"Hah..."

Bell had a hard time to enjoy his bath. After the women returned, it was the men´s time to go and take a bath. While they had waited for them to return, Bell and the other three men had prepared the vegetables they would use for dinner.

Washed them, peeled them and cut them. They had strict orders for each type of vegetable and the mushrooms. Mikoto, Chigusa and Haruhime were very strict when it came to cooking, wasting food was absolutely not allowed!

That´s why the men were only allowed to prepare the vegetables.

Ouka had smiled wryly. "If we make one mistake, Mikoto and Chigusa will come over us with a wrath that even the gods would be scared of."

Bell understood that, all of them were orphans and food was very precious. The men had to prove themself first before they were allowed to cook. Bell actually could cook, not as good as Alfia, but a little. He looked forward to learn more under Haruhime´s and Lefiya´s hands.

But to be very careful while they prepared the vegetables wasn´t what gave Bell a hard time to enjoy his bath. It was what Haruhime said when they returned. Lena had convinced her it would be good for both to cuddle while they slept, since they would share a tent.

Haruhime didn´t really know how to say it, so she just said that Lena told her.

"Bell, I want to sleep with you tonight."

Almost everyone in the camp misunderstood the sentence exactly as Lena had hoped...Bell included. Haruhime made clear what exactly she meant afterwards.

Still, Bell didn´t escape the teasing of someone.

"So, Brother...the big night, huh? Make sure you clean yourself properly."

"Weeelf! You know how she meant it! Lena put these words into her mouth."

Welf raised an eyebrow and grinned. "I didn´t mean anything naughty, Bell. Just that you two will cuddle on purpose for the first time in bed, it´s a big thing. I just wonder why you thought that I was thinking about something naughty..."

"Kuuuh..." Bell sank a little deeper into the water.

"But man...I envy you. Not because of Haruhime of course. I would like to do something like this with Hephaistos, holding hands with her and cuddle."

"Have you still not confessed your love to her?"

"Of course I did, she knows that my heart belongs completely to her. But I also swore an oath, that I would court her when I forged something that we both deem worthy as a masterpiece."

"When will you know it is a masterpiece?"

"You feel it, I can´t describe it better."

"Hm, good luck then, I´m looking forward to see it too."

Luan and Ouka listened to their conversation.

"Hah...I wish I could do something like that with Lady Lily too...but no...a saint must not be touched...she is only to be admired..."

"I thought you love her, Luan?" Bell looked confused.

"I do, I really love her, she is so wonderful~~"

"I´m sure you two will become a nice pair in the future."

"Do you really think so?"

"Of course, Lily is important to us all and you´re her protector, her guardian. Love blooming from that is really romantic."

Luan saw that Bell was dead serious, he wasn´t the type to make fun of someone.

The pallum nodded.

"And I´m sure you and Ms. Chigusa will become a fine couple too, Mr. Ouka."

"Huh?!"

Ouka looked shocked after Bell´s words.

"What are you saying?!"

"Oh? I thought you love her?"

"I do! But how do you know that?!"

"Ahm...it´s quite obvious..."

Welf and Luan agreed, nodding."

"Oh man.."

The men weren´t the only ones talking about love.

.

.

"M-Me and O-Ouka?!"

"Of course, Chigusa! You two look perfect together!" Mikoto was really excited for some reason.

The reason was that Haruhime decided to make a step forward and cuddle with Bell. Mikoto was still gathering her courage to talk to Takemikazuchi one day.

"Auuu...it´s still too early..."

Lily looked up to her from the side while she worked. "Why early? You know each other for years. You never know what will happen in the dungeon or in the future, so go for it."

"E-Easy for you to say..."

Mikoto´s eyes shone. "Lady Lily! What about you and Sir Luan?"

"Hm? Lily and Luan?" Lily chuckled slightly and shrugged her shoulders.

"Don´t you like him? You two would make a good item."

"Because we´re both pallums?"

"Not only that, I´m sure he likes you very much."

"Oh that is quite clear."

"And you don´t like him?"

"Let´s say, Lily is aware that Luan is heads over heels for Lily. But Lily only knows Luan for a short time, these things shouldn´t be rushed."

"Ah, so you will take your time to grow closer first? Very wise."

Lily rolled her eyes, continuing her work."

"Daphne, Daphne...is it normal to talk so much about love in the dungeon? We never did that in our old familia."

"I don´t know, Cassandra...maybe?"

"Hah...we can´t join the talk, we have only each other."

"Oy, they will misunderstand your words. Just to make it clear, I´m not into women!"

"Huh? I didn´t mean it like that, Daphne...but why are you blushing?"

"Sh-Shut up, Cassandra!"

"Hah...I hope I will find a fine man in the future too."

Lily grinned. "Would it even be possible for a man or two to get between you two? Being as close as you are?"

Daphne made her point clear again to be sure. "I am not into women! I like men!"

Cassandra nodded, blushing. "M-Me too..."

