Danmachi Emerald Version
Chapter 9
Evilus part 1
A/N:
Narration
"Talk"
Monologue
sfx*
Dungeon, 18th floor, Loki Familia Camp, Bell's party temporary tent.
"Say Welf,"
It's been quite some time after I returned to our tent. Goddess is already asleep while Lily goes else where. All that is left is Welf, who, for some reason is unresponsive and sigh quite a lot. Interesting enough, he is looking at a slab of object covered in white cloth. Knowing that we came down here with nothing in hand means that it came from the rescue party.
"Say Bell,"
"Yes?"
"Do you remember the time when we made mino-tan?"
"You mean Ushiwakamaru?" I corrected him as I reach on to my side and grab the red knife's handle.
Originally, I lost this in the dungeon when we were fighting a group of minotaurs but luckily, Goddess found them and gave it back to me right before I go to Ms. Tsubaki's interrogation.
Orario, Welf's work shop.
A while back, when Welf is still new to Bell's party, he invite him to his forge after their exploration was cut short due to the strings of unlucky signs that befall them.
"So why did you bring me here, Welf," Bell asked amazed at the amount of weapons inside Welf's workshop.
As perks for being a member of the Hephaestus familia, each of them were given separate workshop for them to work independent from one another and to prevent seeing their techniques. Welf is the same but at the same time, he made various weapons and armor save from one. Magic Swords. A talent where he excels above the rest of his peers.
"Hmmm actually, this is more of a continuation of our earlier discussion," Welf replies bashfully.
"Discussion?"
"Ya know, Lil' Lily mentioned this but I think I kinda get away that easily after imposing on you to join your party," Welf answered, turning his back on him as he took at his tool.
"But you did gave me my armor for free so I don't think there's an issue about it." Bell said while remembering the deal he had with him on their first meeting.
"I know I promise you that but at the same time, I kind of hid something from you when I made my request," Welf continues with a hint of guilt, "Though smiths are more known as Hikikomori, we do go to the dungeon to test our works" Welf sigh as he look at me with a wry smile. "I... well... don't get along well much with my familia due to a certain incident and my stubbornness in relation to magic swords so I rarely got included in a party. If I don't obtain blacksmith and can't test out my works for my self, I wont know what I need to improve my work. The weakness of the weapons and armor I made or how they perform first hand."
Just like Lily's Artel assist for supporters, blacksmith is a developmental ability that increase the quality of their creation.
"So that is the real reason you wanted to be included in my party?"
*nod*
"You accepted me no question ask that is why I feel that I get away easy with just bribing you with pyonkichi.
"Ahahahaha," hearing the name of the armor once more, Bell can't help but laugh.
"So how about I craft you a personal weapon?" he wave his hands to showcase the weapons he made hanging on the wall at the far end of the workshop. A few feet away from the forge itself. And of all the weapons in the shop, from axe, great swords, spears, what caught his attention was the broadsword leaning on the wall. "Can I try this?"
"Sure," Welf replied as he move his arms to show he doesn't mind. yet there's mild irritation reflected in his eye. "They returned it to my shop as it didn't sell so you can try that."
"ahahaha..."
Bell laugh dryly seeing he seems to hit a sore spot there.
"But are you sure about that?"
"Sure, why not?" Bell replied as he pick up the sword and give it a light swing. "Most of my weapons are extremely short so I like to try this one."
Though its not as large as the sword the Minotaur had, it is still longer to the baselard I used. Bell thought as he feel the weight of the sword in his hands.
My fight with the Minotaur proved having an extra reach will be helpful further down the line.
"Bell, aren't you interested in magic swords?" seeing the white haired adventurer so absorb in trying the broadsword, Welf made a troubled expression before voicing his concern
"Eh?" Bell stop his swings and rotate his head to Welf's direction.
"I know it is sudden but I am surprise you pick that reject than requesting for a magic sword."
As long as he remembered since joining the Hephaestus familia, every adventurer who learned of his Crozzo name quickly asked if he can make them a magic sword. Bell is by far the first that didn't.
"You asked your Goddess right?" Welf ask as he sat on the nearest bench.
"Yes,"
"And?" Welf continue.
"She told me the gist of it and advice me to asked Ms. Ryuu for more information,"
"Ryuu?"
"She's the elf that works at mama Mia's pub," It was brief but he saw Welf wince after knowing the person named Ryuu is an elf. He knows too well how much the elves hated his family.
"Haaaah... I guess you already known that as well." scratching his head, Welf grumble as he thought on how to proceed their conversation knowing he himself was the one that turned the atmosphere heavy. "So are those the reason why you don't ask me a magic sword?"
