Welcome to another chapter of this story.
I realized I made a mistake. So since the beginning I was writing the story using more the anime as a source. The thing is that the monsters are physically different. Like the silverback is a giant in the anime, but clearly isn't in the novel. Also, in the anime the monsters just go *poof* when they die, really didn't make sense and guess what? The reason for that is that in the novel they don't! From now, I will follow the monster designs of the anime cause it is easier to imagine since they're literally drawn but from now, the monsters don't just disappear once dead. I will follow the novel make them disappear only once the magic stone is removed. It is a minor detail but a detail nonetheless. I also made a slight change to the prologue. I changed the number of level six on Orario's side, it won't make sense until later but it has to do with the story.
Okay so having read the reviews, it seems to me like there are more people that want Revis, correct me if I'm wrong cause there is time but it seems like Revis is the winner! Also after Revis it will be Riveria, after her is Alfia.
Alise will be added to the harem as well as Ardee, but I won't add Argana or any of the other girls cause I realized I didn't take the Xenos in consideration, and intend to add Ray and maybe Laura or Ranye, cause gotta admit I liked her character. I might add a special chapter where Bell has shares a night with Bache but not really sure if I will add her. I feel bad for the rest of the girls but they'll have to sit it out this time.
I also feel like I have to reiterate that the OC is not OP at all and will be Bell's way of showing just how strong he is. He will be shown or mentioned briefly until the attack on Orario where he gets his ass handed over to him on a silver platter by Bell.
I read the reviews and I think I mention everything, though probably not.
Have fun!
Chapter 6 – A New Familia And a Declaration
There were only two elements present in the room. Confusion and silence reigned supreme until a level six executive of the Zeus Familia raised his hand.
"What idiot it declaring a Wargame against us?"
The Zeus Familia never boasted about their strength, but they were so powerful that even the idea of having a Wargame with the Zeus Familia would be considered a joke.
"It's three old fogeys."
They all turned to Hera, who seemed to be disinterested in the matter.
"Right. The three Familias that banded together and declared a Wargame against us are the Osiris, Set and Sobek Familias. The Set and Sobek Familias are both E ranked, while Osiris is actually B ranked with a level five adventurer."
Bell raised his hand, showing interest in the matter for the first time getting the God's attention. Looking at Bell, Zeus nodded at him to go on.
"How are they B ranked. Freya has Mia as a level six but only ranked to A after Ottar became a level five. B rank, wouldn't they need a level six at the least?"
"As you know the rank is actually influenced by the achievements and size of the Familia. Osiris has nearly eight hundred adventurers. Even if half of them are between level one and two, with the rest being level three and has only a level five and a handful of level fours, it means that there are nearly four hundred level threes. Osiris has also greatly contributed to Orario over the past few decades. Which earned them the B rank. Actually they're really close to ranking up right now."
This time it was Maxim raising his hand.
"Next question. How exactly did you pick a fight with him?"
"To answer your question first of all, it was them that started this. They are the three biggest bastards under the heavens. However, it is a matter that started back in Tenkai, just a grudge that begun before we even descended. We had our first fight in Tenkai but that was easily won. Then after that we had another fight a few centuries ago here in Orario, like this time, it was settled through a Wargame between Familias. Me and Hera won and his Familia as well Sobek's and Set's were severely weakened. But hey, we're not the only ones, I mean look at Freya and Ishtar bearing their fangs at each other literally every day. If you go to the eastern side of the city, you can literally witness some of the fights the two Familias have, they clash once a week. They don't even set up Wargames and even go as far as killing sometimes. At any rate, it wasn't my intention to drag the Familia into this like last time. But that damn baldy Osiris wanted to resolve this by showing who's children are better. Then he insulted a white rabbit that's present in the room."
Zeus didn't realize what he said before the room exploded as the people started shouting enraged.
"They dare?!"
"Bastards! They're picking a fight with Bell?!"
"Who does that second rate God think he is?!"
"Let's go crush them now!"
"Blasphemy! Death to those unruly dogs!"
"Sons of b-"
"Alfia let's go flatten them!"
"Yes, Alyssa, a brilliant plan! Let's pay them a visit and have a friendly chat!"
Zeus and Hera had no way to calm them down, while Alyssa and Alfia seemed ready to go there right now. Even Europa, Anastasia and Zald didn't seem to intend to stop them and they nearly made it out of the room only to be stopped by Bell. Maxim on his side had zoned out thinking about how to destroy them in the most brutal and humiliating way.
"Everyone calm down!"
Zeus shouted at the top of his voice.
"As of right now nothing is decided. I said we were having a Wargame, but we could always refuse. What can they do if we refuse anyways? Though it will only lead to them pestering us continuously. So we'll give them a Wargame. As for the terms, well they aren't decided yet, but those cowards will probably ask for our weakest members, duel type of contest, one representative for Familia, putting us at three to two disadvantage whilst also having the gall to ask for some unreasonable terms. Such as handing over some of our level six adventurers."
"What? How unreasonably arrogant!"
They all nodded at the protest of one of the executives. Maxim then turned to Zeus.
"Don't we get to decide the terms since they were the ones that proposed a Wargame?"
"Yes, I'm just saying that they will probably demand for these terms."
"How about giving it to them?"
Everyone turned to look at the bunny who was holding the hands of Alyssa and Alfia in order to calm them down.
"Bell, it wouldn't be a problem if it was the Sobek and Set Familia, but the Osiris Familia has a level five and they will probably shamelessly put him on the field. We're already at a three to two disadvantage, whilst even the weakest of our level fours is stronger than average, fighting two level fours and a level five with only two level fours is going to be hard. As much as I hate to say it, Osiris's level five is strong and Set's and Sobek's level four aren't pushovers either. Those three Familias rank amongst the top ten strongest right after my, Hera and the Adonis Familias due to number and quality, not in level but discipline and skill."
"Hmm."