"And what are your types?"

"Hm, never thought about that."

Cassandra got more red. "M-Maybe a handsome dark elf?..."

Daphne looked shocked. "You´re into dark elves?! You know how rare they are? I think aside from Lady Astrea´s Venom, there is only one in the Freya familia. Don´t tell me you have hots for him?!"

"N-No! But...I mean...they look so...mmh..."

Lily had heard that it was quite common for dark elves to be...like the gods called it...a bit "Chuuni". Maybe Cassandra also swung into that direction, with all her talks about prophecies, dreams and doom.

The chat continued until the men returned.

.

.

Before they started to eat, Lily said a few words as their tactician.

"Well we're safely on the 18th floor, made pretty good money so far, a good start. Tomorrow after breakfast we will leave for the 17th floor. We're going to do some dry runs, quick formation changes, Haruhime casting her magic on five people at once and things like that.

After that we'll take a break, eat and drink a little while we wait.

The Goliath was last defeated around noon, so it will spawn around then.

Should another party show up, we will defend our claim.

Bell, this will be your job as the party leader, so put on your scowl."

He nodded, Bell knew that it was his job as the party leader. When it came to a Monster Rex claim, it could end up in a duel between Bell and the other party leader.

Now Bell said something.

"We will play it safe at all times. Should something unusual or dangerous happen, we will retreat to the 18th floor until things calmed down."

The others nodded.

"And now, let us eat."

That was an order that the others followed happily. It would be their first time to eat a meal that had these dungeon vegetables in it.

It was rabbit goulash, with more vegetables than usual, so it was probably more of a stew. They had talked before what meat they would take with them into the dungeon. Chicken was out of question, it went bad too fast. For the next day they had salted beef, but for today it was rabbit. Haruhime had insisted on using rabbit for some reason.

That reason had white hair and red eyes, she got to know that Bell loved rabbit stew. Also, rabbit meat wasn´t expensive in Orario, since their weren´t much predators, there was a huge population of rabbits and deers.

When Lena saw the meat, she had grinned and whispered to Haruhime.

"You´re really a cunning fox. Making the favorite dish of your boyfriend, not bad. He will cuddle even more happily with you tonight. You really take advantage that his mother isn´t around."

Haruhime had half smiled shyly, half smirked. "M-Maybe I´m doing that..."

Her tails had swished around in a way that made it obvious. Lena was so proud of Haruhime.

And Haruhime decided to go a huge step further.

"B-Bell?"

"Yes?"

He turned his face to her, she sat next to him, since it was her rightful place.

"S-Say Aah."

Haruhime held her spoon to him, gently blowing on the stew. Everyone in the party saw that, Haruhime didn´t mind. Mikoto and Chigusa were really impressed how bold their friend had become.

It wasn´t the time for Bell to be embarrassed, he leaned towards her and opened his mouth. Haruhime´s tails wagged happily when she gently fed Bell. But she wasn´t the only one to do it, Bell decided to do it too.

They fed each other more than they ate by themself. Lily wouldn´t say anything about the no flirting rule, since it was camp time. Also, even when Haruhime was one of the cutest things in the world, Lily believed that the fox maiden would become quite "upset" if she interrupted her now.

Mikoto noticed how often Chigusa glanced from Bell and Haruhime to Ouka, but she didn´t have the courage to do that. Also she probably would´ve problems, since Ouka was so tall.

"Is it tasty, Bell?"

"It´s delicious, Haruhime."

"Really?"

"Yeah."

"I did my best, making it."

"I know, it tastes wonderful."

"I´m glad."

Both were a bit lost in their own world. Her friends were glad that Haruhime found someone so nice.

Lena grinned. "Woah, Haru-Haru became really forward ever since she met Bell."

Mikoto could only agree, this Haruhime was much different from the shy girl in the past. She couldn´t describe how happy she was that Bell had saved Haruhime.

The dinner went by peacefully and then, they had dessert. Dessert in the dungeon was sheer luxury. There was a bowl of strawberries for everyone. While Bell didn´t like sweet things, he decided to at least try the fruits that his mother loved so much.

And again...

"Bell...Aaahn..."

Haruhime held a strawberry towards him, there was a strange shine in her eyes.

He smiled and opened his mouth, Haruhime blushed heavily when her finger tips touched his lips. It was quite the sight how all five of her tails unfolded behind her, rose and then moved quickly into various directions. Cassandra had to lean more into Daphne´s direction or she would get hit by one of the tails.

While he really didn´t like sweet things, this one was quite tasty.

Lena saw how Haruhime acted and how she looked at Bell. The fox maiden might not be aware of it, but she gave Bell the "take me" eyes.

I wonder how it feels to be in heat? I still doubt they will cross that line tonight.

The dinner was as sweet as it was awkward.

.

.
Even when she felt really good during dinner and got more and more cuddly with Bell, when the time came to go to sleep, Haruhime felt incredibly nervous. She would sleep together with Bell, at his side! She intended to cuddle! While still being awake!

