The Return Of Labyrinth City

by Workloadcoming

Orario, the only city that has a dungeon disappeared along time ago with all of its people and Gods, but it has now returned. Bell Cranel, formerly known as Little Rookie and Rabbit foot of Orario, now a King must now confront his old familia and friends who he thought disappeared forever. - Cover Image Artist: Poco

5. Chapter 5 Reunions & Discoveries

Yo, thanks for being patient and Late Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, the chapter is finally out, took awhile due to real life stuff so yeah, also serious announcement at the end, but for now lets answer some of the questions that I've picked:

Gigachad23: Thanks Man! Glad that your enjoying what I'm writing, though I cant promise faster chapters as real life stuff is becoming heavier, its also related to the announcement at the end, but thanks again!

Misaka Phenex: Wont spoil too much, but Bell does have some equipment forge out of the Black dragon and as or the Hestia knife, lest just say that it got some major upgrades hehe

Guest23: Hmm from my perspective, even after the destruction caused by the Labyrinth, it doesnt really mean that Bell should start flexing his power, especially since the world is a bit more peaceful, but later on the chapters u might be able to see it haha

Dman4869: Thanks! as for the distance of the wall it, imagine that it would take an average of an hour or so from Orario City to the great wall, sorry if that doesnt help as I find it difficult it giving out precise measurements without proper information about the distance and time it would take for one to leave Orario city to reach another place haha

Shiki no Yamada: Damn, didnt think I would get attention from a well-known fanfiction author in the danamchi community hahaha, thanks for enjoying the chapter and I will take your suggestion to heart regarding it, though I think it would be difficult to do so, which will be explained at the end, but thanks for reading haha

Guest (The one who suggested Freyr): Yo, thanks actually a fire suggestion, I was actually trying to find a God or Goddess who can fit in the storyboard for the elves, thanks for the suggestion!

Guest (The one who suggested Nina): Ngl, I somehow forgot about the chracter and the school district in my storyboard, but thats fix now! So she will make an appearance as well as the school later on in my story

Thetigerlovecats: The reason why Hephaestus wasnt called was that her familia is not the exlporation type compared to the other familias, the reason why Ganesha was stated is mainly because he is the security for Orario so it would make sense that he would be called. While Hephaestus is a smithing familia, so there was no need to call her to this. (Also it might make the chapter even longer, which I didnt want hahaha)

SentinalSlice: Sorry, cant help it considering that there is a 10 year period, so it would be expected that there will be quite a few OCs introduced, haha, but I will try to make sure that the story revolves Orario city and Bell

SSJ3 Kyuubi Gohan: oh wow another well-known author this time in the Naruto and Highschool dxd community, didnt think I would also get your attention with this haha, yeah my writing tends to drag things out but thats how I write haha, thanks for reading my fanfiction!

Alright that would be all, will I be doing this again? Maybe

But for now without further a do, lets start the next chapter of the story!

x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x

A few minutes ago

INSIDE ORARIO CITY

Bell's group remains hidden within the city avoiding obstacles and people with ease as they are shrouded by Chi's unique magic. Bell and Airmid, with eyes wide, survey their surroundings in amazement and confusion.

"I can't believe it… we're actually inside Orario City," Bell exclaimed in a whisper, his voice laced with awe. The reality that he and his familia had entered the lost city had left him in a state of bewilderment and excitement.

Initially, he still had some lingering doubts about the city's existence in his mind, despite the compelling evidence presented to him earlier.

After all, this very site is home to the Mother Labyrinth, the wellspring of the extensive death and destruction that plagued the early years. It is also conjectured to be the origin of the others that appeared after the battle.

However, the ability to touch the wall itself before they leaped over, to hear the array of worried voices surrounding them, and to detect the myriad of scents in the air, all served as evidence…

That this was the actual city that Bell had thought disappeared 10 years ago

However, what truly stunned him and likely Airmid as well, was the absence of any signs that a decade had elapsed in the city. This observation was corroborated by the snippets of conversation they overheard from those nearby.

Based on the information that they can gather around them as they walk, it appears to the group that merely a day has gone by for the people of Orario, a notion that leaves them deeply perplexed about such a phenomenon.

Until they learned of a mysterious fog that had suddenly emerged, enveloping the entire city in its elusive embrace, only to vanish as unexpectedly as it arrived, all within the span of two hours.

Rapidly piecing together the dots, Bell's group came to the understanding that this was undoubtedly the identical fog mentioned in the given report, and it could very well account for the vanishing of the entire city ten years ago.

Realizing this fact, the group knew they needed to look more into it, because it may be the key information of the strange power that made Orario city disappear and can seal a God's acranum from being used against monsters.

Bell sighed inwardly, resolving, "Once we wrap up here, a thorough investigation is needed. However, considering the amount of time that's slipped by, it's probable that any evidence has already vanished." he thought as he looks around

It was then that Airmid, positioned to the right of Bell, leaned in to whisper to her husband, "It seems that this situation may be more complex than we originally thought," her comment reflecting on the myriad of information they had gathered.

Bell gave a silent nod, signaling his agreement. Beside him, to his left, Astrea leaned in closer and whispered, "Indeed, we may need to send in several members to investigate the city once we finish here" she stated with a thoughtful look

Bell turned to Astrea and responded, "I agree, however it would be difficult in assembling a sizable task force in a short amount of time," his remark revealing his insightful thoughts towards the situation

Typically, cases of this nature demand immediate attention; however, due to the extensive area and the high population density in Orario, the required investigation would necessitate a considerable number of personnel and resources in a short amount of time, which could prove to be infeasible given the nature of the situation.

Besides, they lack both equipment and tools that are even capable of identifying or analyzing the mysterious energy, leaving them with no alternative but to depend on a deity for its detection.

Nevertheless there is still a need to investigate it as there could still be clues that may be found in the lost city. .

At that moment, Bell considered one of his executive familia members who would be particularly intrigued by the investigation. "Analie will undoubtedly be eager to delve into this," he mused, well aware of the distinctive trait of his familia executive member.

Bell then said "We'll organize this in more detail later, once we've accomplished our initial objective" he whispered with a smile as he looks onwards towards the Tower of Babel as they slowly got closer to their destination

It was then that Chi, who is pushing Aria's wheelchair, looked up at her captain and asked with a hint of curiosity, "Bell-sama, do you know the current status of the 'End Seal' of the Mother Labyrinth?"

Bell responded to Chi in a hushed, distinct and serious tone, "While I awaited for you guys at the transfer gate in the castle, I checked the Seal Indicator to assess the 'End Seal's' status, which presently indicates a red crystal." with a whisper

NEAR THE TRANSFER GATE FLASHBACK

Bell was first to arrive at the transfer gate of the castle as he watched the male operator prepares the transfer gate by loading new magic stones into a chamber like device

As he waited, it dawned on him that in the rush of events, he had neglected to verify the status of the 'End Seal'.

"Dammit, how the hell did I forget something important" Bell criticize himself in his mind

Immediately reaching down to his right side pocket of his pants in a flash he extracted a small, metallic cylinder. Then, with a fast precise twist at the base of the object, a red crystal emerged suddenly from the top.

The sight caused Bell's eyes to widen in shock when he noticed the red crystal, signaling that the seal had been active all along.

Bell furrowed his brow in bewilderment. "The seal is activated? But how can that be with the existing magic stones? They should only sustain it for a mere hour at most," he contemplated, his gaze fixed intently on the glowing red crystal perched above.

Two months prior, the 'End Seal' was last engaged amidst the Ares and Kali familias' joint expedition in the Mother Labyrinth. Right before their full descent into the depths, the seal's unexpected activation heralded the imminent onslaught of a monster wave.

Fleeing back towards the Great Wall, where they informed of the looming threat, compelling allies to converge on the location with all due urgency. Nevertheless, they encountered a critical issue that being the scarcity of replacement magic stones necessary to power the seal, representing a significant obstacle.

Consequently, Bell proposed the manual disengagement of the seal in order to preserve the remaining energy within the magic stones until new ones can be procured. The consensus was to accept this plan. Following the conflict, an examination of the seal's magic stones revealed that their energy reserves were critically low, capable of maintaining the seal for no more than an hour.

Confusion dawned upon Bell as the seal remained obstinately active, even though over an hour had lapsed. He twisted the base of the object in reverse, causing the red crystal to withdraw into the confines of the metal cylinder.

Bell was then immersed in contemplation, pondering, "Could this be an error?, if so then it should've been reported by now" considering the amount has passed since the last communication message.

Bell let out a silent sigh, his thoughts heavy with realization. "This is growing increasingly complicated," he acknowledged to himself, beginning to understand that the situation might be more involved than he initially surmised.

At that moment, the double doors swung open to unveil Vivian and Hailey as they stepped into the room. They exchanged warm greetings with Bell, who reciprocated kindly, opting to set aside his thoughts for another time or at least he gets a clearer picture.

FLASHBACK END

The revelation from Bell left the group stunned, prompting Airmid to remark with wide-eyed astonishment, "So the 'End Seal' was activated?" Her voice echoed her disbelief as she turned to her husband.

The 'End Seal' is a complicated and advanced mechanism specifically engineered to function as a man-made barrier for the Mother Labyrinth. Its primary aim is to hold back massive monster waves sent by the dungeon until the Great Wall is prepared and ready to confront it.

Under the joint leadership of Vulcan, the Blacksmith God, and Odin, head of the Frontier Guild, the construction of the artificial seal took several months after the creation of the Great Wall. Thanks to the efforts of allied familias like Astrea and Artemis, who gathered the required rare materials. Complemented by the exceptional skills of craftsmen capable of manipulating these precious materials, the assembly of the artificial seal was ultimately achieved.

Though the implementation of the artificial seal was a different story, the objective was ultimately met through the dedicated collaboration of the allied forces and had been given the name 'End Seal' due to its significance in the defense. Although this significant accomplishment marked a considerable milestone, the design of the 'End Seal' was not without its difficulties.

The primary challenge in designing the 'End Seal' lay in the necessity for large amounts of large top-tier magic stones, essential for powering the unique runes and operating the main mechanism that seals the opening.

The solution that was decided was to incorporate multiple runes that would function as a locking system. This activation occurs as soon as the 'End Seal' is engaged, significantly reducing the energy consumption needed for operation.

The implication of such a design is that once the magic stones deplete their stored magical energy, the seal would deactivate and open forthwith, unleashing the monsters contained from the other side. Though this was seen as an advantageous design as without the use of a God's acranum for a permanent seal, this method is a solid secondary option, ensuring the seal does not sustain excessive damage over time.

The other main issue for the 'End Seal' was the cost of maintenance required was astronomical, comparable to the annual budget of an entire nation. This was to be expected as the 'End Seal' not only consumes a large amount of top-tier magic stones, but is also made of a combination of Adamantite and Oricalchum metals.

The seal's frame, constructed from resilient Adamantite metal, coupled with a shell forged from pure Orichalcum, forms a formidable barrier capable of withstanding a multitude of attacks from diverse monsters. It was only thanks to the collective financial contributions from allies, a shared budget that has been essential for the seal's maintenance over an extended period.

Bell simply nodded to his wife's words and said "It seems so, according to the Seal indicator" with a slight confused look and tone as he pats the right side pocket of his pants where the indicator is located

Airmid turned to her husband with a curious tone, "I see… then what is our plan?" Her question prompted the rest of the group to shift their attention to Bell expectantly.

After a few seconds of silence, Bell finally whispered his response, "There is a good chance that Ouranos has already discovered it, so we must discuss it when we meet up with him." His words were spoken clearly, despite the hushed tone

Bell carried on saying, "In addition, it is crucial to question him regarding the events that transpired within the fog. Following that...'' continuing his explanation of the current plan that he thought

The group continued deliberating Bell's ongoing plans, sharing their own perspectives and ideas for potential refinements and enhancements. They conversed in hushed voices to ensure passersby remained unaware of their presence, given that they are still invisible

After an engaging discussion that spanned several minutes, the group eventually reached the bustling entrance of the Guild. It was at this moment that Aria remarked, "Oh my, this place looks quite hectic," her comment reflecting on the amount of people that filled the nearby vicinity.

Airmid then said, "Considering the present situation, such an outcome is to be expected," as she recounts in her head the numerous occasions on which the Guild became crowded in response to significant events unfolding in Orario

Bell and Astrea nodded their heads in agreement, recalling their own experience when the Guild would become crowded with numerous adventurers.

Upon cautiously stepping into the Guild building, the group observed the receptionist desk teeming with adventurers, all eagerly pressing the receptionists for information.

The group could discern a multitude of shouts and lively discussions occurring in their vicinity, most of which pertained to the latest updates or news about the ongoing situation.

Bell then spotted a familiar face from the distance, one he never thought he would see again. It was Eina, his former guild advisor, as she was clearly trying her best to resolve and reassure the many adventurer's worries and questions regarding the situation

He was overcome with a surge of emotions after seeing a face that he has not seen for a decade, and the impulse to greet Eina openly is strong. However, he knew that this would make things more complicated, especially since they arrived unannounced and that they are still invisible.

Therefore, Bell suppressed his impulse and observed Eina and how she skillfully managed the task at hand before he returned to his prior engagement.

It was then that Bell's group heard something that caught their attention

"Man did you see the ones that entered behind the counter?" a male adventurer said towards his companion

"Not really, I was at the receptionist's desk trying to gather information, why?" inquired the male companion with a note of curiosity in his voice.

"Seriously?" the male adventurer remarked, casting a glance at his companion before adding, "Damn, you managed to miss Goddesses Loki-sama and Freya-sama, along with their captains entering the guild."

Hearing that, the male companion widened his eyes and replied "Eh!? Are you serious? They were here?" with a surprised tone of voice

The adventurer gave a nod of agreement, then continued, "Yeah, Hermes along with his captain have also made their arrival here."

With a serious tone, the male companion responded, "Does this signify that something big is about to unfold?" His gaze fixed on his friend, as he pondered the implications of Orario's key figures converging at the guild.

The friend gave a nod of agreement, then shared his thoughts in a self-assured manner, "It must be the case after all, what other explanation could there be for summoning all the heavy hitters to this spot?"

The male adventurer paused for several seconds before he said "Though I'm surprised that the Hestia familia has also come here" with a surprise tone of voice

His male companion appeared baffled and inquired, "Really? That's unexpected. I wouldn't have thought they'd be summoned as well," expressing his astonishment that the Hestia familia was called upon regardless of their modest ranking.

The friend nodded his head before saying "Yeah, though for some reason they did look quite upset for some reason" he commented recalling how they arrived in the building

The two male adventurers continued their discussion as they walked past Bell's group. While the group themselves digests the newly found information before Chi leaned closer and murmured behind her leader, "It appears your guess was spot-on, Bell-sama."

With a light-hearted chuckle, Bell waved his hand dismissively and urged "Come on, let's get ready to meet with them" as he prompted the group to start moving towards the rear area of the guild

The group then walk passed the receptionists area and continued walking until they have reached what they suspect is the stairway that leads to where the meeting is taking place

Bell turned to Chi and Aria, speaking in a distinct and clear tone, "Aria, Chi, I want you two to remain here for the time being. It's important that we keep knowledge of your existence, Aria, restricted to as few individuals as possible."

Aria and Chi both gave nods of agreement; then, with a reassuring smile, Aira responded, "No problem, Bell."

