A Waning Of Silence

by JL Davenport

She was meant to leave and to die causing destruction throughout Orario. But instead, Alfia, the Maiden of Silence, found herself captivated by the young child her sister had left behind in this world. And so, Bell grew up with one extra guardian, and the ripples from that small change will change his story a great deal. Bell/Harem.

7. Chapter 7

It's Not Wrong To Save My Supporter!

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Author's Note: Funny story about this chapter- I was so excited to move the plot forward and to get all the way to and through the Minotaur arc, that I wound up just diving in and writing, and writing, and writing… and then only when it was almost fully complete did I realise that I'd written so much I was going to have to split it in half again.

So this chapter is actually a manageable size, and the next one is only a few scenes from being complete, so should be up very shortly too. So hopefully you'll enjoy this, and hopefully you'll also have another chapter to enjoy very soon™.

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"Hhck!"

Spitting out the blood that flooded her mouth, Lilli slumped uselessly to the ground. Her tiny body was battered to the point of being broken and her spirit was as tattered as her cloak. With her back to the wall and two dozen Killer Ants surrounding here, there was absolutely nothing she could do.

It was strange. Or maybe it was funny. Throughout all the hundreds of times she'd abandoned and stolen from adventurers, all the times she'd posed as a supporter, or a civilian, or a storekeep, she'd imagined this scene a thousand times, the moment all her crimes and all her betrayals would catch up to her. Yet, it wasn't anything like she'd imagined.

She'd imagined herself fighting furiously against her fate, baring her fangs and biting at those that scorned her in just the way she'd lived her entire life until now. She'd imagined being terrified, and furious. As she'd grown more and more experienced at theft and deception, and as she'd sunken deeper and deeper into bitterness, she'd stopped fearing her downfall and instead pictured it with strategies on how she could overcome it, backup stashes for any she had to reveal, emergency storages, deceits within deceits.

And instead, she was simply numb.

She'd taken Bell to the tenth floor, deeper than he'd even been, then while he'd been beguiled by the mists and the darkness, she'd thrown lures attracting monsters towards him. And then she'd stolen that prized Knife she'd had her eyes on for so long and left him to die. Perhaps he would live and perhaps it would be a lesson for him, not to be so foolishly trusting and not to wave around such a prized weapon… she'd whispered justifications like that as she'd tried her very best to assure herself that she was only betraying him before he betrayed her in turn, before he proved to be exactly the same as all the other adventurers who'd abused her all these years.

And then the betrayal had come instead from her own Familia. The ones laughably considered to be her allies. Having spotted them going into the dungeon, and predicted her plan to abandon Bell, she'd fallen directly into their trap. So, this was how her life ended. Broken, beaten, stripped of almost everything she was carrying and the key to her safe box, then tossed away as bait to the Killer Ants so they could escape.

Her very last act was going to be as a Supporter, being abused by the Adventurers she despised so very much. It was fitting. It was disgusting. But somehow, she didn't care. There was no fire inside her anymore, the raging embers that had burnished Lilli's spirit against the harsh world had been extinguished.

She didn't even mind that her betrayal had been met with a betrayal in kind. It didn't matter. It was all a waste. Her whole life had been a waste. Born to parents that hadn't cared about her. Trapped in a Familia that didn't acknowledge her. With a body too weak to succeed as an adventurer, her spirit had turned black and her world had become muted and grey.

Lacking the strength to do anything else, she leaned limply against the wall at her back, watching as the circle of Killer Ants around her drew closer.

'If this is some kind of punishment for everything up till now, it's far too cruel.'

Ah. She reconsidered that.

'If this is punishment for what Lilli did to Bell-sama, then… maybe it's okay.'

With her spirit burnt to ashes, and her body broken beyond hurting, Lilli no longer had the strength to keep her memories with Bell from rising to her mind. He'd learned about her magic, he must have learned the truth about her and her intentions, it had been too dangerous to stay with him, she'd simply acted before he'd had a chance to do anything to her! That's what she'd told herself at least. But he'd never hurt her. He'd never used her as a shield. He'd always wanted to share with her fairly. He'd always protected her.

Her vision fogged up, and an emotion finally broke through the numb wall around Lilli's soul.
What was the point of crying now? Who was she even crying for? Wasn't she prepared to go see the Gods and finally ask for a reset, to become a different Lilli?

The blood dripped off her chin, pooling around the floor. What was the point in regrets now? She couldn't beat one Killer Ant, let alone 20.

She'd never achieved anything. She'd never even managed to save up enough to leave the Familia she hated. All she'd ever done was lash out at the world that had hurt her.

And, at the one person who hadn't.

It was all just a waste.

Ahhh… Why was she crying now!? Who were these tears even for!?

---

"Goddess Hestia!"

Eina was on a rampage.

She was acting far out of her purview, far beyond the scope of her duties, but she'd accepted that. This wasn't part of her job, but it was part of her job. This was part of her personal declaration that she wouldn't act like her colleagues, that she wouldn't retreat away from forming bonds with Adventurers, that she wouldn't simply go through the motions. Eina had promised herself she would do everything she could to support them, to give them the information they needed and to make sure they came home alive. Even if she had to drag them into the consulting room and all but force them to study, even if she had to watch them falling asleep to her lectures, and even if she had to face down a Goddess directly.

She wasn't meant to meddle in Familia affairs. That was an ironclad rule of the guild, the guild was a neutral party. But she was already well past that. The previous evening, Eina had met with Loki and Riveria in the Trickster Goddess's Twilight Mansion and finally gained the answers she'd been seeking about the Soma Familia, and she hadn't been able to stop thinking about that ever since. Bell was her responsibility, he was her adventurer, if he was in trouble, she was going to meddle all she pleased!

That was why she'd panicked when seeing members of the Soma Familia acting strangely around the entrance of the Dungeon, and why her heart had beaten out of her chest when she'd noticed they were talking about Bell's supporter, the very woman she was so cautious of. That was why she'd begged the Sword Princess, Ais Wallenstein, of all people, to go and save him. And that was why she was here, acting under the pretence of inspecting one of Hephaestus's Branch Shops, explaining everything she'd learned to the Goddess Hestia.

She told Hestia everything she knew about the Soma Familia, and about Bell's supporter.
She told her about how the wine wasn't addictive, but was enthralling beyond reason, and how the entire Familia was held in its grip.
She told her about the member's desperation for money, about their inter-Familia betrayals and the lengths they went to for more Divine Wine.

She didn't have any hard evidence against the Supporter, she didn't have any direct implications, but Eina had a mountain of worries and an ocean of concerns. Whatever sympathy she might have towards the small Chienthrope and the other members of the Soma Familia were dwarfed entirely by the concerns she held for the Adventurer under her care.

And so, Eina meddled.

"Goddess Hestia, please, can I ask you to convince him to break it off with this supporter?"

At that, Hestia simply sighed, a wry smile on her lips.

"That's not possible."

"H-Huh? But, what do you mean?"

"It's not going to happen, Bell has already decided not to cut ties with that supporter."

Eina's rampage crashed to a halt.

This was far from the response she'd expected. From what Bell had told her, she'd imagined the Goddess Hestia was far more doting and a little more overbearing, she'd never expected the woman to simply wash her hands of an issue like this.

"To tell you the truth, we've suspected something similar for a while now. Bell's mother's sister had some knowled-"

"His… mother's sister? You mean his Aunt?"

Hestia rolled her eyes, agreeing with the incredibly strange phrase. A title born out of ridiculous vanity that even the Gods wouldn't understand.

"She's his Guardian, I suppose, the one who raised him. I don't really know the details myself, but she's had some knowledge of adventuring herself, and she noticed that the money Bell was bringing home didn't stack up to the stories he told us about his time in the dungeon, and about all the monsters he'd killed or drop items they'd found," the small Goddess sighed again, shaking her head in a long suffering way, "At first we assumed it was just him exaggerating, or maybe being too generous, or keeping some money in secret or something, but eventually it became too much for her to ignore and she was furious."

Placing her hands on her hips, Hestia gave something of an impression, "Why should I live in squalor while this brat steals from us!?"

"Ah!"

"I have to say, I thought the same," given that Hestia was working two jobs compared to Alfia's zero, the news that Bell was getting robbed had rattled the Goddess even more than the Guardian, "Bell's a kind soul, and maybe an easy one to take advantage of, there's a lot he doesn't know and he's quick to trust. I've never met this supporter, but just hearing about the situation it all seemed extremely shady, especially that business with the Hestia Knife going missing…"

"E-Exactly, then, then, Goddess, you must understand, we can't let this continue."

Hestia tilted her head with the same wry smile and a soft shrug. And suddenly, without realising it and despite standing more than a head taller than her, Eina felt as if she was the one looking up at the other woman. Rather than the, frankly, pathetic sight a deity reduced to working off her feet, part time, in an armour shop, a feeling of regal majesty surrounded the twin-tailed girl. The conversation had long since moved into Hestia's Domain, even if was crawling along the ground, barely scraping by day to day, she was the Goddess of the Hearth and guardian of the Sacred Flame.

"I told him exactly the same, and do you know what he said to me, and to his mother's sister?" Hestia's voice was some nebulous combination of exasperated and amused, "He said, 'Goddess, wasn't it you who helped me when I was lonely?'"

It wasn't that Bell didn't listen. He couldn't listen.

