Chapter 13

After watching Heracles's long journey, Zelretch has decided that it is enough for the day or else his audiences would burned out before the end of the day.

"Well, I think that's it for today! You can do whatever you want…as long as you don't leave this island." The vampire reminds them

As they walks out of the room one by one, Zelretch sees that it is the young Bell that looks troubled by something. As the boy is the last one to leave the room, Zelretch seized his chance to make a small talk with the boy that has interested him.

"You look troubled, young man."

Zelretch's voice stopped Bell in his tracks. He then turns towards the vampire

"Umm…yeah. Something…kinda bothers me a bit…"

"Ooo? Is it anything to do with what you just watched?" Zelretch mused

"….I think so?"

"And why does it bothers you?"

"E-eh…it's nothing." Bell shuttered

"I see…well, you're free to meet me if you want to talk about something."

"Y-yeah…thank you so much." The boy bows his head down and walks out of the room. Outside of the room, his Familia members plus Ryuu and Aiz are waiting for him

"What does he want with you, Bell?" Welf asked, slinging his arms around Bell' shoulders

"Ah, it's nothing..."

"If you say so…"

They had decided to go swimming at the beach. Luckily, the villa had provided them with various swimsuits that they can used. Freya had opted to something by herself, guarded by Ottar of course while Ryuu, Lefiya, and Riveria said they want to walk around the forest.

With the exception of Aiz, who can't swim, everyone else have decided to go swim off on their own. Seeing that Aiz is the only one left on the beach, pouting, Bell swims back towards the beach much to the displeasure of Lily and Hestia which being held back by Mikoto.

"…aren't you going for a swim?" the Sword Princess asked

"Nah…you looks kind of lonely so I think it's better for me to stay with you…"

Aiz can't help but feels her face heating up, although she doesn't know why. She really needs to ask Riveria about whatever it is she's feeling right now later.

"I see…"

Then they just sat there, enjoying the peace they rarely can get. After the final battle against Evilus in the man-made dungeon, they really need a holiday.

The peace only lasted for around 10 minutes until Hermes interrupts them

"Oi Bell, can you come with me for a bit?" the god asked with a smile

"Hermes…" Bell still can't forgive Hermes for what he had done during the Xenos fiasco, but he also can't hate the god as he had helped him so many times before. Repairing his arm would be impossible without Hermes ordering his Familia to seek out the necessary materials for it, free of charge.

"Fine…" Bell made a gesture to stood up, when Aiz suddenly grabs his hand

"…Want me to come along?" she asked

"Nah…I think I would be okay…."

"Oi…I won't kill you or anything." Hermes sweat-dropped

"So…what is it Lord Hermes?" Bell asked

Both of them are currently standing on a cliff, few distances away from the beach where everyone else currently on.

"I want to tell you something."

"…?"
"I had debated myself on whether I should really reveal this facts to you. Turns out, I think I really need to tell you this so I can at least amend my past mistake…even if it's a little bit." Hermes chuckled

"…"

"Do you remember when I bring you to the graveyard for the fallen of the Dark Era?"

Bell nodded

"Yeah…the one where you bring me to your friend's grave and asked me to pray for them, right?"

"Indeed…though there's more than that." Hermes said, his eyes looks far into the distance

"It's not only for my friend…but for your aunt as well."

"I see…..huh?" when he realized what Hermes had just said, Bell shuttered

"M-my aunt!?"

"At first…I don't know that you both are related, but I have my suspicion. After digging around for a little bit…yeah, you both are related."

Bell does not instantly respond

"How…did she die?"

That's the first thing to come to his mind

"She died as a hero…while many would say the opposite, I truly think that she's a great hero. On how she died? I can't truly say as I'm not there when she died."

"Can…can I at least know her name?"

"Of course, though I would ask you not to reveal what I'm gonna say to everyone that you don't really know well." Hermes nodded

"Her name…is Alfia. A Level 7 and the youngest Executive of Hera Familia." Hermes dropped the bomb

'L-level 7!? W-wait, she was an executive in Hera Familia?'

