The Journey Begins in DanMachi

"Huh?"

"On the way back, I was thinking: Goliath probably isn't enough to get him to Level 2, and it's hard to say about the Two-Headed Dragon on the 27th floor either. To earn a feat starting with a Floor Boss—even if Noah can find that many enemies in the future, how is he supposed to challenge them? I can protect him for now, but if I can't keep up later, won't he have to risk his life on his own?"

Watching the elf beauty struggle with her worries, Finn and Gareth exchanged glances. After their lips twitched a few times, they couldn't help but burst into laughter.

"Aren't you being a bit too hard on yourself? Who actually worries about things like that!"

"Exactly. You're always fretting over this and that—worrying that Ais can't keep up, worrying that Noah will run too far. How is that any different from a mother worrying that her child won't grow up, or worrying that once they do, they'll wander too far to stay by her side? And you say you aren't a 'mama-san'?"

The moment the words left his mouth, a sharp pain struck Finn's right thumb, causing him to jolt and instantly sober up.

"...So, it's that funny, is it? Gareth?"

As a shadow loomed over him, the wild, toothy grin on Gareth's face froze.

Looking at the frost-covered, towering elf mage, even Gareth, who possessed a heart of stone and relied on his great shield and heavy armor to face powerful foes, couldn't help but tremble.

"Honestly, watching Noah adventure all day has made me want to loosen up my muscles too! Gareth, let me see how much you've improved lately, shall we?!"

No way!

I'm dead!

"Uh, c-could you wait for me to put on my gear?"

I'm unarmed, and you're holding Magna Aivis—that seems a bit unfair, doesn't it?

But—no chance!

The icy smile on Riveria's face plunged Gareth into despair.

What about Finn? Hurry up and use that brain of yours that can easily twist right from wrong! Save me!!

But when Gareth looked to the side and saw no one there, his bell-sized eyes nearly popped out of their sockets.

Turning his head, he saw the golden-haired Pallum, who had already tiptoed to the edge of the corridor, stop, turn around, and offer a smile, waving at them as if nothing had happened.

"Well, I just remembered I have a lot of work left to finish... See you later!!"

Sorry, Gareth, someone has to stay behind to let Riveria vent. Besides, you're thick-skinned and sturdy, and I'm not, so please— that was the message conveyed in Finn's eyes.

Staring at the now-vanished Finn, Gareth reached out a helpless hand.

"Finn! You set me up!!"

49 Ais: Why are you so strong?

Early morning.

The world was dark and the fields were silent; even the sound of birds in flight was absent, with only a hint of pink dawn appearing in the eastern sky.

The cold wind carried a touch of dampness, making the chill seep even deeper into the marrow.

Yawning, Noah carried his sword.

Just as he stepped into the courtyard, he locked eyes with Ais, who was standing still in the garden, clutching her sword in a daze.

"Noah~~"

The golden-haired young girl looked at him and spoke softly. Her voice sounded ethereal in the cold wind, much like her thin, petite frame.

"Ais, you're truly diligent."

Walking up to Ais's side, the still-groggy Noah subconsciously reached out and rubbed the small head that was at the perfect height and position in front of him.

Mm, her head is so small, and her hair is so smooth, just like a little kitten. It feels amazing.

"When I was your age, I wouldn't have gotten out of bed until noon in the winter."

Caught completely off guard by Noah's actions, Ais felt the sensation on the top of her head, her eyes widening and her small mouth agape.

Frankly, it was tingly and comfortable, making Ais feel the urge to squint her eyes, stand on her tiptoes, and nuzzle against his hand.

However, after a few seconds of internal struggle, Ais bit her lip, stepped back, and dodged Noah's hand.

If it were before, she wouldn't have thought anything of being patted on the head by Noah, the big brother who took care of her.

Moreover, Noah had a scent about him that she liked and found very comforting.

But last night, she had already promised to be Noah's wife, so she couldn't act like a little girl and be spoiled anymore.

Al, although her face grew hot and shy whenever she thought about what the word "wife" implied...

But! The words were already spoken, and Noah hadn't objected; he had even shown her his status, which clearly meant he had agreed.

So she couldn't go back on her word!

A wife had to act like a wife!

The sensation of empty air where his palm had been brought Noah back to his senses.

Seeing the faint resistance on her small face, Noah realized his behavior just now had been a bit inappropriate.

Yo, she's only eight or nine, and she's already starting to care about the differences between boys and girls?

Girls really are precocious. When I was seven or eight, I didn't understand anything.

Still, women are the same whether they're big or small—she won't even let me pat her head, yet she says she wants to be my wife.

Noah didn't take what Ais said yesterday to heart; after all, it was just a little girl acting out of impulse and spite.

In the past, many little girls had told him they wanted to marry him when they grew up, but Noah simply couldn't imagine a life spent growing old with someone or raising offspring.

Therefore, at most, he would use it to tease them once they were old enough to understand and feel embarrassed.

Though the one before him was also a little girl, but—

Glancing at Ais, Noah abandoned the dangerous thought in his mind.

While it was amusing to see Ais blushing furiously, clutching her skirt in shyness, it wouldn't be a pretty sight if he provoked her into rolling on the ground or, worse, swinging her sword wildly.

The rumors from yesterday probably hadn't died down yet, and Noah had no desire to provide them with more gossip fodder.

"Noah, are you still going to the Dungeon today?"

After a few seconds of thought, under Ais's expectant gaze, Noah chose to shake his head.

