Ave Princeps, Fili Rhomée!

by F-14 Tomcat Lover

Well... Bell has a bigger history than one thinks about. Especially when his estranged uncle turns back up. Someone that Zeus was surprised to see. Especially after he banished him long before and thought him dead. Surprisingly... He's moved up in the world. And this time... For the better. All Hail Rhome! And her great Emperor!

5. Does the Story Begin Now?

Ave Princeps, Fili Rhomée!

Chapter Four

Does the Story Begin Now?

XXXX

The rising dust and smoke followed by the calliope of broken masonry echoed the end of the building that collapsed in on itself.

An Auxiliary armed with only a shovel swung it around and buried its edge into the head of a Savage.

The woman managed to kick the dead Monster in Human form away. She spat blood from how hard she had been hit in the head. Her vision was still swimming as an explosion of masonry signaled another building being destroyed.

The Savages continued to push forward. They would not stop. No matter how little was left in this ruined city. The Auxiliary didn't even know which city she was in now.

What she did know was that she wasn't going to escape.

Fear began to grasp at her heart. As the forms of more Savages began to appear through the dust and smoke. She could hear them chuckling, knowing what she is and that she is now too weak to escape them. That fear had gripped her heart and was squeezing it painfully.

But then there was a flash of light.

A Savage's head was parted from his shoulders.

Then another was killed the same way.

The third must have heard something as he turned to see two of his kind dead.

Not that it mattered as the light flashed again and again.

The Savages were thrown into confusion. They spun to meet attackers only to be struck from behind.

No matter which way they turned. There was a new threat behind them. Flashes of light, the choked sunlight flashing off blades, signaled the death of Savages.

Their chuckling had turned into confused and then angry cries. Challenges went unmet. Only death spoke its silent epitaph.

Then, just as the last Savage fell, a Ballista bolt tore through the air, parting the dust and smoke.

The Rhoman Royal Guard stood at attention, ranks formed before the order was given to assume battle formation.

Throughout the seemingly dead city, the Northern Rhoman Army rallied the surviving defenders to pull back and to let them take over.

They had bled enough.

So said the Emperor of Rhome from atop his horse. His banner flying high above him as his personal guard rode with him to observe and direct the forces of Northern Rhome. His appearance all but promising victory.

"You there, Auxiliary," Emperor Cael called down to the woman, "The rear is that way," he told her, "Get yourself to a field hospital and take a rest. You've earned it."

The Auxiliary tried to stand, but couldn't. Her head kept swimming. The world was fading in and out. Blackness replaced the color until it all finally stabilized and then…

Her eyes fluttered open.

Slowly at first, wincing at the light stabbing into them. Then once accustomed to the light once more, she opened her eyes fully.

Then she saw the remains of the Customs House near the river port right next to the River Alm Forum.

In fact, she was in the River Alm Forum. It had been redeveloped, temporarily, as a field hospital. She was currently in a bed settled into the third row from the top.

"Here," someone spoke to her from below and she looked down to see one of the doctors from the medical unit attached to her Division.

And in his hand was some water for her.

Just as she was about to reach out, another doctor, one she didn't know and didn't look as worn out and exhausted as the one she knew, pushed the man's hand back to him.

"Now now," he chastised his fellow doctor, "You need that particular drink. It is specially brewed tea to help you and not water."

The man did have a smile, "Glad to see you're feeling better anyways."

"Thank you," the laid out doctor showed his gratitude before having a coughing fit.

"You worked yourself to the bone," the new doctor sighed as he helped to get the man into a comfortable position and once that was done, turned to the Auxiliary and actually handed her some water, "This water has been filtered with some apples, so you should only taste a slightly crisp taste of fruit."

The woman was surprised, but took the offered cup, though the doctor did not let go. An aide was tending to the other doctor down below, leaving the new doctor to check up on the Auxiliary.

Such as helping her drink the apple flavored water, which she found refreshing.

She hadn't had fresh fruit in quite some time. So this fresh taste was more than welcomed.

"Your head was hurt pretty bad," the doctor explained as he helped her drink, "The Emperor himself was present when you collapsed. He had one of his guards carry you back to us."

The Emperor? Guards? Collapsed?

Then it clicked.

"The… battle…" she choked on her own words and the doctor reached over and rubbed her back as she got her coughing under control.

"The Emperor won it two days ago," the new doctor explained with a smile, "The Savages were treated to a Death Toll. The Emperor won the battle shortly after you brought to us for care that same day," the doctor still took in a deep breath before releasing it, "It was still pretty close, but the Emperor was able to outmaneuver and destroy the enemy regardless."

Immediate and profound relief hit the Auxiliary and she all but collapsed once more into her bed.

The doctor only smiled as she cried tears of joy the battle was finally over.

And then…

The laughter of children wafted through the air and many of the wounded and sick defenders turned to it to see a ball fly in, but get intercepted by a guard.

Several children rushed in after it.

Their appearances showed they had been having a hard life. Their clothes were torn and somewhat ragged. Those who had color in their clothes, wore them heavily faded.

By appearance, they looked like they had been starved, but were mending well with fresh food and drink. They were also extremely pale. Like they hadn't seen the Sun for some time.

"Children, remember," the guard admonished, though, he had a smile as he kicked the ball back to them, "Off with you now," he sent them away and they left with some laughter.

"Children?" another Auxiliary who had just awakened to the children's laughter blinked.

"Yes, children," the portly form of General Strom walked in, smiling proudly, though he had long since gained quite the diagonal scar on his face, "Thanks to you all, your boundless determination and steadfast determination ensured the remaining citizens of Arcadia survived the long battle."

The Auxiliaries all blinked. Some had their jaws hanging. Others stared in disbelief.

"Civilians?" Another female Auxiliary could not believe what she heard, "We thought the city was dead and deserted?!"

General Strom smiled as he nodded to the point, "As did most, but you were dispatched when we learned otherwise," the general nodded as he remembered how hurriedly they had dispatched no less than six separate Auxiliaries formed into two Divisions, to defend Arcadia, "We weren't able to inform you at the time, but we needed you here regardless, but with knowledge of people trapped here, we knew that you had to hurry."

There was silence as Strom looked at all them, sadly and yet very proud.

"You saved them," Strom said silently, just before more children's laughter wafted in, "You saved not only Arcadia and her people, but also reinforced our flank long enough to mount a successful counteroffensive."

There was still silence, but then the songs of women singing began to thread their way through the air. Filling the field hospital with their joyous melodies, the women's songs brought surprising relief to every last one of the occupants.

Their friends had not died in vain. Not died for a dead city.

Strom smiled as he closed his eyes and listened to those melodies.

"The war still is undecided, but for now," the man opened with his eyes with a wide smile, "For now, we hold the line well and for once, can rest and begin resupply for various units, such as your own."

The songs and laughter were the reward for the defenders.

Defenders so very, very tired and yet so very, very victorious.

While Emperor Cael observed the ruined city, eating an apple, from one of the remaining curtain wall's great guard towers as he thought over the details of the last few days and how narrowly close the city had come to falling.

"Hmph," Cael made the sound before taking another bite and savoring having the moment to enjoy his apple in peace before he looked down the floor below him to one of his aides who thought it a bad idea for him to be in still battered tower, "Looks like the infrastructure is still largely intact or repairable. Surprisingly. Arcadia is battered, but she'll be rebuilt in the years to come."

"Yes sir," the aide agreed, as he had noticed the signs of intact infrastructure, "But can you please come down sir? We're not sure if that landing can still hold your weight or anyone's weight for that matter."

Cael shrugged. He was actually enjoying the wind that was gently blowing through. But his aide was right and he also still had work to do. Still, though, he would be down once he finished his apple.

He had enough experience to figure that the landing he was propping himself up on was still firm enough to hold out.

A brick fell away and nearly hit his aide. The man had dodged to the side, even though it was going to miss him regardless. Then the man reappeared to look up at his Emperor Cael, annoyed.

"Go figure," Cael sighed, though he had little choice.

He had to finish his apple to use both hands to climb down unless he wanted to drop down!

XXXX

That night, at the Hostess of Fertility, the most popular tavern on Main Street and arguably in the entire Dungeon City of Orario, a most curious sight appeared.

A family of four had walked in.

For the waitress at the door, Syr Flova, it was a new sight to see.

Though she had specifically asked for this spot for the time being. Because she was hoping to see the young adventurer from the morning, Bell Cranel.

And thus, he is here… Though not alone.

"Ah, hello, Miss Flova," it was Bell alright, looking nervous and shy, like a bunny unsure about the hand with the carrot.

And she wasn't the only one to notice.

The men behind her scoffed a little at the small rabbit, but mildly so and kept their voices down. They rightly suspected the blonde woman next to the bunny boy was his mother and his sisters were next to him. There were just some lines an Adventurer did not cross.

The women were less subdued and a few even found themselves swooning a bit. Bell just looked like the kind of bunny they would sleep with at night as little girls. All cuddly and cute!

Except for one woman who noticed that the boy shared an older appearance to a boy in some paintings. And that given who she had seen with him, she had her suspicions on his parentage.

Since the boy was white haired and red eyed instead of blonde hair and red eyed.

"Ah, Bell, I'm just surprised," Syr wasn't the only one, given the tavern's reputation and all.

Bell laughed a little weakly, feeling somewhat embarrassed, "Sorry for not sending word ahead, but this is my mother, Aria, and my sisters Ellen and Joan.

People were surprised and yet there was some laughter as the boy sounded like he was trying to get Syr to be his girlfriend. Even Chloe and Anya snickered from their own places. Well, until Lyuu smacked them with her tray on the back side and both girls were suddenly the central attraction as they bounced up and down trying to rub the pain out.

Much to the rambunctious laughter filling the tavern.

Blinking back her surprise, Syr smiled warmly and welcoming, while also thinking of a way to thank Lyuu later.

While she was caught off guard, Bell had a beautiful mother and cute sisters. She could also tell they were just as weighed down as Bell. The younger sister, Joan if she had to guess, was trying her best to hide behind her mother and sister. The elder sister Ellen was looking at Syr with a look that Syr knew the girl to be measuring her for some reason.

But the mother just smiled and greeted Syr and Syr responded back.

"I'm afraid we don't have a table for four right now," Syr gestured towards the main counter where the owner Mia Grand was working, "But Mama Mia is probably the safest place to be around here when the Adventurers get-" the double cry of Anya and Chloe tripping and falling only made the laughter inside louder, "Well…" she could only tap her knuckles to her head with an eye close and the tip of her tongue slightly out.

It was a good gesture for the men. Not so much for the three females in front of her. But Aria still found it cute and adorable while her daughters filed the unusual look away for later.

"I believe the counter will be good," Aria responded gracefully with a light laugh, "Though I must say the atmosphere is something I have not seen in some time," Aria looked around and nodded, "I'd say Lower Aesir, correct?"

Syr blinked in surprise, before she voiced it, "Wow!" she was actually impressed, "I'm surprised you figured it out after just looking around for a few moments. Most people don't realize the design."

"You mean the design of the Valkyrie, right?" Aria's words caused Syr to go rigid at hearing that before Aria assured the waitress, "My family did business with an Aesir County and I learned of the Taverns of Waelcyrge."

A weak smile and chuckle followed from Syr showed she was right.

But Aria left it at that with, "But, everyone needs a new start in life," she saw Lyuu helping with a table, but the other three waitresses and the owner were on alert and she could just make out a few staff in the back as well were listening in, "Especially after what life has thrown at them."

Her soft, yet honest words let them know that their life would not be troubled by her. She had no business to do so as well. They had chosen to be here and to live here.

