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

Hestia looked tired and closed her eyes, seemingly apologetic. Bell nodded gently to her and helped her cover herself with the blanket again.

Seeing the gentle movements of his hands, Ais inexplicably thought of Riveria.

Although she couldn't remember, she felt that she and Riveria might have had a similar experience.

"She's much better now..."

"Yes... we have to thank Mr. Cam and the others, as well as Miss Ais."

There was an empty plate on the small table. Hestia seemed to have eaten the porridge that was brought to her this morning, and she was speaking clearly. Although she was not fully recovered, she seemed to have regained some strength after a night's rest.

Hestia was slightly sweating, and Ais thought it best if she or Lina could help her wipe her body later; with that thought, she turned her gaze to Bell.

"Bell...have you rested?"

The boy sat in the same spot as yesterday, taking care of the goddess in the same posture.

Moreover, he hardly left the room. Although his profile didn't show a strong shadow of fatigue, Ais could tell he hadn't slept all night.

"I'm perfectly fine. Don't let my appearance fool you, I've already reached Level 3, Miss Ais."

Indeed, adventurers who have been ranked up become far stronger than ordinary people. Unless they are inside a labyrinth where they are constantly under physical and mental strain, going without sleep for a night or two will have no effect whatsoever. ...But that doesn't mean they can keep pushing themselves.

Seeing Belle smile at her half-jokingly, Ais advised in a calm voice:

"But you need to rest. After all, you ran up the mountain for so long yesterday."

"..."

"The goddess Hestia probably...wouldn't want you to be like this."

Ais, anxious about her poorly articulated lips, tried to convey her thoughts. To avoid being overheard by the sleeping goddess in her dreams, she lowered her voice for the last sentence.

Bell's smile faded, and his gaze lowered.

"But it's me who caused all this trouble for the gods and Miss Ais..."

He gazed at the goddess, who was fast asleep with her eyes closed, and spoke softly.

Ais believes that this kindness and humility should be Bell's virtues. But on the other hand, he also has a serious tendency to blame himself.

Last night, Ais had already told him, "This is not your fault," but the boy was still filled with self-reproach.

"If we really get to the bottom of it, it's all because I argued with the gods... If it weren't for that, the gods wouldn't have been kidnapped..."

At that moment, the boy uttered an unexpected word.

"Arguing...? You and... the goddess Hestia?"

"Ah, no, no! It wasn't exactly an argument... Anyway, a lot happened..."

When Ais showed genuine surprise, Bell's voice became flustered, and eventually, she spoke softer and softer.

Not just with the goddess, Ais found it hard to imagine that this gentle young man would argue with anyone. Even Ais, who was not good at interpersonal relationships, guessed that the young man must have some hidden reason.

Ais stared intently at Bell's profile, which looked even more embarrassed than before... then made up her mind, moved a chair next to the boy, and sat down.

"Miss Ai...?"

"..."

"Excuse me... may I ask...?"

"……chat."

"what?"

"Let's talk."

Ais's fatally poor language skills surprised Bell.

"If you have any worries... I can listen to you, okay?"

In short, Ais wanted to try being Bell's confidante.

Normally, Ais wouldn't have this ability, but perhaps because she's been frequently reminiscing about the past lately, she wants to guide the boy like Rivera and the others. After all, he's an apprentice to whom Ais taught her fighting techniques.

Besides, although Ais's femininity (cuteness) has been completely eradicated, Ais is still a girl like Hestia, so she should be able to offer some help. The inner little sister (Ais) also suddenly put on her glasses and immediately showed a positive attitude.

When Ais, harboring these feelings, looked at Bell with unwavering eyes—Bell's face showed an embarrassed and somewhat unwilling expression.

"Uh, no, well... I might not really want to talk about what happened... so..."

This remark made Ais a little bit angry.

It was probably something truly difficult to talk about, or something hard to discuss with anyone. But Ais noticed Bell's shifting gaze and sensed something amiss. It was something like... yes, because this topic was so complex and incredibly sensitive, it wasn't convenient to tell you (Ais)... Ais sensed that implication. This was just Ais's speculation, but she felt that if it were the gods, Bell would probably have already poured out his heart.

In other words, I'm not qualified!

Ais also has self-esteem, and she was hurt.

Others might not care, but Ais couldn't stand the way the boy looked at her. She couldn't bear it.

This might stem from vanity, a desire to show off in front of the boy, a mindset (of dignity) of an older girl. "Ugh—!" The little sister (Ais) with glasses in her heart also raised her hands and shouted.