"Not really," Bell replied honestly. "Besides I don't think it is right to force you to make something you didn't want to."
When it comes to magic swords in general, they easily broke after a few use leaving their users vulnerable. Coupled along with the infamy of the Crozzo magic sword is the very reason Welf dislike magic swords in general. The adventurer's honesty was shocking to hear as he look at him with wide open eyes. He is the first adventurer that learned of his name and stand in magic sword that shows no hint of deception unlike the rest that came before him.
"I have a dream I want to reach, you see," Bell said as he stretch out his hands towards him. "Though magic swords are powerful and cool as how it was depicted in Argonaut's story when he fought the Minotaur alongside Princess Ariadne," closes his open hand before pulling it back and place it to his heart as if remembering an oath. "I don't think it will be key to reach my dream. Far from it."
If you rely too much on your weapons, it will dull your senses. Recalling the hunting lesson from Riveria and training with Ais enforce that mindset to his core.
There's no one way lane in getting strong. A strong weapon that can't hit an opponent is useless while being blinded by the feeling of having the advantage would leave you open for ambush.
"A dream?"
"Yes. I want to be strong like the heroes in those stories," Bell replied with enthusiasm. " it was their actions that defined them and not the weapon they used. On the contrary the weapon became famous because it was used by the heroes."
I want to get stronger like those heroes so I can fight and venture along side with Ms. Riveria.
"Hahaha, you got me there," Welf breath a sigh of relief. "Sorry for testing you out of nowhere." Welf then points at the Minotaur horn on Bell's waist as a means to shift their discussion. "In any case, that drop item on your waist, if you're not selling that, why don't we forge it to weapon that suits you?"
For a brief period, the adventurer Bell look at the drop item that he uses as a lucky charm.
"I don't mind but I don't have money to pay you for that," Bell replied shyly. In a way, what he said is true. Though he did have money with him when he left their home but most of it were used to pay the bill for the food he ate with the elf Ryuu.
"Hahaha... but since the materials is yours..." Welf lightly chuckle from Bell's innocence. Any normal adventurer would automatically jump on such offer after all considering Welf is practically offering the service for free. Or is he too dense to see that? "Urgh!" He lightly stretches his body before getting his tools. "How about you help me as payment. I'm sure it will help you get a good feel on Ushiwakamaru... no Mino-tan."
"Ushiwakamaru?" Bell ask as he tilts his head to the left. "Mino-tan?" before tilting it to the right. Confuse what those names or term mean.
Is that some kind of language that blacksmith uses?
"You know, the name of the weapon or armor once made." Welf said proudly as he rub to his nose using his right index finger. This action however made Bell wince. He did not mind Ushiwakamaru but Minotan is a separate case" For the weapons and armors that we sell, we give them names to set them apart from other's work. Just like manaita (まな板) there," he then points to the sword that Bell used earlier.
Mana... wait...
Bell slowly digest the meaning of the name as he slowly look at the cutting bo- err I mean the broadsword leaning on the wall as sweat drops from his forehead.
"I kind of understand why no one tried buying it." Bell whispers beneath his breath.
"You say something, Bell?" Welf ask, quickly looking at his location while starting the fire on his forge.
"Ahahaha..." in which the white haired adventure can't help but just laugh nervously.
If those that are sensitive with their chest size hear this name, there will be a blood bath. That I am certain.
"Even till this day I dislike the idea of making a magic sword," Welf said in a melancholy tone as he look back at the piece of weapon on his back.
Removing the cover from the slab reveals a magic sword that he made a long time ago and a small message from Lady Hephaestus.
"Honestly, I think Lady Hephaestus is right," I answered as I remembered Ms. Shakti's words.
"Even you, Bell?"
"At the end of the day Welf, only you can decide for that. I can only give my honest view as an outsider." I answered. "The atrocities of the past can not be undone. It is not your fault but turning your back on the problem, you wont solve it either."
Just like I was a while back. I was indecisive to give them my honest opinion fearing it would hurt their feelings. This is a matter of weighing your priorities. In Welf's case, it is related to him using the magic sword and his oath of not using or making them anymore."
"Thanks," Welf sigh as he lay his back on the ground. "I really do need to hear it from you"
"Say why don't we try relaxing at the under resort?' I suggested as I remembered some of the things Ms. Ais said when she gave me a tour earlier. More than ever, I think this is an appropriate time for a little r&r.
"Sure, you go ahead," Welf turned around for a bit as once more covered the magic sword with the white cloth. "I'll follow you after I'm done."
As I exited our tent, I saw Lily talking with Mr. Finn and when our eyes met, I saw him smile at me while Lily looked embarrassed for some reason.
