Chapter 44: Grand Day Eve
"Ugh…I'm so tired…" Hestia said as she and Lancer saw off the last of Goibniu's Familia and locked up the building to make their way home. "Everyone's probably asleep by now. Wanna hit up a bar before we head home, Lancer?"
"Very well, Lady Hestia," Lancer replied. "If only to make sure you are able to make it home in one piece."
"Oh come on, I have yet to come stumbling home like a dead drunk!"
"Then I shall make sure you do not drink yourself into a stupor like the night before our trip to Melen."
Hestia could only grumble as they passed by a guard patrol wearing the Ganesha Familia Emblem. A male cat people and a female human walking by with a hellhound between them.
"That sight's getting more and more common around here," Hestia said with a proud smile on her face. "Good work, Lancer."
"It is the ingenuity of a goddess to use my magic in such a way," Lancer deflected the praise as easily as she smiled, but she smiled, nonetheless.
As Hestia thrust her chest out in pride, a voice called out to them.
"My, so all of this was your idea, Hestia?"
A woman…no, a goddess stepped out from the side road, flanked at the side by a golden-haired woman wielding a trident. The goddess herself was wearing a long flowing dress of thin near transparent silks that exposed her stomach with green flowers adorning it.
"Would you mind if I hear more about it over a drink as well?"
"Dia!"
Hestia called out the name cheerfully as she rushed forward, and the two-goddess embraced each other as long-time friends.
"Were you always in Orario?" Hestia asked. "Or did you just get here? I haven't heard anything about you at all."
"I travel the here and there alongside my Children," the goddess Dia replied. "I do decide to come to Orario once every so often just to see how things change. And my, oh my, have I heard that things were changing. Ganesha Familia openly walking alongside monsters in the streets? And then I hear your name being regaled all across the four winds."
"Ahaha…"
It was one thing to hear the other gods and mortals praise her but hearing it from one of her friends that she hadn't seen in a while made her a bit embarrassed.
"Well, let's not waste time talking about it out here," Dia said as she gestured to Hestia to follow. "Shall we?"
"No problem!" Hestia said cheerfully. "Come on Lancer."
"You too, Orianna."
"As you say, Goddess."
"Understood!"
And so, two goddesses, flanked by two female knights, headed down the street.
X-x-X-x-X
Dia had led Hestia to a rather nice bar. It wasn't as crowded as the Hostess usually was at night but there were a lot more women here than the regular burly Adventurers she often saw.
"I see…" Hestia said as she and Dia shared a table while their escort made small talk at the bar counter. "You mainly travel around, looking for people who also want to travel or become Adventurers and then you come to Orario and see if anyone is willing to take in any of your Children who want to make a living here instead."
"Yes," Dia replied. "You might say that I'm a 'traveling Adventurer salesman' but I care for all any Child who enters my Familia. I simply wish to give them an advantage before they come here to make their dreams come true."
"Yeah, a lot of children come here with nothing more than the clothes on their backs," Hestia acknowledged. "My Bell was the same, but I took him in anyway."
"The Moonlit Dawn, right?" Dia asked with a smile as Hestia slammed her forehead against the table with a sob. "Well, I won't say that I do not understand your feelings. I had the…let's say unfortunate honor of being around for Denatus when Orianna hit Level 2."
"Oh?" Hestia asked. "And what sort of suffering did those assholes inflict on you?"
"Purekiki," Dia answered flatly, her empty green eyes growing even more dead as she said the Alias. "The Pure-hearted Knight Princess."
Hestia's heart nearly shattered for her friend's sake.
"'Thankfully,' it was the 'best' out of four options," Dia said as she took a long swig of her drink. "Naturally, Orianna wears that name with pride."
"My Bell is the same," Hestia said as she thumped her head on the table again. "And then I have to sit through the same torture again next month. I have to fight for three more of my Children too…"
"I would love to be your ally in that battlefield, but I plan to be long gone before then. Therefore, you're on your own."
"Traaaaiiitoooooor…"
"We may be friends Hestia, but I will put mine and my own first."
And Hestia could accept that.
"So how long do you plan on staying anyway?" Hestia asked, shifting the topic away from her future hell.
"That depends on how long it takes for my new Adventurers to Convert a new Familia," Dia replied. "I have quite a few of them this year and a few of them also have some Rare Skills so I don't think it will be that long. Not a month long in any case. I do plan on sticking around for Grand Day at the very least though."
"What do you do if you can't…uh, 'offload' all of them, as you say?"
"Well, that depends on them. Some stick with me to try and build up their…portfolio a bit more. Though I have had a few children decide to leave and try their luck here without me. Some do just use the Familia as a way to get to Orario in the first place. Traveling on the road is dangerous without being accompanied by Children with our Blessing after all."
"Doesn't it get lonely saying goodbye all the time like that?"
"It does," Dia admitted. "But the way I see it, I am raising them up in the hopes they find good homes in the future. It's like a traveling orphanage of sorts. And it's not like I say farewell to everyone. Orianna, for example, has stuck with me for years now. I have six other Children that make up the core of my Familia as well."
"I see…"
It sounded more like a portable version of the School in the Education district of Orario than a traveling orphanage. Well, she supposed everyone had their own idea on how to run their Familia while in Gekai.
"Well, enough about me for now," Dia decided. "Now what about you? I heard your Children gave Apollo's quite the pounding."
"Ugh, can we not?" Hestia asked with fake frown. "I've almost wiped my memory of that dunce."
Wiped everything that didn't bring her sheer joy just by recalling it anyway. The memory of him begging for mercy after Emma ko'd his Captain being one of them.
"Very well. Then, how about something fun? Has any new wine hit the market lately? I heard Soma's turned things around a bit."
"He's still not selling the good stuff though," Hestia said. "I did come across a jug of his rejected stuff if you want to share some."
"My…I'll take you up on that offer should the opportunity arise."
It was in the nature of gods to love a good drink, but certain gods who presided over that domain like Dionysus and Soma absolutely love it. Dia, of course, was also part of that group, although hers was a more tertiary role.
That said, she probably shouldn't invite Dia over to the Manor. Dia loved collecting wine bottles, cups and goblets, it came with the territory after all. And friends or not, Hestia had no intention of showing off the Holy Grail to her. Well, it'll be an excuse to invite Dia to stay in the inn once it's done.
"Oh by the way," Dia suddenly shifted gears as she refilled Hestia's cup for her without being prompted. "I ran into Artemis a few months back."
"Really? How is she?"
"Doing rather well for herself. She has about two dozen Children in her Familia. All women of course."
Hestia immediately turned her head to the side. Not because she had anything to be ashamed of, of course, but because she thought she saw something move on the wall. There was absolutely no reason for Dia to stare at her with such judgmental eyes.
"S-So does that mean Artemis is just traveling around Gekai then?" Hestia asked.
"Yes," Dia said, before finally letting Hestia off. "She goes around hunting monsters that bother villages in the countryside alongside her Familia. When we separated, she said she was planning on checking out some rumors of some monster sealed in some temple of old or something like that."
Sounds like Artemis was having some Adventures of her own.
"Adventuring with your Children, huh…" Hestia muttered. "I do sometimes wish I can go down into the Dungeon with Bell and the others but…ya know?"
"I do," Dia replied with an understanding nod. "Then again, even if the Dungeon didn't hate us, the two of us would be dead weight after a certain point. We're not like Artemis or Ares after all. Do you see either of us picking up a sword and actually being able to use it?"
If she was honest with herself, Hestia felt like she'd probably get tired just trying to pick up something like Welf or Saber's swords, never mind walking for hours on end while carrying them. Just because the Falna was made using the god's blood didn't mean that the gods had the blessing too after all. Artemis and Takemikazuchi were some of the few who could probably hold her own versus Level 1 or 2 Adventurers if needed.
"But we kinda drifted off the main topic that I wanted to ask you about," Dia said. "What is it with these new monsters running around the city?"
"Well…it's a long story, so prepare yourself."
"Understood. Waitress! Two more pitchers please!"
It was going to be a long night.
Hestia was sure Bell and the others will understand. She was catching up with a friend after all.
X-x-X-x-X
In the end, it was almost dawn by the time Lancer carried Hestia back to the manor on her back. The Servant had assured her the following morning that Hestia hadn't blabbed anything that she shouldn't have and had kept the conversation on the surface level.
The days slowly trickled by as Grand Day drew ever closer.
And then…
X-x-X-x-X
"HEALING! ONE! HUNDRED! PERCENT!"
""Ooohhhh…""
In the Hearthstone Manor's dining room, Gina was standing on one of the chairs, both arms stretched up toward the ceiling, showing off her newly healed arm while Primo and Assassin clapped their hands below her. All that was left of Gina's injury were the lighter patches of scar tissue on her arm where the monster's teeth had stabbed through.
"That's great Gina," Welf said as he popped up behind her and grabbed her by the wrists, pulling her up off the chair like a cat. "But no standing on the chairs."
"Eeeehh, isn't it fine? It's not like I wear shoes after all."
"Yeah. We're going to be fixing that too."
"But I dun wanna!"
"And what's gonna happen when you step on broken glass or something sharp in the dungeon?"
"All right, settle down everyone," Rider said as she clapped her hands. "Once breakfast is over, I have a Quest to hand out."
"A Quest?" Bell repeated.
"Yes. Ingredient hunting in the Dungeon."
"Not those sweet ass honey cloud things?" Welf grumbled while Bell grimaced. They were small red fruits that looked like gourds and tasted like balls of cotton dipped in honey. When Bell had tried one several weeks ago, the sheer sweetness of it was enough to make him vomit and he never wanted to another one.
"Oh, for the sweet that you planned to make to go with the Fried Ice Cream?" Gina asked as she turned toward Archer.
"Yeah," Archer replied with a nod. "We can probably do without them but it's better this way if we want to focus on our profit margins. Plus, it gives Primo a reason to go down to the Eighteenth Floor as well. She's the only one that hasn't yet after all."
"T-there's no need to be so considerate…" Primo interjected.
"Come on, it'll be fine," Emma assured her. "The view is amazing. You'd never believe that something like exists underground, let alone in the Dungeon."
"Don't think about it too much, Miss Primo," Lily added. "Adventurers should go on an Adventure after all."
"If you all say so…"
"Speaking of food," Hestia spoke up from her end of the table. "I need either Archer or Rider to come with me today. I need your help with the final preparations for the inn's opening!"
"You're cutting it pretty close, aren't you?" Archer asked, eyebrow raised. "Weren't you planning on opening tomorrow?"
"Don't remind me!" Hestia shouted, slapping her hands on the table twice. "I'm already losing my hair over this."
"Maybe it would be a good idea to delay the opening a bit?" Lancer suggested.
"Nope. Already got a few bookings and I want to treat Dia a bit after all."
"Dia?" Bell asked.
"Another goddess, Master. A friend of Lady Hestia."
"Then, I'll head to the inn with you, Goddess Hestia," Rider said as she turned to Archer. "Can I leave the stand preparations to you then, Archer?"
"Feel free to take care of everything at the inn so I don't have to," Archer said, making Rider roll her eyes.
"Then let us confirm the day's Dungeon Exploration team," Caster said, calling the Familia to order. "Saber…have you finished your outside errands?"
"Yes," Saber reported with a nod. "There will be nothing preventing me from joining the Party now."
"Then do so. As the objective is to harvest the Dungeon fruit, there is no need to bring along Berserker, lest you all wish to be hounded by monsters at every turn."
"Monsters…annoying," Berserker chipped in his own comment from outside. "Don't like them."
"Will Lancer be joining us in the Dungeon too?" Emma asked, causing Lancer and Saber to share a glance.
"As much as I would love to, I believe it is best if I do not," Lancer replied. "There is no need to risk any accidents so close to the festival."
"Indeed," Saber agreed with a nod. "That is why we shall hurry down, gather what we need, and leave as soon as we are done."
"Then Lily will pack light and leave behind any common Magic Stones and Drop Items," Lily said.
With the Party decided, everyone finished up breakfast and got their equipment in order with Gina reaching the front door first.
"All right guys!" she shouted back up the stairs. "I'm gonna head out first!"
