Chapter 68

"Damn, where is the booze when you need it?!" Kaguya laughed in utter ecstasy as she playfully danced around. Twirling on the spot, she spread her arms open and regarded the rest of the mansion with a cheeky smile. "Who's the best?! Lemme hear it!"

Ryuu rubbed her temples in annoyance, giving her Familia member a flat look. Just at the start of the fight she acted so aloof and angry, dismissive of Haruhime. But now she acted like a proud older sister, who always knew that the Renard was going to win. She could understand celebrations, but this was excessive. Not to mention vulgar as her kimono threatened to slip off due to her frantic movements, her naked shoulder visible and causing many men to look away or openly stare with red faces.

"Kaguya, comp-"

Before she could even finish her sentence however, Kaguya shoved her fingers down the elf's mouth. Her prosthetic fingers. The taste of metal caused her eyes to widen before spitting it out in disgust as the Senbonzakura giggled as if she was ten years old.

"Fuck that, Lion! Whoooooo!"

"Would you shut it already?!"

Some tensed up, afraid that things would escalate with Bete's bad mood. To everyone's surprise however, Kaguya didn't jump to the bait. Or rather not in the way they thought she would.

"Make me~!" She responded in a sultry tone, winking at the werewolf as she put her finger on her lips. Bete's eye twitched, mouth slightly open at that reaction. He wasn't alone, as the amazon twins looked positively horrified at the mere thought of someone flirting with Bete like that.

"Did she just-"

"Let's not talk about it," Ryuu cut Lyra off, shaking her head in resignation. Yet the Pallum couldn't let it lie, frantically waving at Kaguya.

"But-"

"Silence."

"Shit, it's way too hot in here!"

The Astraea Familia snapped their heads at the Senbonzakura, who reached for the cloth that held her kimono together. All at once they jumped her, holding her arms and legs in a panic.

"No!"

For some reason the grown woman actually whined at the treatment, complaining that she had rights. As they did their best to prevent a woman from stripping down, Loki forced herself to look away, as hot as that was. Doing that led her eyes towards Hestia. She narrowed her eyes at the virgin goddess before crossing her arms.

"Oi, Hestia, ya don't seem that happy."

Hestia flinched before glaring at the trickster. But it was half hearted at best so she let out a sigh and looked away, her chin resting on her palm.

"...I don't like seeing them get hurt... "

"Ya get used to it."

"Don't say that like it's a good thing!" Hestia snapped at her. But her anger quickly vanished when she saw Loki's expression. The lazy smile was still on her face but it seemed strained. Tired even as she slightly opened her eyes.

"Never said it was." She shrugged, her casualness returning as she cracked a smirk. "'sides, ya more worried about tha' Bell fella, ain't cha?"

Hestia blushed a bit before clearing her throat, looking away with a huff.

"Maybe a little bit." She noticed the Astraea Familia returning to their seats. She crossed her arms as she looked at Bell's trainers with a frown. "Ryuu, Lyra, you did your best, right?"

Ryuu stiffened up. But before she could reply, the Pallum laughed dryly as she waved her hand dismissively.

"He should be fine. Lion put him through the wringer. Like reaaaaaly through the wringer. They both were basically wet by the end of each session."

The silence in the room was deafening. Only Lefiya muttered under her breath in complete disbelief, something about 'he really is the worst'. Hestia pressed her lips together hard as she slowly, like a rusty gear, turned her head to Ryuu. Even her mask was unable to hide her scarlet red blush before she shot up, her fists clenched at her hips as she stomped the ground once at Lyra.

"Phrasing!"

"Nope, I know what I said."

Suffice to say, the room broke down into laughter and amusement. Yet Hestia narrowed her eyes. That girl really is dangerous!

/

"On three."

"Okay…!"

"Three."

A loud crack.

"Aaaaah!"

Solaris gently shushed Haruhime as she adjusted the sling around her right side. The girl whimpered a bit, as her shoulder had to be put back into place. Bell couldn't help but feel pity at the sight of an injured girl fixing up another injured girl, but out of all of them, Solaris was the one with the most knowledge in first aid, with Haruhime coming close. A weakness he needed to shore up later. The Renard took a shivering breath before showing a teary smile. Their captain nodded in approval, patting her left, good shoulder a few times. While it still caused Haruhime to wince, it was acceptable. Solaris, looking more like a mummy now, rolled her shoulders, hissing a bit at her own movements before crossing her arms.

"Not much we can do for broken bones, potions only that much."

"It-it's alright... "

With that, Haruhime leaned her back against the wall, holding her good left hand against her chest with a pained expression. Bell bit his lip, recalling the details of her skill.

