Chapter 11.
Freya POV.
Nothing, that's what I felt when I saw four colors I'm very familiar and went to the Twilight Manor's yard that night.
As I know what will happen next, I closed my eyes and looked up to the dark and cloudy night sky that was soon cleared up by the two gods returning back to their province in Tenkai.
The God of Thunder, one of the supreme gods Zeus and his sister Hera, goddess of women and childbirth ascended through the night sky.
I should've been rejoicing right now because my most hated women of all realms finally left but for some reason, I felt that her departure didn't mean that much. Instead, it made me fear what the future holds. She's not stupid by any means, all of her movement are heavily calculated and never wasted. She never made any stupid mistakes, that's why she irritates me so much.
Her calculative and arrogant behavior is why I hate her so much.
The same goes for Zeus.
He might be a huge pervert of an old fart but when it matters the most, makes decisions that could heavily affect everything around him. But unlike Hera, I don't hate the old man that much. Only his peeping tendencies.
"It looks like I stood no chance against that boy right from the very beginning." I smiled to myself as the two souls that Hera and Zeus left in Loki's hands started to regain it's light.
The women's silver color glowed brighter than ever though, even overpowering the hungry flames beside her. It was so blindingly bright that I had a hard time looking at it even though I'm way too far from their location.
"Ottarl..."
"My lady."
"We will arrange a denatus the day after tomorrow, I'll have to discuss something with Loki."
I left my throne and placed my glass of wine at the table, untouched since I am in no mood for drinking or making love with my children right now.
"Who would've thought that she of all people will be the mother of that innocent soul? That woman who blamed herself for her sister's illness, loathed her own abilities to the point where she developed a skill and magic that suppresses her own abilities."
I laid down on my comfortable bed and let sleep consume my mind as I know that I will face a lot of dilemma in just a few days.
Normal POV.
Bell and Alfia were still walking around the city and indulging themselves in whatever took their interests, souvenir shops, accessories, weapons or food stalls, they were so occupied that they didn't notice that a certain group of adventurers were following them.
Or so that group thought.
Alfia and Bell then turned to a random alley devoid of a person to lure them out and it succeeded when a cat person and 4 prums clad in black armor and visor emerged from both sides.
"What, that bimbo's kids are after us as I expected. Still, I don't think she's that stupid to challenge me and my son when she knew how strong I am. If I could defeat a level 9 single handed, how can I not defeat a single level 6 and four level 5 on my own?" The silver haired woman smirked at Allen who was enraged at the women for calling his goddess "Bimbo".
"Are those your last words "silence"? You should've stayed out of this city for good. You were lucky enough that we let you escape alive a few years ago." Allen pointed his spear towards Alfia and lunged at her at full speed.
"What a noisy house cat, go home." She didn't even bother dodging. She knew that his attack would never even reach a strand of her hair.
"Gospel" Alfia opened her deep green eyes as she casted her magic forward. Sending Vana Freya rolling to the ground.
"Who would've thought that my illness were holding me back that much? I only used my magic slightly and look at what happened." She chuckled as the four prums started to attack her as well.
"Bell, I trust you can handle that cat over there?"
"I'll try."
Bell and Alfia switched positions and he's now facing Allen while Alfia was facing the Guillever brothers.
"Don't get carried away, even Ottarl is having a hard time against the four of us combined!" Alfrigg was the first to launch an attack followed by the other two at each side and the last one attacking from above her.
Alfia only smirked before grabbing Bringar's spear and wielding it herself, repelling their attacks and knocking all of them away in an instant.
"Is that all? I might fall asleep if this continues... Bell, use this and don't worry about me, now that I don't have to worry about my illness, I can now turn off That magic and fight with all of my strength for as long as I want."
The fight was uneventful for Bell, it was over in just a minute since Allen was too shaken by the force of his mother's spell to fight again. The brothers are also quickly incapacitated by her after she went on the offensive.
"What a lousy bunch of first class adventurers..." She sighed in disappointment as she was actually planning to test how her magic has improved after her health condition got elevated by Hera as a parting gift.
"Mom... Aren't we supposed to fight them at the war game next week?" Bell asked worriedly as he didn't want his mom to get into trouble.
"I don't have to worry about that, Freya Familia and Loki Familia are already at each others throat ever since our time, the only time they worked together was the time that they overtook the top spot from our familias and their fight against Evilus. They don't openly fight but they always try to one up another but that's what Loki Familia wants since people view them as Heroes."
"About that, why are they revered as the heroes? Based on what I heard, Ganesha Familia is the one that protects the city 24/7, why aren't they treated as highly as that?"