He saw too much of himself in Lilli. The usually passive, always appeasing boy had rejected both Hestia and Alfia's words, thrown them back and instead told them about what he'd seen. He'd told them about how lonely Lilli had seemed, how lost and numb she appeared anytime she thought nobody was looking, how she kept smiling a cold smile as if to ward people away and how she was always on guard as if expecting betrayal at every turn. He told them about all the times his supporter had saved his life, about the advice she'd given him… and about the way she'd looked at him when she was laughing, or exasperated with him, or when they were sharing one of Syr's meals (Lilli stopped immediately after trying the first one, for some reason), how there was always a distance in everything she did and how she acted, but that in those flashes and those moments, it felt like she was aching to reach out her hand, to open up to him. Those moments had passed almost before he'd noticed them, and long before he'd ever been able to act, her walls had come up and the distance only ever widened. She was too careful, too cold and too wary- as if she was always telling herself she was fine by herself, even as her heart ached for more.

Having never met the supporter, Hestia had listened.
Fitting many of those criteria herself, Alfia had only scowled.
Despite themselves, both women believed in Bell. Hestia had seen his soul and his love, and had been warmed by both each night. And Alfia would never forget just how easily and completely he'd changed her.

He might be wrong, he'd said. Maybe he was just being presumptive, or arrogant, or stupid. He knew the world wasn't so kind or gentle as to let everything work out. But he would accept it if that were the case, but this time, he wanted to follow his Goddess's lead, he wanted to be the one to reach out to a struggling, lost soul.

"Bell, he's the type who can pass on the kindness he receives to anyone. He recognises the pain he's felt in others… There's no stopping him now, he's really stubborn when he's made up his mind, you know?"

Eina struggled. Her lip quivered as she tried to put her thoughts into order. She felt like she'd been thrown for a loop, everything Hestia had said sounded exactly like what Bell would say, but none of it was what she'd expected.

"Not convinced?"

"No, I just… What's he basing this on? Isn't he just hoping for the best?"

The wry smile returned once more, and Eina couldn't understand it.

Hestia's domain was of the people and the family. But the warmth of the Sacred Flame was both for the home and for those without one, her protection was ever for the wayward children. She smiled both on those who were in need and those who provided.

She was the patron deity of cities and of order, she didn't abide thievery or criminals… and yet, there had never been a shortage of them nestled within her warmth. The strays, the runaways, the lost and confused without a home or a place to belong. Those that had made mistakes, or who had walked a forsaken path, as long as they held a good heart and a desire to change, as long as they sought penance and turned not from righteousness, she would welcome them at her hearth.

Since long before she lay broken and dying in the depths of the dungeon, Lilli had stepped foot well into Hestia's domain. No matter how desperately or bitterly she'd yearned for a reset, and no matter how deeply she'd hated herself and everyone around her, she'd never taken that final step. And even now, at the end of her life, still she wanted to live. Lilli's heart wanted to change. If she wanted the protection of the Sacred Flame, she had only to reach out for it, or for the one carrying Hestia's will.

"Bell has an extraordinary ability to read people," Hestia answered to Eina's final question, "But, I think, even more than that… maybe it's his naïveté, but, I think, if you've got a good heart, then it doesn't matter what kind of character you are, he makes you want to live up to how he sees you."

---

"GET OUT OF MY WAY!"

Lilli's world exploded with sound and fury.

The monsters shrieked and howled, and were blown to bits by the sudden burst of explosions all around them.

Killer Ants, famously dubbed the "Rookie Killers", were near the top of the most dangerous enemies for level 1 adventurers, fighting in packs, with their wounded cries calling more and more to the scene, they had been responsible for the deaths of more budding adventurers than any other monster in the upper floors. With hard chitinous plates for armour and wickedly sharp mandibles to cleave through armour and bone together, they made for terrifying opponents. To fight one was a feat. To defeat a handful was to flirt with danger. And to face a horde was to court death itself.

Screaming at the top of his lungs and pumping his legs at top speed, with his clothes torn ragged and body slick with blood, Bell Cranel flew into the swam surrounding her with all the force of a hurricane!

His magic tipped the scales, overturning the despair, but it was his courage that brought him all the way to her side. The bodies surrounding her were wrenched away, and the jaws about to cleave her head were torn apart. Before she realised it, before she could even understand it, Lilli's world was once again filled with him, with the sight and warmth of the man she'd betrayed, the adventurer she'd left for dead.

"Lilli!"

"Bell-sama…?"

She was in his arms, trembling and shivering, barely even understanding what she was seeing or why he was looking at her like that. Those beautiful, rubellite eyes of his were shaking and his handsome face was marred with worry and fear. What was he so scared of? Why did he seem like he was on the verge of crying himself? Lilli had thought she was already numb to the pain wracking her body, but she felt Bell's hands around her shoulders and she felt how tightly his fingers dug into her as he held her.

Her blood, both from the beating she'd endured and from where the monsters had already torn through her flesh, flowed thick and red over him, covering his arms but leaving his face pale, ghostly white. But just as her vision swam, and just as Lilli wondered if this was a dream at the edge of reality, his fingers forced her mouth open and a weak blue liquid was forced down her throat.

"!?"

Coughing and gasping, her wounds closed, her strength returned, and all the pain and all the confusion that had been lost in her despair suddenly slammed back into her.

"B-Bell-sama!?"

He'd chased her down? But not for revenge, he'd come to save her? He'd wasted one of his few potions on her? And now he was here, standing before a whole swarm of monsters!? Had he come here just to die with her!? Killer Ants called for allies whenever they were weakened, the host that Lilli's Familia had summoned had grown to more than 30 by now, all the entrances were blocked, there was absolutely no escape. Bell was an adventurer with more potential than Lilli had ever known, but he was still just a level 1 rookie who'd barely been going to the dungeon for a month, this was beyond anything he could hope to achieve.

Her trembling hands reached up, without even thinking about what she was doing, and slid the Hestia Knife from where she'd hidden it under her clothes at her back. The only thing she'd managed to keep her tormenters from stealing. She handed it back without explanation or apology, just lying in his arms with feelings and fears far too volatile to even process.

And he took it with a smile, grinning from ear to ear, just as happily and just as kindly as ever. As if it was a gift. As if she was returning something she was looking after. As if she hadn't stolen his most precious item and left him to die.

His smile killed her, and it saved her.
Every last remaining ember of bitterness and hatred, and every last remaining shard of the Prum she had been was swept away by it.
And she was reborn. Following that smile, following his warmth, letting it fill her and guide her, Lilli was finally given the reset she'd wanted for so long.

"Lilli! We'll do it just like always!"

Just like always. He would take charge and protect her. He would dive into the monsters and she would offer some scant support before looting the corpses for him. Her crossbow was damaged, but not entirely broken and her arm raised almost automatically at his words, ready to offer what little aid she could manage.

The world around them was filled with enemies. There was no path forward and no longer a path out. The Killer Ants edged closer by the moment, stepping atop the bodies of their fallen kin, ready to charge any moment.

And yet, Bell wasn't afraid.

Just a few days ago, just earlier this week he would have faltered here, he was sure. Even now he knew he couldn't possibly defeat this many enemies at once. But now, he was following in Alfia's footsteps. Now he had magic. The ability to overturn defeat and create hope.

He'd already used a lot of his reserves defeating the Orcs on the 10th floor, forcing his way back to here on the 7th, and now fighting his way to Lilli. Just a day ago, he knew that would have been enough to send him to his knees, but now, his training with Riveria was already showing dividends, he'd been able to fight all the way here, to pull out from the depths of his Mind and to keep going, exactly as she'd instructed him. And now, he was prepared.

Flicking open the holster on his pouch, he pulled out a second vial, this one filled with a thin yellow liquid. A Magic Potion, medicine that restored the mind and recovered focus. Popping the cap off, he swallowed it in a single gulp.

He was an adventurer, he had to take every precaution possible, that was what Eina had told him again and again every time she dragged him into her consulting room. After being dragged right to the edge of Mind Zero twice now, Bell had been wary enough to spend almost 9,000 valis on this one-use trump card.

"Here I come!"

His magic ripped out again, signalling the start of the onslaught, and the monsters screeched in reply, charging towards the white-haired adventurer.

Lilli fired her crossbow as best she could, aiming at the onrush of Killer Ants, but with her equipment destroyed or stolen, she was soon left without bolts, clutching the badly damaged weapon in her hands and able to do nothing but watch as Bell flew across the battlefield before her eyes. His magic overturned the difference in numbers, keeping himself from getting surrounded and keeping his foes from being able to press against him, but it was his speed, his strength and his sheer recklessness that pushed the tide backwards.

Like a scream of thunder raging before her eyes, the thunderous explosions echoed out each time his spells tore the hordes asunder, and his Divine Knife bit into their armour and severed their heads anytime the ants moved close.

He moved so fast she could barely track his direction. And he flew directly into their masses with such heedless aggression she didn't even have time to scream. Every time he stopped to change direction, or any time she caught sight of him, it would be followed by the sight of at least one Killer Ant sliced apart with a surge of purple blood.

Within just a few minutes, the overwhelming tide of despair that had surrounded her was gone. The doom that had spelled her end had been swept away, and in its place was Bell Cranel. Standing alone, breathing hard, all that lay before them now were the destroyed and defeated monsters, the traitorous Prum, and the man who'd saved her regardless.

He returned his knives to their sheathes, and let the ebb of magic flow from within his grasp. His body sagging from the effort he'd expended just getting this far as he ran back over to her. And once more, her body was in his arms, and Lilli's heart was squeezed tight in her chest.

"How… how di-did you get here?"

"Ah, well… The Orcs were a surprise and the fog made it hard to see… but when I got used to it, it wasn't a big deal."

Her trap hadn't meant anything. The sudden lack of visibility and the sudden introduction of new and terrifyingly aggressive monsters on the 10th floor, the combination that had brought so many adventurers to their doom had been overcome without issue by the man she'd betrayed. Somehow, she wasn't even as surprised as she knew she should be. Even as just a duo, they'd made incredible progress through the dungeon in their time together, and they'd made their way to the 10th floor this morning in just a few hours, far faster than any of the full parties Lilli had joined in the past. The thought that, even bereft of his ally and his main weapon, this rookie adventurer had still overturned everything she'd set up against him was as ridiculous as it was unsurprising.

