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-
LETS FUCKING GOOO CHAPTER 10! Celebrations people!
never hate the copy paste!
Hey guys and gals, hope your having a nice day! Do enjoy the chapter and as always, constructive criticism, reviews and ideas would really help motivate me to write more and improve my writing... it's free do it thanks! Don't be shy to criticize, It will help me write a hopefully better fanfic for you guys! If you do notice a plot-hole at any point, I'd appreciate a heads-up as soon as possible so I can rectify the problem or bullshit my way out of it by the power of the author lmao.
By the way I'd like to know what you guys think about the pacing. Is it good? fast? slow? amazing?! perfect?! Honestly I do believe the pacing is consistently slow. Is that the correct way of going about writing this type of fanfic? I don't know! First story remember! We'll I've gone on a tangent here Enjoy!
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-Author note end-
Hearth Mansion Bell's Room
Bell POV
An unspecified amount of time passed since I fell asleep.
*Knock* *Knock*
To the knocking sound at my door, I begin to twitch and blink my eyes awake groggily.
I steeled myself and threw quick glances around me, to search for any uninvited dragons in my personal space.
Seeing the coast being clear I address the door knocker.
"Y-Yes? Come in..." I respond tiredly to the rude individual who decided to disturb my slumber.
At that I hear a familiar voice
"I'm entering Bell-kun! Hope you're not naked~!" responds the "Mysterious" voice as it opens the door revealing Kami-sama with a jolly smile, holding... a broom?
"G-Good morning Kami-sama... *Sigh*" I greet Kami-sama tiredly, giving an exhausted sigh and not questioning her purpose of waking me up, in favor of not further antagonizing her since yesterday.
'I will be a very good boy today!' I think to myself resolutely, in order to repay and compensate for Kami-sama's worry and nerves.
"Good morning Bell-ku- Wait, no! It's afternoon and it's the same day you silly boy! You're late for your cleaning duty! Now take this and shoo! You slept quite enough! Hmph!" Kami-sama said happily, until she remembered that she was supposed to be angry with me, justly so and revealed the reason behind my rude awakening.
"Good! I'll be going down to Hephy's for a bit! So don't look for me!" Kami-sama responded contently to my statement? As she began to make her way out of the door.
'Wait! I didn't even say anything related to agreeing to this!' I think to myself in exasperation and wide eyes.
"A-Alright Kami-sama" I respond submissively and affirmatively to my painful punishment, trying and failing to hide my aversion to the task, as I lower my head like a sad puppy. Meeting Kami-sama's correct prediction of my agreement... To my dismay.
'Nevertheless I must do this!' I think positively, regaining energy and motivation to do, What! Is! Right!
I grab the broom dramatically.
'Keeping the streets clean! A hero has to start somewhere!' I think assured, nodding to myself with delusions and half-correct statements about noble and humble beginnings towards herodom. As I lift the broom up, pointing to the ceiling in a declaration of pure motivation!
At the thought of "Hero" I am reminded once again of a scaly and annoying factor I've unfortunately gotten used to, one that usually weighs down my right shoulder.
"Wait! Kami-sama! Do you know where Merlin-sensei is?" I asked Kami-sama in genuine curiosity, as the leech- I mean Dragon as been sticking to me and not leaving for a moment... Except when he had to *Shudders* "Poo".
"Oh! Chibi-Dragon? He is... Preoccupied? According to him?" Kami-sama answered my question in confusion, unsure of her own answer. As she held a finger to her chin in a thinking motion, eyes closed in thought.
"Preoccupied? What is he busy with?" I think out loud in bewilderment, confused at the possible... Productive nature of Merlin-sensei, who has proven himself very... Unproductive.
3rd Person POV
At a Ganesha Familia Police Outpost we see two people sitting at a table having a discussion.
One is writing something, listening attentively and extremely seriously whilst the other explains in distress? tears flowing down his eyes as he wipes them down with a tissue
"*Sigh*, So let me get this straight, Mister... Morlin-san is it?" Asks the veteran Ganesha Officer with a look of suspicion and rapid loss of patience.
"*Hic* Yes... *Hic*" Responds the very strange MAN? Crying at the outrageous and probably traumatic event that has led him here.
"You were assaulted by a... By you're words " A Downsized Hourglass With Extremely Large Breasts" looking goddess, whilst you were minding your own business in the restroom?" Asked the Ganesha Officer rubbing his head in confusion, glancing back and forth between the atrocious thing written in his notes and towards the oddly beautiful amethyst eyes of his guest, having heard his most absurd complaint and report yet.
"*Hic* Correct! Oh the humanity! *Hic*" The strange "totally not a man" man responded further strengthening his crying.
