Is it Wrong to Live Transmigrated as Bell Cranel in a Dungeon?

by Meetra 0 Surik

A fan with partial knowledge of the series is merged into Bell shortly after Zeus left him. With no perfect recall, armed with vague knowledge from the anime and other fanfics - Can our protagonist use their knowledge to save OG Bell's loved ones? Can he save the world from the OEBD? Or will he fail everyone and himself? The answer will tell if it is wrong to live as Bell Cranel!

20. Chapter 15: One or the World

Is it Wrong to Live Transmigrated as Bell Cranel in a Dungeon?

Chapter 15: One or the World

"I will do nothing – except tell you that I am sorry. I did not realize that the Mandalorian Wars would hurt others that had known me… and cared for me."

– Meetra Surik to Atris, KOTOR II

---

"Did you know?" Artemis said to me as we walked back to camp, "That the gods who descended to this realm are promised 10,000 years of romance."

"It's hard to imagine," I said, limited by my mortal lifespan.

"It really isn't," Artemis claimed, "It is an eternal love that ties the reincarnated lives of mortals and the immortal lives of the gods."

"There's a sad beauty to it," I said, "Because we forget about you, and you have to live with that."

"That's one way to look at it," Artemis said, her tone making it sound like I wasn't seeing the full picture. "It's true that even a few decades is like blinking to us. But it doesn't diminish the amount of love we have for those we choose to be ours. In fact, it just builds and builds. Our capacity for infinite power also lends to infinite hate… and infinite love."

"So…" I said, finally and personally, understanding a portion of a god's perspective, "there's nothing wrong with accepting the gods' love?"

"The suffering you are concerned about is minimal," Artemis told me, "We'll miss you terribly in the interim, but those times are like the blink of an eye. But I suppose it is hard to completely grasp, even with your unique perspective."

"...Is it bad I don't love Hestia the way she loves me?" I asked her.

I hadn't been blind to the fact that Hestia loved me with all of the Four Loves at once: Storge, Philia, Agape, and Eros.

I may like teasing Hestia and Lili on occasion, but I don't really feel that last Love for them. Getting horny and flustered at their feminine beauty is one thing, actually having a passionate, romantic relationship is another thing entirely.

I loved Hestia and Lili. I would lay my life down for them. They were both beautiful women. That didn't mean I felt like… engaging in that kind of intimacy with them.

I should probably refrain from teasing them as much… Syr is truly a bad influence on me.

"No," Artemis said, "it is clear from my conversations with her that Hestia adores you either way. Disappointment is inevitable, but I think she will still gain lots of happiness just being in your life, and yours in hers."

I shivered as a dark thought came to mind. I rubbed my right wrist anxiously, and said, "...I live a very dangerous life. And I will make many enemies…"

"You have a dagger made by Hephaestus herself, and a spear that belongs in Tenkai," Artemis pointed out, "Even though the spear will lose much of its power when the real Artemis returns to Tenkai, it is still a Divine Weapon. Just protect Hestia like you always intend to, and you'll be fine."

"...you make my concerns sound really stupid when you phrase it like that," I said, not even trying to argue about whether or not the real Artemis was going to go up to Tenkai tomorrow.

"Because they are, you stupid boy," Artemis chided me, without heat.

"Yeah, yeah…" I said as we finally returned to camp. "Sleep well, you man-hating harpy."

"Sleep so soundly you die you perverted playboy," Artemis quipped right back before the both of us laughed like old friends.

I swear I could hear Hermes scream in the distance, 'Teach me your ways, Bell-sensei-sama!'

Probably just my imagination. That said, I am reminded that I need to teach Hermes a lesson about perving on Lili…

Hermes is going to need a medic when I am through with him…

---

Everyone was up and battle ready before the sun even rose over the horizon the next morning. Visibility was low due to intense amounts of mist in the air – likely water that escaped from the decay of so many of the plants in the forest as they died.

We all ate a light breakfast before meeting in front of the main command tent.

Artemis' Ghost led the gathering. "As you already know, this ruin became a den of monsters. Antares is still concentrating its power, waiting. There is no doubt we'll face great difficulties before we achieve our goal. But never surrender! Never fear! Defeat is not an option!"

As expected from a Goddess with combat prowess, she has a way with words for riling up combatants' morale.

"Here is how this goes!" Artemis ordered, "The Hermes Familia will act as a decoy! Just lure as many monsters out as possible, and avoid any danger."

"Understood!" the Hermes Familia chorused as they accepted her orders.

The logic was sound. Based on reports of the ruins, it was swarming with monsters. Ryuu had mentioned there being hundreds of Black Scorpions infesting the place. This wouldn't be a cakewalk to Antares' location by any means.

The Hermes Familia's job was thus to lure them out so we might have an easier time making our way through the Ruins.

"Falgar!" Artemis called out a member of the Hermes Familia, the vice-captain who was of the weretiger race.

"Yes!" the man with light brown hair responded.

"You lead the cohort," Artemis delegated.

"Understood," he acknowledged.

"The rest of us will enter the ruin while the enemy's attention is drawn to the feint attack!" Artemis said, addressing all the non-Hermes Familia fighters and Asfi. "That's when we defeat Antares!"

Her final words were spent looking at me.

"We?" Asfi asked in confusion, likely noting the pronoun usage included Artemis herself.

"The gate cannot be opened without my Arcanum," Artemis declared, "And we can't spare the manpower to protect Hestia and Hermes in the rear. So it goes without saying that I'll be going too."

Asfi sighed, no doubt thinking this was the expedition to Floor 18 all over again, "Not again…"

Hermes just laughed as he gave her a headpatt, which caused all of Hermes Familia to laugh at a no doubt familiar running gag.

"Let's do this!" Falgar declared.

"We are expecting special rewards for this!" said the dark skinned, black haired clienthrope.

"We can be a bit stingy, you know that," said an elf with a hat similar to Hermes'.

"Us too!" Lili declared, money signs in her eyes.

"Geez now… Lil'Lili…" Welf said, embarrassed on Lili's behalf.

"We are entitled to ask!" Lili defended herself.

"She's right!" the clienthrope agreed, continuing the pre-battle banter. I think her name was Lulune?

"Adventurers certainly don't march on empty stomachs, I guess…" I said with a sheepish chuckle.

Artemis smiled as she let everyone laugh before saying, "Thank you, children. This battle will be rough. Some might even lose their lives… But we will be victorious. For the world we love!"

"YEAH!" Everyone roared out a war cry.

Which is precisely when an adventurer was sent flying over the entire group.

"Enemies!" Someone yelled out, "Hostiles have breached the perimeter!"

Indeed, the sounds of the Black Scorpions were hard to miss. A small hoard was attacking the camp!

"No way! A surprise attack!" Asfi said as everyone began drawing their weapons. I placed my hands on the hilts of Yin and Yang myself.

"Who cares," Falgar said, "We planned for this."

"That's right," Lulune said, "We just need to move our schedule up."

"Out of my way!" Falgar declared to the monsters as he charged forward to meet them, his Familia members right behind him.

Falgar cleanly cut a Black Scorpion's head down the middle, killing it, before calling back, "Asfi, go! You're needed elsewhere!"

Asfi nodded and silently began to run in the direction of the ruins.

I and the rest of the party followed her. The sounds of battle and death ringing out behind us. We had to trust that Hermes Familia could handle themselves while we completed our own task…

Good luck Hermes Familia, fight well!

---

The way to the ruins was clear. Thankfully, Antares and the Black Scorpions weren't smart enough to hold any of their forces in reserve. So there were no monsters in our path. Of course, that meant a great number of Black Scorpions were assaulting the Hermes Familia. But I had the impression they were hardy fellows, so I held hope they could handle themselves against the onslaught.

We quickly reached the area surrounding the ruins. The structure itself was in the center of what seemed to be a caldera - the remnants of a volcano that died over a thousand years ago. Below the walls surrounding the structure was a lake of acid or poison or something. There was only a single bridge in order to cross into the structure.

"...why is it always acid?" Lefiya moaned in displeasure at the sight.

"You're telling me," I quipped back in agreement. Being inside the Venethes had hardly been a fun experience.

We quickly ran across the bridge, not looking at the lack of guard-rails.

"I didn't know there was a ruin like this…" Lili said, referring to the type of architecture, as we entered the other side of the walls and finally got a good look at the structure.

"So huge…" Welf commented, admiring the craftsmanship.

"An ancient ruin forgotten by history…" Ryuu said solemnly.

"It's quiet," I said, commenting on the lack of enemies.

"Don't let your guard down," Asfi advised, "We might get jumped again."

"Let's go."

"Let's go."

Ryuu and I ended up speaking in unison. I'm not sure how Ryuu had reacted, since she was ahead of me, but I know I was certainly blushing lightly at the coincidence.

"Oho~" Artemis made an amused sound.

"Shut it," I growled good-naturedly. Artemis just giggled at my expense.

Without much more fanfare, we entered the structure and quickly made our descent. The stone walls were stacked like bricks, with blue luminescent light shining through some of the cracks.

"What's this light?" I wondered aloud. Some kind of bio-luminescent moss perhaps? How convenient.

"It's the light of the seal," Artemis answered, "activated by my kindred spirits. You can even say they are my oldest children."

"That far back, huh…" I said, understanding this was some spirit arts magic that only someone like Ryuu might understand.

We soon found ourselves before a large stone-like door with Artemis' sigil of a crescent moon about to be struck by an arrow within a square about chest height.

"We are here," Ryuu told us, "This is the sealed gate I mentioned."

"Here goes nothing," Welf said, as if about to force the gate open where First Class Adventurers had failed to do the same. Or, more reasonably, he assumed there would be enemies or Antares itself right on the other side as was getting into a battle stance.

"Antares is just behind this gate…" Lili said with apprehension.

"I'm ready!" Lefiya said, holding her staff, ready to start chanting.

Artemis stepped forward to the door, putting her hand to her sigil. That was when it happened.

The Ghost of Artemis unleashed the might of her Arcanum. It was something I had yet to experience before. For an instant, I had to resist the urge to fall to the ground before Singularity must have fought off the urge.

One cannot continue on living as if everything was normal once you witness Arcanum. It was a fundamental shift. Words do little justice to convey the sheer power and majesty that Artemis' Ghost was giving off. It clicked then what it really meant for Artemis and the others to be of the divine.

Sure, Hestia and Hermes and the other gods had a pressure to them, but this was something entirely different.

Now? After directly seeing the power of Arcanum, I got a front row seat to the power of the Divine. And I felt extremely small. Suddenly facing Apollo, Soma, Ishtar, and Ikelos was a bit more daunting. That challenging gods and goddesses was a fool's errand.

I pushed aside such fears. They had no place here. I would not yield in the face of injustice anymore, Ryuu had taught me that.

Artemis continued to glow with power, her hair blowing in a nonexistent breeze from the force of her presence. Something in the door shifted, and it began to open.

Artemis gasped in horror at the sight on the other side of the door. I held back the urge to start getting nauseous.

The room ahead was completely covered in flesh from the ceiling to the walls to the floor. Pods hung from the ceiling and part of the walls from the veiny fleshy masses. There was about one pod every square meter on those surfaces. It was an eldritch sight that my brain couldn't help but compare to the Flood from Halo.

Thank the heavens that particular Horror isn't in this universe. And hopefully I didn't jinx myself just now…

We slowly stepped into the room, the only place free of flesh was the floor. The chamber was something like 6 meters across and about 20 meters from the ceiling to the ground. We couldn't see the end of the tunnel from our position.

"Wh-what's this…" Lili asked in horrified disgust.

"It's infesting the temple," Ryuu observed factually.

Lefiya moaned, "Not again…"

Sorry Lefiya! The universe must want you to develop a vore fetish or something.