Bell smiled again as he offered his explanation, and as he did so, Lilli saw the countless jagged wounds layered across his skin, and the blood seeping slowly from him and through his clothes.

Even if he had succeeded, there was no way such a victory had come easily. His clothes had been ragged and his body had been worn even before he'd thrown himself at the Killer Ants. And every wound she could see, every drop of blood that poured from him, and every painful twitch of his muscles, that was all her fault.

Her heart broke and the resolve she'd been desperately keeping hold of began to unravel.

"W-Why? Why, Bell-sama?"

"Huh?"

"Why did you save me? Why didn't you abandon me!?" her hands clung to his shirt, and she stared up at him with eyes that could see only him, "You can't possibly have thought it was a game, or that I took the knife just to surprise you! You can't be that oblivious! You know I betrayed you, don't you!? Why don't you hate me?! Why did you save me!?"

"Lilli…"

Desperately clenching her fingers around his collar, halfway between attempting to shake him out of his obliviousness and clinging to him like a lifeline, the dam burst inside her and everything she'd been holding back suddenly rushed out. With her voice rising to a fever pitch and her body trembling in his arms, Lilli screamed aloud every crime she'd committed against him.

She told him about how when she went to exchange their Magic Crystals, she split them 60/40, or even 70/30.
How she'd pocketed drop items behind his back while he was too busy fighting.
And how she'd taken his money to buy items or potions, and charged him double, or even triple every time she'd done so.
She told him how he was the only adventurer to ever offer her a 50-50 split, to ever trust her with his back to that degree, and to ever have so much faith in her, and that she'd taken advantage of that every single time. That she'd laughed at his kindness and smiled at his naïveté each time he happily accepted the scams she pulled on him.

She poured everything out, all the guilt and all the crimes, all the ways she'd wronged and betrayed him. She couldn't have stopped even if she'd wanted to, all her confessions flowed free like the tears streaming down her face.

Scratching his head with an awkward smile, Bell just listened as she spoke, or screamed, as she shook him and pleaded with him to understand just how easily she'd deceived him and how happily she'd robbed him. In truth, he'd noticed almost none of it, and probably wouldn't have noticed anything at all, if not for Alfia and his Goddess confronting him about it earlier.

His lack of shock, and the comforting smile that never left his face only squeezed Lilli's heart tighter.
He should be yelling at her, screaming at her, hitting her. He should take his revenge on her. She'd always manged to fight back any guilt at her actions by reminding herself about how horrible adventurers were, and how she'd only acted before they took advantage of her, that her actions were simply biting back against those that hurt her. But now she was left with nothing, nothing except the reminder of everything she'd done to him. If it was like this, if he didn't do anything, then it felt like the guilt would crush her.

"Do you understand now, Bell-sama!? I'm not someone you can rely on! I'm just a thief! A liar! A piece-of-shit Prum wh-who took advantage of you, over and over again! I'm not someone you want as your supporter!"

He didn't answer. His smile faded and he just looked sad, as worried for her as he had been before. His hands remained around her back, as sure and as comforting as ever. And even despite her words, she couldn't bear to let go of his shirt.

"E-Even even so… Even despite all that… You still saved me!?"

"O-Of course."

"WHY!?"

Lilli paused, gasping for breath as she stared up at him, wild eyed and half frantic. She didn't know what she was hoping to hear, she didn't even know what he could possibly say. Nothing about this day had played out as it should.

Bell just blinked, caught off guard by the question. It wasn't something he'd ever considered before. He'd never once stopped to think about needing a reason to save someone, he'd never even needed to think about wanting to save Lilli. If there was someone who needed help, he wanted to reach out to them, just like his Goddess had to him.

"Because you're important to me."

In the end, the answer was as simple as that. Bell didn't need a reason to help someone who was in trouble, but if there was a reason he'd been so desperate to help her, it was because of the feelings that had grown towards her.

Lilli's chestnut eyes went as wide as they can go. And for a moment, she stopped trembling in his arms, simply lying against him, absorbing his words, bewildered by just how easily he'd accepted her even after all she'd done.

"And, I… I want to be the kind of man who can make all the people I care about happy. Of course, that includes you, Lilli."

"Bell-sama!"

The last gaps of her resolve broke entirely and with it so did the last dregs of her resistance to the feelings that were overwhelming her. Loosing a wrenching sob, she finally gave in completely, crying openly, bawling honestly and without reservation before him. Coughing from the damage still pulsing through her body, and hiccupping as her emotions flowed freely, Lilli howled with all the regrets and all the guilt that had been held within her heart all this time.

"I-Ah, I'm not very smart, so you've gott'a talk to me if you're in trouble, I won't realise otherwise. But if you need me, you can count on me, I promise!"

"Be-Bell-sama!"

She dove into his chest, throwing herself against the thoroughly dented and torn metal of his breastplate. The metallic armour dug into her skin and poked at the wounds still wracked across her body, but she couldn't possibly have cared much less have felt it. Her small arms wrapped around him and she clung to him with all her might, pulling herself as tight and as warm around him as she could possibly manage.

Lilli couldn't possibly have missed the ragged state of his clothes, or the damage to his armour. There was no mistaking the blood running from his wounds and soaking their clothes. Nor could she turn away from the exhausted state of him, and the way he'd clearly been fighting for his life ever since she'd left him to die.

Her heart broke again with each painful reminder of just how much Bell had suffered and been hurt for her sake. And then again, as his embrace held her close and she understood just how easily he was able to forgive her even so.

"S-Sorry, I'm, I'm so sorry…!"

Her words shook and trembled, as her body wrenched with sobs and her fingers clung tight around his back. But he simply cradled her in his arms and reassured her the same as he always had.

"It's okay."

Lilli's tears echoed far and wide, but the dungeon's terrible power was limited in these upper levels, and it had already spent its fury against them. No more monsters came to disturb their reunion, and no adventurers among these beginner floors had been willing to go anywhere near the flood of Killer Ants they'd seen heading towards this section of the labyrinth.

For a short while at least, they had a peaceful moment.

Slowly, as the seconds passed the hoard of magic stones, chipped and cracked by Bell's fury, broke apart entirely leaving the already sundered bodies of the monsters as nothing but piles of ash dancing through the air.

And so, without her even acknowledging or realising it, the small Prum who had been born amongst the ashes of Orario, found herself reborn under the ashes of the Dungeon.
And, with her secrets pouring out along with her tears, and with her heart aching with regret… cradled in the arms of the only person to ever reach out and protect her, Lilli's heart and their relationship was finally reset.

---

Meanwhile, on the 10th floor, Ais Wallenstein was looking around in confusion. She didn't have particularly good memories of this segment of the dungeon, and had never previously had any cause to linger here, but in spite of that, she'd been walking almost aimlessly for some minutes now.

"Bell… was definitely here…"

Even as a level 6, it had taken her some time to track that down, but finally she'd caught sight of the rabbit she'd been chasing. Or at least, some signs of his presence. It wasn't much, but Ais was a terrifyingly adept adventurer by now and even just from the small time they'd trained together so far, she could recognise the feeling of his magic soaked into this area of the dungeon and see the tell-tale signs of his Sagitta Sonus seared into the rocks and ground throughout the corner of the labyrinth she'd wandered into.

Aside from signs of a battle, nothing else seemed to remain, and try as she might, she couldn't spot even a whisker of the boy's distinctive white-hair.

"Hmm…"

It was a little depressing. Her heart had leapt out of her chest with concern when the Half-Elf Guild Employee had approached her and told her that she thought Bell was in some sort of danger. She'd raced through the dungeon at practically her top speed to come to his aid. And now there was no-

"Huh?"

She paused, holding that thought as a thoroughly battered, but very familiar green armguard came into sight, half buried within a clump of grass leading back to the entrance.

There was something after all. It seemed the fight, or the flight, that Bell had found himself in had carried him back to the higher floors and presumably towards safety.

"I'll… have to return this to him…"

Unfortunately, just as Ais was about to make her way back towards the upper floors and to start her search anew, a shimmer appeared in the shadows behind her and a new figure emerged from the darkness.

"Sword Princess."

Clad in shadow and midnight robes, Fels took full advantage of this rare opportunity to address the famed adventurer alone and directly. The events about to unfold on the 24th floor were deeply concerning and he was willing to move any pieces he could get his hands on. Her rabbit hunt would have to wait a little longer.

---

Given the scope of their injuries and their exhaustion, both physical and emotional, Bell and Lilli retreated back to the surface after that, saying a slightly subdued goodbye and making promises to meet again the next day.

The next morning, however, rather than their usual meeting spot, Lilli was waiting for Bell right outside the abandoned Church.

She'd gotten the address from him the previous day, before they'd gone their own separate ways. And while she hadn't worked up the courage to step inside and wait for him among the shattered pews or the decrepit altar, when he pushed open the bronze doors, she was there all the same. Just as she'd said she would be.

This was the start of Lilli's new path. She was here to meet his Goddess and his guardian to apologise for all the trouble she'd caused.

Even standing at Bell's side, the two women gave her exactly the kind of frosty reception she'd expected.

Alfia's scorn was immediate and unrelenting. She made it very clear how little she thought of this whole ordeal and about Bell's stubborn insistence to remain alongside Lilli, and she made it just as clear that if she heard about the Prum doing anything similar to him again, then Lilli would very quickly find herself as nothing more than a smear across the Dungeon's floor. Hestia added her own agreement to that claim, promising with all the weight of a Goddess's words that if Lilli ever put Bell in danger again, she would certainly make sure that the supporter paid dearly.