"T-then-"

"Yes, your mother also a member of Hera Familia." Hermes confirmed "I will leave you alone with your thoughts for now. If you want to know more, you can ask me at any time." Then the messenger god leaves

Now Bell's alone, still coming in term with what Hermes had just revealed. He just stood there for few minutes, still in shock. Then…

"Bell."

"Wah, I'm sorry!" Bell yelped as he turns his head around

"Ah, Ryuu!"

"What are you doing here all alone?" the elf asked

"Ah…Hermes just want speak with me for a moment…he already left though…"

"I see…and I can't help but to notice you're zoning out."

"Yeah…I just…" Ryuu silenced him with a gesture

"No. It's fine if you don't want to talk about it. Just know that I would always be there if you need me." The elf said with a small smile

"Ryuu…thank you." Bell whispered

"Come now, we shall return to the beach before Lady Hestia dispatch a searching party to find you."

"Hahaha…yeah, let's go back."

After their rather late lunch, Bell had decided that needs some times alone to sort out his thought. He can't help but to think about his mother and aunt. How do they look, their personality, and….why they're not there for him.

"You look troubled again." Zelretch said from behind Bell

They're currently inside of Bell's room….just how did the vampire get inside….

"H-how-"

"Don't look so surprised. I'm the one who books this villa, of course I have my access." The vampire smirked

"That's…rather dangerous…"

"Relax, I won't enter the Ladies' rooms without permission. What? Do you think I'm a voyeur?"

"No, sorry." Bell sheepishly said

"Anyway, enough talking about me…what is it this time?" Zelretch asked

"…It's about my family. Hermes had revealed something about them just few hours ago…"

"I see…and you're curious about them?"

"Yeah…"

"Hmm…I can help you with that."

"Huh?"

Grabbing something out of his pocket, Zelretch handed him a small golden brooch.

"It's an artifact I found during my travel in another world. It has the ability to show its user what they desires the most in their sleep."

"But…wouldn't that just be a fake? A hallucination born out of my own wishful thinking?"

"No. I had tried it before, and it truly shows what could had happened or whatever you wish. There're infinite amounts of worlds out there Bell…ahh, it's kinda hard to explain. Just know that whatever it shows you, it happened in other world. Just sleep, I will the others that you're resting right now. And remember…put that brooch on top of you when you're sleeping"

And with that, the vampire left

Bell keep staring at the brooch in his hand. Shrugging his shoulder, he decided he will do as Zelretch had told him to do. He has no reason to doubt the vampire as said vampire had shown that it can do many impossible things…and he has no reason to lie to him.

And so, Bell enters the realm of dream

A calm, gentle twilight dream from somewhere far away and not from here

On the way back during the twilight

A sea of wheat was spreading all around us

The fruits' stalk and cool breeze made a small sound while being swayed by it. The scene of golden glowing light from the setting sun was like the heavenly realm described in a fairy tale.

Bell, who had been leisurely looking around, looked up at the person next to him.

A beautiful woman who seemed like she had just woken up.

She has a gray long hair, something that she didn't like because it looks dirty but Bell liked it. Her eyelids were always closed. Bell always wondered how she could live without her opening her eyes but she says that "Even just opening my eyelids is exhausting."

The jet-black dress she wears is very different from what one would wears in the middle of the mountains.

The more Bell looked at her, the more beautiful she was. Just the two of them, he was holding hands and walking together with such a beautiful woman. Then, Bell opened his mouth

"Nee, auntie"

Dogonn! Then.

A dangerous sound came from Bell's head.

"I will hit you?"

"You already hit me!" Bell cried out as he held the top of his head

It isn't in a blink of an eyes or something like that…the fist divine speed only left with the result as 'I have been hit'! (LOL, kinda resembles Gae Bolg don't you all think?"