'Definitely resigning after this case... I just hope this is a bad joke...' Thought the Ganesha Officer in exasperation feeling his very new and very large migraine only getting larger from here...
Bell POV
"Yes... Preoccupied, that's what he told me" Kami-sama responded to my blurted thought, certain with her answer giving a nod and a shrug.
"Anyways! Don't worry about that guy! You won't need him for what you'll be doing for today!" Kami-sama said joyfully at my suffering, rediverting my attention from Merlin-sensei to my actual punishment, slapping me back to reality.
"Hai! Kami-sama!" I respond with a salute and a broom at hand.
'What? I don't only salute Merlin-sensei! Kami-sama is of the same caliber! No, wrong, that would be insulting... Kami-sama is like, A thousand Merlin-sensei's! Yes!' I thought strangely in accordance to my actions.
"Great... Cya Bell-kun~!" Kami-sama dashed away with godlike (HAHA GODLIKE GET IT?!) speed, waving her hand goodbye in rapid motions.
"Well, time to get to work!" I said with fake enthusiasm in a pathetic attempt to psyche myself up.
'It'll be a good time to let my mind wander and think about what to do about Haruhime-san in the meanwhile...' I think with a frown, grimly reminded of Haruhime-san from yesterday.
-Time Skip-
Bell POV
A few streets near the Hestia Mansion are especially narrow streets or you could call them alleys, there, sweeping sounds can be heard. The source? Me!
"*Sigh* good, I'm done with this area" I sigh contently as I'm done with sweeping the leaves of the narrow street of our neighbors and decidedly move onto the next section of cleaning.
'Still, it's strange not to have Merlin-sensei around for so long... When I'm awake.' I think to myself in wonder, and worry, afraid I've gotten used to his presence and seeking it. Which wouldn't be wrong when I truly need his help...
'Especially when I need his advice... I don't know what to do with Haruhime-san... Should I save her? I-I want to... Even if a prostitute is a symbol of destruction for a hero. But how would I go about it?' I think, lost in my own thoughts, as I make my way to the next cleaning section, not knowing what to do.
But it is then I am reminded what Merlin-sensei has taught me.
"I need to think, What can I do? I must gather information... Look into Haruhime-san and how I can release a prostitute. If I remember correctly she was sold... So she must be owned, if she is owned... She can be bought!" I think pragmatically and find a possible solution to the problem. Having an enlightened look on my face, which quickly returns to grim thought.
"But what about... A hero and A prostitute? Is it ok to save her?" I whisper in excruciating thought biting my finger in frustration, on the verge of tearing my hair out.
"No! I-I need more time to think... I'll wait for Merlin-sensei, maybe he can give me the advice I need? I'll just get back to my punishment..." I think to myself in frustration and in hope, as I delay the issue.
I reach my next cleaning destination. A narrow alley leading into an opening of a moderately large and open area surrounded by buildings. A perfect place to play ball. Or adventurers and monsters.
I start sweeping absentmindedly for a while.
-Short Time Skip-
Bell POV
Upon finishing up here I move towards the opening of the open area, and see kids playing adventurers and monsters. Running around and mock sword fighting, whilst the would be monsters roar.
'This does put a smile on my face.' I think happily and in peace, not being able to help myself but smile at the pure and innocent sight, reminding of my times at the village. Upon saying this however I for some unknown reason imagine a purple titan? what?
"I'll save the princess get back you monster! Hiya! *Slash*" The kid playing hero yells as he slashes his wooden stick *Shudders*. For some unknown reason I shudder upon sighting it.
"ROARRRRRR" The kid playing the monster roars a mighty roar. For a kid
"Kya! Help me Hero!" The girl playing princess yells for help.
Upon hearing her scream for a hero's help. I am reminded of Haruhime-san and her situation, how poorly I handled it. How... How no one will save her...
'Damn it.' I grit my teeth
'Way to add insult to injury huh...' I think with a painful smile and a twitch. Having my worry and problems rear their ugly head.
*Sigh*
'Just a few more...' I think depressively as I make my way to the largest area yet.
-Short Time Skip-
Bell POV
"O-Oh no... Kami-sama wants me to clean all this?! I wont be done by tonight!" I think in exasperation upon noticing the entire bloody street that I have to clean.
'D-Does this even count as helping our neighbors?! This is a bit too far from home to count as neighbors after all?!' I think in an attempt to think of an excuse to get myself out of doing this. (Stage 1, Denial)
'No! I wont do this! I know I promised to be a good boy... But this is ridiculous. I'll talk with Kami-sama about this outrage!' I resolve myself with anger at the outrageous task. (Stage 2, Anger)
At that, I imagine the instant lose I will suffer upon getting with an argument with Kami-sama. Seeing her demonic hair floating in rage and her face shadowed. Hell no.
