Like before I don't have anything to start off with. Just enjoy the part!
"Hey, boy, can you see it. There's the Labyrinth City." asked the driver
Bell poked his head outside the carriage window.
"...You know I was expecting a lot from the city but this is on a whole new level."
Just looking from the outside he could tell it was an impressive place. A great wall covering the city and the white tower that pierced the sky.
"Ahahahaha, everyone who comes to Orario says the same thing. It lives up to it's name of being called "The Center of the World" doesn't it?"
"Yeah!"
So this is the legendary city of heroes, Orario!
After hearing so many stories about the city for years, he couldn't stop the smile on his face.
"What's that tower in the middle of the city, Mr. Driver? The one that goes all the way up to the sky?"
"That's Babel Tower, the entrance to the Dungeon."
"Babel? Babel the Falling Tower? But isn't it a little…."
The driver laughed again.
"Tall? Yeah no one really understands Babel's true height until they see it themselves after all. It's a lot like the city itself. If you want to enjoy the city, wait about 13 more minutes until we arrive."
"Yes,sir."
Once the carriage had stopped, Bell immediately grabbed his pack and jumped out.
"Thank you Mr. Driver! Here's the payment."
"Don't mention it. Enjoy the Labyrinth City!"
After paying and waving off the driver. Bell immediately ran to the city's North Gate.
"Wow… Just how many people are here?"
Just by taking a brief glance, he could tell that around 50 people were at the gate waiting to be admitted.
"This is going to take a while."
Bell joined the line and waited for his turn to come up. After two hours it was finally Bell's turn.
"Next person, please." called the uniformed official. Judging by his black vest Bell assumed this was a member of the Guild that ran Orario's government.
"Yes!"
"Do you have any documents?"
"Uh yes, I do. Give me a moment."
Bell took out papers from his pack and handed it to the official.
"So you have a traveler's pass. Then do you have the emblem with the pass? We need that to verify the information on the document."
"Do you mean this?"
Bell took out a medal from his pocket and gave it to the official. The medal had a symbol of twin wings etched on it.
"Alright, we have confirmation of the emblem. You're free to go."
"That's it?"
"Yes, you're done. Please go on ahead. We will be taking the documents and emblem for now."
"Ok?"
Bell walked to the entrance as instructed.
What exactly were those documents? Almost all the information on it looked gave them to me before I left saying that it would make things easier for me if I used it to enter the city. Well he was right I guess but where did he even get his hands on another Familia's emblem? No, thinking about it now won't help. I'll have to ask later when I get the chance.
Clearing his thoughts, Bell finally stepped into the city.
"..."
He knew the city was large just from looking on the outside but the inside wasn't just large it was full of people. It wasn't just a single race either. Dwarves, Elves, Demi-humans, Amazons. All types of races were wandering around the massive streets of Orario. Everything about the place seemed worthy of being called the best city in the world.
"Uncle was right, Orario never fails in surpassing your expectations."
Bell doubted he would ever get such a view in any other place in the world.
So for starters I should probably head to the Guild's Headquarters to register as an adventurer like Uncle said. But where is it? All the buildings here don't look important enough to be the Guild Headquarters.
Then he noticed two girls walking down the street, one blonde-haired elf and one red-haired human having a discussion in quiet voices.
Well they look used to the city and have adventurer's armor and weapons. Hopefully they don't mind if I ask for directions.
As Bell began to get closer, the contents of their conversation could be heard.
"Alise, shouldn't we do something about "Mercury Powder?" It's becoming more of a problem in Daedalus Street recently. Skoll is trying to find the culprit behind it but there's only so much he can do alone. For all we know it could be a problem caused by the remnants of Evilus."
"I understand where you're coming from, Lion but there are almost no clues or hints we can find on the culprit right now. Even if the city is a lot more peaceful than it was six years ago, crime hasn't disappeared from the city. I feel bad for Dylan but for now we'll have to let him handle it."
