When the plan was proposed at first, everyone was skeptical. Especially considering it came from Hans, who was pretty much an outsider compared to ganesha, Hestia or Astraea. However, in his blunt words, Freya was rather annoyed by Ishtar's existence, as the latter kept trying to pick a fight with her without actually picking a proper fight. Thus she saw this as the perfect opportunity to get rid of her, therefore offering Hans' services. Naturally most were suspicious, but as Kojiro and Arash trusted the author, everyone decided to allow Hans, or rather Liliruca, to do the infiltration for them. As risky as it was, with being forced to secrecy as Liliruca's talents, or rather magic, were a secret, it was worth it. The amount of information they received from the paperwork of Eris was a gold mine. Customers, investments, trade routes, some of which were in the legal gray zone. The Guild couldn't ban those routes as "illegal" as they did not exist in their papers. Something they had to fix in the aftermath of this operation. Still, much to the Astraea Familia's dismay... there was nothing in this paperwork that actually pinpointed Eris as someone of Evilus. Or being illegal in the first place. Sure, it was frowned upon, but Eris had actual permission to act as a bank on her own. Lending money and such was completely in her right to do so, as well as granting permissions to leave the city, as long as she reported it to the Guild. Which she did, with said paperwork apparently disappearing under the amount of overworked employees. Anyway, there was nothing written about actual Violas or using illegal routes. Routes that weren't known to exist yet by either Ganesha or the Guild, but weren't exactly hidden as their locations were described. Reports of giving crates to certain workers, including the Night Company, warehouses and transportation routes...It was certainly helpful to prepare the raids on those workers, but nothing in the paperwork implied Eris that had any knowledge about the actual contents of the items. No hints of slave trade whatsoever or any other crime. As far as the documents were concerned, Eris' hands were clean. Clean in helping Ishtar gaining the monopoly she had in the Red Light District, but clean nonetheless.
Kaguya summed it up as a 'no knowledge, no fault' as a policy to maintain plausible deniability, something that angered her and the others the most, as in their eyes, Eris was clearly evil. Yet interrogation with the help of the god wasn't allowed without actual hard evidence, the same problem they had with Ishtar. So in the end, they had to let Eris go and ignore her. For now. However, they had what they wanted. Leads on Ishtar's activities. How she received monetary support in order to leave the city or finance transportation of crates, whose purpose weren't stated in the paperwork. Not to mention a 'secret' storehouse being commissioned with the help of said money. Nothing illegal by itself, but everyone knew they dealt with Violas. If there was any hard evidence to be found, it had to be in that storehouse. They just had to find it. Which led to the next problem. Finding it. The Red Light District was difficult to infiltrate. Place of debauchery or not, Ishtar was known to be observing, many of the prostitutes in the area doubling as informants or guards themselves. Because of that, a plan had to be made. They were able to track down all suspects thanks to Nyx' and Eris' paperwork, being able to keep an eye on them. Yet they could only make a move at them, if they could make a move at Ishtar at the same time. Which required an infiltration team, of two, to track down the storehouse and find the evidence needed to move in. It was decided the team needed to be as subtle as possible, while also strong enough to get away if things went south. Thus it was decided it required a two men team. Or rather, one woman and one man, pretending to be a new couple wandering around in the area. When the names were announced, there were some... objections.
"I absolutely refuse!"
The table actually cracked from the force of the blow. Everyone flinched back or at least winced at the sheer outrage displayed in front of them. Alise raised her hands, laughing a bit as she tried to calm the situation down.
"Lion-"
"Don't you Lion me!" The elf roared, veins pulsing on her neck before pointing at herself "Why me?!"
As expected for her race, Ryuu was not exactly thrilled at being chosen for one of the two in the 'couple infiltration' plan. Not that anyone could doubt her acting skills, as apparently she did that often enough in the past, to Bell's surprise, even pretending to be the other sex as well. If he was in his regular state of mind, he would be blushing at the image of Ryuu wearing a suit, bandaging up her breast so that she would look like a rather handsome man. However, this was not his regular state of mind. Instead he was staring off into the air, in a daze, while Haruhime and Hestia tried their best to snap him out of it. Anyway, Lyra sighed, wincin a bit as she held her stomach before raising her hand as she began to gesture around.
"We're crippled, Alise can't act to save her own life, Shakti is needed outside and the other gals of Lady Hestia are not good enough in several ways." She looked at the others with a shrug. "No offense."
"Some taken," Solaris said with a grunt. Ryuu lowered her head, her anger simmering down a bit at the logic. Then however, she glanced at Bell, who blinked and started to regain his senses again, and pointed at him with indignation.
"Okay, but why him?! He's too young! This mission is too dangerous for him!"
Hestia nodded furiously in agreement, raising her fist into the air.
"Yeah, I'd rather go back to heaven than let him enter that dangerous place!"