'W-Well on second thought, maybe I can negotiate something with Kami-sama! Maybe no dungeon for 2 weeks or something hahah!' I attempt to forge a negotiation deal with Kami-sama upon realizing my inferior argumentative skills. (Stage 3, Bargaining)
With the latter I imagine the instant refusal and quick debunking of my pathetic attempt at negotiations. Which results in Kami-sama looking at me like a pathetic worm. Hell no.
Upon realizing I have exhausted all my nonexistent options I lower my head in depression (Stage 4, Depression)
"*Sigh* I'll just start cleaning... Eventually I'll be done... Look at the bright side! I help clean the streets!" I think out loud as I slump my shoulders in defeat and acceptance and begin sweeping my broom... Not as heroically as I initially intended, failing to cheer myself up. (Stage 5, Acceptance)
Let the cleaning ensue!
-Short Time Skip-
I awaken from my soulless sweeping task upon hearing a familiar voice calling my name and a hand waving in front of my face.
"Yo Bell! You good? We came to help!" I blink at the worried voice and hand waving at my face to see Welf-san and the others here sending me concerned glances.
But before greeting them, my enhanced Level 3 processing power notices the most important of details. Welf-san mentioned "Help". In addition to that I see brooms in each of their hands.
I am ashamed to admit this, but I am happy they came to help, more than their actual presence.
"Pfft, Bell you're so obvious hahahaha! Don't worry we're here to help ya!" Welf-san chuckles in good humor seeing my poorly hidden look of hope.
"Uh-Umm thank guys but Kami-sama gave me and only me the punishment... I appreciate the offer but I need to do this alone." I scratch my head being called out like that. As I stutter so magnificently that were Merlin-sensei to be here, they would of never found my body. No, he would probably hang it somewhere to set an example...
'Mouth... This is brain, please shut up.' I send my mouth pissed off and clear instructions to not deny the help offered to me.
At that sentence, my dear Familia mates raise their eyebrows, knowing me very well and having seen this song and dance already, they outplay me as per usual.
"Bell-dono, the reason you got punished was my fault... Let me offer my help at the very least, I am more deserving of this punishment. I'm sorry." Mikoto-san bows, offering her help in a resolute and apologetic tone, sending me her sympathies.
I flash a thankful smile at her and give her a placating gesture of my hands with a touch of a nod.
"Lili agrees with Mikoto-sama, but we were all responsible, every single one of us. We are familia so we must stick together. So let us help Bell-sama!" Lili-san agrees with Mikoto-san giving a rather motivating and a unifying speech as she stares unblinkingly and resolutely at me. Making me question my standing as Familia-Captain for a second.
"A-Alright thanks guys!" I thank them wholeheartedly with a pure smile on my face, forcing Lili-san to have a poorly timed nosebleed? And her turning her face away.
"Are you ok Lili-san?!" I ask in worry dashing towards her
"C-Completely fine Bell-schama" Lili-san responds in a muffled voice and a very happy one?
"She's fine! Let's get this done before evening!" Welf-san waves off Lili-san's struggles and gets us focused on the task at hand
""Alright"" Mikoto-san and I respond with a passionate shout, brooms lifted in the air. Making bystanders look at us strangely.
-Short Time Skip-
Whilst we sweep the street Lili-san asks me a question.
"Bell-sama? Lili is curious what you were doing THERE until morning." Lili-san suddenly asks with a demanding glare, one that will deny all excuses.
"U-Umm" I hesitate with my answer, failing to find a good answer that wont end up with me being skewered by Lili-san's crossbow arrows.
'Excuse... Excuse... AH-HA!' I search in lightning speed for a convenient excuse, having found a really good one, I do not hesitate in using it.
"Haha! Mikoto-san! I forgot to ask, but why did you go to the entertainment district in the first place?" I asked a genuine question, one of importance and a convenient excuse to dodge Lili-sans question.
"Bell-sama will answer Lili's question after Mikoto-sama." Lili-san stated emotionlessly with a tone of threat, as she didn't buy my excuse one bit.
*Gulp* I gulp having probably made a severe lapse in my judgment.
"O-Once again, I'm sorry Bell-dono. But the reason I and Chigusa-dono went there was to find an old friend of ours. A renard, we heard rumors she was there but we didn't believe them. Even so we had to go check. We have yet to see here though... *Sigh*" Mikoto-san apologizes, then proceeds to explain why she went there in the first place with a saddened tone, lowering her head in disappointment with a sigh.
