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

That was part of a magic circle.

It was through a "magic power" that far exceeded the norm, and through the results of rare talent and hard work, that the "magic" effect range that extended beyond the boundaries of the realm was activated.

It was a "magic net" cast wide across the area by "someone" on the same floor.

The magic circle spread across the ground rushed towards Fels and the others, speeding past their feet.

(Could it be a probe?)

You can feel the luster of jade from the sole of the shoe.

That "magical" reaction was like saying, "Gotcha!"

(—We've been caught!?)

In other words, this area is already within the effective range of the "shelling".

"Get out of the magic circle immediately!!"

As the overly skilled magician shouted the maximum warning...

"My name is Alfred."

The incantation (song) that should never have been heard began to play.

"【Advanced Sword of Victory】!"

From the ground ahead—from the magic circle—countless pillars of flame surged forth.

"Woo! Ooo ...

Seeing the large burst of flames shooting out in front of them, "they" screamed and jumped back.

Just before they were burned to ashes by the pillars of fire that erupted from beneath their feet, the group escaped the magic circle, avoiding being reduced to ashes.

An astonishing heatwave swept in, sending tens of thousands of sparks flying. In an instant, the labyrinth was transformed into a scorching world.

"Fels!?"

"...This is a specially made magical item (robe) that can resist 'magic' or 'curse'...I'm truly humbled."

Fels, who was at the front of the group, was the last to escape, his black clothes burned and tattered. He looked down at his smoking, charred black robe, and a groan, almost a bitter laugh, escaped from the depths of his dark hood.

Just as Fels was struggling to his feet with the help of one of "them"—a "whoosh!" was heard.

"I never expected to run into you in a place like this."

From the other end of the smoke-filled passage, a figure with long emerald-green hair appeared, his boots clicking.

It was Riveria, wielding a long staff, and the elves she led.

"[Loki Familia]...!"

The unexpected twist of fate caused Fels to groan.

While gathering intelligence on the twelfth floor of this man-made labyrinth, Riveria used a second-tier attack spell (High-level Sword of Victory) that could deploy a magic circle to distinguish between humans and monsters—or, to borrow the words of the main god, a "detector (radar)"—to scout out enemy activity on the same floor.

This act of searching for enemies is a precaution against an enemy force that is mainly composed of freaks. When she detects a "reaction" that is neither a remnant of the dark faction nor a "colorful monster," she immediately decides to strike first.

This was an "annihilation bombardment" that even the magician (Fels) hadn't anticipated—fire from behind a wall.

"The 'Armed Monster'...it slipped through Finn and his men's blockade and made its way here."

Rivera narrowed her eyes sharply, taking in the scene before her.

The "they" waiting behind Fels are a group of "armed monsters".

Eleven in total.

These monsters, through various forms of "assistance" or "divine conspiracy," survived the pursuit of the city's largest faction (Loki's Familia) and, through their outstanding performance, reached the man-made labyrinth.

Regardless of the process, Riveria realized once again that the monsters in front of her were a threat that should not be underestimated, given that they could appear here.

In this encounter orchestrated by someone behind the scenes, Riveria intends to annihilate the forces before her immediately.

"Rivia Leos Alfre. No, [Loki Familia], I want to talk to you."

Compared to the elven royal family who wanted to enter a state of combat without saying a word, Fels had a different approach.

He spoke first instead of rushing to act, in order to gain the upper hand.

Fels was fully aware that they were in a man-made maze, but in order to survive, he put the battlefield aside and prepared seats for "negotiation".

"...Are you the magician who lives with monsters, the messenger of the god Uranus?"

"That's right. I am here because I am following the will of the creator god of Orario."

Faced with Riveria's still stern questioning, Fels readily admitted it.

In this situation, hiding one's true identity is pointless. Seeing the magician use everything at his disposal and all the cards in his hand to try to "persuade" them—hearing the key phrase "the will of the Creator God"—Rakta and several young elves were indeed swayed.

This made Riveria secretly gasp in amazement.

The opponent's complete lack of resistance dampened everyone's fighting spirit. The other monsters were one thing, but the proud elves hesitated to attack the magician.

In this short conversation, Rivera realized that the magician in front of her was extremely intelligent and extremely difficult to deal with.

"After running around on the surface for so long, now that you're in trouble, all you want to do is 'negotiate' with us for your own convenience? Do you think I'd accept such a joke?"

"The surface is filled with malice towards monsters. Even if I were to forcibly make contact with you on the surface, I probably wouldn't be able to have a calm conversation with you. This has nothing to do with reason; it's a matter of 'emotion.'"

"..."

"And if others witness this 'negotiation,' your Loki Familia will be left with only the option of 'annihilating the monster.' Our only chance to 'negotiate' with you is through this unexpected opportunity… Can you understand?"

Indeed, he spoke very logically and eloquently.

Most importantly, this person is very good at engaging in "verbal battles".

Needless to say, the lifespan of the Elven royal family is longer than that of other elves, but Riveria intuitively understood that the other party was more "experienced" than herself and knew that the magician in front of her was more "intelligent" than herself.

I also know that it's impossible to refute someone by pointing out grammatical errors.