Though Aria suspected that they didn't know just who paid the actual bills of the place.

And that they had been gathered for another reason.

With that out of the way, Syr's smile returned and she showed the four to the counter.

Directly under a painting that Lyuu kept Chloe from being loud about.

Syr realized her mistake a little too late. Giving a nervous look at Mia who gave her an annoyed look. But then the older woman just shook her head as there really wasn't any place else for them right. Especially not with them as pack as they were and getting more packed.

And that's not saying she would actually allow the family to sit closer to some of her more idiotic customers.

"So," the big woman sounded a bit less than an octave under thunder right now and had a big, warm smile that was honestly a bit surprising from a woman of her stature, "What can I get ya?"

Then her eyes gleamed and Bell chuckled nervously while his mother had a laugh at her son's expense. In both regards to the word.

Before anything else could be said, there was a thunk.

A heavy one of a glass bottle. A number of eyes turned to the source to see it was Joan and she had grabbed an expensive bottle of spirits from its rack. Two of them actually, the other being wine.

But the girl then turned and twisted the pair until their labels were clearly seen.

"Huh," Bell blinked at what Joan had spotted and brought out, "From the color and bottle markings, that's Old Man Flynn's work," Bell indicated the the spirits and then the wine, he took in hand, surprised to ever see it again as he turned it ever so slightly, "This is one of the last bottles I ever checked before the village was attacked."

Bell's thumb slid over his personal mark to show it was accounted for. His grandfather's mark was right next to it. Promising that it was good and passed the village's rigid standards right next to Daein's mark.

"This number," Bell checked as he smiled at the bottle, "This was in the last crate that Daein ever confirmed. Some of our best Dromore had ever produced."

"Oh?" Mia leaned down to see him eying the marks on it, "So ya know those marks?"

"Daein's mark to confirm the quality and taste," Bell smiled sadly, Daein had not survived the attack, "My grandfather's mark to confirm its passage," Bell felt his heart clench as he thought about his grandfather, "And finally," he ran his thumb over his own mark, "My mark to confirm its count and crate."

Bell let out a shuddering breath as he held the bottle before gently putting it back on the counter.

It took a few moments to regain his ability to talk without his voice cracking.

"Daein was killed about three months after this wine and its crate left the village," Bell still remembered Daein going down, the old fighter had gone from battlefields to winemaking and he was extremely good at it, "About four or five months after this batch was made and ready to leave when the traders came by to pick the crates up."

"How did he die?" Syr asked, quietly and softly, understanding Bell's pain at the loss.

With a deep breath that he held for a moment before releasing, "Savages attacked our village. If father and his forces hadn't been so near, none of us would have survived. The defenses had literally been pushed right up to the shelters and boys, barely older than I was, stood ready with their hunting spears and bows to fight just behind the men of the village."

Bell could remember that day with clarity.

"Then father came out of the smoke of a nearby fire, atop his horse, weapon ready," Bell smiled softly as he remembered that moment, "The rest of his soldiers followed behind and caught between the men of the village and the soldiers of Rhome, it was a desperate fight," Bell looked at the bottle, "For the Savages."

"'The Emperor protects,'" Ellen recites the oft used phrase of the Rhoman Emperors, "'In the name of the Great Father of Thunder and Lightning, the Emperor shall be His instrument to fall upon and smite the foes of the people of Rhome. To safeguard the realms, make safe the borders, and bring peace and prosperity. For such is the high honor of the station, such is the demand of the State that only in Death Does Duty End. So say we all.'"

"So say we all," her mother and brother repeated as Joan nodded in time.

"So say we all," other present Rhomans declared as well as making the traditional emblem, the Four Points of the Stars, in the aftermath.

Those that heard the three were rather dumbfounded. But there had also been present a number of Rhomans and Gael. As had the former, upon hearing the recital, joined immediately and ended with their signature prayer emblem, the latter spoke up as well and gave praise to Arawn, their Lord, and to his Creator, Watos.

"Lord Arawn, arisen from the Thirteen of Twelve, made a God of Equal to His Creator, the Lord Watos, High God of Gael, we give our thanks to his noble spirit and boundless love of life. He who rebelled in the name of Life of the Mortal Realm. He who challenged the White Shades, his wings as black as night. He cast away the darkness and with Watos' light, heralds forth what is true and right. We give our thanks, as ever, evermore."

The other Adventurers present were startled by what was essentially a prayer.

Most didn't even know what a true prayer was. The men and women of Gael and Rhome did. For they still prayed and their prayers, to the surprise of those looking in and witnessing, did get answered.

"The famous prayers of Gael and Rhome," Mia admitted to being impressed by the words, "No one really does that anymore. But here, we have some who still believe."

"A little prayer never hurts," Aria simply answered as it truly never did hurt.

"Hmm…" Syr looked thoughtful at hearing a true prayer in…

Shaking her head and putting her smile back on, "So what will it be? After that, you got to have something to eat, right?" she giggled, looking positively aglow in joy.

It didn't take long for the family of four to order. Mia, feeling generous, even threw the two bottles in, saying they could pay her back by coming by frequently and spreading the word of her tavern. It was a fair trade in her opinion.

But secretly, she still owed both the brothers from so long ago.

So, a drink or two on the house, while not squaring, was better than nothing.

The family of four were soon waiting for their food. Allowing them the moment to relax and rest. Bell pretty much goes over his most recent encounter with a Lower Level Monster with his mother, though, pointing out that he had been with Riveria and therefore had been far safer than he had been previously.

Aria quieted her daughter down before Ellen could mention about Riveria giving Bell a Panty View.

Which she would need to talk to her daughters about. Especially in how Ellen had seen the act. But that would be for later.

They hadn't eaten out as a family in some time. Close to a year really, now that she thinks about it. Mostly they had dined together in their home. Surrounded by guards and great cooks and servers.

Well, if the taste was anything like the smell, it might be similar enough.

XXXX

Walking down the street, Riveria herself was lost in thought, though not on the road, even if she felt an unusual chill for some reason.

She was thinking of Bell Cranel and their… Very sudden advancement in their relationship. One they were both agreeing should go no further and be just acquaintances and nothing more. No matter how much it hurts.

When she had first seen Bell Cranel, she was dismissive of the boy. He looked young like so many who come to Orario for the sake of fame and glory, wealth and riches. Only to discover their end in a typically bloody and horrific way.

He was clearly a kind boy with an earnest and honest attitude.

The boy had been turned away at their gates by Anakitty Autumn who had later reported her actions. Though she said she suspected the boy might be capable of making Second Rank Adventurer, she didn't think much more of him beyond that and that he was likely incompatible with their Familia.

There was a reason that Aki was considered to be Raul's second. She had good judgment on these things. And from what both the black cat and Riveria had observed, she was right.

Indeed, the boy looked like too much of a baby rabbit. One that some girl somewhere would keep as a pet. He was not really Adventurer material.

Then Riveria saw him outside the walls some time later. He was clearly Blessed by that point. Her senses told her that they had made a mistake and she had borne witness to that truth.

For when Bell Cranel put his helmet on and drew his sword, he seemed to become a different person.

Those bandits that had been terrorizing that particular route quickly found out the hard way. One even harder than the others. That bandit lost an eye and two fingers.

And the way he commanded the small mixed group of Gael and Rhomans, had led her to believe he was not some mere child.

The boy definitely had the touch of Gael in him. But the way he swept his sword, he was Rhoman as well.

So, she investigated. Quietly. Especially after he vanished for a short period. His Goddess was not at all concerned in the least.

On the outside and before others.

Riveria had picked up on it quickly. Years of putting up with Loki had taught her quite a bit after all. Now that she could feel it. The tension during the time the boy had been gone.

And the relief when he returned with his soldiers from a campaign to defeat the Warsa Kingdom.

It hadn't taken very long thereafter. To learn that the young rabbit was really a prince. The Prince of Rhome. The adoptive son of the Emperor and his wife and yet also the pair's nephew and brother and cousin to the two younger Rhoman Princesses.

And the Grandson of Zeus himself, marking the boy the Last Heir of the Zeus Familia.

Oh how she and Aki had botched that call.

Just thinking about it made her reach up and pinch the bridge of her nose.

"Eh?" her action had not gone unnoticed, "Something wrong, Riveria?'

Tiona Hiryute was actually a lot like Bell Cranel in temperament and energy. The two probably would make for fast friends when they eventually met. Especially when it came to stories about heroes. The two shared a love about heroes that was most certainly childlike and that kind of innocence was quite refreshing to be honest.

Still, the Amazon asked a question.

"Just thinking about how much trouble Bete-"

"What was that?" the werewolf in question growled.

"-will cause once he's drunk," Riveria dutifully ignored the werewolf until he growled about her comment and so, she smacked him with her staff just to remind him who he was growling at.

"Gack! Riveria!" The gray werewolf immediately backed away and brought his hands up to shield himself from another whack if it came, completely ignoring the fact he was a Level 5 compared to Riveria who is a Level 6.

Something she proved by tripping him up faster than he could blink.

It was only Garath that kept the young man from hitting the ground. The Dwarf catching the Werewolf one handed before he hit the ground and spinning him to put him back on his feet next to Finn Denim, their Captain of the Loki Familia.

Though, the Dwarf snorted, knowing there was more to it than Bete's usual drinking issues.

He knew Riveria long enough. Long enough to know she had something on her mind. And she wouldn't be discussing. Perhaps not yet, but there was a possibility she wouldn't either.

"Is that all?" Tione Hiryute giggled, "Then you should wait to have your headache, Riveria. Doing so would let you enjoy the meal we're going to be having."

"Very true," Riveria admitted, but because she knew she was going to have a headache either way tonight and she decided to push Bell to the back of her mind.

Besides, she got a bit of quiet amusement knowing how wrong Bete is. That there was quiet strength in others. Not as loud or obvious as others, but simple, quiet, and very unassuming.

Despite herself, she remembered Bell Cranel's strength and speed. They were both well above average for a Third Class Adventurer. Even before his recent boost in power thanks to his Falna. Even his stamina and endurance were above the norm as well. Along with his luck, if she had to guess, given where she last met him.

She knew personally that speed and strength. She was so much taller than the boy and yet…

"I wonder?" she muttered aloud as her thoughts centered on the boy a bit more before shaking her head, "Later," she decided and no one questioned her, even Bete who could feel the back of Finn's fist against his stomach and enough pressure to tell him to 'Drop it.'

Which he did.

The Twins just shrugged to one another.

"Um," Lefiya Veridis suddenly stepped up next to her mentor and teacher, "I'm just curious about something I heard," the older Elf turned to the younger Elf, "May I ask?"

"First I need to know what you heard, Lefiya?"

"It was about a Monster that attacked you earlier," Lefiya swallowed, "Um, it, well… You see-"

"It was Mate Hunting and decided on me," Riveria supplied bluntly, "Fortunately, I was with a clever enough Human who managed to blind it and actually carry me until I could complete a chant."

Riveria was proud, not arrogant.

"Oh!" the Wishe Forest Elf blushed in embarrassment, "I know that, but well…"

"The boy did see more than Ais will ever let Bete hope to see," she decided to tease the Werewolf a little even as her adoptive daughter actually snorted, given how she was currently dressed.

"HEY!" the ire was up, "You damn hag!"

"She's got a point," Tione added in, causing a growl.

"Ye-yuppers!" Tiona agreed as energetically as always.

"Why you!" Bete was about to walk over to them, but Finn stopped him.

"Okay Bete, simmer down," he added enough strength to send the message and the wolf man backed down.

"Um," Lefiya looked embarrassed, but then took a deep breath before speaking again, "I was just wondering how true that was and that, uh yeah, um, the Monster you killed was being tracked by Ottarl after it… escaped… him?"

