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

"what?"

"We may not be from the same [Family], but we're teammates now... and um, I hope I can be of some help. Ah, it doesn't have to be me, either Miss Daphne or Miss Haruhime would be fine..."

Bell told her to bring her a cool, refreshing water bottle.

It was probably one of the adventurers who had been arguing until now who brought her some spring water. He was concerned about Cassandra, who had been wearing a stern face for quite some time.

It's likely that Belle had already discovered she was suffering from "precognitive dreams (about something)" even before she left the inn town.

Cassandra blinked several times, and two red clouds immediately rose to her cheeks.

(Really... he's changed so much...)

Not long ago, he often blushed and panicked easily. And it was just as bad as Cassandra's.

During this "expedition," the name was used to describe Belle. She was told a Far Eastern proverb, something like "A scholar should be looked at with new eyes after three days of separation."

Cassandra thought what he said made a lot of sense. Bell was becoming more and more like a team captain.

While he doesn't quite possess any imposing presence, whenever he notices something, he considers what he can do about it and puts it into practice. This was also true when he was the "Enhanced Giant (Moss Giant)." When the healer (Cassandra) was terrified by the "Parasitic Tree," it was Bell who held her hand and encouraged her.

The warmth of that time still lingers in her hands... that's what she feels.

But the fact that he was younger than her made Cassandra feel like crying.

"Thank you……"

She thanked him in a soft voice, took the water bottle, and gulped it down.

The boy scratched his cheek and smiled shyly.

Cassandra had no idea what had happened to the boy that had changed him so much.

But she almost became addicted to this tenderness.

“Um, um…”

Cassandra was about to speak before she could even gather her thoughts, and just then...

The direction from the cave exit suddenly became noisy.

"Perth! It's 'The Mammoth Foolish Old Man'!"

An adventurer reports that a monster is attacking.

That enormous body, which was very noticeable even from a distance, varied slightly from individual to individual, but all had a shoulder height of six to seven meters. Its two gently curved fangs were as long as spears. Its fur was a dark reddish-blood color.

"Mammoth Yu Gong" is quite rare in the "Great Tree Labyrinth" due to its many special abilities such as abnormal attacks or insect-like hard shells. It belongs to the pure tank (power) type of monster. Moreover, it is the largest type of "mid-level" common monster.

"So many large-scale ones have come all at once! Hey guys, let's go! [White Rabbit's Foot], you come over here too!"

Upon being directly called upon by the leader (Perse) who was carrying a large axe, Bell dashed out like a real rabbit.

As Cassandra murmured "Ah," his figure had already run far away, plunging into the horde of monsters first.

"..."

Perhaps feeling that the four large-scale creatures would be too difficult to deal with, Aisha, Sakura, and Chigusa, who was assisting Sakura, all rushed forward, intending to join the battle. Amidst this, Cassandra watched the boy's retreating figure as he fought with a sorrowful gaze.

Bell took the greatsword from Perth and slashed at the monster's foot, causing it to crash to the ground. At the same time, he wielded fire "magic" with unparalleled bravery, just like a "hero" from a fairy tale.

(That's right, only he... there was no explicit hint of "death".)

—【A fairy who has made a pact to become a leader of destruction will travel alongside raging pure white flames, weaving a cruel destiny.】

The only line of poetry that fits the criteria for the boy (Bell) is "pure white fire".

[Fairy] undoubtedly refers to [Swift Wind].

Their encounter was an inevitable fate. Although the phrase "traveling together" is not auspicious, Cassandra felt that it was different in nature from the prophecy about Aisha and the others.

A tiny fairy with outstretched wings, and white flames burning fiercely around her. The visual "dreamlike" scene ended just before it was about to be swallowed by a dark calamity (something).

If one can resist the calamity.

If the most tragic "precognitive dream" can be overturned—perhaps only he can do it.

Cassandra pursed her lips.

Just as Fate, Daphne, and Welf stayed behind as protectors to guard against surprise attacks from other monsters, she took the first step in confronting "Premonition Dreams".

"Excuse me, Mr. Crozzo!"

Cassandra approached the young blacksmith who was observing the battle and wanted to join the reinforcements, and shouted to him.

"...Please don't call me by my family name. Just call me Welf."

When Welf was called by his surname, he seemed to lose his momentum and stopped in his tracks.

He seemed a little surprised that Cassandra would contact him. Cassandra quickly apologized, then made up her mind and got to the point.

She made a "request" to the high smith who was diligently improving his skills.

"...It's not impossible, but why are you suddenly saying this?"

"Uh, this..."

"To be honest, I'm very unhappy about it. I only let that guy equip the stuff I fought... that's my decision."

With his craftsman-like nature, Welf clearly stated his thoughts.

The introverted Cassandra almost backed down when she heard him say that, but she pursed her lips again.

She looked back into the young man's eyes and frankly expressed her will.

"He... Mr. Bell, is willing to risk his life for others... Because he is that kind of person, I want to help him..."

Cassandra cannot speak of her "prophetic dreams." Even if she did, no one would believe her.

However, perhaps my sincere intentions can win people's trust.

This is similar to what happened to the boy; it's a "change" in Cassandra's mindset, a "growth."

Welf remained silent, observing the glimmer of strength shining in her timid triangular eyes—and after a moment, a smile crept onto his lips.

"Okay, I'll do it for you."

"Is it okay?"

"Hmm. After all, my idea is just a blacksmith's boring and indecisive insistence. Yes, that's right, just like the 'Demon Sword'... I'm no longer weighing my obsession with my companions on the scales."