She then threw the door open and froze at the sight of someone standing right at their doorstep.
"Morning, Little Gina!" God Hermes greeted her with his trademark cheerful smile with a disgruntled Asfi beside him. "Nice day isn't it?"
Gina stared at her former god for about a beat. Then two.
Then the door was slammed shut with her back against it for good measure.
"No slamming doors!" Hestia shouted as she poked her head out of the kitchen. "Is someone out there?"
"No one!" Gina called back as there was a knock on the door. "No one is out there!"
"Come on, don't be like that," Hestia said as she pulled Gina away from the door and opened it up herself in spite of Gina's protest.
"Mornin' Hestia!"
"Hermes?" Hestia asked in surprise before looking between her fellow god and his Captain toward the front gate. "Did you two pick my lock!?"
"Nonsense, we would never stoop that low. We went over the wall-grk!"
"That doesn't make it better you idiot!" Hestia shouted as her twin tails found themselves wrapped around Hermes's neck. "Now tell me what you want, and I'll strangle you!"
"D-don't you mean 'before?'" Hermes asked, his voice withering under the mystical force of the tiny goddess's mystical power that did not make use of her divine authority.
"I know what I said!"
"Umm…Lady Hestia?" Asfi began. "While I understand your frustrations and apologize for Lord Hermes's behavior, can you at least hear him out before you continue?"
With a growl, Hestia's hair released Hermes, allowing the god to stagger back while rubbing his throat.
"So?" Hestia asked. "Why are you here?"
"Well, I'm going around asking the more well-known Familia to see if any female Adventurers wanted to take part in a contest. I already got a few members from Loki and Dionysus to join and even Freya. You were next on the list."
"And what exactly does this contest entail?" Hestia asked.
"The most popular Female Adventurer in Orario of course," Hermes replied. "Naturally we all have our favorites and while Asfi is sure to win, she can't enter since I'm lending her to the Guild to help take care of the exhibition. Even Loki's Riveria is joining."
"…"
"It's super suspicious, Lady Hestia," Gina not so subtly whispered into Hestia's ear.
"Come on, Little Gina," Hermes began, a pained expression on his face.
"Shut up."
"Gina…" Asfi began but Gina turned her head away from her.
"Don't talk to me."
Both God and Captain shared a glance but couldn't say anything.
Hestia turned to look at her Child before holding a hand out to Hermes.
"Let's see the info," Hestia said. "I'll show it to my girls and if they wanna sign up on their own, I'll let them."
"Splendid!" Hermes cheered, bouncing back without missing a beat as he fished out a flyer for Hestia. "Just have anyone interested come here tomorrow. Oh, and be sure to have them dress nicely."
As Hermes and Asfi left the grounds, Hestia turned toward Gina with a frown.
"You know he's up to something dumb, right?" The Amazoness asked her goddess.
"Yeah well, when is he ever not?" Hestia replied.
X-x-X-x-X
"Morning, Syr!"
Ever since Syr reminded Bell that rainy day before the War Game, Bell had made it a point to stop by the Hostess before going into the Dungeon. And as usual, the grey-haired girl was sweeping the front of the pub.
"Good morning, Bell," Syr returned the greeting with a cheerful smile before her expression turned uncertain. "And everyone else too. Are you going to the Dungeon today as well? Even though Grand Day is coming soon?"
"Yes, we're planning on harvesting some of the fruits that can be found in the Dungeon for our food stand during the festival."
"Oh, you're doing one too?" Syr asked as she quickly stepped back in the doorway and picked up a wrapped lunchbox that had been resting on the table closest to the door. "The pub is planning to do a small one as well. Since you said that you were picking fruits, does that mean you are also doing sweets?"
"We're doing one or two different ones, I think," Bell replied as he gestured back to his Party who were a few steps back chatting amongst each other with baskets on their backs. "Gina's put herself in charge of it, so I don't really know all the details. I do know that the stand is going to be in front of the goddess's inn though."
"The Hearth's Chime, right? Then, how about we trade snacks tomorrow?"
"W-well, I'll have to ask but I'm not particularly against the idea."
"Then, be sure to try and make one yourself for me, all right?"
Well, it looked pretty simple to make like most of Archer's recipes so there was no problem there.
With that promise, Bell bid goodbye to Syr and returned to the others.
"Is it really necessary to keep on getting lunches from Miss Syr?" Lily asked as the Party made its way from the Hostess and Syr's waving form. "It's not like they are better than Miss Rider and Master Archer's lunches, right?"
"W-well, it makes her happy, so…" Bell replied, unable to deny any of it.
"Then, if I made you one as well, would you also take it?" Emma asked with a smile.
"I uh…probably wouldn't be able to eat everything or dinner afterwards though…"
"Jeez, Vice Captain," Gina began with a pout. "It's fine not to be honest and just say 'Yes,' you know?"
"But it'd be a shame if any food were to go to waste," Bell replied.
"Exactly," Lily agreed. "Just because Lily and everyone no longer has to worry about money thanks to Lord Caster doesn't mean we can just leave uneaten food around!"
"Uwaah, the former poor brigade's team up attack! Well, not like I don't get it…"
"Well, having a lot of money that we don't have to worry about it is great and all, but we shouldn't overly rely on His Royalness for every little thing," Welf pointed out. "Not like we're getting any more funds for supplies ever since I joined up after all."
"Back to earning our daily keep in the Dungeon like other Familia then," Emma said as she pumped her arms with a smile.
"I wonder if the goddess's inn will be profitable," Primo suddenly brought up.
"I'm sure she'll be fine," Bell replied loyally. "She said she planned on having Archer and Rider 'guest cook' to draw in customers every now and again after all."
"I wonder if that will be enough though? I mean, their food is really, really good, but is it enough to draw in customers?"
"Thanks to the War Game, I think they'll draw in customers just by their names alone," Gina reminded her. "I mean, people are already lining up just to stay at Goddess Hestia's inn after all. It's hard to see since we're the subject of it all, but our Familia's super popular you know?"
"Well…I suppose a lot of old ladies have been trying to give me peaches for some reason…goddesses too."
"Those ladies give candies to Us instead," Assassin chimed in.
"Lily has also been getting extra groceries as a bonus every now and again," Lily added with a smile. "Everyone should continue exploiting Hestia Familia's Fame for as long as possible."
"I think we'll burn up a lot of people's goodwill if we overdo it though," Emma muttered with a wry smile.
"All right, all right, we can worry about getting freebies later," Welf said, taking charge. "Let's head into the Dungeon before we miss out on the entire day."
With a cheer of agreement from the young girl trio, Hestia Familia hurried toward Babel Tower and descended into the Dungeon once more.
X-x-X-x-X
"Hestia? Are you here?"
"Take! Come in, come in! I would have gone to meet you, but I can't get away from here right now."
"That's fine. My Children and I were taking the day off today anyway."
As the majority of her Children entered the Dungeon, Hestia was meeting Takemikazuchi and his Familia at her inn. Or rather…half of them?
"Huh? Didn't you have six Children in your Familia?" Hestia asked as she looked at the purple garbed Adventurers
"Ahh…actually, I sent them back to the Far East," Takemikazuchi replied. "We made a lot betting on you guys during the War Game and I needed to make sure the money made it back home, so I entrusted it to them. All of my Children are Level 2 so I trust them to make it back safely."
"I see…well, that makes things a bit more simpler then," Hestia said as she clapped her hands together while Takemikazuchi and his Familia simply looked confused. "I had a question for you. How much are you paying in rent for your townhouse? Utilities included."
Takemikazuchi told her before asking, "Why the sudden question? Thinking about how much to charge for your inn?"
"The thing is, I have a bit of space in my Home after the renovations, remember? I was wondering if you and your Familia would like to move in."
"Into your Home?"
"That's right. I already cleared it with my Captain, and he agrees. You'd be paying the same amount as you do now for your current place, utilities and the like included, and you'd be able to use all of the same facilities as us."
"That's…really generous," Takemikazuchi began. "But what do you get from this?"
"Another source of income for one," Hestia pointed out immediately. "But mostly I was hoping for a…I don't want to cement it as an Alliance right off the bat but maybe a collaboration between us?"
"A collaboration, Lady Hestia?" the sole remaining male of Takemikazuchi's Familia repeated. "What do you mean?"
"Well, not to brag or anything, but my Bell's growth is stupid fast compared to everyone else in my Familia." Hestia reminded them. "Sooner or later, he's going to have to leave everyone else behind to go deeper into the Dungeon if he wants to get any half-decent excelia. For my newer members, Emma and Primo, I'd hope you three would be able to take them along with you. It'd be fine if you use them as Supporters if not frontline fighters."
"Emma would be the one who threw that bottle at Phoebus Apollo, right?" Ouka asked. "And Primo is the Elf Mage?"
"That's right. I have to look after everyone equally after all, so I'd like you and your Familia's cooperation in this matter. If need be, I can lower the rent if you agree."
"I see…so that's what you're after," Takemikazuchi muttered as he turned to look over his shoulder at the three standing behind him. "What do you think, Ouka?"
"How would we split the drops if we do take them on as Supporters?" Ouka asked after a moment's thought.
"Honestly, I'm more after the excelia than the money so we'd be fine with as little as ten percent," Hestia answered.
"Would we be taking them along immediately?"
"No, not yet. Right now, they can just handle the Middle Floors so both of our Familias can combine into a larger party and split the drops fifty-fifty."
"I see."
"Umm…" the girl with her bangs over her eye, Chigusa, spoke up next. "I apologize if this sounds insulting, Lady Hestia…but what about the rest of your Familia? Do you not also have six other Level 1s?"
"Ahhh…well, they have the equipment, prior training, and Skills to handle the deeper floors with Bell," Hestia replied. "I know it's suspicious, but they are Level 1. I'm not hiding their Levels, okay?"
"N-no, I wasn't insinuating such a thing…"
"Don't worry about it. Even I can see how strange it is, and I'm the one who gave them their Blessing!"
Of course, it wasn't as though her Blessing really did anything for the Servants outside of inscribing their abilities into an easy to read skill sheet.
As Chigusa's question was finished, everyone then turned toward the final member of Takemikazuchi's Familia.
"Do you have any questions, Mikoto?" Takemikazuchi asked.
"Yes!" the long black-haired woman nodded resolutely. "Lady Hestia! Does that mean we can use the baths as well?"
"Y-yeah, sure…" Hestia replied to the young woman's eagerness. "There are showers on each floor of the building you'd be staying in but if you wanna use the bath in the main building, you're free to do so. Just pay attention to the different bathing times for men and women. I will not have a lame love comedy gag in my baths!"
There was enough of that floating around Saber and Lancer at every waking moment of the day. If only there were a few between Bell and Hestia herself at least!
"Come to think of it…what are your Children doing at this time?" Takemikazuchi asked. "I saw Miss Rider helping out in the kitchens earlier but…"
"Oh, Bell's leading most of the others into the Dungeon's Eighteenth Floor to pick fruits or something. It's probably pretty boring work but we need them for tomorrow."
X-x-X-x-X
"KYAAAAAAAHHH!"
Primo ran across the crystal laden field, arms filled with the gourd-like honey cloud fruits as she was being chased by a pair of monstrous bug bears that had been lured by the sweet smell of the fruits.
"Primo!" Bell shouted as a black flash shot toward the elf girl. "Jack, help her!"
"Stop bullying Our friend!"
Assassin appeared on the back of one of the monsters, knives pressed against its neck. Then, in a flash, the knives were removed, and the monster's neck exploded in a geyser of blood.
Seconds later, Bell was next to the other bugbear, a long sword in his hands. With a slash, he cleaved the legs on the bearlike monster's left side, causing it to fall to the ground before Assassin leaped over his head and stabbed her knives into the beast's skull.
"Primo!" Emma called out as she ran to the elf's side. "Are you okay?"
"Y-yes…" Primo sobbed, still clinging onto the fruits in her hands.
"And what did Miss Primo learn today?" Lily asked as she popped out from behind Emma.
"…Not to wander too far away when picking fruits?" Primo asked.
"And?"
"…And to pay attention to monsters instead of snacking on the fruits…"
"Good," Lily said with a nod of approval as Emma took out a handkerchief to wipe the fruit juices as well as the tears from Primo's face.
