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!

26. Chapter 21: Sober Up

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

Chapter 21: Sober Up

"Show respect to all people, but grovel to none."

— Tecumseh

---

Main POV

Despite having no energy, I frantically attempted to get to my feet. If the Hiraishin mark on Lili's Hidden Blade was gone, it meant that the hidden weapon had been damaged severely. Which would only happen if Lili was attacked – and there was only one real culprit that made sense considering the time frame. Soma Familia!

My attempts to get up were not only prevented by my complete and utter exhaustion. Because Ryuu was also effortlessly holding me down with one hand on my shoulder.

"I… I need to go…" I weakly demanded, giving no explanation.

"Go? Bell, explain yourself. Why are you distressed?" Ryuu asked, as she continued to prevent me from getting up.

"Lili's in trouble… I got to go. Her mark…" I frantically told her, hoping she would let go of me. Lili was in who knows what kind of trouble and I needed to be there for her!

"In your condition? I think not," Ryuu told me like I was stupid, "I'm not even trying to hold you down and you can't escape."

Ryuu wasn't using her adventurer's strength right now? Irrelevant. Lili was clearly in danger and I needed to do something.

"Ryuu… let me go," I asked her as nicely and quickly as possible. I idly noted that the members of Loki Familia were backing away as if to give us space.

Guys, this isn't a lover's quarrel, I swear.

"I understand," Ryuu said to me, getting my hopes up for a moment before I realized that she wasn't stopping in holding me down against her lap.

"Ryuu?" I asked in confusion, wondering why her words weren't matching her actions.

"I understand that Lili-san is in danger," Ryuu elaborated, "But you are in no condition to do anything about that right now."

"But–!" I protested, only for Ryuu to cut me off.

"Think!" Ryuu exclaimed, annoyed and hysterical, "Consider the timing. Whatever has happened to Lili-san was done while you were in the Dungeon. I doubt this is a coincidence. And there is only one faction that has reason to target Lili-san specifically.

"So?" I said, trying to see what Ryuu's train of logic was going to be.

"Soma Familia has clearly moved to reclaim their wayward adventurer," Ryuu concluded, "So we can at least confirm that Lili-san is still alive. A corpse cannot bring a Familia more loot."

"So? We can't… know that… for sure," I argued, panting for air as I struggled to breathe, "I need to… save her…"

"You can't save anyone in this condition!" Ryuu raised her voice, "Do you even know where to go?!"

"N-no…" I admitted. I no longer have Lili's Hiraishin 'data'. Due to the sheer number of marks I have in Orario, all I could gleam as the mark disappeared was that it was far above me. Lili could be anywhere from the city itself to Floor 10 inside Knossos.

Sure, Lili was likely in the same compound where I had met with Zanis, but that wasn't the only property that Soma Familia owned in the city either. Attacking the wrong place would just make things even worse, even I could acknowledge that. I'd need to figure out where she was being held before I could do anything. To do otherwise would be rash and put Lili in even more danger.

"See! Everyone is tired, you especially," Ryuu exclaimed, "We need to rest and regroup. Gather information. Come up with a plan. Gather allies. Come up with a way to not have the city think you are a criminal like I had been. Not fruitlessly go running off when you don't even have the strength to stand."

"I-I can stand up…" I protested.

Ryuu glared at me, daring me to protest again.

"Just say 'yes, dear,'!" Syr yelled from where everyone was blatantly eavesdropping, a sleeping Noel in her arms. There was a nervousness in the back of Syr's voice; like she was trying to pretend she hadn't cried recently, is what it sounded like.

"Don't encourage him!" Ryuu yelled back over at them, "This is serious!"

Woah. Ryuu wasn't even taking anything from Syr right now.

Ryuu looked back over to me, her eyes watery, "Bell… you almost died. I– none of us want to lose both you and Lili-san. I promised to stand by you, remember? I'll help you save Lili-san. But we need to recover first. Figure out where to go and what to do."

"Ah…" I said, unable to think of a logical argument stronger than Ryuu's. She had a point, as much as I hated to admit it. I was simply unable to do anything at the moment. I needed a couple of hours to recover from using Argonaut at full power like that – my body simply wasn't used to channeling that much power.

And Ryuu was right, rampaging around the city looking for Lili wouldn't do anyone any good. I'd just be (attempting) to run around like an idiot.

That didn't mean I liked it. No, I hated this with all my being. But I needed to recover before I could help anyone.

Ryuu nodded to herself, taking my reluctant silence as proof she'd won. She then turned to the Loki Familia trio and said, "I ask that you help escort us back to the Surface and keep what you have heard now to yourselves."

"I thought that was obvious?" Tiona said nonchalantly.

"W-well, we need to inform Captain Finn about Evilus…" Lefiya said, "But I'm sure the rest can be kept quiet as a private matter…"

"Indeed," Ais said, agreeing with a nod.

"I thank you for your cooperation," Ryuu said to them with a bow of her head.

Against my wishes, my eyes started to droop as the adrenaline in my veins faded. Exhaustion was winning out over my desire to act.

I spent my last moments awake cursing my weakness.

---

Other POV

Hours after the clash in the Ice Chamber of Floor 17, Levis arrived on the Deep Floors, sometime after midnight in the early morning; not that the hour of day really mattered to those that effectively lived in the Dungeon.

Levis entered a chamber she hadn't come to in some time. For some reason she can't explain, interacting with the two located here always bothered Levis, but she couldn't understand why.

Regardless, Levis was out of options. Or rather, the options she had were all bad. The amount of high level adventurers that were working against her were simply too many. Levis would not be able to get proper revenge against Ais Wallenstein and now Ryuu Lion without competent help. Ein and Evilus could not be trusted to do their jobs properly, as far as Levis was concerned.

As Levis moved into the chamber, two figures could be seen.

"She wants to see the sky. She wants to see the sky. She wants to see the sky!" A female voice uttered repeatedly. Her perhaps once elegant voice was nothing more but a streak of madness.

"A… Levis, why are you here?" a younger sounding woman's voice asked.

"It's time for you two to stop taking up space without contributing," Levis told the duo.

"She wants to see the sky!" the first woman repeated again. The woman, clutching a katana-like weapon, with elegant features from the Far East wore a facial expression that showed the inner insanity within.

"B-But you promised!" the other figure, a Pallum with light brown hair and blood red eyes, protested, "We're supposed to stay down here to guard 'Her' and 'That Woman'! And you know that… 'Luna' is not stable."

The eastern woman, now dubbed Luna, perked up at the mention of her name, but only mumbled out, "The sky…"

"I've altered the deal," Levis deadpanned, "Besides, 'Luna' obeys our orders just like the monsters. I've coddled you too much…"

Levis paused, she was about to say the Pallum's name, but hesitated to do so.

The Pallum sighed, noticing the behavior but said nothing about it. Instead, the Pallum asked, "Can I at least ask what you need help with so badly?"

"There's a boy that knows too much. And he tends to be around 1st Class Adventurers. But that's just the start of things. Our allies are simply too incompetent. I can't trust them to get the job done," Levis explained.

The Pallum, however, had doubts, "Are you sure that's the only reason?"

"What do you mean?" Levis asked darkly.

"Are you sure there isn't another reason why you don't trust Evilus?" The Pallum pressed, a tinge of hope in her voice.

"No," Levis denied firmly, "I just want this done and over with so 'She' stops whispering in my head."

"I see," the Pallum sighed in disappointment, finding Levis' answer to not be what she was looking for.

"She wants to see the sky!" 'Luna' exclaimed madly, as if attempting to add to the conversation.

"Shut up!" Levis growled in annoyance. Now she remembers why she hates seeing these two. One is just as annoying as 'Her' and the other asks pointless questions that get on her nerves.

"We will follow you… as always…" the Pallum told her dejectedly. Only an atom-sized spark of hope remained in her blood red eyes, waging a fighting retreat against an endless, external madness.

"Our first order of business is to assist in killing an adventurer by the name of Bell Cranel," Levis instructed, "He's learned too much and Ein is too incompetent to handle it on their own. We are to step in if their plan fails, Loki Familia buts their nose in, or if the adventurer 'Ryuu Lion' intervenes."

"L-Lion…?" the Pallum stuttered in shock. And horror.

"...?" Levis was perplexed by that reaction.

The Pallum coughed regaining composure, "R-right. Right. I understand."

Levis looked long and hard at the Pallum, whose gaze was unflinching. Levis wasn't sure why, but she felt like… the Pallum was being suspicious.

Irrelevant. None of them could act against 'Her' will anyway. There was little reason to be concerned. Levis thus assured herself, unaware of whatever thoughts lie behind the Pallum's blood red eyes.

That was how the amount of Creatures opposing Bell Cranel and Loki Familia rose to three…?

---

Main POV

My eyes slowly opened. This softness, these sheets, were familiar. I was in a bed at the Hostess.

Still waking up, I looked around. For a moment, I mistook it for my room in the annex, but it was not. For sitting in a nearby chair was Ryuu, who had been watching me sleep while she was wearing night clothes. Thin enough to basically be lingerie.

Lingerie?!

The room was pitch black aside from light coming from a lone candle. I must have only slept for a few hours, and completely through the trek to the surface. It either wasn't the next day yet or was extremely early in the morning. This situation reminded me a lot of when I first met Ryuu. Me in her bed and her watching over me. But everything was different from that time.

"Bell… you're awake…" Ryuu uttered quietly, perhaps in consideration for everyone else that was probably asleep.

"Ah… yes…" I said, feeling really awkward and shy all of a sudden. I was alone with a pretty woman I loved, late at night, while she only had light night clothes on.

"We need to talk…" Ryuu said to me, and those words definitely made my anxiety rise. This was going to be serious.

"Uh, sure…" I said, trying to follow along, my brain unable to focus on anything else. Having just woken up, still exhausted from the battle before, my brain wasn't exactly functioning at peak performance.

"Do… Do you have a death wish?" Ryuu hesitantly asked me.

"Eh? Death wish? Me?" I asked in confusion.

"So you don't even realize…" Ryuu sighed, sounding unsurprised, "I knew it…"

"Ryuu, what is this all about? This joke isn't funny," I said, not liking this conversation.

"It's okay," Ryuu assured me, "I've been where you're at. You don't need to explain anything."

Okay, I needed to clear up this misunderstanding, "Ryuu, seriously, I don't–"

"Bell," Ryuu said firmly, cutting me off, "just stop… and listen…"

Something about Ryuu's words and tone convinced me to let her say her piece.

"Opposing Apollo Familia. Challenging Ishtar Familia at the same time. Running into the Dungeon without backup. T-throwing yourself in front of a blade meant for me. Immediately trying to run off to fight Soma Familia despite being in no condition for it…" Ryuu listed off just a portion of the things I've been up to within a week.

Ryuu finished, saying, "Can't you see how insane it looks? How hard you are pushing yourself? Like you're desperate to prove something? It… It's about Artemis-sama, isn't it?"

I flinched, "N-No! I-It's just the Bell Cranel Effect! I can't control if Apollo wants to pick a fight. And Haruhime was a coincidence, I couldn't do just do nothing."

"You could have waited and done things one step at a time," Ryuu countered, "Now you have to face three opposing Familias in a War Game. Are you trying to tell me this is the most optimal path?"

"But Haruhime would–"

"Have endured, as harsh as it sounds," Ryuu countered my argument, "Bell… I'm sorry. I'm sorry for letting you bear Artemis' death alone like that. For having to bear the fate of the world on your shoulders. Watching you like this… it hurts…"

Ryuu's eyes had begun to water after she said my name. Now she was softly crying, "Y-you jumped in front of a blade aimed for me… *hic* Wielded by an amnesiac zombie wearing Alice's skin!"

"R-Ryuu…" I said sadly, my own heart hurting at the pain that Ryuu was clearly feeling. Seeing Alice again, and like that, had to be hard. And anyone would be shaken by the sight of someone seemingly sacrificing themselves for their sake…

Ryuu grabbed my shoulders, "You almost died. Died before I could tell you the truth. How I feel… How you make me feel…"

"Ryuu… wait… what are you saying…? You don't need to push…" I slowly said.

"Myself?" Ryuu said, "The only way my feelings have changed for you is that they've intensified. Don't try to imply recent events have altered my feelings. I won't let my hesitation or your sacrificial nature get in the way anymore."

Before I could say anything, Ryuu grabbed both sides of my face, and kissed me.

My eyes went wide while Ryuu's were closed. Her arms wrapped around my neck as she moved onto the bed with me. I didn't even think of resisting, hesitantly kissing her back as my body froze up. After an eternity of bliss, Ryuu pulled away, her face centimeters from mine, as she whispered, "...I said I would stand beside you… and I mean it in all ways… I refuse to live with regret anymore… Bell, I love you…"

"I love you too…" I whispered back, my heart beating faster than I've ever felt before. My breath was hot. I could feel air from Ryuu's dainty nose hitting mine.

"Then love me…" Ryuu whispered, her eyes desperate and longing. Her eyes flickering with sparks of madness and devotion. She slid on top of my lap, her arms still around my neck, "Like I love you… Let's face tomorrow together… no matter what happens… I know I won't regret it…"

I said nothing for a moment, just wrapping my arms around her dainty figure, and pulling her closer to me. My eyes wouldn't leave hers as I rested my forehead against hers.

"Bell…" Ryuu whispered.

"Ryuu," I answered, before kissing her.

My body became like fire. And hers was like a cool spring breeze.

Everything else was a blur as two turned into one. United passionately.

---

(More details can be found in the new side story. You perverts.)

---

Other POV

Finn's eyes widened in surprise as he sat behind his desk, "...Could you say that again?"

Finn was hearing the reports from Tiona, Ais, and Lefiya on what had occurred, on what was now due to the late hour, yesterday. He was listening to Lefiya's account first because Finn had the suspicion that the other accounts would be… harder to interpret. Ais was simply bad with words, and Tiona was too informal to give intelligible debriefs.

"I don't really understand it well myself," Lefiya admitted, sounding unsure of herself. "But Ryuu Lion of Astraea Familia was convinced that the Creature Levis was a former comrade named Alise Lovell. Yet she also insisted that Lovell-san was certifiably deceased."

"Is that so…" Finn said, realizing that the mysteries surrounding 'Levis' had grown more than he had imagined. "I remember the former Captain of Astraea Familia well. Her passing was a tragedy. I know we all would have certainly appreciated having the help of Astraea Familia at its prime for the current crisis looming over Orario."

"It sounds like she was a good adventurer," Lefiya said, "how could someone like that change so much?"

"She must have lost her memories in whatever process turned her into what she is now," Finn concluded, hand to his chin in thought, "While I can see the resemblance now, her facial structure and voice are off. In a way, I miss being ignorant of her origins. Now some of our members might hesitate to fight her seriously out of pity."

When Finn fought Levis on the outskirts of Rivira, he had gotten no sense that Levis recognized him beyond his notoriety as The Braver. If Levis truly was Alise Lovell, then the girl must have lost her memory. And it was no wonder that Finn hadn't made the connection himself, nevermind the physical alterations. He wouldn't have believed that a heroine like her would turn to evil like that, at least willingly.

Lefiya, meanwhile, understood that Finn was implying it would be for the best if she kept that information about Levis' origins to herself. Lefiya wasn't sure if she approved or disapproved. She could see the cold logic behind the decision, but hiding information from the rest of the Familia rubbed her the wrong way.

Keeping Bell's magic private was something different. It was personal business between Lefiya and Bell.

"Does Tiona or Ais know about this?" Finn asked her.

"No," Lefiya said, "Sister Lion shared this with me while the others were fighting off monsters on the return trip."

Indeed, despite being very emotional at the time, Ryuu trusted Loki Familia to use the information with her consideration in mind. A trust from the times they used to work together so long ago.

Lefiya had been surprised for Ryuu to share what she had. The calm and composed elf was clearly distraught the entire trek back to the surface. And despite being exhausted herself, Ryuu had refused to let anyone carry the unconscious Bell back to the surface. It was like a mother duck watching over an injured hatchling.

Lefiya was also convinced by this that the rumors of the two of them being lovers was, in fact, the truth. It certainly made Bell's threats on Floor 18 when she properly met Bell make more sense.

"…And Lion is close to Bell Cranel?" Finn then asked. It was clear from his tone that the gears in his head were rapidly spinning up a plan.

"I-I'd say so…" Lefiya admitted, feeling embarrassed about talking about Bell's love life… especially about a love life involving an older elf.

Finn hummed in thought.

He honestly had no idea how Bell had gotten close to Lion while she had been in hiding. Finn, Gareth, and Riveria had all known where she had taken refuge and had kept her secret for her. All he did know that Bell had somehow been in contact with Lion for some time, merely by the threats he had made on Floor 18. Not that it mattered much, just that it was further proof that Bell Cranel could be an ally in the fight against the Evilus Remnant.

The main point to consider was the fact that Levis was connected to Astraea Familia. The thought of Lion the Gale Wind of all people being associated with the Evilus Remnant was just a bad joke, and was thus easily dismissable. It still remained, however, that there was a connection between Levis and Lion.

A connection that could potentially be exploited for a trap. To lure Levis out of the woodworks and to fight on their terms and not Evilus'. The thought of such an opportunity was not one Finn could just pass up on. Not when he finally had a lead to work with. And Finn had already come up with a scheme to do so, it even came with the added benefit of further forging ties with Bell Cranel of Hestia Familia and the resurgent Astraea Familia.

