Hey Guys! Crescent Rider here and I am back with another chapter!
But before you all begin, I just want to tell you all that the Servants that will be fixated on certain groups and mythology. So don't expect any Modern Servants to appear here.
As for the Poll, you'll find the choices below (Wattpad Readers) or in my Profile Page (Fanfiction Readers).
That is all, and enjoy the chapter!
After Nadya laid out her intentions, Hestia began questioning her despite her declaration. Of which, every question is bluntly answered by her.
"Are you serious about joining?!"
"Yes,"
"Really serious?!"
"Yes,"
"You do know that there are other Familias?"
"I do, but yours is what I want to join,"
"But... If you join us, you'll be living in a place like this. Surely you'll be uncomfortable in living here,"
"I don't mind,"
"I also have one member in my Familia,"
"Then I'll right fit in,"
"And we don't have much to provide you with,"
"Then I'll make do. Like I said, I really want to join your Familia,"
Hestia's mouth was practically squirming as she realized that she was running out of question. But when she glanced at Bell, she went for one sensitive question, "You just joined because of Bell, are you?"
"Partially, Yes," Nadya replied,
"Aha! And you're here because of Bell! Even if you joined, I won't let you take him!" Hestia yelled as she embraced Bell rather tightly, and her chest pressed against his face,
"I don't intend to," Nadya said, "The reason why Bell is part of my intentions is because he saved my life in the dungeon. The real reason is that I'm in debt to you,"
"Indebt of me? But didn't you say Bell saved you," Hestia inquired, "Why are you in debt with me as well?"
"It's because he's a part of your Familia. When I'm saved by a member of a Familia, I am not only in debt to them. I am indebted to the God or Goddess they serve under," Nadya revealed, "Which is why..."
Nadya horizontally placed her hands on the ground, and bowed her head to Hestia, "I'll gladly be part of your Familia to repay this debt, Hestia-sama,"
Hestia and Bell were taken back by this, and the former's mouth started to quiver. Moments later, there were tears flowing down her eyes, for this was the first time she witnessed such devotion in her life.
It almost felt like a dream made into a reality...
Eventually, Hestia gave in after she loudly sniffed her tears once, "Alright, Fine! I'll gladly take you in! But remember to work hard, and keep Bell safe, do you understand,"
"Yes, Hestia-sama," Nadya replied,
"Alright, now come with me. Once I've established our contract, you'll officially be a part of the Familia," Hestia said, then she turned to Bell, "As for you, you stay here and try not to barge yourself in, Do-You-Under-Stand?"
"Y-Yes!" Bell loudly replied,
With that, Hestia and Nadya made their way down some stairs that led to a basement door. When opened, Nadya was behold with a cramped room.
"I know it isn't much, and I'm afraid we don't have space for you. But..." Hestia tries to say, but Nadya assures her, "It's alright, as long as I can lie down and sleep, I'll do just fine,"
"You're quite mature for your age, aren't you?" Hestia commented, "But let's leave it at that, I want you to remove your shirt and lie down on this bed,"
Nadya did just that as she removed her shirt, but Hestia widened her eyes as she saw a few faint scars all over her. The latter noticed, "If you plan on asking about the scars, I got them from my training as well as a few expeditions to the Dungeon,"
"I-I see..." Hestia reluctantly replied,
With that out of the way, Nadya lies down on the bed and shows her bare back to Hestia. What comes next is Hestia fulfilling the requirements needed to make her an honorary member of her Familia. As she did this, she was behold with Nadya's current state.
'No way...' Hestia expressed,
Level 2
Strength: D
Endurance: F
Dexterity: E
Agility: C
Magic: I
Even though Nadya hasn't joined a Familia, this kind of status may guarantee her entry to more powerful and well-respected Familias such as Freya and Loki. It's rather odd that she chose her over other Familias.
But after being reminded of Nadya's intention, as well as her devotion. Hestia shakes the thought out of her mind and focuses on Nadya's recruitment to her Familia.
Once it's been made official, Hestia lets out a sigh and prepares herself for the newest member of her Familia, 'Well, that wasn't so bad... I mean I am getting a new member to my Familia, who also happens to be stronger than Bell-kin, so I think it's best that I accept it rather than let this chance slip away,'
Hestia soon presses the bubble back into Nadya's back. But the moment her palms made contact with Nadya's back, something else happened...