"...I'm only good at spouting grand principles, and these words probably won't be enough to move you. I hope you can listen to what the 'parties involved' have to say."

At this moment, Fels made way for a lizardman to step forward.

The ugly monster's face was devoid of any discernible expression. Yet even Rivera could see that its bright yellow eyes, which held a hint of "reason," were tense.

"...Kid, we just want to save Winnie...save a fellow dragon girl (Vivel)."

Upon hearing the monster speak, Alicia and the others were horrified.

"It spoke!?"

"A monster can...!?"

"This is so disgusting...!"

The elves immediately groaned.

Although there are differences between individuals, it is normal to have this kind of reaction.

They shrank back in disgust, their angry eyes darting about in panic.

On one hand, it's because they are elves with obsessive-compulsive disorder about cleanliness, but on the other hand, the fact that "monsters can talk" is what makes it so shocking.

Apart from Riveria, who had already shared information with Finn, everyone else showed intense confusion.

"Kid, we went to the surface because we wanted to rescue our companions. Kid, we didn't want to attack humans, and we didn't want to kill anyone!"

Hearing this sincere and earnest plea, Alicia and the others were speechless for a moment.

Immediately afterwards, the black-clad creature shook itself again as if urging someone to hurry, and a beautiful singing bird emerged.

It has golden feathers and golden wings, and most notably, it possesses a beauty that rivals that of an elf.

Its appearance was so similar to that of a human.

"Most importantly... we want to talk to you. Not to fight, but to talk..."

Hearing its human language, which was even less fluent than that of the lizardmen, the crowd's confusion intensified.

Riveria didn't need to look behind her to clearly sense the elves' panic.

Very clever, and cunning.

Rivera tried to think this way as objectively as possible.

The enemy chose the most opportune moment to send out humanoid monsters that resembled humans. Hearing such a request from a monster that resembled themselves or others, the elves were already in a sorry state.

"What nonsense are you monsters spouting...!"

"But Miss Alicia, what if what they say is true..."

"Then aren't we, who are unwilling even to talk... even worse than monsters...?"

"The two sides did indeed clash on the surface several times, but looking back now, it all seems to have been purely self-defense..."

"...!"

The elves were wavering and their wills were uncertain.

Finn was afraid of this. He was afraid that if people acknowledged that some monsters could be communicated with, adventurers would feel confused when wielding their swords.

They were afraid that everyone would become unable to slay the "monsters".

"We call monsters with reason... we call them 'heretics (Zenos)'."

Fels saw through the wavering between Alicia and the others, as well as Lakta, and continued speaking.

"They are our 'hope'."

""hope"……?"

"That's right—my chief god Uranus hopes for a symbiotic relationship between humans and monsters."

Fels didn't miss the opportunity and dropped a "bomb" with precision.

An unprecedented shock flashed across the faces of Alicia and the others.

"Varied……!?"

"What are you talking about!?"

"This history of mutual hatred and bloodshed is meaningless... We want to put an end to it. For this purpose, 'heretics' are the last hope."

Don't listen to him, don't pay attention to him.

Rivera could have easily given such instructions to the girls who had turned pale and were shouting back.

However, she could not resist her own heart.

She felt she needed to know what the magicians and monsters before her wanted and what their goals were before she could provide the "answer." She also felt that if she killed them without explanation, she would become a barbarian.

She was, after all, a typical elf.

"The existence of 'heretics' could potentially serve as a bridge between humans and monsters. They don't want to be aggressive; instead, they want to understand us humans through language and reason, and live with us... This is what they have always been asking for."

"...!?"

"The legendary creator god (Uranus) who offered his 'prayer' to the Underworld has accepted it. He said that the 'heretic' is an 'abnormal situation' that even the Mother (the Underworld) could not have foreseen, and a brand new 'possibility' that the Underworld has given birth to over the long years."

Fels spoke these words with his back to the lizardmen and other monsters, and Alicia and the others listened intently.

Uranus is revered as a "god" in Orario for his great achievements. His title carries great authority and is so lofty that the elves can't help but think, "Perhaps it really is true."

Ethical values ​​are crumbling, and common sense among humankind is about to collapse.

The elves were forced to stand in a narrow gap of disgust and confusion, their minds on the verge of coming to a standstill.

The biggest point is that while encountering a normal monster would produce a strong sense of "repulsion," the monster in front of them didn't cause this feeling, which is probably the most puzzling reason for Alicia and the others. Ironically, the presence or absence of the "monster smell" actually made Fels's statement more "convincing."

If they had sensed that "repulsion," Alicia and the others wouldn't have paid any attention and would have already attacked.

Riveria must be the same.

"It's okay if you don't accept it right now. But in order to one day transcend the boundaries between the surface and the underground and end this negative chain... I hope you can try to understand them."

The magician extends a hand.

He was pleading with Riveria and the others to let them go this time.

Behind the magicians, the eyes of the monsters watched them.

That is the "wish" and "aspiration" to get to know and understand the human race (you).

The lizardmen, the singing birds, the half-human, half-snake, the unicorn, the troll, and many other monsters watched them without uttering a sound.