Announcement on the next arc in the AN
Bell POV
I slowly pulled my bowstring back careful not to make too much noise. The bush provided ample cover hiding me from the deer. I summoned the mana arrow and aimed at the deer's heart. Everything was quiet and calm. I took a deep breath in and let it out. Feeling a sense of absolute calm I loosed the arrow. The arrow flew through the air and hit its mark. The deer dropped to the ground dead.
I got out of the bush I was hiding in and began to walk to the deer. I took a good look at it and confirmed it was dead. I slung my bow over my back and picked the deer up. Throwing it over my shoulder I began to walk back home. Halfway through the journey however I felt something bite my neck.
Smack
My hand quickly shot up and hit the creature that bit me. I took my hand away and saw the body of a spider in my hand. Thinking nothing of it I brushed the spider off my hand using my pants and continued walking home.
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My eyes opened after a good night of sleep in my own bed. I got out and stretched feeling my muscles pop as I did so. I looked towards Regis's dog bed and saw he was still there sleeping as well. I decided to let him sleep as I put a lot on him mentally recently.
I opened the door and began to walk towards the main room. I saw Miach and Nazha cooking breakfast while Lili sat at the table with her head down.
"Morning Bell," Miach said.
"Morning," I said with a yawn as I sat next to Lili. I then poked Lili on the cheek causing her to lift her head and look at me.
"You know you can go back to sleep right? We're not going to the dungeon for a few days" I reminded.
"Lili knows. Lili is just hungry. She'll eat and go back to sleep" she said with a yawn. She then put her head back on the table.
"Good morning!" Lena yelled as she came out of her room. I heard Lili groan and I gave Lena a tired look.
"How are you this full of energy already," I asked. "Because today is gonna be a good day," she said sitting on the other side of Lili. I heard Lili groan once again at the noise.
"Lena quiet down your annoying Lili" Aisha said taking her seat next to me. "Oh lord Miach Lady Nazha please let me help with breakfast," Haruhime said.
"You don't need to Haruhime. Please sit and let us serve the brave adventurers who heroically returned for their dungeon escapade" Nazha said with a hint of sarcasm in her voice. Haruhime did as Nazha asked and sat across from me.
"Where's Regis" Lili asked.
"5,4,3,2,1," I said counting down
"You guys are fucking loud" he stopped and sniffed the air. "Is that bacon?" he asked.
"You know I sometimes wonder if you have the brain of a child" I quipped. "It would still be better than yours" was his reply. Regis then walked and took his spot under Lili's chair.
Miach and Nazha then served us the normal breakfast of pancakes, bacon, and eggs. I didn't have to give Regis a piece of bacon this time as Lili had grabbed one of hers and dropped it to him. He caught it mid-air and began devouring the thing.
"So what's everyone's plans for today," Miach asked as he sat down. "Lili is going back to sleep after she finishes her breakfast" Lili mumbled.
"Lena, Haruhime and I are gonna go shopping" Aisha then turned toward me. "Wanna come with Bell?" She asked. Now if my grandpa's knowledge taught me anything. It's to never go shopping with women as they take forever.
"Aisha" I gently called out. "I mean this in the nicest way possible" she nodded her head telling me to continue. "I would rather solo the upper and middle floors than go shopping with women," I said.
"Smart choice" was her reply. "What about you two," I asked referring to Miach and Nazha.
"We're gonna have a half day for the shop and then spend some time with each other" Miach explained.
"So a date?" I asked. I saw a tinge of red on Nazha's cheeks and a small grin on Miach's face appear. "I guess you could call it that" he replied.
"Aw that sounds sweet," Haruhime said. "Ooh, I wonder if Bete Logia will take me on a date" Lena chimed in.
I saw Aisha give her a side eye but didn't reply. "Lili thinks that ms Lena is wasted on someone like Bete and should find someone more befitting of her" Lili mumbled her head having gone back to the table.
"Oh you just poked the bear now," I said scooting away from Lili. Lili didn't have time to react as Lena picked her up by the collar.
"Since we're friends I'll let this slide but just know. When I get with Bete Logia I'm gonna fuck the shit out of him and have lots of babies" Lena said in a sinister tone. Lena then put the scared Lili back into her seat.
"Scary" Lili muttered then yawned.
"Well that just leaves Bell and Regis," Miach said.
"Gonna go visit the orphans again. They're good kids and I wanna make sure they stay on the right path" I said.
"Someone's taking their brotherly role seriously," Regis said. "Hey the kids named me their big brother and as my brotherly responsibility I have to make sure they grow up into good people," I said pointing my thumb to my chest.
"Brother of the year right here" Regis joked. Everyone either laughed or chuckled at his joke me as well. We then finished breakfast helping Nazha with the dishes. Before we were all about to leave Miach stopped us.
"Before you all go I have something for you," Miach said. He disappeared into his room for a moment before coming back with several necklaces. Their chain was metal that varied in size for each person. The chain was connected to a metal circle that surrounded a circle on the inside made of bone. Carved into the bone was the Miach familia symbol.