Dungeon, 18th floor, Under resort
Nothing happened, I promise.
Babel Top floor suite.
The following day, around nine in the morning,
"Yo, I heard ya wanna talk?"
At top of Babel's suite, the Goddess Loki entered the Goddess of beauty Freya suite and casually greet her. "What ya want that ya even sent that nameless yesterday?"
"Have a sit, Loki," Freya replied as she made a hand gesture telling her to take a sit. "So what do you want to eat? It's on me."
"... what?" Loki asked, befuddled as she blink twice before rubbing her eyes with her left arm them blinking twice once more. "What's are ya up to?" as she walks toward the Goddess, she carefully scan her surrounding just to be safe that no one is laying there in wait waiting to prank her.
"No need to be hostile, Loki," Freya replied as she rang a bell, summoning the King. "Have someone go to Mia and Order a feast the Loki familia usually orders."
"As you wish," Otarl replied as he took a quick glance on Loki before leaving the room.
"So what do ya really want?" Loki asked. More suspicious than before. Placing both elbows on the table before them, clenching both of her hands and uses it as support for her chin. "Ya can just call me to the usual place yet here we are. What are ya scheming at?"
"You'll know soon enough," Freya replied, her fix smile is still plastered on her beautiful face as she placed one of Soma's finest wine between them. "I just want to gossip. That's all."
"This again?" Hearing the word gossip, Loki relax her body and slouches her back on the chair as she slowly salivate just by looking at the lure presented to her. "Don't tell me ya wanna ask favor regarding that missing rabbit of yours." By now, after their several meet-ups, whenever the Goddess of Beauty wants to gossip, it only means its a talk regarding that new record Holder. And yesterday, Loki heard that the midget goddess issued a request to search for the rabbit and their temporary fake elf in his party "Just so you know, I can't lend ya some of my children to search for the shrimps rabbit. Even Soma's wine aint enough for me to risk their lives for him."
"Oh I am well aware of the strength of your remaining children right now," Freya replied. "And I have no intention to ask you to begin with just to be clear," Freya added as she saw the Goddess of mischief raised an eyebrow.
"But ya know, I am kinda curious as to why ya didn't sent your kids to fetch him,"
"My hands are also tied knowing she's lurking around." Freya replied in a tone as if this is a trivial matter.
"Heh! Serves ya right," Loki smirks "If ya didn't flex on Apollo, that other nympho won't know yer up to something"
"Not quite," Freya replied confidently. "She's bound to do something sooner anyway. The recent incident just gave her more reason to act earlier than later. Even if that was not the case, I won't personally send my child to rescue him. This is after all a chance for him to grow further."
"Haaah... I can't really see why yer that fascinated over that runt," Loki sigh, waving one hand and the other slowly reach for Soma's wine.
After steering the conversation right where she wants it to be, the Goddess of Beauty's smile widen. "Want to check it out?" she asked as she puts an orb next to the bottle of wine.
"Yer serious?" Loki asked, surprise that she forgot what she is about to do. "That's a new level of stalking already!" She know how the goddess is once she fell in love with someone. But this is probably a new low for her. Heck all of her actions regarding that rabbit make no sense especially that is not a Freya like behavior.
"Oh I am sure it will benefit you as well,"
Loki raised an eye brow over her statement but she would be lying if she say she was not curious to what the goddess mean. Using her silence as a yes, she once more activate the orb to take a peek on what the rabbit is doing.
The orb glow and show them the birds eye view of the 18th floor. Soon it zoomed in to where the white haired rabbit is currently at and what they initially saw is Ais giving him a tour in Rivira.
So this is what that bimbo mean,
Loki thought as she continue watching the scene unfolding before their eyes.
For them to reach the 18th floor... I guess there's something in him after all but...
Normally Loki will be against this but seeing others like their fake elf, Tione and Tiona and even for some reason the short big boob goddess tagging along, she let this transgression slide as this is not a date.
Just what is shorty doing there? And that fool Hermes is with them too.
Seeing some of her children enjoying their tour, Loki internally breath a sigh of relief. It was not long ago that Bete returned to gather some antidote for some of their members after all. Though she is confident that her executives will be fine considering their level but actually seeing their condition further lessen the anxiety she had before.
"Hopefully Bete will give them the meds in time
It would be fine if things end here but the relief Loki just had earlier were quickly shattered into a million of pieces like an illusion. After the group returned to their camp, they instead followed Ais who spoke a bit with the High Elf.
An action that puzzled Loki knowing their main focus was to stalk the rabbit.