"You are close with Bell Cranel, are you not?" Finn asked knowingly, a small smile on his face.

"I–I, er, uh…" Lefiya stuttered in embarrassment, unable to say 'yes' but equally unable to lie and say 'no'.

"Despite not being formally allied, I would like to assist Bell Cranel for the coming War Game," Finn prefaced, "And, in a way, reward him for his aid in denying Evilus from claiming another Demi Spirit."

"Oh? Really!?" Lefiya exclaimed in excitement, unconsciously joyful at the assumption that her Familia's Captain sees Bell as a good person and a valuable ally – unaware that Finn ultimately only really cares about the latter quality; even though he too is unaware of his skewed priorities. Her excitement also served Finn well in distracting Lefiya from the 'why Finn was suddenly talking about this'.

"In order to not tip off the likes of Ishtar or Freya Familia, we'll have to be subtle," Finn added, like he was burdened by doing the absolute bare minimum, "I think providing intense training inside the Dungeon will do the trick. Two to three of our best adventurers should be able to provide a lot of valuable experience and Excelia for their efforts."

It was certainly an unconventional help in the cultural context of Orario – to provide training to an entirely different Familia. But, in another context, supporting the Hearth Coalition allowed for Loki Familia to use them as a proxy against the Ishtar Familia who Finn and Loki Familia heavily suspect to be connected to the Evilus Remnant. Indeed, Hestia Familia's War Game was suitable as a probing attack to test Ishtar Familia's strength. The intelligence would be useful when Finn and Loki Familia needed to finish the job.

Finn personally believed that the odds of the Hearth Coalition winning were slim to none. He was already making plans to investigate and attack Ishtar Familia after the War Game was concluded.

In any case, the primary excuses for providing such training in the Dungeon was twofold. On the surface, it would allow everyone to go more all-out in their use of attacks and magic without caring for collateral property damage. It also was a way to help keep the fact that Loki Familia was training Hestia Familia on the down-low.

The fact that it all was bait to try and lure out Levis was, of course, unsaid. Finn was confident that Bell Cranel would invite Ryuu Lion along for the training if only to help train coordination before the War Game – as Ryuu Lion likely didn't need training personally as much as Bell Cranel and his allies did. With Bell and Ryuu in one place, Finn was certain that Levis and her ego wouldn't be able to resist an attempt for revenge after the previous night's encounter.

Lefiya meanwhile, was nervously sweating because she had already made an offer to help Bell train for the War Game, just without actual backing from her Familia. "T-That's a great idea!"

Let it not be said that Lefiya does not know how to use opportunities to her advantage.

"I take it you are volunteering?" Finn said in amusement.

"W-With pleasure!" Lefiya said cheerfully, trying to hide her guilty conscience, "This will be a good experience for whoever participates! I bet Ais-san would love to help out too!"

Lefiya normally would want to keep the gorgeous Ais away from Bell, but since Lefiya was all but certain that Bell already had a lover, she felt like he was 'safe' now. And she might as well invite more people along now that she has actual permission to do the trip! Lefiya would get to spend time with Bell and Ais! A win-win!

"Hmmm, good idea. I'll see if she's interested," Finn said, seeing the cold logic in how Ais would further add to the bait in drawing out Levis from the shadows. "I'll leave it to you to talk things out with Bell-san. Just know that Loki Familia will be willing to fund the trip. I'll pass along specifics after looking at our finances…"

Thanks to the quest Lefiya had been on not too long ago outside the city, the Loki Familia coffers had managed to avoid being completely empty; aside from a personal reward for Lefiya, the Guild had also given the Familia a large some for some reason that Loki refused to elaborate on. Finn wasn't sure why the Guild was buying Loki's silence, but Finn didn't much care if it kept the Familia from going under.

Either way, bankruptcy is what would have happened after how the expedition to Floor 59 wiped out the Familia's liquid assets without that injection. As is, the Loki Familia was 'just' that deep in the black. While Loki Familia had a lot of wealth… most of it was now tied up in physical assets. Property and weaponry for the most part.

These financial woes were part of the reason why Loki Familia had been unable to respond to the crisis that occurred earlier the previous day with a larger force. Loki Familia was basically broke. Without dipping into the fund reserved for yearly taxes or the personal accounts of its members, the Loki Familia itself had essentially ZERO Valis to its name. Finn had been forced to take out a loan on the Familia's behalf with the Guild to keep essential goods flowing, primarily large amounts of quality food for the Familia. As such, the Loki Familia as an organization had no way to pay for communal Dungeoneering supplies like potions and spare weapons and other mundane pieces of gear/equipment.

The funds Finn promised for Lefiya were actually coming from his personal funds. The question of how he was going to pay for this month's bill to Hephaestus Familia, for the Durandal Spear he ordered for the Floor 59 Expedition, was a problem for Future-Finn to solve.

Finn may need to reach out to businesses for sponsorships, which was something he hoped to avoid, as they were more often than not only interested in using him for his popularity with the ladies. While Finn was still looking for a bride to bear his heir… his thumb warned him that route would not be the most desirable path to walk.

(Perhaps it would be a good idea to hire Bell Cranel for some kind of business venture? Finn remembers seeing a report from his efforts to totally not spy on Bell that he somehow managed to make over 30,000,000 Valis in a short period of time. Considering how many Drop Items it would take to make that much money from the Floors in the Dungeon he might have been on, it was clear that Bell Cranel was somehow making good money from Surface-side ventures.

(An adventurer who had only gone as deep as Bell Cranel making that much money? That was rare. A collaboration of Bell's business sense and Loki Familia's name recognition might be enough to pull the Familia out of financial ruin.)

The other reason being that a large unaccounted mobilization would have spoked Ishtar and/or Freya Familias into mobilizing against them. Truly, the Concert of Orario could be annoying at times. But that is the price of stability.

"Anything else to report?" Finn asked idly.

"Oh yes!" Lefiya said, carefully pulling out a sword wrapped in cloth and setting it on the desk.

"A weapon?" Finn asked rhetorically, curious as to why this was brought before him.

"This is one of the weapons we managed to retrieve from the skirmish," Lefiya regaled, carefully unfolding the cloth to reveal the eerily black blade. "According to Sister Ryuu, every member of Evilus was equipped with these cursed blades. She claimed they carried the strongest curses she's ever seen…"

Finn's eyes narrowed. If Lion made such a claim, it would be wise to take it seriously. If true, this might mean that Evilus had improved upon Hexing techniques since the height of their power and subsequent defeat. Finn doubted that Lion would make such a claim unless it was a serious concern. It would be prudent for him to have this weapon investigated and studied.

"Apparently a similar blade was likely used against a 2nd Class adventurer from Takemikazuchi Familia," Lefiya reported, having also been informed of this by Ryuu. "Uh, what was her name again?"

"The only woman from Takemikazuchi Familia I'm familiar with is the Absolute✝Shadow," Finn said with political politeness, "Yamato Mikoto, I believe. She became Level 2 not too long ago, apparently breaching the first great hurdle shortly before Denatus."

"Yeah! That's the name!" Lefiya confirmed, the name sounding familiar now that she heard it again, "Sister Ryuu took her to the Blue Pharmacy run by Miach Familia. The Miyal Hound had a potion that was able to counter the curse."

"We'll need to investigate this curse for sure," Finn hummed, "I'd like to get another opinion on it from the Dea Saint if possible. But I'll be sure to see if those two adventurers you've notified me of are available and willing to answer questions…"

Finn mentally made plans to try and run into Mikoto and Naaza. Especially if Amid should somehow be unable to do anything about the curse on these new Hex weapons with her current stock of potions; Finn had little doubt that Amid's magic could deal with these curses, but Amid couldn't exactly be anywhere and on-demand like a potion could.

Lefiya proceeded to regale Finn with a few more menial details about the entire situation. After that, Finn went ahead and dismissed Lefiya before mentally preparing himself for the abysmal verbal reports that Tiona and Ais were sure to give him…

---

Main POV

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!" the voice of a woman yelling woke me up.

The sudden volume sent my adventurer instincts into overdrive.

Rapid observations were made.

I was naked and in bed – unusual, I usually wear PJs. A warm naked body was on top of me – very unusual. The room smelled like sex - extremely unusual. The sunlight was bright enough for it to be morning – I usually wake up earlier, but not too unusual.

I looked to the doorway, which was the source of the screaming, to see Hestia looking like she had just eaten a lemon or five.

"My poor innocent Bell-kun!" Hestia moaned loudly, "AH! And I have to watch it too!? Why didn't Hephaestus warn me about this?! Ah… my poor innocent Bell-kun is now a man, I'm not ready!"

I blinked. Then slowly looked down. Covered by the bed sheets, a naked Ryuu was sleeping on top of me with a small satisfied smile on her face.

My memories from last night finally got pulled out of short and long term storage.

My entire being was on fire from sheer embarrassment. Whether it was from managing to do the deed with Ryuu or getting caught by Hestia of all people is not something I want to think about too much. Despite being caught by my mother-figure, my little son somehow thought it was appropriate to get excited. I shivered at the involuntary movement and contact.

BELL, DAMN YOU AND YOUR DAMN HORMONES!

"C-close the door! This is embarrassing!" I pleaded, putting my hands over my face in embarrassment.

"Y-you really are insatiable like a rabbit!" Hestia accused, somehow pale and blushing at the same time.

"It's not like that! Don't misunderstand me! I just don't want–" I said, before stopping in my tracks as my worst nightmare happened.

Syr appeared behind Hestia in the hallway. With a smile and closed eyes, she stood there.

Kill me now. Syr is either about to kill me or will tease me for the end of time and I'm not sure which is worse.

"You know…" Syr said slowly.

I gulped.

"...I'm alright with this outcome," Syr finished.

Part of me wanted to sigh in relief, but my instincts told me another shoe was about to drop.

"...I figured it would be a nice change of pace to be in a more submissive position in your Harem, Bell," Syr said, her tone was casual like she was talking about the weather, "I was just worried that Ryuu wouldn't be aggressive enough for the Head Wife role. I'm glad to see I was wrong and that Ryuu is able to take the lead!"

"I-I how do you know that Ryuu initiated anything?!" I protested the assertion that Ryuu HAD to have been the one to make the first move as Syr implied.

Syr AND Hestia gave me a look that was the equivalent of 'oh Bell, don't say stupid things'.

"...just close the damn door so I can change," I said with a sigh, admitting to having lost the argument.

Hestia sighed, clearly done with today already even though it just started, walking off.

Syr grabbed the door with a laugh and said, "Just don't take too long in there~"

"Out!" I hissed, not appreciating the insinuation.

Finally the door was closed, and I was alone with Ryuu… in her room… naked.

"Not fair…" I mumbled, having determined that Ryuu had CONTINUED to sleep through all of this morning eccentricities.

"...Now how do I get out of bed without waking her up?" I quietly asked myself, ignoring the part of me that wanted to continue lying there with her on top of me.

My brain helpfully reminded me that Lili was currently in unknown trouble and needed help.

That was plenty of motivation to escape from bed with Hiraishin and start getting ready for the day.

Thankfully, I had plenty to do which would give me plenty of time to avoid everyone at the Hostess. Who I am sure is getting told by Syr what I was up to last night in order to create more sexual tension.

Fuck me.

Wait. Hold on. Poor phrasing.

God damnit.

---

I quickly devised a plan of action, while scarfing down breakfast, to rescue Lili and crush Soma Familia into submission. But, it was not a fool-proof plan. Oh, my victory was all but guaranteed. But the chance of getting out of this with even more bad PR was also very high. While I didn't particularly care about bad PR, I didn't want it to spill over onto my friends and allies if I could help it.

That, and having PR that is too bad might get Hermes into scheming up something. And I'd rather avoid that for reasons that I doubt need explaining.

Thankfully, Mama Mia was very understanding about the urgency with Lili, and so I was basically not expected to come in to help cover shifts for the foreseeable future. The War Game and everything associated with it just was too important and time consuming.

It also had the added benefit of avoiding Syr, whose full reaction to, er, her walking in on me was something I'd like to avoid.

My first stop that morning was to show up to the Blue Pharmacy with a case full of Valis.

"Oh… Bell-kun… good morning…" Naaza greeted me, thankfully, the store was empty for the moment. "How can… I help you…? Is this about… the upcoming War Game?"

"I'm still a little annoyed that you gave Miach-sama the greenlight to join in, but no, that's not why I'm here today," I told her, setting the case down on the counter.

Naaza looked at the case for a long moment before looking back at me, "...Is this perhaps about… your condition?"

"Not today, I'm still doing okay on that front due to killing another strong monster yesterday," I told her. I still needed to actually have Hestia Update me. After my, er, activities last night, Hestia had no interest in peaking at my Status. And I welcomed the opportunity to obscure how I almost died to Hestia for a day.

"I see… it's good that you are… feeling well…" Naaza said, genuinely glad that I was in good health.

"Unfortunately, I don't have good news either," I told her, "Lili was abducted last night. Probably by Soma Familia."

"Oh dear…" Naaza said in concern. I don't think she knew the details, just that Lili's relationship with Soma Familia was… really bad.

"...You plan on doing something reckless… aren't you…?" Naaza asked knowingly.

I gave her a cheeky grin in response.

Naaza sighed, "How can I help?"

"Remember when I brought up black powder way back when?" I said, as I pat the case of money.

Naaza blinked, before chuckling, "...I think I can see… where this is going…"

"Consider this my investment to have black powder developed and synthesized by the end of the day," I told her, opening the case that was filled with gold, "Feel free to keep whatever is left over."

I swear that there were money signs in Naaza's eyes, "...You really know… how to get a girl excited… Bell-kun."

Those teasing words made flashes from last night cross rapidly in my vision. I blushed.

I coughed into my hand, "Anyway! I'll leave it to you. Oh! Before I go…"

"Yes…?" Naaza said leadingly.

"Know a place where I could get a decent bow and arrows?"

---

Other POV

Ryuu was hiding in her room out of sheer embarrassment, refusing to leave or open the door for anyone.

"Ryuu~!" Syr pleaded from the hallway, "Please open the door! It's, er… not that embarrassing!"

Hiding under the covers of her bed, with her pillow over her head, Ryuu called back, "I've tarnished the name of pure love! And now everyone knows it!"

Ryuu had initially tried to hide her inner embarrassment over what she had done last night and go about like everything was normal. Unfortunately, Syr couldn't help but share with the other girls of age the sight she had seen that morning.

Upon seeing Chloe, Anya, and Lunoire's knowing grins and Syr's apologetic smile, Ryuu was highly suspicious. And became mortified when Astraea-sama, who had stayed the night at the Hostess with Hestia–sama, informed Ryuu that… basically everyone knew that she had slept with Bell.

("I'm looking forward to the grandchildren!" Astraea-sama had eagerly said then to Ryuu's utter mortification.)

Ryuu had immediately bolted for her room and refused to leave ever since.

"Tarnished love? Ryuu you're being ridiculous," Syr said, more amused than exasperated, "As someone who likes Bell too, even I would get annoyed when the person who beat me to him would say something like that. Why don't you open the door so we can talk about it?"

After a few moments of silence, the door opened to reveal a very red and despondent Ryuu in her work uniform.

Syr noticed in amusement that Ryuu's smooth fairy-like skin was flushed and lively — like her 'activities' with Bell last night had given her body a boost to her vitality. Ryuu's overall vitality had seemingly risen as if she had drank from the Fountain of Youth, at least by appearances alone.

"Now," Syr said as she took a seat in Ryuu's chair, "Try to forget that I am also interested in Bell-kun for a minute and tell me what's wrong. Okay?"

Syr was emphasizing that Ryuu should be treating her as her best female friend right now and not as a love rival.

An emphasis that made Ryuu feel even more guilty, but one that Ryuu silently agreed to.

"...Well, it's just… I've tarnished my relationship with Bell!" Ryuu claimed in hysterics.

"How is it tarnished?" Syr asked, "If anything, Bell-kun looked to be the most stress-free he's been in weeks…"

Syr had noticed that the subtle signs of stress that Bell had been exhibiting lately had vanished. His breathing was calmer, his muscles and stance more relaxed, and his eyes seemed less tired.

"Oh…" Ryuu blushed in embarrassment, before shaking her head in denial as she quickly dismissed Syr's distraction, "No! True love isn't supposed to be like how I behaved last night!"

"Isn't supposed to… what is true love to you, Ryuu?" Syr asked, trying to figure out what Ryuu meant. While the two had conversed on many a private matter, they rarely talked about romance… in a serious light, anyway.

The closest they had gotten was acknowledging to each other that Bell was in denial about wanting a harem because he didn't want to offend anyone's sensibilities. Whether or not how that was Bell really felt was something that didn't matter to the two girls who were convinced otherwise.

"True love…" Ryuu said, getting lost in thought, "It's pure. One only gives up their chastity to their lifetime partner…"

Syr's smile didn't change, but internally she questioned, 'A little childish, but considering Bell, it's appropriate. But where's the problem? Was not last night them declaring their eternal love with their bodies?' Syr, as well as most people, would argue that Ryuu's point thus far made no sense.