Beyond that warning however, Hestia's judgement was a good deal more reserved than Alfia. While Alfia rejected the partnership entirely before stalking back to the far corner of the room, Hestia simply folded her arms and listened to the explanations and the entreaty being offered to her. And then, after sending Bell away to make tea for the three of them, she made her own thoughts on the matter clear.

She didn't like Lilli, of course. Rather, she quite hated her. She wanted Lilli nowhere near Bell at all. How could she not? She'd thought Lilli was trouble since the first time she'd heard about her, she didn't know her and had no reason to think anything positive of her. And it was impossible for Lilli to make amends, the money and saving she'd worked so hard for and which she'd scammed Bell so cruelly for were already gone, stolen from her just as callously as she'd taken from others all this while.

But she understood that Bell saw something in her. Hestia understood that Bell wanted her at his side.

And when she pressed Lilli about her intentions, she accepted the Prum's words of remorse. There was no lying to a Goddess, Hestia's crystal blue eyes saw right to the brown-haired girl's heart and recognised the truth of her words and her truest desires.

Alfia scoffed, her own glare pinning the supporter in place from across the room even without any additional words of scorn from her side.
But it was the Goddess's piercing gaze that pulled apart the layers around Lilli's heart and laid it bare for all to see.

"What's with you? You've been making that downcast face ever since you walked in."
"Being saved by Bell made you turn over a new leaf, huh? Did you ever stop to think that you're just going to cause him more trouble because he's too kind for his own good?"
"He won't do anything to you for revenge, so you're feeling the crushing weight of guilt on your own shoulders, right? But no matter how I look at it, you're still taking advantage of him, acting downcast like that, like you've already paid your dues."

Hestia was remorseless. Again and again, she layered her pointed questions and accusations, adding another even as the Prum struggled to answer the previous.

Sweating and shaking under the woman's freezing glare, Lilli was reminded immediately of the advice commonly spread among townsfolk. That if you had something to hide, if you had something to keep secret, you should never talk to a God. Don't try talk around the topic, don't try redirect the conversation, just shut up and say nothing at all. It was easy to worry about the eyes that would see through any lies you told, but the true danger of dealing with a deity was their millions of years of experience and knowledge, and understanding was used to rip right through the supporter's defences and expose her innermost thoughts.

Finally, just when Lilli thought her heart couldn't take anymore, Hestia folded her arms, drew herself up with all the imperious nobility of the heavens she commanded, and proclaimed her own judgement in Bell's place. Since he wouldn't punish her, she would act instead.

"Look after him."

The Goddess of the Hearth's command was simple, but heartfelt.

As Lilli herself as proven, Bell was easily tricked and had no experience navigating the harsh realities of the world. If Lilli wanted to prove her sincerity and wanted to truly show she had changed, then she needed to stay at Bell's side and protect him as best she could. Until he was satisfied, and until Lilli's own heart had forgiven her. There was no obligation, no bindings and no compulsion, her judgement was not as a Divinity, but simply a Familia's Goddess.

Alfia had already suggested that the supporter be sent on her own way. And Hestia's personal feelings were similar.
But, despite everything, she allowed Lilli to remain Bell's supporter.

It was then that Lilli's eyes opened in surprise, and she understood the true nature of Bell's Goddess. As tiny as she was, as disgraceful as the rumours of her working part-time in a food-stall were… Hestia was generous and noble in equal measure. The Goddess of the Hearth had given her a second chance, just as Bell had himself.

As harsh as Hestia was being and as cold as her feelings towards the Prum clearly were, she was also merciful. She believed in change and in hope, and she would always offer a hand to the lost and the weary. She was a protector of those in need.

Flushed with the sudden warmth, Lilli bowed her head in reply, promising again and again that she would live up to her words.

…

And then Bell returned, and the sombre mood flooded back to normal.

And then somehow both women ended up bickering with each other. Each clinging to a side of him and glaring at the other as they claimed some kind of territory.

Bell was bewildered.
Alfia was amazed that the Goddess still managed to restrain herself from mentioning all the things she and Bell had already done.
Lilli and Hestia glared at each other earnestly, the chill and the warmth of earlier both forgotten as sparks flew between their eyes.

…

Eventually, the teacups were drained and the Adventurer and his Supporter stepped out into the sunlight, out to where they were to face the dungeon once more. A new day and a new start between them.

"Lilli, here…"

She blinked, looking in surprise at where Bell's hand was extended out towards her.

"You said earlier didn't you, "Me and Bell-sama walk hand-in hand through the dungeon", hah, sorry, I never realised that was something you wanted."

Her face turned pink, realising just how bold her words had been, as well as the fact that he'd somehow taken them seriously. It seemed he was staying true to his earlier claim, that he wouldn't understand anything unless she told him.

"Well, I- er, I don't think it's very safe to hold hands in the dungeon, but until we get there…"

He was intending to walk through the streets with her. Hand-in-hand. All the way to the dungeon. Lilli's pink face burned scarlet red and she felt as if steam was going to come out her ears.

"H-Huh, Bell-sama! It's really so easy for you isn't it!? You'll just offer your hand to any woman, won't you!? You're shameless! Horrible! Pervert! Playboy! Enemy of women!"

"Hahah, well, let's go then!"

Despite the torrent of words spilling from her mouth, her hand had clung to his since the moment he'd extended it and her fingers were wrapped far too tight around his to even think of letting go.
And in contrast to the blazing red of her cheeks, Lilli's lips were pulled up into the dizziest, happiest smile the Prum had never imagined wearing.

---

Bell was falling. Sinking. Drowning.

He was drifting in an abyss.

Beyond sight. Beyond sound. Just floating and lingering. Lost, out of thought and out of mind.

…

It should have been terrifying. He should have felt alone and scared, confused and bewildered. But somehow, none of that registered. He felt like he'd been worried just a short time ago, but all of his concerns had been soothed away just a moment later.

"Mmm…hha…"

Wrapped up in the abyss, he was warm and held in a soft, tender contentment.

Ah.

Thoughts were slowly returning to him as his soul slowly drifted up to the surface once more.

He recognised this. This was the comfort of being wrapped up and enveloped in someone's affection, this was the warmth of a caring embrace. He knew this feeling and he knew this comfort. His distant memories recalled such sensations from a long, long time ago with Alfia. He could easily bring to mind thoughts of himself in his grandfather's lap just like this. And more than anything, this was the same feeling of his Goddess's love.

Nestled in her arms, asleep and out of mind, a smile rose on Bell's face all the same.

Of course he recognised this feeling, this was how he woke up every morning, wrapped up tight with his Goddess's thin arms around him and her boundless affection enveloping him. He'd been sleeping better recently and he'd been more refreshed than ever each time he woke up. He'd finally found a place to belong and a woman he belonged with.

"Mm, Goddess…"

"…No… I'm human…"

That was strange. Bell's thoughts were hazy and lost, but that didn't seem right. Was that how his Goddess answered him in the morning? He was sure she'd say something like "Good morning, Bell", or whisper "Hello to you too, my love."

The incongruity tugged at him and slowly his mind floated closer back to reality.

Why were his legs so heavy? Was he standing upright?
Since when had his Goddess's arms been so long?
Why could he hear the birdsong bright and clear?
Huh… was he wearing his armour?

The questions and the thoughts pulled him upwards, moment by moment, until "Ah-hah!?" finally, his consciousness broke through the surface once again, and reality returned.

He blinked, his thoughts and memories only very slowly returning as he found himself staring at navy-blue fabric, metallic silver armour and long blonde streaks of hair.

"It's fine…" a soft voice assured him, and a hand reached out to cradle the back of his head, easing it gently back into the warm embrace he'd halfway pulled away from, "…You can sleep longer."

His mind swirled once more, soothed and comforted. The softness of her voice tickled through his ear and the gentleness of her arms pulled him in closer. Even without fully coming back to reality, Bell's body sighed and his mind floated back to the edge of consciousness once again.

"It's not fine," a second, much sterner voice corrected, "Wake up, Cranel-san."

Ah?
Huh?
AH!?

"Ah-hhah!?" Finally ripped directly back to reality, Bell's consciousness slammed fully back to reality and he realised that Riveria had been the one to just address him. And that he was lying against Ais, held tight in her embrace just as he had so many times after she'd knocked him out. Except… Except this time, instead of being deadweight against her, his arms were wrapped around her back and he'd snuggled in against her shoulder, "Ah-a, Wha!?"

"…Hmm…"

Ais pouted but released him just the same as ever, and Bell stumbled back, blinking and shaking his head as his face burned red and his memories rose groggily from the depths of the abyss. It was early in the morning. He was training with Ais and Riveria once again. He had… ended up asleep on the Sword Princess's shoulder?!

"I… passed out?"

The blonde nodded, her look as placid as ever.
The elf frowned, looking sterner than usual.

"Mind Zero," Riveria explained, "You pushed yourself too far this time, Cranel-san. Instead of drawing out the edge of your limits, your succumbed to them. And this time, you've lost."

This time his cheeks were flaming red from shame, rather than confused embarrassment. His memories always got hazy as he pushed the limits of his consciousness against the absolute limit of his magic, but he could remember now, he'd been chasing after Ais, trying to tag her with his spell, just as normal in their training. He'd made it up to three points, but he'd lost a point due to being unable to draw forth anymore magic within 5 seconds, and he'd been so close to losing a second point, he'd been sure he finally had her in his sights, he'd grabbed at the very last dregs of his mental fortitude and forced himself…

…And he'd wound up completely unconscious.

"I'm sorry! I didn't mean to, I swear!"

"It's fine…" Ais answered without a worry, "This is training… that's normal…"

This time both Riveria and Bell blinked at the blonde's strange assurance. Regardless of the fact that it had somehow become normal through their training sessions, getting knocked senseless time after time was absolutely not meant to be a normal training strategy. Once again, the Sword Princess's spartan idea of training and slightly strange views on the world rose into view.

