Ave Princeps, Fili Rhomée!

by F-14 Tomcat Lover

Well... Bell has a bigger history than one thinks about. Especially when his estranged uncle turns back up. Someone that Zeus was surprised to see. Especially after he banished him long before and thought him dead. Surprisingly... He's moved up in the world. And this time... For the better. All Hail Rhome! And her great Emperor!

8. Calm

Ave Princeps, Fili Rhomée!

Chapter Seven

Calm

XXXX

White.

Endless white broken only by stone.

A white world. As far as the eye could see. To the horizon and beyond. All of it white. A white that was pure. That is what the world is.

A white world broken only by stone.

Except for the biting cold.

That is not broken by the stone.

A cold that ran deep. Strangling the breath. Stealing the warmth. Numbing all feeling. Taking life.

Her dying breath. She could see the increasingly small amount of warmth of her breath. Slowly dying away. Becoming smaller with every breath. Before it would be no more.

Held firmly in her mother's arms. Trying to keep her warm. Trying to keep safe. Trying to keep her alive.

The frozen metal bit into their skin. Tearing skin. Grinding frozen blood deep.

Their once happy life… Destroyed by a single Monster none had seen before. It had destroyed their people in a single night. Its massive jaws had eaten many whole. Its massive claws had torn others into pieces. Its roar had deafened them. Its size had stunned them. Its overwhelming power that overwhelmed them.

And it had feasted on them.

Those who survived were not lucky.

Broken, scattered, divided.

And weak.

So utterly weak.

Captured by slavers. Most broke. Others died. But they escaped.

Just the two of them.

Her mother and herself.

And yet, it was probably better to be slaves at this point. Where they could be fed, even if it was barely edible. Kept where it was barely warm. Clothed, even if they were scraps. Living only on their knees and at the mercy of their masters. No matter what would come.

Freezing winds, frozen ground, and a world of white broken only by stone.

This is where they would die.

And very soon.

"Hang on! Don't die!"

Warmth. So gentle. So caring. So embracing.

"Hold on, we'll make it soon!"

There was something at her mouth. Liquid. Still cool, but it was refreshing.

Then it was solid. Yet her teeth cut through the moist material. She chewed it that which is warm.

She swallows and feels it land in her empty stomach. Slowly, she felt her life not ebb.

"Help is coming!"

She is soon wrapped in something with heat. She could feel her mother still holding her. The two of them. They were warm, no matter how weak it is. They feel the warmth.

And she saw it.

A face framed by white, but not as colorless as the white broken by stone. Edging of gray gave way to a silver outline. The red on the cheeks show the life. The red of the eyes draws her attention.

"Help is coming, so don't die! You need to survive. To live! I promise, you will be free! I'll protect you now."

The smile fills her warmth that she had forgotten. A face that reminded her of prey, but is now her source of warmth.

There is color now.

Hidden brown and green. White broken by the colors. A crackling red-orange fire. Clear water nearby as it babbles in its brook. The sky above, so blue and clear high above with the yellow Sun bringing its warmth to fight the cold that takes.

But the rising gray smoke attracts attention.

It is those who have hunted them. Those they fled from. Escaping into the white world broken only by stone.

The source of warmth will join them in that world once more. Leaving this world of color.

"BELL!"

Clashing. Metal resounding.

Screams. Screams of those dying. Begging. Of the injured and the fearful.

But this feels different. It sounds different.

"Bring blankets, quickly!"

And the warmth only grows as it signals that yes, this is different.

"Cut those irons from them! No one is a slave in the Empire of Rhome!"

The screech of iron being torn asunder. The feel of the frozen metal leaving skin. Of heated air on broken bodies.

And then warm cloth covered in liquid.

Over the places where the iron had been. Warm. Caring. Gentle. Healing.

And then…

XXXX

"Awake sleepy bug?" She sees his warm smile as her eyes open to the world once more and Luna knows that everyday is not a dream, but real.

And so, she acted. Acted on the fact this is real. Not a dream. But the world she truly lives in.

Before Bell could react, he suddenly finds himself being kissed full on the lips by the Werewolf that snuck into his bed last night.

Despite the surprise and his innate shyness around girls and women, Bell takes gentle hold of the girl kissing him. His arms encircle her waist as he leans back, gently pulling her along until she is straddling his lap. Their lips are still locked as they kiss warmly and deeply.

Then they break apart for what seems to have been forever for them.

Breathing heavily from the abrupt kissing session, still in a position of a pair of lovers. His arms around her waist. Her arms over his shoulders. They look no less than a pair of happy lovers.

"What was that for?" Bell quirks an eyebrow, but his arms gently pull her closer to him.

Her developing frame still has years to go before maturity. But that doesn't hide the fact she is already developing enough that her young bust proceeds the rest of her in making contact. Rubbing up against his chest.

While they had their little dance about their relationship, in this moment, it is one of the few where they acknowledge one another. Before the world reminds them. And yet, they reset their dance. As they both move to it.

But for how long?

Luna brings one of her hands back around and gently takes hold of Bell's cheek. Rubbing the warm skin with her palm before moving her fingers to take some of the locks of his hair between them.

"Silver now as it was then," she smiles before leaning her forehead forward to touch his, "The silver that broke the white just as those red eyes did."

Her eyes are closed as she enjoys this moment.

And she's not alone.

Bell does as well.

And Bell knows why.

He knows the why so much that it hurts.

And that pain is what resets their dance.

Bell doesn't want that.

Not anymore.

Not after the city of Rhome fell. Not after the battles he had fought. Not after all this time and his encounter with death if not for Sword Princess.

Yesterday had been a wake up call.

Talia and Ran are both wake up calls.

Riveria is a wake up call.

But can he answer those calls?

His hands sliding further down, eliciting a gasp from Luna, he lifts her just enough to finish bringing her to him. Her still developing shapely rear in his hands, he gently lays back down and settles her to straddle him.

It is his message to her.

And she smiles, but gently taps his lips with her free hand.

"First my brother needs to be defeated by you," Luna reminds Bell, but she does rub herself against him to signal her desire, "So grow stronger and let's make our own pack," she smiles as she leans forward, bringing her hands to rest on his, "And with everyone else as well."

"We will," Bell takes her hands into his own as he brings them to kiss them, "We will, I promise."

The two then share one more kiss before they part.

Luna heads back to her own room, but with a sway in her hips and her tail mesmerizing Bell as she goes.

Bell smiles as he pulls out of his things for the day. He takes the time to also look himself over in the mirror.

A mirror he rests his head against.

'That… was surprising,' he thinks, but with a smile.

He remains like that for a few moments, before heading off to see if he can't get a quick shower. The development of which is almost completely exclusive to Orario alone. Melen had it too. As well as some towns and villages nearby both cities.

He probably needs the shower set to cold too. Especially as that wasn't him back there. Or was it?

Yeah… That was him. Is him. Him who is completely happy with a girl to love and hold. One he knows so well and cares for so deeply.

Bell thinks about it. Everything that happened yesterday. His actions. Ciel's very justified response. The incident with his own allies. The scolding he got not only from their God, but Lord Miach as well. And that's before his own mother tore a strip off.

He still aches from Naaza slapping her bandages on.

Hot shower it is. Just to address the pain he is feeling.

He finds the shower and sees that his mother and sisters haven't set a marker. Nor has Talia. He's certain the others know better.

Which is why he is half surprised and half unsurprised to see the sisters Tokai Teio and Tokai Rika with the latter in the shower and the former standing naked right in front of him with her back to him as well.

"Oh sh-" Bell barely gets his arms up to take Teio's kick that slams him into the wall behind with enough force to actually go through the wall.

In the case of the wall, it was once a doorway to an air bridge over a patio down below. The latter was still there. The landing of the air bridge and the bridge itself were not. So the Cranels had, for now, simply put a wooden wall in the place until they could decide if they wanted to restore the air bridge, put a balcony up, or simply add a window or wall it off entirely.

Bell, meanwhile, went through the simple wood as Teio realizes what she's done and is quickly turning as her sister Rika scrambles from the shower to try and both get to Bell before he falls all the way down.

Fortunately, not only was Bell able to absorb and only grunt at Teio's kick, but Azura and Fira had been returning from their morning flight.

Both Xenos dive on Bell at once and Azura is able to catch him by his left shoulder and leg and twisted enough to right Bell and then release for Fira to catch him next on both shoulders.

A few moments later, Bell has both of his feet on the ground where Ree helps him stand upright.

"Is Lord Bell okay?!" Rika yells from the upper floor hole down to Ree and the others who were gathering around Bell.

"I'm fine!" Bell calls back up, "I get hit harder than that these days on a more regular basis than I like! The Floors below the Fourth Floor can be a bit tricky! Especially the Frog-types and the Ant-types that can attack from the craziest angles!"

Left unsaid is that Bell is struggling with War Shadows. Especially if they hide in, well, shadows. As such, they have been hitting him the most. Though he wasn't wrong about the Frog Shooters and such. Especially as he fought with a knife predominately and they could outrange Bell on his best days and the young man knows it.

The Killer Ants like to pop out of very small tunnels they dig in the Dungeon. They are therefore difficult to kill easily when they get the drop on someone. Especially if they lack significant armor.

Bell recalled an Elfess Archer who had found out the hard way.

She had used Bell's coat as a makeshift skirt until they reached the surface and Bell had bought her not only a new skirt, but a better set of clothes. Like himself, she had gone from a simple village to lead a highborn's lifestyle as a child. But unlike Bell who had been taught, she had not been taught and in fact, she had to escape to avoid being a wife breeder.

Thankfully, Riveria had arrived and with her support, the young Elfess didn't have to worry anymore. She had originally joined the Dia Familia, but was struggling to fit in. Fortunately, both Goddesses Dia and Loki were on good terms and so Dia merely allowed the Elfess to convert to the Loki Familia where she fitted right in among the many Elfesses.

That had been three days ago.

And the thought still reminded Bell of the missing Liliruca Arde of the Soma Familia.

'I will find her and guide her back,' Bell thinks firmly, knowing how deep in the darkness the girl is thanks to his mother and Goddess informing him.

How exactly deep is the open question. But it was deep enough to be too deep.

Before the two Horse Girl sisters could run down as they were to see Bell, Bell's enhanced hearing let him hear his mother scolding both girls about sticking themselves out completely naked.

She hurried both back into the shower to clean up and dress. Both Azura and Fiara shake their heads. Out of all of them, those two acted closer to actual horses than Luna acted like a wolf or those two dumb cats at the Hostess of Fertility acted as cats.

Apparently, it was a Race Trait too.

Not a good one, but also not the worst. Every Animal-based Human Race had at least a dozen such issues stemming from being essentially Animals in Human form.

Being surprised from behind often leads a horse to kick backwards as an instinctive defensive trait.

Bell is just lucky his Defense status is so high now, that where once the two had accidentally hurt him, much to their mortification, Bell is just slightly tendered and will have a bruise later.

And it didn't help that both girls had been raced to be Racing Horse Girls.

Both had led good lives and even had obtained a talented Trainer.

But then a real piece of work had purchased both through underground contacts. It was a secretive side that the Trainer had known about and been able to deflect. But not that time. The man had powerful allies to help him. Racing Horse Girls had become little more than slaves and could be owned and sold at a whim.

And far worse could befall them.

Going as far back as his days as a Centurion, Kale Cranel had known about the underground contracts. The illegal enslaving of citizens of the Empire. He had known enough to know, but had not been able to find a means to act beyond setting up a shell with some friends and allies that bought Horse Girls, and the odd Horse Boy too, and moved them into more legitimate arrangements.

Of course, it took Bell all of five minutes to unravel how they had been eluding even the Emperor of Rhome for so long.

He opened the wrong door to see both Tokai Sisters being sold and had reacted accordingly to his beliefs and ideals, drawing multiple guards and prominent persons.

His father had the evidence and the strength of law to shut down the illegal side of racing throughout the Empire. All because Bell had opened the wrong door and seen something he should not have ever seen. And the noise he created had allowed both ever-stout hearted guards and persons of power to come down hard on such a wicked arrangement and those that thrived on it.

Of course, it helped that many of the latter had been hurt in a number of ways by the criminals.

Afterwards, the two girls moved in with the Cranels. Originally, they were to rehabilitate after their brief brush with the darker side of life, then return to their original group. But both were too nervous and their original racing group had no open spots at the time. So, they ended up staying with the Cranels, where Bell sponsored them, with his parents and grandfather's assistance so the twins could remain in top form as Racers.

After their first downtime between races, they somehow ended up in Bell's personal guard, but they still were more or less his personal racers who raced in his name and for his glory, often against their friends who were overjoyed to see them again and join them in racing to their heart's content.