Bell had the feeling they both were referring to different kinds of danger. Still, his face turned red. He had no idea how or why, but he was chosen as the other part of this infiltration mission. Suffice to say he did not feel confident about it. However, as much as he understood Ryuu's anger, to be rejected like that kind of... hurt.
"Nobody asks for age in that place, no worries," Kaguya responded with a dismissing hand. Then she crossed her arms before Ryuu could complain more. "Arash is our archer. He needs to be on overwatch. And while Kojiro would be ideal…" She gave Ryuu a pointed, dry look. "He can't touch you, am I right?"
Ryuu recoiled before lowering her head in shame. She bit her lip, giving Bell a glance, her eyes filled with regret before she let out a sigh.
"I-I... " She closed her eyes before looking up. "There is no other choice?"
"We could go in brandishing swords but... " Alise scratched the back of her head. "That increases the risk of them escaping."
"Or them taking hostages," Arash added with a frown.
"...Very well," Ryuu muttered before shaking her head after a short silence. Folding her hands, with her cheeks a bit red, she bowed at her partner. "I am in your care, Bell."
"M-Much obliged!" Bell shouted, stiffening up. Hestia pouted, grumbling as Astraea giggled, patting her head. Alise nodded in approval before raising her thumb at the two.
"Good! Remember! Nervous couple, first time trying out something new!"
"I am nervous!" Bell shouted, causing Ryuu to lower her hood over her face. He never went on a date, much less a fake one! While going out with the Royal Gale would be a dream come true, she deserved a proper boyfriend to take her out, not a fake like him! Yet his reaction only served to encourage the group, as Alise flashed her teeth with a confident smile.
"See, you're already perfect for the role!"
"Better not stick around too long in that place." Hans commented dryly, having spoken up only now since the meeting started. "Or you'll lose your innocence to one slut or the other."
"I will protect him, you have my word," Ryuu announced. It would be so much more encouraging if she was hiding half her face with her hood, her voice more of a muble than anything. Bell covered his face. Why was she so cool and why was he so unreliable?! Alise clapped her hands, looking around at everyone.
"Remember, the operation starts tonight! Ganesha Familia and co will be on standby for the raids, Astraea and Hestia Familia on standby in case we gotta go with Plan B!" She nodded at everyone before stepping back, spreading her arms open. "Take a walk, relax, just bring your A-Game later!"
With that the meeting was finished. Bell turned to Ryuu, opening his mouth to ask what they should do. However, the elf quickly turned away.
"I will have to prepare myself." She stopped before she could run out. Turning her head ever so slightly, she revealed her face, a sad smile on her face. "My condolences."
With those words, she left rather quickly. Bell bit his lips. Apparently she didn't think too highly of herself. Here he thought she was just offended at the idea of dating Bell. That was a relief.
The young man blinked as he touched his own chest, frowning. Why did he feel relieved when that wasn't the case?
/
It was still bright outside when he wandered on the walls of Orario. He knew he should've taken a nap or something like that, to make sure he would be at one hundred percent when the operation would begin. Yet he felt restless. And the wall was one of the most calming places he could think of. Even if it wasn't as calming as he wanted it to be. Ryuu kept appearing in his mind. His imagination, or rather the spirit of his grandfather, kept putting the elf into different outfits, the next crazier than the one before. A simple dress. A low cut dress. 'China' style as it was sometimes referred to. A maid. Suffice to say, Bell felt both guilt and excitement and even more guilt from that excitement. It was clear that Ryuu did not want to do this. Well, less because Bell wasn't date material, which did make him a bit happy, unless he was being delusional, but more because she didn't see herself as a woman. Which was a shame, because she had plenty of good qualities.
With a determined look, forcing his blush away, he nodded to himself as he stared off the distance. Okay, he made up his mind. The mission was important but he'd be relying on the superior experiences of the Royal Gale on this one. No, instead he had his own personal mission. Give Ryuu a good time and boost her self confidence as a woman for future dates! He choked. Well, not with him, but with someone she actually wanted to go on dates to! Yes, that sounded better!
"Ah, Bell."
It spoke of his experience by now that Bell only jumped ever so slightly. Turning his head, he saw Aiz ascend the stairs, blinking at him in surprise. She smiled a bit, that caused his heart to flutter and she silently walked up to him, before stopping at his side to enjoy the sights as well.
"Uhm... also taking a walk?" Bell asked, trying to break the silence. Aiz nodded quietly, her eyes closing.
"Hm. This place is... relaxing."
He nodded slowly, only to narrow his eyes a bit. He liked to think he could read Aiz better now, the stoic girl's ticks in a sense. He could see that she was tense. Her hand sometimes twitched, as if wanting to hold the comforting grip of her blade.
"It is... " Bell cleared his throat and gave her a concerning look. "Are you alright?"
Her eyes widened ever so slightly. Then her mouth cracked an appreciative smile before she let out a sigh and lowered her head.
