It had been a long night and the Hestia familia was still recover from the festivities. Bell was awake making breakfast while Welf, Mikoto and Hestia were fighting off a hangover from all the drinking they did back at the Hostess. He turned his a attention to the kitchen door opening.
Haruhime: Good morning Master Bell.
The Hestia Familia's renard was in much better shape compared to her familia members since she hadn't drank any alcohol last night.
Bell: Ah, good morning Haruhime.
Bell gave her a gentle smile, one of the things she loved waking up to in the morning. Although, it still tends to be a bit much as she finds it impossible to hide her blush.
Haruhime: A-Are you making breakfast? Let me help, that's too much work for one person this early.
Bell: Sure, thank you.
With no Lili or Hestia in sight, Haruhime would enjoy her morning of solitude with Bell while she could.
As the morning dragged on and the sun rose higher, the rest of the familia woke up and joined the two for breakfast. They talked about the party last night and asked Bell if they did anything embarrassing while they were drunk. Bell gave a sheepish smile and responded that nothing like that had happened to which they were relieved.
After eating, everyone geared up and went up to the guild to check in with Bell's advisor before going down. They had a late start as the sun was near its peak already so Bell wanted to make up for lost time.
Bell: Let's try to go down to floor 16. Miss Airmid said I could use my arm normally again. But I should take it easy in the dungeon.
Welf: Fine by me. We can work on helping Haruhime get used to fighting and coordinating better.
Mikoto: He's right, it's the perfect chance for some training.
The renard held a face of determination.
Haruhime: I-I'll do my best everyone.
As they walked down they could see a crowd had gathered near the entrance to the guild.
Welf: Wonder what this is all about?
Lili: Lili hopes it doesn't involve us.
Bell: Let's at least take a look and see what the problem is.
Lili: Honestly Master Bell, must you involve us in every little matter? This doesn't even involve us right now.
Mikoto: She isn't wrong. Maybe we should ignore it this time. You did say we should stay out of trouble.
Bell: I guess you're right.
When they got closer, they people's gaze fell on them and the murmurs they heard got their attention.
Civilian A: Look, the Rabbit Foot and his familia.
Civilian B: Are they relatives of his? They all look like hum one way or another, especially that one girl that was with them.
Civilian A: Maybe? I can't name many in Orario with the same looks as him.
Bell and his group continued walking will thinking on what they heard.
Welf: Do you have relatives? I thought you said you were raised an only child with your grandfather?
Bell: I am an only child.
They neared the entrance of the guild and what they saw left them with their jaws near the ground.
Albert: I said it once and I'll say it again, this is no concern of the Freya familia so back off and walk away.
The strongest familia in Orario was seen roughed up and very much out of breath. Bringar were on the ground panting, Vana Freya looked on the verge of passing out. Even the King, the strongest adventurer in the city and level 7, was on his knees breathing hard. Next to them were 12 individuals and just like they heard, all had similar features to a certain rabbit they called their captain.
Lili: Impossible...
Welf: Even the King looks like he's been defeated. Who are these people?
The guild staff all had their hands full trying to prevent any further damage and clean up what was already done. The sounds of footsteps became loud as Eina came rushing to Bell's group.
Eina: Bell, thank goodness you're here. These people showed up out of the blue demanding an audience with Lord Ouranos. What's weirder is they resemble you a bit. Do you know any of them?
Bell: N-No, I don't recognize any of them.
Bell and the boy locked eyes before he walked up to Bell and his friends.
Albert: You're Bell Cranel, am I right?
Bell: Yes. That's me.
Bell was nervous. The boy's mere presence felt unreal to him. He'd felt something similar when he and Ryuu fought the juggernaut back in the dungeon but this felt stronger than that. To make matters worse, the ones who were with the boy felt nearly as strong. Seeing how the strongest familia in Orario ended up, Bell thought best to comply with their demands and resolve things peacefully.
Albert: I'm sure you and Lord Ouranos are more than acquainted. So do you think you could get us an audience with him?