Riveria allowed a bit of mirth to show on her face as she spoke, "Yes," Garath and Finn shared a look and chuckle, "He was hunting it, the last one of a larger group and a leader at that, but it was I who killed it, though, that was only because it attacked me first and therefore, I had claim immediately thereafter."

There was some general mirth among the Loki Familia members and their Goddess.

Riveria - 1

Ottar - 0

The scorecard appearing in their minds which left them enjoying the mental image of an annoyed Ottar and scowling Goddess of Beauty.

"Welp!" Loki shouted abruptly, "Tat jus' means 'nuter reason to pah-TAY!"

Her Familia gave a cheer at that.

XXXX

Bell was enjoying the time with his mother and sisters as well as the atmosphere of the tavern.

Though the costs had left him somewhat floored. He thankfully had enough to cover all four of them. These costs were extremely expensive.

And he couldn't help, but wonder if they were meant to discourage or encourage low ranking Adventurers?

Well, at least Miss Syr was pleasant.

Both Bell and Syr spoke as often as the young woman could. She appeared to be only so much older than Bell. Probably close to his Advisor, Eina Tulle, in age. Which, if Bell remembered right, she was 19 years old and he had learned from her pink haired coworker who did nothing to stop from gossiping with some brunette mage in blue.

"I really enjoy this work," Syr giggled to Bell as he took a moment to digest his food, and from cleaning Ellen's face while Joan found their mother doing the same for her.

Syr giggled again at the sight. Both girls were trying to keep their brother and mother at bay. The food was obviously so good, the pair couldn't help themselves. Though they were getting a lighter version of the normal meals.

Adventurers could be hungry and burned through energy in a hurry. The food for places like the Hostess of Fertility were specially prepared for Adventurers to meet the demand of how much they actually needed to eat. Bell was already into his third bowl while his mother and sisters were both just finishing their first bowls.

As such, the Lighter Meals were for ordinary people. That way, the Tavern could maintain business without Adventurers. It was just uncommon at this hour to get very many regular people. Especially a family of four of which only one was an Adventurer.

"You do, Miss Syr?" Bell looking a bit confused, but also lending an ear to hear the young girl speak about her work and how she enjoyed it.

"Yep," the girl slides into the seat next to Bell, though, she does shoot her employer a look and the older woman only gives a slightly annoyed look, but a jerk of her chin is enough to say, 'This one time.'

"Should you be taking a break?" Bell inquiries as the waitress undoes her hairband and let's her bluish-gray hair loose.

"We are busy," Syr admits as she is quickly undoes and removes her apron but smiles, "But the Kitchen Staff is already all caught up and the others are handling things well," the loud cry of an Adventurer who may have had a little too much to drink garners laughter as the woman seems to sober up in a hurry and begins to apologize to the Elfess profusely and in the end, orders more food, "Of course there is that on occasion," both Bell and Syr actually have a good nature laugh as Taverns and Drunks are as inseparable as Fire and Light.

"It must be difficult for a young woman who is not Blessed," Aria mentions as she indicates to the other employees, "You are the slowest among them and carry the least. That said, you do your work diligently and with alacrity that is both commendable and indicative of a someone who enjoys her work. Do you enjoy working here that much, to push yourself towards exhaustion?"

"But yes," Syr smiles as she looks around, "I love working here," indicating her employer who dropped a hug mug of ale down in front of Aria who blinked and looked up at the Dwarfess in front of them who only had a wide smile.

"Mama Mia strictly hires only girls and women, as I believe we told you earlier, Bell," Syr put a finger to her lips as though trying to remember and likely was, "Of course, some have questionable backgrounds, but she accepts them nonetheless to give them a new lease on life."

'Explains a certain Elfess being here,' Bell thought immediately, as said Elfess decided to pass them to get some items and was terrible at hiding her eavesdropping in the process, but openly said, "Explains this morning with the punk she was dealing with. Was that ever cleared up?"

"Oh yes it was," Syr confirmed even as the three other females with Bell shot them and the big Dwarfess some looks, "The Ganesha hauled him and his gang off to jail. They won't be shaking down anyone anytime soon. Mighty foolish of them to try and run that kind of criminal racket just down the street from the Guild and in an area full of retired Adventurers."

Bell gulped as did his sisters while their mother only nodded. Retired Adventurers were dangerous Adventurers. At least to normal criminals as the sound of the story went. Likely hassled some of the staff and the priopriotess went out and had taught them their manners.

"Still," Syr smiled brightly as she waved towards everyone gathered, "Lots of different people gather and with more people and the more different they are, the more the stories are told and I love just listening to those stories," Syr giggled a little, "Especially little escapades like a boy who ran covered from head to toe in Monster blood yelling about wanting information on someone to his panicked advisor."

That last bit makes the three Cranel females stop in the middle of their meals. Slowly they begin to turn and look at the male in their family. One by one by one. Each one disbelieving what they just heard.

"GRA-ERK!?" Bell makes a sound that draws the attention of his mother and sisters even more so to him with stares that make him fidget in his seat as though a rabbit is now surrounded by wolves.

"Remember Bell," his mother began evenly, drawing the frighten rabbit's attention, "I do the laundry. And I want no Monster blood on my or your sisters' clothes, let alone your other outfits, understood, young man?"

Bell gulps at the sight of his mother's eyes and squeaks out, "Yes mother!"

Then the woman is clearly happy, "Good boy," she pats him on the head, which Bell drops as other Adventurers have a good laugh at his expense.

Syr is giggling next to Bell and the boy can only shoot her a half hearted glare, "You did that on purpose, didn't you."

The waitress only covers her mouth to keep her laughter in and almost tumbles off her seat as Bell doesn't look that threatening. Quite the opposite. Now Syr wants to take him home to feed him carrots and pet his soft fur!

"Nya! The big party meow arrived!" The brown cat of the waitresses announces as she spins on her toes and dances away, allowing the Loki Familia to enter and head straight to a number of large tables with Reserve on them even as all the talk around them died down to nothing. Except for the odd commentators and those warning others not to risk it with any of the members.

Everyone took notice of them. From their boyish looking Goddess to the Pallum Captain to the High Elf who entered in a dignified pose, with an unlucky gray Werewolf tucked under one arm to the amusement of a pair of Amazon twins to the Dwarf who led the rest of the group in that included a mix of practically every race, minus a couple of rare ones and, interestingly enough, that one brunette mage in blue that always gossips with Eina's coworker with pink hair, into the building along with…

'It's her!' Bell thought as his face blushed at the sight of Aiz Wallenstien, the Sword Princess.

Dressed as she always was when not diving into the Dungeon. In a white shoulderless, backless dress with blue trim held up by a neck wrap with a black skirt going down to her thighs and blue thigh high boots. Black shorts were just barely noticeable under her short skirt. Her hands and arms bared for all to see as her long hair actually trails behind her, as though on some kind of gentle mystic wind.

'That isn't poetry,' Aria realizes in shock as she observes the Sword Princess for the first time, 'That's Spirit Magic residue!'

The members then broke up into smaller groups and each occupied a table. The highest ranking members were all together with their Goddess.

Goddess Loki, a light red haired Goddess with her hair held up in a ponytail and clad in short shorts called jean hot shorts with a short that appeared to be more of a two piece ensemble that showed off her midriff all the way around and yet covered her of upper torso, except where the shoulders and sleeves were both detached and made their own leaving a strip of bare flesh between her, rather admittedly, petite bosom and shoulders.

She wore a pair of thigh high socks with heeled ankle high boots and her top part had a small hood as well with a belt holding up her shorts.

Her colors were black predominately with either a really dark blue or purple secondary color.

Both her belt and shirt also had white trim to add to her ensemble.

Though, as the group sat down, Riveria had noticed Bell and his family and gave them a nod of acknowledgement before depositing the protesting Werewolf down in his seat.

"Behave Bete, for once," Riveria added as she took her seat with a dignified air that the Werewolf only grumbled about, but sat up responsibly.

Once all of her Children were seated, Loki grinned big and wide before declaring:

"You guys really kicked that Dungeon's ass this time!" the Goddess let her squinting eyes open nice and wide, revealing golden eyes, "So this here is a feast! So eat up and drink lots!"

She finished and punctuated by shoving her drink forward which was joined by others in a clamoring of wood and metal as well as the clink of glass as everyone withdrew their drinks to drink up and eat up as their Goddess ordered and who, in turn, joined them.

Together the Loki Familia made up for the sudden lack of energy and revived it to the next level, causing everyone to cheer and start to enjoy their drinks and meals again.

The Loki Familia didn't disappoint either. They began to enjoy their meals and drinks, chatting happily and enjoying the atmosphere. A few other Adventurers asked about some of the details of the Floors they would never be able to visit. Some had heard they had encountered new dangers and what to do in response. There was also the classic tall tales and retelling of stories, which made a few Amazons and Barbarians make a bit of a ruckus when they heard what Tione Hiruyte did to one of the new species.

But a few others are less noisy. Among them were both Riveria Ljos Alf and Ais Wallenstein. Both merely ate and drank in silence, though, a young Elfess next to the Sword Princess seemed to ask the odd question and hold some small talk.

Yet Bell had his attention on the Sword Princess. So much so, he didn't notice the mess that was now his face or the food that slipped from his fork, thankfully, back onto his plate.

"He's got it bad," Ellen had waved her hand in front of her brother's face along with the waitress Syr and he hadn't responded to either girl.

Joan only shook her head before stealing some of her brother's food and quickly realizing why she should stick just to her own.

That was a mighty thick piece of meat she just bit into! She swore it felt like she just bit into a soft and jellied rock. How was that even possible?!

Then it landed in her belly like an iron ingot. She was definitely going to be feeling that piece of meat in the morning.

Mia only had a good nature chuckle knowing the girl wouldn't touch the rest of her brother's food now, even if he was now fully alert again and listening to while absentmindedly eating again to Syr as she talked about the Loki Familia and how Goddess Loki liked eating at the Hostess of Fertility.

Mia only chuckled again as the girl drank heavily of her water. There was a reason she shouldn't have touched that particular fish. She'll definitely be tasting that for a short bit and the effects of course, unless she went out and got herself a Falna. That way, once Blessed, she could eat the same thing. And not have to use the toilet extra long in the morning.

Always someone had to test their luck or tempt fate. Boy did that bring back memories. Both Allen and Anya not paying any attention to the food they should and shouldn't be eating. Then paying too much to the porcelain shrine the next morning.

True, the sounds of the two Cat Siblings as they had to go were far from pleasant and would grate on anyone's nerves, but it had been mildly entertaining to see them panic at the sight of food the rest of the day.

That also taught them to stop stealing food from the Zeus Familia. Especially when they were caught and brought back being held up by the scruff of their necks, limbs tucked in like actual cats. That Zard had never looked happy when he did so. Always asking Ottarl and her, "Are these your kitties?"

Snickering as she was, it was only thanks to great hearing and years of practice before she heard that thunk.

The clear sign of someone with an attitude who was totally drunk. And arrogant enough to think he could hold his drink. Hopefully he just makes an ass of himself this time. Loki is still paying off the last time Bete got pissed drunk that the blitzed Werewolf had actually, among other things he did that night, taken a piss on the side of her building!

She had returned him with a smarting ass redder than Loki's hair and the need for two of his teeth to be reinserted in his mouth. Amid truly was a saint in both her patience and skill to deal with the hungover wolf later the next day.

Of course, Mia had heard that Garath had simply whacked Bete upside the head, knocking him out, and that allowed the Dea Saint to reinstall the teeth and fix any other damage too plus the then new case of head trauma.

