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

The consequences of that boy's "foolish act" and betrayal of the children are now clear.

How wicked and shameful—but Finn couldn’t laugh at the boy like that.

"I don't think he was a selfish adventurer."

Finn realized with a start that he had gently and tenderly grasped the boy's (Ray's) raised hand.

Under the children's astonished gazes, he said to the boy:

"I have great respect for him... I have great respect for Bell Craney. I was one of those people who were fascinated by his 'adventures,' and I still am."

The children's eyes widened upon hearing this statement.

Finn couldn't understand how he could have said such a thing.

However, he felt that these words, which came out naturally, seemed to be sincere and genuine.

"But...but...people say that Big Brother Bell let the monster go, which put everyone in danger!"

"Perhaps he has some unyielding principles. Even if those ideas are despised... it was his own choice and decision to do so, for his own beliefs."

Finn used a clear, transparent voice to persuade Osin, who was sticking out his upper body.

Finn couldn't tell the truth, so he tried to guess what Bell was thinking within his own imagination, and told the child about it.

The children, including Osin, were deeply shocked, with Rae's eyes widening. The half-elf child looked back at Finn with a serious expression, as if pondering the meaning behind his words.

Why did I choose to defend Bell Crane?

To manipulate public opinion, Finn could have taken this opportunity to criticize Bell Craney as much as possible. This would have made more people agree with Finn's actions.

However, in the end, Finn was unable to do so.

He wasn't trying to pretend to be a good person.

The reason he couldn't do it was simply because he thought it was pathetic and terrible.

Because he felt that such words and actions were far removed from the ideal of a "hero".

"What is justice, what is evil... is difficult to define in a single way."

Therefore, Finn pretended to know nothing and only talked about the undeniable facts.

At the same time, he knew very well that these words could also be applied to himself.

The children lowered their hands, unsure how to answer, and all lowered their heads.

"—Brother Lei—where are you—?"

Just then, as if timed perfectly, someone suddenly appeared out of nowhere.

She was wearing a white dress, her light gray hair swaying; she was a human girl.

(she is……)

The Loki Familia often held their victory celebrations at a tavern called "The Abundant Mistress." The girl was one of the tavern's employees; her name was Seele Frova.

She came to the children and smiled sweetly.

"Aunt Maria is very worried about you. Shall we go back?"

The children timidly raised their heads, nodded, and began to walk back the way they came.

As he left, Osin seemed to still have something on his mind, turned back for a glance at Finn, and then followed Ray and the others into the distance.

Only Finn and the girl remained.

"...Aren't you going over there? You seem to know the children."

"I will. After thanking the adventurer, I will return immediately."

The girl—Seele—said this to him with a smile.

She gently narrowed her eyes, the same color as her hair, and gazed at Finn.

The person you need to be most careful about in that tavern isn't the female owner (Mia), but this "young girl".

Finn had heard Loki say this before, so while he wasn't on high alert, he still carefully considered his words to avoid letting her detect his inner turmoil.

"I don't think I've done anything that you should thank me for, have I?"

"You comforted Ray and the others who were troubled by Mr. Bell's situation. Thanks to your words, they certainly won't dislike Mr. Bell anymore."

"..."

"So, thank you."

The girl smiled, revealing a special affection for the boy (Bell). It was an expression Finn had never seen on the girl when he visited the tavern.

She bowed respectfully with a beauty different from her appearance as a shop assistant. Her tied-up hair swayed slightly, revealing the snow-white nape of her neck.

Finn found it hard to accept her frank gratitude and unconsciously looked away.

"It's about time I took my leave; I have other matters to attend to. Please excuse me."

"Okay, good luck, Mr. Brave."

Finn had already turned his back to the girl, but upon hearing these words, he couldn't help but stop in his tracks.

He turned around and looked at Seele, who was still smiling.

This is not sarcasm; it's the girl's honest opinion.

Didn't she notice? No, she should have already discovered the connection between Bell and the others and Finn and his group.

Finn looked at something unbelievable, and only when he came to his senses did he realize that the question had already slipped out:

"Bel Craney and I are rivals, you know? Even so, you're still cheering me on?"