Haruhime asked Bell to give her a moment before he came into the tent, he didn´t mind.

What do I do?! What do I doooo?!

Her heart pounded like never before, since she was the first one in the tent, it felt like she invited Bell into her bedroom!

I-Is this a n-n-nightraid?!

She panicked, not knowing what to do.

Bell gently knocked against one of the poles of the tent.

"Haruhime?"

"Y-You can come in!"

Bell opened the tent slightly and stopped. Haruhime sat on her knees, leaned forward, the hands were placed on the ground with her finger tips touching. She leaned forward, the head bowed, her five tails lay on the ground behind her.

"P-Please treat me well..."

"Haruhime?!"

She looked up to him, he noticed that she breathed very fast. Her body fought against itself. Ever since Lena mentioned she could be in heat, Haruhime had foolish thoughts in her head. She was by no means ready to do it, but now she thought her nervousness and her pounding heart came from her being in heat.

Actually it was just her being nervous, since she would do something so bold...so lewd...so naughty...to cuddle with Bell while she was awake! In bed! Maybe Alfia was right and she was a bad girl. Haruhime heard once from Kaguya that being a bad girl felt quite nice...

Bell closed the tent and knelt down in front of her.

"Haruhime, if you feel unwell, I can sleep outside."

"No!"

He blinked after her strong reaction. Bell felt that Haruhime slightly tugged his sleeve.

"Stay..."

Both sat on their legs in front of each other for a while, Haruhime wasn´t the only one that felt weird.

"Haruhime."

"Mh?"

"We should go to bed soon, we have much to do tomorrow."

"R-Right. You´re right."

"Ahm, could you turn around for a moment, so that I can change into my sleepwear?"

Haruhime got deep red again, but she did as Bell asked.

.
Lena hummed by herself while she sat on a tree stump, she and Mikoto would have the first watch of the night.

"You don´t need to try hiding your curiousity."

"I-I don´t, there is no curiosity."

"Mhm, sure. Your dear childhood friend is about to sleep together with a man...willingly!"

Lena grinned when Mikoto got deep red, it was always fun to tease pure girls.

There was only one tent that still had a light source lit, that of Haruhime and Bell. Because the small magic stone lamp was on, Lena and Mikoto could see the silhouettes of Bell and Haruhime. Mikoto of course didn´t look into that direction, at least she did nothing more than a short glance, Lena looked openly.

"Hah, these two are so adorable."

"D-Don´t look! This is an important step for Haruhime."

"I am aware and-Holy!"

Mikoto jerked slightly up when she heard Lena gasp and looked into the same direction.

Both saw Haruhime´s shadow, due to the tails and her chest it was easy to see which direction she faced. They saw that Bell stood behind her...and started to open his pants..

"Hiiii!"

Lena grinned wide. "Oh my, so things are getting spicy."

.

.
Haruhime´s face felt very hot, she heard the rustling of Bell´s clothes behind her. She was fully aware that he was undressing, that he was taking of his pants...while he looked at her!

Pure thoughts! Pure thoughts! R-Right! Think of innocent bunnies hopping over a meadow!

Haruhime imagined it...somehow one of the rabbits had white fur and red eyes...one had golden fur and green eyes. And the white rabbit was hopping towards the golden one from behind...

Hiiii! Pure thoooouuuughts!

"B-Bell!"

"Yes?"

"C-Could you turn around too? I-I have to change too!"

"Of course."

Haruhime really forgot to change into her sleeping kimono.

.

.

"Oh myyy~~~"

"Hiiiah! Don´t look!"

Mikoto tried to shield Lena´s eyes. Both saw how Bell´s shadow turned around and something long and thick was pointing away from his front now... Both couldn´t know that this was just his opened belt. It looked even more weird when he grabbed that thing and pulled...and that it apparently got longer.

Mikoto managed to block Lena´s view when they saw Haruhime standing up and also starting to undress.

"They are really going for it! Be brave, Haru-Haru!"

.

.

Bell pulled the belt out of his pants and rolled it carefully up. Alfia taught him it was better for the leather to not be inside of the pants all the time, so he pulled it out when he got to sleep.

The blood rushed in his ears, he was aware of the rustling of clothes behind him, how Haruhime undressed...and he heard Lena´s and Mikoto´s whispers...

.

.
"What?! Haru-Haru is going completely naked?!"

"A sleeping kimono isn´t supposed to be worn with underwear."

"Are you sleeping like that too?! Damn that´s erotic!"

"I don´t!"

.

.
Now he heard it...he couldn´t unhear it. Haruhime was completely naked behind him at this moment...and he only wore his shorts.

Bell couldn´t know that Haruhime wasn´t completely naked, she still wore her panties. Becoming completely naked so close to Bell was out of question. As soon as her normal clothes were folded, Haruhime slipped into her sleeping kimono and closed it. She felt much safer now and the situation felt less lewd. Still, her heart refused to stop pounding, after all she had undressed willingly in a tent with Bell behind her, while he was nearly undressed too.