"Still, a lot of bugbears are hanging around here, huh?" Gina said as she, Welf and Saber also gathered together. "Guess they got attracted to all the honey cloud we're gathering."
"Indeed," Saber agreed. "And no matter how many we try to clear, more are simply coming in from the Nineteenth Floor."
"Best we get going anyway," Welf said, tabbing the flat end of his sword on his shoulder. "Grand Day might not be until the day after tomorrow, but people are still gonna be celebrating tomorrow either way."
"Yeah, you're probably right. Archer said we didn't need to go overboard with them, and three baskets is probably enough. There's almost like a hundred of them already. My hands are all sticky too."
"Umm…it's probably a bit late to ask this but don't you think tapping your sword on your shoulder like that is dangerous, Welf?" Emma asked.
"Nah, it's totally fine," Welf assured her as he ran a finger along the blade. "There's no edge on this side, see?"
"In any case," Lily cut in. "If there is nothing else, Lily agrees to pack up and leave the Dungeon."
No one had any objections to that so they gathered their things and made for the surface.
"I know we don't have the time, but I kinda wanted to see what Rivira was like," Primo admitted as they made their way past the Wall of Sorrows that hid the Monster Rex Goliath behind it.
"There's always next time," Bell reminded her. Next time being their next expedition into the Dungeon "Granted, I've never been there myself either."
"There's no reason to unless you wanna pay for things at ten times markup at the least," Gina said. "You're also more likely to be robbed if you're not careful there. Some Adventurers live here full time because they'd get in big trouble with the Guild if they're found on the surface."
"Then why would anyone want to go there?" Emma asked.
"Because it's pay out the eyes for a roof over your head or stay out in the forest with the monsters," Welf explained, causing Emma to make a rather displeased face. "Once we're ready to hit the Nineteenth Floors and below, it's either go there or camp out and make Saber or another Servant stay up all night cleaning up monsters."
"I would not object in doing so," Saber replied dutifully. "We do not need sleep after all."
"Yeah, but I'd feel bad about that," Bell said for what must have been the hundredth time by now as he waited for the usual reply.
"You are the Master. I am the Servant. It is my duty, and my desire, to assist in any way possible with your growth. Allowing you to be rested for the battles ahead is one of our most important duties."
As a Familia Executive, Bell should be prepared to make use all of his Familias strengths, he knew this. However, he still didn't feel comfortable ordering them to stay up for hours on end while everyone else slept. It wasn't fair even though there was zero downsides for it.
He had to be better.
When they reached the surface, the Party decided to show their face at the Guild to cash in the few Magic Stones they did end up collecting and the Drop Items that Welf had no use for.
As soon as they entered the building, they spotted Eina talking to several of her co-workers behind their usual counters.
"They all look rather haggard," Emma pointed out. "Did something happen?"
"Probably Guild stuff," Gina said with a shrug. "Grand Day is in two days and a bunch of ambassadors and nobles and stuff are coming to Orario to visit. So, they're all probably super busy."
"Hey, what's that?" Primo suddenly pointed off to a roped off section at the side of the Guild.
Behind the ropes were two mannequins displaying several items carefully protected by glass. Interested, the party wandered over and saw various items laid out by the Guild.
"Oh, these are items from the past," Gina said as they squeezed pass the crowd. "Things like journals and diaries and other things of people that lived during the time when Zeus and Hera Familias took down Behemoth. The real treat is that!"
Gina pointed out the mannequins seated in the center of the exhibit.
The mannequins wore two different sets of equipment, ones said to have been worn by heroes during their battle against the mighty Behemoth. A male armor of white and red with a shining bracelet on its right arm that the hero used to cast lightning. Female robes of violet and gold with a beautiful white veil that amplified the heroine's song throughout the battlefield.
With this equipment, the two heroes led the armies of the two legendary gods drove back the Black Beast and slayed it, removing one of the dark shadows cast over the land.
"Well, would you look at that…" Welf muttered in awe.
"Waahaaaa!" Bell's reaction was much more enthusiastic. "Look at that shiny armor! I'd love a chance to wear legendary equipment like that some time!"
"Why not just ask the Captain for one?" Emma asked with a sly smile.
"Well…I'd like to live afterwards too, haha…"
"Then, Saber's equipment?"
"I would not be disinclined to allow it," Saber replied. "But I fear it would not fit you until you hit your next growth spurt."
"I'm not that small…I'm taller than all the girls at least."
"That isn't saying much when Lily is a pallum and everyone but Miss Emma is younger than you are, Bell," Lily joined in on the teasing.
"In any case, this doesn't seem like it's the actual thing," Welf said, pointing to the sign in front of it. "It says it's a replica."
"Huh?"
Bell turned to look at the sign in front of the mannequins and sure enough, the words "REPLICA' were written in large text.
"Aww…"
"Well, it would've been pretty amazing if equipment from that era was still around in perfect condition like this," Primo pointed out. "Still, I'd love to try wearing that robe too."
"Give me time and I think I can scrounge up something by Grand Day," Welf said with a smile.
"N-no, there's no need for that! You should be rested for the festivals too!"
"Well, at least they're still super cool," Bell said as Primo nodded her head in agreement.
Taking in the armor, Bell tried to burn it into his mind as he pictured himself wearing it while leading his Servants into battle against a Legendary Monster like Behemoth.
"Hee hee hee…"
"And we lost him," Welf said with a shake of his head and a wry smile and a laugh that was shared with the rest of the Party.
"Hmm? Miss Eina?"
Primo looked off to the side and mentioned their Advisor's name, causing everyone else to turn as well.
"Ah, Bell!" Eina called out as she stopped right in front of him. "Perfect timing! It's a bit late but, are you particularly busy tomorrow?"
"Tomorrow?" Bell repeated and Eina nodded. "During Grand Day Eve you mean? Well, I don't have any particular plans outside of walking around with my Familia."
"Then do you mind if the Guild borrows you for a few hours during the afternoon tomorrow?" Eina asked. "You'll be properly compensated of course."
She then looked to the side and saw the exhibit.
"Were you looking at the exhibit?"
"Y-yes. I was just thinking that it'd be nice to try wearing the armor…even if it's just a replica."
"Then, would you like to?"
"Huh?"
X-x-X-x-X
"Welcome back," Archer greeted the Party as they entered the building. "You all made good time. I just got things ready for…is there a reason Bell has that dumb smile on his face?"
"Huh? I do?" Bell asked as he rocked his body back and forth as he was holding a large case in his arms. "I can't help it~"
"The Guild gave him a Quest," Emma said with a smile. "The Guild Captain is going to be taking care of an ambassador for a bit tomorrow and part of the package is to show him the replicas of some legendary armors worn by the captains of Zeus and Hera Familias back during the Grand Quest. But the ambassador said that he'd like to see someone wearing them so the Guild was quickly searching for famous Adventurers who would be able to fit into the armor and Bell happened to fit the criteria."
"I see…" Archer nodded with a small smile of his own. "No wonder you're pleased. Well, not like I don't understand the feeling. Are you going to be out all day?"
"Ah, no I'm not," Bell replied. "It'll only be during the exhibition at the Coliseum. After that I'll be free to do whatever I want after as long as the ambassador doesn't need me for something else."
"I see. Was it only Bell who got a replica?"
"Yes…" Emma answered again, looking rather disappointed. "Apparently it was too small for me…"
As she said this, both Gina and Primo walked passed her and into the kitchen with identical blank expressions on their faces.
"…I see," Archer said even though he didn't understand it, nor did he want to. "In any case…the honey cloud?"
"Right here, Master Archer," Lily said as she placed the large baskets down by the counter. She then looked up to see a strange machine sitting on the counter. "And what is this?"
"You'll see," Archer said with a rather uncharacteristically large smile. "I am especially proud of this creation."
"You made this?" Welf asked as he looked over the machine. "I'm no good with the complicated stuff. It looks like a bowl on a box…wait is this a hot plate in the middle?"
"Yes and don't get too close since it's on and…well, just watch."
Archer bent down below the stove and took out a small pot to put on top of the stove.
"The first step is to get as much juice from the honey cloud as we can," Archer said as he picked up two of the fruits, removed the stems, and placed it into a bowl. "The easiest way to do so is to simply mash it in a pot."
"Oh oh, me me!"
"We want to do it!"
Gina and Assassin immediately volunteered to do so with Primo slowly raising her hand afterward. With a wry smile, Archer stepped to the side and allowed the three girls to crowd around the bowl. With Primo holding the bowl steady, Gina and Assassin grabbed a large potato masher and proceeded to mash the fruits with gleeful reckless abandon. Thankfully, they were still careful enough to not spill it everywhere.
"Good job," Archer said as he took the bowl from them. "Once that is done, we pour it into a pot and let it boil at a high temperature until the juice reaches the hard crack stage."
"And that is?" Emma asked.
"About 150 degrees Celsius."
Everyone watched as the juice began to boil rather dangerously, making the girls take big step back. Once Archer decided it was ready, he projected a heat proof thin dish and poured the juice over it.
"Now we let it cool down and see if it hardens properly."
After a few minutes, the boiling juice cooled down enough to the point that they could see it was now a solid.
"I think we can probably eat that as it is," Gina said as she gingerly reached toward it, only for her hand to be slapped away by Archer.
"Come now, you can wait a bit longer," he said as he broke the thin candy-like substance into small pieces and placed a couple of shards into the center of the machine. "Now we turn it on and…hoh."
Before their eyes, small tiny threads started floating up from the machine. Archer quickly picked up a small stirring stick and held it over the machine.
"""Waaaah!"""
Gina and friends let out a gasp of awe as Archer spun the stick around above the machine, allowing the white threads to wrap and build up around it, forming a cloud-like shape over it.
"What is this, what is this!?" Primo asked as she bounced around Archer. "It's like a cloud!"
Once the last of threads were caught on the stick, it had formed enough to be the size of Bell's head.
"Hmm, not as big as I'd like…" Archer said as he glanced at the baskets filled with honey cloud fruits. "We might need to make another run. I'll handle that myself at night."
He then turned around and found the three girls staring up at him with starstruck eyes.
With a chuckle, Archer carefully pulled at the threads, allowing the cloud to stretch out slightly before the chunk tore off, making it look like a tuff of cotton.
He then placed it into his own mouth to the protest of the girls.
"Hey!"
"That's not fair!"
"We wanted it first!"
"I have to see if it's edible first," Archer countered before nodding in satisfaction. "All right, there doesn't seem to be any problems. So, you three can-"
Before he could finish, Assassin snatched the stick from Archer and the three of them quickly pulled out tuffs of the cotton-like candy and began happily eating it for themselves.
"Well?" Emma asked them. But their squeals of joy was all the answer she needed.
Archer placed a few more shards into the machine and whipped up four more smaller sticks for the others.
"Hmm…it's still kinda sweet but it's not so much that I can't eat it," Bell said while Emma had her hand over her mouth and was bouncing on her feet in sheer delight.
"Yeah," Welf agreed. "It's like edible cobwebs or something. This'll definitely sell on sheer novelty alone and then kids will beg their moms to buy fifths."
"Lily questions if it is a good idea to feed children so much sugar," Lily said, taking bites straight from the stick instead of tearing it off. "How much does Miss Gina plan on selling them for?"
"Sell?" Gina asked. "Forget selling it! Let's eat it all for ourselves!"
Her response came in the form of Archer thwacking her on the back of the head.
"I'm not sure even the gods' blessing can keep your teeth from going rotten if you do that," Archer said with a sigh. "Come to think of it…where did Saber go?"
"He said he had to discuss a few things with Lancer," Emma said, finally calming down enough to speak.
"…They're not thinking of doing that Female Adventurer popularity contest thing are they?" Welf asked. "Lancer doesn't seem like the type and I don't think Saber would be happy with people ogling her."
"I'm pretty sure that's the default state of things for, both men and women."
Welf simply nodded his head in agreement.
"So what is everyone planning to do tomorrow then?" Bell asked once he finished off the candy. "We didn't really make any plans after all…well, I'm stuck doing the Guild stuff."
"Lord Caster is having Lily accompany him on errands again so Lily will be busy," Lily replied.