"Hey! Ais!" Bete could still form normal words, but there was a slight lisp. The kind that an author, if they were writing this as a story, would struggle to even correctly begin to imitate his beginnings of drunken speech.

"It's about time you told everybody what happened the other day," Bete did have a noticeable lisp in his speech now, "It was freakin' hilarious."

"And what story is that?" Ais asked, though Bell couldn't see it, Ais knew exactly what her compatriot meant and she didn't want to talk about it.

Something that Riveria immediately saw. And she wasn't alone. Aria had caught sight of the twitch in the girl's hands and could almost see the effect of Spirit Magic on the air. Mia was also more than annoyed by the loud Werewolf.

"Come on," Bete Logia leaned back, before leaning down and forward, holding his mug, "You know what I'm talking about."

No one could see it, except for a certain trio, but Ais really didn't want this conversation. She didn't want to hear it. She didn't want to say nothing.

"When all those damn Minotaurs got loose," Bete craned his next a little to the side, a big grin that showed off his Werewolf incisors, "You told me you went up and finished the last on the Fifth Floor, right?"

Bell was looking on in shock as he heard the Werewolf talking about him.

"You had to save that tomato dumbass."

Bell could tell from his words that he meant Bell himself.

"So anyways," Bell shook as he remembered that moment.

"There was some little pansy running around down there."

Bell remembered going to the aid of others. Only to discover a Minotaur. One he angers when he tries to use the same tricks he's used on Savages so many times he forgot.

"And this bigger ugly sucker starts chasing him, right."

Bell barely avoided the full blow that came after him. He was just lucky the attack came at a bad angle. Otherwise he would have died from just that one hit. But because he survived, that really riled up the Minotaur who promptly started pursuing him.

"So Ais jumps in…"

Pursued him with all the patience and focus of a mad bull. Very little of the former, far too much of the latter. Right up until Bell becomes trapped. The Minotaur is there above him, looking ready to kill him as it suddenly punches, but Bell manages to drop below, if only barely.

"And cuts the thing to pieces…"

Bell can still hear the pounding of the wall behind him. His position had made him briefly invisible before the Minotaur pulled back and spotted him a second time. Bell had no escape, he was done for and they both knew it when the sound of flesh being torn and cut as the tip of a blade passes through its shoulder before cutting through fur, skin, flesh, muscle, bone…

"And the little wuss gets absolutely covered in blood…"

The explosion of blood blinds Bell and there after, when he can see again, he sees the Minotaur, reaching out, indeed no longer whole, before it bursts into ash and there behind-

"Dude looks like a big ass stupid looking tomato!" the Werewolf declares leaning partially across the table.

"Enough Bete!" Riveria cuts through with finality, "You've had your drink. Now eat."

"What?" he turns to see Riveria trying to take his drink, but he snatches it up and way with a defensive growl, "No way you old hag or are you just jealous you didn't get to enjoy the show."

Before she can shout back about better shows and reveal herself and Bell, the Werewolf promptly ignores her and the warning, "Bete," from Gareth.

"Come on!" the Werewolf declares, "It's the best part!"

"Bete," comes from Finn.

"Then check this out," Bete continues, drunk enough to be ignoring even his Captain, "Then Tomato Guy runs out screaming his freaking head off. The dumbass just upped and ran away from the one who saved him!"

Bete laughs uproarishly even as the festival mood begins to lose its festivities over his drunken story as he slaps one of his knees, smacking the armor that covered it with an audible sound.

"What a pathetic jackass! AHAHA!"

Ais spoke up, hoping to end the matter, "I'm not so sure he can be blamed for that," drawing a surprised look from Bete.

"That will be quite enough out of you Bete," Riveria once more declared before explaining the crux he had ignored, "The Minotaurs only escaped the Seventeenth Floor because of our mistake. It wasn't B- the kid's mistake. So don't even try it," Riveria never showed the signs that she was correcting herself as she almost said Bell's name, "For someone who's been an Adventurer for as short of a time as he has been and even less time in the Dungeon, the Fifth Floor is impressive for one so young and new."

"WHAT!?" Bell almost leaped across the table as he slapped a hand down, "The idiot bit off more than he could chew trying to be a hero!"

Bell gribbed his pant leg as he felt the eyes of his mother and sisters. Their worried looks and deep concern. This was the most they had heard about that event.

"He even tried to save some other dumbasses too! He couldn't even save himself!"

Memories now of Rhome, falling. Of the chaos. The feeling of helplessness as he stood with his army so far removed. Unable to do anything. Enemies on all sides. Threats, orders, situation reports, troops engaged, troops in the wrong area. Everything had started to fall apart and Bell couldn't keep up!

"You can even ask Ais! She knows what I'm talking about!" the Werewolf once more put the girl on the spot, "Tell her the truth!" he pushed himself almost across the whole table, getting almost right in Ais' face and he wasn't making a good one either, "Who is the big, more handsome, strong hero? Me or that little scrawny tomato turd!"

Knowing things had gone too far and knowing how Bete could be when drunk, Finn tried to diffuse the situation.

"Bete, I think you might be drunk."

"I asked you a question, Ais!" the Werewolf demanded, once more ignoring Finn.

"Yep, drunk," Finn sighed in defeat.

"What would you do if that kid walked up to you and said he had the hots for you?" The drunken Werewolf's tone was becoming increasing hostile and demanding while also filling the area before the Sword Princess full of his alcohol-stenched breath that was just adding to her discomfort, "I'm sure you will tell him to get lost, right?"

Not even waiting for a response, he went on.

"I'm sure you tell to get lost, right? I'm sure you would never waste your time on some crybaby you could totally crush."

"Enough Bete!" Riveria smashed her fist down on the table, surprising others with her forcefulness tonight, "We made the mistake. Do not blame him for your own shortcomings."

"Damn hag!" Bete roared back, "I'm making a damn point here! That sniveling snotty infant has no right to be near her! She's way too good for the likes of him!"

Before Riveria could further lose her temper, Garath spoke up.

"Okay enough Bete or you're on special cleaning assignment tomorrow," the Dwarf growled his warning, "And I do mean special."

"Tch!" Bete made a sound, unaware of how his words were affecting Bell Cranel behind him and in front of his family no less, "I'm just saying he's a loser!"

Bell let out a sound that was a barely contained sob.

"Can you imagine a crotch sniffer like him as Ais' partner? No, no! Not THE Ais Wallenstein!"

"Bete!" Riveria looked ready to tackle the Werewolf when there was a slamming sound followed by running feet as a boy in brown and tan ran by the Loki Familia, "Bell?!" Riveria shouted in surprise just as his mother did as well.

"Bell!" Syr could be seen chasing after the boy.

"We got a dine and dash," Tione remarks.

"Someone has guts," Tiona agreed.

"Uh, Ais?" Lefiya looked turns her seat as she watches Ais suddenly also chase after the boy.

"Aria?" Riveria suddenly sees the woman and one of her daughters.

The blonde woman is just looking on where her son had just run out the door. Even as Loki, near the place where the family had been eating, spins an empty mug on her fingers.

"Dere arweys sumthin' scandalous goin' down at Mama Mia's place," the drunken Goddess is smiling, "Am I's rights?"

"Maybe," a small girl responds before Loki lets out a howl as her raised knee takes a hit that is charged with magical energy.

"Loki!" Finn rises from his seat, followed by others as their Goddess hops up and down on leg with the other in her arms before another whack fills the air and she lets out another cry to cover her backside.

"Ta hell is-"

-Snap!- -Crunch!-

"ARROOOWOOOOOOOOOO!" Bete lets out a howl of absolute pain as he ends up in the rafters before falling down right towards a chair, only for Anya to kick it out of the way and let the Werewolf crash into the floor.

Luniore had grabbed the first girl, the oldest, Ellen, as Anya had also swept up the youngest, Joan.

Both waitresses retreated back into a safety corner as Chloe and Lyuu stepped forward as some girls in the Kitchen bunch up ready to come around the corner and fight.

But chairs flew back or toppled over as a number of other patrons got to their feet. All of them looking angry and ready to brawl with the Loki members who suddenly realized they were in a bit of a tight spot.

"Oh great," Tione declares, "For once in its useless life, Bete's stupid mouth got us into a load of trouble."

"What the heck?!" Raul Nord looks around surprised, glad he at least had his sword, "Usually people ignore Bete's drunken rants or the just the target of them fights. Now we got almost the whole tavern turned on us!"

"This is a first," Anakitty Autumn agrees as she puts a hand on Alicia's hand to keep the Elfess from drawing and shakes her head, "Let's not be hasty. People are going to get hurt and I don't mean us or them. I mean all of us. By Mama Mia's hands."

"That's the truth," Finn agreed, trying to look apologetic and shaking his hands to discourage a fight.

Meanwhile, Riveria was not in the center of the mess. Despite Chloe watching her like a hawk, she was speaking closely with Mia.

"So you need a fireman, eh?" the massive Dwarfess crosses her arms, "Why now all of a sudden?"

"He's heading to the Dungeon to vent and rage," the smaller Elfess responded.

But Mia didn't say anything more. It was a battle of wills. Eyes locked. Searching.

"Tch!" the big woman nodded, "You failed, but that's different from trying," Mia acknowledged, "You going?"

"Yes," Riveria nodded, holding her staff in a white knuckle grip that Mia hadn't seen in years.

"Take a couple of your guys too," Mia agreed before slamming her fist down with enough force to break and splinter wood and shake the building, "ALRIGHT ENOUGH! I'LL BEAT YOU ALL DOWN IF YOU WANT A FIGHT! LOKI YOUR ASS IS GRASS FOR THIS ONE! BETE LOGIA IS CUT OFF FROM ALCOHOL UNTIL I SAY OTHERWISE! LYUU FIRE WATCH! MAY LOOK AFTER THE GIRLS AND THEIR MOTHER! CHLOE! ANYA! TIE THAT DAMN WEREWOLF UP TO THE RAFTERS! LUNIORE GET MY TRAPS OFF HIS TAIL!"

"Can't we make one of the Loki do it instead?" Luniore made it clear she did not want to be near the Werewolf right now, "I'm liable to collect that underground bounty on Vanargard's head right now."

"Good point," the woman nodded and then saw who, "FINE! THOUSAND ELF WILL RETURN OUR TRAPS RIGHT NOW!"

"EHHHHHH!?" Lefiya shouted in disbelief.

"Just do it Lefiya," Riveria passes by her apprentice, "Raul, Aki, with me now."

"Right away, Vice-Captain!" The two responded and followed as Finn sighed before walking over to where Bete was still moaning from his fall.

"Bete gets no alcohol at home and is not allowed to have any control over his money until I say otherwise," turning to his long time friend.

"Leave it to me to watch over the wolf pup," Gareth sighes, before suddenly chuckling, "I take it those are members of his Familia? Maybe the daughters of another member?"

They always started so young.

"I am his mother and these are my daughters," Aria declared, "My name is Aria Cranel, mother of Captain Bell Cranel of the Hestia Familia and we were enjoying our meal until your mutt lost control of his senses and mouth."

"Yeah."

"Real bright Loki Familia."

"Way to spoil the meal."

Others were agreeing and the Loki Familia were wincing. Especially Goddess Loki herself as she pulled herself up. With her healing ability kicking in, she grumbled about the magically enhanced blows at first, but then sighed in pure annoyance.

"Great, just great," the Trickster Goddess declares, "First his mother and sisters and now I'm going to have to deal with the Shrimp. Lefiya, Alicia, Line," the last girl flinched, but listened, "get after Riveria and the others," the three took off, though, Line did spare the Werewolf a look as she passed, "Bete is in real trouble this time. Finn, make sure he dries out stone cold sober and is in my office at seven sharp in the morning!"