"I don't think I'm going today. At least, I don't have time this morning. I need to head to the Dian Cecht Familia later, and I still have to process magic stones and loot. More importantly, the Goliath won't respawn for at least half a month, and the monsters in the upper floors aren't as good for my training as self-discipline, so I'm considering whether to set aside a few days to head straight to the lower floors."

Upon hearing "lower floors," Ais immediately lowered her head in disappointment; if she had a pair of beast-like ears, they would surely be drooping right now.

Not to mention that she had just angered Riveria again yesterday, even if their mother-daughter-like bond was strong, she would never be allowed to enter the lower floors.

Riveria wouldn't allow it, and neither would Loki, Finn, or Gareth.

"But, even if I want to find time to train, I don't know where to go right now. It would disturb others at the Twilight Manor..."

Following Noah's line of sight, Ais looked up and saw the city wall to the north.

"Noah, do you want to go up on the wall?"

"Hmm, I suppose. It feels like a very suitable place for training, but it doesn't seem easy to get up there. If I were discovered by the Ganesha Familia, then—"

"I know!"

The sudden, chirpy voice made Noah instinctively look at Ais, finding her eyes sparkling with excitement and a hint of pride.

"I know how to get up!"

"Eh?"

Ten minutes later, standing before the battlements constructed from massive boulders, Noah scanned the scene before him.

The fiery morning glow was gradually emerging on the distant horizon, but the shadows of the mountains below appeared even deeper and darker, as did the city shrouded by the massive city wall.

As Orario, which sat atop the world's largest magic stone industry, it was naturally effortless to install the numerous magic stone lamps that kept the city illuminated throughout the night.

Places like the Pantheon at the Guild headquarters, the Southeast Pleasure District, the Western Tavern Street, and the southern "entertainment district" teeming with large casinos and theaters, all began to bustle as night fell and remained active until dawn.

Therefore, until the eve of daybreak, at this moment when the lights of those magnificent buildings were extinguished, the Labyrinth City finally entered its darkest and most silent hour.

The city within the walls was plunged into darkness, while the world outside the walls was gradually brimming with vitality.

"Ais, you're amazing. To think you could find a hidden entrance. Even without training, it's very comfortable to just feel the breeze here."

"Gu, mm."

Facing the appreciative gaze Noah cast her way, Ais puffed out her cheeks and instinctively looked away.

She was too embarrassed to say that she had accidentally discovered this secret entrance to the city wall during a runaway attempt in the past.

However, this was fine too.

Seeing Noah looking so content in the cold wind, Ais didn't understand why he wore such an expression, but this allowed her to ask the question in her heart.

"Noah..."

"Hmm?"

Meeting Noah's turned gaze, Ais gripped the wooden sword in her hand, drawing the cold air into her body, the white mist she exhaled condensing before her eyes before dissipating.

"Why... can you be so strong?"

Although Loki had locked away Noah's magic and skills, not letting Ais see them, she didn't care.

Because Ais had finally discovered what that fluttering feeling and longing hidden in her heart had been ever since she was saved by Noah over half a month ago.

There were many adventurers in the city stronger than Ais, including many within her own Familia, but Ais knew she couldn't learn anything from them.

Because the strength of those people was largely due to them being older than Ais, having spent more time on the path of becoming an adventurer.

As long as she was given more time, she would eventually catch up.

Therefore, what she wanted to learn from Noah was not techniques, magic, or skills—those external things.

What truly concerned Ais was the indomitable, unwavering momentum and fighting spirit Noah displayed when facing battle.

Even though it was a life-or-death struggle, there was not a trace of hatred or gloom to be seen in his eyes; he threw his entire heart and soul into the fight.

That killing intent was chilling, yet so intense, so clear, so pure, so dazzling, and even a little sacred...

Why, could he enjoy battle so much?

Ais believed that as long as she understood the reason Noah could be so resolute, she would definitely become strong too!

50 Youth

"Hmm, that question is quite sudden..."

Noah looked at Ais in surprise, only to find her staring at him with an incredibly firm gaze, as if she wouldn't let him leave until he spoke.

"Fine, so you were waiting for me here after helping me, weren't you?"

"Mm, s-sorry, eh?! But that, no..."

Ignoring Ais's look of resistance and frustration, Noah ruffled the silky hair on her small head until it stood on end, only then withdrawing his hand with satisfaction.

"Possessing sufficient talent, effort, and luck are indispensable parts of reaching this point; I won't deny that, but there's no way I can teach that to you—"

Rubbing his palm against the sword hilt, Noah felt the coldness of the metal and pondered slowly.

"—if I had to say what could help you, it would be this: Ais, you need to recognize what kind of person you are as soon as possible."

The cold wind whistled across the city walls, and it took Ais a long time to smooth out the hair Noah had messed up.

Hearing Noah's clear voice cutting through the biting wind, Ais stopped her movements and tilted her head in confusion, her golden eyes holding the bewildered, dazed look of a kitten.

"Recognize... myself?"

"That might be a bit hard to understand, so let's change the question—Ais, what kind of person do you think I am?"

Meeting Noah's azure eyes, which were deeper than the sky, Ais bit her lip, her small face flushing slightly.

"I think Noah is very handsome, cooks very well, is great at swordsmanship, and even though you don't smile, you're very gentle to people. You're someone who is very good to me, just like Riveria and the others..."

Even in the cold wind, Ais felt her face burning hot. After finishing, she couldn't help but feel thirsty, nervously swallowing.