Chapter 25: Captain's Duty
"How much longer will I entertain these foolish whims?" Caster wondered as he looked up at the sign above him, the words "Ninsun Ranch" written in the Koine script which passed as the common language of this world where the gods walked and suffered equally amongst the mortal races.
The world was an endless source of amusement with the Dungeon being at the forefront of it all. It was an anomaly to even the Gods themselves to the point that none of them truly understood it or all of its secrets. He could spend quite a while watching everything slowly come to light.
The question remained though.
How many times will he have to entertain the whims of a certain goddess?
X-x-X-x-X
It had begun a few weeks ago, the morning after his little summoner did the "impossible" and had slain the minotaur set upon him by the Freya Familia with his own strength and without outside assistance.
After the secret retaliation against Folkvangr, the Freya Familia Home, Caster had planned to walk amongst the people to hear any rumors that might have come out and had began his investigations in the marketplace where the shop keeps and stall owners were beginning the day early in preparation for the early rising Adventurers.
Tool shop owners, food stalls, smiths…
Several entrepreneurs were already ready to welcome the early shoppers with a few even calling out to Caster himself to which he silently denied them with a wave of his hand.
As more and more Adventurers began to roam the streets, Caster moved toward the edge of the road as he spotted a massive enclosed metal wagon being pulled by powerful work horses bearing a Familia Emblem of a horseshoe with two cow horns at the end. Most likely a merchant or agricultural type of Familia that focused more on making money and living honestly rather than delve into the Dungeon like the majority of Familias in Orario.
Although considering that most Adventurers come to Orario in search of fortune, operating a business that catered to the massive stomachs of Adventurers may be a better plan than risking one's life in the Dungeon day in and day out.
Behind the wagon was a large carriage bearing the same emblem being pulled by a pair of large work horses.
Caster watched from the side of the road as the carriage driver hopped down from his seat and opened the door for the occupants. The first one to step out was a massive man with a full brown beard who seemed to be the reason for the large carriage. Standing at his full height he was at almost two meters tall and built exactly like one would expect of a man of his profession with no shortage of muscles on every inch of his body. As the man walked toward the wagon that was a massive ice box and pulled out massive cuts of what seemed to be cow meat, the driver extended his hand out to help the second passenger down from the carriage.
It was obvious who the second person was. Their aura immediately exposed them as a goddess. Short blonde hair tied with two simple bands in the front with a crystal blue band mimicking cow horns adorning her head. Regal blue robes that draped down her chest and exposed her shoulders would not make one believe she was but a mere rancher but the callouses on her hands told Caster that the goddess was not adverse to working amongst the muck of the animals with her Familia and that the regal dress was what she wore when on business.
Caster knew her. Even though this was supposed to be their first meeting, every fibre of his soul and saint graph knew the goddess in front of him.
As the goddess gave orders to her Familia while they were transporting the meat to the butcher in front of them, she turned her ruby red eyes toward Caster himself and froze, eyes wide. This was supposed to be their first meeting and yet she seemed surprise to see him, as if she was seeing something impossible.
Caster's finger twitched as the goddess took a hesitant step toward him, as though he were a foal that might run off if one were to make too sudden of a movement. Unnoticed by her Children, the goddess began walking closer to Caster, hands outstretched before they found themselves cradling his cheeks with the same amount of force that one might use on a newborn.
Of course, Caster had no reason to be treated as such.
"Is this some new method for courting mortals that the gods have developed?" Caster asked as the goddess flinched and quickly pulled her hands back.
"Ah…my apologies," the goddess said, her melodious voice and calm smile seemingly soothing Caster's aches and sores, as she coughed into her hand. "I do not know what came over me. Let me start over. My name is Ninsun."
Of course she was. Caster knew who she was the moment he had laid eyes on her. It was impossible for him to not "recognize" the person in front of him. However, regardless of who she was, Caster would not falter.
"I am known as Caster," he introduced himself. "I lead the Hestia Familia as its Captain."
At Hestia's name, Ninsun's face broke into an expression of sheer disbelief for the shortest of moments before it was quickly replaced by a mask of impassiveness.
"Oh my, Hestia? Truly? Last I heard she was living in an abandoned church."
"Indeed she was. However, the Familia's lodgings has changed since I took over as Captain a month ago."
He knew where this was going and he was planning to head it off as much as possible. Caster had no reason nor desire to be a mere rancher when there was more glory to be had as a proper Adventurer.
Disappointment could be seen on Ninsun's face. It was uncommon enough for a new Adventurer to make a Conversion to another Famila and it was unheard of for a Captain to do so.
As she opened her mouth to continue speaking however, a loud and booming voice called out to her.
"Oi, Goddess!"
The massive man was coming over to them.
"Lugal…" Ninsun replied causing Caster's mouth to twitch all so slightly.
"What are you doing bothering some random lad so early in the morning?" The man, Lugal, said as he stopped by her side. "We gotta get all this meat delivered! And some of those contracts are expiring too!"
"I-I know that!"
"Let the lad be on his way and get back to work."
It would seem that even though he looked like a someone with more brawn than brains, he was the one keeping a handle on the goddess.
"Your Captain?" Caster asked and Ninsun nodded.
"Lugal Banda, nice to meet ya, young'un!"
The man grabbed Caster's arm without waiting for a reply and shook it, shaking the king up and down before he could get a word in. Perhaps first impressions were not necessarily wrong after all?
But still, Caster could use this.
"Is there only enough stock there for your contracts or did you bring more for individual sales as well?" He asked, watching them unload a few tall milk containers as well.
"Of course we bring enough stock for people to buy directly off the cart," Ninsun replied quickly with a smile. "Were you interested in the beef or perhaps the milk?"
"One of the largest containers possible," Caster replied as Ninsun quickly turned toward Lugal and tapped his arms to tell him to go get it.