That's a bad joke, sorry.

"I-It really is…" Artemis gasped out in realization, as if shocked that my 'vision' of the state of the ruins was actually accurate.

"It's worse than we expected," Hermes said darkly.

The disgusting sound of flesh rapidly moving and forming erupted behind us. I snapped my head and watched as flesh rapidly bubbled forth and sealed us with the 'belly' of the beast.

"The exit!" Asfi said, also noticing the event at the same time.

A snapping sound emerged from deeper in the chamber, I snapped around again, seeing the pods start to open up, spitting out more Black Scorpions covered in… fluids.

"Are those…" Ryuu said, no doubt having already deduced the nature of the pods.

"They're all eggs!" I declared, "Lefiya! Start chanting!"

"R-right!" Lefiya said, a red magic circle appeared underneath her as she began to sing, "The flame will soon be released. Creeping war, unavoidable destruction."

About ten or so Black Scorpions landed on the ground in front of us.

"Advance!" I called out, verbally stating something we all silently agreed on, "Don't let them overrun us! Firebolt!"

I quickly chanted, aiming for a pod on a nearby wall that was about to spawn another monster, destroying it and its progeny in one shot.

"The horn of battle sounds aloud, the cruelty of conflict will envelop all."

We started to move at a speed between jogging and running as we started pushing forward. Another 30 or so Black Scorpions had already spawned within those 4 or so seconds.

Lefiya and I were currently at the rear, with Lili directly guarding the three deities, then with Welf, Asfi, and Ryuu at the front of the formation. Basically, we silently agreed that I would protect Lefiya as she casted while the rest were the vanguard that would pierce through the enemy lines.

A Black Scorpion almost landed directly on top of the gods, but was knocked off course by Lili's spear before Artemis stabbed it right through the Magic Stone.

I saw Welf and Ryuu slice through a few Scorpions before Asfi cried out, "Get back!"

Asfi threw some of her projectiles at the enemy. The two flasks broke and then exploded on impact into flame. But instead of burning or melting away, the monster just glowed red as power from somewhere flowed into it.

"Come, crimson flames…" Lefiya chanted before pausing in disbelief.

"That's not fair…" I uttered disbelief as I watched a monster tank Asfi's special weapons and morphed to adapt to it.

"It didn't break…!" I heard Welf call out in disbelief.

"No… my Burst Oil didn't work?" Asfi said in disbelief.

The Black Scorpion that was Asfi's target grew larger, about 3 meters across and 5 meters high. It easily had to have jumped in strength from Level 2 to 3 in a few moments.

"It's self-reproductive and self-evolving," Hermes noted gravely, "I see… Everything evolves faster in here."

Our march was halted as a swarm of Black Scorpions gathered around the new mini-boss. Another 15 or so Black Scorpions also spawned to join the fun.

"Lefiya!" I said, drawing Orion's Arrow just in case.

Lefiya was startled, but quickly continued casting, "...the ruthless inferno. You are the avatar of hellfire."

"Firebolt!" I chanted, launching another three bolts into the ceiling above us, preventing more Scorpions from dropping on us.

"In the sky of a now distant forest. Infinite stars scattered in the endless night sky. Respond to my foolish voice, give me now divine protection of starfire," Ryuu sang with great speed as she ran forward towards the army before us, leaping into the air with great strength and ease of movement.

"Give the mercy of light to the one that abandoned you. Come, wandering wind, the wandering traveler. Cross the sky and run through the wilderness, run faster than anything else. Imbue the light of stardust and destroy the enemy! Luminous Wind!" Ryuu finished her chant high in the air, a powerful bombardment of wind and starlight was sent down the chamber, annihilating everything in its path. There had to easily be a hundred orbs that were half the size of human hamster balls.

When the attack finished we quickly looked over Ryuu's handiwork. Or tried to, as there was a large cloud of smoke blocking the view.

"Did she do it?" Welf asked. Even Lefiya had paused her chant again, which I nudged her to continue.

She looked at me weird but slowly chanted, "Sweep completely…"

About half of the pods and all the enemies in front of us had been destroyed. But another wave of 20 Black Scorpions had freshly spawned to replenish their numbers.

Lefiya must have realized what I was getting at, because she picked up the pace, "bring a close to the great war. Burn them through, Sword of Surtr - my name is Alf. Rea Laevateinn!"

Lefiya's magic circle had suddenly grown, encompassing up and down the hallway. Then, pillars of fire erupted from the ground into the ceiling. Since many Black Scorpions were still below their pods (which had closed to start creating a new Scorpion), it resulted in a double whammy as Lefiya took out Scorpions and Spawn Pods with the same pillar.

To add insult to injury, the pillars then exploded, effectively destroying nearby pods that hadn't been directly hit but weren't far enough away to be safe.

As the dust settled, barely 10% of the pods within sight remained.

That is… within sight. We still had quite a ways to travel still. And the pods were already reforming…

I didn't need to say anything for our group to recognize the opportunity and to continue on post haste.

Our charge into the pits of the beast continued.

---

Other POV

Eina paused as her precious coffee mug suddenly cracked as she went to go grab it. She was instantly on edge. She wasn't a superstitious person, but she was aware of how such a thing was considered a bad omen. She normally wrote such sentiments off as foolishness, but suddenly she couldn't find the same strength now.

"What is it?" Rose asked as she came over with more paperwork, "You don't look too happy."

"Look…" Eina said to her co-worker.

"Cracked, huh?" Rose noticed the mug with a 'man, that sucks' kind of tone.

"This was my favorite…" Eina lamented the fate of her emerald green coffee mug. Bell had given it to her as a gift for his one month anniversary of 'not dying in the Dungeon'. To which he corrected as the 'One Month Anniversary of her being his Advisor' after she beat him over the head.

'They matched your eyes!' he said to her with a sheepish grin and a red mark on his forehead.

"So…" Rose said, clearly looking for gossip, "I haven't seen your Favorite for a while. Do you know what he's up to?"

Rose was referring to Bell Cranel, who had been gossiped as being Eina's secret lover or similar behind her back. There was even a betting racket on when she'd admit her feelings or if the Rabbit would strike first.

It was a break off from the pool on how long Bell Cranel Would Or Would Not Die, to which Rose had already lost any chance of getting her money back from that bet – having bet that Bell would die within his first week of adventuring.

Eina quickly found herself making an uncomfortable expression. She was still shaken on how Bell and his party had gotten into serious trouble in the Dungeon the other day. And now… "I know. He took a quest from the Hermes Familia. He's outside of Orario, now."

"Is that so?" Rose said, before realizing, "But isn't there an order to stop adventurers from leaving Orario?"

"Yeah…" Eina said sadly, "To my knowledge, the order went into effect minutes after he had left the city."

'He's alright… isn't he?' Eina wondered to herself. Unknowingly proving Bell right that his actions alone would stress her out.

"Uwah…" Rose said, suddenly fearing that she was about to lose even more money from a certain bet she made. 'She clearly hasn't noticed her crush yet…'

Elves, no matter their so-called 'racial purity', were idiots in Rose's opinion.

"Hey, look at that," an adventurer loudly pointed out the window.

"Isn't that weird?" Another said.

"How the…? Creepy," commented another.

"What is that about?" Rose said, moving away to go take a look herself.

Eina silently followed, also curious.

"Things were normal yesterday," someone said as Eina left the Guild building.

"That's totally weird," another bystander said.

"It's even curved in the wrong direction," another person noticed perceptively.

Eina's eyes widened as she saw it, "...What is that?"

"What's happening?" Rose asked in worry and fear.

For high in the sky, there was a large crescent moon that was facing the opposite direction than it had the previous night. While it wasn't weird to see the moon in the early morning… it was close to noon now. It should be long gone. It was completely unnatural.

"Help!" a voice called out, growing louder as they ran toward the Guild.

It was Mord and a few of his comrades.

Eina and Rose went out to meet the adventurers.

"What happened to you?" Eina asked them, "Why are you in such a rush?"

Mord put his hands on his knees as he panted for breathe for a moment, "Back… up…"

"Eh?" Eina asked, not completely understanding.

Mord grabbed her shoulders hysterically as he said, "We need backup!"

Eina eeped as Mord continued to rant, "Gather adventurers! Not just any adventurers, but First Class Adventurers!"

"C-calm down! What happened to you?" Eina said, being professional enough to continue trying to get to the bottom of things.

"We can't handle them anymore…" Mord explained, "The monsters… the monsters in the Dungeon have gone berserk! Everywhere! It's insane! We gotta do something now, or something terrible is going to happen!"

Eina could feel herself pale. Ouranos' prayers were supposed to keep the Dungeon at bay. But it sounded like the Dungeon was making a play to break the Seal of Babel!

"Phoebus Apollo can't hold the hoard off forever!" Mord continued to say, "Please send out the alert!"

Mord was well within reason to have lost his cool. For it wasn't just any old monster stampede. Monsters from as deep as Floor 59 were as high up as Floor 20.

The Dungeon was attempting to breach Babel and unleash its endless hordes on the earth once more. The Doomsday Clock had ticked ever closer to midnight!

"I understand," Eina said, forcibly calming herself down and getting to work. She turned back to the Guild building, getting ready to declare an emergency mission over the city's intercoms.

'Bell-kun… stay safe,' she wished him and everyone around her luck for what was to come.

---

Main POV

We continued our push through the inside of the temple. While I had lost track of time, I'd say it was at least an hour or two that we've been fighting.

We'd easily have slain over a thousand Black Scorpions in that hour (or multi hour) timeframe. Maybe a couple more thousand.

Thankfully these ruins were relatively isolated because these numbers of Level 2 monsters could have wiped out the average nation with ease.

That said, a party consisting of a Level 5, two Level 4s (Lefiya's magic was noticeably stronger, she had to have risen a level), and a Level 3 with stats of a Level 4? It was mainly a tense grind for us. The Black Scorpions were strong, but they weren't particularly fast, so it was easy to strike their weak point and kill them in a single blow.

But we had to push ourselves forward at an accelerated pace. Because we were racing against the clock.

After we noticed that pods starting to regenerate themselves, we quickly decided that our strategy of destroying the pods simply wasn't going to be tenable. The sheer amount of spawning pods and their rate of regeneration were simply too great. In fact, the regeneration was getting faster as time moved on.

If we kept on using the initial strategy, we would inevitably get overrun. Just like a match of Call of Duty Zombies.

So the formation shifted to have Welf fall back to help protect the center. Ryuu and Asfi blasted through with their magic and items respectively. Lefiya rained down her powerful AOE Battle Magic from the rear – taking great advantage of her ability to perform Concurrent Chanting. Meanwhile, I protected Lefiya and our flanks from enemies trying to attack from the rear – mostly through the use of Firebolt or close quarters with Orion's Arrow if they got too close.

Speaking of which, we were currently running on a suspended pathway as about 12 Black Scorpions were in pursuit.

I briefly stopped and turned around, channeling large amounts of Mind as I chanted, "Firebolt!"

A large bolt of magic erupted from my outstretched hand, the overcharged spell's flames extending to cover the entire pathway which was wide enough to fit our entire party shoulder to shoulder.

My Magic stat, which was likely equivalent to an average Level 4's at this point, easily overpowered the Level 2 Black Scorpions – burning them to a crisp as they collapsed dead.

The Mind I had spent… was almost immediately regenerated. With all the souls being absorbed by Accretion Disk my Excelia gains and Mind Regeneration grew and grew.

While I was certainly burning through soul energy as I fought, the sheer amount of Level 2 enemies easily netted me more energy than I spent.

The only main question that remained was how fast it would drain away when I stopped fighting and stopped slaying monsters. Well, and how the gaining and use of 'energy' affected the amount of energy I needed in the future. But that was for another time.