Animal Racers were always popular, though traditional races still existed and Bell had entered a few as an actual racer, guiding his horse around the racetrack. Not only was Bell putting himself into the races like two of his girls, he was learning how best to handle a horse in a chaotic group. Bell had won only a few races, but he treated each as a learning experience and he actually enjoyed the races more than anything else.

But for now, those peaceful days are long gone. His glories now revolved around holding onto his designated territory and building up and leading the Hestia Familia.

As such, when Bell stepped out of the shower and changed his clothes, he wasn't the Prince of Rhome, but Captain Bell Cranel of the Hestia Familia and in his Goddess' name and for Her glory, he would succeed.

'Especially as she puts her faith and, dare I say it, love in me,' and that is something Bell is now more worried about.

With his entire personal guard and several friends now accounted for and living under his roof, Bell knows that his Goddess will take issue. Especially as he is already engaged to a few of them.

Such as Lyndis of the Lorca Tribe who is waiting for him at the gates to their home, Florina ever near and part of the agreement as she and Lyn are planning to be lovers themselves when Florina gets older. Wives even and that is something Bell has no qualms with, but now he has the qualm of being worried about being a good husband to both.

Which isn't helped by the fact that aside from Florina being younger, she makes Bell look positively outgoing in his personality as she is more shy and nervous than he is!

As such, Florina is right behind Lyn, practically molding herself to Lyn's slender, supple form. Bell noted that Florina's height, as always, placed the girl's bust firmly resting on Lyn's rear. Something that only added to the allure of the two girls.

Bell always recalls how many idiots he had to… discourage prior to the Betrayal. The way Florina molds herself to Lyn is something that his grandfather remarked would make a lot of esoteric paintings for those who wanted them. And Bell took great enough offense to actually punch his grandfather over that reference and the old man only crowed about how protective Bell was and how well on his way to a Man's Romance he was.

Until his mother dragged his grandfather off to remind him to be neither so loud and say such things in front of her daughters.

Focusing on the here and now, Bell recalls that despite her shyness, Florina did appreciate Bell for recognizing her as a person and an up and coming Knight. He even did his best to help her achieve her dream of being a Pegasus Knight like her older sisters. But she simply didn't make the cut due less to her lack of skill which she had in abundance, and a serious confidence issue which she is slowly overcoming, and more to the fact that some of her instructors in her home nation had questioned her loyalty because she was close to both another woman of another land and a prince of a nation they had issues with.

That and conveniently for them, the requirements to graduate had been raised above what Florina could achieve.

Her height and age both were working against, quite literally, in that matter.

"And they still underestimate how strong your small frame is, don't they, Florina?" Bell smiles as the girl 'Eeps!' and buries her face into Lyn's back, but he can see her smile as Bell just acknowledged her strength, knowing she had what it takes to be a Pegasus Knight.

"Bell!" Lyn laughs as she reaches around to pat Florina, which is a rather interesting feat given how molded the smaller girl is to Lyn, "Are you sure you're up for this today?" Lyn turns serious with worry.

Bell only smiles as he stops and surprises both as he reaches up and gently uses the back of his hand to flick away tears forming at the corners of Lyn's eyes that the green haired girl didn't realize she had.

"Bell…" Lyn whispers, trying to say something.

"We're still engaged, right," Bell warmly smiles, "You, me," reaching down and taking one of the lavender haired girl's hands, "and Florina. And as such, as with Ciel, I will speak with Goddess Hestia when she returns and if you both would like, I would enjoy for you both to join me in the Hestia Familia."

"Of course!" Florina shouts as she pops her head out from behind Lyn before blushing and immediately molding herself back against Lyn's back.

"I swear, I feel like I'm getting a daughter with Florina instead of another wife!" Bell teases with a joke and Florina only tightens her hand around his as Lyn also laughs out loud and gently pats the girl's other hand.

"Of course," Lyn smiles warmly, "I'm glad. You have changed since you came here to Orario Bell," she takes a look at him, clad in a simple pair of boots, trousers, a coat, and some light armor with a knife, "But you have changed for the better Bell."

"I still have a lot to learn and a long path to travel," Bell nods his head, knowing he is gaining the personal confidence he needs to not only one day lead, but writing his own life story in the process with his own two hands, "But I'll welcome all company on that journey."

"I know and we will be there," Lyn nods.

"We will," Florina leans to the side to nod as well.

Bell cannot help himself, stepping forward he gently unentangles Florina from Lyn and pulls both into a warm hug. Kissing both one after the other on the lips. He promises them that when they finally wed, he will be at their sides, always.

Both girls watch their future intended leave shortly thereafter, promising to always be at his side too.

And Bell knows he will need a long talk with Goddess and himself.

Though, he wishes, even for the slightest moment, that he could just be a carefree kid without really knowing or understanding love, but able to find that spark that can move him forward unquestionably. Where he could either take his grandfather's words seriously and to establish a harem or find that one girl that will always be the one he was destined to meet and marry.

Which, speaking of which, brings up not only Goddess Hestia, but Riveria and Ais as well.

"What am I to do?" Bell also knows full well that Miss Syr isn't just giving him meals out of sheer kindness, but because she genuinely has an interest in him.

The problem is, is not only did he pick up something odd about her interest, but so too had his mother and sisters.

Like she is trying too hard.

He has yet to figure out her angle. Though, he worries. She is a kind person. Her side personality of being manipulative aside of course.

Then again, most women, in Bell's young experience, could be manipulative. He doesn't quite get it, but they seem more capable at it than men do. Or maybe he's just been around too many galas and balls and high class interactions.

He should definitely speak with Riveria on the matter. As well as Goddess. Maybe. Possibly. Crap, he's going to put himself into circles!

Maybe he should table it for now. Yeah, that would work. Bell knows better than others how it would keep him up at night.

Bell gave a sigh. He may know what he wants in the world, but he still didn't know girls, let alone women, too well.

With a glum look on his face, Bell sums up his situation.

"My life is going to be a fine mess if I don't figure out girls. Oh boy."

XXXX

"There," a young woman in a traveling cloak points to Bell as he leaves his home.

"Finally," the other responds, glad to see Bell doing well and just beyond the front wall, the pair could make out Lyn and Florina.

"Lady Lyndis and Miss Florina are both present as well," the first remarks as they observe and sure enough, they see their quarry.

"Her Majesty," the other breaths in relief, "We best be quick. We've been away from her side for too long."

Without a word, the two leave, but a passing Adventurer frowns as he looks up. He could have sworn he just heard someone up on the roof of the building.

"Something wrong, Mord?" one of Mord's companions asks as they see Mord scanning the roof edges.

"Not really," Mord shrugs and continues on, but he doesn't fail to notice the out of place trash in the nearby rubbish barrel.

The items are too nice compared to what is around them. Far too nice. So, that means something is going on. That or he is being too keyed up.

Especially after punching Ged in the face again last night. That guy needed to learn. And Mord is certain he'll send a sharp message one of these days. With his trusty blade.

XXXX

"Lady Riveria?" Eina is surprised to see her godmother appearing to speak with her in private.

"I have some questions I need to ask and I'd rather they not be public comments," the green haired Elfess eyes both Rose and Sophia who get the hint and find an unused room for the pair.

Once the pair were inside, Rose would remain while Sophia took care of the paperwork that only needed her and not all three of them. That would afford the pair guaranteed privacy and keep their paperwork caught up for the most part. Rose could still hear a bit, being a Werewolf, but she would only catch the odd word or two due to the soundproofing the walls and doors got.

But she would make sure no one else could listen in. They had learned from the Great Feud big time.

Both women sat down and took a moment to get caught up with both having good laughs. Riveria did inquire about Talia and Eina provided what she could with Riveria getting the understanding that the situation for the young magic user was complex and very private.

After that, the two got down to business, fresh Elven tea between the two of them with some Elven biscuits to enjoy with it.

"Has any major inquires been made about Bell Cranel?" Riveria asks immediately, "Namely by my Familia or any others?"

Eina is taken aback in surprise. That is an unusual request from her godmother. But she doesn't recall any such requests. She knows that Bell is sometimes a frequent topic in the office spaces.

His young appearance, just moral compass, earnest personality, and considerable growth and skill has had the effect of making many of the girls in the office regret not being his Advisor and would endlessly tease Eina about it.

About her 'Little Brother' that is.

"I also wish to understand the rumor I heard of him stating he loves you very publicly," Riveria had been curious about that and the sudden reaction, and the sound she made, by Eina only made Riveria raise one delicate eyebrow.

Slamming both hands down half raised from her seat, Riveria already knew that when flustered, Eina lost control of her emotions as that is a trait among Half-Elves as they struggle to reconcile Human Emotions and Elven Grace some stated, but Riveria sat on the fence for an explanation Eina immediately began trying to say something and couldn't.

"Eina," Riveria sighs, "Breath," she gives a sharp look to go with her sharp word and Eina did so and immediately felt better.

"My apologies Lady Riveria," Eina took a few moments to reign in her emotions and control them before smiling wistfully, "Still needing a stern hand to help me, don't I?"

Smiling in memory of the past, "We all do sometimes," Riveria agrees with the much younger woman, "So, what happened?"

Eina sees no reason to deny or hide anything, "Bell and I had just finished talking. It was the same day that Miss Wallenstein had saved him from that Minotaur-"

"My apologies about that," Riveria broke in abruptly, "That was entirely the fault of my Familia."

"I understand," Eina smiles and nods, "It was an accident and a surprising one that occurred."

Both women smile at one another before Eina continues on.

"I made Bell shower while his clothes were laundered and then we spoke about his recklessness in going down to the Fifth Floor," the way Eina said Fifth Floor and paused made Riveria realize that Eina had been trying to rein in Bell and keep him higher up until he was more experienced with the Dungeon, the same as she herself and Finn and Gareth had done with Ais when she was a little girl all those years ago.

"After he finished and his clothes were clean, we sat down to a discussion and I lectured him on why Adventurers do not go adventuring," Eina states and Riveria had to struggle not to blurt out some laughter as that is how ridiculous that sounds, just as Finn and Gareth had told her.

"We then discussed Miss Wallenstein and Bell appears to have a small, budding crush on her," Eina smirks in that devilish way only Elves and Half-Elves could get away with.

Very impish of her. But Riveria also shares the look as she chuckles herself. Riveria has been teasing Ais on and off about her desire to see Bell. The fact she dreams of him saving her as a princess or showing her around where they have a good time together only makes Ais all the more target for Bell.

Strangely, it also hurts in her chest. Though, she knows it not to be so surprising. Riveria knew she had begun falling for Bell Cranel herself.

Curiously, she wonders if Eina might as well.

As they talk about what the pair discussed, it is rather short. Unsurprising and yet it left Riveria feeling underwhelmed. Odd that.

"After I told him that girls like reliable men, he brightened up and left in a hurry, yelling 'I love you, Miss Eina!' over his shoulder in the middle of the main foyer of the Forum," Eina huffs indignantly, "That boy! Did he forget I'm a Half-Elf!"

Riveria has a good natured laugh, actually struggling to hold her in her laughter and Eina actually pouts and pushes the older woman over it.

"Moi! Lady Riveria!" Eina is actually sitting there with her arms crossed, pouting and looking like a child instead of a young woman.

"Désolée! Désolée! Je suis désolé! Mon jeune petit oiseau!" Riveria placates and Eina calms down and smiles.

"It has been many years since you last called me that, Ma chère Tante Magique," Eina says to Riveria.

"How long it has been since you last called me that," Riveria reminisces with Eina as both women sigh and smile to one another.

It is peaceful for a few moments. Both are just enjoying each other's company. In peace and joy.

But both know they have much else to do and Eina is the first to break it, despite it being clear she did not want to.

"Bell is a bit of a topic of discussion and something of a mystery," Eina admits as she thinks things over, "Even in off hand conversation, Bell's got secrets we all keep guessing at. I do know he has money, if the armor and weapons he carried yesterday were indicating. He also has a personal guard, we knew he was of high standing, but his guard was something else."

"His personal guard?" Riveria knows Bell would have such a thing and she assumed they were already present in the city and yet, she has not seen nor heard a thing until now.

"Yes," Eina nods recounting the previous day's events, "They all wanted access to the Dungeon. Only one of them, actually a friend of Bell's rather than a guard, a young Priestess of all things no less in service to the Goddess Danu, had access and that is because she is an Outside Adventurer."

"Who are these people and this young Priestess?" Riveria is curious now as she had come to ensure Bell's secret stayed that, a secret and yet she has discovered something she hadn't known about.

"Well for one thing," Eina looks very, very crossed as she holds up a finger at an angle, "They're all girls!"

XXXX

"Huh, Monster themed event?" Aria looks at the flier her daughter Joan had found and quickly rushed home to shove into her mother's hands, "I take it you want to go for a stroll and enjoy the festivities with Azura and Fira, right?"

