"The situation there is quite serious, Sword Princess. I hope you can lend your aid."
"I understand."
"If possible, I'd like you to go right away, all right?"
Hearing the man in black's plea, Ais hesitated for a brief moment before making her decision.
"I can go. But… could you please send a message on my behalf? To my family and to my companion waiting for me at Babel Tower?"
"There's no need. Just send the message to the Loki Familia."
As the voice echoed through the dense mist, both speakers instantly turned in that direction—only to see a red-haired boy gradually approaching.
"So this is the Archer? It would be wonderful if you came along as well."
Seeing that Shirou had no intention of stopping Ais, Fels welcomed his arrival.
As Shirou drew closer, Ais spoke with a hint of embarrassment.
"I'm sorry for leaving without your permission."
"I'm truly hurt. You'll have to make it up to me later. But for now, let's focus on the mission. After all, since you're leaving immediately, it must be urgent." Shirou replied.
"Since you've agreed, then let's depart. We'll discuss the details along the way."
"Let's go!"
With Shirou's reassurance, Ais accepted the mission and began writing a letter to Loki.
Once the letter was finished, the two quickly prepared to depart.
"You two, head first to the city of Rivira. The helpers I sent to fetch you are already there."
"Understood," Shirou responded.
Seeing that the man in black had nothing further to say, the two swiftly vanished from the tenth floor, making their way deeper into the dungeon.
Their first destination, of course, was Rivira, on the eighteenth floor.
"So, the anomaly on the 24th floor also appeared on the 30th? And that's where Hashana brought the orb," Shirou analyzed.
"Then, there's a good chance that red-haired woman is on the 24th floor, right?" he added.
"No wonder you're so anxious," Shirou teased.
He couldn't help but laugh as Ais repeatedly shook her head.
Could someone so innocent really panic?
Adorable.
The two soon arrived on the 18th floor. Looking around at Rivira—once again almost fully rebuilt—Shirou grinned.
"These guys really are skilled!"
"This must be the 335th time this city's been rebuilt!" Shirou joked.
Glancing around the restored city, they asked a few casual questions and eventually found the location of the tavern they were searching for.
It stood atop a rough stone outcrop to the north of town.
"This is it? Do people really come all the way out here?"
Shirou clicked his tongue in disbelief, surveying the desolate surroundings.
Normally, taverns thrived in bustling areas. But this "Golden Cave Tavern" was in such a remote spot, it felt strange no matter how you looked at it.
[A/N: For some reason, this reminded me of Escanor…]
Walking down the corridor, the two soon spotted the tavern entrance just ahead.
Pushing open the wooden door, they stepped inside—only to find the place unexpectedly lively.
The tavern wasn't large, containing only five tables and chairs. Yet at that moment, every one of them was occupied.
Shirou and Ais approached the bar, where only a single Therianthrope stood.
"Huh? Isn't that the Sword Princess?"
"Lulune?"
The Therianthrope girl before them was the very same they had met during the incident on the 18th floor.
Recognizing Ais, she greeted her excitedly.
"I'm so grateful to you, Sword Princess, for helping me last time. Otherwise, I'd probably be dead."
"Hey, you're thanking the wrong person. I was the one who saved you and Lefiya last time," Shirou interjected, clearly annoyed that Lulune only acknowledged Ais.
Though Shirou didn't particularly care for thanks, it was irritating to see someone else take all the credit right in front of him.
"Ah, my apologies, Mr. Archer. It's just that the Sword Princess looked so cool back then, I remember her vividly. But of course, I'm grateful to you as well."
Hearing her explanation, Shirou could only sigh in resignation.
In truth, he had fought the red-haired woman hand-to-hand to protect Lefiya—and had been instantly defeated.
Lulune hadn't witnessed the opening battle, nor the crucial teamwork between him and Ais to subdue the enemy.
No wonder she remembered only Ais.
Thinking that, Shirou's mood lifted almost immediately.
While Shirou and Lulune spoke, Ais had already reached the bar.
The dwarven owner approached her with a stern expression and asked,
"What'll you have?"
"Potato fritters with matcha cream."
Ais replied with dead seriousness.
The moment she finished speaking, Lulune, who had just been chatting with Shirou, toppled off her chair in shock.
"You're the helpers?"
As soon as Lulune spoke, every guest in the tavern suddenly stood, their eyes fixed on Shirou and Ais.
The sudden scene put both instantly on guard.
But soon they realized—these were the helpers the man in black had mentioned.
"Is it really them, Lulune?" asked a striking woman.
She was one of fewer than five people in Orario who possessed the skill Mystery. She was the captain of the Hermes Familia, Asfi Al Andromeda.
She was also among those who, alongside Hermes, would later rescue Bell in his time of peril.
A beautiful young woman with smooth, aqua-blue hair and glasses.
From Shirou's memories, she had led her Familia and Ais to the 24th floor. Though in the anime, their number had been only five.
Ais, of course, knew Asfi's name.
Looking at Lulune, Asfi, and the adventurers gathered around, Ais asked calmly:
"You also accepted the mission?"
Sighing helplessly, Asfi answered,
"This stupid mutt, who only cares about money, has caused tremendous trouble for our entire Familia."
"So, you went and accepted the mission anyway? That's bold. Not afraid at all?" Shirou smirked, teasing Lulune—the money-obsessed girl—as payback for her earlier slight.
"No! I refused! But he threatened me, saying he'd spread word that I lied about my level."
"In the end, that dragged us all into this mess!"
After hearing Asfi's summary, Shirou couldn't stop himself from making a face—like he wanted to laugh, but just couldn't.
---
(End of Chapter)
"Hmph. If you really want to be useful, then entertain me, try to throw those pathetic power stones at me. Let's see if even your insolence can amuse a king."