Disclaimer:
This is a work of fan fiction based on multiple existing anime/manga series. The characters and settings used in this story belong to their respective owners and creators, and no copyright infringement is intended. This story is purely for entertainment purposes and is not intended to infringe upon any existing intellectual property. I do not own any of the original works that inspired this fanfiction, and I fully support the original creators and their works.
-Author note start-
Chapters will be a bit slow starting from now, so expect a chapter every 2 days or so. No promises though!
'Indicates Thoughts'
"Indicates Speech"
""Indicates Multiple Peoples Speech""
(Indicates Author comment thing)
-Author note end-
Bell POV
"You really think he's dead?" I ask Welf-san with a deadpan as both our eyes follow Merlin-sans body floating around the bath.
"I would hope so." Welf-san says with a serious look in his eyes, wishing death upon the vulgar dragon.
"Emiya Shirou wishing death upon others!? How out of character!" Responds Merlin-san in a scandalous voice as he lifts his head from the water and meets our gazes with his as of now signature grin.
"So this is where you've been all this time? And didn't you mention going to sleep? Also that is still not my name..." Says Welf-san in a disappointed tone as we approach the waters of the bath.
"Of course not my dear forge lover! I am a productive member of draconic society! I was only joking around yeah? In actuality I was conducting vital reconnaissance, critical to the very improvement of our familia and Bell's training! And in my extremely important and secretive reconnaissance operation, imagine my surprise when I discovered this very bath! Now, I couldn't just NOT go in for a short dip in the waters no?" Responds Merlin-san smugly and proudly as he continues to float around in the water's surface
'So he did absolutely nothing...' Welf-san thinks in disappointment
'WOW! Merlin-san must of been really working hard to learn new things about the world for our benefit! Amazing!' I thought to myself innocently
"Thank you Merlin-san for the hard work!" I express my thanks to Merlin-san for going out and learning for our benefit!
"No problemo Kido! I worked oh so hard! It was horrible! As they say, to work is to lose! T-That means I lost no?" Merlin-san says as he argues with himself once again, whilst giving me a thumbs up as he stares at the ceiling
Both I and Welf-san enter the bath and let out a satisfied sigh
""Ahhhhhhh""
"Now that's the stuff" Welf-san comments happily
"Yeaaahhhh" I responds satisified
"This is thanks to Mikoto's passion isn't it" I mention with a smile to Welf-san
"Yeah, I am grateful...I still think she overdid it though. Haha!" Welf-san responds with laughter as the bath is actually that impressive
"Mizoto is that swordwoman who interrupted my main character scan?" Merlin-san asks casually as he continues to float around staring at the ceiling
"Yeah... Mizoto-san. exactly. That is definitely her name... pft..." Welf-san chuckles a bit as he affirms Merlin-sans wrong naming once again, finding it funny when it is not directed at him.
"Hmm. I approve of this bath! Send Mizoto my blessings and compliments!" Merlin-san says in approval. As he praises? Mikoto-sans bath.
'Is he saying their names wrong on purpose?' I think to my confusion, trying to piece together a bit of the thought process of the enigmatic Dragon.
A peaceful silence envelops us all as we relax in the bath, which is broken surprisingly by Welf as he stares at Merlin-san.
"Oi, get out of the bath! I only just realized it but your a Dragon! you dirtying it! Out! Out!" Welf-san roars out in realization to the seemingly wild magical animal taking a bath with us. Upon hearing this Merlin-san straightens himself to stare Welf-san in the eye with his amethyst ones. But instead of reacting in rage as I thought he would, he raised his paw thing to his mouth and said.
"Hmph! Now that's just disrespectful! I'll have you know! I am one of the most hygienic dragons in the entire multiverse! Nothing kills bacteria between the scales and teeth as well as hot plasma! Not much can survive 10 thousand degrees of heat after all!" Merlin-san mentions matter of factly in mock hurt and shock at such a scandalous claim at his hygiene as he turns his head.
