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

The floor, walls, and even the entire floor are a muddy white.

"────────"

A chill ran through the air.

It was a gust of freezing wind that invaded my neck.

It's like saying, "You finally figured it out?"

The bleak darkness pressing down on my shoulders began to chuckle in my ears.

The sound of my heart pounding was piercing.

It felt like he was about to burst through his ribs and fly out.

It took Bell a few seconds to realize that the incessant sound, like a dry flute, was actually her own disordered breathing.

No way, no way, no way.

Instinct screams.

Reason wants to deny the facts.

The memories stored in his mind, along with the knowledge he accumulated with that half-elf woman, made the information on "a certain floor" match the current situation to a cruel degree.

The maze-like structure was far too large.

The difference in circumstances is enough to evoke grief and indignation.

It is different in scale from the upper, middle, and even lower areas.

Bell was filled with despair, but he still came to an answer.

This cruel fate is called—the 37th floor.

Her trembling lips murmured softly:

"The 'deep layer'..."

Postscript to Volume 13

Sorry for starting with a bombshell, but the reference material for a certain calamity senior is actually Her Majesty the Queen of the Otherworld.

The following is the postscript to the thirteenth episode of the series titled "Confession".

I'm truly sorry I couldn't finish the story in one episode. I originally planned to cover the tavern spirit's story in one episode, but as usual, I anticipated it would exceed the planned page count, so it became a two-part series (also, I couldn't help but feel that there would still be a long stretch of turbulent crises and continuous battles after Chapter Six, which might be difficult for readers to handle...). I'm so, so sorry...

Actually, there were signs all along. The tavern elf, who was supposed to play the female lead, was sidelined, and the tragic prophet was loudly asserting her role to me. It was as if she wanted to shed her somewhat weak presence.

Although I had been considering using the theme of "prophecy" as a story gimmick from a very early stage, I didn't expect that the prophet would be so lively and active when I started writing.

Whether it was despair, inner turmoil, or determination, it far exceeded my initial expectations. From around page fifty, I felt her slip from my grasp. This experience of seeing the text fill the pages so effortlessly is perhaps a first for me. In the end, she even became the female lead (at least in the author's mind). The shock was so immense that I couldn't help but mutter to myself, "This is just a joke, right?"

The unexpected plot developments, which weren't originally planned, almost made me scream and faint, but on the other hand, I was also somewhat pleased. It's good for the author and the work that the characters in the story deviate from the initial concept or head in completely different directions. I'm just very sorry to all the readers who were looking forward to the elf heroine's screen time. She'll (likely) have more screen time in the next episode, so please wait a little longer.

Now, allow me to move on to the thank-you remarks.

Newly appointed editor Matsumoto, in charge of this series, will need your continued guidance. Thank you, Editor-in-Chief Kitamura, for your continued support of the author, who is beyond redemption in many aspects; I apologize for the trouble this time as well. Thank you, Yasuda Suzuhito, for providing the beautiful illustrations; you greatly enhance this work, and I am deeply grateful. I am especially delighted by the numerous battle illustrations! Thank you also to everyone involved. Most importantly, thank you to all the readers who have graciously purchased this book; thank you for your continued support.

I will focus my efforts on delivering the next episode to everyone as soon as possible.

I hope to see you all again.

Thank you for reading this far. Goodbye.

大森藤ノ

Illustrations for Volume 13

Volume 13 Bonus: Water City Bride Loves White Rabbit

"We're back, Marie."

"Welcome home, Rey!"

A group of "Heretics (Zenos)" arrived at the 27th level, "Secret Realm." The mermaid Marli greeted the beautiful singer-bird (Syllen) Rei and her companions. There is more than one Secret Realm, and in each one, "Heretics" assume the role of "Guardians." The 20th level Secret Realm is home to the Green Dragon, and the 27th level is Marli.

After completing Fels' "commission," Rei and the others took the opportunity to visit the 27th floor.

Let's sing together again!

"Adventurers will hear you, so sing it very quietly, okay?"

Since both are monsters related to "song," Marie is particularly attached to Rei. The phenomenon known as "the song that echoes through the labyrinth" originates from one of them, who smiles innocently while the other can't help but smile bitterly.

"Has anything unusual happened, Marie?"

"Yes, I did! I met the boy (Bell)!"

Seeing the joyful blush on Marie's cheeks and the smile that appeared on her face, Lei's expression changed drastically. "!?"

"Are you talking about... Mr. Bell of the human race?"

"Yeah! So cute and so soft... My boy (Bell) is the coolest! My favorite hero (Bell)!"

The sudden appearance of a name that Marie shouldn't have mentioned, along with words that couldn't be ignored, shocked Rey repeatedly. However, ignoring her reaction, the female "heretics," including the half-human, half-snake (Lamia) and the half-human, half-bird (Happy), suddenly screamed excitedly, looking quite intrigued.

