A/N - Well here we go last of the rapid fire chapters and I would say at this point in the story we are almost about a quarter of the way through. I had a really fun time writing the characters for this chapter especially Alice I felt she was really fun to write. I'm releasing this chapter about an hour before midnight but either way it is what it is.
As always enjoy.
The next morning Eina woke up with a terrible headache barely able to remember anything.
'Ugh what happened. I remember being with Bell at the pub and drinking but that's about it.' Eina then put her hand up to her head. She then looked down and started to blush as realizations started to kick in. 'I was wearing my chest plate when we left. Then Bell must have-.' She trailed off in her own thoughts. "Ah this is so embarrassing." She then slumped back into her bed hiding her face in a pillow.
Eina, after working down her headache, got changed into more casual clothing and made her way downstairs. In the living room she saw Bell and Welf speaking. Bell noticed her and gave a gentle wave and a small smile. She walked over to where they were sitting.
"Good morning Bell, Welf."
"Good morning Eina." Bell said quietly, remembering what happened the night before.
"Yeah, morning sunshine. Bell told me what happened at the pub. So watch out for Hestia or Lili who knows how loud those two'll be." Welf cautioned as he had been in the middle of plenty of screaming matches between them.
"Thank you for the warning." Eina sighed. "So what are you two discussing?"
"We were discussing when we should all go down to the dungeon. Now that you've joined we thought it would be good for you as well to go." Welf answered.
At this point Mikoto and Lili walked in to join the conversation. "Good morning guys." Mikoto yawned while rubbing the sleep from her eyes. Lili remained quiet and only glared towards Eina and Bell's
"Yo good morning Mikoto, squeaks." At that comment Lili got pissed off.
"Why must you always call me something so stupid master Welf?" She said walking over to him, more annoyed than usual. Mikoto, Eina, and Bell watched the scene unfold. "Should we stop them?" Eina whispered over to Mikoto. "No it's better just to leave them be."
Lili proceeded to stomp over to Welf, who was sitting on the couch and kicked him repeatedly in the shins. He just sat there unphased as this wasn't the first time this happened.
"What is all this commotion so early in the morning?" Hestia walked in yawning and just watched Lili try to beat Welf. Haruhime then entered the chaos that was unfolding. "Guys breakfast is ready."
Everyone followed her instructions and made their way to the dining area.
The group all sat down to eat and Hestia was the first to get conversations rolling, "So Bell, do you have any plans today?" She asked with tiredness still in her voice.
"No, nothing in particular. Probably just a rest day since yesterday was Eina's first time in the dungeon." Bell spoke the truth but decided to keep out the fact that Eina got so drunk she basically blacked out. She just drooped her ears down at the fact that of all people it was Bell that had to see her like that but at the same time was glad that it was Bell.
Haruhime chimed in, "Well if you are not busy would you mind accompanying me to some errands Master Bell?"
"Sure I'd be glad to help." Bell said as he's always ready to help someone no matter what it is or who.
After everyone had finished eating, Bell and Haruhime made their way into the streets to run the errands.
"So Bell. What do you think of Lady Eina?" Haruhime asked out of the blue. Bell was caught off guard but took a moment to this about his answer.
"Well she's special to me, I want to protect her. She was one of the first people who welcomed me with open arms when I came to Orario and without her or Hestia I probably would have given up on finding a familia. Then I would not have met any of you guys."
"You love her don't you." This set Bell into a stuttering mess.
"W-w-well I h-haven't th-." Haruhime turned to him and put a finger to his lips.
"Bell, you can't hide it. I've seen the way you act around her. I don't know your thoughts exactly but remember whatever you decide, I will side with you and I know everyone else will too." Bell started to blush at her statement.
"Maybe you are right. But then the problems happen. Goddess Hestia and Lili always seem to get in the way when it comes to my romantic life."
"How about this, I will talk to them about that."
"What? No I can't let you do that Haruhime." Bell protested. He didn't want to end up dragging her into his problems.
"Please Bell, it's the least I can do. After all you saved my life and I can never repay you enough for that." Haruhime pleaded with him in a less formal way.
Finally Bell gave in, "Alright, thank you Haruhime."
The two then continued their errands and returned to Hearth manor. Haruhime now needed to find the right moment to talk to Hestia and Lili. But as soon as they walked in, Hestia called for Bell. When Bell walked into the executive office where he saw Eina sitting on the couch and Hestia standing near her. Both of them, waiting for him. He quickly took a seat next to Eina as Hestia picked up a piece of paper.