"Haru?"

"I´m finished, Be-"

She startled for a second, Bell turned around and hugged her gently from behind.

"Bell?..."

"I love you, Haruhime. I really, really love you."

Her lips curled into a loving smile. "And I love you, Bell. I really, really do."

Her heart calmed down a bit, she felt safe in Bell´s arms. Haruhime sighed happy when they kissed. Outside of the tent, Mikoto finally managed to overwhelm Lena and drag her away.

"Shall we go to sleep?"

Haruhime shook her head slightly. "I have to prepare something first."

"Can I help with that?"

Her smiled bloomed even prettier than before. "That would be wonderful."

He watched as she bent to her bag and pulled out a large brush. "Would you be so kind?"

"Your hair?"

"And my tails..it takes quite some time alone."

Haruhime noticed how Bell´s eyes flashed up to her ears.

"You don´t need to comb my ears."

He looked a bit sad.

"But you can touch them afterwards."

Now he looked happy again, Haruhime giggled.

"Your hair first?"

"Please."

Haruhime carefully sat down on her legs, while Bell knelt behind her.

"It is always fascinating how you, Ms. Mikoto and Ms. Chigusa are able to sit so easily on your legs. When I try it, they get numb or my feet hurt."

He gently started to comb her hair, it was like a waterfall made from gold. Thankfully Bell had experience in combing Alfia´s hair. He moved his left hand through Haruhime´s hair, feeling if there were any knots or tangled hair, he found nothing, her hair was really smooth.

"It takes quite some time to learn it, shall I teach you?"

"That would be wonderful. I would like to experience sitting under this Kotatsu thing with you and Lefiya. Even when I don´t understand why one would sit under a table."

Haruhime giggled. "It´s just a saying. You just put your legs and feet under the Kotatsu. But you don´t need to sit on your legs for that, it is actually easier to sit normally or with crossed legs. But why do you want to learn sitting on your legs anyway? Just for the Kotatsu?"

She felt how Bell stopped to comb her hair for a moment and hugged her gently. His breath tickled her ears and neck.

"Because...I intend to have a proper far eastern style wedding with you in the future."

"Huh?"

"I know it is a dream of you and it would make me really happy to do that."

Bell heard Haruhime sob slightly and saw tears in the corners of her eyes.

"Haru?..."

Haruhime leaned towards him and gave Bell a long, loving kiss.

"Ehe~. I never thought you would propose to me here, but I am really happy to say yes."

He smiled abashed. "I didn´t really mean it as a proposal. It was clear for me when we got together. I mean this is what a couple does, right? They marry."

Haruhime´s love for Bell bloomed even more, he really was the one. She wasn´t ashamed to admit that having Lefiya too made it even better. She hummed happy while Bell continued to comb her hair, he couldn´t resist to kiss her neck from time to time from the side.

The neck was special for Haruhime, he even nibbled slightly on it.

"Ehe~~, that tickles."

"Hehe, you taste really sweet, Haruhime."

"I do?"

"Yes, but your lips are even sweeter."

"Mmh...then you should kiss them, I guess."

"A good idea."

Both kissed again, they slowly went completely into their flirting without holding back. They needed it, so they kissed as often as their desires demanded.

They still kept in mind that they were in the dungeon and should soon go to sleep.

"Is there an order for your tails?"

"Just start from left to right. But please be careful when you are at the base, it is sensitive."

"You mean around here?" Bell gently touched a certain spot on Haruhime´s lower back, she shivered comfortably.

"Mhm...exactly there~~~..please be gentle~~..."

Both couldn´t really believe what they did, Haruhime rememberred that Lena called it "making out". They wanted to touch the other, gently caress the body of their beloved, so they did more than they would usually dare.

Bell knew that it felt good for Haruhime to get massaged at the base of her tails and she enjoyed it that Bell did that.

"Bell..chuu..."

They continued to kiss for a few moments, after making sure that Haruhime´s spot was massaged well enough, Bell gently took the first tail into his hand and started to comb it.

"Your tails are so beautiful, each one of them."

"Hehe, thank you."

"I really wonder, will you get more tails?"

"Mh, at some point that would become a problem. It´s sometimes hard to keep my balance and the muscles in my back get sore from time to time."

"Then I will massage them for you whenever that happens."

"Hehe, thank you."

"Hm..."

"Bell?"

Haruhime suddenly got a strange feeling and heard Bell inhaling deeply. She looked over her shoulder, her cheeks grew warm again. Bell had pressed his face onto her tail and inhaled her scent.

"B-Bell?!"

"You smell really wonderful, Haruhime. It puts me at ease, like a spring meadow."

"Mmh...don´t do that so suddenly, it tickles."

"I´m sorry, I can´t hold back."

"You can fluff them after combing..."

"Promise?!"

"Sure..."

With gleaming eyes, Bell started to comb again.