Astraea who had been silent the whole time then seemed to light up like a light bulb and jumped into the conversation.
"How about sending in Bell as the representative of the Zeus Familia?"
They all stared at her blankly.
"They asked for the weakest members, while people are aware that Bell is far from the weakest in the Zeus Familia, he is the lowest level in the Familia. Besides, last I checked, Osiris and Set were out of Orario travelling for the last year and a half while Sobek is from outside Orario. They shouldn't know of our little bunny. As for the level five I'm confident that Bell can defeat him with that."
The ending was rather cryptic but looking at Bell suddenly sitting up straight, it seemed like he actually had something akin to a trump card that could take down a level five.
"Great idea Astraea! It would also be a good chance for me to test that. Besides, if it doesn't work out, I can always use Argonaut."
Alfia felt left out of the conversation and became curious of this mysterious method with which Bell could take down a level five.
"Argonaut can definitely take care of the level five. Though I don't understand what Astraea-sama is talking about?"
"It's a surprise, you'll see. Time to go training!"
Bell immediately dashed out of the room, leaving only confused people, who eventually all turned to Astraea.
"It's something he told me about yesterday. Trust me, he'll pull it off."
The others rotated their head once again to Zeus to see what his final conclusion was on the whole situation, though the God simply shrugged.
"Oh well, accept their terms it is. I trust Bell and if even Astraea confirms it then there is no reason to say no. Unless you guys have some objections?"
They all shook their heads.
"We all trust Bell."
"Yea and they even insulted him, it's best to let him deal with them."
"It would be even more humiliating for them to be beaten by an Almiraj look alike for them since they don't seem to know about Bell."
Astraea then turned to Zeus with a perplexed look.
"Wait, how did they even insult Bell if they don't know him?"
"Oh that? Well, we were fighting and it quickly escalated, I then mentioned Bell being the pride and prodigy of the Familia. When he heard that he was level three and that he looked like an Almiraj he started laughing and insulted him, saying, and I quote, 'you call that a prodigy? It's jut a useless Almiraj trash.'"
Everyone had various reactions between, clenching their hands, twitching eyes of tick marks appearing of their forehead as they felt anger surging again.
"I'm happy I didn't mention any of his achievements, now he'll get an ass whooping by the same rabbit he insulted."
Hera and the executives suddenly smiled creepily nodding, they awaited gleefully for the Wargame to come. Astraea stood at the side watching the spectacle, she swore that if someone entered now, they'd think there was a conspiracy going on.
.
(A/N: For appearance reference look at Osiris from Destiny.)
It took just around under two hours to announce the Wargame and set up an emergency Denatus gathering every God in Orario. The Gods and Goddesses now sat around the large table that was placed at the centre where Zeus and Hera sat on one side, while Osiris, Set and Sobek sat on the other side.
"Still looking ridiculous Osiris."
"Shut it Zeus, you still wear that silly toga."
Osiris definitely stood out with his outfit as his hood was covered with black feathers and connected to a golden bird helmet. The God covered his face with a red scarf and had a golden usekh that had black feathers come out of the edges, at the back the feathers extended down to his waist. He wore a red and white shirt that has a triangle chequered pattern, with stripes on the sides. He then wore black and red pants with golden trims. For reasons unknown to the other Gods, he wore golden gauntlets. He also wears some kind of multi-layered red, indigo and golden gown that's open at the front with brown shoes. He has light blue eyes and as Zeus hinted, he was bald.
(A/N: I actually don't know what the thing around his waist is. I mean, to me it looks like a gown with the front open. I see it often in fantasy, heck even Kirito has that kind of outfit, but I really have no clue what the hell that is, though usually I see it as an extended part of a coat. I still don't know the hell it's supposed to be or what it's called. Someone please enlighten the idiot that I am.)
Sat next to Osiris on both sides were Set and Sobek. Set wore a simple white wrap around skirt that reached his knees, over the skirt he wore a golden metal layer that reached the end of the skirt on the left side of his waist, becoming shorter as it went over the right side, not even reaching halfway down. Like Ganesha he left his thorax exposed, revealing his lean build. He wore golden metal arm bands on both arms and had a golden usekh like Ganesha and Osiris going around his neck. He has ice blue eyes and raven hair.
Sobek, for reasons no one knows yet again, wears armour. The armour consists of gauntlets and pauldrons which leaves his elbows exposed. It has a headgear with an oval orange imperial topaz placed over his forehead, it then extends outwards, before bending inwards and then up, like pointy horns. The armour also has pieces that cover his chest leaving his stomach exposed. He has a chainmail skirt that is held up by a metal belt that also has an imperial topaz at the centre. His whole armour set is primarily black with bright red highlights. The God has black hair and salamander orange eyes. Like Ganesha he wore a mask but instead of an elephant it represented a crocodile.
"Hahaha, Osiris are you an idiot?! You tie your gown thingy using that black rope? You know that belts were invented right?"
The God of the dead glared at Zeus.
"Go to hell, it's called style!"
"Hahaha, you call that style?!"
Zeus started laughing like a maniac. Osiris then slammed his hand on the table.
"Enough! We're here to settle the terms for the Wargame!"
"Before you start, you know that the one who accepts gets to select what type of conditions are imposed, right?"
"I know you moron! But I will still demand that this is a duel where each Familia sends one representative."
"Why should I accept that? It would be three against two. Unless you're saying we can put our captains on the field."
"Of course not! How is that fair? You will put your weakest members. While the three of us put our captains."
This time it was Hera speaking up.
"You conniving hypocritical baldy, how is that fair? You are as shamelessly arrogant as ever you disgusting vermin. How is putting two level fours against two level fours and a level five fair? Having heard this why should we not propose a siege? Even combined together, your total number of adventurers are less than ours and they are lower in level. Why not wipe you out completely?"
Sobek snorted,
"what will people think then?"