"Whatever... Deadbeat Dragon." Welf-san responds in surrender not having much to add against the dragons immaculate hygiene (self proclaimed).
"Do you want to get mauled?" Merlin-san casually threatens Welf-san! with a signature grin on his face as they start a staring match.
"Try me bitch." Welf-san responds confidently with a smirk mirroring Merlin-sans
'Well damn, at least someone in this famlia has some balls.' Merlin-san thought to himself with a challenging smirk
"W-wait! don't fight!" I scream out in fear that a fight will break out doing a X motion with my arms
"Scratch that, Emiya Shirou. You live another day. I'm mauling the kid." Merlin-san says in anger with a tick on his scaly forehead. As he begins the most threatening doggy paddle towards my direction?!
"Heh!? No!? Stop! I wont stutter PLEASE! I BEG!" I practically beg and lower my body in a 90 degree angle going below water surface level in an attempt to pacify the homicidal dragon.
Luckily he stops
"There wont be a next time. OK?" Merlin-san mentions threateningly as he shows me his claws, THAT ELONGATE?!
"*Whistle* Wow, you can do that?" Welf-san responds in surprise and confusion to the scene of a maybe 2 foot dragon increasing his claw size to around 10 feet, making a very odd and unproportioned image.
"The better question my foolish companions! Is what I can't do?" Responds Merlin-san with his signature smug attitude as he seemingly switches his moods in rapid speed and retracts his absurd claws to normal length.
And with that little spat done we return to our peaceful enjoyment of the bath for a couple of minutes before I decide to break the silence with something I've been curious of.
"Merlin-san? I have a question?" I ask Merlin-san with a questioning look
"Hmm? Ask away my rabbit looking student!" He responds in a casual manner with his eyes closed as he returns to his favored? position of floating on the waters surface.
"When will we begin training?" I ask Merlin-san trying to calm my excitement but failing. I mean who wouldn't? If a mentor of heroes is going to train you!
"Well, How do you usually train?" Responds Merlin-san questioningly with a more serious tone whilst opening one eyelid looking at me
"Umm, on a day I don't go to the dungeon, I train in the morning practicing swings and imagination combat. If I have a partner then it consists for the most part, of sparring! Sir!" I answer Merlin-sans question with a salute.
'Again with that salute? Never mind, better answer his question' Merlin-san thinks being weirded out
"Then, As I have previously mentioned, I will be on your shoulder for all your training, adventures whatever! And so, I will advise you "occasionally" on how to train, what to do, and all the other shenanigans. In terms of teaching you new things and magic or tailored techniques. You'll have to wait for a little while for those as I still need to scout out this world and your peers. Capiche?" Explains Merlin-san with his confident grin as he throws me a dragons equivalent of a wink after the "Capiche", whatever that means. and closing his one eye again. As I and Welf-san process this new piece of information I remember another critical question I need, no, Must ask Merlin-san.
"Merlin-san! Another question!" I ask more confidently this time as he seems to have no problem answering my questions
"Yesssssssssss?" Merlin-san responds with a very weird sounding yes that emphasizes the 's' in the yes, whilst keeping his eyes closed this time around.
"Umm, it would be a problem for you to be on my shoulder all the time! Merlin-san!" I say to Merlin-san in an uncertain tone.
"Bell, that's not a question, that's a statement. There's a difference. Can't have an idiot student who can't tell the difference between a question and a statement. And how come it would be a problem? Kindly elaborate maggot!" Merlin-san says now with both eyes open glaring at me demanding an answer. (quite the mood swing from the resident dragon)
"HEEP" I choke up at his gaze
"Now that's just a weird sound for the human body to make? Kid get a grip. Please?" Merlin-san begs of me in utter disappointment and confusion to my antics.
