Is It Wrong to Try to Pick up Girls in a Dungeon: Darkness and Light (Short Story) Part 1

Characters:

Bell Cranel

Hestia

Ais Wallenstein

Lilliluka Arde

Welf Crozzo

Mikoto Yamato

Haruhime Sanjōno

Loki

Finn Deimne

Bete Loga

Riveria Ljos Alf

Gareth Landrock

Tione Hiryute

Tiona Hiryute

Lefiya Viridis

Eina Tulle

The Near or Distant Future:

"Come near Ais Wallenstein again and I will do worse to you then this." Bell Carnel said down at Ottar, the four Pallum's and Allen Fromel. As they all looked up at the only Level 10 in history. Ottar sluggishly tried to rise. To him it had been a long time since someone beat him down as badly as Bell Carnel had just done to him and his fellow Familia Members. But to his delight it did not fill him with scorn only that he now knew he had to train harder. "This will be your only warning. Next time you go after Ais..I will do worse to you." The victor growled and then walked away. Leaving the six defeated Freya Familia members reeling from their defeat. Glancing over Ottar watched as Allen Fromel tried to use his spear to stand up.

"How could that...Boy get so powerful in such a short matter of time!" Fromel asked as Ottar laughed. Still feeling excited over the prospect of how he had fought Bell Carnel and was properly defeated with utter ease.

"Funny isn't it Fromel. We all thought that the Guild was mistaken. That the Boy there was lying that he had reached Level 10." Ottar gestured at the departing Bell Carnel with his one good right arm. The other was broken. "Guess it was not a lie was it."

"We do not understand why you are so pleased with having someone beat the crap out of us." One of the Pallum's asked and Ottar did not even deem to look who had said it. Instead he laughed again.

"It has been a long time since someone has been able to defeat me. I found the experience quite stimulating." Ottar did not even care that he no longer was the strongest in the City of Orario. Being at level 8. That did not matter to him. All that mattered to him was doing what Freya ordered him to do. Though it did give him a new incentive to become stronger yet, so that he could challenge Bell Carnel again. Removing a vial of potion from his belt, he splashed it upon himself and his broken left arm healed. The others also did the same.

"If Goddess Freya orders us to again punish Ais Wallenstein...do we obey her. Even if it does bring that Boys wrath upon us again?" Fromel asked as he rotated his one time dislocated right shoulder. Ottar looked towards the now distant Bell Carnel and inhaled sharply.

"If she orders it yes. She is our Goddess and we have sworn to obey her." Ottar said, stepping inside the Freya Familia's home. Already knowing that Freya knew what had happened to him and the others.

000

Returning home, Bell barely acknowledged the others of his Familia. Walking upstairs to his room and went inside, shutting the door behind him. He found Ais sitting up on the bed, looking a lot better then she did earlier when he had left to pass on the Warning to those of Freya's Familia. The Sword Princess smiled at him. "I take it that you feel better now?" Ais asked him and Bell shrugged.

"I should be the one to ask you that." Bell said as he sat down on the edge of the bed. Noticing her expression. "Don't worry I did not kill any of them. Only gave them a stern warning to never do what they did again and to stay away from you." She reached up and plunked him in the forehead with her right index finger. He frowned and wondered what he had done to deserve being plunked in the forehead.

"You know I can take care of myself, Bell. You do not have to protect me." Ais countered and then smiled once more. "Though I do like that my Husband went all vengeful because I got hurt." She moved her right hand behind his head and drew him closer. Kissing him. As they parted he became serious.

"If they had seriously hurt you or worse. I would have torn Freya's Familia down upon their heads and dragged Freya here to beg your forgiveness." Bell said to her and Ais shook her head. Then kissed him again. She knew he would do that, without hesitation or concern that the Guild might reprimand him for doing that. But she could understand why he did it. The Four Pallums had ambushed her. Then after that Ottar Challenged and attacked his wife in broad daylight. Right outside the Guild Entrance and none but Eina Tulle protested. That pissed off her Husband enough to seek retribution. Along with warning those responsible not to do something like that again.

"What am I going to do with you?" Ais asked with a small content smile.

"Keep loving me as much as I love you." Bell replied and she chuckled, shaking her head.

"That is easy." Ais sighed and then moved to get up. "Well we better go and report this to the Guild before they send one of those nasty notes to Goddess Hestia." She noticed he was about to stop her from getting up and then thought he better not try. Taking his left hand in her right hand, they left their room and headed for the Living Room. Where they both knew Hestia and not to their surprise Loki with three of her Familia Members were there waiting. Once entering, Finn Deimne spoke first.

"So have you finished declaring War upon Freya's Familia. That is going to be the outcome of this. Freya will probably declare War upon you and your Familia." Finn said as Bell and Ais entered the large room. Not only was the two Goddesses were there. But all of Hestia Familia Members, along with Gareth Landrock and Riveria Ljos.