The two Xenos blink at the mention of their names and what Aria had deduced. Naturally, Joan confirmed. The two weren't against the idea, but it seemed strange to say the least.

"That's new," Ree remarks with a look hidden by her mask, "I don't recall that ever occurring before."

Azura, who was enjoying some sunlight to sun herself, frowns when she hears that. She, Fira, Aria, and a few others had been sunning themselves when Joan had rushed home and practically buried her face in her mother's bare breasts. Aria, of course, getting flustered by her daughter's actions as she is both in front of others and everyone knows her breasts can be a bit sensitive thanks to the combination of motherhood and an... eager to help husband.

Still, Aria's bout with mild embarrassment aside, Azura had brought up a feathered wing as she thought about what the event could mean. She does have a theory. She had heard as much through numerous sources, including fellow Xenos that had been liberated over the years.

"Do you know something, Azura?" Lyn inquires, as the girl, around Bell's age and already with a figure many women ten to twenty years older than her would kill fill, had sat up with Florina ever at her side and curious and looking around the pair to get a better look at the flier in Aria's hands.

"I do actually," but Azura frowns after saying that as she knows there are only a few ways to inquire and sadly, their best and most promising isn't the most cooperative in that regard.

"But we can't confirm anything due to reasons," Fira supplies from where she is sunning herself, enjoying the warm light dancing across her body as she tries to better even out her tan with parts of her that are not nearly as tanned, "The most prominent is inquiring to Lord Ouranos himself, Lord Ganesha, or to either our friends still in the Dungeon or those constantly raiding for more of our kind to sell…" trailing off as she shudders, "or kill for whatever reason they come up with on the spot."

Tania's big red tail visibly twitches hard enough to bowl over a nearby table, which thankfully had nothing on it as Ouka put an arm around Elliot and pulled the smaller girl against her to give her some small comfort.

Though the look on her face makes her countenance when her horns are considered look positively devilish and the same is said of Sonya.

"Hmm…" Aria has a thought of her own as it comes to mind, "Monster Taming is going to be one of the events if the flier should be believed."

With that, the hidden Rhoman Empress picks up a small bell and rings it. A few moments later a pair of young women come running. One is a human with brown hair and green eyes about as tall as her companion and both are about as tall as her son's Guild Advisor. The other is a heavily tanned Elf with orange hair and eyes, a rarity this far from her the jungles that are her home, a Jungle Elf.

Both are dressed in maid uniforms, no differently from Eva, but unlike Eva these two are part of Aria's personal service. To be exact, they are her two best information gathers and, when the need arises, assassins. When they are not performing such duties, the pair are maids in her Aria's service.

They had just arrived shortly after Bell had left this morning, meaning they are still setting in and Aria already had plans for them to do other work rather than maid work for her. There wasn't much that Aria herself couldn't take care of, for now. Plus she would have Eva, Ouka, Ciel, Lyn, Florina, and Silque to take care of household chores.

Both soon arrived and kneel before their Empress.

"You summoned us," both Rene and Koru speak in unison with their heads low and both arms held out to show they are unarmed before their liege and ready to receive any instructions.

"A simple task, far less befitting you both, but one I need done soon," Aria had passed the time waiting for the pair to finish writing out a couple of missives, "Please deliver these to the recipients who are on the letters," she hands the two letters over, "I am curious of something and it may factor into future plans. Despite how I regret using you both, so newly arrived, as simple messengers, this may very well have a greater impact going forward or at least let me be more informed."

Both maids nod as they take the messages and see the names before being told where to go look for the two recipients.

"Now hurry on and return quickly," Aria smiles at her two servants, "I wish to know far sooner and I am certain you both could use the rest."

Both women nod without a word before vanishing in a sudden swirl of leaves as their dresses flutter empty to land before Aria.

Eva is quick to retrieve all items left behind. Careful, too, so as not to be poked by one of their weapons again. Eva looks at the empty dresses and wonders when she will be able to do the same. She is learning to become one of her lord's servants in such an art and yet she may instead one day bear him a child or more knowing him.

"Quickly Eva," Aria prompts with a small smile and Eva nods and hurries back to the house, not even stopping to grab a robe to cover herself, to place the articles away before she returns.

In the meantime, Aria looks over the rest of her group, "I daresay this should be interesting. May be worth going to and to test the waters as well," Aria's eyes fell squarely on the two Xenos who blink and realize what their lord's mother had in mind.

With that in mind, Aria leads her daughter and future daughters-in-law, she already expected them all to become the mothers of her future grandchildren, to get up and to get ready for their new excursion.

Though she does eyes the pair of Xenos once more and thinks about the possibility of the pair actually laying with her son.

Such actions would normally be frowned upon. Indeed, it would be no better than a person having sex with animals such as a dog or a horse or a cow even!

But the Xenos are different. They are as aware of things as Humans, Elves, Werewolves, etc are. The only difference is that they appear as Monsters in the literal sense as they are technically Monsters to begin with.

And yet, they do not have a Monster's mentality or bloodlust.

Or anything that would make them simply wild beasts like Monsters or wild animals would be.

The thought of the pair carrying her son's children, let alone the means by which he would impregnate them, does not carry any feelings of revulsion within her. Quite the opposite, Aria would feel great joy when Bell and the pair become wed and have children. And with time, perhaps her son Bell along with Azura the Siren and Fira the Harpy could lead to a pair of new races being born into this world. Much as had happened with Eliot and her people.

Indeed, that would be quite the interesting thing to see. Sadly, as Aria knows all too well, that would be many centuries if not longer down the road of life itself. Very much beyond her time.

Perhaps she should speak of it with Lady Hestia?

The Goddess does deserve to know of Bell's many future wives and that two of them are Xenos.

Especially as she wonders what will happen with Ciel as she may have gotten permission from Goddess Danu, if the streaks of light both descending and ascending earlier in the day are any indication.

XXXX

Earlier that morning, sometime after Bell had left his home…

Bell found where he needed to be. That is, he easily found Ciel and Silque at the location of another chapel that had been long abandoned and disused that they were meeting at this morning. The pair had discovered it while they were looking for Bell with the others, but had not had time to investigate it.

The draw to them is the still visible, if barely, sigil of the Goddess Danu. That sigil meant that the chapel had been one of her churches in the city. As such, Ciel felt duty-bound to investigate and if possible, revitalize the chapel to serve again. Even if it were to be just her for a while.

Inside, both young clerics had found some orphans trying to eke out a meek living. The children were, naturally, at first hostile to the pair, but both Ciel and Silque had great patience, unless it was Bell, but that was more his own fault.

Both Mimsy and Faye had been with them, so neither had been in any danger. Mimsy even blind fired an arrow faster than any of the children could track, pinning a boy that attempted to jump them to the wall by his shirt and pants.

The fact he hadn't been hurt had been a clear message. Bell's arrival enforced that message.

But the children soon understood they weren't being kicked out. Quite the opposite, the pair were there to restore the Chapel. Which is a sight to be seen.

Something Bell never tired of.

Ciel had knelt at first and recited a prayer. The prayer in the tongue of the Tuatha de Danaan. The followers of the Earth Goddess, Danu.

As she recites, a gentle breeze begins to fill the small chapel. Soon, Ciel's sounding staff, placed to stand before her and the alter, begins to ring. The chimes shifting and moving of their own accord. A gentle chime, ringing throughout the chapel.

Then abruptly a shine begins on the staff and Ciel herself begins to glow faintly.

As Ciel recites, the faint melody of long forgotten chorus fills the room. Following the chorus on the breeze, the light begins to shift and dance with color. The staff reflects this dancing light as the chiming harmonizes with the melody in the air.

Then with a burst of power, the staff is fully aglow as is Ciel who gently rises, still reciting as she carefully picks up her staff and holds it high before her. The midpoint of her staff directly before her face as grasps the bottom with one hand and gently rests her other closer to the head.

Ciel slides one foot back before bringing her staff down as she pivots into the sacred dance she was taught.

Swinging her staff as she twirls, guiding the light to her and covering her in its multicolor hues, making her glow like a rainbow, as she turns and twists, sweeping her staff through the air, in ways that make the children watch her in silent awe.

As she completes a turn, Ciel tucks her staff in close to her body as she rises up onto her the tips of her toes. She spins on them, in a form of a dance that the children had never seen before her releasing her staff from her body to twist and somehow call the very air to her. The glow on her staff becoming a source of cleansing light as her long hair defies gravity to seemingly float around her head.

Taking hold with both hands, she spins her staff in her hands. Her entire body aglow. The air around her seemingly dancing with the particle streams of light.

She's more akin to a ballerina they've heard about, then a Priestess. As her dances flow and unite, hindered only ever so slightly by the dress she wears. Her movements continuous, unfailing. Breathtaking.

Twirling her staff over her head before swinging it widely as one foot leaves the ground to rest at her other knee, leg bent and a hand extended with palm up, the gentle flare of light bursts in her hand, leaving a trail of twinkling light motes in her wake.

Bell knows the dance is hard for her to do right now. She's in the wrong outfit for it for one thing. But she can still do so. Her commitment and faith guiding her.

And then, with a burst of light from the sky, from Heaven itself, Ciel temporarily relinquishes control over her body to her Goddess.

The blue eyes that had close reopen a vivid green. Hair is streak with blue tendrils as the glowing body floats a few celches above the ground. The tanned white skin had given away for earthly hues of brown as the Goddess Danu gently looks around, spotting the children looking on in awe before she smiles to them.

Once a foot touches down, Goddess Danu transfers a minute piece of her power into the aged, cracked stone floor. Immediately, the whole chapel glows as broken masonry, wood, glass, pottery, and metals reunite. In all but a few moments, the chapel is made whole again. Ready for any who wish to pray in peace to do so.

The grounds are blessed to be sacred by her mere touch and presence. Her power passes through and turns this piece of land into a holy realm.

From among the children, a young girl suddenly approaches the Goddess. Neither among the oldest or the youngest, she is one in the middle. And yet she approaches the Goddess with more than a wide eyed awed stare.

Goddess Danu merely smiles before kneeling before the girl. The girl approaches and stands in wonder, yes, of the Goddess before her. But something else calls out to her. So, she stands, feeling that call ever greater.

Smiling, Goddess Danu raises a hand and gently brushes some of the girl's overgrown hair back to reveal her forehead. A moment later, Danu leans in and kiss the girl on the forehead.

The girl blushes, but smiles. A couple of teeth are missing, evidence of her age rather than her status as an orphan. And it is the same evidence of age that leads the girl to suddenly hug Goddess Danu, who only lets out a gentle sound of laughter, before hugging the girl in return.

"Blessed are you, to one day serve greater than yourself," the Goddess speaks before once more kissing the girl atop her head, "You will go far, as far as my dear Ciel and all other Children who live to be greater than themselves. Servitude it may be, but with the freedom of choice every step of the way. No different for you, it shall be, young Sydney."

The girl's own viridian green eyes are wide at the Goddess Danu knowing her name.

"Go with My Grace and know thy own strength," the Earth Mother gently releases Sydney, "And one day, soar beyond."

The girl, knowing she's being encouraged, giggles and nods, "Yes My Lady Goddess!"

And with that, the Goddess stands up and smiles to the other children present, "Know Hestia and find yourselves a hearth to warm you at night and give you a meal and bed to live prosperously."

With a gentle release of her energies, Goddess Danu converts and returns to Heaven leaving Ciel once more in control of her body. The girl releases a breath, though she is unsteady, but Bell is at her side. The servant of the Goddess Danu allowing herself to lay her back against Bell's chest and breathe easier for it.

"The Goddess Danu permits," Ciel's cerulean blue eyes look into Bell's ruby red eyes, "I will continue in her service, but I may also be of the Hestia Familia as well."

Bell, unabashed, merely kisses Ciel's forehead before gently holding her close.

"Welcome, to the Hestia Familia," Bell smiles, "Once we get Goddess to do so."

"Agreed," Ciel finds her legs and pats Bell to let him know she can stand on her own again and he does, though, again there is reluctance to let go, but there is also a different message and Ciel blushes, though, smiles to Bell before turning to the girl named Sydney and kneeling before her.

"The Goddess Danu recognizes the hidden potential in you, Sydney," Ciel begins to the younger girl, "I will be sending for a Priestess to take up duties here and to begin your lessons. You have a potential few are ever able to have. With it, you can do much. So much good for not only others, but for yourself. Able to grow in ways that few, not even among the mightiest of Adventurers included, can grow."

"Even mightier than the King?" Sydney tilts her, looking a little confused.

Ciel is at a loss about the name, but Bell supports her.

"Indeed," Bell kneels down as well, "I am Bell Cranel, Captain of the Hestia Familia and I can tell you, not even the Goddess Freya can give even Ottarl, the King and Captain of the Freya Familia, the power that Ciel and Silque both have. You are one of so few to have the ability to have it. That's why," Bell smiles widely and gestures about the restored chapel awing the girl in the process, "They call the power Miracles. The ability to do things with the power and wisdom of the Deities themselves."