The Ninsun Familia Captain shook his head with a smile as he went into the back of the wagon and came back out with a container just a head shorter than Caster.
"You sure this is what you want?" Lugal asked. "Normally only restaurants and the larger Familia buy one of these to last them the week before we come back into town."
"It is adequate," Caster nodded. "I have been looking for something to drink as I work late at night and this may be suitable for my needs."
"My, flattery like that will get you everywhere," Ninsun said as she clapped her hands together. "Then how about we give you a little discount-"
"No," Lugal and Caster said at the same time causing Ninsun to flinch.
"Geez…just what I needed, to be rebuked in stereo."
The goddess pouted with her hands on her hips before turning away with a huff.
"I am not so destitute that I would require charity," Caster said as he withdrew his coin purse. "I will pay the full price."
"That's what I want to hear," Lugal said as he accepted the payment and handed the container over to Caster in return. When the king hoisted the container over his shoulder, the taller man let out a laugh. "As expected of an Adventurer."
"Even without the grace, something of this level would be nothing."
For it was a body given to him by his beloved mother and holy father.
"Well then…" Caster then nodded his head to the pair. "I shall be taking my leave now."
With that he turned and left, ducking into a alleyway as the two of them saw him off.
"So why did you go and bother him like that?" Caster heard Lugal ask the goddess. "You weren't the type to go up and grab some random person's face like that."
"I'm not sure myself," Ninsun replied. "It's like…like I saw an image of what my child could look like if I were to have one."
"Oh? And who exactly would you have a child with?"
"Of course, who else but with you, my dear Lugal?"
Within the alley, Caster shook his head as he filled a cup with milk from the container.
"How shameful," he muttered as he took a sip while savoring the taste. "No matter what…I suppose a child will always seek their mother's milk."
X-x-X-x-X
He had expected that single chance meeting to be the end of it but as he continued his investigations into the city of Orario…
"Oh my, fancy meeting you here today, Caster."
…
"My what a coincidence, Caster."
…
"Oh, are you heading this way as well, Caster?"
…
For the next several days he somehow "bumped" into the goddess who had said that they only came into town from their ranch once a week. She was always accompanied by either her Captain or another member of the Ninsun Familia and her guard at least had the decency to look embarrassed at their Goddess's antics.
Even so, Caster found himself unable to completely ignore the goddess and so instead tried to make use of her by squeezing as much information as he could from her clients as the Ninsun Brand allowed her to do business with the more powerful Familias on multiple occasions. Though they were small things like the amount of food delivered per order, where the items were being delivered and how they made their delivery, Caster could use that information to learn the location of the Familia Homes, the amount of members in said Homes and the places where people moving in and out were not suspicious.
Of course, most of that information would be inaccurate and probably useless in the long run. After all, if he truly wanted to get into places that would bar him entry, he would get in with or without their permission.
"But you sure are interested in the High Class Familias, Caster," Ninsun pointed out when she managed to corner him at a bar the same day that Bell's party encountered Takemikazuchi Familia in the Dungeon.
"Of course he is!" Lugal said with a laugh. "You gotta be on the lookout for rivals after all! Well, it'd be a long time before some no-name Familia like yours will match them."
"Hoh?" Caster raised a brow. "You think our Familia is that much of an unknown?"
"I mean, aside from Moonlit Dawn there you don't have any achievements or big names do ya?"
"Is that a challenge?"
The man responded with a booming laugh.
"Tell ya what…if once you do something big enough for me to hear about it all the way out at the ranch then I'll give you the largest cut of our highest grade meat."
"Very well. Do not forget that promise, Lugal Banda."
X-x-X-x-X
And that was why Caster was now standing in front of the Captain in his office on the same day as Emma and Primo's first run into the Dungeon while brandishing the certificate in front of the man's face with the goddess standing to the side with her hands over her mouth in surprise.
Lugal stared at the certificate in surprise before throwing his head back in laughter.
"All right all right, ya got me," the man said good-naturedly. "The best cuts of our top grade meat as promised."
"That's coming out of your pay, Lugal," Ninsun said with a smile as the captain laughed again.
"I know, I know, and it's totally worth it to see something like this."
That was right. The entire reason the timetable was moved up was not because he wanted an audience or because he did not want to wait another two weeks after Loki Familia came back up to the surface. The entire reason, petty as it was, that Caster wanted to defeat the Goliath was simply to show up the old man in front of him. Perhaps it was for that reason the Dungeon decided to show its displeasure via the Black Goliath.
"Deliver it to this address by tomorrow then," Caster said as he placed a filled out delivery form on the man's desk. "It should be time for the newest members of the Familia to return from their first day into the Dungeon and it would be remiss of me not to be there to witness their triumphant return."
"Oh, congratulations!" Ninsun said with a smile. "Then the meat should come just in time for a celebration, wouldn't it?"
"They are but mere babes that have yet to truly experience hardship," Caster replied with a wave of his hand. "Such a simple thing is hardly worth the celebration. But do try and get it delivered by tomorrow."
"Sure, sure," Lugal nodded with a laugh. "It's just in time for our weekly trip so we'll have it there by morning."
"…You say 'weekly' but have you not been entering the city nearly every second day?" Caster pointed out as Lugal avoided his gaze while Ninsun giggled into her hand.
"Also, before I leave…"
Caster pulled out a pair of horns and placed them in front of Lugal.
"What's this?"
"A gift," Caster replied. "We encountered several minotaurs in the Dungeon and slew them where they left behind their horns as Drop Items. It is a bit meagre for a gift but I will have you accept them."
"Oi oi, like this isn't it like you're paying for the meat? Or rather, these things cost more than what I'm giving you!"
A sharp burst of air escaped Caster's nose in a sigh. Once again, the discrepancy between necessities such as food and items from the Dungeon reared its ugly head.
