For Ais x Bell fans, the editor of the series has screwed with us enough. Enough bait and switch of other girls for Ais. Enough empty promises to keep waiting on Ais' return. They are just milking the series for shipping revenues. DO NOT BUY ANY DANMACHI MERCHANDISE UNTIL AIS RETURNS TO THE MAIN SERIES! No More Bait and Switch!

Replacements

Loki, Riveria, Finn, Syr and Ryuu arrived at the Twilight Manor and found Lefiya talking with Filvis.

Loki "Filvis, I brought Ryuu here who is a member of the Astraea familia. As you can imagine, she has some questions about Revis and the others that you may have seen"

Filvis "I will be happy to tell you what I know"

Ryuu "I appreciate your help. As Lady Loki indicated, I am a member of the Astraea familia, so I care a lot about what happened to my former colleagues who fell in the dungeon 5 years ago. You said Revis was actually my former captain Alise?"

Filvis "That is what Dionysus told me. He pointed out Revis was the former captain and there were several others that were former Astraea members"

Ryuu "Did they remember anything about the surface world or the Astraea familia"

Filvis "I have only talked to Revis. She did not appear to remember anyone or much about the surface world. She also did not mention anything about Astraea. She was very self-fish and beast-like and only interested in her own survival."

Ryuu "Do you know if Dionysus or any other god gave them a falna"

Filvis "I am not sure. I kept my falna when I was changed into a creature but I did not completely die. That may have been an unique situation as Enyo was Dionysus though Olivias may have been the other exception. Olivias definitely had memories. I myself lost a lot of power when Dionysus returned to heaven. Revis was destroyed before Dionysus returning to heaven."

Ryuu "Do you remember how the other creatures looked like?"

Filvis "I saw 3 other ones, and they were all female. There could be more. But we were far away from them. They were regular size, but I could not tell if they were human, elf or another race. I dont think there were any pallum or dwarf"

Ryuu "How many times did you see the other creatures?"

Filvis "Several times but was never near them. I was mostly with Revis. The other creatures mostly kept to themselves. "

Ryuu "Do you know if the corrupted spirit have other creatures?"

Filvis "Not that I am aware of other than Olivias who was killed by Revis for his magic stone. I know that the corrupted spirit tried to convert adventurers when there was an opportunity. However, lower levels have trouble surviving the process. I think level 1 adventurers almost have no chance of surviving the process"

Finn "Quick question, but why not convert the bodies that did not survive the process?"

Filvis "Once the process fails, I do not think it is possible to try again"

Ryuu "How did you increase your power to such a high level"

Filvis "Creatures got stronger by consuming magic stones. The higher power the magic stone, the better. I consumed the magic stone of a demi spirit to reach level 7 type of power. So did Revis. I believe the other creatures were at least 1-2 levels lower in power. I dont think anyone else consumed the magic stone from a demi spirit."

Loki "What do you think is going on with the corrupted spirit and those creatures right now?"

Filvis "Well, I have not had any dealings with the corrupted spirit after I was changed into a creature. They lost Dionysus, me and Revis, and used up a few demi spirits. I don't think they have that many jewel fetuses because they probably used what they have up. Also a lot of resources were used up like virgas"

Filvis continued "They are likely trying to regenerate some of their resources, particularly jewel fetuses."

Finn "How long does it take to grow a jewel fetus"

Filvis "I don't know how long it takes the corrupted spirit to create a single fetus. However, after the fetus is attached to a source of nourishment such as a pantry, it takes at least 1 month for it to become a jewel fetus. After the jewel fetus is ready, the parasiticized entity would need to feed essentially non-stop for at least 2 weeks for enough energy, probably more."

Finn "What is below the 59th floor"

Filvis "The lowest floor I have been to is the 66th floor. It is pretty much the same from the 59th to the 66th floor. Mostly jungles which were cultivated to grow demi spirits.

Everyone "!"

Finn "We need to destroy their ability to generate demi spirits."

Filvis "I can help in that"

Loki "We would need Ottar and Bell."

Loki "I think Freya said Bell needs at least a couple weeks to get close to level 6 stats."

Finn "Knowing Bell, level 6 for him is as good as a level 7"

Riveria "Yes it is worth waiting for that."

Finn "I don't think we want to wait more than 1 month, and preferably less. We need to burn off those jungles"

Filvis to Ryuu "Sorry I did not have any more information"

Ryuu "Actually it sounds like my former familia members probably died as there is no retained memory."

Filvis "I think Revis acted on her own for the most part. Same with the other creatures."