"Haruhime?"

"Yes?"

"I hope you don´t get this wrong now, but you really have a beautiful body. Your legs, your hips, the waistline, your back...yes even your chest...the neck, your face and your ears...your hands, arms and feet...I love every single spot on your body."

While being a bit embarrassed, the four tails that Bell didn´t held moved up and down.

"Y-You are quite handsome too."

She noticed that Bell got closer again, so she moved towards him too.

Hah...how many times have we kissed since we entered the tent? Auuu~~~ what a wonderful evening.~~~

Haruhime couldn´t stop moving her tails from happiness, Bell tried to gently hold the tail he was currently combing, but it didn´t work.

Their lips separated. "Haruhime, please hold still."

"I can´t, I´m sor-EEEEEEEEEEP!"

Haruhime didn´t only squeak, the noise was louder and much, much, muuuch more embarrassed. Bell had tried to hold her tail, in that movement, he accidentally moved his hand deeper into the fur...until his hand closed around the very base of Haruhime´s tail deep inside the fur...the core of her tail.

This spot was extremely sensitive and embarrassing for every beast person. Since the tails grew from a spot close above her butt, the feeling of touching the core was close to have Bell fondle her butt, but much more sensitive.

Haruhime fell forward and her body...her hips...started to twitch like crazy.

Unnoticed by the two, Mikoto tried to run towards them, to "save" Haruhime, but Lena held her back with all of her strength. Mikoto decided to give up when she heard a certain noise from Haruhime.

She moaned.

Bell let go of Haruhime´s tail immediatelly and looked for a moment at her twitching body. Small tears from embarrassement were in her eyes.

"Bell...you dummy..."

"Haruhime, I´m sorry!"

Then he saw it, Haruhime didn´t only have small tears in her eyes...she drooled slightly.

Mikoto had once accidentally touched the core of one of Haruhime´s tails, the reaction wasn´t as strong back then. What was different, Bell was Haruhime´s beloved, her mate...and she was in a slight heat.

"Bell...no touching the core..."

"I´m sorry..."

"How could you embarrass me like that?..."

"I´m really sorry...how can I make up for this?"

"Kiss me..."

Haruhime´s body screamed to devour Bell...something she wouldn´t give in to.

So she kissed him, a bit more passionate this time. This time it wasn´t her pushing Bell onto the ground, she was too weak after the sudden twitch of her body. No, this time she pulled him with her, so that he was on top of her, pinning her gently down.

They kissed more and more, until one of Haruhime´s tails touched the magic stone lamp and turned it off.

Now they had another problem...how to sleep while cuddling?

.

.

.
"Ahm...how do we do it?.."

"Maybe..I think...th-the best way would be if you...ahm...j-just lie down? I-I will do the rest."

Haruhime noticed a second later how easy it was to misunderstand her sentence, both got flustered.

The last time they slept together, it came naturally, since they just fell asleep next to each other. And Lefiya was with them that time, so Haruhime only had one side free, now she was free to choose.

Bell lay down on his back and looked at Haruhime, both got even more red for some reason. Haruhime chose Bell´s right side and slowly lay down next to him, then she snuggled up to him.

In the moment that her body...or rather her breasts...came in contact with him, both squeaked.

"H-Haru...they´re touching me..."

"Mmmh!..."

Haruhime startled and moved a bit back.

"Mouh, Bell..."

"I´m sorry...I can´t help but notice them..."

"A-Are you that fascinated?"

He covered his face with his hands and just nodded.

"I-It is too early to touch them..."

"I didn´t mean that!"

"But I want to cuddle with you...so...b-bear with them..."

"I will..."

Still, when she tried again, Haruhime noticed just how much her chest got pushed against Bell. The problem now was where to place her head? Using her own pillow would work, but then Bell´s right arm and shoulder where in the way.

"Mh...maybe on top?"

She shifted around a bit and tried to lie down on top of Bell, this time she felt his hard trained body...which was quite nice.

"Mh..."

"Bell?"

"I...no...it´s okay..."

"Bell? What is it?"

"I can´t say it..."

"Please...tell me."

"Haruhime...I swear you´re really light...but...I can´t sleep like that..."

"I´m heavy?!"

"No! You´re not heavy! Not at all! But still..."

"*Hic*"

"I didn´t mean that you´re heavy!"

She moved a bit away from him, when she placed her knee between his legs on the ground...Haruhime noticed what was Bell´s problem when she lay on top of him.

"Eep..."

"S-Sorry...I can´t do anything against that reaction..."

"Bell...you perv..."

He saw that she pouted.

"Maybe like this?"

She lay down on her side, facing away from Bell, so that he could hug her from behind. Bell tried to hug her, but her tails got in the way. One by one, Haruhime moved them up, so she could put them down when he was snuggled up to her. But when he did that, she squeaked again...his reaction was still there and pushed against her from behind.

"Bell...is this your knife?"

"No...I´m sorry..."

"Meep..."