'What is with the reactions from anime characters? Most of the time it increases comedic effect but as someone literally there and not watching this from a screen it's weird. Like, what causes them to make those sounds? Is it their biology? Is there something in the water, If so I should get out no? Sigh... No matter how many times I experience these reactions I just can't seem to get used to them...Never mind! Back to the matter at hand!' Merlin-san thought to himself perplexed with Bell's and consequently all anime characters antics.
As I begin to collect myself Merlin-san asks
"What? Do you people here have a hate-boner for dragons or something?" Merlin-san questions with a raised scaly eyebrow keeping his eyes on me.
3rd Person POV
*Achoo!*
"Ais-san! Are you ok? Are you sick? That was a pretty strong sneeze!" Questions Lefiya towards Ais in worry.
"I'm ok." Ais responds apathetically.
'Dragon...'
Back to us!
Bell POV
"Well, its not really uncommon. Dragon hate is very widespread! The reaction this time was rather tame if I do say so myself! The usual goes with me being attacked immediately without a chance to explain myself. They usually stop and become more amiable to the idea of dialogue once their weapons break upon contact with me and their magic proving ineffective! HAHA! So, be proud! You guys did pretty good!" Merlin-san chuckles as he tells us of his usual reception to being summoned keeping that irritating grin.
"Um, no Merlin-san, adventurers have a deep hatred and instinctive need to kill monsters on sight. Seeing you on my shoulder would raise eyebrows and force us in a bad situation at best. Getting attacked and prosecuted at worse." I explain seriously to Merlin-san as I stare at his amethyst eyes
"Can't you just? I don't know? say I'm your summoned familiar monster thing? Or tamed monster? your Asymmetrical goddess explained that you guys have an event that allows bringing monsters from the dungeon to the surface no? I believe it was called... MostahFelia!... Yes that!" Asks Merlin-san confusing painting his face probably purposefully saying the name wrong
""Monsterphilia"" Welf and I correct his mistake in a deadpan
"Monsterphilia is no longer a thing, thanks to a recent incident of monsters being released and attacking the city. It's still being investigated. And so is having any sort of monster tamed, pet or anything of that nature" Welf-san answers Merlin-sans question with a difficult face
"Nice, a mystery plot! How exciting! I wonder what kind of mysterious and evil organization is behind this one!" Merlin-san comments excitedly at the prospect of an evil organization being in Orario
"It could of been just a mistake you know? The last evil god and organization was annihilated by Gale." Welf-san remarks tiredly tilting his head as he looks at Merlin-san weirdly
"Good! You're clueless! The plot thickens..." Merlin-san says in a mysterious sounding voice while moving his hands paws things in a spooky way
"What do you mean?" Welf-san asks genuinely interested in the seemingly ancient dragons timeless wisdom (self proclaimed)
"Well... I've seen this song and dance so many times I've lost count! I bet one of my scales that those Shmivulus Joe Schmoes whatever their called make a come back some time in... 1 year! If I'm right you get the privilege to call me Lord Merlin!" Merlin-san confidently states absolutely sure of his answer as he points at Welf-san
"And why should I care about your scale exactly?" Welf-san comments with a raised eyebrow
"Come on! You're a blacksmith! Even wanted to work with the scale of a LEGENDARY (self proclaimed) Dragon?" Merlin-san says disappointed in the lack of insight of Welf-san as he point at him harder
"Hmm, not a bad offer, sure, Lord Merlin might sound bad initially, but a free scale is a free scale." Welf-san swiftly concludes his victory over the delusional dragon
"OK! were getting off track here. There is a simple solution to the problem! I can make myself invisible, untouchable and unable to heard from, by all except YOU guys! So when we go outside and I'm on Bells shoulders and I talk to him, no one can hear me or see me! And! they can't touch me! So if you have been planning to use me as an invisible shield from strikes. Think again!" Merlin-san swiftly answers our concerns offhandedly
""How can you do that"" Welf and I ask simultaneously
"Magic." Merlin-san answers in a way to deny further questions perplexing us both at his dismissive attitude
"Fair enough" Welf-san recovers quickly as per usual accepting it as is.