It is impossible to dodge, parry, or perceiving it!

This is how far apart her and Bell existence are from each other!

It's an impact that penetrates the top of your head and roared through your entire being! This is Gospel Fist, Gospel Punch! It's even faster than an ultra-short chant!

Several stars turned in front of Bell's eyes while tears are accumulated in the corner of his eyes, his agony was like a rabbit which had slipped and fell on top of the snow and crashed into a rock. In the middle of all this, she looked down at me stoutly.

"Hmmm? What did I tell you to say when you call me?" she asked

"…..Step/foster mother."

"Good" she nodded and she – Alfia regrasped Bell's small hand

"And so? What were you trying to say?"

"….you won't hit me?"

"How can I understand without hearing it first? But if it is unpleasant then I will hit you."

"Scary!"

"Then I will knock you."

"That will probably hurt too!"

Bell is shouting from his experience

After all, in the three years since he met Alfia and the big man, Zard, not a single day had passed without a fresh wound until today.

Alfia is a sensitive 'Queen' who love silence. It isn't no surprise that a chop will fly at you instead of words.

When she says that it is white, even if it is black it will become white.

A rule in their house has already been established since three years ago, to not irritate Alfia, and last time, when Bell and his grandfather was fussing around, she was sitting on her chair, reading in silence when she closed her book with a slam.

"Too Noisy."

That's what she said and sent out a finger flick as if it was the end of the world.

Bell vision went dark and everything become silent.

And when Bell woke up on her lap, his grandfather pierced the wall and all he could see was from his waist down. Zard pretended to not see anything and stirred the pot to make the soup for dinner. Zard's cooking, while being peculiar about food, was excellent but on the table, the food he cooked was full like a last supper in their quiet table. His grandfather was left stuck on the wall and it took Bell everything to keep his hand from shaking.

"Don't make too much noise. Or I will finger flick you again."

"Hiiii."

"I hate noise. Only say when needs to be said."

"I'm sorry mam!"

"….what was that? Who taught you that?"

"G-grandpa told me to say that…"

"That damn old man…he is only a cancer that has bad effect on your education. I knew I had to use my magic to blow him away over the three mountains top."

"Stop! Grandpa will die if you do that, please stop!"

Among everyone, Alfia's chemistry with Bell's grandfather, who had been taking care of him his entire life, was the worst.

When Alfia was dragging a fussy Bell to take a bath, his grandpa said 'I will also go with you!' while jumping in and a second later he was forcibly remove from the house. She was thorough enough to bury him from the neck down in the middle of the field to stop him from entering the house.

In other times, when Alfia tried to sleep with Bell…his grandpa said 'I will also sleep with Bell!' and tried to slip inside the bed with them, but…

"Gospel."

With that one word, everything was over.

The wall and the roof was gone. Or rather the whole house had disappeared. Only Bell's room, floor, and bed was what was left and a beautiful starry sky was visible. Bell, who had become Alfia's body-pillow was lying straight, rattling and shivering, unable to sleep at all.

The next morning, in the sea of debris, his grandfather and Zard were lying on the ground in tatters. After that, no one else dared to oppose Alfia. Their house has been rebuilt about ten times already!

"I won't raise my hand, so tell me." Alfia pulls Bell back to reality and resumes their walk

Bell boldly but hesitantly asked

"My real mother…what kind of person was she?"

Bell doesn't know anything about his mother. From the time he was conscious, his grandfather was the only one who was at his side.

He doesn't know if he had felt sadness…but he had thought that he was lonely.

But…it's all good now as he had Alfia and the others.

So it was genuinely just a question. Bell wanted to hear and ask Alfia, the woman who knows his mother the best.

Alfia didn't stop walking and took a moment to look in front of her…then, she slowly opened her lips.

"She was kind."

"Kind?"

