Orario was in a complete uproar due to the events that occured two days ago. It was only natural, as with the appearance of monsters within the city, people were scared. Especially given the state of the Red Light District. Or what was left of it anyway. With all the Violas, Demi Spirit and Phryne damaging the place, it was a wonder that there were any buildings left. Naturally, it required a lot of clean up, something the Ganesha Familia led with the help of the guild. Astraea and Hestia volunteered their Familia as well, given that they technically caused this to happen. Besides, Bell could use the distraction, given the chaotic aftermath.
By all accounts, they had won. They stopped the Ishtar Familia from distributing anymore monsters or committing anymore crimes. The raid on various Night Company smugglers went well too. But the young man couldn't find joy in it as he wiped the sweat from his forehead, looking at the ruined building in front of him. They were meant to catch them. Bring them to justice. And now? The amount of remnants left could be counted on fingers alone. It was depressing to think about it. So much death, with no answer as to why it happened.
The consequences of the operation was enough that not even his own level up could cheer him up. It took him about two months, give or take. Maybe a bit more than that. It was mostly a minor affair, all things considered. No new skill, not that Bell thought he would get one. Skills were rare after all. Not to mention that he didn't really feel he deserved it, compared to the enhanced minotaur. Then again, the veterans did state that slow and steady worked too. While his speed was still insanely fast, he didn't gain his level up from a major personal fight. The water serpent, the sparring with the Amazons, Ishtar, Tammuz... and the Violas. So many Violas. Either way, he did get to pick a new Developmental Ability. The one he ended up choosing was Abnormal Resistance, just like Kojiro did. Swordsman was tempting too, but in the end they all agreed that if they wanted to go down the deeper levels of the dungeon, they should at least have one more person that could handle the poison down below. Antidotes were good and all, but better to have one other person being able to move to shove down those antidotes down everyone's throats. Also his goddesses' insistence moved him. Back then, Bell thought that Hestia was just being overprotective. That she was blowing things out of proportions when she stated that he should get that skill in case someone wanted to poison him within the city. But now, as he carried debris away, feeling the stares and picking up the words and the atmosphere around him? The young man bit his lip, his heart aching. With the amount of suspicion directed at him, the rookie wasn't sure if Hestia was overreacting or not.
The rumors were nothing compared to the general commotion. Yet he still heard them. About how he intentionally got rid of Ishtar by pushing her off the tower. People saw him at the edge, just after the goddess was sent back to heaven. Naturally there were many that came to his defense, arguing for him. But the damage was already done. Some people here and there sent him distrustful looks and it hurt. He knew he shouldn't let it get to him, but... With a sigh, he shook his head and turned around. He froze up when he spotted the last person he wanted to meet.
Ryuu stared at him, with wide eyes. At most there was a street between them, yet to Bell, it seemed like they were miles away from each other. His mind immediately remembered what happened in the Red Light District. At the same time, the two began to blush. The young man opened his mouth, trying to alleviate the tension in the air, but the elf promptly turned away and escaped, hurrying to get away from him. He winced, his heart hurting even more as he lowered his head. He should've expected this. They both said that what happened was fine. Just a one time thing. But saying and doing were two different things. He hoped they had gotten closer, up until that moment, and it certainly felt that way, but now? The two of them had no idea how to interact with each other. They didn't dislike nor hate each other. But their relationship definitely changed and neither knew in what way. All that Bell knew was that his heart was in turmoil. Closing his eyes, he felt like garbage when he saw two women in them. Aiz, as always, sitting on the grass. Next to her, Ryuu, leaning against a tree. Both wearing beautiful white dresses and smiling at him. Bell shook his head and took a deep breath. Damn it, he didn't know what to do with that image. Did he actually think that way about Ryuu or was he just lusting after her? Or did he lust after Aiz from the start as well? And if he actually felt the same for the two of them…
Was it okay to be in love with several girls? Immediately he recalled his grandfather.
"To love many girls is a burden a man has to carry. Yet to deny yourself is to deny nature itself! Do not run away from those feelings! Embrace them and be determined to make each woman the happiest they could be!"
Bell couldn't help but let out a laugh. Grandfather made things sound so simple. Maybe he wouldn't be hurting so much if he could just follow that advice. Easier said than done though.
"Bell?"
"Ah!"
He spun around, about to draw his blades before visibly calming down. It was just Aiz. He blushed a bit, banishing his fantasies out of his mind. With an awkward laugh, he scratched the back of his head.
"S-sorry. I was lost in thought."
Aiz glanced around, taking in the destruction before nodding politely.
"Hm. A lot happened." A soft smile appeared on her face. "Congratulations for your level up."
"Ahahaha... It doesn't really feel real... " Bell muttered, averting his eyes. Then a sigh escaped him. It caused Aiz to frown before she motioned with her hand down the street.
"Do you want to take a walk?"
His first instinct was to respectfully decline. Happy as he would be to spend time with her, he didn't think it was right to do so. One because there was still a lot of cleanup required. Two because his own emotions were still confused about everything. But the way she stared at him, with expecting eyes... He laughed a bit before shaking his head in surrender.
"I guess I need a break anyway... "
Walking down the streets, side by side, felt nice enough. Especially because the muttering and pointed looks were reduced to a minimum, with the Sword Princess right by his side. It gave a certain sense of protection, even if it was a bit shameful. Then again, Bell wasn't sure if the jealous aura he felt around him was any better.