Once it was clear that things were going to be addressed, the angry Adventurers collected their seats, checking them for damage and then sitting back down. Thankfully, they were only scruffed up. They'll pay for the damages and cleaning later tomorrow, once Mia has an accounting.

Mia turned to the Cranels, "I'll put your meal on the Loki Familia's tab. Though I expect your boy to be here bright and early. I want a word with him. Not only for running like he did, but for forgetting both the tab and his family."

"Of course and thank you Miss Grand," Aria responds with a curtsie.

"Don't worry," indicating the portraits of Bell and Kale, "I knew the brothers back in the day. Color me impressed to see him having both survived and cleaned up. How's the old fart doing too? Been so long since I've heard anything, I often wonder if he went back up to the Upper World?"

"Please, the language," indicating her daughters, but Aria did have a small smile as she and her daughters sat back down.

"I bet they heard worse about him!" Mia laughs out loud with her head thrown back and sadly, Aria knew… She was right.

XXXX

Racing through the nearly empty streets, Riveria had to moderate her pursuit. Otherwise she would leave both Raul and Aki behind. The three ran towards the Dungeon's entrance on this side. Which unfortunately was quite close and still too far away.

"We got company," Aki declared, seeing a green and white figure flip over some chimneys to land ahead of them gracefully before turning to run in their direction.

The three easily caught up with the figure. A hooded young woman with fair snow white skin and blonde hair that poked out around the fresh, stem green colored flower-shaped hood. She also wore a pure white sleeveless two piece top with brown ties on both sides to hold it together underneath and green bloomers of the same matching color. She also wears a pair of long, brown gloves and boots with a white sash around her waist where she keeps her wooden sword and a pair of short swords. She also had another matching green half mask to cover her lower face, leaving her sky blue eyes to look over at the three of them.

"Thank you for coming Gale," Riveria nodded to her fellow Elfess as the four ran down the street, "I'm certain you are aware, but we are to retrieve Bell Cranel, Captain of the Hestia Familia before he does something stupid or gets himself into too much danger."

"Understood," and Ryuu Lion knew full well everything that went down. Riveria only spoke as part of the cover between them. Raul and Aki kept quiet and knew to remain quiet.

"Movement up ahead," Raul reported, though, "Looks like maybe a Pallum girl. A Supporter at that," then it clicked, "Oh crap, I didn't bring anything but my emergency potions!"

Aki let out a hiss, sounding like a cat given she was a Black Cat Person, "So did I."

Grumbling, "As did I," Riveria admitted and looked to Gale.

"Only my own," the golden blonde shrugged, "I didn't think to pack any and I had none at the ready anyways."

"Then we need a Supporter," Riveria shifted as she made ready to grab the rather surprisingly massive green bag that the girl was carrying.

XXXX

Liliruca Arde had been feeling confident for a bit now. Once she had snuck off from her 'Familia' members that had been wanting to 'talk' to her.

The little 15-year-old Supporter was confident that she would be safe for the time being. Though, the idiot that she was working with now, she'll need to drop him soon. Ged Raish had been useful, but her tolerance for him was reaching its end. More than that, he was increasingly becoming abusive.

He had even begun to leer at her. Despite her disguises, that should have helped to make her think she was just a child. Of course, there was always one thing she couldn't get rid of with her disguises. The pair of fleshy mounds on her chest really hinted strongly she was actually a Parum.

And Ged Raish seemed to be the type to pick up on that.

From what Lili had heard, another Adventurer by the name of Dord or Bord or Nord or something like that had apparently caught Ged trying to feel up some young women and girls or leering at others on several occasions.

And promptly beat the guy up for it. Each time.

'Maybe it was Mord?' Lili thought to herself, 'Yes that sounds right. Mord. Ogma Familia if Lili recalls right. An experienced Level 2 Adventurer. Lili helped him out two years ago. Actually decent, for an Adventurer if crabby and prone to bursts of really lousy luck. Overall, prefers Long Legs with full bodies as opposed to kids like Lili.'

While she didn't take well to her bust being referred to as childish, it was rather nice to work with a more reputable Adventurer for once. He also didn't leer and even paid her extra when things were good. Lili's low Rank, as a Third Class Supporter and bottom of the barrel Level 1 prevented her from being able to go past the Tenth Floor.

Still, Mord was not one to ignore the Upper Floors. In fact, he and his team had repeatedly found things that had long been looked over. Even found some long lost gear from the Zeus and Hera Familias. Possibly an old supply stockpile that had clearly been raided at some point… or destroyed if the wreckage they found were any indications.

Not a pleasant thought, Lili knew that for a fact and so did Mord who had paid Lili quite well that day.

But for every Mord there are several Geds. If not more.

With a resigned sigh, Lili wondered how much longer before she could escape this hellhole and live a new life far from Orario.

Lili didn't know why she had such a terrible curse upon her. But Lili had always tried to be good. Only there was never any good to be found. Just fleeting moments of empty lies masquerading as-

"WHAT THE HELL?!" Lili shouts when she feels her bag get grabbed and she is suddenly being taken along for a ride of some kind, "LILI DEMANDS TO KNOW WHAT IS HAPPENING!?" the Parum shouts as she ineffectively waved and kicked her hands and feet.

"Raul!" Lili heard a woman before she screamed as she was tossed like a rock or sack of potatoes.

"HEY! WATCH IT!" Lili screams, "LILI WILL MAKE YOU PAY FOR THIS! AND DO NOT BREAK ANYTHING LILI HAS! IT CAN BE EXPENSIVE YOU KNOW!"

"Gah!" a male's voice, "What is in this bag! This feels heavier than most of our own bags and we go down to the Deep Floors!"

"DEEP FLOORS!?" Lili screams in a panic, "WHO HAS LILI?!"

XXXX

Riveria honestly felt sorry for the Pallum. Being manhandled by her and Raul like that. But they would have to wait a bit.

"LET LILI GO!" the girl, obviously named Lili from how often she screamed her name in third person, and Riveria bet there was a story there and not a happy one, demanded.

"Calm down little Pallum," Anakitty tries to calm the panicked girl, "We need your help and you'll be compensated for it later. We promise."

"LILI DON'T CARE!" the Parum screams, "LILI DOES NOT WANT TO GO TO DEEP FLOORS!"

"You're not!" Raul shouts over the girl's screaming, "We'll be on the Upper Floors. Besides, no one is crazy to even try to go to the Eighteenth Floor with our limited equipment and supplies. You know how much they charge down there?"

"LILI DOESN'T KNOW BECAUSE LILI HAS NEVER BEEN PAST TENTH FLOOR!"

"Lucky girl," Raul responds to that with a sigh, "Some people have better luck."

Anakitty giggles at Raul's expense. But it seems the girl is beginning to calm down. Like the notion they will be on the Upper Floors finally sinks into her skull.

"Why do you need Lili all of a sudden?" the girl suddenly asks as they pass by surprised guards, though, one recognizes what they're after and indicates where to go.

"He ran that way in tears!" the guard shouts and Riveria nods as her group follows the directions, "Check with the next checkpoint! It sounded like he just blew right through them!"

"Of course he would be able to get by them," Gale nods, "They're expecting trouble to come up, not go down."

As the five pass through a barrier checkpoint, their ID Gems are immediately scanned and confirmed. The ID Gems come in many forms and formats and are important for access through the magical barriers that help fortify the base of Babel Tower and thus, the defenses to seal the Dungeon tightly.

Especially valuable for keeping unauthorized persons from entering the Galleries, let alone the Dungeon itself.

The guards seeing them coming, open the gates and indicate which path the boy they chase took.

From there, it would be a matter of finding his tracks and hopefully him before long.

"Bell Cranel, stay safe," Riveria mutters onto the wind as she and her group take a running leap to get down to the Above Floor.

"That way!" a guard in the Below Floor pointed which passage Bell went down, "We tried to stop him, but it was like trying to catch a rabbit with your hands tied to boulders!"

That sounded like Bell Cranel from what Riveria understood.

For Raul, Aki, and Ryuu, that caused them some surprise. If Bete's gloating had been anything, the boy should have been easily caught by the guards. Instead, he managed to run past all of them in full view and escape?

Something was wrong with this picture or Bete was drunk beyond drunk to tell a tall tale.

The now group of five began to slow down to a slow jog before coming to a stop. They looked around for signs of where the boy could have gone. Lili was also put down on her feet, and promptly found a corner to vomit.

"Sorry about that, um, Lili, right?" Raul inquired, but Lili was too busy plastering her dinner of field ration bars on the ground to notice, "Better pick her up something that would be settling later."

"Where did he get too?" Aki frowns looking around and trying to find his trail, "He's just a Level 1, so we shouldn't have a hard time tracking him and catching up."

"He's been in combat outside Orario's Walls before," Riveria is quick to explain, "His father was a General in the Rhoman Army. As such, he has had some military training. A considerable amount and apparently commanded forces in battle against the Savages before. For a child, a mere boy, he's already seen the worst the world has to offer as well as the best."

Ryuu blinked at that statement as Aki's jaw dropped and Raul sputtered. Lili meanwhile was still dry heaving in the corner. So, she decided to ignore the discussion behind her until she didn't feel the need to keep throwing up.

It was in that position, hunched over, that she noticed someone didn't pick up their Magic Stone.

Or their Drop Item.

Or another Magic Stone.

Then another Magic Stone.

Followed by another Magic Stone.

A second Drop Item.

Magic Stone.

And… Looking down the path she was now walking, she could see Magic Stones and Drop Items just left abandoned in a messy trail.

Along with the remains of some Monsters that were clearly dead, but their bodies haven't been cleared of their Magic Stones.

So Lili did the most natural thing and screamed before running back the way she had come.

"Lili!" it was the Cat Person, "There you are! Get behind me!"

"That's not why Lili ran! Lili almost walked into a trap!" The girl all but hid behind the Long Legs, well, legs, "Many Magic Stones and some Drop Items plus a passage full of slashed up Monsters that were dead, but not checked for their Magic Stones!"

"I think we found his trail then," Riveria stepped forward as Raul moves up to take point and to check all the dead Monsters laid out or against the walls or stabbed through by various formations.

They even found a few slammed into the roof where they hung from the formations there.

"Definitely found his trail," Ryuu agreed as she looks and sure enough, there was a fresh bootprint.

Conveniently, it had a Rhoman Army marking on in the print. If what was said was true, then this should be their boy. But the other prints…

"There must have been close to a hundred Monsters in this passage?" Raul blinks and swallows, "How did a Monster Party go undetected?"

"A good question," though Riveria wasn't sure it was 'unnoticed.' Just ignored until someone came down and wiped out the gathered lot. It happens more often than not with the First Five Floors. Riveria had honestly lost count of how many weak Monster Parties she has destroyed over the years. A few hundred? Thousand? She couldn't recall.

Not like there would be many Monsters tomorrow on the Upper Levels at this rate.

"Blood and torn cloth," Ryuu reports, showing a cut piece of cloth from Bell's jacket. Likely from his lapel, given the bicolor of it.

"This way!" Lili points as she spots more Magic Stones and Drop Items before stepping around a corner, screaming and scrambling back on her hands and knees while the others make their weapons ready, "THE MONSTERS WEREN'T KILLED! THEY WERE BRUTALLY SLAUGHTERED!"

Raul and Aki approach, nodding to one another they check before they use one of their tricks and enter the passageway. Ryuu is a few moments behind them bringing up their rear to form the midguard. Followed by Riveria and the terrified Lili in the Rearguard, the Elfess at the ready while patting the terrified girl on her head.

