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

"The 'heretics' all say, 'It's amazing you guys survived.'"

Welf told her about it.

"Lord Ryu, I'm so glad you're safe and sound!"

"Thank you... for saving Lord Bell."

He came to visit Ryu with Mikoto, who had recovered from her injuries, and Haruhime, and relayed their conversation with the lizardman Reed to Ryu.

"He didn't have much decent equipment, yet he managed to survive for several days in a place like that... Even I, a monster, get chills when I hear that."

After rescuing Bell and Ryu, they sped to the safe floor below to take refuge...

I heard that the "heretics" all said the same thing in front of Welf.

Four days.

Bell and Ryu were taken away by the "Orochi Well" and have been wandering in the "Deep Layer" for so long.

This also means that it would take so long for Welf and the others to fight the floor master (Amphispina), meet up with the "heretics," and then head to the 37th floor.

"When I learned from Fels that Uranus had asked us to go to the 37th floor... to be honest, I was terrified."

I also heard that while Lily and the others, as well as Anya and the others, were busy treating Bell and Ryu, they met up with Welf and Reid in a place where they wouldn't be discovered by Perth and the others.

They were able to locate Bell and Ryu's floor because the Old God gave them instructions through the "Eye Crystal" held by Reed. The Old God sensed the abnormal reaction of the "Zagnat," which was causing great trouble even in the dungeon—its independent "roar"—and thus quickly dispatched a rescue team to the 37th floor.

"That floor not only has no food, but it's also incredibly vast, and the people there are all extremely ferocious. Even we kids wouldn't linger there unless absolutely necessary. Besides, there aren't any secret 'guardians' like the Tree Dragon (Gu Liu) or the Mermaid (Mari)..."

"I thought so too... The passageways and walls there were ridiculously huge. I felt dizzy just looking at it and thought, 'How are we going to find Bell and the others in a place like this?'"

"Luckily, Little Bell and the others took the 'proper route' that the adventurers had mentioned. If they had stayed in the maze and were lost somewhere, they would have had no way of finding their way back."

Although they deduced the floor where Bell and his companions were located, the "Heretics" didn't know their exact location and could only rush straight along the regular route without thinking. They were only able to find Bell and his companions after hearing the sounds of their fierce battle with the "Zagnat".

This was all thanks to the two adventurers' unwavering will to return to the surface alive until the very end.

"Thanks to you all, we were able to rescue Bell. Also, please give our thanks to the mermaid."

In addition to using elixirs, they also used a dropped item called "mermaid's blood" during the emergency treatment. It was given to Reed and the others by Marie, a mermaid who couldn't leave the water, after she cut herself.

Since Marie had been bleeding to heal Bell since the battle on the 27th floor, the amount was not much—Mari insisted on continuing to bleed, but Reid and the others stopped her—but it was still very helpful in keeping Bell and Ryu, who were covered in wounds, alive.

Both Lily and Aisha believed that if Reed and the others hadn't secretly given the "blood" in the bottle to Welf and continued to administer the medication on their way up the stairs, the two would probably be in grave danger.

"Oh, it doesn't matter. ...But didn't some humans not know about us before? How should I put it, um, is everything alright?"

"Well, I don't know about the leaders of the inn town (Rivera) or those tavern people, but Big Guy and his group have probably already found out... However, those guys' guardian spirits are all good people. Let their [familia] figure out how to deal with this issue themselves."

Including the great battle on the 27th floor, some people have probably already realized that the monsters are helping Welf and the others. But it's not just Cassandra who keeps spouting about the revelations in dreams; Sakura and the others seem to have had a feeling about it ever since the battle of Daedalus.

Aisha and Tsubaki already knew about the existence of the "heretics." Daphne might be the most troublesome, but Welf has already decided to leave the rest to Mich or Takemikazuchi.

Therefore, this incident will absolutely not expose the existence of the "heretics," and worrying that Welf and others will be falsely portrayed as "enemies of humanity" is simply unfounded.

"...Hey, Welf. That fairy lady, and Bell...are you alright?"

He also said that when they were leaving the safe floor, Winnie the Dragon was quite worried about them.

"...Yes, we will definitely heal Bell and then let him meet with you again. We will also have that elf come along as a bodyguard."

