A faint white mist shrouded the tenth underground level.
At the rear of the formation, Ais felt somewhat disheartened. The Sword Princess's progress had been stalled for far too long. Even someone hailed as a prodigy had stopped at level 5. Seeking a breakthrough, Ais wanted to seize every opportunity.
She had expected to be assigned to the young man's side so she could observe Bell Cranel up close. After hearing his account, Ais had grown deeply curious about his rapid growth. How could someone labeled the weakest adventurer defeat so many powerful enemies in just a few short days?
Unfortunately, the crucial role of bodyguard had been taken by the utterly unsuitable Lefiya. Ais couldn't understand the reasoning behind this arrangement and felt a tinge of disappointment.
If not that, then at least she should have been placed in the first position to engage the monsters. She had always been the sword that shattered enemy lines, charging at the very front. When arranging the formation, Finn seemed to consider this and smiled as he said, "If Ais were in front, I doubt any monster would live long enough to reach the boy."
To that, she could only respond with a muffled hum.
Ais was placed at the rear of the formation. Left behind.
Monsters were meant to be eliminated—every adventurer agreed on that—so this situation was clearly not her fault. She didn't intend to disobey orders, but since she was at the back, watching a little shouldn't be a problem.
Since entering the dungeon, she had been keeping an eye out for anyone who might attack from behind while also observing Lefiya and the boy from a distance. That was the source of Ais's frustration.
At first, her gaze was focused on the boy. Bell's technique when dispatching goblins was extremely refined, as sharp and efficient as the dagger in his hand, without a single wasted motion. It was a killing intent as clean and decisive as her own. No pity, no fear.
But with her years of dungeon experience, Ais could see one thing clearly: the boy was fundamentally different from her.
Pure, untainted emotion.
When Ais faced monsters, it was as though she were confronting revolting, ugly rotten flesh. Fueled by disgust and hatred, she moved instinctively, thrusting her slender sword.
Bell Cranel was different.
Encountering enemies, defeating monsters, retrieving the Magic Stone—he handled them as if he were knocking down straw targets. His eyes were fixed somewhere far above, and the monsters were merely stepping stones beneath his feet.
Ais didn't know what the boy was pursuing, but she could feel it. Compared to her own sorrowful vow, his was undeniably purer. His steady accumulation, his unwavering steps. Each one etched an indelible mark into his heart.
Watching his figure, Ais realized that this lonely trek through the dungeon had, at some point, grown much warmer.
With that slight shift in her mindset, another girl's figure began to draw the Sword Princess's attention.
These two… aren't they a bit too close?
Ais's evaluation of Lefiya was entirely different from the Main God's teasing remarks. This golden-yellow-haired Elf, though usually shy and timid, was incredibly reliable when it mattered.
After returning from the dungeon, Lefiya, Tiona, Tione, and Ais often went out together to shop and unwind. From Ais's observations, although Lefiya wasn't as touch-averse as some Elves, she definitely wasn't the type to be physically casual. The best proof was how she blushed shyly whenever Tione talked about men.
Yet now she was clearly very close to that boy.
Arguing?
Ais blinked. Before she could figure out what to do, the two resumed walking side by side.
Made up…
Those two… weren't they meeting for the first time today?
Ais had never seen Lefiya look that angry before.
The key point was that, just like the couples she'd seen on the street, they could quarrel fiercely yet make up just as fast.
Tione's evaluation was simple: they were just flirting.
Hmm...
Recalling that word, Ais unconsciously quickened her pace.
They're arguing again...
In the time it took to defeat a single War Shadow, Lefiya was already gripping her wand tightly once more, as if venting something. Ais couldn't hear their conversation, but one thing was obvious.
Lefiya... was crying...
Why?
I need to help her.
Ais rushed forward, but in the next instant, the boy and the golden-yellow haired Elf overlapped before her eyes.
...?
The boy's right hand was gently stroking Lefiya's golden hair.
Made up again?
Their relationship looked even better now...
Watching the warm scene from afar, Ais couldn't help remembering one of her dreams. A recurring nightmare, or perhaps a distant memory eroded by time.
A dark labyrinth. Monsters roaring. A looming shadow inching closer.
Those vague, terrifying dreams faded the moment a young man appeared. Then that young man stroked her hair.
Awkward, yet gentle enough to be unforgettable.
Ais looked at Lefiya, who was holding her staff and moving forward with light steps.
What does it feel like for you?
...
Her only response was Lefiya's faint smile. Judging from that slightly silly profile, she must have been smiling very happily.
But a second later, as a "Firebolt" flickered through the air, Lefiya fell into gloom again.
Ais really couldn't understand.
She was shocked by the boy's magic, yes, but right now, she was far more concerned about Lefiya's mood.
Is this... flirting?
As if responding to Ais's silent question, the two in the distance suddenly started running.
...?
After a short sprint, they began arguing again. Soon, their chase grew more heated.
Ais was certain now.
This scene was exactly like a bickering couple on the street.
Even the Captain, who had come specifically to observe from the shadows, left with a wry smile.
Wh-what should I do...
From what Ais had heard, the boy was supposedly the one the Goddess Freya favored.
Lefiya... was she going to end up as a love rival to a Goddess?
At that thought, Ais's mind immediately turned to chaos.
It wasn't until the two finally stopped and lay down on the grass that the Sword Princess reached a conclusion.
Leave it to Riveria... She'll definitely be able to handle this.
The white mist thickened, making it hard for Ais to see clearly.
Until a Kobold appeared.
On the tenth floor, where large-type monsters emerged, this was a crucial stage for testing a new adventurer's abilities. The boy gripped his dagger and advanced steadily. Within seconds, he had taken down the monster.
... So quickly? Has he already reached the peak of Lv1 strength?
In just a few days?
Ais looked at the fallen Kobold and overlaid it with the shadow from her dream.
On that day, the young man who saved her had said a few words.
"I cannot be your hero, for I already have your mother."
"I hope that one day, you will meet your hero."
Those distant words echoed again.
Ais recalled the warm hand that had stroked her hair. Gazing at the two figures in the distance, she silently thought:
If you had entered the labyrinth a few years earlier…
If Lefiya's place had been mine...
The Sword Princess pushed aside her tangled thoughts, yet for some reason, Tione's words kept circling in her mind.
"Ais, ignore those two. They're just flirting."
And with those words echoing inside her, the blonde girl felt nothing but growing frustration.
...
If you'd like to support my work and unlock advanced chapters, you can follow me on P@treon.
[Upto 50 chapters ahead for now]
[email protected]/PinkSnake