Danmachi Emerald Version
Chapter 3
Invasion
A/N:
Narration
"Dialogue"
Monologue
"▂▂▃▃▄▄▅▅": Monster noise
*sfx*
In a small village northeast of Orario, morning
"▂▂▃▃▄▄▅▅"
*poof*
"That's the last of them," an adventurer breathes a sigh of relief after defeating the monster that is about to attack the village. "Goddess, do you have any other orders?" he turned around to the village entrance where his goddess is standing, watching the fight from afar.
"... you defeated the enemy a few minutes short," the goddess said to the adventurer who is now scratching the back of his head. "There's plenty of them to come so better use this opportunity to improve your skills."
"Y-yes!"
"Now then..." the Goddess murmured. She looks at the dust left by the monster's corpse with a scowl on her face before she cast her gaze toward Orario's location.
"I don't like their look," The Goddess grumbles as she remembers the features of the monsters. "I doubt this is a remote case so it won't be long before they wreak havoc in that place. Not that I care anymore," with a huff. the Goddess looks at the seemingly abandoned village.
"Oh thank you, great adventurers," as it seems that it is already safe to go out, it was the village elder that came out first. An old man in his eighties as he weakly approach the goddess accompanied by his grandchild. "We don't know what to do if you aren't here."
"Don't celebrate yet," the Goddess said. From how the village elder acts, she can see miles away what the old coot plans by buttering up to her with plesantires so that they would stay and likely not charge them more than they could handle. "It's not over yet."
"Y-you mean there will be more of them to come?" the elder trembles as he fell to his knees.
"I'm certain with my instinct. There's more to come," the goddess turned around as she look at the open horizon with a frown. "somewhere north."
"C-can you do something about it?"
"If my Familia's strength was in its glory days, I'd say it is possible," the Goddess frown and look at her other children who are now building their tent outside the village. "This is not something we can deal with our familia alone so it's up to the dungeon city to deal with the core of the issue."
"How many are they?"
"Rest assured," the goddess replied while slightly evading the issue. "Unless Orario sends out an expedition to the north, we will defeat any monster that reaches our line of sight."
"Oooooh! thank you for your benevolence, Goddess!"
"You don't need to state the obvious," the goddess replied coldly. "And besides, I'm doing this so that they could earn experience."
"Goddess, more of them are approaching this place," an adventurer said which made the goddess furrow her eyebrows.
"See? I suggest you go back to where you came from." She turned around and see more black tornado approached their location from the distance while waving a hand to signal the village elder to leave.
"Y-yes," the elder said as he wave a hand signal to the villagers that are now out in the open.
The goddess waited until the elder entered his house before she glared at the tornadoes and murmured beneath her breath to make sure her other children didn't hear her. "Haaaaah... This would be easier if you were with us right now, Alfia."
Streets of Oratio, near the abandoned church
"Huff...haaah...haaah!"
I pant heavily as I look at the black sand left by the monsters that I just killed.
In response to the sudden onslaught of the black tornadoes, we, Goddess, Welf, Ms. Karen, and I decided to go around Orario to help anyone in need. It was then that we noticed something strange about the vortex. They behave as if they are sentient.
From what my grandfather told me about this, an act of nature like a twister ran in a straight path no matter the obstacles. These twisters however do seem to follow the road and are actively attacking any living being that it encounters.
This initial assumption was verified after Ms. Karen protected some civilians from the twister. She was hit and was sent flying to the second floor of a nearby residential apartment where she noticed her skill, Never Retreat, activates.
From her explanation, it is a skill that temporarily strengthens her status in a one-on-one fight. Humans and monsters alike.
"This? A monster?" I ask in disbelief considering even in the dungeon, such monsters do not exist."
"Bell, snap out of it," Ms. Karen slap my back as she points her weapon at the black twister.
"Thanks, Ms. Karen. I guess We have no choice but to fight it," I said as I look at the civilian we ŕscued. "Welf, Goddess, We'll buy you some time, please assist them towards the guild."
"I got this," Welf put a hand on my shoulder as he gave me a thumbs up to assure us that he will protect Goddess and the civilian.
"Let's go!" I shout as we charge at the black twister.
A Few minutes after
"Damn!"
After exchanging a few blows with the twister, it made me more convinced that whatever this is, is a monster. I can feel its gaze following me while I move around the battlefield as I try to look for an opening.
"Hyaaaaaah!"
*clang*
Ms. Karen tried to attack the monster from behind but her attack was deflected.
"Firebolt!"
