Danmachi Emerald Version
Chapter 8
The Rabbit and the Elf 2: The Reunion
A/N:
Narration
"Talk"
Monologue
*sfx*
Dungeon, 18th floor, Loki Familia camp, noon
A few hours after Riveria gave Ais permission to take care of Bell, Bell, and especially the red-haired from the Hephaestus familia are now able to rest more comfortably.
You manage to reach this far,
Ais thought as she recalls that the farthest floor he had ventured before their expedition was the 10th floor. 11th when she was acting as their guide.
It's almost been two weeks since they last met. Back then Bell Cranel was still a level one adventurer. But after the incident on the 9th floor where he fought with the Minotaur, she is certain that it pushed him to level up. Just like her fight with the Udaeus. Yet to think that their next meeting was at the entrance of the 17th floor exceed Ais' expectation.
"You did your best to save them, right?" Ais whispers as she recalls his last plea before fainting himself.
But...
Ais trails off as she continuously looked at his sleeping face and the bandages placed on his forehead.
You shouldn't push yourself too much.
A statement that is likely a kettle calling a pot black.
"Urgh!"
Bell groans in his sleep.
"You must be having a nightmare," Ais said softly while lightly brushing his hair. For him to have that desperate look on his face. His pained expression was born from wanting to save your companion. "But worry not, you've accomplished your goal so rest well."
"If only..." she whispers as an idea pop in her head. "Maybe this time..." as she tries to approach him, she looks at her surrounding. Though it looks like she is going to do something suspicious, her intention is pure but the case here is that every time she tries doing it, someone will come and ruined the build-up courage she musters.
"This time for sure," Ais reassure herself as the Sword Princess moves closer and closer to Bell until she is at his side. "A little more..." with shaking hands that slowly approach its target, she is able to put his head on her lap as his pained expression calms down.
"Finally I-"
But the small victory she had did not last long,
"Welf, Lily!"
The rabbit adventurer opened his eyes wide as he quickly sat straight on the bed just before she could rub his hair.
I failed again...
Momentarily, Ais puff her cheeks in disappointment. She can rub his hair no problem but whenever she tries to combine it with a lap pillow, something always happens.
"Are you alright?" Ais ask upon seeing him curled in pain as she stands up or in this case tries to stand up.
"Eh?"
Finally getting to his sense after hearing a familiar voice, Bell turned around to his side as he saw someone falling over him.
*thud*
"T-this is-a-a-a-aaaaaa" Bell panics as someone's chest is on his face.
"Sorry about that,"
Bell upon seeing it as Ais. He tried assisting her as she tried to move away from him. But with his aching body and her numb legs
*thud*
He fell on top of her halfway through and his face is now planted on her chest, again.
This is bad!
Bell panics as blood rushed to his face. It also didn't help that he could feel the fast beating of Ais' heart. Probably over this embarrassing situation.
"I-I need to-"
Then and there as he was about to stand, Ais put her arms around him and rub the back of his head.
"Don't push yourself too hard," Ais said. "Your body is still injured."
She continues to hold him like that until she felt that the boy calm down and stay still so that she could gently move away.
"Good," Ais said with a satisfied smile.
Exactly how did I ended in this situation?
As Ais is absorbed in her thought, Bell asks himself what exactly happened after they escape the Goliath.
Babel, executive suite.
As the Goddess of beauty stared at the sky while her attendants are patching her wounded hand.
"For better or worst, Ais is invested in his well-being and as the one that raises that child, I wish for that to bear fruit." Riveria's previous statement resurface in her mind as she recalls the scene of Bell and the sword princess inside a tent in that position. Lap pillow is one thing but having him on your top is going too far.
If that's how you want to play it nine hell, very well
Freya thought. Though she has no idea what transpire before she takes a look at Bell's condition, the Goddess of Beauty is certain that the High Elf is responsible for allowing that to happen as she is actively pushing him to the Sword Princess.
"Hmmmm..."
As Freya plan in getting even to what the high elf is doing, the King Ottar clenches his fist tightly in frustration. After seeing the goddess of beauty in that state, he contemplates in temporarily leaving her side just so he can drag back that sinful rabbit back to the surface this instant just to pacify her goddess.
"Ottar," Freya broke her silence as she stands from her chair followed by a wave to her attendant to leave. "I have a message for Loki," she paused to see the King's reaction only to frown on his deadpan expression. "Have her deliver the message for me."