"This and that are two separate things," Caster replied. "Tis merely a whim of mine. If you do not want to accept it then you are free to do as you wish with them. I will not take them back."
Lugal let out a sigh as he scratched the back of his head.
"Fine," the man said with a nod. "I'll keep them."
Caster nodded his head, satisfied that his offering had been accepted. With his business over, he bade the two of them farewell and left the ranch behind him.
But not before turning back to look at the ranch's sign.
Words escaped his lips, uttering the name of Ninsun and Lugal Banda before he turned his back to the sign and headed back toward Orario.
X-x-X-x-X
Caster rushed back to the Hearthstone Manor as fast as he could, materializing in the living room and onto the couch with a sigh.
He had been running around non-stop. From heading to the Casinos the previous night to recoup expenses and prepare for future ones, then the meeting at the Guild, then to the smith Welf Crozzo, then to the Goibniu Familia for more contract work, then to the ranch and finally back home. Now he had to welcome back the children once they returned.
"I see you're finally back."
Caster opened a single eye to see Archer walking into the living room from the kitchen area, wiping his hands on his apron.
"And I see that you have fallen back into the routine of being a mother hen," Caster shot back to which Archer did not deny. The man simply ignored it and changed the topic to something else.
"Bell can reach Level 3," Archer replied as Caster opened the other eye.
"Too fast," he commented. "The First Level could be passed off as the boy's growing phase but the Second has no such excuse."
"What do you think's going on then?" Archer asked.
"I do believe…that the dear goddess is hiding something from us. All of us, including the boy."
"You think she's erasing something when he does his Status updates after all?" Archer asked. "A Skill perhaps? She always took longer double-checking his sheet for problems than everyone else."
"Most likely," Caster agreed with a nod. "As the gods can detect when a mortal lies, she most likely did so in order to keep the secret of the boy's growth from being leaked. Well, even without the ability of the gods, the boy's ability to lie is so abysmal, one has to wonder how he has survived thus far."
"I don't think lying is a skill necessary for basic survival but I do get your point," Archer muttered. "So what do we do then? Confront Hestia about it?"
"To a point," Caster slowly began. "It is most likely just a Skill that somehow increases his growth to ludicrous levels. If so, then the Goddess Hestia is justified in hiding it. We only need to confirm the existence of a Skill, not necessarily the details."
Gods could lie to each other but a god could immediately tell that a mortal is lying without fail. Of course the easiest way to get around that was to simply remain silent in the face of the curious gods but few mortals have the strength to do so when looking into the face of their betters.
"Putting the matter aside for now," Caster began. "We are expecting a shipment of beef tomorrow morning. If I am called away on business, be sure to answer it in my place."
"Since when were you the type to get chummy with Gods?" Archer asked, raising an eyebrow.
"I will use whatever I must so long as there is a benefit to me in the long run," Caster replied with a huff. "That is all there is to it."
Archer's expression didn't change as the front door opened.
"Welcome…back?" Archer called out but his voice faltered slightly as he turned to see the group.
Caster adjusted his head and did not see the faces of a group that had returned from the Dungeon in triumph. Instead he saw the faces of those who had failed a test that had a 100% passing rate.
"What happened?" Archer asked as he and Caster spotted the dried blood on Emma's back along with the huge tear in her clothes.
"A war shadow jumped them," Saber replied as Bell's grimace seemed to grow.
"A war shadow? On the First Floor?"
"Yes…" Bell answered. "It attacked them and Emma shielded Primo."
"Is that all?" Caster asked with a sigh. "Indeed a monster appearing five floors above where it should be is cause for concern…but being injured is nothing unusual for an Adventurer, am I wrong?"
"You're not but…"
Caster shook his head in exasperation.
"Well, you're home and safe and that's what matters," Archer said. "Emma, I'll fix up the tears in your shirt so leave it out for me. The bath is ready if you want to take one first."
"I will, thank you," Emma said with a bow toward Caster before heading up the stairs with Primo trailing behind her.
After watching her leave, Bell walked up to his room as well while Saber dematerialized his armor and sat down in the living room while Archer returned to the kitchen.
"Are you losing your touch, Hero of the Volsunga?" Caster asked.
"Perhaps…" Saber admitted. "However, I am more concerned about just why or how a war shadow moved so far from its native floor."
"Tis the Dungeon," Caster reminded him. "Unexpected happenings happen every moment of every day. Unless you are assuming it was an act of malice?"
"I can't claim to understand how a monster would act…" Saber began. "But the war shadow's appearance baffles me. If it was running from something on the Fifth Floor then it should have hid and ignored us instead of attacking Emma and Primo. Although I suppose it could have been lashing out in hunger…"
"Do not try to understand the mind of those beasts," Caster cut in. "They are but mere drones spawned indefinitely by the Dungeon to be killed over and over by Adventurers for the sake of the gods' entertainment."
A frown appeared on Saber's face as the door flew open.
"We're home!"
"Home!"
"E-excuse me…!"
A third and unfamiliar voice followed the voices of the goddess and Assassin.
Saber looked over his shoulder as Archer poked his head out of the kitchen to see Hestia leading a tanned skin girl with brown hair and eyes wearing a rather revealing outfit consisting of a tan top with brown edges and a maroon bikini bottom. She was also wearing several pieces of golden jewelry such as a necklace, golden wrist bands, ankle rings, and hair ties.
"…An Amazon?" Archer asked in surprise.
"Y-yes!" The nervous Amazon replied. "My name is Gina Gwen! I wanted to Convert to this Familia!"
Conversion. The act of leaving one Familia to join a different one just like how Lily Converted from Soma Familia to Hestia Familia.
"She used to be one of Hermes's kids," Hestia explained. "But she had a falling out with that idiot."
"What happened?" Saber asked as Hestia led Gina over to the couch between Caster and Saber.
