The air was filled with that indescribable, faint scent of incense unique to pages accumulated over the years.
Unknown depths underground.
In a pitch-black space, illuminated only by the light of the lantern in hand, books, parchments, and scrolls were carefully placed in different zones on rows of bookshelves, categorized by era as the "unit."
This was the Guild's underground "Reference Room," a place where only a very small number of personnel possessed the authority to enter.
Isagi had obtained permission from Fels to come and consult the materials he needed.
And so—
"[Dawn-Dark Moon] Elron Delmarth... there is no such person."
Recalling the "BOSS" he had encountered in the Dungeon earlier, who should have been an adventurer who died inside the Dungeon, the Guild's records here yielded absolutely nothing about him.
It shouldn't be.
Regarding the "Red Spirits" encountered previously, he had been able to find out exactly who they were and which Familia they belonged to right here.
This even included the red-haired woman he had brought to the city surface from the Dungeon earlier, the one who acted as an "Executive of the Dark Familia."
She called herself "Revis."
But in reality, her appearance was extremely similar to an adventurer from over nine hundred years ago.
Years had diffused across that yellowed, nearly crumbling page. The portrait upon it was already mottled, but one could still faintly discern that it was her appearance.
[Affiliated with 'Alector' Familia. Name is... Ruvinas Zelda. Race... Elf.]
"What is the situation with this one?"
Isagi was very sure that the red-haired woman he brought to the city did not have the pointed ears of an Elf.
Forget it.
No matter how many secrets she held, after tonight, she should be spitting them all out.
According to Astrea.
The Guild had contacted Goddess Freya, hoping to borrow her divine power of charm to forcibly make her speak the intelligence. And since she was involved with those Man-eating Flower monsters that possessed "Abnormal Magic Stones" in the Deep Floors, the Goddess of Beauty nodded and agreed to the invitation.
Originally, during the [Great Feud] era, Goddess Freya had done similar things, so she was considered quite familiar with the process.
"Isagi, still haven't found it?"
"No."
Coming out of the Guild's underground "Reference Room," Isagi saw Ryuu-senpai waiting for him outside.
The girl was also somewhat surprised by this.
Theoretically speaking.
The Guild should hold the data of all adventurers active in Orario since the gods descended to the Lower World. Even if some Familias concealed information, there would definitely still be basic records of "this person."
How could absolutely no information be found?
Could that guy named "Elron Delmarth" encountered in the Dungeon earlier not be an adventurer? It couldn't be that the Dungeon blindly fabricated him, right?!
That would be a bit too convincing—
It was currently night.
Only a day had passed since he and the girls returned to the city from the Dungeon.
Everyone went back to their respective homes yesterday and rested for a whole night. Subsequently, he ran over here wanting to query which former adventurer that nameless hero titled "Dawn-Dark Moon" actually was, but the result was total ignorance.
On the contrary, Fels and the others spent a day and found Revis's "True Identity."
Winter was deepening.
It was unknown when the continuous snowfall of recent days had stopped, making tonight especially bright. The stars and the full moon imprinted on the pitch-black canopy were even somewhat dazzling to the mind.
Ryuu-senpai was breathing small puffs of air.
The Elf girl seemed unaccustomed to such cold weather; it was said that Orario wasn't this cold in previous years.
Faint white mist drifted from her small mouth, dissipating quickly after a short while.
The accumulated snow on the long streets hadn't melted yet, appearing somewhat heavy and thick. Together, the two made "crunch, crunch" sounds as they walked past the Adventurer Street where the Pantheon (Guild Headquarters) was located, weaving through a crowd of noisy guys reeking of alcohol, preparing to go home.
From the distance.
Waves of grand bell tolls and the voices of children and young girls singing loudly together could be heard.
That was in the direction of the Old Main Street.
Isagi and Ryuu could both see that towering "Elf Hall" amidst the layers of old brick and wooden houses.
They must be holding some kind of event.
Orario was always very lively; after all, it was a famous "Tourist City" on the continent.