"What did you do with that boy (Bell), Marie!? You said he was soft and squishy, ​​you touched him!? Touched what!?"

"A 'romantic love story,' you had a 'romantic love story' with that man from the surface world!?"

"Tell me in more detail!" "Tell me in more detail—!!" *Whoosh whoo ...

"Laura, Faye! And everyone else, calm down! Mr. Bell would never do... that kind of thing...!"

Seeing her compatriots' eyes light up with excitement and shouts, Lei Yi said in a rough voice, barely concealing her hesitation, "Who knew..."

"The boy (Bell) ate my finger (that)...it's so warm!"

'Oh, oh ...

A statement that could only lead to misunderstanding was made, and the cheers and screams of the female "heretics" erupted.

"Hey, Reed, Gross? I heard them mention Bell?"

"You misheard me, Winnie..." "Don't go over there... it'll only make things more complicated."

The dragon girl kept stealing glances at her fellow dragon (Mari) whom she was meeting for the first time. The gargoyle and lizardman tried to stop her while covering her ears, and sighed heavily with a weary expression.

Side Story: Sword Oratoria 10 - Prologue: A Girl's Monologue

The Taiwanese version is from the Kingdom of Light

Image source: Otonashi

Scan image: Wind

Input: kid

What should we call this feeling?

It should have been called sadness, or anger, or despair.

However, none of them match.

It is thinner than a sword wound, deeper than an axe chop, and more painful than being pierced by claws.

The sheer impact shatters the heart, forcing one to weep with anguish.

The sense of loss was as if one's own existence had been denied. First, one felt a void within, then a storm of meaningless words raged around one's heart.

No, get away from "that" quickly.

You must stay by my side.

You are the only one who cannot disappear.

Don't let me see that kind of "scene".

"That" is an extremely ugly thing. It is something that should be despised and must be thrown away and ignored.

It is something taboo, disgusting, and must be hated.

You must never snuggle up to it, never hold its hand, never hug it.

Thieves should not expect any mercy; they are the most sinful plunderers in the world.

Do you know the name of "that"?

Do you know what "that" is called?

The name of "that" is -- "Monster".

What should we call this feeling?

I do not know.

Should I say "You lied to me"?

Should I go crazy and yell, "I will never forgive you"?

Should I cry out, "Don't do this!"

I ask you.

I want to ask you, who are looking at me with a tearful expression.

I thought we shared the same feelings, but was I mistaken? Or was I just imagining things?

What are you doing

Why are you there?

Why are you protecting the "monster"?!

That's outrageous! That's outrageous! That's outrageous!

How could you betray me like this!

The screams inside me just wouldn't stop.

The sword aimed at the opponent trembled violently.

Red tears streamed down his cracked body.

My hands and feet felt as if they were being tightly embraced by the memories of a cold winter, gradually freezing over. When I lost something irreplaceable and found myself "alone," the words I had decided to never say again almost resurfaced on my lips.

Who will come?

Gaiden: Sword Oratoria 10 Chapter 1: Premonition

"The 'key' hasn't been found yet, right...?"

The whispers fell silently.

A sentence that should have been spoken softly was inexplicably audible throughout the office.

The location is the "Twilight Mansion," the headquarters of the Loki Familia.

The grandfather clock in the corner of the room indicated that it was evening, as if to signal the approaching twilight. Outside the window, the sky was a pale, fading crimson hue.

Rivera, Grace, and Loki, who happened to be present, listened intently to Finn's whisper on the desk, their expressions serious.

The "key" Finn mentioned is a magic item.

It is the "Daedalus Orb," a precious orb capable of opening the "gate" to the "artificial labyrinth (Knossos)."

The Loki Familia are putting all their efforts into tracking down the whereabouts of this "key".

"We sent Tiona and the others to search, but they found nothing."

"Although we have discovered the entrances to the city and the underground city through the artificial maze and have gradually occupied them... as expected, the enemy is prepared to 'hold their ground.' Now that the enemy's executive (Valette) has been killed by Bert, they probably won't launch an attack until the time is right."

The remnants of the Evils and underground forces including creatures who worship the "Filthy Fairy"...

With the ultimate goal of "destroying the labyrinth city (Orario)," they lurk within the man-made labyrinth.

Those who intend to use "demi spirits" are not joking or making empty promises. Orario is in grave danger.

To thwart the enemy's ambitions, they must conquer the impenetrable man-made labyrinth—which in turn requires the "key" to the "door" made of the hardest metal (ostrichite).

"I've found my target, but... no matter what I say, that infatuated goddess pretends to be clueless and won't give me any information."

Loki said this bitterly as he sat down on the corner of the desk.

The memory of Freya's Familia annihilating the Ishtar Familia, which was colluding with the remnants of the dark faction, remains fresh. According to information uncovered by Bert regarding a former member (Lina Talley), the goddess Ishtar, who has been banished to the heavens, did indeed possess the "key."