"My Familia…no…Hermes Familia took on an unsanctioned quest to investigate the Twenty-Fourth Floor a few weeks ago," Gina explained as Caster sat up and leaned a bit closer in interest. "I wasn't allowed to take part since I'm still only Level 1 and don't know all the details but…Elilly, Pock, Pot, Jose, Keaks…they didn't come back and no one would tell me what happened…or even what it was about or why they took it in the first place."
Caster's eyes appraised the girl for a moment before turning toward Hestia for confirmation. The goddess met Caster's eyes and nodded, telling him that she was telling the truth at the very least.
"Then why did you wait until now to leave?" Caster asked.
"I didn't have anywhere else to go," Gina replied, which was fair. "Then I heard that your Familia managed to beat an Enhanced Goliath so I asked Lord Hermes for a Conversion."
"And they came over during my shift and talked to me about it and I agreed," Hestia added. "Though we're almost full up on rooms now, aren't we?"
"Have no fear, I have already contacted Goibniu Familia about expanding our lodgings," Caster said with a wave of his hand. "But very well. She can join."
"Wow, not even going to think it over huh?" Hestia asked, eyes wide in surprise. "And here I thought you'd reject her without another word."
"An experienced Adventurer is a valuable resource, regardless of age or Level," Caster pointed out. "And having someone who can watch over the other two can only benefit us. Especially with what happened today."
"What happened!?" Hestia shouted as she jumped to her feet. "Is everything all right? Are they hurt?"
"A war shadow appeared on the First Floor and injured Emma as she was protecting Primo," Saber explained as both Hestia and Gina stared at Saber in surprise. "Thankfully the wound was shallow and Emma is no worse for the wear…outside the tear in her clothes of course. But there won't even be a scar left behind."
"Do we have the worst kind of luck or something!?" Hestia shouted as she ran her fingers through her hair. "First it's Bell and minotaurs, then that silverback during Monsterphilia and now war shadows! Can't we just explore the Dungeon in peace!?"
"That would require the Dungeon to be peaceful in the first place," Archer pointed out as Hestia let out a sigh and sank back down into an armchair with her face in her hands.
"Speaking of exploring the Dungeon," Saber began. "How far have you managed, Miss Gwen?"
"Ah, by myself I can make it to the Tenth Floor but with a Party I've made it as far as the Twentieth Floor…though just as a Supporter. I never fought the Floor Boss though since our…my old Familia focuses more on deliveries than diving into the Dungeon."
"Humph, that is more than acceptable," Caster nodded. After all, she had technically made it further than the entire Familia except for Archer. "Were you allowed to keep your old equipment."
"Yep!" Gina nodded as she removed the sheaths on her waist and pulled out twin brown colored blades with gold and green handles.
"…You seem to attract Adventurers who prefer having a weapon in each hand," Caster said to Hestia as Saber and Archer looked away while Assassin tilted her head to the side in confusion.
"Yeah…I thought so too," Hestia agreed with a smile and a loving sigh.
"Umm…is that a bad thing?" Gina asked.
"No, just a quirk that we've noticed," Hestia replied quickly. "You're fine just the way you are Gina."
"Should you join, be aware that your main duties will be to join our other newest members in the Dungeon, not our main exploration Party," Caster added.
"That's fine," Gina nodded with a smile as she put away her weapons. "I was the one being helped back in Hermes Familia so it'll be like I'm returning the favor here."
What an earnest girl. Still, the Familia was growing far faster than Caster had anticipated. And with Bell about to hit Level 3, he would no doubt be wanting to summon the last of the Servants. If so, they will have to make do without rooms until Goibniu Familia finished with their additions.
"One more question," Caster began. "Are you planning to divulge our secrets to your old Familia?"
"N-no, I would never!" Gina said quickly as she shook her head. "I've…already said my goodbyes to them so…"
"We won't stop you if you want to hang out with your old Familia now and again," Hestia said as she stood up and placed her hands on the girl's shoulders. "Just don't talk to Hermes about anything important."
As Gina nodded her head footsteps from the floor above pulled Caster from his thoughts and he turned toward the direction of the stairs to see Bell return with Emma, Primo and Lily behind him. The girls were also carrying towels with them telling him that they were planning on taking a bath together.
"Perfect timing!" Hestia said with a smile as the four of them looked from Hestia to the newcomer. "Allow me to introduce another new member of our Familia!"
Caster let out a sigh as the round of introductions began anew.
X-x-X-x-X
Gina Gwen
Level 1
Strength: D510
Defense: E421
Dexterity: E419
Agility: D501
Magic: I0
Magic:
(Open)
Skills:
(None)
X-x-X-x-X
The rest of the day had been a rather lively and noisy affair. The girls had gotten acquainted with each other in the bath before Archer made a celebratory dinner to welcome Gina into the Familia and to congratulate Emma and Primo's first day in the Dungeon. Gina had jumped to help with the cooking and Archer had relented to the girl's insistence.
Caster also announced that they would be vacating the Familia Home for a spell as the Goibniu Familia worked to expand the Heathstone Manor. During which they will be spending time in Melen for a short vacation.
It was probably fortunate that neither Emma nor Primo seemed to be in a hurry to return to the Dungeon after the incident and the thought of going to the beach seemed to excite them.
But before that…Caster had to hold a meeting with a certain goddess.
"So…you wanted to chat?" Hestia asked as she sat across from Caster as he set aside his work to look at her.
"Indeed," Caster nodded as he stared at Hestia, trying to make her squirm a bit. "It's about the boy."
"W-what about Bell?" Hestia asked, trying to play ignorant.
"I have turned my eyes away from it because it was not important but it has now become far to conspicuous to ignore," Caster said as he drummed his fingers on his desk. "His Skill…the one that is not Argonaut. What is it?"