"We're going to be investigating Daedalus Street tonight. Finn is coordinating it with the other Familia, to make sure the enemy can't help each other." Aiz pressed her lips together before shaking her head, staring at the distant plains with a frown. "I'm... wary."
"To find the other entrance to the dungeon?" Bell asked, recalling the memory as Aiz nodded. He bit his lip at the thought. It sounded... extremely dangerous. Well, it was enemy territory as well, but one that came with being connected to the dungeon. He could only imagine the amount of traps and monsters they would have at their disposal. He trusted the Loki Familia yet something in his gut told him this could be going... badly. Still, he didn't voice it out. Who would that help? It would make the Sword Princess only more nervous so he kept his mouth shut.
"I hear you have your own mission?" Aiz asked quietly. He cleared his throat before scratching the back of his head with a sheepish expression.
"Y-yeah, infiltration. Find evidence and then we can make a move against Ishtar."
Immediately she froze. Then she slowly turned her head towards him, narrowing her eyes. Being scrutinized by her wasn't something he relished, causing him to look away with a red face. Aiz tilted her head, her mouth half open as she tried to form the words. In the end, she shook her head, disbelief written on her face.
"...You don't look like the type."
"I-I'm not. I'm mainly going to be relying on Ryuu."
For some reason, the air shifted. He didn't know why but as he felt sweat form on his skin, he came to the conclusion he must have said something wrong. For some reason Aiz was frowning at him. She wasn't angry, just…displeased?
"Why is that?" She asked in a flat tone, causing Bell to gulp. He resisted the urge to step back as he raised his hands in self defense.
"Err... We... are...uhm... " Licking his dry lips, he let out an awkward laugh. "Acting as a… couple?"
"A couple... ?" Aiz whispered and for some reason her hands formed into fists. Yet that momentary instance of anger that did not suit her at all, she blinked, the emotions dissipating. She touched her chest as she lowered her head, frowning at her own reaction. Bell had no idea what that was about. A small part of him hoped he did but he squashed it. Empty hope was dangerous. With a cough, he caused her to look up in surprise as he made himself small.
"Is... is that wrong?"
Aiz coughed before quickly shaking her head.
"No. You should do anything for the mission." She smiled a bit. "Ryuu is a good person. You're... in good hands."
"Ah, you two are often compared, aren't you?" Bell asked quickly, hoping that it would distract Aiz from her own rising anger if her growing frown was anything to go by. Fortunately it did distract her, as she looked at him with a fond smile. Then her cheeks reddened a little bit as she played with her hair while looking away.
"When we are on missions and expeditions together... we do get a bit competitive... "
He saw it in his mind. Two beautiful ladies, mowing down monsters as their blood splattered all over the place. Their eyes only on each other, their otherwise stoic faces turning more and more heated as the wooden sword and the rapier were this close to hitting each other. Meanwhile, they would leave everyone else in the dust, with their high speed being above most. His eyes sparkled at the image before he nodded in excitement.
"That sounds like fun!"
"It is." She giggled a bit before her eyes lost some of their light as she lowered her head with a sigh. "Though we often get scolded."
Bell laughed awkwardly. He could see it in his head as well. After all the monsters would be killed, they would be stuck at a tie. They would then begin fighting each other as a competition, only to get smacked over their head by Kaguya and Riveria respectively. Then they would be forced to kneel down and be subjected to an hour or so of a lecture by the two women. Maybe with Alise giggling occasionally before being forced to join in.
His smile vanished when Aiz pouted at him.
"You're imagining something mean, aren't you?"
"Not at all!" He yelled loudly, shaking his head furiously and trying his best not to squeal at how cute she looked. Her pout intensified and he was forced to look away. "I swear!"
"Hmmm."
It was then it happened. It built up in his throat, causing his face to deform a bit. Aiz blinked, her pout vanishing... when Bell let out a long yawn. He desperately covered his mouth with his hand but it opened so wide one hand wasn't enough. The silence that followed was deafening. Then she began to giggle. He chuckled as well. It then devolved into laughter between the two. After a while of happiness, as Bell noted how nice her genuine laughter actually sounded, he could even ignore that sense of being looked at. Then Aiz wiped her eye, smiling brightly at him before nodding at him.
"You should get some rest." She walked past him but not without patting his shoulder. "Good luck with your mission."
"G-Good luck with yours! I'm confident you can do it!" He shouted after her. She stopped in her tracks, turning to him in surprise. Then she gave him an approving look, her voice quiet. Yet even with the wind, he could pick up her soft voice.
"You've grown a lot stronger since we last met."
With those words of encouragement, Aiz descended the stairs. Bell grabbed his shirt, letting out an exhausted breath. Whew, his heart was pouting. But this was great. He felt a lot more at ease. Deciding to follow her advice, he stretched a bit before making his own way down.