Letting out a squeal of joy once the awe had passed. She jumped into both Bell and Ciel, hugging them. Both teens smile at one another as they congratulate the girl for having the rare gift.

The other children are unsure at Sydney's sudden luck as it seems, but eventually, Silque tells them that if they are able to find it in themselves, perhaps one day they can wield Miracles or maybe even advanced arcane Magicks or have strength of body unrivaled.

"We'll take them back to our quarter and get them sorted out," Mimsy gently smiled at the children, "That would give Silque the time she needs to look things over."

That was when one the children spoke up about the upcoming Monsterphilia and how they were planning to go visit it.

"Not like that," Bell deadpans, indicating their current state of appearance and dress, "We'll get you cleaned up, some new clothes, and someone to watch over you and help you buy items, within reason, but at least you'll have something new."

The children's eyes widened, though, Bell still let them know they would be on a budget as money didn't grow on trees.

XXXX

Speaking of which… For a certain Goddess…

"Now where did I put it?" a woman in a black robe checks herself once more, before realizing she accidentally left her purse behind.

With a groan, she would have to travel all the way back to retrieve it. How could she make such a simple mistake? Especially as her protectors couldn't know the things only her attendant knew!

How vexing she found it, but decided to just let her acquaintance she intends to meet pay the bill. She'll pay her back later. Wasn't like their meeting is going to be long. Plus, it would be a good way to annoy Loki.

A Goddess had to get her laughs when she could. Plus, Freya is really starting to get annoyed with how loud Loki has been lately.

Seriously. She didn't have to be the late Silence to enjoy some peace and quiet or at the very least, something far more toned down. Though, it would be interesting to see her really squirm over what her Familia did to her own Odr and in front of his mother and sisters no less!

Speaking of which, "Alfrigg, have you any information on Bell Cranel's family?"

Appearing from an alley to her right, eldest of her followers known simply as the Brothers or more formally as the Gulliver Brothers, Alfrigg is identifiable by his colors, just like his brothers are. In his case, a light blue in addition to the sand color bordered and trimmed two piece white suit with light body armor, a cuirass with the brothers' signature sallet helmet, vambrace on both arms, and a pair of greaves along with a bevor to protect their throats, much as Bell normally wore in the Dungeon attached to his own cuirass.

The light blue matched Alfrigg's eyes, just as it did for each of the brothers and their colors.

"As a brother myself," Alfrigg began as he walks with his Goddess, "I feel jealous how he is able to get his sisters to listen. Though, that may be the age gap."

Freya only merely giggles as Alfrigg did do his best to be the reasonable one of his brothers as well as their leader as the eldest before signaling her subordinate to continue.

"We are looking outside the city for more details," Alfrigg reveals, "Other than that, we have learned that Aria Cranel is of high birth and was born in Rhome itself and she appears to have a twin sister who disappeared, but also appears to be a successful merchant herself."

"I see," Freya could see that as a reason Aria knew of the Hostess of Fertility's design motif.

"Bell Cranel is actually her nephew through her husband," Alfrigg hesitates some, something that draws Freya's gaze, a commanding one for him to tell her what troubles him with this information.

"My Lady," Alfrigg struggles a bit before he speaks, "We have heard the names of his fathers thrown about. One praised and the other honored."

"And?" Freya is now curious as this is most unlike Alfrigg.

"The names are Benton and Kale," Alfrigg states evenly, "More than that, Bell Cranel is often spoken of in such a tone of reverence as the Grandson of Zeus. So, one does not need much to draw a conclusion."

Stopping as Alfrigg informed her of the names of Bell's fathers and that he is referred to as that old pervert, but undeniably powerful and wise God's grandson. It was staggering to hear and yet her Divinity tells her. Alfrigg did not err or lie.

And she knew the Brothers well enough. They would not inform her without first chasing leads.

"How certain are you?" she asks instead, truly shocked by this strange turn of events.

"We interrogated the smuggler that Bell Cranel had interrogated leading to that hidden base that was raided a short while ago and he revealed that the boy had declared Kale Cranel as both his uncle and second father," Alfrigg confirms clearly nervous about his Goddess, about her being so close to the son of a man who nearly murder a Goddess once already.

But instead of fear and loathing, Freya laughs.

Laughing hard.

Laughing long.

Laughing uproariously.

Then…

Her speed is so sudden and surprising as is her power that Alfrigg is only aware he isn't wearing his helmet, when Freya's lips left their gentle touch on his forehead.

"Thank you, Alfrigg," she favors him with another kiss on the cheek, to show her favor, "Your brothers shall receive theirs this evening. That is a Goddess' Promise."

"Y-Y-Yes My Lady," Alfrigg is, naturally, stunned by what just happened, but also equally thrilled to have received his Goddess' attention and favor with a kiss to his forehead and to his cheek.

They still have value to her beyond their normal services. And that she still did cared deeply for them. For him and his brothers, equally.

"Come now, Alfrigg," his Goddess holds his helmet for him as he quickly gets back up and she helps him put it back on correctly, "You must have more information, yes?"

"Information you already know and will not like," he admits, but the leader of the Gulliver Brothers does provide details his Goddess doesn't know and Freya is stunned.

"Are you telling me, that he has two Monsters at his command and they are not only able to speak and hold intelligent conversation, but are as aware and conscious as any Child?"

That!

Is one thing she did not expect. The Xenos. And that Bell Cranel and his family not only favored them, but there might be a romance between Bell and them.

Alfrigg is right. She doesn't like it. Especially as there are others present the Brothers, even with help, couldn't get anything more than names and that they appear to be powerful members of Bell's personal guard. Very powerful.

And yet, Alfrigg admits that he and brothers are vexed, in that there is more to Bell Cranel and his family and yet they have no idea what it is and that is far more irritating them, than the fact that Bell Cranel is surrounding himself rather than trying to approach and gain their Goddess' favor, no matter how much they dislike or disapprove of such a thing.

Which Freya knows, but the Brothers wisely refrain from openly saying anything more serious about.

Still, she now knows more about the two Monsters she had seeing flying about in the early hours of the morning. They appear to try to catch as much time in the sky as they can before heading back to the area where the Rhoman and Gael refugees have made their homes.

Homes that she can see, that are very warm. With a crackling fire in a hearth to warm and light their homes as beacons to their weary numbers still finding their way to the city. To warm beds inside of warm homes where good friends and happy families can meet and enjoy a bountiful meal with good drink and joyful music.

Even here from her place in the Tower of Babylon, she can see the great merriment as more and more of their number arrive. Braving the treacherous paths to Orario.

Paths made increasingly safe by their soldiers. Paths made into properly constructed highways by their engineers. Paths that radiate from the city, connecting it in ways that it had never been connected before.

Which, to her, represents that Orario will be taking a new path in the future.

Dare she even say there will be a King once more?

A forgotten element of the great city's history. The remnants of crumbling ruins once used to guard the realms once the Great Rebellion had pushed the Monsters back to the hole once known as the Hellmouth.

These ruins included a crowned Royal Family who oversaw the Tower's construction and the development of land to cover over and seal the Hellmouth.

Then they were destroyed. Freya herself is unsure of what happened to them. That bit of history is lost as well. She suspects that a certain God, or Gods rather, are fully aware. And that makes her curious.

And concerned to a point.

But until she knows more, which she may never know, she will continue as she always did.

Such as deciding to tease Alfrigg in Ottarl's place for the rest of her trip to meet with Loki.

Something he looks so cute about as he steams and stammers!

"GODDESS!" Alfrigg whines and Freya can only enjoy herself more as he pouts!

XXXX

"So Miss Syr forgot her purse?" Bell questions as he looks at the item in his hands and couldn't help but notice the high quality and what appears to be a seal on it.

A seal of a Valkyrie. Which tells a lot about Syr, the name aside. Which confirms his mother's hunch that Syr Floval is of the Aeshir to the North.

Bell wisely doesn't say anything. The same of his companions. After all, Bell had done more than meet a couple of Valkyries once. And Lord Odin had even suggested letting Bell wed them both!

Apparently, Lord Odin could be just as perverted as his grandfather when it struck him.

And boy oh boy, did those two really strike him good. Even with his Divinity to heal him, Lord Odin still had bumps and bruises for several hours.

Bell had made a mental note never to garner the wrath of a Valkyrie. Ever.

"Yes," Miss Lyuu replies as she hadn't failed to notice how expensive Syr's purse is and that she had to be wealthy in some way, but she failed to recognize or suspect the emblem's value nor its purpose.

The brown Cat, Miss Anya, is standing nearby, her tail going back and forth in her irritation.

Bell could sympathize. The young woman isn't getting a day off, but Miss Syr is apparently at Monsterphilia herself. The Elfess doesn't look as upset about it, if anything, she looks relieved to not be having the day off.

Something that doesn't sit quite right with Bell. Given her history. She should be allowed a moment's respite to be a girl at least. Yet, she's either a waitress, an Adventurer, the city's mysterious white shadow that steals close to its prey, or she's a wanted fallen heroine of the city itself.

His thoughts must have shown on his face, because at that moment…

"Lyuu! Anya!" Mama Mia calls out as she steps up to the doorway, "What do you two think you're doing?! I told you to take the day off!"

Both the Elfess and Cat are caught off guard and stunned. Mia, though, flashes a smirk Bell's direction. So quick was the woman, Bell thinks he might have imagined it.

"I already told Chloe and Lunoire once you two are ready, you can go out and have some fun after you make sure that idiot gets her purse," Mia orders the pair, "Or do I need to physically carry you up there and dress you like you're little girls?"

Anya Fromel is gone in an instant. Only the dust that marks her past as a Second Class Adventurer to mark that she was present at all.

"Hurry mew up!" Chloe Rollo could be heard shouting, "I'm nyat missing a thing because of mew!"

"Lyuu," the brunette Human Lunoire Faust exits the shop in a simple two piece dress consisting of a light blue button up top and a navy blue side button skirt that went to her knees with white socks that disappear beneath the skirt and black shoes, her hair combed back and held in place by a light red hairband, "You need to hurry and change."

The Elfess doesn't move. Her expression still showing her shock and surprise. She doesn't seem to be responding.

Until Mia Grand slaps her on the back, causing her to stumble forward before catching herself and looking up to the woman, who in truth, probably is the closest thing she has to an actual parent, let alone mother.

Mia only smiles softly down at her, "I'm giving everyone the day off. I'm going to be over at the festival myself actually," the woman's words surprising both of her employees, "The reason is simple, though. An old friend's wife and family is in and I want to hear what he's up to these days. Been years since I last heard anything tangible and that wasn't much. And I have it on good authority, that they're going to be at Monsterphilia today and I'm curious about those two they also have with them."

"I… see…" Lyuu hesitates.

"Girl," Mia begins before stopping, "Ryuu, they already know who you are and I know that the boy held your hand without being tossed down the street or across a room."

Ryuu Lyon blushes as that is how she typically reacts. She tries not to, but she just can't help herself.

"So, take the day off and be with someone you can trust," the big woman smiles before reaching out to place a hand on Ryuu's head and mess with her hair, "For you're young, unlike me and that damn fool over in the Loki Familia," Mia smiles wistfully at those younger times of her life, "So, take yer pretty little Elf backside inside and get yerself dressed in the outfit Syr has been wanting you to wear for years now."

Ryuu's face again shows surprise, but she leaves in a hurry, yet not without a bow to Bell and Mia each before running up the small flight of steps, past the smiling Lunoire, and her feet could be heard heading up to her room.

Lunoire curtsies before leaving to likely go help her friend dress.

Which leaves Bell and company alone with Mia.

"Father and Son, The Emperor Protects," Mia suddenly says as she turns to Bell, "I see Benton and Meteria made one fine boy before they left this world."

Bell blinks in shock as Silque jaw drops and Faye takes on a defensive look.

"Relax girl," Mia chuckles good naturedly, "I know Kale and I'm glad to hear he's returned to being a good man. I also heard that an idiot who likes quiet too much is also alive and a mother as well. I've smothered the information, along with certain other parties interested in leaving her alone. Glad it was Lady Astraea she ended up with, though, as that gives her the benefit of the doubt."

Looking at Bell, she could see Meteria in him alright. He probably appears as she would have if the woman had been born a boy. As well as that touch of his aunt. She hadn't failed to notice that Bell enjoys silence as he reads, along with a cup of a certain type of tea. Probably badgered her into letting him sit on her lap simply by virtue of presence. She can somehow see that happening, despite the woman's natural inclinations to the opposite.

His father's red eyes, those red eyes. Red Eyes were said to be the end of corruption in some parts. That it took Red Eyes to see to the future. Because they could see through the mud and blood to the green fields beyond. To the land of Tir na nOg, or so legends claimed.