And the Elf Hall in the distance was an extremely renowned landmark of the city. Its full name was the "St. Flandre Elf Hall." It was said to be a sanctuary built by the hero who established Orario's initial prototype—the "Fortress City" defending against the Great Hole—
"St. Flandre," in memory of his beloved Spirit.
"Ancient people..." The Elf girl spoke softly. "Seem to have confused Spirits with Elves."
But it might also be a language issue of ancient times. It was said that in the ancient era, people were accustomed to calling "Spirits" as "Elves" (Jingling), and calling current "Elves" as "Fairies" (Yaojing).
In short.
He was a considerably famous hero. There were even adventure tales like "Flandre of Water and Light" handed down. Isagi remembered hearing Tiona talk about it.
In this world, "Heroes" had truly existed.
Before the gods came to the Lower World, monsters surged out from the Great Hole (Dungeon), sweeping across the entire world, destroying villages, forests, towns, kingdoms...
And so.
Heroes of various races finally gathered together, cutting through thorns and thistles from all over the world to come here.
No.
At the very beginning, they established a fortress on the outskirts of Orario, using it as an "Outpost" to defend against monsters. Casting it with iron and blood, they continuously repelled countless monster attacks. Finally, they established the prototype of Orario, which was the initial "High Wall."
Under the winter night.
That incredibly towering city wall in the distance still stood erect after a thousand years. It was not used to defend against adventurers, nor was it used to defend against wars coming from outside the city or anything else.
From beginning to end, Orario's walls defended against the Dungeon enclosed in its center, and the monsters that would constantly emerge from within.
"But isn't that a bit wrong?"
On the way back, Ryuu-senpai expressed her view.
"The Old Main Street is also a part of the city left over from a very, very long time ago. It is said that before the gods came to the Lower World, the city already existed."
"Seems so."
Isagi also recalled the fairy tale of "Flandre of Water and Light" that the Amazon girl had mentioned.
In the story.
The Spirit girl's tears had once submerged the city.
"So, before the gods came to the Lower World, the heroes had already suppressed the Great Hole, and even established a habitable fortress inside the city walls?"
"Probably."
Relying solely on a group of heroes, it would definitely be impossible to defend against all the monsters coming out of the Great Hole.
Therefore.
There must have been many, many "soldiers" here at that time.
Besides that, with so many people stationed here, they naturally needed to live. Eventually, a city would naturally form—just like the current Orario.
There wasn't much difference between adventurers and the soldiers who guarded this place back then, right?
"I estimate that at that time, a second wall was built right in the Central Park. The heroes might have even led troops to actively enter the Dungeon, constructing defense lines inside, and entering... exploring..."
As he spoke.
Isagi seemed to have a sudden realization. Ryuu beside him also blinked, evidently thinking of something at the same time.
That's right!
If, before the gods came to the Lower World, the heroes of the past not only built Orario's walls but went a step further, completely turning the surroundings of the Dungeon into a fortress and sealing it off, then naturally, they possessed the ability to enter the Dungeon's interior.
[Why do monsters appear?]
[Why are the monsters in the Dungeon endless?]
[How exactly can this problem be solved?]
No one knew the answers to the questions, so they could only explore the Dungeon.
So—
[The Nameless Hero].
Was he someone who died in the Dungeon during the ancient era, before the gods had come to the Lower World?
It seemed.
That he was also a remarkable "Warrior."
Isagi was willing to call such a person, who was heroic, fearless, and undaunted by danger, a warrior...
...
After a long time, treading on the snow of the long street.
The boy and girl returned to the [Garden of Stars] deep in the alley.
The house was brightly lit. In a corner of the courtyard, the small Golden Tree still shone brightly amidst the large expanse of silvery-white snow. Beside it, several snowmen piled up with apples and carrots messily used for eyes and noses were still "holding hands" there.
He didn't know if it was Lefiya or Tiona's masterpiece.
The lights were also still on in Cecil's workshop. The girl was probably busy repairing and maintaining weapons and armor for him and Ryuu-senpai. The red brick chimney was emitting thick smog; she would likely be at it until dawn again.
Not long after Isagi and Ryuu returned, Freya finally arrived.
The Goddess of Beauty wore an ordinary dark cloak, concealing the beautiful face under her silvery-gray long hair beneath a hood.