"I got a quest for the both of you. It was issued by a certain god asking for Bell to go on it as back up." Hestia announced while looking quite annoyed.
Bell's curiosity peaked, "Well what is it, goddess?"
"The quest basically says that you need to go to a village just outside of Orario. For some reason everyone in the village just vanished. We've tried to contact the village but nothing, so you guys are going to be the first to set foot in the village."
"You mentioned Bell as backup? Who else will be on this quest?" Eina questioned. Confused about the whole quest.
"As far as I know a member of the Hermes familia will also be working on this quest."
"When do we leave?" Bell eagerly asked.
"Two days from now so make sure all of your stuff is taken care of."
"Lady Hestia one last thing." Eina started to speak, "Why am I going on this quest? I only just went into the dungeon for the first time."
"I thought it would be a good idea for you to get some field experience that isn't just the dungeon and remember that thing I talked to you about." Hestia answered, looking proud of her decisions and Eina slightly blushed. Hestia continued, "Now you two get ready." She instructed and her hand motioned towards the door.
The next few days were very uneventful and before the duo knew it the day they had to set out on their quest had come. They said their farewells as they left the manor and headed to the rendezvous point where they would meet the member of Hermes familia.
When they got to the location Bell saw a familiar woman with short aqua blue hair. "Mr. Cranel, It's good to see you. I hope you are prepared?" Asfi, the captain of the Hermes familia greeted him. She had helped with the rescue operation and the goliath situation on the 18th floor.
"Yes, we are ready to go when you are." He then guestered to Eina.
"Well extra backup is appreciated. Now let's head out. It should be about a day's walk."
The three quickly made their way outside the walls of Orario and started their trek down the road towards the village of the damned.
"So Ms. Asfi what can you tell us about this quest?" Bell broke the silence.
"All I can tell you is that we were in communication with the village as we sent some people to investigate some bandit issues. Suddenly we lost contact and none of them, not even the villagers, would return our letters."
Eina continued the conversation, "You mentioned bandits. Do you think they are the reason for this?"
"Well that's what one would think but to be sure that's why we're off to investigate." Asfi then looked up and took note of the sky, "Come, let us hurry a little bit. Let's try and get a little farther before we stop to set up camp." Bell and Eina both followed her directions and the trio picked up their speed.
After a little while longer the group found a spot next to a stream that would be perfect to set up camp. Almost right after they set up camp Eina quickly fell asleep leaving Bell and Asfi to their conversations.
"Mr. Cranel, I know now is probably the worst time but you never did introduce me to her." Asfi then looked over at the sleeping Eina.
Bell looked into the fire and started to tell her the story, "Well under some certain circumstances Eina quit her job at the guild and joined my Familia. Ever since then I've been training her and recently we just went into the dungeon for the first time."
Asfi's face brightened a little now knowing a bit more of the situation, "That's why she looked so familiar."
It was Bell's turn to ask her a question now, "So how have things been with Lord Hermes?"
Asfi's bright face quickly turned to despair, "Ugh, don't get me started. I caught him the other day trying to spy on the women's bath. I found him hiding behind a wall peeking through a hole. So now we covered all the holes we could find and put guards around the bathing area."
"Oh, that sounds like something Lord Hermes would do."
"Yes you know it all too well don't you." She glanced over at him with a teasing look.
Bell remembered the time on the 18th floor when Hermes tricked him into spying on basically all of the female adventurers while they were bathing, "I'm still sorry about that."
"Please don't be. It wasn't your fault." Asfi giggled a little at Bell's blushing face. "Well we should probably get some sleep as well. Who knows what will happen tomorrow."
"Yeah your right. Well anyways good night." Bell then got up and went to his blanket that was sitting next to where Eina was sleeping and quietly laid down, so as to not wake her up.
The next morning the group awoke early in the morning and set out to resume their quest.
After a few hours they arrived at the village. It was quiet and dead, there was no sign of life, even birds stopped chirping.
Asfi broke the silence that loomed over them, "Let's split up and cover more ground. The village is small enough so if something happens just yell."
"Got it!" Bell and Eina said in unison.
The group split up Eina heading towards the north end of the village where the common house was, Bell heading to the east and Asfi to the west. Each and every house was empty, the only clue was the blood that covered the buildings and the streets.