What Riveria finds, confirms what Lili said.

"I definitely would call this a massacre," Raul is in awe at the sheer carnage they find.

The Monsters that lay dead were scattered everywhere. They had definitely been slashed to death, though more than a few looked like they had been killed in hand to hand fighting. A few even look like they had limbs ripped off and bashed to death with them while others were definitely killed by limbs.

Such as the Kobold that had another's nearly ripped off arm shoved down its throat.

"I haven't even seen Bete do this kind of slaughter before," Raul gulped to hold his bile in.

Incredibly, a few Monsters were still alive. Though, not for much longer. A few expired as they were noticed. The others were quietly put out of their misery by the group of five. Well, three, technically, given that Lili was refusing to leave from behind Riveria's legs and that was hindering the Elfess.

The small girl was holding onto Riveria like she was Lili's mother. And Riveria didn't have the heart to pull her out from behind her. Recognizing the poor girl's terror at what happened.

Then a thought came to Riveria's mind.

"Of course," she shakes her head in annoyance as she realizes what she had overlooked, "He likely learned from Lord Zeus of all Deities."

"LORD ZEUS!?" Raul's head snapped around in shock so fast, he nearly trips over Ryuu, but the Elfess keeps him at bay with the pommel of her wooden sword and upright as well, "But how? I thought Lord Zeus retired?"

"He did," Riveria agreed with a nod, "Until the Rhomans found him in a certain Gael village under attack by Savages they were pursuing. They rescued him and brought him back to Rhome where he had been living until the city was betrayed."

"This boy…" Anakitty looked at the devastation, "He might have been a candidate for a new Zeus Familia," the realization didn't sit well with Aki as she knew full well the crimes of her Familia against the Zeus and Hera and their Deities as well as their ultimate failures that not only led to the Great Feud, but that the Astraea had been the ones to clean up until they were destroyed, "I don't know if we dodged a bolt or not."

"Perhaps," Ryuu offered, though, not revealing her thoughts, but Aki would be relieved to know that her own thoughts did not match that of the Elfess, "Quite powerful for one so young and new."

"Lady Riveria!" Alicia calls out as the group of three girls arrive and take a look around at the carnage and destruction, "You four went wild in here. Though, that was probably for the best, as Lefiya was able to trace your magic Lady Riveria."

"My what?" Riveria raises an eyebrow at the inquiry.

"Your magic, Miss Riviera," Lefiya Verdis replies looking slightly confused, "You know I can sense it from a certain distance. Right?"

Looking to the golden and yellow blond younger Elves before her and then turning to the dark haired Human who nodded, as she too could feel Riveria's magic from a certain distance, the elder Elf frowned before speaking.

"I have not used my magic at all since coming down here," then patting the terrified Lili still clutching onto her leg, "Our little Supporter here has also become quite attached to my leg since she found this massacre."

"You haven't?" Lefiya's dark blue eyes widen before she shuts them and shakes her head, "It can't be! I felt one of your spells being used! Your magic pattern is very distinct!"

"It's also a bit cold down here too," the hazel eyed older Elfess also adds, "So we figured it had to be you based on the chill down here and the fact it felt like your magic."

"It may have been Riveria's magic, but it wasn't Riveria," Aki suddenly interjects from where she had moved onward still with Raul. Though the latter had stopped to examine some dead Bullfrogs that were a few floors too high for them.

"What makes you say that, Aki?" Line moves to stand next to the older Cat Person and suddenly gasps at the sight.

"What is it?" Ryuu joins them with the others and all gasp at the sight down the tunnel, "It's completely frozen!"

The entire length they can see is totally frozen over. Even side passages appear to have been frozen as well. There isn't a piece of Dungeon rock that isn't covered in layers of ice. It looked like a freezing blizzard had blown through and turned the place into a dark and spooky winter wonderland.

As well as all of the Monsters within. Quite a few were also stabbed through by frozen spears of ice. Not a single Monster looks to have survived.

"This… magic…" Line looks at it as she frowns.

"This is most assuredly one of my spells," Riveria is quick to realize as she observes it, showing concern and worry, "And not just any, but one I only just recently finished working on. Only one person knows anything about it besides myself and that's Bell Cranel."

But even then, Riveria could tell right away this wasn't actually a copy of her magic. Despite the shock of the group, Line Arshe was immediately Riveria's train of thought.

"This magic was released in an explosion," Line, being a Healer could tell as it was one of the things she would have to attend to, "Whoever had the spell, simply allowed their power to overload and explode outward," but by the literal taste she could get from the air itself, "This is definitely one of Riveria's magics, but not her herself. It is Elvish Magic, but not used… by… an Elf? Human? Is that even possible?"

"It shouldn't be,'' Alicia Forestlight declares as she steps forward, examining it as she is a Magic Swordswoman, "The same with an Elf trying to use a purely Human magic, it would end in failure and possibly pieces of the caster being never found."

"If there is anything at all," Riveria states pointedly as she walks through the icy caverns, pointedly keeping Lili from slipping on the ice as well as herself, "This appears to be a skill that wildly activated."

"How would you know that Miss Riveria?" Lefiya stepped around a particularly nasty end for a Frog-type Monster. She couldn't tell what kind it had been, due to the fact that it had been exploding in a fountain of blood when frozen.

"Because it happened once with myself," Riveria reveals as she frowns, "Although, back then, I merely only burned a small area of a plain."

"Small area?'" Aki raises an eyebrow.

"I was not nearly as powerful as I am now," Riveria reminds the Cat Woman, but yet, "Though I'll admit it wasn't the first time either," suddenly the woman has to cover her mouth as her shoulders shake.

"Oh boy," Raul blinks, it was rare to see Riveria having to hold herself and for the three who were not used to the sight, they blinked in shock and surprise before Riveria finally got herself under control, but not before she ended up slipping and it was only the Pallum girl that kept her from landing on her rear.

"You okay Mistress Riveria?" Lili blinked as she saw the last moments of mirth leave the woman, well, the physical signs of it anyways. Except for her eyes. They were still twinkling a little.

"Yes, thank you, Lili," Riveria got herself back up on her feet and coughed a little to clear her thought, "Anyways, I just recalled the one time I was still mastering my magic and accidentally froze the feet of both Finn and Gareth to the ground. While they were still behind me no less and we were trying to escape some bandits no less that were in front of me. It was one of our first and very early battles together."

"You what?!" Alicia couldn't believe what she just heard.

"Remember, Alicia," Riveria chided, reminding her of a fact she had clearly forgotten, "Loki brought myself, Finn, and Gareth, an Elf, Pallum, and Dwarf together. The three of us were not the close friends we are today. In fact, I still have occasionally hear, 'You Stupid Long Ears!' ringing in my ears from time to time due to how often Gareth used to shout it. Not counting Finn's pretty much adopting it after growing tired of calling me Long Legs."

There was a surprisingly wistful look on Riveria's face as she stated that. She was clearly lost in the memories of old. Chuckling lightly to herself as she recalled the hectic chaos of those days and yet, the moments where, after the inevitable fights amongst themselves, the three would sit down and enjoy a meal together.

"Sometimes, those are days the three of us miss," Riveria spoke wistfully, still lost in memory, "Life was both harder and easier back then. Harder in which we had to do more work. Easier in that it was just the three of us making a party. And, of course, Loki was still getting used to the Lower World and was even worse than she is now when it comes to being so childish."

"What happened to the bandits?" Raul asked suddenly curious and saw Riveria look to him, "The ones you were fighting when you froze the Captain's and Gareth's feet to the ground?"

"Oh them?" Riveria chuckled, "I simply overpowered my magic and turned my back to them. Not only did I freeze the ones that nearly reached me, but left them to clear out an ice block between them and ourselves. They, of course, had thawed their members out, but would be eventually overrun by some Knights. We still completed our objective, which was to scout out their location and assess their strength, unfortunately, they were in the process of moving at the same time and so we carried back the messenger of the lord responsible for the bandits' success."

"And gaining a pretty decent bonus," Alicia assumed.

"Oh no, quite the opposite," Riveria shrugs, "They had even more reason to betray us as it was part of a larger conspiracy to hide the corruption of the local kingdom. A corruption that didn't last much longer after we fled, destroying a rather sizable part of one of their elite divisions in the process."

Sounds of disbelief met Riveria's ears, but she concluded as well.

"A year later, that corrupt king was put to death and his brother would go on to become the new King of Renais, a close ally of the Rhoman Empire actually," Riveria briefly separated from Lili as she found the spot of release, the only area not frozen over in the whole area, "Rumors have been spreading that the Rhoman Prince might have been engaged to the Renais Princess," but after saying that, she felt a bit of tightness inside of her, but she keeps the feelings off her face, "Looks like he was bowled over and released an accidental explosion that simply overran the entire area."

"His rage must have been great," Aki had seen magic run amok before, but never like this as she checked the whole room and realized something, "He must have just passed through here!"

Riveria retrieved her staff after checking the ground, "It is still moist from some blood and there is weakening warmth. We must hurry!"

"But where?" Raul points out that Bell could have literally gone anywhere.

"That way!" Lili points, "There's unfrozen Magic Stones there!"

"He must have been laid out," Alicia had jumped over as soon as Lili had finished speaking. Kneeling next to one of the Stones, it was cold to the touch due to the ice, "Monsters that wandered in to investigate what happened. So, he may have gone this way."

"We'll collect the Stones and Drops here later," Riveria was already hurrying along, even as Lili was scooping up what she could. Thankfully for her, Line was assisting as well.

The party of eight continued on. The trail is full of dead Monsters and left behind Stones and Drops. That makes the tracking the easy part until it begins to thin out. Meaning the Monster Party was likely completely destroyed or elsewhere by now.

Of course, there were other means of tracking. Finding Bell's footprints was easy. The fact he wore Rhoman Army boots helped greatly. The impression of the Rhoman Army seal kept them on the same trail as Bell.

But there were other signs as well.

Fierce fighting signs. Including injuries. Bell was hurt and he was bleeding. In addition to that, they were finding bits of clothing now.

Including a Rhoman Charm dedicated to Zeus and another charm, a Gael Charm, dedicated to Arawn.

"He has to be near," Alicia looked around as the blood was still warm on one of the charms.

Monster or Human, it didn't matter. Blood cooled at the same rate. So, where could he be?

"Lili sees the entrance to the next Floor!" the Supporter shouts as she picks up more Stones and Drops, "Also, Lili doesn't think she has the room if this keeps up!"

'No kidding,' the others thought.

They assembled and then headed down into the next Floor. The Second Floor. And hoped to find him, alive and well.

XXXX

"Lili has to say it," the Supporter girl grumbled, "WE'RE ON THE FIFTH FLOOR! WHERE IS THIS BOY?!"

"More like we're about to the Sixth Floor's entrance," Raul added, rather unnecessarily as Lili promptly kicked him in the shins in aggravation.

Of course, unlike most, Raul actually had armor on his shins and so Lili was the one doing the hopping instead.

"Riveria, how long has this boy been in the Dungeon again?" Anakitty was looking worried as was the Elfess as this was reminding her too much of when Ais was first starting out.

"Barely two weeks," the eldest member present frowned, showing some worry, "Definitely not three weeks. Even with the time he spent as part of the Rhoman forces and even after being Blessed and fighting against the Warsa, he shouldn't be ably to even reach the Fifth Floor and yet, he was able to do that in apparently a week and a half."

"Hmm… Why does his name sound familiar?" the Black Cat Woman wondered.

"Because we both had turned him down for the Loki Familia," Riveria replied and Aki suddenly realized who.

