I love time travel the most!

Compared to the panting female swordsman, he was in much better shape, simply because he was only going through the motions and didn't play any decisive role.

It looked like a 2v1, but he was actually consciously or unconsciously balancing the strength of both sides. After all, the two of them were aiming to win, while Kobayashi was trying to stall for time, naturally the longer the better.

However, this balance was broken after the roar of the Goros.

This was especially true after Bell appeared.

A white-haired, red-eyed boy rushed from afar at an illogical speed, then held a pitch-black dagger to his chest.

"Why……"

Clearly, Ais hadn't expected Bell to appear here, much less to intervene in their battle.

Adventurers are not allowed to steal their prey.

Although there was such a rule among adventurers, the female swordsman didn't care about it. She was only worried about Bell getting hurt by his sudden intrusion, and she didn't understand his reason for doing so.

"sorry."

Bell did not explain why, and after apologizing, his eyes remained fixed on the bull.

Similarly, [Bull] was also keeping a close eye on him.

They no longer saw Kobayashi and Ais; in the ruined streets, there was only each other.

As if sensing something, the [Fierce Bull]'s previously pained expression returned to a joyful smile, and its scarlet eyes regained their clarity as it spoke:

"I've always had a dream."

“——?!!!”

Ais looked at it in surprise.

"Talking monsters" is actually a general term. For them, speaking is secondary; what matters most is intelligence and humanity. There are also some "heretics" who cannot speak.

From the start of the battle, [Bull] hadn't said a word. Ais thought it wouldn't speak, but it turned out it was just keeping quiet.

[The Fierce Bull] ignored these trivial matters. At this moment, its eyes were only on the white-haired, red-eyed youth standing in front of it, ready for battle. It said, "I have been having a dream, a dream of fighting against a mere mortal. In the midst of blood and flesh flying in the battle, we are indeed the strongest opponents who have made our wills connect! It is precisely to see that person from my dream that I am standing here now."

"—!"

Hearing its story, Bell understood.

The irrepressible throbbing within me, the fighting spirit that roars through my soul, the long-cherished desire to fight them.

Its origins are already well-known.

"My name is Asterios. Please tell me your name."

"Bell. Bell Craney."

The white-haired, red-eyed boy gave his name.

[The Bull] smiled with satisfaction, then raised his double-edged axe with his remaining right hand, pointing it at him with boundless fighting spirit, and invited:

"Bell, I beg you to fight me again."

"........."

Bell didn't speak, but silently assumed a fighting stance.

He answered with his actions.

"Roar roar roar roar roar roar roar roar roar roar roar roar roar roar roar roar ——————!!!"

The roar of the "Bull" echoed throughout the labyrinthine city.

That was joy and excitement.

Then--

With a heavy stomp of his feet, he used the reaction force, just like his name, to charge at the white-haired, red-eyed boy in front of him like a fierce bull, and swung the double-edged axe down on his head.

When Bale saw his nemesis charging towards him, he raised his two daggers in an attempt to deflect the attack.

But he forgot the disparity in strength between the two sides.

With a deafening roar, a shockwave erupted from the point of impact, shattering the floor and causing the ground beneath him to collapse, sending him tumbling into a deep, recessed depression.

[The Bull] gave him no chance to breathe, pressing his advantage and kicking the small figure into the ruins with his right foot, the flying dust engulfing his body.

Then the bull roared.

He rushed in too.

A muffled thud echoed from the ruins, a testament to the intensity of the battle. Soon, the man and the bull left Daedalus Street and headed towards the central plaza of the labyrinth city.

"Bell?!"

Ais's expression changed, and she made as if to rush forward to help. But Kobayashi was faster than her and blocked her way first.

"No, you can't go there."

"Why……"

Ais looked at Kobayashi in disbelief.

This was the first time she had seen such an expression in her eyes, a mixture of anger and deep disappointment.

Recalling all the adventures she had shared with this man in the dungeon, and the figure that stood in front of her during the perilous moment on the 59th floor.

why?

Why do you want to do this?

Once again seeing through the girl's thoughts, Kobayashi provided an answer to her inner confusion.

"Because this is Bell's battle, his destiny battle."

"Fate..."

The girl chewed over the word.

She had felt something was off since just now.

Why did the bull roar? Why did Bell appear here after the roar? Why are they fighting together again?

"You had a feeling about this too, didn't you, Ais?"

"Could that be...!"

"Ah, just as you guessed. Come to think of it, I'm the one who caused this situation. So... that's his home turf, a battle that absolutely cannot be disturbed."

"...Will he die?"

"I don't know. But one thing is for sure, they will both give it their all."

"........."

Ais pursed her lips, her hand holding the rapier trembling slightly, her uncertain expression suggesting she had some guesses.

Suddenly, she asked another question: "What exactly are talking monsters?"

"Heretics...that's what we call them."

Xiaolin explained to her:

"Compared to ordinary monsters, they possess humanity and intelligence, and more importantly, they have minds. They are not controlled by the impulse to destroy and kill, making them an unexpected group of monsters. What's even more incredible is that they are not recognized by humans because they have monster bodies, and they are not recognized by monsters because they have intelligence. It's hard to say whether this is a good thing or a bad thing."

"how come……"

Sword Maiden Ais's usually calm expression wavered slightly. She had never imagined that the "heretics" were in such dire straits, and she couldn't help but feel sorry for them.

"Ah, don't misunderstand."

Kobayashi sensed something was amiss and waved his hand, saying, "I didn't mean to gain sympathy by saying that. Everyone has a different understanding of what is right and wrong, and I can understand Miss Ais's or the other adventurers' hostility. Rather, it's precisely because we understand this that we need to hide."

Reed, Guross, and the others initially held out hope; otherwise, they wouldn't have cooperated with Fels and waited for fifteen years.

However, this difficult and lengthy task ultimately failed.

Their appearance is not permitted by adventurers, and fifteen years is far from enough to resolve the millennia-old feud between monsters and adventurers.

After waiting so long and finally reaching the surface, they are now forced to run back to the underground city to survive, which is truly ironic.

That's why I accept and tolerate them!

"……Eh?"

"If the gods of the labyrinth city... no, the gods of this world don't recognize them, then the goddess of another world—Goddess Aqua—will recognize them!"

The unconventional declaration left Ais speechless.

She didn't know who this goddess Aqua was, but she imagined she must be an incredibly tolerant, broad-minded, gentle, and kind goddess.

"But aren't you worried about being condemned by others for doing this?"

The blonde swordswoman couldn't help but ask.

The title "Fiora" carries immense weight and carries profound significance.

Enjoying convenience also comes with burdens.

For example, something that would damage the title or reputation of the clan would be absolutely forbidden for her by the clan leader Finn. Why is she allowed to do such a thing?

"Because that's the doctrine of the Aqua Familia."

Kobayashi said with a smile.

That proud, upright posture, if you didn't know better, you'd think it was some kind of lofty belief, but little did you know it was just a Bible teaching people to give up.

"So I'm sorry, I have to stop you here."

……

...

"Hey, you guys get out of the way! We need to get to Ais right away!"

Tiona, with a drawn-out, coquettish tone, pouted and looked at the cat-person male blocking her way with dissatisfaction.

From the moment the riot broke out on Daedalus Street, these guys appeared out of nowhere and blocked her and her sister Tione from passing through.

It's infuriating that I can't even beat them!

Tione shouted, "What do you mean? Don't get in our way!"

"Shut up, the white-haired brat is risking his dignity, you are the ones who shouldn't interfere with him."