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

They walked through the crowds on the street, crossed the small bridge over the waterway, climbed the steps in the back alley, and finally arrived at a high platform.

This hill-like location offers a panoramic view of Orario's western district.

"So there's such a place..."

"Yes... I came here with Alexandra before."

Alexandra Roffer used to enjoy climbing to high places and looking out.

She would take Ryu to climb onto such a high platform or the roof of a suitable building, and they would chat freely under the blue sky.

Just like Ryu and the others now.

"...Five years ago, the goddess Astraea told me to 'abandon justice'."

Liu stood by the railing, gazing at the city view, and slowly began to speak.

She faced Bell, who was listening silently, and the vast, high sky, letting her voice drift away on the wind.

"I thought she was trying to drive me away. I thought the goddess was disappointed by my fall for revenge and withdrew the name of 'justice'... I thought she was just showing me the bare minimum of compassion by leaving 'blessing' on my back."

Ryu made this interpretation at the time, and believed that he had accepted the goddess's will.

She has yet to go and greet the departing god, only exchanging letters without meeting him, because she believes her right to "justice" has been stripped away.

Bell stepped forward as if to say something, but stopped when he heard Ryu's next words.

"But... it turns out I misunderstood."

Her gaze drifted into the distance, a smile playing on her lips.

That's right.

The goddess (Asteria) did not banish Ryu.

Instead, they tried to protect Ryu's body and mind.

"Revenge" can never become "justice".

However, trying to end the will to "revenge" can become "justice" that breaks the cycle of hatred.

But what would have happened if Astraea had told Ryu that "revenge will not achieve anything"?

One thing is for sure: he has gone completely mad.

Unable to seek revenge or forgive himself, he ultimately succumbed to his desires and chose to commit suicide.

The goddess must understand this very well, perhaps even better than the person involved (Ryu).

Therefore, Astraea is willing to violate the "justice" she is in charge of in order to protect Ryu.

"That goddess asked me to 'abandon justice' because of me..."

A goddess, for the sake of one of her followers, betrayed the truth she believed in.

She also took on part of Ryu's "revenge".

Then...

She believed that after being burned to ashes by the tattoo of vengeance, Ryu would rise again like a fairy reborn with wings spread.

I believe that Ryu will once again cherish "justice" in his heart.

"I have to thank you for this."

"what?"

Liu slowly turned her head from beside the railing.

Seeing Bell's eyes widen, Liu squinted her narrow eyes.

"Because you said that 'justice' still resides in my heart. Because you let me know that I still cherish the bond with the goddess Astraea... the things that Alexandra and the others left me."

That's why she was able to discover it.

They discovered that the "justice" within themselves remained closely connected to Astraea and the others.

That's why she was able to remember.

Thinking back to that day of parting five years ago, in the memory before the fog of regret dissipated, the goddess did indeed smile at her with tears in her eyes.

Therefore, that must be correct.

"Alyssa protected me, Seele saved me... and you enlightened me."

Alexandra guided herself.

Seele saves herself from the flames of revenge and points out the future left behind by Alexie and the others.

As for Bell...

He gave Ryu the "courage" to face her inescapable "past" and stayed by her side to support her.

Everything is continuous.

Those who shook hands with Ryu helped her survive.

Liu frankly expressed the overflowing gratitude in his heart.

"I haven't... told you yet."

With their backs to the warm sunlight and clear blue sky, Ryu and Bell faced each other.

"Thank you, Bell."

Then, she smiled.

"You are a respectable human being."

Her delicate lips parted, like a beautiful white flower.

Bell opened his eyes wide.

As if drawn by the smile of the fairy (elf).

Soon, a gust of wind blew past the two of them, first causing the pure white dress and white hair to sway, and then a smile spread across the boy's face.

He blushed with embarrassment, then broke into a wide smile of joy.

"Miss Ryu's smile is so beautiful right now."

“Eh…?”

"It's more beautiful than any smile I've ever had, and much more beautiful than back then."

That was in front of the tombstone of the Astrea Familia.