At present, Aria's real identity as the legendary wind spirit remains a closely guarded secret, known only to a select circle encompassing trusted personnel, closely allied familias, and certain Gods that are aware of her true real identity

With her current public identity largely known as the level one Astrea familia adventurer who miraculously survived an encounter with the OEBD due to an undisclosed skill.

Although suspicions about her identity lingered, the familia's diligent efforts ensured that her persona swiftly gained acceptance among the public.

Bell and Airmid set their backpacks gently on the ground, not far from Aria and Chi's resting spot. With a respective tone of voice, Bell turned to Chi and inquired, "Chi, can you undo your magic on the three of us?"

Chi nodded her head before she started the chant to disable the invisibility "As the sun unveils the night's disguise, Lift the shroud that veils their eyes."

As she completed her chant, a pale gray aura flared into existence and within its shimmering mist, Bell, Airmid and Astrea began to materialize. The aura faded away, leaving the three figures fully revealed.

Seeing that the invisibility magic has been undone on them, Bell offered a silent nod of gratitude. Simultaneously, Airmid directed her gaze toward the spot where she had last glimpsed the pair and said, "Alright, we'll be back as soon as possible"

Chi and Aria voiced their confirmation in unison, saying, "Understood."

Bell, Airmid and Astrea then started to walk down the staircase towards where the supposed meeting was taking place.

As the trio descended the staircase, Astrea glanced towards the opened doors ahead and remarked, "Well looks like we're here" as they can now hear the faint sound of people talking from beyond the doors.

After descending the staircase for several moments longer, the trio finally reached the base of the staircase. From there, they looked ahead and see several familiar figures, ones that Bell and Airmid never thought they would see again in their lifetime

Particularly for Bell, the sight of two familiar figures he had not seen throughout the decade of their absence struck a deep chord within him. There, before him, stood his previous Goddess and his dear friend Lili.

They could also observe that both Elowen and Emily were part of the group, seemingly engaged in addressing an issue, likely responding to questions that had been posed.

Bell then noticed that Hestia looked confused before faintly hearing her ask a question "Do…Do you know Bell?"

Hearing that Bell couldn't help but smile and thought "It seems our timing was spot on" as he realizes that they arrived at a perfect time

Noticing Emily poised to respond to Hestia's inquiry, Bell interjected without missing a beat. With a confident voice that commanded attention, he declared, "That's because I am their captain, after all," announcing his presence to the group without a hint of hesitation.

His wives remained silent, wearing simple smiles on their faces. They knew that their husband would take action the moment they observed the current situation.

Bell continued to observe from the doorway, noting the shocked and confused expressions on everyone's faces, except for Elowen and Emily, who both wore smiles towards him.

Bell noticed Hestia's expression changing rapidly from confusion to shock, and then to one of absolute happiness. Without hesitation, she started running towards him.

Seeing her reaction, Bell was glad that she still recognized him despite how much he had changed over the decade. A smile formed on his face, expecting a warm hug from his former Goddess.

x-x-x-x-x-x-x

Now

GUILD HEADQUARTERS BASEMENT

-ROOM OF PRAYER-

"Gyaaaaaaaaa!" Hestia screamed as she struggles to get out of a sudden iron-like grip that Astrea is giving

"Ah, whoops!" Astrea exclaimed with a sheepish grin as she realized what she had done, While Bell and Airmid couldn't help but share an awkward smile at the unfolding scene.

However, what Bell didn't know was that Airmid let out a mental sigh of relief. The moment Hestia jumped towards him, Airmid was also on the verge of stepping in. But unlike Astrea, who gave an iron grip on the head, Airmid was mere seconds away from sending a punch straight to Hestia's gut.

Luckily for Airmid the few seconds of hesitation had made Astrea react first towards Hestia, which made Airmid relieved as she wouldn't dare harm a God herself

….Unless they deserve it

Setting aside ethical considerations, Bell and Airmid observed that Astrea had released Hestia. Hestia then fell onto the floor, clutching her head with her hands, clearly still feeling the lingering pain from Astrea's iron grip.

Astrea knelt down beside Hestia, offering an apology, "My bad, Hestia. Instincts took over, hehe," she said with an awkward smile and a nervous laugh.

Hearing the apology, Hestia immediately turned toward Astrea, her head still bearing the imprint of the grip, and shouted, "My Bad!? Whose first instinct was to - !" She abruptly halted her shout as she realized it was Astrea, someone she hadn't seen since her descent.

The shock on Hestia's face shifted to a mix of surprise and recognition before she asked, "I-Is that you, Astrea?" with genuine surprise in her voice.

Astrea simply nodded before saying, "It's me, Hestia. It has been a while since we saw each other, right?" She extended a hand to help Hestia, who was still on the floor.

Seizing the extended hand, Hestia grabbed it and was pulled up by Astrea before saying, "Ah… yeah, it's been a while." However, Hestia realized that she was getting off track and shook her head from side to side as she got up, then asked in a loud and confused voice, "Wait, no, how come you're here, Astrea!?"

Hestia herself was vaguely aware of what had happened to Astrea's familia, but she didn't have the full details. She understood that something major had occurred in the Dungeon, resulting in the massacre of the entire familia. This tragedy had compelled Astrea to leave Orario completely.

But now, seeing her here in Orario City was shocking in itself. What made Hestia truly confused was why on earth Astrea had stopped her from giving Bell a hug (and a kiss on the lips).

Hestia then demanded of Astrea, "Also, why did you step in between me and my B - !" Her words halted as soon as she looked towards the man.

Hestia didn't realize it until now, but when she finally took a closer look, she recognized that the man standing behind Astrea looked completely different from her Bell

The man standing behind Astrea shared the same white hair and red eyes as her Bell. However, not only did he resemble a more mature version of her Bell, but he was also dressed differently, wearing black pants and a black coat with a white undershirt featuring a red lining on the collar.

He also wore a peculiar white bracelet on his right arm, emanating an odd aura that seemed to set it apart. However, what caught Hestia's attention even more was the regal aura surrounding the man himself, giving off an air of royalty akin to that of a prince or king — something her Bell definitely did not possess.

Despite the overwhelming differences, her instincts as a Goddess and as a woman who had watched over the boy ever since his beginnings as an adventurer were practically pointing towards the man.

Thus, with some hesitation, she looked towards the man and asked, "Be-Bell? Is that you?" with a nervous tone of voice, her eyes fixed on the man.

The group from Orario are currently silent as they watch the unfolding scene in front of them. While they had heard Hestia's exclamation, seeing the person for themselves made them skeptical about what Hestia was claiming. They thought she might be delusional, despite the striking similarities to Rabbit Foot.

However, what followed was truly shocking. The man wore the most confident and happiest smile they had ever seen as he declared, "It's me. It's been a while, Hestia-sama." with a loud tone of voice that echoed throughout the room

This statement immediately seized everyone's attention, especially Hestia. Her mouth hung open, eyes widened in disbelief. Yet, despite her shock, she could sense no deceit in the man's words. The rest of the room shared a similar look of disbelief as they gazed at him.

With the exception of Ouranos, who had been informed ahead of time, all the other present Gods in the room were in disbelief as they, too, did not detect any falsehood in the man's words.

While Hestia was still processing the sudden and shocking information, Hermes was the first to step forward and asked again, "Are... Are you really Bell-kun?" with a confused tone in his voice, still trying to make sense of what he was witnessing.

After all, it was only a few days ago that he last saw the boy himself, so the fact that the man standing in front of him was the same person was mind-boggling.

Bell himself wore a simple smile on his face as he responded, "Of course I am. Who else would I be, Hermes?" he said in a confident tone, nodding his head.

Hermes widened his eyes in shock, and a sudden shout erupted from the other group. "Ehhhhh!? You seriously are the shrimp's kid!? What the hell happened to you!?" Loki shouted, pointing her finger towards Bell.

Loki's shout snapped Hestia out of her daze, and she immediately turned towards Bell with a confused look, asking in a loud and confused tone of voice, "Yeah! Like what the flat-chest said! What on earth happened to you!"

Seeing that all the Gods were now convinced by the man's shocking identity, the respective mortals brought by their Gods were now shocked by the sudden and drastic change that had happened to the boy.

Deep in thought, Finn and Asfi tried to figure out the possible reason for Bell's sudden change of appearance, while Lili stood still like a statue, attempting to digest and reason with the news that the man standing behind Goddess Astrea was actually her familia's captain.

Ottar, maintaining his usual stoic demeanor, also stood still. While he was indeed surprised by the shocking reveal, his deep thought was not related to Bell's sudden transformation.

In his contemplation, Ottar's concern centered on the immediate reaction of his Goddess. As soon as the man confirmed his identity to Hermes, Freya began to tremble, and her breathing turned erratic, causing deep worry to settle in Ottar's mind.

Freya's head hung low, rendering it impossible for Ottar to gauge his Goddess's current mood. Nevertheless, relying on his instincts and understanding of Freya's typical behavior, he could likely make an educated guess about her emotional state, particularly if it pertained to the boy — no, perhaps it was more fitting to refer to him as a man now.

However, to ease his own concerns, Ottar chose to address his worries directly with his Goddess. Whispering quietly, he politely inquired her, "Lady Freya, are you alright?"

Upon hearing Ottar's inquiry, Freya's trembling ceased, replaced by a measured inhale and exhale. She then lifted her head and responded, "Alright? No, Ottar dear, I am more than alright," in a quiet voice, turning her gaze toward her familia captain.

"I am ecstatic!" she exclaimed, her flushed with a deep red as she was lit up with excitement, wearing one of the biggest smiles Ottar had ever witnessed during his time serving under her.

In Freya's mind, she reveled in the moment she witnessed it. "His soul... it completely transformed into something more marvelous than ever," she mused dreamily.

The moment Hermes confirmed Bell's identity once again was when she employed her Discerning Eyes on the man to see his soul. It was then that she observed the change – the once clear and beautiful soul she had fallen in love with was now gone.

What was now in its place was something even grander.

Bell's soul resembled a clear and radiant white sun, shining brightly with a fierce, glowing blaze, yet it exuded a calmness, as if eternally providing protection to those who followed it.

Mesmerized, she found herself drawn to the soul's everlasting light that seemed to welcome all. Her desire and love for it intensified, becoming even more fervent than before.

She craved it, no, she needed it to be by her side for all eternity. Her breathing grew haggard as her desires neared their peak, causing her body to tremble in excitement at the mere thought of possessing it.

However, now was not the time for such desires. Thanks to her strongest child, she managed to regain control over her excitement. She swiftly composed her expression, ensuring that no one else would catch a glimpse of her true emotions.

She vowed that she would have him sooner or later, most likely after all of this was over. However, what Freya did not realize was that Astrea had witnessed all of it. She saw the expression on Freya's face when looking at Bell, and Astrea did not like that one bit.

Astrea had harbored suspicions about Freya from the moment she laid eyes on her. Perhaps it was due to her instincts as Bell's wife, but she could sense that Freya definitely had an interest in him.

Astrea soon confirmed her suspicions the moment she observed Freya's reaction and gaze. It was evident that Freya had utilized her ability to see the soul of her husband. Astrea wasn't sure what Freya saw in him, but she knew that it had undeniably captured her attention.

Bell then addressed the room, "Alright, everyone, please calm down. I'll explain everything soon," he stated in a calm and steady voice.

Bell turned his gaze toward Ouranos and politely inquired, "Lord Ouranos, may I assume that you've already briefed them on the situation?"

Ouranos shook his head and responded, "Regrettably, we haven't even begun with the introductions." briefly explaining what has happened so far towards Bell

Upon hearing this, everyone in the room turned their attention to Ouranos. Hestia immediately asked with a perplexed exclamation, "Wait a minute! Ouranos, did you know about this!?"

Ouranos shook his head and explained, "I was only told about this a few minutes ago, by the two beside me," he stated, using his left hand to gesture towards Elowen and Emily.

Seeing that they had once again become the center of attention, Elowen and Emily looked toward their captain for confirmation to proceed. Bell gave a simple nod to the two of them.

With the confirmation from their captain, Elowen cleared her throat before beginning her explanation. "As I was saying a few moments ago, it is nice to meet you all. Our names are Elowen Silverleaf and Emily Grant. We are from the Astrea Familia, and we came here to discuss with you about what is going on," she introduced themselves in a calm and clear tone of voice.

Everyone in the room now focused their attention on Elowen and Emily, as Bell's group started walking towards where Elowen and Emily were located to stay with them so that they could start this important meeting .

Hestia was about to stop Bell and was going to ask him to stay with her so that he could explain what was going on and his relationship with Astrea, as well as the other woman beside him.

Until Lili immediately shouted, "Wait a minute!" catching everyone's attention and even halting Bell's group as they looked towards Lili. Her current expression was a mixture of confusion and realization.

She then raised her right arm and pointed towards Elowen and Emily with a slightly shaking and confused voice. "Y-You said you guys are from Astrea familia, right?"

Both Elowen and Emily nodded carefully. Seeing this, Lili then asked them, "T-Then why did Bell-sama say that he is your Captain?" with a confused and shaken tone of voice.

This statement made everyone in Orario's group realize that they had missed and forgotten what Bell had said when he entered the room – that he was their captain. Combining that with Elowen and Emily being part of the Astrea familia, it could only mean one thing.

That Bell Cranel no longer belong to the Hestia familia but now belong to the Astrea Familia

This revelation shocked them, none more so than Hestia. The sudden realization that Bell was no longer her child had deeply shaken her. She looked towards Astrea, who maintained a neutral expression, and immediately asked her, "Astrea, did you poach my child from me?" with an agitated tone of voice as she started to approach Astrea

Granted, this still doesn't explain his sudden change in appearance, but it would at least clarify the reason why she could no longer feel her falna on him. Astrea had placed her own falna onto Bell.

Before Astrea could say something, Bell stepped in between Astrea and the approaching Hestia. Seeing Bell blocking her path, Hestia demanded, "Bell-kun, you need to move out of the way," with an authoritative tone of voice.

However, Bell shook his head with a protective but also a slight sad expression. This frustrated Hestia, and she was about to demand him to move again until Bell spoke, "Hestia-sama, please calm down." He asked her politely before placing both his hands on the small goddess as he further explained, "It's a long story on why I am now part of the Astrea familia, and I will explain it to you soon." He said in a clear and loud tone of voice that echoed in the room.

Bell turned his head towards Lili, who had a complicated expression upon learning that Bell was no longer part of the Hestia familia. Before he further explained in her direction, "What I'm about to tell all of you is 100% the truth of what is happening," in a clear and serious tone of voice.

Hestia still wanted to say something, but seeing the serious expression that Bell had made her hesitate and in the end she decided to hear what was going on, a decision shared by Lili, who also chose to listen carefully to Bell's explanation.

With the room once again silent and Bell back at the center of attention, he released his hands from Hestia's shoulders and continued walking towards Elowen and Emily. Astrea and Airmid followed closely behind, with Astrea showing a slight blush and a small smile on her face.

While Hestia accepted Bell's plea, her curiosity about his relationship with Astrea and the other woman lingered. Hestia was not the only one to notice it as It was evident to everyone in the room that their connection was far from ordinary.

Hermes had a small smile and let out a low whistle, earning a critical look from Asfi. Loki and Finn displayed interest in their expression, while Freya's eyes glinted dangerously for a moment before she returned to her usual expression. Ottar, as ever, maintained his stoic demeanor.

