A great disaster cometh.
Do not approach it, for it is the embodiment of ruin.
Do not touch it, for it is the oracle of death.
A mother's lament shall invoke calamity
as the newborn wails of despair resound.
The fairy who is sworn to be an usher of doom
shall drag the surging white flames into severe plight.
Take heed.
It is a banquet of tragedy.
What did... I just see...?
Was that...
a premonition?
Cassandra!
Get up!
Wh-what's the matter, Daphne?
People are saying an adventurer
was murdered just outside the city!
M-murdered...?
Is it Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon? IV
Cassandra Ilion
Dream Seer
I don't believe it...
Outta the way!
Someone really did a number on him.
But we can say for sure this is Jean.
That settles it. This was definitely a murder.
Monsters don't leave these kind of wounds.
I actually saw someone wrapped
in a cloak fleeing the scene!
Yeah, they were headed for the lower floors!
It's like I said! The Gale Wind did it!
I know exactly what that elf looks like because I saw her
back when she was a member of the Astrea Familia!
She's definitely the one who killed Jean!
The "Gale Wind"? Do they mean the former adventurer?
Yes. It would seem so.
All right. What's the best way to handle this?
Oh, come on! You already know
what we have to do, Bors!
We gotta make her pay!
Huh?
We hunt down the Gale Wind and kill her!
There's no way she's getting away
with killing one of our own, dammit!
Just hold your horses.
I've never seen the Gale Wind up close,
but I don't wanna mess with a level 4 of her caliber.
I care more about keeping myself alive, period.
The Gale Wind already has
a pretty big bounty on her head, right?
Yeah, I think it was around 80 million valis.
Gather up, ya boneheads!
We're forming an execution squad!
We're gonna hunt down the Gale Wind
and avenge our dead comrade!
Yeah!
They're obviously more interested in the money...
Not surprising given this is a town full of adventurers.
It doesn't matter how tough she is, she's dead meat
against overwhelming numbers like this!
Yeah! That's the spirit!
P-please wait a moment!
We can't be certain the Gale Wind
is guilty of murder just yet, right?
What're you saying, Rabbit's Foot?
Did you see something?
No. That's not what I mean...
Huh?! Then are you trying to call me a liar or what?!
Liar isn't really the word I'd use, but...
Are you positive it was the Gale Wind you saw?!
I'm beyond positive it was her!
Keep fighting me on this for no good reason
and I'll make you regret it, punk!
I have a good reason!
Everybody in this town remembers what happened after
the Black Goliath attacked. Isn't that right?
Obviously! I fought in that battle, myself!
What of it?!
Well, the Gale Wind was...!
That's enough, boy.
Ms. Aisha...
Good grief.
Of all the things to be shouting your heads off about...
Feel free to keep talking about it amongst yourselves.
O-okay...
All right! Which of you bums wants to get in on the hunt?!
Me!
I'm in!
Let's do it!
Wait, Ms. Aisha!
These people really need to know
that Ms. Ryu was part of that battle!
It should be enough to get them to reconsider!
Don't be stupid.
All that will do is make you look like her accomplice.
But even so!
Lady Aisha is absolutely right.
Let's go talk about this somewhere else for now.
That dream I had earlier...
is it related to this incident somehow?
So, that elf murdered somebody?
Based on my personal experiences with Lady Ryu,
I'm finding this very hard to believe.
Be that as it may, we've all heard the stories of
what happened after her Familia was wiped out.
She apparently went around killing
the people who were responsible for it.
And it ultimately got her blacklisted.
Ouka!
Don't get the wrong idea!
I'm also hoping that this is all just
some kind of misunderstanding.
The circumstantial evidence does point to the Gale Wind.
However, there are a few things that caught my attention.
Lady Daphne and I took some time
to examine the corpse earlier.
Hold on, you two did what now?
I really didn't want to get near it, to be honest.
Anyways, in my opinion, all the sharp cuts
that were on the guy's arms and legs
were very likely done by the Gale Wind.
She made sure he couldn't run away
by severing the tendons in his all of his limbs.
