"Ugh...!"
Thud—!
Cassandra gripped the sink, her body racking with dry heaves.
'I can't get that dream out of my head...!'
Scenes from her prophetic dream were clawing at her mind, eroding her sanity.
Comrades with limbs torn asunder; Daphne, dead with hollow, lifeless eyes; and Ryu, charging toward a monster, consumed by a blinding rage.
'If this continues, I'm terrified it will become reality...'
"No, wait... if it does become reality, then what exactly is...?"
Furthermore, the existence of something that had severed her vision midway through filled her with an unbearable tension.
'I've definitely seen it before... that Radiant Darkness!'
"But that's..."
'Darkness yet light, light yet darkness...'
The vision of Akumo she had seen in the prophetic dream—the one she had told him about at the banquet—remained ambiguous.
He was undoubtedly a being of supreme brilliance, yet he was also someone who demanded the utmost vigilance.
"No."
'Calm down and think...'
"There must be something..."
Cassandra desperately recalled the prophecy once more, searching for a way to avert the disaster.
—'The elf bearing the fate to guide the path toward ruin.'
"Could that be [Gale]?"
'If so...!'
Meanwhile, Bell's party was preparing to join the subjugation force, checking their equipment before descending the floors.
"Welf, is everyone's gear in order?"
"Yeah, we still have the Magic Swords. How about on your end?"
"Of course. I was able to entrust the items to an adventurer who was just about to return to the surface."
As their preparations proceeded smoothly and they were about to merge with the subjugation force, a voice called out to them.
"Everyone!"
"Cassandra? Where's your luggage?"
"Um... couldn't we just... not go?"
""""?""""
"What?"
Everyone was stunned by Cassandra's sudden remark. While the others stood speechless, Daphne voiced her confusion, and Cassandra pleaded with them urgently.
"Something terrible is going to happen. I'm certain of it."
Step—!
"So please, let's not join the subjugation force!"
However, the group couldn't comprehend Cassandra's demand to abandon their plans so abruptly.
"Wait, what do you mean by that...?"
"Are you going on about those incomprehensible prophetic dreams again?"
"Ah, well, that's true, but... this time is different!"
"I told you to knock it off, didn't I?"
"But..."
"You really are always like this!"
'As I thought, they don't believe me... It's always been this way...'
Seeing that Daphne and the others remained unconvinced, Cassandra turned to Bell—the only one who had ever truly listened to her—and approached him.
"B-Bell! Um... won't you reconsider going?"
"...I'm sorry, Cassandra."
Grip—!
"I want to help Ryu!"
Thump—!
"Cassandra!?"
Bell, too, had no intention of stopping based on her words alone. Seeing his resolve, Cassandra collapsed to the floor in despair.
'No... even he won't stop...'
"Cassandra!"
"Are you alright?"
"Sorry, everyone. I think it's better if she stays behind..."
Daphne, assuming Cassandra was simply unwell, decided to stay behind to look after her.
"I'm sorry, but I'll stay here with her as we—"
"No!"
"...?"
"Anything but that... no!"
'If that happens, I'll end up abandoning these people...'
"I'm fine! I'll go too."
'I can't let that happen...'
Ultimately, Cassandra decided to join the subjugation force. Rather than distancing herself from the event, she resolved to lead them down a path different from the one in her dream.
'I have to save these people...'
Meanwhile, at the Hestia Familia's home, Hearthstone Manor, Hestia and Miach were sharing tea.
"It's finally a day without part-time work, but with Bell and the others gone..."
"You look quite lonely."
"Well, of course I am."
While Hestia moped, Miach maintained his usual gentle smile, which prompted a mischievous thought in Hestia.
"What about you, Miach? Daphne and Cassandra, was it?"
"Aren't you worried about them?"
She asked half-jokingly, wondering if he felt the same loneliness, but Miach answered with complete sincerity.
"Of course, the worry is constant, but spending time alone with Naaza is also quite nice."
"Huh?"
"We've known each other for so long, after all. It's when I'm with her that I feel most at peace."
Twitch—!
"...The tea is ready."
"Ah, thank you, Naaza."
Naaza reacted visibly to his oblivious, heartfelt comment, but she carefully placed the tea on the table, trying not to show it.
Swish, swish—!
"Bragging without even realizing it..."
Hestia chuckled, seeing Naaza's tail wagging uncontrollably. She knew she'd been beaten.
"But putting Bell aside... Akumo hasn't been seen lately either, has he?"