"As you wish,"
Dungeon, 18th floor, Loki Familia camp, morning
"Urgh!"
Lefiya emerges out of her tent while stretching her arms upwards.
After all the previous death-defying things they experience, it was kind of refreshing to have a good sleep in a long while.
I know this is not an appropriate time considering the set back we had a few days back,
Lefiya thought as she began to walks around the camp, looking for Ais.
But I can't waste this golden opportunity!
At top of Orario's wall,
Lefiya stood proudly as the white-haired adventurer is in all four, prostrating himself to her.
"HA↑HA↓HA↑HA↓HA↑HA↓HA↑! I trained with Ms. Ais back on the 18th floor! More than you can ever dream of. How do you like that, peko?"
With the back of her right-hand places near her mouth, the elf Lefiya laughs loudly and proudly as she showed her dominance over her rival (self proclaim).
"I-I'm extremely jealous!" Bell (imaginary) replied as he cries tears of blood from his frustration and envy.
"That' right, be jealous all you want, peko, " Lefiya continues. "A↑HA↓HA↑HA↓HA↑HA↓HA↑!"
"What's that?"
Just as she is savoring her incoming victory over the white-haired adventurer ignoring the saying of not counting the chicks before the egg hatches, Lefiya took a quick stop as she saw a huge number of people gathering near their captain's tent.
Did something happen?
Lefiya asked internally as she walks near the tent.
"I hope this is not a bad omen," Lefiya whisper.
As she approaches the tent, Lefiya noticed Raul, Anakitty, some members of their familia along with some smith from the Hephaestus familia gathered around. For Raul, he was in the middle of the crowd with his back at the entrance of the tent, explaining to the rest of the bare minimum of the situation.
"Hey, Raul!" Lefiya called. " What happened here?"
"Oh, Lefiya, " Raul answer back. "Ais found an injured group of adventurers near the 17th-floor entrance and brought them here.
"17th? You mean the Goliath re-spawn already?"
"Looks like it, " Anakitty answer in Raul's place as he just accommodates a new onlooker asking the same question."I also remembered hearing its roar echoed out earlier in my shift."
"And considering the state of the adventurers, they likely receive a bit of a trashing from the Goliath before they manage to just barely escape it," Raul added as he returned to Lefiya while recalling the state of the adventurers Ais brought back.
"Hey, did you hear?"
"Hear what?"
"Welf's in there?"
"Eh? Welf? as in that Welf?"
"Yeah, I heard Tsubaki saw him being carried in the tent."
As the able members of the Hephaestus familia gathered and chat, Lefiya heard some of her members conversation.
"But you know, I didn't think Ais could make such a panic expression to anyone outside of our familia."
One adventurer said.
"I heard she knows one of them,"
knows one of them? I don't like this...
For some reason, the image of that rabbit's back flash in the back of her mind as more and more gathered near the tent,
"Tsk! I need to know," Lefiya clicks her tongue as she said in a low tone.
"Something wrong, Lefiya?" Anakitty asked.
"Uhm... can I enter?'"
Curious to know who this acquaintance is, Lefiya asked Raul.
"Sure, I'm certain you'll be a big help in there," Raul replied.
After their previous setback, their vice-captain, Riveria had been very busy in healing their poisoned companion. More so that the rest of their healers can handle due to the large number of personnel that got poisoned. Until Bete returned with the antidote, they are almost working round the clock.
With Lefiya's skill, Raul is certain it will de-load some of the burdens from Riveria. A normally sound decision but in this situation, he will immediately regret allowing her in sooner than later.
*swish*
"Pardon the in - eh..."
Just as she entered the tent to take a look, Lefiya's body froze as her mind seems to slow down as well as she tried to make sense of what she is seeing right now.
Three injured individuals are resting in the tent as the high elf is currently healing the one on her right; A small pallum girl with brown hair. Then she sees a tall man with red hair is located to her left and the one in the middle... as she takes a look at the one in the middle, her body froze as she instantly recognizes that white messy hair that is being caressed by Ais no less.
"E-eeeeeeeeeehhhhh?!" Lefiya snaps while she shakily points her right index finger at the thieving rabbit, her archenemy and greatest rival (self proclaim) Bell Cranel.
Her yell was so loud that it gathers more onlooker to the tent that was followed by
"Lefiya, be quiet!"
An angry voice from the high elf Riveria.
"I...I..." As she faces Riveria's wrath, the elf Lefiya fell to her knees.