"What will people think of you shamelessly demanding of such unfair terms when you shouldn't even be able to. You truly are an ungrateful bastard beyond saving, you shame us Gods with your ignorance, you still think I care about what the public thinks when you decide to drag my children into this for no reason?"
There were murmurs, which seemed to agree with Hera's point whilst back at the table the first round of the glaring contest started. Zeus though coughed in his hand getting the attention of every God, breaking up the glaring contest.
"Anyways, me and Hera fought about this and decided to settle this with a duel. The three captains of your Familias will be facing Atraxia, a level four of the Hera Familia and Bell, a level three of my Familia. The demands of the victor will be decided on the day of the match and it will be held in two weeks' time. Though you can't demand for anything other than a substantial amount of money or items."
The eyes of the Gods bulged out hearing that Bell would be participating. Osiris became suspicious, though he had previously disregarded the rabbit, Zeus was putting extensive faith in the adventurer. Sobek and Set though weren't nearly half as wise and instead started laughing.
"You're going to send a level three?! I thought you only had level fours and above. This will be easy. Though I wished I could get my hands on your level six adventurers."
The eyes of every God other than those at the table were now looking at Zeus with aligning thoughts.
'Well, Zeus managed to pull one over Osiris even with the conditions that he demanded.'
"Is that fair?"
The voice belonged to the red haired Goddess of the forge. Whilst Sobek and Set thought she had asked for Zeus to reconsider, everyone else knew otherwise.
"It's an incentive Hephaestus, a small gift from me."
Hephaestus shook her head sighing, but secretly hidden a small smile appeared as it did on Astraea, Hermes, Ganesha, Freya and Loki, surprisingly even Miach, who had recently gotten acquainted with the rabbit. One thing was sure, this was going to be an interesting show and one that would raise Bell's fame to even greater heights.
.
Having finished and established the terms for the Wargame, the Denatus was concluded. Hera, Astraea and Zeus all returned together at the Olympus manor before splitting up at the gate, Hera went back to her manor, Zeus to his office and Astraea to the training grounds.
As expected she arrived to see Bell hidden away in a corner under the shadow of a tree, training in secret so that he could give everyone a big surprise. She slowly walked up to the bunny who was studying a book. Upon hearing a set of feet approach him, Bell looked up to see the smiling figure of Astraea.
"Over already?"
"Yes, otherwise Zeus and Hera would have a cat fight with the three jerks. How about you Bell?"
He nodded,
"I'm proceeding at a steady speed, by the end of the week it should manifest as a skill. After which I have a week to train and get used to it, right?"
She nodded,
"just as you had asked, Zeus established that the match would take place in two weeks. Also you'll be fighting together with Atraxia."
Bell got up, placing a bookmark on the page that he was reading and looked at Astraea.
"I suppose there is something else you want to ask me?"
She smiled,
"yes, actually there is. Do you think you can accompany me to the Guild later? I have to meet with Alise and Kaguya. I just wanted to have you around when I created my Familia for the first time since it's all thanks to you that I got this far."
He chuckled happily.
"Sure. Are you going to stay here and watch me train?"
She nodded taking the book that Bell was reading, while he grabbed his trusty partner, the tachi. The bunny though stopped, staring at the blade inquisitively.
"What's wrong Bell?"
"I just thought that I hadn't named this sword."
"Oh what are you going to name it? Heroic Bunny? Hehehe."
Bell turned around pouted at Astraea before he took a thinking position, tapping his cheek, all of which made Astraea squeal delightfully at the sight.
"I don't know, umm … lightning blade? Dragon Slayer? Oh, how about Heavenly Sky?"
Astraea covered her mouth with her hand as she kept giggling,
"yes, a wonderful name Bell."
Taking a look around Astraea noticed the numerous piles of book that was placed next to her. She quickly scanned all of the titles and skimmed through the first few pages.
"These are all books on the technique you're practicing?"
"Yes, I have to thank Amaterasu-sama but also Takemikazuchi-sama. He has greatly helped me acquire these. He also briefly helped me train, which is why the progress is so fast. This technique has different styles, obviously I intend to learn all styles. Both Amaterasu-sama and Takemikazuchi-sama are excited to see if this works. They said that they haven't seen this skill in the last few centuries despite many people practice it and attempt to master it. Apparently the skill is heaven defying, not sure why though."
Astraea kept looking at the other stacks of books curiously when she opened her mouth but as the words on her tongue were about to leave her mouth, she was stopped by Bell.
"before you ask, Astraea. Please don't read the other books, I want it to be a surprise for all of you."
She sighed but nodded as Bell took a stance and prepared to swing the newly named Heavenly Sky.
.
The two arrived at the Guild around half an hour later after leaving the manor. It was around six when the two arrived and entered its busy halls. Around this time most adventurers would return from the dungeon, resulting in the Guild being incredibly crowded, with the number of bodies in the building easily passing the hundred mark.
Bell lead the way to the counters with Astraea behind him, luckily for them the people parted as Bell made his way through the crowd, soon reaching the workstations of the Guild workers. Seeing a familiar chienthrope Bell called out to him, waving his tiny arms.
"Rehmer-san!"
Seeing the little bunny, the chienthrope made his way to him.
"Bell, what brings you here?"
"I'm here with Astraea, she was going to meet a few people to start a Familia. Have you perhaps seen a pair of girls, one Far Eastern with long black hair and another cheerful one with bright red hair and green eyes?"
"Umm, I don't think so."
"Then they might be outside, after all the Guild is pretty crowded right now. I'll go check it out. Astraea can wait in a private room, right?"
The Guild worker nodded and the boy turned to the Goddess besides him.
"You follow Rehmer-san, I'll go find them."
The Goddess nodded and smiled happily at Bell before following Rehmer who led her to a room at the back, having delivered her to the room he swiftly went back to his station, instantly getting swarmed by work again as the number of adventurers kept increasing.