"I made these while you were down In the dungeon. I thought that I'd make these so if a member ever lost their way or is alone. Then all they'd have to do is look at this and know there is a place for them" he paused for a moment. "Also it's a way to identify members in the dungeon as well," Miach said with sadness in his voice.
It was well-known adventures don't have the longest life expectancy. Especially rookies. I shook those thoughts out of my head and smiled at the man. I walked towards him and took one of the necklaces out of his hand and inspected the craftsmanship.
"Hmm this is pretty a pretty good carving" I began as I put the necklace on. "Color me impressed Miach here I thought you were just a doctor" I joked before I grabbed the necklace and hid it in my shirt.
"I am much more than a doctor as you'll come to see" he replied handing everyone else a necklace. I saw a glint of something dangerous flash in Aisha's eyes before she nudged Haruhime and whispered in her ear. Haruhime's face turned red before she nodded her head in agreement and walked toward me.
"E-excuse me, master Bell. C-can you help me put this on? I-I'm having trouble" she asked. Her ears were pressed against her head and she was having trouble looking at me. Probably remembering what happened between us on the 18th floor. Seeing her all nervous and abashed made her look kinda cute. Of course, I didn't say this out loud, however.
"Sure Haruhime" I answered. She turned around after handing me the necklace and moved her hair out of the way. I unhooked the clasp and brought the chain around her neck. I was careful not to choke her while I hooked the necklace together.
"Alright you should be all good," I said patting her shoulder. She thanked me before she walked back to Aisha who approached me with a mischievous grin on her face.
"Oh dear hero will you help this maiden in her time of need" she mocked putting the back of her hand to her head. I rolled my eyes.
"Just shut up and turn around"
"Ooh yes, sir" she cooed as she turned around and leaned in far closer than she needed to. I felt my face heat up a little as I knew what she was doing. I did the same set of movements I did with Haruhime and put the necklace on Aisha.
"Alright you're all good," I told her. She stayed there for a moment longer than needed before walking back to Haruhime. Her hips swayed seductively
"It's pretty obvious what she wants," Regis said through our mental link. "Oh jeez ya think"
"Alright everyone have fun and stay safe," Nazha said looking at me when she said the last part. "I'm gonna get stabbed by another Minotaur just to spite you now" I quipped.
She playfully hit my shoulder before we left. Lili had already gone back upstairs and was probably asleep. I walked with the other three girls until we made it to Main Street and had to part ways.
"Tell the kids I said hi," Lena said waving goodbye to me. I waved back and when she was out of sight Regis and I headed toward the church.
"Oh, you haven't seen the renovations on the church yet have you," I asked. "No, I didn't go last time you went"
"Oh yeah, 'cause you were hiding from Demeter" I teased.
"Yeah, I don't wanna hear it. You and I both know how she is" he replied.
"Of course, I do your ass ran back inside the room and left me to deal with her"
"Better you than me"
"Traitor"
"Dumbass"
"Dog"
"I'm a wolf, not a dog"
"Still a dog mutt"
"How does it feel being shorter than most of the women you've met"
"How's it feel having no bitches"
"How's it feel having bitches around you but still can't score"
"Ok that was a pretty good one"
"Ya think so I just thought of it"
"Really I thought you would've had that saved for a while"
"Nah just a spur-of-the-moment roast"
"Gotta admit I think that's one of your best ones yet"
"I think my best one is when I said Alfia is a witch and a bitch"
"Yeah then she took her anger out on me since she couldn't hurt you"
"That's why I think that one was my best"
"We got here quick," I said seeing the familiar church in view. "Looks like we were so caught up in hating each other that time flew"
"Looks like it," I said knocking on the door. We waited for a few moments before Maria opened the door with a worried look on her face.
"Oh Bell I'm glad you came by," she said tidying her clothes. Her eyes had bags under them and her clothes were wrinkly.
"Everything alright Maria," I asked looking around the church for any signs of something wrong.
"Fena and Roux are sick and Rye is at school. I've been up most of the night taking care of the kids and getting Rye to school" she took a deep breath before continuing.
"Can I ask for a favor Bell?" she asked sounding desperate. "Yeah sure. Anything" I replied.
"It's parent/guardian day at Rye's school today and I told him I'd be there. But with the others sick I won't be able to make it. Can you show up as his guardian" she asked.
"Yeah sure but I don't think I'd be a guardian" I replied. "You paid for everything here you're as much of a guardian to him as I am" she pointed out.
"Fair point" I then looked toward Regis. "Hey, Regis why don't you stay here and keep an eye on the other kids while Maria gets some rest" I proposed.
"Oh no I'm fine" Maria protested. "Maria you look like you haven't slept in a day. Get something to eat. Shower and take a nap the kids aren't going anywhere. Besides Regis is an excellent bedside nurse with his humor" Maria looked at me and then at Regis before relenting.