"Since you're going to be busy Bell, I was thinking of helping out the goddess at the inn," Emma admitted. "Opening day is a big undertaking so another helping hand."
"Since everyone else is busy, that just leaves us to check out the sights," Welf said to Primo and Jack. "Let's go have enough fun for everyone else."
"Yay!" Assassin cheered.
"S-shouldn't we help out somewhere too?" Primo asked as she turned toward Gina.
"Hmm? I think we're fine," the amazoness replied. "I'll have Archer and Rider with me. The only thing that we'll probably have to worry about is the crowd. Course if you want to help out, I'd love it, but there's no reason you have to feel like you have to. This is a festival after all and only crazy people, greedy people, or people who want to promote themselves will work during a time like this."
"Then which one do you fall in?" Welf asked.
"The first and last one," Gina shamelessly replied.
"Well, my job shouldn't start until late afternoon, so I'll be hanging out with you guys as well," Bell reminded them. "Let's all gather at the Goddess's inn first before splitting off. Or so I'd like to say…"
Bell then turned toward the backyard where Assassin was sharing the cotton candy with Berserker and Fia.
"Ooohhh…right…" Welf nodded his head in understanding. "What are we going to do about them?"
"Berserker can dematerialize so he wouldn't be much of a problem…" Archer said. "Fia though…"
"Well…there's nothing to say that we can't leave them alone," Lily said but her face says that she definitely didn't think it was a good idea.
"Then why not take her with you?"
Everyone turned to see Lancer and Saber enter the kitchen.
"What do you mean?" Bell asked Lancer.
"While I believe it should be fine for Fia to walk around so long as she is with someone from Hestia Familia due to being a Tamed Monster registered with Ganesha Familia and the Guild, I can simply disguise her as I did when we first smuggled her into the city."
"Ahh…come to think of it…" Welf muttered as he stroke his chin at the memory.
"That is why, I would be grateful if you took her along with you, Mr. Welf," Lancer said. "She has been stuck at Home for weeks now and it would be nice for her to see more of what the surface world has to offer her."
"…If you think you can make it so that she won't be spotted then sure, I'm down for it," Welf accepted the Servant's request without hesitation.
"Of course," Lancer replied with a smile before turning toward the window. "Fia, may I have a moment of your time?"
"Hmm? What is it?" The harpy asked as she slipped through the window and walked over toward the Servant.
"We're just going to put a…little glamor on you if you will," Lancer replied as several runes were traced in the air.
X-x-X-x-X
"Going back and forth from the inn and the Home may prove a problem…" Hestia muttered as she and Rider entered through the front gate.
Hestia hadn't been able to get an answer from Takemikazuchi today and the god had asked to think it over for a bit and he'd give her an answer after Grand Day.
"Will you be moving into a room in the inn then?" Rider asked innocently.
"Like heck I am! I'm not leaving my Bell all alone! Besides, I'm sure Ansel can handle things while I'm gone."
Ansel being a hume bunny that Hestia had assigned as the inn's assistant manager. He had prior experience in management before and he was also a skilled chef in spite of his young age. Said hume bunny also had a rather cute look to him that one could mistake him for a girl and had white hair and deep red eyes, reminding Rider of a certain child she and the goddess adored.
The café served simple meals, like soups and sandwiches, and desserts that could be eaten quickly in the small patio area in front of it or taken to-go. The desserts made for the café were also available for the main dining hall, which was a buffet style hall that had several rows of different foods ready to be eaten. Hestia even went the distance and had a separate room service menu as well. The cows, Iris Bennet, was in charge of the café area while also answering to Ansel, who had the entire cooking department of ten cooks and four waitstaff under his purview. Including Ansel himself as the head chef, that was fifteen people.
Apart from them there were also three employees handling reception, five to handle the housekeeping, and two guards for a total of twenty-five employees to run the entire inn.
Quite frankly, Rider thought it was a bit much for a hotel of forty rooms and ten suites, but Hestia said she was planning for the future, whatever that meant.
They certainly had enough uniforms for them at least. Although each employee could adjust their uniforms as they saw fit, the base parts were a white and blue shirt or top with blue pants or skirt. There was also an option for a white and blue one-piece for the women. Well, it was less of a uniform and more of a dress code. The only thing Hestia insisted on was that each employee had to wear at least two silver bell shaped accessories on their person with a blue ribbon across their chest like Hestia. For both men and women.
At the very least, the bell accessories weren't actually bells that rang with each step.
Ansel and the other male employee simply wore theirs like a sash that went from their shoulders to their waist while the women wore theirs like Hestia did, at the goddess's insistence.
"These are the symbols of my love!" She had said and there was no denying the goddess of what she wanted.
Well it wasn't any of Rider's concern either way.
As they entered the main building proper, they could hear and smell dinner getting underway.
"Hey! We're home!" Hestia shouted as she burst into the kitchen and froze.
Curious, Rider poked her head in as well and saw an unfamiliar person sitting between Lancer and Primo. An elf girl with waist-long red hair that was being fed by Lancer.
"Wait…you're not an elf," Hestia suddenly said as her eyes popped out of her head. "Fia!?"
"Aww, you figured it out," the red-haired "elf" said with a pout.
"I should have suspected that the glamor would fail before a goddess," Lancer said with a regretful smile.
"Don't beat yourself up over it, Lancer," Hestia said as she walked over to her end of the table between Bell and Assassin. "Although disguises and the like don't work very well on us gods, it did fool me for a bit. It's just that I didn't think you guys would invite an elf I had never seen before over and Fia's lived here long enough that I'd know her when I'd see her."
"Were you trying to find a way for Fia to join in with the festivities?" Rider asked as she took her seat.
"Yes. Do you believe it will work against other gods, Lady Hestia?"
"Mmm…that depends on the god in question, but I think it'll be fine. That being said, since Fia's cute, she might draw a different kind of attention instead…and how do her wings work with that glamor?"
"They are still there. Just invisible. We may have to have her wear a cloak with wide sleeves instead."
Judging from the look on her face, Fia did not look all too happy about her wings being constricted in such a way.
"Well, either way you have my blessing to take her out for fun," Hestia decided. "Berserker can follow you guys around invisible too, right?"
"Yeah, so long as the big guy doesn't see something that makes him lose it, it should be fun," Welf said. "I'll take up the job babysitting."
""Hey!""
Fia and Primo immediately protested Welf's words.
"Huh? Does that mean you're not going along, Bell?" Hestia asked.
"I'll join them for the early part but I'm taking a job with the Guild later in the afternoon," Bell replied.
"And Emma?"
"I was wondering if you needed any extra hands for opening-" Emma began only for Hestia to cut her off with a massive, "YES WE DO! PLEASE AND THANK YOU!"
"Ah, yes…understood."
And with that, the plans were finalized, and the night ended.
X-x-X-x-X
This is a story from the not-so-distant past.
This is the newest, and the greatest, legend of them all.
In ancient times, a great beast emerged from the bottom of the earth, and wrought destruction upon the land. Its huge body was like the night, its howls were like the storm. The earth split, the seas howled, and the skies torn asunder.
O despair, brought by the coal-black wind.
O terrible and fearsome beast.
Eternal darkness fell upon us and the voices crying out for salvation were silenced by the starless night. Then two gods arrived from the promised land.
One a brave god wearing a shining bracelet, the other a beautiful goddess in white robes. Thunder roared and the queen's voice echoed.
The armies of the gods fought back against the fearsome foe. Behold, the shining bracelet splits the darkness. Behold the white robe washes away the night.
When the children's swords found their mark, the black beast was reduced to ash. The darkness was driven away, and light returned to the world.
O Orario, ye promised land. City of heroes that raises up the stars. Our swords have shattered a fervent wish. O gods, let us never forget the names of our two saviors.
Thy name was Zeus.
Thy name was Hera.
Praise the world which they have won for us and inherit the hope that they have entrusted us. It is the newest myth, a new heroic tale. A great day which brought hope to the world. And that day is…
"…tomorrow!" Eina Tulle's lovely voice echoed through the city through the use of the Guild's broadcast system. "Ladies and gentlemen today is Grand Day Eve! The day when we celebrate the peaceful world those two gods granted us, and the town where heroes are born…and a day where joy is had by all!"
A loud cheer accompanied the end of the speech, signaling the start of Grand Day Eve. And with it, an influx of guests piling into The Hearth's Chime Inn.
Two guards stood at the sides of the door into the inn. A large cat person and a stout dwarf. Both of them were former Third-Class Adventurers and had received Hestia's blessing upon being hired to guard the inn but had already retired from diving into the Dungeon for their own reasons.
"Please don't push and keep moving forward!" Emma called out as she directed the long line of guests into the inn while wearing the white and blue uniform. "Also, please be sure to have your reservation card out before you enter so you can be directed to your rooms immediately! If you have one!"
As was planned, Hestia Familia had gathered at the inn before setting off on their own plans. However, with the guests numbering almost a hundred waiting outside the doors, they all did their part to chip in with handling the line.
"Please don't mistake the cloud candy and fried cream line for the line to get into the inn and vice versa!" Bell said, wearing a white and gray colored uniform, as he directed a mother and her children to the proper line. "Pay attention to the arrows on the ground! Blue goes to the stand, white goes into the inn! Ah uh…yes…I'll sign that later but please don't block the lines!"
"You know…I bet if we brought out Berserker we can get people to listen rather easily," Welf muttered as he kept an eye out for anyone trying to cut into the line.
"Lily thinks that would just scare them all away," Lily replied.
Hestia herself was standing at the doors between the two guards, whole-heartedly thanking every guest who entered her inn's grand opening.
"Dia! You made it!" The goddess greeted another goddess that was being followed by a mid-sized Familia.
"Considering I changed my reservations to stay here until my duties are done, is that really a surprise?" The other goddess asked with a smile.
"Yeah yeah, come on in. Let's chat a bit later."
Bell watched as the assorted humans and demihumans of the Dia Familia funneled inside with one of them, a human girl, turning back to look in Emma's direction before disappearing inside.
"What was that about?" He wondered.
Within the hour, all of the guests were checked in and have either gone back out into the city to take part in the festival, gone into the dining area or café, or just remained in their rooms releasing Bell and the others from their impromptu duties.
"Now that that is over with, let us be off, Arde," Caster said from his seat at the outdoor café, having not lifted a single finger to help out, with the disguised Fia sitting across from him.
"Ah, yes!" Lily said as she hurried off after him.
"Still gonna help out here, Emmy?" Welf asked.
"Yes," Emma replied. "After that chaos, I think I'll stay back to make sure things keep running smoothly…"
"Oh no you're not," Hestia said, popping up from behind her, causing the girl to jump. Their goddess then thrust her finger at Emma's nose. "Sure, it was crazy at opening, but half the guests are out, so things are much more manageable now. Besides, what kind of goddess would I be if I kept my child at home to work when there's a festival going on?"
"But I…"
"You're going out and having fun, goddess's order!" Hestia said. "And don't worry about me. I'll be catching up with my friend here so all of you go out and have fun as well."
"Nothing we can do about that, Emmy," Welf said, leaning against shoulder with a smirk. "Goddess's orders."
"So it seems," Emma replied with a resigned smile of her own. "Come to think of it, Saber and Lancer never showed up here."
"Ehh, they're probably using this opportunity to go on a date for the first time in probably forever," Welf said with a shrug. "We'll probably see them if we follow the blood and tears."
"Well, let's leave them be in any case," Bell said. "First off, let's get some snacks and then try to find Syr's stand."
Bell led Welf, Emma, Primo, Assassin and Fia to Gina's sweet stand that was located just in front of the inn's property. Gina, Archer and Rider were working in three separate stands. Archer was on the left machine, spinning the cloud candy and handing them out to starstruck children. Rider was on the right, fishing out the fried cream and sprinkling chocolate and sugar over them before placing them in a group to be given out. And in the middle was Gina, taking orders, payment and handing out the request item.
And in front of the stand was a massive line of at least four dozen people.
"…I know they're good but is it really worth lining up like this for?" Fia asked.
"It's because we're famous!" Gina replied, turning around to answer with her hands on her hips. "And it's because Archer's creations are all unique after all. One extra big one, Archer!"
