Multiverse: In DanMachi, I'm the Strongest Summoner

The sound of water—

Was like the strumming of harp strings.

A blue light scorched away sins, judging the soul.

The bubbles had long drifted away.

Even now, that dreamlike figure still hadn't told him her real name.

The sequence was all wrong.

Everything remained in chaos…

"...Flandre~~"

"I… I miss you so much, I want to see you again…"

A crisp, bell-like girl's voice echoed deep within Raven's mind.

"Who…?"

"Who are you?"

Opening his eyes, Raven found himself on the rooftop of some building.

"Th-This is…?"

"Why am I…?"

"That sound… water?"

He looked around.

Everything was flooded in brilliant, deep-blue water.

Yes—

The entire city of Orario had been submerged under a massive flood.

The eight major districts that were once neatly separated—

Had now turned into eight great rivers.

Eyes widening, Raven stared in disbelief at the waterlogged streets and alleys.

"Orario… is flooded?"

"What the hell is going on?"

Plip—plop~

Like a drop of water hitting the surface of a calm lake, a soft splash rang out.

"Flandre…"

"Have you come to see me?"

That sweet, melodious voice once again entered his ears.

"…?"

Raven blinked, confused.

Then suddenly—

A figure of a beautiful girl emerged from the flowing water before him.

She had long, wavy, ocean-blue hair that swayed like gentle tides.

Delicate ornaments glimmered among her locks.

Her clear amethyst eyes sparkled with liveliness and curiosity.

She wore a white dress decorated with sapphire gems, trimmed with flowing fin-like frills at the collar and hem.

Her slender, dainty frame drifted like a cloud.

Barefoot, radiating natural innocence.

Soft glimmers of starlight seemed to dance around her—

She radiated a fresh, otherworldly charm, like a spirit from a dream.

With her bare feet stepping lightly atop the water, she seemed to walk toward Raven from across a starry, dreamlike sea.

As she picked up speed, a joyful smile spread across her face.

"H-Hey, wait!"

She suddenly lunged at him—

Catching Raven completely off guard as she threw herself into his arms.

"Why are you hugging me out of nowhere?!"

"Because I missed you so much… Flandre~"

"Hehe, I want cuddles~~"

She nuzzled against him like a spoiled child, rubbing herself closer.

Her behavior was extremely affectionate and intimate.

"W-Wait a minute…"

"Can you not rub your chest on my head?"

"AAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH?!"

Totally lost, Raven found himself pinned down by this dreamy girl's—well—heavenly softness.

Then suddenly, the girl giggled.

"Ahahaha~"

"What a weird voice!"

"Flandre, you're so strange~"

Raven lifted his head and sighed.

"Hold on—did you mistake me for someone else?"

"I'm not this Flandre guy."

"My name's Raven."

"And your name is…?"

The girl paused, her fingertip lightly tapping her chin as she pondered.

"My name…"

"Huh?"

"My… name?"

Raven nodded and sighed.

"Yeah, what's your name?"

"Uhhhhhhhhh…"

She dragged out the sound, lips trembling, but couldn't get the words out.

Raven was puzzled.

Finally, after some thinking, she muttered two words:

"…It hurts…"

Raven's eyes widened a little.

This girl…

Did she hit her head or something?

"Flandre is shameful."

"Hmph!"

With a pout, she turned around and ran off.

"Hey, where are you going?"

Raven called out.

"I'm going to punish pervy, naughty, lewd Flandre!"

"Just like before—let's play hide-and-seek!"

She paused and turned to shout back at him.

"…What the hell?"

"Hide-and-seek? Are you a child or something?"

"Sure, you're pretty cute, but I'm not an idiot, you know."

Raven raised a brow, muttering his complaint.

"Let's play, Flandre."

"Catch me if you can~~"

With that—

She darted off and vanished from sight.

Left behind, Raven fell deep into thought.

"But seriously…"

"Who was that girl?"

"Did I get transported to another world again?"

He glanced at the massive walls enclosing the city in the distance—

And quickly ruled that out.

"No…"

"This is still Orario."

"But in the world of DanMachi, I don't recall any character like her…"

"Flandre…"

"Why did she call me that?"

Suddenly—

A bolt of realization struck his mind like lightning.

Raven's eyes lit up.

Could it be—

The grand sanctuary in the northwest district… the Great Temple of Saint Flandre?

In the original story—

Bell and Syr had gone on a date there once.

That majestic, solemn building was one of Orario's famous landmarks.

And in The Holy Tales of the Dungeon—

There was a popular heroic legend—

Titled Flandre of Water and Light.

…

Author's note:

This chapter's character image is a blue-haired girl.

Note: This entire scene takes place within a dream.

There's more to come.

Lastly, begging for flowers, dear readers!

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