Tsukigami. Possessing Spirit. A skill that pushed her past her physical limits, allowing Beastification as well. He could only imagine the strain it would put on her heart. Suffice to say, he was not happy about it. He trusted Haruhime in her decisions in combat. But knowing she had an ability to hurt herself like that. It was like Solaris. What was it with the women in this Familia and their tendency to hurt themselves just as much as their enemy? Still, misgivings aside, he smiled weakly at the two injured girls. They truly grew. Bell wasn't sure if he could match up to that level of ability they showcased. His hands shook lightly as he tried to take a deep breath. But before his doubts could get the better of him, he felt a strong hand slap his back. He turned around in surprise, spotting Kojiro's smile down at him with a slight nod.

"It is up to you now, young master."

He expected it. Yet hearing it out loud caused him to gulp nervously nonetheless. He knew his turn would come up eventually but now that it was there, he could feel his body shake.

"A-are you sure?"

"I have complete faith in you."

Kojiro's words were said without hesitation. It was more than enough to settle the unrest in his heart. Bell cracked a smile before he raised an eyebrow at him.

"Also best is served last?"

"You said it, not me." Kojiro frowned slightly as he looked at the Eris Familia, arms crossed. "I may be wrong, but I believe they will save their ace for last. So we should do the same."

Bell followed his look, narrowing his eye. He saw Lulope going off at Danos, her burned face bandaged up and covering her missing eye. The weretiger silently sat on his knees, accepting the anger of the dark elf. Then their captain stepped between them, casually laughing. Yet Bell could see something else. Tension. Authority as he gave Lulope a certain look and making her back down. Then he wrapped his arms around their necks, whispering something to them as their features softened up. Bell looked away with a frown. He was going to face their captain then, if he predicted things correctly. A level four, from what meager information they had that wasn't too much out of date. A captain who seemed to have only a good connection to two people, considering the way he ignored everyone else in their group. It was suspicious to say the least. Shaking his head, he turned to Stefan, smiling at him. The Cerberus member nodded, understanding their decision and walked back to the referees.

Bell closed his eyes as he mediated, his hands grasping the handles of Homebringer. He wasn't going to let everyone's efforts be wasted. He was going to make them all proud and bring his Familia back home safely. He opened his eyes, looking at his Familia with a bright smile.

"Wish me luck!"

"Bro, you have Luck as an ability, don't leech off us puny mortals!"

He shook his head in amusement. Solaris always had to have the last word. With that in mind, he waited for his announcement.

/

Two to zero. Not in the favor of the older, superior Eris, but in favor of the upcoming rookie Familia of Hestia. Many individuals cried at the loss of profits. Others wondered what they should do with their newfound fortune. Few still believed that Hestia Familia was in the wrong here, the Eris Familia being the clear villains. It was peak entertainment as the crowds cheered and anticipated the next match up. They didn't have to wait long as the commentators appeared on screen once more.

"Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for your patience! Coming right up, number three of the War Game! Froooooom the Eris Familia!"

Silence reigned, yet there was a certain oppressive air. It wasn't filled with sadism and trickery like Lulope. Nor was it barely restrained anger. It was the pure aura of the strong, untainted by negative emotions like that.

"To be a level four means to be at the cusp of being a legend. To turn from a top class warrior to a hero of the ages, that could take on armies with ease."

There was no show. The middle aged man casually stroked his beard, his Salamander Wool fluttering in the wind. He just kept moving forward. Yet even with his smirk, no one could mistake the readiness he exuded.

"This man may have retired from the dungeon, but in the past, his deeds were filled with glory! And even now, his skills have not rusted!"

Step after step, it was like he was declaring his mere presence was more than enough. All he did was spread his arms open, but it felt like a command. It felt like a boast. 'This is all I need. I have nothing to prove'. He slightly tilted his head back, as if looking down at Hestia Familia.

"Monster or human alike, they are but toys in his palm! It is as if he looks down upon them from the heavens themselves! To control the pace of the fight, no one can reject him! No one can defy him! No matter what you desire, he decides the fate of the battle!"

He reached the middle of the arena and dropped down on a rock. It was a stone just like any other. But as he rested his cheek against his knuckle, with his legs spread wide, it was like a throne underneath him. He raised his left hand. He gestured at Hestia Familia with a smirk, as if telling them to bring it.

"Level four, captain of the Ers Familia... Diego 'Discord' Alcaz!"

The crowd cheered, at the simplicity the man showed. It was exciting on its own. However, there were some that were more wary. The higher tiers who recognized arrogance born from actual results. Ryuu bit her lip. She had faith in Bell. She knew he was up next. But if she could read Discord properly, this would be a rough fight, even with his growth.