"That's true. I heard he reached Level 9, but Naaza, have you heard anything?"
"I haven't heard anything specific either."
"Hmm..."
'Even when I asked Alfia, she just said he went to work...'
While they wondered about the whereabouts of Bell and Akumo, the subjugation force targeting Ryu was steadily advancing through the floors.
"Don't miss a single shadow, let alone a suspicious trace!"
"This is where we beastmen show our strength! Use those proud noses of yours to the fullest!"
"""Oh!!!"""
Led by Bors, who carried a massive axe on his shoulder, along with Turk and Bell, the force pushed forward.
"According to our intel, [Gale] is high-tier even among Level 5s! [Rabbit Foot], we're counting on you, yeah?"
"Ah, yes..."
Bors calculated that with high-tier Level 4s like Bell and Aisha, along with numerous Level 3s, they had a chance. He intended to leave the direct confrontation with Ryu to them.
"He really just dumps everything on others."
"Tell me about it!"
"But it actually works out. Being at the center of the subjugation force makes it easier to gather information," Welf noted, taking a more positive view of the situation while Aisha and Lily looked on with disapproval.
"....."
'I have to find it quickly... a way to keep everyone far away from the disaster.'
Cassandra alone remained preoccupied, her mind a chaotic mess of worry over the prophecy.
"Speaking of Cassandra... I've felt this since she was in the Apollo Familia..."
"She's seeing it, isn't she? Something even the Gods cannot see."
"The [Mystery] of the lower world... Is that why she always carries such a gloomy atmosphere?"
"Cassandra does seem to be constantly worrying about something... but she has her bright moments too. For instance, when she's with Bell?"
"W-What!!"
At Naaza's words, Hestia jumped to her feet and demanded more details.
"D-D-D-Don't tell me! Even that girl is trying to get her hands on my Bell!"
"I don't think it's quite like that... besides, she's the same way when she meets Akumo."
Ding-dong—!
""?""
Just then, the doorbell of Hearthstone Manor rang, and a letter was delivered to them.
"An adventurer took a request from the 18th floor..."
"It's a letter from the Supporter girl..."
"A letter from the Dungeon? That must have been expensive. To think that stingy Supporter would send something like this—"
Hestia opened the letter nonchalantly, but as she read, her face hardened in shock.
"The elf from the pub is suspected of murder? And even Akumo is under suspicion...?"
"A subjugation force has already been formed!?"
""!!""
Miach and Naaza were equally stunned by the news.
"What does this mean, Hestia?"
"I don't know either... It says Bell and the others joined the force to try and handle the situation somehow..."
"It asks for us to contact Akumo while simultaneously requesting something else... Just what on earth is happening...!!"
"Still no sign of her, even at the 21st floor."
"Sigh... I'm never taking a 'find a person' quest in the Dungeon again... the profit margins are terrible!"
The search had reached the 21st floor, but there was still no sign of Ryu. The group gathered to rest and chat briefly.
'The Mother's Lament calls forth the flames of disaster...'
'That "Mother" surely refers to the Dungeon. If so, what the Dungeon is pointing to is...!'
"Um, Lily! It's around the time the Floor Boss should spawn, right?"
Cassandra asked with a flicker of hope, but Lily replied with confident pride.
"Are you talking about [Amphisbaena]?"
Grin—!
"Don't underestimate me! I've checked the spawn timings thoroughly. Since it was subjugated half a month ago, there are exactly fifteen days left!"
"I-I see..."
"Hehe, I have all these details down perfectly!"
As Cassandra's anxiety continued to mount—
Rumble—!!!
"""!!"""
"It's a [Mammoth Fool]!"
"Tch, a swarm of large-types?"
Schwing—!
"Lads, let's take 'em down! [Rabbit Foot], follow me!"
The sudden monster ambush forced them into combat. Bell, Aisha, Ouka, and Chigusa charged forward without hesitation.
'The swirling white flame... that must be him.'
'Bell will meet [Gale] and they will go together...'
"!!"
'He was the only one without an omen of death... and if the "hardship" is what I think it is!'
Realizing something, Cassandra immediately called out to Welf as he was about to join the fray.
"Mr. Crozzo!"
"Welf is fine!"
"W-Welf... um... I have a request!"
To protect her comrades, Cassandra mustered her courage and gripped Welf's arm, beginning to explain her plan.
"You want me to do that?"
"I-Is it impossible?"