For now, Riveria decided it was best to probably ignore that.

"You were only out for ten minutes," she informed the white-haired adventurer, getting his attention once more, "Falling unconscious in a fight is hardly an admirable feat, if this was in the dungeon you would surely be dead. But, to come back within such a short time is admirable in its own right. So, while I won't praise your focus or your control, I will at least praise your willpower. To be able to force yourself back like that, I can believe you're taking this training seriously."

If anything, she thought, she was being overly reserved with her praise. To be able to recover from Mind Zero in just a few minutes was quite a feat indeed, when she'd watched the young adventurer collapse she'd assumed that would be the end of the training for the next hour. But Riveria judged that it was more important to be harsh about this, he needed to learn not to fall into such a situation in the first place. Recovering quickly from Mind Zero wasn't a particularly useful skill to have, it was far more important to ensure you never ended up like that to begin with.

"But that's the only thing I can praise you for. I'll let this be your warning. I'll overlook it this time, but if it happens again… next time you won't wake up in Ais's arms, but in mine," Riveria had intended to let that statement sink in for just a second, but as soon as she'd said it, memories of the first time she'd met this young boy threatened to rise within her mind and she very quickly continued, "Except, I'll be holding you by your ankles over the edge of the wall instead."

Bell blanched, and even Ais's ever placid expression took on a slightly concerned frown.

It wasn't difficult for either of them to imagine just how terrifying it would be to wake up and find yourself suspended over a void, tens of meders high in the air.

Of course, she would never actually do something like that. No matter how strictly she acted, Riveria wasn't the kind to put someone in her care into careless danger. Instead, she simply trusted in Bell's integrity that he truly was taking this training seriously and the threat would be enough to keep him from failing again. This was for his sake, while he'd never actually given the impression of purposefully letting himself get knocked out so he could wind up in Ais's arms, Riveria couldn't risk encouraging him to push himself into Mind Zero with the thought that he'd wind up with the Sword Princess hugging him.

That would destroy his development and… she didn't think it would be good for Ais to continue to be this forward with him anyway. Riveria would never claim to have taken the role of Ais's mother, but she'd certainly raised her in all the time she'd spent in Orario so far, she'd always thought Ais had taken on more Elf-like mannerisms than this!

… Or maybe that was Bell's fault. As much as Riveria tried her very best not to think about her first encounter with the boy, there was no denying that he had a certain manner about him that appealed to an Elf's sensibilities.

'What am I even thinking about!?'

Forcibly fighting down her own blush as she realised that, once again, her thoughts had uncharacteristically run away from her, Riveria turned back to the white-haired boy still waiting for her next command.

"It would be dangerous now to continue, with your Mind as low as-"

"Wait! Please!" he implored her, holding his hands up in reconciliation, "I can, I can keep going! I am taking this seriously, I swear!"

Riveria did her very best to hold back the smile that threatened to break out across her face. Bell Cranel, for whatever else he may be, was a remarkably likable young man.

"Very well… In that case, we'll restart with you at one point."

The training continued. And, at least under the Elf's guidance, Bell forcibly maintained his consciousness just as he'd promised.
Of course, his training with the Sword Princess saw him quickly and mercilessly sent straight back into her awaiting arms.

But he felt like he learned a lot anyway.

---

The days continued to pass by in just the same manner.

Soon enough the Loki Familia's next expedition was announced and the end of their agreement for Bell's training along with it. Ais took the knowledge as stoically as she did anything else, using the time as she could to try find out the secret behind the boy's rapid growth, and Riveria surprised herself by the slight twinge of melancholia she felt at the thought of parting ways with the youth.

By the standards of the Loki Familia, he was far from exceptional. She could throw a stone and hit 4 promising young hopefuls with greater abilities and greater achievements than Bell.
But she couldn't think of a single one that had improved in anywhere close to the same timeframe as her. Even Lefiya, her young protegee, hadn't shown such immediate promise and improvement.

And, while she never said so aloud, from the time she'd spent with the boy Riveria was starting to wonder if there perhaps was no secret at all behind his growth. Nothing except his reckless determination and ironclad resolve.

It didn't make sense, she knew that. Such determination and resolve was only natural among any proper candidate. She couldn't possibly imagine his will was any greater than Bete's, or Finn's, let alone Ais's when she was a youngster… but the fact that she was even comparing this level 1 nobody to the figures that stood atop the very pinnacle of Orario kept her wondering.

In any case, the agreement Ais had thoughtlessly thrust upon them was that they would train him until their expedition was up.

Bell was far too polite to ever even dream of asking for more than that, and far too shy to imagine that either woman would wish to continue beyond it.
Ais was much too awkward to ever request the same.
And Riveria… despite the small desire within her to continue observing this boy's growth… held back. He wasn't part of their Familia, it was both pointless and improper to get attached. The affect he'd had on Ais's spirit had buoyed her own spirit greatly, but that wasn't reason enough to risk appearing like they were infringing on the territory of another Goddess.

There was a reason that these training sessions were being kept secret after all.

And so, with the end in sight, all three of them threw themselves entirely into the last week of their training.

Each day Bell woke up at the break of dawn, made his way to the battlements and spent an hour or more learning spellcasting techniques or mind refinement tricks under Riveria's careful direction. And then he spent as long as he could manage, putting that knowledge directly into practice as his magic chased Ais around the top of the walls, just barely keeping himself out of Mind Zero.

After his mind had recovered at least enough to stagger to his feet, his combat abilities were put immediately to the test. Ais gave few instructions and little advice, everything he learned from her, he learned directly through their clashes. More often than not those clashes ended with him either sent sprawling back across the battlements, or knocked unconscious entirely and swept up into her embrace… but slowly, as the days passed and as his back burned hotter and hotter, Bell began to catch glimpses of Ais's movements and managed to counter, or dodge them with the very limits of his own speed and skill.

In both cases, it was his absolute defeat every single time.

He never managed to score more than 3 points with his magic. And he barely managed to defend himself long enough to even catch his breath before Ais's sheathe would slam into his body, legs, or knock his knife from his hands.

But he got up every single time. And he stepped forwards every single time. No matter how his mind spun, or how much his body wracked with pain, Bell threw himself into their lessons. And he grew, faster and faster, guided by their tutelage and experience, he grew faster than ever before.

From Lilli's perspective, Bell had shot up to the very heights of the level 1 adventurers in what seemed like the blink of an eye.

Every day, he would meet her outside the doors to the abandoned church.

If Riveria was there training with them, he would be fresh and ready to go.
If Riveria hadn't been able to make it, he would look as if he'd been thrashed to within an inch of his life.

And in either case, they would head to the Dungeon hand-in-hand, and from there she would bear witness to the leaps and bounds of Bell's improvement, day after day. When she'd first teamed up with him, it took them several hours to reach the 5th floor and working their way through the 8th and 9th was a grand achievement. But now, even the 10th floor that just days ago had been where she'd left him to die was conquered smoothly under his strength. The two of them made it down there in just a few hours, and while the 10th floor was a good deal larger than the rest of the floors they'd come to so far, she doubted it would be more than a few days before Bell was asking to push forward into the 11th.

Just compared to when she'd met him, even just compared to the previous day- he was sharper, faster, stronger. His magic rang out louder and more ferociously, until nothing in the upper levels seemed to stand up to it, and his twin knives sang through the air at speeds she couldn't even follow, carving a path through any monster that dared assail them.

By Lilli's rough estimation, she was starting to put him well above any of the beginner adventurers she'd encountered in the past. He wasn't the most powerful person she'd ever grouped with, but she guessed he must be easily among the most powerful of all the Level 1 adventurers, even his glaring lack of combat experience and martial knowledge appeared to be closing day by day. In all respects, Bell Cranel was looking far from the rookie she'd once taken him for, and even among the stronger level 2 or 3 adventurer's she'd briefly worked with, none of them had improved at a rate anything like what she'd seen from him.

To be reaching the end of the Upper Floors in just a few weeks wasn't just unusual, it was outright unheard of. If it had been anyone else, she would have simply assumed he was lying about how long he'd been an adventurer, or assumed he must have some previous experience outside Orario… but she couldn't believe that Bell would ever lie about something like that, and it was just as hard to believe that someone as innocent and unworldly as him had experience with overworld monster hunting.

In the end, Lilli simply worked as best she could to keep up with and continue supporting him. She didn't understand anything about Bell's determination or his rapid growth, but she didn't need to, just staying next to him was all she wanted for now. It made her feel useful being able to tell him about all the new floors they found themselves on and all the new enemies he set himself against… and their swift progress to the deeper floors, along with the innumerable foes they took down together day after day was doing a great deal of work to replenish Lilli's plundered savings.

Eina's opinion, however, was significantly less positive. Instead, the half-Elf felt like she was being stressed to her wits ends just to try restrain the young adventurer's seemingly boundless recklessness. She knew he had some basic knowledge of the Dungeon and the monsters from his Guardian, but he didn't know nearly as much as he should, and getting him to listen to her lessons was proving just as difficult now as it had when she'd first taken him under her wing. He was impatient and impulsive and, in the process of racing after his far-off goal, seemed to always be standing right on the cusp of disaster as he dove further and further into the dungeon day after day.