Silence fell between the two of them as Hestia tried very hard to look everywhere but at Caster before she let out a long sigh. She then reached into her pocket and pulled out a folded piece of parchment and handed it to Caster. Unfolding the note, Caster realized that it was Bell's Status sheet. It was more or less the same as he remembered, putting aside the massive growth in numbers above…but with one little thing added to it.
Liaris Freese (Aspiring Path). Rapid Growth. Continued desire results in continued growth. Stronger desire results in stronger growth
As he suspected, a Skill that promoted his growth. What's more…
"I see," Caster muttered. "His Status grows in proportion to his desire to become a Hero…or does it grow the more he wishes to be like Archer?"
No…the two are more or less one and the same ideal.
"He seeks the Faker's acknowledgement and views him as the ideal Hero."
The more Bell stood in the presence of Heroes, the more he desires to become one. That desire fuels the Skill and thus increases his growth. The stories of their legends and the constant daily training from Saber would pave the path toward his goal without fail.
"That's what I think as well…" Hestia nodded with a sigh. "Ahhhhh! I wanted to be the one who changed him but it was Archer and the Grail who did it first…it's not fair!"
Caster ignored the goddess's tears as she sobbed onto the desk while he crumbled the sheet and set it ablaze so that no one else would be able to see it.
"Keeping it from me aside, I agree with not letting the boy know about his Skill," Caster said.
The reason Bell's growth was so fast was because of his single-minded obsession with Archer and the concept of becoming a Hero. If he knew the existence of his skill, the aspirations and desires would vanish and be slowly replaced by entitlement. His strength and will was powered by his desire. He needed to be kept in the dark in order to stoke the flames of his growth.
"Should we also tell the others?" Hestia asked.
"No. Archer already suspects that it is a skill and Saber will no doubt have his own theories. The fewer people who know the exact truth, the better."
Of course, he ignored the fact that Hestia being the only one to know period would have been the safest way to go about it.
With that topic done, Hestia brought up a different one.
"So…are you really okay with Gina joining?" Hestia asked. "You're not just saying that because you didn't want her to cry, right? Cuz she's already left the Familia and if she doesn't join us she'll be Familia-less."
"I am not so kind of a person to tell falsehoods simply to prevent a child from crying," Caster replied. "Her presence is a boon for us. We require someone to watch over Flores and Libera in the Dungeon and Gwen is the perfect candidate. That said, the convenience of the timing does make her rather suspicious…no, it makes the God Hermes suspicious."
"Yeah," Hestia agreed with a nod. "Gina may be completely honest with what she wants but that Hermes is, without a doubt, full of bad intentions."
"Is there anything within the Falna that could be used by the former god once the mortal has undergone a Conversion?" Caster asked.
"Nope," Hestia replied with a shrug. "Once you're converted your old god has nothing more to do with you for at least a year. That said, Takemikazuchi did say that your connection to the god's who first gives you their blessing never really goes away so they can supposedly tell what happens to their child who has left the nest…so to speak."
"So then the God Soma probably has realized that Arde has Leveled Up," Caster muttered and Hestia nodded her head in agreement. "Well, that is no problem."
"So…what's the plan for the girls?" Hestia then asked. "Are you still going to let Gina lead them in with Jack as the Supporter?"
"Experienced Adventurer or not, I suppose I am just a bit wary of letting a ten year-old child lead a Party," Caster said. "Let us wait before we commit to anything…"
A knock on the door interrupted his words as the two of them glanced at the door.
"Yes, who is it?" Hestia called out before Caster could reply.
The door slowly creaked open as Primo poked her head inside, her normally tied up hair now hanging loosely down her shoulders in preparation for bedtime.
"Umm…is now a good time?" Primo asked. "Captain? Goddess?"
Caster sighed as he gestured for her to come in. The elf nodded as she slipped inside and shut the door behind him.
Hestia then got up to sit on the side of Caster's desk while Primo sat down in the vacated seat.
"So, what's wrong, Primo?" Hestia asked. "Are you still worried about what happened today?"
"Yes…" Primo nodded. "Mister Bell, Miss Emma and Mister Saber said that I did fine but…am I really doing enough?"
"You performed as could be expected from one of your experience and your age," Caster cut in. "A child with no formal training already able to cast her magic successfully on her first day…no, that is more than sufficient."
"He's right Primo," Hestia added. "Don't compare yourself to Gina who's been an Adventurer for over a year already or Jack who's…special."
"Special?" Primo repeated.
"You will understand in due time," Caster replied. "As early as tomorrow morning perhaps."
"I see…"
It did not seem to be enough for the girl though as her expression had not cleared at all and her rather expressive ears were still drooping.
"As the Goddess said, do not compare yourself to others," Caster continued. "Not to Bell Cranel and certainly not to Riveria Ljos Alf. It is fine to act more akin to the child you are. A child with eyes shining at everything before them. You should strive to find what you are able to achieve and then seek to reach it. Nothing more, nothing less."
"Basically, dream big and take your time to reach it," Hestia summarized with a smile as Caster leveled a glare her way which she completely ignored. "What matters is that you keep moving forward to your goals, not how fast you can do it."
"Y-yes!" Primo nodded, finally meeting their eyes as she held her hands up over her chest. "I'll do my best!"
"That is all you ever needed to do," Caster said as he held his hand out to the side and reached into his treasury. He then withdrew a golden staff with a ruby red jewel in its head and held it toward Primo across the desk while she stared at it with wide eyes. "Take it."
"I can't!" Primo said quickly. "I can't possibly take something like this! I'm just a beginner and-"
"Do not insult me by rejecting the king's gift," Caster said as Hestia took it from his hand. She then grabbed Primo's hands and pressed the staff into them. "The staff the guild presented to you is little more than a walking stick. Something like this is much more suitable for someone who aspires to greatness."
"But I…haven't done anything yet to deserve a gift from you…" Primo whispered.