Haruhime was deeply ashamed and happy at the same time. And a bit frightened...she really would need to prepare her heart for the future.

They moved around through various positions, but not one really worked.

Both startled a bit when the tarpaulin suddenly got moved to the side and a tired looking Lena looked inside.

"You, lie down on your back, now. You, Haru-Haru, move down and put your cheek on his chest, so that you can hear his heart."

""Eh?""

"No talking back!"

Both followed startled what Lena told them...this was quite nice.

"Good, now sleep."

She closed the tent again.

Haruhime glanced up to Bell while he put his arms around her.

"Good night...Bell."

"Good night...Haru."

They shared a gentle kiss, then they closed their eyes and slowly fell asleep.

Finally...

.

.

They weren´t the only ones that had trouble sleeping, Ryu also couldn´t fall asleep on the surface.

Because Alise hugged her in her sleep from behind, used her like a living body pillow again. This wasn´t the first time she did that, but the first time since both confessed to each other. Alise told her it increased her strength every time they cuddled and that she didn´t intend to have any regrets when they went to Knossos.

That Alise would do absolutely everything to protect her familia, her goddes...and her lover.

This statement made Ryu happy and flustered.

.

.
Late in the night or maybe more very, very early in the morning, a single member of the Astrea familia left their home fully armored, with her weapon in her right hand.

.

.
In that night, while she slept peacefully in the arms of Bell, Haruhime had a strange dream.

She dreamed about a female figure...it was as if she was looking up to her. The figure looked a lot like her, even when she couldn´t see her face. She saw a long, golden furred tail and two pointy ears, also golden.

"My daughter...my beloved daughter..."

"Mother...I´m home."

She saw the woman smiling and felt a gentle hug.

Feeling this hug let Haruhime shed two tears in her sleep...never before felt she such a hug. It was filled with motherly love.

Maybe it was just a strange memory from the past, but it made Haruhime happy. She felt as protected in that hug as she did in Bell´s arms.

.

.
The night went on, the guards kept rotating during the night watch, when the last pair went to sleep again, a person that was not part of their group took over. A heavily armored person.

.

.
Haruhime had only once felt this good in her life when she woke up, the morning when she slept in one bed with Bell and Lefiya. Waking up next to Bell, with his arms around her body, her arms around his...it was quite nice. One of his hands had moved in his sleep and now touched the base of her tails...Haruhime didn´t mind. She knew how attracted Bell was to her tails and ears, so it was okay. Lefiya was actually the same...

Listening to Bell´s steady heartbeat put her at ease.

Hah...I´m happy.

But there was something she had to take care of when she woke up...maybe she should go and pick some flowers.

Haruhime moved carefully away from Bell, she noticed how he made a sad face when her soft body escaped his arms, it let her chuckle. She opened the tent carefully and went outside...then she stopped surprised when she saw the visitor in their camp.

"We wish you a good morning, Lady Fox."

"Eh? Why are you here, Ms. Viana?"

The dark elf of the Astrea familia sat in her full armor at the fireplace, no fire burned at the moment. Her armor was made from plates, that somehow looked like scales on the outside, when she moved, the colors changed from blue to green to turquoise, Haruhime had never seen metal like this before.
The gloves looked like they were claws of some kind of reptile and ran to a point. A long scale cloak hung on the dark elf's back, her mail boots also ended in small claws. Her head was covered by a helmet that had two specially cut jewels instead of holes for the eyes. They tinted the elf's field of vision slightly green, but spared her from being able to look directly into her eyes. They also protected her face from the poison she used as a weapon.

In her lap lay a spear, with long serrated blades at either end.

And from her belt and the inside of her cloak hung the vials and small balls containing the poison that the elf owed her alias to.

According to Alise, Viana was the number one poison and venom user in all of Orario.

"We came because Lady Astrea ordered us."

Haruhime was confused for a moment why the elf talked like that, then she rememberred that it was her way of talking, just like Lily spoke in third person about herself.

"Are you here to help us?"

"No, we are to guard your camp while you´re away."

"Oh, that is really nice of you."

The helm moved slightly when the dark elf shook her head.

"Lady Astrea told us to pay for making Ms. Mikoto look like a bad guy during the wargame."

What she meant were the special "stink bombs".

"So you will stay here as long as we fight the Goliath?"

"We will stay until Lefiya arrives, then we will go home."

"Thank you."

"There is no need to thank us, we´re doing our duty as a member of the Astrea familia."

While Haruhime went away to pick some flowers, the other members of the party woke up one by one and came out of their tents. Lily wasn´t surprised to see Viana at their camp, only that she was there so early.

The breakfast was short and they prepared rations and snacks afterwards, so they could eat something light while they would wait for the Goliath to appear.

Welf insisted on checking all their weapons and armors one last time. Lily drilled into them again that by no means they should try to block an attack from the Goliath, they would die if they tried that.

.

.

"Ms. Viana, we´re going now."

"We will keep the camp safe."

