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

The upward-flying sparks enveloped Hestia and Ais like sacred flames.

"Conversely, forgotten memories must be happy. Because after so much sorrow, you can finally face the future and laugh beside someone."

The goddess's smile captivated Ais's heart.

That's based on the perspective of the gods. The people on earth aren't as strong as she says; sometimes they get hurt by embracing memories.

But her statement wasn't entirely wrong.

In Ais's heart, there was indeed—

"Are you feeling any better?"

"……have."

"Let's dance! Saying you're lonely and not having fun is such a waste!"

Hestia responded to Ais's nod with an innocent smile.

The two began to dance.

Her long, black and gold hair flowed gently, shimmering in the firelight. The beautiful goddess and the maiden's dance drew the loudest cheers of the day.

Everyone looked at Ais and Hestia, their faces beaming with smiles. Lina did too, as did Bell. Startled by the calls of so many people, Ais felt all her loneliness vanish.

Surrounded by smiles, Ais, flattered and overwhelmed, also smiled slightly.

*

After the village festival ended.

Ais and the others gathered in a corner of the village.

"Waaah~, I went too far... I'm swaying unsteadily~"

"So, that's why I said..."

Later, at the urging of the village children, Hestia danced for a long time. Seeing Bell admonishing Hestia, their conversation made Ais chuckle softly.

Over in the square, the villagers must be too drunk to move.

"So, what's next..."

"Oh, I'm alright now. Although I caused you a lot of trouble before, I can move around now."

Bell was the first to speak about future plans.

Hestia left the judgment to Ais, who was a first-class adventurer; Ais nodded in response.

"I'll leave the village first thing tomorrow morning."

As she spoke, Ais was surprised to find herself almost feeling reluctant to part.

Ais didn't know what this change in mindset would bring.

However, Ais has changed slightly now and feels that immersing herself in memories is not a bad thing.

It has been about nine years since she picked up the sword in Orario.

In the turbulent years of battle, Ais felt the anxiety, sadness, tears, and smiles she had once experienced and gradually forgotten; she felt as if she could face it all now.

The lips are almost forming the shape of a smile.

"──Goddess-sama!"

at this time.

Lina screamed as she ran toward them.

Seeing her tearful expression, Ais had a bad feeling.

As if confirming her premonition, the monster's howl echoed from the depths of the forest.

Lina, her eyes brimming with tears, pressed her hand to her chest, her throat trembling:

"May I ask you to accompany my father... on his final journey?"

“…Huh?”

Ais couldn't tell whether the murmur came from Bell, Hestia, or herself.

She only had one thing on her mind.

Indeed, nothing is "eternal." A profound emptiness eroded Ais's heart.

Side Story: Sword Oratoria 9 - Reminiscence Chapter 4: The Eternity the Wind Desires

Everything is on track smoothly.

Ais learned all sorts of things from Finn, sought guidance from Riveria, and was encouraged by Grace.

Having cried her eyes out, Ais finds herself constantly battling each day. As the days go by, she increasingly forgets what a smile is, but she still slowly cultivates many things in front of the adults who protect her.

The city remains turbulent, filled with the sounds of destruction and chaos, but amidst all this, Ais does not lose herself and continues to run.

Those were fulfilling years.

Everything was going smoothly—as it should have been.

*

Ais Wallenstein

Lv.1

Strength: D591→593 Durability: D559 Dexterity: B788

Agility: A800→801 Magic: I0

Ais's eyebrows twisted.

Upon seeing the update paper Loki handed her, she couldn't help but tighten her grip.

"Ais, this is a path everyone has to go through. Don't take it too seriously."

"The closer your 'ability parameters' are to their limits, the slower your growth rate will be. It doesn't mean you've run out of room to grow."

"That's right. That's how [ability stats] work."

Riveria, Finn, and Loki were all talking about something, but Ais paid no attention.

[Ability Value] has stopped increasing. My abilities, which were rapidly growing stronger every day, have stopped improving.

For several days now, the growth rates have been pretty much the same, sometimes even unchanged.

It's as if at this stage, all the room for growth has been used up.

Ais began to get anxious.

In the past, Ais had a real feeling of gradually becoming stronger. While this included the "skills and tactics" that Finn and others had rigorously trained her in, the most significant factor was still the number of her [ability stats].

The higher your ability rating goes, the more agile and powerful you become, giving you a definite sense of progress.

However, now—

(Too low...)

The value of "Basic Ability" - that is, the maximum (capped) value of proficiency is 999.