"Got it," Archer replied with a nod as he took one of the sticks used to spin the candy around and placed it over the machine, allowing the threads to wrap around it…and around and around…until it was twice the size of Gina's head.
"You know…it'd be neat if they were multi-colored, huh?" Primo asked.
"For another time," Archer replied. "We don't have the materials so white is all we got."
"At the very least if we can make blue ones to go with Lady Hestia's theme it would be nice," Rider chipped in.
"Well, can we get five candies and fried creams to trade with Syr's stand?" Bell asked and Gina made a face.
"The Hostess is doing a stand too right?" Gina asked. "I wonder what they're selling. Bring me something back, okay!"
"Unless it's those yucky cookies," Assassin replied.
"Jack…please don't say that in front of Syr," Bell begged.
"All right, here you go," Archer said as he handed Bell and Emma each a large tray with shoulder straps that were holding the cloud candy and fried creams respectively.
"Umm…this is?" Emma asked.
"If you're going to walk around then you can do some advertising!" Gina said, giving her a thumbs up. "We're going to be making a killing! Besides, you said you wanted to help out, right?"
Bell and Emma gave each other a look before the boy shrugged his shoulders, causing the girl to sigh in response.
"Fine…" Emma replied as she and Bell pulled the straps around their shoulders.
"Good, you look like proper salespeople now," Archer said with a happy nod.
"We're Adventurers though…" Bell muttered softly as Welf let out a hearty laugh at their situation.
"So, we need to save a few for Miss Flover and her friends, right?" Primo asked. "How many people were there again?"
"Well we don't know if they're all running the stand to begin with," Welf reminded her. "But…most likely she has the other waitresses helping her and there were one…two…five of them I think?"
"Then let's try to keep at least three of each snack then."
With that decided, the Party headed into the city.
Orario as a city was always bustling with life. Adventurers, gods, and civilians alike were always rushing around, living their lives as they saw fit. With Grand Day Eve, the city became even livelier than usual, even more than it did during Monsterphillia. The gods always loved to party, and they especially loved dragging their mortal children into it.
Vendors and shop stalls were packed on each side of Orario's main streets and people crowded around them just as much as they did Gina's candy stand. And of course, being a rather mobile stand, Bell and Emma had several people come up to them to buy one of their treats after which they directed the other customers to go buy more from the actual stand.
"Huh, isn't that Miss Ersuisu?" Primo asked, pointing at a stand where the chienthrope was talking to a human girl that Bell had seen once before.
"That's…Dea Saint, isn't it?" Welf asked as they drew closer to the stand out of curiosity.
They could overhear Naza speaking rather incredulously as she pointed to a rather fancy looking potion bottle with a gaudy sticker on it.
"What is the meaning of this 'Special Grand Day Potion,' Amid?" Naza asked.
"As you can see…'" Amid replied, although her voice was rather strained and weak as if she did not like where the direction that the conversation was heading with her eyes turning away from Naza. "It's our…Special Grand Day Potion…"
"Don't look away from me, Amid," the chienthrope said, moving the bottle back into Amid's line of sight. "The contents aren't any different from a normal potion, right?"
"What are you, stupid?" A loud voice came to Amid's rescue in the form of the Familia's god, Dian Cecht. "Are those eyes of yours broken or something? Can't you see the special label on the bottle?"
"And just for that…you're charging double the regular cost? Are you trying to scam people?"
"No one's scamming anyone! It's clearly labeled after all. It's a special potion for Grand Day!"
"And that's…how it is…" Amid said, still unable to look at Naza. "We'll…probably throw in a few freebies as well."
"Ain't it a good deal?" Dian Cecht asked as he laughed off the glare Naza was throwing his way.
"…That damn old geezer…" Naza growled as she walked off back to where Miach was standing with Daphne and Cassandra. "Let's spread rumors of the potion being nothing but pigs' blood."
"That wouldn't really accomplish much, Naza," Miach said. "We'd probably get in trouble instead."
"Besides, it's not as if Dea Saint can disobey her god," Daphne said. "I really feel for her…"
"Ah…" Cassandra was the first to notice them. "It's Hestia Familia…"
Daphne whirled around immediately in their direction as her eyes darted back and forth as if looking for someone. However, she quickly calmed down after not finding what she was looking for.
"Good afternoon, Bell and friends," Miach said with a smile. "That's a lot of stuff you are carrying. What are they?"
"Good afternoon, Lord Miach," Bell greeted the god back. "They're sweets our Familia are selling by the Hearth's Chime. Cloud Candy made from honey cloud fruit from the Dungeon and fried sweet cream made from milk and sugar."
"And they're being sold at a special Grand Day price as well," Emma chimed in with a smile causing Naza to roll her eyes with a sigh.
"Let's see…" Daphne said as she looked at the signs hanging from the trays. "Cloud Candy is two hundred valis a piece and fried cream is one hundred? A bit pricey isn't it? Well, not really if the candy is made from honey cloud I suppose. I'll take one."
"Then, I'd like to try the cream," Cassandra said.
"Of course! Thank you for your purchase~"
Miach and Naza also bought one item each and the Miach Familia left rather satisfied.
"Another satisfied customer," Emma said with a smile.
"Well, going around eating good food is the best part of a festival after all," Bell said as they continued down the street. "Hmm?"
There was another commotion going on down the street.
"You morons ain't never gonna get me to eat that! Lemme go!"
It was Mord…and the older man was frantically running away from someone. He was moving so fast that he didn't even notice Bell and the others.
"That was…Mister Latro, wasn't it?" Emma asked as they watched the older Adventurer disappear into the crowd. "What was he running from?"
"Ahh…" Bell turned and saw several familiar faces from the stand that Mord retreated from and he already had a bad feeling about it.
"Aww, he ran away, meow!" Anya muttered. "And here I thought he'd be easy prey."
Working at the stand were the Hostess of Fertility waitresses, including Syr. If Mord had ran away from them while absolutely refusing to eat whatever it was they were selling…then that didn't bode well for Bell and the others.
"It's yucky food after all…" Assassin muttered, already aware of where this was going even though Bell didn't want to admit.
"Jack…promise me you won't say that in front of Syr."
"…"
"Jack."
"…We promise."
"Meow? A new victim!" Chloe said as she waved her hand toward them. "Hey boy, over here!"
"Bell!" Syr said as she leaned out of the stand with a smile. "You're just in time!"
"G-good afternoon…" Bell said as he led the others toward the stand, trying and no doubt failing to keep his worries from showing on his face. "We're here to exchange snacks…"
"Hmm? What's this cloud-like thing?" Lunor asked. "'Cloud Candy?'"
"It's a candy made from the honey cloud fruit from the Dungeon!" Emma replied.
"Honey cloud, meow?" Anya repeated. "I haven't eaten that in forever!"
"Wait just a moment," Welf said. "What exactly are you guys selling here? Everything's completely black!"
Indeed. Looking around, all Bell could see was…black. Everything in the stand was black. From what Bell supposed was black meat on black rice in a black bowl to black liquid in a pitcher to…
Assassin opened her mouth and Bell immediately slapped his hand over her mouth to keep her from saying anything about the black cookies in a black bag tied with a black ribbon.
"They're packed full of protein, or so I'm told…" Ryuu said blankly.
"M-Miss Lyon…" Primo muttered.
"Can I try this…Behemoth Rice Bowl?" Fia asked, completely unaware of the hell she was getting in to.
"Of course!" Syr said happily as she handed the bowl into Primo's hands.
Primo looked down into the mound of ash and then at Fia who had her mouth open expectantly.
"I feel like I'm about to do something extremely bad…" Primo said as she picked up the spoon and dug into the black rice and meat, only for the shape to crumble on contact.
She then looked at Ryuu only for Ryuu to stare back and say, "They're packed full of protein, or so I'm told…"
"Miss Lyon is broken…" Primo muttered as she carefully put the spoon into Fia's mouth.
Fia chewed for a long time as everyone stared at her and waited. Once she finished swallowing, Fia simply opened up her mouth again, prompting Primo to feed her another spoonful.
"W-well?" Lunor asked.
"I've had worse," came the harpy's blunt review.
Bell wondered what Fia had eaten before that tasted worse than what was basically spoonfuls of ash. Then again…her diet before probably only consisted of other monsters' Magic Stones…and monster bodies turned into ash when their stones were removed after all.
"Like, can you all at least explain why everything's pitch black?" Welf asked. "You didn't just burn everything did you?"
"Of course not!" Anya said. "It's a theme! A theme! Can't you tell from the name?"
"Well…we probably didn't need everything to be pitch black," Lunor admitted.
"It doesn't even look like food to be honest," Chloe admitted as well. "Even I wouldn't purrchase it."
"W-well…would you guys like some sweets as thanks for the meal?" Emma asked. "We don't need it to be a one-to-one trade."
"No need to be shy," Syr said innocently. "We still have a lot of inventory leftover after all. How about some cookies?"
"Oh nononono, we couldn't…eighteen hundred valis for a bag of cookies!?"
"And I thought charging two hundred was already too much for the candy…" Bell muttered.
"Screw it, we're bailing," Welf said as he grabbed Primo and Fia under his arms. "Bell! Emmy! Leave what we came for and run!"
"B-but what about Miss Lyon?"
"She's already done for! Run!"
"It's been nice seeing you, Syr but we gotta go!"
"Bye Bell, thanks for the sweets!"
X-x-X-x-X
"…"
"…"
"…?"
Back at the inn, Gina was looking back and forth between the two Servants as they stared incredulously at the group of children in front of stand being led by a blonde haired boy.
"Hello," the boy said in a melodious sounding voice that made Gina's heart skip a beat. "Can we have ten orders of each item?"
"…What on earth on you doing?" Rider asked, causing the boy to tilt his head to the side in confusion.
"Hmm? Ordering for my playmates."
Rider stared at the boy again for a minute before turning toward Archer, seeking help. However, the man simply closed his eyes and offered no answers.
"Umm, Rider?" Gina spoke up. "The ice creams? He's already paid and all."
Rider then turned to look at Gina before pressing her palm against her own face, letting out a long sigh in the process.
"I can't even say anything when you do it so shamelessly either…"
"Rider?"
"No…never mind, Gina," Rider quickly said before putting her business smile back on. "Ten fried creams, coming right up!"
"Yes, thank you very much," the boy said.
Behind him were a rather assorted bunch of children, all around Gina's age and younger. Humans, amazons, and animal people were all mixed together and chatting happily with each other as they all wore similarly worn clothing, aside from the golden haired boy who was wearing rather expensive looking white and gold Far-Eastern style robe over a purple tunic and brown trousers and the werewolf girl standing beside him, fidgeting in a servant uniform.
If Gina had to guess, it was some noble kid hanging around orphans and throwing his money around so they could enjoy the festival as well. On one hand, that was nice.
On the other hand, damn rich bastards.
"Oh wait, I could technically count in that group too now, can't I?" Gina thought to herself. "At least, so long as the Captain's footing the bill for half of everything."
Once the treats were done, Gina happily handed them to the kids that lined up far better than even the adults that had come earlier with the blonde boy and his servant not taking any for themselves, with them looking rather satisfied at the happy smiles of the other children instead. If only she could understand why both Archer and Rider were looking completely gob smacked at the sight in front of them. Did they know the boy?
The smirk he gave them returned seemed to confirm it…it looked rather familiar too.
Oh, that was it! The blonde hair and red eyes reminded her of the Captain. Except there was no way someone with a golden stick up his butt would be playing around with kids like this. The tiny werewolf girl was trying her best not to meet Gina's eyes though. Was she shy?
One of the kids didn't have any such problems though.
"Hey, can I ask something?" A brown-haired boy said as he came up to Gina with bits of cream around his mouth. "Are you an Adventurer?"
"Yep," Gina said proudly as she placed her gloved hand over her chest. "I'm Level 2!"
And wasn't that so much fun to say out loud? After a year and a few months of being stuck at Level 1, she had reached Level 2 practically immediately after joining Hestia Familia. Granted it was because she took part in a War Game but all she really did was not die to a giant plant and train with Spirits. Guess the Falna acted different when you were surrounded by Spirits and Heroes.