"I for one believe that Mister Carnel had no choice in seeking retribution. They did attack and harm his Wife after all." Ryu Lion said from the side. She was more then willing to go with Bell the second he had come down and declared he would make whoever hurt Ais pay for what they had done. But he told her not to get involved. She had only been cleared of her being banned from being an Adventurer for a month and was the newest member of the Hestia Familia. She could not have a black mark on her record so soon. That and he decided he needed to do what had to be done alone.

"Yeah they deserved every bruise and broken bone he gave them." Mort stated giving Bell a thumbs up gesture. The two others that had converted to the Hestia Familia six months ago, nodded their agreement with their friend. Right after Bell had fought that one armed Minotaur. The Three had become impressed and inspired they begged God Mercury to allow them to join the Hestia Familia. Mostly so that they too could raise in levels faster then they had with being in the Mercury Familia. "If they want War, bring it on." The large man declared ready and willing to support their Leader and Captain. Bell Carnel.

"As do I. Ottar and those from his Familia needed a good lesson. If they had done that last year. I am quite certain that all of us would have gone after them, Finn." Gareth stated and smiled over at Bell. "As Ais's Husband he had every right to seek retribution and revenge." Loki grimaced off to one side.

"Even so, I agree with Master Finn. Goddess Freya could use this as an excuse to declare War upon the Hestia Familia." Lilliluka Arde said as she sharpened one of her Crossbow Arrows with a flint. "If not that then some type of official punishment from the Guild. A punishment that could negatively affect Master Bell's standing."

"If she does seek War...the Loki Familia cannot become involved. Even though the initial attack was on Ais. If we supported you then...the resulting War could be devastating to the City." Finn said and looked over at Loki who nodded, though she did not like it. Freya's Familia had attacked Ais and Loki was extremely pleased that Bell had taught them a valuable lesson. "But we can offer moral and ethical support if the Guild does seek some type of punitive punishment. We could easily claim that the Freya Familia attacked one of our Members without justification." The Pallum Captain of the Loki Familia said playing with his thumb with his finger.

"Maybe if I go and apologize to Freya and tell her that I deeply sorry and regret what I did...she will not retaliate." Bell said though all there knew that even as sincere as he could make it sound. That it would be nothing more then a lie. He had no regrets over what he had done.

"I doubt that would work Husband. For one you are a terrible liar." Ais said with a smile.

"She has that right Bell. It takes a special skill to be able to lie and all of us know you do not regret what you did." Welf Crozzo said and everyone of his Familia chuckled with agreement. "Though I doubt that even Hestia going to apologize would be enough at this point. He beat the crap out of six of her most powerful Members. That has to sting a lot." He added with a huge proud smile. Also wishing that Bell had let him go, but like Ryu their Captain turned him down. Stating that it was personal.

"Even if she does declare War, Freya is going to be cautious about it. Bell is a Level 10 and he had proved most effectively that he can take down six of her Members all at once. That would make anyone cautious." Hestia said and then thought about how they could get out of this mess. "To that end, I think me and Loki need to discuss what should be done, alone." With the dismissal, everyone left. Ais guided Bell out into the Center Garden. Wanting to be alone with him until the Goddesses called them back in. Outside, she led him over to a tree and sat down on her legs. Smiling at him. He instantly understood and laid down with his head on her lap. She began to run her right hand through his hair. Then she chuckled.

"A Valin for your thoughts." Bell said as he laid there smiling up at her. She smiled down at him.

"I was just remembering all the times we did this or rather I did this after I knocked you out. You kept panicking and screaming." Ais said and he chuckled as well. "Though I do like that you do not do that anymore." She was torn, she liked that he sought out to avenge the attack on her. But she did not like that he could get into trouble for doing what he did. Though she would have done the same without hesitation if someone had done what Ottar and Fromel did to her to him. Though she would have done far worse to them if they had hurt him as badly as they had hurt her.

"I do too." Bell reached up and caressed her face with his left hand. "Do you think Hestia and Loki will find a way out of this. I am not too concerned about retaliation from those at Freya's Familia. I am more worried what the Guild might do." He said and she shook her head.

"If the Guild decides to punish you. I will mention the fact that they did not seek it when I was ambushed by the four Pallums. Then challenged by Ottar." Ais stated remembering when she had walked out of the Guild, the Four Pallums from Freya's Familia had attacked her without warning. Even though she defeated them, she was injured and tired. Then while she was recovering Ottar issued the challenge. She doubted that Ottar knew about the sneak attack until later. That was the only reason she could think of why Ottar had been able to beat her so badly as he did. "You know if I had known you would go seek vengeance I probably should not have told you." She remarked and he grimaced.