Welf seemed unable to resist making this promise with the kind-hearted dragon girl.

The young blacksmith concluded by saying that after they barely made it past the 25th floor, which was still covered in ashes, they said goodbye to the "heretics" and then rushed back to the surface without stopping, thus bringing the whole topic to a close.

"Well, although this guy already said that... anyway, thank you for protecting Bell."

While pointing at Haruhime, Welf awkwardly thanked Ryu, who was lying on the bed listening.

Hestia and Lily, who had visited Ryu earlier, had said the same thing to him.

When Ryu replied, "To be honest, I dragged him into this. He's the one who saved me," Welf said:

"You've helped us more than once or twice, and this is the first time I've properly thanked you... Just take it all in, and accept it all honestly."

It's like proving where the "justice" that Bell explained to Ryu lies...

Welf and the rest of the Hestia Familia came to express their heartfelt gratitude to her.

"The Beast Tamer (Jalo Harma)... The remnants of the Rudra Familia have kicked the bucket, and Gale is dead too. That's how it is."

Aisha, who came alone, relayed the news to Ryu.

She told Ryu how the incident ended.

"Regarding the murder in 'Rivera Town,' your suspicion has been cleared. Although it seems that you were wrongly accused in the first place... and the 'abnormal situation' that occurred on the 27th floor was also entirely blamed on the Beastmaster (Jalo Harma). It was because of some big guy shouting and yelling loudly."

I heard that after Ryu and the others were sent to the treatment facility, this dispute happened at the guild headquarters...

"Listen up, [Hayate] has appeared! But that woman stepped in to protect us and kicked the bucket! [Hayate] is really dead this time!"

"N-Excuse me, could you please explain more clearly? We don't understand...!?"

"I don't understand what you're saying at all!?"

It is said that Perth rushed to the guild headquarters' service window before he could even heal his injuries.

He grabbed the half-elf and her waitress friend, who were eager to check on the adventurers' safety, and yelled so loudly that the other adventurers could hear him.

"This disaster killed countless of our comrades! But it wasn't [Gale]'s doing! The blame lies with those bastards of the [Rudra Familia]! That spirit fought to protect us until the very end!"

I heard that Perth smashed the broken wooden sword remnants of [Gale]'s weapon on the counter and kept spouting nonsense.

According to Aisha, Perth was repaying the life-saving grace in that way.

It is said that he was trying to protect Ryu, who was a wanted bounty target, and the reputation of [Hayate].

Perth, being both a second-tier adventurer and the leader of Rivera Town, seemed to carry more weight than Aisha had anticipated. Most of the street thugs accepted his explanation.

It is said that when adventurers first saw Perth, who wanted to capture the bounty hunter, change so drastically, the residents of the inn town were quite surprised, but in the end they believed the testimony of the few survivors of the incident.

Rather, it was because Perse's words and actions subtly revealed the adventurers' desire to "repay" favors they owed that no one objected. It seemed that word had already spread throughout the inn town that the elf who had gone to great lengths to assist in the defeat of "Black Goliath" was [Swiftwind].

Now, [Swift Wind] has become a "righteous ally" trying to stop the "villain's" evil scheme.

Many people didn't believe it, thinking it was just hearsay, but others believed it and were grateful.

Ryu blinked a few times, but it seemed the matter was already settled.

"Speaking of which... no matter what, that woman was originally a wanted person, and her belongings are right here. Plus, considering the bounty on Jarrow Harma, could you give me 30%... uh, no, even just 10% would be fine..."

"Uh, I think the possibility is extremely slim..."

"Even I think this is a bit of a farce... "

"Damn it!?!"

Hearing that Perth was trying to take advantage of the situation and had argued with the waitress, Ryu felt relieved.

Furthermore, the guild's higher-ups became unusually reasonable, accepting the news of [Swiftwind]'s death almost as if divine intervention had intervened. It's said that the official announcement was made a few days later.

As for "Zagnat," which caused the deaths and injuries of most high-level adventurers, and "Amphispina," which appeared despite the production intervals, strict gag orders were issued. It is said that since only a few people have witnessed the existence of the former, this "tragedy" has also been attributed to the floor master among the adventurers in the inn town.

In short, almost all of Ryu's constraints regarding "Gale" have now disappeared.