Astraea waited inside the room, nervously playing with her thumbs as she waited with bated breath for her two possible future members. She didn't know if the two would join her Familia, she simply hoped that they'd find her terms agreeable, if not she intended to make use of her of her secret weapon. She hoped that establishing a relationship with Bell would entice them.
'Sorry Bell.'
She mentally apologized, feeling ashamed for using the bunny to her advantage selfishly.
.
A pair of girls were outside the Guild, staring with deadpan faces at the building. The whole place was swarming with adventurers, to the point that there were people filing out from entrance waiting in a queue for their turn. Alise soon started stomping the ground, pouting as she loudly complained, though contrary to its purpose many around her found it surprisingly cute.
"Oh come on! What is this? How are we going to get in? We need to meet Astraea-sama, quick Kaguya, find a solution!"
The Far Eastern raised her folding fan and mercilessly slapped her in the back of the head with it.
"Shut it Alise. I'm not the solution to every problem and don't always shove the problems to me."
Behind them a similarly small figure approached without either noticing.
"Umm, you're Kaguya-san and Alise-san, right?"
The two spun around to come face to face with a bunny, just a little shorter than they were. He looked at them with an innocent smile, though the long sword on his back made it hard to establish what kind of first impressions one would have.
Though that didn't seem to be the case for Alise. She either didn't notice the sword or it mattered little to her as she all but jumped on the bunny, straddling him. Kaguya sighed exhausted at Alise's usual cheeriness and seemingly infinite energy.
"You're so cuute!"
"Oi Alise, get off him! What do you think you're doing jumping on a kid, you pervy pedo. What if you scared him or he saw you as a threat? Can't you see that long sword on his back? If you had scared him he'd have cut you up into a fillet!"
"I can't help it, there is a fluffy talking bunny!"
'Ugh, you really are an idiot.'
Bell stared at the two with a tilt of his head, not minding the fact that he had a red haired girl wrapped around his body, hugging him like a body pillow.
"So you two are Kaguya-san and Alise-san?"
The two returned their attention to the boy and nodded though unlike the naïve Alise, Kaguya seemed to harbour suspicion.
"How do you know?"
"You are here to see Astraea, no?"
They nodded,
"yes that's right."
"Then follow me."
'Or let him carry you.'
That was Kaguya's thought as she saw that Alise didn't let go of the boy as he started walking again. Bell lead them through the Guild as yet again the crowd parted when he walked across the lobby. The two became curious as to why everyone moved out of the way, Alise having only noticed the strange occurrence a minute later.
"Why do they move away?"
The rabbit simply shrugged his shoulders.
"Don't know, happens every time I walk somewhere."
This made the two girls raise an eyebrow though they had little time to think about it as Bell stopped and knocked on a door.
"Astraea, I have found both Alise and Kaguya."
The door opened revealing the enchanting Goddess of justice.
"Come in. Oh?"
She briefly took note that Alise was wrapped around Bell and giggled in her hand. Though it didn't last long as she jumped down when she saw the Goddess.
"Good evening Astraea-sama!"
She quickly bowed, followed by Kaguya but with less energy and speed. The three entered the room and sat down. Bell sat next to Astraea with Kaguya and Alise facing them on the opposite couch.
"Have you thought about my offer?"
The two nodded,
"yes, but before that, I thought that Astraea-sama hadn't started a Familia?"
Kaguya and Alise looked at Bell who was happily humming to himself, while Astraea nodded.
"That's right, you two would be the first two members."
Alise then raised a hand and pointed a finger at Bell.
"Then the bunny … isn't a member?"
She giggled in her hand mesmerizing the two young ladies with her beauty. She gently shook her head and looked at Bell, placing her hand over his fluffy hair and ruffling it.
"This is Bell. I really wished he would join my Familia though that is but just a dream. I could never have him as my child, after all, Bell here is a level three adventurer of the Zeus and Hera Familias."
The two stared wide eyed at what had once appeared as an innocuous bunny, minus the blade that is. Though to think that he was a level three was beyond the expectations of the two girls. However, the most shocking part was that he was a member of the renowned Zeus Familia.
"W-wait, doesn't the Zeus and Hera Familias only recruit level fours and above? And why is he here with Astraea-sama?"
Alise nodded, agreeing with Kaguya as she also wanted to hear what someone like Bell was doing here.
"That's because Bell is a special exception, he was born into the two Familias. He was given a Falna nearly a year ago at the age of five."
The two felt like fainting hearing that.
"He is the current record holder for levelling up and is the pride of not only the two great Familias, but of all of Orario. He is also known, like Alfia and Zald, to have overcome the gap between levels, being able to fight at a level higher than his falna. As for why he is here with me right now? I currently live at the Basilea manor and Bell happened to be there, so I asked him to accompany me. He is also the reason I've made it this far and have thus encountered you two. I wanted him to be here for this special occasion."
The two took a few minutes to digest the information, even the lively Alise had taken a hard hit and needed a moment to recover.
"Now I'm afraid to ask, but what other achievements does Bell have?"
Alise couldn't help but ask wanting to know what the pride of Orario was like.
"Umm, when he was level one he managed to fight and defeat two minotaurus' as well as annihilate a huge horde of monsters, one of the minotaurus' was an enhanced species. At level two he participated in the defence of Altena, defeating thousands of monsters, he defeated a group of Necro Phantom members, a new evil organization that's starting to rise. He then won a duel against the level three captain of the Athena Familia. He also defeated the Goliath with one move, I heard that is how he levelled up to three nearly a week ago. Say, anything else Bell?"
The boy turned to her and thought with an adorable tilt of his head.
"I'm pretty sure that surviving training with Zald, Alfia, Europa and Maxim counts as an achievement."
The Goddess giggled and nodded,
"I suppose it does."
Alise deflated on the couch hearing what a five, nearly six, year old bunny had done. Seeing the slumped down figure, Kaguya promptly smacked her head again.
"Oww! What was that for Kaguya?!"