"And now... the one you have all been waiting for…!" Hlokk sounded positively giddy. Before she sounded just as cheerful, but now there was a certain sincerity that came only with a personal stake in this match. Then she pointed at a certain part of the audience. Immediately, Brynhild, the leader of the Valkyries rose to her feet, radiating a noble aura as she put her hand on her chest.

"The Far East. Rakia. Altena. He travelled across the lands to gain knowledge, experience and fame, before even gaining the blessings of the gods. And already, he wrote stories that surpass most individuals in Orario!"

Unbeknownst to everyone else, Aiz looked up, some light returning in her eyes as she had silently watched the matches before with only a passing interest. Their growth interested her too, but not as much as it would've been before. Yet when she heard his name, she couldn't help but pay more attention. She recalled his purity. His talent underneath his nervousness when they trained with each other. Maybe... maybe if she watched him... she could find some answers. Find some hints for what she should do now.

Brynhilde cut the air with her arm. In that moment, Bell wandered out, his hood over his hair. Just like his opponent he did nothing special but walk. Yet with his eyes seemingly glowing underneath the shadow of his hood, with his hands clenched into fists, he radiated determination as he stepped forward.

"To fight against the blessed with only his skills! To gain the respect of the strongest the world has to offer! This super rookie is a one in a lifetime genius when it comes to magic, surpassing even the Thousand Elf!"

Bell felt a shiver down his spine but he kept moving forward, slowly as he took deep breaths. Meanwhile a certain elf in the Mansion had to be restrained by her Familia members as she raised a table at the divine mirror in front of her.

"His sword skills are honed by the best in the world! His instincts are second to none! And ever since joining the Hestia Familia, he has overcome challenge after challenge! Fighting off irregularity after irregularity, being an underdog is his life story!"

He did no big movements. All he did was pull the hood down. Yet that gesture made his white hair shine even more. He just stood still, staring at his enemy with a deep frown. It was simple. The boy himself looked like any other boy. Perhaps it was because of that look, that his soul burned brighter in the eyes of everyone.

"You all know his story. You all know that this young man is capable of... Allow me to introduce... ! The White Fool, level three…! Bell! Cranel!"

Bell merely widened his stance, his hands hovering above his blades. But the audience exploded into cheers nonetheless. No, calling it an explosion was an understatement. Orario was shocked at the sight they saw, as the countries he visited celebrated as if he had already won. They could only wonder about the impact he made on those people. They could only imagine what made this boy so special besides his fast growth. Yet there was only one man who seemed unbothered by all this. Leaning forward, Diego acted as if he was in a bar, casually laughing as he scratched his stubble beard.

"Phew, popularity sure is over the top."

"No drugs?" Bell asked quietly, eyes narrowed. The Salamander Wool would be a problem. He didn't know how the lightning properties of Firebolt would interact with it. He saw the spear and shield on his back, but he didn't seem to make any movements of pulling them out. Diego laughed at Bell's accusing tone before waving his hand dismissively.

"My momma used to say that drugs are bad. Messes with my flow too much." He stood up and raised an eyebrow at the White Fool before letting out a scoff. "C'mon, no need to glare, none of this is personal."

"You attacked my Familia," Bell muttered with heat in his voice. Discord winced, scratching the back of his head.

"Attack is kinda harsh, man. Nothing personal, really." He shrugged nonchalantly as he widened his stance as well. For some reason he mimicked Bell, his hands hovering over his hips as well. "Oh well, I can see an angry kiddo when I see one. I'll let my actions do the talk then."

It was then that Bell spotted them. His eyes widened in shock. No. No way.

"Are you ready?!"

At Penthesilea's words, he instinctively drew his black blades. The left blade aiming forward and the other closer to his body. It was then that Bell practically looked into a mirror. The audience reacted the same way, eyes wide as they gaped.

"Eh?"

"Hah?"

Two black katanas. Left blade in front and the right blade further in the back. Diego smirked widely as he started to lightly bounce off the ground just like Bell did, in the exact same instance.

"What an upset! As if spitting on White Fool's honor, Discord is openly mirroring his opponent! Even the weapons are the same! What a taunt! What disrespect!"

Bell felt heat forming in his chest as he glared at his opponent.

"If this is a joke, it's not funny."

"Figured I'd change things up, hah!" He tilted his head with a mocking grin. "Besides, I'm the villain here. Better live up to that title, right?"

Bell grit his teeth before forcibly exhaling his anger. No. This was just a taunt. He couldn't fall for it. Instead he sharpened his senses, lightly moving his hands. Something his opponent did as well. Fine. He cracked his neck, just as Diego did. If he wanted to copy him, that was his mistake!

"Fight!"

At the signal, the two turned into blurs before their blades clashed into each other, cross against cross at the same time.