"Oi... what is this?" Loki trails off which cause the Goddess of Beauty to smile. This is after all one of her primary reason for inviting the Goddess of mischief.
Even if there was no audio to what they are seeing, Loki is at least well verse enough to lip read what is being discussed by the two. From the Goddess of Mischief's point of view, what is happening here is that their Mama is actively encouraging and giving Ais tips on how to interact with the shrimp's rabbit and Loki did not like this one bit. Ais is hers after all.
I really need to have a serious conversation with her after this. Loki thought with a scowl. She already knew about that kid so I don't think it'll be a violation to our agreement.
Seeing Loki's expression, the Goddess of beauty is already satisfied and considered what to happen next as a trivial matter as they watch the scene unfold while discussing over a feast. If Nine Hell plan to use her influence on the sword princess so that she is more proactive in her approach with Bell Cranel then the Goddess of Beauty will use their Goddess to put a stop gap on her plan. It is a risky move knowing that it will also reveal who the adventurer Bell truly desire but the Goddess Freya doubt Loki will be willing to give either of her prized children to Hestia's child. Yet neither the two expect what happened next when they shift their gaze back to the rabbit after taking quick look at the condition of her children that were poisoned.
"What the HECK!" Loki yelled as she stood up of her chair violently. The loud yell was enough for the King to burst in the room to take a look of their Goddess' condition.
"..."
While the goddess of beauty did not display the same violent reaction like Loki, her clenching her fist tightly as she wave one hand to the King to return to his post is a clear indication that she did not like what she is seeing as well. She was knew Hermes is up to something. But she didn't know that it will involve this. That is something she cannot ignore. At the very least, she is not the only one mad over this event.
Dungeon, 18th floor, Under resort
It was at that moment that I know that I screw up and I will die a few seconds later.
"Hey Argonaut, you also came to bath with us?" Tiona asked innocently as she approach the bewildered rabbit that fell from a tree.
I am soooo dead.
"How brave of you," Tione added as she flip her hair to the back. "If you like, you can wash my back." followed by an alluring and teasing smile.
So soooo Dead.
While the known Amazon sisters are okay to be seen bare, the same can not be said with the rest. And when I say the rest I mean the rest who are bathing in the under resort that includes Ms. Mikoto who turned her back on me, Ms. Chigusa who sunk into the pool, Ms. Asfi instantly covered her chest but seems to look up to where I fell from, Ms. Karen hid behind a rock near by with a fearful expression, Lily covered her chest and sunk into the pool as she look at me, surprise and is practically speechless and... and... Goddess!
"What do you think you're doing Bell?!" Hestia exclaim as she cover her chest with both hands. "You couldn't have just wait when it's just me in here?!"
"T-this is a mistake Goddess!" I plead as I try to explain my self as my eyes tried wandering off where it is safe to look. "This is an accident!" I panicked as I saw the god that lead me here trying to get away.
Lord Hermes, why? Why have you forsaken meeeee?!
With my back against the wall, I tried thinking of a way to escape, assuming they will even let me go considering there are 2 level six adventurer here.
"Bell..."
Make that 3.
Hearing Ms. Ais voice calling my name, I slowly turned around and saw her.
T-this is...
As Bell turned around, expecting the air head Ais is hiding in the pool with only here head poking out. He saw her beautiful figure, standing and have both of her hands covering her private parts with a face that is starting to redden by the second.
"Hiieeeeeee!"
But before I can process all the images in my mind, It was then that I felt tremendous killing intent coming from two sides. I first look up but quickly turned around and see Ms. Lefiya, wand at hand.
"Die!" Lefiya yelled with indignant fury.
"I... I'm so Sooooooooooooorrrrrryyyyyyyyyyyy!"
Seeing that she started chanting was pretty much my cue to run. I apologize at the top of my lung as I run as fast as I could.
"Arcs Ray!"
"Lefiya!
"Stop!"
*splash*
As the angry elf about to send a lethal attack to the the retreating rabbit, Annakity and Line who were also there standing guard quickly jump on her, making her lose her balance and missing the rabbit barely resulting for the three fell to the pool with a loud splash.
Grandfather, exactly how is this dangerous act any man's romance?
Babel Top floor suite.
"Oi bimbo," Loki grumbled after she gulp one glass of wine in one fell swoop. Her shaking hands is clearly visible but this is not the result of the alcohol she had drunk.
What they saw was by far the most unnerving thing she had experience so far. Even she has yet to see Ais in all of her glory like that and yet that kid, that foul rabbit does. Not only does he had a full front view but he manage to escape as well. As if he had been blessed by a certain perverted geezer.