"Um, I'm sorry for interrupting but may I ask a question?"
Immediately, the two girls turned around to see the white haired boy
"Oh?"
As the red haired girl let out a sound of surprise, the blonde elf glared at the boy.
"Who are you?"
"W-Wait, I just wanted to ask for directions. I've just arrived in Orario and I'd like to go to Guild Headquarters."
Hearing the boy's excuse, the elf stopped glaring.
"Lion, you shouldn't be suspicious of everyone right away! It's your bad habit." chided the red haired girl
The elf slightly lowered her head to Bell
"I'm sorry for my rudeness."
"No, don't worry about it,"
The red haired girl looked at Bell for a few seconds before smiling.
"Yeah, you clearly seem new around the city. Nice to meet you. My name is Alise Lovell and this here is my best friend Ryuu Lion."
"Hello."
"Nice to meet you, Miss Alise and Miss Ryuu. My name is Bell Cranel."
"You don't need to be so formal, Bell. Alise is fine."
"Really? Then I'll call you Alise."
"Mr. Cranel if you're going to Guild Headquarters, then you have to go to the west side of the city. Once you go straight west you'll see a large building in the center called the Pantheon where adventurers go in and out. That's where the Guild Headquarters is located. Did you get that?
"Yes, Miss Ryuu. Then I'll be going now. Thanks for your help."
"No problem. Good luck out there, Bell."
"Have a good day, Mr. Cranel."
As Bell left for Guild Headquarters, Alise and Ryuu watched him leave.
"Hey, Lion did you notice?"
"No I didn't. Until he had talked I didn't notice he was behind us at all. And even now when he's walking away, he doesn't make noise with his footsteps."
"Same here. Not to brag or anything but we should've been able to notice someone behind us before it reached that point. He said he was new to the city and from what I could tell he didn't seem like he was lying but he seems strong from someone outside Orario."
"Still he seemed weaker than we were. Maybe around Level 3 or 4?"
"Yeah, what a strange kid."
After going to the west side of Orario he found a large building where many people with adventurer equipment were entering and leaving.
"This has got to be the place."
Walking in the building he saw reception desks of women in the same black vested uniform as the other official he had met earlier.
Lucky! There's an open desk with that half-elf lady!
As Bell walked up to her, the half-elf smiled at him.
"Welcome to Guild Headquarters. My name is Eina Tulle. How may I help you today?"
"Hello Miss Tulle, my name is Bell Cranel,I'd like to sign up to become an adventurer. Is it possible to register here?"
The half-elf looked at Bell for a few seconds before crafting a perfect smile.
"Understood. Well have you registered with a Familia inside Orario?"
"No I haven't. Is that a requirement to sign up here?"
Eina's smile became slightly strained for a second before turning back to her polite expression.
"Yes, sir. To sign up here a contract with a god here in Orario is an absolute requirement. We cannot consider someone an adventurer here in Orario without that. So I'm very sorry but I cannot accept your request to register at this time."
"No that's fine, I apologize for not looking this information up ahead of time. Thank you for sharing this."
I messed up, I really should've at least asked Uncle about this kind of stuff beforehand. Thinking I could go to the Dungeon right away was stupid.
Bell could only sigh at his lack of information.
"Um, Mr, Cranel. If you'd like shall I give you a recommendation list of Familias?"
Bell's head snapped up.
"Can I have that, please?!"
"Of course, Since you wish to be an adventurer you will be signing up for a Dungeon-type Familia correct?"
"Yes."
"Then here is our list for the Dungeon-type Familia's. Please make your decision well."
After taking the list, Bell thanked Eina and left.
Alright, I need a place to relax while I look for Familias. There should be some inns somewhere in the city. Actually there's one other place I should go to as well.
After heading off ,he went to the other side of the city. There he found where the inn's were located. While there were many fancy inns, Bell ignored them and instead went to the more cheaper inns. As long as he had a bed, Bell wasn't going to care how good the inn was.
"Ok, this seems pretty cheap."