I'm willing to bet she was interrogating him.
Yeah. It's his fatal wounds that I thought were strange.
They were inconsistent with all of the others.
And stabbing him that many times was definitely overkill.
It's possible somebody else did it
to try and pin the blame on her.
What's with that look, Cassandra?
Huh?! Oh, nothing!
You sound just like a detective, Daphne.
It's really cool.
J-just shut up!
To be blunt...
I'm convinced that Turk guy is lying about what he saw.
Back when we all fought against the Black Goliath,
Ms. Ryu really stood out on the battlefield.
If he's genuinely familiar with what Ms. Ryu looks like,
then it doesn't make sense
he wouldn't have noticed her then.
That's true. It seems fishy.
He also kept trying to stir everyone into a frenzy
by saying they needed to kill the Gale Wind
and that felt kinda forced to me.
But more than anything...
I refuse to believe that Ms. Ryu
would do something so awful.
It's possible that she's been dragged
into some dangerous business.
And if that's really the case...
I want to save her.
Which is why, I'm...
I have a proposal.
What do you say that we all agree
to join the hunt for her?
Huh?
B-but why would we?
If our goal is to prove that Lady Ryu is innocent,
then the most important thing we can do is get in touch
with her before any of the other adventurers can.
Let me guess. We intentionally agree
to help hunt her down,
but then pull a fast one by reaching her
before anyone else has a chance to?
Yep.
What do you think, everyone?
I think we should go, Master Bell!
I'm going to come, too.
Seems like a big pain in the neck. But I guess I'm in.
Same here.
We're all in agreement! Let's hurry and get ready!
Uh oh...
I've got a really bad feeling about how this will play out...
Thanks, you guys!
Let's get out there and find Ms. Ryu!
Okay!
Lion...
I guess you really aren't coming back.
You were once obsessed with those evil-doers...
but I thought it had mostly subsided at this point.
Lion!
Your past karma.
Your connection to the Astrea Familia.
It'll all burn in the flames of vengeance.
Are you going down that dark path yet again...
Lion?
I can't get that dream out of my head.
Unless something changes,
I'm terrified that it's going to become reality.
No. I need to calm down and think rationally.
Then maybe...
"The fairy who is sworn to be an usher of doom."
Is it the Gale Wind?! Because if so...
Master Welf.
Have you made sure that everyone's
equipment is good to go?
Yep. We've still got some magic swords, too.
Is everything okay on your end?
Of course!
I was able to safely leave that letter in the hands of some
adventurers who are about to head for the surface.
Excuse me!
Hey Cassandra. Where's your stuff?
Um, would you...
consider calling this off?
Huh?
What?
I just know that something awful will happen.
So let's withdraw from the hunt and stay here instead!
Uh, okay, but why exactly...?
Don't tell me this is because of that prophetic dream
nonsense you always make a fuss about.
W-well, actually, it is...
But this time I...
How many times do I have to tell you to cut it out!
It's getting really old!
I knew they wouldn't believe me...
Nobody's ever believed me...
But maybe he will!
M-Mr. Bell! Uh...
Will you call it off?
Huh?
I'm sorry, Ms. Cassandra. But I want to save Ms. Ryu!
Shoot. He won't stop either...
Cassandra!
Are you feeling okay?!
I'm sorry, guys. I think it might be best if she didn't go.
I hate to do this, but I'm going to stay here with her...
No!
Huh?
Absolutely not!
Anything but that!
Please no!
Doing that... would mean abandoning
these people to their fate.
I can't do that!
I'm sorry for trying to change your minds.
It's all right. I'll go.
We may be able to avoid the worst outcome
if things change from how they were in my dream.
I have to...
find a way to save everyone.
I finally get a day off from work, but there's nobody to
spend it with since Bell and the others are still out...
The loneliness must be getting to you, hm?
You can say that again.
What about your children, Miach?
Daphne and Cassandra, was it?
Aren't they on your mind?
Of course, I'm always concerned for them.
But I must admit I do enjoy my time alone with Naza.
We've known each other for a long time.