Although everyone in the room had also shared a similar curiosity in their minds about the identity of the other woman accompanying Bell and Astrea, as they couldn't quite place why she seemed so familiar.

The woman in question had silver hair and purple eyes, possessing a mature body. She was currently clad in a knee-length dress with long sleeves, adorned with two waist packs on one side. The dress, predominantly white, featured a rose-red dragon-like design on the cuffs and hem.

She exuded a regal aura akin to Bell's, yet there was also an air of familiarity about her that left them puzzled.

Hermes, who also had been observing the familiar woman, suddenly realized something. Considering Bell's drastic change in appearance, there could only be one person who was with him during that time and why she felt familiar .

Hermes widened his eyes in realization as he stared at the familiar woman following Bell. "Could it be?" he pondered, considering the revelation he had just made.

Hermes wasn't the only one who realized the potential identity of the woman; Ouranos had also come to the same conclusion. At the moment, he was only informed about the identity of the Astrea Familia captain and some of the events that had transpired during the decade.

Thus Ouranos was not well versed regarding the relationships or other identities of the Astrea familia, since right now was not the best time for it.

But it was not for long before everyone learns the identity of the woman

Bell finally reached the spot where the other two Astrea members were standing. He exchanged warm greetings with them, and in turn, the duo did the same before directing their attention toward the other two accompanying Bell.

With a resounding tone that resonated throughout the room, the duo greeted, "It's great to see you guys here, Astrea-sama, Airmid-san." Elowen accompanied her words with a warm smile, and Emily waved her hands enthusiastically, exclaiming, "Astrea-sama! Airmid-san! Didn't expect to see the two of you coming here!"

Just before Astrea and Airmid could respond to the greetings,

"Ehhhhhhhhhhhh!?" The room echoed with a collective exclamation of shock and surprise, as everyone's eyes widened to the unexpected revelation.

Even Ottar, with his usual stoic demeanor, had his eyes slightly widened in surprise, never expecting that the familiar woman would be the Dea Saint.

The only ones who were not as surprised as everyone else were Ouranos and Hermes, as both of them had already suspected her identity earlier but were still taken aback that it was actually her.

Before anyone could comment on the revelation of the woman's true identity, two loud claps resounded within the room.

CLAP CLAP

Catching everyone's attention, in silence they all turned to the source of the claps, revealing it to be Astrea.

As the attention of everyone focused on her, she gracefully crossed her arms and addressed them with a calm smile. "Now Now, I understand that you all have more questions now, However, time is of the essence," she conveyed in a composed and calm tone.

She proceeded to elaborate, "Bell will soon provide an explanation for the current situation," she declared with unwavering confidence, directing her gaze toward Bell, accompanied by a warm and reassuring smile.

Observing Astrea's gaze, filled with kindness and reassurance, Bell nodded affirmatively. He then shifted his attention towards the Orario group, now silent and expectant, eagerly awaiting what Bell was about to disclose.

The air was thick with anticipation, especially noticeable in the expressions of Hestia and Lili, reflecting a mix of curiosity and concern about the profound changes they had witnessed in Bell.

Without further delay, Bell cleared his throat, signaling the onset of his address. "Now then, there's quite a lot to discuss, but let's get one thing straight," he stated with a serious and determined tone.

Closing his eyes for a moment, he reopened them, his countenance now grave and serious. In a clear and resonant voice, he declared, "You guys and all of Orario city has been gone for a decade," emphasizing the gravity of the statement as his gaze settled upon the group.

Several seconds elapsed in silence before…

"EHHHHHHHHHHHH!?"

A louder collective of shouts reverberated through the room, as everyone was utterly shocked and bewildered by the stunning revelation.

Soon, a barrage of questions was hurled at Bell and his group in rapid succession. Observing the inundation of queries, Bell let out a mental sigh, contemplating, "Looks like this is going to take a while," he mused.

x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x

DRAGON TAIL CITY

-ASTREA FAMILIA MEETING ROOM-

In a spacious room known as the Seira Room, a long table and several chairs can be observed with only a few of the chairs are occupied

The Seira Room serves as the primary venue for crucial discussions and meetings pertaining to Familia matters. It is distinctly separate from another meeting room primarily utilized for matters related to the kingdom.

Inside the Executive Meeting Room were the Astrea Familia Executives who were readily available and able to return back to base promptly.

"Well, that took longer than I anticipated," Hailey remarked, crossing her arms as she recounted the events from a few minutes ago.

A short while ago, Hailey and Vivian were elucidating the current situation to the other familia members who had promptly returned to the main base on short notice in a larger room than the one that she is currently in.

Given that 80 members out of the total 300 in the familia were able to return, it still represents a significant number of individuals who managed to come back after the orders were given. Thus a need for a larger room was quite evident given the need for space

"It's unavoidable; a lot of them had questions regarding the situation," Vivian remarked calmly with a smile as she prepared herself a cup of tea with patience and composure.

Immediately following the announcement, Hailey and Vivian found themselves bombarded with a barrage of questions, each one clamoring to be heard at once, turning the large room into a chaotic scene.

Though they did successfully quell the chaos, restoring order within the room, but a majority of the Familia members still had lingering questions.

At that moment, another voice in the meeting room echoed with a subtle, critical tone. "It's partly because Hailey insisted on addressing every question," remarked the other female voice, accompanied by a small smirk on her face.

The one who has said that was a stunning female werewolf, with a blend of white and silver hair cascading down to her waist, complemented by captivating sky-blue eyes. Her appearance often led many to mistake her for a celestial goddess of the moon due to her ethereal beauty.

She donned a white crop-top shirt paired with a sleek black leather vest and fitted black leather pants, accentuating her physique. The ensemble was completed with metallic shoulder armor, seamlessly integrated gauntlets, and metallic greaves and boots adorning her legs.

As Hailey poised to respond, the female werewolf interjected, "Though I do understand your thought process. Answering common questions now may save us time later on," she stated in a composed and calm voice directed towards Hailey.

It was then that another voice resonated in the room, "Indeed, addressing them now could be advantageous. Those who are now well-versed in the answers may be able to respond on your behalf when the rest of the familia eventually returns," she added with a smile.

The one responding this time was a woman with pink hair and purple eyes. She wore a sky-blue kimono adorned with several floating white petals. The sash of the kimono was a vibrant rose-red color, with a gentle and noble-like atmosphere around her.

The woman with pink hair continued, "But, considering the multitude of questions thrown your way, it was handled quite adeptly," she remarked. Her tone retained its analytical edge, accompanied by a smile on her face.

Vivian nodded in agreement before adding, "Agreed. Grouping them based on the type of questions they have was a great idea," she stated in a gentle voice, taking a sip of her tea.

Hailey let out a chuckle before explaining, "Yeah, it was thanks to your suggestion, Alexia," she said, casting a glance toward the white-haired female werewolf.

The white-haired female werewolf is identified as Alexia Hunt, a top executive member with the given alias 'Lunar Strategos.' and is the commander of Dragon Tail City's police force, known as the 'Sentinels'

In response to Hailey's remarks, Alexia calmly added, "No problem, Hailey. Fortunately, you informed both me and Sakura here first before diving into it with the rest of the other familia members," she said, her tone relaxed as she directed her gaze towards the pink-haired woman.

The pink-haired woman goes by the name Sakura Yoshiaki, another top executive recognized by the alias 'Sword Saint.' Unlike some of the other top executives, Sakura doesn't oversee any specialized unit or group within both the kingdom and the familia.

This stems from her personal beliefs and experiences. However, she frequently lends her expertise to various units and groups, assisting them in their duties. Her noble and kind personality has earned her the moniker 'Saint' among the people.

Sakura responded with a serene smile before stating, "Our timing was spot-on," nodding her head in agreement.

A few moments after Bell's group had departed for the lost city, Alexia and Sakura arrived at the castle, much to Hailey's expectations. Being the closest among the Familia's top executives to the base.

This is because Sakura was scheduled to return today from her mission in the Far East, while Alexia had been outside of Dragon Tail City conducting her regular rounds with several familia members in the nearby forest.

Therefore, Hailey had already anticipated that they would be the first ones to return, aligning perfectly with her plan to provide detailed explanations alongside Vivian regarding the ongoing situation and their current orders.

For Alexia and Sakura, the revelation was nothing short of shocking. Like anyone else, they never anticipated the return of Orario City after a decade-long disappearance, leaving them understandably suspicious.

While they held a high level of confidence in Bell's skills, a hint of complaint lingered in their minds. Ideally, they wished Bell had dispatched a top executive first to investigate before confirming the city's authenticity

Unbeknownst to them, Bell was already confident that the returned city was indeed genuine. This assurance came from Astrea sensing her Falna on Ryuu when the city reappeared.

Returning to the meeting, Alexia inquired, "By the way, where's Analie? Shouldn't she be here as well?" Her tone carried a note of curiosity as she scanned the room.

Analie Woods a female Prum and fellow top executive in the Astrea Familia with the well known alias of 'Mini Genius'. Renowned for her groundbreaking inventions and innovative contributions, Analie has spearheaded a technological revolution that has reshaped the world.

She serves as the cornerstone of the Astrea Familia, spearheading research and development for a myriad of tools and gadgets crucial to the Familia's operations. Her expertise also extends to designing personalized weapons for various members within the Familia. Due to her proficiency in these skills and her limited combat abilities, she predominantly assumes a supportive role within the familia.

She generally avoids engaging in hunting quests or expeditions unless her unique skills are explicitly needed for the duration of the mission. Consequently, she spends a significant amount of her time inside the Research Laboratory, tinkering and experimenting day and night, often without sleep

Hailey and Vivian exchanged an awkward glance, before both directed their gaze towards Alexia. It didn't take long for Alexia to grasp the unspoken message being conveyed between the two.

Sighing, Alexia rested her arms on the table. Lifting her right arm, she opened her hand and placed her head on it, expressing her exasperation. "She pulled another all-nighter, didn't she?" she remarked, glancing between Hailey and Vivian.

Hailey and Vivian nodded in agreement, confirming Alexia's suspicion. Vivian added with a small smile, sipping her tea, "Absolutely. She was actually the first one we encountered, but she seemed completely exhausted and drowsy," she recalled their initial interaction.

Hailey then chimed in, "Given her current state, where she wouldn't be able to contribute much, we suggested to her to take a rest until she regains her energy," she explained towards Alexia

Sakura remarked with a smile, "She pulled another all-nighter, huh? Knowing her habits, I wouldn't be surprised if she accidentally creates a skill based on it" a touch of humor evident in her tone.

Alexia then commented to Sakura, "Don't jinx it," a smile gracing her face.

Due to her type of work and habits, Analie frequently pulls all-nighters, much to the familia's collective disapproval. It has gotten so severe at one point that Bell, Airmid and Astrea had to install physical barriers in front of her Research Laboratory, and banned her from entering for an entire week until she managed to get the proper rest she needed back then.

Acknowledging that Analie wouldn't be attending anytime soon, Alexia then shifted to another topic, inquiring, "Do you have any information about the others then?" She wondered about the decisions of the other familia executives in this situation and if they would return soon. .

In response to Alexia's inquiry, Hailey explained, "Elysia mentioned that she'll be staying in Alf's Royal Forest for now, just in case there's a sudden spike in activity by the 'Dungeon Cult' or 'It' in the area," her tone clear and composed.

Vivian contributed to the conversation, stating, "Illyria said that she'll try to return as soon as possible, but it may still take a day or two before she's back in Dragon Tail City."

The conversation persisted as Hailey and Vivian provided Alexia and Sakura with updates on the current status of each top and junior executive, with the exception of those on crucial missions.

After a few minutes, Hailey concluded the conversation, saying, "And that should cover everyone who was able to provide us with an update. Those who did not respond are either too busy or are currently on crucial missions," she stated, looking towards Alexia as she finished her report.

Alexia and Sakura nodded in comprehension, absorbing the information shared with them. Sakura then inquired, "Wait a minute, what about Ran? What's her status?" Her curiosity sparked regarding one of the unmentioned top executives.

Hailey and Vivian turned their gaze toward Sakura, their expressions colored with skepticism. Both raised an eyebrow, a silent questioning of Sakura's words. Even Alexia, too, wore a similar look of skepticism.

It was a collective expression that made Sakura reflect on her own words. Eventually, a chuckle escaped Sakura as she acknowledged the skepticism from her friends.

After her chuckle subsided, Sakura clarified, "My bad. So I'm assuming that she was the only one not informed about the ongoing situation," she said with a smile, as her voice carried an understanding tone directed at Hailey and Vivian.

Hailey and Vivian nodded in agreement. Hailey elaborated, "It can't be helped considering her personality. Instead, her assigned Frontier advisor in the area was contacted to deliver the news upon the completion of her given mission." with a awkward tone of voice

A collective sense of pity filled the room for the unfortunate soul tasked with delivering the news to Ran. As they all shared the same unspoken sentiment, a silent chorus of "Good luck" echoed through their minds in unison.

Soon, the conversation in the room shifted to a different topic. The top executives delved into discussions about future plans, and talked about the reactions of their allies and their decisions regarding the current situation.

The meeting continued, until the doors of the Seira Room were opened suddenly without a knock, revealing two figures standing in the doorway. The first figure walked in, swiftly followed by the second.

The first figure that stormed in was a woman appearing to be in her early twenties, characterized by amber-colored eyes and cascading silver-blue hair. However, her exposed skin revealed a unique feature – several scales, visible without the leather-like armor she wore covering it. With a notably red stone adorned the center of her forehead and an unyielding yet tired gaze on her face.

The second figure trailing the first donned a white buttoned shirt paired with a brown knee-length skirt. However, what set her apart were the golden feathers with blue tips covering her body, and instead of arms, she sported wings. Bird-like feet completed her unusual appearance. Her expression was a mix of worry and awkwardness as she gazed toward the other figure.

It was evident that these two figures were far from ordinary, being monsters born from the dungeons, specifically a Vouivre and a Siren. Despite their monstrous origins, everyone in the meeting room instantly recognized them. The figures were none other than Wiene and Ray, both key figures within the Xenos.

Wiene immediately inquired in a loud tone, "Is it true? Has Orario City really returned?" She directed her question toward the top executive of the Astrea Familia.

Confusion lingered among the executives, considering Wiene should have been among the first to receive the information given her Alpha priority.

Seeing their confusion Ray explained, "Wiene was busy giving drills to the new members of the reconnaissance unit in the sky so she did not receive the news until she finished her training and returned to the ground" she staten in a tired but clear voice

Wiene currently holds the position of the commander of the Reconnaissance Unit of Dragon Tail City. Her appointment is attributed to her exceptional combat prowess and the innate ability to fly, a unique attribute derived from her Xeno race.

On the other hand, Ray is the retired ex-commander of the Reconnaissance Unit, having stepped down after numerous battles to pursue a career in music. Despite her retirement, she remains a key figure among the Xenos and continues to receive crucial information about what is going on.

Ray continued her explanation, "The moment Wiene heard that Orario City had returned, she left immediately— without hearing the full report," she stated, wearing a slight, awkward smile on her face.

Wiene then said, "My apologies, I was in a rush as I needed to hear it straight from you guys" she said as she paused for several seconds until she asked "So is it true?" Her tone carried a slight sense of desperation as she looked towards the Familia group.

The top executives present in the room recognized the significance of the news for Wiene, given that Bell's former familia was located in Orario City.

