"How are you feeling?"
Thanks to Bell's party, Luvis, Dormul, and their respective companions were safely focused on their recovery at a lodging in Rivira.
"I'm sorry for causing you worry. According to the healer, everyone is recovering smoothly."
"We're all doing fine as well. We truly owe you our lives!"
Luvis and Dormul expressed their gratitude to Bell, feeling a profound debt for their rescue. However, Bell looked at Luvis's empty right sleeve with a bitter expression.
"I... I'm sorry. I couldn't save your arm."
"No, I consider myself lucky."
Luvis raised his remaining arm as if to show he was perfectly fine, dismissing Bell's concern.
"There is no need for such worry."
"This was a failure brought about by our own inadequacies."
He did not want to burden the young hero who had saved them with guilt or trauma.
"This is Adventure. This is The Dungeon."
"It is the price we pay for seeking the unknown, and a reality we must accept."
He gave a faint smile.
"Once we return to the surface, I'll visit the [Dian Cecht Familia] and ask them to fit me with a good prosthetic."
Of course, he wasn't entirely unshaken by the situation, but the joy of his comrades' survival and the hope of a new beginning allowed him to smile.
"Does this mean we're living the life of debtors now? I'll have to make our Patron Deity scream with the bill."
At his words, his companions laughed, showing that their spirits remained unbroken.
"Thank you, Bell Cranel."
"I swear on the name of Luvis Lillix that I will surely repay this great kindness one day."
He bowed deeply.
"My gratitude to the ally of the Elves."
"Mr. Luvis..."
Seeing Luvis bow in gratitude, Bell felt his worried heart ease slightly—but only for a moment.
"Elves are always so stiff!"
Dormul suddenly pulled Bell and Lily into a crushing embrace.
"Thank you, truly!"
""!!""
"If you ever find yourselves in trouble, we'll be the ones to back you up!"
"Thank you as well, Mr. Dormul...!"
"Oh, and Pallum miss!"
"Yes?"
"What you said back then, when I thought it was all over."
Dormul released them, a look of genuine embarrassment and admiration on his face.
"It really struck a chord in our hearts."
"D-Did it...?"
Luvis nodded in agreement with Dormul, offering his own thanks to Lily.
"If not for those words, we might not have held out until Bell Cranel arrived."
"You're a true commander!"
"I wouldn't go that far..."
Lily blushed, thinking it was excessive praise, but Bell knew better. He could feel just how vital a role Lily had played and how much she had grown through that ordeal.
Having checked on Luvis and Dormul's parties, Bell and Lily descended the stairs with lighter hearts.
"Um, Master Bell."
"Do you have any plans after this? If not, the promise from this morning..."
Lily asked hopefully, wanting to spend some time alone with him, but—
"Sorry, Lily. Mr. Ouka and Ms. Chigusa said they had something to tell me."
"Mr. Ouka and Ms. Chigusa..."
"Can we go after that?"
"Of course!"
Since Ouka and Chigusa had asked for him first, they headed to hear what they had to say.
"I truly apologize for the trouble."
Ouka bowed his head deeply.
"It was my responsibility as the vanguard to protect Chigusa. Please, let me apologize."
"Ouka, don't apologize alone. I was the one who became a burden."
"But..."
Both expressed their guilt, but Bell gently reassured them.
"Please, don't be like that, both of you."
"I'm just grateful you came on this expedition with us."
Watching from the sidelines, Lily smiled at the scene.
"I wondered what they wanted to talk about..."
"Mr. Ouka and Ms. Chigusa are so honest~"
'To think we'd come on an expedition like this together.'
Recalling the Pass Parade in the Middle Floors, Lily was amazed at how much they had all grown in such a short time.
"Even if our Familias are different, we are comrades."
Bell spoke with the maturity of a true party leader.
"We complement each other's weaknesses. We support each other when someone falters."
"That is what a party is, and that is how we overcame this adventure."
"I believe that is all that matters."
"Master Bell, you've really grown~" Lily thought.
"I wish you'd listen to Lily's words just as properly!"
"Ah! There he is!"
"Hmm?"
Daphne's voice rang out as she rushed toward Bell.
"We're in a bit of a bind! Give us a hand!"
"!!"
"I can take him, right?"
"Please do!"
Daphne grabbed Bell's hand, ready to drag him away. Even Cassandra looked pleadingly at Ouka and Chigusa, leaving Lily staring with wide eyes.
"We were just finishing up anyway..."
"Then it's settled!"
"Eh?"
Daphne immediately began dragging Bell toward the inner part of the town.
"H-He's been kidnapped..."
"Isn't this cheating? Bringing Bell Cranel here!"
"Cheating or not, we're in the same party, right?"
Daphne and Cassandra had brought Bell to a shop in Rivira. The shopkeeper looked troubled, but Daphne was full of confidence.
"Yes... since we came on the expedition together..."