"What is it Loki" Freya asked as she one more rang her bell.
"That brat... he sensed we've been watching him," Loki said seriously. "HE felt my killing intent just now."
"And?" Freya in a bored tone ask she one again rang her bell and ordered her attendant to fetch them more liquor.
"What do you mean and?" Loki explode. Right now she needs an outlet to release her frustration and the Goddess of Beauty's act of not caring gave her all the reason she needs to vent it all on her. "That Is Not Normal!"
"I know," Freya replied, satisfied as she started to play with her hair once more. "Isn't he wonderful?"
"You..." Loki was practically speechless. "Just how much stalking have you been doing that he develop such sixth sense?"
"Fufufu.. are you asking for the sake of asking or do you really want to know?" Freya asked innocently. So innocent, with no hint of malice that it send shivers to the Goddess of mischief's spine.
That does it! I better make sure to distance Ais and him for her sake. Loki thought knowing this is playing on the tune of the Goddess of Beauty. If he can make that bimbo act like that, who now what he could do to my innocent Ais.
At the same time at Pleblica
While her children were busy preparing for their next quest, the Goddess Aphrodite slumps her upper body onto the table closest to the window of the inn's lobby.
"Urggggg..."
the goddess groans while turning her head left to right as she endure the massive hangover she has after drinking too much last night. This pain is all your fault!
*creak*
"You seriously haven't change Aphrodite," a man with white beard wearing a fedora, long sleeve folded up to his elbow and a navy blue overall entered the inn and greeted the goddess in pain in a familiar tone. "You're as beautiful as always, l see."
"Oi, better watch how you address our goddess. Old Man!" Aphrodite's children replied as they block his path when he starts approaching them
Tilting her head a bit when she heard a familiar voice she haven't heard in a long time. She sees the tall man removing his hat to reveal his short white hair. "Let him pass," the Goddess of Beauty waved her hands, signaling her children to make way. "What are you doing here old geezer?" Aphrodite asked, annoyed. "Aren't you supposed to be dead?"
"Don't kill me now," the man replied with a light chuckle as he walk pass her children and sat at an empty chair in front of the Goddess of Beauty. Seeing how their goddess talk with this man pretty much says what her children needs to know. "I was nearby and I heard a very beautiful lady is here so I have to go look and see for my self."
"It make more sense that your perversion is the very reason you got kick out,"
"Let's not go there," the man replied with a dry laugh. "So who did you have a fight this time?"
Aphrodite hesitated for a bit as she usually complain to the man's other half whenever this happened back in Tenkai. As the Goddess of Beauty, she usually pick a fight with the three unpopular (virgin) goddesses; Athena, Hestia and she who must not be named. For most of the time, she always have her ass handed into her by either Athena or her and she usually go to the man's other half to vent. To her and not to him. But after a few minutes of thinking, she decided to tell him what had happened so far to relieve some of her frustration.
"Ahahaha! Seriously, leaving Athena aside for obvious reasons, why do you always have to pick a fight with A-"
"Don't mention her name," Aphrodite cuts in. "It's one thing if she answer back like usual when I teases her but... but she... she just ignored me and left! Seriously that Virgin Hunting Freak of a Goddess is a pain in the ass!"
"Then why not change target?" the man suggested. "I hear Hestia's in Orario right now"
"Hestia's different," Aphrodite answers. "The same can be said with Athena. When it comes to love, Hestia's is more of a late bloomer even after the incident with that pervert Apollo. Athena is Athena so that's that but her... she's so fixated on her role that she interlink chastity and falling in love as both taboo. As the Goddess of Love and Beauty I cannot stand by to that! Urgggh!" the violent movement she did caused an anti-peristalsis movement that almost made her vomit.
"Here you go goddess," one of her children approached them and hand her a drink.
"Thanks," Aphrodite said weakly as she gracefully wipe her lips and focus her attention to the old man once more. "Of the unpopular trio, she is the most misguided of them all that I have the duty to correct her."
"Speaking of Hestia, did you know that she have form her own familia recently. Aren't you curious?"
"Her forming a familia?" Aphrodite ask as it did pique her interest. Last time she heard anything about the loli goddess is that she's a shut in and have been leeching of Hephaestus' familia.
"And you know what is interesting?" The old man continue as his smile widens. "Her only follower is a boy. And he is a current record holder in Orario."
"WHAT?! A BOY? HER?"
This is indeed interesting like what the old man said it was. When she heard him about Hestia's familia, the image of that goddess and her hunting familia came to her mind. But in her case a familia full of women that laze around. But for that Hestia to take a boy as her follower is beyond her wildest dreams.