"I still would have found out and then I still would have gone. But I kinda wish you told me about those four ambushing you. Ottar told me, right after I broke his left arm. I would not have gone so easy on those four cowards." Bell said and Ais again shook her head. She originally had no intention of telling him, not wanting him to hurt the four too badly. She guessed that Ottar did so that he would effectively punish them. But her Husband had already beaten them and she knew he would not do anything to those that could not defend themselves. She stopped musing over it and returned to gently running her fingers thru his hair.

00

Inside, Hestia walked over to one of the Bookshelves and removed a large Book. Then pulled out a bottle of Mountain Spirit Ale. Returning to picked up two glasses and poured the Lime colored Liqueur into the Glasses. Handing one to Loki. Who gladly took it. "You have been saving this for this type of situation haven't you?" Loki said drinking some of the extra strong fortified alcohol. Hestia nodded.

"Yep." Hestia drank also and smiled. "In truth I have no idea how to get out of this. I personally believe that Freya would except an apology, due to that she does not want this to escalate into a real War." She said and Loki nodded.

"That is my take on this. Though I like that the kid took it upon himself to beat the living crap out of those that hurt Ais. Finn is right, we cannot support you if it did come to warn. Freya would simply escalate the whole thing into a major conflict. Not even abiding having it as a Sanctioned War Game." Loki said as they both thought about when Freya's Familia wiped out the Ishtar Familia. Claiming to the Guild that it was self defense. "Actually I do not think Freya would be stupid enough to do what she did to Ishtar to yours. For one Bell already proved that even six of her Strongest are no match for him."

"So all I have to do is have Bell apologize and pretend to mean it and hope that Freya doesn't know how terrible a liar he is." Hestia said refilling both of their Glasses. Loki nodded.

"I will be accompanying you though, with Ais, Rivera, Gareth and Finn. She owes me one for ambushing and hurting Ais." Loki stated sternly. Then smirked. She could not believe that not only was she drinking with Hestia. Someone that a year and a half ago, she found entertaining to harass and verbally tease. But after Ais and Bell officially announced that they were together and were going to get married. She now counted her one time well endowed rival as one of her closets friends. Having no idea how that happened. They were interrupted in their leisure when Haruhime came out to get them.

000

Freya sat in her usual chair staring out at the City. She held a glass of her favorite wine in her hand. "Perhaps I allowed my jealousy to override common sense." She whispered. Thinking about the orders she had given Ottar. That he and some of the others punish Ais Wallenstein for being with Bell. For marrying Bell. Now she regretted giving those orders. For one the four Pallums had disobeyed honor and ambushed the Sword Princess without warning. Ottar himself had relayed that to Bell right after being defeated. Which she told him to. Fully expecting Bell to punish them a lot more then he did. Now she knew soon Hestia and Bell would be coming to offer some type of apology. Fearing that she might declare War upon them and not that of a War Game. "If it came to War, Ottar. Do you think we could win?" She asked him and he stepped closer.

"Yes. But we would suffer a lot of casualties. That and other Gods and Goddesses would no longer do business with us." Ottar replied thinking about how many of the other Gods and Goddesses that were in good terms with the Hestia Familia. From Maich to Hephaestus. Which meant no more potion and no more Weapons.

"I believe you are right. I guess if offered then I will except the apology even though I believe it is not completely sincere. I doubt that Bell Carnel would be actually sorry that he defeated you and the others. In fact I believe he wished he inflicted more harm upon those four idiots." Freya said swirling her glass around with her fingers. "Oh after this whole debacle is over. Ensure that you also punish them severely." Ottar nodded with agreement. The beating the Four Pallums suffered from Bell Carnel just did not seem sufficient for what they had done. So he would provide another lesson for being so dishonorable when they attacked Ais Wallenstein. Freya stood and walked towards the Elevator. "Shall we go greet our soon to be visitors?" She asked as Ottar followed her.

Outside Freya found not only did Hestia and Bell Carnel were there. But also Loki and four of her Familia as well, including Ais Wallenstein. "Let us get this over with." Hestia announced and stepped forward with Bell. "Freya we have come to offer our apologies for my Bell coming here and...attacking your Familia Members." She said and Bell bowed. "Even though it was completely warranted."

"I would like to hear Master Carnel's apology for attacking Ottar and Allen Fromel." Freya said not mentioning the other four. In her decision the four deserved far worse for what they had done. So she would not accept or take offers of any apologies for what Bell had done to them. Bell inhaled sharply.

"I am sorry, but I do not regret what I did." Bell said evenly and Ottar chuckled as Freya smiled pleasantly.

"Accepted." Freya looked over at Loki and her Familia. She continued to smile and walked over to the other. "Now it is time for me to offer my Apologies to you Loki. I did not order any of my Familia to ambush the Sword Princess. I did order Ottar to challenge her. But that was done honorably. What the others did was not. They have been punished by Master Carnel and they will also be punished by me." She said and Loki slowly nodded.