"What did you expect, to come here and be the best? You shouldn't be demoralized by that if anything take inspiration! You said you were going to be captain, bring justice, make Astraea-sama proud, you spouted so much crap, bragging about it yet you have such a weak will?"
Astraea was surprised by the statement, while Bell seemed somewhat interested in the two.
"Y-you mean …?"
Kaguya and Alise turned to the Goddess and nodded,
"yes, we would definitely like to join your Familia Astraea-sama."
The two girls bowed from their sat positions as they accepted the Goddess' offer. Bell looked back at Astraea, who stood up and hugged the two girls with teary eyes, surprising the two girls in the process.
"Thank you. I really look forward to the Familia that we will build."
The two returned the hug, also tearing up having finally found a Familia. Bell sat and watched silently from his seat next to Astraea, a small smile crept up his face at the sight. He was glad, for an entire year Astraea worked hard to form a Familia and she had finally succeeded.
"Congratulations Astraea."
The Goddess spun around and went to pull Bell in an embrace as well.
"Thank you to you too Bell. I would have never managed without your help and support."
Astraea calmed down and then pulled back,
"what do I do now Bell?"
Bell tilted his head and got into his trademark thinking position which struck the heart of the girls in the room.
"Well, you'd have to give them a falna, go to the front desk and register your Familia and have Alise and Kaguya register as adventurers. You will also want to have advisors assigned to them. And … hmm, I can't think of anything else. As for how to give them a falna I can only tell you that you need to let a drop of your blood fall on their backs. How the process works I don't know, but I think it will be self-explanatory once you try it. Try it now, I will wait outside."
"I-I don't p-particularly m-mind."
Three heads turned to Alise, the Goddess then looked at Kaguya who shrugged as if she didn't care.
Astraea thanked the rabbit as he sat back down. She turned to the two girls and had them remove their clothes so that they could expose their backs to her. She then used Kaguya's blade to prick her finger and dropped her blood on Alise's back first. The back illuminated as the runes came to life and drew Astraea's Familia symbol on her back, granting the girl the blessing of the Goddess.
She started working on the falna and just as Bell said the process came to her mind as if it was second nature, allowing her to work without a problem on the blessing. Once she was done she transferred it on a parchment before doing the same for Kaguya.
"Welcome Alise, Kaguya, you two are now officially members of my Familia. My first members. My captain and vice-captain."
Alise jumped up to stand, throwing her arms in the air, her clothes falling to the ground.
"I'm an adventurer and a captain at that!"
Bell, Kaguya and Astraea all stared at Alise.
"Ugh, you really are an idiot Alise."
Kaguya looked at her with disappointment, pointing downwards while Astraea looked away with a light blush. Bell himself just stared at Alise indifferently with a slight tilt of his head. The red haired girl then looked down at her naked upper half, fully in display before the bunny, who was but a meder away, her face quickly turned the same colour as her hair before she dove down into a seiza position with her arms wrapped around her chest to cover herself up.
Now Alise was only eight so she was flat like a cutting board, thing which Bell was going to dumbly point out, had it not been for Astraea, who knowing Bell for a long time, she already knew what he was going to say, she quickly covered his mouth with her hand stopping him and ultimately saving the bunny from his untimely end. Not that he could be defeated.
.
"Well that was awkward."
Astraea looked at Bell who was now waiting with her for the two girls. After the accident from before, they had quickly done the paperwork for the Familia, the two were now waiting for the girls to register as adventurers and get Guild advisors appointed to them.
"Say Bell, could you teach them a little? Like give them some pointers on how to fight or spar with them when you have time? Maybe tell them about the dungeon and the monsters in there?"
"Of course, what won't be a problem. Though anything related to the dungeon, it's layout and monsters should be taken care of by the Guild advisors, so you don't have to worry."
As soon as he finished speaking the two girls appeared. Kaguya came out acting elegant and refined, while Alise had seemingly forgotten about the accident of before and was back with all of her energy.
"We're done Astraea-sama. What now? Does Kami-sama have a place to act as the Familia's home?"
The Goddess had a sad look and shook her head.
"Unfortunately not, I've been staying at Hera's place. Other than my blessing, right now I can't offer you anything."
"It's fine Astraea-sama, after all our Familia has just been registered."
Bell turned to the Goddess of justice,
"then why not borrow money to at least buy a house. A house for five should be enough, since starting Familias don't tend to expand very quickly. Over time you will get more members and with more money you can move to larger places. Otherwise just rent a place or stay at our manor. I'm sure Grandma Hera doesn't mind."
Astraea shook her head.
"I wish to start from the bottom like Zeus and Hera did and I have stayed at your manor for over a year. As for money, I don't intend to be in debt straight off the start and I could never ask you for money Bell, so please don't try."
Bell smiled,
"starting from zero is harder but is also good. You will find it a lot more rewarding."
The three nodded,
"In that case I'll be leaving you to your own methods, I have to go back and prepare. I have a Wargame to get ready for."
Astraea nodded and waved at the leaving figure of the bunny, wishing him luck.
"Wargame? What's that?"
Astraea turned to the two curious faces and gave a brief explanation of what a Wargame is, whilst also explaining why and how the Wargame against the Zeus and Hera Familia came to be.
"Will Bell-kun be okay? I mean fighting against a level five is …"
"Don't worry Kaguya-chan, Bell will be fine, just have faith in his ability."
Kaguya and Alise exchanged worried looks but decided to do as Astraea said and have faith in his abilities. Since the two couldn't do anything for Bell they returned their attention to the dungeon. The both of them were excited of entering the abyss for the first time with their Guild issued swords. Alise was very open about her excitement, Kaguya tried to mask her excitement but couldn't help the small smile forming on her face behind the extended fan.
"By the way, Bell said that he'd be happy to train the two of you and spar with you. He's perhaps the best swordsman to have ever existed you know? The Gods even compare him to the Sword Champion, so it's a great opportunity. Just make sure to remind him to hold back when you spar. He also learnt from your family Kaguya."