And with that the conversation is replaced with a comfortable silence (They are quite frequent) as we enjoy the bath for another few minutes. As Welf-san glances towards me seeing my peaceful face
"Good. it seems you feel much better now, after all you collapsed earlier. You made us all worry you know?" Welf-san says with a nod to himself happy I'm feeling better.
"He did what now?" Merlin-san asks in surprise that something interesting occurred in his absence
'Ah shit. I definitely missed some funny shit happening! Maybe I shouldn't of gone for a short dip in this extremely enticing bath. Curse you Mizoto! She is definitely a future backstabber! She must of constructed this bath to let our guards down!' Merlin-san thinks in frustration as he suspects Mizoto-san of being a backstabber?
"We'll explain later." Welf-san says with finality throwing a silencing look at Merlin-san, so he does not dig any further. Merlin-san responds by lifting his paw arm thing in the air giving a thumbs up as he continues to stare at the ceiling as if it contains the answers to all of life's mysteries.
I grimace. Reminded of the 200 milion valis debt for the Hestia knife...
"Haha, don't think too much about it. It's not like you." Welf-san laughs as he tries to get me to chill. I smile at that
"You know Welf-san, I'm really grateful you joined the Hestia Familia." I thank Welf-san with a smile
'I see. A wholesome moment is about to occur. The question? To ruin it? Or not to to ruin it? That is the question.' Merlin-san thought to himself contemplating his next course of action
'Ah what the hell, I'll let it slide for now. It's still the first day after all! Mhm!' Thought Merlin-san as he nodded sagely deciding not to ruin the moment.
"Haha! No problem. But what brought this up?" Welf-san chuckles asking why I suddenly thanked him.
"I don't know, I just felt like I needed to thank you. It's strange isn't it? I never expected we would be living in the same house Hehe." I express to Welf-san happily
"Yeah, I never expected we'd come to this when we met. Life works in mysterious ways doesn't it?" Welf-san responds agreeing with my statement.
'They are making it extremely hard for me to resist the temptation to interrupt! Their practically handing me out comedic material on a silver platter!' Merlin-san thinks struggling with his natural? urges
"And Lili-san and Mikoto-san. I'm happy they joined as well! Mikoto-san although pass paraded us didn't she? Hehe" I continue my gratitude loop as I laugh at the rough past we survived (that was not really that long ago bro?)
'I knew she was a backstabber! They have obvious evidence?! Why is she here?!' Merlin-san thought to himself in utter bewilderment
"Yeah, she did. Didn't she? Hahaha!" Welf-san joins me in laughter
"But, she apologized for all that, and even left her familia to join ours in the war game. For that, I can't thank her enough." I respond nodding to myself
'That was to let your guard down! Probably.' Merlin-san second guesses himself
"And Lili-san, she taught me so much that I didn't know, she helped me become a real adventurer and she was my first comrade to stay by my side." I continue my gratitude loop
"Kami-sama...Kami-sama saved me, she gave me a place to belong, everything I have right now, is a gift from Kami-sama." I thank Kami-sama with reverence and tearing up a bit.
"B-B-BELL-KUN!" A loud cry of my name is heard from the girls side of the bath.
"Kami-sama!?" I respond in shock, recognizing the source of the cry instantaneously
It seems unbeknownst to us there were a few eavesdroppers to all our conversations in the bath
'I knew they were there!' Declares Merlin-san proudly to the author?
(Hell nah bruh, you were staring at the ceiling you aint know shit)
Then we hear someone climbing the wood separating the baths.