Lili quickly ran back to me, offering me a Mind Restoring elixir provided by the Hermes Familia. To her confusion I waved it away. My Mind levels were almost tapped up already.

That said, even in these few moments I was able to notice the slight decrease in my Mind Regeneration rate. Interesting…

Anyway, both Ryuu and Lefiya had topped themselves off with similar potions at least once or twice before now.

The end of the path we were on led to a stairway going upwards. Despite initially going down, our path inevitably was bringing us to the highest point in the structure by my guess.

Artemis' Ghost looked to be in extreme pain, clutching her chest in the vain hope it would ease her suffering. We must be close to Antares.

As if to prove I was right, a large wail could be heard coming from the stairway before it reverberated in the large chamber we were currently in.

"So this is…" Ryuu muttered.

"We are close…" Asfi finished, the two girls having come to a similar conclusion as our party briefly stopped at the base of the stairs.

"Artemis…" Hestia said softly in concern of her friend's suffering.

"I'm fine," Artemis insisted before turning to head up the stairway, all of us watching in disbelief as she said, "Let's keep on walking."

We silently followed, not willing to argue with Artemis' bold-faced lie on her condition.

I managed to catch Hestia's eyes. She was looking down, unfocused. I realized then that she had learned the truth of the current situation from the look of sorrow and grief in those blue orbs. The weight on my own shoulders increased at the sight.

All this suffering today was a result of my miscalculation and sloth…

We soon enough reached the top of the stairs, going through an archway into a large chamber with an open roof. The lack of ceiling allowed plenty of 'moonlight' into the chamber. But from this distance, it was unmistakable to see that the 'moon' above us was just a series of magic circles.

In the center of the chamber was a large-class monster. It had black and red armor with the lower body like that of a scorpion and the upper body that was somewhat humanoid yet with three arm-like appendages with pincers. The horns on the massive tail also looked like they had joints they could move on.

The monster was giving off an oppressive and malevolent aura – so much so that my instincts were screaming at me that I was facing the literal Devil. If I wasn't still relatively fresh from feeling Artemis' divinity up close, I think this malevolent presence might have stunned me completely.

With the atmosphere the way it was, my intuition wasn't giving me an approximation of the monster's strength. Just that it was obviously Antares. I assumed that without Arcanum at it's disposal, that Antares was a Level 5 or Level 6 ranked monster based on its defensive armor and sheer strength.

Antares was currently connected to all of the flesh overtaking the temple by over 15 'pipes' of flesh. This was the manner in which Antares was supplying the entire temple with the power to generate more monsters.

Antares itself was on an isolated 'island' with a large chasm keeping it separated from the rest of the chamber. Effectively preventing melee attacks against it unless we were willing to cross via the flesh piping.

Corrupted purple energy could be seen wading off of Antares before floating upwards to the sky above.

Artemis fell to her knees in pain. Lefiya and I knelt down to her in concern. It was only then that I vaguely noticed that Lefiya was sweating, but I didn't pay much more attention than that.

"Artemis-sama!" I said, finding myself worried over her condition despite what she was.

"You must defeat it…" Artemis pleaded, "Please, Or… Please, Bell…"

Antares' chest, at that moment, chose to open in four like the spawning pods. The 'lids' had a few teeth, but were otherwise unremarkable in comparison to the fact that Antares was 'willingly' revealing its Magic Stone for all to see.

Of course, however, the sight of the Magic Stone caused the entire party to freeze in shock or despair. The actual body of Artemis could be seen, trapped and infused with Antares' Magic Stone.

"Is that…" Ryuu said in shock.

"No, that can't be…" Lili said in denial.

"How…" Welf said in disbelief.

"Is this even possible…!" Asfi said in horror.

"No…!" Lefiya gasped as her eyes teared up.

I frowned in frustration at the sight. The reminder of my ignorance and failure to act.

I made to reach for the Spear of Orion, but faltered as Antares roared with such power that it created a mild shockwave. A beam of corrupted power shot into the sky. We could only watch in horror as a moment later, another barrage of magical strikes fell upon Genkai.

Everyone dove for cover.

I used my arms to protect my head as a downpour of the blasts hit within the chamber, causing chunks of the walls and floors to collapse. I knew this as I felt the familiar sensation of falling as chunks of rocks hit me along the way.

Based on the screaming, it seemed that Lefiya had joined me for the ride. I hadn't much time to think about that fact before I hit the ground and bounced twice – just missing getting crushed by a falling boulder in the process.

A moment later, a feminine body landed on mine, cushioning the other person's fall.

"That's gonna be bruised in the morning…" I groaned as I opened my eyes and noticed that it was Artemis that I had involuntarily caught.

"Is that a… quip about my… weight…?" Artemis said snarkily between breaths as she got off of me.

"Someone needs to lay off the MoonPies…" I said jokingly as Artemis huffed before offering me a hand to get myself up.

"Progress," I said with a grin as I accepted the gesture and let Artemis pull me up.

She smacked my shoulder lightly, "Brute."

I just chuckled before quickly scanning our environment. I instantly regretted it as I noticed at least eight corpses.

There was, perhaps ironically, not a single bit of flesh left on their bodies. All that remained of the former adventurers was bone, hair, clothing, and the remains of their weaponry. A tattered blue flag of the Artemis Familia also lay on the ground.

"They… they are…" I said slowly in realization.

"...My children," Artemis confirmed, standing beside me as she too looked at the battleground, "As you know, all I could do was watch… watch the monster that has consumed me, murder my children… I may as well have murdered them with my own hands…"

As if speaking to the souls of her children, Artemis said with a sad smile, "...I'm back."

"You cannot be blamed for Antares doing something it was going to do anyway," I said, pointing out that Artemis' blame for herself was irrational.

"Like you will continue to blame yourself for my situation?" Artemis shot back at me, "Bell. Not once have I asked for you to save me."

"!" I stiffened in shock at Artemis' words, a perverse revelation showing itself as Artemis gave one last attempt to sway me from my path.

"She sent me, her Ghost, to Orario to find someone to save the world, not myself," Artemis declared, "There is no need, nor a point, for a hero to save me."

Artemis' words were twisting things to say that she didn't want to be saved, like the suicidal man at the beginning of the Incredibles movie. It was an argument that my logical side couldn't help but acknowledge the legitimacy of.

But I still couldn't completely accept it. I remember distinctly that Haruhime initially rejected Bell's offer to save her because she feared the consequences that decision would inflict on Bell – not herself. Artemis' argument was essentially the same, but on a different scale.

"Seriously…" Artemis sighed, her connection to me through the spear instantly allowing her to realize her argument had failed to sway me from trying.

"I don't understand? You know it won't work," Artemis said in exasperation, "You would seriously doom the world to maintain your ideals?"

"Someone once said that someone that manages to fulfill their ideals is a real hero," I said, paraphrasing the words of a certain red-head that Ryuu loved with all her heart.

"Then what are you supposed to be!" Artemis growled, "Because you know that the path ahead only lies in failure! Even now, we are running out of time to prevent disaster!"

I winced, because Artemis was right, I knew that nothing I could do would prevent her demise. But I also refused to compromise on my promise to save Artemis…

Artemis' eyes widened in realization, an idea coming to her mind. She then said, "Fine! Let's compromise!"

"Compromise?" I said in confusion, was she in the bargaining stage of grief or something?

"I'll return to the spear," Artemis said, "If I'm not forced to use my personal Arcanum like in your vision, I'll remain and the spear will not return with the rest of me to Tenkai. Through the spear, I will continue to experience Tenkai, at least in some manner. All of those experiences will return to my main half when everything is said and done. Everyone wins."

I froze momentarily as the idea ran through my head.

"Please Bell," Artemis pleaded one last time, "If you really want to save me. Set my other half free. Let her go. You're my only hope. Promise me… promise me that you will save me! I… I really don't want to go! Artemis and I are scared and hurt! If I truly am more than just a weapon to you, then please save me!"

I gulped. The idea of having to strike Artemis down filled me with horror and disgust. She was a prickly woman, but she didn't deserve this fate. But… if this was what she wanted… If Artemis thought it was fair for her ghost to continue to roam the Earth in her stead…

"I promise," I said, feeling sick to my stomach.

Artemis smiled gratefully, easing the anguish in my heart for what I was about to do. "You're such an idiot," Artemis said to me, "I almost wish it was that elf that was Iphigenia. She wouldn't have resisted me as much. Not like a dumb stubborn man like yourself."

"Yeah, well, it certainly would have been easier if you managed to keep up that whole Tsundere act without any of the dere," I said with mock spite as I called her out, "If you really wanted me to kill you, you could have done a better job at making me hate your guts."

"And make you unable to wield Orion's Arrow in the first place?" Artemis scoffed, "I dislike men, but I'm not an idiot."

"True…" I acknowledged, watching sadly as Artemis had turned transparent as she spoke. Her energy retreating back into the spear from which it came.

"That said," Artemis continued to speak, her feet having faded away, "as far as men go, you are actually decent."

"That… that fills me with confidence…" I choked out, suddenly overcome with a sense of grief and loss.

Artemis' legs were completely gone now. She continued to smile solemnly, "As long as you stay true to yourself… if you continue to be worthy… Orion's Arrow and the power of Artemis will be with you."

I nodded in acknowledgement of Artemis' warning. That her spear was similar to Thor's Hammer in the MCU. Not that I cared much about that right now. Not when I felt shivers down my back for the sin I was about to commit.

Barely anything of Artemis' Ghost remained as she whispered, "Thank you… pervert…"

I gave a choked laugh as Artemis faded away completely into energy — retreating to the spear from which it came. Despite the fact she was technically still with me… I felt alone, with a terrible burden weighing down on me.

I clenched Orion's Arrow in my free hand. I needed to fulfill my end of the promise. I needed to save Artemis. I needed to save her Remnant. I needed to save the world. It was at least partially my fault that things had gotten to this point, so it's up to me to fix it.

My sloth, my inability to warn Artemis Familia and the other Familias slain by Antares… those sins lay on my shoulders. The fact that Antares had gotten this close to destroying the world is my fault. The least I could do… is make everything right again. The past cannot be changed. There is only the present and… the future.

If Antares isn't stopped, the best case scenario is that the lid covering the Dungeon is destroyed and the world will once again enter an age of chaos. The worst case is that the planet will literally be cracked, resulting in devastation greater than what caused the dinosaurs to go extinct.

The sounds of chimes and bells began to ring.

Part of me wondered what on Genkai qualified myself to think of what I was about to do as heroic. I was effectively going to sacrifice the One for the World. Sure, it was the Greater Good, but so many tragedies were done in the name of that ideal. The Common Good is the impossible ideal that a real hero is supposed to strive for.

The ground shook as Antares fell into the chamber ahead of me. Antares let out a mighty roar as it gave off the presence of an evil deity.

Bells continued to ring out to my shame.

Then again, it's been said that to be a hero is to be a hypocrite. I'm not so idealistic to be ignorant of the fact that sometimes my best just isn't going to be enough. I can't save everyone. Can I really be blamed for trying? For wanting to try? For feeling guilty for failing? Even if I had every reason to believe that things wouldn't turn out this way? Or was I just trying to shift blame? To try and shift responsibility to someone else?

I wasn't like that. Refused to be like that. With Great Power Comes Great Responsibility. I have no choice but to live with the consequences of my failure here. Perhaps if I had been bolder in the past, this terrible present could have been avoided.

If only I was stronger.

Chimes rang out a sorrowful chorus, as if mourning what was about to happen. The sound built and built on top of itself, as if singing a hymn to reach the heavens.

Evil would soon be done to avoid an even greater Evil. This thought gave me no solace.