"If you want, we still have some strawberries left."

"We won´t say no to that offer."

Bell smiled slightly, could it be that all women like sweet fruits or sweet things in general? Even Alfia didn´t dislike them.

"Good luck with the Goliath. Do you want some acid gas bombs?"

Lily made a face. "No thanks..."

The armored dark elf shrugged her shoulders and waited for them to leave, so she could take her helmet off.

.

.

The way up to the 17th floor didn´t take long, only the quarter of an hour from their camp.

"Hm."

"Bell?"

"Lily, I wonder...how did Ms. Viana know where we have our camp?"

"Ahm, because the Astrea familia told us where they set up their camp?"

"Oh...right..."

"Are you nervous, Bell?"

"Maybe a little?"

Lily grinned and put on her special helmet, then she unfolded her banner on the spear.

"Feeling better now?"

"I do, thank you, Lily."

"Lily is always happy to help, thank you for inviting her onto the ship, Captain." She winked...which no one could see because of her helmet.

"Hah...I feel so much better now~~" Cassandra sighed happily.

The effect of Lily´s skill seemed to increase when she had her banner up, which made sense for Bell.

"Alright, form the groups."

Bell looked up to the enormous wall of sorrows, they saw a giant shadow slightly move behind it, a sign that the Goliath would appear today again.

"Now that I think about it, the Monster Rexes are supposed to be the strongest monsters in the dungeon, but they have the shortest life span."

Lily nodded. "Because they are so valuable for us, their dropp items and they count as a great deed."

"Maybe you will be able to level up when we slay the Goliath, Lily."

"Maybe, Lily would be happy about that. But let us slay the dragon before we steal it´s treasure, okay?"

It was a saying among adventurers, Lily didn´t mean the Goliath directly.

Haruhime got to her position next to one of the big backpacks, she held her staff in her hands for now, the two bows were on the backpack, the quivers and arrows leaned against it. There was nothing of value in the backpack, it was only to give Haruhime access to her bows and arrows. Luan stood nearby, he didn´t have a bolt in his crossbow, since they would only make a dry run.

"So, everyone, get in position."

The groups formed in a loose formation. Looking at the place, there was enough room to fight. But all of them knew how small this place would look as soon as the Goliath was there...it was seven meters tall after all.

"Mr. Ouka, a bit more to the left, Welf more to the right."

""Understood!""

Both moved according to Lily´s orders.

"Bell, Ms. Daphne, move more into this direction, try to imagine luring the Goliath away from the other two camps. Ms. Mikoto, for now move with them. Whenever you can, attack the hollow of the knees, but not only there or the Goliath will get used to it. A Monster Rex isn´t dumb."

""Understood!""

The groups moved according to Lily´s shouts, Mikoto moved back and forth between them. The three groups formed a triangle, sometimes more a line. The supporter camp was always in the middle. For now they tested how far away from each other they could move. The Goliath group would have a hard job to move the Goliath around. They couldn´t risk letting it get too close to the supporter group, they also couldn´t move too far away. If one of them got hurt, they had to move towards Cassandra as fast as possible. Also, they couldn´t get help from range weapons anymore and Mikoto would get problems to move between the groups.

While they only moved on the first dry run, it was enough to do.

"Alright, Haruhime, cast your magic now on your five targets. We have to see if you can reach them all at once with that distance."

"Understood."

Haruhime raised her staff and started to chant her magic, as usual, golden flames appeared around her, hovered along her ears and her tails.

But her spell looked a bit different from the last time. The chant didn´t change like when she got her fourth tail. When the spell came to it´s end, the flames that covered her tails got a bit brighter and when she sent them fly, they looked very much like small foxes made of flames that ran through the air. Three of these foxes ran through the air to Bell, Lena and Daphne, diving into their weapons and igneted them with flames that looked like they belong to the sun.

"Woah! So bright! So pretty!" Lena swung her sword excited.

Daphne held her sword a little away, looking at the fire. "It doesn´t feel hot, only warm."

Bell smiled as Silence got covered in the flames of his beloved. "It is only hot for Haruhime´s enemies."

The fourth fox jumped and dived into the Katana of Mikoto. "Haruhime, I will make good use of your magic! I feel honored to receive this blessing!"

Then came the fifth, it ran right towards Welf, he held out his sword and the fox dived into it.

.

An enormous screech filled the cave, smoke and red-orange flames burst out of Welf´s hands, jumping up to the sword and devouring the golden flames of Haruhime. .

.
"Wha-"

A small explosion nearly hammered Welf to the ground, he could only remain on his feet with Ouka´s help.

"What was that?!"

The others came running to see what happened.

"Mr. Welf, are you okay?! I don´t know what happened! This never happened before!"

Welf shook his sword for a moment, but nothing happened. "It´s okay...did the magic fail because you used it on five people and are not used to it?"

