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

In the workshop, where the faction's signboard is adorned with badges of three overlapping hammers, a solemn old god awaits their arrival.

The faction is called the [Guberneus Familia]. Although its fame is slightly less than that of the [Hephaestus Familia], the weapons and equipment they produce are just as good, making them a simple and resolute blacksmithing faction.

According to Loki, Ais, who was "appreciated by that old man," followed behind Gubernius with a nervous expression.

With Riveria and Grace, who accompanied her, observing quietly, Ais accepted the artwork placed on the platform.

"Pull it out and take a look."

"……OK."

Ais drew the sword from its sheath and raised it high with both hands.

The blade is longer than the weapons used so far. Although it belongs to the short sword category, it can be considered a longsword for Ais at this moment. The blade is covered with faint ripples, and its smooth edge reveals its sharpness without needing to look closely.

Upon seeing the beautiful sword with its elegant pale blue hue, Riveria and Grace were full of praise. Ais was so captivated by it that she even forgot to speak.

"The name of this sword is... Elzhu Sword."

"The Sword of Elzhu..."

Ais murmured the sword's name, savoring the words with her lips.

The first beloved sword (Elzhu Sword), pointing straight to the sky, gleamed from its blade.

Gaiden: Sword Oratoria 9 Chapter 3 From Kitayama

This is a real headache.

Ais thought to herself.

Sparks crackled and popped, the sound of the heater. The warm room embraced her rain-soaked, chilly body. Ais removed her wet battle clothes and underwear, becoming completely naked, and dried her soft, supple arms with a towel while glancing sideways.

"Ah, Miss Ais is so beautiful... I'm almost embarrassed to ask you to wear my country clothes. But at least I'll prepare the cutest outfit!"

Seeing Ais's beauty, which many adventurers dreamed of, the good-natured village girl eagerly picked up a pile of clothes, ready to try them on. The girl's shining eyes reminded Ais of a younger relative (Lefia), and she unfortunately realized what fate awaited her.

No, it's true that turning herself into a fashion doll is a headache, but what really bothers Ais is the current situation she and the other two are in.

I never dreamed that the kingdom (Lachia) would kidnap the goddess.

Upon receiving this news, the gods and representatives of the [Familia] who had quickly gathered at the North Gate were in an uproar when Ais volunteered to rescue Hestia.

Bell of the Hestia Familia also volunteered to participate in the operation. With the permission of Finn and Loki, who happened to be on site giving orders, an emergency rescue team of only two people was formed.

Ais and Bell immediately set off from Orario. Although the Kingdom's (Lachia's) army was driven to the brink of defeat in the vast "Bio Mountains" directly north of the city, Hestia was unexpectedly pushed into a valley during the battle. Bell rushed to her rescue before anyone else could, and Ais followed, jumping off a cliff from the mountain path—and that's how she met her end.

The Bio Mountains were originally described as a natural mountain fortress, inhabited even by descendants of monsters that invaded the surface since "ancient times." With its steep slopes and rugged paths, even experienced labyrinth explorers could easily lose their way in this "magical mountain." The torrential rain that began to fall only exacerbated the situation.

Among them, the villagers of "Aidas Village" were the ones who extended a helping hand to Ais and the others who were in distress.

"Okay, this is the right outfit! You look much prettier than me!"

"Thank you……"

The time she spent being treated like a fashion doll was shorter than she had imagined. A long red dress embroidered with vibrant patterns was paired with a white women's blouse and a colorful, buttoned-up vest. Although it was a standard country girl's outfit, it was much cuter than the combat attire or equipment worn by adventurers, and because it was an unusual type of clothing, Ais couldn't help but blush slightly. The human girl standing before her—Lina—brightly smiled.

When Ais and her friends not only fell to the bottom of the valley but were also attacked by monsters, the villagers of "Aidas Village" heard the monsters roar and found them. They led the group to their village and then invited Ais and her friends to the largest house in the village, which was the village chief's residence.

Lina is the village chief's daughter.

"Oh, adventurer... you've changed your clothes?"

"It's all changed... Thank you all for taking such good care of me."

Ais came from Lina's room into the corridor and ran into the village chief.

The village chief, named Kam, had dark white hair and a sparse beard. His appearance clearly indicated his advanced age, and he used a cane. Like his daughter Lina, he was human, but his complexion was not very healthy. Ais could tell he was ill.