Without warning, black spectral chains emerged from Nadya's back and caused Hestia to gasp as they wrapped themselves around her arms. A few moments later, said chains straightened and fainted as quickly as they came.
Hestia was taken aback by this, and she didn't seem to feel anything from it. There wasn't any pain or tightness caused by those chains. In other words, they weren't meant to cause any harm whatsoever.
When Hestia looked at Nadya's back, she noticed something new written on her back, '[Faithful Vow]... Just what kind of skill is this?'
"Are you finished, Hestia-sama?" Nadya inquired,
"Huh? Oh! I am," Hestia said, and pulled herself away from Nadya,
The latter then wears her shirt again, while the former officially welcomes her, "Welcome to my Familia, Nadya,"
"Thank you, Hestia-sama," Nadya thanked,
"Now that you're done, can you Bell-kun for me?" Hestia requested,
"As you wish," Nadya replied, and went to get Bell,
Moments later, she returns with Bell and it is his turn for Hestia to examine his status. As he lay on the bed, Nadya sat by a rugged couch and watched as Hestia examined Bell's status.
Hestia was eyeing on his status for a time and looked rather irritated before slapping Bell's back several times in an irritated manner. Nadya just watched rather than feel concerned for Bell or Hestia.
Soon after she's done, Hestia gets off of the bed and goes to sit next to Nadya while Bell sits up and wears his shirt again. Then Hestia reveals something that surprised Bell, "M-My status went up that much?"
"Yes. You're growing at an incredible rate right now. Think of it as a growth spurt," Hestia explained,
"Right," Bell replied,
"This is just my opinion, but I think you're naturally gifted. You'll become strong, for sure," Hestia said, "And that's precisely what you want,"
"Yes," Bell replied,
Hestia lowered her head a bit and looked rather sorrowful in her eyes. Something Nadya noticed, "I respect your desire. I'll support you and help you. I'll lend you my strength,"
'She truly cares for him...' Nadya assumed, 'Perhaps even more,'
"So promise me you won't do anything so reckless again," Hestia demanded, "Please, Don't leave me alone!"
Bell pauses for a brief moment, then smiles afterward, "Okay, I'll be careful. I'll do my best to get stronger, but I'll never leave you alone, Goddess. You have nothing to worry about!"
"Glad to hear that, I can relax now," Hestia said, then turned to Nadya, "Look out for him, okay?"
"I will," Nadya agreed,
"Well, now that we've settled today's discussion. I'll be heading out of town for a few days," Hestia announced, "Is that all right with you two?"
"Huh?" Bell confusingly expressed,
"Where do you plan on going?" Nadya asked,
"It's important, but I'll tell you when I get back," Hestia said before snickering towards Bell,
Hostess of Fertility
After Hestia had left, Nadya accompanied Bell to the tavern where he ran off the other night.
Apparently, he was there to express his apologies to the owner, "I'm so sorry! I ran off the other day without paying,"
Bell then presents the money to the Proprietress, Mia Grand, "Here's what I owe,"
Mia stared at him for a time, then smiled before stating the following, "It's nice of you to come all the way here to pay your bill. But you can keep your money,"
"B-But," Bell tried to reason, but Mia cut him off with a certain piece of information, "Your bill's been paid last night. All of it in full,"
"Huh?" Bell muttered, then he turned to Nadya as soon as he heard her snicker, "Did... Did you pay the bill for me?"
"Why of course, Bell," Nadya said, "Think of it as compensation for what you've been through that night,"
"Ah, so you're that hooded girl that sat next to him that night," MIa recognized, "Though I'm still bothered by what you did that night, but I'll give you a pass since you've paid his meals, yours, and the damages you caused,"
"I swear that I won't do it again, Madame," Nadya promised,
"Um... What did you do exactly?" Bell asked,
"If you recall that werewolf that mentioned you in his story. I may have gotten irritated by his demeanor and punched him right in the jaw," Nadya revealed,
"And after you left, he got so irritated that he swore that he'll find you and make you pay for what you did to him," Mia added, "It ain't my concern, but I suggest you be careful out there,"
"I will keep that in mind, thank you" Nadya thanked while Bell looked rather shocked by what he was hearing,
Then Mia turns back to the Bell, "Well, there you have it. But if you or this girl hadn't paid for your meal, I would've had to hunt you down,"
Bell yelped then bowed his head once more, "I'm really sorry!"
"There's no need to keep apologizing, Bell," A Silver Haired maid said, "I'm just happy you came back. You're going to the Dungeon today, right?"
