"This... we really don't know." The shopkeepers exchanged uncertain glances, "I only remember that with the Sword Princess was a child wearing a tattered black cloak who didn't look like a member of the Loki Familia."
At that moment, Villy, who happened to be passing by, chimed in, "You're talking about Miss Sword Princess, right? She booked a room here the day before yesterday. The one with her appeared to be a supporter from the Soma Familia. They left early the next morning, likely heading to the Dungeon."
"As I thought." Riveria frowned with concern, "Do you know their destination?"
"That... I'm not sure." Villy spread his hands and sighed, "We innkeepers don't make it our business to pry into our guests' plans. But it's impressive, isn't it? Can the Sword Princess already venture deep into the Dungeon alone? It hasn't even been a year. She'll probably reach Level 3 before long."
Hearing this, everyone began discussing enthusiastically.
Riveria quietly withdrew from the crowd, glanced at the base of the central tree, and rushed off with determination.
The Dungeon was dangerous, just as she had heard. Evilus' pawns had already infiltrated various chambers of the labyrinth, and Adventurer killers frequently committed crimes. If Aiz was alone and encountered these people, something terrible could easily happen.
"Just wait, this time, I'll definitely teach you a lesson you'll never forget."
❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈❈
Dungeon, 19th Floor.
Kael carried Aiz on his back, drops of sweat falling onto the tree trunk, leaving a trail of moisture.
The journey back through just 4 floors proved more difficult than he had imagined after losing the girl. Even with Reverse Veil concealing his tracks, it still took a full day and night before he reached the middle section of the 19th Floor.
"Although, I did take some time to collect white tree leaves for emergencies..."
By now, it was the 5th day since Kael had entered the Dungeon, with only a day and a half left until his ability refresh.
"Once I return to the surface, my skills will refresh. I must make the most of this time."
After going without sleep for a night, his body was extremely fatigued. He still needed time to rest and adjust his physical condition to prevent any lingering aftereffects.
As he pondered this, the head on his shoulder gently stirred. Aiz, who had been asleep for a day and night, slowly awakened.
She had experienced a very long dream. In it, she appeared during her parents' bloody battle and, with a single wind strike, cut off the black dragon's head. Her father stood stunned, patting her head and repeatedly saying "good girl, good girl", while her mother hugged her with a smile.
The dream continued with a grand celebration in Orario, where Aiz's statue was carved on the Hero's Bridge.
"World's strongest swordswoman!"
"Sword Princess! Sword Princess!"
"Hero! Hero! Hero!"
The crowd cheered...
She remained immersed in this world of happiness and clamor, unwilling to wake up. Yet in her dream, someone seemed to be missing...
"I will become the world's strongest! So that even the gods cannot sway my will!"
"If living isn't for becoming stronger, how is it different from being a walking corpse!"
"Don't be afraid, we can win, together! As we promised, to create a legend!"
"I believe in you!"
Crack—
The dream shattered, and when she opened her eyes, she saw gray short hair slightly damp at the tip of her nose.
"Yo. Awake? You sleep more than a pig. Being this lazy, how will you become the world's strongest?"
"The future world's strongest!"
"Yeah, yeah."
...
Sensing the young man's heavy footsteps, Aiz voluntarily jumped down from his back.
"Tired?"
"Ah, I'm dying. You getting down really helps." Kael stretched his back and sighed in relief.
"Did we win?" Aiz asked, clearly more concerned about the battle outcome.
"Mm."
"Mm!"
"You'll see the results when you get back, don't be surprised."
"Mm!"
"Can you say something other than 'mm'?"
"Mm?"
Kael sighed, "Forget it, expecting an airhead to make long speeches is my mistake. Since you're awake, you take the lead. I need to rest a bit."
"Mm-hmm." Aiz's eyes curved with happiness.
"..."
However, this pleasant atmosphere quickly vanished from the little girl's face.
Suddenly, loud noises erupted nearby.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
The violent clash of blades mingled with the roar of cannon fire.
"Harbinger of the end, the white snow. Blow with the wind before the twilight. Closing light, the freezing land. Blizzard, the three severe winters - my name is Alf!"
❈ Wynn Fimbulvetr! ❈
The green-haired elf raised her silver staff while standing on a brilliant magic circle. Extreme cold frost spread around her, making her clothes billow in the magical wind.
"Uwaaaaaaaaaaah—it's the Nine Hell! Why is she here?!"
"Retreat! Retreat!"
"Is that Riveria?" Aiz froze for a second, then instinctively rushed forward, "I need to help her!"
Kael reached out his hand, then covered his face in resignation, "Young lady, you're... just asking for trouble."
Sword light enveloped in wind pressure instantly killed two fleeing Evilus minions.
"Riveria! Cover me!"
"Aiz——!"
"!"
Mother and daughter locked eyes, and when Aiz saw the fury almost spewing from Riveria's eyes, her eager smile instantly froze.
"Watch out!"
While Aiz was stunned, a man in a black suit with deep red short hair and squinting eyes suddenly appeared behind her.
{T/N: Probably Vito, from the Erebus Familia.}
"An unexpected harvest! Killing you would throw the Loki Familia into chaos, wouldn't it?"
Riveria raised her staff, instantly unleashing a freezing blizzard.
The red-haired man retreated, "Ha, just kidding. We'll meet again, little girl."
Riveria turned her staff again, but despite her efforts to mobilize her mental power, she couldn't quickly convert it into magic power.
"Tch... a feint?"
"Riveria? Are you okay?" Aiz ducked to her side.
"I'm fine, just some mental confusion from casting magic in quick succession." She said. Then suddenly, Riveria's eyebrows shot up, and her slender hand pinched Aiz's ear, "You little brat! Didn't I tell you not to run off?!"
"Oww..."
"How dare you come to the 19th Floor alone? Don't you know that even experienced Level 4 Adventurers avoid venturing here by themselves!"
"I... I wasn't alone, there was also... eh?" Aiz looked around, unable to find that familiar figure.
"Who else? That Soma Familia supporter? I bet you persuaded someone else to accompany you this deep again! Where is he? Has he gotten into trouble?"
"No..., umm..."
'This is our secret, you know.'
Aiz recalled their promise and shook her head, "We parted ways at Rivira. He's only Level 1 and refused to enter the Dungeon."
"Speaking of Rivira... what about that outrageous bill?!"
"Eek!!"
"'Eek' nothing! Sit properly!"
❈❈❈
T/N: Favorite, comment and save to your library of best reads in the world, thank you for reading this far!
T/N: Follow me on Pa-treon for advanced chapters: MrBlackWing! ( ◕‿◕ )
That's it and happy reading! (-‿◦)