"...Until a marriage contract is sealed and an oath is made in an elven forest, a couple shouldn't act lovey-dovey or even hold hands! That is what true love is about!" Ryuu declared fiercely, revealing that Ryuu's main problem was that she had sex outside of marriage, to put it simply.

"...Eh?" Syr couldn't believe what she was hearing. It was romantic, in a very conservative way certainly. But… did Ryuu not realize she had been acting lovey-dovey, just in very small ways that one might not immediately see?

…Did Ryuu not yet figure out the romantic connotations behind lap pillows? Syr is not sure whether to be amused or embarrassed on Ryuu's behalf.

"Mmm? Syr, what is that look? Did I say something weird?" Ryuu asked, noticing how exasperated Syr's face had turned into. Ryuu's main problem with herself was that she 'consummated' her love for Bell before making a formal oath of matrimony and love in a forest as per elven custom. A problem that took Syr a few moments to realize.

Syr was honestly surprised that Ryuu had been the one to initialize things in the first place with this kind of outlook on love. Ryuu must have been very emotional last night to act so 'out of character'.

Syr sighed deeply, "Before I get into everything you just said, why don't you explain why you did what you did last night?"

Ryuu winced, and stayed silent for a moment to gather her thoughts.

After a minute, Ryuu then said, "…Because Bell is walking down a path I am all too familiar with."

That got Syr's attention.

Ryuu continued, "The deaths of… my Familia… they broke me. And I reacted by destroying everything around me. If not for you finding me in that alley, I would have kept on fighting — even in such poor condition — until I died."

"I'm glad I could help you then," Syr said with compassion.

"And I'm grateful you saved me," Ryuu said, before making her point, "But on that Quest outside the city… something in Bell broke. But instead of destroying what is around him, he's destroying himself. He's unable to stop himself from acting against blatant evils right in front of him."

Bell made enemies of Apollo and Ishtar Familias in less than a week. To anyone, this was utter insanity. The people around Bell supported him anyway, likely due to his charisma, determination, and Inspiring Leader. But they were still cognizant of how insane everything was. They followed him anyway, because he inspired them to aid him in doing what is right and just.

The more important point was that Ryuu recognized that she and Bell were very similar yet different. So she could recognize that he was being suicidal because of his valor where she had suicidal because of her vengeance.

Add in the fact that…

"…He took a blow meant for me," Ryuu said, her voice holding back grief, "You saw it."

"…I did. I felt my world start crashing down," Syr said solemnly. She still was trying to process that herself. Which was why Syr refrained from acting as Freya in regards to Bell. She was cognizant enough to know that any decision she made right now regarding Bell would be rash and potentially more damaging than helpful for their relationship in the long run.

Syr was simply too smart and logical to turn into a crazy yandere. That said, Freya would react in time. As soon as she properly accounted for the Bell Cranel Effect in her risk management protocols.

"He said he did it because he loves me," Ryuu said, "And I believe it. Like I believed it on Floor 18. How… how could I keep on dallying, after that? I couldn't care anymore that he had other's interested in him. That you were interested in him. I only cared that he loves and believes in me. And that he almost died protecting me. I couldn't stand the thought of him dying and him not knowing for certain how I felt about him. That… That I love him…"

Ryuu sheepishly whispered those final words, blushing madly like a maiden in love. Because she was one. And it was rather embarrassing for a serious and cool elf like herself.

Syr's eyes widened in understanding. Multiple things for her clicked into place.

No wonder Bell fell for Ryuu first, they were two halves of the same coin. They were both heroes, seekers of Justice. Of course Bell would fall so deeply for Ryuu before falling for Syr — who mainly had the 'girl next door' vibe going for her.

Syr represented the mundane kind of life that Bell was not ready to settle down for. Ryuu was the energetic Heroine that could stand beside him for every trial ahead of him in his Quest to be the Last Hero.

And honestly, Syr couldn't blame Bell. Syr also loved Ryuu because she was a Heroine. Which was why Syr could never blame Ryuu for loving Bell. It was only natural that a Heroine fall for the Hero and that the Hero fall for the Heroine. It's simply the way of things.

And while Syr had certainly been shaken about Bell's near death… it was less so than the likes of Ryuu. It was just a fact that, as a Goddess, Freya saw death differently than a mortal does.

As long as life bloomed on the Lower World, the cycle of reincarnation would continue. Freya may need to wait a year. Or a decade. Or a century. Or a millennium. Or a millennia millenniums. But eventually Bell would return to her.

And when life on this planet does Die in the next 4.5 billion years or so, Freya could experience an entire Universe with Bell and Ryuu and who knows who else — as at that time there may be little need for the Gods and Goddesses to restrain their power anymore.

And when the Universe dies in 1 Trillion Trillion Trillion Trillion years or so, there will be entire other realities to visit and explore together — assuming they haven't left this dimension before then.

All of this to say was that anyone who expected Syr to utterly freak out over Bell's near death are those who do not understand a Goddess's nature. And thus, Syr could not blame Ryuu for reacting as mortals do in the face of death. She knew that their perspectives on the matter were very different.

Syr would, of course, be lying if she were to claim she was not jealous. But, she genuinely was glad that Ryuu was able to find comfort in him. And him in her.

Why was Syr not in despair over Bell choosing Ryuu? Because Syr was not only convinced she could still seduce Bell, but because she was confident the boy would eventually admit to wanting a harem. And because she loved them. Wished for their happiness, for them to achieve their goals.

Ryuu, ignorant of these thoughts, continued to vent her concerns, "I admit, seeing Alise like that… a zombie with no memory of everything we went through together… it shook me."

"I don't think anyone would blame you for that," Syr said – it's not like amnesiac zombies appeared out of nowhere regularly.

"It's just…" Ryuu continued, "It was a slap in the face. For my d-deceased comrade to appear in front of me… to almost strike down the man I love… it was like a bad joke… like the universe was trying to take the people I love away with the people I've lost. I didn't want to wait any more, to give the universe a chance to finish what it started before I got a chance to confess. But to do so like that…"

"Ryuu, look," Syr said, "You're overthinking things."

"Hmm?" Ryuu hummed in confusion.

"Think of it this way…" Syr proposed, "It might not have been an elven forest, mind you, but… didn't Bell confess to you and kiss you in the forests of Floor 18?"

"!" Ryuu's eyes widened.

"And do you mean to tell me that you hadn't kissed him back even a little at that time?" Syr asked leadingly.

"I-I, er… did I…?" Ryuu said in embarrassed confusion. She had been rather emotionally distracted when that had occurred. She couldn't really remember if she had kissed back or not. But her intuition was screaming that she had to have kissed back a little, even if she wasn't conscious about it.

Perhaps her brain was fabricating memories due to Syr's leading question. But either way, Ryuu wouldn't deny that she kissed him.

"In a way, then, you had already made a vow, an oath, with Bell," Syr said logically, "Don't you just need to take responsibility and do that whole 'marriage contract' thing since you've done everything 'out of order'?"

"Responsibility…" Ryuu murmured to herself, finding herself unable to deny Syr's train of logic. Ryuu couldn't do anything about her past mistakes or hiccups. But she could take responsibility and do the right thing. And that would be to take responsibility for taking Bell's chastity in such a lewd and debaucherous manner!

Ryuu would have preferred to use an elven forest, but considering racial tensions and the fact they are both adventurers… Perhaps a forest within the Dungeon is rather thematic and appropriate…

"Yes… Syr, I think you are right, as usual," Ryuu said, regaining composure and confidence.

"It goes without saying!" Syr said cheerfully, receiving the praise with little humility. Syr then said with a sheepish grin, "...Just don't get mad when I keep on teasing and seducing Bell-kun?"

Ryuu rolled her eyes, and said as an answer, "...I knew what I was getting into the moment I fell for him."

Ryuu wasn't thrilled per say with the idea of 'sharing' Bell. But Bell had, early on, been very honest and open about having interest in multiple women and his struggles with choosing between them. Ryuu couldn't help but acknowledge such honesty, because she believed Bell would always be genuine when he tells another that he loves them. Ryuu just had no intentions of ever getting involved romantically with anyone else Bell fell for.

Even Syr. Ryuu was too conservative and romantic to consider a menagerie a trois.

Syr would be devastated…

Anyway, that was how Ryuu was convinced to leave her room and keep marching on.

… and then get yelled at from Mama Mia for missing the morning shift. The fact that Noel had been peacefully sleeping and not working either was not pointed out by anyone by a silent universal agreement. After all…

Noel hasn't woken up since the battle with the Demi Spirit concluded.

---

Main POV

Upon arriving at the Temporary Residence Townhouse(TRT), the Familia home of the Takemikazuchi Familia, I took my shoes off before their God led me to a greeting room.

"Would you like some tea?" Takemikazuchi asked as we both sat on our knees at a very low, eastern table.

"Not today, I've got a full docket today. Thanks again for having me," I told him, as this was just one of many stops today.

"I see. Well, how can I help you today, Bell-kun? This isn't about the War Game is it?" Takemikazuchi asked me.

"Tangentially," I admitted, "Lili was abducted last night, and I suspect it was by Soma Familia. I was hoping I could ask for your Familia to help in the search."

Takemikazuchi hummed in thought, then said, "Are you sure this is the best course of action? If you are planning on attacking Soma Familia before the War Game begins… The Guild will punish you severely. One of the main points of War Games in the first place is to avoid such battles from taking place."

Indeed, War Games were a replacement for actual warfare. Getting caught attacking an enemy Familia before the War Game could begin was a bad precedent that went against the entire point of having a War Game in the first place.

But I hardly cared. Because…

"As far as I'm concerned, they attacked me first," I told Takemikazuchi, "Even though the law would say otherwise."

I was aware of the fact that Soma Familia technically had the right to reclaim Lili anytime they wanted since she was part of their Familia. I was just rejecting that legal argument on the basis that Lili wanted to leave the Familia but wasn't being allowed to. The legality around that issue still favored Soma Familia. Despite this, I was prepared to tell Soma Familia and the Guild to go fuck themselves. The Guild only favored the Familias' over the individual adventurers was to maintain stability.

"If my reputation takes a hit, I encourage you guys to denounce me and drop out of the War Game," I told the God of War resolutely, "I refuse to abandon Lili because the law isn't on my side. And I don't blame you for not wanting my actions to ruin your Familia's reputation. It's part of why Hestia and I didn't ask you guys to help in the first place."

"...No, I think my children will insist on helping," Takemikazuchi said with a wry grin, "I just wanted to make sure you considered the consequences of this course of action. It's clear that you have resolved to sacrifice your image for your ideals. I can respect that. How would you like us to aid you?"

"I just need help locating property that Soma Familia own and operate out of," I told him, "and to help determine where Lili is being held. I assume she is at their main base, but I'm not certain. I'd like to know where their main refineries and storage warehouses are located as well."

"Their warehouses?" Takemikazuchi said in confusion, "You think they would hold Lili in such places?"

"Not really," I admitted, "But… I think it's important to send a message about what happens when people try to attack me by going after those close to me."

Takemikazichi laughed loudly, as if pleasantly surprised, "Hahaha! Soma Familia's warehouses, huh… Going after the enemy's resources? I suppose you do know a thing or two about waging war. Though, I admittedly prefer a more upfront approach."

"Sorry," I apologized, knowing their Familia preferred more 'honorable' engagements, "But if it's not too much trouble…"

I put a quiver of arrows onto the table, and said, "...if your Familia could get these to hidden locations, preferably the roofs, of said buildings it would be a great help. I'll handle the rest."

Takemikazuchi was confused, but agreed to instruct his Familia members to carry out my request.

As he led me back out, he let me know he and his Familia planned on stopping by the Hostess to see Haruhime as a group. Especially after Mikoto's attempt to go see her alone had failed. I was obviously okay with such an arrangement.

I just had one more major stop left.

---

"Oh, Bell!" Welf greeted me at the door to his workshop, "Good to see ya. Is Lili not with you? I hadn't seen her since she went back home last night, and I was expecting to see her by now…"

"My Hiraishin mark she carries went out," I told him grimly, "I think she was kidnapped by Soma Familia."

"What!?" Welf exclaimed, enraged that Lili was kidnapped. Welf slammed his hand into the doorframe so hard it cracked, "Damnit! I knew I should have escorted her back to her place!"

"Let me guess, she was stubborn and told you to buzz off or something to a similar extent?" I said knowingly.

"Yeah, you know how she is…" Welf said with a huff, "So. What's the plan?"

"Plan?" I asked innocently.

Welf grinned, "Come on. You're gonna do something insane right? Count me in. Like hell I'm abandoning Lil'Lili to those bastards."

"Well, some small containers and timers able to light a spark would be handy," I said ruefully, "It would be a shame if all of Soma's precious wine were to catch fire and explode due to negligence?"

Welf chuckled, "Arson for a good cause? Now that's what I'm talking about!"

Welf was seriously such a bro. No questions asked and he's all for setting off a bunch of fires for a worthwhile cause. What can I say? Explosions are cool.

"You know it!" I said with a grin, "Naaza is making the explosives, she should hopefully have them ready by the end of the day."

"Good to hear," Welf said, having calmed down now that it was clear that a plan of action was already in place to help Lili out. "Anything you need from me?"

"...Do you know where Hermes Familia's home is at?" I asked hesitantly. I wouldn't be devastated if Welf didn't know. I could just check the registry in the Guild. But the Guild building was on the other side of town.

"Hermes Familia huh…" Welf said, deep in thought, "I think it's across over in District 6?"

The various districts of the city were numbered. Welf's workshop was in District 2, while Ishtar's Pleasure District was District 4. The Hostess of Fertility and Hestia's Church were in District 7.

"I'll go double check with the Guild, but that gives me somewhere to look, thanks!" I told Welf gratefully. My search through the directory would be much easier now that it was narrowed down.

"Keep me posted," Welf said with a wave, "I'll make those timers and keep on making swords for the War Game in the meantime!"

"What about the War Balloon? How's that going?" I asked Welf curiously. Might as well ask while I'm here.

Welf gave a wolfish grin.

That was a probably a good sign.

---

Other POV

Ryuu reentered the annex building after a productive morning shift. Resisting the urge to give into her lunchtime hunger, Ryuu decided to use her break to have an urgent conversation with her Goddess.

Standing outside the room that Astraea-sama and Hestia-sama had been using, Ryuu raised her arm to knock on the slightly opened door. She paused, however, as she heard a conversation through the open door frame.

"You're crazy!" Hestia yelled, "If anything, Bell-kun's cute looks will win out and all his kids will look like him!"

"No, you misunderstand," Astraea retorted, "I mean to say that Bell-kun's hair and eye color will win out, but their kids will look more like Ryuu-kun. Does it really matter though? Both of our children are very beautiful, no?"

"You have a point," Hestia grumbled, "Bell-kun needs to apologize to all women for being so pretty. Then again, he looks really handsome when he's fighting…"

"..." Ryuu could feel her cheeks heating up in embarrassment at being the topic of such a stupid conversation. That said, she can't restrain the sacrilegious thoughts that her Goddess and Hestia-sama are both idiots. Ryuu decided to knock on the door before their bizarre conversation could go any further.

"Come in!" Astraea called in response to the knocking.

"Excuse me," Ryuu politely said as she entered the room.

"Ah! Ryuu-kun!" Hestia blushed madly. Flustered at having been 'caught' gossiping about what the young elf's kids might look like.

"On your lunch break I take it?" Astraea innocently asked, pretending to have not been a part of a conversation that would embarrass her child to no end.

"Correct… My apologizes, but I really need to talk with my Goddess…" Ryuu said, somewhat bluntly asking Hestia to give her some privacy with Astraea.

"O-Of course!" Hestia stuttered, her mind still in the gutter as she got to her feet and moved to leave the room.

Before she did, however, she waved for Ryuu to bend down. When the elf did so, Hestia whispered into her ear, "Don't worry, Ryuu-kun. Astraea and I agreed to let the kids choose which Familia to enter. No need to worry about a custody battle!"

"P-Please stop talking…" Ryuu stuttered in embarrassment, her arms and body stiffly straight and her hands clenched, "I-I'm n-not even due…"

Hestia gave Ryuu a look that was the equivalent of 'and you think that will prevent that from happening anyway?' Before Hestia shrugged before leaving to give the two some privacy.

The room now only containing an elf and her Goddess, the latter of which smiled fondly as she said, "While I would love to talk more about my potential grandkids, I do believe that you intend on informing me about the events of yesterday. No?"

"...Correct," Ryuu answered after a moment, trying to pretend that Astraea hadn't said anything embarrassing.

Ryuu quickly detailed how Noel had gone missing. How Syr had called Ryuu over to heal Mikoto before running away from the Hostess. How Ryuu dropped Mikoto off with Naaza before reconvening with the other Hostess girls. How they learned that Bell and Syr had gone into the Dungeon to locate Syr and chase a terrorist. How they armed themselves and followed. How they found Bell, Syr, and Noel facing against Vito the Faceless and the substantial forces of a resurgent Evilus.

How Vito managed to escape with Noel. How they tracked Vito to an undiscovered chamber on Floor 17. How the chamber contained something called a 'Demi-Spirit' and how Loki Familia was aware about the existence of such monstrosities and that they were well aware of the activities of the Evilus Remnant.

"...There's something else," Astraea noticed that Ryuu started to dance around the subject of something near the end of her narration. "Something painful."

"Yes…" Ryuu confirmed, shuddering slightly in remembrance, "Alise was with them."