"Sigh... I guess I have no choice. I still owe you for when the Black Goliath appeared."
"I'll give you a discount, but this is the last time."
Only then did Bell realize they were using his fame to bypass Rivira's exorbitant prices.
"Score~ That helped."
"I tried to procure some items for the trip back, and they quoted me an outrageous price, can you believe it?"
Lily watched them with an exasperated look.
"Using Master Bell like some kind of coupon..."
A vein popped on her forehead.
"Besides, if you use it now, we won't be able to use it later!"
Whether she was upset because her time with Bell was delayed or because she couldn't use the 'Bell Coupon' herself was unclear—perhaps it was both.
"It feels a bit late to say this to a Level 4, but I was really surprised by your strength this time."
"Pardon?"
"When you came back and finished off that monster at the end... it was incredible."
"I-I wanted to thank you as well... for shattering the prophetic dream!"
The two seemed deeply impressed by Bell's overwhelming victory over the Enhanced Species. Daphne acknowledged his growth, while Cassandra thanked him for defying her dark premonition.
"Sorry, she's still saying weird things."
"But it's true that we're grateful."
Of course, Daphne still didn't believe in Cassandra's prophecies, simply assuming she had a peculiar way of expressing gratitude.
"Here, take it at the standard price."
After receiving the items, Bell, Daphne, and Cassandra began walking back to the lodging, with Lily trailing behind.
"By the way, Ms. Daphne, how was Lily's command?"
"!!"
"Lilliluka has talent. Her judgment is sound, her decisions are quick, and above all, she has a clear vision of 'how she wants things to be'."
"Oh, stop.../// Lily was just acting out of desperation~"
Lily's face flushed with pleasure at the praise from Bell and Daphne, but the moment was short-lived.
"Is that Master Bell?"
"!!"
'Don't tell me...!' Lily felt an ominous premonition.
"We were just about to have tea with Lady Haruhime. Would you care to join us?"
"Oh, we're good. Thanks, Bell Cranel, enjoy your time~"
"We'll leave him to you...!"
Once again, Lily's conversation with Bell was pushed aside, and she ended up watching Bell, Mikoto, and Haruhime have tea together.
"What do you mean, 'leave him to you'?!"
"Lily is the one who's been yielding him all day!"
Unaware of Lily's inner turmoil, Mikoto and Haruhime began chatting with Bell.
"It was truly magnificent! Lady Haruhime's new magic!"
"The way she cast [Level Boost] on everyone! I really wanted you to see it, Master Bell!"
"M-Ms. Mikoto, you're praising me too much...!"
Haruhime whispered shyly, but Mikoto leaned in closer.
"No, these things must be communicated clearly."
"But...!"
"It's so Master Bell can fall for you all over again!"
"/////!!!"
Haruhime's tail wagged uncontrollably, but Bell felt a sense of responsibility at Mikoto's words.
"Because I was separated from the group, I forced you to overexert yourself..."
"Master Bell...?"
"Our Patron Deity told me before we left. [Kokonoe] consumes a lot of Mind, so it might be a heavy burden on you, Haruhime."
"..."
Haruhime was slightly surprised by his concern, but she smiled at his kindness.
"Thank you, Master Bell."
"But I'm fine."
She raised both arms enthusiastically.
"See? I'm perfectly healthy!"
Bell and Mikoto smiled at her display, and at Mikoto's suggestion, Bell began recounting what happened while he was alone.
"Lily was going to ask about that later!"
He told them about the fight with the Iguazu and how he climbed back up from the Great Falls—omitting, of course, the parts about Marie and Akumo.
"You're like a hero from a story, Master Bell!"
'That story was supposed to be told to Lily first! Lily was supposed to be the one admiring him!'
Seeing Haruhime's blushing face, Lily bit her handkerchief in jealousy and frustration. Just then—
"Well, we should be going."
"See you later."
Finally, the conversation ended. Lily thought her turn had finally come, but—
"Oh, Bell~ Good timing!"
'I knew it... I just knew this would happen...'
"Welf?"
Welf, his face already flushed from drinking, appeared with his arm around Bors's shoulder. He was leading a group of other adventurers, with Aisha following behind.
"These guys were whining about wanting to hear what happened in the Lower Floors~ Come join us!"
"Right now!?"
"Of course~ The night is just beginning."
Aisha slung an arm around Bell and practically dragged him away. Bell tried to mention his prior engagement with Lily, but he was ignored.
"But I have a promise..."
""Who cares! Come on!!""
"To encounter such a monster on your first expedition and have everyone return safely!"
"Yes, it was thanks to everyone's strength."
"You're too humble!"
Bell was eventually dragged to a pub, where he recounted the events of the Lower Floors to the gathered adventurers. Lily quietly waited for her chance.
"Honestly, adventurers are..."
'But once this is over, there will be no more interrupters.'
