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

"Damn it! Orario!! They didn't even respond to my call for a battle, just randomly firing 'magic' at me! Don't those guys understand the aesthetics of battlefield combat?!"

"God Ares... how could adventurers who rely on sneak attacks and ambushes possibly care about aesthetics? Besides, our army didn't forget to prepare artillery units; we were originally planning to set traps against them, weren't we?"

"What kind of tone is that, Marius?! I'll chop off your head!"

"—Report! The Loki Familia's demonic powers... Correction, the Thousand Elf has caused the front lines to crumble!! It should be said, they're almost completely wiped out!?"

"Oh my god!? Marius, think of something quick—!!"

"Yes, yes, I'll order the entire army to retreat immediately. This stronghold must also be moved."

The sight of the magical cannonballs blasting out a dazzling display of flowers even deeply shocked the Kingdom's (Lachia) military headquarters. The war god Ares roared and howled in his luxurious camp, while the First Prince, serving as his adjutant, issued orders with an air of both accustomed composure and utter exhaustion.

With Finn showcasing the command style of the city's strongest mage's successor (Rivilia), the presence and reputation of the [Thousand Spirits] once again shook the world. Their influence even extended to their own [Familia].

Furthermore, not only for the purpose of promoting the growth of "magic power," the leader of the Loki Familia would use any small matter to consolidate the faction's position. His calculations led to the elven girl being targeted again by a certain "magical superpower," but that's another story.

"Lefia's fight was truly spectacular!"

On a low hill some distance from the battlefield, from a space where the summoned [Familia] gods were gathered, one could observe the "magical" light of Lefia mercilessly ravaging the enemy forces. The pitiful screams of the enemy soldiers, tears streaming down their faces, echoed from afar.

Sitting in the chair that had been prepared for him, Loki slumped there listlessly, lost in thought.

"How boring..."

"I have important business to attend to—"

Loki, summoned to the capital, had to abandon her urgent task of finding the "key" to the man-made labyrinth (Knossos), and to her, the current situation was simply a waste of time. Beside her, the silver-haired goddess Freya, attended to by her retinue, was also bored out of her mind.

This was a responsibility that the largest faction, likened to the two giants of the labyrinthine city, had to bear. If they didn't go to the battlefield, the kingdom's (Lachia's) army would become complacent, so they had no choice but to stand on the front lines. Loki had sighed for what felt like the umpteenth time.

To be precise, the Kingdom of Lachia has a history of frequently challenging Orario to war, only to suffer repeated defeats. This latest invasion is likely a consequence of the God of War (Ares) not learning his lesson and launching this Orario invasion to avenge years of grudges. Incidentally, this is the sixth time. Just like the topics raised at the previous Council of Gods.

"That idiot Ares should know how much difference there is between the two sides, so why does he keep attacking?"

"What a farce," Loki said, swallowing a yawn.

"That woman is becoming more and more useful..."

"That's quite rare, Bert. To hear you praise the weak."

"Mind your own business," the werewolf complained, to which Riveria chuckled softly, while gazing at the vast plain where several magic missiles traced arcs.

Near the forest, far from the main battlefield, Rivera was ordered to lead a small group of members, including Ais and Bert, as a counterattack team. They had just been destroying an enemy special forces unit hiding there. All the enemy soldiers had been knocked unconscious and were now being tied up by the other members.

Rivera and Bert had been watching Lefia's lively performance together when Rivera spoke up:

"However, there is still room for improvement... not to mention the technical aspects, besides, Lefia is currently in a state of utter confusion."

"...Huh?"

"I mean she's too impatient."

Because Riveria and Lefia are both mages, they were able to point out the flaws that Bert had failed to see.

She gazed at the elven girl in the distance, who was chanting incantations and sweating profusely, and narrowed her eyes as if she were seeing something else.

"The more anxious you are, the more you drive yourself into a dead end and end up hurting yourself. ... That child was like that in the past."

Rivera murmured softly.

"That child? You mean Ais?"

