- A Solution -

- The Next Morning -

Welf stayed with Wiene at the training facility while Lili went to Orario to investigate and Bell maintained normalcy by training with Ais and the twins.

Freya also went to investigate herself by going directly to Ouranos.

- In a Shady Pub -

Lili has experience in dealing with shady people in these shady places. So Lili used cinder ella to impersonate a young elf girl and proceeded to start asking questions. After leaving a very large tip, she asked the master if he had any information on talking monsters. Although the master had no useful information, a Chienthrope sat next to her and offered some information for money. After paying her, Lulune revealed that certain adventurers were very interested in talking monsters. After Lili tried to dig deeper about who those adventurers were, Lulune got suspicious. So Lili quickly left and went into a crowd before dropping her cloak and changing her appearance to a male dwarf.

- At the City Wall -

Bell met with Ais and the twins and the training was on. Bell managed to knock Ais out one more time during the morning while Ais got Bell herself several times.

Tiona teased "Ais, you are really falling for the argonaut"

Tione teased "Ais is getting to be really easy"

Ais pouted "Bell, you need to know take out Tiona and Tione also. Not just me"

Bell got nervous "I am trying as hard as I can. I only got lucky against you.

Tiona laughed "Yes, argonaut gets lucky with Ais often lol lol lol"

That was it for Ais, as she chased Tiona and beat her up.

During lunch, Bell wanted to find out what Ais felt about monsters.

Bell "Ais-san, are all monsters bad?"

Ais "Yes, I must kill all monsters."

Bell "What if a monster is kind?"

Ais confused "There are no kind monsters. They must all be eliminated!"

Deciding this was a dead-end, Bell let the topic drop. After lunch, he went back to the training facility to check on Welf and Wiene.

- At the Guild -

Freya went towards Ouranos' chamber but several guards tried to stop her. Smiling at them, the guard immediately dropped their guard with silly smiles on their faces. As she walked into Ouranos' chambers, a deep voice called out to Freya.

Ouranos "It has been a long time Freya. What is the reason for the visit?"

Freya "Ouranos, do talking intelligent monsters exist?"

Ouranos "So the record holder brought the monster to you?"

Freya was not surprised "Yes he did. How long have these intelligent monsters existed?"

Ouranos "Even I am not sure myself, but at least for the last 15 years"

Freya "How many are there?"

Ouranos "They are known as Xenos. As far as I know, there are more than 20 but less than 100."

Freya "Are they powerful?"

Ouranos "At least 3 can rival first class adventurers. One may be similar to Ottar actually"

Freya "Are they dangerous?"

Ourano "I believe they want to co-exist in peace, but some are very jaded."

Freya "What should I do with the one that my child brought to the surface?"

Ouranos "That one is harmless and in fact defenseless. However, Orario is not ready to accept intelligent monsters. I believe that one should return to the dungeon to be with its kind"

Freya "Why have you not told us about the Xenos"

Ouranos "Because some have been trying to hunt them down. Hermes and Ganesha are aware of them. I have been in touch with the Xenos through intermediaries. I am trying to help them"

Freya "Would I have your assistance to get the Xenos back into the dungeon?"

Ouranos "Yes, would I have your support in the future when I try to bring the Xenos topic public?"

Freya "Yes, as long as they are not dangerous."

With that, Freya went back to the Folkvangr to discuss with Ottar.

- At the Training Facility -

While Welf watched over Wiene, Haruhime accidentally stumbled into their area despite their best precautions. Haruhime and Wiene took an immediate liking to each other, and they started to play together. Knowing that they messed up, Welf realized it was too late to do much about it.

- An Hour Later -

Freya and Ottar went to the training facility and saw Haruhime and Wiene playing together.

Welf "Goddess Freya, I apologize for my failure to keep the room secure."

Freya "That is fine. It is good that they are playing together"

After a short time, Bell returned to the facility as the group was eating lunch. Bell was surprised to see Haruhime there with Wiene, but was glad they were having fun together. As Haruhime and Wiene were playing, Freya and Ottar had a talk with Bell, Lili and Welf.

Freya "I did some investigation and found out that Ouranos knows about intelligent talking monsters known as Xenos. There are many of them, numbering somewhere between 20 to 100."

Freya "Little one, Ouranos does not believe it is safe for Wiene to remain here as the surface world is not ready to accept Wiene and those like her"

Bell "That is not fair"

Freya "Well, Wiene can stay here for now. But it is like a jail for her. She cannot leave this facility for her good and our good."

Bell "Thank you goddess"

Freya "Bell, think about this. It may be better for Wiene for her to return to the dungeon."

Bell pouted "But she cannot protect herself", which broke Freya's heart...

Freya "I will look into this. Ouranos promised he will help"

Suddenly Ottar said calmly "You should show yourself now"

Bell "?"

Suddenly, Fels showed himself in his black robe, shocking Bell, Welf and Lili.

Fels "Of course the Warlord would be able to detect my presence. I have a message from Ouranos"

Freya "Go ahead and tell us. They can all hear the message"

Fels "Ouranos said that he can arrange safe passage for the Xenos you call Wiene tomorrow late in the evening. If you want to take advantage of this offer, let us know soon"

Bell "But Wiene is defenseless in the dungeon"

Fels "There are others like her that would take care of her. We have contacted them already"

Bell "..."

Freya "Please give this message to Ouranos. We appreciate the offer, but we want a few days to think it over"

Fels "I understand." then fades out.

Freya "Little one, spend the next few days to think it over. But it would be too dangerous for Wiene to go outside"

Bell bowed "Thank you goddess", which earned him a small kiss on the cheek.

Freya wanted Wiene to be guarded, but could only post guards outside due to the sensitive nature of the situation. To offer extra protection, Welf, Lili and Haruhime would stay the first night, while Bell would stay the second night. They would have to rotate like that as long as Wiene is staying there.

That evening, Bell, Freya and Ottar returned to the Folkvangr, while Welf, Lili and Haruhime stayed with Wiene.

Before bed, Bell received an update:

level 4

strength: 62

endurance: 55

agility: 68

dexterity: 49

magic: 48

skill: argonaut, ox slayer

magic: firebolt

development ability: luck, abnormal resistance, escape

- The Next Day -

They tried to maintain what normalcy they could. Bell had training with Ais and the twins in the morning. Haruhime had her training with Ottar in the morning. Welf continued to practice his magic and fighting technique himself, while Lili went to the Folkvangr for strategic training.

When Bell returned, Freya and Ottar went to meet with Loki for the upcoming Knossos mission. It was agreed that the mission would start in 3 days, with the combined forces of Loki, Freya, Hermes and Hephaestus familias while the Ganesha familia was the reserve.

- That Night -

It was Bell's turn to stay with Wiene. In the middle of the night, Bell was awaken by fighting and screams outside...