"The rabbit boy!" she recalls him now, how nervous he had been, "I didn't think he would actually make a decent Adventurer. Perhaps a Supporter for our weaker members, but never one to actually last."

"That was my thoughts as well until I came across him with some of his fellows and he was so radically different when clad in Rhoman armor and at the head of a Rhoman Century," Riveria actually shuddered at the transformation as while it wasn't something drastic, it was not something unnoticeable either.

"Miss Riveria," Ryuu called back from ahead of them, "I found his boot prints. He's heading down into the Sixth Floor and we are close, but still well behind."

"Just how fast is this kid?" Alicia wondered, they hadn't seen much in the way of Monsters, though, given the massacres every time they found him, the Monsters were likely trying to hide for once.

"Let's go and be careful, no telling what the Dungeon might throw at him next," Riveria found her worry growing deeper.

XXXX

This time, after what felt like days of searching, they had finally gotten close enough to hear the sounds of fighting and yelling. Of Monsters screaming and flesh being torn apart. As they ran forward, the sounds of an all-out battle had begun to greet them.

Then a War Shadow, stumbling backwards, greets them.

Until it finally falls onto its back, its eye looking like it had been ripped from its head before it burst into Ash.

"That wasn't pleasant," Aki remarks as the group of eight run forward.

When they rounded the corner, what they found…

"There must be 50 or 60 War Shadows attacking him and at least two, maybe three dozen Bullfrogs as well!" Raul counted the numbers that he could see in that fracus in front of him.

A Human yelling and suddenly three War Shadows went flying through the air. None made landfall, exploding into Ash in midair.

They joined about another half dozen a few moments later. Then five more. A Bullfrog managed to grab the object they were all fighting and draw it into its massive mouth.

Only for its massive eye to turn blood red before the length of a knife tore out of it and the Monster exploded into Ash, dropping a battered and wounded Bell Cranel onto his back.

Not that he stayed down for more than a couple of seconds as he was back on his feet, charging the Monsters.

"By the Gods," Raul murmured as he watched Bell rip into a War Shadow, severing an arm before driving his fist into its one massive eye which exploded out the back to grab another War Shadow's throat and when he withdrew his hand, he ripped that throat out.

Appearing to gag, the War Shadow dropped as it began to die. Bell's foot came up and the head part from the shoulders. The two pieces exploding into Ash a moment later.

Dodging a tongue attack from a less Frog Monster, Bell stabbed upwards into another War Shadow, flipping it over him and into three of its allies before going after the Frog that had attacked him.

That Frog stood no chance and soon was Ash, Stone, and surprisingly a couple of Drops as well.

Bell's blade cuts the tongue of another Frog even as he elbows another War Shadow in the 'chin' knocking it back. His knife then spins through the air to strike the offending Frog in the eye, causing it to scream and begin to jump around like mad.

At the same time, Bell grabs both arms of the dazed War Shadow and bends them in directions they were not meant to go. The War Shadow screams as its arms are essentially ripped off under the pressure. Bell then kicks the Monster back where it trips and falls, essentially, 'snapping' its neck on a block of stone, but otherwise leaving the corpse present and Bell with two weapons to literally beat his other enemies with.

Which is a brutal and destructive sight in and of itself. So much so, that Lili actually is almost completely hidden behind Riveria who calmly strokes the terrified girl's hair. Even Raul can't take much and he vomits alongside Lefiya and Anakitty has sunk to her knees in shock, landing on her rear, her skirt flying up to show her underwear.

Alicia gulps as she watches Bell's 'weapons' finally turn to Ash, but the boy simply reaches forward with both hands and pulls the eye out of another War Shadow that desperately tries to claw at the boy, but ends up clawing two of its own allies by mistake.

A moment later it bursts into Ash after its eye is ripped out. Bell then sets on its wounded allies and kills them also with his bare hands before jumping onto the wounded Frog with his knife still in its head and pulling it out only to plunge it back in again and again, until the Frog tumbles onto its side, Bell leaping away to be swallowed up by another Bullfrog before the Frog Monster realizes how that was an error before its head is torn open and then it explodes with the other Frog into two more piles of Ash.

Bell lands on his feet and then continues on. His slaughter soon had reduced what had to be well over 200 Monsters into but a handful. Each was backing up in fear. Bell had put real fear into them. Fear that was rightly warranted as he attacked and began to kill the rest.

Unknown to the group of eight, had they not been there, most of the Monsters present would have actually fled. Leaving Bell alone after he had killed more than half their number. But they were between a rock and a hard place.

Ironically, had the Monsters just fled, the group would have let them be.

Which is why, at that moment, one War Shadow saw a chance and took it.

Only for Ryuu's wooden blade to intercede and stop the threat.

Bell had stumbled after his final kill. He was worn out. His limits had been reached and surpassed, but now, he was just too exhausted.

So, they moved. The last few Monsters stood no chance. Their blood and Ashes joining the rest of what had been a Monster Massacre.

But Bell wasn't quite aware he was safe now. After failing to hit Anakitty and Alicia in his haze, he tripped and fell into Ryuu, who was surprised by the fall.

"Huh?" Bell's bleary eyes tried to focus on what appeared to be white and green before him, "A… boobs?" he said aloud and the Elfess flushed at the words, "Soft…" Bell muttered before drifting off and Ryuu trying to dislodge Bell, but he had her good and despite her usual temperance, she was appearing to be in no rush to physically knock him off her in one of her usual responses.

"Oh?" Riveria decided to tease a bit, "Found a boy you like Miss Gale?"

The masked Elfess suddenly froze ramrod straight. Which only encouraged Bell to lean heavier into her. Though, fortunately, the worst of his damage was away from her clothes.

"From what I've learned, he does have a fondness for Elves," Riveria shrugged, "But at the same time, he's usually not so forward. If anything, if he comes to his senses, he'll likely panic and flee into the Dungeon, making us have to search for him all over again."

"What is he? Shy?" Lili inquired, looking a bit surprised, as she knew Elves were particular about people touching them and this Elfess, despite trying to remove him, is being so careful and almost like she didn't want him to let go either.

Which appeared to worry and panic her.

"Actually, very much a shy bunny," Riveria shakes her head, realizing that Bell was looking like a rabbit wanting to be petted and hugged by his owner at this point.

And Ryuu was looking like she was lost on what to do.

Eventually, Riveria and Lefiya got Bell to let go of Ryuu. The masked Elfess, though, is shocked by the amount of blood now on her. Despite their healing magic and the potions Lili was carrying, some were very high quality too, they found that Bell was very heavily injured.

"He's completely worn out," Riveria concluded that Bell would have to be carried out and even then, he'll likely need medical attention, "We're take him straight back home. Eina would ream him if she saw he was in the Guild's Medical Ward. Plus, his family and Goddess are likely worried about him."

"With this level of field treatment, can we just take him home?" Lefiya asked, honestly still stunned by the boy's feat just a short time ago.

"Lord Miach is his primary source of potions," Riveria nodded, "We'll simply take him home and alert the God of Medicine about his customer and leave it to him. We'll also be able to purchase Lili some more potions for what's been used. Then we can sit down and discuss what Lili is owed for her services and resources."

"Lili is thankful not to be getting stiffed," Lili felt she could be honest here, "Lili likes being paid upfront on a contract as well, but Lili understands. As long as Lili gets paid. Lord Soma and his Familia are not kind on those who get stiffed."

The God of Drink, she wasn't so sure about. The others, most definitely. Plus, if they think that First Class Adventurers are some clients of her's now, they might even back off and leave Lili alone. Lili was definitely all for that.

"Maybe we should nab Lili then, Riveria," Raul states from his guard point, "Sounds like she has it bad in the Soma and, let's be honest, their reputation is barely above that of Evilus and that's saying something."

"True," the Alf Princess agrees, "He should be good enough for transport."

"Miss… Riviera…" Bell's rublite eyes open slowly, but they soon focus on the Elfess in question.

"Relax Bell, relax," Riveria gently takes his hand and gives it a gentle squeeze and the boy squeezes right back, "You've come down to the Sixth Floor in a fury at what Bete said. You fought many Monsters and unlocked a power within you. You're hurt and need to be carried out. We'll keep you safe and get you to both Lord Miach and Lady Hestia for treatment, okay?"

"O… kay…" the boy replies before once more drifting off, his soft snores showing he was asleep now.

"He's tired," Alicia opinioned, stepping over and running a brief scan over his head, "He's close to Mind Down and his Stamina is completely drained. It was a miracle he regained consciousness."

"Indeed," Riveria sighed and realized she hadn't let go of Bell's hand and likewise, the boy wasn't letting go either, "My hand is trapped," the Alf Princess grumbled as the Rhoman Prince held it firmly before sighing and smiling, "So much like Ais when she first started out and yet, so different I would imagine."

After Raul and Anakitty fixed together a stretcher from some of Lili's supplies, the lone conscious male helped lift the boy up with Aki's help. Ryuu stood to one side, but had gotten too close and suddenly felt her hand snatched.

Bell was holding it. And he was muttering something.

"What is he saying?" Lefiya wondered as they all strained to hear.

"Protect… La… ea's… Ch… Ryuu…" was barely heard by most, but Ryuu's eyes widened as she realized what she had actually heard.

Riveria had heard the same, as had Anakitty, though Raul had heard the rough bits, he was able to piece it together. The rest were clueless. And it better stay that way.

"Looks like he mistakes you for a Laea," Riveria covered for Ryuu who could only stiffly nod and realize, like Riveria, the boy had her hand in a good grip.

'He shouldn't!' Ryuu's thoughts were already fearful, 'Syr, yes! Anya, yes! Even Chloe and Luniore, yes! But not me! I'm filthy, I'm dirty! I'm coated in blood that can never be washed off!'

And yet, his hand felt so warm. A warmth she hadn't felt in so long. She wanted to collapse to her knees and cry.

Soon, they were moving out. If a bit awkward from two Elves being held by a Human boy. The two women in question, though, soon settled into the walk. Fortunately, the Monsters that were around, had fled or were being killed as members of the Ganesha Familia arrived, lead by Shakti Varma.

"So, you found him?" the blue haired woman in orange turned to the group of nine, spotting the boy and seeing him for who he was, "He's from the tavern this morning? Heard he ran off, even as his sisters created a ruckus in the tavern that almost started an actual brawl."

"How bad?" Riveria had actually ignored it for the most part.

"Loki had banged up knees and backside," Shakti looked so unrepented, "Bete Logia, on the other hand, was tied up by his arms, legs, and tail like a pinata. He was cursing up a storm last I heard."

"Until Mama Mia made him regret it no doubt," Raul was not even going to try and defend Bete this one time.

"Oh worse," Shakti actually looked very amused, "The kid's mother was allowed to stuff a bar of soap into that dirty mouth of his until it was clean."

Laughter actually broke out among the Loki Adventurers. Raul struggling to keep from dropping Bell as did Anakitty. Even Riveria had a face full of mirth at what happened to Bete.

"My, I hope someone had a recording crystal," the Elfess would love to see that moment and use it against Bete later on to keep his drinking in check.

"I think they did," Shakti supplied, before turning to her guys, "How many of you had recording crystals?" she called out in inquiry.

"I think we all did!" someone shouted back before it was confirmed, "Does Lady Riveria need a copy? I can get one for her tomorrow."

Riveria nodded, "She does," Shakti replied.

"I'll have it dropped off sometime tomorrow then."

Shakti's smile left her face for a blink when she saw Ryuu's hand being held by the boy. She had actually blinked several times and looked between Ryuu and Bell just as many. The masked Elfess glad she had a mask on to hide her red face. Unfortunately, she was certain, and rightly so, that her ear tips were just as red as her face cheeks.