"Can I join?" The brown-haired boy asked, causing the other kids to look at him in surprise. "You look younger than me so being a kid isn't a problem, right?"
"I uh…that's not really up to me," Gina replied, poking her fingers together as she looked over her shoulder toward the inn. "Only our goddess gets to choose who joins."
And Gina doubted Caster would be happy to let him join either.
"It's not just about age, Lai," the blonde boy said, placing a hand on Lai's shoulder. "You have to consider experience too. From the information the Guild had, Gina Gwen was part of Hermes Familia before converting so she had prior experience. Besides, she's an amazon and you're a human. Even without a god's blessing, she could probably throw you down the street if she wanted even if you're bigger and older."
Lai grumbled at that. Considering that there was also an amazon in the group of kids they were in, it was probably something he was already familiar with.
"So what you're saying then is that I should ask the God Hermes to join his Familia instead!"
""No.""
Both Gina and the blonde boy spoke at the same time.
"Nothing good will come from it," Gina continued.
On the other hand, the boy said "Hermes Familia is a traveling Familia which means they leave Orario for weeks on end. While I can't stop you from joining, you have to know that if you do join, you could spend months or even years without seeing the others again. You may not even return to Orario altogether."
That was true. The Hermes Familia had a lot more members than what was currently in Orario. They had multiple bases with Hermes preferring to stay in Orario often to coordinate everything and everyone. There were some members Gina had only met once and never saw again as they were traveling to different countries and the like. Not that Gina had said this to anyone in Hestia Familia though.
"I hate that you keep using the others to guilt me like this," Lai said with another grumble.
"As long as it works then I will keep on doing so," the boy said with a laugh as he patted Fai on the back. "I won't be around all the time after all, so only you can keep charge."
"We're doomed then," a half-elf said from the group causing a good amount of laughter from the others as Lai scowled.
Once that was done, the kids threw away any trash they had in the nearby bin and went off into the city. Once they were gone, Rider suddenly started pounding her head against the pole of the food stand while Archer started massaging his eyes with his hand, leaving Gina to just glance back and forth between them in confusion.
X-x-X-x-X
"Hey Bell, are you good on time?" Emma asked as the Party continued checking out the food stands in the city.
"Hmm…I probably have an hour before I head to the Guild," Bell said as he tapped the case on his back containing the armor. "We can probably check out a few more things."
They had already sold all their inventory and the trays had been properly disposed of and were now leisurely enjoying the festival. Unfortunately, many of the stands were also doing a special "Grand Day" price for their wares so they didn't spend much on anything. Rather, Hestia Familia's sweets made from Dungeon Fruits were actually the cheapest things Bell had seen all day, and those had cost as much as a decent dinner with Gina's up-charge.
"Mmm? Hey Mommy?" Assassin suddenly tugged on Bell's sleeve. "What's that?"
Bell and the others stopped and turned to see a large crowd of people, mostly men, standing in front of a large stage.
"Ahh…is this that thing Lord Hermes was talking about?" Welf asked. "That Female Adventurer contest thing?"
"Lady Riveria is supposed to be taking part, right?" Primo asked, eyes sparkling. "Can we stop and watch?"
"Well, looks like watching's free so I'm down," Welf said as he turned to Bell.
"Well, I don't think there's anything else happening right now so why not?"
The Party mingled in with the crowd, which was already starting to get restless.
"What's the damn hold up!?" An Adventurer near the front shouted. "Hurry up and bring out the babes!"
"Ah, yes…it's one of these huh?" Emma asked, looking rather nonplussed at it all.
"One of these?" Primo repeated only to be cut off as someone stepped out onto the stage.
"Greetings!" A god wearing an elephant mask shouted. "I am Ganesha! And I shall be your MC for today!"
"Huh? Isn't that the god who's helping us?" Fia asked as the crowd jeered at the god.
"Indeed, I, Ganesha, am still popular as always," Ganesha said as he took in the jeers and dodged a fruit thrown at him without missing a beat. "Let us change this contest to be the Ganesha Contest instead!"
"Get the hell off the stage!"
"Who the fuck wants a contest like that!?"
"More wondrous cheers! Ganehsa's popularity is number one! How frightening!"
"…Are we going to be okay?" Fia asked blankly as she turned her head up to Bell, who had no words to comfort her with.
"Ganesha," a voluptuous goddess began as she stepped onto the stage. "Perhaps it's time to stop fooling around and get started?"
"Oh, what a good point my fellow deity, Demeter!" Ganesha said. "Then I, Ganesha, shall stand in the corner so my popularity does not overshadow our contestants!"
"Hey…Bell? Bell?"
"I'm sorry Fia…I don't know what to say…"
"You can't even do this right, geez," Demeter said with a sigh before turning a motherly smile toward the crowd. "Now then, the rules of this contest are simple. Several beautiful ladies will be making an appearance on stage dressed in outfits prepared by various deities. Your job, as the audience, will be to decide which one is the most beautiful. The winner will be decided by the one who receives the most cheers. So please do your best to support the one you like the most, okay?"
The crowd exploded in cheers around them as Primo looked scandalized.
"A beauty contest!?" Primo shouted. "I didn't hear anything about this! How can they put Lady Riveria in a shameless contest like this!?"
"It's probably her goddess that put her up to it," Bell replied, remembering everything he heard about the Goddess Loki from Lefiya.
"What do you mean 'shameless contest!?'" A nearby Adventurer demanded. "What else can this be but a gift from the gods themselves!"
"What else can be better than having so many beauties in one place!?" Another one added. "All hail Grand Day! Grand Day forever!"
"He's actually crying…" Welf muttered incredulously.
"I guess it's too late to leave, huh?" Emma asked.
"Too many people…" Assassin agreed as she was squished up between Bell and Emma.
"Ah, sorry Jack!"
"But…I wonder who got forced into this and who would volunteer to do this," Bell said.
X-x-X-x-X
"You lot need to get more fired up!" The goddess Loki said to three of her girls in front of her. "You can't win a beauty contest if you ain't got the energy!"
"What's the point of getting fired up for a beauty contest?" Tione asked, wearing a set of purple dancing clothes with a long blue veil on her head. "It's not like the Captain's here anyway."
"You ain't gonna win if you ain't got the proper motivation! I may lose out on other things but I ain't gonna lose out at having my girls be number one! And I ain't gonna have any of you lose to anyone."
"Quite a few people don't seem like they wanna be here either though."
"And that's their loss!" Loki said. "If you show off the energy you need then you'll definitely beat her! You need to show the world that my collection of cuties is the best in the entire world or else Loki Familia's done for!"
"We've really fallen rather low then, haven't we?" Tione asked with a sigh.
"This is so lame though," Tiona pouted. "I wanna get this over with and check out Archer's food stand."
They weren't the only ones unhappy with their situation, however. Hiding behind the amazon twins dressed in amazon apparel similar to Tione's usual outfit was a rather red-faced Lefiya.
"Ugh…this is the worst…" she cried as she hugged her bare shoulders to try and cover up all the skin she was showing. "Embarrassing…so embarrassing…this is the worst. I don't like this…I don't like this…I don't like this…I don't like this…"
"Come on, stop with that loser talk!" Loki shouted as someone walked up behind her.
"Things seem a bit noisy over here, Loki," the god Dionysus greeted them with a smile.
"And what are you doing here, Dionysus? The dullard contest is the other way."
"If there is to be a beauty contest, it is my duty as a god to come and judge them for myself."
"Uh huh, sure, whatever," Loki replied, not buying it for a second. "I'm gonna go make sure my secret weapon's all ready to go."
"Well doesn't that sound exciting," Dionysus said with a laugh as Loki left the waiting room.
As she did, those in the waiting room could hear a loud cheer outside, signaling the start of the contest.
"Oh dear, it's already started…" Dionysus muttered before turning toward the crouching elf in the corner of the room. "Lefiya Virdis, may I have a moment of your time?"
"Y-yes?" Lefiya asked as she stood up. "What is it?"
Despite being a god of another Familia, Lefiya was rather acquainted with Dionysus due to being friends with the Captain of his Familia, another elf by the name of Filvis Challia.
"I just need your assistance with something."
X-x-X-x-X
The contest had started with a bang as several beautiful Adventurers had come out on stage wearing clothing that enhanced their already high-level beauty.
However, due to being in the presence of so many cute girls and beautiful women at home each day, Bell couldn't really get into it. Oh, he certainly appreciated the sight as much as the next man, but right now he was more worried if he would be able to get out of the crowd and make it to the Guild for his job than at the sight on stage.
"And now, a quick word from out special judge!" Ganesha announced as the latest contestant stepped off stage. "The chairman of our contest who made this event possible! Hermes!"
"It's probably a good thing Gina isn't here, huh?" Emma asked as the amazon's former god stepped onto the stage with his usual smile.
"Thank you for the introduction," Hermes said. "Although I am the one who organized this contest so we can see all you wonderful ladies, please remember one important thing. It's not being the 'best' flower that matters, but rather being the 'special' one."
"The special one, huh?" Emma asked as she turned to Bell who was too busy paying attention to Hermes.
"That being said, there is no question that this event is quite vulgar," Hermes admitted with a solemn face only to quickly throw it away as he shouted at the top of his lungs, "BUT I WANT TO SEE SOME BEAUTIFUL FLOWERS! ISN'T THAT RIGHT, MEN!?"
Most of the men in the crowd roared in agreement, causing Primo and Fia to cover their ears in pain.
"Let's keep on cheering! For our special flowers!"
"""FOR OUR FLOWERS!"""
"Is this how we men are supposed to be like?" Welf couldn't help but wonder. "Or is it the influence of the gods? Does Caster have a point after all?"
"What was that?" Bell called out as his ears were ringing. "I can't quite hear you!"
"All right, that wraps up the speech from Hermes," Demeter said. "Let's welcome our next contestant…"
"Uh…just a moment!" The goddess Loki shouted as she poked her head from the side. "She'll be out in a bit…"
"Goddess Loki…" Primo muttered.
"Since it's her, it's probably Nine Hells," Welf said, causing Primo to stiffen. "Ain't that nice, Primo?"
"I-it's not nice at all!" Primo denied as the amazon twins pushed Riveria out onto the stage. "Ah!"
The High Elf was wearing a long flowing white gown with golden trimmings. The gown clung tightly to her slim body and complemented the queen's elegance…even if the woman herself did not appear all too happy about being on stage.
The crowd burst into cheers, men and women alike, with the elves in attendance being particularly loud, showing their reverence for their future queen.
"Hahahaha! I've got this in the bag!" Loki said with a laugh, earning a glare from Riveria. "The elf vote is mine!"
"So this was what you had planned…what a surprise."
The God Dionysus stepped out as well.
"What are you doing up here? Weren't you here to watch?"
"No, I decided to join in on the fun," came the god's reply. "It took a while to convince her but Lefiya Virdis has done a good job."
"Don't you shanghai my girls into helping you out!" Loki shot back. "And what the heck are you up to?"
"Certainly, Nine Hell is quite elegant, on par with any goddess even. But it is not as though her reign will last forever."
"And who the heck could overthrow my Riveria?"
"I'll show you…come out, my child of the new era!"
And out popped an elf, one being pushed by another elf rather familiar to Hestia Familia.
""HAH!?""
Both Bell and Primo let out a shout in surprise to see Lefiya walk out clothes only an amazon would wear while pushing out a black-haired elf in a purple dress with pink folds and white frills, topped off with a giant pink bow.
Their shouts were quite loud, to the point that Lefiya froze on the stage and her eyes fell on the two of them.
"Lefiya!?"
Being seen by one of her male friends and her student must have been a bit much because her face immediately turned red as she quickly spun on her heel and vacated the stage, abandoning the other elf as she out called her name.
"…"
"…"
Both Bell and Primo were at a loss for words.
"I didn't think she was the type to wear something like that…" Emma muttered.
"N-no, it must be the Goddess Loki's doing!" Primo insisted.
The black-haired elf, realizing that she had no choice but to move forward without support, shyly moved toward the center of the stage.