The girl then pulled out some food she had made for him, "Here, I made you lunch,"
"Oh, I couldn't..." Bell said,
"Come on... Please?" The girl shyly asked with blushing cheeks,
Eventually, Bell accepted her lunch as he took it off of her hands, "All right if you insist,"
As the girl left, Mia leaned close to Bell, "Be sure to show Syr your gratitude. The staff here are pretty unforgiving, me included. We only let it go because she convinced us to,"
"I see," Bell muttered,
With that matter aside, Bell soon received some encouraging advice from Mia about surviving if one is just starting out and all that matters is being alive for another day, no matter how pathetic he looks or how much people laugh.
As she turned Bell to the door, she stated the following, "Now that I've told you all that, don't you go off and die on me, got it? Now get going! We've got work to do, and you're in the way!"
"Okay!" Bell said and went out the door,
Nadya just stood there for a time, then followed after him. Though Mia had to ask one final question, "Hey, you wouldn't mind sharing your name, would you?"
Nadya just straightened herself, then bowed her head to her, "It's Nadya,"
With that, Nadya goes after Bell and manages to catch up to him...
Dungeon
As Bell and Nadya made their way up the stairs, the former gazed on several adventurers with greater gear than his. As soon as they reached the top, Bell and Nadya stared at the lift that took people down to the dungeon.
That's when Nadya spoke to him, "Do you plan on going to the Dungeon now?"
Bell thought about it, then responded with action instead of words. He turned away from the lift and made his way down the stairs instead. Nadya would follow him, though she was soon stopped by two particular adventurers.
"Hey, you there!"
Nadya turns to the voice and she sees a pair of adventurers making their way to her, and Bell stops as well.
"Didn't know you'd come here any time sooner," Adventurer 1 said,
"You don't happen to have any information that you could sell to us, by any chance?" Adventurer 2 inquired,
"For the time being, no," Nadya revealed, "But if you could provide specified locations in the dungeon, I just might help. For a price, of course,"
The Two Adventurers then pinpointed certain locations for Nadya to identify and she provided small yet useful information for the two adventurers as long as they paid her first.
After she was paid, she provided the information they desired and the two Adventurers soon departed for the dungeon.
With the money on hand, she turns to Bell's side.
"Nadya-san, what that all about?" Bell questioned,
"Oh that? Well you see, Bell. Before I joined your Familia, I often go to the dungeon alone to explore certain areas and provide other adventurers with accurate informatio," Nadya revealed, "For a price, of course,"
"I don't understand. Why would you do such a thing?" Bell inquired,
"It's because hunting monsters wasn't enough," Nadya said, "And some adventurers here want to know the ins and outs of the Dungeon Floors. From monster areas to rare materials, I'll provide all manners of information to earn more money,"
Bell felt somewhat uncertain by this method, but if it helps the other adventurers then he couldn't complain about it. Without a second thought in mind, he and Nadya left the dungeon.
Streets
As nightfall came, Nadya remained by Bell's side as he was eyeing on today's weapon stock. The weapon he has eyes on happens to be quite expensive, which makes him slump against the glass.
"Oh, it's you, Bell,"
Bell turns, and recognizes the man before him, "Miach-sama! Sorry... I know I'm not going to be buying anything,"
"There's nothing to apologize for," Miach assured then turned to Nadya, "Who might you be?"
"My name is Nadya, pleasure to meet you," Nadya replied,
Miach lightly chuckled, "Likewise, Nadya,"
"You didn't go to the Banquet of the Gods, Miach-sama?" Bell inquired,
"Nope. I was invited, but since my Familia is so small, I've been busy preparing goods to sell," Miach explained, then offered out two potions, "Bell, Nadya, I'd like you to have these,"
"Eh? I couldn't possibly..." Bell reasoned,
"Don't worry, I'm just currying favor with a good neighbor," Miach assured, "It's my way of asking for your continued patronage of my Familia,"
"Th-Thank you," Bell thanked,
"I'll be going now," Miach said, "It's a pleasure meeting you, Nadya,"
"Take care," Nadya said, and the two watched him leave,
With that discussion over, Bell and Nadya decided to return home for the day. With Hestia away, the two decided to share the same bed for the night.
That is it for this chapter, everyone. As for the list of the 4th Poll, you'll find it in my Account Page.
That is all I have to say, stay safe, and I will see you all in the next chapter!