"Ok but I don't see how a dog can take care of sick children," she said in her last bit of protest. "Trust me he'll be fine" I promised.
"Thank you, Bell for doing this. I feel like you do so much for us but you haven't gotten anything in return" she said. "It's fine I'm their big brother it's my job to look out for them"
"You truly are a good man," Maria said.
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Rye POV
I looked around the room seeing all the kids and their parents. The parents were watching their kid's work or admired their work when they were done. Not me, however. Maria couldn't come cause Roux and Fena were sick and it's best she stay and take care of them.
Bell's most likely in the dungeon or doesn't even know about this so he can't come. Which leaves me all alone with no one to see what I drew. I could see the teacher looking at me with a sad smile on her face. I put my head down finding the ground to be more interesting than the paper.
"Don't cry. Don't cry" I thought to myself. My hands grabbed the legs of my pants as my fists clenched. "Don't cry don't cry" I looked further down not seeing the teacher in my peripheral anymore.
"Is that supposed to be me?" Bell's voice said. My head shot up toward the voice. Was I hearing things? When my eyes landed on Bell I knew I wasn't. I wiped my eyes and responded.
"Y-yeah. It's supposed to be you and Regis" I said.
"Why is my head so big"
"I'm not good at drawing"
"I can tell" he then pointed to the side where I started to draw Regis. "Make sure his snout is massive it'll piss him off," he said.
"Why are you here?" I asked.
"Well since I paid for everything Maria said I'm technically your guardian just as much as she is" he replied. She had a point there.
"How are Roux and Fena"
"Still sick Regis is watching over them while Maria gets some rest. When was the last time she slept" he asked.
"Yesterday. She stayed up to make sure they were ok"
"Yeah thought so she looked terrible when Regis and I arrived"
"Why aren't you in the dungeon"
"It's a long story"
"Did you nearly die"
"I was close. But don't worry kid I ain't dying anytime soon"
"How close" he sighed before he answered.
"If I was found an hour later I would've bled out"
"And you couldn't have used your magic to heal yourself"
"Was out of mana. I'll tell you the story after school let's out"
"Excuse me, sir," my teacher said.
Bell POV
"Excuse me, sir," Rye's teacher said. She was a short woman standing at about 5'2. She had long red hair that reached down to her back. Her face wasn't ugly nor was it beautiful more like cute. She had freckles all over her cheeks and had green eyes. She wore round glasses that gave her a sense of elegance and power. Her clothes were a white dress shirt tucked into her jeans. She was also a human.
"I'm Rye's teacher ms Lee"
"Nice to meet you ms Lee I'm Bell"
"It's a pleasure to meet you but I must ask why you are here" I looked to Rye and then back to her.
"I'm Rye's big brother. Of sorts" I replied. She looked at me then at Rye then back at me. "I..see," she said.
"Rye do you know this person," the teacher asked. I rolled my eyes but I knew she was just doing her job.
"Yeah, this is my big brother Bell. See I'm drawing him" Rye said showing her his drawing. The teacher seeing Rye's attempt to draw me relented.
"Well mr Bell you can stand in the back with the other parents/guardians while I teach" she explained. I nodded my head and told Rye to behave as she seemed like a nice lady. I went to the back of the room getting curious looks from the adults as they didn't expect someone so young to be a guardian.
The hours came and went with Rye behaving in school and getting his work done. Rye was pretty smart for his age. Sure he couldn't draw to save his life but he knew math, history, and science pretty well. He seemed to be struggling with reading a bit but reading can be boring at times. The final bell rang signaling the end of the day and Rye gathered his stuff and came up to me.
"So do you like school," I asked him as we walked back to the church. "It's alright I guess. More boring than anything" he said.
"Yeah but schools important"
"I know but I want to be an adventurer, not some bookworm," he said.
"I know Rye but being smart can save your life one day and you can also get a good job that's not as dangerous as an adventurer"
"I know but I wanna learn how to fight so I can protect everyone at the church. I wanna delve into the dungeon so I can support them. I want to be like you" he said his voice getting quieter and quieter. I stopped and crouched down so I could face him.
"And there's nothing wrong with that. But don't be like me be your own person. Or someone better than me"
"But-
"Tell ya what" I began cutting him off. "If you do well on your next test I'll train you" I saw his eyes light up. "But only if you pass and keep your grades up. If they fall our training will stop got it" I told him.
"Ok big brother Bell" I stood up and ruffled his hair. "Now come let's get you home before Maria gets worried" he nodded his head and as we headed home I noticed he had a pep in his step.
Well, this was a nice little chapter. Bell seems to be taking his brotherly role seriously now and has promised to train Rye as long as he does well in school.
Miach gave his familia gifts in the form of necklaces with his emblem carved into wolf bone as a way to tell them they will always have a home with him or to identify their body.
Well, I hoped you enjoyed this wind-down chapter and if you haven't guessed what arc is next I'll tell you. It's the war game and what was used to watch the war game. That's right divine mirrors.
Now I'll let you guess who will see a certain someone fighting.