The process of sneaking to the Hostess to sleep became a normal part of Bell's life. He and his Familia began to spend more time there as well. After coming back from the dungeon, they'd eat there more often. Bell said they would have to moderate it soon since they still have Hestia and Haruhime when she doesn't go down with them. Today, the guild put up an announcement that Bell found and showed his friends.
Bell: Hey guys, take a look at this.
He showed them a copy of the announcement the guild made.
"A massive bloodsaurus outbreak has occurred in Seolo Forest. The inhabitants near the area have asked for help to deal with it so the guild requests all able adventurers to go. Know that only third class adventurers may take part.
Please see guild staff if you have further questions."
Mikoto: Only third class, so level 3 and below?
Lili: It makes sense to Lili. Once adventurers become second class the guild starts to limit the freedoms they have in terms of leaving the city.
Bell: Yeah, I'm sorry to ask, but could you guys take part?
Haruhime: The loot from those monsters is very valuable to Lord Miach, correct?
Bell: Yeah, I actually talked with him about this earlier. He asked if we could go get some potion materials for him. So, what do you guys say?
Welf: Fine by me, I've got some new weapons I'd like to try out.
Mikoto: Being able to explore outside the dungeon is rare. I have no objections.
Haruhime: Seeing as how Naaza and them make a living of their potions, I'd like to do what I can to support them. They're our friends after all.
They looked to Lili who was thinking about what to do.
Lili: Hmm, if everyone else is fine then I guess we can go. Is the guild at least going to pay us?
Bell: Sure, Miss Eina told me that you'll be paid for the trouble. She just said that this was mostly population control and that we shouldn't wipe them all out.
Lili: An easy place to collect potion materials. Still, what could have happened to cause this?
Welf: Who knows? So, when does this start?
Bell: Um, about 2 days from today. It's going to take a day to get there by carriage so we can file this and you guys should leave tomorrow.
Mikoto: Then I believe that settles that.
They all nodded and put their names in as Lili went to hand it to Eina.
Eina: I'll get these processed quickly.
Bell: Thanks a lot, Miss Eina.
She gave him a smile before leaving and Bell did the same with his Familia.
Bell: Guess you guys should get ready?
Lili: With the amount if rewards we'll get, we probably should considering we head out tomorrow.
They ended up spending much of the day jumping from store to store so they could stock up on supplies for their travels. Enough food for several days, bags to carry drops, equipment for Welf to maintain their weapons and changes of clothes. A quick trip to the dungeon and they returned home to inform Hestia.
Bell: We're back!!
The small goddess was in the living room slumped on the couch after a long day.
Hestia: Hey, everyone!
Lili: You look beat.
Hestia: Just a long day, what about you guys?
Welf: Probably best if we tell you during dinner.
Mikoto: There's been an important development.
Hestia: Okay.
They got themselves cleaned up, though Mikoto had trouble dragging herself out of the bath yet again so Haruhime had to do it.
Mikoto: Please, just five more minutes!!
Haruhime: You said that twice already!! We need to get dressed and tell Lady Hestia about out quest, now come on!!
After dragging the tearful samurai out, Haruhime began making dinner when Bell offered a hand.
Bell: I'll give you a hand this time.
Haruhime: T-Thank you.
She blushed and had a smile on her face as the two went into the kitchen. Lili and Hestia grumbled to themselves before Welf rolled his eyes.
Welf: (These two...)
He decided to bring up the quest once the food arrived. Mikoto finally came down after getting dressed and they could finally get down to business.
Hestia: So, what is it you wanted to tell me?
Welf: So, the guild put out a quest to stop an outbreak of monsters in a forest outside of Orario.
Bell: The thing with the monsters is that the drops the have are valuable for potion making. I actually talked with Lord Miach about it earlier today and he asked if our Familia could take part for him.
Hestia: I'm sure you guys said yes.
Lili: We did, but everyone but Master Bell could go. The guild has strict regulations with first and second class adventurers leaving the city.
Welf: Plus, it's monsters on the surface and we can definitely handle them even if they're originally from low floors.
Hestia: So, only the rest of you can go?
Lili: Yes...
Lili was grumbling at Hestia's mood brightening. Both knew that the other wouldn't be in the way with Bell. That meant that Hestia had the rabbit all to herself while the rest of them were going to be gone for several days. The goddess began fantasizing about all the special moment she and Bell would have, but those were interrupted when their doorbell rang.
ding* *dong*
Welf: I'll get it.
A few minutes passed before a slightly blushing Welf returned with an equally red Hephaestus.
Hestia: Hephaestus?
Welf: S-She wanted to talk with you about something.
Hephaestus: I can wait if now is a bad time.
Hestia: Oh no, we're just about finished eating, just need to clean up the table.
Bell: I can handle that, you can go find out what she wants.
Hestia: Thank you, Bell.
The boy got to work along with the others and went to clean up the dining area while Hestia took her friend to her room.
Hestia: So, what's up?
Hephaestus: I'm really sorry to ask you this, especially now of all times, but a huge chunk of our staff ended up catching the flu, so now we're severely short handed. I've been going around to each one who is still fit to work and asked if they would be willing to work overtime for the next few days.
Hestia: Oh, and that includes me.
Hephaestus: Yes, I'm so sorry to ask you, but would you be able to do that for the next few days? I'll be willing to take of a good chunk of your debt to me if you go along with this.
Hestia that hard about this. If she did agree, she would lose almost all the time she had with Bell now, but this was a request from her friend. Not only that, but it was a chance to improve their financial situation by removing part of her debt to the Goddess. It was a hard battle, but ultimately she decided to help her friend.