Noooooooooooooooooooooo!
Lefiya cried internally.
Why?! Why are you heeeeeeeeeeeere?!
*sigh*
The high elf sigh as she turned to Ais,
"Ais, kindly assist her out,"
"..." Ais hesitated first but decide to followed Riveria's orders.
She slowly stands up, lightly brushing her knees before approaching the dejected elf and offering her a lending hand "Let's go,"
"...yes..." Lefiya absentmindedly answered not noticing that Ais is leading her by the hand.
Normally she would be happy over this outcome but her mind is focused on one thing or one person that is Bell Crannel, to notice it.
It's one thing for you to be here, Lefiya thought. But for you to have your hair rub by Ms Ais with such care... this... this is...
"Unforgivable!" Lefiya repeatedly mutter in a low voice while they exit the tent."Unforgivable! Unforgivable! Unforgivable!"
Dungeon, 13th floor, morning,
After arriving to the twelfth floor early morning , the rescue party slows their progress in consideration to the two VIP that came with them. From there, it took them four and a half hour before they reached the thirteenth floor. From there, they began looking for clues to Bell and his party's fate when they encountered the pass parade.
Half an hour of searching and the rescue party encountered almiraj and wolves. As Ryuu and Asfi were eliminating them, the deities rest on a pillar while Karen and the children of Takemikazuchi stand guard and fights the monster that manage get pass from the two..
"It really is dark here," Hestia muses as she pants while looking at Hermes' calm posture with a tinge if envy. Unlike her who rarely go out, Hermes and his familia are wandering the world. Him not getting tired pretty much shows how used he is to this kind of movement.
"Of course its dark," Hermes replied with a smile. "It is a dungeon after all."
"I know that you idiot" Hestia replied back angrily as his comment is making fun of her. "I am just amazed that adventurers like this dark and dingy place."
"Well-"
"Looks like it is over," Ouka announced that instantly cut the deities discussion as they look at the approaching figures of Asfi and the the masked elf.
"Good work as always," Hermes said to them with a smile. A smile that Asfi just ignored.
"So how should we proceed from here?" Hestia asked. "This is the floor where Bell and his party were last seen, right?"
"Searching all floors will take forever," Ryuu answered as she turned to Asfi.
"We can start by searching for their trail after their encounter with the pass parade by searching for the holes on this floor." Asfi replied. "But if they are still alive, I think that they use it to escape and choose to go down to the 18th floor than crawl back up."
"Knowing him, it is possible," Ryuu replied back.
"Holes?" Hestia asked. "18th floor? That's crazy!"
"But I think that is the most logical choice they could pick," Asfi replied.
"What makes you believe that Bell and the others went there?"
"Actually Lady Hestia," Asfi replied as she adjusted her eyeglass. "From the information I gathered, Bell's party is equipped with a days worth supply. With low supply and the priority is survival, it is fastest to go to the 18th floor where monster doesn't spawn using the holes as shortcuts than to return back to the surface. For most adventurers, the 18th floor is a safe haven where they can temporary rest. "
"And Rivira is there as well so it is likely they go there to get help," Hermes added much to the annoyance of the loli Goddess.
"Riverwhat?" Hestia asked as her eyebrow twitch to the name of the place and how it sounds close to a certain thieving high elf.
"Rivira, Lady Hestia,"Asfi corrected her. "It is an adventurer made town in the eighteenth floor."
"Then let's get going to that Rivirwhatnot" Hestia replied as she dust her clothes.
Outside of Karen, the rest of the rescue party are puzzled to the Goddess' phase shift in mood.
"But seriously," Hestia said in a low irritated tone. "There are plenty of names out there and they chose to call that Licera"
Hearing her for the second and third time, Asfi decided to not correct the Goddess anymore as she seems to have some issue with the name or a name similar to Rivira that the Goddess cannot fully said its name or intentionally mispronounced it.
Dungeon, 18th floor, Rivira,
Because of the Loki Familia's expedition, a lot of weaker level two adventurer uses this as an opportunity to form parties so that they could go down go to the eighteenth floor to gain experience and gather materials before the monster rex re-spawn.
One of these adventurers is Mord Latro, a level two adventurer of the Ogma familia. He is a man with a tall build and a brown hair and golden brown eyes with noticeable scar on his face. While half of the weaker parties already returned to the surface, not risking the chance to encounter the monster rex if they left later than sooner. Yesterday evening, Mord and his party drank and enjoy themselves while making fun of the ones that left early.