"You have my thanks," Bell bows humbly to Mia and the woman smiles softly.

"I also made sure specifics didn't reach certain ears," Mia also pointedly adds before stretching a bit and it is only then that Bell notices she's wearing a rather nice two piece dress of a white ruffled button up shirt and a side button up black skirt with a light blue shawl and black shoes.

Her hair is also held up by a black tie with two hairpins crossing each other. She also has a bag in hand, that is rather well made and carries the seal of her establishment on it. Unlike Miss Syr's purse.

"Take care of my girls for the day," Mia smiles down at Bell, "It will take some time, so I imagine you will find Syr some time later. Just in case, I left some money and a note to let her know she can pay me back later and return to enjoy the festival."

"I'm… surprised," Bell admits, as he had a good idea that this woman before, a Dwarven Woman that punks regret messing with today, but once was the respected leader of a certain Familia, never closes.

"Part of it," she thumbs her store, "is we're actually short on things today and we're not alone. Those Rhoman and Gael patrols have really pissed off some of the bandits that they finally got together to cause a ruckus. Though, there also appears to be some trade disputes and territorial issues as well. Things have been crazy since Rhome itself was invaded."

"Right," Bell nods as he remembers those reports coming in.

Just because he was adventuring, despite what Miss Eina Tulle was constantly telling him, didn't mean he neglected his duties as the Prince of Rhome. Nor did his mother also neglect her own as the Empress of Rhome.

Several fiefdoms and kingdoms were having some territorial disagreements. In addition, there were a few trade guilds outside of Orario kicking up a fuss. Pirates were also making, well, waves by being increasingly well organized and aggressive.

Fortunately, the Melen-based Njord Familia had decided to take on the pirates. They were supported by various traders and merchants who wanted the sealanes cleared for safe travel. In addition, some other ocean and sea-based Familias had come out of various locations to assist.

The more the fighting went on between Rhome and the Savages and Danubians, the worse things seem to be getting. Yet that could just simply be that a pillar of how the order of the world had become had been knocked out and broken in four pieces. As such, things were just happening as everything was thrown into disarray by the loss of trade partners and their patrols.

Which only made things worse as anti-bandit patrols were called back to become border guards or to be ready to strike at any invasion or to launch an invasion themselves. The sea patrols were no different in that regard. As such, bandits and pirates had reacted to gain the openings presented.

Bell knew the situation and had even asked the Rosenritter to send aid to clear out some bandits. Trade and villages and towns were in a state of flux as a result immediately around Orario because of the rise of in attacks and thefts. Even the Demeter Familia had formally requested assistance to protect their outlying farms and ranches.

The Rosenritter had mobilized about a third of its strength to go and deal with the border issues and to address any… not quite standing forces slipping through. Then they sent just 20 others to help with the bandits as a shock force and already, that has paid dividends. Which had taken some pressure off the normal patrols to coordinate deep slices into bandit territory as well as expanding the patrol envelops and building more guard posts and even set up some new small forts to deny bandits control.

The issues outside the Walls had reached such a state, that even the Guild was forced to send out Adventurers to assist.

New villages were sprouting up, while other villages were fast becoming towns. At this rate, the number of cities around Orario itself would go up to the point that Bell would need to use ink and paper to keep track of instead of one hand and not all of his fingers on that hand.

"The city is growing again," Mia looks to the sky with a smile, "Some parts are now outside of the Walls, but areas within are being revitalized. Been a long time since I've seen that happen."

Before Bell could respond, Miss Anya returns with a jump into the air as she happily giggles about having a day off.

Bell ends up only chuckling at her energy and he nods to Mia who turns as soon as Chloe joins her fellow Cat and tells both to stay with Bell until Syr gets her purse. In addition, they would be taking Lyuu and Lunoire with them. And she wants them to have a great day, because once their stores are topped off, they're going to be working harder to make up for the loss in revenue and profit.

Both naturally protest, until Mia shuts them down and up. Though she does add if they're good and do the upcoming work, she'll actually let them take a week off at Melen and its beaches.

Both happily agree as Lunoire chuckles as she appears gently nudging Lyuu forward.

The common theme between the five women is button up shirts and side button up skirts. Long socks that go under the skirts, though, Bell had seen both Miss Anya's panties and thighs when she had jumped and so he doesn't expect more than just long socks on all of them. The shoes were either black or brown, which isn't all that uncommon, though, each was a buckle type of shoe.

Mia is the only one with frills on her shirt.

Chloe's shirt and dress are a mix of pale blue shirt with dark blue for her skirt with forest green clips to hold her raven black hair back. Anya is wearing a pale yellow top with a colored skirt with a yellowish sunhat with her ears sticking out of slits in the top and because of her jump previously, he knew she was wearing yellow and blue striped panties. The only change to Lunoire now, is a small red purse to match her headband.

But Ryuu by contrast…

Bell personally knows Elven beauty. And right now, despite how simple she appears, Ryuu Lyon is definitely an Elvish Beauty.

Dressed in a cream white shirt with pale blue trim and sky blue cuffs at the wrists and neck, it had a small opening for the swell of her breasts to be seen. Very small and the swell is covered with a leaf green under shirt which peeks out around her neck. Her skirt is a beautiful forest green with slits on either side and hip windows to show an earthly brown underskirt that combine to give the appearance of a tree.. Her long socks are a simple grass green as well with shoes actually the color of chestnut wood. On her head is a yellow sun hat and her blonde hair is unmasked for now, letting her natural blonde hair be visible for all to see.

Bell instantly gets the tree under the blue sky with fluffy white clouds, a yellow sun, and green grass motif.

Each young lady had makeup on as well. With each having lipstick on, blush, eye shadowing, and even… Bell wonders how they got it all on so fast.

Mia chuckles, glad she has several girls who used to do makeup for less than legal reasons.

And Bell cannot help himself, as he holds out his hand, "Milady Elfess."

Flushing at such a formal action, Ryuu holds up a hand, clad in a delicate looking white glove with matching colors to her dress, and places it carefully and actually dainty into Bell's hand.

"Milord," Ryuu manages a curtsy before Bell guides her down the steps, "My thanks to you good sir."

"But of course, Milady," Bell responds, still mesmerized.

Mia only chuckles silently before eyeing Lunoire who quietly acknowledges that she is to find out more about Bell Cranel. Out of the four, she is the only one to know. Eventually, Chloe might be informed, as she is the only one who would know how to keep her mouth shut and make a correct report to Mia later.

"I hope you can become friends with my girls," Mia speaks to Faye and Silque, "They need more friends in this world. One that is changing faster than any could think it would."

"It will be our pleasure," Silque bows as Faye curtsies.

"Sure," Faye responds, but with a frown, "Lady Astraea would like to hear how Miss Ryuu is, but I must say, a rather bold appearance for her."

Silque remains quiet, but inwardly wants to whack her friend over the head.

Taking it in stride, Mia only laughs heartily, "I suspect the Star Child might return. Best to let Ryuu get used to being out of the tavern. Stretching her legs so to speak. Plus, I've had a feeling something will be amiss today. Best she's close at hand and do try to make sure she doesn't ruin the dress. Syr went to a lot of trouble to get it tailored."

"No promises," Silque nods, sensing there will be more to this, but for now, they could enjoy the day.

"Really didn't plan it and the dress I actually wanted Ryuu to wear, wasn't in her size," Mia indicated how much smaller and suddenly Faye is much happier with Ryuu's current dress.

XXXX

"All is ready, My Lord," a distorted woman's voice reports to a figure dressed in a suit covered in masks and wearing a mask himself, "The numbers to be released have been increased to account for possible interference from those who may prove mightier than expected."

The figure of the woman clad in black from head to toe and wearing an orange mask is kneeling before her lord and master. She is identifiable as female from her protruding bust and shapely form. Even though she is so thoroughly covered, the heavy masking of her body does nothing to hide her body shape.

With a simple gesture of the hand, the woman responds, "By your command, My Lord Enyo."

XXXX

"Something wrong Lady Hestia?" Ellen frowns as she sees the Goddess of the Hearth's head snap around, "Something amiss?"

Hestia looks around the alley they are in. Her senses were tingling in that there is going to be chaos. Something is attempting to upset the delicate balance of statehood. Undermine and overthrow the Guild and bring chaos where there is order.

And it would snuff out many a hearth. Forever.

"I think it's just me being paranoid," Hestia clutches the aptly named Hestia Knife closer to her bosom. The small box nearly sinking completely between her generous bust. But the feeling was still there and she had a suspect that a God or Goddess were up to something evil.

There were some like that up in Heaven. Heck, despite how he cuts himself now, she had seen Dionysus. The two never got along back in Heaven. Only her stepping down from her position within leadership of their Pathenon was done to prevent conflict among the Gods and Goddesses of it.

Dionysus represented chaos through madness. He is even crazier than Ares. And less likely to keep watch as Goddesses bathed. For all that Ares is arrogant and vain, loyal and committed he could surprisingly be. Which is why even Artemis and Athena tolerated him being near when they bathed as he would never peek.

Something Zeus bemoaned about him, but respected.

Dionysus could be a good God. A decent one. He is a God of Theatre and Winemaking as well as Fruit, Orchards, Vegetation, and Festivity.

But he is also one of Insanity, Ritual Madness, and Religious Ecstasy.

And unfortunately, more than once did the latter attributes show up more often than not.

And more than once, did Hestia have to slap him down.

Something that only further fueled his own madness and rage. As she, despite stepping down and letting him ascend, is still more powerful. Indeed, she is one of the most powerful Goddesses in all of Heaven. Something that would likely surprise Mortals.

A simple Goddess of the Hearth, stood shoulder to shoulder with the mightiest of all Gods and Goddesses. Even Freya knew to respect Hestia for her power. Even Loki wouldn't press her luck and despite everything, would mind her tongue. Even Artemis and Athena knew her power was greater than theirs and so they were reserved in that regard.

Despite that, Hestia has long been approachable. Friendly. Loyal. Trustworthy. Open.

And full of warmth.

But that aside, for now…

"We need to hurry if we're to find Bell-kun!" Hestia giggles as Ellen rolls her eyes and follows along, knowing where her brother will be thanks to her mother's servant Koru who had spotted Ellen earlier and told her of her mother's plans and that Rene had spotted Bell hanging around the Hostess of Fertility and what was happening.

The two women were quite busy.

Despite their appearances, both women were close to her mother in age. They were servants her mother somehow had, but Ellen never quite knew how. Of course, the two women were very loyal to her mother and were also very good at their roles.

Be it as maids or as part of Aria's personal guard.

"Taxi!" Hestia calls out and Ellen watches as a taxi did stop before the two.

"Where can I take you, Lady Goddess?" the young man at the reigns of the horse inquires.

Ellen looks the man up and down as Hestia tells him where she wants to go and that it will be a trip for two as she intends to take Ellen along as well.

The young man is an honest taxi driver Ellen decides. From his looks and actions, he's clearly not very experienced yet. Though he handles the horse with experience and knows the right words despite some unsureness and nervousness about him.

He has brown hair, a face of freckles, and green eyes, the lighter side of jade. The brown hair is a pretty common dark brown and his skin tone shows that when he isn't operating his taxi, he does some physical work without his shirt on.

Ellen concludes that it is likely him taking care of horses, but she notes his hands have a similar callus about them that her brother has and she knows her brother had never been one to pass up gardening or working a field as a way to unwind and relax.

Funny thing about how labor could be relaxing.

It also tells how much he always felt about politics and being a commander.

"Come on Ellen!" Hestia urges the girl as she is already climbing aboard and Ellen does one last check of her purse and notes that Koru had snuck an extra coin purse on her.

Likely Koru took it from someone who both didn't have an honest job and wouldn't need it later as the Ganesha cleaned up the body somewhere in the city.

Her mother's guard could be brutally efficient, too, in other fields.

XXXX

At that moment, two Ganesha Patrolmen were shaking their heads.

Even in Orario, they were still cleaning up after Empress Elena's personal guard.

At least they left evidence for the Ganesha Familia to process. Not of who, but of what the deceased had been up to.

Which, needless to say, is going to make the Captain of the Soma Familia very unhappy and unpleasant in the future at some point.

XXXX

As Ellen and Hestia traveled, Hestia removed from the purple cloth the small box she was carrying. Opening it, Hestia allowed Ellen to gaze upon that which soon her brother would own. His gift from the Goddess of the Hearth to help him become stronger still.

"It…" Ellen stops as she realizes the material the blade is made of and that the etching and the hallmark are both of the Deities and carries the mark of the Goddess Hephestios herself, "Is she allowed to forge such an item?"