Astraea blinked, "...What?"

Astraea's mind stopped abruptly. Did she hear Ryuu incorrectly? Why hadn't Astraea detected a lie? Wasn't Ryuu just mistaken? But Ryuu would never lie. Especially about something like this. About Alise.

'This is just your luck, isn't it?' Astraea couldn't help but think to herself dejectedly. Though not for the reasons you might expect.

"Her voice was off, and her facial features had been distorted, but it was her," Ryuu continued to detail, her eyes distant as she described the zombie, "She called herself 'Levis' and a 'Creature'. She had a monster's magic stone in her chest… and no memories of her past. A walking talking amnesic zombie."

"...You… that…" Astraea struggled to find words.

"See for yourself," Ryuu said, turning around to offer her back to her, continuing to say, "Words do not do it, well, justice."

Astraea listlessly nodded as she moved to prick her finger and lay her hands on Ryuu's back. Silently agreeing that she would do just that, and see for herself through Ryuu's eyes.

Ryuu Lion

Level 5

Alias: Gale Wind

Strength: F: 314 - D: 522

Vitality: H: 101 - E: 410

Dexterity: F: 340 - E: 401

Agility: F: 333 - D: 589

Magic: G: 281 - D: 534

Ryuu's battle with Levis provided the vast majority of her Excelia, and netted a nice chunk of High Quality Excelia as well, though not nearly enough for a Level Up. And, perhaps incredibly enough, her Excelia gain buff from Bell's Inspiring Leader had reached similar levels as if she had Liaris Freese herself. That wasn't actually the case, but it was a summarization that was apt enough to describe how a single encounter had earned Ryuu a cumulative of approximately 1,100 points in her Basic Abilities.

But that wasn't what Astraea had focused on. For Astraea focused completely on Ryuu's encounter and dialogue with the being calling herself 'Levis'.

Astraea's eyes darkened. Saddened and grief stricken. A result of how Goddess' experienced time meant that something that had happened five years ago was the equivalent of an event happening only a blink of an eye ago. From Astraea's extended perspective, it was like Alise had died yesterday. And now her corpse had unnaturally risen from the grave in order to spread suffering and Death.

"I… see…" Astraea gasped out, choking back a sorrowful sob.

"I don't understand," Ryuu declared, pleading for answers, "She… Alise… she's d-dead."

"R-Ryuu. I wouldn't be so cruel as to lie about such a thing," Astraea stuttered, shocked at the implied accusation, "I felt them all die. Alise is definitely dead…"

Astraea suddenly flinched, looking away from Ryuu's eyes.

Ryuu's eyes slowly widened, "Y-you… you know something about this?!"

"No!" Astraea denied vehemently before then immediately rephrasing herself, "N-not exactly…"

"Goddess!" Ryuu exclaimed incredulously, "What truths have you hidden from me?! WHY!?"

Astraea bit her lip, collecting her thoughts before saying, "...Allow me to clarify a few matters. It will make sense."

Ryuu nodded stiffly, a stern expression on her face.

"The Falna is something that is both Physical and Spiritual," Astraea explained, "Should one of those aspects be damaged, so too will the Falna encounter… glitches."

"Glitches?" Ryuu asked, confused.

"Without a body, the Falna has no way to interact with the physical world," Astraea explained, "Without a soul, there is no wellspring of power to fuel the strength given by a Status. But even without a soul, the Falna remains."

"I see…" Ryuu said, understanding the theory both from Astraea's logic and from her personal experiences. Many a times during Ryuu's time in Astraea Familia and during her Crusade did Ryuu look at the Falna still on the back of dead Adventurers. Just because an adventurer was dead, did it mean that their Falna was gone. It was just rather useless to still have a Falna if you were dead.

That, and it made sense that the Soul was a major factor of producing 'energy' for the power born of Status. The Falna was a blessing from the gods to bring out the inherent potential of the Children of Genkai. While part of that power was certainly Divine in nature, it made sense for a portion of that power to be born from the user themselves.

Normally, when you die your soul leaves your body and your Falna becomes useless. Not just because you are dead and are no longer part of the physical world, but because your Falna is literally useless without a soul. Unless… you can replace that wellspring of power with something else powerful enough. Like, perhaps… a strong enough Magic Stone?

From the knowledge given by Astraea, Ryuu was able to deduce a vital piece of information about Levis' existence.

The bodies of Alise and the other girls had vanished a day after they had been slain. Ryuu had always assumed their corpses had been completely eaten by monsters. And Ryuu wasn't necessarily wrong about that reasonable assumption. What Ryuu had, reasonably, not assumed… was that whatever monster that had consumed Alise and the others had done something with their bodies beyond a desire to eat human flesh.

Whatever 'She' was that Levis referred to… must have taken Alise's fresh corpse, healed it, and inserted a Magic Stone in order to take the place of Alise's soul. It was the only series of events that could account for how Alise's completely broken and scorched body had been repaired, yet mangled and how Alise was still 'alive' while giving the impression to Astraea of being dead.

Yet… it felt like Astraea was still holding something back…

A thought then crossed Ryuu's mind, and she uttered without hesitation, "You didn't return to Orario just because of Bell's letter…"

"..." Astraea was silent, allowing Ryuu to deduce the truth for herself.

"Perhaps it took five years for the entire process to turn Alise into Levis," Ryuu speculated, "Or perhaps it happened quickly and instead Alise was in a hibernated-like state until relatively recently. Either way, at the time, you assumed she and the others were dead. But in recent times, Levis 'woke up' and became active. And you felt it through your connection to her. You, in your grief, were unsure what to do. But then you got Bell's letter, and you knew you needed to come ensure my safety, both emotional and physical."

"...I was struck with indecision," Astraea regaled, all but admitting that Ryuu's speculations were correct, "I wanted answers. Answers to this feeling that Alise was still alive. 'What are these things I'm feeling?' I asked myself. But I wasn't sure what was right. Could I ask you to pick up your sword when you may have to raise it against the one you loved so dearly? I could feel Levis' pain and hatred from across the continent. Could you handle bearing that pain? I was sure that your revenge had crushed your spirit?"

"You… didn't believe in me?" Ryuu asked, hurt by Astraea's lack of faith in her.

"No!" Astraea denied with all her being, "It's because I believed in you so much that I knew how far you could fall! You love Justice with all your being! I felt that once the flames of hatred in your heart finally fizzled out, that you would be crushed under the weight of the expectations you've laid out for yourself."

"Oh…" Ryuu uttered, blushing slightly at the roundabout praise, but mostly agreeing that Astraea had Ryuu pegged. Ryuu had been crushed under the weight of her lack of Justice at the end of her Crusade. If not for Syr's kind smile and outstretched hand, Ryuu would have died in that alley – mentally if not physically.

"But then I got the letter," Astraea said, a bittersweet smile on her face, "And from the love held within it from Bell to you… I knew that Justice still burned brightly in your heart. I knew that if you could still make others fall in love with you, that you were still yourself despite my cowardly abandonment of you. I couldn't run from the past any longer. I couldn't be a coward, abandoning Justice anymore. And so I opened the door to our connection, a connection I refused to look at ever since I fled Orario in self-exile."

Astraea smiled brightly, full of pride for her lone remaining pupil, "Your spirit was still shining bright like a shooting star… And I knew that I needed to do what was right by you. Right by them. I had to return, and I had to right the wrongs of the past… and that I had to properly support your future like I'm supposed to as your Goddess."

"But… why didn't you tell me until now?" Ryuu asked, not understanding why Astraea would obscure her reasons for returning.

Astraea blushed, "...I hadn't expected to run into them so quickly. I'm still settling back into the city. I hoped to recruit allies to aid you in the battle that was sure to come… And I selfishly wanted to give you time for your relationship with Bell to flourish more before you had to return to the battlefield. Not that circumstances would allow that in the end…"

Ryuu found she couldn't really argue against those arguments. For the most part. "You still should have told me," Ryuu insisted.

Astraea nodded, "Yes. But, to be fair, you might have forced yourself to act before you were ready. You tend to be stubborn and take things too far, you know?"

Ryuu blushed sheepishly, she couldn't deny that Astraea knew her all too well, "...Point taken."

Astraea then bowed her head, and said, "Ryuu, please forgive me for keeping this from you. I had your best intentions in mind, because I love you. But I still hid things from you. Please forgive me."

"A-Astraea-sama! Please, raise your head," Ryuu sputtered, "Please don't lower yourself for a sinful elf like me…"

"Ryuu, I may be a Goddess, but I am far from perfect," Astraea bluntly declared as she raised her head, "And as a patron of Justice, I am more well aware than most of my fellow Gods on our collective fallibility. But, please, don't debase yourself before me. It's unseemly."

Ryuu blinked, reminded of the words spoken to her by Bell and the words she had thrown back in his face. It was apparently time for those words to be used against her again.

Ryuu then smiled, "...Okay. I'm sorry for talking badly about myself. And I forgive you. You intended to tell me when it was time to start making moves to investigate and pursue Levis. I just happened to run into her before you had anticipated."

"Exactly," Astraea confirmed, "I wouldn't have had you begin such an operation without knowing about what I knew about Alise. Which was not much beyond the fact that she was dead, yet alive and was somewhere in Orario."

"That's all you knew?" Ryuu asked to confirm.

"And that she and the others are in pain," Astraea confirmed with a nod, "All I knew was that their connection to me had been rekindled, but was corrupted."

Ryuu nodded in thought before Astraea's words in the plural tense had registered in her head. Ryuu paled as she asked in horror, "...She and the others?"

Astraea's face was grim as she opened her mouth… and was interrupted as the door suddenly slammed open.

"HOW LONG DO YOU THINK LUNCH BREAKS ARE?!" Mama Mia yelled furiously as she busted into the room, her eyes full of righteous fury as she locked onto Ryuu.

"Eeep," Ryuu squeaked as she paled in fear. Whoops.

---

While Ryuu had left the pub for her lunch break, the other girls took to eating their lunch at the bar; aside from Haruhime, who was currently the one taking care of the still unconscious Noel. The sounds of spoons and forks hitting plates, the chewing of food, and slurping of mead were all that could be heard – the sounds of those walking the streets outside were muffled.

Luniore was the one who finally broke the silence, "...We all almost died."

"Are you trying to ruin my lunch, nya?" Chloe said snarkily.

"Oh! I'll have it if you won't, nya!" Anya cheerfully offered her assistance in eating Chloe's food.

"It's a saying you dumb cat! Stop it, get your own, nya!" Chloe hissed, batting the other cat away from stealing her food.

"Stop trying to change the subject! We need to have a serious talk! Stupid cats…" Luniore insisted, as if deciding that she needed the voice of maturity today.

"Come on girls, let's get along," Syr said with a hollow laugh, "This does sound like a conversation we all need to have, no?"

"Tch," Chloe clicked her teeth, "Fine. I'm not annoyed, nya. Just frustrated that it looks like the Dark Times are happening again, nya."

Indeed, with the defeat of Evilus, everyone had hoped that a permanent peace could return to Orario. Apparently, it was not to last. All of the girls had their reasons for desiring a peaceful existence. The girls did not lust for power. Chloe's greed was more of a desire to satisfy her own perversions… and a desire to give kids a decent life unlike her own childhood.

"I get that," Luniore said in agreement, "But it's not like we can stick our heads in the dirt and pretend it's not happening."

"Can't we, nya?" Chloe retorted, "I'm pretty both of us kept our heads down during the chaos back then, nya."

"Because we had nothing to gain from it," Lunoire reminded Chloe, "I might have been a merc, but I wasn't stupid. And neither were you. Participating in the violence back then would have just made you and I powerful enemies not worth the coin."

"So you deduced why I didn't take jobs back then, nya," Chloe shrugged, "But we're retired now, nya. And it looks like Loki Familia is already in the works of hunting down Evilus again, nya. It's none of our business, so why bother bringing it up, nya?"

"Because of Ryuu, you dummy, nya!" Anya exclaimed like it was obvious, "Ryuu and Bell are gonna be involved now because of that scary red-head, nya!"

"For once, Anya is right," Luniore said, ignoring Anya's protests, "We all know Ryuu is stubborn. She's not going to let that… thing go. It's her former Captain! I don't exactly understand what's going on with that, but I do know that Ryuu is gonna finish what she started."

Chloe bit her lip, trying to pretend that she didn't care what Ryuu did in her own time… and was failing. Chloe sighed, "Seriously… I swear my life would be so much simpler if I managed to kill both of you that day, nya."

Lunoire snorted, "You'd be miserable without us, you stupid cat."

"Shut up, nya!" Chloe hissed, looking annoyed as Anya decided to glomp her, "Let me go, nya!"

"Quit being a sourpuss and say you love us, nya!" Anya grinned, nibbling on Chloe's arm.

Chloe growled, before finally conceding, "Fine! Fine! I love you fucking idiots, nya! Now get off, nya!"

"I think this calls for a group hug, no?" Syr chimed in with a conniving grin.

Chloe paled, "Wait, no, don't– Ack!"

Chloe yelped as she got dogpilled by the trio of Syr, Lunoire, and Anya in a group hug. The act knocked Chloe out of her chair as they all fell to the floor with an 'oof'. Which just caused all of the girls to start laughing and giggling at their collective stupidity. After a good chuckle, Chloe lightly elbowed Lunoire away from her as she pushed Anya away by her face with her other hand.

"Get off, nya," Chloe said with a grin before they all got back to their feet and moved to retake their seats.

"So, did you have something in mind, nya?" Chloe asked before she continued eating her meal, giving Luniore the floor for her proposal.

"Well…" Luniore said slowly, carefully choosing her words, "Before that. I'm also worried about Bell."

"Yeah, you don't really have to explain that sister, nya," Chloe said, taking a long swig of her mug of mead.

All of the girls had watched Bell on his journey. How he joined the Hostess crew as a poor naive, but stupidly brave lad from the boonies. How he realized he was a just a small fish in a bigger pond… and then decided to say 'fuck that' by pushing himself even harder as an adventurer and as a hero. Chloe personally witnessed as Bell made the heroic choice to hunt down the Juggernaut rather than risk letting it hunt down other adventurers in the chaos of the attack of the Black Goliath.

Bell was funny, sarcastic, and it was always fun to tease him. He was kind, hard working, and humble. His determination was palpable, he practically glowed like a shining star in their eyes. And most importantly, it was Bell that finally reignited the white flame of hope in Ryuu's eyes. All of the girls had their dark pasts. And to see Bell bring such life into Ryuu's eyes was something they would all be forever grateful for. Because Ryuu was their sister. They were all one big family now.

There was only certain semantics that kept them 'seperate'.

Anyway, last night proved that Bell and Ryuu's heroism was not without risk. And that just because the other girls were retired, it didn't mean that their peaceful lives were guaranteed. Noel had barely left the premises and had been kidnapped. That attack on a member of the staff was proof that peace was no longer a guarantee. Their safe haven was not an impenetrable fortress. It was only the threat of Mama Mia's wrath that kept the enemies of the Black Cat and Black Fist at bay.

The continuity that was the daily lives of Luniore, Anya, and Chloe (in particular) could no longer remain the same. Noel's kidnapping changed everything.

"What are you trying to propose, exactly?" Syr asked curiously, her mood equally somber as the other girls, "It's not your fault that Bell and Ryuu have chosen the path they have. No one would blame any of you for choosing to walk your own paths. I know Bell and Ryuu certainly don't."

The combination of Luniore's and Syr's words caused puzzle pieces to click in Chloe's head. Her eyes widened in realization, as she gasped out, "You want us to join in on their insanity, nya…"

"The only other option is to continue to let rotten bastards try to keep on walking over Ryuu, Bell, and US!" Luniore growled, incensed at the very notion that people would try to harm her and her precious people. "If people want to fuck around, maybe it's up to us to make sure they find out! Don't mess with us Hostess girls!"

"I like the idea of beating up jerks, nya," Anya said in the closest thing to calm she could manage, "I suppose you mean to have a Great Detective like myself investigate, nya? That sounds really dangerous, you know, nya…"

"Sometimes I forget how talking to the both of you gives me aneurysms," Luniore grumbled before saying, "What I'm trying to say is that there is nothing that can stop us if we Hostess Girls stay united!"

"Bell is a boy, nya," Chloe pointed out before giggling lewdly, "And he has such a nice booty too, nya. I'd never thought I'd ever be jealous of Ryuu, nya."

"He can literally transform into a woman!" Luniore pointed out, "Not that his gender really matters, it's besides the point!"

"I feel like Belko being cute is a very important point, but I suppose that isn't terribly relevant at the moment," Syr said with a giggle.

Luniore sighed heavily, "The point is that despite my own misgivings, I think that we should honestly consider Converting to Hestia or Astraea Familia."

Anya's eyes in particular opened wide, "Nyanyanya?!"

Chloe sighed knowingly, "I knew you were building up to this."

"Is that really necessary?" Syr asked, playing devil's advocate, "You made it sound like we were already a family despite not all of us being in the same Familia or in a Familia at all."

"Sure, we don't need to be in the same Familia to care for each other," Luniore agreed before saying, "But… isn't it selfish of us to pretend that Ryuu's and Bell's problems aren't ours because it's inconvenient? 'It's not my problem, we aren't in the same Familia. It's not my problem, I didn't tell them to go be big damn heroes.' Can you look yourself in the mirror if it means your apathy might be the reason that Bell or Ryuu don't come back home next time?"

