The Eighteenth Floor.
Blue-white light, like moonlight, gently soothed everyone's wounds. Bell, along with Riveria and the others, arrived at Rivira Town to rest for a while.
"Bell-sama!"
Lili and Welf stood at the street entrance to greet them. She was crying and sniffling like a lost child.
Several residents whispered among themselves.
"So that white-haired youth is their teammate..."
"Isn't he the kid who was with Loki Familia a few days ago?"
"The one chased by the elf mage?"
"Yeah, yeah, what a streak of bad luck... Never heard his name before. Could he be a newbie Adventurer?"
"You've got to be kidding. He's been to Rivira twice already. If he's a newbie, I'll give him all these gems."
"Just saying... I heard there's a weakest adventurer, also a white-haired kid."
"Can't be the same person. From the way Loki Familia treated him earlier, this guy's gotta be at least Iv5."
"That high level? How could he possibly be killed..."
"What else could it be besides the Floor Boss?"
"...Counting the resurrection time, I guess it does fit. But you're telling me he took down the Floor Boss alone? That's way too far-fetched!"
...
The group shared dinner in Rivira Town. Within the time it took to finish a single meal, rumors about Bell had spread throughout the town. Even the usually brash Bors, seeing Riveria with them, began believing parts of the gossip. He even sent over some fruit in hopes of getting on Bell's good side.
No one ever expected that the boy whose reputation in Orario stubbornly refused to improve would, for some reason, become the acknowledged master of the Rogue's Quarter.
Having heard the full details from Laurier, Asfi found herself genuinely impressed with the boy. His cleverness and bravery were both far beyond the norm. Often dispatched by Hermes, she could faintly sense that the one her Familia God was watching over… must be this very youth.
"Laurier, I must remind you—Bell Cranel has two lovers."
Asfi shared her intel. She had been shocked to see her own teammate crying while clinging to the boy. Laurier was an extremely conservative Elf, so such a bold action was unthinkable for her. Wanting to prevent trouble, Asfi decided to warn her.
"Two lovers...?"
Laurier still had faint tear marks on her face.
"Yes. According to the intel we gathered, Bell Cranel's goals are to become a hero and build a harem. I advise you not to get deeply involved."
Asfi intended to stop trouble before it began. Though it felt harsh, the earlier it was addressed, the less likely anything would spiral out of control.
"The harem..."
Laurier pressed her lips together and lowered her head a little.
Asfi let out a bitter smile. Worry all you want, but please understand I'm doing this for your sake.
"Doesn't that have anything to do with me?"
She blinked innocently and looked up.
"..."
Asfi was speechless. She could tell the blonde elf was seriously pondering the idea of a harem, but clearly wasn't examining her own feelings objectively.
Asfi didn't know how to respond. When Laurier hugged the boy earlier, every single person present could tell it was the look of a girl who'd fallen in love. Yet she herself remained completely unaware.
Asfi sighed softly, deeply worried about Laurier's future.
…
Ryuu was deeply conflicted by the appearance of the blonde elf. The boy's impulsive declaration from before refused to leave her mind. Blonde hair, older, an elf… Would that person's relationship with Bell Cranel grow even closer? For some reason, the thought made her feel… sad… Why was she caring about this so much…? Ryuu truly couldn't understand.
She stood at the edge of the street, letting the breeze carry her tangled thoughts away. Then, two blonde girls approached together.
"Are you also curious about Bell?" Laurier asked.
"..."
Ryuu was completely lost.
"Don't stand around out here. Let's go take a look together."
Just a few minutes earlier, Riveria had heard the full account of what happened and had taken the boy aside alone. Assuming Ryuu was standing guard, Laurier tried to recruit her without hesitation. Taking advantage of Ryuu's moment of confusion, she tugged on her sleeve and activated an invisibility magic.
"Wh-what…?" Ryuu gasped, startled.
"Shh! Don't let them notice us!"
Laurier, long accustomed to gathering information, handled things with complete ease. Rather than feeling guilty about eavesdropping, she was far more concerned about Riveria's conversation with the boy.
"..."