"F-Filvis Challia…" she introduced herself in a quiet voice as Fia tilted her head to the side. "Dionysus Familia…umm…"
"Wait…isn't that Maenadas?" An Adventurer asked his friend. "The Banshee? Was she always like that?"
"No way…she was colder and more aloof. I kinda like it…"
"Y-yeah…you got a point."
"Embarrassment, is it?" Hermes commented on stage as the crowd started murmuring. "The greatest accessory a girl can adorn herself with. Not bad, Dionysus."
Eventually, all the contestants had their turn and it was time for the crowd to vote for their favorite girl. Strangely, or perhaps not that strangely, Lefiya did not reappear on stage even though her name had been called out.
However, as typical of Adventurers or people in general, not everyone was agreeing on their fellows' choices.
Just beside Bell's group, there was an elf arguing with a human between Riveria and Filvis respectively.
"I think it's time to go," Emma said quietly, looking a bit worried as the arguments became a bit physical with people shoving each other and grabbing each other by the collars.
"I don't know if that's possible…" Bell said as he and Welf tried to keep the girls between them as the crowd got more and more rowdy. "I mean, I could probably force us out, but it might spark a riot…"
"It's probably going to spark a riot as people argue over Lady Riveria and Miss Challia anyway!" Primo said, clinging onto Emma.
"Shouldn't you do something, Ganesha?" Demeter asked with worry.
"I am merely the MC!" Ganesha replied. "Hermes is the organizer…"
"Hermes just snuck out a moment ago."
"HERMEEEEEES!"
"Things are really gonna get crazy," Welf said, stopping someone's elbow from flying in his face. "Just grit your teeth and let's get out of here, Bell!"
"B-but…"
"Oh? Is that you, Master?"
"Huh?"
Carefully pushing his way through the crowd to their position was Saber of all people. He wasn't wearing his mask or his usual equipment but rather a well-cut black suit and tie that made him stand out amongst the rest of the crowd.
"Saber!? Why are you here?"
"Yeah, weren't you on a date with Lancer?" Emma asked as Saber placed a hand on Welf's shoulder and pulled himself closer to them.
"I am here to see my love on stage of course," Saber replied.
"Your love…wait, Lancer was taking part in this!?" Emma asked. "But her name hasn't been called out among the contestants?"
"Well…there is a reason for that…"
"Umm…is it too late to enter?"
A small wave of energy swept through the crowd as everyone turned as one toward the stage to see another woman walk over.
The woman's long hair had been tied up into a long braid that was draped down in front of her right shoulder and was wearing a soft black top and a long flowing white skirt. Her white skin seemed to shine as it reflected the spotlight above her and she and seemed more like a beautiful statue on display.
"If not…may this Lancer of Hestia Familia take her turn on stage?"
X-x-X-x-X
"Is this really something I should be doing?" the woman wondered as she waited just outside of the waiting area, unsure if she should be entering.
"There is no reason why you should not," the goddess replied with a beautiful smile. "Your beauty is second to none."
"But…was this not a task asked of you, Lady Goddess?"
"I'm not going to be the one to clean up after Hermes's mess," the goddess replied, her beautiful face twisting into a slight frown. "Besides, there's no point in me entering this contest. I would take away all the hard work and enjoyment the other girls have put into this…and there's no enjoyment entering a contest that you will win without a doubt, right?"
"But…"
"And it's not as though you are that against it, correct? You are free, both in will and ability, to refuse my request, and such a thing delights me far more than you can imagine. Yet there is something that makes you unable to completely refuse me, isn't there?"
"No, there is not."
"Ah yes. It is not that you are agreeing with my request…it is simply because my request is the same as 'his' is it not?"
"…"
"Fufufu, I believe I know what that one is planning. Since it is coming from your end, I will not stop you, but I will step in if it gets out of hand."
"I am afraid I do not know what you are referring to."
"You do not know, but you suspect, yes? It is something any decent man would want. But enough about that. Right now, we are talking about you."
"…"
"Stand on that stage and show Orario that you are special. That you are special in a way that no one else could ever be. An immaterial flower that none can ever hold, save for one. That even though your beauty can capture the hearts of any man, that the one your heart longs for is none of them."
"My Lady Goddess…please do not live your life through me."
The goddess could not help but titter at that.
"My…you certainly are sharp. My apologies. Ahh, I really wish I could have you. Both of you."
"You are too kind…but the two of us have responsibilities that we cannot abandon."
"Indeed, and I would willingly, happily even, give the two of you up to see your responsibilities grow and blossom into something wonderful."
X-x-X-x-X
Rather than a loud chaotic cheer, the crowd greeted the newcomer Lancer with suppressed awe. All eyes were transfixed as she carefully ran her hand down her braid to make sure no stray strands had gotten loose. Lancer was beautiful. A beauty that could steal men's eyes as easily as any Goddess of Love and was as obvious to any person who laid eyes on her. It's times like this that Bell is reminded that she was not a true mortal, but a Spirit, one that could easily step into the realm of the gods as she directed a calm and loving smile toward Bell and the others. It was times like this that Bell was worried that their true nature would leak out…
"…Is it too late?" Lancer asked again, tilting her head to the side.
"IT'S NOT TOO LATE!" The crowd shouted back at her with enough force to cause her hair to sway slightly.
Lancer then glanced toward Ganesha and Demeter, silently asking for their permission as well.
"Of course you can," Demeter replied with a smile. "And thank you for your attendance."
"It is a pleasure to see you again out of a business environment, Miss Lancer!" Ganesha added and Lancer nodded with a smile.
"What the heck! Where did you come from?" Loki demanded as she walked up to Lancer.
"I was waiting in the back street," Lancer replied as she gave the crowd a small wave and a smile, causing them to cheer. "I did not intend to take part, but a goddess asked me to fill in for her."
"A goddess? Who?"
Lancer did not answer as she made her way to the end of the line under the gaze of the crowd and most of the other contestants.
"Now then, let's go through down the list of contestants once more!" Ganesha shouted. "Remember to cheer for contestant you like the most!"
Demeter held her hand over each contestant to which various members of the crowd gave either a polite applause or a hearty cheer. The elves in the crowd really exploded when Demeter held her hand over Riveria, Primo included, causing the High Elf to flush slightly. Filvis on the other hand, got quite a lot of cheers from a group of burly male human Adventurers, the gap between her embarrassment and her usual cold mask being enough to win them over.
But when Demeter's hand was raised over Lancer, a massive roar erupted from the man standing right next to Bell. Saber's cheer was like a dragon's roar that drowned out the rest of the crowd that cheered for his wife. The roar had knocked aside the people standing beside Bell's Party but for the Party themselves, they were completely unaffected by it for some reason. Bell did not notice, but Saber had traced runes on the members of Hestia Familia to protect them from his roar as soon as he met up with them. Thus, while it was still rather loud, it did not affect them as much as the unfortunate members of the crowd around them.
Despite the uncharacteristic roar however, Saber simply pushed his glasses back up his nose and folded his hands behind his back as usual without a hint of embarrassment. Lancer, on the other hand, seemed embarrassed enough for both of them.
"Geez, can you be any louder?" Welf asked, digging a finger into his ear. "I don't think Lady Hestia heard you back at the inn."
"I could, but I would no doubt cause injuries," Saber said without missing a beat. "Perhaps I should. Such a cheer is nowhere near enough to express my love."
"No no no, I think that was more than enough for the rest of us," Emma said quickly with a smile as she tugged on Saber's arm. "I swear I saw those windows shake."
"Nevertheless, it is the contestant with the loudest cheer that wins, is it not?" Saber asked as he turned his attention back to the stage.
"It doesn't count if you're the only one cheering!" Loki shouted back at him.
"That technically isn't part of the rules," Hermes said as he popped back out on stage. "But if anyone else wants to cheer for Miss Lancer, then by all means."
"O-ohoooowaaa!" Bell shouted at the top of his lungs, promoting Fia to do the same. Spurred on by the two's cheers, several other members of the crowd began cheering and applauding as well. Men and women of all races joined in to cheer on Lancer's beauty.
"Well, I suppose that answers that," Hermes said as Loki stamped her foot in rage.
"Hey Bell," Welf said as Saber made his way to the stage to take Lancer's hand. "You all right on time?"
"Huh? Ahh!"
Bell glanced at one of the bell towers in the distance and saw that he was nearly late.
"Oh no, oh no!" Bell said as he pushed his way through the crowd that was a bit more spread out since Saber's roar. "Sorry guys, but I gotta go!"
"Bye, Mister Cranel!"
"Good luck, Bell!"
"See ya!"
Primo, Emma and Fia bade him goodbye as Bell sprinted down the street with all of his might, dodging and weaving his way through the crowd with a few people calling out to him by his alias to which he gave a simple greeting back.
He did not stop running until he slid right through the Guild doors.
"Miss Eina! Am I late!?" Bell said as he looked around only to see Eina coming up to him wearing a blue outfit that made her look like a storytelling bard of old, complete with a feathered cap.
"Nope, you're just in time," she said with a smile. "You have the outfit, right?"
"Yes," Bell said as he tapped the case on his back.
"Then please follow me. You need to get changed before the ambassador gets here."
"Yes!"
Eina took him to one of the small meeting rooms that he often had meetings with Eina in and quickly changed into the replica hero armor. Even if it was just a replica, the breastplate was still in very high quality. But of course, the replica bracelet was what really made this outfit stand out, having supposedly belonged to one of the Captains of the legendary Zeus Familia that slew the mighty Behemoth.
"Hee hee…" Bell couldn't help but giggle in glee. "It feels like I'm one step closer to Archer…well, at least I look the part anyway."
"Well, that ain't too far from the truth."
"Huh?"
Bell quickly spun around at the sound of an unknown voice but there was no one else in the room with him.
"Just my imagination?"
"Bell?" Eina's voice came from the door as she knocked on it. "Are you decent?"
"Ah, yes!" Bell called back as he stuffed his clothes into the case and headed back out.
"My, don't you look just dashing," Eina said with a smile as she looked him over.
"Ahaha…thank you."
"Now all that's left is to wait for the other person."
"Oh, you found someone?"
"Excuse me."
No sooner did Bell ask that did he hear the clacking of boots walking across the floor.
"I've put it on," a very familiar elf said as she walked up to them, wearing the robe Bell had seen on display the other day next to the armor. "I don't know if I'm worthy enough to wear this, but I hope to live up to your expectations."
"Lefiya!?" Bell shouted.
"Bell!?" Lefiya shouted back. "You're the one wearing the other half?"
"The two of you are both famous enough to catch the attention of the ambassador and are the right size for the equipment," Eina explained. "The Chief will be by with the ambassador in a few minutes so please be on your best behavior."
"Y-yes," Bell replied with a nod as Eina left the two of them alone.
The two Adventurers stood awkwardly next to each other with Bell unsure of what to say.
"Umm…Lefiya?" Bell began, working up the courage to speak. "About that contest."
"Forget it."
"Yes?"
"Forget you ever saw me in that outfit!" Lefiya demanded as she stepped up to his face with tears in her eyes. "Wipe it from your memory this instant and never speak of it again or I will kill you and then myself!"
"Y-yes!"
Bell could only agree in the face of certain death exuding from the elf's eyes.
"Ahhh…I can't believe Primo saw me like that…" Lefiya said as she buried her face in her hands. "All the dignity I've built up…gone in an instant…"
"W-well…it's not like you chose to wear it, right?" Bell asked.
"Do you think I would!?"
"N-no ma'am!"
"Then don't ask stupid questions!"
Bell could only flinch away as Lefiya turned her embarrassed face away from him.
However, as the minutes ticked by, there was still no sign of the Guild Head or any ambassador.
"What's taking them so long?" Lefiya muttered under her breath.
Bell was wondering that himself as it was getting more and more awkward just standing here with Lefiya without talking. He had to come up with a topic that wouldn't make her mad again.
"Umm…Lefiya?" Bell began.
"Yes?"
"Who was that elf that was with you?" Bell asked, recalling the embarrassed black-haired elf that Lefiya had pushed on stage. "Filvis…something?"
"You never heard of her?" Lefiya asked in slight surprise.
"I'm sorry. I only paid attention to High Class Adventurers of the larger Familia," Bell admitted. "She's a member of Dionysus Familia?"