After stopping at a small two story inn. Bell walked in.
"Thank you, old man!"
As he walked in a pink haired girl rushed past him and left the inn.
What was that all about?
"Hey, kid. Looking to stay a night?"
An old human man snapped Bell out of his thoughts.
"Oh yes, sir. How much is it for one night?"
"800 valis with no meals."
"800?!"
Hey seriously?! Even the cities in the west wouldn't charge this much for a cheap inn!
"If you don't want it then you can always get out. 800 valis is the price. Take it or leave it."
"...No it's fine. I'll take that price."
Well I'm only staying for a day. I've got around 30,000 valis so it should be fine.
After paying and taking his room key, Bell went upstairs to his room.
"Well it does have a decent bed so that's good."
Laying down his belongings on the floor. Bell sat down and began reading through the list of Familia's
The major factions in the Dungeon-type Familia are Loki, Freya, Ganesha, and Astraea. It would be easier for me if I could join a strong faction. But before that…
Grabbing Desire and Dawn from his pack he put them in his holster and headed downstairs where the owner was.
"Mr. Owner. May I ask a question?"
"What, kid?"
"Do you know where Adventurer's Graveyard is?"
"Why are you interested in something like that?"
"I just want to pay my respects before I start my life here in Orario."
The owner gave him a strange look while Bell simply smiled back.
"Hmph, whatever. When you head out from here just go south-east near Daedalus Street. Adventurer's Graveyard should be there."
"Thank you! I'll be heading out now."
After heading out, Bell went to the south eastern district part of Orario. As he walked down the streets he noticed that the south of Orario seemed more quieter than the rest of the city. Bell guessed it was thanks to the presence of the vast Adventurer's Graveyard reminding the people of those whose lives had been snuffed out in battle. After buying some flowers from a nearby floral shop he continued his way to the south eastern district.
And he finally arrived.
"Adventurer's Graveyard…"
Bell stood in the massive cemetery with a mix of emotions in his heart.
For its size, the graveyard was completely quiet in contrast to the lively noises from the city. Many white tombstones could be seen, recording the lives of the adventurers who had perished in the Dungeon.
"What are these?"
As he walked up to the center he noticed two giant monuments in the center, one black monument and one white monument.
"This is…"
Bell's eyes widened as he read the black monument first.
"The monument for the heroes of the old age…"
Bell looked at the names that he had memorized as a child with a smile
"Wolven Emperor, Yuris, Dwarf Great Hero, Galmusa, War Princess, Elshana, Amazon Empress, Ivelda, High Elf Queen, Celdia."
With each name he spoke, the smile on Bell's face grew. He looked at the top name and gave his biggest smile.
"And…. The Mercenary King, Albert Waldstein."
So many of the great heroes that the boy had idolized were all recorded here as part of humanity's greatest legends.
"One day I'll make it there."
After offering his prayers and some flowers for the old heroes, Bell turned his attention to the white monument. Unlike the black monument, Bell's eyes had sadness in them as he read the monument.
Yeah. I had to come and pay my respects for you guys. Uncle and Mom aren't here with me so it's just me for now.
The white monument represented the heroes of the Age of Gods. And the Familias that had made it to this monument were of course the two strongest Familia's in the last 1,000 years, Zeus and Hera.
While they had failed in their crusade of the Black Dragon, they had still protected Orario from many other deadly threats and had defeated the other two Great Monsters. These feats were worthy enough to give them their own monument next to the black monument.
I wonder if things were different could I have also been a part of your family? What would you guys think of me if you saw me now? I don't know but...
Bell left the last of his flowers on the white monument and smiled
But I can promise here. I will become a hero and I promise to finish what you guys couldn't.
Bell had a feeling if it were alive today and heard him that they would say...
"Try if you can, damn kid!"
Bell suppressed a laugh, It was a silly thought but for some reason Bell didn't think he was wrong in his assumption.
"Bye guys, I'll come visit another time."