In turn, now that the monster focuses its attention on Ms. Karen, I cast my magic on it hoping it would pass through but just like earlier's physical attack, the black tornado is shielding the monster against magical attack as well.
If both physical and magical attacks of this magnitude won't work, I thought as I made eye contact with Ms. Karen. In that case, I just have to force my way by sheer force,
The image of the king tearing the juggernaut comes to mind. I'm not strong enough to emulate that but with argonaut, I am certain I can shred that shield apart.
"Can you hold it up even for a few seconds?"
"I'll try but I can't make any promise," Ms. Karen replied as she jumps to my side and tighten the grip on her rapier.
"In that case let me help as well," a third voice said to us. "Luminous wind" which was then followed up by a familiar wind magic.
Ms. Ryuu's magic clashes with the black wind. And just like my Firebolt, while it is obvious that it made more resistance to it, it was not powerful enough to break the funnel protecting it.
"Thanks, Ms. Ryuu, Ms. Karen" I replied as I jump to the rooftop of a nearby establishment. Ms. Ryuu and Ms. Karen see this as a sign to attack the black tornado.
"Let's do this," I mumble as I focus on the knife in my hand.
While I have my doubt that this will defeat the enemy, if it could dispel the shield protecting the monster then I am sure that now that Ms. Ryuu joining us, we can beat that monster now.
That is why I focus my next attack to create an opening for Ms. Ryuu. With the king's might as my driving trigger.
"I'm charging in,"
After twenty seconds I yelled to them before jumping off the roof. As the tornado stretched up to the clear sky above, I decided to start there in the middle going down.
!
It was then that I felt the very familiar gaze cast onto me. And as a kneejerk reaction, my head tilts a bit.
Eh?
And I saw a familiar-looking light magic flying my way.
"Bell watch out!"
Ms. Ryuu and Ms. Karen who also noticed my action both said.
"I just have to push through!"
I yelled. It is to late to evade it so I twist my body so that the direction of my slash would hit the stray magic first before the wall of wind that protects the monster.
"Hah!" I yelled.
*Thud*
*poof*
In an unexpected turn of events, my attack not only dispels the black wind but also slices the monster inside in half.
"Haah... haah... haaah..." I pant heavily as I look at the black knife in my hand, not minding the monster that disappears leaving black sand behind.
What was that?
I ask myself. The stray magic hit the blade of my knife as I activate a twenty-second charge attack.
Rather than dispelling the magic, something amazing happened instead. A portion of the stray magic that flowed to my knife became a blade of light after I activate my skill. This (light sword temporary name) sliced the black tornado and the monster inside it in half.
I know that my knife conducts and lets the flow of magic since I used its property whenever I conjure my flame whip but this is the first time I experienced it like this.
"How did I exactly manage to pull that one out?" I mumble before looking at the tower babel with smile.
If not for that kneejerk reaction, I won't be able to notice the magic that would definitely fry me to crips.
"Thank you," I look up to babel and utter a voiceless thank you to her. Yesterday and the day before pretty much reveal her identity. I have my doubts how I can bee seen from that hight but the way Karen smirk at me pretty much tells me that I am spot on.
Babel top suite
As the citizen of Orario is in a state of chaos brought upon by the black tornadoes, the Goddess of Beauty watches at the child with a pure white soul with a satisfied look.
The discovery he made from that accident made his soul shine brighter. But that's just the tip of the iceberg.
"Fufufu... you never cease to amaze me, Bell," the goddess of beauty muses as she played with her hair. Much to the annoyance of her new bodyguard now that the king left her side to join in the fray. "Savor the moment until you've become mine."
At the same time, more and more adventurers begin to stand up against the black wind invading Orario. From the amazons of the red light district who not only fight with extreme brutality but were seen engulfed by a strange light, the Apollo Familia defended the vicinity near the Armor square, at the Pantheon, Mord and some of Rivira's adventurers fought side by side with the Banshee to fend off the black twister from nearing the guild.
"Tsk," Mord clicked his tough as he looks back at the Chienthropethe Nazah who is stuck with fear and the civilians that are being escorted by the Goddess Hestia and the blacksmith Welf. "Little Rookies rubbing off me." He tightens the grip of his sword as he looks at the foreign enemy in front. "Hold the line! Don't you dare underestimate Orario's adventurers!" He roared as he once more attack the twister alongside Bors.
North-west district,
"Just whose side are you on?" Bete yelled angrily at the person standing behind him. His supposed backup.
"A-I'm sorry!" Lefiya replied with a bow as she held her staff with trembling hands.