Alise's eyes brimmed with exaltation at the news, Kaguya too seemed very interested in the matter, mostly due to his use of a Far Eastern blade as well as having heard that he has learnt of her own family's techniques and styles.
"Really?! When can we start?!"
"Hehehe, calm down Alise-chan, I'll ask Bell and have him arrange a time. However, it will be hard for now, he'll be busy preparing for the Wargame this and next week. For now just venture the dungeon without going too deep."
"Don't worry Astraea-sama, our Guild advisor said that can't go below floor one. We'll grind on that floor for now."
"That's so unfair! I'm sure we can manage lower!"
Astraea looked worriedly at the complaining Alise.
"Don't worry Astraea-sama, I'll make sure that she doesn't go past floor one. I just hope that we can advance quickly. From what I understood from Bell-kun, low levelled adventurers don't earn much since the upper floors have monsters that don't earn you much money. It will be very hard to cover all expenses and even more to save enough money for us to get a house. Speaking of which, what shall we do about our home?"
Astraea looked up and silently reflected on how to resolve the issue at hand.
"Well, for now I'll have to stay at Hera Familia manor, I'm sure you two can stay with me at the manor until we have enough money."
The two were taken aback.
"You're saying we can live in the manor of the legendary Hera Familia?!"
"Temporarily, yes. As to how to earn money. For now you two focus on the dungeon and becoming stronger. Whilst I find a way to earn some money myself. Umm, let's see, I could ask Hera, but she has gone somewhere, Zeus is a pervert and is out of the question lest I want to sell my body at some stage. I guess I'll go ask Bell once I get back at the manor, he'll figure something out."
"Then we shall take our leave and head straight for the dungeon since we've already eaten. We'll see you later at the manor Astraea-sama. Come on, let's go Alise."
The two then parted from the Goddess and headed to Babel, ready to enter and challenge the dungeon for the first time. They had been briefly told about the goblins and kobolds by their Guild advisor, they were as prepared as they could be.
.
Hours had passed since Bell has last seen the two girls and Astraea. He was now back on the training grounds under the branches of the tree which rustled as a soft breeze passed through. Steadying his breath he swiftly swung the blade with deadly precision and destructive force yet he didn't waste any of his movements. His blade shimmered under the silver moonlight, as the white sphere shone with all it's splendour in the endless night sky.
Bell didn't waste any time, if he wasn't eating, sleeping or helping someone, he would be training. Another swing and Bell felt a difference, another swing and a spark flew. He continued but made little progress, but in his eyes, he saw improvement. He was getting there. A step which many couldn't take even after training for years.
Seeing this brought hope to Bell, with renewed vigour he took another swing, or would have if he didn't see a worried Goddess of justice running towards him. He lowered the blade and looked at Astraea.
"What are you doing here Astraea? It's pretty late."
"Says who? The guy … still training under the moon … after he did so for consecutive hours? … A-Anyways, there is a bigger matter."
Her face immediately grew desperate, startling Bell.
"Did something happen?"
The out of breath Goddess nodded.
"Alise and Kaguya … they haven't returned from the dungeon!"
"What? If they entered the dungeon when I left then four hours have already past and it's even more dangerous at night!"
"I know! Please help them! I can still feel my connection to them, but it's grown faint."
Bell nodded and sheathed the tachi, he didn't waste time and jumped over the tall fence, landing on the roof of a house. He began running towards Babel in a beeline and reached the entrance to the dungeon in just fifteen minutes.
.
A pair of girls were leaning on each other, supporting one another as they trudged across the seventh floor. Their clothes were tattered, they wore no armour and their weapons had lost their edge from the continuous fighting with monsters that the weapon wasn't made for. Cuts and bruises covered their bodies, blood trickled down their arms and head.
Exhausted the two entered a room and slumped their backs against the stone wall of the dungeon. It was cold and they had no supplies and weren't expecting anybody to help them since it was probably night outside, so they simply huddled and trembled together.
"What do we do now Kaguya? Astraea-sama is probably very worried."
"I'm pretty sure that she will be asking others for help since it should be midnight right now. If we're lucky someone will come down and get us out."
The Far Eastern girl then turned around to look at the red haired girl before smacking her with her fan.
"Ow!"
"I told you that we should have stayed on the first floor!"
"I-I'm sorry."
"Then again I didn't expect to be attacked by other adventurers."
"Yeah. Erika had warned us about other adventurers. Who were they anyways?"
"You really didn't listen to Erika when she explained the layout of the first two floors, did you?"
She smiled sheepishly, tilting her head and bonking herself gently with her fist, this caused Kaguya to sigh to herself.
"They were a group of amazons wearing some skimpy outfits, so they were probably from the Ishtar Familia."
"I didn't expect that ugly toad to be an amazon, usually they're all alluring and beautiful."
"Yes, that was a real monster."
Kaguya felt her skin shiver at the thought of the amazon.
"A terrible one, I remember Erika telling us that she was a nasty one and that it took her five years to get to level two."
"What? How can it take five years to-"
A loud growl made them jump as they brought up their weapons. Alise held her sword with both hands whilst Kaguya opted to discard the sword for now and carried a kodachi in each hand. Her Kodachi Futaba were second class weapons which were given to her as a gift when she left her family in the Far East. As such they were in pristine condition and hadn't lost their razor sharp edge in the least.
A black humanoid creature stepped forward. A war shadow must have wandered down from the sixth floor and chanced upon the two injured adventurers. This filled the girls with both fear and hope. If the monster wandered down from the sixth floor it meant that the stairs were close by, but the monster was far too powerful for them, even more so given their condition.
During their time on the seventh floor they had encountered only one monster, a needle rabbit. At first they were offput, but it soon turned into a mistake to underestimate the little bunny and it took all of their strength and the need for the two to work together in order to just take down one needle rabbit. At the end of the fight, the two came out of it alive, successfully killing the little monster but they were both heavily injured. A war shadow should have been weaker but it was still too much for them at this stage.