Ais held a bag of fried potato balls, occasionally popping one into her mouth. Having wandered here by accident, she had only one thought: the fried potato balls in Rivira Town tasted nowhere near as good as the ones sold on the surface…
At the end of their line of sight, the boy and the jade-colored elf were speaking softly to one another.
"Hey, can't you move the Magic closer? I can't hear what they're saying…"
Seeing Riveria's dignified, elegant face tinged faintly red, Ryuu also became curious.
"If we get any closer, they'll notice. Stop talking."
Laurier lifted her slender elf ears, trying her best to pick up their conversation.
"She said, 'Please take better care of your body… Don't do anything that dangerous again…'"
Ais used the breeze to help carry Riveria's words to them.
"Nice! You actually heard it? What about next?!"
Laurier saw the distance between the two steadily closing and couldn't help urging her on.
"Then… the potato balls were gone…"
The bag in Ais's arms was completely empty.
"I'll buy you more—eat as many as you want! Just tell me what they're saying next!"
Laurier made her promise with earnest desperation.
Ais tilted her head and blinked.
"About the Elixir… thank you very much…"
Ryuu stared at the two, speechless, ready to turn away. These were completely normal lines of conversation. What in the world was she even doing…?
But just as she turned back, Ais's next line suddenly shifted tone.
"I accidentally drank the spring water from your bath… Sorry?"
"...."
"...."
Without realizing it, all three of them had huddled together, staring at the slightly flustered emerald-green elf.
"No, no, no—there's no way that's right! I must have misheard!"
Laurier shot back immediately. This was the Nine Hell they were talking about. Even someone like her, who lived outside the city, had heard countless stories. And after meeting her once, Laurier could clearly feel that noble aura only royalty could possess.
What was this human girl even saying…?
Ryuu had lost count of how many times she had furrowed her brows. She couldn't believe Ais's line either, but that shy expression—something no one had ever seen—was real.
Ever since the boy's arrival, Ryuu felt like her worldview had been repeatedly shaken apart.
Ais licked the lingering taste of fried potato balls from her lips, then continued to relay:
"It... it was just an accident. Please don't dwell on it. I... I've long since forgotten about it. All the blame lies with Tione. Please don't hold it against me..."
Why does even the stammering part come out so clear... Is this girl a genius or something?
Laurier shot a glance at Ais, silently rolling her eyes.
Ryuu's vision swayed with each beat of her heart. Suddenly, a phrase came to mind—one also spoken by an elf. Perpetually in heat... If that golden-yellow haired elf were present, she'd surely be cursing him out right now. No, any elf who admired the Nine Hell Princess would hurl insults at the boy. After all, she was the Flower of the Royal Family... Was Bell Cranel really about to antagonize every female elf in Orario? Though most would likely side with Riveria unconditionally...
Thinking about it this way, does that mean Riveria alone equals a harem? Ryuu's mind grew increasingly muddled, and even she didn't know what she was thinking anymore. She stared blankly at that elegant figure, waiting for Ais's words.
"To be honest, I want to forget too... ·But Riveria-san is just too beautiful, ········so it's a bit difficult..."
"Beautiful? ...I... I truly don't take it to heart. Please don't say any more..."
Across the gaze, jade-green hair framed a face flushing with slight embarrassment.
Bell smiled softly. "Has Riveria-san ever been to the seaside?"
"I used to travel there often, but haven't had much chance lately."
"I hear people often choke on seawater when playing in the ocean. When we get the chance, let's go to the beach together. That'll surely make you forget what happened before."
Bell offered this somewhat offbeat suggestion.
Faced with this uniquely creative apology, Riveria smiled faintly. "Hmm, if such a day ever comes, I'll look forward to it."
Not far away, Ais stopped mid-sentence.
"Why did she suddenly freeze?" Laurier wondered, puzzled since the conversation had just reached a crucial point.
Ryuu observed Ais's blank expression and spoke slowly. "Probably remembered some psychological trauma..."
"Eh—"
As Laurier voiced her complaint, Ais resumed moving like a puppet.
"From the Viola incident to this Floor Boss... it feels like I've been indebted to Riveria-san all along."
Ais skipped over the topic of seawater.
"It was just a small favor. Next time... Wait, it seems a few mischievous kittens are running over here...?"
"!"