But rather than a snarky remark, Shakti only smiled softly, "They would be proud, you know. That you finally let someone else hold your hand. Especially Alise and Ardi."

With her piece said, Shakti moved on to help clear the way back. There were quite a few Monsters out of place from not only Bell's rampage, but also a few Monster Parties getting ready to assail the exit once more. So, they might as well get them all tonight. The numbers would be thin tomorrow, but the costs would also be elevated to cover.

XXXX

Thanks to the Ganesha Familia members, the climb up was short and straight.

Once above ground and outside the Babel Tower, the group began their trek to the Hestia Familia's base of operations. Fortunately, Shakti had two men who knew exactly where it was. Both men were Rhomans themselves.

And, unknown to everyone present, were the same two Constables who walked with him and his father during his first arrival in Rhome all those years ago.

"How is he?" one of the men asked.

"Alive and only needs full treatment and rest," Riveria responded and the two men nodded.

"We sent two people off," the other spoke up, "One to the Hostess and the other to alert Lord Miach."

"We've both known Bell, since he was a small child," the first man responded thinking back to that day, "His father had just returned, victorious over the Savages, Father Zeus in his company, and young Bell Cranel riding on his horse with him."

His friend had a good laugh at that memory, "Oh yeah. That was when a girl slipped by us and went running up to Lord Cael's horse. I remember him kneeling before the girl before putting her on his horse where Bell was still sitting."

"Oh geez," the first Constable shook his head in memory, "I remember that every day. Especially how we were told to 'Breath it in,' by Lord Cael."

"'Not many days come by like this in several lifetimes,'" his friend agreed as they escorted the group to the Rhoman district, the morning sun beginning to finally surmount the Great Walls of Orario despite the time of day.

"Going to be a beautiful morning," the second man noted, before noticing something, "Looks like word has already passed around."

Indeed, in front of them, people were already gathering as the group began to walk by homes and businesses. A doctor coming out in his nightclothes, walked alongside, checking Bell for anything missed.

"How long has he been unconscious?" he inquired, starting his long laundry list of checks and evaluations. It took a bit, but he felt more calm as he understood things, "We'll still need Lord Miach's aid. I'm not trained on Adventurers right now."

"Lord Bell," someone whispered worriedly and yet in the quiet, it might as well have been a shout.

Several others showed worry. Some voiced their concerns. Fortunately, seeing a doctor next to Bell eased the tension.

More patrolmen arrived and began to create a corridor to the Hestia Familia's base.

It was clear to the Loki Familia members that people had been awake all night. Worried about the safety of Bell Cranel. It should in his popularity when they heard 'Lord Bell' being whispered in hush, but worried tones.

"Let me through please," Miach the God of Medicine had arrived and soon was beside Bell and the doctor looking over him. Both men immediately began speaking at once, "I see," Miach knew right away the doctor before him had done what he could.

Now it was up to Naaza and himself, the woman, his sole Child and Captain of his own Familia, right on the other side of Bell.

"He's holding tight," Naaza noticed how he held both women's hands, "He must trust you deeply. Bell usually has to be rather brave to hold a lady's hand."

Ryuu blushed behind her mask yet again.

"Naaza, don't embarrass the poor boy," Miach lightly chided as he checked Bell and could see where work would need to be done, "Especially when he is unable to defend himself."

"Oh?" Naaza's tail wags a bit as she gets rather mischievous, "But this way, he cannot sputter or scream, right?" she asks a couple of girls that have a crush on the boy and they both giggle despite everything, "See?"

Miach merely rolls his eyes, but does smile. Bell can be quite the character.

"So, um?" Raul begins, "Where are we going?"

"Right there," Miach indicates where Hestia had been standing outside, waiting and upon seeing them approach, let's out a frighten gasp and quickly runs over looking worried.

"Lord Bell has been returned on a stretcher!" a man shouts into the abandoned chapel and immediately, a woman and two girls come running around with others right behind them.

"BELL!" his mother yells as she sees her soon unconscious on the stretcher, "Bell! Bell!"

"It is alright Miss Aria," Miach gave a look immediately to Naaza who nods and leaves Bell's side to take hold of the distressed woman and gently guide her back away from him for the moment, "We should get him into bed."

"We have a surgeon's post right there," the doctor with Miach points to a building that is still under renovation, but is clearly ready to serve as three men in various states of injuries lean out of a window, "I say it is better for him to be there, surrounded by devices if needed and where we can keep him from befouling Goddess Hestia's bed."

"He doesn't have his own?" Raul calls over his shoulder, waiting for instructions.

"He does, but it is unfit for actual medical care and his family's home, where he has an actual bed, we already passed," the doctor replies.

"Very well," Miach agrees, knowing it the prudent thing to do, "Best to be safe, just in case."

In moments, two actual stretcher bearers arrive with an actual stretcher between them from inside the surgeon's post. Carefully, Bell is transferred to the stretcher proper and the sight of the stretcher he had been on isn't good. There is a lot of blood from it.

"Did we miss a wound?" Raul watches as Bell is gently rolled onto his side and sure enough, there is a half treated wound along his shoulder, "Damn! How'd we miss that?!"

"We didn't," Riveria is confident of, and rightly so, "We just didn't heal it enough."

"Correct," Miach notes of the skin, "It's torn open again and is not the only to do so."

"Inside quick!" Naaza tells the two stretcher men and they nod and carefully bring Bell up and at a quick pace get inside the post without disturbing the boy.

People stand worry before an intern comes out.

"He's awake! He's asking for Lady Hestia!"

The small Goddess all, but teleported to Bell's side and the staff allowed for Aria to follow with Anakitty holding onto her.

"God…dess…" Her son sounded somewhat out of it. She is so worried that the medical term is not coming to her mind. As she watches as Bell's coat and shirt are removed, a gush of blood from a torn arm room splashing a doctor already ready to treat such an injury under Lord Miach's guidance.

"I'm here, Bell," the Goddess of the Hearth sees Bell finally release the two Elfess' hands and take one of her hands in both of his, despite the doctors trying to keep his movements to a minimal.

"God…dess… I want… to… become… stronger…" Bell murmurs before losing consciousness again.

Placing his hands where the doctors could treat the wounds, Hestia, despite her worry and fear, steps away, but says lightly…

"You will."

And with that she helps guide a terrified Aria to the side as the Loki members take one look as Miach goes to work with Naaza and the Rhoman and Gael doctors present.

Fortunately, he would live. They could see that.

And they wonder what the fallout will be.

Nor did they see… Some rather large feathers drift down and annoyed Ellen looking up to where two shadowy forms were trying to keep out of sight.

XXXX

A/N:

Alright, I'm going to say:

I apologize for how late this is. I know it was supposed to be out a LONG while ago. But some stuff happened. Real nasty stuff.

Like getting punched in the face nasty. Literally.

Some shoplifter thought it a great idea to steal from my store. Okay, I get that. People are going to be pain in the rears about wanting to steal. Even if they had money to buy.

But when challenged, it is better to not raise a ruckus and be seen. It is better not to PUNCH THE STAFF as well.

Some little lady. Drives a truck where she has to use a step ladder to climb into. And she didn't quite take good care of it. So, it looks like it could use some TLC.

Anyways, she decides it is a bright idea to punch the Indian Lady who staffs the front to check receipts. She goes off screaming about it being 'illegal' for us to check her bags if we suspect something. But the staffer wanted to check the RECEIPT.

So, she punches our staffer for doing HER job.

Of course, nice lady, real kind. Very pleasant. And I, of course, didn't take that well.

Being naturally angry at the unneeded violence, I shot off like a rocket. She didn't even make it past the second pair of doors before I caught up to her and stood between her and the exit. Told her point blank she wasn't leaving and she screamed at me about 'laws' and 'legality' when she is the shoplifter!

I tell her point blank, she ain't leaving until she talks to the Police.

Her eyes went so wide and I thought I had an advantage. Then she hits me with her off hand right in the jaw AND GRABS ONTO ME!

I'm at least a solid foot taller than her and I probably had a good 80 pounds on her too.

After that initial punch, I don't know what I did. I thought I punched straight back, but a witness said it looked more like I was trying to initially push her off and then ended up punching her after she hit me a second time.

We traded at least three or four blows before a customer mistook the situation and separated us, letting her go. But not before every floor manager had shown up and was able to see her license plate before she drove off.

I was just thankful she didn't rip my clothes given that she had a hold on me. Of course, I held her too, trying to keep her from getting away at some point. Don't know when I grabbed her, can't recall, but dang we almost went to the floor, but she was unable to bring her dominate hand around and I'm pretty sure she was too close for me to really wallop her in the face good.

Nevertheless, wide eyes is ALWAYS a bad sign. No doubt she has cops looking for her. She's still out to my knowledge, likely no one is ready to press too many charges against her or she's been able to fly low enough.

Wal-Mart, of course, fired me and is trying to sweep the whole thing under the rug. So, that's a factor. Took them two weeks and shoddy investigation to 'decide' to fire me.

We already knew it was coming. Wal-Mart may offer good benefits, but it lives by the mantra of the Corporate Image first and foremost.

And, of course, I got the lecture about her being armed. She couldn't be, she had her clothes tucked in, thereby negating being presumed to be armed. You could tell if she was armed or not as her clothes were a little on the small size for her. Likely her thieving clothes, given the tacky bright orange hat she was wearing, and left behind.

Anyways, I knew it was wrong to challenge, it was 'quote/unquote' not my job and I was off the clock.

Though, everyone else whose job it was, was scattered around the UNDERSTAFFED store.

Despite the fact that we've been repeatedly hit all Summer long, no one has thought of hiring a security guard service like the nearby plaza did. And they've seen a DROP in trouble in their area.

Wal-Mart doesn't care for its staff. If it did, and actually worried about us getting hurt, they'd post uniformed guards and actually send Lost Prevention Officers to the store.

Like everything else, Wal-Mart would rather fall back on 'It Never Happened' than be proactive. I swear, if I was an Insurance Broker, I'd classify Wal-Mart as a lost cause and label them as uninsurable.

I mean, yeah, the lecture was one thing. But the fact remains, had the woman been armed, our Receipt Checker would have been on the ground while I would have been more tied up trying to keep her from bleeding out!

Simple facts like that tend to be missed.

Anyways, sorry about the rant. I've been trying to get a new job over the last couple of weeks. So far, nothing is happening. It sucks not having a working car so getting to places can be a hassle. Plus, everyone is doing online these days and I need to find and update my resume on top of all of that!

I'm likely going to request Unemployment in the meantime. Just to get through. I'm going to see a net loss of probably 40% of my entire pay. It seems to be the mission of SSA and Unemployment to keep people OFF both when they need it and then never allow them to so much as breathe about it when they don't.

I know, it contradicts the Conservative view that SSA and Unemployment are the Leftist Groups best thing, when it seems that Conservatives actually are the asshats they hire for these important functions.

Let me tell you about the time I saw my local (and I use the term loosely) SSA office going out of their way to tell a legless (as in he had NO LEGS!) old man north of his 60s that he could still go out and find a job and not be a bum.

Now you wonder why we have so many homeless as well in America. Gee, I wonder.

Anyways, rant is over and if you're wondering, I drew SSA due to a mild to moderate case of Mental Disability. Minor stuff really. Trust me. I've seen far worse that has led others to physical disability on top of mental disability.

If I can hold a job and stand vertical so far throughout my life, then let me be honest, I'm mild to moderate. But that doesn't exactly fill me with joy to see how 'lucky' I was on that draw.