"Yes. Because whether it's Mr. Bell or Mr. Finn—"

The girl with light gray hair, beaming with a smile, told him:

"They are all 'heroes' to the children."

*

The rain was pouring down.

Water droplets, instead of drizzle, hit the long golden hair and then bounced away.

On the rooftop platform of a building on Daedalus Road.

Ais stood there, gazing absently at the misty, rain-swept labyrinthine streetscape.

"Ais-chan~"

The voice of the Supreme God, sounding relaxed, called to her from behind.

Ais had already sensed her presence, but without turning around, she continued to look down at the street scene of "Daedalus Road".

"Tiona and the others are worried about you~ They said you seem to have something on your mind~"

"……sorry."

Although Ais apologized, she still didn't turn around.

Her retreating figure seemed to tell God that she wanted to be alone.

However, Loki did not leave, nor did he do anything; he simply stood behind her.

Finally, unable to bear the gazes she felt behind her, Ais spoke up:

"...What brings you here?"

"Come and see how you are, look at Ais, who looks so listless."

Loki half-jokingly suggested that they temporarily turn their attention towards their own camp.

"Although Finn seems to be 'wavering' about something... I'm more worried about you."

Then, Loki muttered these words in a low voice.

"Hey, Miss Ais, didn't we just see the little dwarf and the young man?"

“!…”

That was shortly before Ais reported to Finn that "Bell has appeared on Daedalus Road".

Ais happened to see Bell and the goddess Hestia together.

The incident happened so suddenly that Ais's mind was in complete disarray, and she couldn't ask the ashen-faced boy anything. Later, Loki appeared and instructed Ais to find Finn.

At that time, Ais felt that Loki was deliberately keeping her away from the two of them.

Because Ais's state of mind (in certain aspects) worried her.

"Later, I didn't get anything out of the young man, but I did get some interesting information from the main god (the dwarf)... Do you want to hear it?"

Regarding this question, Ais said:

I don't want to hear it.

She made it very clear.

Ais was perhaps afraid of hearing the truth (something) that the chief god (Loki) was about to reveal.

She might just be pretending not to have noticed "that thing".

Ais recalled the boy's expression when he questioned her, and the strange monsters (beasts) that had clashed in the labyrinthine town. Even though some time had passed, these events continued to shake Ais's resolve.

Even the sense of security she felt upon seeing the "black bull" vanished like bubbles as soon as she stopped fighting with her sword. Ais was now wavering in her resolve.

Loki wasn't angry or upset about being rejected; he simply said, "Oh, really?"

"Then let's talk about something else. Ais, didn't you tell me about what happened not long ago?"

However, she wouldn't allow Ais to escape reality and continued to ask questions.

"You went after the kidnapped dwarf, and then you got into a mountain accident in the 'Bio Mountains,' right? You said you helped 'Aidas Village' back then... How do you feel about that now?"

Why bring that up now, in a place like this?

Why ask Ais in this way?

"Idas Village".

That was a village where the belief in the dragon was deeply rooted.

It is a secluded village founded under the protection of the demonic dragon Black Scale, a place where people live in seclusion and are isolated from the world.

She clearly tried to forget it. She clearly tried desperately to avoid facing it.

The sword-like will that Ais has always tried to hold onto will be shaken because of this.

Ais was unable to answer Loki's question.

She could only clench her fists tightly.

"Ais... you can choose whichever 'path' you want. You have that right."

"It's almost like I'm testing her," Loki said to Ais's retreating figure.

"No, Ais, you have to make your own decision, otherwise you won't be able to maintain your own identity. So, feel free to worry."

Listening to what the gods (we) say now will only confuse you further.

She went on to say this.

"No matter what answer I get... I'll still go buy fries with you again."

Without even turning around, he knew she was quietly gazing at him.

With a gentle expression accompanied by a faint smile.

"I say, Ais... that young man is quite interesting, isn't he?"

Loki stirred something in Ais's heart, but then changed the subject with a cheerful tone.

Young man—I'm referring to Bell.

The goddess clasped her hands behind her head and laughed like a child.

"At first, I just thought he was arrogant because he was a member of the dwarfs' family. But... he's really interesting, a genuine 'silly kid.' I understand now why that girl is so infatuated with him."

"...?"

Only then did Ais turn around for the first time.