Ryuu "That is a lot better than being controlled, so that sets my mind more at ease. Thank you for your help"

Ryuu "Now I need about 1 week to reach the location where Astraea may be"

Syr "I will go with you to Astraea"

Ryuu "But the journey could be dangerous"

Syr smiled "I will go with you"

With their conversation ended, Syr and Ryuu returned to the Hostess. Filvis and Loki went to the Folkvangr for training with Bell and Ottar. Finn, Riveria and Finn sat around to discuss the situation.

Riveria "Well, it seems Filvis is getting along well with Lefiya again. I am really thankful to see that."

Finn "Yes it seems that they talked it out"

Gareth "Well, we need to keep an eye on her. It is good she is helping to train Bell. We also need to learn how to fight those creatures down there"

Riveria "Yes, she should be training us also"

- At the Folkvangr -

Bell, Ottar and Filvis took turns sparring and being healed. Loki, Lefiya, Freya and Ais were watching the entire training.

It was good for Bell to get some training in. With Ais' condition, it has been quite a while since he had a chance to train. While his magic and endurance stats went up, the fighting portion of his stats had been pretty stagnant.

When Bell went against Ottar, his improved stats after reaching level 5 clearly showed up. Bell was fighting like at least like a mid level 6. Ottar still knocked him out and Ais still got to give him the lap pillows, but the fight was far less lopsided.

When Bell went against Filvis, it was a similar situation. Bell still got knocked out, but the battle was pretty reasonable.

Ais was having trouble just watching Bell get beat up. Freya monitored her carefully, and any time Ais got a bit upset, Freya used charm to help soothe Ais down. That was definitely noticed by Lefiya and Loki, which reminded them of the seriousness of Ais' condition. As long as the condition is not cured, it looked like Ais would be staying with Freya.

As the day went on, Bell definitely caught on to some of Filvis' techniques, and made an observable improvement in his skills. Before dinner, Freya gave Bell an update.

level 5

strength: 180

endurance: 403

agility: 192

dexterity: 165

magic: 667

skill: argonaut, ox slayer, love

magic: firebolt

development ability: luck, abnormal resistance, escape, magic resistance

- At the Hostess -

Ryuu and Syr returned to the Hostess and talked with Mia and the other girls.

Mia "So you are going to find Astraea"

Syr "And I am going with her"

Mia "That is fine."

Mia "It will be a dangerous trip, but I am sure you will be protected on the trip."

Anya, Chloe and Lunoire also wanted to go, and Mia indicated she is fine with it. That made all the girls very happy about their trip.

Ryuu "But what about the hostess?"

Mia "Dont worry. I will get some extra help, and May is still cooking."

Mia then went out to attend to a few matters, leaving the girls to fend for themselves for a while.

Later, Bell, Ais and Freya came in for dinner after a long day of training.

Syr "Bell, Ais, Lady Freya, welcome and please follow me to your table"

After sitting down, Freya "Is Mia here?"

Syr "No, she left earlier this afternoon and has not been back"

Syr "I will let her know when she returns"

After they ordered their food, Filvis, Lefiya and Loki also came in for food. Then Loki went over to talk.

Loki "So you are all eating without us. I understand."

Ais "Sorry Loki, but the table is too small"

Loki "How soon am I forgotten, sniff sniff"

Ais "Come on Loki" and gave her a hug which made Loki quiet and happy.

Freya smiled "So it is the squeaky wheel situation"

Loki "Come on, Freya, you already got her under your roof so at least let me have some fun"

Freya "Alright, well have some Soma wine"

Loki "Wow, the good stuff, thanks"

At that point, Mia came back and went to Freya's table after talking to Syr.

Mia "Lady Freya"

Freya "I was told that you were looking for me"

Mia then explained what happened with Ryuu, and that Syr was going along as well as her maids.

Freya "I see. Well Allen will go along to provide protection, but who will work for you while your maids are on the trip?"

Mia "I went putting out signs looking for temporary help"

Bell "I can help here if you need"

Ais "Bell, I will help you even though I cannot cook"

Mia smiled looking at Bell "Yes, you would look great in an outfit"

Bell "!"

Freya smirked "That sounds interesting. I will be eating here often"

Even Ais' smile got happier...

At the same time, Loki with dirty thoughts "Ais in maid uniform, scored!"

As Loki was fantasizing, Freya "Stop your wet dream"

Loki "Look at who is talking"

Then Loki suddenly got serious "Actually I do have a serious matter to discuss..."