"It's because they are working with the guild so people view their protection as Natural, unlike Loki Familia. A supposed to be Dungeon Exploration oriented Familia but because of Finn whose goal is to restore his race to its glory and Gareth to reclaim their land that was destroyed by Rakia, there is also Riveria who's the princess of the prestigious Alf Royal Forest. Two giant figures of the most powerful races and the light of the prum race that is constantly mocked due to their small stature and unimpressive origins. Who wouldn't want to support them?"
The two walked back to their home still talking about the same subject. With Bell asking and Alfia trying to answer every question he has.
"By the way mom I've been meaning to ask this to you ever since I woke up but why do you hate Riveria-san so much?" Bell unexpectedly dropped a bomb that even the monster of talent had problem answering.
But she couldn't resist giving him an honest answer.
"If you don't mind then I'll answer you honestly." They slowed down their pace as they noticed that they were nearing the Twilight Manor and they didn't want Riveria to hear this conversation.
"It's nothing too personal really, it's only about her race." She smiled.
"Why? Did the elves of Alf Forest do something terrible to you?"
"No, it's because of her appearance. You see Bell, gods created different races for variations, they created beast humans to possess traits that you would normally see on animals only, they also possess incredible instinct, sense of hearing and smell. The same goes for dwarves, they are created differently and their number one trait is their absurd strength that could intimidate a level 1 adventurer. Elves, the reason I hate them is because of how they received every positive trait that any race could dream of. Beauty, long life, strong affinity to magic, strong connection to nature, the list goes on. The only thing that holds back their race is their inability to produce many children. For some reason, they could only produce 2 children at normal. But at this age for some reason they struggle to reach that number."
" Why is that mom?"
"I don't know, maybe because they tend to look down on other races such as us Humans and Prums, because of their long lives and superior appearance. They are the most stuck up and prideful race in the face of the lower world. We're here."
The mother and child arrived at their home and the guard immediately opened the gate for them. But their sharp gaze directed to Bell did not escape Alfia.
"Do you have a problem with my boy?" The silver haired woman glared at the two guards who shook their heads desperately.
"Not like you can win against him anyway if you attack him right now, he will wipe the floor with you." She chuckled as she held Bell's hand and wrapped her fingers around his when they entered the main hall.
"I bet the captain only recruited that squirt because of his mom, he looks like a beansprout. I bet he can't even kill a goblin."
"Yeah, how bout we teach the weakling a lesson?"
"I don't think that will work, especially with his mom around. She will pulvurize us-"
"Idiot of course we'll wait for the perfect chance, for example like earlier when he went back here after his dungeon exploration, we just have to make sure that no one is outside other than us"
Freya's POV.
I wonder why Loki didn't show up at the denatus earlier, don't tell me she's hiding... No, Loki knew that I can see everything from up here.
"Did she think that I would back down from the War Game because she has Silence and Predator?"
"My lady!"
I was startled by the nervous voice of Ottarl that I haven't heard in a while, he was carrying the pallum brothers and Allen on his back. They are all covered in dirt and bruises for a reason that I can already tell.
"Allen acted on his own again and attacked the boy and Silence in a random alley earlier."
He placed them down before kneeling and apologizing for their actions.
How cute.
"Rise Ottarl, you did nothing wrong. I also won't punish their actions, they are just getting impatient that's all." I took a sip from my wine as I redirected my gaze to the whole orario.
"I also have a few concerns about the war game." This is rare.
"What is it dear?"
"Are you really sure about this...? Zard is an opponent that I couldn't beat back then even with the poison of Behemoth eating his body away, I don't think I'll have a chance against him right now in his full power and possibly updated status, not to mention they also have Silence who I'm no matc-"
"Ottarl, are you suggesting that we back down? I won't allow that, I have my pride. I'm the one who challenged them, if I backed out now, I would become a joke of a goddess. Ishtar would mock me nonstop and I don't want that, I'd rather die than have Ishar laugh at me." I shattered my glass with my grip as I couldn't think of how my dear captain came up with the idea of giving up before the game could even start.
"My lady, I also have my pride but sometimes, we have to throw it away for our own sake, stubbornness will get us nowhere, we will only dig our own grave if we continue this."
"SILENCE. Leave me alone."
"I'm very sorry for disturbing you."
Normal POV.
The next day arrived and Loki went to their mail box to get the newspaper but was surprised when a letter for denatus was inside.
"Aiyaah... Freya must be angry that I didn't go yesterday, I didn't notice that there is a letter here. Well whatever, the wargame still continues no matter what I do." Loki said casually before heading back inside with todays newspaper.