Deep red eyes, tracing back to the memory of that day surrounded by forests and crystals.

The boy, lost in his memories, smiled like an innocent child.

"I'm really happy to see Ms. Ryu smile like that."

These words are as pure as snow.

I was happy for her as if it were my own business.

When she saw his expression, Ryu felt her chest skip a beat.

I could also feel my cheeks starting to burn.

Not understanding what was going on, she couldn't help but lower her head.

"Miss Ryu...?"

Perhaps noticing something amiss in her expression, Belle moved closer and whispered worriedly in her ear.

Just that alone made Ryu's heart skip a beat.

Strange, my heart is pounding so hard. What's going on?

Overwhelmed by emotions she couldn't control, Liu panicked and, in a state of utter confusion, honestly answered:

"I...I can't look at your face..."

"Huh, why!?"

"I...I don't know either..."

Yes, she didn't know.

I don't know why, but just looking at the boy's face makes my cheeks burn.

I don't know why I feel so restless and uneasy.

She had no idea why she couldn't look into those deep red eyes.

"Bell! Excuse me!"

"Huh?!? Miss Ryu, Ryu-!?"

Liu finally couldn't take it anymore and ran away.

He left the astonished Bell behind and quickly fled the scene.

But, as expected, it still didn't work.

No matter how fast she ran, even if she pressed her hands to her chest like a young girl...

She still couldn't hide the throbbing deep in her chest.

"What... happened...?!"

Ryu did not find it.

Unbeknownst to them, their lips were unconsciously calling out the boy's name.

I didn't notice that her fair skin was completely flushed.

I couldn't discern the shape of the feelings that had sprouted in my heart.

"Oh, Alexie, what should I do...!"

Her face was flushed as she ran along with the gentle breeze that carried the city's hustle and bustle.

Liu couldn't help but turn to her closest friend for help.

"—Don't miss it!"

On the other side of the blue sky.

She seemed to hear the cheerful and optimistic voice of a girl laughing confidently.

Postscript to Volume 14

Before I started writing the original manuscript, I consulted with Awamura Akami-sensei from GA Bunko about many questions.

"The battle descriptions of the giant monsters almost made me unable to write anything... I wonder which attacks from the enemy leaders are particularly troublesome?"

"In the case of 'Monster Man,' the most difficult attacks are those from enormous creatures that fly around or land!"

(Ah, let's use this trick.)

My senior colleague explained it to me with a smile, while I quickly jotted down the information in my mental notebook.

This concludes volume fourteen of the main story. First of all, I sincerely apologize for the delay in publication; it's all the author's fault. I also sincerely thank all the readers for purchasing this volume after such a long wait.

There are many things I want to write about in this postscript.

Therefore, I suspect there might be a lot of plot spoilers, so please be careful.

First, the first half of the battle.

In a certain popular manga, my favorite weapon is the armored magic sword that can "transform!", but my second favorite is the light staff of a certain great demon king. It transforms into the strongest weapon when wielded by an extremely powerful demon king, but I can't help but wonder: what if it were wielded by a novice adventurer?

A weapon that grows stronger along with the user's power—I find that incredibly romantic, and quite captivating. The reason the protagonist of this story uses a goddess's dagger as his weapon is because of this background.

And I had already decided that the answer my partner, the magic swordsmith, found "must also be this."

I think the key is what the blacksmith said in the fourth volume of the main story: "The weapon and the user are one." Since they are one, they naturally have to become stronger together. I believe the answer the blacksmith has given this time is one of many choices, so I hope he can exceed the author's expectations like the protagonist and continue to forge some powerful weapons in the future.

I'd also like to mention the tragic prophet. I think many readers have already noticed that this character is based on a famous princess from Greek mythology, making her an unlucky character whose words and actions no one believes. However, I'm honored that Ryohgo Narita, the author of BACCANO! Great Disturbance! and Durarara!!, once praised this character.

"The Seer (Cassandra) and her best friend (Daphne) have such a great relationship! I bet in the end, it'll just end up with only her best friend believing in the Seer!"

"what?"

"what?"