Ais's doll-like expression concealed a stubborn emotion.

"...Bell."

"W-What is it?"

"I taught you how to fight."

"Yes, yes."

"So... well... to put it another way... I mean your... teacher."

Esther overcame her intense hesitation and shame and managed to utter the word.

She knew better than anyone that she wasn't suited to be a teacher, but only at this moment, only when facing this person, did she want to assert that she could be like Riveria and the others.

What lingered in her mind were the memories of Riveria, Finn, and Grace, who had taught her so much over the years.

Ais blushed slightly and made a boast as much as she could.

however……

"teacher……?"

The boy's eyes looked as if he were seeing something extremely difficult to understand.

And his cheeks were twitching.

Ais—is angry.

"……how?"

"Ah, no! It's nothing..."

"If you have something to say, just say it."

"Miss Ais, are you angry?"

"I'm not angry."

She's lying.

She was almost mad.

Ais didn't realize her eyebrows were standing on end. Her cheeks were almost puffed out.

She leaned forward from the chair and began to approach Bell little by little.

"Tell me."

"Eh, uh no! That...!?"

"Tell me."

"I...I can't do it!"

"Why!"

"I absolutely cannot tell Miss Ais now!?"

Seeing the dangerous flames burning fiercely in his golden eyes, Bell finally cried out.

You—bad student!

At this moment, Ais seemed to understand Riveria's hardships. It was as if she could transcend time and space and reunite with her from nine years ago.

So this is what it's like to teach problem students!

"Tell me."

"Miss Ais! Miss Ais—!?"

"Tell me."

"Too close! Too close! Too close!?"

"Tell me."

"Who, who will save me?!? Help me, ahhhhhh!?"

Ais's face was so close to his eyes and nose that Bell blushed and screamed for help.

Ais quickly grabbed the boy's shoulders. He wouldn't escape the grasp of a Level 1 adventurer.

Bell's face turned bright red beyond its limit.

"Ugh, so noisy! -- Hey, what are you guys doing?!"

Hestia woke up with her eyelids trembling from the disturbance, and roared loudly as she witnessed Bell and Ais's attack and defense in front of her.

"What are you doing?! Miss Warren! Get away from Belle!!"

In the goddess's eyes, Ais and Belle looked like they were about to kiss, cheek to cheek. She felt like a wife who had caught her husband cheating.

The emotionally charged goddess disregarded her physical comfort and tried to jump out of bed.

However, Bell struggled desperately, and as he twisted his body, he slipped.

""ah.""

Ais and Belle's voices overlapped.

The pose was as if Ais had pushed Bell down, and the two of them had fallen onto Hestia, who was about to sit up abruptly.

"Gua ...

"Gods, immortals──────!?"

Bell and Ais pressed directly onto her stomach.

The goddess's screams echoed through the village chief's residence.

*

"Mr. Bell, Miss Ais... please consider the goddess's health even more..."

Kam spoke to the two of them earnestly, his tone full of sympathy.

Ais and Bell shrank back in guilt.

It's dinnertime now. After the commotion, Ais and the others came to the dining room. Because if the young men and women continued to stay in the room, it would have a significant negative impact on the goddess's mental state.

Hestia initially made a scene, shouting, "Call Miss Warren over here—!" But of course, she couldn't hold out for long. Now, she was dizzy and weak, panting and exhausted, and obediently lay on the bed.

"Dad, Miss Ais and the others seem to be reflecting on their actions, so let's not blame them anymore. Okay, let's eat."

With a single sentence from Lina, dinner time began. On the table were dishes primarily consisting of mountain vegetables and river delicacies.

Seven people, including Ais and Bell, Cam and Lina, were gathered around the dining table. Besides Lina, Cam's three sons also lived in the mansion. They were all older than Lina and were half-elf or orcs (hybrid races).

They were all as cheerful and polite as Lina, making the atmosphere at the table harmonious and pleasant.

"Um, Miss Ais, just now..."

Sitting on the left, Bell timidly tried to apologize, but Ais, who was sulking, quickly turned her face away. Bell was deeply hurt, and a look of despair crossed her face. Seeing the two of them like this, Lina, Cam, and the others chuckled softly.

"At first, I thought Miss Ais was like a doll... I never expected her to show such an expression in front of Mr. Bell."

"...?"

Lina, sitting next to Cam, smiled at Ais, who was sitting directly opposite her.

That expression? Ais simply tilted her head, not quite understanding Lina's meaning. Bell, already dejected and disheartened by the blow, didn't hear a thing.