Luniore's question could pierce armor. Was the anonymity of the Black Cat, the Black Fist, and the Vana Alfi worth it if it meant that Bell and Ryuu might bite the dust because they weren't there for them when they were needed? The selfish desire for peace and the selfish desire for Bell and Ryuu to remain a part of their lives. If they couldn't have both, which was more valuable to them?

As if to answer the question, Chloe scratched her head and said, "...I already have a sample of Njord-sama's ichor with me, so I can basically get a Conversion whenever, nya. You all?"

"I'd need to talk to Demeter-sama," Luniore said, a relieved smile on her face, "But she already knows that I could be leaving any time now. She won't be surprised to see me go."

Anya's eyes watered as she refused to look the other girls in the eye, "...I'm sure that there is nothing in my way from Converting, nya. Freya-sama called me 'unnecessary' when she kicked me out."

"Um…" Syr spoke up uncertainly, "I'm no expert or anything, but wouldn't Freya-sama have needed to leave your Status completely unlocked or something? Did she do that before…?"

There was a beat of silence as Anya blinked a few times.

"...Oh shit, nya!?" Anya exclaimed in shocked realization, "She didn't! I forgot!"

Chloe and Luniore held back the urge to call Anya an idiot, and instead focused on Anya's words. They both narrowed their eyes in confusion and suspicion.

"...Why would Freya-sama do that to you without leaving your Status open, nya?" Chloe asked rhetorically, finding the series of events to be weird and contradictory. It made sense for Freya to be a particularly possessive Goddess. But it also meant that if Freya would go so far as to abandon a child of her's, wouldn't she do everything in her power to ensure that Anya's name was no longer associated with her?

Why hadn't Freya let go of Anya's metaphorical reins if Freya was abandoning her? Was Freya just that possessive or was there a motivation that none of them were aware of?

"Well, that complicates things," Luniore said with a sigh, "This sort of thing is something we should do together, or not at all…"

It would be awkward to leave one person out, after all.

Chloe sighed before giving a weary grin, "I guess we'll just need to go give Freya-sama a visit and ask her nicely, nya."

"Go to Freya-sama's face and ask her nicely to let go of one of her kids? Yeah, she won't kill us for it," Luniore deadpanned, but with a growing conspiratorial smirk on her face.

Anya looked between the two girls, blinking owlishly as her eyes watered, "You guys, nya…"

Anya hated being part of Freya Familia. She only joined because she was desperate to stay with her brother, the only source of safety and stability and love she had ever known as a homeless orphan. She hated the insanely harsh training, but she hated being alone more. And when her clinging to her brother got him hurt, she was forsaken by him and her Goddess. Anya wanted to leave Freya Familia and adventuring behind her… but she couldn't abandon the only thing keeping her connected with the brother that had abandoned her; because she still loved him even now.

But… perhaps… Anya really did have a family now. Anya had never heard the saying, but she would certainly agree that 'the blood of the covenant is thicker than the water of the womb'. If it was to be with Ryuu and the others, Anya was willing to fight to leave her traumatic past behind her and look to the future.

Realizing these things in her heart of hearts, Anya cried. She cried as it finally hit her that she was truly loved. That she had people willing to do the insane like confront Freya-sama for her sake. That she had people in her life who would not abandon or forsake her again.

Anya pulled Chloe and Luniore into a bawl-filled group hug, the two adventurers struggling to escape getting Anya's tears and snot all over them. All the while, Syr – as Freya – looked over them in satisfaction, all her goals in leading Anya to this place had finally borne fruit; that Anya finally had a place where she could belong and call home – a place from which she could finally start to live again. And she had Bell and Ryuu to thank for finally forcing things to reach this point.

---

Main POV

It was only as I was walking towards the Guild that I realized that walking up to the Hermes Familia home wasn't an option. Because, well, rumors surrounding me were the talk of the town right now. I was being watched wherever I went.

In order to help maintain his neutral status, Hermes would have little choice but to ignore me whilst out in public. If I wanted their help, I'd need to organize a more clandestine meeting, which would take time to set up.

Then again, just being seen near their Familia home might be enough of a hint to Hermes so that he goes out of his way to reach out to me. But if he didn't get the hint or understand my intentions, it would just be a waste of time.

I'm not really sure how Hestia located Lili in canon while Bell was camping out with Ais and Tione in Orario's walls like packrats. But I assume it was leaning on Hermes to look into it. But how exactly Hestia would have gotten into contact is something I can only bemoan my ignorance of.

That said, I still went to the Guild building because there would be public records on the official properties that Soma Familia owns. Likely an accountability thing so that Familia's can or can't deny if their property was attacked or something. And taxes.

And there was an interesting face I ran into as soon as I entered the doors.

Daphne of Apollo Familia made eye contact with me almost immediately as I entered the building. I found myself surprised to see that she was alone – more specifically that Cassandra was nowhere to be seen.

We stared at each other for a prolonged period – her eyes all but demanding that I come over to talk, but not in an aggressive way. More like she didn't want me to ignore her.

I internally sighed at all the rumors I was about to start, and walked over to sit across from her.

Bright side was that the rumors this public conversation was bound to cause might help distract from the things I plan on doing later tonight (or tomorrow night, but hopefully not).

"Bell Cranel-san," Daphne addressed me.

"Daphne Lauros-san," I said back, "I must say that I didn't expect to see you waiting for me in a public place."

"If there was ever a place to wait for another adventurer, this works well enough," Daphne said, which made sense. The Guild building was a high traffic place for offloading magic stones for Valis. It also essentially acted as the Guild Bank.

"So? How can I, er, help you?" I asked, somewhat puzzled as to why this woman wanted to talk to me considering the… tension between our Familias.

"...I'm here to tell you that you should give up," Daphne said firmly.

I blinked, "Eh?"

"I don't know what you were thinking when you accepted the War Game in the first place," Daphne said, "But it should be clear that things have escalated far more than what it's worth. Ishtar Familia has butted in now. All of this tension and chaos could have been avoided."

"So I'm supposed to abandon my values and free will because the going is tough? Sorry, Lauros-san, but I'm not so weak-willed anymore," I said, rejecting the cowardice that Daphne was suggesting.

"Surely you don't think your coalition is enough to handle the sheer numbers you are up against?" Daphne said, leaning on the voice of reason, "You can stop all of this madness by giving yourself up."

"Speaking from experience?" I asked pointedly.

Daphne flinched, "...Indeed. Apollo-sama chases any child he likes to the ends of the earth. At least until he has them. It was the same for Cassandra and me. He chased us from the moment he saw us. City to city, country to country… Until we resigned ourselves, he was always there. It was always just a matter of time. A question of sooner or later."

"And now look at you," I said accusingly, "You live in comfort, but without any values. Subjugating others like you have been subjugated. At least the hypocrisy of heroes ends up benefiting others."

"Aren't you a little old to be talking about heroes?" Daphne attempted to reflect with mockery.

"No," I denied, "Labeling the desire for a hero to be 'childish' is a defense mechanism for those who want to cope with the fact they've given up on dreaming for a better future."

"!" Daphne was startled by my rejection and thesis. Her mouth dropped as if to give a rebuttal, but found none.

Daphne reminded me of the version of myself before I fought the Minotaur. Frozen by an inability to act on my values because I wasn't strong enough to back them up – mentally and physically.

"I think it is you who should reevaluate your decisions," I said to her, "And ask if serving Apollo is something that actually makes you feel happy or fulfilled. Can you look at yourself in the mirror and be proud of your actions? Abandoning your freedom in exchange for material comfort? Am I wrong? If I am, please correct me at any time."

"..." Daphne looked like she wasn't sure whether to be angry or depressed. She was clenching her fist tightly while her face was wincing in pain.

"I'm willing to withstand any hardship and all the name calling in the world to protect myself and my friends," I said, standing up pointedly, "I wonder if you can say the same."

I didn't wait for an answer before I walked away to find Eina.

Figuring out how to get her to show me documents on known Soma Familia properties without her getting suspicious of my chaotic intentions was not going to be fun…

---

Eina… had a very unique expression. It was like the mix of someone who was 'absolutely done' and of someone who wanted to murder me and leave my body in a dumpster.

"Bell-kun… why? Why do you want a list of properties of an enemy Familia?" Eina pleaded, as she leaned heavily into the private room's table between us.

"Er… No reason in particular. Definitely not because Lili was kidnapped by Soma Familia. If such a thing were to happen, I certainly wouldn't be so bold as to go to the Guild to get that information. Totally…" I said, my words so obviously false that it was clear I was saying bullshit, yet also wasn't enough to be evidence against me.

I am not going to self-incriminate myself for potential crimes I have not done yet!

"Bell-kun…" Eina bemoaned ever meeting me, "I'm going to get grey hairs and I'm not even in my twenties yet…"

"Hey, we'd match then," I quipped, reminding her my hair color was close enough.

Eina just glared and pouted at me, her eyes telling me that I was deliberately missing her point. Which was true.

"Eina-san, Lili is my friend. Actually, it's complicated. Not the point," I rambled before getting to the important bit, "I'm not going to abandon her because the law has failed her. Or because the politics are against me. I have to rescue her. With great power comes great responsibility!"

Eina slumped onto the table, bemoaning that she couldn't find any holes in my moral argument. Her personal ethics were conflicting with her respectable obedience to law and authority.

Eina, being the type of person who intrinsically believed in following rules but also understood that the letter of the law could not cover every circumstance, was bound to be someone who would be endlessly frustrated by someone like me.

"...I'll be back with everything Soma Familia has filed with the Guild," Eina said reluctantly, "Go over that book I gave you on the lower Middle Floors while I'm gone…"

"Yes ma'am!" I saluted with a grateful smile, "Thanks a bunch! You're the best, Eina-san!"

"I need another coffee…" Eina whined as she left to hunt down documents for me.

I need to get her set up with a coffee fund or something. The woman needs to be rewarded for having to put up with my bullshit, I tell you.

---

The documents from Eina were a godsend. While there could still be unregistered warehouses, likely hidden somewhere in Daedalus Street, it seemed like most of their actual storehouses and other properties were well registered with the Guild.

Some even had building schematics, but I didn't entirely trust those either; the main Soma Familia distillery that I had met Zanis at didn't even say it had a dungeon, and I am pretty certain it did.

While I was at the Guild anyway, I used the time I was waiting for Eina to also do some money stuff. It was in doing that I was informed by the staff that Loki Familia had deposited Drop Items into the Hestia Familia lockbox; specifically, it was deposited by Tiona.

Upon further questioning, the guild worker informed me that it was Goliath Hide but colored 'weirdly'. Which told me that it was the drop item from the Black Goliath way back when.

I was, of course, momentarily confused as to why Tiona had gifted it away. I could only guess that she didn't have a use for it because… she's an Amazoness. There would be hardly any point into making armor out of the hide. And she was gifting it as thanks for… something.

…She wasn't gifting it for telling her the story of Spider-Man, was she? Certainly not.

Maybe for helping out Lefiya here and there? Or maybe Loki actually shared that I had been in Port Melen? I'll need to ask Tiona when I see her next.

In any case, as I was entering the main Guild lobby to leave, I did see someone from Loki Familia – it just wasn't Tiona, but rather the other member I was thinking about.

"Bell? What a coincidence!" Lefiya greeted after making eye contact. Next to her was a certain black-haired and red-eyed elf.

"Good afternoon, Lefiya! And, er, Challia-san," I said, greeting the two as I briefly walked over to them.

Filvis winced, "Please don't call me by my tribe's name. Filvis-san will do."

"Ah, sorry Filvis-dono," I apologized for offending her.

"Eh?" Filvis made a confused sound. I deduced it was from my honorific usage.

"I guess it's a little odd to consider myself a Familia Captain considering I'm the only member of Hestia Familia. Sorry for being presumptuous," I said a little sheepishly.

"Ah, no, it's fine…" Filvis said awkwardly.

Lefiya looked between the two of us, "...have you two met before?"

"We ran into each other briefly on Floor 18," I told Lefiya, "The, er, 'day' before things went south I believe."

"Is that so?" Lefiya said, sounding intrigued.

"It was nothing," Filvis said sharply before redirecting conversation, "You never did tell me much about what happened that day, Lefiya."

"Eheh…" Lefiya chuckled sheepishly and nervously, "There were gag orders from Captain Finn and the Guild… sorry…"

"I see…" Filvis said, her tone conveying a sense of both understanding and disappointment.

"Anyway, I can see you both came here from the Dungeon. While matching too, very cute," I said, pointing out how the both looked like they had been fighting lately. And that they were both wearing white and light blue outfits.

"EH!?" Lefiya blushed madly, "No way?! Wait, we are!"

"...you are noticing this only now?" Filvis asked in disbelief, her cheeks also blushing.

"Oho?" I said intrigued, noticing the looks the two were giving each other, "Lefiya… trying to woo not only Ais-san, but Filvis-dono? Maybe we were siblings in another life…"

"W-W-W-W-What are you saying?!" Lefiya was redder than I've ever seen her before.

Filvis looked like her soul was leaving her body as she stared blankly ahead.

"I'm saying I'll support you!" I said with a cheeky grin and a thumbs up, "Yuri is a blessed thing!"

I was being genuinely honest. There is something beautiful about the bonds between two or more anime girls!

Lefiya, still as red as before, pointed her staff at me, and began to sing violently "Proud warrior, snipers of the forest!"

"I SURRENDER!" I apologized, diving to the floor in a dogeza, begging for mercy before she blew me up with the Guild Building.

After a flurry of apologies to the Guild staff who chastised us for the build up of Mind, everyone calmed down for our conversation to resume as something civilized.

"Anyway, yes, we had been at the Dungeon training," Filvis explained.

"That reminds me!" Lefiya said, "I think we originally planned on having a training expedition tomorrow, but after yesterday…"

"Yeah, a delay is inevitable," I said, "Especially since some stuff has come up on my end."

"Oh? May I ask?" Lefiya inquired as to what had interrupted plans on my end.

"Unfortunately, it's something serious that shouldn't be said out in public…" I said, my tone conveying regret on how the timing to explain wasn't great. "Ask me another time, and I'll gladly explain the circumstances."

"I see, I understand," Lefiya said, not seeming too put out at my evasion. Likely because I promised to explain myself in the future.

"Maybe postpone it for a few days?" I suggested, confident that hopefully by then Lili would be free and able to come with.

"What is this about a training expedition?" Filvis asked in confusion.

"Lefiya…" I started to say, before remembering we were in public and amended, "...challenged me to a duel since we are rivals of a sort. And that the Dungeon was the best place for going all out. Right, Lefiya? Certainly not to train together and give people the false impression that Loki Familia is backing me?"

"R-right!" Lefiya played along with my obvious fibbing. Not that Loki Familia was backing me, as I knew this was just Lefiya helping out personally. But I had the impression that Filvis wouldn't buy the literal truth so I gave a more 'reasonable' explanation.

Training between Familias was considered extremely odd, you know.

"It would seem I have overheard something I shouldn't have," Filvis said, realizing the politics she had just stumbled on, "Apologizes."

"Ah, no, er…" Lefiya stammered, trying to comfort her girlfriend but also unable to lie about the situation.

"Anyway," I said, raising a mock hat from my head in salutation, "I will leave you to your girlfriend to explain things, as I have places to be."

"G-G-G-G-G–!" Lefiya stammered as the two elves blushed beet red.

I proceeded to… retreat strategically before Lefiya tried to kill me again.

All in a day's work.

---

By the time I returned to the Blue Pharmacy, the sky had turned orange. Partly because I had stopped by the Jagamarukun stand to grab food… and tell the owner that Hestia would be taking off work because of the War Game.

I hadn't discussed that last bit with Hestia yet. So, uh, she'll probably get mad at me for butting into her business. But considering Lili has been kidnapped and it will be hard to constantly have Hestia have an escort, she'd need to be out in public less often.

I have a plan to help Hestia replace that revenue source, but that can wait for when Lili isn't in enemy hands.

Anyway, the Blue Pharmacy was closed to the public – Naaza must have closed up so she could focus on developing black powder all day.

I knocked on the locked door, "Naaza! It's me!" I said to let her know I wasn't some random boozo. After a minute, the door creaked open. Naaza's nose sniffed the air as her concealed tail started to wag tiredly, "...Is that… food…?"

"Uh, here," I said, offering the potato snacks, "I figured you might have been hungry."

Naaza hummed in contentment as she quickly took a bite out of one of the snacks, and then said, "You'll make for… a very good husband, Bell-kun…"

"Eh?" I blushed at the praise. My mind conjured images of father-mother-daughter moments with Syr and Noel before shifting to… what happened last night with Ryuu… And now I'm… excited. Damn this body's insane libido.

I coughed into my hand, "Anyway! How's it going?"

Naaza led me inside as she continued to eat, "...I was able to… replicate the black powder… as you described… I also came up… with another formula that… produces less solid matter… resulting in the byproducts… being more of a smokeless gas…"

I blinked. Naaza had managed to develop modern smokeless gunpowder in a day? That's impressive and scary.

"Given more time…" Naaza continued, "I could probably… use more ingredients from… the Dungeon to create… a more volatile mixture… but for now… the current product will… suit your needs…"

"Wow, Naaza, you really went above and beyond!" I praised her for a job well done, trusting that the powder she made was quality work.