"Congratulations, former 'hero of justice'? Those who hold a grudge against you should finally give up now, and the mess you caused before will probably be romanticized too, right?"

Faced with the Amazon heroine's malicious smile and sarcastic remarks, Ryu, who was told to rest and recuperate, could only endure it with a straight face.

As for the "abundant mistress"...

"Miya's mother was furious because even Anya and the others ran out of the tavern to save Ryu."

According to Seele, who visited them on other days, it seems they are now working in the store every day and have no days off.

No wonder they hadn't come since the day she woke up. As Ryu realized this, she felt a little scared, thinking that she would soon face the same fate.

"Oh, and Mia's mother has something for you."

The light gray-haired girl, who had sneaked out from her crying and screaming colleagues, suddenly broke into a wide smile.

She said there was some leftover risotto at the shop and that you should come back early to eat it.

Hearing this message from the mother at the tavern...

Ryu felt a little... really just a little bit, and she felt like crying.

○

Walking under the blue sky.

Liu now feels that this alone is already a luxury and a source of happiness.

It is truly something to be grateful for to be able to bask in the sunlight and feel the gentle breeze like this.

"Sunlight……"

"Yes, it feels so comfortable...so warm."

As Liu shielded her eyes from the sunlight and looked up at the sky, a soft voice came from beside her.

The boy, who was also looking up at the sky, noticed Ryu's gaze and smiled shyly.

Ryu and Bell were strolling side by side down the street.

It's a bit strange to say they were discharged, but anyway, the two finished their treatment and were allowed to leave the "Tower of Babel".

It seems that Hestia and the others, along with Seele, took this thoughtful step in considering that the two had spent several days alone and wandering in the dungeon, allowing them to experience the long-lost surface world after overcoming such a harsh and dangerous situation together.

This thoughtful gesture made Liu frankly happy.

If Bell, who is standing next to me, feels the same way, I would be even happier.

"Miss Ryu, your dress wouldn't happen to be...?"

"Yes, I took it from Seele. ...Wouldn't that seem strange?"

"No! It looks amazing."

"...These are Seele's clothes, of course they look good."

Ryu was wearing Seele's clothes. It was a change of clothes that Seele had thoughtfully left behind when she visited her in the hospital because she thought wearing the tavern uniform was too inappropriate.

This is a pure white dress adorned with floral lace, perfectly suited for Ryu, who is an elf.

Ryu pressed down on the hem of her skirt, which was swaying at her knees, and answered Bell in a rash tone.

And the voice cracked a bit.

"How's your left arm?"

"Great. Even though I was told I absolutely couldn't exercise, I can move around just like before. Really, it's like I was never injured at all..."

Liu walked along, stealing glances at Bell's left arm.

The boy's once horrifying arm had been completely restored to its former appearance. At least, Ryu seemed to think it had been perfectly repaired.

The bandages were removed and replaced with metal braces on the elbows, wrists, or finger joints, reminiscent of a gauntlet missing some armor or an unfinished prosthetic.

"Actually, it seems there's no way to go back to the original state... It's practically like starting from scratch."

"...You can even do that?"

"It seems like we managed to do it..."

It's said that this is possible because the scarf used to replace bandages retains all the "tissues," including the bones. It's also said that if even one piece is missing, one would need a prosthetic leg like Nazha.

"The length of your arms doesn't seem to have changed either." Bell said, comparing the lengths of his arms. Liu looked at him, and the face of Amid appeared in her mind. She thought to herself: It seems that the city's top healer is indeed worthy of the name.

"By the way, how much did the treatment cost?"

"Uh... there are probably eight zeros at the end..."

"...!!"

"Ah, no, it's alright! The guild... or rather, I think it was Uranus and the others, who said it was an 'emergency' and helped me out! Hermes and the others also helped procure the materials needed for this healing magic item (stand)...!"

Bell quickly explained the situation to the speechless Liu; interspersed with this little episode, the two strolled through the city.

The gentle breeze caressing my cheeks is so refreshing.

The sunlight seemed to cleanse the body that had been embraced by darkness for many days.

The children who brushed past Ryu and Belle were all smiles, which made the two of them smile as well.

Peaceful clamor, gentle surface atmosphere.

The two strolled around, experiencing everything firsthand.