"Alise, I can distract it while you make a run for it."
"No!"
"Don't be a fool now, Alise or we will both die here."
"There is no way I will leave you here. Remember I'm captain it is my duty."
"Exactly, as captain you must survive."
"You will stop complaining, captain's order. You under-"
A new voice resounded in the hallways of the dungeon, interrupting Alise.
"Alise-san! Kaguya-san!"
"Bell! We're here! We need help!"
The war shadow had been approaching and it stood at less than five meders away from them. Seeing them distracted the monster charged at them, making Alise shriek in panic. Just as it started it's dash it stopped falling to the ground, before anyone could see it, someone had killed it. Behind the war shadow the two saw the rabbit standing over the black corpse. He gave them his trademark bright smile and waved at the two girls, who were ready to face their end.
"Hello, I was looking for you. You had suddenly disappeared which worried Astraea, so I came down look for you."
The two ran to Bell and hugged him tightly, crying their heart out, having avoided their death.
"Don't worry you're safe now. We should head back, it's really late and Astraea is very worried. Besides, it seems like you two could use a rest and are in need of treatment."
The two nodded, Bell then pulled out two vials and handed them to the girls.
"Drink this, it's a potion. It will help with your injuries."
The two took the potion, which started healing their wounds before following Bell back to the surface. Every monster they met was one that they couldn't face and seeing Bell effortlessly cut them apart was honestly a little disappointing to them. It made them realize the gap between them and a high levelled adventurer.
"Umm, why were the two of you on the seventh floor?"
The two jolted at the question and looked down.
"We'll explain everything to you and Astraea-sama once we get back."
Bell looked at Kaguya, noticing her injured leg and the other extensive damage that both her and Alise had. It was already late, the manor was far away and the two were injured, making a quick decision Bell stood in front of Kaguya grabbing her and pulling her on his back giving her a piggyback ride.
"Bell-kun?!"
"Mou, no fair."
But Bell wasn't done,
"sorry Alise."
"What f- kya!"
Bell picked her up bridal style and started running.
.
They arrived at the manor, dropping them off in front of the bathroom. He then handed over a few potions.
"Use these to heal yourself and clean up. Once you do, walk to the end of the hallway and up the stairs, first room to the left is Astraea's room. I will wait there with her. Unfortunately I have no clothes for you and there is no one to borrow from since they're all asleep."
The two nodded, thanking Bell before entering the bathroom. Meanwhile, Bell made his way to the Goddess's room. He knocked on the door and entered hearing her telling him to come inside. He then explained how it went, shocking her when she heard that they were on the seventh floor.
"I don't know why, but I had this feeling telling me to go deeper. So I went down until I found them on the seventh floor. They didn't tell me what happened. Kaguya-san said that explain once we get back."
The knock on the door of the Goddess's room distracted them.
"Come in."
The two girls walked in still wearing their tattered clothes, but all of the wounds had been healed and they had cleaned off all the blood and dirt. They walked in just enough to be in the room and stopped, closing the door behind them. They felt ashamed, looking down, not deigning themselves too look the Goddess in the eyes.
Bell watched them as he sat next to Astraea as she wore a serious and hardened expression. The room was silent, which made the two girls nervous, holding their breath. They feared what she would say and what she would do. The Goddess looked for a while but her expression didn't change remaining firm.
"Come here you two."
Her voice was cold startling the girls as they moved, stopping right before Bell and Astraea.
"Now you two explain what happened. Why did Bell find the two of you on the seventh floor. You shouldn't have even been on the second floor."
"I-It was my fault Astraea-sama. We were on the first floor and were managing well. After an hour I decided to march down to the second floor. Our Guild advisor had taught us the layout for the first two floors, though he cleared us only for the first one. I was excited and grew cocky, underestimating the dungeon. I disregarded your and the advisors' warning to not go deeper and I also ignored Kaguya's constant reminder to turn back. I'm really sorry."
Astraea sighed looking at the dejected girl.
"Then what happened after that? How did you get on the seventh floor?"
"Right, while we were on the second floor, the monsters became more challenging. It was just the right difficulty, but I got lost in time and forgot that it was already night. That's when the problem started. We ran into a group of amazon's we believe to have belonged to the Ishtar Familia."
Astraea had many emotions going through her, but one question.
"Why would they want to capture you?"
Bell raised his hand.
"Actually, about that … it's not the first time that it happens."
The three girls turned to him.
"Ishtar is the Goddess that made and leads the small Pleasure Quarter. I heard from Freya that they capture and kidnap people, to sell them as slaves, turn them into members of the Familia and her business. Whoever catches her eye is a good product in her eye."
The implications were quite obvious to the three girls currently present in the room. Alise then resumed her story.
"We tried to escape so we started running, but instead of going up we were forced to go down. On the third floor we ended up fighting with them, when at a certain point the ground gave out and we fell down to the seventh floor. For two hours we roamed the floor, lucky for us we encountered a single monster. However, that single needle rabbit nearly got the two of us. It took all of our strength to beat it. Then Bell found us and saved us. Seeing Bell sending the heads of hundreds of needle rabbits flying with just a single swing made me realize just how much I underestimated the dungeon and the difference between me and a high levelled adventurer."
"Have you learnt your lesson, Alise-san?"
This time it was Bell asking the question, to which she nodded. He then turned to Astraea, who let go of her cold demeanour, instead deciding to smile softly at the foolish little captain. The Goddess sighed and stepped up to hug the girls, much to their surprise.
"Kami-sama, you're not mad?"
She chuckled gracefully,
"no, Alise. I'm just glad that the two of you are alright. This doesn't mean that I will allow for this to happen again, I'll forgive you just this time. You understand me, miss?"
She nodded and hugged the Goddess back..