"Hm, but the fire went to your sword just like with the oth-"

Haruhime stopped when they heard a noise like a hiss, slowly rising up to a screech, the noise got a bit louder when Bell´s sword came close to Welf´s, still enveloped in Haruhime´s flames.

"Does this have something to do with your magic, Mr. Welf?"

He scratched his head. "I don´t think so, Lil´Lily."

"Hm, let´s wait until you can use the magic again, then only cast it on Mr. Welf, Haruhime. We need to confirm if this was just an accident or it has something to do with him."

"Understood."

Lily eyed Welf. "Are your hands okay?"

"Yeah, nothing happened."

"Your hands were on fire."

"I am aware, but it didn´t feel hot, see?"

Welf leaned his sword against his leg and showed his hands, there was nothing on them, just a little soot.

"Did you get fire magic after Lady Hephaistos updated your status?"

"No, I didn´t. And not a skill about Bell´s boat either."

"It´s a ship..."

Welf rolled his eyes. "Bell..."

"I wonder what that screech was, it sounded almost like a female voice."

"Hey, it wasn´t me that made this sound, alright? I don´t scream like a girl."

"That wasn´t what I meant, Welf. But we all heard the screech and it didn´t sound like a monster or something like that."

Haruhime looked worried. "Could it be the anti magic spell?"

Welf frowned. "I don´t think so, there isn´t a passive effect on that spell, so as long as I don´t use it, nothing should happen. Also, I need to use it against a caster, not against the spell."

Lily tapped with her spear on the ground. "Whatever it was, it could become very dangerous in a fight. If your magic doesn´t work on Mr. Welf, we have to give it to Mr. Ouka. The problem is, that would let Mr. Welf weaker."

"Oy."

"Don´t "Oy" Lily. Ms. Cassandra, get your magic ready in case Mr. Welf reacts stronger this time or someone gets hurt."

"Understood!"

"Bell, be ready to protect Haruhime with your shield, in case the magic explodes. Everyone take a step back, Mr. Ouka, protect Ms. Chigusa and Ms. Mikoto with your shield."

""Understood!""

"Oy, Lil´ Lily...why am I the only one standing here now?"

"You won´t, Lily will stay with you and protect you with her magic in case it is necessary."

"Oh? That really puts me at ease, I never thought you would do it."

When Lily smiled, she looked very much like a saint again. "It is Lily´s job to protect the weak."

"Screw you! I´m level two!"

Lily just continued to smile.

When the time was up, Haruhime started to chant again. To make sure it wasn´t because she split up the magic, she gathered it into one flame. Bell wasn´t the only one that looked perplexed. A big fox made of fire stood behind Haruhime, the result of putting the flames together.

She pointed her hand in the special gesture towards Welf. "Kon!"

The fox...nodded...then it jumped forward and dived into Welf´s weapon.

.

The screech this time was so loud that Haruhime broke down to her knees and covered her ears with a pain filled expression.

.

Flames, flames and even more flames gushed out of Welf´s hands and arms, rushing up the blade and starting to devour the golden flames. The angry howl of a fox fought against the angry roar of something else.

The screech got more angry, until the golden flames were devoured. But this time, the red-orange flames didn´t stop either. Welf´s sword was on fire...and something moved in that fire.

"Wha?!-"

It wasn´t a sudden burst or explosion, but something rose out of the fire in the sword...a head.

Instead of hair, this head had a long mane of fire, the forehead had something like a round double rune on it. The eyes were two blazing holes, looking like small suns. The cheeks and the chin followed, it had no nose or mouth. Then came the neck, shoulders also with round, yellow runes...then the upper body.

The figure was definetely female.
It...she...rose up until her waist was visible, the arms ended in hands with nails so long, they looked like claws. The whole figure was made of fire.

"Huh?!"

Welf noticed something immediatelly.

The fire creature, looked very much like Hephaistos, the "hairstyle" was different and it was made of fire, but the proportions were the same.

It looked like the naked, burning upper body of Hephaistos...at least a little.

.

The figure turned it´s gaze towards Welf, everyone saw that it was not the blade that was on fire, but the fire came from Welf´s hands.

.

"Crozzo!"

.

"No wa-"

Welf was about to stumble back, but the figure launched forward...and hugged him.

"Crozzo! Crozzo! Crozzo!"

It...sounded happy.

Very happy.

And a bit as if it just woke up from a very long slumber.

.

Bell startled. "Don´t tell me! She...no way!"

"B-Bell?! What is it?!" Welf looked a bit troubled.

"Could she be the fire spirit of the legend?!"

.

The female figure...the fire spirit Ursu...let go of Welf. She looked at Bell for a second, then at Welf again.

Her happy expression changed into an angry one.

.

"You cheated on me!"

Her voice sounded a bit like a campfire in a way.

"What?!"

"You dare to use the flames of another woman?! You cheater!"

.

.

Welf´s mouth opened in shock.

"Da Hell?!"

.

.

.

Before Ursu could give an explanation about all that, the great wall of sorrow started to crack and a deep howl filled the cave.

.