Him staying here does not mean their party is capable of defeating the Goliath. Far from it as he is certain they will be squished like a fly if they decided to face it head on. What force him to stay is due to the humiliation he got a few days back with the Phony Rookie and the maids of the pub. The quick beat-down they receive is still fresh on his mind that he opt to stay in the 18th floor and decide to beat more monsters in the 16, 17 and monsters that entered the18th floor.
And hey, the Loki familia is currently staying in the eighteenth floor as well so it'll give then an additional twelve days to stay in Rivira.
"Hey, Mord," Guile, one of Mord's party member called.
"What?" Mord replied in an irritated tone as he hold on to his head as he groan in pain due to hang-over.
"I heard the Goliath re-spawn earlier this day?"
"So what?" Mord replied. "Let the Loki familia handle it. We'll stick to our plan."
"If you say so," Guile said. Considering he also felt the same humiliation Mord had a few days back, he can understand his reasoning so he didn't argue further.
Hostess of Fertility, afternoon
"Syr, what happened to your hands, nya?" Chloe asked after seeing Syr who not only arrive late after their break but also have her right hand covered with bandaged.
"Well... I tried making some new food for Bell, " Syr replied with a chuckle much to the fright of the maids and the cook in the kitchen that heard her.
"Knowing that Ryuu's with them, I'm sure he will come back safe, " Lunor chimed in as she emerges out of the kitchen. "That's why, you shouldn't worry about them."
"Nyahaha! " this time around, they were joined by Anya after seeing the three gathered near the entrance of the kitchen. "Seriously, Syr's a scatterbrain at times, nya, - eh? hiiiiiiieee!"
it was a brief moment but Anya felt killing intent directed at her that send shivers down to her spine.
"Something wrong, Anya?" Syr asked as the rest tilts their head in confusion after seeing Anya's odd action.
"It's... it's nothing nya... just-" Anya replied, scratching her left cheek as sweat drops from her forehead before they were interrupted by an angry Mama Mia.
"I'm not paying you to just stand there and chat!"
"Y-yes ma'am!" they all replied with a salute.
"So get going!" Mia roared before she return to the counter.
"Anya, help me back here, " Lunor called as she waves to Syr and Chloe who are headed back to the dining area.
"Any case, do you think he's still alive, nya?" Anya asked cautiously as she follow Lunor back in the kitchen.
"I have no experience in the dungeon so I honestly don't know, " Lunor laments for a brief period. "But for our sake, I hope he is alive."
"Our?" Anya asked. Curious why the white haired kid's safety is connected to their well being.
"Who do you think will eat Syr's cooking if he's not around?"
"I guess you're right, nya, " Anya replied as she shivers just from remembering the 'taste' of Syr's cooking.
If they they are were to be asked what is like eating Syrchama's cooking, the best way to describe it is it is on an inhuman level to the point of it being godly or in this case ungodly.
"I hope you're right, nya, "
Dungeon, 18th floor Loki familia camp, afternoon
After the incident inside the tent, Ais led Bell to Gareth's tent where Finn and the executive member of their familia gathered to express his gratitude for saving them.
On their way,
"Just who does he think he is?"
"Don't get cocky just because Ais took care of you."
He could feel the stares and resentment directed to him by the members from the Loki familia including the ones coming from Lefiya. In fact, it was Lefiya's glare that he felt more than the rest of the Loki familia members that if he is to quantify her intensity to the rest, her glare is over 9,000.
"Since you're here," Ais began, not noticing the unwanted attention they are gathering just by walking side by side. "That mean's you level up, right?"
"Ah y-yes," Bell replied meekly. "B-but I won't be able to do that without your help."
And just like before, the gratitude he showed her is genuine with no strings attached that Ais' cant help but smile (internally) as her little self is jumping in joy.
"No," Ais replied, modestly. "All I did was train you. It was your own handwork and determination that-"
"Hello, Ais,"
Before she could even finish, they arrive to their destination as she was greeted by Annakity who is at the entrance of the tent, standing guard.
"Captain, Ais and her friend have arrive," Anakitty announced.
"Let them in,"
"Eh?"
Finn's voice said can be heard from inside the tent while Bell unconsciously blurted out his confusion as he look shocked at the cat person with black hair.
"Something wrong, Bell?" Ais asked, tilting her head.