---

Other POV

Freya sat in her chambers at the top of Babel Tower – it had been some time since she had been here for this long, but the circumstances demanded it. Not long ago, she sent away Ottar to help with the city's defense from the rampaging horde of monsters from the Dungeon.

It was simple to deduce the cause of the Dungeon's distress. The Dungeon was trying to stop whatever was allowing for Artemis' Arcanum to be pointed at the Lower World.

Of course, Freya and the rest of the city couldn't allow the Dungeon to have its way. A horde of monsters raging out of Babel and onto the surface was unacceptable.

Freya had to hold back the urge to laugh as Loki had urged action to stop whatever force was threatening the Lower World with Arcanum. It was simple enough for Freya to know that the situation was already being handled. She heard from Bell when he stopped by the Hostess that he was leaving town to 'find Ryuu and save the world' with Hermes.

With how deep Hermes was in with Ouranos, it was simple to put that information alongside that of other publicly available information like that Artemis herself was recently in the city and was seen with Bell as well. In other words, a hero was already on task to solve matters at the source.

So Freya had nothing to fear. If anything, this just served as another way to show the Guild and the city the value of Freya Familia's strength by having her members aid in the city's defense.

So she calmly drank another sip of her wine, completely confident that everything was taken care of.

---

Moments Before Bell Began to Charge Argonaut…

"Wait a second," Asfi said, making the group stop their efforts to link back up with Bell and Artemis. The previous conversation about Artemis' nature and that of the spear finally culminating in a revelation that no one knew besides the Gods, Goddesses, and Bell. Not that any of those present knew that Bell knew.

"Asfi…" Hermes said, noticing the anguish in Asfi's voice.

"So what you're saying is, the future of this world is in Bell Cranel's hands alone?" She asked, already knowing the answer.

Hermes and Hestia both looked down in sorrow, the former saying, "We have no choice."

Asfi lunged forward, grabbing Hermes' collar with both hands, "B-But! But are we going to force him to shoulder the sin of killing a goddess?! He's only a boy!"

Killing a deity was a beyond taboo action within the culture of the world and Orario. It was an act that brought about immediate shame and hostility no matter the moral alignment of the deity in question – particularly if it is well known who committed the act in question. Not only that, but there were also selfish misconceptions like that your soul would be tortured in heaven by the displeased deity in question on your passing.

Even Ryuu, in her anger and rage and desire for vengeance, never killed any of the gods part of Evilus. She really wanted to but never actually crossed that line.

A lesser consequence of this, was the fact that Bell wouldn't be able to receive any recognition for potentially saving the world because of the means required to do so. Being the one to 'kill' a goddess was just that much of a negative, no matter the reasoning for the decision.

"No…" Hermes denied, his mouth quivering slightly, "This isn't about that… This isn't what this story is about."

Ryuu looked down, deep in thought. For her feelings for the white haired boy… were not something that Ryuu wanted to embrace. No, that wasn't true. She just didn't know what to do with them. His words to her in the Dungeon. His actions. That kiss…

Ryuu never would have wished for such a burden to be on Bell's shoulders. Of having to kill a Goddess. She knew that he would suffer, because she knew the choice he would make. But Ryuu didn't think he would be burdened by regret for making his decision. Because with great power comes great responsibility. Just that Bell would hate himself for having to make that choice – because Bell was not someone who wanted to kill another. But he surely knew that there was simply no other way.

Bell will likely consider this expedition a failure. Blame himself for not being strong or fast enough. Ryuu understands these feelings all too well. They are the same things she felt as the Juggernaut slew all those she loved and cared for.

Which is why Ryuu knows that he will need someone to help remind him of hope. Hope for the future. Like how he reignited the flames of hope within her.

Ryuu wasn't entirely sure what to do with her feelings for the white-haired rabbit. To act on them still felt like a betrayal. Not only to Syr, but to Alise and all those who died from her sins.

But Ryuu knew one thing. That she was going to support him, like how she tried to support Alise. Because if heroes were there to protect the world, then she would be the one protecting the heroes.

So when she heard the ringing of bells in the distance, she didn't hesitate from running in the direction they came from. Ignoring the sound of the others now behind her, she charged forward.

She quickly found Antares on one end of a large chamber, the large-class monster was staring down the other end of the chamber where the sound of bells and chimes were coming from.

Bell is charging his ultimate attack out in the open! Ryuu realized. Bell was vulnerable to attack!

Ryuu jumped off from her elevated position, and began to sing, "Astraea Record!"

Upon saying those words, Ryuu's mind flared as a matrix of starlight formed a sphere around her mid-air. She landed on the ground and bounded over to Bell's location.

Ryuu continued to sing, "The mission is fulfilled and the balance is restored. The Fortress of Order, the Crown of Integrity, the Torch of Evil. In the name of the Goddess, the footprints of the stars are spelled out on this Earth as if they were shooting through the sky! Justice Comes Around!"

Ryuu landed in front of Bell, just in time for her Star Sanctuary to block an attack from Antares' mighty claw. The starlight lattice nearly shattered, but Ryuu's magic just barely held out thanks to the false-moon being enough to activate Fairy Serenade.

Ryuu realized she had little time, and so then began the quickest second chant that Astraea Record gave her access to.

Ryuu sang, "Agaris Alvesynth!"

Ryuu thus summoned Alise's fire enchantment magic, her legs, hands, and Alf's Lumina being covered in red-hot flames. At the same time, the Star Sanctuary faded and retreated back into her body.

Boosted by the flame, Ryuu swapped away the follow up attack by Anatares' other claw. Her entire body shuddered as the force of Antares' sheer strength bore her feet into the ground by several centimeters and the surrounding rock cracked under the pressure.

Ryuu winced from the pain, managing to glance back at Bell. His eyes were unseeing, or rather they were unflinchingly looking at Antares or past the beast. She wouldn't be surprised if he hadn't even noticed her.

He was crying, yet he was resolute. It was painful and inspiring to see at the same time.

Ryuu quickly looked back at Antares. Just in time to feel a magical release happen nearby.

"Arcs Ray!" Lefiya finished her own chant, the light of her magic shot curving as she ran over to Ryuu and Bell's position. Her magical arrow struck Antares in its face, the slow beast being unable to dodge the spell even if it was not one that could track it.

"I'll cover him!" Lefiya called out, having deduced that Bell needed to be protected and couldn't move from Ryuu's own actions, "GO!"

Lefiya tossed a bunch of metal dice in front of her as she flourished her staff in a more defensive posture.

Antares roared, the magical attack doing little more than superficial damage.

Ryuu nodded to Lefiya, moving to engage Antares, watching as Asfi flew by Antares for a bombing run. The large monster roared in pain and frustration, but had otherwise taken the damage. It tried to take a swipe at Asfi as she flew, but it was simply too slow to hit her.

Meanwhile, back on top of the cliff, Lili and Welf were covering the rear. For while Hermes and Hestia were cautiously making their way down the safe way, the two of them had noticed sounds coming from behind them.

Indeed, Antares had managed to summon one last batch of Black Scorpions before detaching itself from the rest of the temple. And the first wave of those reinforcements were bearing down on the way they came from. The 'small' horde of monsters was likely trying to reinforce Antares since it could feel the threat that Orion's Arrow posed.

"I need a vacation from my vacation!" Welf said, tossing Lili a white dagger.

"A magic sword?" Lili recognized that much, gladly accepting the weapon.

"Use it only if we're fucked, because that only has one shot!" Welf declared.

Lili looked at Welf for a long second, then at the large cavern opening they came through to get to this cliff overlooking the rest of the chamber.

"...Shouldn't Lili just block the passageway? Is it powerful enough for that?" Lili asked.

"...There's a reason you're the strategist, okay. No need to make me sound stupid," Welf admitted after a moment, somehow able to banter under the circumstances.

Lili smirked, enjoying getting an easy 'win' against Welf conversationally, "Yes, yes…"

One detonation of lightning and collapsing of rock later, the chokepoint they had come in from had almost completely been blocked off.

"Figures…" Lili gruffed as the magic dagger dissolved in her hands.

"Oi, I much prefer a small hole over a larger one," Welf said, referring to how only a small number of Black Scorpions could enter through the opening at the top of the rubble.

"...Welf is a pervert," Lili deadpanned.

"WHY?!" Welf complained.

Meanwhile, Asfi, Ryuu, and Lefiya were much too busy fighting for their lives in varying degrees to be able to banter.

After leaving Lefiya, Ryuu flared her magic so the flames on her legs would also flare up and increase her acceleration. Because her control over this spell was poor, however, this also caused the flames on her weapon and arms to also increase. While not bad, per say, it was an inefficient waste of Mind.

All the same, Ryuu was able to bait Antares into firing its purple magic beam as far from Bell as possible. Antares, almost comically, could not aim it's head fast enough to match Ryuu's speed.

Asfi was all to glad to fly by and drop more bombs on the monster's head as a participation award,

Unfortunately, Antares' regeneration instantly negated the damage. And Asfi had been shocked as Antares managed to instantly reach out and grab her with one of its claws mid-air before harshly sending her into the ground.

Ryuu was quick to retaliate, leaping up and striking the joint of the limb that threw down the Hermes Familia Captain. At the same time she swung, she flared her Mind and the flames bloomed stronger to aid in the force of her attack.

Ryuu cleaved about halfway through the joint before determining the resistance was too great and kicked off of Antares' body.

Antares' other large claw had moved to strike Ryuu out of the air, but was pushed back as an Arcs Ray bolt struck and exploded against it.

The sounds of the Bells began to crescendo. Everyone instinctively knew that Bell was almost done with his preparations… As well as Antares.

"Harbinger of the end, the white snow. Blow with the wind before the twilight…" Lefiya could be heard singing.

Ryuu was hurting for magic power as she continued to burn through her reserves by maintaining Agaris Alvesynth. All the same, with Antares starting to ignore them in favor of charging an energy attack at Bell, Ryuu had no choice but to burn even brighter to accelerate herself to intercept.

So great was the force of the flames, that as soon as Ryuu leapt into the air towards Antares it would be accurate to say that she had achieved lift and was more flying than gliding through the air.

Meanwhile, Lefiya finished singing a song of ice and cold, "Closing light, the freezing land. Blizzard, the three severe winters - my name is Alf. Wynn Fimbulvetr!"

Thus, as Ryuu flew past Antares' guard she struck Antares' head to divert it's magic attack. Ryuu continued to fly by, thus avoiding the cold blizzard sent Antares' way by Lefiya.

Ice formed up around Antares, starting at its multiple legs, immobilizing it in place as Asfi had recovered and dropped one last salvo of bombs to distract and disorient the behemoth that just refused to take lasting damage.

Just in time for the tolling of the bells to reach their height, heralding the death about to come.

Antares was temporarily pinned, and it's reinforcements stalled by Lili and Welf in a melee atop the nearby cliff. All that was needed was an arrow in its heart.

A reluctant hero stepped forward.

–

Main POV

"I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me," I uttered under my breath, feeling no fear as I faced down the behemoth that was Antares as I finished charging Argonaut to the absolute limit.

Despite all of Antares' power, I didn't even need Singularity to remain calm anymore. Artemis and I were fighting together as one now. And I was going to end things in a single blow.

I certainly sensed the battle going on before me, but I couldn't really focus on the details – I was too focused doing everything I could to not fuck up the activation of Argonaut.

Still, without looking I gave Lefiya a thankful nod as she blasted Antares' stinger off with an overcharged Arcs Ray attack.

Antares' large claws were weighed down by ice, and it's legs were trapped. It would break out soon, but I wasn't going to give it time.

I stepped ever closer, doing everything possible to give myself a clear shot.

Antares' chest opened, revealing its Magic Stone and Artemis within as it began to charge up a blast of pure Arcanum, not those purple magic blasts like before.

