Journey to Planar World

”I’m not strong at all.”

”Liar. You’re very strong; you defeated the Goliath even though you’re only Level 1.”

Aiz had witnessed Charlie’s fight against the Goliath from the beginning. In her view, no one else could have done that.

As someone who desires and craves power, she wanted to know the secret behind Charlie’s strength.

”So you saw it... I guess there’s no harm in telling you.”

Thinking about the sexual harassment he had committed against Aiz, Charlie felt very guilty. Moreover, the other party was willing to keep that scandal secret, which had already helped him a lot.

”I won’t tell anyone your secret, I promise.”

Hearing that, Aiz’s eyes sparkled, and her heart filled with anticipation.

”Here’s your dish, enjoy.”

Just as Charlie was about to speak, the Elf maid arrived with their order and placed it on the table. After that, she moved on to serve other customers.

”So, what do you want to know? Just ask.”

Considering Aiz’s personality wasn’t one for much talking, Charlie was willing to answer a few questions even if they were sensitive topics.

”How can you use Ariel? Not just Ariel, you also used other magic like lightning dragons and fireballs. You’re only Level 1, how do you do it?”

This was what bothered Aiz the most. Seeing someone else use her unique magic made her uncomfortable.

Ariel was a magic that held a special place in her heart.

”Ariel? Sorry, I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

”Ariel is my wind-element magic; it acts as a strong offensive weapon and can be used as a shield. I can enhance this magic several times by repeatedly chanting the spell to further boost my abilities. That way, I can gain strength beyond my level.”

Seeing the confused expression on Charlie’s face, which didn’t seem fake, meant this was the first time he had heard of Ariel. Aiz’s heart felt slightly reassured, knowing the other party didn’t have Ariel’s magic. So, she explained her magic.

This wasn’t secret information. Her magic was very famous in Orario because of its effect that allowed her to challenge opponents one level above her.

In other words, even though Aiz was only Level 5, she had the combat strength equivalent to a Level 6 with Ariel.

It wasn’t an exaggeration to say that Aiz was the strongest Level 5 adventurer, and even if she fought a Level 6 opponent, she wouldn’t lose easily.

”I see. From your explanation, the Ariel ability is somewhat similar to my Wind Divine Protection.”

”...Wind Divine Protection? Is that your magic?”

”Not really. Actually, I only have one magic that allows me to manipulate natural phenomena like a Spirit. From others’ perspectives, it seems like I can use a lot of magic.”

”What’s the name of that magic?”

”Spirit Art.”

”Spirit... Art...”

Hearing that name, Aiz lost her composure and stood up, attracting the attention of others in the pub who had been secretly watching out of curiosity about the nature of their relationship.

”Aiz? What’s wrong with you?”

Charlie didn’t expect such a strong reaction from Aiz.

”Sorry, I was just surprised.”

Sitting back down, Aiz still wasn’t calm, evident from her tightly clenched fists and rapidly beating heart.

For her, the term ”Spirit” was very special.

Spirits were said to be the most beloved children of the gods and were even referred to as half-gods. They were powerful magic users and could wield magic even better than Elf.

Gods and Spirits couldn’t have children with humans. That was the world’s law, a rule that could never be broken by any human, god, or Spirit.

However, a miracle occurred, defying irrefutable logic and even beyond the understanding of the gods.

The Strongest Hero, Albert Waldstein, and the Great Wind Spirit, Aria, somehow managed to have a child, who was Aiz Wallenstein!

During the Heroic Era, Spirits aided heroes in fighting monsters, from the Hero of the Beginning Argonaut who made contact with the Great Spirit Jupiter, Hero Fulland with the Great Water Spirit Undine, and Hero Cadmus with the Great Spirit Diva. In short, every hero had their own contracted Spirit.

Whether by fate or coincidence, most heroes would fall in love with their Spirits. Unfortunately, the love stories of heroes always ended tragically.

Aiz’s parents were no exception. Her father and mother died in battle against the Black Dragon.

Aria was her mother’s special magic. The reason Aiz could use it was because she was a Half-Spirit, a unique existence born from a human and a Spirit, something that should have been impossible.

Now, Aiz had met someone who could use Spirit power without having a contract with a Spirit, which is why she was so shocked.

”You’re not lying, are you?” Aiz asked, still doubtful.

”What I’m saying is hard to believe; there’s nothing I can do if you don’t believe it.”

Shrugging, Charlie resumed eating.

He had already told the truth, whether Aiz believed it or not wasn’t his concern.

”...”

Lowering her head, Aiz looked frustrated. After a moment of silence, she raised her head and made a selfish request.

”Charlie, let me see your status.”

”Hm?”

Charlie’s eating stopped, and he looked at the girl in front of him with a strange expression.

Even though he had only been in the Danmachi World for ten days, he already knew the basic common sense from Hera.

An adventurer’s status was highly confidential. Generally, only the main god would know, and even members of the same Familia wouldn’t know each other’s status.

”Aiz, you know what you’re asking is selfish, right? A status can be fatal if known by outsiders. You know this better than I do.”

”I know.”

Aiz nodded, but her serious expression didn’t change.

”Then—”

”I beg you, this is my lifelong request to you. This is very important to me; in return, you can do anything you want to me.”

”Cough Cough Cough...”

Charlie choked on hearing Aiz’s words.

Seeing the pitiful expression on her face, as if she would cry the next second if he refused, Charlie admitted defeat.

”Sigh... I can’t stand seeing a woman’s tears. Alright, as long as you promise to keep what you see a secret, I don’t mind you seeing my status.”

’By the way, don’t we have too many secrets between us in just one day? Whatever, what’s done is done, let’s just consider this as paying back Aiz for taking care of me when I fainted earlier.’

Charlie didn’t really care even if his status was known to the public.

So what if others knew about his Skills and Magic? Could they exploit it to find his weakness?

If he couldn’t defeat his opponents, all he needed to do was escape.

Could his enemies chase him while he was flying?

”Thank you, Charlie.”

Hearing his approval, Aiz was very happy, though she wasn’t good at expressing her feelings.

”Let’s finish dinner.”

”Mm.”

They quickly finished dinner. After paying the bill, Aiz followed Charlie to a five-star inn.

”N-No way... Aiz-san is actually going to an inn with a man... No, this must be a nightmare.”

Lefiya leaned against a wall, holding her head, with a horrified expression on her face, tears streaming from her eyes, and her mind refusing to accept reality.

”Aiz-san must have been deceived by that man, that’s right, that must be it!”

Her brain created reasons to convince herself.

”I have to report this to Riveria-sama.”

Lefiya knew she couldn’t persuade Aiz alone. Therefore, she called upon the most influential person in Aiz’s life, Riveria.

Ignoring the strange looks from people around her, Lefiya hurriedly ran to Twilight Manor.

In fact, it wasn’t just Lefiya who saw Charlie and Aiz enter the inn; other passersby were also shocked and stunned.

There wasn’t an adventurer who didn’t know Aiz. In a short time, rumors about the Sword Princess going to an inn with a man spread throughout Orario like wildfire.

Inevitably, this caused a stir that attracted everyone’s attention, especially the gods who were seeking amusement.