—

Several questions were swirling in my mind.

Unfortunately, I know that those are just gilding to desperately hide my true feelings.

I want to talk to this person, get to know her, laugh together, and share time.

Only a ridiculously large love, a deep longing to be with her, even for a short time.

The longing in my heart almost tore my heart apart. For the answer I had already decided on, I kept agonizing, searching, and thinking.

◇

"..."

Ais remained calm, watching Belle blush and fall into deep thought at the drop of a hat.

The reasons Ais gave when she made her request were not false. She sensed a deeper desire in Bell's words and empathized with it; that was a fact.

Of course, her proposal contained not only goodwill but also ulterior motives.

What initially puzzled her was the silverback ape.

Next, we arrived at the 10th floor.

In what Ais herself saw and heard about Bell's journey, there were clear victories and rapid "growth" that should not have occurred in such a short period of time.

Because of the Minotaur incident, the novice adventurer she met, who should have been immature, had made such a great leap forward that it was enough to pique Ais's interest.

(I want to know...)

She wanted to see and find out the secret of Bell's "growth".

For her own sake.

Ais's suggestion to become Bell's teacher was closely related to this intention.

"I'll feel embarrassed... No, but they're being so kind..."

"..."

At the same time, she also felt a little guilty.

Seeing that the boy believed her suggestion was purely out of kindness, she felt a dull ache in her chest.

Facing Belle, who was deep in thought and muttering to herself, Ais lowered her eyes gently.

She gripped the hilt of the sword that was worn at her waist.

It's like trying to cut off one's own confusion.

"...Um, Miss Warren Stan."

She looked up.

The white-haired boy, still blushing, still revealed a straightforward look in his eyes as he bowed deeply to Ais.

"Please, please, don't hesitate to offer your guidance!"

She wanted to repay him.

Ais wanted to fulfill his expectations, and as an apology for her own guilty conscience, she looked into those sincere, deep red (rubellite) eyes and thought to herself.

"...Yes. Please take care of me."

Volume 3, Chapter 2: Special Training for Cows and Rabbits

The sky was dark.

The eastern sky has not yet welcomed the dawn, and the boundary between night and morning is ambiguous.

(This is my first time visiting the city wall...)

I woke up much earlier than usual and went to the city wall surrounding the labyrinth city (Orario).

My current location is on the northwestern outskirts. From the massive city walls, I can see the entire inner city, and the vast, boundless landscape captivates me.

There's the Pantheon, the Amphitheatre, and the headquarters of what appears to be a renowned "Family"—these colossal buildings, whose height rivals the city walls, are simply breathtaking. Their beauty, even when viewed from afar, only amplifies their grandeur and inspires awe.

The Tower of Babel, standing especially tall in the heart of the city, towers much higher than the city walls, enhancing its presence and imposing presence. The small houses filling each district also have their own unique charm, making them endlessly fascinating.

The city, divided into eight districts by eight main avenues, only gradually quieted down at this time. One by one, the magic stone lamps went out, and Orario was about to drift off to sleep.

The thought that I lived in this huge city sent shivers down my spine and through my heart.

"Are you ready?"

"Ah, okay, all done!"

The silvery voice made me turn around and face Miss Wallenstein again.

I came to this city wall to ask her to teach me how to fight.

Her Loki Familia seems to be going on an "expedition" to the dungeons in a few days, so she doesn't have much time to instruct me right now. So, I just finished explaining things yesterday, and training started today. The training will continue until the "expedition" begins.

"I'm sorry to have brought you to a place like this..."

"No, no, I'm fine!"

As a member of the Loki Familia, Miss Wallenstein shouldn't be acting so rashly. If people found out she was instructing members of other factions on combat techniques, it would likely cause problems.

We specifically came to the top of this city wall for training to avoid being noticed.

Given her position, setting deadlines and restrictions is actually quite reasonable.

By the way, the reason for choosing such an early time slot is to accommodate me, because I still need to go into the dungeon to earn money to support my family.

"Um, Miss Wallenstein, well, then, I should..."

"...Ais."

"Huh?"

"Just call me Ais."

I then realized she was correcting the way I called her, and I almost fell backward.

"That's what everyone calls me... Or is it that you don't like it?"

"Uh, this!...I don't have it, I don't like it."

How could I possibly refuse?

Hearing her somewhat dejected voice, I covered my mouth with my hand and thought to myself.

My face turned red. No, there's never a moment when I'm not blushing in front of Miss Wallenstein... Miss Ais... I realized once again how unusual this situation was.

"...Ais, Miss. What should I do next?"

"...What should we do?"

"Huh?"

Hearing Miss Ais's somewhat heavy tone, I couldn't help but react immediately.

She stood there with her delicate chin tucked in, her eyebrows slightly lowered, as if she were desperately thinking about something.

"I've been thinking about this since yesterday... but..."

Miss Ais gently shifted her gaze to the side, looking somewhat embarrassed, like a scolded child.