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

The flashing sword light stole words from everyone, played the timbre of a gentle breeze, and caused the severed, thick arm to fall to the ground.

A piercing roar reached the heavens, and the monster's blood splattered everywhere, but the wind armor blocked it all, refusing to let it touch the girl's body.

My mind is so peaceful.

At this moment, Ai was not confused at all.

It has reached a point where one is awe-inspiring and unassailable, and one is clear-headed and cheerful.

Letting the breeze comb through her long golden hair, Ais remained as beautiful as a goddess even on the battlefield. Her eyes were fixed on the monster's recoiled body as she swung her sword.

They showed no mercy, to the point of being cold and harsh.

"I'm going to go."

Faced with the dark, fierce bull that was suddenly launching a counterattack and spewing large drops of saliva, Ais simply gave it her all, playing a melody of wind and sword.

"Ahhh!?"

The silver flashes seemed to number in the thousands, and countless slashes moved freely across the board.

The Sword of Despair, wreathed in fierce wind, sliced ​​through the enemy's body along with their heavy weaponry, spraying blood everywhere.

The sword strikes never ceased. Ais moved her entire body, focusing solely on unleashing a storm of slashes against the enemy before her.

"Woohoo ...

Despite being covered in blood in the blink of an eye, the monster, which surpassed human intelligence, still had its eyes blazing with ferocious fighting spirit, trying to resist Ais's offensive.

Abandoning defense, it chose to advance. Despite being one-armed and on the verge of death, it still launched a "monster" counterattack. With arm strength capable of crushing everything, it deflected countless sword strikes with a single blow. Ais's vision was shaken, and after the initial shock, she felt an even greater fighting spirit—deeply impressed.

Ahhh.

How formidable!

How terrible!

How horrifying!

That's right, this is it!

"That, that is..."

The sword wind howled, the field of vision accelerated, and time nearly stood still.

Just as Jin Tong could only see the "black monster," someone whispered something outside of Ais's conscious awareness.

Watching the Fiora's profile gradually freeze, witnessing the brutal slash engulfed in black flames, the man spoke in a trembling voice:

"That is... 'Valkyrie'."

She was called that a long time ago.

"War Maiden".

She is a monster slayer disguised as a young girl, who has built countless hills from the corpses of monsters. She is a relentless, suicidal maniac who never tires of exploring the depths of labyrinths.

Ais, having relinquished her former "doll princess" appearance from the past, exudes a dangerous aura and an enhanced beauty as she performs a sword dance, embodying the fear and dread of monsters and the Loki Familia.

Ais didn't notice.

Unaware that they had unconsciously used their own "power (skill)" which was forbidden.

"...Ais."

No one from the elven royal family noticed her bewitched appearance during the battle and uttered a soft murmur.

(It's alright --)

Ais was relieved.

Faced with the black bull, the embodiment of violence, I thought to myself.

This is the real monster.

This is what a "monster" truly is.

(I didn't make any mistakes.)

She had the boy protect the dragon girl's figure, keeping it away from her own heart.

I (Ais) was right after all.

Monsters should be killed.

Listening to the bulls' cheers, driven by a desire for an even more intense deathmatch, Ais responded with an even louder, more powerful shout as she danced.

She deliberately ignored the girl (Ais) who was watching her from a lonely corner of her heart, while gradually hacking the black bull to pieces.

Side Story: Sword Oratoria 10 Interlude - The Wrath of the Spirits

"Lefia, hurry up!"

“Okay, okay!”

While the Loki Familia's main force was engaged in a fierce battle with the Black Bulls, Lefia and the other members were heading south of Daedalus Road.

Following Finn's instructions, the group of four chased after the fleeing dragon girl.

"That bastard, [Rookie], how could he be that kind of person!"

"What kind of time is this to be thinking about making money? That's ridiculous!"

"..."

The humans and elf members ran as fast as they could, cursing furiously.

They constantly cursed those who protected the monster, needlessly attracting chaotic adventurers.

In their eyes, Bell Crane was a greedy adventurer who, at this critical juncture, still wanted to steal the valuable "dropped items" of rare species. They only saw the boy as that kind of person.

Pure anger led to condemnation of the boy. This conclusion was only natural.

Only Lefia remained silent, pursing her lips and displaying a stern expression.

(What on earth is that human thinking...!)

Lefia wasn't as indignant as the other band members—she was just filled with confusion.