They were well aware of the importance it held for Wiene and to the other Xenos who were originally from the Mother Labyrinth.

So Hailey and Vivian commenced detailing the ongoing situation to Wiene, explaining the intricacies of it and Bell's decision about it. After several minutes had passed, Hailey and Vivian concluded their explanation, leaving Wiene in deep thought as she looked down.

After several seconds of silence, Wiene looked up and sighed, *sigh* "If I had ended the drills earlier, do you think I would have been able to convince Bell to let me come with him?" She asked, wearing a sad, all-knowing smile, as if she already knew the answer.

Everyone in the room shook their heads from side to side, indicating that Bell would most likely not bring her with him to Orario City. Observing their reactions, Wiene simply stated, "Figures," crossing her arms in slight disappointment.

Ray then commented towards Wiene, placing one of her wings on Wiene's shoulders and said, "It can't be helped. If it really is Orario City, their interactions with us may still be hostile." as she looked onto Wiene

Given that Orario City had been absent for a decade, they were certain that the residents might be unaware of the changes that occurred during their prolonged absence. The sudden appearance of monsters walking among them could potentially lead to bewilderment, panic, and, worse, casualties.

Ray further explained as she lowered her wing from Wiene's shoulder, "Besides, even if you were able to go, Chi-san's invisibility magic wouldn't work on us Xenos," she stated in a clear tone of voice.

Chi's unique invisibility magic, known as the 'Veil of Shadows,' enables her and those she selects to become invisible, including objects, rendering the magic highly versatile. However, there are still some limitations to her magic.

One of these limitations is that, after several trials of testing, it was discovered that she cannot make monsters or Xenos invisible using her magic.

Wiene attempted to counter Ray's argument, saying, "I could have just flown really high and stayed up there until the coast was clear," she added with an awkward tone of voice.

Hailey then stated, "Sorry, but most likely Bell would still deny it," in a confident tone of voice directed towards Wiene.

Wiene pouted upon hearing Hailey's opinion, asserting, "But I can handle myself," believing that she should be fine due to the training she had received over a decade.

However, everyone in the room, including Ray, just looked at her with a sweatdrop before Alexia explained, "Wiene, we're not worried about your safety; we're worried about their safety," she stated in a clear and awkward tone of voice directed towards Wiene.

Wiene's eyes showed confusion at first as she looked at Alexia, until realization dawned upon her about what Alexia had meant. Sakura then chimed in with a calm tone, "Alexia's right; after all, your estimated level is around level 9 or 10."

Currently, Wiene has been assessed by the Frontier Guild to be at an estimated level 9 or 10 according to their standards and testing. This ranking makes her a formidable individual even among the ranks of the Xenos.

Wiene was about to say something until Vivian intervened, stating, "Wiene, even if you stayed up in the sky most of the time, you would eventually get tired, as no one has infinite stamina." She paused to take a breath before continuing her explanation, "If you are seen by any of the people in Orario City, there would be even more panic, which is something that we need to avoid," she emphasized in a clear and loud tone of voice.

Vivian then said in a calm tone of voice, "That's why please be patient and wait. I'm sure that you will be able to meet them again once everything is sorted out soon," she conveyed with a patient smile.

Wiene was silent for several seconds until she let out a sigh and said, *sigh* "You're right, sorry about that. I guess I got too excited without thinking too deeply," she expressed, placing her right hand behind her head and starting to rub it with a smile.

A collective smile spread across the room in response to Wiene's words. Hailey reassured her, saying, "It's alright, Wiene. We understand what you're going through," with a tone of genuine understanding.

Alexia then added to the conversation, "That's why, for now, it's best to stay back until Bell's group returns and confirms the situation over there," she conveyed with a calm and clear voice.

All present in the room nodded in agreement and understanding. However, Wiene raised her right arm and declared in a loud tone of voice with a smile on her face, "But I call first dibs to go over there once everything has been sorted!" capturing everyone's attention.

Soon, the room was filled with joyous laughter. Hailey spoke with a reassuring smile towards Wiene, calming her laughter, and said, "Of course, you will be one of the next ones to go there when the time has come"

Wiene smiled, nodding her head in excitement, grateful for the opportunity to return to the city that was once thought to be lost forever.

Ray spoke with a smile directed at Wiene, "Now that everything has been sorted, let's leave it to them to finish their meeting." After a brief pause, she wore a thoughtful look and then suggested to Wiene, "Since we're here, shall we give Materia and Alfia a visit?" Her smile accompanied the proposal.

Wiene enthusiastically nodded her head at Ray's suggestion, commenting, "That's a great idea, Ray!" A wide smile lit up her face.

Soon, Ray and Wiene bid their farewells to the top executives of the Astrea Familia, who, in turn, waved their hands and also bid their farewells towards the Xenos

Just before the meeting would resume its discussion, Hailey glanced at the ticking clock on the wall and wondered, "I wonder what Bell is doing right now?" contemplating the current activities of her king and captain of the familia.

x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x

INSIDE ORARIO CITY

-GUILD BASEMENT PRAYER ROOM-

"Well, I suppose this was somewhat expected," Bell thought, his face reflecting quiet contemplation as he assessed the situation before him and his group.

Currently, he and his group were engrossed in answering the numerous questions directed at them regarding the current situation and the events that transpired over the past decade.

Given that the Gods of each present familia from Orario confirmed the veracity of Bell's group, providing explanations about Bell's and Airmid's current appearance and the towering wall that now encircles Orario City.

As expected, a multitude of questions arose, making it evident that the Orario group was still grappling in confusion with the mystery of their decade-long disappearance.

Bell could only sigh mentally, having expected numerous questions, though he didn't anticipate it taking this long. He and his group did their best to summarize the crucial events that had unfolded.

Bell reflected, "Fortunately, we managed to ask them about their experiences while they were engulfed in the fog," relieved to have tackled that aspect of the conversation.

A few moments ago

Bell and his group were able to learn, guided by Ouranos' detailed explanation, they discovered that a mysterious fog materialized around lunchtime, lingering for two hours before dissipating completely. It was during that time that the city realized there were now large walls surrounding it.

Bell's group instinctively recognized it as the same fog seen and reported moments ago. This might provide an explanation for the city's disappearance a decade ago and its reappearance today, considering the mysterious fog itself was undoubtedly not ordinary.

A decade ago, all the Gods and Goddesses residing outside of Orario reported feeling a peculiar ripple of unfamiliar energy on the day of Orario's disappearance. It is highly likely that this phenomenon was linked to the strange fog, although they were uncertain about the specifics of how it occurred.

Back to the present

While Astrea was addressing one of the questions posed to them, Bell had a sudden revelation about the mysterious fog and its capabilities.

Although his expression remained unchanged, Bell delved into deep thought, realizing a potential answer or explanation for how Orario City had suddenly returned after a decade.

"I'll need to discuss this when we get back," Bell thought, acknowledging that he required others' opinions to solidify his potential answer regarding the fog.

Bell then pushed his thoughts aside for the time being, realizing the importance of focusing on the situation in front of him. He directed his attention back to Astrea as she completed her explanation in response to a posed question.

Due to their collective efforts, Bell's group managed to provide a somewhat comprehensive summary of the events that transpired over the decade.

The information Bell's group shared about the events of the past decade was nothing short of shocking for the Orario group. Even the Gods, for whom a decade might be considered a mere week, were surprised by the magnitude of the events that had unfolded.

The Battle against the Labyrinth

The Strange Sealing of a God's Acranum

The Construction of Great Wall

The Formation of the Water Capital City of Melen

The Civil War in the Empire

The Near Destruction of the White Ice Forest Fanache

The Peace treaty between Rakia and the Alf's forest

And much more

Given that they were only provided with summarized information about these events, leaving them eager to know more, they understood that there was no time for a more detailed explanation. Consequently, they had no choice but to accept the information for the time being.

"Man, to think the world changed so much in such a short amount of time," Loki thought, expressing her surprise at the multitude of events that had taken place. She was particularly astonished by certain occurrences, such as the establishment of the Water Capital City of Melen and the peace treaty between Rakia and the Elves.

Loki continued her thoughts, "Riveria and the others are going to be shocked about this; actually, all of the elves residing in Orario would be shocked," as she had never even considered that Rakia would ever make a peace treaty with the elves.

While contemplating the peace treaty, she recalled Bell's words about Alf's Forest, and a deep expression crossed her face as she pondered, "I wonder, did something happen to Riveria's father?" Loki reflected, recalling Bell's explanation.

During Bell's explanation of the peace treaty, Loki noticed his choice of words, specifically referring to the ruler of Alf's Forest as the 'Elven Empress' instead of Emperor or using both titles. This caught her attention because she knew Larfal Ljos Alf, Riveria's father, should have been the one referred to, but he wasn't.

This suggested that something must have happened to Larfal Ljos Alf within the decade, leading to his replacement, presumably by Riveria's mother, according to Loki's assumption. Loki glanced at her captain, Finn, who nodded in agreement, indicating that he, too, was pondering the same possibility.

With confirmation from her captain, Loki let out a mental sigh, realizing that she now desired more information about the current situation in Alf's Forest. She felt the need to convey this information to Riveria once they returned.

Given the current situation, Loki acknowledged that she wouldn't be able to extract this information from Bell at the moment. She hoped that perhaps at a later time, under different circumstances, she would be able to learn more.

At this moment, Ouranos posed a question to Bell's group, "May I know what has happened to the Guild and its personnel outside?" in a calm tone of voice.

It's no secret that the Guild had operations beyond Orario, with its main headquarters located in Orario city. With Orario being absent for a decade, Ouranos wondered about the fate of the Guild's other facilities and bases outside the city.

This was a matter he had contemplated ever since learning about their decade-long disappearance from Emily and Elowen, but he couldn't address it earlier due to more pressing issues.

But with an opportune moment unfolding before him, Ouranos seized it to pose the question that had been lingering in his mind.

Bell responded to Ouranos' inquiry, stating, "Ah, in regards to that, the remnants of the Guild were soon merged and formed under a new leadership, forming what is now known as the 'Frontier Guild'," explaining with clarity in his tone.

Bell provided a short explanation of what the 'Frontier Guild' is and its purpose.

The 'Frontier Guild' functions similarly to the original Guild, serving as a central hub for adventurers to gather, undertake quests, and receive rewards. However, there have been significant changes in their rules, regulations, and overall operational procedures.

Bell then stated, "There's actually quite a lot to discuss regarding the 'Frontier Guild', but considering our time constraints, I'll have to conclude the explanation here for now. Is that acceptable?" he inquired of Ouranos.

Ouranos nodded in satisfaction with the brief information, then raised a curious question that had occurred to him. "Who is the head of this 'Frontier Guild'?"

Astrea responded, "That would be Odin," her voice clear and resonant in the room.

"Ehhh!? Seriously!?" exclaimed Loki, her eyes widening in complete shock at the revelation.

"Oh my, now that is quite unexpected," Freya remarked in genuine surprise, never anticipating that it would be him.

The other Gods in the room were also taken aback, but upon reflection, it made sense that Odin would undertake such a role.

Finn turned to his Goddess and inquired, "I'm assuming that you know him, Loki?" Curiosity marked his tone, intrigued by Loki's sudden exclamation at the name.

Loki stumbled over her words as she attempted to explain, "Well, that's... because I, umm..." making it obvious that something significant had occurred between them.

Hermes stepped in with a mischievous smile on his face and said, "Allow me to explain, Braver," as he looked towards Loki and Finn. Asfi sighed beside him, fully aware of what her God was about to do.

Loki shot an annoyed and agitated glare at Hermes, shouting, "Oi, Hermes!" However, it didn't deter the mischievous Messenger God at all.

Hermes then explained, "The reason why Loki reacted like that is because Odin was one of the very few Gods that Loki seriously tried to kill back then in heaven," he said in a clear tone of voice, causing the mortals present in the room to widen their eyes.

Hermes further explained, "Ah, don't worry. Luckily, their battle was cut short as other Gods intervened, but it did result in several mountain ranges being destroyed, haha," he said, attempting to laugh it off despite the seriousness of his explanation.

Freya then remarked, "Indeed, the aftermath from their battle left quite a mess. It was also one of the rare moments that I got to see Odin quite angry back then," she added with a soft tone of voice, accompanied by a smile.

Finn looked at his Goddess with a concerned and tired expression, worried that this revelation might have repercussions on their future relations once the current situation was resolved.

Loki, upon seeing Finn's expression, began to speak, reassuring him by saying, "Ah, don't worry, Finn. That old God shouldn't hold any grudges; it was over 5,000 years ago after all...hopefully."

Finn remained unconvinced by Loki's last remark, lacking confidence in the situation. However, with limited options, he could only let out a mental sigh and hope that Loki's assessment proved accurate.

Airmid then addressed the Orario group with a loud tone, asking, "Alright, is there anyone else who has questions?" as she scanned the faces of those from Orario

Despite the summarized information leaving many questions unanswered, the Orario group realized that they couldn't prolong this discussion further. Understanding that Bell's group had other matters to address, they fell mostly silent.

A notable exception to the silent agreement emerged when a short-haired Goddess raised her hand high, indicating her unawareness of the collective silence among the Orario group. Unperturbed by this unspoken understanding, Hestia eagerly sought answers to something of great importance to her.

Despite the desperate expression on Hestia's face, Airmid chose to blatantly ignore her. After scanning the room for a couple more seconds, Airmid declared, "Alright, it seems that we are finally finished with this," her tone carrying a hint of tiredness

Noticing that she was being blatantly ignored, Hestia was on the verge of voicing her complaint when Lili, who was standing beside her, promptly covered Hestia's mouth before she could utter another word.

While Lili harbored her own curiosity about certain information, she displayed patience and remained aware of the silent agreement within the Orario group. Swiftly intervening, she covered Hestia's mouth before any more words could escape.

Lili, with a whispered tone, reassured the slightly startled and agitated Hestia, "Hestia-sama, please calm down. Now is not the right time. We can ask later, after this," understanding what Hestia was about to express.

Reluctant at first, Hestia, upon observing everyone else's expressions, reluctantly nodded her head, realizing that she had almost acted recklessly without considering the atmosphere in the room.

Seeing Hestia back down, Lili uncovered Hestia's mouth and sighed in relief, thankful that her Goddess did not continue her rash actions during the meeting.

Observing the room's silence, Bell nodded, acknowledging the lingering questions. "Alright, I understand that you still have more questions, but there are many other topics that need to be discussed," he explained calmly.

Bell turned his attention toward Ouranos and inquired, "Lord Ouranos, I assume you've already dispatched someone to investigate the Labyrinth?"

This statement seized everyone's attention, especially considering the current Guild prohibition on entering the dungeon. The curiosity of those present was piqued, and they were interested to learn what was happening within the dungeon.

Upon hearing Bell's question, the old God nodded his head and said "That is correct, I've sent my trusted aid to inside the dungeon to investigate, however there was something strange" he said in a clear tone of voice

Ouranos proceeded to provide a comprehensive account of Fels' report. The detailed information outlined a barricade composed of orichalum metal, embellished with enigmatic runes, effectively sealing off access to the sixth floor of the dungeon.

Bell's group swiftly grasped the significance of the description provided by Ouranos. Elowen and Emily exchanged astonished glances, both looking toward Bell with disbelief evident on their faces. The rest of the group, on the other hand, displayed expressions that hinted they may have anticipated such an event.