"Yes, she's their Captain and one of my important friends," Lefiya said with a smile. "She also teaches me things on occasion and helped me master Concurrent Chanting. She's also Level 3."
"Wow…she sounds like a pretty amazing person."
"You better believe she is!"
Lefiya threw out her chest in pride of her friend only to suddenly freeze in place.
"And I went and left her alone on the stage!" She shrieked in realization, grasping her head in horror.
"You're no good at small talk, are you?"
Bell swatted the voice in his head away.
A few minutes later, the head of the Guild, Royman Mardeel, finally and thankfully came by with the ambassador to pick them up.
The ambassador was an older gentleman wearing rather expensive looking robes from some desert country that Bell wasn't too familiar with. However, the ambassador was familiar with both Bell and Lefiya and was absolutely delighted to see two famous Adventurers dressed up in the regalia of legends.
He even asked to shake Bell's hand, which made him feel a bit embarrassed.
After the meet and greet, the two of them were made to accompany the ambassador to the coliseum where an exhibition was to be held between several of Orario's top Adventurers.
"This exhibition sounds amazing…" Bell said as he stood behind the Guild Head and ambassador with Lefiya. "I can't wait to watch."
"Well, it's basically just a farce though," Lefiya replied in a quiet voice so the two in front of them couldn't hear.
"Huh, is that so?"
"Yes…this is more or less a play to show off Orario's strength to ambassadors like him. There are probably a few more less important ones spread out through the audience so they can't fight for real. It's a show the Guild puts on every year or so."
"Huh…that's a bit disappointing…" Bell admitted before shaking slightly. "But…these High-Class Adventurers really settle for just that?"
"Uhh…hmm…"
Lefiya wasn't sure of that herself.
"Will things really go as planned?" Bell wondered softly.
X-x-X-x-X
The exhibition began calmly enough.
Bell watched as several First-Class Adventurers took to the arena and clashed blades with one another. He spotted several of Loki Familia's elite on the field. Braver (Finn Deimne), Vanagrand (Bete Loga), Elgram (Gareth Landrock), and of course, Sword Princess (Ais Wallenstein). Not only that but Ganesha Familia's Ankusha (Shakti Varma), Hermes Familia's Perseus (Asfi Al Andromeda) and even Freya Familia's King (Ottarl) were there.
They were all clashing blades with each other but…
"They really aren't going all out, huh?" Bell muttered.
"Like I said, it's just a show," Lefiya repeated.
Bell wasn't exactly sure how his Servants stacked up against First Class Adventurers but right now, the participants were moving much, much slower than Saber did when he was training Bell.
"Well, I was running around a lot before this job so I'm happy for the time off," Bell said with a shrug.
"Come to think of it, you and your Familia were all wearing the same colors," Lefiya noted. "Did your Goddess institute a new dress code?"
"Oh, nothing like that. We were just helping out at her new inn that just opened up. The colors are part of the uniform."
"I see…are you going to be balancing between work and the Dungeon?"
"Ah, no. It was only for today's opening. Most of us pitched in to help since it looked like our goddess was tearing her hair out over it."
"Most?"
"Well, Saber and Lancer were out together and we didn't want to get in the way of that and Caster didn't want anything to do with the inn."
"Does he not approve of it?"
"Nothing like that. He just doesn't want to do any more work."
"Well, I can see that…from the sound of things you don't really need the extra money, do you?" Lefiya asked.
"Well, our goddess doesn't want to do nothing while we go into the Dungeon every day," Bell said, feeling that he shouldn't mention the debt that Caster was holding over Hestia.
"Huh?"
All of a sudden, Bell could feel something drawing close at high speeds. Like a shooting star streaking across the heavens toward his position.
"What's wrong?" Lefiya asked as Bell stared across the coliseum and up toward the opening.
"There's…someone there?" Bell began.
Standing on the edge of the circular open roof. From this distance, Bell could make out a black willowy cloak with a hood that completely covered their head. All that could be seen under the hood was a black shadow with no trace of a person underneath. The cloak also obscured the entirety of their body aside from the black longsword in their hand.
With a great leap, the figure leaped off of his perch and landed right in the middle of the arena.
All of the participants stopped fighting and turned toward the newcomer as their gaze slowly swept across them…stopping only when their eyes fell upon Ottarl.
Then, to the shock of every single person in the coliseum, they raised their sword up and pointed it at the boaz.
Ottarl's eyes widened ever so slightly as he turned his back to his previous opponent to take in the newcomer. Then, the unknown placed a hand to his chest and pressed down on it.
A wave of power and energy burst out from the figure in the center of the coliseum, blasting through the stands like a powerful wind while a heavy weight pressed down upon all of them. It was a feeling Bell remembered rather well. It was the same feeling of dread he felt when he first laid eyes on the Black Goliath. And he could feel the unknown's sheer power all the way up in the stands…
"W-what is this?" Lefiya asked, rushing to the edge of the stands, ignoring the collapsed ambassador and Guild Head. "What is going on!?"
Bell quickly followed Lefiya to the edge, confused as well although for a completely different reason.
"WHY IS HE HERE!?" Bell screamed in his head.
Although the disguise was foolproof, there was no masking the connection Bell had with the figure.
Down on the grounds, the participants had been blasted away by the sheer force exuding from the cloaked figure. The only ones still on their feet were the Level 6s of Loki Familia and Ottarl himself.
Locking eyes with Orario's strongest Adventurer, the cloaked figure took several steps back until he was at the same distance from the wall as Ottarl was. A distance of fifty meters stood between the two swordsmen as Loki Familia's elite could only watch, unable to move from the pressure the two were exuding. Finn and Gareth were watching the proceedings with trepidation while Vanagrand was gnashing his teeth in rage. Ais was alone in watching the scene calmly.
And then…
"UUUUOOOOOOOOOHHH!"
As if to match his opponent's opening move, Ottarl let out a huge roar as his body underwent a slight transformation. His muscles bulked up and steam rose from his massive form. And then…
Bell couldn't see it.
One moment the two swordsmen were facing each other down…and then they clashed in the center of the arena. The ground gave away to the bone-shattering impact of their weapons, kicking up the solid stone beneath their feet before the noise even reached Bell and Lefiya's ears.
And then the two of them clashed. Again. And again. And again.
Each strike was beyond Bell's ability to see. Their arms and legs were moving far faster than Bell's Level 3 eyes could perceive.
The two black blades were swung with strength beyond what any mortal should have hoped to achieve. And yet there were two of them, seemingly equally matched standing before the world today.
Each swing caught no flesh. Only air and the opposing steel.
While it seemed that the two warriors had not moved from their point of their initial clash, the sight of the destroyed ground being sent flying and the valleys being carved into the stone recorded the tale of their bouts.
Ten? Twenty? Thirty? How many seconds have passed since the clash? How many bouts had happened within those seconds unseen by Bell or Lefiya or anyone in the stands? Could the Level 6s below them see them?
And yet, Bell knew. Bell knew that both of them could go even further beyond the level they were showing right now. The excitement running through their bodies was felt clear as day thanks to his bond with the cloaked figure.
BANG!
The battle came to a slight stop as both warriors had managed to catch the other's blade in their hand.
"That enough, Ottarl!"
A clear and crisp voice cut through the torrent of violence in an instant.
The moment the first word was said, both warriors had separated and turned toward the direction of the voice.
A beautiful goddess adorned in a formfitting white dress was walking across the destroyed earth toward the larger of the two warriors.
"Lady Freya," Ottarl said the name of his goddess as he lowered his head.
"Really now, didn't I tell you that you couldn't play without permission?" Freya said as if she was scolding an unruly child. "And you…it's not polite to interrupt an official event for your own selfishness."
The cloaked figure also lowered their head in shame, heeding the words of the goddess.
Freya simply shook her head with a sigh.
"Run along now, your fun is over."
The figure nodded his head as he drove his sword into the ground. He and Ottarl locked gazes one last time before he turned on his heel, disappearing into light. The sword remained for a moment longer before disappearing into wisp of blue light as well.
"He…left?" Lefiya muttered, unable to believe her own eyes. "Just like that?"
"S-seems like it," Bell nodded. "It looks as though he came to fight Ottarl so once the Goddess Freya told him to stand down, he saw no point in continuing…"
"Right…"
"Umm…for now…what do we do about this?" Bell asked as he gestured toward the unconscious officials.
"Ah!" Lefiya let out a scream as if she had only just remembered them. "Mister Ambassador! Mister Royman! Are you okay!?"
X-x-X-x-X
Thankfully the two men woke up no worse for the wear, but the ambassador had to be escorted back to his hotel room by some guild officials. Royman had gone to yell at the participants for being unable to stop the intruder from escaping after dismissing Lefiya and Bell from their posts.
The two of bid goodbye to one another as Lefiya went down to meet up with the rest of her Familia while Bell headed on back to the Hearthstone Manor.
It was getting late and Bell was a bit too tired to look around the rest of the festival.
Just as he was about to unlock the gate, someone called out to him.
"Hey Boy, one moment."
Bell turned around and his breath got caught in his throat.
Walking up to him was a woman that was wearing rather little in the way of clothing. A purple band around her chest that somehow held back the two mounds of paradise on her chest on par with Hestia's, with little else covering her torso as her arms and stomach were exposed for all to see. Her long legs were covered with a thin easily seen-through fabric that gave Bell a complete view of her legs, thighs and crotch; the last of which being covered properly by a tiny white fabric.
It didn't take a genius to figure that the woman was an amazon and Bell could only hope that Gina wouldn't grow up to end up wearing such a thing.
She was also rather tall, one of the tallest woman Bell had seen since coming to Orario, being even taller than Rider was.
"Y-yes?" Bell said, unable to keep the pitch of his voice from rising unnaturally.
"You're the Moonlit Dawn, right," the woman asked. "Of Hestia Familia, right?"
"T-that's right…how can I help you?"
"I got a letter here for your Captain," the woman said. "Make sure he gets it, okay?"
Before Bell could even ask where said letter was, the woman reached into her cleavage and pulled it out before holding it out to Bell, who was unsure if he should touch it.
"Oh come now, it's not going to burn you," the woman said with a laugh as she took his hand and placed the letter in it. "Maybe I'll see you around when you're older."
"Huh?"
Before Bell could say anything else, the woman walked away without another word.
Bell stared after her until she disappeared into the darkness.
Once she was gone, he turned to look at the envelope.
There was a faint smell of perfume coming from the white parchment and he could see an emblem on the wax seal keeping it shut.
A naked woman's body hidden by a veil…the symbol of prostitutes.
Ishtar Familia.
"Uh oh."
"Indeed," the mysterious voice decided that this was the time to appear again."We need to get rid of it and pretend it never existed before…ah crap."
"Bell?"
Bell whirled around, hiding the envelope behind his back as he did. Standing behind him were Lily and Caster, the latter of which was actually smiling, openly showing that he had thoroughly enjoyed himself today.
"You're back first?" Lily asked.
"Ah, yes," Bell replied with a nod. "There was a commotion at the Coliseum so I the job ended a bit early."
"Quite…the rumors of such even reached us on the other end of the city," Caster said with a laugh. "And did you enjoy the special performance?"
"I was too worried to really take it in…" Bell admitted.
"Humph, there is no need to take things so seriously," Caster said with a slight chuckle. "That one is not so careless as to-"
Caster froze mid-sentence as his nostrils flared and his red eyes shone dangerously under the night sky.
"…What is this?" He asked so quietly and dangerously that both Lily and Bell flinched under his glare. "Why do I smell the stench of Ishtar upon you."
"I…uh…this was given to me to give to you just now…"
Seeing as he lost his chance to hide or destroy the letter, Bell had no choice but to offer it to Caster.
If looks could kill, and Bell wasn't one hundred percent sure Caster didn't have a way to kill with his eyes, the envelope may have erupted into flames, taking Bell's arm with it.
Caster plucked the offending parchment from Bell's hand and held it in front of his face, his eyes boring into the wax seal on the back.
"I do believe…" Caster said as Lily and Bell took several steps away from him. "This is what is meant by 'killing the mood.'"
The envelope was crushed in his hand as the king's rage made itself known throughout the land.