This is the upper limit of Ais's racial abilities.

It was winter, almost a year after I joined the Loki Familia.

Ais crashed into the high wall.

"……【upgrade】."

When Ais's lips automatically uttered that word.

Riveria and the others became tense.

"How can I increase my level...?"

Ais had also heard of this knowledge.

[Upgrade]. The sublimation of "capacity". This is the only ritual to transcend the established physical and mental limits and enter a higher stage.

In response to the girl's question, Rivera said:

"...Upgrading is not an easy thing to achieve; it must be done step by step."

"Just continue exploring the maze as usual. I know you'll be impatient, but this is the fastest way."

"Don't be impatient at a time like this, Ais. You must take it slowly and steadily."

Grace and Finn both agreed with Riveria's opinion.

"Impatientness won't help. We've seen many adventurers like you do now, unable to suppress their anxiety and bringing about their own destruction. So you need to calm down, Ais."

What are you talking about? Are you kidding me?

The words of Riveria and the others made Ais extremely impatient.

I want to become stronger. I must become stronger.

Now is not the time to stand still; I don't have that kind of time.

Even though the high wall was invisible to the naked eye when she first encountered it, Ais could still feel its presence, which intensified her anxiety. This was two sides of the same coin as the fear that "perhaps I can no longer move forward."

Ais masked her unease with agitation and looked away from Riveria and the others.

Clutching the replacement paper tightly in her hand, she rudely left the office.

"...Rivia, does Ais know how to [level up]...?"

"I didn't tell her. How could I possibly tell her?"

After Ais left.

In response to Loki's question, Rivera lowered her gaze and replied.

"That makes sense." The God crossed his hands behind his head.

"To level up, high-level experience points are indispensable. This means you must achieve great feats... that is, complete adventures."

"Defeating enemies stronger than oneself, or venturing into deeper floors, surviving life-or-death situations multiple times... We really can't let Ais do those things. Rivera is right, she'll be too hasty and reckless, and bring about her own destruction."

Finn and Grace then spoke in somber voices. A sense of distress was palpable between the lines of their words.

Although she's not as blatant lately, Ais's reckless nature hasn't changed. She prioritizes her own desires too much, doesn't take self-harm seriously, and can easily lose control.

For someone who is reckless to "take risks" is undoubtedly taking a dangerous gamble.

"That's true, but we can't keep this a secret for long, can we? Ais might accumulate too much pressure and go crazy. What are you guys planning to do?"

Loki doesn't allow the children to escape reality or take things one step at a time; he relentlessly questions them.

Among the few members of the family responsible for training members and developing the dungeon, Rivera stated resolutely in an unyielding tone:

"She has to do the same things as the other members. I'll have her team up with others to deal with monsters of equal or stronger strength. Even if it takes more effort and time."

Grace and the others nodded in agreement with Riveria's statement.

"Due to the requirements that must be met for a 'great achievement,' it's the only thing that we, Laozi and others, cannot get involved in."

"It sounds strange, but that's the only way to ensure her safety during this 'adventure'."

Loki admitted that he had no choice but to accept the collective opinion of his family.

She had been staring at the door where Ais had left with her eyes slightly open, but now, as if to switch her focus, she changed the subject.

"Finn, I forgot, when does the mandatory 'Expedition' mission expire?"

"Hmm—it can probably be delayed for about a month. Lloydman came to urge me again yesterday."

"The management organization (guild) really knows how to make unreasonable demands. They actually expect us to suppress those dark factions and maintain order on one hand, and on the other hand, to carry out 'expeditions' to explore uncharted territories on the other."

Grace deliberately sighed loudly.

Now, as the largest faction representing Orario, the Loki Familia has a mission they must undertake. This mission is extremely important; they shouldn't have been preoccupied with the trivial matters of a little girl.

"They are the faction striving to obtain the successors of the gods (Zeus) and goddesses (Hera) as soon as possible. There must be an authoritative symbol that can suppress this chaotic period... and bring peace of mind to both the city and its inhabitants. And we, having banished the gods (Zeus) from the city, should assume this responsibility."

Finn clasped his hands together on his desk, his blue eyes narrowed.

He was also an ambitious man, constantly oscillating between his position as a faction leader and his identity as a dwarf, making concessions while seeking the best balance. Despite sharing the same aspirations, he was ultimately much more mature than the little girl.

"What are your plans regarding Ais? Are you taking her with you, Finn?"