"If it helps... I think you're innocent." He blinked, turning to Aiz who suddenly spoke up. He couldn't help but smile in gratitude, nodding at her. Aiz smiled back at him before she frowned, looking around with an observing eye. "I wasn't aware Ishtar could be so dangerous."
"We don't think it was her, actually," Bell said, repeating what the others in the Astraea and Ganesha Familia thought of this. "Those new assets must be from a third party."
"They sound powerful if they can get away from Alise, Kaguya and Ryuu at the same time with Arash harassing them," Aiz commented with a pondering look. Then she gave him a warm look. "I'm glad you are all okay."
"Me too!" He coughed awkwardly before twirling his hand in the air. "Err, that Loki Familia is okay too!" He paused, recalling that the Loki Familia wasn't exactly acting triumphant themselves. He felt worry creep up when Aiz flinched at his words. "You are okay, right?"
"Nothing permanent. We were lucky." Bell let out a sigh of relief as she shook her head. Then Aiz looked down, biting her lip. "If any of us were weaker or slower... Or if those assets were used against us instead of you... I'm sure some of us would have died."
He recalled some of the details. How the man made dungeon Knossos was a living death trap, controlled by the maniacs of Evilus. Forcing the Loki Familia to scurry around like rats in an experiment. He could only feel awe for the top class Familia to not have lost a single one. It spoke volumes of the quality their quantity had, of the power their elite possessed. Still, with how they managed to get away, Bell didn't expect the dark look on Aiz' face, her frown deepening as if she remembered something unpleasant.
"You don't seem happy," he asked carefully. Aiz' hands curled up into fists.
"I... lost a fight. If it weren't for my Familia... "
It wasn't his place to judge. But Bell didn't like that look on her face. The way a dark fire seemed to light up behind her blank eyes, as if she desired to turn into an emotionless weapon to tear apart the one that made her lose. With a deep breath, he put on a smile as he cleared his throat.
"There is always next time." Aiz blinked, the dark aura dimming when she turned to him. With an honest expression, he raised his thumb. "As long as you live, you can just try again."
A part of him felt his face heat up a bit. That sounded better in his head. But to his pleasant surprise, it worked well enough. Aiz stared at him for a bit longer than he would have liked to, but soon enough, her cute smile returned, any hint of that darkness disappearing.
"You're right."
With determination she held up her fist against her chest. Bell was glad for her. But then, he felt himself stiffen up when he spotted Ryuu once more, working on the rooftops with Lyra. By reflex, he took a sudden turn, forcing Aiz to follow him with a surprised expression. Bell covered his mouth, unconsciously touching his lips before shaking his head with a red face. No, none of that now. Unfortunately, his attitude raised questions that Aiz decided to ask with worry.
"Did... something happen with you and Ryuu?"
"N-No! Nothing!" Bell responded way too fast, a fake smile on his face. For a moment Aiz stared at him. But then she lowered her head with a pout.
"...You shouldn't lie."
Bell flinched. The disappointment hurt more than expected. In the end, he smacked his lips, not sure how to explain himself. In the end, he could only struggle the words out with a pathetic look.
"It's... " He looked away as they emerged from an alley. "We just have... a complicated relationship right now... "
"Because of the fake date?"
He wasn't sure if it was a fake date anymore. But he didn't say that out loud. Something about the flat tone in her voice caused a shiver down his spine. Looking at her, he saw an emotionless mask look at him. With a gulp, he couldn't help but nod slowly.
"...Yes."
It was only for an instance. But Bell could swear she clicked her tongue. It was so fast that he wasn't sure he even saw it. The confusion on her face that followed didn't help at all. What was that? Aiz shook her head, as if asking the same question in her head. Glancing at him, she then looked forward, her mouth thin as she maintained a neutral expression.
"I see. I won't pry then."
He looked at her with worry. Her reaction was... concerning. It was like Bell was making a mistake of some kind. But just as he opened his mouth, about to ask why she seemed mad for a moment, they heard the fast approaching steps. The two turned around, their eyes widening in surprise when they spotted Lefiya gasping for air, wiping sweat off her forehead before straightening up. She raised her arm, finger pointing, as she let out a snarl.
"There you are!"
Bell looked around. Then he looked at the finger. Pointing at himself, he tilted his head.
"Me?"
"Yes! I searched for you everywhere!" Lefiya shouted in exasperation. With a huff, she crossed her arms, looking away. "You better be thankful!"
He sent a helpless look at Aiz. The Sword Princess shrugged, equally confused. Looking back at the elf, he scratched his right cheek.
"Uhm, how can I help you?"
Instead of explaining, Lefiya pulled something out of her bag. With more force than necessary, she shoved the letter against his chest.
"There!" She promptly turned around but not before snapping her head back with a glare, her fingers pointing at her own eyes before pointing at his. "Don't be late!"
With that, Aiz and Bell were left alone once more. Numbly, Bell held the letter up, with no names written on it. Aiz tilted her head at that.
"What is that?"
Opening the letter to find out, Bell's eyes ran over the words before his eyes widened.
"Hans is giving me a quest…?"
A trip to the Lower Levels. A party of five, consisting of Hans, Liliruca, a man called Shirou, Filvis Challia, Lefiya... and himself.