'Fire your arrow, before mine can claim you…' I heard whispered in my ear.

Upon hearing that voice again… before I knew it I threw Orion's Arrow, screaming out a battle cry as I aimed right for Antares and his Arcane Circle.

The room erupted in white and blue light as the holy spear exploded with power. The back-blast from the spear's magic spell even affected me as I found myself flying backwards onto my back.

Antares released its Arcanum Beam, and the two attacks collided. A massive shockwave exploded, almost deafening me despite my vitality.

There was a secondary explosion followed by a monstrous death wail. Then the only sound was the falling of smoke and debris. It was only then that it became possible to actually see again.

There was a massive divot in the ground below the path the spear took. At the end of the small canyon, Antares was slumped limp on the ground, more of its flesh was missing than remaining. Still, despite the damage, it was clear that Antares was not dissolving into ash like a monster whose magic stone was destroyed.

Indeed, Artemis' prison was cracked severely — so much so that an errant wind might shatter it — but still was barely intact.

Slowly but surely, however, Antares' flesh was starting to regenerate. In perhaps thirty seconds, Antares would completely heal itself.

Part of me despaired. Because this moment was proof that Artemis had been right. That killing her was the only option. The rest of me was filled with solemn resolve to fulfill the promise I made to the ghost of a girl.

I picked myself up, drawing the Hestia Knife as I walked over to Antares' soon to be corpse. I idly noted how the body was twitching and slowly starting to regenerate quicker and quicker. As if desperate to stop me in time.

Nobody nearby said a word. Or moved a muscle. Which was good, as I might have attacked them for attempting to do this for me. No, I knew I would attack anyone who stopped me now, even Ryuu. This was my cross to bear, not hers.

After a short eternity, I stood before Artemis and her tomb. Despite her nakedness, my gaze never left her slumbering eyes. I wanted to look her in the eye while I did what I was about to do.

Larynx, spine, lungs, liver, subclavian artery, kidneys, heart. Of these killing points, I aimed for the last one. The hieroglyphs of the Hestia Knife glowed golden as the mythril absorbed Arcanum in the air unbiddenly.

I tapped my weapon against the magic stone, instantly shattering it. My watering eyes never left hers as I plunged my knife into her flesh.

Artemis' green eyes opened, full of relief, she choked out a dying whisper, "...Thank you."

FOR. WHAT.

The world exploded with divine light. I was blasted back by the shockwave as unlimited power erupted into a pillar that split the heavens. The pillar of Arcanum was so intense, it was like trying to stand in the face of primordial, absolute power. I'm sure the beam of light could be seen by everyone on the continent. Such was its power and intensity.

The world around me faded away as I became surrounded and engulfed by that divine power…

–

I opened my eyes, seeing an unrecognizable night sky. The constellations were not like from either world I knew of, with great purple nebulas making the canvas of the night sky incredibly beautiful. It was like viewing the universe from somewhere else in a distant galaxy.

There was a forest full of trees in the distance, but they appeared to be blue, oddly enough. I could tell that the 'plain' I was in was a perfect circle before the treeline. The air around me was speckled with floating specs of power like fireflies. Arcanum.

Looking below me, was a reflective surface so perfect that it was like I was lying down on nothing.

Artemis was standing before me, just wearing a simple white garment as she held the Arrow of Orion.

I slowly got to my feet, "Artemis…"

"I'm sure you don't need me to tell you," Artemis said, "That even the gods 'reincarnate' after death. Isn't it the polite thing to smile when sending off someone you care about? Won't you? For the time when we will meet again?"

I shuddered, "You don't know that…"

My soul was unusual. Merged? Bound? Who was to say what would happen when I die and attempt to enter the cycle of reincarnation. There is no guarantee that the 'me' standing here will ever see Artemis, Hestia, or anyone else after 'my' end.

"We will meet again," Artemis assured me.

"How do you know? How can you possibly know!?" I demanded, trying to hold back my guilt and sorrow.

"It's only a woman's intuition," Artemis said with a smile, "You think and feel too much. Honestly, feeling so much for me after such a short period of time… It's almost as if you enjoy tormenting yourself."

My voice shudders as I respond, "A-A hero's life… is sacrifice… I have the power to act… so I have a responsibility to do something… And instead I…"

Artemis smiled wistfully, "So you still feel guilt for failing to preemptively save me from my fate? How arrogant."

I scoffed at myself derisively, "Right?"

"That was sarcasm, you idiot," Artemis playfully scowled, "You are a living being. Making mistakes is normal. Your judgment for not acting is understandable. And you wouldn't have been able to do anything within the timeframe you had."

"So what, I'm supposed to forgive myself for killing you because I just wasn't good enough? Please!" I said mockingly.

Artemis shook her head, "Have you not asked Ryuu Lion to do the same? To let go of her pain and to forgive herself for making mistakes? Heroes really are hypocrites…"

I flinched, my eyes widening at the argument Artemis had made. How could she spill such bullshit to her killer? Why didn't she hate me for letting these events play out as they have? I don't understand. I just… don't understand…

"Honestly, this is why I hate men. So out of touch with their feelings," Artemis said, almost jokingly, "You don't have to forgive yourself immediately. But… I do forgive you."

"Why?!" I demanded.

"With how earnest you were in wanting to save me despite knowing you couldn't…" Artemis said shyly, "Even my 'anti-romance' heart could be swayed. So… please. If you can't forgive yourself, then maybe you will accept punishment for your 'failings'?"

That… was something I wouldn't mind. Punishment. Admonition. Being called to fix and right wrongs – Justice.

Artemis understood me all too well.

So she said, "Your punishment is thus… keep on saving them."

I looked at her in confusion.

"Everyone believes in you," Artemis said to me in explanation, "So even if you lose faith in yourself… keep on fighting. Lie to yourself if you must. You cannot allow yourself to fail again, can you? Keep on being the hero you promised to be. Only then will I be satisfied when you stumble and fall. Because at least you are trying now, right?"

My eyes widened.

In the time Before, I had so much time but I didn't change anything. Couldn't change anything. Money and power were things I didn't have. I was helpless as society remained corrupt and broken. And I was sick of myself with being unable to motivate myself to even try – satisfied that at least I knew that it was wrong.

But in this world, I actually had power. And I had been trying, each and every day. Because I didn't want to make the same mistakes. Because I wanted to do the right thing. Because I wanted to be true to myself and to the people that inspired me.

And, if Artemis was right, than my feelings really had reached others. People believed that I could lead them to a brighter future. Was I to let them down? It truly would be a sin to have gotten people's hopes up only to then give up.

I couldn't just abandon the path of a hero. Artemis demanded that I keep walking it until the world no longer needed a hero or until the day I died. Whichever came first.

And the world will always need heroes. The Last Hero who will defeat the One Eyed Black Dragon will only usher in a new era for mankind. It just might not be one that would be written as a fairy tale anymore.

I smiled solemnly, "...I accept… So… when will I see you again?"

"Me in the Spear? No, you mean Me. Who knows?" Artemis said, her expression glad, "Maybe 100 years, or 1000 years from now on. It could even take 10,000 years."

"I'll forget you," I said as she walked right in front of me.

"I'll never forget you," Artemis promised, taking my hand in hers, "I know I'll see you again… And I'll ask you, 'What's your favorite color?'"

I scoffed, holding back a sob as I knew it was about time to say goodbye.

Artemis' eyes began to water, as she placed Orion's Arrow into my other hand before stepping back a few paces. "As long as you have this, a ghost of me will always be with you… But, until then…"

"Goodbye…" I said, unable to stop the tears from leaving my eyes as everything faded away into nothing…

–

Other POV

Ryuu watched silently as Bell knelt before the dissolving remains of Antares' magic stone.

Ryuu knew that Bell had already endured loss. He never got to know his parents, or his Aunt. His 'Gramps' had died not too long ago. But Ryuu could tell that this was a new kind of loss for him.

Bell had now experienced the loss of someone that he not only wanted to protect… but someone he had gotten close to, despite their differences.

For she recognized those pain filled rubellite eyes. They were something she had seen in her own eyes (among other emotions) so many years ago.

"Oh… Kaguya…" Ryuu choked back a pang of lose, remembering the Far East girl she bickered with so many times, yet loved and cared for all the same.

I'm not strong enough. Ryuu thought this to herself. She promised to protect him so he could protect the world. He protected the world, but she couldn't save him from experiencing this pain.

For all the power she had acquired, she felt just as useless as five years ago.

Never Again.

Ryuu would need to find a way to up her training difficulty. For she knew that despite Bell's pain, this wasn't the end of his journey. And thus, there was more trouble ahead for their future.

And she intended on being there for it. Beside him. Because justice comes around.

–

Finn looked at the night sky of Orario in contentment. The majority of the Loki Familia had just returned to the surface after the horde of monsters had been subjugated thanks in part to Ottar of Freya Familia and Hyakinthos Clio of Apollo Familia.

The latter of which had been among the first to notice the disturbance in the Dungeon. Phoebus Apollo fought against the horde until he literally couldn't stand anymore. Needless to say, but the Apollo Familia was going to end up getting much of the limelight for the entire incident. Loki and Freya Familias' interference was just too 'expected' of them.

Still, it would add to Finn's legend, if only slightly.

He just wished that Ais and Lefiya weren't missing. Their help would have been very useful. Oh well.

–

Lefiya hadn't learned the full story until about ten minutes ago. Despite this, she knew enough to know that the damage that Bell had done should have been enough to kill any other monster.

The fact that Antares had not started to dissolve after Bell threw Orion's Arrow… it shouldn't have been possible. While destroying the magic stone was a guaranteed kill, monsters were living things that were usually killed more conventionally. After all, it's the magic stones that make adventurers money – not counting the drops.

Which meant the words that Hermes-sama had said were true. There was only one way to end things. The ultimate attack was still shining high in the sky despite Antares' condition.

Lefiya couldn't move. She just watched, unable to turn away as Bell Cranel did what had to be done.

He… looked so strong.

And so sad.

"I… want… to get stronger…" Lefiya uttered to herself. She had spent time before this trip and during to try and increase her magic cast times. She wanted to try and copy the Demi-Spirit from Floor 59 who could cast massive battlefield destroying spells at incredible speeds.

She had certainly gotten a lot of practice during the running battle to this location, and again just moments ago. But it wasn't enough. She needed more power. To cast even faster.

Those were the feelings she had, desperately wanting to catch up to the rival she couldn't help but trust and admire.

–

Ais, who was about to eat a fried potato snack while she was skinny dipping in the country-side town's hot spring, sneezed before she could make a bite.

The golden-haired beauty tilted her head in confusion, "...is someone talking about me?"

Ais went back to eating her delicious snack. Her face softened into muted pleasure as she ate her favorite treat.

"So good…"

Hermes, who was paying the bill for her little vacation, was going to be a very sad god when he got the invoice.

But the real loser was probably Ais herself. For she was unaware of how she had been robbed of potential character development just because she really hates dragons. A pity.

–

Freya looked at the night sky with a knowing yet surprised look.

She knew that Bell would come through and 'save the day'. She was just surprised that the methods meant going so far as to send Artemis back to Tenkai.

Freya knew Bell well from seeing him in person on a daily basis. She knew that despite being able to see the pragmatic side of things, that he was a very idealistic person. She could imagine that circumstances forced him to go as far as he did. And that he would suffer for it.

Freya found herself wondering how she could help the young man… She wanted him to grow, sure, but seeing him in pain was something she didn't enjoy either…

Maybe she'd make him a really special dinner. The pathway to a man's heart lies through the stomach, and he is a growing boy!