Naaza looked away for a moment. Eh? Did I embarrass her? I usually find it hard to get a rise out of her.

"...I wasn't sure how much… you needed," Naaza then said to me, leading me to a storage room.

Revealing six entire barrels that were presumably filled with gunpowder.

I could feel myself pale at the sight of so many explosives sitting in one place.

Naaza seemed unconcerned about the safety risk, saying, "Frankly… this seems more useful for… deflagration purposes… like mining… I'm sure the likes of… Hephaestus and Gonibu Familias… will be very interested… in this product…"

"Ah… you're not wrong," I agreed, "This was just the… relatively safest material I could think of for setting fires remotely."

"My innocent Bell-kun… is turning into an arsonist…" Naaza dabbed her eyes as she 'wept' with faux tears, "What a bad boy…"

I blushed, "W-well, I'm a child of a Goddess of the Hearth after all."

"Picking and choosing… purviews, huh?" Naaza said, continuing to tease me.

I stuffed a potato snack in her mouth as a counterpoint.

Naaza sighed in contentment as she ate the delicious snack – the poor woman likely not having eaten anything else today before I got here.

Anyway, now we just needed to wait for Welf to show up with the timers and explosive containers. For I could already 'feel' that Takemikazuchi Familia had placed my Hiraishin marked arrows in various locations – which likely included many of the places in the documents I received from Eina.

Tonight was going to be a blast.

And Zanis was going to regret messing with Lili and I.

---

Other POV

Lili shivered in her cell. Her bruised and battered body was covered in rags instead of the high-class gear she had acquired from the Artemis Quest. The quality and thus value of her attire must have been noted by Zanis and taken while she was unconscious to be sold.

This floor was designed to hold the Familia members who had violated the rules or gotten a little bit too drunk off the divine wine. She was bound with a metallic wire strong enough to keep lower-class adventurers restrained indefinitely. Several of these compartments were used to store tools as well as serve as a makeshift jail inside the complex. Lili was clearly being treated as a prisoner as a punishment for the extended length of time she'd spent away from the Familia.

Lili would normally have had no way of knowing how long she had been down in the Dungeon – there wasn't exactly a way for the sun's light to reach her. But based on how hungry Lili was, she deduced she had been here for a full day by this point. Night had likely descended on Orario.

Lili had, for the most part, been completely alone. Likely a tactic to make Lili feel isolated and paranoid.

She did, however, have the occasional company of her guard, the dwarf Chandra Ihit. The dwarf was mostly trying to ignore her and enjoy his booze, but he did share some information with her.

Namely, that explosions had occurred in the city in what was now yesterday. And that Bell-sama and Ryuu-sama had both gone into the Dungeon. Which was enough for Lili to deduce why this place hadn't been razed to the ground already.

Bell-sama had likely gotten involved in something unusual again, which had given Zanis the perfect opportunity to act against him and Lili. Bell-sama had most likely gotten injured or exhausted to the point that he needed to recover. Lili was confident that Bell-sama was going to be an idiot and start coming up with a plan of action as soon as he recovered from the bullshit he got into yesterday. Bell had likely spent all day looking into Lili's disappearance and preparing himself for whatever operation he had in mind.

In a way, however, part of Lili hoped that Bell-sama would abandon her. If he were to attack Soma Familia, it would just reinforce the narrative from the God Apollo and Goddess Ishtar that Bell-sama was poaching adventurers from other Familias – circumstances be damned. That, and Lili had the suspicion that Bell-sama would escalate the conflict. Escalate by doing something to cripple or dismantle or something similar to Soma Familia so they couldn't try to hurt Lili again.

(Which, emotionally, was something that made Lili's heart beat faster. But also made her logical side scream in terror at the political fallout.)

All of this was to say that Lili was cold and hurting from how she had been beaten, but that she was ready to be patient and endure what was to come – because she knew that Bell-sama would do something rash in the coming day or days.

Which is precisely when Zanis entered the Dungeon, dismissing Chandra who left with a huff.

Not everyone in Soma Familia was a pseudo-slave that was mentally broken from drinking too much Soma Wine. Zanis kept control of the Familia by having a few lieutenants who helped keep the rabble in line. And such help was made up of people similar to Zanis in nature – greedy and power hungry without a care for ethics or decency.

Chandra, the only other Level 2 in the Familia, had no ambition for power and did nothing to oppose Zanis' reign. Zanis, in turn, left him to drink as he liked as long as Chandra didn't try to gain power within the Familia.

"How are you feeling, Arde?" Zanis asked with mock concern. It was clear to Lili that the man was just trying to feed his ego.

Lili would be glad to deny him. Lili said nothing and looked at him with a neutral expression. Bullies like Zanis were all for the reaction their actions generated. Lili would not give him the pleasure.

Zanis clicked his teeth in annoyance, but quickly put his mask back on, "I'm sure you have no complaints considering how long you've avoided returning to us. Or your failure to pay your dues."

Just like Kanu, the man who had left her for dead, Zanis often took money from Lili. Never once had he offered a helping hand. She believed him to be a man who saw her only as an insect that occasionally had Valis worth taking. Kanu had been one of Zanis' lieutenants before he presumably died.

Good riddance. Damn perverted pig.

"...Is Soma Familia hurting so much for money that a lone supporter like Lili is needed to keep things afloat? Or is your greed that meticulous?" Lili asked the man, "Lili, admittedly, does not understand why you have gone to such lengths."

"It's come to my attention that you are worth quite a lot." Zanis's smile deepened. "You can't imagine how happy I was to learn you were alive. I considered capturing you the other day when you appeared before Soma-sama by yourself… but we were already in negotiations with Apollo Familia. We still needed you for our justification to receive payment…"

Of course, not everything went according to plan, Zanis had admitted. Zanis explained that both he and his associates in Apollo Familia had assumed that Bell Cranel and Hestia would make the rational decision to reject the War Game, and with 'no other option' the two Familias could just use force.

Zanis made no mention of Ishtar Familia's odd entrance into the affair. It was clearly not something well coordinated.

Since the War Game had yet to take place, Soma Familia had yet to perform any services worth paying for. That said, Apollo Familia had given the green light to reacquire Lili should it not result in a public scandal. Zanis was glad to use the development to reacquire Lili and was planning on extracting money from Apollo Familia still by assisting them in the War Game.

Essentially, Zanis foresaw little expenditures in trying to fight Hestia's Coalition – as Ishtar Familia looked to be ready to do the heavy lifting. Allowing for Zanis to get a nice payday from Apollo Familia with little effort on his part.

Lili was vaguely aware of her gaze sharpening as she listened to more of his story. A story he was sharing likely to stoke his own ego and 'brilliance'.

"…Lili is useless, not worth anything," she insisted. Her skill with a spear was essentially mediocre. Her in-depth knowledge of the Dungeon ended with the Upper Floors. There were plenty of knowledgeable Supporters. Her current stats were equivalent to the average Level 1 adventurer.

Sure, her IQ was likely in the top percentile, but that would just be a detriment as far as Zanis was concerned. She had a good tactical mind, and a way with economics and politics. But, again, Zanis didn't want free-thinkers or those capable of usurping his power.

"No, no, I have a use for you. I've long realized that you were saving up a great deal of money in secret. I believe that anyone with fingers as sticky as yours deserves to be recognized for their talents. But above all…" Zanis let his words hang as he pushed his glasses back up his face with one finger, "You have a rather unusual kind of Magic, do you not?"

Lili's eyes narrowed. But, internally, she was surprised. It would seem that Bell-sama's prediction that Zanis was after her Magic was spot on. In hindsight, Lili shouldn't be surprised. It was something about her that was actually unique.

"Just to check… Arde, you can transform yourself into a monster, correct?" Zanis asked.

It took a lot of willpower for Lili to not scrunch her face in confusion. Either way, Lili found no point in lying on the matter as Soma technically also knew how her magic worked.

"...What would it mean if Lili could?" she asked, all but confirming what Zanis likely already knew.

A dark crackle of laughter escaped the man's lips. Zanis's eyes narrowed in an evil grin as he looked down at Lili like a wolf that just cornered its prey. "There's a project in which I would love your participation. Nothing much, just a new business venture."

"And that is…?" Lili continued to phish for information.

"Luring out monsters, capturing them, and selling them for profit… It's that simple," Zanis said casually.

Lili thought the man had finally gone off the deep end.

Only in recent times had Ganesha Familia made breakthroughs in taming monsters without constant observation by a tamer. As, usually, said monster would only listen to the tamer. Should the tamed monster be locked inside a small room and ordered to wait by its tamer, it would still mercilessly attack anyone else who came near it. That's why tamed monsters were never used for the carriages and other difficult tasks around town.

That said, Ganesha had made breakthroughs with those Fluffy Dragons. But from what Lili could assume, it took multiple generations of births in captivity to reduce the power of the monster's magic stones in combination with being raised from birth. All in all, a very time consuming and EXPENSIVE task when conventional animals were much more easily manageable.

It was the fundamental difference in the nature between monsters and animals — as far as Lili and the world was aware. Monsters considered humans to be their mortal enemy; there was no way around it.

They were completely different from obedient slaves.

"Monsters have no value," Lili said with certainty.

"Heh-heh… I'm not so sure," An unmistakable twinge of greed passed through Zanis's smiling eyes as he laughed off her remark.

"You went after Lili, and Bell-sama, for such a scheme…? Ridiculous," Lili commented, incredulous at the absurdity of what she was hearing.

"Indeed!" The tone of his voice turned up a notch, getting excited. His mask of intelligence gone, Zanis's true character was beginning to emerge.

"I want Soma-sama's Divine Wine. I want money and women, too. I want to taste the most exquisite dishes — I want every pleasure this world has to offer!" Zanis exclaimed, slamming his boot into one of the iron bars.

The cage had been designed to be strong enough to keep unruly adventurers under control without breaking. But Zanis's Status was too high for it to withstand that kind of blow, and it bent under the impact. Lili stared in silence, not flinching at all from the sudden impact.

The avarice in his voice was far beyond anything Lili had personally witnessed — and in a way it was much more hideous than those under the influence of the Soma's Wine. Because he was at least in control of his faculties, there were no drugs or chemicals to blame for his deplorable behavior and character.

"I love this Familia. No matter how many questionable endeavors I try my hand at, our God doesn't say a word. He's too busy with that hobby of his to give a shit what any of us do. It's the ultimate freedom!" Zanis reveled in the power he wielded, as if he was the God of their Familia instead of Soma.

"…Lili can see your true colors," Lili mocked the man sarcastically.

"Oops," Zanis tried to cover half of his malicious smile with his hand. Taking his boot out of the bent iron bar, the man straightened his posture and continued on, business as usual.

This interaction had been the longest personal interaction between the two. And with it Lili was able to confirm many things about Zanis she could only assume before now.

Which is why the anger in Lili's stomach burned bright as she confirmed that this man cared nothing for their God Soma. It went without saying that Soma Familia's current condition was due to their god's neglect. But it was Zanis who was responsible for directing that neglect into the hell it is now.

"All that said…" Zanis then said, "Will you cooperate with me? Or do I need to reach out to Isthar Familia and encourage them to do something more… final in regards to Bell Cranel?"

Zanis was, of course, implying that he would try to get Ishtar Familia to kill Bell. Zanis was likely hoping that fear would conceal the implication that Zanis no longer believed he was capable of such a feat.

"Hah!" Lili scoffed at Zanis' threat, "Even now you continue to underestimate Bell-sama. Your arrogance is admirable. Bell-sama will win the War Game with or without Lili. And Bell-sama will tear down the evil empire you have built for yourself. Your threat means nothing to Lili."

In another life, Lili would have begged Zanis for mercy in order to protect Bell. In this one, Lili was well aware of the fact that Bell was an idiotic hero without equal. One who would never abandon his own. In a way, Bell's Greed far outweighed Zanis'.

"I see you are uncooperative…" Zanis said, not sounding particularly surprised, "Which is why I've prepared other methods to… ensure your obedience."

Lili was confused for a moment, before her eyes widened as Zanis pulled out a gourd. A gourd that was, in all likelihood, filled to the brim with Soma's Divine Wine.

Lili felt the blood rush away from her head as she involuntarily paled in terror, "Y-You–!"

"Indeed," Zanis said with a malicious grin, "If you won't freely obey me, then I will force this heavenly beverage down your throat until you can't think of anything else. Though I think just this flask alone will do the trick."

"You bastard!" Lili raged, her very soul consumed with fear and rage at the prospect of becoming nothing more than another broken puppet for Zanis to command around like a slave.

Zanis snapped his fingers, and two of his lieutenants appeared from the stairway.

Lili backed up to the wall behind her as the two opened the cell door and the three of them entered.

Lili attempted to lash out with her foot as they enclosed around her. But their stats were higher and she was still bruised and wounded. The two other men grabbed her and forced her to her knees, her torso and head leaned back to help force the coming wine down her throat with the force of gravity.

Lili tried to wiggle from her bounds, but was unable to free herself. She yelped as Zanis backhanded her face for resisting.

Lili uncontrollably began to shiver as Zanis undid the cork on the gourd, the cool yet sweet aroma of the white-colored wine filling the dungeon in an instant.

Her throat clenched. Sweat poured down her face. Memories of the dark days when she was under the influence of Soma's power rampaged through her mind. This wine had once turned Lili into little more than a monster. It had stolen her life from her, caused all of her problems.

It was about to be used to turn her into a slave without any semblance of free will. A complete and utter addict that literally is unable to think of anything beyond her next fix. It might as well be a death sentence.

Zanis shoved the gourd into her mouth, forcing Lili to chug the liquid or drown.

The world warped around her in the blink of an eye. A boundless drunken euphoria enveloped her. The bliss was intense enough to bend her consciousness. Her arms and legs quivered. Her fingers and toes twitched in ecstasy, her eyes rolling into the back of her head.

She would have started giggling if not for Zanis continuing to force more and more of the divine wine down her throat.

The flavor of the most delicious wine in existence made Lili's heart melt. Her spirit began to bend. Her very soul was under attack.

Overwhelming contentment spread throughout her body. Memories flashed before her eyes before disappearing again. Nothing inside this room mattered to her, nor was worth seeing. Everything that made Lili who she was almost evaporated in an instant.

She saw everything in the room with a white hue. Her body, mind, and spirit were warm. Down, down, down she went. Then, just as the white was about to embrace her, she saw something.

A bright flame burning behind rubellite eyes. A boy with white hair, glowing brightly, smiling tenderly.

Her craving intensified. The animal that demanded Soma within her was on the brink of taking over.

But amid all the white around her, she saw how the boy smiled when he saved her that day.

It remained deep within her soul even after everything else had been erased. His smile stayed with her.

Every moment he spent with her flashed through her mind on repeat. The warmth of the boy's smile had awakened her heart, filled her with new emotion, and caused a tear to be shed.

"Secondly, because I'm a selfish person that wants to look out for all the people I care about - Lili included."

"Lili is my friend, after all. Lili taught me much about Dungeon culture and practices. She also laughed at my bad jokes and watched my back in the dangerous Dungeon."

"Because you asked me to save you! Why else would you have thrown this knife, exactly like I told you, if not as a plea to be saved?"

"Lili! I need you to warn other adventurers away from here! Don't worry! Your Hero will take care of things over here! Or do you no longer believe in me?"

"I refuse! Like hell I'm going to tuck my tail between my legs and abandon a friend to die! You're getting saved whether you like it or not!"

"You trust me, right? Then rest. I promised, remember? When you wake up, you'll be safe and sound, okay? Leave the rest to me."

"Idiot! Money is nothing compared to your life!"

Lili… was back. Lili… was unbreakable.

"...go…" Lili choked out, as Zanis tossed the empty gourd aside.

"Hmmm?" Zanis hummed, wondering if Lili had made a random noise or was somehow able to communicate. That much Soma Wine should have turned her into a giggling wreck unable to think again – as it was the purest stuff that not even he dared to drink.

"Go… to… hell…!" Lili slowly uttered, her body shuddering from the experience of forcibly breaking her limits and purging the foul drink from her system.

"Impossible…!" Zanis gasped, completely and utterly shocked that Lili had somehow overcome the closest the world of man had created in imitating the drink of the gods!

"Lili… is Bell-sama's… supporter…" Lili said slowly, breathing deeply, "Bell-sama… is Lili's hero… Lili… will never yield to you!"

Zanis blinked, before becoming indignant at her deviance, "...You are a fool, Arde. That child would be beyond idiotic to attack us in the backdrop of the War Game looming over him and his reputation. Your hope is misplaced."

Zanis then said contemplatively, "...I don't know how you've overcome the Divine Wine. But there are more messy ways of breaking you. Gentlemen… don't do anything too permanent."

Zanis stormed off then in a huff as one of the men threw Lili to the ground. Lili laughed hoarsely as she rejoiced in her victory.

Lili only paused in her laughter as one of the men started repeatedly kicking her stomach. And she didn't even flinch as the other pulled out a pouch, filled with tools, and retrieved a pair of pliers.

She laughed at them, and laughed at the world. Because while they both could break her body, Lili knew…

Lili knew they could never break her spirit. Never again. Lili's true essence was beyond their grasp.