"Yes. She always had a smile on her face, and made people feel at ease just by being there. She was sickly but not fragile, even though all she did was saying normal things, it will make you realize your mistake. Strangely, she was loved by everyone, a very pure woman."

"Pure…"

"However, her grudge against food was terrifying."

"Eh?"

"Once I sneakily ate her sweet she was looking forward to eat. At that time, her mood was as if she was spitting a dragon breath. For the first time, I was prepared to die."

"Eh?"

"For the same reason…Hera, a certain goddess was also made to sit seiza directly on the stone floor. That was really a sight to see. That arrogant woman was humiliated, trembling and holding back her tears."

Bell can't help but noticed that she was unusually talkative and there was even a hint of a smile around her mouth. There was definitely love there.

"Because she couldn't live without the help of someone else, your mother never forgot the preciousness of 'Living'. Despite herself, she never forgot to be grateful, she never gave in to the hellish pain…while smiling on her face, she bit harder than anyone the meaning to live in the moment."

This is why your mother was kinder than anyone else, she said.

Alfia told Bell that it was because of his mother, that Bell, unlike any other, didn't know any illness and has grown up until now with good health.

"….The truth is…I had no intention to see you."

"-Eh?"

Her words were cut off and a moment of silence passed.

As the shadow of the two which was lit by the setting sun was growing, it is as if Alfia was lost in memory, she revealed what was deep in her heart.

"I didn't want to show up in front of you, that was what I thought."

It took Bell a moment to understand the meaning of her words and he almost started to cry.

It is just him and his grandfather in the house in the outskirts of the village. He always read about Heroic stories and used the characters of the story to heal his loneliness.

Perhaps…there was such a future.

But now? Now that he knows of her warmth, it is impossible to imagine it

With her eyes closed, she didn't smile at all but with an awkward gesture, she gently stoked Bell.

Never raising her voice, sometimes punishing him and yet she always holds Bell's little hand to protect him. The woman in front of him, who was sensitive, selfish, violent, and very clumsy had taught Bell the meaning of the word 'Mother'.

So please…don't say something so sad.

Bell looked up at Alfia as she walks next to him, tear pooling in the corner of his eyes.

Then…why did she appear in front of him?

He tried to ask her those words that got stuck in his throat as his snot was about to leak out. Luckily Alfia gave him his answer before he can get the words out of his mouth.

"The devil' whispers got in between. I was curious about the child my sister left behind, so I went to this mountain along with Zard. From far away, I really wanted to just take one look at you and then leave." She uttered this and she unusually curved her lips

It was a smile in the form of self-mockery.

"However…when I saw that white hair of yours, I couldn't take it anymore. I couldn't bear to rush next to you and the next thing I knew I was standing in front of you."

Bell could still remember that day he met Alfia.

It was dusk like today, when Bell turned around, she stood there right in front of him, stunned. She asked my name, and put her hand on my round cheek and quietly hugged me. The Alfia of that time didn't break into tears or sobbed but Bell felts like she was crying.

So, he put his short warms around her and returned her embrace.

Her body had a somewhat nostalgic scent for him.

Before he knew it, Bell was the one who was crying.

This was surely the 'Crossroad'.

If it wasn't for the 'Devil's whisper', then surely Alfia wouldn't have appeared in front of Bell.

Their fates wouldn't have intersected and the story would have followed its course without any change.

"You look a lot like Meteria, Your white hair, your face, your smile, all are inherited from your mother."

"Mother's…."

"Only one thing…your eyes are inherited from your father….everytime I look at those red eyes, I want to gouged them out."

"Hiiiiii!"

For a moment, Bell was frightened by Alfia who was covered in a disturbing athompshere.

It doesn't seem like he would be able to talk or ask about his father.

"….I don't want to be separated from Foster/step mother Alfia and uncle Zard."

"Even if you wish for that for eternity, we can't fulfil it for you as we aren't god. For we aren't invincible. We can't be together forever." Then she continued

"Even if you don't like it, goodbyes are sure to come. Do not forget about that."