"Ah... well I-uhm... I was just surprise that she didn't erm... well... nya,"
Hearing this, Anakitty lightly giggle knowing where he could have gotten the idea that cat people says nya a lot.
"In any case, let's get inside," Ais insist as she entered the tent first followed by Bell.
Ais called her Bell,
Anakitty thought as she remembered the white haired adventurer with red ruby eyes like a rabbit. Somehow, the aura he gave does not fit your typical adventurer that it makes her wonder if he is the one.
Is he the Bell Cranel that Captain mentioned down there?
meanwhile, Outside of Twilight mansion,
"Hold," one of the guard of the mansion's gate said as they spotted a female adventurer affiliated with the Freya familia walking to their direction.
"My Goddess sent me," she began as she look at the two low level adventurers guarding their home. "I wish to have an audience with Lady Loki."
"She's out attending to some important matter," one of the adventurer said without fully revealing the current state they they are in.
"If you have a message for her," the second guard answer carefully knowing full well that the one in front of them is from the strongest familia of Orario. Now that all of their strongest are in the dungeon, they can't risk a confrontation when they are at their weakest. "You can pass us the message."
"Very well," the female adventurer said in a bored tone. "Please tell Lady Loki this, Lady Freya wishes for her to visit her in her suite as soon as possible. It is a continuation to their previous discussion. I'm sure Lady Loki will already know what it means."
"Just look at him," Lefiya said a few minutes after she Bell and Ais came out of the tent and he startsgetting cozy to Tiona and Tione as well. "Just who does he think he is?"
A few feet away from Gareth's tent, Lefiya, Anakitty, Raul and Line gathered as they peel vegetables for their meal. Seeing how that rabbit acts towards Ais and the Amazons increase her ire towards him.
"C'mon now Lefiya," Raul said. "You can't be rude to Ais' guest."
"He's right," Anakitty added. "Unless you want to be scolded by Lady Riveria again.
"How come the two of you aren't bothered by it?"
"Well..." the two said in unison as they look at one another before looking at Ais.
"We understand where the jealousy is coming from but " Anakitty began. "But we've seen her growth,"
"Unlike you new comers," Raul continued. "We've seen Ais develop to how she is today that it's difficult for us to idolize her and put her on a pedestal."
"She is more of a younger sister to us that we're glad to see her like this." Anakitty said as she pass the unpeeled vegetable to Line who quietly listen to them. "I even remember how Raul is terrified of her before," Anakitty giggle much to Raul's embarrassment.
"It still there but not that worst than before,"
"But why?" Lefiya asked in disbelief.
"Back then, Ais is... well... let's just say she's wild." Raul said as he thinks of a proper word to describe Ais in a tone down manner. "Like holding a knife with a sharp and rigged handle."
"But after spending time with everyone, Captain, Lady Riveria, Gareth, Tione, Tiona, you and the rest, she slowly turned to the Ais she is today," Anakity added as she look at Ais as she give the rabbit adventurer a tour to their camp.
I wonder... Is Ais perhaps...
"Anything wrong Anakitty?"
For the first time, Line joined their conversation after seeing Anakitty's pregnant pause.
"Nothing... just curious if he's the Bell Cranel captain mentioned before."
"The Bell Cranel?" Line asked as Raul told her what of Finn's speech back at the 59th floor.
It was brief but Lefiya made a jerk reaction upon hearing his name. A reaction that Anakitty noticed.
"I wonder what he did to merit such recognition from them?" Anakitty wonders.
"Well we can ask them," Line suggested as she point to the Amazon sisters.
To be honest, Lefiya is curious as well not that she will openly admit it. After all, she only knows that he goes to an adventure.
"Eh? you want to know what Argonaut did?" Tiona asked as she look at her sister with a smile while the rest are puzzled to the alias Tiona uses. "Well... he defeated a Minotaur all by him self!"
"What's so special about that?" Raul asked. After all any experienced level 2 can do that. "Sure its hard but it's not impossible, right?"
"True," Anakitty answered as she recall her own personal experience as a level 2.
"Context, Tiona," Tione said as she look at Raul. "Its true that most of us can do that but a month old level one deafening that monster is a different thing all together."
Upon hearing their answer, the group was speechless. Most are in awe to such feet knowing how hard it is to fight the bull even to level two veterans while Lefiya paled as her imaginary Bell grew taller than the outer wall of Orario as he peaks from outside the wall until he noticed her small fragile frame and began looking down on her with a victorious smirk.