Heith also followed by her side, walking in together.
Astrea went to welcome the other party. Subsequently, together with Loki who was also present at the moment, the three Goddesses went to the small room where Revis was detained.
He and the girls were forbidden from following along, but it didn't take long. Maybe just a few minutes?
Very quickly.
Things were already settled over there.
When Isagi went over, he only saw Revis lowering her head slightly, speaking everything she knew.
The woman's originally ruthless face was now as dull as a wooden puppet. Her eyes were lifeless, only staring infatuatedly in the direction of the Goddess of Beauty—Goddess Freya sat quietly to the side, revealing only a gentle smile from the face concealed by the hood.
Aside, Goddess Loki was taking notes. During each inquiry, she asked Revis to say it once, and then Goddess Freya would repeat it to Revis once, before the other party would open her mouth to answer.
It made the scene appear extremely eerie and calm.
Is this the power of a god?
[Charm].
It couldn't even be counted as using divine power, but rather a "thing" naturally possessed by the Goddess of Beauty. Just like how Goddess Demeter could grow fruits and vegetables that shouldn't exist in the Lower World, and the Gods of Blacksmithing could create "attributes" that mortals could never endow upon weapons and armor no matter what.
Isagi once again felt that astonishing "impact," similar to when he first witnessed the power of Divine Wine.
Goddess Astrea had also said before.
In the past, the gods of the ancient era often held a mentality of "fun" and "amusement," throwing so-called [Gifts from Heaven], which were [Divine Artifacts], down to the Lower World.
Subsequently, this caused tragedy after tragedy.
Some ancient heroes even became hostile toward gods because of this—among them, it was said that the Elven Royalty of Alf Royal Forest, as well as some traditional Elves, held an extremely distrustful attitude toward gods precisely because of this origin.
Gods only needed to use a tiny bit of power lightly, and it was enough to toy with the lives of the children of the Lower World.
This was an established fact.
The inquiry lasted for most of the night, and the harvest was quite substantial.
Loki organized her notebook, preparing to call the Guild in two days, and then everyone would hold a meeting to discuss the results.
It was already late at night.
Miss Heith silently followed Goddess Freya and left first. When leaving, she waved at him while blinking her eyes, seeming to want to say goodbye but finding it hard to say anything. She merely nodded, then turned and left.
Naturally, Loki also had to go back, but well—
"Tonight, I'm taking Little Isagi away~"
The red-haired Goddess was the same as always. Even though it was a very serious matter, coming from her mouth, it was simply improper to some extreme!
Tonight.
He indeed had to go to the Loki Familia.
It was promised to Ais before. After returning from the Dungeon, enough energy had been collected to open the [Dark Hall] again. Therefore, the girl also wanted to enter it again to challenge special monsters in that "World" full of starlight.
This didn't really matter, but opening the [Dark Hall] required him to fall asleep. So, he had to go sleep at the Loki Familia today.
Why did it sound so strange when spoken aloud?!
Clearly, it wasn't anything strange!
After all, if it were up to Ais herself, she could run over here late at night, wait for him to fall asleep, and then "come in."
However.
It was said that she was stopped by her "mother," and after hearing about the previous incident, her mother thunderously "disciplined" her.
Thinking about it, that made sense. What kind of girl runs to a boy's room in the middle of the night, then sleeps lying on top of him, and even enters a dream together? Just thinking about it was too strange.
So, this time he needed to go to the Loki Familia.
Isagi himself didn't mind.
And so—
[Twilight Manor].
Located on the side of the bustling North Main Street, the building composed of a western-style mansion and towers gave people a rather strange sense of beauty.
At this moment.
Ais was excitedly fully armed, just waiting for Isagi to come and sleep!
[So strange, this is too strange!]
Looking at the golden-haired girl who had slept beautifully for a whole day just to maintain energy and adjust herself to the "peak state."
Riveria rubbed her forehead. She always felt that her waiting alongside her for the boy to come and sleep was also a bit too strange.
What kind of situation is this!
But Riveria was indeed very curious.