"It's not impossible, but honestly, I'm not keen on it."
Welf looked toward where Bell was fighting, a conflicted expression on his face.
"I decided that the weapons I give that guy should be ones I forged myself. That was my rule."
Cassandra desperately tried to persuade him.
"You might not believe me, but I can feel it."
"He's the kind of person who will recklessly push himself for the sake of others..."
"That's why I want to help him!"
Seeing the light of resolve in Cassandra's eyes, Welf found himself unable to refuse, despite his reluctance.
"Fine, I'll do it."
"Really!"
"Yeah. Just like with the Magic Swords, I've decided to stop weighing my stubbornness against my comrades' lives."
He gave a small smile.
"Besides, I agree that Bell looks like he's going to do something reckless. He's got a history of it."
Welf turned to Lily and asked her to take out the necessary equipment.
"We'll finish this before those guys wipe out all the monsters!"
Nearly a full day had passed since the search began.
"It's been almost twenty-four hours. Our pace seems to have slowed down."
"But the 24th floor isn't far now."
Step, step—
"If Ryu is in the [Labyrinth of the Great Tree], we should find traces of her soon."
Despite Lily's encouraging words, Cassandra's expression remained grim.
'[Gale] won't be here.'
'If things follow the dream, the stage will be—'
BOOM—!!!!!!
"What was that? An explosion?"
"!! Bors! It's her!"
The sudden roar and vibration signaled Ryu's proximity, and they immediately began racing toward the 25th floor.
Whoosh—!!
"...."
Rumble—!!
Thud—!!!
"Judging by the sound, it's the 27th floor."
Only two days after the Enhanced Species incident, Bell stood before the massive waterfall once again. A sense of unease washed over him.
"The rest of you, keep watch at this connecting passage!"
""""OH!!!!!""""
'Something feels wrong...'
Cassandra felt the same dissonance.
'The place I saw in the prophetic dream was the 27th floor, [The Great Fall]. I can't let everyone go there.'
"Let's find Ryu before the other adventurers do."
"Right. If we all join the party going to the 27th floor..."
"U-Um! Is it really necessary for us to go...?"
"Pardon?"
"If too many people crowd in... it might get dangerous..."
Cassandra tried to stop them, but as expected, she struggled to provide a clear, logical reason.
'It's no use—'
"I agree with Cassandra. We aren't familiar with this floor yet."
"That might be true... and this situation requires swift movement."
"Phew..."
'I can relax—'
"In that case, it's best if only Bell and Aisha go to the 27th floor."
Unexpectedly, Daphne's intervention had succeeded in keeping most of them back, but since Aisha was still slated to go, Cassandra had to think fast.
"Ah, wait! Aisha, it would be better if you stayed here..."
"Why?"
"..."
'Please... think! Cassandra...!'
Her heart was filled with a desperate wish to save her friends, and that desire brought to mind another person she admired.
"Our current top combatants are Bell and Aisha, both Level 4."
"If we're assuming a dialogue with [Gale], I don't think it's necessary for Aisha to go all the way to the 27th floor."
"Even if there's a fight, [Gale] and Bell working together can suppress the subjugation force..."
Grip—!
"I think it's better for Aisha to remain in the rear to prepare for any unforeseen circumstances."
Like Akumo, who was the first to believe her prophecy, Cassandra spoke calmly and deliberately, determined to save Aisha.
".....Indeed."
"After what happened with the Enhanced Species, it's not unreasonable to be cautious."
"She has a point."
Her persuasion worked. To her relief, even Bell agreed with her.
"Please stay on the 25th floor, just as Cassandra suggested."
"I understand what you and that girl are saying, but are you really going to handle this alone?"
"I believe in Ryu."
Faced with Bell's unwavering gaze, Aisha finally gave in and agreed to stay behind.
"Have it your way."
"Phew..."
Cassandra let out a sigh of relief, having successfully saved everyone. At that moment, Welf handed something to Bell.
"I cut this out from Lily-doll's robe earlier."
Slide—!
"A [Goliath Scarf]."
"Thanks... but are you sure?"
"Yeah, well, I had a request."
Welf gestured toward Cassandra. Bell approached her to offer his thanks.
"Cassandra, thank you."
"Ah, no..."
'I'm sure Bell would believe my prophetic dream, but...'
"Bell, please... make sure you come back alive."
'Even so, this person won't stop.'
She decided to believe now.
In the heroes who believed in her.