A few seconds earlier, she cast her magic, Arcs Ray, on the enemy in hope of breaking through that black wind covering the monster. The problem arise when her magic was deflected all over the place and almost hit the adventurer Bete, whom she is supposed to help.
"Tsk! I'll rip that thing to shreds so stay still until the veil is off!" Bete roared as he charge at the enemy with a flaming fist.
"Y-yes!" Lefiya replied while she look around to see the damage her magic caused with worried eyes.
I hope those strays didn't hit anyone, Lefiya thought until a certain white-haired elf fetishist appeared in her mind. I don't mind if it's him but If it is him... it's unfortunate but those strays won't be enough to fry him up.
She shook her head and once more focus her attention on the black funnel that is trying to fend off the vicious assault of the white-haired werewolf Bete. "He is my rival, that level of magic should not be enough to take him down," Lefiya whispers before starting her chant once more
Prayer room, evening.
It was a chaotic day for all of the citizens of Orario. And the chaos is not in the good way that they expect with the Grand Day proper.
The festivities were halted when multiple tornadoes invaded Orario. Not only did they interrupt the festival but they were also revealed to be an unknown kind of monster thanks to the valiant efforts of adventurers that fought the foreign invasion. And now that the dust has settled and a semblance of order was established, several familia gathered near the guild. Big and small alike offer a helping hand. The Loki Familia, alongside the Freya familia, help the Ganesha familia in patrolling Orario's perimeter. The numbers aren't as many as before but there are still black tornadoes that tried passing through Orario.
Demeter and several agricultural familias distribute their harvest with the aid of some privately owned establishments like the Hostess of fertility, they prepared meals for the injured and the exhausted civilians and adventurers. Goibniu, Hepahaestos, and other smithing familia offer their smiths in fixing the damaged weapons and armor of adventurers. The other adventuring familia on the other hand helped in rebuilding the damaged area of Orario. It was an amazing sight to be held for Adventurers and civilians alike. Rivals ignored their animosity with one another and just focused on helping in rebuilding their homes. Even the likes of Dianchet, an infamous god that is well known for his love of earning money, have his familia distribute some of their potions free of charge and have members of his familia do pro bono work, a word he dislikes with extreme passion.
As this is happening, Ouranos called the deities of the two strongest familia in Orario, Freya and Loki, to the Prayer Room. Inside, they saw the god Ganesha and Hermes standing side by side with Ouranos.
"Greetings! I am glad you heed my call despite the hectic activities of your respective familia," Ouranos began. Loki scowls at him before turning her head to the God Hermes while the Goddess of Beauty remained silent.
From there, Hermes steps forward and relays to them the information he gathered during the whole invasion.
"Seeing this is not a regular act of nature, I ask Asfi to trace where they came from quickly," Hermes said as he took off his hath with his right hand, and place it on his chest with a grim expression. "From what she saw those abominations all came from Dedline and started spreading around the world."
"So yer saying that those things came from the north?" Loki asked with an annoyed tone.
"Yes," Hermes replied. He looks at Ouranos on his right and then to Ganesha who is standing at his opposite end before the two goddesses who are with them. While Ganesha has a troubled expression and Loki grunts, the Goddess Freya on the other hand while she is physically present during the meeting, her mind is visibly elsewhere.
"Tsk! It would be troublesome if we let them spread out more," Loki scratch the back of her head as she looks at Ouranos. "While there are decent adventurers outside Orario, I doubt they would be able to hold that long if we didn't nip the trouble from the bud."
"This is why I called you both," Ouranos added. "I want you both to lead other familia in an expedition to north."
"It's not like there's any other adventurer who got the experience to do it," Loki scoff before crossing her arms. "Even if this bimbo didn't do a thing, we'll manage," followed by a jab to the seemingly absentminded goddess. A retort that she fully ignored.
"Speaking of adventurers with experience," Hermes began as he seems to be hesitant to share a piece of additional information his captain accidentally discover.
"Ya wanna say something?"
"Actually, they, I mean she is nearby," Hermes said which even break the goddess of beauty from her daydreaming. "Their help will be appreciated but I doubt she will be willing to do it after well... you know."
"Leave that to me," Loki smiled confidently as she pounds her chest. "She is a pain in the butt but if my hunch is correct, I'll just use that brat to pacify her. Considering his connections with her familia and all."
"Hm?" Hermes tilts his head to the side. While he tries his best poker face to hide his true thought and others are puzzled as well to what she means, Loki directs her scheming smile to Hermes pretty as if telling that what she is referring to is something only he knows.
As the meeting in the prayer room proceed on the specifics of the expedition,
Guild, evening.
