Chapter 470 - 470: Holding Hands

The blue waterfall played a roaring melody, its spray scattering into a cool mist.

The boy's words flowed into Ryuu's heart, driving away the endless chill.

"…"

Ryuu listened to it all in silence.

She had always been trapped by one question. Was killing Evilus out of hatred nothing more than self-satisfaction? Had she strayed from the path of justice and fallen into hypocrisy and corruption?

Bell had not denied Ryuu's uncertainty. That conflict was precisely what made the elf girl so noble. He had simply pointed out a fact she could not ignore.

No matter what Ryuu's starting point had been, hatred or justice, what she had done had benefited the ordinary people living in this city. If one person stepped forward to condemn Ryuu's actions as hypocrisy, many more would be basking in the sunlight of peace and calm, grateful for the blessing she had given them.

Ryuu had always pushed those things to the back of her mind and worried alone.

"Cranel-san, there was once a girl who said something similar to what you just did."

Ryuu remembered her friend's face and spoke softly.

"Is that so?"

Bell heard the faint sadness in the elf girl's voice and chose not to ask that girl's name.

"Yes. She wanted everyone to keep smiling. She wanted everyone to find happiness."

Ryuu gently repeated her friend's words.

That was not pure idealism. It was a resolve to wield strength without abandoning selfish feelings, to fight evildoers with her own convictions, and to save those in need.

Until the very last moment, that girl upheld justice and gave her life for it.

The path the boy walked was just as difficult.

But he was different from that girl in one way. While Bell protected the selfish wishes of the people, he never intended to cast aside his own.

Ryuu knew very well that Bell Cranel would never accept sacrifice, because doing so would leave the girls in tears.

If Ardi had met the boy too, would the two of them have become close friends?

The ending of the story would surely have changed as well…

Ryuu put away those sentimental thoughts and said softly,

"Cranel-san, can you take me with you on this expedition?"

The elf girl's blue eyes seemed to have washed away their uncertainty and were now filled with resolve.

"…"

Bell hesitated for a moment.

He was not worried about the negotiations. Ryuu held information on the special monster known as the Juggernaut, so if they spoke with Loki Familia, they should be able to reach an agreement.

The problem was that this expedition would be full of danger. Ryuu's occasional stubbornness and obstinacy might end up causing trouble. Just like during the incident in the 24th Floor Pantry, when Ryuu had ignored her own safety in the face of Evilus's self-destruction and tried to uncover the mastermind behind it. It was similar to Ais losing control when facing the red-haired woman, and it was something he had to take into account.

Seeing through the boy's hesitation, Ryuu quickly promised, "Cranel-san, I'll listen to you properly. I absolutely won't do anything reckless."

"A-and… I actually awakened a new skill. I'm sure it will be useful on the expedition…"

Ryuu added in a halting voice.

[Astrae Serenade]. This skill could strengthen Status and skill effects based on the depth of one's romantic feelings.

Before going to the Dungeon, Ryuu had deliberately sought help from Hermes Familia. With Asfi's arrangements, Ryuu met Laurier and tested the skill's effect.

Ryuu had kept lying to herself, telling herself that a romance-related skill had to be some kind of accident. But when the results were right in front of her, there was no way she could keep denying it.

One effect of the skill was that targets within a certain range of the manifestor who held the same romantic feelings would receive an additional increase to all Status.

When Laurier and Ryuu stood in the same training ground, Laurier's speed and strength both increased dramatically.

Just as Laurier was about to ask what principle could possibly create such a powerful boost, Ryuu had already fled without a trace.

That blond Elf was the boy's lover and had offered Bell her strength many times. It was obvious who Laurier's love song was being sung for.

Ryuu knew another elf girl similar to Laurier. As long as she stayed beside Loki Familia, she would surely be able to support them and ease the boy's burden.

"Please. As long as you let me come with you, I'll do whatever you say, Cranel-san."

Ryuu pleaded again.

"All right. But Ryuu-san… you'll really do anything?"

Bell deliberately stressed the words.

"…"

In that instant, Ryuu seemed to hear her heart thumping.

The two of them were beside a narrow passage outside the cavern. Let alone adventurers, even monsters could not see them here.

After the heart-to-heart they had just shared, the distance between Ryuu and the boy had grown much closer. From an outsider's perspective, there was already a faintly romantic tension between them.

"Wait? Cranel-san, that was a slip of the tongue. S-some things are absolutely not allowed?!"

Ryuu answered in a panic.

Because of the dangers of the Dungeon, she had no way to flee from her embarrassment.

"Some things? If you don't tell me exactly what you mean, Ryuu-san, I won't understand."

Bell teased the elf girl with a mischievous air.

"Um… that's…"

Ryuu seemed to gather her courage, about to say something.

But after letting her imagination wander for just a moment, her cheeks flushed bright red.

"I understand. Ryuu-san, hold out your hand."

Bell offered her his right hand.

"Cranel-san, someone as filthy as me…?!"

Ryuu rubbed her fingers together, trying to refuse the boy's invitation.

But before she could finish speaking, Bell firmly took her slender left hand.

"I was the one who killed that utterly wicked Cat Person. I don't think there was anything wrong with that at all, but if Ryuu-san believes it was a sin, then let's bear it together."

Bell slowly stood while still holding the elf girl's left hand.

"Because Ryuu-san is very important to me. I don't want to wait until something happens and only regret it afterward."

"…"

The boy's warmth came through his palm, and Ryuu stood up with him without shaking it off.

As the elf girl's heart continued to race, footsteps and voices from Loki Familia echoed through the passage.

Ryuu quickly understood. The boy was not taking advantage of her vulnerability to demand something from her. He was caring for her feelings.

The two stood together and walked into the cavern.

Negotiating with Loki Familia meant they would inevitably have to talk about Jura. Finn and the others also needed to know Evilus's information and identities.

That was exactly why Bell had taken Ryuu's left hand.

At the far end of their gaze, Jura's corpse lay on the ground. Blood had soaked into the floor and already turned black.

Ryuu adjusted her breathing and tightly held the boy's right hand, responding to his warmth.

The face of a dear friend seemed to drift through her mind.

But Ryuu simply stayed close to the boy and pretended not to notice.

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