Then…'that time' is near, Bell thought to himself

Because Alfia's coughing fit was increasing.

Bell knew that that she was coughing a lot in places where no one could see. He also knew that there was red blood mixed among it.

Bell will be seven years old this year.

It has been there years since he met Alfia and Zard.

The time to say goodbye was approaching. With a heartbreaking feeling, Bell realized this.

Conversation ceased. Everything around his vision was turning to a color of twilight. The sunset over the mountain bride was so bright that it made Bell eyes watery again. While squeezing the hand that wasn't squeezing back, they continued to walk on the way to their home.

Hating the silence when Alfia wasn't talking anymore, Bell desperately searched for words to say.

"The god that came yesterday…was it good that he went back?"

It happened yesterday, a male god had visited Bell's house.

His hair was jet-black with strands of ash color on it. His clothes were fully black as if he was a dweller of the darkness.

The god was looking for Alfia and Zard and they have some difficult conversation. Even his grandfather, who always making noise around the noise, was quiet as well. After finishing his story, Alfia and Zard went silent….

"Leave." Is what they said

The god looked a little disappointed but he also have a look of relief as he leaves.

"…Aaah. That's fine." Alfia nodded quietly

"I have already chosen you. I can no longer choose Evil and leave you behind."

"Evil…?"

Evil. Villains who appear many times in many heroic stories. Even Bell understands this. However, he felt something different from the 'Evil' she was talking about. So Bell asked about it.

"A being who destroys everything, paints order into chaos, and questioned 'Justice'. And also a being that that would kill many."

"…kill?"

"A stepping stone for the "Next Generation of Heroes". Taking away what is precious to many, making them resent you, making them hate you and sprung them to transcend themselves, entrusting them with the future. To save the world."

Bell who's still a young child, didn't quite understand the words Alfia said. But, he thought about it in his own words.

There is 'Evil', and it would take Alfia and the others away from Bell.

Alfia and the others will die due to this 'Evil'.

He will never see Alfia and the others again.

Unforgivable.

He can't possible forgive something like that.

Even if it was to save the world, Bell Cranel would never forgive that 'Evil'. No matter how noble and tragic their resolve was, Bell would never acknowledge those sinners who robbed people of their lives. That is why, it was a good thing that Alfia and the others didn't take on such a role and choose the path where no one would hold grudges against them.

"However…by not choosing 'Evil, the world might end because of us." Alfia showed her regret

Despite the fact that no one would hate her and brand her as a sinner and a traitor, it was as if she was ashamed of herself for not taking that role.

She was lamenting.

"'The Last Hero'….may never be born."

More ashamed than Bell had ever heard her, more fragile than Bell had ever seen her. Bell doesn't know why Alfia is so sad. There was no way he could understand. But it was certain that he didn't want her to be trapped in her grief.

That's why…

"In thas case…I will be a 'Hero'." Bell said

That stopped Alfia on her tracks.

"I will be the 'Last Hero'." Bell also stopped his feet and appealed to her

"That is why….mother/mom."

Saddened by their impending separation and holding his tears back, he gazed at his only mother in the world with his red eyes.

Her arms slackened and lost their strength and her slender fingers slipped out from Bell's hand. The wind shaking the golden wheat made a quiet sound. The twilight sky was listening to the 'Promise' that the boy had made to himself, which would never leave him.

Bell Cranel, may one day curse the choice he made on this day.

There may come a day when he realizes the magnitude of the things he had to carry but he would be in a place where he cannot turn back from it.

Even so…for now…

No, even if that happens….

"….you cheeky little kid."

….this moment, the smile on her face is burned in his eyes and he's proud of it.

Like a 'Hero', bringing smiles for the ones he loved. Indicate the 'Hope' with his finger and show them the 'Future'. And remember this day, where his journey towards his 'Ideals' began.