So I feel most comfortable with her.
I p-prepared some tea for you.
Great. Thank you, Naza.
Look at you two, casually getting
all lovey-dovey over there...
I hope Bell and the gang are doing all right!
Keep your eyes open! Don't overlook anything
or anybody who seems suspicious!
This is the Animal People's time to shine!
Put those sensitive noses of yours to work!
Yessir!
Rumor has it that the Gale Wind
is top-class even among level 4s.
Rabbit's Foot! That means you're our ace in the hole!
Uh, sure...
This guy loves dumping work on other people.
No kidding!
But this actually works in our favor.
Having Bell be at the center of the hunt
makes it easier for us to obtain information.
I have to figure it out soon. There must be
a way to move everyone out of harm's way.
Hey, while we're on the topic of Cassandra...
I noticed something peculiar about her even back
when she was in the Apollon Familia. Know what I mean?
Indeed. She has foresight.
The ability to see something that even we gods cannot.
It means that she will be burdened
with the great unknowns of the lower world.
That's gotta be really rough for her.
I guess that explains why she's
a little gloomy all the time, huh?
It's true that Cassandra always
seems troubled by something.
But there are times I've seen her with a glowing smile.
Like whenever she's around Bell, for example...
A-are you serious?!
D-d-d-don't tell me that she's another
one of those vixens trying to lay claim to my Bell!
I'm pretty sure that's not the case...
Who could that be?
It was an adventurer who said they were
asked to deliver this from the 18th floor.
It's a letter from Little Miss Supporter.
But that's weird, I know it takes a hefty sum
to deliver stuff like this from the dungeon.
I can't imagine she'd be willing
to cough up the money for it...
What?!
That elf from the tavern was accused of murder?!
And they formed an execution squad to go after her?!
What does this mean, Hestia?
U-unfortunately, I'm just as clueless as you are.
But apparently Bell's group joined the hunt
for her to try and do something about it.
And they sent this letter to ask me for a favor.
What the hell is going on in the dungeon right now?
All the way down to the 21st floor
and no sign of her, huh?
Let's agree to never take on quests
to find people in the dungeon.
Because it's definitely a waste of resources.
"A mother’s lament shall invoke calamity."
I'm sure that "mother" must be referring to the dungeon.
But what's the calamity?
Could it be...?
Um, Ms. Lili? Do you know when
the Floor Boss is due to spawn?
Are you talking about Amphisbaena?
Who do you think I am? I've already
double checked when it's due to appear!
The last time it was defeated
was exactly half a month ago.
That means we've got 2 weeks before
the spawning interval is over!
I covered all my bases!
Th-that's good...
Amphisbaena, eh? That's the Rex
of the lower floors, right?
It shows up on the 27th one, as I recall.
Lady Aisha. Did you ever fight against it
during your time in the Ishtar Familia?
I did.
The Guild's evaluation has it set at level 6 after
taking its aquatic nature and the terrain into account.
But based on its strength alone I would say
it's only level 5.
Considering the number of
upper rank adventurers in this party,
it shouldn't be a cause for
concern even if it does show up.
Like I said! It's not going to spawn anytime soon!
If it's not the Floor Boss, then what on earth could it be?
Mr. Bell?!
Hey. Feel free to ask me for advice
if there's something on your mind.
Huh?
We may come from different Familia,
but we're in the same party right now.
So, uh, I just want you to know that I'm here to help.
Here, have a drink. I just fetched some water.
It should be cool and refreshing.
Um, thank you.
A-actually...!
Bors!
There's a herd of Mammoth Fools!
Damn, a whole herd of those big whoppers?!
Prepare for battle, ya slackers!
Come on, Rabbit's Foot!
Coming!
"Surging white flames."
That part probably refers to Mr. Bell.
He'll eventually meet with the Gale Wind and then...
get dragged into whatever she's involved in.
Unlike the others, my dream didn't indicate that he died.
But what about the "severe plight" part?
Um, Mr. Crozzo?
Just call me Welf!
Mr. Welf... u-um...
I have a favor to ask!