Is love in the air by chance?
Aphrodite thought as she feels a giddy to have a prospect of talking to Hestia about such matter. And who knows, she might even graduate and left the two in the dust.
Seeing the delighted goddess of beauty, the man cant help but smile.
"And what do you mean by record holder?" Aphrodite asked as even some of her children stops so that they could listen to their conversation after she calms down. Now curious to inquire an interesting piece of information the man gave. Record Holder.
Even though their familia is outside of Orario, it is natural for them to hear tidbits of information whenever they interact with merchants or other familia that had been in Orario. So naturally she knows well what is the significance of the title as record holder.
The lowest floor of the dungeon was ventured by the Zeus familia though she did heard recently that Loki launch an expedition to break that record. The current strongest adventurer right now is the King Otarl and the strongest mage having nine spells is the High Elf Riveria. Due to the nature of the dungeon city, there are many record there that familia outside of Orario can only hope to achieve. So it is natural to be curios if one hears someone surpassing a known record in the dungeon city
"What record did her child broke?" She asked enthusiastically before looking coldly at the old man. "I hope it is not as mundane as your record for peeping."
"It's not like that," The man guffaw as tears almost fell from his eyes. "Though I won't mind if he did."
"So what was the record?"
"..." the man paused for a while as he monitored who are listening to their conversation. " The fastest level up from level 1 to level 2. Her kid broke Loki's child's previous record of 1 year."
"Wait... but didn't you say she recently form her familia?"
"Yes,"
"And her child just broke the previous record of 1 year.
"Why yes,"
"Are you sure the kid was not a veteran of a different familia that decided to join her or that she did not mod him?" Even for Aphrodite, she knew that such feat is almost impossible without external interference. The previous holder of fastest Level up was Ais Wallenstein of the Loki familia. Unlike Hestia's newly formed familia, Loki have strong members with the likes of the Braver and Nine Hell for example. So a low level adventurer that show promise have an opportunity to fight stronger opponents to make that fast level up possible. And even in that case, it took the now known sword princess 1 year to accomplish that. "So how long is the new record anyway?"
"One and half month,"
*crash*
*bang*
upon hearing this, some of her children drop the items they are carrying and those that were walking trip to the ground.
"..." and Aphrodite was silent for over a minute. "Are you sure that is not just a rumor?"
"I swear," the man answered while raising both hands in surrender to Aphrodite's suspicious gaze. "Hermes told me his level up was discussed in Denanthus. So his level up is well known. I also asked him to double check just in case when we met in one of the town I was staying."
"But still... though I doubt Hestia is that shrewd enough to mod her kid no matter how much she loved him."
"Curious enough to know for yourself as well eh?" the man asked, rubbing his beard and waiting for the goddess to finish her drink. "If you had chosen to bother Hestia instead, you would have heard of this first hand from her and not sulking here after she ignored you," he then raised his right index finger. "There are lots of perks if you aren't as stubborn as her. Who knows, if you had decided to bug Hestia instead, you right now might have been having a fun discussion with her about this child of hers"
"Please don't remind me,"
"See? There's many benefits in going there," the man continue persuading the Goddess of Beauty. "Grand Day will also start in a few days so it's a waste to miss it."
"... I can still go there if I wanted to," Aphrodite answers while flipping her hair to the back. "I just needed to rent a dragon and I'll be there during the Grand Day proper."
"Uhm.. Lady Aphrodite, we already spend most of our budget renting dragons so that we could arrive here fast" the Captain of her familia reminded her. "We don't have enough budget right now to even rent one dragon for you."
Hearing this, the man could not help but laugh dryly as the Goddess of beauty pout.
Dungeon, 18th floor forest
"Haaaah... haaaah... haaaah,"
After running for quite some time, I am now lost as I walk aimlessly in the forest. It was then that I stumbled upon a very beautiful forest fairy.
Am I in some kind of fairy tail?
As I was too stunned at the view before me, my body and mind was too slow to react when the golden haired elf threw a sword towards my direction.
*thud*
The sound of a sword hitting the tree beside me was all it takes to take me back to reality as I recognize who it is.
"Mr. Cranel?" the elf, Ryuu asked once she recognize my figure.
"M-Miss Ryuu!" I said as I quiver and fell to my knees. I may have escape earlier but this is definitely it. "I... a..."
"If you have a good reason for this let me hear it now," Ryuu warned as she turned her back on him to get her clothes
*gulp*
I first let Ms Ryuu to change clothes before I explain to her the whole situation. I know that I might get killed by saying I was in a similar situation jut now but I don't think it will help my case if I lie my way out on this.