A part of her believed that she was at least partially to blame, having tried to cheer him up with her initial suggestion that he get strong for the sake of earning the right to stand next to the woman he idolised… and that worrying guilt only made Eina's already stiff resolve turn to steel as she fought back her stress day after day, all but bodily shoving Bell into his seat as she lectured him, and outright begging concessions of him for the sake of keeping him from pushing himself even further. Already, with just himself very dubious Level 1 supporter, he was pushing past the 10th floor. Only two more floors separated him from the Middle Layers. Eina had coached many new adventurers through similar progress, but few of them had been solo and none of them would have even dreamed of making that kind of progress in just a few weeks! A skilled group may have spent half a year pushing to where Bell was fighting through now, it was reckless beyond recklessness, beyond words and beyond hope! In the end the tiny victory she'd won was a promise from him not to explore past the 11th floor for at least another week. That alone was ridiculous. A week of progress was absolutely nothing, most adventurers would spend months on the 11th floor! And yet, that was the small victory she'd gained against the boy's heedless explorations.

And worst of the worst, was that every time she'd tried to stand in his way, every time she'd told him that there was absolutely no chance his abilities were high enough to tackle the Floors ahead of her… he'd proven her wrong. An Adventurer's status was private and secret, even to his Guild advisor, she had been pushing well beyond the bounds of rudeness to press him so, but she'd stilled the complaints in her heart by saying it was for the best, that it was to keep him safe. And instead, each time she'd had to pick her jaw up from the floor as he'd displayed a ridiculous status that matched his equally ridiculous progress.

Bell Cranel was going to die in the dungeon. That was the opinion of every one of the guild receptionists, everyone except Eina. She was the only one who had bet on his survival. And Eina was fighting back a growing ulcer in her stomach every day just trying to find ways of keeping that prediction from coming true.

In the end, as way of apologising for her rudeness in asking about his Status and as yet another way of trying to keep him alive, the Half-Elf had ended up arranging for a second date with him. This time, instead of armour, she'd taken him through the apothecary and medical row, and filled his satchel with potions and similar medical items. And in doing so, she'd also extracted yet another promise from him that he would ensure he was always carrying such items- no matter their cost or inconvenience.

Adventurers must not go on an adventure. That was Eina's ironclad, oxymoronic rule. And by the end of their date, she was sure she'd repeated it so many times Bell would be hearing it in his sleep.

It wasn't a particularly romantic date, as an Elf (well half, but she cherished her Elven side) she didn't do anything lewd like hold his hand and she certainly didn't have any thoughts about kissing him. Eina was mature enough to understand that he was probably a little disappointed at that, even if his heart was set on Ais Wallenstein, he was still a boy… but she didn't feel even a trace of guilt at that, not when she was spending so much of her free time and her own money worrying about Bell Cranel! Him hearing her warning even in his dreams was fair payment for the nights she'd spent filling out her advisory notes with worries for the white-haired boy bouncing leaving her stomach clenched tight!

As fate would have it, Bell had another date just the very next day as well. Filvis arrived first thing in the morning, exactly as she always did, only to find that she'd already missed him leaving for his training. The Dionysus captain's momentary relief at being able to handle her delivery without concerns for the boy in question was momentary indeed- Alfia immediately dashed her hopes by closing the door in her face, instructing the girl to instead come back that evening when Bell had returned from the Dungeon.

Despite herself, Filvis had stared for some minutes in muted, disbelieving shock at the closed door and the idea of having to wait an entire day to come back and delivery a letter for the sake of then being sent out to kill time while a response was being penned. It made no sense, it was ridiculous and it was rude to the point of being offensive. But Filvis was dutiful, she was loyal, and she was obedient. While she hadn't yet steeled her heart enough to tell Lord Dionysus about her dates with another man (and to face her own fear of how simply she knew he would accept that news), she knew without a doubt that he wished for her to follow Alfia's whims.

And so, biting back her anger, the once-Elven woman endured the insult, letting it run off her back like all the rest. She left, she waited, she returned… and she had a surprisingly pleasant time, sitting in a dusky corner of the nearest park and instructing the young-adventurer on more of the Elven language.

His promise to Eina soon brought Bell back to the Miach Familia shop and soon enough with taking his first ever Quest… which almost immediately afterwards resulted in him getting scammed. Or more specifically, finding out that he'd been getting scammed for some time now. Lilli had kept her word to Hestia to protect Bell from anyone seeking to take advantage of him, and soon enough he was facing the incredibly awkward situation of having a Deity bow down in apology for his follower's actions. The embarrassing discussion and strained situation was interrupted by an abrupt introduction to the Dian Cecht Familia, or at least the God himself and the beautiful healer known as the Dea Saint, and soon enough Bell was off on his second ever Quest- protecting the Miach Familia and forging a true friendship with them in turn.

All in all, his days were busy, his training unrelenting and his adventures throughout the city as eventful as ever. He had a place to belong, he was surrounded by people he cherished, and he was making swift progress through the Dungeon… And yet… Despite all that, slowly but surely, Bell felt an ever-creeping unease, as if a wall was being raised up ahead of him. And day by day, his worries began to mount.

---

Meanwhile, in another time and another place.

The soft scent of argelica filled the air.

That was normal. Cassandra always kept the herb nearby to help ensure a sound sleep. In the dungeon she would bring some cloves to place near her pillow, but here in her room, there were a handful of carefully maintained plants growing in equally carefully selected pots that filled her quarters with the familiar, calming scent.

"Hnmm…"

The soft fragrance of the herbs was thoroughly overpowered by the heady smell of sex and of his musk.

"Mmm…"

That was also normal. By now, Cassandra was thoroughly used to waking up soaked in his scent after a night of dizzying ecstasy. They usually used his room when they were at home, but there was nothing unusual about having the calming aroma of her herbs mixed with the potent scent of sated lust being the first thing she was aware of as she stirred awake, "Hng… mhhaa…" Nor was it unusual for a rush of warmth and satisfaction to be the second thing she was aware of, as her body reacted to the passions that had overwhelmed her to completely last night.

The sight of his face turned towards her and smiling warmly when she finally opened her eyes was always welcome though.

"Bell-sama…"

"Good morning," he whispered in reply, leaning over as she brushed her long blue hair back over her ear, pressing his lips softly against her own. Another familiar burst of warmth rose within her, and she beamed happily in response, "It's still early, you can just go back to sleep if you want."

Snuggled in under the blankets and wrapped in next to him, with her body still thrumming happily from his ministrations the previous night and her heart full to overflowing with affection, it was a tempting offer. But she resisted, sliding closer and laying her head directly atop his shoulder instead.

Looking past him, as she blinked herself awake, Cassandra could see they were indeed in her room, she was lying in her own bed, at Bell's side. And across from him, pressed up against his other side, she could see the very familiar sight of the gentle, blonde renart, still asleep with her hand running lazily over his chest. Behind the fox-girl was a silver-haired woman, with an uncharacteristically serene look on her face as she dozed happily and -from her slowly clearing memories and from with warm arm she could feel around her waist- Cassandra knew that if she turned around, she'd find the blonde elf asleep at her back.

Bell was, of course, always welcome in her bed… but, it was a little cramped to have three other women in with him. Still, she couldn't bring herself to really care, these were all women that Cassandra considered her dearest companions, and it wasn't as if any of them had any real reservations about being pressed in tight around one another these days, given how often they'd found themselves wrapped up around him and any of his other lovers. Truly, Bell was just too popular for his own good.

Nor that she couldn't understand why, given how easily and how completely he'd ensnared both her heart and soul.

Her slowly clearing memories of the previous night turned hazy after some point, she remembered the over-eager fox-girl screaming out in delight one last time and passing out, and she remembered the stoic blonde elf losing her composure entirely as she was bathed in the moonlight and in his love, before slumping into the mattress insensate. Cassandra could remember her own delight and excitement as she'd been pushed down after that, the knowledge that her body was still reeling from everything he'd already done to her and the anticipation of the absolute defeat that awaited her. Everything past that was a dizzying fog of bliss.

Most likely she'd succumbed to him shortly after that. If anything, it was a surprise she'd even lasted that long. Despite being a fairly experienced adventurer, Cassandra always surrendered far too easily in bed. She couldn't help it, every part of herself had already submitted entirely to him, it was only natural.

"Mnn…" she hummed lazily, "I'm sorry, did I wake you up?"

Devouring four women in one night was hardly an uncommon feat for him these days, but she couldn't help but worry all the same. In the Dungeon and in his romantic endeavours, he was always the one working harder than anyone. He was a lot better now, but for a while after his time in the Deep Levels, he'd barely been able to sleep at all. Even these days, he was still a light sleeper, she'd probably woken him up the moment she'd stirred.

"Nah," he shrugged, as much as one could with his arm around four girls at least, "I've been up for a while now… I just… I like lying here like this, with all of you."

She breathed out a quiet laugh, what man wouldn't enjoy this? "I feel the same…" of course, she wasn't any different. The sense of closeness she felt these days was something she would have never been able to imagine beforehand.

"Hnn, I guess I shouldn't be surprised you're the first one up. You were much more energetic than usual last night," he grinned, teasing lightly, "Levelling up gave you a lot more energy, huh?"

"I-It's not like that!" she blushed, as his words brought back a lot more memories into the warm light of day. Memories of her legs wrapped tight around him and her arms clinging to his back. Of her head facedown between the renart's legs as he claimed her from behind. Of her holding the elf from behind, caressing and massaging her modest bust as the blonde rode atop him. Of her lying atop the silver-haired woman's, screaming aloud as they were taken in turn. None of those thoughts were unusual, but she could clearly remember the sheer enthusiasm she'd thrown herself into them with… He wasn't wrong, it had felt like her body had been filled with power, bursting with more energy than she was used to controlling, and that excess of stamina had all turned into wanton desire, "I was just really happy! Everything's finally alright a-again, and it's been so long since I last leve… since I… Um… Levelled…"

"Cassandra?"

She stopped, her mind churning as a swell of deja-vu swept over her, washing through the quickly heating mood.