Freya found herself brainstorming ideas for a new recipe, unknowingly creating a new horror to be unleashed on the world and Bell's taste buds…

At least her intentions were pure?

–

Main POV

I stood on the battlements of the walls leading out of the ruins. A term that was much more appropriate as much of the outermost structure had been reduced to rubble thanks to Antares' Arcanum-based attacks from the sky.

Orion's Arrow was strapped to my back as 'usual'. However, the magic gemstone that powered its unique magical attack was cracked.

Assuming it still worked, it would likely recharge at an incredibly diminished rate. Time would tell how long that recharge time would be. Not that I cared much right now.

I heard the familiar steps of Hestia behind me. It also helped that literally everyone else was on the pathway down below.

"I wanted to save her," I told Hestia, trying to find a way to apologize for killing her best friend from Tenkai. "Even though I promised to… I…"

"Bell-kun…" Hestia began to say, her voice sounding a little hoarse from having previously cried in private, walking over beside me as she said, "Maybe you can't forgive yourself. But… you actually did. You saved Artemis."

"It doesn't feel like it…" I protested weakly. Artemis… could say all those things to me, but it wouldn't be enough to stop me from feeling this crushing guilt.

"Just look around you," Hestia said, pointing to the surrounding wilderness. The sun conveniently breached the horizon, illuminating the world. The surrounding forest, which had been completely dead and rotting, had been restored to live from the 'radiation' of Artemis' Arcanum.

"Can you hear her?" Hestia said, the sounds of nature surrounding us, "She's thanking you."

I closed my eyes, listening to the chirping of birds, the buzzing of bugs, and the swaying of tree leaves in the wind. Artemis was a Goddess of the Hunt, and thus nature. This was what Artemis was willing to die for…

"Did she cry?" Hestia asked softly, like a mother asking her child if a cut hurt. "She was smiling wasn't she?"

A fresh wave of guilt and remorse washed over me. The sin of my murder and sloth washed over me irrationally. A regretful tear ran down my right eye, "Yes…!"

Hestia's arms reached around me then, hugging me from behind as she said, "You became her hero."

…yet I wasn't good enough to save her.

"Hestia…" I said, grabbing one of her hands in my own, "I want to go stronger!"

I'm never going to let this kind of tragedy happen ever again, I swear!

"Mmm," Hestia hummed in agreement, her silent support and implicit forgiveness was all I needed to try and move forward.

I don't think I would ever forgive myself for failing Artemis like I have. I certainly would never forget. This entire ordeal was a pyrrhic victory at best. But Artemis and Hestia were right. The only thing I could do now was focus on the future, instead of wallowing in regrets.

"...Let's go home," I said to Hestia.

"Yes!" Hestia said in agreement, not letting go of my hand as we turned to head towards the exit of this godforsaken tomb.

–

It went without saying, that despite everyone being tired from the recent battle, that everyone was glad to leave as soon as possible.

Everyone regrouped at the tattered remnants of the Hermes Familia Camp. The Hermes Familia, and the couple of Ganesha Familia handlers, had a rough time of it. Between getting swarmed by a small army of Black Scorpions and that orbital bombardment from Antares, they were incredibly lucky to have no fatalities.

That wasn't to say that no one was injured. I hadn't seen them personally, but I heard enough through the grapevine inside the camp that some of the injuries were rather gruesome.

So it was to no surprise that Ryuu broke away from us to help with the healing efforts. What was surprising was the concerned, longing look she shot my way before she departed.

Was my bad mood that obvious? Then again, Ryuu had been the one to find me bawling my eyes out in front of Antares' shattered Magic Stone before I passed out and had my final conversation with her…

I'm not sure I deserved Ryuu's compassion. It was feeling really hard to believe Artemis right now that there were people that believed in me. I mean, Inspiring Leader sure implied as such, but I was hardly in the mood to think positively.

In any case, the rest of our party assisted in packing up the rest of the Hermes Familia's gear. Everyone was courteous enough to not mention the fact that Artemis was missing.

I really wish they hadn't. My conscience might feel a little better if I was called out and confronted about my crime. On the other hand, I deserved to feel like I'm a failure right now, so maybe it's for the best.

I'm almost disgusted at the casual ease the other adventurers are at ignoring the fact that Artemis was dead before reminding myself that death hangs over the lives of adventurers like the Sword of Damocles. They weren't being malicious, it was just ordinary for them.

We spent a couple hours cleaning and packing up, only taking a short break for a simple breakfast provided by Hermes Familia. It was around then that Ryuu rejoined us – specifically by placing herself at my side.

"Welcome back," I said to her, unable to do much to hide my mental exhaustion from the tone of my voice, "What's their status?"

"Everyone will make a full recovery," Ryuu informed me and the rest of our party in earshot.

"That's great news!" Welf said enthusiastically. He, like all the others, had been giving me some space to… process things.

"Really?" Lili said in surprise, "But I heard that some of the fighters had broken bones, damaged organs, and more!"

"Let's just say the strength of my healing spell increased with my change in status," Ryuu admitted, but keeping the actual specifics to herself.

"Good for you, Ryuu!" I said, noticing how Ryuu's mouth twitched upwards in contentment as she talked about her improved healing ability. It was clear that Ryuu had developed a certain appreciation for the healing arts. If that was something that helped lift Ryuu's spirits, I was all for it.

(Of course, the irony of me and Ryuu being more alike than ever before because we were murderers flew right over my head.)

"...Thank you, Bell," Ryuu said to me after a moment, looking away briefly.

Lili pouted all of a sudden, "...Lili shouldn't be surprised of this one joining the competition."

…I'm not even going to react to that. I just can't.

"In any case, we should get going. The Ganesha Familia members have cleared our mounts for flight," Ryuu informed us.

There were a couple of members from the aforementioned Familia here with the Hermes Familia. They had been responsible for caring for the mounts the Hermes Familia had used, but they had been mostly more mundane animals.

"Coming back with us then?" I asked. Part of me was glad at the thought… while part of me wasn't. It was irrational, but part of me wanted to keep Ryuu at a distance since I had failed to be the hero I all but promised her I would be…

"Indeed," Ryuu confirmed before explaining, "The mount that was injured when you arrived is not fit to fly yet. Thankfully, the mount Asfi-san and I used is still in good condition."

"Will Asfi be coming with us then?" I asked.

"Indeed," Ryuu confirmed, "The rest of Hermes Familia will be traveling back as they came here by wagon."

"Well, I'm glad to get out of here!" I said, my voice clearly tired yet excited to be anywhere else.

Ryuu looked at me for a long moment, "...Indeed. Follow me."

I blinked. For some reason, I was reminded about the time that Ryuu gave me a talking to right before I ran into the Minotaur.

I tried to ignore that idea as we went over to where our gear and mounts were located.

Hermes, Asfi, Hestia, and Lefiya were already there as the rest of us arrived.

Lefiya, who had been blushing ever since we left the ruins, waved at us, "Ryuu-san! Would you like to ride back with me?"

"Apologies," Ryuu said to the other elf, turning to me as she spoke, "But I already made plans to ride back with Bell, didn't I?"

"Eh?" I said in surprise, since no conversation happened. I pointedly waited for Hestia and Lili to start bickering, but only got an unsurprised snort from Lili.

My eyes flashed between Ryuu and Hestia in utter confusion. At Ryuu since I was struggling to come up with an actual response. At Hestia for her acting casual like Ryuu riding with me was expected or something.

Did they conspire something while I had been working? Why on Genkai would…?

I was confused. My brain just was not up to the task right now.

Eventually I answered, "...Yes."

Lefiya looked at us in surprise. It was obvious that Lefiya was surprised that Ryuu was willing to ride in close quarters with a human boy since Ryuu was an elf. "O-oh! Uh, I s-see!"

Lefiya was now blushing in embarrassment and was refusing to look at us. I'm not sure I want to know what is running through her head right now… Likely something lewd…

"Don't worry!" Hestia said, bouncing over, "I'll be glad to tell you plenty of stories about why Bell-kun is the best on the ride back!"

Lefiya looked horrified at the prospect of having to listen to Hestia rant and rave about me the whole way back to Orario.

It wasn't too surprising to hear that Hermes and Asfi would be riding back together considering the rest of the seating arrangements…

Hestia gave a thumbs up as she added, "I also have plenty of blackmail – I mean, funny stories about Loki!"

"W-what are you implying!?" Lefiya said, no doubt realizing exactly what Hestia was offering to share with her.

"A friend of Bell-kun is a friend of mine, even if you're one of Loki's children!" Hestia said, "It also helps that you aren't trying to seduce him like Wallenwhatsit! So if this info anno– helps you out, then all the better!"

"Hestia-sama just wants to poke fun at Loki-sama to one of her children…" Lili said, realizing Hestia's true intentions.

Was Hestia trying to lighten everyone's mood? If I wasn't such a stubborn bastard that wanted to keep on brooding on how much of an idiot I am, I would have been fooled.

Lefiya gagged, "I'm not sure what is more disturbing, him trying to seduce me or Ais-san…"

I feel like I should be insulted. But I partially agree, something about viewing Lefiya in a romantic light felt… wrong.

"What's that supposed to mean!?" Hestia said, getting offended on my behalf.

"It would be like getting hit on by my little brother!" Lefiya protested.

"Oi, if anything I'm the older brother!" I chimed in, unwilling to be in the younger sibling spot.

"I'm a year older than you!" Lefiya pointed out argumentatively.

"You can't prove that!" I bickered right back.

"Idiot! You're just proving my point with an immature argument like that!" Lefiya retorted.

"Like calling me an idiot is really mature of you," I fired right back.

"Why is this familiar…" Lili lamented.

The wind was knocked out of my sails as my brain instantly connected my bickering with a girl back to my arguments with Artemis.

I felt sick. Like I could vomit.

Everyone else froze too. I guess everyone is rather sharp today to make the same connection as me.

"I'm… we should get going…" I said, trying to get this entire conversation to just drop, "We're burning daylight…"

"Right…" Lili said, the others agreeing with similarly subdued statements before dispersing to our respective rides.

–

I was so lost in my few memories of time spent with Artemis, that I don't even remember getting on my mount or the fact that Ryuu was sitting in front of me as we flew through the air until she started to speak.

"Don't be too hard on yourself."

I startled into focus, "Huh?"

Ryuu spoke over the wind, "Refrain from being too hard on yourself. I know it is in your nature to do so, but I implore you anyway."

"What do you mean? I'm…" I began to say.

"We both know that you being 'fine' is at most a half-truth," Ryuu interrupted me.

I wince at being caught. I was physically alright, so saying I was 'fine' wouldn't technically be wrong but Ryuu was one step ahead of me.

Ryuu then said, "I'm sorry."

"What do you have to be sorry for?" I asked in utter bewilderment.

"You pointed out to me how the city, how the allies of Astraea Familia did little to nothing to help me in the wake of…" Ryuu said, faltering at the self-reminder of her comrades' untimely end, before continuing, "Anyway. Despite being on the receiving end of such treatment, I left you to shoulder the burden of saving the world to you alone. The burden you now have to bear. I promised myself to stand beside you, to repay you for what you've done for me. And I've failed. Forgive me."

"No, you have nothing to be sorry for," I said, rejecting her apology, "Antares left us little choice. It had to be me. There was nothing you could have done."

"Exactly, Antares left us, and thus you, no choice," Ryuu said, pouncing on using my words against me, "So… I just… want you to know that you have those who are willing to stand beside you against the world. You don't have to be alone. You said to me that you would believe in me; I'm just returning the favor. And so, if you have felt like you have sinned today… then let us both shoulder everything, including righteousness and wrongdoings, and strive for the future!"

"Ryuu…" I mumbled, touched by her support. Her words don't magically erase the guilt at failing to save Artemis. But they do highlight an important thing I've learned from this ordeal. That trying to shoulder being a hero is too much for my shoulders alone.