'There it is... I knew it was coming. The obligatory anime bath peeking scene. Although it seems to spice things up, its the girls doing the peeking this time! Fascinating!' Merlin-san thinks to himself as he observes the upcoming phenomena
As the climbing stops and we see Kami-sama with tears in her eyes a few inches from showing her naked breasts, although they are blocked from view by the wooden beams. As she is about to say something. Our favorite Dragon (self-proclaimed) beats her to the punch.
"Kyaaaa! Pervert! Die! I'm not decent!" Merlin-san screams out sounding oddly very similar to your average anime girl.
"W-wha Bell-kun...*BAM*" Kami-sama is about to say something whilst she cries emotionally, completely ignoring Merlin-sans comment, As he then proceeds to interrupt her in the most physical way possible. throwing a towel (Where did he get that) at supersonic speeds crashing into Kami-sama causing her to fall down with another *BAM*
Everyone is completely shocked by what just happened
"H-Hestia-sama! Are you alright? Ah she lost consciousness!" Cries out the voice that sounds like Mikoto-san in worry
As she seems unresponsive having lost consciousness
Me and Welf-san turn to glare in rage at Merlin-san
"What? Her fault for lacking proper tact and bath etiquette. Besides she'll be fine! She is a god after all no?" Merlin-san shrugs in response to our concerns giving way to his shit-eating grin.
"CHIBI-DRAGONNNNNNNNNN! EVERYONE TO MY OFFICE NOW!" Yells out the voice that sounds like Kami-sama in rage, as it seems like she recovered quickly
"See? What did I tell you?" Merlin-san tells us smugly looking at us both.
"You're unbelievable" Welf-san states tiredly rubbing his forehead as he stares at Merlin-san dead in the eye
"Of course I'm unbelievable! Try explaining my existence to your fellow adventurers! See how they'd react! HAHAHAHHAAH!" Merlin-san laughingly responds to Welf-san as he laughs at his misery. as we make our way out of the bath.
I suddenly feel a slight weight on my shoulder. I stare to the right and slightly below my eye level I see Merlin-san smaller than usual sitting on my shoulder.
"What? Get used to it!" Merlin-san casually remarks
"Why are you smaller?" I ask genuinely curious
"Kid? Do you want to be able to see your right side when in combat or not?" Merlin-san asks rhetorically as he questions whether I'm an idiot or not.
"Ah, true! I'll get used to it Merlin-san!" I respond excitedly with a salute as I wrap a towel around myself. Merlin-san in response gives me the draconic equivalent of an eyeroll as we get dressed to make our way to Kami-samas office.
-Slight Time Skip-
Bell POV
It's all of us sitting around the table in Kami-samas office, except Merlin-san having made himself comfortable on my shoulder
"So! I would like to declare! I will pay all the debt I have no matter how many years it takes! But..." Kami-sama declares with power in her voice
"I need your help to repay the debt. Please help this useless goddess." Kami-sama asks for help having resolved herself
"We have a debt?" Merlin-san asks uncaringly having raised his eyebrow very very slightly
""Later"" We all responds simultaneously as it seems Kami-sama is having a moment right now.
'Well. One of the greatest advantages to being a Dragon is not having to pay taxes!' Merlin-san thought to himself shivering as he dreads the existence of the cursed concept known as "Taxes".
As we reacted to Kami-samas declaration
"Of course we'll help you Hestia-sama!" Welf-san responded confidently
"Lili will endeavor to help Hestia-sama!" Lili-san responds with motivation nodding towards Kami-sama as if they are rivals?
'Rivals in what exactly?' I question in my thoughts innocently as I turn to respond to Kami-sama
Mikoto-san and I stare at Kami-sama nodding towards her with smiles, giving our replies wordlessly.
As of hearing the responses of everyone present Kami-sama starts tearing up.
'Wait... Not everyone' I think to myself having forgotten a small detail. As I turn slowly, mechanically to stare down my right shoulder and see... Merlin-san with glasses and a piece of paper?
