Bell pov
After that exhausting fight I fell asleep. When I woke up I was laying on a couch in the old church. Home, huh? I thought to myself privately. I looked around, wondering if anyone else was around.
I hear two sets of footsteps thundering towards me and felt like I was tackled from behind.
"BELL,AREYOUOKAYCANYOUSTILLMOVE" Hestia had ran up and gave a bearhug.
Feeling as if the life was squeezed out of me, I choked out a few words "yeah... Hestia-sa-sama"
Hestia had finally let go allowing me to draw breath once more. "Thank you" I croaked out.
"Arara Hestia. I didn't know you cared that much" Rimuru snuck up behind the both of them. Her mask was tucked away in her kimono.
"I-I'm just concerned" Hestia protested, going beat red in the proccess.
"If you say so" Rimuru said, unconcerned about Hestia's feelings.
"H-hey, wh-why'd you roll your eyes" Hestia said flushed. Rimuru only smiled at the question.
I only laughed as I got up. The first thing I did noticed was how light my body felt.
"So you really did get up" Rimuru noticed and let go of Hestia, who was struggling to get close enough to hit Rimuru.
"Huh, oh yeah. That was unexpected as well" I scratched his cheek, Normally I would feel sluggish after brutal fights.
"Just so you know, Bell, the reason why you aren't wounded is because I used one of my potions" Rimuru responded.
I was slightly surprised that Rimuru carried potions around her but thinking about it, it did make sense. Who knows what you find in the dungeon, or in the city.
"What did you mean when you said I really did get up?" I asked.
"Oh nothing. I expected you to be to exhausted to move" Rimuru answered.
"Well, get some rest tonight. The potion healed your wounds but not your exhaustion" Rimuru declared. "I gotta head out for a bit." And with that she had left.
After that. I felt a wave if exhaustion and collapsed.
Rimuru pov
After Bell had fallen asleep, Hestia had hit the bed. Now that they both fell asleep I don't need to worry about them.
Well, no choice but to do some old fashioned investigation. I want to know show been causing these problems.
My best plan, bait them by heading into the dungeon.
Freya pov
Sitting at the top of Babel, I viewed the night sky. Such a pretty sight at the top of Babel. Its a shame I can't have that Rimuru over here. It would've been pleaseant to have that child over.
"Ottar, can you prepare the next step. Oh and bring me a Grimoire later" I ordered Ottar. The captain of the strongest Familia acting like a manservant.
Ottar merely nodded and went to complete his task. Once Ottar had left I decided to do a little work of my own. What I wanted was to see Rimuru's face.
Putting on a cloak I had prepared to leave Babel when I noticed her. My target in question entering Babel.
What was she doing here? I thought privately. Intrigued I decided to follow.
She headed upstaurs and dissapeared. Just then I felt a tug and was suddenly at the top of the tower. Sitting down on the edge was Rimuru. Her mask was sitting right next to it.
"So, this is the goddess who's been causing trouble. Freya the goddess of beauty" Rimuru said. Her voice sounded more disinterested than anything.
I already know its pointless lying or bluffing. "Yes I am. I'm curious however, on how did you bring me here" It was one part curiosity two parts fear. I never noticed any magic nor, did I ever feel any kind of skill activation. To do this is simply impossible.
"It was magic" Rimuru answered. It didn't seem like she was lying. But I felt like she wasnt telling the while truth.
"Well, let me ask you a question. What do you want ?" Rimurus asked.
I couldn't really lie about it but I can't tell them the truth. If I do lie then it feels like it would be the end for me.
"I like to collect interesting specimens. And to test them" A half truth.
Rimuru merely turned around and faced me. A pair of golden eyes and a beautiful face that even makes me envious. But those eyes. Staring at them felt like staring into the void itself.
"If you truly bring any danger to my Familia, then I will personally hunt you down and make you pay for it" Rimuru said. And she meant every bit of it.
With that, she dissapeared. Leaving no trace behind. I felt the same tug as before and was suddenly back where I was.
I rushed back inside and headed to my apartment on the top floor. I was filled with excitement and fear as I made my way up.
I scrapped every plan I had and decided to do something desperate. Something that might get me banished to heaven or even worse.
To claim the power of the dungeon. And then to claim rimuru. That was what I decided at that moment.
Unbeknownst to Freya, a thorn of envy had sprout within her. And only continued to grow larger from that day.
Rimuru pov
Was it a good idea to reveal Azothoth. Ciel had asked.
She only needed to be afraid. But do continue monitoring her. I responded
Ciel had agreed with my plan but thought I should have used my demon lord haki instead. But that fear can be overwritten if your will was strong enough.
I needed to have her fear me enough so that she wouldn't dare try anything. She might still push Bell but if she ends up killing him...
Well, the possibility of her surviving that is none. Huh, I wonder if the hero's egg affected me.
Impossible. Ciel had assured me.
I'll just ignore that for now. Anyways, I need to head back now that I finished my job.
Bell pov
I woke up feeling oddly refreshed. After preparing for the day I left with Rimuru. As we were walking, I had a questing in my mind. It was there for awhile but I never had a good time to ask.
"We captain. Can I ask you something" I asked Rimuru
"You already did" Rimuru replied. "But go ahead"
"Why do you wear that mask" It was a question I had when she first took it off.
Rimuru sighed and said "It was a copy of my friends mask" It was a blunt response and left no room to follow up on.
Just then I felt a tug on my sleeve. A little girl carrying a backpack bigger than her was looking up.
"Hello there. My name us Liliruca Arde. And I'm a supporter" The little girl had an offer to make.
"As a supporter I would like to support the two of you as adventurers" Liliruca had offered.
"Supporters?" I asked.
"They're like newbie adventurers. They go to the dungron with veteran adventurers to gain experience" Liliruca explained.
"In exchange however, they have to do things like mapping, magic stone collection,fighting support, and all those other minor tasks" Liliruca went on.
"Seems fair. The goal is to get experience anyways" Rimuru said.
"Alright, lets take you for a trial run. Bell needs to know group tactics anyways" Rimuru decided.
Rimuru had decided for me. Although I would have like a voice in the matter, I had to agree with it.
Side story
Bete Logann had finished up the preparations. This time, they were going to stalk Rimuru until she takes off the mask. Once she does a recording magic tool will take an image of her and then he leaves.
"Plans starting now. Don't mess this up Bete" Finn had transmitted the last message stsrting the plan
Of course. He wasn't the only tracker as Ais and Riveria had also taken the role if tracker. Riveria was hidden under an illusion on main street, and Ais was taking the back alleys. Bete however, was hiding on the rooftops. Finn was leading the charge and being the coordinator of this whole plan. The linchpin, so to speak.
"Alright, target is leaving home base" Bete had signalled the beginning of the operation.