Bell: I'm not sure. Lord Ouranos usually send for me not the other way around.
Albert: I see...
Conveniently enough, Royman had come rushing outside to confirm that Ouranos would speak with them.
Albert: We'll continue are talk another time.
With that, the 12 made their way into the guild and down to Ouranos' chamber. The events of the last several hours played back in Albert's mind as they walked.
Several hours earlier, while it was still night, the twelve had made it to Orario's gate and had to go through the security.
Guard: Are all of you coming into Orario?
Albert: That's right sir.
Guard: Alright, I need names and reason for entering.
Albert: I'll start. My name is Albert and we have all come to be adventurers.
Next to the boy, a young girl looking no older than 13 stepped up. The guard look shocked as he thought he was seeing the combination of two famous adventurers. One could mistake the girl for the legendary Sword Princess except for her white hair and red eyes. The traits that were shared by the Rabbjt Foot.
Ariel: My name is Ariel and I am also Albert's little sister.
Alise stepped up next for introduction.
Alise: My name is Alise.
Next, another young half elf girl who looked the same age as Ariel walked up for her turn. Her hair was a snow white but her eyes were peculiar. Her right was a sky blue but her left was crimson red. She walked up and gave a bright smile.
Ardi: I'm Ardi.
After her came two more half elf girls who looked a tender 7 years old. Both had mostly blonde hair but some parts had small strips of white on them and their eyes were also red. The best assumption was that they were twins. Even though it was late, the young children practically jumped towards the man and introduced themselves.
Syrene: My names Syrene mister!
Riis: And my name is Riis!
The guard felt dead tired working the late night shift but now he couldn't help but feel reenergized at the giddiness of the two kids.
Then came the youngest of the group. Another pair of half elf twins no more than 5 years old. A girl with blonde hair and blue eyes and a boy with the same hair and eye combo. The boy walked up first with nervousness on his face but he tried to be brave for his twin sister who was trembling a little.
Darion: I-I'm Darion sir.
Lucy: M-My names is L-Lucy.
A quarter elf around a year younger than Alise was walking forward but she was different from the others so far. She had the same red eyes as some of the others but what set her apart was her long brown hair.
Eileen: My name is Eileen sir.
Next, a small renard with white fur and green eyes came up. She looked young, likely around 10 years old. She gave a small bow before introducing herself with a bright smile like the rest of the young children.
Haruka: I'm Haruka and it's nice to meet you.
Behind her came an Amazon around the same age as Ariel and Ardi, who had had enough standing around and quickly stole the next turn. Her eyes were brown but her long white hair contradicted her darker skin and eyes.
Karminika: The game's Karminika but I prefer Karmi.
She gave the man a smile before the last half elf the same age as her came running behind her. Her snow white hair was braided down her back and dark blue eyes look to him and then the ground as she apologized.
Celdia: M-My name is Celdia and I apologize for my sister's rashness.
Guard: No, no it's fi-
What came out of her mouth set off alarms in the man's brain.
Guard: Sister? You and her?
He pointed between the two of them.
Karmi[I'm gonna shorten her name to this to make things easier: Yeah, that's right.
Celdia: Technically we're half siblings.
Guard: Is that true for all of you?
Now that each face had a name, he looked among all of them dumbstruck. Half elves, humans, an amazon and a renard all related by blood?
Albert: For the most part. Ariel here is my only full blooded sister.
He patted her head before Alise spoke up next.
Alise: The case is same for me, Ardi and the both of the twins. The rest of us are half siblings.
Guard: A-A-Alright, that completes the check. Now you just have to pay the entrance fee for each person.
Albert hand him the appropriate amount of valis. After checking the guard allows them to enter the city.
Guard: W-Welcome to Orario kids.
Albert: Thank you sir.
The guard promptly sat back down in his chair to sleep himself to death after what had transpired. Meanwhile, the siblings had went to an inn to rent a room where they slept.