Meanwhile in Gareth's tent just after Ais and Bell left,
"Say, is he really that Bell Cranel that you speak of?" Gareth asked that made the two chuckle.
Just Like Lefiya and her group, the executives are also discussing about Bell.
"I understand what you mean," Finn spoke first.
"His gentle nature doesn't make him look like an adventurer," Riveria follow up. "But he's the real deal."
"If you say so," Gareth replied before he rub his beard and took a side glance to the High Elf with a grin. "In that case, poor Ais,"
Upon hearing this, Finn smirks as he is presented with a golden opportunity while Riveria's eyebrow twitch in irritation.
"I wonder," Finn said as he look at Gareth. "What would Ais do if she learn the guy she's interested in likes her mom instead."
"Ahahahahaha!," Gareth guffaw. "Mom? she's old enough to be his ancestor! Ahahahahaha!"
"..." Riveria kept her mouth shut knowing this is Finn's way of trying to get even to what she did in the 50th floor as she wait for the right moment to counter. And knowing Gareth, he'll bound to say something that she can use against Finn.
"Whew, but seriously," Gareth continue as he support his stomach. "It'll be a riot if Loki hears that two of her executives are cradle robbers."
Upon saying that, Riveria smiled. "Two? I don't know who you mean by that but I am certain that it's not me," followed by a side glace at Finn. "Technically, Finn is old enough to be her father.
"Ahahahaha! She got you there Finn,"
"And you're telling us that you're not like that with you rabbit admirer?" Finn countered back.
"Finn unlike in your case where you are actively pursuing her, he is just my admirer," Riveria clarify. "He's not the first and he will not be the last."
"So you feel nothing?"
"In a romantic sense, no," Riveria answered flatly.
"So it'll be an uphill fight for him as well," Gareth said as he look at the high elf and pity the young adventurer.
"So in a not romantic sense, you feel something right?" Finn slumps to his chair, exhausted to counter back but have yet to raise the white flag. "But you know old hag, he is not Ais."
"..." regarding this comment, Riveria refuse to respond, a move she instantly regretted as soon as Gareth piles in.
"This might be over correction on your part but remember that Ais' growth in that area is not entirely your fault" Finn continue as the high elf still refuse to reply.
"And your pushing him to Ais is like incest at this point." Gareth jeered.
"Matchmaking the older sister that you raise to her new younger brother." Finn added with a smirk.
"Oh? and you rather have me ship him to Elly?" Riveria asked to Finn that caused him to panic and fall from his chair with a loud crash.
"Just so you know," Riveria said, seriously. "Many are vying for that sinful rabbit's affection."
Two goddesses, two humans, one half elf, and one pallum
Riveria count on her mind the one she knew so far.
"Knowing and having ties to three of them, gave me quite a huge influence if I try playing matchmaker." Hearing her said this, Finn gulp. "So why not drop the subject even for the time being?" a suggestion that is more of an ultimatum saying stop or else. "After all, we need to think of a way to resolve the current issue at hand."
The issue Riveria is talking about is their familia's jealousy over Bell. Something that even Finn can't help but sigh.
"Why not just let them know he's Ais' trial student?" Gareth asked.
"It'll just pour oil on the fire, Gareth," Finn sigh. Outside of the ones involved, only their goddess, the executive members and spectator of Bell's fight against the bull knew that Ais trained Bell Cranel and the deal made because of it.
"And this is not the right time to reveal Elly's identity as well," Riveria added as the possible connection Lily have to their familia might elevate some of the tension they are receiving but it will also open a new can of worms to Lily's connection with the Soma familia.
"What about revealing him as the tomato kid?" Gareth suggested. "Surely it'll turn their envy to sympathy, right?."
"Not only will it put Bete under more scrutiny for mocking him but all blame will be directed to Tione and Tiona as well," Finn answered. Their encounter with the King already proves it. "I'd rather not have that especially if this goes out in the open."
Dungeon, 16th floor, afternoon,
"Wait... this is..." Hesta said in despair as she fall to her knees.
After following the possible trail of Bell Cranel and his party starting from the hole that instantly brought them from the 13th floor down to the 15th floor, the rescue party continue their descent until they reached the 16th floor where they found Bell's red knife near a collapse hallway.
"Calm down Lady Hestia," Ryuu began as she examines the collapse hallway. "Looking at it, it's like the collapse was caused outside of the hallway and not from within the hallway."