"Um, I just…"

The outcome of their expedition had been announced along with the record of their personal achievements. That was why they were in her room right now. She'd been celebrating her advancement, they all had, they'd all been so happy for her, for finally… "Ah!" Shaking off the arm around her waist, Cassandra sat upright in the bed, her large breasts bouncing free into the chill of the morning air and a shiver of desire running down her spine as lost the heat from Bell's body.

He looked up at her with concern, but just as he was about to speak, she cut him off.

"Everything's okay," she answered, then laughed, "Ha… You were about to ask that, right? I remember… I… So, this is then…"

He blinked. And she realised she wasn't making much sense.

"Um, well, you know about my prophesies, the dreams I have? I've told you before but… they're sometimes a bit, a bit different when they're about you."

"Yeah… I remember you said that. You saw us together, right?"

"R-Right… Uh, normally, I just… when I sleep I just see a warning, or a message. It's cryptic and confusing, and, and I always end up worrying about it! But… But sometimes, back before we met… I used to have dreams of us together. Those would be really clear, I'd see everything, like I was living it. I didn't understand it at the time, I still don't… but it used to… it used to make me really happy."

"Cassandra…"

She decided not to tell him that most of the dreams she had of them together were of them having sex. Sometimes she seen them having dates, eating a meal together, or simply enjoying a moment in each other's company… but most of the time she'd been wrapped around him, moaning with delight and cumming until her brain melted. Was it simply due to the intensity of their passions? She didn't know. Cassandra had made the mistake of wondering about that with Daphne once and she didn't relish the idea of being called a "helpless pervert" a second time… even if it was true.

"This is… I saw this morning… I remember, I remember that conversation," she explained, "The morning after I levelled up…"

Her haphazard explanation didn't seem to have cleared things up with him, "So… uh… You saw all this? Then, you… saw all this, in the past?"

She nodded.

"So, your… your past self is watching this? Right now?"

"Uh, I'm… She, I guess, she's asleep? Um, I don't really… She'll see this as a dream? Or… I think?" Did her dreams work retroactively? Was this a closed circle? Or had the events already played out? She didn't have a clue, "I don't remember everything exactly… but I definitely… I remember this."

Bell's eyebrow raised, and another question burned forthright, "You said, before we got together? How… far back are we talking exactly?" his gaze travelled around the fact that they were in her room, they were both naked, and there were three other naked women in bed with her.

She couldn't help but laugh, "Sh-She'll definitely be surprised! I, I remember, I was, hehe, I was really shocked!" more than shocked, Cassandra could visibly remember how she didn't leave her room for the entire day after waking up.

It was almost strange imagining what her life had been like. Daphne had been the only person she'd really been close to, she'd been a sheltered, shy, virgin. Cassandra was still shy, and she was still awkward, she was probably even still fairly sheltered… but the things that were normal to her now, the number of people she cherished, and the fact she had a man she belonged with and to… it was all too much for her past self. She could vividly remember the way she'd buried her head under her pillow after waking up… and the way she'd also, guiltily, buried her fingers inside her as yet unclaimed pussy not long after.

"I remember, and… I also remember…" reaching over the still blissfully sleeping elf, she picked up the small calendar on the nightstand, pulling it towards her and flicking the pages back a few months, "Ah, I remember, this."

Following along, Bell could see she was pointing directly at a very specific date.

"Huh, wait, isn't that? That's the day we-"

"That's the day you made me yours."

A day she would always remember. And, for now, a message to her past self… a day to look forward to.

"Cassandra… you know I don't… I'm yours too."

"I know, Bell-sama…"

Bell had all kinds of relationships with all kinds of women. He loved them all equally and he did everything he could to make them happy, to protect them and cherish them. There wasn't a single one of them that ever doubted their place in his heart, or his love for them. He didn't hold himself above his women, or ever treat them as anything except his equals… but Cassandra was different to the others, she didn't just belong with him, she belonged to him. She knew she would be just as happy wearing a collar around her neck as a ring around her finger. That attitude was probably why she and the fox-girl maid got on so well.

Putting the calendar back on the nightstand, she flopped back down into the mattress, sliding back under the covers and laying comfortably atop him.

"I don't really get it… but your past self… is seeing all this?"

"I'm not sure… it's all already happened. Sorry, it's a little strange… isn't it?"

"Nah, I just…" coughing, he cleared his throat, and turned towards her, addressing her directly, "Um, h-hey, Cassandra-of-the-past? Um, I guess you might not know me just yet, so it's a little strange for me to say anything… but, ah, I'll always appreciate everything you've always done, er, you will do, for me? And, and I know things are a bit rough for you in th-Mmm!?"

Removing her lips from against his, Cassandra slid back down to his chest, "Maybe it's best not to say too much, Bell-sama."

"Ah, right… Then… Then, I'll just say- Cassandra, I love you."

"Hehe… I'm sure she knows that. She can feel that… nng… very clearly…"

Having adjusted her position slightly, she could feel the physical proof of Bell's love stretching up under the covers, rock hard and pulsing lightly against her thigh. And, despite how sated Cassandra still was from the night before, feeling his arousal never failed to ignite her own.

"Bell-sama…" she whispered, her voice turning sultry without her even intending it, "Aren't you tired? You worked so hard last night…"

"Waking up with you guys is always enough to refresh me," it didn't make sense, but she believed it, especially given how many times she'd seen that play out, even in the Dungeon, "And… how can I possibly relax when I've got you lying atop me like that?"

In contrast to her concerns about his exhaustion, Cassandra had been rocking back and forth in place atop him since she'd laid back down. Her legs were open atop his, sliding her increasingly wet pussy across his thighs, and her massive breasts were squishing into his chest, rolling back and forth a few centimeders each time she moved. She hadn't exactly been planning to do anything… it was only natural when she was lying against him like that… her body would heat up and her desire would spill out.

"Mng, then, is it okay if I… calm you down a little?"

"If you're not too tired yourself, then… I'll leave myself in your care, Cassandra."

Her heart lit up, and the heat between her legs pulsed hotter. Smiling giddily, Cassandra dropped her lips to his nape, and then began kissing slowly down his body as she slid herself lower and lower, dragging her breasts over his chest and then over his stomach as her lips left a soft trail of heated kisses running down his skin. With the light of dawn still only barely breaking through the windows and the other women still asleep against him, she couldn't risk going too far.

"I'll give my past self something to look forward to…"

Leaning back into the mattress, with three other girls pinning his arms in place, Bell simply heaved out a heated sigh as Cassandra flashed him one last smile, before dipping her head entirely under the covers.

Slunk entirely under the heat of the covers, the blue-haired healer wasted no time in heading towards her prize, she had no intentions of leaving Bell in suspense, after all. Her hands wrapped around his shaft, squeezing it gently and stroking it softly as her kisses continued over the lower bounds of his stomach, his waist, and finally working all the way to the base of the cock now pulsing hungrier than ever between her linked fingers.

For a moment she considered shifting upwards and wrapping his length up between her breasts, but she thought better of it. She always lost control of herself like that, she'd just end up waking everyone else.

Cassandra hummed as she opened her mouth against the underside of his length, dragging a hotter, deeper kiss around the base of his cock. Moving her hands instead to caress around his thighs, a new burst of heat spread from between her legs as Bell's length was left laying now directly atop her face. She loved this. She couldn't get enough of it. Being held tight in his arms, being pressed firmly down into the bed, being bent over whichever table, or counter he chose. Being picked up and taken against a wall. He'd never once voiced a complaint, but all her favourite positions and deepest desires always needed so much of the man who already gave so much to her- Looking after him like this, easing his desires… worshipping the cock that had filled her dreams long before she'd ever met him… this was how she repaid him, this was how she showed her own boundless affection in return.

"This must seem fearsome to you," she whispered to her past self, as she looked up eagerly towards the length that was now filling her entire vision. Even with as little light as there was underneath the blankets, with Bell's length laying directly atop her face, pulsing lightly atop her skin, there was no way the innocent, virgin Cassandra she'd once been could mistake just how massive this shaft was, "You've seen it yourself, I know you're very aware… this is the cock that conquered you. The one that the Goddesses whisper about…"

Lolling her tongue out, the taste of him filled her once more and a shiver of delight ran up her even as she lifted herself up off the mattress, licking slowly all the way up to the very tip of his length.

"I know I couldn't believe it when I saw the dream you're seeing now," she continued, as she returned once more to laying kisses around against the length in question, smiling happily as she felt Bell's pleasure building in concert, "I thought the vision must have distorted things, or it was just my imagination- it was a dream after all…"

Cassandra didn't actually know if there was any past-self of her to watch this, after all, those events had already happened. Most likely she was just narrating to herself alone. But she couldn't help herself, all the same.

"But it's real. And… no matter what you may think now, or what you'll think when you feel it for yourself, just remember…"

Holding tight to Bell's waist, the bluenette lifted herself right off the bed until she was able to press a kiss directly atop Bell's glans. Moaning in delight, and savouring the sensation of his cockhead throbbing and twitching against her pursed lips, Cassandra opened her mouth a little wider, and a little wider still, moment by moment, deepening the kiss- as she felt the man she loved trembling in anticipation, and she felt her own body almost aching with the need to taste him.

"One day, you'll be able to do…this!"

So saying, Cassandra opened her jaw as wide as she could manage, spreading her lips fully around his length and then, dropping down, she began swallowing his cock, in one single, smooth motion.

Bell's gasp of delight rang through her ears, even as it was muffled under the covers, and she could almost feel the way he was having to resist the urge to grab onto the back of her head.

'Nhg, I love it, I love it, I love it!'

Her own excitement pulsed hotter and hotter, but (this time) she forcefully maintained control.

Within a second, her mouth was filled with his length.
In another second it was pushing deeper still.
A few seconds later, her body was thrumming with delight as she felt almost half his length buried inside her, stretching her throat wide around his girth.
And finally, almost twenty seconds after she'd begun, with her blue hair falling like a halo all over Bell's waist, Cassandra's lips were pursed tight into a kiss around the very base of his shaft.