'Where did everyone go? If it was a monster attack then there should be some survivors and the same goes for a bandit attack.' Bell was questioning everything that was going on. That was until he heard a blood curdling scream come from Eina's direction. At lightning fast speed he ran to where she was at the common house.
"EINA! WHAT'S WRONG?" Bell yelled as he was worried about what was happening. When he got to her the door to the common house was open and Eina was on her knees while covering her mouth just staring in terror at what she found.
Bell looked through the door and was almost sick at the sight. They had found the villagers. Some were skinned and hanged from the ceiling while a large majority was all melted down into a pile. The room reeked of poison and blood. Men, women, children, everyone. The one's where you could see their faces were forever contorted in pain and agony.
"What's going on?" Asfi was running towards the two and she was just as shocked as Bell when she saw the mass grave.
"What the hell?" Bell whispered under his breath trying his best not to breath in the stench.
"Whoever did this wanted to send a message. It seems that they wanted this to be found." Asfi responded.
Behind them they all heard a female voice, "Well looks like some more came to play?" Out of the shadows an amazon woman wearing a half hood leaving her stomach and legs exposed and a mask appeared.
"You, why did you do this? Why did you murder all these innocent people?" Bell yelled in anger wanting an answer from the mass murderess.
The woman just started to laugh in a deranged manner. "Why? I can tell you exactly. I got bored and when that happens I start to hear voices. They scream and scream telling me to kill and kill so to keep them quiet I do as they say. Though no one here was fun and they died easily."
Another voice chimed in this time a males voice, "Hey, Alice don't tell them too much." Another cloaked figure emerged into the light.
"Sorry Ainz, I was getting ahead of myself. Well then you guys look to be much more fun. How about we play a little?"
"Mr. Cranel be careful I don't know who these guys are. They are obviously not bandits."
"Alright, same to you."
Without warning the woman threw a spear aimed towards Eina. With instant reflexes Bell grabbed her arm and pulled her out of the way, she landed on top of him finally breaking out of her tance. "Eina, are you okay?!" He said frantically.
"I'm fine Bell. Don't worry about me."
The woman then began to speak as she went to pick up the spear, " Sorry about that my hand slipped."
"You bitch!" Asfi yelled as she threw a dagger at the woman but without even trying to dodge she let it strike her arm.
She looked down and just stared in amazement. "Ooh, that kinda hurt. Looks like you gotta deal with me missy!" Alice then charged at Asfi with her spear.
Bell tried to run and help Asfi, but his path was blocked by a scythe. "Oh no you don't kid. I gotta take her home so it's best if she lets off some steam now. I heard from my ally that you were pretty strong and now since you've seen our little mess how about you and me have a little brawl."
"Eina, get behind me." Bell instructed her. She followed his orders and quickly drew her sword.
'Ally? Judging by their mask's it looks like they're with that Ripper guy.' Bell thought taking a fighting stance ready to protect Eina.
The air around them became still. Bell readied his knife while Ainz pulled out his scythe. After a moment the two adventurer's charged at each other, getting into a deadlock. Ainz with great speed delivered a swift kick to the white haired adventurer's stomach and launched him into a nearby house. Ainz quickly chased after him.
Eina watched in distress and called out his name, "BELL!" She became an adventurer to help Bell but here he was again getting hurt trying to protect her.
Bell recovered after crashing into the house and wiped the blood from his mouth. 'That strength. It felt similar to when his Ally punched me into the ground. If I go off of that they both must be at least level 5.'
Bell and his attacker met face to face once again. "Well looks like you're still standing. That's good, lets see how far you can get." Ainz taunted the boy. Bell went on the offensive and swiftly ran to attack. Doing this surprised Ainz and put him on the defensive. A metallic cling echoed through the town as Bell's knife and Ainz's sycthe met. Sparks flew with each attack from Bell as he tried desperately to break his defence, or that's what it seemed. Once the two once again got into a deadlock Bell punched the mask off of Ainz's face and took his right hand and put it right against his face.
"What are you trying to do kid? Gouge my eye out." He said in an effort to taunt Bell. "Maybe after I kill you I'll go have some fun with your lady friend."