Although Rafia was reluctant to admit it, she had more opportunities to interact with Bell Craney than the other members, and thus knew a little about the boy's character.

Selfish and greedy.

These words have absolutely nothing to do with teenagers.

A greedy adventurer? That title is utterly unsuitable for that boy; it's not just laughable, it makes one want to sigh in despair. If the boy truly possessed that kind of ability, he would certainly have been much wiser.

That's why Lefia couldn't understand it.

I don't understand why the boy would rather play the role of a "greedy adventurer" than protect the "monster".

When Lefia witnessed the boy protecting the dragon girl, her confusion was quite similar to that of Ais and Tiona. Although she didn't condemn the boy like the other members, she was still deeply puzzled.

(Why should I have to worry about you...!)

Therefore, the boy offered no explanation and simply continued to act in ways that led to misunderstandings, which made Lefia extremely dissatisfied.

Thinking about it this way, perhaps Lefia is still angry.

"The other adventurers have all arrived...!"

As the sun dipped below the city walls, its intense light scorching Lefia's profile, adventurers from various factions began to emerge.

They must have heard about the unrest on Daedalus Road; that's why they gathered here to quell the riot.

Since their goal was to deal with the monster, Lefia and her companions decided to take it easy and leaped and ran through the complex and intertwined forest of buildings, heading towards the direction where screams and dust filled the air.

"Eek...!? Noooooooo!?!"

"Hey, adventurer! Over here, over here!?"

The monster's attack caused screams to erupt incessantly, and sharp, piercing cries echoed all the way.

The cries of the fleeing prostitutes and their children filled Lefia and the others with anxiety.

Just as the group accelerated further and ran into the open, straight alleyway...

"Found it!"

They saw the dragon girl's enormous body in the distance.

Right in front of it, you can still see the back of the white-haired boy chasing the monster.

"We'll approach the past, take a detour and ambush them! Lefia, begin your incantation, shoot it from here!"

"OK!"

Three of the companions, including the male member who gave the instructions, rushed forward first, while Lefia picked up her wand, "Forest Tear."

The "Vivel" in the distance was already injured, probably attacked by adventurers who were guarding somewhere. Its dragon-tail-like lower body was pierced with javelins, and its thin shoulders were studded with arrows.

Just as Lefia was staring at the monstrous creature screaming in agony, and was about to begin her own incantation...

Rafia witnessed a sight that she could not believe.

"【Flame Lightning】!!"

It was fired.

He is a teenager.

He used "magic".

They attacked the adventurers.

「!?」

Lefia began to doubt her own eyes.

The fiery lightning magic unleashed its power, blasting away the adventurers who were about to intercept the "monster".

"What!?"

"Woohoohoohoohoohoohoohoohoohoo!?"

The unexpected attack from fellow professionals caught everyone off guard. Their weapons were damaged, they were burned, and some even lost their balance and fell from the roof. Faced with this bizarre act that could not be described as mere barbarity, Lefia was speechless.

Bell Craney's "magic" is extremely threatening.

The "Quick Attack Magic," which requires no incantation, possesses only the power of a very short spell, but it is still Lv.3. The young adventurer's "magic power," now at the second rank, rivals that of a Lv.2 mage. Its firepower is not to be underestimated, and coupled with its rapid-fire capability, no one can defend against it. The Loki Familia members, focused on the monster, were no exception. Just as they were about to attack the dragon girl, they were struck directly by the magic, and the recoil sent them crashing headfirst into a wall or the ground.

"What—"

—What do you mean?!

What are you doing?!

Do you know what the consequences of doing this will be?

The worries that had filled Lefia's blank mind had become a reality.

"You little rookie, you rascal!?"

"Are you crazy?!"

"You really want monster loot (dropped items) that badly, you jerk!"

"What time is it?!"

A wave of anger arose, and the crowd began to curse.

The adventurers' insults directed at the boy sounded like they were directed at her, making Lefia's hands tremble. The residents who had been desperately fleeing stopped in their tracks, speechless with astonishment. The children cried even harder, making the scene even more chaotic.

However, Bell continued to unleash "magic".

He chased people away as if he were protecting a dragon girl, constantly chasing after the back of the out-of-control "monster".

"!!"

Lefia gripped her wand tightly and sprinted away at full speed.

She sprinted across the rooftops, covering the shortest distance, and finally reached the boy's side, shouting at his profile:

"Bell Craney!! What are you doing!?"

"...!"

Bell only glanced at Lefia and then didn't react further.