"However, Ishtar that sly Goddess. She tr-"
"I wouldn't pick a fight with her yet. Ishtar isn't weak and she is growing rapidly. You might find her repulsive and vulgar but you can't afford to pick a bone with her or she'll crush you and she will take Alise-san and Kaguya-san. You will have to tolerate her for now, though you can always go to Freya and get on her side since her and Ishtar hate each other, they clash on a weekly basis in the eastern side of Orario."
Astraea calmed herself, she was boiling with rage and wanted to smack Ishtar more than anything, but she didn't have the ability to do so. She decided to follow Bell's suggestion and suck it up for now, she'd make her pay the full debt with interest another day. Astraea was a Goddess of justice and so on, but she too could hold grudges and be petty about them.
"I'll go see Freya about this. Anyways, thank you Bell. You, Alise-chan and Kaguya-chan should go and rest for today. Mostly you Bell, you can't afford to waste time right now."
With that the group dispersed and returned to their own rooms to get a much needed rest. Astraea had talked with Hera and had two rooms prepared for both Alise and Kaguya. With her mind at peace Astraea soon fell asleep.
.
It was early morning and the sun had just risen over the wall of Orario when a rabbit was found back on the training ground swinging the sword that was as long as him. The sound of footsteps made Bell turn around to face the approaching person. Long black hair and brown eyes, a cute little smile adorned her face as she looked at Bell. She wore long brown boots, leather armour that covered her chest and stomach. She wore a white skirt and white gloves, with a double edged sword hanging at her hip.
"Morning Atraxia."
"Hey Bell. What's our little rabbit doing out on the training field so early in the morning?"
"Preparing for the Wargame!"
He gave her a smile as he gave his answer.
"Alright. I don't know what kind of training you're doing that is going to work against a level five, but I know that you won't tell me since it needs to be a surprise. Well, since the two of us are going to be fighting together why not spar and head into the dungeon together. Later we can ask the others to spar with us so that we can improve our teamwork."
The bunny nodded happily got ready exchange pointers with her as both got into a fighting stance before dashing at each other and clashing. Not to her surprise, Bell was slightly stronger, faster and far more skilled than she was, putting her at a great disadvantage. Soon his refined swordsmanship knocked her sword out of her hands, signalling the end of the first round.
"Why am I not surprised by this? No matter, again!"
.
The first week passed by quickly, everyday he'd practice with Atraxia, working on both teamwork and Atraxia herself. Whenever he was alone though he'd practice the new technique he got in the Far East, getting closer to mastering as the days passed. Then on a Saturday afternoon it happened.
Bell was training as usual, his swings were stronger and faster. His swordsmanship had further improved thanks to the new style that he was incorporating. That's when it happened, he calmed his mind, taking in a deep breath, steadying his concentration. An upward arc slash and roaring fire covered the blade as it swung, following behind the blade was an arc of blazing fire.
The natural elemental magic that was present in the world had gathered and manifested with the blade's movement. Bell was initially startled but it soon turned to a smile as he felt the rewards of his training finally bearing fruit. The bunny sheathed the weapon and ran to Zeus kicking the doors open and barging into the room. Everyone inside jumped and brought out their weapons only to find Bell, or not as he was immediately Zeus' feet. Already inside were Hera, Astraea, the three captains and vice-captains, Atraxia, Alyssa, Alfia and Zald.
"WOAH! BELL?!"
"The time has come!"
Everyone but Astraea was left confused. The Goddess grabbed a hold of the bunnies' cheeks with an excited smile.
(A/N: No lewd thoughts people, it won't happen for a while.)
"You managed to learn it? Come on Zeus, update his falna and see if there is a new skill!"
"W-Wha? Okay, okay. Sit down Bell."
Bell Cranel
Age: 5
Familia: Zeus
Race: Human
Alias: Snow Hare
Level: 3
Strength: I0 – G230
Endurance: I0 – H199
Dexterity: I0 – F387
Agility: I0 – F314
Magic: I0 – G288
Skill:
Liaris Freese – Fast growth as long as feelings last. The strength of the effects corresponds with the level of the user's feelings. It makes user immune to charms and allows him to overcome the gap of levels by transcending the limit of his falna
Argonaut – A heroic strike, an attack that charges up with time, white and blue sparkles appear when active, the longer it charges the stronger the power. Current charge time: 3 minutes. Concurrent Chanting: Achieved
God's Spirit – Ability to gather the magic in the surroundings and make it manifest along an attack turning it into an elemental attack. It is improved through the mastery of one's body self-control. ?:-
Magic:
Lord Of The Divum – Creates a thunderstorm that forms numerous massive white tornados and gigantic blue lightning strikes within the tornados frying anything that enters them. Enormous range of attack that devastates the land
I call upon the infinite sky
Domain of the King of Gods
Let the wind tear asunder the land
Let the lightnings scorch the sea
Fulgur – Lightning enchant magic. Coats body with lightning and allows manipulation of lightning such as shooting streaks of lightning
Awaken thunder
Developmental Ability:
Luck: G
Swordsman: I - G
To Be Continued~
Alright so ... I'm lazy so I didn't come up with a design for Osiris but who cares.
So I will say in advance that Bell won't level up with the Wargame, but will get a good boost to his status.
I hope you enjoyed the chapter and as usual time for questions:
Does the new skill sound familiar, anyone can guess where it is from?
I have come up with ideas for new stories. One where Bell is a prince and has run away arriving in Orario. The other one puts Bell in a situation where Bell was born before the age of the HEROES not GODS. He is the last of his race, one which was considered the world's strongest race. Are you interested in having these ideas developed? If so which one do you like more? Which Familia should Bell 1 and Bell 2 join?
Can anyone guess what Bell is doing with the greenhouse? What it will become? It's use?
I'm sure there is stuff that I forgot to mention or to ask, but alas, I forget easily so I'll just have to update the chapter or mention or ask in the next chapter.