Despite his physical limitations, the kind-hearted village chief took great care of Ais and the others. When he saw Ais after she had changed her clothes, he smiled kindly.

"You look beautiful in that. You're like a goddess."

"……Thanks."

Ais became shy and could only say thank you, which she had repeated countless times.

Looking at Ais's beauty, which rivaled that of a goddess, and her shimmering golden hair, Cam suddenly revealed a nostalgic expression. He first gave a faint smile, then gently shook his head and said to Ais:

"Goddess... Goddess Hestia seems to be alright. She's in the back room, being looked after by Mr. Bell."

"OK……"

"I've already spoken to Mr. Bell, so everyone is welcome to use our house as they please. If you have any problems, please feel free to ask Lina and the others for help; don't hesitate to ask."

Hearing Kam say that, Lina smiled at Ais. The village chief and his family were incredibly hospitable to Ais and her companions; Ais bowed to them again to express her gratitude, and then said goodbye.

Lina accompanied Cam back to his own room, while Ais went in the opposite direction and entered the spacious guest room that had been prepared for them.

"Ah... Miss Ais."

"Is everything alright...?"

"She's fine, she's sleeping now..."

In the room with the fireplace lit, Hestia lay asleep in bed, with Bell beside her, watching over her sleeping face. Ais's question was actually out of concern for the exhausted Bell, but at that moment, the boy's eyes were only on the goddess.

Regardless of Ais and Bell, who are adventurers, Hestia, whose "Arcanum" was sealed, has physical abilities that are not much different from ordinary people, and she is currently very weak. Although she was not injured because Bell protected her, she fell into the river at the bottom of the valley and was then caught in a torrential rain, which is why she is so weak.

(Hmm...this is really a headache.)

They cannot leave the village until Hestia's condition improves.

Although Ais encountered a mountain accident, returning to Orario alone wouldn't be difficult. Once she reached a place with a wide view and confirmed the direction of the massive city, she could descend the mountain using a slightly unorthodox method. However, the Kingdom (Lachia) army hadn't yet left the mountain.

The enemy forces were no match for Ais, but they were able to overwhelm the second-tier adventurer (Bell) by virtue of their superior numbers. If Hestia were to be kidnapped again while Ais was on her way to Orario for help, the consequences would be unimaginable.

After carrying Hestia into the mansion, Ais went off alone to scout the mountain paths where the battle had taken place, but found no trace of enemy troops. At least, she didn't believe the enemy had discovered "Aidas Village"... However, to be absolutely certain, it would be best for the three of them to travel together. Ais had just spoken with Bell and they had decided to take this approach.

Add to that the terrible weather. I'll probably have to stay here for at least a few days.

"Miss Ais, I'm so sorry... I've caused you trouble."

"It's alright... Besides, it's not your fault."

Bell apologized repeatedly for affecting Ais; this was the third time. Ais gently shook her head.

Bell looked up apologetically, as if only now noticing Ais's country girl attire, his eyes widening slightly. He blushed deeply, then quickly lowered his head.

Ais didn't understand why it was Bell who was shy, so she tilted her head slightly and looked out the window after a while.

Looking out into the dark night, where the rain was pouring down.

(I wonder if Tiona and the others, and Lefia... will worry about me. And I might cause trouble for Loki or Finn...)

The entire faction is now focused all its efforts on fighting the dark faction. As a member of the Loki Familia, I'm clearly not supposed to leave Orario…

Ais recalled the faces of her family members and apologized to them in her heart in turn, finally remembering the elven royal.

(Rivia... might curse me.)

Perhaps because she was outside the city—not at home—Ais had this thought unintentionally.

Ais began to feel a mood that was out of place, like a child being scolded by his mother for coming home late.

*

Rain clouds stubbornly covered the Bio Mountains.

It's been two days since we last stayed in the village. Ais looks out the window at the rain that continues to fall.

At this very moment, Orario may have already formed a new search and rescue team. That being said, given the double danger of death in these weather conditions, the search and rescue team probably cannot rashly search everywhere.

Ais was also unable to leave the house because of the rain. She was deeply disappointed that she couldn't practice her sword skills as she usually did, but she couldn't practice her sword skills in the house she was staying at.

Upon closer inspection, a few people were also seen walking around wearing raincoats. They appeared to be making some kind of preparation, carrying what looked like ritual implements.

"I'm sorry, Miss Ais, for asking you to do my laundry."

"No... thank you for letting us stay here."