The next morning they prepared themselves for the day and went straight for the guild. Little did the know, a certain goddess of beauty was watching them with THE LOOK in her eyes.
Freya: How beautiful. So much color and yet so pure. I must have them.
She saw how each of their souls had a distinct whiteness along with another color blending with it. The mere sight filled Freya with euphoria.
Freya: Ottarl.
A large boaz man walked to her side. He was Ottarl. The King and the strongest adventurer in the city.
Freya: I want you to go and bring me those children down there. They're just too precious. I must have them.
Ottarl: As you wish my lady. I will bring Allen and the Gulliver brothers with me and we will depart at once.
With that, he left with the others behind him to fetch the siblings.
Albert and the others were walking to the guild while many of the civilians were looking at them strange. As if they were seeing someone else. When they arrived Albert went inside alone.
Albert: Okay, I will go talk and see if Lord Ouranos will speak with us. You guys stay out until then and Cel, make sure Karmi doesn't break anything.
Karmi: Hey!!!
Celdia: So what I normally do then.
Albert: Pretty much.
With that, he entered the guild leaving a fuming amazon behind. It wa the the Freya familia walked up the the youngsters.
Ottarl: Our goddess wishes to speak with you.
This time, Eileen took charge and talked to the boaz.
Eileen: My apologies, but we are rather busy at the moment. Maybe another time.
The Freya executives minus Ottarl began to tremble with rage.
Allen: That wasn't a request girl.
Eileen: I said we're busy, now leave us alone.
Vana Freya was known more for his speed rather than his patience which was apparent as he had heard enough. He quickly drew his spear to attack the young elf. What nobody expected was for the girl to catch his spear between three of her fingers.
Eileen: Let's not do something we might regret later.
A dark aura could be felt surrounding her and the smile on her face didn't match well with it. Allen, try as he might, couldn't make his weapon budge from her fingers. She eventually let go and caused him to back away momentarily.
Allen: That was just a fluke!
He charged her again. More people gathered to see what was going on. They saw how a first class adventurer was attacking a young girl. What left their jaws on the ground was how she was dodging his attack with minimal effort.
Eileen: What's wrong, can't keep up?
She mocked him with a smile while he was busy catching his breath. The gulliver brothers saw this as an excuse to engage as well only to be knocked flat on their backs by a little renard girl.
Haruka: Don't be so loud I'm trying to sleep...
The little girl was still tired because like a fool, the was up late reading hero stories instead of sleeping. It was after that Albert had gone back outside to check on his siblings only to see to massacre that had occurred.
Albert: What the hell happened while I was gone? Karmi?!
Karmi: I swear it wasn't me this time. This was all them.
She pointed to the Freya familia who were having trouble standing save Ottarl. He walked up to the boy to make the same demand from him.
Ottarl: Our goddess wishes to speak with you all.
Albert: I'm not interested in the whims of your goddess nor are any of them, this is no concern of yours so you can leave.
Ottarl: I cannot. I was tasked with bring you all to her and I will not fail her. I you will not come peacefully I will use force.
Albert could only smirk at him before challenging him.
Albert: Go ahead and try it. You're going back to that whore empty handed whether someone has to drag your beaten body back or not.
That was the last straw and the boaz charged the boy. He drew one of his great swords while the boy stood there with no intention of dodging.
Ottarl: RRAAAGH!!!
He swung the sword down with all his might only for a loud crash to be heard. He looked down to see that his sword had been chipped against the boy who had merely raised his left arm to block the attack.
Ottarl: This is- what are you?
His response was a blow to his stomach. The King was now on his knees as the boy spoke.
Albert: I said it once and I'll say it again, this is no concern of the Freya Familia so back off and walk away.
Back to the present they entered Ouranos' chamber and came face to face with the god.
Ouranos: Alright, you have my attention. What is it you want from me?
AN: Sorry to cut if off there but as I'm writing it's 2 in the morning and I want to sleep so thanks for reading and until next chapter.