Bell finally snapped. With anger raging inside of him he launched his attack, "FIREBOLT!" His hand lit up with an orange glow. Ainz felt a searing pain on his face. Fire erupted from Bell's hand, melting a good portion of Ainz's face and making his eye explode into a bubbling goo. With a scream of agony he fell to the ground, passed out from the shock. Bell got up and broke the handle of his weapon that way it would be less effective. He then walked over to where Eina was.
"BELL! ARE YOU OKAY!?" She yelled while running towards him.
"I'm fine nothing happened to me." He said calmly.
Eina then looked over at the body that Bell had left in the house. "Is he dead?"
"No, he's only passed out from the pain. I can't imagine anyone taking that much pain and not passing out from shock." Bell took a second to breath and then continued, "Eina, I need you to watch him to make sure he doesn't get away. Can you handle that? You don't need to fight him, you just need to run if something happens."
"Sure I can do that. But, what are you going to do?" She spoke with worry in her voice.
"I'm gonna go help Ms. Asfi. There's something about that woman I don't like. She thinks of killing as a game."
"Okay Bell be careful." Eina sent the boy off with a smile as she watched him run towards where Asfi and Alice were fighting.
"Ooh your quick. I think I like you." Alice spoke with malice behind her words. Her attacks were so fast and so fierce that she constantly kept Asfi on the defensive.
"Tell me, why did you kill these people?" Asfi asked while blocking another attack.
"Why? Well as I said before the voices told me. They told me to tear off their limbs and rip off their skin. So I did as they commanded."
"You sick bitch." Asfi snarled. Then without warning, Asfi felt a blunt force on the side of her head knocking her down before Alice. She had used the blunt end of her spear to try and knock Asfi unconscious but that part didn't work.
"Well I was gonna try and grant you mercy by knocking you out. Looks like you're gonna be able to see what I do to you." Alice then broke into laughter, but it was interrupted.
"FIREBOLT!" A dash of exploding fire hit the ground between Asfi and Alice. Making her jump away at the blaze. "Ms. Asfi are you okay?" Bell quickly ran to his allies' side.
"Yes, I'm fine Mr. Cranel. But, watch out for her."
Stopping her laughter, Alice spoke in a more serious tone, "Well looks like the little rabbit wants to play. If you think you can take me I'll let you have your try." Alice, without wasting a moment, charged at Bell with her spear aimed right at him. He was prepared to defend, but was stunned by her amazing speed. He even thought that she was faster than him. She then took her spear and dug it right through his leg. Bell screamed in agony as she pulled it out. Now there was a gaping wound on his leg.
"Come on, you can do better than this."
Out of the silence of the village a lone bell began to ring out its song. Bell looked down at his hand and saw a faint glow. He knew what he had to do.
Alice did the same to Bell as she did to Asfi. She kept charging him with various attacks. Bell just tried his best to defend while charging Argonaut. The toll of the bell grew louder and louder till it seemed deafening. Finally it was ready.
Bell got as much distance as he could and with one final attempt yelled out, "FIREBOLT!" A large flame, almost like a dragon breathing fire, exploded towards Alice. It took a moment for the smoke to clear but when it did, Alice was nowhere to be found.
Asfi walked up to the injured Bell, "Mr. Cranel here take this." She handed him a potion which he quickly splashed over his would. In almost an instant it was healed like nothing ever happened.
"Thank you Ms. Asfi." It was then the two of them heard Eina yelling their names. The two quickly rushed over to where Bell had left her.
When they got to her she was missing her chest plate which revealed a plain black shirt. Ainz had his arm locked around her throat and the blade of his scythe hovering over her left shoulder down to her chest.
"LET HER GO!" Bell demanded with the fires of anger consuming him once more.
"Never, you stole half my face from me. For that someone's gotta pay." He then took the scythe and started to cut down Eina's shoulder. She screamed in pain and tears ran down her face.
Bell, without wasting any time ran towards them. Ainz quickly finished what he started and threw Eina on the ground as a bloodied mess. Bell took hold of his collar of his outfit and drove his knife right into his neck, slitting it wide open letting a waterfall of blood drop.
He then quickly went to Eina and held her in his arms. She was losing too much blood but in a quick effort he grabbed a potion from her bag that was on her waist and poured it over the wound as well as down her throat. He then used firebolt, though only a very minor amount of it, to close up her wound.
"EINA! EINA COME ON STAY AWAKE! EINA!" Bell screamed as tears ran down his face as she slowly closed her eyes.