And you want me to do it?
Is that a problem?
Well, it's definitely possible.
But it wouldn't sit right with me, to be honest.
I only want to equip him with my handiwork.
It's a personal rule.
I know you might find this hard to believe,
but I have a sixth sense.
And I can tell that Mr. Bell is going
to find himself in great danger.
Because he always goes overboard
for the sake of others. It's in his nature.
Which is why I want to save him from that fate!
All right, I'll do it.
You will? Really?!
Yep. I had a similar problem with magic swords.
But I'm done with weighing my pride
against the wellbeing of my friends.
Besides, Bell is likely to go overboard.
I agree with you on that.
I mean, he's done it plenty of times before.
That's the kind of guy my partner is.
Hey, Lil Squeak. Get the tools out for me.
I'm gonna finish this up before
they take out all of the monsters.
It's almost been a whole day at this point.
Our pace seems to be a little slow to catch up.
Maybe, but the 24th floor is just up ahead.
If Lady Ryu is somewhere in this Colossal Tree Labyrinth,
we should find some trace of her soon.
No. The Gale Wind isn't up here.
Assuming my dream is right,
the tragedy will befall us at...
The hell? Was that an explosion?
It came from below us!
Bors! It's gotta be her!
Sounds like it's coming from the 27th floor.
All right! We're splitting up the party
and heading further down!
Anybody who stays behind should
keep watch over this passageway!
Okay!
My dream took place on the 27th floor,
at the base of the Great Falls.
I can't let them go down there.
This is where things get serious. We'll need to hurry
and find Lady Ryu before any of the others.
Right.
If we all agree to join the party heading
down to the 27th floor, then...
P-pardon me!
Is there really a need for us to tag along?
Huh?
W-well, if there are too many people in the party...
it would be hard to get through
the narrow tunnels and stuff.
O-oh no. This totally isn't going to work.
I agree with Cassandra on this.
We just don't have enough
experience with these lower floors.
It'll be hard enough to keep up much less search around.
You make a good point.
The party that's going down will need to be moving
pretty fast. So let's give up on everyone going together.
Okay.
Then it'll be Master Bell and Lady Aisha
who go down to the 27th floor.
Everyone else will...
U-uh, hold on!
I think Ms. Aisha should stay behind with everyone else!
Care to explain why?
W-well, it's...
for Ms. Haruhime's sake!
The other day, I was the one who carried Ms. Haruhime
as we made our way back to the 18th floor,
but it was a real struggle for me!
She's so heavy!
S-so, just in case something happens,
I think it would be better to have Ms. Aisha around.
You know, because Ms. Haruhime is so hard to carry!
I'm lying. Please forgive me!
Well, she's definitely filled out a lot compared
to when we were in the Far East.
Especially the chest area!
Is that so?!
Enough, you guys!
It sounds like you need to put on some muscle then, girl.
Because I'm not always going
to be able to look after her, even if I stay.
O-okay then...
Hey, Ms. Aisha?
I think Ms. Cassandra has a point.
Can you please stay here on the 25th floor?
Makes sense. I get where you're coming from.
But...
when you eventually run into that elf,
I have high doubts that you'll be
able to handle her on your own.
I'm putting my faith in Ms. Ryu.
Hmph.
It's your funeral.
Here, Bell. I've got something for you.
What's this?
I cut off part of Lil Squeak's robe earlier to make it.
It's a Goliath Scarf.
Thank you. But are you sure about this, Welf?
Heh. Well, the truth is that I wish you
only used my custom-made armor.
But that lady over there practically
begged me to make this.
Huh?
Ms. Cassandra. I really appreciate this!
D-don't mention it.
Mr. Bell might actually believe me
if I tell him about my dream.
But, even if that were the case,
I'm sure it wouldn't stop him.
Please come back in one piece, Mr. Bell.
Once we get back to the surface, I'd love
to talk more with you about all sorts of things.
All ya ingrates going down to the 27th floor,
get the hell over here!
Well then. I'm off!
Next Time
Mirabilis
Chaos
Next time: "Mirabilis."