"Judging by your expressions, it appears you're familiar with this. Am I correct?" Ouranos inquired curiously, studying the reactions of Bell's group to the information.

Bell nodded thoughtfully and stated, "Indeed, we recognize it. That's undoubtedly the 'End Seal' you've described, Ouranos."

Bell then proceeded to elucidate the nature of the 'End Seal' and its purpose, leaving those from Orario wide-eyed in disbelief at the revelation.

Once Bell finished his explanation, Ouranos asked him in an interesting tone of voice, "So that was the artificial seal that was reported?" as he looked towards Bell with a surprised expression

Bell simply nodded and said, "If what you said is accurate, then it definitely is the 'End Seal.' However, it seems that only a small portion of it was observed." he explained in a clear voice

Ouranos raised an eyebrow, contemplating Bell's words. "Small portion? What does he mean by that?" he pondered, expressing his confusion until he realized what Bell meant. His eyes widened, and he thought, "Could it be..."

Finn asked a question, "Bell Cranel, what do you mean by a small portion?" Though his expression hinted that Finn may have already figured out the meaning behind Bell's words.

Finn and Ouranos weren't the only ones who had realized what Bell meant by a small portion. The realization dawned upon those from Orario, but Hestia seemed to be the only one who hadn't realized it as she looked around in confusion.

"Well, that's because the size of the seal is essentially about the same diameter as the dungeon itself," Bell explained in an awkward tone of voice.

This statement didn't surprise them as much, as they were able to figure it out, but the actual size of the seal was still nothing less than shocking. Only Hestia had the most pronounced reaction, her mouth gaping open wide at the information.

Hermes then exclaimed in amazement, "That's quite an amazing feat!" with widened eyes, echoing the same thought that was in everyone's mind.

Though unsure of how it was accomplished, the fact that it was crafted to temporarily seal off the entire dungeon, considering its sheer size, was an impressive feat.

Bell smiled in response to Hermes' admiration before elaborating, "It was only through the combined efforts of everyone back then that the 'End Seal' became remotely possible to create."

Astrea smiled faintly as she reminisced about the challenges and extensive planning involved in constructing and implementing the artificial seal. She then commented, "That's right. It was only thanks to everyone working together that it was accomplished," in a calm and reflective tone.

However, her expression soon shifted into one of seriousness and contemplation. She remarked, "Though in the end, it may have also caused them to rise as well," her voice carrying a hint of confusion and sorrow.

Airmid then commented toward Astrea, saying, "It's still a widely debated subject, Astrea. No one expected that to happen after the completion of both the Wall and Seal," her voice calm and reassuring.

It was then that Freya asked the two women about what they were referring to, saying, "Excuse me, but what are you two referring to?" She asked with a curious voice as she smiled towards the two women beside Bell.

Astrea's gaze briefly sharpened before she shifted to a more composed demeanor. "I apologize for that oversight. It's a term commonly understood among us, so we tend to reference it without elaboration," she explained in a calm tone.

However Freya was no Fool as she caught a sharp glint in Astrea's eyes, a fleeting signal of suspicion before it vanished. This was evident, as Astrea had been casting suspicious glances in her direction throughout the meeting. Nonetheless, she chose to disregard it, responding with nothing more than a smile directed at Astrea.

But, Freya couldn't help but harbor suspicions of her own about Astrea, particularly regarding her relationship with the white-haired boy. As the Goddess of Love, she sensed an underlying connection between the two that piqued her curiosity and heightened her suspicion.

Perhaps she hoped that her suspicions were merely a misunderstanding, but if her instincts regarding their relationship were accurate.

Then there might be complications, issues that Freya could be willing to address with any means necessary. Hence, her smile held a hint of darkness, with eyes brimming with suspicion and hostility directed at Astrea.

Naturally, Astrea had discerned the implications behind Freya's smile, causing a fleeting shadow to cross her features before returning to a composed demeanor.

It was then that Bell stepped in, as he had already noticed Astrea's odd behavior regarding Freya beforehand, thus he intervened to prevent the situation from getting complicated.

"What they were referring to was something that no one at all had expected to happen," Bell explained in a serious tone of voice.

With a pause, Bell looked around to confirm that everyone was focused on him. Continuing his serious expression, he stated, "It was the rise of the other dungeons," in a grave tone of voice that resounded in the room.

It took a few seconds before it finally dawned upon the group from Orario to realize what Bell had said

Complete and utter shock, coupled with confused and horrified expressions, painted the faces of Orario's group as they processed Bell's revelation. Eyes were widened, reflecting a mix of complex emotions that surged through each of them.

Other Dungeons?

It should have defied possibility, an event considered unthinkable, yet the words reached their ears, bearing the chilling truth.

Other dungeons had surfaced, posing a looming threat that could jeopardize the world.

But in a much more worse case then ever before

The room fell into complete silence as everyone grappled with uncertainty on how to properly react to the news. Even Ottar, who rarely exhibited any expressions, wore a rare look of confusion.

It was then that Ouranos posed the question that undoubtedly lingered in the minds of everyone from the Orario group. He asked Bell, "How... How did that happen?" His voice held a slight tremor, his gaze fixed on Bell with a serious expression.

Bell's expression revealed a slight saddened smile as he explained, "Unfortunately, even until now, we are still unsure how that happened, and we only have speculations."

Bell and his group then proceeded to elaborate on their knowledge regarding the rise of the dungeons and how it had fundamentally altered the world itself with their existence.

When the 'Great Wall' was completed, reports of increased monster sightings began to surface. Though initially dismissed as remnants of Labyrinth monsters, these incidents did not attract much attention and were swiftly addressed by deploying adventurers to handle them.

However that would soon change

Upon completion of the 'End Seal,' there was a sudden surge in monster sightings across the continent. What raised concerns was that these reports were coming from regions untouched by Labyrinth monsters before.

Additionally, reports indicated sightings of entirely new types of monsters, never seen before even during the invasion from the Mother Labyrinth

There were reports about deer-like creatures with crystal-like antlers that exhibited control over various elements, wreaking havoc within the Elven-protected forests.

Minotaur-like creatures, appearing to be composed of lava and earth, were spotted roaming around active volcanic areas.

Wraiths wielding giant scythes were discovered roaming around abandoned villages and towns, prepared to confront anyone who crossed their path with their formidable weapons.

Giant floating eyeballs discovered in the dwarven mines, casting numerous debuffs on the dwarf miners who crossed their gaze.

Fish with large sword-like fins were found near fishing towns attacking fishing boats en masse, slashing through the vessels and threatening the fishermen in the area.

These were just a few examples of the numerous reports flooding into the 'Frontier Guild' during that time, indicating a significant upheaval in the world.

Many believed it to be creatures from the uncharted depths of the Mother Labyrinth either escaping the enclosure or emerging from new openings made by Labyrinth itself to the outside world. This prompted various nations and familias to launch expeditions to locate and seal these newfound breaches.

However, this search would soon reveal something else, something that defied all known logic of this world.

What one of the many parties discovered during their expedition.

Was a Dungeon

Initially believed to be an extension created by the Mother Labyrinth, however with further exploration by the party that found it revealed a different reality. Monsters spawned from the walls, and it ended abruptly on the 4th floor, displaying no signs of additional openings or pathways.

Attempts to dismantle the walls proved futile; instead the walls displayed a regenerative property, a characteristic commonly associated with the Mother Labyrinth.

When word got out regarding the findings, no one could believe it as it was supposed to be impossible, even the Gods were baffled back then, thus scholars and researchers were sent to investigate it

However, soon, other reports of similar anomalies surfaced in various locations, raising particular concern when such occurrences were detected in proximity to cities.

Upon close investigation, the reports unveiled something not only abnormal but also highly troubling: evidence suggesting the potential formation of new dungeons.

These emerging dungeons not only displayed the familiar regenerative and monster-spawning capabilities but also showcased significant variations among themselves. Strikingly, they differed in the number of floors and, curiously, in their architectural designs.

The most concerning aspect was the assortment of monsters dwelling within. The emergence of these new dungeons brought forth creatures previously unseen, contributing to the surge in monster sightings across the continent.

This sparked widespread panic, leading to the immediate abandonment of villages situated near these emerging dungeons. Meanwhile, towns and cities with proper defenses were placed on high alert.

Exploration familia were being stretched thin as the 'Frontier Guild' found themselves overwhelmed by the influx of requests to address the surge in monsters and the appearance of these new dungeons.

If it weren't for the assistance of the various nations' armies, coupled with the significant overhauls in the Guild's Quest system and the continuous advancements in gear production, there's a good chance the situation wouldn't be as peaceful as it is today.

Following the completion of Bell's group's explanation about the other dungeons, their gaze naturally turned towards the Orario group. As anticipated, the expressions in the room mirrored a blend of confusion, worry, and horror in response to the revelations.

Recognizing the escalated threat beyond the confines of Orario city, Asfi articulated a question that had lingered in her mind throughout the explanation. "Wait, so how many dungeons are there now?" she inquired, her tone carrying a hint of terror and anticipation

Airmid replied to Asfi's inquiry without hesitation, stating, "Hmm, If we exclude this one, then currently there are about 52 known dungeons around." She expressed herself in a clear and relaxed tone of voice.

This statement completely shocked all of the Orario group, including Ouranos, as the number of dungeons that emerged exceeded their expectations. The Gods, in particular, were affected, having witnessed the destruction that the dungeon can cause right before their descent.

But now there are 52 additional dungeons in existence?

This made it clear to them that this was a far worse scenario than anyone had ever anticipated, not even the Gods here had ever anticipated.

However, those who were especially attentive to Airmid's words then realized something from her statement.

Lili, being one of those closely observing, asked in a shaken and concerned voice, "Umm Lili has a question Airmid-san? You said 'currently.' Does that mean... that the number of dungeons grows?" She looked towards Airmid with eyes full of worry and concern.

Lili's question prompted others to realize the implication of Airmid's statement. Airmid replied seriously, "That's right," casting a serious gaze toward Lili with an unconcerned expression.

Emily chimed in with a nod, adding, "Yup, in fact, last year, it was originally 49 dungeons that were found and recorded," in a calm tone of voice.

Unlike the composed and calm expressions of Airmid and Emily, the others from Orario were clearly disturbed and concerned by the news, realizing that the number of dungeons was still growing.

Astrea reassured everyone, saying, "Don't worry too much about it. Compared to before, there are now a lot of procedures in place to handle this kind of situation. It's much safer now than it was in the past," in a clear and calming tone.

For Bell's group, the situation had become the new normal, having lived and survived in this changed world. However, they empathized with the Orario group, remembering their own reactions when the news about the emergence of other dungeons had first surfaced.

Loki, one of the first to regain her composure, interjected with a shout, "Hold on! Does this mean that this place is no longer considered the 'Center of the World'?" She raised her right arm, wearing a curious expression.

For the people of Orario, the dungeon was not only supposed to be the singular one in existence but had long held the status of being the main attraction for those seeking fame and fortune, earning its title as the 'Center of the World'.

The existence of other dungeons outside of Orario raised the question of whether the Orario Dungeon, once known as the 'Center of the World,' still held that title.

Upon Loki's inquiry, Bell responded with a relaxed smile, stating, "In some aspects, it is still considered the 'Center of the World' since it still remains the largest dungeons in existence so far."

Elowen added to her captains words saying "Not only that but the Mother Labyrinth is also used as a proving grounds for many familias, the deeper the floor that a familia reached, the greater prestige they receive" she explained

Hearing Elowen's explanation, Loki and Freya quickly grasped the concept, recognizing the familiar dynamics from their own familias expeditions into the deep floors so they can understand the appeal of it.

Hermes, with one hand on his chin, faced Bell and posed an interesting question that he had in mind asking, "By the way, I am curious, if this dungeon is still the largest, then what's the second largest that now exists?" he asked inquisitively.

Despite being shaken by the unsettling news, Hermes, accustomed to traversing different places as a messenger god, recognized the importance of gathering this information promptly. Suppressing his unease, Hermes turned to Bell with a question, his mind already churning with plans for his familia's actions once this ordeal was over.

Hearing Hermes' inquiry, Bell responded, "For that, it would actually be within my kingdom, the Dragon Tail City's dungeon as it has 65 floors" he explained clearly

"Dragon Tail City? It must be a new or renamed kingdom that was established while we were gone," Hermes thought, realizing that he had never heard of this kingdom before.

"Hooh? I see, then is that the place where you and your familia are currently staying?" Hermes asked politely with a smile.

However, to Hermes' surprise, Bell's reaction was peculiar. Bell's eyes widened as if he had suddenly realized something.

With a snap of his fingers, Bell then rubbed behind his head with an awkward expression. He had just realized that there might be a misunderstanding about his current role and identity. "Right... I guess it wasn't explained well about my current role and identity now, wasn't it?" he said, his voice carrying a hint of awkwardness.

Bell glanced towards Astrea and Airmid, who stood beside him, and they nodded in confirmation to his question.

Hermes was on the verge of asking Bell for clarification when Loki's exasperated shout cut in, "Alright, I can see where this is going!" she exclaimed, her tired and impatient expression aimed at Bell conveying her slight frustration. "At this point, my voice is going to become husky real soon, given the amount of information you keep dropping on us," she explained.

Loki then continued, saying, "So I'm just gonna take a shot in the dark and guess that you're about to say that you are a noble now or something, hell maybe even a king now, right?" She said jokingly, fully aware of the humorous nature of her words.

Loki smiled jokingly at Bell, not expecting any serious replies or answers to her playful remark.

However, to her surprise…

"Ah, yeah, that's actually it," Bell stated in a calm tone, letting out an awkward smile toward the Orario group to confirm Loki's playful statement.

"Eh?" Loki's expression shifted from playful to baffled, mirroring the confusion evident on the faces of everyone from Orario. Bell's revelation had caught them off guard.

Seeing their confused expressions, Bell decided to clarify, saying, "I'm the current king of Dragon Tail City," in a clear tone of voice with an awkward smile.

Complete silence enveloped the room once again as everyone from Orario grappled with the revelation they had just learned. Even Ouranos was shocked, having not been informed about this by Elowen or Emily during their talk.

However, before anyone could react, both Astrea and Airmid, who were on either side of Bell, suddenly linked their arms with his. Bell looked shocked and confused by the unexpected turn of events and could only mutter "Huh?"

With all eyes on them, both Astrea and Airmid shouted in unison, "And we are his wives!" Their declaration echoed through the room, accompanied by cheerful tones and big smiles on their faces.

Astrea's and Airmid's announcement hit the room like the shattering of glass, a sudden curveball catching everyone off guard.

Hestia and Lili stood frozen like statues, their faces reflecting the shock of the unexpected news. Hermes, wearing one of the biggest, shocked smiles, seemed equally taken aback. With most of the room sharing the same expressions of complete bafflement and disbelief as their mouths were gaping wide open before…

"WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT!?"

x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x

ON THE STREETS OF ORARIO

"Oh man, not only did you become a king, but you even married Astrea, one of the three virgin goddesses back in heaven!" Loki exclaimed, looking towards Bell as they walked.

Bell, walking beside Loki and Finn, replied, "I guess it's that surprising, huh?" in a calm tone of voice as they continued walking.

Loki nodded fervently before adding, "Obviously! Besides you being a king, Astrea was known for not even letting a male hold her hand back then, but here you are, married to her!" with a smile on her face.