"Really?" Hestia asked as she look at the masked elf.
"I believe so," Ryuu respond with a nod.
"Asfi, just in case," Hermes ordered as he assisted Hestia to the wall.
"Thanks," Hestia heaves.
"What are friends for, right?"
Following her God's order, Asfi removed the rubble with some item while Ryuu stand and watch for any incoming monsters that were attracted to the noise she make as the gods continue their discussion.
"Really?"
"Don't tell me you still doubt my intention?"
"Sorry, but yes," Hestia replied honestly. "So it's about time to tell me what you're up to."
"Very well," Hermes sigh.
"It is true that he also pique my curiosity," Hermes began as he adjusted his hat. "But I'm doing this now because someone asked me to. As I go in and out of Orario, I am the most suited to do this job.
"And who's deity is this?" Hestia asked. "Don't tell me that old geezer Z-"
"Oh? Since when did I say that the request comes from a God?" Hermes quickly cut her off and gave an unnatural smirk.
"I doubt you'd do it with a mere mortal so I assumed a God outside Orario is behind this."
"Hahaha," Hermes laugh drily to her reasoning. After all if it is from a god in Orario, there's really no need to ask Hermes as information about Bell can be taken from any citizen that encountered Bell or even the guild . "You remember the last denanthus right?"
"What about it?"
"I met the man that raised Bell in one of my journey after Denanthus. He heard of his accomplishment as the record holder and wants me to check up on Bell,"
"What?! But Bell said that his grandfather already died ,"
Hearing a farfetched reply, Hestia's suspicion on Hermes grew more. Not just him but Karen as well who is keeping a close tabs on them while she and the rest are busy fending off monsters that appeared.
"C'mon now," Hermes replied. "Don't shoot the messenger. It's his words and not mine."
"Let's say I believe you on that but why would that person fake his death?"
"Ah... let's say he's trying to hide from a certain someone and him being near Bell might drag him into that mess."
Somehow, the way he words this is more like how a man (Bell's grandfather) goes to hiding after his wife caught him cheating for the xth time rather than someone running away from his debt or from a shaddy deal. The fact that she also sensed his tone towards Bell carry no ill intent, Hestia decided to take his word... for now.
"And one last thing,"
"Yes?"
"What do you mean by he pique your curiosity exactly?"
"Oh that?" Hermes replied with mischievous smile that made the loli Goddess to second guess her decision in trusting him. "I'm interested to know if he can stand on this stage that we are in now and see if he can push this era forward. Far greater than what the King and Braver have done so far.
Dungeon, 18th floor, evening.
Just before they begin their dinner, Finn stood and clear his throat loud as all eyes are looking at him.
"As you all know by now," Finn began as he look at the crowd before stopping to where Bell Cranel and his party are. " We have three guest with us today. Adventurers who encountered an unfortunate circumstance while entering the middle floor for the first time. They courageously risked their lives to support one another to survive and reach here. That is why even if you can be on friendly terms with them, treat them with respect as fellow adventurers that struggle to survive in the dungeon."
The crowed was silent at first but after dropping certain hints like Bell's group being new to the middle floor practically means they are new level two at best and at worst experienced level one.
Knowing the jump in difficulty from the upper floor to the middle floor, unwanted incident like pass parade, the animosity they had with them, with Bell lessen. It is still there but at the very least it's not as bad as before save from one forest fairy.
"Now that formalities are done, let's feast!"
Ending his speech like that was followed by joyful cheering.
"Cheers!" They began as they happily eat and drink.
How is it possible for him to defeat a Minotaur?
As the others began enjoying their meal, Lefiya was still lost in thought to what she learned from the Amazon sisters.
"Hey Argonaut," as she contemplate, she heard Tiona called the rabbit and saw her and her sisters approach them.
"Y-yes?" Bell asked nervously.
"How did you get all S in your status?" Tiona continued which Bell can only replied with a nervous chuckle.
"Getting cocky again," Lefiya said in a low tone.
Just as they began eating, Lefiya, who is seated near the executives observed the behavior of that foul rabbit.
Not only Ms. Ais but Tione and Tiona as well are gathering near that deceitful rabbit.
Lefiya thought as she saw him faking a shy and modest act. Somehow, they are under the impression that Bell have all S in his status and he is using this information to get their attention. The fact that Ais was silent but actively listening to their conversation is proof that she also wants to know.
Don't underestimate the bond that we have if you think you can easily worm yourself in!