It was a tiring day for the member of Orario's guild. One after another reports came in relating to the damages done in Orario and the numbers of injured being brought to their facility for care increased by the hour.
*creak*
In the mids of their busy work, many guild employees, injured civilians and adventurers, and medics all turned their heads to the entrance and halted their activities as the high elf Riveria accompanied by an unknown supporter elf entered the hall.
"We're kind of busy right now," the first to take action was the Guild receptionist Rose who also serves as the High Elf's adviser. She gets out of her desk full of papers and faces Nine Hell before turning her head to the rest and nodding to them as means to let them know that she will take care of this. "What can we do to you?"
"Loki's orders," Riveria replied briefly as she tilted her gaze towards Amid, the Dia saint resting on the corner of the guild. "I don't think the potions donated for this relief operation and Amid would last if we just let things be. Elly."
"Yes lady Riveria," Elly replied as she took a knife from her backpack and handed it to the high elf.
"Just what is your goddess plotting at?" Rose asked suspiciously as she stares at the knife the high elf held.
"Sorry but think of it as a demonstration," Riveria replied apologetically as She closes her mind and recall the information about her new skill
ナイチンゲール
[戦場の天使]
Angle of the battlefield
(Nightingale)
The desire to protect create a field that increases the effectiveness of healing and support magic and item.
Range of field generated proportion to the caster's current injury.
"Oi!"
"Aaaaah!"
"Commence treatment," Riveria ignored their outburst, especially from her advisor who is standing next to her when she wounded her right palm and let a few drop of her blood stain the floor of the guild while remembering the thoughts that flowed in her mind in her last stand to defend her familia against the magical attack of the demi-spirit.
Her familia, Ais, and even him.
"Nightingale," she whispers as the entire guild and a 2-meter radius of its vicinity were quickly engulfed by a soft light green field of light.
"I'm not going for the specifics but within this field, as long as I stood inside of it, all healing magic and healing item's effect are increased," Riveria open her eyes and explain to the befuddled look of Rose. "Elly," Riveria called her eyes looks for Eina.
"Yes, Lady Riveria." Elly proceeds to take out various healing and stamina potions from her backpack.
"Go."
"Yes," the elf Elly bowed to the high elf and proceed to the Dea saint. Handing a stamina and mana potion to her before giving the same potions to the other medics. While many are in awe with what they heard, even Amid, the high elf proceeds to nonchalantly walk towards the desk of the Half-Elf Eina.
"Lady Riveria?" Eina asked with a questioning look.
"If possible, I would like to have a private conversation with you," She looked at Royman and Rose to see if they have any objections to her request.
Royman nodded to her while Rose returned to her desk.
"I won't take long," Riveria reassures her as she takes a side glance at the mountains of papers on Eina's desk.
In a distant country far away from Oraio, at the same time as the Gods gathered in the Prayer room,
In a temple seated at the top of a hill, a tall man with a muscular build wields a long sword as he cast his gaze upon the horizon. looking at the black twisters that shoot up to the heavens, the man grimaces as he held his weapon tightly.
"Lord Aetheon, preparations are complete," from his back, a man wearing an armor from head to toe, said as he genuflect on the man called Aetheon.
"Very well," Aetheon replied. "Make sure none of them get close to our barrier."
"Yes," the woman replied before leaving.
"This is quite the predicament that we have," from the other side, a woman wearing the countries priestess garb approaches him
"Any words from our spies?" Aetheon asked.
"Nothing of worth for us," the priestess replied. "The big one will be the God Ares is starting once again to ammas weapons. From the looks of it, he will once again start to wage war to widen his territory.
"And Orario?"
"Outside of the Goddess Hestia's child becoming the record holder for fastest level-up, we have yet to hear anything from the envoy that we sent."
"Very well," Aetheon replied with a sigh. "Just keep monitoring the Hestia Familia until we can finally set our plans into motion."
"As you command,"
Aaaaaaand Cut!
And with this, the chapter came to a close.
Update-wise, will try to update Emerald on a monthly basis (Short chapters 3K+ words at least) more so than Fate. The Hayasaka fic will be on the back burner for the time being as it's nearing its end.
It took some time but the full details of Riveria's new skill are now shown. After making various revisions regarding the effect of her skill so it won't be that much of an OP skill.
Bell's new technique shown here is pretty much the applied version of Argo Vesta using other magic outside of Firebolt. I remembered a scene in the recent season of Danmachi where he uses the firebolt reflected by the enemy, Juggernaut, IIRC for his Argo Vesta.
For the review, likes, and follow, thanks!