"Hmm, Let's see here... It says here in page 84 section B...That dragons are exempt from paying taxes and are not allowed to pay them! How unfortunate! I deeply apologize, However! I cannot in good conscious break the law! So! You guys will have to cover my portion! It is only reasonable." Merlin-san says as he reads through the EMPTY paper he is holding. As all our eyes twitch as we stare at him emotionlessly deciding to go with the best course of action. Ignoring him.
"So! Cheers to the new Hestia Familia" I declare out
""Cheers"" "Fuck you guys!" We yell out as we all clink our bottles and I take a gulp of my non-alcoholic orange juice. Guess who said the profanity.
"Oh and Cheers to the brand new addition of Merlin-san" I declare sparing Merlin-san from forming bitter feelings towards us
""Cheers"" "Finally some appreciation!" We clink our bottles once again this time weirdly less enthusiastically, as Merlin-san nods in satisfaction
'What appreciation? He has yet to do anything useful... This deadbeat Dragon...' Hestia-sama grumbles in her mind and swiftly dismisses the thought to continue celebrate
As we proceed to celebrate and eat dinner...
Of the stranger things that occurred during dinner we witness Merlin-san swallowing a whole chicken.
-Small Time Skip-
*Ding Dong*
"I'll go get it!" Responds Mikoto-san as she runs off to see who it is. As we continue to celebrate a new chapter in the Familia
Mikoto POV
As I still hear ringing I rush to the door
"I'm coming I'm coming..." I yell out making my way there (Get your minds out of the gutter people!)
I open the door to see, Chigusa my dear friend and ex-familia member!
"Ah! Chigusa-dono, perfect timing! we are just having dinner why don't you join u..." I ask happily as I get interrupted by her
"Mikoto..." Chigusa-dono says in an extremely serious voice in her usual whisper. Changing the atmosphere
'What happened?' I think to myself as I furrow my eyebrows, she gets closer and starts to whisper something. I listen quietly.
"...N-No..." I react accordingly to the shocking information as my eyes widen in shock
3rd Person POV
We see a practically naked Renard laying on a soft sheet of bed, staring emotionlessly at the camera.
Hestia POV
As the celebration ends and we clean up, Mikoto-san comes back from whomever rang the door and tells us she's going to bed early. As everyone starts to leave for bed one by one, I am left with Bell-kun and Chibi-Dragon. I stop Bell-kun as he start making his way to bed with Merlin-san.
"What is it Kami-sama do you need something?" My cute Bell-kun asks innocently as he stares at me with those cute red eyes of his
'Kyaaaa Bell-kunnn... No! Bad Hestia! Later! More important matters now!' I thought to myself nearly drooling from thinking about Bell-kun, chastising myself for losing my priorities
"Not at all Bell-kun! I need to speak with Chibi-Dragon for a little! So let him off your shoulder!" I tell Bell-kun as I make a pinch with my fingers and a smile on my face to show how little the talk would be.
"Alright. Go to bed Bell! The adults are talking!" Chibi-Dragon commands Bell-kun as he responds with a strange salute that has been quite common today to his command while exiting the room closing the door.
While I go to sit down on the chair near the main table, Chibi-Dragon sits on top of the table facing me. Looking down at me with his amethyst eyes and I reply with my sapphire ones. Staring at each other creating the most serious atmosphere to this day. This wont be a conversation between 2 individuals. But between A God and A Dragon.
"So? You wanted to talk? So talk." Chibi-Dragon asks, no, demands from me as he stares at me giving me a knowing smirk. As if he was anticipating all of this... How irritating.
"Alright "Mentor Of Heroes"..." I say seriously letting off a little of my Arcanum staring him dead in the eyes.
To be Continued!
-Author Note Start-
Finally! We are about to reach the first day! Lmao! Don't worry, things will be going faster starting now. Hope you guys enjoyed this chapter!
Thanks for reading! constructive criticism will be appreciated! remember this is my first story so no need to demolish me ok? thanks!
-Author Note End-