She could understand special Dungeons and the like; it just meant the monsters inside became stronger—of course, judging by Gareth and the others' past experiences, "stronger" wasn't enough to describe it all.
But the Dwarf uncle also found it difficult to explain to his companions what "absolute malice that wants to kill you anytime, anywhere" meant.
The Elf High Princess wasn't arrogant, but because she hadn't seen it, she couldn't understand.
Sometimes, words and language are pale.
She knew this point as well.
So, tonight she thought to personally try it out. And truthfully, she wanted to know what that incomparably magnificent place, completely different from the usual Dungeon as described by Ais and Gareth, actually looked like.
Leaving Alf Royal Forest, Riveria, as the Elf High Princess, had an initial dream no different from the vast majority of ordinary young people.
She was just tired of her hometown, so she wanted to go out and venture, to take a good look at this world.
And now, she had already traveled the world.
Staying in Orario, aside from the Familia having long become her home, the exploration of the Dungeon was attracting her.
Riveria still wanted to see all of this world. No matter how deep and pitch-black the Dungeon was, it was no exception.
Waiting appeared especially long.
Especially after chasing away Gareth, who originally also wanted to wait here together to enter the boy's dreamland.
The Dwarf uncle was chuckling; he actually ran over to join in the fun! This guy's own tasks weren't finished yet!!
The general offensive on the Artificial Labyrinth was imminent.
The preparation and inventory required, whether weapons, armor, or items, were all his duties. How did he have the nerve to come join the fun!
Finn had been incredibly busy with this, not having slept for several days.
As for herself?
Her Highness the Princess was responsible for managing the Familia's Elf Mage Unit. Originally, she was indeed very busy, but her compatriots had a relatively strong sense of "self-management" (they respected the Royalty very, very much). Therefore, for most things, there was no need for Riveria to say anything; they would do it well themselves.
This was what allowed her to have free time tonight, preparing to accompany Ais into the boy's dream.
"...!!"
Excited, excited, excited!
After Gareth left, the consistently excited golden-haired girl kept walking back and forth in the room, her face full of small expressions of anticipation.
Not only was she looking forward to entering and fighting powerful monsters to hone her mastery and technique with different weapons.
More importantly, this time she was with "Mama" Riveria.
Last time she didn't perform well because she was unfamiliar!
But this time, with the two of them, "mother and daughter together," were they afraid they couldn't handle those little monsters in Isagi's dream?!
It wasn't until midnight.
Isagi finally arrived at Twilight Manor with Goddess Loki.
Looking at Ais and Riveria who had waited for him for a long time, why did Isagi feel the atmosphere was so strange?
Especially—
In the room Loki prepared for him.
The golden-haired girl, as well as the elegant and noble Elf High Princess, were both staring straight at him from the side. Who could fall asleep lying on the bed like this!
It became even stranger!!
By the warm glow of the Magic Stone lamp in the room, Ais sat on the chair by the bed, still using that naturally airheaded, pretty little face to look over motionless and expressionless.
The pure white tight-fitting dress appeared fitting yet undulating over her figure that seemed to have just started developing.
Beneath that slender waist, the skirt hem that barely covered her thighs, and the sky-blue high boots, always made people suspect what their actual use was.
On the other side.
Isagi was also finally able to get a real, clear look at the appearance of this city's strongest "Mage"—[Nine Hells] Riveria Ljos Alf.
She had long, deep green hair, and eyes that were also an elegant green like jade. The obviously mature woman always involuntarily revealed a serious expression on that incomparably beautiful face, indeed giving people a slight feeling of being "scary."
No wonder every time Tiona spoke of her, she had the look of a mouse seeing a cat.
Her attire was also that of a very traditional adventurer.
An ordinary light-colored shawl, a dark robe that wrapped tightly around her entire body, and similarly plain-colored trousers and high boots.
It definitely couldn't be talked about as beautiful fashion.
But even so, that touch of grace and nobility naturally possessed by the woman couldn't be concealed no matter what.
"I say, can you two go out and come in after I fall asleep?"
"?!"
Ais had a face full of "It needs to be like that?" expression.
While on the other side.