The orc's ears didn't miss the muttering. Bert glanced at the blonde, golden-eyed girl standing guard at a distance and mentioned her.

In contrast, Rivera clearly changed the subject.

"Let's not talk about that now, Bert. What happened between you and Lina Tully? She seemed quite clingy to you—"

"—Don't ask me that! Don't ask me that, old woman!!"

These words had an immediate effect; Bert responded with a roar, interrupting Riveria. The werewolf youth instantly looked annoyed and fled from his spot as if fleeing.

"..."

The clamor of the battlefield echoed like waves, leaving Riveria alone looking towards Ais.

The girl did her work while seemingly admiring the scenery around her with a sense of wonder. A small bird, chirping and flying down, landed without any suspicion on her slightly tilted finger. It was as if she were nestled against the "wind" or playing with a "fairy."

These are natural landscapes, scenery, and fragrances that Orario lacks. These are all new to the young girl. Even back in the port city (Melon), Ais had only left the labyrinth city a few times—she had no memory of leaving that land—so these external landscapes must have been "unknown" to her.

"There are still many things I haven't taught her..."

—Everything about Ais Wallenstein is in the Labyrinth City (there).

Rivera murmured to herself, gazing at the girl's profile.

At the same time, gently push open the door to memories deep within your heart.

Correct.

She still remembers it to this day.

I remember the story of the girl who took up the "sword" back then.

*

The little girl is crying.

He burst into tears, his voice hoarse, tears streaming down his face.

At first, I looked up at the gray sky.

Then she was taken back to her room and curled up inside.

That small chest was trembling.

Overwhelmed by chaotic emotions, she no longer knew what she was grieving for. She could no longer hear the voices of those who repeatedly expressed their concern. Meaningless, sporadic sobs rolled across the floor, forming damp spots. The gaping hole of despair in her heart dragged the little girl into darkness, leaving her body unbearably cold.

Morning begins, night falls.

The cycle of abandoning the little girl continues day and night.

No matter how much the little girl cried, the world never changed.

Her loved ones no longer embraced her.

The irreplaceable happiness is gone forever.

Her grief and weeping went unheard by anyone.

Her "hero" did not appear.

I hope you also meet a wonderful person.

My mother's words were just a dream.

I hope that one day you will meet your own hero.

My father's words were just fairy tales.

From the very beginning, there was no "hero" to rescue the little girl.

The moment the little girl grasped this in the corner of her mind, she knew her heart had frozen.

It was covered with a layer of ice that would never melt.

At last.

Just as she was wailing and crying, her voice hoarse, and her tears had all dried up.

The little girl is no longer a little girl.

She lost her expression, her face becoming like a doll's, only her eyes holding firm to her will with a sharp, sword-like gaze, and made a wish.

"I want power."

A goddess with crimson hair, a hero of the dwarves (Palum), a great warrior of the dwarves, and a mage of the elven royal family.

The little girl pleaded with these people who were looking at her sadly.

The little girl's small hand pulled out a sword stuck in the hill of the heart.

That was the moment Fiora was born.

A scene from the first chapter of Sword Oratoria 9, set in the military camp.

"Hoo hoo..."

Lefia was exhausted.

The fatigue is caused by the random casting of "magic". Although there is still mental energy left, the body and mind have indeed accumulated fatigue.

"Thank you for your hard work, Lefia."

"You did a great job today. Here, have something to eat."

"Oh, thank you..."

Tiona and Tione offered her words of comfort.

It was a moonlit night. The Loki Familia had set up camp in one corner of the Great Plains. This formation would put pressure on the attacking Kingdom (Lachia) army. In the far distance, on the other side of the field of vision, were the positions of the Ares Familia, surrounded by the Familia positions of the Orario army, their campfires and magic stone lamps glowing.

From the very beginning of the war, Lefia was constantly moving across the battlefield and bombarding the enemy. This was all under Finn's orders. She had gradually mastered the perfect "parallel chanting," fully utilizing her characteristics as a mobile artillery platform, truly shattering the enemy's tactics like a strategic weapon.