Ellen is unconcerned about the taxi driver. He appears more concerned with the road ahead of them. Understandable given the amount of traffic for the current festival going on, but at the same time, he appears less interested in what the pair are discussing and is very much of mind to allow the Goddess to speak to the girl in private or as private the open carriage could give and therefore is practiced in a very good art of simply being part of the background himself.

"I would guess so, because she made it," Hestia responds with a giggle at Ellen's awe of the small blade.

Hestia knew that Hepha had chosen the Far Eastern Tanto blade as the basis. Then she had worked Western aesthetics into the blade. Then she had smithed it to appear as though it came from their own worshippers of long ago. Hestia honestly forgot what the similar blade was called, Hepha had mentioned it in passing, but all Hestia could remember was that it hadn't been called by its name for well over 2,000 years now.

Nevertheless, the blade that came out of the effort, the Hestia Knife, is truly beautiful to look at and despite its benign appearance, in the hands of her Familia, and Bell in particular, it would become a formidable weapon.

Eventually a new topic, though, was broached as Hestia stored the knife away.

"My brother's personal guard arrived while you were away, Lady Hestia," Ellen informs the diminutive Goddess who arches one eyebrow, "Lord Zeus helped assemble it, so I can imagine you already know what that means."

Seeing the Goddess twitch and her hair snap, Ellen could definitely tell that Goddess Hestia knows precisely what that meant.

"More than that," Ellen continues on, "Some of my brother's closest acquaintances also arrived," taking a deep breath, "Including a friend who was… Partied with Talia on her ill-fated first mission as an Outside Adventurer and suffered the fate worse than herself."

Hestia feels her jealousy and possessiveness dissolve immediately. While she is far from being like Hera and Freya, she is still not immune to wanting something to be hers.

But in this case, her core existence comes to the fore.

"Is she well?" Hestia knows that a healthy body is a good place to start.

Ellen nods, "Physically, she is very fit as her late father, he passed away before she became an Adventurer, was a Far Eastern Martial Arts Masters," Ellen taps her chin as she thinks over the various titles, "I believe he received the title Monk for his fighting technique," there were all sorts of odd titles out there, akin to Ranger and Knight.

Classes, Ellen believes they are called.

"I see," Goddess Hestia nods as she thinks over the 'Class' system that some Deities, and Mortals, use, "Her mind is a mess, correct?"

Ellen remained silent for a few moments before she spoke again, "To my knowledge she cried when she and brother met. Fortunately, a friend hid them both, so that she could do so in peace."

Stopping for the moment and letting that information be digested by Goddess Hestia, Ellen waits until Goddess Hestia signals for her to continue with a gentle wave of her arm.

"My brother was beside himself in his own grief," Ellen shares sadly, "Ran… Is a strong young woman. Slightly older than my brother, but has always been both friendly and upbeat. Her ethics were unquestioned as was her drive. Sadly…" Ellen decides to lean in and whisper into Goddess Hestia's ear directly, despite how impolite and improper it could be.

Goddess Hestia immediately pats Ellen on the back, as Hestia can feel the pain the girl is going through. Truly, this Ran must have been a regular in her brother's company. More than that, the boy Ran actually liked over Bell, something that would be considered a feat in the near future by many within Orario, was killed in their ill-fated Adventure outside of Orario.

More than that, the boy, had been killed.

Brutally and even torn apart while alive, with pieces of him apparently having been eaten directly from his still living body before he died.

"His name?" Hestia speaks evenly, and while the horrifying end of the boy was indeed stomach turning, as a Goddess, she had seen far worse.

"Rhys," Ellen replies, remembering the self-assured, but competent sword wielder, "He was competent, but badly inexperienced. It was the first time, to my knowledge, that he had taken the field at all and while he had been trained to some degree, it was not uniformed like brother's training…"

Ellen swallows hard as she shifts, remembering meeting her cousin Belmont. She and Joan had made the mistake to listen in as he described the Goblins he hunted and had been the reason for the title he had been given. Both were caught by Grandfather Zeus and ushered away by their mother, who had been grateful for the distraction.

Their father had been grim faced and had spoken with the various authorities over the danger.

Thankfully, the small incursion into their territory had been late and their overwhelming response had been thorough. The Goblins that had killed Rhys and traumatized Talia and Ran were simply actual Monster versions of Savages.

And the Rhoman response there within has always been overwhelming resources.

There was no such thing as overkill. But far too much potential for underkill.

"Even if he had been well trained, he was caught by enemy that was far more devilish than he had expected and so…" Hestia shakes her head, feeling saddened for Bell to lose a friend that sounded like he had potential.

Such is the horror of the world.

For every Bell, there were several who died.

For every Ottar, there were thousands who were killed.

Hestia knows the survival rate of the Dungeon. It's terrible. Most don't last a year in the Dungeon. Either burning out or dying. The first few weeks are critical to their survival.

But never definitive.

That is why the Loki and Freya Familias are so powerful. Loki has three Level 6s and about two handfuls or so of Level 5s. Behind them was a pack of Level 4s, perhaps the single greatest concentration of Level 4s in the world. After that, the number of Level 3s were also impressive in number, but the Loki Familia mostly had, as is normal, a large pool of Level 2s and Level 1s.

Interestingly, the experienced leadership of the Loki Familia usually meant that even the Level 1s could hit well above their weight. It is not unheard of to hear of Loki Level 1s doing feats expected more of the Loki Level 2s. The Level 1s even ventured down to Liveria on the Dungeon 18th Floor on their own frequently. True, those were mostly the most experienced Level 1s and even that is trying for them, but the fact remained, that Loki Level 1s are more powerful than normal.

Which didn't come as a surprise to Hestia as Loki has always been very particular in her recruitment.

Aside from the fact that her Familia is about some sixty percent or more made up of females.

Freya by contrast is more methodical in her approach, but also has a higher female to male ratio than is normal. If anything, Freya might actually have more female members than Loki does, but unlike Loki, Freya commands Valkryie in Heaven. As such, she would be automatically more partial to recruiting more girls and women into her ranks and masking herself among them.

A ploy Hestia suspects from what Aria told her about the Hostess of Fertility is already in play and Freya has apparently not quite figured out that Hestia knows about.

That said Freya is also weaker in sheer numbers and has fewer active Level 1s and Level 2s than Loki does.

And that's an actual weakness. Despite that Freya's lower Level Adventurers are just as powerful individually as Loki's own. Which is the problem right there.

Individually.

Technically, Hestia suspects that Freya's Adventurers are a great deal more powerful, even if of the same level, as Loki's Adventurers. Both, of course, have noncombatants who would generally be Level 1 with a number who reach Level 2, and given Freya's penchants, she'll even have non-combat Level 3s, like members of certain critical functions.

Freya has one of the world's two remaining Level 7s as well. She also has powerful Level 6 members, even by the standards, set by Zeus and Hera among a few other Deities, of a Level 6. Her Level 5s were also heavy hitters and just as powerful.

But Loki still had teamwork going for it. Far more experienced leadership as well. And unlike the Freya Familia which she had confirmed as competing against one another over her attentions, Loki's Children were experienced as a single unified force.

And to rival them, something that is in the back of Hestia's mind, meant that her Familia would need to be close in terms of numbers and coordination as the Loki Familia, preferably as good or better in the latter, and close to being as strong and qualitative as the Freya Framilia.

She needs to strike a balance between the two. Not to be too outnumbered by Loki and yet not too underpowered compared to Freya. It would be a delicate balancing act as both would notice Hestia's move to grow her Familia to such an extent.

It is telling of what kind of Goddess Hestia is, if she's already thinking that far ahead. More than that, she is also thinking of the political, economic, and social elements as well. All variables and pieces of a State Government's duties and requires to function normally. Not being distracted by individual egoism for the sake of gaining small victories in the near term, but rather focusing on the longevity of the State.

Which is Hestia in a nutshell. She is the Goddess of the State after all. The Goddess of Governments that govern rather than rule. A ruler, after all, uses chaos to effect their will while a government unites to guide and lead the people to a better future, no matter how troubled the waters or rather because the waters can be so troubled and stormy, the government's duty and those that govern is to see the State through these hard times not by turning others against their own, but by unifying and bringing together all the pieces.

Only then can a State grow, only then can her Familia grow.

Which means she would need a stronger working relationship with the Guild, various other Familias, and numerous groups and the very people of Orario to advance her Familia.

Loki knew business well enough, but she is a Trickster by her own admittance. Hestia also knows that Loki hasn't been using her full available powers very often. Other than often visiting with Njord, from the God's own discussions with Hestia when he and her shared drinks when Njord visited Orario from time to time, Loki didn't do much or act with a greater portion of her powers.

It is relatively unknown, but Loki is somewhat of a Fire Goddess herself. Or God, when she decides to shift back into her male persona.

Of course, she could be so boyish as a Tomboy because Odin probably tampered with her descent to the Lower World. Which would be Odin alright. Punishing Loki for some prank or another thing as she descended.

And it would not surprise Hestia if Loki is capable of birth.

Despite making themselves essentially sterile. Oh the politics of it all. In truth, they could have children, and that has not been something she hasn't thought of with Bell in mind as well. They merely chose not too. But if Odin was somehow involved, she would not doubt if both Freyja and Loki would both be set to being unable to be unable to have children. It would just take something else that would surprise them.

Just thinking about it, is making her head hurt.

Though, not enough not to hear Ellen explaining everything to her. Though, Hestia has to wonder why the girl lives by both the names Ellen, her given name, and Helen, a second name. Aria shrugged about herself. Her second name is because she is the Empress of Rhome. Both Joan and Bell didn't have second names. If Hestia had to guess, it is because Ellen is quite the trickster and observer herself.

She should get in touch with Ouranos to see how to get into touch with Zeus.

"And that is the extent of them," Ellen concludes and somehow, Hestia gets a hint to what Ellen may be planning for herself. She is, indeed, planning to one day take the throne of Rhome for herself.

Why?

She didn't know and her senses told her that it isn't for malice or corrupt reasons.

"Why is the one Ree the one with the least information you can provide me?" Hestia frowns at Ellen.

"Because Ree is the one with the least available information," Ellen responds, "That and she requested the information be kept secret. Only my brother knows her full history and who she really is. All I know is what I can glimpse from time to time. Other than brother, you'd have to ask Tatina, Ouka, and Silque for more specifics. Maybe Aegis as well. But other than Raphtalia… I'm unsure of who would actually know the most beside my brother knowing everything."

There are a few little white lies there. Ellen knows more and Hestia gives her a look that says she knows, but respects that Ellen is merely facilitating the request of Ree.

Which brings up more issues as she held out on some of the others.

"What of Tatina, Ouka, Eliot, and Sophia?" Hestia frowns, "You were somewhat vague on them and this Azura and Fira as well."

"Because you have to meet them personally to know what why I remain vague and evasive," Ellen replies instantly, "But Grandfather was directly involved in their recruitment. So, if you can trust him, you should trust them."

Ellen then develops a smirk, "Or are you that desperate to keep my brother to yourself and be my future sister-in-law?"

Hestia shoots a flat look at Ellen and deadpans, "Your mother is already grilling me."

Despite that, both break out laughing. The two know that Hestia would never hog Bell to herself. Yes, she like Bell and is happy to be his Goddess. But she is also a Virgin Goddess. Both already know it will not happen, but that doesn't mean Hestia doesn't want to at least get close to Bell.

But Ellen already knows… Not even the Virgin Goddess Hestia of the Hearth had avoided her brother's unintentional charming of the opposite sex. Quite the opposite. Goddess Hestia is falling in love with Bell and each moment they spend together, only solidifies that.

As Grandfather Zeus had put it, "Not even Gods and Goddesses can live alone for long. The rust weighs too heavily on their hearts and their very being. So, they will seek out companionship, even if for a short while let alone for life."

"So Bell's entire personal guard is here, along with some friends, and he's just learned his best friend growing up was killed by monsters on his first outing as an Outside Adventurer and two others, including the one currently housed in your home, were captured and…" Hestia sighs as she knows Bell is going to be somewhat angry, to put it mildly.

'Explains that feeling I felt,' Hestia thinks as she realizes just what that feeling was.

It was her connection to Bell. All of his rage and anger and sorrow plus his feelings to protect and safeguard. Which, of course, had turned his friend, and the only member of the party of four not to suffer a truly terrible fate… Wait? How did Bell even meet this Ciel in the first place?!

And why is it that he knows more girls than boys for that matter!

Then it clicked and Hestia just couldn't hold it in.

"ZEUS!" The small Goddess unleashes her powerful lungs loud enough to rattle windows and kick of air that somehow, despite the fact she was in a horse drawn carriage, kick up the skirts of women and girls surrounding them and startle every animal for half a league in diameter.

XXXX

"Waz dat da Shrimp?" Loki blinks owlishly at the scream she heard, "Dat gurl still gots them lungs."

Shaking her head, Loki only shrugs, "Come on Aiz-tan. We's got a meeting."