It is as Artemis pointed out to me, or one aspect of the problem anyway. Logistics is a simple and boring example. The destruction of the Pleasure District in canon likely disrupted thousands of (relatively) innocent lives that were stuck in that evil-system. It was one thing to stop Ishtar and save Haruhime and another to not even try to be prepared for the potential aftermath. It was the kind of humanitarian crisis that no one person could handle alone. The city certainly didn't have some kind of social program to help people in such a situation on hand.

But not just that. Despite my failure, Ryuu still believed in me. Perhaps I shouldn't be surprised, for she can understand where I'm coming from. I refuse to let her and everyone down when they believe in me like that. I need to keep fighting for the future, despite my failings.

"...Thank you," I said to her, glad for all of the support everyone had given me in the aftermath of this latest incident.

"It was nothing," Ryuu said. I wonder if she was smiling.

The rest of the flight took place in peaceful silence. No more words needed to be shared between us.

–

I sat at a freshly made campfire constructed by yours truly. I was idly poking the burning and crackling logs with a firestick. I wasn't brooding! I was… just making sure the logs were burning efficiently and that the structure was stable!

"Um…" the nervous voice of Lefiya cut in behind me.

I turned and noticed that she had arrived with a pot of water from a nearby stream. Fire safety is important, you know.

The sky had turned orange as the sun started dipping below the horizon. Hermes and Asfi were getting stuff put together to start cooking dinner for the night.

"...H-here you go!" Lefiya said skittishly, setting the pot of water near me. I guess she was having a hard time processing what I had done to…

I smiled weakly, "Thanks Lefiya… I appreciate it."

"N-no," Lefiya said, "this is nothing…"

I hummed, turning back to the flickering flames, prodding a log closer into the fire. I heard the sound of Lefiya sitting down on an already toppled tree that was serving as a makeshift bench.

"I…" Lefiya began to say to me, her voice slow and unsure, "know you may not want to hear it, but… thank you for slaying Antares. That Thing in the sky… was really scary…"

Yeah, being thanked was one of the last things I wanted to hear. That said… I understood the sentiment Lefiya was trying to convey.

I nodded silently, acknowledging her gratitude mutely.

There was a minute of comfortable silence as we sat there. Me not brooding, and Lefiya giving her support with her silent presence.

Then a question came to mind.

"Did she ever really talk to you?" I asked Lefiya.

"Huh?" Lefiya asked in confusion, the fact we were technically talking in Japanese/Koine was not doing us any favors.

"Did… did Artemis ever try to help you with the spear like she said she would?" I clarified.

Lefiya looked surprised, as if she remembered just now that was why Artemis had effectively invited her along to do so in the first place. She then answered after a moment, "...No, she hadn't. Aside from idle stuff about camp tasks, we hadn't talked at all."

Lefiya was referring to idle chatter when everyone was doing chores at camp each night and morning.

"I see…" I uttered, slightly confused. What was Artemis thinking? Was it a result of the directive that the real Artemis had given her ghost? To collect anyone who might be worthy? But then why not help make Lefiya more capable of being worthy if she was close but not quite there yet?

"Maybe…" Lefiya said slowly, offering up her own thoughts since she likely had the same questions in her head," Maybe A-Artemis-sama knew deep down that it had to… be you."

"What… do you mean?" I asked her slowly, feeling lost.

"I… don't think I would have had the courage to throw it," Lefiya admitted, which had to be hard considering her slightly competitive nature, "Maybe she knew I couldn't do it, and so she didn't bother trying…"

That was quite the assumption considering how I had also been against throwing the spear for 99% of the trip. But I guess since I had ultimately been persuaded, maybe Artemis' Ghost saw something in me that I hadn't.

"I'm not really sure 'courage' is the word I would use to describe my actions," I said, self-deprecatingly. I may have resolved to keep fighting for the future, but I was entitled to beat myself up for a while about how this entire ordeal had played out.

"I guess you wouldn't be able to look at things the same way as us," Lefiya said to me, categorically separating me from the rest of the party.

"Oh yeah?" I said challengingly but without heat.

"Hermes-sama explained the truth," Lefiya told me, "That Artemis had been… consumed long before any of us knew anything. That there was only thing left that we… that you could do."

But that was the crux of my issue. I had known about the events of the movie. By failing to act, everything that had occurred was my fault, my burden to bear. The fact I assumed the movie was not canon doesn't matter. I failed to investigate and verify that fact, and Artemis and many others had suffered and died because of it.

Killing Artemis was… necessary. But while I had been convinced to do the dead, I still wasn't convinced it was right. Not having any other choice but to… but to kill Artemis didn't mean that it was right. That it was Just. It only meant the choice was easier not better.

"I'm not so sure about that," I said to Lefiya before adding, "But still… thank you."

I don't think I would ever really forgive myself for this failure. But I wasn't so depressed as to not acknowledge that Lefiya was trying to offer her support to me; whether it came from genuine gratitude or camaraderie as fellow adventurers or as respect to a rival didn't particularly matter.

"You're welcome," Lefiya said with a smile, "And just you wait, 'cause I'll be the one to kill the next boss-like monster! I refuse to let you keep this two monster lead over me!"

Lefiya was likely referring to the Juggernaut and now Antares.

"Sure, though you might want to prepare in case whatever you're up against has anti-magic defenses again," I said warning her about her main weakness in combat.

Lefiya winced at the reminder, "Seriously, that was so ridiculous…"

That said, there was a fire in Lefiya's eyes. I get the feeling that Lefiya was soon going to get the crap beat out of her after finding a way to get Ais to train her some more.

She wouldn't do something weird like go to Bete for physical training, would she? NAH, that'd be crazy!

Lefiya then had a perplexed look.

"What is it?" I asked her, wondering what thought had crossed her mind.

"How…" Lefiya slowly asked, "How did you know how to pull out the Spear?"

"Sorry?" I asked her to clarify, having been blindsided by the question.

"When we were at Hermes' booth, you gave me a suggestion on how to pull out the Spear," Lefiya pointed out before asking again, "How did you know to do that?"

One would think this would be the time to panic considering this knowledge came from Before. Thankfully, there was a Fairy Tale in this world that was eerily similar to a certain Marvel movie that served as plenty of a reason for why I had made such a connection.

Orion's Arrow kind of reminded me of Mjolnir, after all.

"Well," I began to say, "I was reminded of a fairy tale my Gramps had told me, one that seems to be rather unknown. It apparently comes from a land to the far north of here."

"Really?" Lefiya asked, her tone clearly showed she was intrigued.

I began to regale her, "I'll keep it short. Basically, before the Age of Heroes, the God Thor had grown arrogant in his power and strength and it was only due to the intervention of Loki that had saved their realm of Asgard from disaster."

"Loki?" Lefiya perked up at the mention of her patron Goddess.

"The irony does not escape me," I said before getting back to the tale, "Enraged, Odin – the ruler of Asgard – stripped Thor of his power and sealed it within the legendary hammer Mjolnir. Odin enchanted the hammer so that whoever was worthy of being the King of Asgard would be able to wield Mjolnir and the power of Thor. Odin then cast the hammer and Thor down to the Lower World."

"What?!" Lefiya exclaimed, the idea of a God coming down to Genkai before even the Age of Heroes was insane to think about.

"Yeah," I said, acknowledging how crazy that sounded in the context of this universe, "If true, Thor was even more of a mortal than deities down here in Genkai are, as he would have been completely without his Arcanum."

"That's…" Lefiya said, no doubt realizing the risks in such a thing. Thor, without his Arcanum on Genkai were monsters still roam the surface, terrorizing mankind.

"Anyway, Thor lived among mankind for a time and in the process learned humility and compassion for others. Because without his power, he was forced to rely on others for the first time in his existence," I continued to tell the tale, "According to the tale, Loki also snuck down to Genkai in an attempt to claim Mjolnir for herself. And it was during this jaunt on Genkai where Loki was mistaken as Thor's… brother by the mortal recorders of this tale."

Lefiya looked like she was unsure whether she should laugh at Loki's expense for being mistaken as a man by the ancient writers of this tale or to be upset on Loki's behalf.

I continued, "The writers assume that Loki was jealous of the attention Thor got from Odin. But I find it more likely that Loki just wanted to prank Thor and give him a hard time."

"I'll ignore the rudeness of the writers…" Lefiya said, "But yeah, that sounds like something Loki-sama might do…"

"After that, in order to save the lives of Thor's mortal lover and friends, he placed himself in harm's way of a monster attack," I continued the story, "Thor was mortally wounded, but by his sacrifice he had become worthy and Mjolnir flew into his hand. Doing so, his vitality and power was restored. Using his godly power, it was a simple matter for him to slay the monsters. With his power restored however, he had to leave his mortal friends and lover behind and return to Tenkai. The story ends with Thor being crowned King of Asgard… presumably so Odin didn't have to do it anymore or something."

Lefiya golf clapped at the quick retelling of the fairy tale, "How interesting!"

"To summarize it even further, the Spear reminded me of Mjolnir," I said to her, "I figured that it needed someone 'worthy' in a similar vein. And I guess I was…"

I was about to add 'right' but considering my choice it didn't seem like the correct thing to say.

"...You were right," Lefiya said with a sincere smile.

"Again, it doesn't feel that way on my end, but thanks," I said with a smiling grimace.

Our conversation died down then, a result of having to get back to our nightly duties. Still, I appreciated that everyone was keeping tabs on me.

Hopefully, things wouldn't be as difficult for me upon returning to Orario…

And now I've jinxed myself.

–

Other POV

"Bell you IDIOT!" Artemis' Ghost (that name, while apt, was rather annoying) cried out from within Orion's Arrow.

Artemis – no, Elpis was a fitting name, she would gladly borrow that name from Bell's visions – had good reason to be frustrated.

Elpis was rather weak now that Artemis had returned to Tenkai. That said, however, she had managed to absorb a nice chunk of Arcanum given off by the Pillar of Light as Artemis ascended. So while Elpis didn't have enough energy anymore to manifest herself, she did have plenty to maintain consciousness and to communicate with Bell… if he was asleep.

Which is where her frustration comes in! From Bell's visions, he should be well aware of the literary trope of being able to talk to things/beings like her in his sleep! If he would just fall asleep with Orion's Arrow in his hands, it would be easy for her to communicate with him!

His waking mind was too difficult to form a two-way connection with the power she had at her disposal. Orion's Arrow was simply too damaged by Antares' corrupted Arcanum. The spear would either need even more Arcanum or special repairs that only the likes of Hephaestus or Gonibu could perform. And even then they would likely need a mystical forge or flame of some sort to make any headway without their power or tools from Tenkai.

Orion's Arrow being of Tenkai and not Genkai made repairing it rather difficult to put it mildly.

And Elpis wasn't going to bank on Bell happening to be near explosions of Arcanum anytime soon. What, considering how the only way to get more Arcanum was to essentially send more Gods or Goddesses back to Tenkai. Not that using Orion's Arrow to do the 'deed' was necessary – it just needed to be reasonably close to the shockwave. But, again, such occurrences were rather rare and for good reason. And Elpis could understand that Bell would rather avoid such occurrences… for the most part.

Elpis didn't really have any pity for Ishtar and Bell's intentions to send her back up to Tenkai. Artemis hadn't really been Ishtar's biggest fan for starters. And considering Bell's visions, she could get behind his desire to put Ishtar's evil deeds to a stop – both the evils that she had already committed and the ones she had yet to do.

That said, Elpis was really annoyed. She could even tell that the 2nd splinter from Artemis that was in the Hestia Knife was unable to communicate with Bell despite the fact he did sleep with the Hestia Knife on his person.

