The Decision

The tribunal of 4 weighed the evidence and made their ruling. As the proceeding was treated as a civil matter, the burden of proof was less severe.

First it was Hermes, and a lot was discussed about the god's past record including prior peeping attempts. First Hermes was ruled "not guilty" on intent to peep due to lack of evidence. Second, he was ruled guilty on all the other counts - peeping, peeping on 2 youths under 16, causing a minor to peep, disrupting the peace, and causing mental anguish to innocent parties. The penalties for Hermes were:

1. A large fee, 5 million valors, to be paid solely by Hermes himself. That meant the naughty god had to work himself to pay for the penalty instead of using funds from his familia's coffers. His punishment schedule would be under the supervision of another god - Freya.

2. Public caning for 2 spanks each by each victims

3. Sealing his mouth with magic adhesive for 1 week. His mouth would only be freed for eating and drinking. This would be supervised by Asfi and a member of the guild to be assigned later.

For the first time, Hermes actually looked troubled. That was particularly with the 3rd penalty. He suspected he could eventually cut a deal with Freya for the first, while Asfi has desensitized him to physical punishment for the second.

Then it was Bell's turn. Bell was ruled to be innocent of all of the initial counts - intent to peep, peeping, peeping on 2 youths under 16, and causing mental anguish to innocent parties. However, he was ruled to be guilty of incidental peeping, though there was no significant penalty. The only requirement was that Bell had to promise to keep all information about the peeping incident confidential. He agreed not to describe what he saw in any way, whether in words, in drawings, or even using hand motions.

After the ruling, the caning was performed by Asfi, Ais, Tiona, Tione, Tsubaki, Lili and Lefiya, while Freya elected to forgive Hermes. The caning did not seemed to have the desired effect, as Hermes seemed to have enjoyed it from the pretty girls. That was particularly troubling for Lefiya while she delivered the punishment. The remaining punishment would be applied at the guild when they return.

Their return to the surface still had to wait for the medicine to arrive. Bete and Allen left a day before, thus it would be expected that at least another day would be needed. While they took turns tending to the patients, they still had some time for themselves. But first they did prepare a feast for the evening.

And it was quite a feast, with the restaurants from Rivira helping out. With Finn, Riveria and Gareth again entertaining Freya and Ottar, Gareth got very drunk. With Freya and Ottar busy with the Loki senior executives, Bell got to eat with Ais again. It was still very awkward between the two as the peeping happened only hours earlier. Even as an unofficial couple, Bell was too embarrassed because he saw everything, and Ais was too embarrassed because there was nothing left to imagination. And the idea of being in the pile of naked meat with Bell in the middle was really shameful. Nevertheless, they agreed to go into Rivira together tomorrow so Ais could show Bell around the town.

The next day, as Bell and Ais went on their date, 3 conspirators carefully tailed them in search of entertainment. Fortunately, the couple knew better than to hold hands in public, but that did not stop the 3 conspirators from hoping for a good show.

However, the entertainment arrived at the end of the day from Bete, who just returned from the surface to deliver the medicine. Bete ran all over Rivira to find the couple after learning about the peeping incident from some junior members of the Loki familia.

Fuming Bete "Is it true that bunny boy saw you?"

Ais embarrassed "ummmmm"

Furious Bete "He did, that bastard. AAAAARRRRR"

Anguished Bete "How can you manage to peep when I still have not all these years"

As Bete screamed at Bell, Tiona and Tione had to come out of hiding to drag him back to camp. Realizing her cover was blown, Riveria quickly left the area before Bell and Ais could discover her hiding place.

The group headed back the next day as the medicine did the trick. Everyone had enough of the dungeon and it was good to go home.

Freya updated Bell's status after they got home.

level 2

strength: 84

endurance: 193

agility: 105

dexterity: 77

magic: 569

skill: argonaut

magic: firebolt

development ability: luck

After the update, Freya gave Bell another hot kiss on the cheek. That kiss immediately reminded Bell about the maternal loving on the 18th floor and the full reveal of the goddess...