Riveria's movements were lightning-fast, more like a battle-hardened warrior than a Mage. Before anyone could react, her wand came down mercilessly on their heads.
"Sorry, it's my fault. I got carried away..."
Laurier apologized without hesitation.
"Cranel-san... this... that..."
Ryuu felt Bell's gaze and flustered momentarily.
"..."
Ais merely blinked indifferently, utterly unaware of her own mistake.
"As elves, you actually resort to eavesdropping? Please come with me."
Riveria gripped her wand, giving the two no chance to defend themselves.
"Let's go..."
Ais watched the elves' retreating figures before turning away.
"You really shouldn't go to the beach with Riveria."
"You heard everything, Ais-san..." Bell gazed at her naturally beautiful face, momentarily at a loss.
Ais walked over to the boy on her own and tugged him down to sit beside her.
The grass still carried Riveria's lingering scent, mixing with the fragrance of flowers and filling the air with a soft, soothing freshness.
"Bell, I wanted to see you sooner..."
Ais looked toward the distant forest shimmering with faint blue light, her voice low and quiet as she revealed her thoughts.
"When I first swung my sword, I wiped out several Goblins in one strike..."
"Driven by some idea, I felt like I was born just to defeat monsters..."
"I had to grow faster, faster, faster... Back then, I was impatient every single day..."
"Now I know that was wrong... Thanks to Riveria and the others, I was able to keep moving forward..."
Ais wanted to share the warmth quietly blooming inside her.
Just as Riveria had once done for her.
She wasn't sure if it held any meaning, but both the little girl in her heart and the Sword Princess she had become wished to share that warmth with the boy.
"It took me a year just to reach Lv2... Bell can already defeat Minotaurs. You've worked incredibly hard..."
Ais knew Bell's growth was built on layers of blood.
Pure effort, untouched by anything false—an effort so genuine it stirred admiration.
There wasn't a trace of jealousy in her. If anything, she felt deeply happy for him.
She reached out her right hand and gently brushed his white hair.
Warmth rippled through her chest, easing every shred of irritation and fatigue.
The red-haired woman who had tamed the Viola had spoken the name [Aria]. Ais had assumed she would continue having that exhausting nightmare every night.
Yet unexpectedly, the boy's silhouette kept appearing in her dreams instead.
No matter how tragic the world became, no matter how suffocating the loneliness felt, whenever Bell appeared, warmth filled her heart.
Ais knew what she offered now couldn't be considered repayment.
Even so, for just a moment, she wanted to rest at his side the way she did in those dreams.
Bell listened quietly to everything she said.
He didn't push away her gentleness, allowing her slender hand to move slowly across his head.
Ais's expression barely changed, but the faint curl of her lips revealed a smile.
"Actually, before meeting you, I defeated the Floor Boss of the thirty-seventh floor..."
Ais withdrew her right hand and lowered her gaze a little.
Bell looked at the beautiful girl before him and smiled softly.
Mimicking her gesture, he gently brushed her smooth golden hair.
"Ais-san, do you have a wish you want to fulfill?"
"Hmm..."
"You've worked incredibly hard too."
"Mm..."
"Let's keep striving together."
"Mm..."
The breeze carried their words, brushing them gently into the depths of the distant forest.
Bathed in soft crystal light, the two shared a quiet, precious warmth scented faintly with flowers.
Two silhouettes sat shoulder to shoulder, leaning lightly against each other.
...
On the day of their return—
The prodigy girl who constantly surpassed herself.
The boy who crossed miracles and achieved the fastest leveling speed.
Their names spread from Orario across the entire world.
Bell Cranel
Lv1
Strength: SSS 1375
Endurance: SSS 1500
Dexterity: SSS 1450
Agility: SSS 1480
Magic Power: SSS 1265
Magic: [Firebolt Lightning]・Quick-Cast Magic
Skill: [Liaris Freese]・Fluctuates dynamically based on the number and intensity of those who yearn for him
Floor Reached: 18th Floor
Weapon: Hestia's Blade
Money Held: 35,000 Valis
Syr proactively offered 30,000 Valis of her own money. Bell originally intended to refuse, but unable to win against his girlfriend's stubbornness, he was forced to accept.