She continue her train of thought as she approach their leaders.
"Uhm Captain, Lady Riveria," Lefiya asked. "Is it true that ra-I mean Bell defeated the Minotaur?"
Riveria and Finn look at each other for a brief second while Gareth silently listen to their conversation as he enjoyed the wine Tsubaki is serving him.
"Yes, he defeat it all be himself," Riveria answered. As much as Finn wants to answer her inquiry, he is focused on Lily's interaction towards Bell. What he is seeing is proof that Riveria was not bluffing to her earlier threat.
"The rest of us vanguard witness it," Finn said as he temporary took a side glance to a member that does not heed his earlier message.
"But that is ridiculous!" Lefiya said. She was expecting for them to deny it. That Bell only defeated the bull in a weakened state. but their answer doesn't make sense. "how can a low level adventurer from a run of the mill familia do that?" Lefiya pushed forward. Trying to search for an answer that make sense. "Did he use a powerful magic sword? was it already wounded before he fought it?"
*sigh*
Hearing her like this, Riveria sigh as she put down her goblet
"When did you adopt Bete's mindset?"
"Eh... uhm..."
Hearing the High ellf's question, Lefiya froze from her tract as Riveria's asking her when did she began thinking highly of herself and starts to look down on others weaker than her. She doesn't like Bete's insult and condescending tone to them yet she is doing the same to Bell because of her jealousy.
"I..."
As she tries to defend herself, her line of thought was interrupted.
"████▄▄▄▄▄▄"
By the roar of the Goliath that echoed out from the 17th floor.
Hearing this, Ais and the amazon sisters quickly leave to take a look while Bell quickly follows them only to be surprised by the ones that came out.
"Goddess?" Bell asked as he identify the group consisting of his Goddess along with Karen, Ms. Ryuu, the familia that led the pass parade to them, a man wearing a hat and a beautiful woman with a eyeglass that gives a regal vibe similar to the high elf.
Aaaaaand cut!
With this the chapter came to a close.
As the incident with Mord was briefly mention in my story, I opted to properly introduced him in this chapter as he will be needed in the future chapters of this story.
One of the change I have in this story is the actual party included in the 59th floor. I opted to remove her there and replace her with Anakitty for my future setup.
Regarding Riveria's answer to Finn sorry but, as mention in arc 3 ch3 notes of emerald:
Though this series is 100% Bell×Riveria, her action at the beginning is similar to her canon counterpart which is a Bell x Ais shipper due to the changes Bell have in Ais but that will change. As of this point of the story, Bell loves the High Elf but at the same time, she is yet to love him back. Her comparing him to Ais is an indication to her current feeling for him. TLDR canon Ais is normal mode while fanfic emerald is Hard mode for Bell due to Riveria being aware of all the things surrounding him including those who like him romantically unlike Ais who is well Ais.
so don't expect a sudden leap in their relationship as it's not as realistic if you consider Riveria's age, upbringing and status. A crow piled pebbles in the pitcher so that it can drink the water inside not throw a boulder on it.
The nya conversation for Anakitty and Bell was inspired from a different fic of making a side charac as heroine. In a way, I don't remember the two making contact with one another so his surprise to her normal speech pattern is plausible.
Now then, as I loosely follow the canon story, all tease and hint I used on characters were all based from how the book, manga and game portrayed them with slight modification at the time of writing them. 'Her' talk with Lily and the description used there was base from the main book, familia chronicle 1 and the 1st Christmas event in the game (afair) so that reveal does not disrupt the flow of my story.
For the updates and lengths, updates will always be dependent to my RL work load. Factor in the 3 stories I am writing and the data gathering I put on them esp in emerald and Ai so I wont be able to update asap. Though I am expecting to release a new update of Caster, Emerald and Ai by the end of December. but if a redo of last December is to happen (8hrs a day, 7 days a week in 3weeks) the earliest date is February.
For the length of the story, I tried to keep it from below 7k as any longer will be difficult in the sense of checking for typos and the consistency of the story's flow. I already have a lot of error in 7k max words esp we are writing this via mobile. For the beta, I know its purpose but not familiar to how it operate so I stick to my standard way of write and re-read then edit as using the proper way of checking that we do in CAD works where I print a hard copy, check it there and edit and repeat is not possible. My company will not allow wasting of company owned materials for personal use.
For the review, likes and follow, thanks.
Made some minor changes. Corrected some grammar and spelling err. v4