This began after we returned from Rivira. While I was preparing our belonging, the God Hermes entered our tent.
"Bell, I need your help," Hermes said seriously.
I first thought it was a dire matter so I naturally inquire what he needs.
"I won't exaggerate to say this is the very reason why I came here," Hermes continued as he squat down next to Bell. "And I need your help to accomplish this if I want this mission to be successful."
*gulp*
Mi-mission?
"B-but are you sure it is me that you need?"I asked. We are with the Loki familia after all. If anyone if more worthy to assist him, it is them and not me.
"Of course!" Hermes replied as he raised his fist to the sky with so much enthusiasm. "This is part of a man's romance after all."
" A man's romance..." I trail off as I remembered Grandfather always telling me this.
With how the words reverberate to Bell, the God Hermes could not help but smile.
Before I knew it, we were on top of a tree looking down of them bathing. One thing led to another and I fell and run away before Ms. Lefiya burned me to a crisp.
"I understand,"
I breath a sigh of relief as I heard Ms. Ryuu said that.
Safe...
"For now," as she put her sword back to her side, Ryuu take a side glance to the white haired adventurer as she contemplate on whether or not to send him back to the camp knowing what just had happened.
"Y-yes?"
"It will be a problem if you returned back in their camp,"Ryuu said while fixing her hood. "Better to calm this down for the time being."
This remind me of the stares they gave yesterday. Though it seems to have died down this morning, that incident will likely fuel the fire once more.
"so why not come with me?"
Before Ms Ryuu turned her sight off me, I noticed the immense sorrow in her eyes.
It was at that time that
"Bell, as a man, you should not make any woman cry," the voice of grandfather rang through my ears."And if they are sad, you must lend a shoulder for them to lean on."
Wherever Ms. Ryuu is going is probably a place that brings her sad memories. Using some for the useful tips Grandfather gave me, I decided to follow Ms. Ryuu. Though I am not confident enough that I can deal with it smoothly, I am certain however that she needs a shoulder to lean on.
"I understand," I said as I stood from the ground. "But now that I think of it, how come you didn't come with them to the camp?"
"I'll explain it to you after we arrive there,"
Babel Top floor suite
"Hey, why are ya changing the channel?" Loki protested as she took a huge bite on her chicken legs. "Something's good about to happened there!"
"..." Freya look at the goddess for a bit before she returned her attention to her plate.
"Heh! It's clear that yer jealous," Loki taunts. As both deities were watching the whole thing unfold, they also naturally noticed Bell Cranel's expression after seeing the bathing elf. He was mesmerized by her beauty. While Loki was fascinated by it, to the point that she thinks she can ship him to that elf to spite Freya and to keep her Ais safe from his clutches, Freya was torn for more than one reason.
"We can go back there anytime we want," Freya replied. "What is more important is to see him suffer."
Loki smirks after hearing the beautiful goddess voiced out her displeasure. In a way she is on the same boat considering that Hermes was also there to try and peep to her children including Ais. "That is indeed an interesting thing to watch."
Dungeon, 18th floor forest
We walk for a while until we arrive our destination. A small open area in the forest where a small lump of land are piled near a tree. What is odd here is that there are several weapons, planted on the lump of land.
"Miss Ryuu?" I asked carefully as I already have an idea what they are. These are without a doubt graves. Lots of graves.
"Even without the rescue mission," the elf Ryu began as she stared at each weapon fondly while placing flowers that we pick along the on them. "There's a period where I take a day off from Mama Mia and visited this place."
"So these are the graves of your comrade when you were still an adventurer?"
"Yes, you'll bound to learn of it anyway as a lot still remember who we were," Ryuu answered as she further lower her hood to hide her eyes. "I don't want to regret not telling you this personally so I hope you wont mind my selfishness and listen to my story."
*nod*
"I am currently on the Guild's black list," Ryuu dust her knees as she stand up. "In place of my fame and status I once had is a bounty for my head yet even if that was the case, Syr and Mama Mia still accepted me.
"..."
"Our familia act as a police force alongside the Ganesha familia when we are not exploring the dungeon. A few years back, we fell for a trap by one of the evil familia we fought leading to the deaths of all my comrades. Their bodies could not be recovered so i plant all of their weapons her in their memories.
After that, I sought revenge to our enemies despite the plea from my Goddess. I let my anger get the better of me and pursued my enemies using various methods. Ambush, assassination, setting traps."
As Ms Ryuu continue her story, I can see the anger reflected in her eyes. Far greater than the ones Welf and Lily have with Takemikazuchi's familia.
"I attacked them all indiscriminately including their associates. I disregard the ideal of justice our familia had and hunted them down even without definite proof of their deeds."