"It's Ais, Goddess Loki or do you want to arrive at this meeting looking like you've run to the 20th Floor and back with a Minotaur chasing after you," Ais Wallenstein replies, "Again."

The redheaded Trickster Goddess shutters.

She really, really didn't want to look like that. And Ais is always as good as her word.

XXXX

"Was that Goddess?" Bell wonders aloud as he and everyone else around him looks for the source of the shout they just heard.

"Mister Cranel, if that is your Goddess… I…um…" Ryuu tries to come up with something.

"Dang," Luniore saves the day, "She really does have lungs like you say she does."

"Cat's loud," Chloe winces as Anya tries to clean our her ears.

XXXX

"What did Zeus do this week, I wonder?" a tanned, heavily muscled man in a half elephant mask and an orange waist cloth and tan pair of slacks wonders, "But fortunately, I am Ganesha and I am here to ensure the happiness of our citizens with the most anticipated event of today for this Festival that I Ganesha helped to produce for the people of our proud city!"

Despite his usual antics making his followers sigh, Ganesha's words touch their hearts as he throws out a hand and with a laugh:

"LET THE MONSTER TAMING EVENT BEGIN! SO I SAY AND I AM GANESHA!"

The roar of the crowd is deafening as people excitedly watch a lithe looking female Human take on a rather large Hellhoud brought up from Middle Floors.

The first of many to begin as the woman cracks her whip and shouts:

"The world is the stage!"

XXXX

A/N:

Folks, life is many things. Right now, a difficult one for me. My affairs are almost in disorder, but I am slowly pulling things back.

Medical update for you all too. I've done Physical Therapy and the shoulder is doing fine. I'm always feeling the damage that it took though. I'm told it will be there, for life, but it shouldn't hinder me. It definitely does not hurt, but is not quite pleasant either.

I've also been helping others with some of their own works. They needed someone who could give them a neutral third opinion and do a bit of research. What can I say? It can help me as well and I do enjoy helping others improve themselves.

In addition, I am attempting to start my own original story as well. One for official publishing. I could use the pocket change. But who knows? Maybe you'll watch the movie version some day? You never know and though I would have a good laugh, I would rather be living in quiet comfort, taking a cue from Hobbits and not be late for dinner for example.

Now, Bell's secret isn't so secretive. Freya had some idea before, after all, she sees Bell's picture as a child everyday at the Hostess of Fertility. But now, she knows more and instead of Ottarl and Allen, I figure I'll give the Gulliver Brothers a bit of a shine this time around. They are so underplayed.

The day off for the Waitresses and staff of Hostess of Fertility was also a spur of the moment idea. The main cause is as Mia pointed it out and Bell knows. The world is in flux from conflict. One issue leads to another. And the responses lead accordingly. There is no one right answer, if any at all. Not problems, but dilemmas. As such, reactions are having reactions and not all is well.

But there is still hope. After all, Rosenritter has marched. Responses that are correcting the flow are forming. Sadly, there will be more trouble than there will be success. Bell will even feel as he will need to leave the city to occasionally assist. So… Expect to see the girls in action as his personal guard goes with him.

And speaking of them, hits of what some are already in play.

Plus, we saw Danu use Ciel as a temporary vessel. Really, Ciel only wanted to get permission to join the Hestia Familia. Now, though, the scene was expanded and will become a bit of a foothold in the city for certain factions. I also wanted a scene where construction began.

Or, in other words, where the signs of hope and good would begin to appear.

Sorry, I've been rewatching bits and pieces of the 1977 and 1980 Hobbit and Return of the King. I have to say, they are quite well done and I feel that keeping so close to the book in their cases, gave them more feel than what was found in the Peter Jackson movies.

I daresay, a narration would have helped and for Samwise's character to be a little more akin to his book version. I really do like how Samwise can occasionally sound off like a grumpy Chopper from Star Wars.

Not that Peter Jackson's Samwise was all that bad. Quite well the opposite. A simple Hobbit Gardner who went on a grand adventure and returned a hero. I do miss how the book concludes with their return. And I feel that would have been a bit more of use to the story overall.

And the music. It really doesn't feel like a Tolkein without a song.

But enough of my likes. I'll let you decide.

I had planned to get right to the trouble at Monsterphilia, but realized a bit too late that wasn't going to happen. Which actually suits me just fine. Hestia will be making her return in the next chapter. So be prepared for it. And for a certain missing girl to be responsible for guiding her brother's Goddess back to him.

Down below are the backgrounds of the guard. Those not listed within, are not members of the guard. Such as Ciel, Lyn, and Florina. They will be listed in the next chapter.

Do read and review when you finish with all. Thank you.

XXXX

Désolée! Désolée! Je suis désolé! Mon jeune petit oiseau! - Sorry! Sorry! I am sorry! My young Little Bird!

Ma chère Tante Magique - My dear Aunt of Magic.

XXXX

Bell's Personal Guard:

Luna Logia - Danmachi Side Character, younger sister of Bete Loga

In canon, she and her mother were both killed in Bete's youth. Their deaths, along with others who were close to Bete dying over the years, played a major facet in the arrogant Tsundere Werewolf of the Loki Familia.

In this story, Luna is resurrected as having survived the destruction of her Tribe and Clan along with her mother and a few others. Instead, they were captured and sold into slavery by those who discovered they were still alive. Bete was unaware of their survival until Orario when Luna revealed herself.

Due to Bell rescuing her, she became close to him, first as a friend and, over time, as a girl in love. Bell reciprocates, though he was annoyed when she led various suitors to challenge Bell. Including other Werewolves.

She was among the first organized as Bell's personal guard escorting him as official Rhoman Royal Guards. Luna and the others were inducted at Zeus' request and he organized and trained them. Bell had no say, but he was never against having them close at hand either.

Ree - (File Sealed by Order of Lord Zeus, God of Lightning, Supreme God of Olympus)

Tania - Beast Tamer, Second Main Heroine Character

Tania is imported from Beast Tamer. She is a Dragonkin in this story. She is only slightly older than Bell, but trusts him. Her story is not a sad one. Bell defeated her when she was out training by attacking random passing Fighters, Soldiers, Adventurers, the list goes on.

Bell defeated her using his head, both literally and figuratively. Since then, Tania has followed Bell and has made no secret of her interests in him. The fact she follows him and is actively interested in him had caused some concerns that Bell could succeed his father and be the next Rhoman Emperor due to the power represented by Tania.

Tania differs slightly in this story by being more at ease with Bell and outgoing. She does fluster on some topics, but as a Dragonkin she not only lives a long life, she also doesn't see much use for cultural norms seen among other races. She is probably a good example of an Amazon with 'Civilized' concepts, and even that's stretching things.

Raphtalia - Shield Hero, Primary Main Heroine

Yes, that Raphtalia. Everyone's favorite Raccoon Girl. Although she aged normally here.

Bell did rescue her, but more that he found her barely alive and clinging to remnants of sanity after a raid by his father killed the hedonistic slave owner who had acquired her and a few others of her destroyed village.

In other words, her backstory remains much the same. Only the changes needed. Such as Bell coaxing her back into being sane and caring for her. Raphtalia grew up more as Bell's childhood friend and as a playmate for his sisters. Raphtalia is the voice of responsibility in the group, but harbors her affections for Bell which she is not secret about. She is particularly close to Tania and Luna.

Faye - Fire Emblem Echoes: Shadows of Valencia, Playable Character

Faye is from the Fire Emblem series. Specifically the remake of Fire Emblem Gaiden, Fire Emblem Echoes: Shadows of Valencia. She is a villager and childhood friend of the main Duelologists of the game and has an unrequited love interest in the male.

In this, she's still much the same, but is a Rhoman villager that was the flower girl that first befriended Bell. She has an obsession with Bell, wanting to stay near him and have as much contact as possible. Despite this, she is on good terms with the rest of his guard, being the only one not initially picked by Zeus and has since joining learned far more about Bell and herself.

She makes it no secret that she wants to marry Bell. This puts her in good stead with Tania and Ouka. Due to her villager background, her rise to be one of Bell's personal guards and officially inducted into the Royal Guard made her somewhat of a minor celebrity. She prepared most of Bell's meals when they were in the field and was the one to teach Bell's sisters how to be sneaky and to use traps.

Silque - Fire Emblem Gaiden/Fire Emblem Echoes: Shadows of Valencia, Playable Character

Silque, pronounced Silk, is like Faye and from the Fire Emblem series. Though, unlike Faye, Silque is an original character from Gaiden. Faye was added into the game in the remake, whereas Silque was created originally for Gaiden.

Silque's backstory is that of an orphaned girl raised in a priory as a child. Her mother had been of a different faith and had left her behind. Written novel and manga material indicate her mother may have left her behind out of responsibility to wet nurse the Prince of Rigel who had been hidden away. Silque had a younger half-brother, who will be mentioned as a friend and acquaintance of Bell further into the story.

Silque's background is pretty much unchanged. The only change is that her mother left her in a priory with the intention to return for her and was Bell's wet nurse as a child. Her mother was a former member of the Hera Familia and was one of the healers who treated both Alfia and Meteria.

Like Faye, Silque grew up with Bell, though, Silque would enter the clergy becoming a Cleric, her starting class in FE, and like both Ciel and Ouka, would have Miracles to her name.

Like Ciel she worships a Deity still in Heaven. Unlike Ciel, Silque is learned in Armed Combat, but opts for a supporting role. Silque was also the one to keep Faye in line the most as the two are close friends.

Origami Ouka - (Censored) Fifth Main Female Character

Sadly, while I enjoy the creation and basis for Ouka as a character in the sense of what she can offer in a series, she's sadly from a Hentai that grossly underuses her and her abilities. A well developed character (and I don't mean just her physical design) that should have been created for an actual series such as Inuyasha or Yashahime or even for High School DxD!

I was looking for a decent character that could compete with another author's own Oni Girl and I really didn't want to convert an Azur Lane Oni Girl character. So, I went searching and stumbled on Ouka by chance. She and several other girls were ideal for what I needed and well… Damn is all I can say.

That said, Ouka is pretty much unchanged, except scuttling her Hentai background (anyone wanting to search for her, do so in privacy of a locked room, alone. Final warning). Like Tania and Faye, her background isn't sad. But it was far more exciting than Tania's encounter with Bell.

Ouka's clan was exiled for the sake of this story. Because of heavy breeding with other races, predominantly Human and later Elf, they picked up a more Human appearance. Their ears would detail which they bred the most with. Ouka's follow a Human shape, but then tapper into points that go a few centimeters back showing she has a strong mix of both Human and Elven DNA.

Ability wise, despite the appearance of a teenage Human girl, Ouka has all the strength of being an Oni inside her compact frame. As well as the endurance. But she also commands the powers of a Miko such as Exorcism and Purification. Like Ciel and Silque, she can use Miracles after converting to follow a Deity. But unlike them, she is skilled in using weapons as well aside from a Bow and Naginata.

As the result of being defeated in single combat and captured by Bell alone, she is also both a hostage that serves Bell and one of his betrothed as well. Despite their initial encounter and subsequent getting used to one another's presence, both are in point of fact very close.

Elliot Leucosia - (Censored) Fourth Main Female Character

Elliot comes from the same Hentai as Ouka. Again, ideal fitting, but the source left a lot to be considered.

I wasn't looking for another Mermaid. But Elliot proved to be a good fit. Her story is also not sad. I had actually been looking to construct or use a character from Arifureta instead. But Elliot fit the bill because I needed her single major quality and that was her song abilities.

Again, search in privacy and not something like a public library unless you want trouble. Unless you're in a Conservative State. They seem to be into that kind of kink.

(Japan can be effed up! But so can certain US States.)

Anyways, Elliot's backstory in this story isn't sad or complex. Her heritage is surprising and what she was to become equally so. But Elliot had a run in with some pirates and Bell and his father both dealt with them. And the only reason the pair and some soldiers were in the area, was that Zeus wanted to tap a potential source of support in consideration to reconstitute his Familia.

Unlike Maria, Elliot has feet. She's also as old as Bell, but slightly younger by a few weeks. Elliot can join her legs and feet to create a traditional Mermaid's Tail, but it is very difficult for her to make the adjustment back and forth, so she prefers to do so only on as needed basis. Most Mermaids of her variation prefer to use legs as they have fins on their legs and arms as well as where their ears are that allow for more precise maneuvers as opposed to using tails.

Her abilities are based around her songs. She's essentially that JRPG archetype that supports the party with music. Buffing allies and debuffing enemies while also causing Status Effects.

Aegis Thea Eaderlindt - (Censor) Second Main Female Character

Same Hentai as Ouka and Elliot, but a worthwhile DnD type character or one you'd expect from Record of Lodoss War. I was originally considering her younger sister, Iris who is the same age, roughly, as Bell. But I opted to drop Iris due to there being too many characters and at that point, I really couldn't go along. I also dropped the third female character over the same reason.