"Accept it," he ordered again. "It is a sign of my trust and my investment in your future."
It was one of his treasures, true, but it was not something that was worth using. More ornamental than practical, it was perfect for someone like her. And if a little token like this was enough to buy her loyalty then all the better.
Hearing that, Primo's hands started to shake as she held the staff close to her chest.
"Yes…I promise I won't let you down Your Majesty!"
"You will only fail me if you do not return from the Dungeon," Caster said. "So long as you continue to advance forward, you will have already met my expectations."
Primo stood up and gave Caster and Hestia a bow before heading to the door and giving them one more bow before leaving.
X-x-X-x-X
"Such a cute child, isn't she?" Hestia asked as Caster simply huffed. "She'll have a long road ahead of her. Well, that's expected of an elf I suppose."
"Perhaps a teacher will be required in the future," Caster suggested. "I have neither the time nor the desire to raise an apprentice. But…"
Two ideas came to mind but neither were reliable. The first would be the waitress of the pub. She, like all the girls there, was hiding a long history of bloodstained strength but now seemed satisfied with her current and humble life while still being part of an unknown Familia to keep her strength for a time of crisis. The other was the girl that dragged Bell all across the Eighteenth Floor in some blind attempt to solve a crisis on her own. However, she had her own studies to focus on and as such, taking a student may cut into that time while also possibly allowing her to refine her basics.
But as such, due to both of them being outside the Familia with busy schedules and responsibilities, it was unlikely they would be able to spend the time looking after the girl. They would lose nothing by simply asking though.
"Well, anyway, what were you about to say regarding the leadership of our B-Party?" Hestia asked. "You want to leave it to a new Servant?"
"If need be," Caster nodded. "Depending on who is summoned, I would leave the Support to them and keep Assassin with the boy's party. I would also have the rest form a third party to explore the Lower Floors…but that will have to wait until we see if the boy can handle the strain of several Servants operating at combat capacity."
"Then what about Lily and Welf? Will you keep them together?"
"There is no need change anything else. Again, we will have to wait for the new Servants first before hand."
Hestia nodded in understanding just as another knock came from the door.
"Seems like you're popular tonight," Hestia said with a smile as Caster pinched the bridge of his nose.
"What is it?" he asked through a sigh.
"Umm…Lily can come back in the morning if Lord Caster is busy…" the pallum's voice called through.
"I will be even busier then. Enter."
"Y-yes…"
Lily opened the door and stepped inside. After she sat down in the same seat Primo did, Hestia spoke up.
"What's wrong, Miss Supporter?" Hestia asked. "You spent the day resting right? Did something happen?"
"No…umm…" Lily began as she fiddled with her hands. She then looked up at Caster before speaking. "Can Lily see the bottle of Soma Wine?"
The request was so sudden and unexpected that Caster was unable to fully keep the surprise from showing on his face. It only lasted for a second however as his kingly mask reappeared.
"For what reason?" He asked, curious about the change of heart.
"Lily…had a dream," she began. "Or rather…it was probably a memory. A memory about Lily's time in Soma Familia. About Lily's first meeting with Lord Soma."
"You were born into the Familia, right?" Hestia asked and Lily nodded.
"Yes…Lily's parents…no, the people who gave birth to Lily were always after more money so they had Lily beg for money to buy the Soma when she was three but it didn't last long as they died in the Dungeon soon after."
Hestia made a noise and looked as though she wanted to comfort the girl but Caster ushered her to continue.
"Lily met Lord Soma when she was looking for something to eat around the Familia Home and Lord Soma gave Lily a potato puff. Being only three years old at the time…Lily followed him around after that…"
Lily looked rather embarrassed to admit such a thing as Hestia let out a cough, no doubt imagining Soma being followed around by a toddler Lily.
"Lily remembers falling asleep in Lord Soma's room as Lord Soma was making his wine and then she woke up in her own bed so Lord Soma must have carried Lily there."
"That certainly explains why he was asking about you during the Denatus," Hestia said with a nod. "He wasn't just interested in you because you beat the wine but because he always had a soft spot for you. Wow, that Soma has a cute side after all."
"As interesting as that may be…is there a point to this story?" Caster asked.
"Yes…" Lily nodded. "For the Lily back then, Lord Soma was all she had so she spent all her time visiting Lord Soma and watching him work in his room…but Lily stopped visiting him after a few years…"
"Did he tell you to stop?" Hestia asked and Lily shook her head.
"No…it was because…Lily lost herself to the wine."
As Caster and Hestia shared a glance, Lily explained how the former Captain of the Soma Familia had stolen the wine from a storehouse and gave it to the entire Familia, claiming that it was a present from Soma himself. The then six-year old Lily drank it and then became obsessed with making money to drink more of it like the rest of her Familia.
"I see…" Caster nodded as he withdrew the wine from his treasury along with a single cup for Lily. "And in the process you forgot about you former god's kindness and grew to hate him and Adventurers as a whole due to the mistreatment you suffered during your time as their Supporter."
"Yes…" Lily nodded as Caster opened the bottle, allowing an otherworldly fragrance to settle in the office that caused even Hestia to gulp. "That is why…Lily wants to prove to herself…and to Lord Soma that the second time was not just a fluke."
Perhaps this was the true reason Soma had sent her the wine as a gift? As a way to make sure that Lily truly did have the strength of will to resist the allure of the wine rather than it being some fluke.
As Lily took the bottle and began pouring its contents into the cup, Caster's mind fell back to a small and insignificant memory of him meeting a thin-faced bespectacled man crawling in the dirt. One that screamed in fear as the king had grabbed him by the neck and disposed of the loose end.
A soft moan brought Caster's mind back to the present as he watched Lily shake her head with an empty cup in her hands.