Leaving behind those words, Bell left the cemetery. By the time Bell had returned to the inn the night had already fallen..
I wasted more time than I expected. I've got to start looking for Familia's first thing tomorrow. For now I'll just get some rest.
Getting into his room, he laid on the bed and entered into a deep sleep almost immediately.
On a certain day, Bell was on the ground as usual.
After getting knocked down yet again, he finally couldn't get up from the ground.
"Well you kept up with the training fine today. Take a break for now."
"Haaaaaah….Yes."
It was a rare day where Bell was doing physical training with Alfia.
Zard could be brutal during the training but he at least gave Bell the chance to fight. With Alfia however, forget about fighting, survival became the top priority. She fired blows much faster than Zard and left no gaps in her defense, making the possibility of landing a counter impossible.
She was just so overwhelmingly….strong.
Nothing else fitted her as well as the word "strong".
"What's wrong? You look dissatisfied with something."
"...It's nothing."
"You're a terrible liar as usual. Come on just say it, I won't mind whatever it is."
With Alfia's words, Bell's mouth began opening up.
"Mom...Just what did you do to get that strong?"
"..."
"I've been trying my best and I do feel like I'm growing compared to before but I can't imagine how much training I need before I can reach your level. Even if I'm running as hard as I can it doesn't feel like it's enough to reach the "sky" that you and Uncle are on."
Although he was aware of it when they had started training, experiencing the overwhelming power they had was another experience of its own. To Bell it felt like Zard and Alfia were somewhere in the sky while he was on the ground.
"Does that mean you want to stop?" Alfia asked quietly.
"No. I don't want to stop but I feel like..."
Bell couldn't express what he really wanted to say clearly.
Suddenly he felt something on his head.
Looking up he saw Alfia patting his head with a small smile on her face.
"Mom?!"
"Listen to me, Bell. This thought that you have is something every adventurer has at some point in time. When the goal is unreasonably long, everyone gets doubts. Zard and I are no exception to this.
"..."
"No one starts strong. It doesn't matter how talented you are. Everyone starts off as a weak person who aims to be stronger. But what separates the weak from the ones who made it to the level of the strong is their dedication towards the goal."
"Dedication?"
"Yes, if you don't have the mental strength to aim for the goal you won't ever be able to get stronger. On the other hand the ones who can continue on the long path and stay alive to reach the goal are the ones called first-tier adventurers. That's why it's fine, Bell. Because you have the strength to keep going forward even now."
"Mom…."
"Don't ever forget that. As long as you keep moving forward, you can definitely reach it no matter how difficult it might be."
"Yes! I'll never forget!"
He turned his head and smiled.
"Sorry for sounding weird, Mom."
"It's fine. You've always been so reserved. If you want to let out your feelings you can. I won't get mad just for that."
"You really won't?"
"...Just make sure it isn't stupid."
"Ahahaha!"
Bell laughed and looked up at the blue sky above them.
There he saw the birds flying freely in the sky with ease. In the boy's mind Zard and Alfia were like those birds. Flying freely in the "sky" he couldn't reach.
But I'll make it there. Even if it takes me a long time, I'll also fly in that "sky" one day.
Bell immediately woke up at 5 AM as usual.
"Hm? That dream was…."
As he recalled his dream, he smiled.
"Did I remember that day because of Adventurer's Graveyard?"
Shaking his head, he rose from bed and prepared to leave the inn.
"Well, then I'm leaving now, Take care, Mr. Owner."
"...Y-yeah."
Ignoring the owner's reaction, Bell left the inn and out to the streets.
Time to look for a Familia! Guess I'll start with Loki Familia.
Deciding his course of action, Bell headed to the north of the city where the Loki Familia home, Twilight Manor waited. Unlike the southern district of Orario he had visited, The north district was lively everywhere with customers and merchants. Many of them had even tried to call out to him.
"Hey, white haired kid! Are you interested in some weapons?"
"Oh I'm sorry but I need to be somewhere."
