"Ais-san, what kind of place is the deep levels?"
I probably asked it without much thought, but it was something I genuinely wanted to know.
Frustrated by the distance, which was becoming apparent through repeated training, I could only look up at the overwhelming height. However, doing nothing was the scariest option.
Even though knowing wouldn't shorten the gap between me and my aspirations, I still asked her.
"The deep levels?...It's a frightening place, I guess."
The blue sky enveloped the surroundings. Above the gigantic walls surrounding the dungeon city.
Ais glanced at me, battered from training, and continued.
"When I went there, it was the first time I thought the Dungeon, the monsters...were terrible."
"Terrible?"
"Yes."
Looking back, Ais-san seemed to have a bit of difficulty saying that at the time. However, she was trying to provide a proper answer.
With a transparent gaze, she spoke earnestly.
"Even if I say it with words, you probably won't understand...But if you go there, you'll know."
"..."
"If, someday far, far into the future, you are able to go there, then─"
That's right.
The wind was blowing at that time.
I remember the beautiful hair of that person spreading out as if dancing in the wind.
It was a continuation of the memories of the wind that I just couldn't remember.
"─Don't abandon hope."
To those words of hope, I tilted my head.
"Hope, you say?"
"Yes. It could be thinking about returning to the surface or eating jagamarukun. Anything, just have hope."
To my skeptical expression at the abstract and somewhat clumsy expression, Ais-san explained.
"Monsters there and the darkness there easily push adventurers to the edge."
"..."
"When truly cornered, what keeps adventurers alive is not magic or skills but...hope. The will to not give up."
"Don't give up, will..."
"...I learned that from Finn and the others."
The last words were muttered as she slightly averted her gaze.
Seeing Ais-san, whose cheeks were slightly flushed with embarrassment, I gave a wry smile.
"I've also......felt that before. Just the desire to defeat the enemy isn’t enough......feelings like wanting to see everyone again become the strength to overcome the deep floors."
As if reminiscing about the past, Ais-san looked up at the sky.
As if praising the vast blue sky or expressing gratitude, she narrowed her eyes.
Ais-san taught me that in order to overcome the deep levels, you need to hold on to such simple hopes.
In the midst of the endlessly spreading darkness, the only thing that can emit light is one's own heart.
Or perhaps the reliable companions by your side.
"If I formed a party with Bell in the deep levels...I feel like Bell would give me hope."
"Eh!?"
"Bell would encourage me...and watching him become impulsive and get into dangerous situations...I'd think, ah, I have try harder too."
In an instant, I was elated, and just as quickly, I drooped in disappointment.
Seeing me like that, Ais-san, held both of her legs together, tilted her head, and smiled.
She didn't mean to tease, she just looked at me with kind, gentle eyes.
I truly, truly couldn't help it, and even though I was feeling down, just that made my heart feel warm.
I think I'm simple, but seeing her smile made me incredibly happy.
To see your smile again.
Would it be okay for that to be my hope now, Ais-san?─
---
"..."
Opening my eyes.
When I woke up from the memories of the wind enveloped in a beautiful blue sky, there spread before me an expansive darkness.
"Cranel-san, are you okay?"
"Yes, Ryuu-san...the monsters?"
"There don't seem to be any around."
In the recesses of a place that couldn't even be called a hall, our small whispers echoed.
Ryuu, leaning against the wall with me, informed me, and I immediately gathered my thoughts.
Our third rest on the 37th floor.
A mere five minutes of sleep turned into a drop of refreshing liquid, moistening my body that was wheezing in agony. The weight on my body didn't disappear, but the haze clouding my mind cleared.
I can still fight.
With this, I can advance through the darkness again.
Ais-san──thank you.
I had a dream. I remembered the continuation of Ais's words that I couldn't recall for so long.
Being able to remember that was the most valuable reward for me right now—an irreplaceable light.
That's right, don't discard hope.
Don't give up on hope.
Return to Goddess.
With everyone.
Return to the Hostess of Fertility where Syr-san and others wait.
Together with Ryuu-san.
Including Ais-san's smile, I have many hopes.
I will gather them all and turn them into a light that illuminates this darkness.
"Let's go, Cranel-san. I'll be on watch. Until the moment of engagement, please conserve your strength."
Helping Ryuu-san stand up beside me, we start walking.
Lending her my shoulder, staying close, merging our breaths, the two of us cut through the endless darkness. In this moment, I overlapped Ais’s words with Ryuu’s voice.
This person's words are also connected to hope.
This person's unwavering justice gives me courage.
What Ais-san taught me.
What Ryuu-san is showing me.
It's probably the same thing.
Let's return together with Ryuu-san...
I won't let go of this hope alone.
No matter what, I alone won't discard this. That's my vow.
Carrying that determination in my heart, I advanced through the deep levels with Ryuu-san.