And Aegis was one I could not pass up.

Surprisingly, Aegis is a Ryuu-like character. Earnest, blunt, and loyal, but also willing to suffer for her sister's happiness and yet falls in love and seeks to be the Male MC's love interest. In terms of combat capabilities, she is like Ryuu in that way, both a swordswoman and a magic user.

But unlike Ryuu, Aegis is a Knight. A Princess Knight to be exact. Her background is that of the Second Princess of her Elven Realm, with her younger sister being the Third Princess.

Due to her personality being a lot like Ryuu, she was terribly blunt and it created some havoc in both governance and diplomacy. Aegis knew she was unfit and so got herself removed from the Royal Line so she could become a Knight. She was assigned as her younger sister's personal Knight.

This backstory element remains. Only changes are that this isn't that Hentai. So, instead of being bedroom material, Aegis gets to show off her skills and I would say she is actually more powerful than Ryuu due to a higher quality of training. The only thing that makes Ryuu the stronger of the pair, is that Ryuu is an Adventurer.

Another held onto element is that both Aegis and Iris, as well as their fellow Elves of their homeland can reproduce pureblooded Elves with non-Elf races. The backstory here on that is that they got hit by a rather nasty curse that really screwed up their population and destroyed a significant portion of their male population.

While a Miracle was eventually able to be created to work around that issue, the damage had literally been done. Their Kingdom morphed into a Queendom and eventually Iris and Bell were to be engaged.

But since Iris was more powerful in terms of magic, and Aegis had made a major faux pas in Rhome with her attitude, Iris was withdrawn and Aegis substituted in her place. Something that suited Iris and Bell as both did not find each other romantically connecting (shocker I know, a girl doesn't want to be Bell's lover) and it was actually a terrible idea for them to wed. Aegis by contrast did enjoy Bell's company and was notably less likely to say something too blunt around him.

Skill wise, Aegis is the superior between Ryuu and herself. Ryuu is faster on the draw and attack, but Aegis has actual training to back up her experience. Magic wise, Aegis is more of a Paladin type, using 'White' Magicks as well as Support Magicks such as Barriers and Boundary Magic. Ouka is more powerful between the two and is able to shred Aegis' fields, but both are on good terms as they both share a similar blunt and straightforward attitude. Same with Tania which is a switch up from the Dragon Girl from the Hentai, Ursula Y Draig, who's own character would require quite a bit of work to fit in, but I couldn't find myself able to use her either. Even though she's more powerful than Tania.

Whereas Ryuu is the Ranger who is swift and offensive, Aegis will be the Knight who is sturdy and supportive. The fact the two are nearly identical in facial appearance will be something of a gag as well.

Eva - (Censored) Main Female Character

Eva is from a different Hentai and sadly, I was pointed in her direction by a friend. I don't question his material and he helped me through the Hentai for the previous three. He also said that they must be at the bottom of the barrel to come up with such ideas and yet at the same time, paradoxically create characters worthy of more mainstream media.

Here's hoping that Hentai gets the treatment of being converted to mainstream. With a… Better storyline.

Anyways, Eva is a Dark Elf who is a slave that was picked up as a child by her master. Her master paid an abruptly high price for her at auction and raised her as a maid in his home so that when she reached maturity, he could release her from her servitude. Instead, they both have a happy ending as a married couple. Honestly, I like how she wasn't jailbait and got an ending worth having to understand her character.

That all said, I wanted something different. A Dark Elf Maid came to mind. Eva wasn't what I had in mind, but her backstory and her position until her release and marriage definitely proved useful.

In this story, Eva's history is much the same. Being sold at auction, only it was Cael who interrupted the auction with several of his top officers in order to bag a number of crooked political opponents, allies of the Hereditary Faction.

She was on full display, despite her youth and discovering her history, Cael cut her free of her bindings and took her home so she could live under his aegis. She's going to be the heir of a noble house of Hegni's destroyed Dark Elf Kingdom.

While technically a member of Bell's personal guard, she's more of his personal attendant. She simply settled into that position of her own accord. As such, she's more of a maid than a guard. But she's loosely based on Sharon from Legends of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel in that regard in which she uses steel lines and knives to protect Bell and his family, which would configure her closer to being a potential assassin in Bell's service.

She is close to Faye as it is Eva who delivers Faye's meals to Bell. Eva isn't particularly as strong nor as capable as Sharon, but Sharon is an Enforcer for an underground society, whereas Eva isn't. That said, Eva is also the food tester of the group and has a strong resistance to most poisons and such. She's even magically enhanced with seals attached to her body to safeguard her, but even these can be overwhelmed.

She's especially close to Aria who she treats more like a mother than a mistress and Aria treats her as a daughter in return.

Mimsalla Thea Alf - Goblin Slayer, Main Party Character

Mimsalla Thea Alf is the name I gave to High Elf Archer for this story. I really gave her the name Mimsy, but knew she needed a more formal name. So, I created one.

Mimsy as she prefers is an Alf Elf by heritage and blood. But her family was cast out and is now hostile to the Alf. Mimsy knows of Riveria and respects her as Riveria built her own reputation following her own path. Aegis is also not a fan of the Alf, her Queendom and the Alf Kingdom are bitter rivals/opponents/enemies, but Mimsy is an adoptive relative and both get along quite well.

Mimsy is based on HEA's attitude of when she whimsically became an Adventurer and followed through on her dreams, but still follows her whimsy attitude when nothing serious is afoot.

This includes her following Bell. She was at a crossroads, literally, in her life and whimsically took one path that led her to meeting Zeus and Bell. The two Mortals hit it off quite well once Bell, as always, got over his shyness. Zeus eventually invited Mimsy, who had become an Adventurer thanks to Zeus' recommendations, to join Bell's personal guard and the Elf jumped at the opportunity.

Despite still being whimsical, Mimsy is very serious in protecting Bell. Despite that attitude, she found herself falling in love with Bell and finding he thought the same of her. Both share a deep enough bond where she listens to Bell vent his feelings without prejudice.

Narm - Langrisser, Playable Character

Narm is a character from the series Langrisser. An Aerial Knight who fights in the air, but her classes include conventionally mounted Knight and Foot Soldiers, including Ranger. She starts off as an escort to evacuate the MC of the first game and would be the canonical ancestor of another PC in the second game.

In this story, like Florina, Narm is an Aerial Knight in Training. A Hawk Knight unlike Florina the Pegasus Knight. She's younger in this appearance compared to her actual appearance. Whereas she is an experienced Knight in Langrisser, in this story, she's still learning the ropes.

Unlike most of the others, Narm was selected by Bell's father to join his guard. Since she comes from a line of Knights, it made sense. She's in the story the daughter of one of Cael's officers, with her mother being a Legionnaire and her father a Knight.

Narm is considered a skilled enough Knight that she has already completed her training and is now in service as a Royal Guard, which was a major step up for her. She is, though, somewhat distrustful of Sonya, but the two work together without issue due to their shared loyalty to Bell.

Sonya - Langrisser II, Playable Character

Sonya is from the second game of the Langrisser series. She looks like a Dark Elf, but is actually a Half-Demon. Chased out and nearly killed by her own village, the only person close to her was her full Human half-brother. She would appear as an enemy, but is recruitable. It's just a bit of a headache to do so, same with half or more of the characters in the I and II.

That said, in this story, she stays the same. Only she was defeated by Bell when she rebelled with a group of Demons and Half-Demons as well as some others against nearby races. Prior to her short-lived revolt, she led a group of Half-Demons in banditry, but expanded to include Demons as well.

Bell defeated her and she was forced into his servitude, which unlike the willing Ouka, did not sit well with her. She was the newest member until the Twins joined up. Despite everything she is on good terms with Ouka, since both are Fallen Races, and she is close to Elliot, Azura, and Fira due to technical reasons as well. Her loyalty to Bell is something he earned through trust and like all women he seems to meet, had fallen in love with him as well.

Tokai Rika - Pretty Derby, Playable (Main?) Character

Tokai Rika is actually Special Week from Pretty Derby with a changed name since calling a person Special Week is going to be odd to put it bluntly. Thus the name change.

Her twin sister in the story is Tokai Teio, who I believe is actually unrelated to Special Week's namesake IRL and is definitely not Special Week's sister in the series. But they had the same hair colors and so I thought that would be a nice fit and add in another set of twins for Bell to work with.

In story, both Rika and Teio are not really fighters for Bell, much like Eva isn't. Whereas Eva is Bell's maid and food taster (with a possibility of being a personal assassin in the future), both Rika and Teio are Bell's messengers. Being the fastest of his guard aside from Tania and Larm, the pair, though, are more useful over short distances rather than long distances.

As stated, Bell accidentally stumbled on them being sold illegally in the illegal underground side of Racing. After they were rescued, they were brought into the Cranel home to recover and to eventually rejoin their original racing group. They are now in love with Bell and have decided to remain with him and joined his guard as a result. Both are powerful in straightline attacks, as befitting Horse Girls, especially when armed with lances or halberds. They are the newest members, displacing Sonya as the rookies. They easily get along with Luna and enjoy singing with Elliot.

Rika is the more sturdy of the pair. She is also the one with the better sense of direction than her sister as well as being able to follow the flow of battle more sharply. She also likes carrots more than apples and is also a skillful javelin thrower.

Tokai Teio - Pretty Derby, Playable (Main?) Character

Tokai Teio is Rika's twin in the story and based on her namesake from Pretty Derby.

Honestly, the pair are last second additions. I wanted to really expand on the races and I thought of a Horse Girl and then realized I forgot to mention one in the list of the last chapter. So, I went over to try and find a decent Horse Girl and found I couldn't choose between Special Week and Tokai Teio and yet the idea of Twins was very appealing based on several factors.

Her background is linked to Rika's and that's about it there. Her own preference is apples and while she's a fast healer, she tends to get injured far more often than her sister. Sometimes seriously enough to require down time. She's as strong as her sister and has the superior balance between the pair, which is why she is sometimes seen with a warhammer which she can spin with great skill. Allies, though, need to be clear so as not to get hit by accident.

She and her sister share the trait among Bell's personal guard to slip into his room at night and sleep with him. Only Rika and Teio do so together frequently. Both sisters simply prefer listening to his breathing and heart as they sleep next to him and they switch off so as to share listening to his heart each night they slip into his room.

Both also have the habit of yelling loud when excited. Equal to a happy horse's loud neighing when overcome with joy.

Azura - Story Original Character

Azura and Fira are both Xenos with the former being a Siren. Aside from her color pigmentation of her feathers and skin, she's virtually identical to Ray. Slight variance exists in her eye color and her skin is actually tanned from exposure to the sun. Her plumage on her head is also different, being slightly thicker due to being exposed to the outside world for a prolonged amount of time. Meanwhile, she has the same facial features and build as Ray, as do all Sirens, with only a slight variance in the shape of her eyes and cheeks making her look different.

But so subtle that anyone unaware of the differences would not notice them unless sharp eyed.

Azura also wears a skirt under her feathers, but still wears a thicker top compared to Ray, more akin to Tione's top. Coupled with her life in Bell's personal guard, Azura also wears customized cloth and armor when in battle. The clothing and armor developed from Aerial Knight versions.

Her attacks are identical to that of Ray and other Sirens, but she has learned a few new techniques since joining Bell's guard. Although she has also discovered an affinity for Water and Ice Magicks alongside Wind Magicks.

Fira - Story Original Character

Azura and Fira are both Xenos with the latter being a Harpy. Fira looks a lot like Fear, which is unsurprising, as both are from the same Floor and were 'birthed' around the same time. The only differences are similar to Azura and Ray, subtle, but there. Additionally, Fira has a slightly wider waist and larger bust, something she shares, along with hips, with Azura and other female 'Human' classified Xenos.

Although the wider waist is more or less her cheese addiction that earned her the nickname 'Cheddar' among those that know her. She was always the center of attention on the promenades of Rhome because she could be seen happily eating through several things of cheese.

She is a bit taller and fuller than Fear and most Harpy's down in the Dungeon. It is not an unheard of trait among Monsters and Xenos who are able to get regular variety in their meals and frequent sunlight. Xenos tend to be more uniform in that regard due to being able to live and eat regular meals and enjoy bountiful sunlight without hiding from people.

Fira is little different in attacks from her fellow Harpies and Fear. But like Azura, she discovered she can use Fire and Wind Magics. She also has the uncanny ability to sense and track people she has met.

Her clothing and armoring works with her body form and her feathers. Her skirts are designed to accommodate her tail feathers and her top is more akin to that of Tiona's design, only wider and thicker. Like Azura she wears heavier clothing and armor into combat and has learned a few new techniques as part of Bell's guard.