Bell chuckled with a smile before replying to Loki, "Ten years can change anyone, even Gods like you, given the right circumstances."

Loki chuckled and replied, "Guess so, but boy, will the other male Gods fancying her here be crying their eyes out, HaHa!"

It was then that Finn asked Loki with a sigh saying, *sigh* "Loki, I would appreciate it if you could keep it down. We are walking in public right now." with a respectful tone of voice towards his Patron Goddess

The three of them were currently strolling through the streets of Orario after a lengthy meeting held in the Guild's basement. The session had stretched for several hours, concluding around late afternoon.

At this time, given the current circumstances, the streets were not as crowded, as most of the residents had heeded the Guild's and familias' persistent requests to return home, especially after the Ganesha familia's efforts.

Of course, there were still several people outside, but compared to a few hours ago, it was evident that there were fewer people on the streets.

Upon hearing Finn's request, Loki turned her head towards him and nodded with a smile. However, she couldn't resist turning her attention back to Bell and, with a mischievous grin, asked quietly, "So... how's it going in the bedroom with Astrea?" This promptly earned her a sharp elbow to the side from Finn.

"Gah!"

"Loki, that's quite rude," Finn admonished, a slight tick appearing on his forehead as he directed his gaze toward his goddess.

Bell, blushing slightly from Loki's question, cleared his throat and politely requested, *cough* "Let's not bring my private life into this conversation, please."

Finn nodded, saying, "Of course, apologies for that rude question," expressing regret for his Goddess's inappropriate inquiry.

During this conversation, the speakers within the city suddenly came to life, announcing, "This is the Guild's announcement! We have established contact with the Large Wall, and have..." The announcer continued explaining for several minutes.

"Looks like we would be able to relieve most of the residents' concerns for now," Finn said as they continued listening to the announcement from the speakers.

Loki added her perspective, saying, "Keyword 'for now.' This is only a temporary measure until the real big news is ready. By then, *whistle*, it's going to be quite chaotic," sharing her thoughts on the matter.

Bell calmly expressed his intention, saying, "That's why, when I return to my kingdom, I'll arrange for some of my people to come here and assist," reiterating his decision from the meeting.

Both Loki and Finn nodded, expressing their gratitude. Finn added, "We're thankful for your assistance. It will definitely be difficult to handle on our own, especially considering what you've suggested," with a smile.

Loki chimed in after Finn, saying, "Definitely. Hell, I was surprised that you even have that prepared," her tone expressing a mix of surprise and admiration.

Bell responded with a smile, "It was the least we could do back then when Orario vanished, but since you guys have returned, it's quite logical to use it now," explaining his rationale.

Loki responded, "True, that would definitely be helpful when the time comes to reveal it to the public about what is really going on," with a thoughtful expression. At the same time, she pondered, "After all, the next thing they would likely do is search for relevant information related to them."

Finn then said to Bell, "We're almost back to the Twilight Manor, Bell Cranel. I am really curious about what you want to discuss with us," with a calm tone of voice and a smile.

The reason Bell was with Loki and Finn was that he had requested a separate meeting with the Loki familia within the Twilight Manor. Although Loki and Finn weren't aware of the reason, they saw the sincerity and seriousness in Bell's eyes, leading them to accept the request. After the meeting concluded in the Guild's basement, the trio started heading towards the Twilight Manor.

As for the others, Astrea went ahead to the Hostess of Fertility to meet with Ryuu, accompanied by Elowen. Meanwhile, Airmid and Emily made their way to the Hearth Mansion, their chosen accommodation for the night. However, Emily found herself carrying both the frozen Hestia and Lili, who, surprisingly, had not yet recovered from the shock even after several hours.

Bell responded to Finn, saying, "Well, what we're about to discuss may involve your familia after all," with a calm tone of voice.

Loki and Finn became more intrigued after hearing Bell's response, realizing that whatever he wanted to discuss involved their familia. Though judging by Bell's expression, it was evident that he wouldn't reveal more at the moment. With this understanding, they decided to be patient until they reached their destination.

After several more minutes of walking, the trio finally reached the Twilight Manor. As they approached, they were spotted by the two guards guarding the entrance, who promptly greeted Loki and Finn.

"Welcome back, Loki-sama, Captain Finn!" The male cat and human familia guard exclaimed, demonstrating respect for their superior and Goddess.

Finn greeted back with a smile, saying, "We're back. Though I have to ask if one of you can gather all of the familia towards the large dining area as we have several announcements to make," he explained in a clear tone of voice.

The male familia guard nodded, signifying his willingness to fulfill Finn's request. He promptly headed inside the manor to gather the familia towards the large dining area as instructed.

Finn looked toward Bell and asked, "Well then, shall we head inside?" in a polite tone of voice. Bell nodded to confirm his agreement, and the three of them entered the Twilight Manor together

x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x

INSIDE THE HEARTH MANSION

"C'mon, what's taking them so long?" Welf impatiently muttered while sitting on the sofa, arms crossed, and his right foot tapping on the floor anxiously.

"The meeting must be taking longer than we initially thought," Mikoto standing near the window remarked, her expression reflecting a sense of anxiety.

"Ma-Maybe they're returning right now as we sp-speak," Harume nervously suggested, struggling to form words, her body shaking with anxiety. Her pinkish eyes revealed traces of recent tears, indicating she had been crying for a while.

The reason they were in this state stemmed from a few hours ago when the mysterious fog still shrouded the area. Initially, everything seemed relatively normal (considering the circumstances). Despite their concerns for their captain, they were confident he would be alright.

However, this changed swiftly when Hestia suddenly began hyperventilating, her face filled with panic. Everyone in the room immediately noticed her abnormal reaction and asked her with concern what was wrong.

However, when she shared that she could no longer feel Bell's falna, shock and panic spread throughout the entire familia. Haruhime, in particular, was deeply affected by the news, fainting immediately upon hearing it. Fortunately, Mikoto, though still shaken, managed to catch her in time.

The entire Hestia familia was now in full panic mode. Hestia and Lili were crying until their eyes turned red. Mikoto, still shaken by the news, tried to wake Haruhime from her faintness, who woke up and started to cry. Meanwhile, Welf was lost in deep thought, his expression filled with anxiety, his hands clenched into tight fists.

After several minutes, Welf was the first one to somewhat calm down. With his efforts, he helped the rest of the familia to also regain some composure and encouraged a discussion about what might have happened to Bell.

They were all in denial about the possibility of Bell dying outside of Orario. They had personally witnessed his tenacity and luck in surviving the most dangerous situations, making it difficult for them to believe he could be gone. They could only hope that there was some explanation for Bell's falna disappearing, perhaps an interference or an obstacle that hindered Hestia's ability to sense it.

Soon after several minutes of planning and growing anxious about their missing captain, the familia's desire to search for Bell became overwhelming. It was only after a while that they noticed the dissipation of the mysterious fog. Welf, driven by curiosity and urgency, went outside to investigate and discovered a large wall that now enclosed Orario city.

Upon hearing Welf's account of the newly erected wall, the familia was both shocked and concerned. They struggled to comprehend how a massive wall had suddenly materialized outside Orario. However, their instincts told them that something significant was unfolding, adding to the mounting tension within the familia.

Recognizing the urgency of the situation, the familia understood that immediate action was necessary if they wanted to find Bell. Despite their determination, the emotional turmoil within the group posed a challenge. Lili and Haruhime struggled to control their emotions, frequently tearing up, making it challenging for the group to devise effective plans for their departure

As they finally agreed on a plan to navigate through the challenges of the Large Wall and were preparing to execute it, Hestia received a summons from Ouranos. Frustration and confusion spread among the familia, especially when time was of the essence.

Despite Hestia's strong desire to embark on the mission to find Bell immediately, she understood the importance of responding to Ouranos. With a frustrated expression, she asked Lili to accompany her, instructing the rest of the familia to get ready for their imminent departure when she and Lili return.

It has been a few hours since then, and they have not yet returned, causing deep concern and anxiety among the rest of the familia.

Knock Knock

"Ah! It must be them!" Welf exclaimed, springing up from the sofa with newfound energy.

"I-I'll get the doors!" Haruhime shouted, quickly rising from her seat and sprinting toward the mansion's entrance doors.

Welf then requested Mikoto to start preparing their bags for a swift departure, but just as they were in the midst of their preparations…

"Kyaa!"

Hearing Haruhime's scream, Welf and Mikoto dropped what they were doing and rushed towards the entrance to check on what was happening.

Turning the corner, they soon arrived at the mansion entrance, shouting, "Haruhime, are you okay/alright!?" When they reached the entrance, they saw Haruhime standing in front of the open door, with two figures visible outside.

In front of Haruhime stood two older women. One had long silver hair and purple eyes, exuding an aura of familiarity with a calm expression. The other woman sported an orange ponytail and wore a curious expression.

The peculiar aspect of the situation that bewildered the three Hestia Familia members was that the orange-haired girl shockingly carried both Hestia and Lili under her arms. This left all three of them utterly perplexed.

Welf approached the duo cautiously and inquired, "Um, who are you two, and why do you have our friend and Goddess?" He posed the question with a degree of wariness, uncertain about their intentions, although he could sense that they weren't exhibiting any hostile behavior.

Airmid, the silver-haired woman, responded to Welf's question, "It's me, Airmid. It's a long story, but would it be alright if we come in?" She explained with a straightforward tone.

"Eh... Ehhhhhhh!?" The three members of the Hestia familia exclaimed in shock upon hearing Airmid's revelation. The orange-haired woman had a snickered laugh and remarked, "Oh wow, it seems that reaction is going to be common for a while, isn't it? Haha."

After a few minutes, Airmid and Emily found themselves in the spacious living room of the mansion. Emily had introduced herself upon entering, and now she was placing their bags down, after putting down the still-statued Lili and Hestia first.

Airmid had settled into a seat on the sofa, already anticipating questions that were sure to follow soon. As anticipated, Haruhime was the first to voice her inquiry, "A-Are you truly Airmid-san? But you look..."

"Older? Mature? Yeah, quite understandable given the circumstances," Airmid calmly interjected, acknowledging the evident changes in her appearance.

Airmid continued, "It's quite a complicated and long story, but it would be easier to explain if I had some help," she said calmly, shifting her gaze toward Emily. "Emily, are they not out of their shock yet?"

Emily shook her head and replied, "Nope, seems they're still out of it. Surprisingly, they are still murmuring to themselves after all this time!" she said with an impressed tone of voice.

Airmid nodded upon hearing Emily's reply before saying, "I see. Then, can you give them a mild electric shock on their shoulders, please?" She asked politely towards her familia member.

"Wait, what are you going to do with them?" Welf immediately asked with concern in his voice after hearing Airmid's request.

Unfortunately, Welf's concerned inquiry did not stop Emily from giving Airmid a thumbs up. She then walked behind the statued Lili and Hestia, formed her hands into fists, and gently placed them on the shoulders of the duo.

Emily chanted, "By the storm's might, I call upon the Heavens Thunderstrike Fists, awaken." At the end of the chant, her fists suddenly crackled with electricity, delivering a mild but painful shock to Lili and Hestia to snap them out of their stunned state.

Bzzzzzzzt

"Gyaaaaaaaaa!" Both Hestia and Lili screamed in pain as the sudden surge of electricity jolted them back to awareness.

Hearing their screams, Emily lifted her electrified fists and deactivated her magic. As a result, both Hestia and Lili nearly stumbled to the floor but managed to regain their balance just in time. Though still audibly groaning from the shock, they were now fully conscious.

"Ooowww," Hestia winced, placing her hand on the spot where the electricity had made contact. However, before she could express her anger, she stopped short, realizing their surroundings. Lili shared the same realization, and both of them fell silent as they took in their location.

Lili then commented, "H-How did we get here?" Her confusion evident, she couldn't recall the events leading them back to the Hearth Mansion.

Lili's question found its answer in Airmid's calm explanation, "Simple, Emily over there carried the two of you after the meeting was concluded." This caught both Lili and Hestia by surprise as they realized that Airmid was inside the mansion

This prompted the duo to glance outside the mansion's windows, realizing that it was slowly getting darker, making them aware of the extended duration they had been in shock.

Hestia and Lili swiftly recalled the details from the meeting. Hestia abruptly turned her head towards Airmid, locking eyes with a complex expression, yet choosing to remain silent.

Hestia then turned toward the rest of her familia, noticing their confused and concerned expressions. Seeing that they had no clue what was happening, she sighed, composing herself before saying, "Sorry for being late, everyone. It's a long and complicated story," explaining in a tired tone of voice.

With Lili's assistance, Hestia began recounting the key events of the meeting with Ouranos to the rest of her familia. It took several minutes for them to explain, but left the rest of the familia in shock over the revelations they had learned.

"Woah, woah, woah! Are you seriously saying that 10 years just slipped by without us noticing!?" Welf interrupted as he exclaimed in disbelief, struggling to comprehend the information delivered by his Patron Goddess.

"Believe me, I had my doubts too initially, but Bell's words held no trace of falsehood," she assured them with confidence. As a Goddess, she possessed the ability to discern the truth from mortal words, and Bell's explanation carried no deception.

Hearing Hestia's confident words, Welf fell silent, grappling with the realization that an entire decade had elapsed. Not only that, but Welf was also profoundly shocked by how much Bell had changed. Not only is Bell now older than him, but he has also ascended to the position of a king of a nation. Meanwhile, Mikoto turned to Airmid and inquired, "So... you're truly Amid-dono?" expressing her surprise.

Hearing this, Airmid stood up from the couch, smiling calmly as she affirmed, "That's right. I suppose, in this scenario, I can say it has been a long while, hasn't it?"

Everyone in the room nodded in confirmation. However, Hestia interrupted, exclaiming, "Hold on a minute!" in a demanding tone of voice causing everyone to look towards her.

She then declared, "I've put this behind me for now, as I knew that explaining the current situation was important, but I can't hold it in anymore!" Her voice was loud and her expression turned aggressive as she stared at Airmid.

Airmid, on the other hand, looked at Hestia passively, unfazed by her aggressive stare, and sighed silently to herself.

Hestia then asked in a slightly aggressive tone of voice, "Why... Why are you married to my Bell!?" she shouted as she pointed towards Airmid, with Lili nodding her head aggressively in agreement.

"Eh!? Seriously!?" shouted Welf in surprise, while Mikoto covered her mouth with wide-eyed astonishment. Haruhime stood frozen, wearing a smile that seemed to have been etched on her face upon hearing what Hestia had said.

The sudden surprise didn't end there, as Lili immediately chimed in, saying, "Not only you, but also Astrea-sama! Tell us why!" She shouted, raising both her arms in the air. Causing the others to be even more surprised, as they had heard tales regarding the Astrea familia before its destruction, so they were somewhat aware of who Astrea was.

The room's attention swiftly converged on Airmid, a hushed anticipation settling over everyone as they awaited her response to the demands posed by Hestia and Lili.

Airmid, without uttering a word, closed her eyes, enveloping the room in a hushed stillness that lingered for several heartbeats. Anticipation gripped everyone as they waited for what Airmid would say

Then after a long sigh, she spoke

"Seriously?"

Instantaneously, her aura and demeanor underwent a profound transformation the moment she spoke. Gone was the warmth of familiarity and friendliness; in its place, a palpable air of anger and frustration gripped her expression. The atmosphere shifted, now resonating with the seasoned air of a battle-hardened veteran and the regal bearing of royalty.