"I'll talk leisurely with Master Bell and tell him his new name~"
Lily had patiently waited to share the information she had bought from a merchant selling news from the surface. But then—
"Now, shall I tell you some incredible news!"
"Incredible news?"
"News that just arrived from the surface!"
"!!"
Feeling a surge of anxiety at Bors's voice, Lily jumped up, but it was too late.
"[Little Rookie]'s new epithet has been decided!"
"Wait! Lily was going to—"
"From today on, he's not [Little Rookie], but [Rabbit Foot]!!"
The words were out.
"Everyone, let's drink to celebrate the new name!"
""""OHHHHH!!!!!""""
The pub erupted with the cheers of excited adventurers, but Lily slumped to the floor, trembling.
'I even paid a lot of money for that info...'
"Everyone just swarming in like a mob..."
Shaking with rage, Lily grabbed something from her pouch. Unaware of her state, someone else approached Bell.
"Oh, my~ My body is heating up, I can't help myself!"
Aisha clung to him.
"[Rabbit Port]!"
"Ms. Aisha! It's [Rabbit Foot]!"
"Whatever. [Rabbit Mat]!"
Aisha, whether from the alcohol or just her usual self, flirted shamelessly with Bell. He tried to push her away while correcting his epithet.
"It's [Rabbit Foot]!"
"Rabbit Food? Rabbit Wood?"
Finally, someone reached their breaking point, and a massive smoke bomb detonated inside the pub.
POOF—!!!!!!!!
The culprit was, of course, Lily. She grabbed Bell and dragged him far away from the town.
They eventually arrived at a quiet park.
"You saved me, Lily."
"I'm sorry I was late for our promise... Please, tell me what you wanted to say."
Lily spoke with a look of disappointment.
"It's already over."
"Eh?"
"Everything Lily wanted to say, and everything she wanted to hear, has already been said by someone else."
"Master Bell's story, Lily's command, Master Bell's new name..."
Bell looked worried as Lily appeared crestfallen, but she soon looked up and smiled.
"But I'm relieved. Master Bell is still Master Bell after all."
"Me?"
"After the incident with the Xenos, Lily was a little anxious."
"I felt like Master Bell was... running toward a world I didn't know."
The sense of displacement Lily felt as Bell grew stronger was not just her imagination. His rapid maturation made her fear he might drift away.
"But I was wrong."
"Master Bell has become much stronger than he was just a short while ago, but you're still the Master Bell Lily knows."
"You're kind, brave, and you never give up!"
Lily's eyes sparkled as she looked at him.
"Just like the hero Lily wished for... You're still the same Master Bell who saved Lily time and again while calling her name...!"
Realizing that despite her growth, Lily had still been feeling insecure, Bell reached out and patted her head in apology.
"I'm sorry for making you feel anxious."
Lily leaned into the touch, but then pointed something out.
"...Perhaps Master Bell has changed after all?"
"You seem to have become much better at charming women."
Bell stammered in embarrassment. Their cheerful banter proved that despite the recent crisis, they had successfully transformed the ordeal into an adventure.
Squelch—!!!
"AAAAAAAGH!!!!!!!!"
At that same time, in a corner of Rivira, the sound of flesh being sliced was followed by a man's scream.
"S-Stop! Please, spare me..."
""...""
"Stop! I don't know anything...!"
Before the blood-soaked man stood two figures whose appearances were different from usual.
"..."
Slice—!!
Their eyes, reflecting the light of the ceiling's magic stones, glowed with an eerie blue and green light.
The next day, a great commotion broke out in Rivira.
"Hey, you're not lying, are you?"
"Why would I lie about something like this!"
Led by Bors, the de facto village chief, and a werewolf named Turk, the adventurers were rushing somewhere in haste.
"Mr. Bors?"
"Oh! [Little R—no, [Rabbit Foot]!"
"Is something wrong?"
"...It's murder! One of our own was killed on the outskirts of town."
"What!?"
Bors's words were shocking. The sudden news of a murder left Bell and Lily stunned.
"Was it a monster?"
"No, it's different! I saw the culprit...!"
Turk, standing beside Bors, spoke while breaking into a cold sweat.
"It's [Gale]!!"
""!!""
The shock was like a physical blow. They reeled at the mention of the epithet.
"The former member of the Astraea Familia who had a bounty on her head..."
"[Gale]!"
"And..."
Turk's voice trembled as he uttered another name that made everyone present shudder.
"[The Pioneer]....!"
"Nothing is confirmed yet! We won't have to fight [The Pioneer].... surely....!"
Turk was visibly shaking.
"[Rabbit Foot], you guys come too!"
Even as they passed Bell and Lily, Bors's group was trembling. Bell and Lily were plunged into confusion.
"It's a lie.... That's impossible...."
Bell's grip tightened as he instinctively denied their words.
"Ms. Ryu... and my brother..."
"There's no way they would commit murder!"