As the torture began, the way Lili's screams of pain would turn into laughter almost perturbed her torturers into stopping out of confusion and discomfort.

Almost.

---

Main POV

The sun had set below the horizon as I awkwardly entered the Church with a… large amount of explosives. That said, we had only used a significant portion of one barrel of powder. Still, I had lugged a large number of clunky explosives all while trying to avoid notice… so I mainly used Hiraishin to move in my usual neglected alleys since I actually had a network in this part of town.

Setting the explosives down with more care than necessary, I descended into the secret room to get changed. The majority of my adventuring gear being at the Church rather than the Hostess these days.

Which was good, because my avoiding the Hostess of Fertility for most of the day was no coincidence. After last night… I didn't have the time to process all of that right now. I could tackle my guilty conscious in regards to Ryuu at a different time.

Anyway, the Church was empty, as Hestia was currently chilling with Astraea as they both pretended to not be at the Hostess by hiding in the annex building. Considering the tension in the city, the Hostess has unofficially turned into Hestia and Astraea Familia's safe space. It was just a simple fact that we had the most attention on us and had poor defenses to match.

I idly had these thoughts as I changed into dark clothed gear, forgoing my usual armor as it would glint too much and be too noisy to aid in stealth. Orion was also not equipped for being big and noticeable.

I stuck to equipping small arms: the Hestia Knife, Yin and Yang, and dozens of Hiraishin-marked throwing knives.

It was as I finished changing, that I noticed something and winced. A Hiraishin marker had moved and was in the Church above me. I sighed, lowering my black cloak's hood as I ascended to the main area of the Church.

Waiting for me there was Ryuu. She was wearing adventurer battle cloth that was similar to traveler's garb with an aesthetic from the Far East underneath her green hooded robe. It was a plain outfit that did well to conceal her identity.

She was inspecting the explosives, saying nothing as I went to stand beside her.

"Ryuu… what are you doing here?" I asked her, a little awkwardly. Trying to not feel guilty about the fact that Ryuu had fallen in love with a liar like me.

"...I am not sure whether to be grateful or offended that you did not ask for my input on how to destroy an enemy Familia," Ryuu said to me, not entirely answering my question.

"How did you…?"

"Come to that conclusion?" Ryuu finished my question, and then answered, "I've realized the extent to which we walk similar paths. It was simple to deduce your intentions for the ones who threatened your loved ones."

I suppose I should be flattered that Ryuu could predict me even though I hadn't given her any blatant hints like I did for Welf or Takemikazuchi.

"What is your plan and intentions?" Ryuu asked me.

"...You will not find it difficult to prove that battles, campaigns, and even wars have been won or lost primarily because of logistics," I said, making a quote, "By striking at Soma Familia's, or Zanis' rather, sources of revenue I can cripple their Familia without killing a single man."

"Go on," Ryuu urged me to get into specifics.

"Thanks to Lili, I know quite a bit about Soma Familia," I said, "The Familia primarily earns money through the trade of Soma, illegal black market dealings, and conventional Dungeon exploration. By torching warehouses containing their product as well as their monetary vaults, I can deprive Soma Familia and Zanis of his wealth. Without funds, the Familia will collapse under its own weight."

"Soma Familia would not store all of their wine in a single location," Ryuu pointed out, "Both to aid in transportation time and costs for sale across the city, but also to prevent all of their stock from being destroyed in an accident."

"I've gathered the information of publicly known warehouses from the Guild," I said, pulling out a folder of documents, "I've also had Takemikazuchi investigate sites in Daedalus Street. They've left Hiraishin-marked arrows at both the publicly known and unknown sites. All I have to do is teleport in, leave some timed explosives, and teleport back out and move on to the next site."

"Where did you get these?" Ryuu asked, referring to the explosives we were standing in front of.

"I had Naaza rush to make the explosive powder," I said, "And had Welf come up with the devices."

"And what of Lili-san?" Ryuu asked, wondering about how Lili herself factored into my plan.

"I'm not certain where she is being held," I admitted, "But I suspect she is being held in the main headquarters and distillery where I had met Zanis before. I plan, however, to quickly search all of the other sites at the same time I'm placing the bombs in order to look for Lili. As long as I can free Lili, I win. They won't be able to prove it was me, and they can't escalate, there's no point when the War Game is just around the corner."

"...You have timers on these bombs for another reason," Ryuu deduced, "Not just to give you time to continue to move undetected."

"Correct," I confirmed, "I plan on offering Zanis a chance to surrender. That way anything that comes after is all on him. I don't exactly take pride in such an underhanded sabotage attack. The timer allows me enough opportunity to disarm the bombs.

"You have another reason to potentially spare Soma Familia your wrath," Ryuu deduced knowingly.

"...Soma Familia's sudden crash would disrupt the economy," I admitted, "Businesses and merchants would be spooked, investment would plummet. The prices of goods will rise, and people will lose their jobs. The full extent of the potential recession is impossible to predict. I'd like to avoid ruining the lives of countless innocent and uninvolved people if I can help it. If anything, my mercy for Soma Familia is more for their sakes than for Zanis'."

I went on to explain how I hadn't really detailed the attack plans to anyone. That I had explained to everyone that for the sake of plausible deniability, they'd be able to say without lying that they had no idea what I was doing even if they helped with parts of it. On the off-chance that stealth failed, I didn't want to drag Welf, Naaza, and Takemikazuchi Familia down with me into the dirt should the inevitable PR nightmare come to pass.

Welf had been the only person I had to directly tell that I wasn't telling him about the attack plan. And he certainly hadn't been pleased about being left out of the action. But I was able to counter with the fact that Welf had no particular stealth skills and was going to be exhausted from all the crafting he'd been doing before – not to forget to mention the crafting I had him work on all of today. Welf conceded that I was right and that he would be more of a hindrance than help in the actual raid.

Seriously, Welf has literally not slept in days. The madman has been nearly constantly crafting stuff.

"...How lenient. Yet thorough," Ryuu said, both praising and criticizing my plan. "You realize the difficulty and fallout that is associated with the worst case scenario, correct?"

I winced, "...Yes. It will all but confirm in the eyes of the people that I'm the instigator and am trying to steal adventurers from other Familias. The plan certainly isn't as easy as it sounds. The three main warehouses are rather spread out across the city…"

Ryuu picked up the documents, comparing them to the city map. "I will not dissuade you from this course of action," she told me, "It is far more lenient than I had been during my crusade, even in the worst case."

"I'd like to believe that most of the rank and file are victims too," I defended my decisions.

"Idealistic, but not unreasonable," Ryuu admitted, "Perhaps if I had not been completely consumed by my anger and pain, I would have used similar tactics against Evilus and its associates."

"I'm going to consider that high praise," I bantered.

"You should," Ryuu said with a small, rueful yet amused smirk, recognizing the joke for what it was.

"I will handle the warehouses and the official headquarters," Ryuu declared, "You can focus on attacking the main compound and defacto headquarters where Lili-san is likely to be held. Should I happen upon Lili-san, however, I will use my magic to alert you."

"Woah, woah, woah," I said, rejecting this nonsense, "I didn't ask for your help–"

"And you are getting it anyway," Ryuu cut me off, "Unless you want to increase the risks surrounding Lili-san and yourself? Just because this reminds me of a dark time in my life, it does not mean I am so thin-skinned as to be unable to endure it. Especially for a worthy cause."

Ryuu was telling me that despite these actions and tactics reminding her of her crusade, she was not traumatized. That doing this to rescue Lili for good was worth it if I resolved to go through with it.

And I really did need capable help for this to work. I was prepared for doing it solo, that's what the Hiraishin arrows were for – not just to confirm targets without personally talking with the Takemikazuchi folks.

But it was a simple fact that the warehouses storing Soma Wine for conventional retail distribution, the 'official' Soma Familia Headquarters, and the actual headquarters were all located far away enough from each other that hitting them all and reaching them in quick succession would be difficult.

Having Ryuu, who was experienced in such clandestine attacks, would be incredibly useful. I just hadn't wanted to drag her into things for the reasons she is casually dismissing.

So, after a moment's thought, I said, "...I'll shoot Firebolt into the sky if Zanis doesn't submit."

"I'll know to do my part in that case," Ryuu nodded, satisfied that she persuaded me.

"Hopefully it doesn't come to that," I said morosely.

"Considering it's you," Ryuu teased me, "This will either go into the worst case you've conceived and then some, or somehow go better than either of us foresaw."

"No middle ground, huh?" I bantered back.

"I believe this is what you call the 'Bell Cranel Effect', darling," Ryuu said to me.

"D-darling?" I stammered and blushed at the affectionate address.

Ryuu pinked, looked away and refused to explain herself.

…I couldn't afford to process this information right now. Rescuing Lili and eliminating Soma Familia as a threat was the main concern.

"...Right, let's do this then," I said after a long moment of silence, trying to get us to focus for the moments ahead.

"Indeed…" Ryuu said before adding, "Just… don't lose sight of yourself."

I hummed an agreement, grabbing the nearest explosive charge.

---

Those handful of sessions with Chloe were a godsend as I lurked through the city, reaching my target.

The Soma Familia compound was walled off with a central tower at the front with five more towers on each side encompassing an open courtyard below. Those were the important strategic defensive emplacements, anyway.

Even viewed from a distance, the amount of guards was impressive. However… they were primarily positioned to keep out intruders. It was simple to bypass the outer defenses by teleporting to the arrow atop the central tower, then yeet a knife over to the distillery building and teleport to its roof.

While there were patrols within the property… most of the foot soldiers were drug addicts. Their minds too consumed with thoughts of booze, that their perception suffered for it. Combined with my stealth skills born from Chloe's help and as a product of adventuring… it was easy to infiltrate and place a couple of 'surprises', their timers set for two hours.

Should Zanis and Soma Familia choose to submit, I wanted to give myself enough time to disarm the explosives. The bombs, of course, were marked with Hiraishin markers.

After hiding the bombs in vital yet well hidden spots, I made my way over to the main building. When I got reasonably close… I teleported to a Valis coin that was located within. A coin that had somehow made its way from the casinos into the heart of this compound.

In a flash of white, I appeared inside what was clearly a vault. And it was full of Valis and other various treasures – mainly precious gemstones – with the odd weapon or two.

Most Familia's entrusted their wealth in the banking system managed by the Guild; which was another way that the Guild enforces their authority over Familias. Makes it very easy to subject Familias to fines, for example. The punishment letter Hestia and I had from Floor 18 was more of a notice of us losing money than a request for us to get around to paying the Guild for our 'transgressions'.

Of course, Familias kept a certain amount of liquid capital in their own vaults to help diversify and prevent all their money from being in one place. And to avoid the annoyances of withdrawing money from the Guild.

Or to hide blatantly dirty money for the purposes of bribery, corruption, nepotism, and conducting crime.

Essentially, this vault contained all of Soma Familia's, or Zanis' rather, dirty money.

Had I more time on my hands, I would have liberated these funds to be used for more altruistic means. Since I did not, destruction was the only option available to crush Zanis' ambitions and greed.

So I took out a large casket of oil and got to pouring it over the piles of gold. I only briefly stopped upon noticing Lili's battle clothes and spear within the vault.

Feeling a wave of anger wash over me, I quickly grabbed Lili's possessions before coating the piles of Valis with even more oil with great vigor.

Once done, I left the last of my bombs around the inside of the vault before teleporting back outside.

The vault didn't exactly have a way to open it from the inside, so I needed to conventionally enter the building to search for Lili and Zanis.

Avoiding the gaze of the occasional adventurer on the nearby walls, I slinked into the main building and began my search for stairs leading downwards.

---

I only ran into a single patrol of adventurers inside the building before I found a stairway leading down into the basement. It was a simple matter to knock the adventurers out with a flurry of punches and kicks before dumping them in an empty room.

As I descended deeper into the building, I paused as the smell of blood hit my nose.

The Falna boosted the conventional senses, so despite only being human I had developed an increased sense of smell. Despite this, to so clearly smell blood ahead of me was not normal.

I continued down the stairs slower and with more caution, as I soon heard the sounds of two adventurers conversing – though the specifics were lost on me at first.

"...by now?" the first asked the other, sounding perplexed and disturbed.

"...crazy bitch… drank… insane?" the other replied, only every other word reaching me.

I finally moved far enough down the steps that I could vaguely make out the basement, which was more of a dungeon.

And the feet of the two adventurers.

I took a deep, silent breath before leaping down the steps and rushing the two adventurers.

They couldn't even muster a reaction to my approach before I flicked my wrists and plunged two Hidden Blades into their stomachs with force. The duo hunched over from losing the air in their lungs and from getting stabbed. Making it easy for me to grab their heads and bash them against each other.

Another two punches to the head were enough to knock the duo out cold on the floor.

Satisfied with my work, I began to look around for Lili, because where else could she be?

It didn't take me long. The two guards had been right outside her cell, the door still wide open.

My mouth dropped in horror. I forgot how to breathe. I could feel all the blood leave my face as I paled.

The cell floor was covered in blood. To the point that more blood was visible than stone. The air reeked of iron and vomit.

Lili was covered in blood from dozens of semi-shallow stab wounds. More of her skin was bruised than not. All of her arms and legs were bent at unnatural angles. Her fingernails and toenails were missing. The rags she was wearing barely covered her modesty — her breasts completely exposed and bruised. Her nose was broken and trailing blood, while one of her eye lids was so swollen that she likely wouldn't be able to open it to see.

The only small mercy was that Lili was still clearly breathing. And that her facial expression was… at peace. A satisfied smile rested on her lips.

This… was all my fault. By associating with me. By me failing to protect her. By failing to get here in time. All of my sins were laid bare before me, sins that Lili has paid the price for.

I gasped with a shudder, tears gathering in my eyes as I rushed over to Lili. Falling on my knees beside her, I carefully lifted her head and neck from the ground, "L-Lili…?"

"...B…ell…" Lili gasped out, one eye opening as she gave a weak grin, "Lili… k…knew you… would…"

Lili coughed dryly, unable to finish her sentence.

My eyes watered as tears uncontrollably fell down. I refused to blink or look away. This was all my fault.

If only I was faster. Got here sooner. Instead of rushing here right away to save Lili, I dallied in order to make my own life easier with this convoluted plan of mine. And Lili suffered for it.

Damn the politics. Damn the rules. I should have rushed here as soon as I had recovered to save her. This was all my fault.

Well. Not entirely.

Damn them. Damn these evil men, who would commit such horrid acts of violence! To torture Lili to this extent! For shits and giggles! I knew Soma Familia and Zanis were assholes, but it never crossed my mind that they were to this extent!

I'm a complete and utter fool. Naïve. I cannot deny it. But that doesn't mean I can't condemn them for their evils either!

To hurt Lili this badly… to torture her like this for their own greed and lust for power…

It's like they want to die. I'll gladly give them what they clearly desire!

"Don't…" Lili's voice called out to me.

"H-huh…?" I uttered in confusion, the haze of anger around me fading slightly as Lili got my attention.

"D-don't… stoop to… their level… Bell…" Lili slowly begged of me.

"Why?" I asked her, holding back a pained sob, my heart reaching out for all that Lili endured in my name, "How can you of all people ask me that? Shouldn't you hate them the most?"

"Because… Lili loves… the Bell that saved Lili…" Lili answered.

'And not a killer,' are the words Lili left unsaid.

"Ryuu-sama told me…" Lili said to me, a bittersweet smile on her face, "That Justice… comes around… all of Lili's sins… have come back… now Lili can begin again… but only with… Bell the Hero… not an… avenger…"

Even in her current state, she could see how I wanted to slaughter her torturers, and Zanis, and perhaps send her apathetic god back to Tenkai. It was a path that perhaps the Lili from two months ago would have dreamed of. But that scared, lonely, hate filled girl I had first met was nowhere to be found.

The young woman in my arms was determined, looking at me with love and gratitude in her eyes. And she was begging that I not dirty my hands further than this.

How? How could she look at me like that? Considering what led her to being in this condition?

"Idiot…" Lili said, once more reading my facial expression like an open book, "Lili always knew… that this may happen… and that Bell would… definitely save Lili… would destroy the current Soma Familia… and change it… because Bell… is a hero and… an idiot…"

"O-Oi," I said shakily, my anger and hatred cooling down to a simmer in the face of Lili's resolve, "T-that kinda talk can hurt my feelings too…"

"Baaa… kaaa…" Lili retorted simply. Clearly, she was physically exhausted for obvious reasons.

I pulled out a potion, and went ahead and started carefully applying drops to her cuts and bruises. I, unfortunately, had to avoid healing her broken limbs lest they heal incorrectly.

I shrugged off my cloak, wrapped it up, and put it under Lili's head as I grabbed some scabbards off of the two pieces of trash outside the cell. Using Yin and Yang's scabbards with some cloth as well, I fashioned makeshift braces for Lili's limbs, but refrained from healing them lest they were not properly settled.

I then carefully slipped Lili's battle cloth over her, before picking her up in my arms. Lili sighed in contentment from the first aid and warmth of my body.

"...Where is the God Soma?" I asked Lili.

"...What will… you do…?" Lili asked knowingly.

"Make him open his damn eyes," I told her, "If not…"

I left the consequences of Soma's refusal to surrender unsaid.

"I see…" Lili said, her voice not surprised.

She told me where to go.

Remembering their faces, I kicked the two torturers on my way out and up.