The abrupt shift in the atmosphere had an immediate impact on everyone in the room, prompting uncontrollable tremors to course through their bodies. Even Emily, positioned behind Airmid, found herself shaking involuntarily, her countenance betraying a nervous expression as though she had encountered such situations before.

Airmid, crossing her arms, opened her eyes and declared, "Goddess Hestia, Lili-san, allow me to make this clear: Bell is not an object." She delivered the statement with a measured gaze directed at the duo before continuing, "While it's evident that both of you understand this inherently, it appears that, in certain situations, you still perceive him as such."

The weight of Airmid's words left both Hestia and Lili in a momentary silence, grappling with uncertainty on how to respond. Seizing the opportunity, Airmid pressed on, her gaze unwavering, and posed a direct question,"Isn't he free to choose his life partner as he sees fit? So, who appointed you the authority to dictate whom Bell can or cannot marry?" She challenged them openly, seeking a response.

Gradually advancing towards Hestia and Lili, the echoes of her measured steps resonated in the hushed room. Airmid confronted them with a poignant question, "Astrea and I have shared numerous experiences with Bell. We've fought by his side, survived together, and shared moments of laughter and tears. After all we've been through, is it not reasonable for us to fall in love with each other?" She inquired earnestly, having now arrived in front of the duo.

"Th-that's…" Hestia grappled with forming words in response to Airmid's assertions. Airmid sighed, directing her understanding gaze at the duo, and stated, "I understand that you both might perceive this situation as unfair. But, you two must recognize that what had happened to you guys was beyond anyone's control." Her explanation was delivered with a calm and measured tone.

Addressing the duo, Airmid remarked, "If you harbor feelings for him, shouldn't you, at the very least, respect his choices? Am I not right?" The question hung in the air, met only with silence from the pair. Observing their response, Airmid's once stern demeanor disappeared,and her usual aura returned, causing everyone's bodies to stop shaking right after

"Now then, shall we resume our discussion?" Airmid calmly suggested, turning back and strolling toward the sofa. With a composed expression, she seated herself once more. However, the members of the Hestia familia wore awkward and confused expressions, vividly recalling the intense aura Airmid had recently displayed.

With Hestia and Lili bore complex expressions, their minds replaying each word Airmid had uttered, leaving a lasting impact on their thoughts.

x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x

TWILIGHT MANSION

"And that concludes the summary of our discussions with Ouranos," Finn concluded, having explained the details. He turned his gaze toward his familia, carefully observing their reactions to the unbelievable news he had just presented.

As anticipated, each member of the familia exhibited a distinct reaction to the news; concern was etched on every face. Given the nature of the information, had it come from anyone else, they might have doubted the speaker's sanity and questioned the credibility of such unprecedented revelations.

However, the weight of credibility behind Finn's words was undeniable. As the captain of the familia and a figure they generally trusted, his testimony carried significant , the confirmation from their patron Goddess Loki had confirmed herself that this was the truth

The most compelling substantiation supporting their captain and Goddess's statement was the presence of the man standing steadfastly behind them throughout the entire announcement, a silent reinforcement of the gravity of the information being conveyed.

This figure was none other than Bell Cranel

The record holder, known by the alias "Rabbit Foot," a figure familiar to all Loki familia members, now presented a striking departure from their collective memory. Not only had he grown taller, but his appearance had matured, transforming him into a handsome and dependable man, a noticeable contrast to the image they had previously held.

Had it not been for Finn and Loki's confirmation regarding the identity, many might have speculated that it was someone bearing a striking resemblance to the rabbit boy, or even entertained the notion of a concealed older brother unknown to everyone.

With the undeniable truth of their captain and Goddess's words sinking in, profound concern swept through the entire familia. This sentiment was particularly pronounced among those who still had relatives residing outside of Orario.

The revelation sparked a rapid and fervent desire among those with family outside of Orario, a longing to depart immediately. Fortunately, Finn had foreseen this possibility and accounted for it in his comprehensive explanation.

"Now, let me reiterate," Finn declared firmly, "none of you are permitted to leave Orario until we resolve this situation." He added with a calm demeanor, "I know that the urgency to depart may be strong within you guys, but we cannot jeopardize your safety given the current circumstances."

The members of the Loki familia nodded in unison, recalling Finn's earlier mentions. Despite their reluctance, they grasped the rationale behind their captain's directive, acknowledging that it may be the best interest of everyone in the room.

While evident hesitation lingered among many members, ultimately, a collective silent agreement resonated through the Loki familia. They chose to abide by Finn's request, opting to follow his orders and remain within the confines of Orario city temporarily, at least until the situation at hand was resolved.

Observing the prevailing silence and the absence of further questions, Finn took charge. "Alright, now it's time for everyone to take a well-deserved rest, considering the circumstances. As for the familia Executives, please follow me as there are more details to discuss," he directed, nodding toward one of the doors.

Shortly after, all the familia executives, along with Bell, trailed Finn and Loki out of the large dining area. The moment they departed, the dining room reverberated with chatter, as every familia member engaged in animated discussions, sharing and dissecting the newfound information.

Certainly, all the chatter echoed beyond the immediate area, reaching the walking executives and Goddess. Loki commented, "Welp, just as I expected. It seems they won't be having an easy night's sleep after all," scratching her cheek nonchalantly as they continued walking.

Gareth nodded in agreement, stating, "Aye, even I would find it hard to sleep after hearing what you've shared," he explained, stroking his beard with a contemplative expression.

Loki then responded, "Well, if you have a better way to explain it, I'm all ears," she said with a smile.

As Loki and Gareth continued their debate, Tiona, and Tione approached Bell. Tiona, wearing a curious expression, asked with a hint of skepticism, "Hey, Hey, are you really a king now, Argonaut?"

Bell responded with a simple chuckle before saying, "Is it that hard to believe?" He asked with a smile, his gaze directed towards Tiona.

Tiona nodded in agreement, and her sister backed her up, saying, "I mean, you look completely different from how we remember you," Tione explained, voicing a sentiment shared by others.

In their memories and even a few days ago, Bell Cranel was a young and swiftly advancing adventurer showing great promise, though he was noticeably naive on certain matters. However, the current Bell Cranel standing before them was evidently different. Not only did he possess a more mature appearance, but it was also apparent that he had grown wiser.

However, the Amazon sisters couldn't help but notice the most crucial aspect in Bell...

He was now stronger than ever before

The Amazon sisters weren't the only ones who took note of Bell's changes. Bete, positioned at the back of the group, couldn't help but grunt to himself, thinking, "Tch, to think the tomato kid grew that strong," as he silently cast a glance towards Bell.

Being a werewolf, Bete's instincts were remarkably accurate compared to anyone else, enabling him to make relatively precise judgments about the strength of those around him. However, for the first time in a long while, his instincts went into overdrive the moment Bete cast his gaze towards Bell when he arrived here.

The moment Bete looked towards Bell upon his arrival, his instincts immediately screamed at him, conveying a singular message: never engage in a fight against Bell, no matter the circumstances. Though frustrated by the mere thought, Bete couldn't help but acquiesce to his instincts.

Although this was a realization he vowed to keep to himself, a secret he promised to take to his grave.

As the group continued to walk, Ais couldn't shake off a perplexed expression, as if sensing something…familiar in her surroundings but unable to pinpoint it. Riviera, noticing Ais's peculiar behavior, inquired, "Ais, is something bothering you?" with a curious tone in her voice.

Ais turned her gaze toward Riveria, and after a few moments, she shook her head, saying, "No... it's nothing," she explained. Although Riveria could easily discern that something was troubling the Sword Princess, she chose not to delve deeper. After all, this situation was already complicated, beyond anything she could have anticipated.

The Sword Princess shifted her gaze towards Bell as he continued conversing with Tiona and Tione, addressing their numerous questions. Ais found herself unable to look away, silently contemplating, "Bell... he's changed quite a lot." An unfamiliar emotion began to blossom within her heart.

Upon Loki and Finn's return from the meeting, they began by sharing a summary of the unfolding events and introducing the now older Bell to them, just before announcing it to the rest of the familia. Ais couldn't help but be taken aback. Although relieved that Bell was safe, the revelation of a decade having passed left her in shock.

Ais experienced a sudden shift in emotions as Loki and Finn returned from the meeting, revealing the unfolding events and introducing the now older Bell. While surprised by the turn of events, her focus swiftly shifted to a different matter.

Promptly attempting to sort out her emotions, Ais aimed to pinpoint the reason for this sudden change. After several seconds, she realized why she felt this way. Looking towards Bell, her feelings deepened, a mixture of slight sadness and frustration evident.

Despite being unable to fully comprehend her emotions, the moment Ais learned that a decade had passed, an inexplicable sense of unhappiness washed over her.

It dawned on her that the source of her discontent stemmed from being unable to witness and stay alongside Bell during that time. This realization left her frustrated and upset, regretting that she couldn't be there to support him.

She continued her thought process, contemplating, "I want to know what he's been up to during that time. I want to understand his experiences, and I want him to share his adventures with me," Ais rapidly pondered.

Her feelings and thoughts grew more complex as she pondered, and it was then she shifted her gaze towards Bell, still engrossed in conversation with the Amazon sisters. She stared at his back until a realization struck, and she thought, "His back... why does it look so big?"

She continued to stare at it blankly, almost entranced by the sight of Bell's back for several moments, until she snapped out of her trance, realizing that they were getting closer to Finn's office.

Simultaneously, she recognized that she hadn't exchanged many words with Bell upon his arrival, musing, "Now that I think about it, we barely talked when he arrived here." Ais recalled the fact, realizing that their interactions had been minimal at best.

Their interactions were limited to a simple greeting and Ais verifying if it was indeed Bell, marking the entirety of their exchanges. She had been too preoccupied sorting through the abrupt information being presented at that time.

This left her frustrated, while a miniature version of herself seemingly hitting her head with her own fists, adorned with an upset and frustrated expression was right beside Ais.

As a result, she resolved to engage in more conversation with Bell once they arrived at the office. She planned to position herself beside him throughout the meeting, not wanting to intrude on Tiona and Tione who were currently engrossed in conversation with Bell.

Making a personal commitment, she vowed to do her absolute best to engage in conversation with the white-haired boy, the kid version of herself clenched her fists, her eyes ablaze with a roaring fire of determination.

Unbeknownst to Ais, little did she realize that her entire world was about to undergo a profound transformation in just a matter of moments.

The group soon reached Finn's office, and Finn opened the doors, ushering everyone into the quite spacious room. Ais was about to approach Bell as she noticed Tiona and Tione finishing their conversation with him. However, her intention was halted by Riveria, who gently placed a hand on her shoulder, advising Ais to stay with them during the meeting.

This left Ais somewhat upset, her initial plan disrupted. However, not wanting to create a scene, especially with Riveria, given her reputation for stern consequences, Ais reluctantly followed Riveria.

After a few moments, the room became distinctly divided into two parts. The entire elite Loki familia members, along with their Goddess, occupied one side, leaving Bell standing alone on the other.

It was at this point that Finn inquired of Bell, "So, Bell Cranel, what is it that you needed to discuss, necessitating the attention of the entire familia executives?" Finn asked with a curious expression and tone, directing his gaze towards Bell.

The room fell into a collective anticipation as they awaited Bell's response, with everyone pondering what topic could prompt a discussion requiring the exclusive presence of the familia executives.

Bell responded to Finn's inquiry with a smile, stating, "Actually, it's not really a discussion; it's… more like an introduction of someone," he explained calmly.

Bell's words left everyone perplexed until he continued, "I think it's time to show yourselves now," he said calmly, with a patient tone in his voice.

Goddess Loki and the familia executives appeared more perplexed by Bell's words. Finn was about to inquire, asking Bell what he meant, until…

"As the sun unveils the night's disguise, Lift the shroud that veils their eyes."

An unfamiliar voice echoed within the room, instigating immediate concern among the Loki group. They all shifted into a guarded stance, attempting to pinpoint the source of the voice.

They soon noticed that beside Bell, two figures were materializing out of a shimmering mist, until the two figures were fully revealed. One of the figures was a black-haired and red-eyed cat woman, donned in a dark gray jacket piece and a full-body black sleeveless garment.

Loki had to admit, the cat woman was quite beautiful, boasting a great figure. Her attention then shifted to the second figure, who was seated in a wheelchair.

Her mind immediately came to a halt.

She stared blankly at the second figure with widened eyes, captivated by the uncanny resemblance of the golden eyes and hair that clearly resembled that of her favorite child in the familia.

Loki glanced beside her, noting that everyone in the room shared similar expressions, their eyes widened in shock at the sight before them.

However, the one who had the most intense reaction to this was…

Was Ais

The Sword Princess had a distinct reaction compared to the others. Slowly stepping forward, her body visibly trembling, it was evident that her emotions were running wild.

Her expression conveyed visible confusion and disbelief, her trembling mouth revealing the emotional turmoil within as she slowly approached the revealed duo, specifically focusing on the woman in the wheelchair.

Similar emotions were mirrored in the woman in the wheelchair, her trembling form adorned with a smile, tears welling up in her eyes.

As Ais approached the woman in the wheelchair, she knelt down, aligning her trembling body to the same height. With a voice that echoed softly in the room, still trembling, she asked with a gentle tone,

"M-Mo-Mom?"

In response to the trembling but gentle voice, Aria lifted her right arm and placed it on Ais's cheek. With a joyous smile and tears starting to fall, she responded in a soft tone,

"I-It's been a long time, hasn't it, my daughter? I'm so sorry for leaving you alone all this time."

Though her voice was joyful, it also carried a tone of regret about a decision she had made. Despite that, it didn't matter to Ais. The moment she heard Aria speak, she immediately hugged her and let out an emotional cry, releasing all the pent-up emotions that had built up inside of her.

"Moooom! *Hic* Mooooom!" Ais cried out, her face covered in tears, tightly embracing her mother. It was a hug that promised never to let go, with Aria also responding with a tight hug of her own, tears streaming down her face.

The office was soon filled with the sound of two women crying, shedding tears over their long-awaited reunion, a moment both had wished for a very long time. Everyone watched the scene with surprise, especially the younger executives, unable to believe what they were witnessing and hearing.

While the senior executives and Loki directed shocked expressions toward Bell, as they were the only ones aware of Ais's true identity and her story. Consequently, they immediately grasped the implications upon learning the identity of the woman in the wheelchair.

After all, the only plausible explanation for Ais's mother to be present here would be…the slaying of the one-eyed black dragon.

After a few minutes, the room quieted, and individuals formed distinct groups. Aria and Ais found themselves alone in one corner, sharing joyful exchanges.

Meanwhile, Bell, along with the senior executives and Loki, engaged in discussions on the other side of the room. While the younger executives, along with Chi, were left in an awkward position, with the younger executives unsure how to interact with the black-haired cat woman.

In her typical fashion, Tiona was the first to engage with the woman. "Hiya! Nice to meet you! I'm Tiona Hiryute, and this is my sister, Tione Hiryute, and the grumpy werewolf is Bete Loga! What's your name?" she asked politely, extending her hand for a handshake.

Observing this, Chi responded warmly, accepting Tiona's handshake. "It's nice to meet you; I'm Chi Suong," she said with a smile.