'Wait... Renard? In there? Perhaps it's...' I think who the possible friend is according to the clues provided. Renards are pretty rare Demi-Humans all things considered, especially in Orario and not the Far East...
"Is the Renard's name perhaps... Haruhime-san?" I ask with a smile and an unsure tone
"H-How do you know?! Do you know something?!" Mikoto-san asks rapidly as she instantly arrives in my personal space, her face mere inches from my face, eliciting a blush.
"Mikoto-sama get away from Bell-sama!" Lili-san shouts in a panic, as she pushes Mikoto-san a little out of my personal space. To my relief.
"W-Well, I guess I'll answer Lili-san's question and yours at the same time..." I respond hesitantly and contendingly, deciding to stop my own sweeping in favor of retelling my "Adventures" from last night with full focus.
"Get me a shortened version later, I'll continue sweeping, don't worry." Best bro responds as he diligently continues to sweep, while we 3 laze around exchanging stories.
"It started when I was dragged away by..."
-Short Time Skip-
"And thanks to Haruhime-san I escaped intact." I finish up the retelling of yesterday, not including a few "Unnecessary" details that happened.
Both Lili-san and Mikoto-san wore serious thinking gestures, the former masking her thoughts and worries better than the latter.
"I didn't want to believe it but... Haruhime-dono really is working in a brothel..." Mikoto-san says in a depressive whisper.
'Not good, I need to do something about Haruhime-san...' Upon seeing further justification to saving Haruhime-san and not just my own whims. I resolve myself to go save Haruhime-sa...
"Don't get any funny ideas... I know that look. We just won our last wargame, we can't take any risks to the familia right now. Do you want to start another fight by going to save her? That would place a heavy burden on Hestia-sama's shoulders..." Lili-san ruthlessly cuts me off with a dead serious tone and a glare, trying to convince me against saving Haruhime-san.
"I-I..." I struggle and hesitate to let my thoughts loose, with Lili-san's ever intensifying glare.
"SUP BITCHES!" An extremely audible and quite vulgar shout could be heard from a far.
All 4 of us instantly turn to look for the source, the atmosphere being mercilessly cut apart and replaced with a stomach sinking sensation.
And we see *Shudders* "Him"
Gliding down slowly and majestically (Self Proclaimed) from quite the height above us.
We all throw him an astonished look. As it seems he is, for the first time since we met him. Using his wings to move around.
"What? Don't look at me like that! Need to get the blood flowing down these bad boys you know! I'm not fighting and I'm definitely not getting any younger!" Merlin-sensei answered our unasked question with a shit-eating grin and good cheer in his tone, finally landing on my shoulder after a continued and awkward glide down.
"Tsk, of all the times he decides to make his appearance" Lili-san whispers with a click of her tongue, biting her fingernail in frustration.
"Oi! Loli! I heard that! Anyways! Did I come back at bad time?" Merlin-sensei responded with a hurt expression as he inquired about his possible interruption gaining a confused look on his draconic face.
"As a matter of fact you di-" Lili-san began to answer bluntly to Merlin-sensei's question.
Only to get rudely and expectedly interrupted by the aforementioned jackass.
"Scratch that, don't care! Cause anytime I'm here is always! A! Good! Time! HAHAHAHAHHAHAHA" Merlin-sensei said intensifying his shit eating grin and breaking out into a laughter.
We didn't share in his humor, nor in his outlandish (Literally) claims. We collectively decided to try a different approach to getting him to shut up.
United, without prior discussion we stare at him, emotionlessly and in complete silence.
"Hmm? Cat got your tongue?" The dragon inquires to the silent audience.
Only to be met with further silence and a sweeping sound of the still working but also glaring Welf-san.
"Oh~ I know I'm pretty, but if you stare like that you'll make me blush~" Merlin-sensei purred disgustingly as he followed the lines of his draconic body in a teasing motion and flirty? gaze.
It seems our tactic had the opposite effect and only made him spew more filth out of his mouth.
Upon realizing this universal fact Lili-san broke our collective silence.
"Lili thinks this isn't working! Grrr... J-Just let us discuss something with no interruptions. Ok Merlin-sama?" Lili-san growl in frustration and at the verge of tearing her hairs out, deciding to opt for the direct approach of asking Merlin-sensei to not bother us as we return to our rather important conversation.
"No problem." Merlin-sensei answers positively with a pawed thumbs up and a nod.
To our amazement, he just agreed?
"W-Wha? That worked?" Mikoto-san asked in amazement, staring back and forth between Lili-san and Merlin-sensei.