Seeming to also realize something, Riveria, who had maintained a serious expression since just now, blushed slightly. Subsequently, she grabbed the golden-haired girl and took her out.
"Trouble you to turn off the light."
Click.
As the room door was closed, the Magic Stone lamp's glow was extinguished as well.
In the darkness, the faint, sweet scent of the "mother and daughter" still lingered. He didn't know if it was body fragrance or something else.
The milky scent similar to mint and a summer breeze blowing over grass, still carrying a hint of coolness, was Miss Ais's. He was very familiar with this.
And on the other side.
The faint, deep woody incense mixed with the fragrance of grass and trees, carrying nature and clear springs, like the morning mist deep in the forest, should be Miss Riveria's.
Ah—
What kind of situation is this.
Closing his eyes, Isagi wouldn't go so far as to be unable to sleep in an unfamiliar place.
But he still felt it was very strange.
Speaking of which, the ring given to him by the Dungeon that could open the [Dark Hall]... its function was too unintelligent, right? It was fine that he needed to kill monsters in the Dungeon to charge it.
But he also had to sleep himself to "pull" others inside together.
Shouldn't it be that with a wave of his hand, or even a glare of his eyes, he could grab others inside...
"Phew..."
Accompanied by very faint breathing sounds, Isagi had already entered dreamland.
Meanwhile.
Ais, who had been "eavesdropping" pressed against the door in a considerably suspicious posture since going out, pushed the door open and entered at the first moment!
Regarding this.
Riveria once again felt some kind of headache.
The woman and the girl did not turn on the light. Instead, just like that, by the faint shimmer of stars and moon outside the window that remained bright and brilliant in the deep winter season, they walked into the room and quietly closed the door.
Why do such suspicious things?!
Speaking of which.
From a physical standpoint, the boy before her eyes was indeed a perfect score, just as Alicia had said.
Thinking about such things at a time like this.
Riveria didn't feel anything was wrong; on the contrary, she believed she was thinking about "important matters"!
Elves were indeed "appearance-focused."
Not simply pointing to looks, but a synthesis of physique, conversation, temperament, and so on. Or rather, one had to be impeccable in all aspects.
For the vast majority of Elves who always paid great attention to their own appearance, this was indeed a rigid requirement.
They demanded this of themselves.
And demanded it of others.
So, being unpopular a lot of the time was also due to this.
By that thin moonlight, Riveria looked even more clearly at the boy's resolute face lying on the pillow.
Even though he was asleep, that certain sharp temperament he carried still existed.
Although he was always smiling slightly, seemingly with a gentle appearance of not caring about anything, Riveria was a veteran adventurer after all. She could feel that incomparably impassioned, even arguably somewhat excessive "sharpness" within the boy's heart.
He was a terrifying enemy who would bite you once even at the cost of his own death.
This was Riveria's intuition.
And fortunately, the boy was a dependent of the Goddess of Justice, not an enemy.
Inexplicably.
Riveria even heaved a small sigh of relief.
"Ais, what do we do next? How do we enter his dream—"
Just as she was speaking.
Immediately after, the Elf High Princess saw a scene she absolutely dared not believe.
That is, Ais, this fellow, actually ran to the boy's bedside in a flash, and then, while beckoning to her, fell straight down toward him just like that.
"?!!"
Too natural, right?!
Looking at the girl who lay directly onto the bed... ah no, onto the boy's body, Riveria almost thought she had seen wrong!!
However.
Just as Riveria walked over hurriedly, wanting to pull her own "daughter" up from Isagi's body.
Suddenly, a sleepiness surged from who knows where—
Just like the power of a god that children of the Lower World could not resist at all, Riveria's vision also went black. Subsequently, she also fell toward the bed.
"!"
A small muffled sound came.
Isagi, who was already asleep on the bed, furrowed his brows. He felt his body was terribly heavy, but this feeling was somewhat familiar, so he didn't sense anything wrong.
At the same time.
The "Souls" or "Consciousnesses" of the woman and the girl, or whatever things they were.
In short, when Ais and Riveria both opened their eyes, they found that they had already arrived inside that abandoned, dim castle hall.
____
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