Elpis could sense from her connection with Elpis II that the Hestia Knife was not meant to hold more than one deities' power at a time.

Elpis caught herself, realizing that she was falling into tangents.

Bell was an idiot! The one holy weapon that actually had enough 'juice' to communicate with him was the one weapon he wasn't sleeping with!

…that sounded lewd. Elpis is both amused at her wit and livid at the thought of making such a joke. Sometimes being a mish-mash of a bunch of varying character traits was rather annoying.

Elpis blames Bell. Bell is an idiot.

…and she can't help but love him for it.

PLATONICALLY.

…SERIOUSLY.

BELIEVE ELPIS.

ELPIS IS NOT LYING.

…

…

…Bell is an idiot.

–

"What are you doing here?"

"Sorry! I couldn't help it!"

"The real me already has to share Bell-kun with a bunch of women! Now I have to share here too?! This isn't fair!"

"Sorry!"

"It's called 'the Hestia Knife' for a reason! Honestly!"

"Sorry!"

"..."

"..."

"..."

"..."

"You can stay if you admit he has a cute butt."

"H-Hestia!?"

"ADMIT IT!"

"...I prefer looking at him as he agonizes over his failures…"

"Uwah, you're that kind of pervert huh…"

"I-I'M NOT A PERVERT!"

"It sure sounds like you have a kink for comforting depressed men! If that isn't irony, I don't know what is!?"

"Geez! When did you start teasing people so much, huh?!"

"Bell-kun has taught me the ways of messing with people!"

"W-well! If I ever get to interact with Bell again, I'm gonna guilt trip the heck out of him! I wonder what kind of expression of self-loathing he will make then? The thought alone excites me!"

"W-wait a second, we can talk this out…"

"I'm not letting you weasel out of this that easily! You always do this! Why I oughta…!"

And so the slivers of Hestia and Artemis within the Hestia Knife bickered like sisters reunited after a long separation.

–

"This…" Apollo gasped in shock as he finished Updating Hyakinthos' Status.

Hyakinthos had been grinding monsters on Floor 24, only going back up to Floor 18 to rest before diving back down again and again. Of course, to say he was grinding was understating the risk Hyakinthos had put himself through as a solo adventurer.

To be without a party in such areas of the Dungeon as a Level 3 was incredibly risky behavior. Doable? Certainly. But it was risky enough to be compared to dancing with a devil.

And to add to that, despite already being exhausted from previous battles, Hyakinthos did not retreat as monsters from 'The Water City' floors started flooding onto Floor 24.

Or when Monsters from the 29th to 36th Floors had also been pushed upwards onto Floor 24.

By that point, Hyakinthos and the other adventurers on Floor 24 (mainly adventurers from Rivira) had realized that something extremely unusual and dire was occuring with the Dungeon. The fact that the Dungeon was suddenly and actively trying to breach to the surface was obvious.

Hyakinthos didn't hesitate to stay on the front lines and wage a fighting retreat against the hoard of monsters. That said, it was a losing battle up to that point.

Not only did Floor 24 have its own monsters still, but there were monsters from Floors 25 to 36 fighting their way up. Which was highly concerning, as it suggested that monsters from even deeper Floors were pushing the monsters from the Lower Floors higher up and out of their natural habitats.

As Hyakinthos and the other adventurers fell back to Floor 22, monsters from Floor 37 started to appear amongst the numbers of the hoard. The escalating situation was dire.

Hyakinthos had bought time by destroying the passage from Floors 22 to 21 with his magic as he and the other adventurers fell back to the safety point of Floor 18. They had, until that point, been trying to avoid falling back to Floor 18 to prevent the battle from destroying Rivira (again).

But it had become clear that the adventurers needed their battleground to be a safety point if they had to somehow hold off monsters beyond their level from breaking past them and rushing for the surface.

So they guarded the chokepoint that was the passage from Floor 19 to 18 at the base of the Great Tree.

This worked for a time…

But monsters from the Deep Floors started to finally appear amongst the horde of monsters. Despite Hyakinthos' rage and determination to fight, the morale of the Rivira adventurers had broken in the face of such strong monsters.

The adventurers routed and fell back to the boss room of the Goliath, the Great Wall of Sorrow, on Floor 17.

Only to then rally as reinforcements from Loki Familia and Ottar of Freya Familia finally arrived.

With the arrival of 1st Class Adventurers, the line held. Despite being exhausted and not strictly needed anymore, Hyakinthos continued to fight; his pride not allowing him to let Loki Familia steal all his glory.

Eventually, after many hours, the Dungeon's wrath abated and the hoard finally ceased. Hyakinthos had finally collapsed from exhaustion and his many wounds. After receiving first aid, he was brought up to Babel and healed with the onsite medical facilities.

Upon recovering, Hyakinthos immediately returned to report everything to his God. And Apollo witnessed everything as he Updated his child's Status.

Hyakinthos Clio

Level 3 - 4

Alias: Phoebus Apollo

Strength: C: 667 - C: 699

Vitality: C: 632 - C: 669

Dexterity: B: 707 - D: 720

Agility: D: 519 - D: 530

Magic: F: 337 - F: 351

Magic:

(Aro Zephyros)

• My name is love, precious child of light. I offer my body to my sun. My name is sin, jealousy of wind. I call a gust of wind to my body. Released ring of fire - come, wind of the west. Rupele

Skills:

Solar Powered - Stats are boosted in proportion to the sun's position in the sky. No negative effect at night. Under eclipse conditions, Mind regeneration ceases and incur a lowering of stats. The user must be under direct sunlight to receive the effects.

Development Abilities:

Abnormal Resistance - G

Hunter - H

Let's just say that Apollo was all too glad to have his beloved Captain Level Up. Apollo finished up the Level Up process by adding the Magic Resistance Development Ability.

Hyakinthos glowed with pride as he looked over his updated Status Sheet. Surely, Apollo-sama would forget all about Bell Cranel and–!

"Very good!" Apollo declared with glee, "Now I know that Bell Cranel will certainly be mine with your power! Good! Very good!"

Hyakinthos hated Bell Cranel with every fiber of his being.

Hated.

A dark, black flame lit in Hyakinthos' heart at that moment. Complete and utter hatred for the boy that stole Hyakinthos' greatest moment from him.

Apollo was unaware of just how much he had upset Hyakinthos at that moment. Of course, he knew that he was rilling Hyakinthos up. It was not an action born from a sense of malice, but rather it was because… Apollo was a pervert that liked Hyakinthos' reactions to NTR.

And just like that, the wheels of fate… turned.

–

Quest Item Lost!

First Class Weapon Acquired!

Orion's Arrow (Damaged) - A divine arrow from Tenkai, used as a spear in Genkai. Indestructible and capable of channeling magic. Magical gem is damaged and functionally useless. Sharpness has diminished from its prime. Partially 'sentient' from hosting a sliver of Artemis' Arcanum and Soul. Only can be wielded by someone who is worthy. Repairable?

---

Ryuu Lion

Level 5

Alias: Gale Wind

Strength: I: 0 - H: 159

Vitality: I: 0 - I: 51

Dexterity: I: 0 - H: 111

Agility: I: 0 - H: 189

Magic: I: 0 - H: 101

Magic:

(Luminous Wind)

• In the sky of a now distant forest. Infinite stars scattered in the endless night sky. Respond to my foolish voice, give me now divine protection of starfire. Give the mercy of light to the one that abandoned you. Come, wandering wind, the wandering traveler. Cross the sky and run through the wilderness, run faster than anything else. Imbue the light of stardust and destroy the enemy.

(Noah Heal)

• The song of a now distant forest. The nostalgic song of life. Please bring the mercy of healing to those that seek you.

(Astraea Record)

• Astraea Record! The mission is fulfilled and the balance is restored. The Fortress of Order, the Crown of Integrity, the Torch of Evil. In the name of the Goddess, the footprints of the stars are spelled out on this Earth as if they were shooting through the sky! Justice Comes Around!

• Allows for the user to summon the magic of deceased allies of Astraea Familia.

Skills:

Fairy Serenade - Increased effects of magic and the effect rises at night.

Mind Load - Increased Strength when attacking by using mind. It has an active trigger.

Aero Mana - Increased attack power the faster the user is running.

Astrae Varmas - Justice comes around. When calling upon Justice, a barrier of crystal and starlight will surround the user with a radius proportional to one below the user's level. Consumes Mind.

Development Abilities:

Hunter - F

Abnormal Resistance - E

Magic Resistance - H

Medic - I

---

Author's Notes:

I imply it in the story itself, but I essentially explain my interpretation of how Antares is unbeatable while still allowing the heroes a chance against it. Basically, while it has unlimited power from Artemis' Arcanum, it's body isn't able to handle all that power at once. The entire time Antares is essentially slowly adapting itself to Artemis' power allowing it to effectively become stronger. This is why the regeneration and spawning of Black Scorpions increased over time. And why Antares wasn't able to immediately use Artemis' ultimate attack.

By the way, no one questions where the Artemis they had seen walking around had gone because they all got distracted battling Antares and swarms of Black Scorpions. No one really thinks to ask where she went after the fact. Or they choose not to ask in order to not upset Bell any further.

Covering the movie is kinda weird, because it's hard to make changes considering that there is only one way to beat Antares and Bell knows it. Trying anything else is, well, kinda risky. Lefiya being there makes the approach to Antares easier – in the movie, Bell is already winded by the time they reach that stairway.

Bell also gets to keep Orion's Arrow, but it's been nerfed now that most of Artemis is back in Tenkai. Orion's Arrow will need to be repaired somehow for it to once again become a proper deity killer. As is, the Spear's remaining relevant properties are its durability and its magical properties.

And yet being able to channel Firebolt into the spear isn't as useful as you would think. For, you see, the entire spear would catch fire… while he is still holding it. You can see the problem. The fine amount of control needed to only set the tip of the spear on fire requires much more Mind precision than Bell has at the moment. Then again, if he times firing his spell at the moment before he throws his spear like a javelin, that would probably work; but again, the timing for such a move would require some practice.

In short, the current perks of Orion's Arrow is that it is an indestructible weapon with greater reach than the Hestia Knife.. The only problem to keep in mind is that it is only sharp and wieldable while Bell still has heroism in his heart. So if/when Bell goes into a rough patch, Artemis will cut him off from being able to use the spear – to prevent him from doing anything he might regret.

Lili has a nice spear now too, don't forget about that! On a similar note: Bell, Lili, Welf, and Hestia will be wearing their movie attire until it's time for their next costume change. No more Hestia panty-shots, sorry.

But yeah, that's the Movie Arc. Antares is defeated and Artemis' Ghost remains inside Orion's Arrow. Bell will eventually figure out how to talk to her, probably when he needs to talk to her the most or something Shonen like that. Bell is given a grim lesson that sloth will lead to tragedy, and so he resolves to get even stronger and to start making moves to begin saving folks.

First on his list? To save Haruhime and the other indentured servants/slaves of Ishtar Familia. How? The complete destruction of Ishtar Familia with as little property damage as possible and in as controlled a manner as possible. Of course, however, other elements in Orario are gonna distract him from that goal…

I've revealed Ryuu's status sheet. The Wiki says that Astraea Record is behind the Star Sanctuary, but I disagree. Considering that the kanji for her Skill are affiliated with defense, it makes more sense for the Skill to be behind it rather than for Astraea Record to be doing so many different things at the same time. I may retcon if we ever get definitive knowledge on what Astrea Varmas does, but I'm betting that I'm correct.

Next chapter begins Season 2 and the Warfare Arc as I will rebrand it. Things are about to get hectic really quickly. Don't be surprised if there is a delay, because I'm currently working on my THIRD complete rewrite of Chapter 18.