Bell just woke up and was surprised when he saw his arms around his mother's waist and her arms around his neck, but he then remembered that they agreed to sleep in his room together last night after taking a shower.
"Mom it's morning wake up." He placed his forehead on hers as she gently shook her shoulder.
"Mmhh..." She moaned as she embraced him closer to her which resulted in him almost kissing her lips.
"Ngh.!! Mom, it's morning please wake up. I can't get up." He shook her stronger.
"Alright Bell, stop shaking me." She gently released him and rubbed her eyes.
"Good morning mom" He smiled at his mother who in return also smiled at him.
"Good morning dear. I hope I didn't bother with your sleep last night." she smiled apologetically as she slowly scooted away only for Bell to hug her gently again while placing his head on her shoulder.
"Nope, in fact I felt like I had the best sleep last night because of you. It's been a while since we've done this after all."
The two of them cuddled for a few more minutes before getting up and heading down since they forgot to change to their pajamas last night.
The two walked in comfortable silence as they went down to the kitchen to grab breakfast with everyone else.
"Oh, good morning Alfia-san, Bell. I just finished cooking, please take a seat, I'll serve food right away." Anna smiled at the two who quickly sat down beside each other.
"She would make a great wife." Alfia smiled at the humming cat girl.
"And an older sister." Bell added as he also smiled gently.
Alicia also arrived and helped place food at the dining table with Anna, a few minutes later, they finished and sat down beside the two.
"It must be tough to cook this many early in the morning." To Bell's surprise, Alfia started the conversation.
"Not really lady Alfia, at first, yes but once you get used to it, it can be a valuable experience since it also helps you in the dungeon." Alicia answered the mage before taking a bite of her sandwich.
"Yeah, I remember those days in our expedition. Especially on our trip to the 59th floor where we were forced to leave because we couldn't start a flame and warm ourselves up or to use it to cook something."
The talk went on as the elf asked some questions not just about Alfia's familia but also their life in the mountain after their retirement, how she raised Bell and what type of training they did for him to become as strong as a fresh to mid Level 4 adventurer without a Falna.
"You see, this kid actually said something to me. About him being my Hero, one that would save me from my biggest regret. I thought at first that it's just a child's whim but we still trained him without mercy, I thought that he would actually give up on his first day but no. His eyes held a blindingly straight resolve that no one possessed, and before I knew it, 7 years had already passed and he was finally about to leave." The woman smiled gently at the boy beside him who meant the world to her, her light of hope and her future hero.
"I see, well then Bell. Please allow me to apologize, I was actually a little angry at first when I saw you and Riveria-sama acting casually with each other, I thought that you were taking advantage of her kindness but it looks like I'm wrong, I'm glad that I didn't act rashly on this matter and just observed."
"Did you perhaps see that? When I first got my Falna?"
"Yeah, I got so angry when I saw Riveria-sama touching a human like you but now that I know what your goal is and who you really are, I finally understand her actions. If I were in the same situation with you crying in front of me, I would have done the same."
While the two of them were enjoying their conversation, Alfia couldn't help but think about the biggest revelation from Zeus after sending Bell to Orario a month ago.
Flashback.
Alfia, Zard and Zeus were packing their things in preparation for their departure to find Hera, the goddess of Hera Familia the second strongest Familia before Loki and Freya Familia's time.
"Alfia, do you have a moment? Zard, can you pack these for us? I have something important to discuss with her." It is a rare sight to see the perverted old fart getting serious, so the silver haired woman didn't question him and just trailed behind him.
"What is it Zeus?"
"It is something about Bell, it's up to you if you want to believe what I'm about to say right now. I don't want to force you to believe my words but this piece of information might unlock a new path for both of you." His tone only got more serious as they proceeded further.
"Is it good or bad?" Alfia's eyes opened showing a solemn look.
"It depends on how you look at things, it can be both good and bad."
Alfia sighed in relief but her worries were still there, who knows what type of information Zeus is about to give her. It might be about the unique illness that their family possesses but since the old man said it could also be good depending on how she sees things, she decided to listen.
"You see, you and Bell are not blood related."
A/N: Wtf is this? A Hen* plot twist? HAHAHA.
Relax guys, I've thought about this many times before implementing this to the story, just be patient because I will give you guys the answers you want in the next chapters, but here is a clue.
It has something to do with the Age of Heroes and Spirits.
That's all for this update! See you next time!
EDIT: I have the next chapter ready, do you want to see it already? Yes or No?