Hestia: Ok, fine. I'll do it, but as long as you cut 30 million valid from the debt.
Asking for a quarter seemed in poor taste to her, so that seemed like a fair trade for the golden opportunity she was giving up. Hephaestus looked and her friend and gave a bright smile to her.
Hephaestus: Thank you so much, Hestia!!
Hestia: *Sigh* It's fine, we're friends after all.
The had a hug before the redhead left, but not before giving her goodbye to Welf who got a goofy smile on his face. Everyone went to sleep and got ready for their big trip the next day. Of course, a certain rabbit had once more waited for everyone to be asleep before exiting his room from the window and making his way to a pub that had recently closed for the night. He wore his usual black shirt and brown coat thought the night wasn't that cold. He opened the doors to the bar where a dwarf had been leaning against the bar with a smirk.
Mia: Heh, right on schedule.
Bell: Pardon the intrusion.
He bowed before the dwarf just shoved him towards the back.
Mia: Yeah yeah, just let them know you're hear. Those two idiots can hardly work properly knowing your problem. If doing this helps keep the money rolling in, then I got no complaints. Besides, you aren't the type to try anything on them so I got nothing to worry about.
Bell: Thank you again, and I'm sorry for the trouble.
He left a small bag of valis for the rent which Mia happily took as Bell made his way to where Ryuu and Syr were finishing up. The two's faces brightened when they saw him.
Syr: Bell, you're here!!
Ryuu: H-Hello, Bell.
Bell: H-Hi, guys.
They made their way to Ryuu's room once more where Bell talked about the recent plans of his Familia. Syr and Ryuu grew excited knowing they had more time with their rabbit in the future.
Syr: I'm glad we won't have to worry about them too much for the next few days.
Bell: I'm still worried about them, but we've fought side by side long enough for me to know that they'll be fine.
Syr: Yeah, now we'll have more time to cuddle at night!!
Bell's face exploded in red when she said that.
Bell: D-Don't say it like that!!
Syr: Aw, but don't you enjoy sleeping with two beautiful girls?
Bell: I-I-I, uh...
His brain was having trouble processing while Ryuu tried to help him.
Ryuu: Syr, stop teasing him. We should be getting to sleep.
Syr: Sure, don't hug him too hard. It'd be a shame if you found yourself in the same position as last time.
The elf's face soon joined the rabbit when she remembered how the two woke up in each other's arms. Naturally, she wasn't thinking as soon as she woke up, so she ended up punching him in the face too hard, knocking him out. She then spent a good portion of the morning apologizing for that while he apologized for what he did while they fell asleep. They would have gone back and forth forever if it weren't for Mia reminding Bell about sneaking back to his home. Back in the present, the three laid in the bed once more, somehow not feeling entirely cramped. Ever since Bell decided to start spending the night there, Ryuu and Syr managed to purchase a bigger bed in parts before using their breaks to build it in secret. Mia and the others found out about it, but it never really bothered them. Chloe especially didn't try anything with how Ryuu was guarding the rabbit. The three just had light conversations a while the night was young.
Syr: What are your plans for the next few days? You know, now that your friends are all going to be busy?
He thought about this and wondered the same thing. He doubted Eina would let him go far in the dungeon by himself, especially after what happened to him. One thing he will do is pay the Xenos a visit. Wiene would be happy for a surprise visit from him, but what about the rest of those days? An idea came to his mind before a small blush appeared on his cheeks.
Bell: M-Maybe I could do something to thank you two. You were able to help me with my nightmares and I've been troubling you by coming over to spend the night.
Ryuu: That's nonsense!
Syr: Ryuu is right, this is no trouble at all. If you need help, all you all have to do is ask and we would be there to help you right away.
Ryuu: Yes, so please, let us keep helping you.
Bell felt touched that they cared this much for him.
Bell: Thank you, but I still want to repay you in some way.
He thought about what to do before Syr had an idea. A playful smile appeared on her face.
Syr: How about a date?
Bell: Huh?!
His blush returned once more when she said that. Ryuu had followed quickly after him.
Syr: If you want to thank us that much, why don't you take us out.
Ryuu: S-Syr, you can't just-
Syr: Huh?! You don't want to spent time alone with him?
The elf's face got redder as she pictured a peaceful day alone with Bell. A smile came on her face as her imagination went wild. Bell also thought about it and he liked that idea.
Bell: I-If that's fine with you two, I'd be glad to.
Syr squealed happily as her plan made great progress.
Syr: (YES!!!)
Bell: If I'm going with only one of you, who's going tomorrow?
Syr: Don't worry yourself with that, I'll let Ryuu have that day.
The elf turned to her friend with wide eyes.
Ryuu: Really?!
Syr: Yeah, it's fine by me. I can have the day after with him.
Her face was still red, but Ryuu had a bright smile of her face as she thanked her.
Ryuu: Thank you, Syr.
Syr: Hehe, don't mention it.
With their plans for the week set, the three drifted off to sleep, mostly dreaming of what to do during their time together. The rabbit certainly enjoyed his now peaceful dreams. What Bell didn't realize, was that his mind and heart began to drift away from a certain blonde princess in favor of a golden fairy.
AN: And that's the next one down. Sorry, this took a while, I've had my hands full recently. There's more fun to be expected in the future.
Thanks again for reading and Ihopeyou enjoyed. Leave your thoughts in the comments and I'll see you in the next one.