The voice calling her from nearby brought Ais back to her senses.

Lina smiled at Ais, her black hair swaying. Ais was standing in the laundry area, helping her.

Unlike Orario, the remote mountain village wasn't equipped with a large supply of magic stones. I heard they usually draw water from a nearby spring, but this time they were using rainwater collected in buckets.

"I had heard about it before, but the adventurers of Orario are truly amazing. They didn't even get hurt after falling to the bottom of the valley, and they even fought off hordes of monsters."

"Uh... because I'm used to it?"

"Haha! So, Orario has many adventurers like Miss Ais."

"Miss Lina, have you ever been to Orario...?"

"I've never been there, and I don't leave the village very often. I'm very interested, but I have to take care of my father."

Lina is a kind-hearted and considerate girl, and very cute.

Looking at the girl who often talked to her, Ais thought: She is much more charming than herself, who is not good with words and lacks expression.

Lina said that her age seemed to be around the same as Ais's. But as a daughter, the age gap between her and Cam was like that of a grandmother and granddaughter. Ais was a little curious, but didn't ask any further questions.

"Has this village... always been here?"

"Yes. I heard that its history can be traced back to 'ancient times,' and it seems to have been a land of elves in its early days."

Hearing this, Ais was taken aback, but then suddenly realized what was going on. The village, nestled deep within towering peaks and surrounded by steep cliffs, was truly a secluded, deserted village.

It is said that this "Idas Village" is a community where people who are supposedly "secluded from the world" gather.

Humans despairing of their circumstances, orcs trapped in peril, and eloping couples of various races—people who have lost their home in the world and stumbled upon this "Bior Mountain Range" have been welcomed by the village's inhabitants since ancient times. It's said that even wandering adventurers banished from the labyrinth city are among them. Now, more than half of the village's residents are descendants of people with their own stories of hardship, and because of this background, the villagers are particularly forgiving towards those who have suffered misfortune, such as Ais and her companions, or outsiders.

A village not recorded on any map, existing for homeless drifters.

(A world I...don't know...)

This is a world Ais, who spends her days and nights wielding her sword in Orario, has never experienced. Without combat and dungeons, Ais is utterly ignorant and unsophisticated. No, it is precisely because of this that Riveria and the others kindly tried to teach her various kinds of knowledge when Ais was still young.

One day, Rivera came to see Ais.

Ask her: Do you want to leave Orario for a while and travel around?

At the time, Ais was eager to gain power and rejected her kindness, but now Ais seems to understand what she meant.

Ais knew nothing about the things of the lower world—nothing about the things of the world now.

"Thank you, it's all done."

"If there's anything else I can help with..."

"Then, could you please go and check on the goddess's condition? It's raining now, and I have other things to do..."

Ais readily agreed to Lina's apprehensive request.

She took a change of handkerchief and a bucket full of water and went to the room provided for Hestia.

"Ah... I'm sorry, Miss Ais, for asking you to help prepare."

"No... I won't give it to you."

Bell, who was sitting on a chair by the bed just like yesterday, turned her head.

After giving a brief explanation, Ais handed the bucket to Bell. The boy soaked the cloth in water, wrung it out, and changed the cloth placed on Hestia's forehead. He then took the initiative to handle other chores such as changing the water bottle. Ais couldn't very well take over her familiar's work of taking care of another faction's chief god, so she could only watch from the sidelines. However, Bell seemed very skilled at what he was doing.

Ais felt that this might reveal that not long ago they were a weak faction consisting of the Familiar and the God, or perhaps it offered a glimpse into his birth and upbringing. Perhaps, besides the goddess (Hestia), he had other family members who needed care or who had cared for him.

"Ugh...uh..."

"Oh, deity, are you alright? Is there anything you need?"

At that moment, Hestia opened her eyelids.

Bell leaned forward and asked, and Hestia told him, "I'm fine, thank you..." Then she turned her blue eyes toward Ais.

"I'm so sorry, Miss Warren... I've caused you a lot of trouble."

"Won't……"

"And... thank you. You saved me and Belle."

The goddess sincerely expressed her apologies and gratitude. Although she still had a slight fever, a smile appeared on her face.

For some reason, every time they met, this goddess seemed to remind or warn Ais about something, but Ais thought that she was, after all, a goddess of noble divine status, and felt that the two of them together, along with the simple-minded boy, made a really good [familia].

"Excuse me, Belle... may I lie down?"

"Of course, please get some rest."