"One more thing Mistress Freya...if any of your Familia ever attacks my Wife again and as I warned them prior. I will do far worse to them then I did." Bell stated while Hestia rolled her eyes in frustration. Then looked back at Freya who continued to smile.

"I understand and I believe they also understand your warning." With that Freya turned and walked back towards the Entrance of her Familia. Ottar held back a moment, smiling down at Bell.

"We must fight again, Master Carnel. Later when I have become stronger." Ottar said and then followed his Goddess inside. Loki stepped forward and slapped the back of Bell's head with her right hand.

"Geez kid. Here she accepted your apology and you have to try to piss her off again. That takes real balls. It was stupid but gutsy." Loki returned to the others in her Familia and looked over at Ais. "I take it you will be going back to the Hestia Familia Home, since this is the week you stay there?" She asked and Ais nodded. "Then if nothing else happens, I will see you two next week." With that she and the others left. Knowing next week Bell would be staying at the Loki Familia Home with Ais for the entire week. The two rotated where they stayed from one week to another.

000

Hestia and Bell's next stop was the Guild. Ais went with them fully planning to if necessary to remark that the Guild did not seek any type of sanctioned punishment against the Freya Familia. If the Guild decided to punish Bell. Determined to protect her Husband from the Bureaucrats that led the Guild. Hestia stepped in front of Bell and Ais. "Now listen Bell, once inside you let me do all the talking." She pointed her right finger in front of his nose. "I mean it. If they ask or accuse you of anything. You do not say a word. Just stand there and look like you are sorry. I am counting on you Miss Wasserhuzit to keep him from acting up." She looked over at Ais who smiled and then nodded. Clasping his right hand in hers.

"You can count on me. If he says anything I will make him sorry that he did later." Ais gave him a stern look and he swallowed heavily, then nodded as well.

"Good." Hestia said then led them inside where one of the Guild met them. Eina Tulle tried to approach to offer moral support, but her supervisor stopped her. The Guild that met them ushered the three inside. Though Hestia could tell from the Man's expression that he was not too pleased that Ais was there. But did not say anything as he guided them into the Offices behind the Reception Desk.

"The Guild Master will be here in a moment. Please make yourself comfortable in here." The Man said gesturing to a room, that had a long Conference Table with Chairs on both sides. Selecting the Chairs on the opposite side facing the door, the three sat.

"Now remember Bell...behave yourself." Hestia said again and Ais smiled.

"Oh he will. Otherwise...he will be in serious trouble after we leave here." Ais said giving him a placid look. He nodded with understanding. Yes he was stronger then she was, but in his mind she overpowered him in ways that were more important then mere strength. The Guild Master entered and sat across from them.

"I just received word that you have made a formal apology to Goddess Freya and her Familia for the incident that occurred earlier this morning." The Guild Master said then tossed the papers he had onto the table. "So I believe the matter is closed. At most the Guild is going to put a Black Mark on Mister Carnel's Record and ask that he not do something like this again." The Elder Man then stood back up. "Oh as to the unprovoked attack on the Sword Princess this Morning. It is still under investigation. If it is proven that she indeed was ambushed without warning, then the Guild will be seeking Punitive actions against those that conducted the attack." With that he left and all there were slightly stunned at how quick the whole thing was. Hestia though knew why. She suspected that Ouranos had become involved for some reason. Ordering the Guild to completely let it go. Which she did not mind.

"Well that was...never mind. Lets get out of here before they change their minds." Hestia said and as they left. They stopped at the Reception Desk to give their regards to Eina Tulle before they actually departed.

In route back home, Bell and Ais decided to go out for dinner. So after telling Hestia, they veered off and headed for Mama Mia's. Once there they took a table off to one side to have a measure of privacy. Where Ais immediately ordered her favorite food. Cheesy Potatoes with extra cheese. "Maybe next week we can sneak away and go visit the Xenos...visit Weine." She whispered over to him and he smiled. She too would like to see them again and just like Bell to hug Weine again.

"Sounds good to me. Though I would bet that Welf would want to tag along to see Rei again." Bell whispered back, thinking that his friend had to be different. First being in a Relationship with Hephaestus and then when that ended. Being in one with Rei the Siren.

"He does know it still could be years before he and she can...?" Ais asked and Bell nodded.

"Welf believes she is worth it and I was the same way with you. I thought I would have to wait years to be with you." Bell said and Ais smiled warmly at him. Leaning closer, she kissed him. Not caring if any of the other Patrons of Mama Mia's protested or saw them. After he said that she really wanted to kiss him. Parting slightly she continued to smile. Moving her mouth over by his right ear.

"You are so getting lucky tonight Husband." Ais whispered seductively in his ear, then blew into his ear causing him to shudder.

The End