"Is that why you're..." despite the heady topic, I refuse to keep my eye off Ms. Ryuu.
"Yes." Ryuu answered seeing that Bell is still at a lost for words. "It was after that when Syr found and rescued me in an alley when I was injured from my last attack. From there, they took me in and dyed my hair. Fufufuu. Funny enough, it did work to most of them probably except for the likes of Lunor who figure out my identity.
Eh? What?
"What... don't tell me Ms. Lunor is..."
"Yes, she was a bounty hunter before being employed by Mama Mia."
No wonder they are strong enough to handle those adventurers back then.
I recalled how the maids of the pub easily knock out seasoned level two in one hit.
"By chance, are all of the workers in Mama Mia's pub have some sort of secret identity/past?"
I ask as I started to see Mama Mia's Pub as a hidden force in Orario. Don't tell me Ms. Syr is...?
*shake*
"I'm certain that you already know of May from the kitchen,"
If I remember correctly, May is the chef that works there.
"Yes,"
"Outside of her and Syr, all of us were all former adventurers,"
"I see... so I... I um glad that you told me about your past," I replied. There's no clear cut way to say whether her actions were right or wrong but at the same time, I am grateful that Ms. Ryuu could trust me on something this personal.
"Sorry for taking much of you time over this trivial matter." Ryuu said with a frown. "In the end, am nothing but a miserable elf that would betray your trust."
"That's not true!," I exclaim. Her tone full of regret and self indignation. More than anyone, the one most hurt by her actions is Ms. Ryuu herself and I can't let her wallow up in regret. "Please don't look down on your self. I don't like it!"
"Eh?" Ryuu let out her surprise as she look at the white haired adventurer with wide eyes.
"Regardless of what you think, we elves are disgusting compared to how they see us."
"What?"
"We often look down on other. That very mentality was the reason I left my forest and came to Orario," Ryuu continue as for the first time, she evade eye contact and look at the ground. "Yet after arriving here, I found it that I am no better than them. I hide my skin to non elf, I always hid my face and I reject physical contact."
Ms Ryuu starts to back down that I, by instinct reach and hold her left hand. "Ms Ryuu!" I called her name out loud. At least loud enough to pull her back to reality.
"... this is the second time that you held my hand, Mr. Cranel," Ryuu look at Bell with a sad smile.
"M-ms Ryuu...?." I panic and consider letting her hand go as it was an act on impulse.
"Forgive me for this Syr,"
Eh? Why would she bring up Ms. Syr's name all of a sudden? I as I stare at the elf who slowly intertwined her hands to my own and slowly lift it up.
"You first held my hands out of gratitude and now, you are holding them again to pull be back from my self pity,"
I saw Ms Ryuu genuinely smiled at me for the first time. A very beautiful smile.
"You're very kind," Ryuu said while tightening the hold on Bell's hand. "Someone worth respecting,"
"Beautiful..."
"Eh?"
I don't know what came to me but I can't help admire Ms. Ryuu's beauty and the smile that she has right now. Little did I realize that I voice out what was in my mind. Her reddening face got pass me as I saw that as nothing more than embarrassment from holding a hand of a human.
Babel Top floor suite
"Sniff. Hand me a napkin," Loki sniff as she wipe the building up tears in her eyes while at the same time hiding a small glint of glee they now have. "Can't we do something about Astraea's kid?"
"This is not for us to meddle with, Loki," Freya replied in a bored tone.
"Hooh~ are ya scared that she might stole that rabbit from ya?"
Guess that bimbo has its merit for liking this runt. Loki thought as she peak at the annoyed look of the Goddess of Beauty. She knows the very reason why she invited her to watch and this little scenario is probably outside of what she expect to happened. He has the right character but that is not enough for me to hand my Ais to the likes of him.
"..." Freya seeing Loki sneer, shifted her gaze outside as she rang the bell.
Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaand i don't think Astraea would be mad at me if I play match making right?
Aaaaaaaaand Cut!
With that, the chapter came to a close.
- Similar with Mord's part, the time Bell visited Welf's workshop was cut in an earlier chapter so I made a flashback in relation to their current topic.
- As I can't remember the sword Bell pick when he go to Welf's workshop had a name so I just pick a name in pun to the weapon. It being named like that was influence by the calling for board meeting meme segment from a certain meme review that I was watching when writing his part.
-Next update will be Ai Hayasaka Wants to seduce (shameless plug-in) followed by Emerald. When is dependent to RL work load.
For the review, likes and follow, thanks.
Made some minor changes. Corrected some grammar and spelling err. v1