The young blacksmith smiled with sudden enlightenment.

For some reason, Cassandra knew that it was a smile that came after a lot of inner turmoil, and she was so envious that she forgot to speak, while at the same time feeling a deep sense of empathy.

"Besides, I also feel that there's something fishy about this incident. I agree with you that Bell might be in danger. It wouldn't be surprising if he were to turn against all the adventurers here to protect that elf... After all, my contracted partners (adventurers) have a history of such behavior."

"It was the same when they were 'heretics' (those guys)." Welf was initially serious, then half-jokingly tried to cover it up, and Cassandra bowed deeply to him in thanks.

"Th-thank you!"

For the first time, she felt that her actions might have some impact on the "future".

Even though the "dream ending" hadn't changed at all, she was inexplicably very happy.

"Little Riko, could you please bring out the hearth I brought? And could you lend me your 'that'? It's too long, it's dragging on the floor."

"The measurements were taken by you, Lord Welf!"

How infuriating! Lily was fuming when Welf took the whole set of forging tools from her.

Welf placed the small, box-shaped hearth in front of him, setting up a small "workshop" in a corner of the maze.

"You come help me too. More and more monsters are gathering, and it'll probably take Bell and the others a while. I need to get this done before those guys finish cleaning up."

“Okay, okay!”

Cassandra, as the blacksmith's assistant, waited by his side for instructions.

Not only Ming, Chun Ji, or Daphne, but also the surrounding adventurers noticed their movements and tilted their heads in confusion; thus, the "homework" began.

Cassandra listened to the sounds of monsters and adventurers battling, and at the same time, she found herself feeling excited.

*

"Hmm~"

Hestia spoke in a relaxed tone.

She lay face down on the table, flattening her ample breasts.

The location is the "Heartfire House," the headquarters of the Hestia Familia.

"You look so lazy, don't you have to work today?"

"Yeah, Hephaestus and the potato ball crew are miraculously on holiday~. But even with a rare holiday, it's not fun without Bell and the others~"

As Hestia collapsed in the living room, Mih, who was moving things, spoke to her.

Currently, a "factional alliance" jointly initiated by multiple [familias] is on an expedition, leaving the [Hestia Familia] headquarters, where all members are present, virtually empty. To compensate for this, her close friends are taking turns sending members to the "Heartfire Hall." Today it's the [Mih Familia's] turn.

The main god (Mihe) also joined in, and while chatting with Hestia, the dog-person Nazha opened the door and walked into the room.

"Goddess Hestia, everything is ready..."

"Wow, you really got it done for me, Nazha? I'm so sorry, thank you so much!"

"Don't worry about it... Besides, you invited me to dinner... Best of all, you let me use the bathroom."

"Hearing you say that makes me feel much more at ease."

Naza smiled at Hestia with her half-closed eyes, which at first glance looked like she was sleepy.

The tail that grew from its waist seemed to eagerly anticipate the arrival of night, swaying from side to side.

"Let's not talk about that now, Hestia? It's been quite noisy in the backyard since earlier..."

"Oh... Hephaestus sent the blacksmith's child over to help with security, but that child is a bit peculiar. She came to me and said she wanted to see what the former member's (Welf's) workshop looked like... After I agreed, she not only rummaged through it but also started forging some kind of weapon..."

"Well then, I'd also like to take a look at Lilyluka's room... It seems like she might be hiding some rare items, or ingredients that can be used to make medicine... *evil grin*"

"Please spare me, I'll get yelled at by the supporters!"

Seeing that Hestia was clearly a high-ranking goddess, yet revealed her low status in the hierarchical system, Mih smiled bitterly.

"Are you worried because Bell and the others aren't here?"

"...Of course. But I need to be prepared so that when those kids come back, I can properly tell them 'You're back'."

Hestia, having finished her story, turned to Mich and asked:

"And you, Mih? I remember your names were Daphne and Cassandra? You have two people on your side who went out on an 'expedition'."

"Of course, I have endless worries and I also feel lonely... But in the past, it was just me and Nazha alone. It's a bit strange to say that things have returned to normal, but I consider it a rare reward, so I let her stay with me."

"..."

"We've been together for a long time, but it's Nazha who's by my side and makes me feel the most at peace."

Mih said these words with a bright, cheerful laugh, like a god (a handsome man).

Naza, with her back to the two as she tidied the shelves, made a "clattering" sound. Her tail wagged even more violently from side to side than before.

Hestia couldn't understand how things had come to this point where she had to watch people flaunt their love. For some reason, she felt both annoyed and blinded by the sweetness of their displays, so she abruptly changed the subject.

"I'm saying, Mih... Cassandra, she..."

At the same time, her expression and tone of voice became serious.

"Ever since she was with Apollo, I've been thinking about this..."

"Hmm... She 'can see' things. And things that even the gods (us) cannot see."

Seeing the two celestial beings nod to each other, Nazha turned her head and tilted it slightly.

"Although we don't know what Apollo's intentions were in keeping that girl by his side... we can only say that the child also contained the 'unknown' of the lower realm."

"The 'unknown' that even we cannot know, is it...? I can understand why the gods have been so fascinated by the lower realm since that first descent."

Having said that, Hestia leaned her entire weight against the back of the chair.

Just like the situation of the entire lower realm, Chi Si looked up at the ceiling for a moment.

"I haven't spoken to her many times. What kind of girl is Cassandra?"

Hestia asked as if she had just thought of something, and Nazha answered:

"Cassandra is an incredible girl..."