Which was exactly when a loud boom reverberated even to the point we could feel down below.

The Distillery was destroyed as its bombs went off and caused secondary explosions. As if signaling the end of Soma Familia as we know it with fire and brimstone.

---

Thanks to that explosion, the adventurers of Soma Familia quickly panicked and left their posts. Or I assume so considering that I easily climbed all the way to the third floor of the tower unopposed.

"Hey!" the angry voice of Zanis angrily yelled behind me.

Almost unopposed.

Zanis' office and quarters were on the second floor. He had likely been stunned looking out his windows at the distillery up in flames before he happened so see us pass by on the way up.

"Just what do you think you are–!?" Zanis continued to speak, until he was interrupted as I leapt at him and kicked him across the face.

Zanis let out moans of pain as he bounced off the adjacent wall and fell to the floor in a heap, on the verge of passing out. The wall be hot cracked under the force of his impact. Another well placed kick across the face from me sent him to la-la-land.

It was almost sad to have knocked out one of my enemies so easily. But that's a low-Level 2 for you. I think even Welf easily beat Zanis in Canon?

Well, that's what Zanis gets for thinking that political power and wealth are true sources of power and strength. Clearly, they aren't. Case in point. Fucking stupid greedy bastard.

He probably thought I'd not do something like this because it would cause bad rumors. And that the Guild would punish me severely for blatantly attacking them at all. Let alone before the War Game.

In any case, I didn't pay him much more of my attention and carried on to the third floor.

There was no resistance as I walked up to the lone door and kicked it open.

And there he was. The God Soma himself. Stirring a large cauldron made up of some new inane mixture for his damned hobby. A table containing ingredients, beakers, and tomes stood between me and him. On the other side of Soma was an open pavilion that looked down on the courtyard below. The orange flames of the distillery could be seen from here. And yet Soma continued to brew without concern.

And it pissed me off.

I stalked forward, jumped onto the table, and swiped my foot to kick everything off it aggressively.

Soma finally reacted, halting his stirring to look at Lili and I, but said nothing, "..."

I jumped down from the table, on Soma's side, setting Lili down gently on top of it before turning to face the deity.

"...Who are you two?" Soma finally asked.

I snarled in rage and punched him across the face, a loud crack ringing out from the impact. I idly heard Lili sigh to herself before I even moved to strike the deity.

Soma fell to the ground, clutching his face with one hand, "...Ow."

His face was already bruised, but I held back from breaking his jaw or punching his brains to bits.

"Listen to me carefully, you pathetic excuse for a God!" I snarled in righteous fury, "The person behind me is one of your own damned children! Tortured by your 'Familias' Captain for daring to have free will!"

"...I don't understand," Soma said after a moment, "Is a Captain not supposed to be obeyed? Who are you to bother me about this trivial matter? Where is Zanis?"

"Trivial…" I hissed, "Open your damn eyes you son of a bitch! She was in much worse condition before I healed her! You can't even pretend to care about your 'children' can you? We're just tools, playthings for your selfishness and greed, aren't we!?"

"Irrelevant," Soma retorted, "I see no need to be talked down to by an intruder. Especially from you Children of Man, who so easily succumb to my wine. Your words are meaningless."

Soma honestly believed his words. I could see the disappointment he felt in the Lower World, and the Children of Man who call this world home. He no longer acknowledges us as living beings, seeing us much like how a person views an ant. Small, stupid, and imitating intelligence.

The Divine Wine had caused Soma Familia to collapse from within. Just as Soma impled, the children succumbed to the power of the drink he was giving them as a reward. They soon began fighting amongst themselves for more, becoming selfish beyond belief.

From Soma's point of view, all he did was reward them with delicious wine for their services. But rather than thank him, they turned on one another for more drunken pleasure. He had become disillusioned by their primitive reaction to his more refined methods.

Soma harbored no ill will. He had no urge to inflict pain. At this point, he had no interest in any followers like Lili at all. He was completely detached.

The divine being who'd had enough of the crude people of the Lower World continued to produce Soma and reward the children who made it possible for him to focus on his craft.

Beyond his hobby, Soma was apathetic to everyone and everything around him. Lili has long since regaled the truths behind the god to me.

I, however, scoffed at this, "So you would blame us then?"

Soma's expression didn't change. But it was like he was silently saying 'well… yes, obviously.'

"Arrogance!" I rebuked Soma for his crimes against the Lower World and its people, "I will not deny that we Children have failed to overcome our base desires. But it is arrogant to blame us alone!"

"...?" Soma was confused. Lili, whose expression I could not see because she was behind me, was silent.

"It was you, Soma, who brewed such a beverage and did not consider the repercussions and consequences that it may bring!" I accused him, "And when mankind stumbled, instead of showing wisdom and guiding your Children to drink responsibly as a patron God should, instead you abandoned them!"

"...!" Soma seemed surprised at the accusation.

I continued to rant, "Did the Gods and Goddesses not rebuke Prometheus for giving onto Man what it wasn't ready for? What it wasn't supposed to possess? Don't you see that you have committed the same sin but on a 'smaller' scale?!"

I remembered the important details of the Aedes Vesta event. I remember watching it because Artemis was supposed to be in it. Bell's own memories of hearing the stories from Zeus filled in the picture even more – making me one of the most knowledgeable mortals about Olympia outside of the mythical nation itself.

Soma's eyes, which were mostly concealed behind his long locks, widened in shock as he whispered, "...How?"

I ignored him, and continued to rebuke him, "At least Prometheus continually atones for their choice, having descended from Tenkai to watch over Olympia as told in the legends. But you… you turned away from mankind. Failed to recognize the power of your brew, and refused to join hands with mankind to help them overcome its allure.

"No, instead you choose apathy. You turned away from your children, and the suffering that it wrought!" I yelled, before pointing at Lili, "She lost her parents because of this toxic Familia! She lost her childhood and her innocence! She was tortured in every way possible! DON'T YOU DARE LOOK AWAY!"

Soma had turned his head to look away from Lili and I, but looked back sharply as I harshly chastised him.

"Mankind certainly deserves blame for missing the mark," I acknowledged, using the original meaning behind the word 'sin', "But you are hardly blameless yourself! All of the pain, all of the tiny and large, seen and unseen evils. All of it can be tied back to you and your apathy!"

"..." Soma was silent, refusing to utter a word in his defense.

"Apathy is death!" I said poetically, "Worse than death! Because at least a rotting corpse feeds the beasts and insects. If you despise the Lower World and its inhabitants so much, why are you even still here?! What have we done to deserve your apathetic wrath and retribution!?"

Unconsciously, I must have flicked my wrists, for my two Hidden Blades extended in that moment. The slivers visible of Soma's eyes shifted to fear.

"Enough… Bell-sama…" Lili called out behind me.

"L-Lili?" I stammered, her exhausted voice cooling down the self-righteous flames burning within me.

"He will not… listen…" Lili declared, her words showing how she had lost faith in Soma like he had lost faith in mankind. Lili then said, "He does not… know how to see… or to hear… unless it involves… his precious wine…"

"..." Soma was silent. Whether because he agreed or was perturbed by Lili's words was hard to say.

"Isn't that right…? God Soma?" Lili then asked the God directly. Despite her words, there was no reverence in them. Just an acknowledgement of Soma's nature.

"...I-Indeed," Soma stuttered, regaining a sliver of self-confidence. As if consoling himself that my words were not true because I hadn't drunken his damned wine.

"Lili will… accept your challenge…" Lili said weakly to Soma, "Lili will drink… and agree with every single thing… that Lili's hero… has accused you… and when Lili… is unphased… you will obey Bell-sama's… demands…"

"Lili!" I called out worriedly, knowing that Lili was hardly in any condition to do anything at the moment. Let alone drink such a dangerous liquid!

"Lili has… rejected it once before…" Lili claimed, "And Lili… will do so again…"

My eyes widened, realizing that Zanis must have tried using the wine to control her, and it failed. I didn't question Lili's statement for a moment.

Soma, however, did not. Silently he stood to his feet, walked around to grab a cup, before filling it with a ladle from his cauldron. If I had to hazard a guess, I'd say it was about 475 milliliters of wine.

Soma set the cup on the table by Lili, and said, "Your physical strength has clearly bested my forces. If your mental strength is as strong as you claim, then I will admit defeat."

"And…?" Lili asked leadingly. Despite clearly being weak and exhausted, her tone was strong.

"...And admit I was wrong," Soma answered.

Lili nodded in satisfaction, before looking to me, and saying, "Bell-sama, if you would help Lili… thanks to Zanis-teme's torture… Lili seems unable to… pick up anything at the moment…"

Nice job pointing out again that Zanis was behind your condition Lili. She was clearly trying to get Zanis in super big trouble, as she was confident that she would resist Soma's wine.

I silently nodded to her, picking up the cup in one hand before lifting her head and torso up with my other hand. It would be a lie to say I wasn't doing this reluctantly. I was extremely worried about Lili! But I choose to trust that she knew what she was doing.

"Just keep giving… it to Lili…" she instructed me, telling me to have her chug the drink, "Lili can handle it…"

"O-Okay…" I said nervously. Even I was a little disturbed by this level of confidence.

I've seen glimpses of what Soma Wine could turn people into. Even with Liaris Freese bullshit, I was in no rush to drink this stuff unless necessary.

I had, of course, been resolved to do so if need be – and was going to lead the conversation to that point before my emotions got ahead of me. And this was Lili's moment. And she insisted. That and I had wanted to say my piece before drinking anything. Lili had interrupted me and steered things to where we are now.

After ensuring that Lili was ready, I put the cup to her lips and lightly began pouring it.

And I watched in awe as Lili, her eyes closed, drank it down as casually as one drinks a glass of water. Sure, her cheeks reddened, but from the way she kept drinking I could tell that she was unaffected. The drink wasn't causing her to cough nor was her drinking rate erratic.

As Lili drank the last drop, she breathed loud and deeply and shuddered only once for a moment.

She then smirked, and said, "...Soma should consider… himself lucky that… Lili loves Bell-sama more than… Lili hates Soma…"

She persevered. Lili held off the effects of Soma. Countless people had fallen under its spell, becoming little more than savages in the process. And yet this little, fragile girl had not. It didn't matter that her Status was relatively low, that her body was weak and broken. She defeated Soma with sheer willpower, in both senses of the word.

"S-she's unaffected…" Soma gasped in shock.

"Lili was born for… this very moment…" Lili declared to us, "Every mistake… everything Lili had to endure… was to prepare… for this day… So that as… Bell-sama saved Lili… Lili could save Bell-sama…"

Lili was likely referring to the political nightmare that my attack would create.

Lili finished her declaration, saying, "Surrender your forces…! Pull out… of the War Game…! Seal the Falna… of your disciples… until you redeem them… with your own two hands…! Open my Falna… for Conversion… so I can leave this… chapter of my life… behind me… to join hands… with Bell-sama!"

I felt my cheeks redden. Oi, that sounded like a proposal, Lili…

I distracted myself by looking at Soma. His eyes were wide, like he was seeing us, seeing Lili for the first time. We were no longer pathetic entities in his eyes, but thinking beings on an equal level to him.

They were the eyes of someone who acknowledged their defeat.

Lili and I… were victorious.

---

Soma, to his credit, kept his word to Lili and adhered to her demands.

When some adventurers from Soma Familia had finally reached this chamber – to inform Soma about the explosion and the unconscious Zanis – Soma had sealed their Falna without even glancing their way or moving from his spot. A wave of his hand and his divine will was enough to lock down those bearing his Falna with ease.

Soma ordered them to quell any remaining fires and to otherwise disarm themselves. Shocked that Soma was giving any orders, the adventurers complied with his command.

Soma informed us he would need direct access to Lili's back to open up and 'unlock' her Falna so it would allow for Conversion.

And since Lili was unable to really use her arms, I awkwardly removed her white and pink cloak to reveal the rags and splinted arms and legs underneath. Lili felt the need to smile smugly at me, even though her cheeks were red with embarrassment.

Lili's back now exposed, her Falna flared into existence in accordance with Soma's will. Soma then made a small cut on his finger and ran it across the hieroglyphs, the ichor in his blood making the markings glow.

His finger made quick movements across her skin, as if unscrambling a puzzle. The hieroglyphs glowed brighter with each passing moment until every mark started to blink. Repeatedly and unending.

He informed us that Lili's Falna could now accept the ichor of another deity to become her new patron should she wish it. He even recommended that Lili choose a new deity quickly lest another deity place their Falna upon her without her consent.

It would seem that the shock and awe of Lili's actions was enough to spur Soma into action and into being actually helpful.

The wary sensation of being impressed with his change of heart was swept away when Soma announced that he had no idea his Familia was due to be in a War Game but that he would go ahead and take measures to drop out of it, despite the monetary loss that might incur.

Lili, however, seemed thrilled. Because it meant that, politically speaking, it would be like eggs on Apollo's face because Soma hadn't ever consented to being part of his nonsense. Of course, Soma would incur political drawbacks – it looked bad to have so little control over your own Familia that you ended up in a War Game without noticing. Not to forget the whole 'backing out of a deal with another Familia' thing.

On the other hand, Soma was a master of not caring about other people and their opinions.

In any case, Soma assured us that he would not seek retaliation for the damage done tonight and that he would respect Lili's wishes to never see him again.

Lili, however, seemed to have a few things she wanted to say to Soma in private. So I used the opportunity to quickly disarm the bombs I placed in the vault.

If Soma was going to honestly work to reform his Familia now that his eyes were opened, thanks to Lili, he would need money to sustain his Familia and pay for their care since they won't be able to rely on funds from Dungeon Crawling.

Perhaps Zanis' personal vault will do some good for a change.

By the time I returned to Lili, she looked to be at peace while Soma was contemplative.

I didn't ask Lili about what her conversation was about after she asked me to help her leave this place once and for all.

That said, I didn't boldly walk out the front door just because I had completely won and Soma promised to cease being an enemy belligerent.

I fled similar to the way I entered the building – teleporting past the perimeter before conventionally taking to the streets. I went to quickly find Ryuu so I could get her to heal up Lili before getting Naaza to check up on Lili.

All the while, Lili rested in my arms with a small, happy smile permanently etched on her face.

---

Author's Notes:

If you like yellow fruit, go see the side story. On a more serious note… The trauma of seeing Alice again in Levis combined with Bell almost dying for her pushed Ryuu over the edge. Add in that Ryuu noticed how Bell is pushing himself so hard, and she knew she needed to step in. But stepping in wasn't the place of merely a friend or teacher. She knew this desire to help Bell was one of love, and so she was the one to make the first move.

Meanwhile Bell is feeling guilty about Ryuu having fallen for him because he's lied by not telling people about his 'visions' and/or his previous life. Can his relationships be genuine and real in the light of his foreknowledge? Bell cannot answer that question. And doesn't even have much time to ponder on it because he had to focus on rescuing Lili first. Bell's guilty conscience will be covered more in the next chapter.

Ironically, Bell helped Lili let go of a lot of her hate by simply being kind to her for a long period of time – a strategy he ultimately thought had failed after Lili still betrayed him when they were still new to each other. Put another way, a bunch of tiny unseen kindnesses have brought Lili to the point where she is now in her character.

Another way of looking at it is that Lili just needed someone to believe in her for her to excel.

Daphne strikes me as a person that has a strong sense of Justice. Or rather, one that was suppressed because of Apollo forcibly adding her to his collection and forcing her to help induct others as she was forced. She tries to justify to herself that things aren't too bad because she lives in a comfortable home, is well equipped, and otherwise makes a decent living. But reading her thoughts in the LN gave me the impression these were defensive thoughts to justify to herself why she is doing something she disagrees with.

Bell's plan to destroy Soma Familia was to destroy their liquid assets(Valis) and all of the wine held for the Familia's retail business. Without ANY money, the Familia would crumble and be unable to wage a War Game, let alone mess with Bell and his loved ones for the foreseeable future. However, he decides to give Zanis and Soma Familia a chance to surrender before he nukes everything. The plan derails as Bell discovers Lili's condition.

Thankfully, A combination of Talk-no-Jutsu and Lili being a badass convinced Soma to completely submit. He gives up Lili without Bell having to pay a single Valis as opposed to Canon. Soma, meanwhile, casually seals all of his Childrens' Falna and begins an audit of his Familia now that his head is no longer stuck in his cauldron.

Soma is basically going to be administering a forced intervention to his entire Familia.

The Aedes Vesta Event implies that deities can seal multiple of their Children's Falna without direct access to their backs. This is how Soma manages to effectively suppress his entire Familia with ease.

Speaking of, Bell makes a few references to Aedes Vesta by mentioning Prometheus. Note how he uses gender-neutral pronouns. By combining a vague recollection of watching the event on YouTube with Bell's own knowledge in-universe from hero tales, the protagonist remembers a lot of the key details from the event.

I couldn't help but notice a similarity, yet difference between Prometheus and Soma. Which I think I covered well enough about and won't go into more here.

Outside of the Rivira economy and Lili using gnome safes, I don't think a banking system is ever mentioned. So I figure it makes sense for The Guild to run Orario's Bank since The Guild is basically the government. A powerful tool to help keep large and small Familia's in line. Doesn't stop them from storing their money locally, but most don't risk it and thus diversify where they keep their money. Or so I'd argue.