"But honestly, Rafia was amazing today! I'm so proud of her as her roommate!"

"What are you (Elfie) so proud of... I can't say I'm just trying to make a quick buck, but I think the captain is planning to use this war to spread the word about Lefia's existence both inside and outside Orario."

"We want the world to know that she is the successor of the city's strongest mage (Rivilia), right?"

"Oh, I see. So the Loki Familia's position remains unshaken! The future top-tier adventurers are right here! Isn't that right?"

The female members of the faction gathered in a small circle and talked in turn with Lefia's roommate Elfie, who was also a mage, the cat-woman Anachiti, the elf Alicia, and Navi, who was also a human like the girl (Elfie).

Lefia silently sipped the rich, fragrant soup, her gaze slightly lowered.

"I'm hardly a future first-class adventurer... I still have a lot to improve. Today, too, I failed to perfectly fulfill the leader's instructions..."

"No, the results are already quite impressive, Lefia. You've fulfilled your duty."

"However, I failed to control my 'magic power' a few times, causing the bombardment to be too large... and it seems that some of my own people (familiars) were also affected..."

As the eyes of the turret, Alicia, who was traveling with Lefia as part of their duo, smiled at her.

It's said that the merchants or business-type [Familia] of Orario have made the strange request of "not letting the enemy die in battle"—though Lefia, who has never killed anyone, is relieved—but the artillery fire must therefore be controlled with great precision. Finn's instructions also focus on repelling and forcing the enemy to retreat.

Although the older elves in the [Familia] gently and tactfully denied it, Lefia was very strict with herself. She believed that if she were to call herself "the successor of the city's strongest mage (Riveria)," there were many things she needed to reflect on after today's battle.

This isn't self-torture; it's ambition.

"I don't understand those trivial details, but I also think Lefia is amazing! Just like Rivera, she uses 'parallel chanting' with ease, and the enemy (the opposing side) is screaming in agony!"

"Yeah, that's so satisfying to blast the enemy away. A single attack from a vanguard class like us doesn't have that much power."

"Uh, but I remember Mr. Grace did something similar when dealing with the cavalry..."

"Grace is an exception! Sigh~ I'm so envious of how much the leader values ​​you~"

Besides the soup, Tiona also ate jerky and picked fruit, her face beaming with joy; Tione, on the other hand, somewhat awkwardly praised Lefia's lively performance.

While Lefia was in charge of launching a massive artillery barrage, Tione and other first-tier adventurers were responsible for diversionary tactics or attacking weaknesses, essentially thwarting the enemy's actual battle plan. Finn was clearly focusing on these strategies to prevent the kingdom (Lachia) from gaining any further advantage; however, these plans seemed irrelevant to the Amazons, who were passionately trying to help their loved ones.

Just as Lefia couldn't help but laugh bitterly, "Hahaha...", Tione's gaze flew towards the male side of the team, which was occupied by another person who was highly valued by Finn—or so she thought.

"Mr. Bert, let's have dinner together!"

"Would you like me to pour you a drink?"

"Shut up, get out of the way! Stop bothering me, you bunch of small-time idiots! What do you want from me after all this time?!"

"Give up, Bert. You've been doomed ever since you fell for Loki's trick. Here, if you can't get along with the kids, go get me another plate."

"Don't try to ride on my head, you old geezer!!"

Located in the opposite direction from Lefia and her group, the male group was gathered around Bert, creating a lively scene. Grace joined in the chaos, infuriating the werewolves into hurling insults.

"...It's really lively here."

"Who would have thought Mr. Bert would one day become such a heartthrob..."

Annakidi was a little dumbfounded, while Navi made a small, trembling voice.

Since what happened a couple of days ago, Bert has become the object of worship for all the other members, regardless of gender. The person involved hasn't changed his usual behavior, continuing to treat him with indifference and cold words, but in this situation, it only backfires.

Just as Rafia let out a dry laugh, a young girl suddenly peeked out and crept up behind Bert.

"Wow! Lina's here! Oh ho—, Bert Roca!"