"Boy, are you hungry? We've got fresh fruits today each at the cheap price of 60 valis! What do you say?"
"Um, I'm sorry but I really need to go. Maybe later."
Interactions like that were common as he traveled through the northern district.
As expected of merchants. No matter where you go they're always the same.
It took longer than he expected but he finally arrived at the Loki Familia. He saw a large, white mansion with a black gate and two gatekeepers keeping watch outside.
This is probably Twilight Manor.
"Hello there. Is this Loki Familia's home?"
"Yeah this is the Twilight Manor. And who are you supposed to be?" asked the first gatekeeper.
"I'm Bell Cranell. I wanted to sign up here to become an adventurer here."
With those two words the gatekeepers glanced at each other awkwardly.
"Um, is there a problem?"
"Well….our goddess is the one that generally checks out the Familia candidates but she's currently passed out drunk from drinking too much. She's not really in the state to check out new members." said the first gatekeeper, scratching his cheek.
"Wait, what?"
"And our core members are currently on an expedition in the Dungeon so they aren't here to check candidates either. Without Loki's permission we aren't allowed to let anyone in so you'll have to come back another time." explained the second gatekeeper.
"..."
Well, this didn't work out.
"We're really sorry about this."
"No it's fine. Thank you for your time."
After thanking them he left Twilight Manor.
Well it's not so bad! I have some options left from the Dungeon Familia's! Surely I can get into the other strong ones!
Bell encouraged himself and went to find the other Familia's to join.
4 hours later…
"Is this even possible?!"
After checking the other major factions. Bell ended up not joining a single one.
Freya Familia didn't even let me try to join and rejected me at the front! Astraea Familia is a women only Familia! At least put that kind of information on the list so I can cross it out of consideration! Ganesha Familia was willing to accept me but they are more of a police force than an actual Dungeon Familia so I won't get much of a chance to explore the Dungeon. And other strong factions like Ishtar and Hephaestus only go to the Dungeon as a side job rather than a main job.
Bell thought if he had a certain level of strength to offer to them he would be able to join a Familia and go to the Dungeon without too much trouble.
"Man, this city really is unpredictable…"
Well at this point as long as I join a Familia that allows me to explore the Dungeon regularly it should be fine.
While deciding the next thing to do, a noise interrupted Bell's thoughts.
"Get out! We don't need trash like you!"
"Huh?"
A loud scream could be heard from a man. When Bell turned around, he saw a male dwarf furiously slamming the door at a pink haired girl.
"Wait, that girl was from the inn, right?"
Bell recalled running into her when he had first came to the inn.
"...Oh man that didn't work out either. How many rejections has it been now? Even after that many I still can't find a Familia."
The girl let out a smile as she reflected. But…
She looks so tired. Has she been rejected by multiple Familias? From what I can see she seems to be a normal girl.
People who had experience with Falna could sense the "vessel" of other people with Falna and could tell roughly how strong a person was by judging their "vessel". The pink haired girl lacked any sort of power at all.
And most of all…
Her smile and eyes, they're so empty. My rejections must've been nothing in comparison to hers.
Bell wasn't the best reader of people but even he could easily see the rejections were taking a toll on her. He couldn't help but feel some sympathy for the girl and decided to give her a hand.
"Um, are you ok there?"
"Huh? Who are you?"
"I'm Bell Cranell, Sorry for eavesdropping on you but it seems like you're having some troubles right?"
"Ahahaha, yeah I'm sorry you had to hear that. My name is Emma Flores. Nice to meet you, Bell.
"Same here, Miss Emma."
"You don't really have to use the Miss for me. We don't seem that far apart from each other age wise." smiled Emma.
"Is that so? I'll call you Emma then. Just out of curiosity are you new to Orario?"
"Yeah, I came around 4 days ago from a village east of the city."
"So you're like me. I just arrived in the city yesterday from a village to the north."
"Really?! Why did you come to the city then?"