The young man had, from this point on, become a 'Hero'.

"Now that you have called yourself a Hero in front of me, you should prepare yourself. Now I won't let you back out."

"Urgh!"

"Then starting from tonight, Zard and I are going to thoroughly work your ass off."

"Tonight!?"

"First of all, I should throw into a monster's den and let them assault your body…or should I tie your body to a rock and sink you at the bottom of the river and teach you the sensation of death first…I have never trained anyone in this kind of thing so I don't know what to do…"

"I don't think that can be considered as training!"

"Stupid. If you don't know the boundaries between life and death then you won't know your limits. In order for to become a hero, you have to exceed three hundred meter mora than that limit."

"What would be the point of your limit then!"

Alfia somewhat looks happy as she began to talk a lot more.

Bell was quickly beginning to regret his vow.

As he was sweating and becoming pale, an outstretched hand combed through his white hair.

"So, let's stay together a little bit longer." She said

"….um."

Her eyelids opened and her beautiful pair of eyes stared at Bell. With a smile, Bell out his hands on the hand she offered. They held hands once again and walked back home. At the top of the small hill, Bell walked towards his grandfather and the man (Zard) who were still waiting and look at them.

Bell didn't cry anymore.

He couldn't cry anymore.

To show 'Hope' to the former 'Hero', he smiled. Quietly and calmly, he went forward down the twilight road leading to the future.

He saw the dream

He dreamed of a woman he doesn't know and never met, and a Bell Cranel who was like him but not him, walking together in the twilight light.

It was peaceful, happy, beautiful, lonely dream.

'I will be a Hero.' The boy in his dream had decided

He decided to carry many things and was determined to become a 'Hero'.

And so Bell wept, for what could have been.

Outside of the room, Zelretch stood, listening as the boy cries.

Note: this is almost an exact copy of the translated 'What If' story made by Fujino Omori himself. Credit to gegotaz for translating the story in Danmachi sub-reddit. I only changed some of the structures and words.

This is based on an event in the Danmemo game which took place the Dark Era, 7 years before Bell arrive at Orario. Alfia is a Level 7 Executive of Hera Familia that one-shot the Leviathan with her magic that can destroy the entirety of the 18th Floor. Zard is also a level 7 Executive of Zeus Familia, who kills the Behemoth in one strike after eating its flesh. They survived the catastrophic battle against the One Eyed Black Dragon and both of them plays the role of antagonists in the game, attacking Orario along with the god Erebus and Evilus.

Should they be victorious over Orario, they intends to bring the world back into the Age of Heroes where monsters would roam the world, birthing new powerful heroes like heroes of old. Should they be defeated, they hoped that their defeat would also lead to the birth of new Heroes. (In this event, Ottar leveled up to Level 7 after defeating Zard, while Finn, Riveria, and Gareth all leveled up to Level 6).

For those who don't know, both Alfia and Zard are struck by incurable illness. Alfia said that she took all Meteria's talent when they're in their mother's womb, resulting in Meteria being so weak while Alfia is so talented that she can copy Zard's swordplay after seeing it once. As a trade of, she can't fight for long and her illness prevents her from getting stronger. Zard was also badly poisoned after consuming the flesh of the Behemoth.

It said that if it's not due to their illness, they can grow even stronger. They have the potential to beat Hera's Level 9 Captain and Zeus's Level 8 Captain respectively.

Also, Omori said that when he writes the 'What If' story, he thinks that the Alfia in the 'What If' story would live for a long time due to the power of 'Mother's love' and would be the final obstacle for the heroines such as Ryuu and Aiz to get Bell.

Also, it's actually quite sad the Bell we knew needs to read stories of heroes to soothe his loneliness hahaha, and am I the only one who gets Shirou and Kiritsugu vibes there? After watching FSN and FZ, a child promising their foster parents to become a hero really gives me bad feeling.

I apologize for any structural and grammatical errors. Hope you enjoy it!