"Like Lily thought," she said with a sigh and placed the cup on the table. "Lily won't lose again…and although the wine is amazing…Lily doesn't think she will ever like drinking it."
"Soma will probably cry if he hears you saying that," Hestia said with a laugh. "I think a lot of other gods would pay to see it too."
Caster shook his head as he returned the sealed bottle to his treasury.
"Did I not tell you, Liliruca Arde?" Caster asked. "Your triumph over the wine was due to your own will. Let no one, not even yourself, ever believe otherwise again."
"Yes," Lily nodded with a smile. "Lily apologizes for ever doubting His Majesty…and thank you."
X-x-X-x-X
"You're looking more and more like a Captain by the minute," Hestia said with a teasing tone as she smiled at Caster's direction to which he glared at her in response.
"What nonsense!" Caster replied with a growl. "I do not have time to listen to these trivialities. Leave that to the Faker instead."
"It just goes to show you that the children trust you a lot," Hestia pointed out. "You should know that as a position of authority that these trivialities are part of your duties as well, Gil. Then again, even with all of your grumbling, you're still listening to them without turning them away."
"Hold your tongue and speak of it no more Goddess Hestia," Caster warned. "My patience is wearing thin and I-"
Two swift knocks on the door cut him off as Caster raised a shaking fist, wanting nothing more than to slam it on his desk as Hestia turned away with her hands over her mouth, trying to keep her laughter in.
"Umm…Captain?" Came Emma's voice. "Can I talk to you about a few things?"
"…Make it quick," he found himself saying as Hestia quickly let out a cough and tried to act natural as the door opened up and the human girl stepped in.
"Good evening, Captain…oh, you're here too, Goddess?" Emma asked when she noticed Hestia.
"We were discussing a few things before the trip to Melen," Hestia replied with a smile. "I have to take you and the other girls to buy swimsuits after all!"
"Uh…right!" Emma nodded, looking confused for a moment before breaking into a smile. "I'm looking forward to it."
"If we can get back on topic…" Caster began, irritation slowly building up within as he felt a migraine coming on. "What was it you wish to discuss, Flores?"
"Right um…" Emma began as she sat down in front of the desk just like the others. "What can I do to get stronger quickly?"
"Every Adventurer worth their salt asks themselves that question," Hestia replied. "Everyone has their own way of getting stronger and what works for one person won't work for another."
"There are no shortcuts that will grant you strength that matters," Caster added. "You can purchase equipment above your own Level but that would only cripple you in the long run."
"I suppose so…" Emma nodded with a sigh. "It's just that…seeing everyone fret over me like that today…I don't want to be so weak that I will only cause the others to worry."
"It was not your weakness that has them fretting over you," Caster cut in. "It was the abnormal event. We have only just returned from an irregularity with the Boss Fight and they are taking anything else abnormal much more seriously."
"I see…"
"You're sure you're okay, Emma?" Hestia asked. "No pain or anything?"
"Yes, not even a scar," Emma nodded. "Primo was rather…adamant on checking during the bath."
"That's good to hear," Hestia nodded. "It'd be awful for a girl to have a nasty scar anywhere after all."
"Those that worry about such things shouldn't be an Adventurer in the first place!" Caster pointed out.
"A girl has their own priorities that are universal no matter the occupation!" Hestia shot back.
"Umm…I'm not too bothered about scars," Emma said. "Getting hurt is a natural part of being an Adventurer, right?"
"Indeed," Caster nodded as he glared at Hestia who huffed and folded her arms before turning away. "But back to matter at hand. Have you thought of what you wanted to do to become stronger?"
"Do you think it would be possible for me to join in on Bell's training?" Emma asked almost immediately as if she had been toying with the idea all day.
"Nothing at the boy's level, no," Caster shot the idea down immediately. "But it would not be difficult to have Archer train you instead."
"Archer? Umm…I thought he was a bowman?"
"Labeling people based on their names is a bad idea, Emma," Hestia said with a smirk as Emma blushed. "Archer may be better with a bow than he is with a sword but he's the one who trained Bell first."
"Is that so? That's amazing…and I was thinking most Adventurers stick to one weapon…"
"Most do with some picking another on the side," Hestia replied. "Archer has his bow and blades, Saber has his sword and daggers and Caster here has his…well, everything."
Caster let out a low growl as Emma just tilted her head to the side, not quite understanding what Hestia meant.
"Anyway let's have Archer train you in using your swords while Saber tries to pass on those Magic Runes of his to you," Hestia said with a nod of satisfaction. "Maybe we should have Gina join in on that rune training as well. Although we're going to be going on vacation, it's not like we'll be playing all day so we can use that time to get some training in with everyone."
"Yes! Thank you very much!"
"Do not overstrain yourself," Caster warned. "You must find out how far you can push your new limits without breaking your body. I have no need of an invalid…nor of a corpse."
"Yes sir," Emma nodded, eyes turning serious. "I won't let you down."
"See that you do not. Good night."
Caster ended the meeting there and Emma stood up with a bow and quietly left the room.
"See?" Hestia asked with a smile. "All the kids want your approval, Caster."
"So I see," Caster replied as he rubbed his eyes with his hand. "Was there anything else that needed to be discussed?"
"Hmm…we went over Bell's Status, the vacation, the party formations going forward and the possibilities of new Servants," Hestia replied, ticking each topic off of her fingers. "And the girls' problems…so unless someone else shows up…"
The two of them turned toward the door in unison, both of them waiting for the next knock which never came.
"Then as there is nothing else…I will continue my work in peace," Caster said as he placed a sheet of parchment on his desk and began writing another budget report to set aside the costs of the vacation as well as the renovations.
"Don't stay up too late, Gil," Hestia said as she tapped him on the shoulder before hopping off his desk. She then bolted toward the door before Caster could get another word in.