"It's always been a goal for me to come to Orario and become an adventurer. I guess I'm like you in that respect though. I haven't had much luck with my Familia's either."
"You too? Guess it's always rough from people like us out in the countryside…"
"Orario is definitely unpredictable, that's for sure."
Bell decided to keep his mouth sealed on which Familia's he tried to join though.
"This has been my 30th attempt at joining a Familia although it still didn't work out…"
30?!
"Bell, what's wrong? Your face looks pale?"
"No it's nothing! Don't worry about it!"
Oh man I feel so embarrassed about complaining about just a few Familia's. Getting rejected 30 times is so much worse!
*grooowwwl*
Emma's face flushed as she looked down at her stomach.
"Emma, are you hungry?"
"Ahaha, well I haven't eaten since yesterday so I'm a bit hungry."
Emma could only lower her head as she confessed.
"There are some food stalls up ahead if you want."
"N-No, I'm fine!"
"You don't need to act strong, the stalls aren't far from here."
"It's not that…"
"What is it then?"
"Um….. I don't have money to buy food."
"...What? How have you gone up until now then?"
"Well I ended up paying in an inn the last 3 days with 800 valis and eating the delicious food in taverns during my breaks, so…"
"You ran out of money faster than you expected?"
"Well, yeah."
Bell could only sigh listening to her story.
"If you'd like I can pay for your food."
"No, it's fine! I can't make you waste your money!"
"I was about to grab something soon anyway so it's fine. I've brought enough money to not let this bother me so don't worry."
"...Really?" asked Emma
"Yes, really. I'm not a liar."
"Then I'll take you up on that. Thank you, Bell!"
Emma lowered her head slightly and flashed a bright smile at him.
"Let's hurry then, We don't want to wait in a long line."
"Sure!"
Emma followed Bell as they went to the food stalls. When they arrived they found a food stall selling a food called Jagamarukun.
"Doesn't this look good, Bell?"
"I've never seen anything like it myself. Let's try it."
An elderly lady greeted them as they came to the stall.
"Welcome to the Jagamarukun Stall. What would you like to get today?
"Um…. Can we have four regular flavored Jagamarukun?" requested Bell.
"Understood, That will be 136 Valis!"
After paying for the food, they headed to an empty alley to eat.
"Thanks for the food!" was the only thing Emma said before she began devouring her first jagamarukun.
"Whoa, you're going too fast! The food isn't going anywhere you know?"
"Sorry about that. I've just been so hungry I can't help it! Besides these jagamarukun are really good! Crispy on the outside yet fluffy on the inside! I think I might get addicted!"
"Well just slow down a bit ok?"
Bell also began eating his jagamarukun at his own pace.
Wow this really is good. It's pretty cheap for how good it is too. I should head there more often.
As they continued eating quietly, Bell felt like it was time.
"Emma."
"Hm?"
Towards that girl who was smiling so happily, Bell…
"What do you plan to do after this?"
With that one sentence, the smile on the girl's face froze.
Bell felt bad but he needed to push on.
"You said you wanted to become an adventurer, right? But right now almost no Familia is willing to accept you. Do you have any ideas on what you are going to do after?"
"...Ahaha, you're surprisingly blunt."
"Sorry, but like I said earlier I'm not a liar. I'm not good at deceiving others either."
"Yeah you seem like an honest person at heart. You don't need to apologize. After all I'm the one stuck in this problem."
Emma let out an empty laugh.
"But I have no choice but to keep moving forward until I get my chance. Being an adventurer is what I've always dreamed of so I don't want to give up."
"...I see."
"You aren't going to tell me to give up?"
"I'd never say that. I get the feeling of chasing after something you desperately want all too well. I'm an idiot who's been chasing after my own goal for years so I'd never tell you to give up on yours or look down on you for it."
"So I guess we're both the same huh? We're both idiots."
"Yeah, guess we are."
With those words, the mood between them had become calm again and they quietly continued eating.
Until that moment came.