It had taken her a lot of time and a lot of effort to learn to do this, she'd lost track of how long she'd spent on her knees before finally being able to swallow Bell Cranel's entire length. And now, she held that achievement in her heart, like a badge of pride, cherishing it with just as much esteem as she did any of her abilities as an adventurer of healer.

There were probably all kinds of tips and advice she could have given her younger self about this… but she'd already long forgotten about any of that- her throat was filled entirely with his cock, and her mind was filled solely with him.

Instead, while very purposefully dragging her tongue out against the underside of his shaft, she slowly slid her lips back up along his length. With her mind already hazy with passion, her fingers clinging tight to his waist and the soft sounds of Bell's hitched breath resounding just at the edge of her hearing, it took almost all her willpower to keep from throwing herself at him with all her desire, 'It's… it's so good…' but she restrained herself. There would be time for that later, she would join him in the bath, or keep him company over breakfast, or any number of options.

For now, Cassandra slowly, carefully, and lovingly slid her mouth all the way up to the tip of his glans.
And then, with one more kiss pressed against his twitching cockhead, she hilted his length completely down her throat once more. And then again, and again, and again, she swallowed him fully, she traced her tongue around and under his cock, and she quietly hummed her satisfaction up and down his cock, all in a gentle, tender rhythm.

Of course, going as precisely as she was, making every effort not to wake anyone else up, meant she was wonderfully aware of every single tremor, shiver and pulse his cock made as it was sheathed tight within her throat, and as she felt her muscles being stretched out around him. Which meant, in just a few minutes, -as usual- Cassandra's vision was flashing white, her legs were jolting in place with each time she dropped her mouth down around his length, and small, heady moans were slipping out from between her pursed lips as she continued bobbing up and down along his shaft.

'Nhh, hhaa, I'm, aah, I'm already…!..!'

Squeezing her eyes shut, with her fingers clinging to his waist and her lips pressing another loving kiss into his waist, with her throat squeezing tight around his cock- without touching herself, or being touched by Bell, Cassandra crashed headlong through yet another orgasm.

And from there, the haze of pleasure descended upon the shy healer once more.

She couldn't stop, even as she soared through the heavenly bliss, she couldn't possibly relinquish the task she was set out to do. And so, with her body trembling in delight and her mouth wide around his girth, she continued working her way fully along his length, "Mmpnh!" She came again. And then again, a minute later. And after that.

Soon any thoughts or rationality was long lost as the bluenette succumbed to her sheer bliss. Being connected to the man she loved, feeling his pleasure, hearing his racing breath, experiencing every pulse and twitch his length made inside her! It was only through sheer weight of practice and some instinctive discipline still remaining that Cassandra kept from moaning aloud as she continued working his shaft, as she did her very best to make him feel the delight that he so easily sent her to.

Slow and gentle, tender and loving, even as her thoughts vanished in the fog of bliss, even as her concerns about her past self were forgotten and her world was encapsulated with just her and the man she loved. She slowly, gently, milked his cock with every bit of the skill and practice she'd gained ever since he'd made her his woman.

"C-Cassandra…"

Bell's voice rang out was a warning in a rough, heavy whisper.

Her heart soared at the acknowledgement of his own pleasure, but she had no need of it. She'd spent more than enough time on her knees to understand every tremor and shake of his shaft, she could feel just how close he was and just how steadily her tender ministrations were pushing him right to the edge.

'Ah!'

Another kiss was pressed against his waist, and another moan slipped between her lips as he shook in response.

'Cum! Bell-sama! Cum for me!'

Again, his length was sheathed inside her, and again she hummed her own delight into his cock as another dizzying orgasm surged through her.

'I want to! I-I want to taste it! Please!'

His cock throbbed and spasmed, violently, desperately, right on the very edge of his release! Just a little more! Raising herself all the way up, Cassandra placed one last loving kiss right on the top of his twitching cockhead- distantly regretting she couldn't see his face as she did so. And then she sank down, one final time!

'Bell-sama! Bell-sama! Be-'

"LL-SAMA!? NGha- ah, hu!? Wh..!?"

The explosion of bliss and cum never happened. The mouth-watering and throat filling flood of her beloved's seed was nowhere to be seen.

'?'

Her body was still shivering with delight, her pussy flooded with desire and her heart pounding with need.
And yet, as Cassandra's vision slowly cleared and as the haze of lust slowly dissipated, she realised that the man she loved was nowhere in sight.

Instead of throwing herself all the way down his length, she was currently face-down in her pillow… with her mouth open wide and a big puddle of drool spilling out onto her bed…

Slowly. Regretfully. Terribly… the dream faded away and reality returned.

And with it, came enough mortification and enough shock that it felt as if her searing-red face would light the pitch-black room by itself.

That was another vision of… of her future!? That was… her?

!

And… And all those other women, women Cassandra had never even met… and… the things her other self had remembered doing with them!?

!

She'd had an orgy in this room!? And, she'd woken up with him!? And then everything after that! She'd wanted to show herself something like, like, like, like th-th-that!?

!

Thankfully, her head was still buried completely in her drool-soaked pillow, since it meant that none of the other Apollo Familia members were able to hear Cassandra's cry of confused embarrassment and bewildered shock.

After that proceeded several minutes of the poor bluenette rolling around on her bed, clutching her hands around herself and kicking her feet in the air as she fretted about ever coming across any of those other women in Orario! How would she face them knowing, after having, after! Another muffled scream echoed out loud through the Oracle's typically serene room. How was she possibly going to face Daphne in the morning? She couldn't possibly imagine sharing a dream like that with her friend, but she also couldn't imagine how she'd ever get through her day trying to just act normal!

Ah, why did things like this have to happen to her!?
It was terrible!
It was horrible!
It was… the best thing she'd ever witnessed.
It was a possibility that maybe one day she might be as truly happy as she'd seen from her future self… that the love and affection the older-Cassandra had been so comfortably surrounded with might be something she too could hope for…

And that traitorous thought led to one more.

"T-That date…"

It wasn't too far from now. Rather, it was a lot closer than she'd ever imagined. Her life was really going to change that much in just a few months!? She'd already decided this future was one she wanted to hope for, but this was much more intense than she'd ever imagined, and much faster than she thought she could ever be ready for.

These visions were nothing at all like her previous prophesies, were they even prophesies at all? Maybe this really was just some ridiculous dream of hers, or maybe it was some cruel trick being played on her… It was all so much, and the more she saw the harder it came to believe…

…But just as her pessimistic, cynical personality tried to deny it… his face rose in her mind.

He was younger than she'd expected. But he'd looked at her with such sincerity and such open earnestness that she could feel her heart being stolen just from the memory. She remembered his smile, she remembered how gently he'd kissed her, she remembered how his eyes had brightened from the moment he'd seen her wake up. Her presence had made his day better. She'd always thought being accepted was enough, or being appreciated might be nice. But the way he'd looked at her went so far beyond that, it made her doubts seem ridiculous… as if just voicing them would have him drawing her close and telling her she had nothing to worry about at all.

'I'll always appreciate everything you've always done, er, you will do, for me?'
'Then, I'll just say- Cassandra, I love you.'

"Bell…sama…"

Her face was still blazing red with shame, and her heart was still beating out of her chest with shock. There was still far too much she needed to process, or try make sense of. It was all far too much for her…

…But, as his words echoed around her heart, Cassandra slipped onto her back.
And, as her breath raced and the scent of argelica twinned with the aroma of feminine lust, her fingers slid between her legs.

"Bell-sama!"

And slowly, then quickly, then desperately- the prophesy/memory her future self had shared came true.

---

A/N: And there we go, the first half of the chapter I got a little wild on. Isn't Cassandra so fun? And Ais finally got hugged back! And Eina got another date, and Filvis, well... she enjoyed herself anyway.

I know my original setup was to breeze through the plot in wide strokes, just showing what's changed, and get to the good stuff ASAP and I've kind'a gone away from that by zeroing in on some of the smaller stuff, but I do hope you can understand why and enjoy it all the same. My original intention wasn't to even show Bell saving Lilli, to just brush past it by saying it'd happened, it barely changes from canon after-all (except that Bell doesn't need Ais to save him, and she arrives too late anyway since they got to the lower floor faster). But I thought it'd seem a little harder to include Lilli in everything going forwards if I never actually showed any of her major scenes, this is the first time we've ever seen her and this is the scene that sets in motion her entire character change.

Anyway, tell me how you feel about that stuff, if you want me to speed it up some more or if you're happy with the pace. I know the harem isn't getting built as fast as I'd planned, but you can see the pieces being put down for a number of girls, so it's just a matter of executing on those ideas moving forwards. Hopefully.

Also, and much more importantly: I require feedback on how Lilli speaks! I was originally planning to ask for this before introducing her, but I completely forgot. Just to explain very briefly- in Japanese Lilli speaks in 3rd Person, "Lilli thinks Bell-sama should know how to do this", which isn't a particularly unusual trait, especially for a cutesy girl character. However, in English nobody speaks like that, so some Danmachi media has her speak 3rd Person while others change it to all being more natural like "I think Bell-sama should know how to do this".

In contrast to using honorifics (again, because of Lilli! She's causing me problems!) I went with normal 1st person here. But I want to know if that's how you prefer or imagine her speaking. I'll put a poll down and take feedback, and then I'll change it to whichever is the more popular option, and edit this chapter if the 3rd person one is more popular.

Link: poll(.f)m/11240446

As always, if you liked this and wanna support me or help get these chapters out faster, or if you want more information about my story statuses as well as weekly updates and any other details can be found at:

www(.p)(atreon)(.c)om(/)JLDavenport