With another sigh, he turned back to his work. Unfortunately it was not meant to be. Not even five minutes later…
"Um, Caster?" Bell's voice came from the door and the quill snapped in Caster's hands as the boy poked his head in. "Can I talk to you-"
"IS THIS THE OFFICE OF THE KING OR THAT OF A THERAPIST!?" He demanded as he slammed his hand on his desk, sending several of his things flying off.
"I'M SORRY!?" Bell screamed back as he flinched away from the door.
X-x-X-x-X
Once Caster had Bell gather up everything that had fallen off his desk, the boy sat down and waited for Caster to sit down himself before speaking.
"Well?" Caster seethed, slowly trying to regain his composure. "What is it?"
"I…what do you think about that war shadow we found on the Upper Floor was?" Bell asked.
"What about it?" Caster asked. "There are countless possibilities that could involve that monster. But the one that is on your mind is that someone released it against the two, isn't it?"
"Yes…" Bell nodded. "But I don't know why anyone would do such a thing. They're only Level 1. Why would someone want to hurt them?"
"…Are you that affected by Emma Flores's injury?" Caster asked and Bell nodded his head, causing the king to sigh. "Do not put so much concern into an injury that Flores herself does not even care about. Just be aware that an increase in fame does not only bring positive changes. That a rise in fame also brings about a rise in mongrels that will lash out, bitter at their own weakness."
"…Are you saying that someone tried to hurt Emma…to get to me?" Bell asked, eyes widening.
"I have stated no such things," Caster replied. "Even if it was, something of that level is mere harassment, not a serious threat. You must become aware that not every Adventurer is filled with compassion for their fellow man…or have you already forgotten what Arde had to suffer through?"
Of course, hearing from another and experiencing it for oneself were two completely different things. For Bell who had only known kindness from everyone around him for all his life, the hatred and jealousy from the Adventurers who have worked for decades and have nothing to show for it to be shown up by a fourteen year brat from the countryside who blew through the record for Level 2 and then proceeded to defeat a Floor Boss. The amount of resentment being leveled his way could not be understated.
"Knowing this now," Caster began as Bell looked back up at him. "What do you plan to do?"
"I want to Level up to Level 3," Bell said, resolution clear in his eyes with no sign of the immature brat that was his default state of being.
"And this is something you felt the need to tell me?" Caster asked. "The decision to Level has always been yours and yours alone."
"It's just that…I don't think just Leveling is enough," Bell said. "I feel like…even though I'm stronger and faster than Lily and Welf numbers wise, I'm way behind them in other ways. Like Saber's been trying to get me to read the moves of my opponents but I can't really pick it up against enemies I never seen before."
"I see…" Caster nodded. "You are aware of your lack of actual combat experience."
Indeed, the only thing Bell had going for him was his explosive growth. The way he was growing, he would no doubt be on the same level as a mid class Servant by the year's end if not sooner. Of course any combat Servant worth their title would still triumph over him as they would have had a lifetime's worth of combat experience versus Bell's short career of barely two over months. Anyone who would lose to a brat who had barely left the nest did not deserve to be called a Hero.
"And so?" Caster asked. "What do you plan to do about it?"
"Is it possible to slow down our progress in the Dungeon a bit?" Bell asked. "I want to fight all the monsters in the Middle Floors over and over until I can read them properly…and without Saber or Archer looking over my shoulder."
Truthfully, Bell's growth and combat experience were much better when training with either Archer or Saber but Caster supposed he couldn't just not go into the Dungeon, what with the need to gather materials for the smith. Even if Bell did not need the Dungeon to grow, Welf and Lily still did.
"If that is what you wish to do then so be it," Caster said. "I have no objectives for you at this time."
"And…I want to summon all three remaining Servants," Bell continued. "Lancer, Rider…Berserker…all of them."
Another expected development from the boy. Instead of annoying Caster however, such a thing pleased him. It meant that he could still properly "read" the boy as it were. And the less unforeseen complications, the better.
"I have no objections to that," Caster replied. "And the timing is perfect. Tomorrow morning, you will spar with both Archer and Saber at the same time and push the rest of your Status up even further. It would not do for your Level 2 Status to fall short that of your Level 1."
"Yes!" Bell nodded after a look of surprise. "But what do you mean by the timing?"
"We will have the new members watch you struggle against Saber and Archer and have them understand what exactly this Familia is. From there, we shall see which two Servants answer the call and see if your body can handle the new costs before we summon the final one after the little vacation."
"…I understand," Bell said with a nod.
"Good. Now away with you."
"Yes sir! I'm sorry for disturbing you!"
As Bell left the office, Caster glared at the door as if daring it to knock again.
But after glaring at it for about two minutes straight, it would seem that he would no longer be interrupted and returned to his work.
X-x-X-x-X
The next morning, Caster stood amongst the rest of Hestia Familia as they watched Bell clash with both Saber and Archer at the same time. Though the two Servants were holding back as usual to avoid seriously hurting the boy, they were not shy about knocking him around. Training weapons clashed against Bell's two daggers, pushing the boy further and further back from their original starting point but he was keeping himself together.
Saber's training sword swung down at Bell and he managed to catch it with his daggers and push it up, exposing Saber to a counterattack…only for a wooden staff to thrust forward, courtesy of Archer, and poke him in the stomach, sending him jumping back instead.
Turning his eyes away from the one-sided fight, Caster's gaze fell on the newcomers of Hestia Familia. Primo and Gina were staring wide-eyed at the spar with their mouths wide open. Emma on the other hand was watching the fight with focused eyes, trying to gain as much as she could just from their movements.
Aspirations were burning around him. The boy that wanted to be a hero and the girl that did not want to be left behind.
Caster found a chuckle escaping from his lips.
As expected, there were quite the magnificent gems hidden in this city of gods and mongrels.
And it was for that reason he shall polish these gems until they shone brighter than the sun itself.