"Hey, you two! Are you looking for a Familia?
"Huh?"
"A goddess?"
Both Emma and Bell were surprised at the appearance of a small goddess walking up to them with a smile.
"Goddess, are you recruiting members for a Familia?" asked Emma
"Yeah I am. I'm looking for any adventurers to sign up into my new Familia and I overheard you about not being able to join a Familia. S-so if you don't have anywhere else to go will you join my Familia?"
Saying that the goddess stretched her hand to Emma.
Emma stared at the hand being extended to her in awe.
"Isn't this your chance, Emma?"
"Bell?"
"A goddess is offering you to become a member of her family. You can finally become an adventurer just like you wanted right?"
"Y-Yes, but is this really happening now? It's not a dream?"
"No way! I really want you to join my Familia you know."
Slowly, tears began welling up in Emma's eyes.
"Y-Yes, of course I will! Thank you so much for taking me, Goddess!"
"That's my line! My name is Hestia, what's yours?"
"Emma Flores!"
"Emma Flores….Nice to meet you, Emma! And as for you, boy. Do you want to join my Familia as well?
"Me?"
"Uh well...my Familia might not be one of those big Familias but it's a place where you can freely do what you need to as adventurers. So will you join as well?!
"Bell isn't this good for you too? You need a Familia too, right?"
Even Emma was supporting Hestia's request.
Well if I join Lady's Hestia's Familia I wouldn't be able to join the larger factions. But I also get a lot more freedom as an adventurer compared to being in a major faction.
Bell stopped and veered around to look at Hestia. She was gazing at him, an unusual sincerity reflecting off her blue eyes: this was something he didn't get to observe all that often with other gods.
She seems very trustworthy like Grandpa. Meeting a good god like her is really rare.
"Alright. I'll join the Hestia Familia too."
"Yay! What's your name, boy?"
"Bell Cranel. Nice to meet you, Goddess."
Hestia smiled warmly at her first two members
"Welcome to the Hestia Familia, you two."
At the same time, in a certain Familia home
A god was sitting in his office playing a game of chess against himself, alternating between the black and white pieces.
*knock* *knock*
Suddenly, a noise at the door broke the god's focus on the game.
"Is now a good time Lord Hermes."
"Hm? Oh Asfi, come on in."
The door opened to reveal a beautiful blue haired woman in her early 20s.
"What did you need me for, Asfi?"
"Yes, a Guild official just came by and returned documents and an emblem that belonged to us. But I don't recognize the information on this document. Is this something you made yourself without our knowledge, Lord Hermes?"
"Wait, Asfi! Don't look at me with those eyes! Let me see the document first!
"Here."
Taking a look at the contents of the document, Hermes let out a small smile.
Well, it seems like he's finally arrived here, I've got another trip so I won't be able to see him with my own eyes for some time.
"Asfi. Call that girl and give her another job."
"Again? What is it this time?"
"Tell her to look for a boy named Bell Cranel and observe what he's currently doing in the city. How she does it is up to her. Just tell her to note down her observations for me while I'm out of the city."
"You've got something planned again with that smile right, Lord Hermes."
"Hahaha, you know me so well."
Asfi heaved a long sigh to her god's teasing tone.
"Fine, I'll make sure to inform her."
"Thanks! You really are the best, Asfi!"
"If you really think that, then stop giving unreasonable orders all the time."
After grumbling under her breath, Asfi left the room
Hermes let out a smile. But unlike the last one this had a more ominous air to it.
"Now... the final actor of this play finally makes his entrance. Welcome to the stage, grandson of Zeus."
And with that this part is completed! We've made it to Orario and Bell has chosen to join the Hestia Familia along with the girl Emma. And it seems like Hermes is already aware of Bell's existence?!
This time I'll leave a question for you guys. Who do you think the girl is supposed to be? Just remember this is the IF route not the main route. You've got a lot of options if you think it out.
Have a good day out there everyone and stay safe!
-Gold