"Asking nicely and politely would usually translate to a nice and polite answer! I may be a dragon, but my manners are on point people! Now I could of nicely and politely denied your request. But remember kids! What's better? Being declined impolitely and roughly? Or being declined nicely? The choice is obvious, for most people anyway. The point is I'm teaching you guys manners! Manners Maketh Dragon! Or man! Or woman! Or pallum! Or whatever!" Merlin-sensei lectured all sage like, about manners and ways of asking things. Pointing his claws at each of us individually as he mentioned the races in manners. Useful I guess?
'T-That is kind of useful? I'll write it down in my Merlin-sensei lessons and quotes book!' I think in confusion not completely getting his lecture, deciding to dwell on it after writing it down in my book. There must be wisdom here that he gave away! (Wait he has a book?!)
Mikoto-san decides to change the subject to the previous conversation, in order to escape from another uninvited lecture from Merlin-sensei.
"A-Anyways, Bell-dono, I understand you want to save Haruhime-dono, I want to save her as well, but we can't risk the Familia because of this so soon. So please forget it ok?" Mikoto-san met my eyes with hers, as she asked me with a... Sad smile to forget about Haruhime-san and not risk ourselves to save her.
'Foxy Prostitute? It's about her? Oh my~ What a coincidence! I'd already confirmed her to be the probable number 5, but this connection only further proves my point! Escaping the confines of prostitution arc is about to begin! Exciting!' Merlin-sensei once again thinks tactless and rather disgusting thoughts, although respectably following through his agreement of keeping silent. For now.
'Now... What is your answer Bell?' Merlin-sensei thinks to himself as I feel his judging gaze awaiting my response.
"I-I won't go sav-" *Crack*
'What was that sound?' I wonder with a foreboding and ominous feeling coming from my shoulder. As I turn to look at it's source
"Oh! That was me! Don't mind me at all! I was just cracking my finger to practice cracking human skulls! Haha!" Merlin-sensei said with the most casual and jolly tone possible with a closed eye smile.
*Gulp* I gulp having understood his warning
'Ok, message received, no stuttering' I think with renewed confidence mixed with fear.
"Merlin-sama no hurting Bell-sama." Lili-san casually orders, knowing full well he wont really kill me. Probably?
"I won't be going to save her." I say this time, A complete lie which by the exasperated and tired glances thrown by everyone at me, was easily seen through.
Well the only one who didn't look at me that way was... Merlin-sensei, wearing quite the devious grin.
"Good answer kid!" He responds to my statement with pure glee.
Everyone but Merlin-sensei and I facepalm at my antics and Merlin-sensei's reinforcing of said antics.
"Say Sensei, where were you all this time?" I ask in attempt of changing topic from my clear? lie and in genuine curiosity
"I was... Preoccupied." Merlin-sensei responded in an instant with no emotions showing on his face or tone.
'Kami-sama said the same thing didn't she?' I remember
""Preoccupied?"" We collectively ask with raised eyebrows
"Oh but don't worry! I am completely spoiler free with shenanigans in the city! So live and fresh reactions from you're favorite dragon will be available to all who follow Bell!" Merlin-sensei mentioned happily in an attempt to get us to relax about a possible problem we didn't care about in the first place.
"Alright guys, help me with finishing up this cleaning, you've been lazing around way too much!" Welf-san quickly recovers as per usual from the previous bullshit and asks for our help.
""Right"" We collectively agree and begin to sweep the street once again.
Merlin-sensei, keeping silent for a couple of minutes to our surprise and having a completely puzzled look for that same time frame, finally decided to utter a sentence.
"I tried really hard to understand what in the fuzzy bunnies are you guys doing, I give up. Is this some kind of community service? Adventurer society sure is sophisticated and morale!" Merlin-sensei asked. Perplexed at our actions, throwing a guess, accepting it as the unquestionable truth and finally, making his own conclusion about our society. Truly Merlin things
""*Sigh*"" We collectively sigh and ignore him to continue sweeping
To be Continued!
-Author Note Start-
Hey people and not people (I'm not assuming)!
Hope the chapter was to your enjoyment and pleasure! We finally reached the double digits in chapter count! Veeeery Niceeee
I do wonder how I'd write a fight scene, we are yet to reach a point where one would be warranted but still lmao. maybe by chapter 15?
Do tell me if the pacing seems... off or too slow or bad or whatever, it's really critical for me, so I'd appreciate it!
Again, comments, reviews, ideas, suggestions etc... would provide me more motivation to write and would be a good way to show your appreciation! I'll be happy and thankful to receive them! Constructive criticism would be the most appreciated as I wont be able to improve without knowing what my mistakes are! Thanks for reading and have a great rest of the day! I'll see you guys in a few days!
-Author Note End-