Upon hearing this, Tiona inquired, "Ohhh, an eastern-sounding name! Did you come from the far east?" with curiosity in her voice.

Chi simply shook her head from side to side and explained, "Not really. My parents did come from the Far East, but I was born and raised in this continent," she clarified.

"Ahhhhhh, okok. Then how about that cool trick you did? Was that your magic?" Tiona continued asking Chi more questions.

Chi nodded her head, explaining her unique magic without delving into too many details about it. Simultaneously, she thought, "I see... so she is the talkative type of person in this group," as she continued conversing with Tiona.

Witnessing this, Tione simply sighed with a smile and mumbled in a quiet tone of voice, "As expected of my sister. If anyone can alleviate this awkward situation, it would be her."

Tione then looked beside her toward Bete, who still wore a wary expression on his face. She said to him, "Why don't you calm down, ya stupid wolf? It's obvious that she is not an enemy," pointing towards Chi.

However, Bete just grunted and replied, "Tch, mind your own business, you stupid Amazon brute," keeping his arms folded but avoiding eye contact with Tione.

This, of course, made Tione angry, a tick mark appearing on her head. However, she decided that now was not the best time to confront the bastard wolf. Holding back her anger, she chose to ignore Bete and involve herself in the conversation between her sister and Chi.

Bete, who paid no attention to the glare Tione shot his way, continued to observe Chi with vigilance. In his thoughts, he pondered, "That woman... I couldn't even sense her."

Moreover, he couldn't even pick up a scent from her, which was perplexing, as everyone typically has some form of scent. A werewolf's most distinct inherent ability is the skill of having an accurate nose. This not only enables them to track but also helps them avoid ambushes, making them formidable adventurers.

However, for Bete, he couldn't even pick up the smallest scent from Chi, not even when she revealed herself in front of them. This fact gave him quite a shock and kept him on guard against her even though it was clear that she is not an enemy.

On the other hand, Chi had already noticed Bete's behavior but did not pay too much attention to it. She was quite familiar with it, recalling how Alexia first reacted to her when her skills were active.

As for Bell, Loki, and her senior executives, Bell wore an awkward expression. He scratched his cheek before slightly bowing his head and said, "My apologies about that. I thought the entirety of your familia executives already knew the circumstances regarding Ais," he explained awkwardly.

At first, when Chi and Aria revealed themselves to the Loki familia, Bell did not think too much about it. He assumed that they already knew about Ais's identity. To his utter surprise, apparently, only Loki and the senior executives were aware of it. This made the situation quite awkward, as he had essentially disclosed their biggest secret to the young executives, who were unaware of Ais's true identity.

Finn replied with a smile and said, "It's alright. Though we would prefer to explain it to them in better circumstances, we knew that someday we would have to tell them," Finn calmly explained.

Gareth nodded his head and commented, "Aye, indeed. Now is probably the best time to explain it to them. To think, you actually slew that one-eyed beast that even the Zeus and Hera families failed to slay back then," he said as he looked towards Bell with admiration.

Riviera, on the other hand, asked Bell with a sad tone of voice, "I'm assuming that there were mass casualties, wasn't there?" as she looked towards Bell with a somber expression.

Bell nodded with a solemn expression, "There were many villages and towns that were destroyed along its path. It didn't help that a large monster wave soon followed the OEBD during its active state," he explained somberly, recalling the immense damage it had caused.

This made Loki and her senior executives silent. Even though they had never seen the OEBD in action, they were aware of its strength, as evidenced by the fall of the Zeus and Hera familias back then.

That is why it made this feat even more incredible

It was then that Loki asked Bell, "So where did this epic battle take place?" She asked curiously, knowing that a major battle had definitely taken place.

However, hearing this made Bell wear a sadder expression than before, making it obvious for Loki and the others to realize where the battle had taken place. Realizing this, Loki scratched behind her head and apologized towards Bell, saying, "Shit, sorry about that. I guess I should've used better words."

Bell shook his head and explained, "It's alright. You guys had no idea what had happened back then," he said calmly before continuing, "Do you guys know the kingdom known as the Einsberg State?" Bell asked them.

The Einsberg State was a medium-sized kingdom that sprouted around 100 years ago and was one of the many kingdoms closest to Orario City. However, the Einsberg State did not have any redeeming or special features or landmarks, with the exception of its location.

Thus, it served as a frequent stop for merchants and their convoys arriving from distant destinations to take a rest or break just before reaching Orario City. Despite the constant influx of various merchants, the kingdom was never able to fully capitalize on this advantage due to internal issues.

Later on, it evolved into a common haven for retired adventurers from Orario, those who had either left their familias or remained affiliated but chose to distance themselves from the dungeon, often due to trauma or other personal reasons.

Upon hearing Bell's inquiry, Loki and her senior executives understood the implication of his words. Loki then remarked, "I see, so the battle took place in that city, huh?" as she looked towards Bell with an understanding gaze.

Bell nodded in confirmation before explaining, "Yeah, if we didn't predict the next attack on time, casualties would have been enormous." He wore a calm expression, yet there was a hint of unease in his eyes.

Bell continued his explanation, "Although we were able to stop it, in the end, it still almost destroyed the entirety of the kingdom," he said, closing his eyes as he recalled the extent of the damage and destruction the kingdom had suffered.

Riviera then asked Bell, "Was the kingdom able to recover from that?" Her curiosity stemmed from her awareness, as a princess, of the significant financial costs a kingdom would need to bear in order to repair itself after sustaining extensive damage.

Bell opened his eyes and nodded with a smile, saying, "Of course, with the help of allies providing financial aid and the donation of various needed goods, the kingdom was able to recover."

He continued his explanation, saying, "However, by then, the former King decided to give up his throne and favored electing a new king to rule the kingdom once it finishes its repairs" he explained in an awkward tone of voice

Hearing Bell's awkward tone of voice, Loki and her senior executives were initially confused about why Bell reacted that way. However, Finn was able to connect the dots, and with wide eyes, he exclaimed, "Could it be…" as he looked toward Bell.

Upon realizing that Finn had connected the dots, Bell smiled and explained, "Yeah, long story short and due to various reasons, I was selected to become the new king, and with the former king's blessing, I renamed the kingdom to Dragon Tail City," speaking in a clear but slightly awkward tone to Loki and her senior executives.

Loki and the others quickly grasped the situation, realizing that Bell hadn't previously provided the details about becoming a king or the city during the meeting with Ouranos. Given the need to keep the meeting concise, he had left out certain details, resulting in an incomplete explanation.

Now, they had at least a better understanding of how Bell became a king and how his kingdom was formed. Still, they were quite surprised that the former king had chosen Bell for the position instead of a direct heir.

Gareth suddenly let out a hearty laugh, catching everyone's attention in the room. He then said, "HAHAHA! It seems that you had a very interesting time, didn't ya lad?" as he looked towards Bell with respect.

Bell nodded with a smile and replied, "That I did, Elgram, that I did," as he looked towards Gareth. Bell then glanced at the hanging clock on the wall, noting the current time. Turning his head, Bell looked out of the window and observed that it had gotten quite dark.

Observing the lateness of the hour, Bell remarked, "Looks like it's getting quite late. I have to get back to my familia." He conveyed this to them with a clear tone.

Loki expressed her surprise, "Eh? You're leaving already?" Her tone indicated there were still some topics she wished to discuss with him.

Bell responded to Loki, "It can't be helped, given the current circumstances. It's best for me to return as soon as possible after finishing my plans here. This way, I can start preparations for my kingdom when I return." He spoke with a calm and clear tone.

His explanation was clear to Loki and everyone else in the room, making sense for him to leave as soon as possible given the current situation. The fact that Bell planned to stay in Orario until tomorrow afternoon surprised them, as they expected he would leave immediately if they were in his shoes.

Upon hearing Bell's words, Tiona couldn't help but pout and muttered in a low tone, "Oh man, I wanted to talk with Argonaut next," continuing to express her disappointment.

Bell then bid farewell to Loki and the others as he told them that he will be back tomorrow for more discussions and planning. But as soon as he turned around, he noticed Ais standing behind him. Upon closer observation, Bell could clearly see that she was nervous—an expression he rarely saw in the past.

Bell then glanced behind Ais toward Aria, who was standing there. Aria noticed Bell's gaze and, understanding his unspoken question, simply smiled at him and nodded.

Seeing this, Bell already knew what Ais was about to ask. He let out a smile before saying, "Aria, I'll leave you here to sleep overnight, as I'm sure you would appreciate that." Bell politely communicated his decision to Aria.

He then turned his attention to Chi and said, "Chi, I'll leave it up to you to continue your assigned duty." He spoke to Chi with a clear tone of voice.

Aria and Chi nodded with smiles, confirming Bell's request. Bell, pleased with their response, turned his gaze back to Ais and offered her a warm afterward, Ais charged towards Bell, enveloping him in a tight hug. Tears streamed down her face, yet her expression radiated pure happiness.

Ais harbored countless thoughts and questions for Bell, so many things she wanted to express, inquire about, and discuss with him. But at this moment, the single most overwhelming emotion and feeling that she wanted to convey above all else was…

"Thank you….THANK YOU SO MUCH!"

A heartfelt gratitude towards him

Bell, hearing this, responded to Ais with a warm smile, embracing her in return and patting her back gently as tears flowed from her eyes. The room remained in hushed silence, respecting the moment between the two.

A few minutes passed, and Bell departed from the Twilight Manor, making his way to the place where he would spend the night. Aria and Chi remained with the executives of the Loki Familia for the evening.

Everyone in the room took their seats, except for Bete, who leaned against the wall with his arms crossed and Ais was sitting down together with her mother on the couch, with Chi on the. Aria then expressed her gratitude with a deep bow, saying, "I thank you all from the bottom of my heart for taking care of my daughter" with sincere appreciation toward Loki and her senior executives.

Loki raised her arms, encouraging Aria to cease her deep bow, and said with a smile, "Ah, no need for that. We just did what was natural," she explained to Aria with a calm tone of voice.

Despite her smiling expression, Loki was truly anxious and worried. What concerned her was the possibility that Aria might inquire about Ais leaving Loki's familia to join Astrea's familia.

Loki speculated that Aria had a significant connection with the Astrea familia, possibly even being a member. This observation stemmed from the interactions between her and Bell. Consequently, other executives shared similar concerns and thoughts about the matter.

Yet, could they truly intervene and prevent a mother from spending more time with her daughter after such a prolonged separation? The answer was clear - they couldn't. Consequently, expressing any reservations on the matter became exceedingly challenging for them, with Riveria being particularly affected by the situation.

Despite the familia members' consistent teasing, it's an open secret that Riviera often assumes a motherly role, particularly towards Ais. At times, she finds herself treating Ais as if she were her own daughter. Riviera's heart tightened, grappling with complex emotions as she felt uncertain about how to interact with Aria.

Fortunately, Aria had already noticed the subtle concerns of everyone, (with Chi pointing them out). She decided to address the matter directly, saying, "Before anything else, let me make it clear that I will not be asking my daughter to come with me." She spoke with clarity and in a calm tone of voice.

This caught everyone by surprise, and they looked at her with widened eyes. Aria then placed her hand on Ais's head, patting it gently as she continued her explanation, saying, "Right now, there is nothing more than my desire for my daughter to be with me from now on." She explained calmly towards them.

Aria then shifted her attention toward Riveria and, with a smile, continued her explanation, saying, "But I believe that it is best for her to stay here, as I can tell that she is truly loved by all of you, isn't she?" She asked in a clear tone of voice.

From Aria's perspective, she could easily tell that the Loki familia had given Ais great care, providing her a home and protecting her from danger. They tried their best to create an environment where Ais could grow safely.

Thus, Aria removed her hand from Ais's head before giving another bow towards Loki and her executives. She then asked, "That's why, may I ask all of you to continue taking care of my daughter during my absence?" Her voice carried a hint of sadness but also resolution in her decision.

The room fell silent as everyone, especially Ais, awaited Loki and the senior executives' response to Aria's request. After several seconds of contemplative silence, Loki replied with a smile, "You can count on us," in a clear and reassuring tone, with all the senior executives nodded in confirmation.

x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x

More time passed and currently, the executives of the Loki Familia were posing a variety of questions to Aria and Chi. Their curiosity extended beyond the individuals themselves to encompass the Astrea Familia and other topics related to the outside world, which had not been thoroughly discussed earlier or during the meeting with Ouranos.

Aria and Chi did their best to answer numerous questions, but their responses were limited. Aria's health conditions and Chi's current duties imposed certain restrictions, preventing them from delving into specific topics or sharing certain information.

However, there was one particular topic that piqued everyone's interest—the slaying of the Black Dragon. They were eager to hear the story of the battle, how it unfolded, and how Bell managed to defeat such a formidable foe. This quest was especially significant, considering it had stumped both the Zeus and Hera Familias in the past.

Understandably, the curiosity about the story of the Black Dragon slaying had captured everyone's interest. However, considering Bell's earlier reaction, there was a bit of hesitation in bringing up this topic. They were unsure if Chi would share any details, so they decided to temporarily set aside that particular subject for now.

The discussion continued for several more minutes until Chi, who was seated beside Aria, suddenly stood up, catching everyone in the room by surprise, except for Aria who simply smiled. Chi then announced to the room with a serious expression, "Now then, it seems it's about time for me to start my job," explaining calmly.

"Job?" Confusion filled the minds of everyone in the room at Chi's sudden declaration. Ignoring the perplexed expressions of the Loki familia members, Chi turned her attention to Aria and said, "Aria-sama, I will return shortly after handling this," explaining in a calm and clear tone.

Aria nodded with a calm smile and said, "Alright, be careful out there," to which Chi responded with a nod of her head and quickly left the office room.

Loki was about to ask where Chi was going, but Aria stopped her, saying, "Ah, don't worry about Chi; she is just attending to her assigned duty," with a smile.

Riveria then asked Aria, "Her duty? You mean her duty as your bodyguard?" to confirm her thoughts, as it was obvious that Bell had assigned Chi to be Aria's bodyguard based on their earlier interactions.

Aria nodded in confirmation, raising concerns among Loki and the executives. The realization that an unknown person had been watching them concerned them. Although unsure of how Chi had sensed it, her departure to handle the situation was a clear indication of its urgency.

Finn was on the verge of ordering everyone to move and assist Chi, but Aria intervened, saying, "There's no need for that; she can handle it." Her calm demeanor and reassured expression conveyed confidence in Chi's ability to manage the situation.

Finn hesitated for a moment, but upon seeing Aria's unwavering confidence, he decided to heed her advice. Ais, intrigued, turned to her mother and asked, "Mom, is she really that strong?" with a curious expression on her face.

Aria nodded with confidence and reassured her daughter, "Absolutely, I have complete faith in her abilities."

OUTSIDE OF THE TWILIGHT MANOR

-ON THE ROOFTOP OF A BUILDING-

Perched on one of the rooftops surrounding the Twilight Manor, a hooded man with a spear crouched, casting an irritated gaze toward the Manor.

"Tch, why am I stuck here watching over these idiots?" he grumbled to himself, his irritation evident as he continued to keep a vigilant eye on the Loki familia and their activities.

To anyone who might catch a glimpse under the hood, this man was unmistakably Allen Fromel, renowned as Vana Freya, a level 6 adventurer affiliated with the Freya Familia, and acknowledged as the fastest adventurer in all of Orario City.

Assigned to watch over the Loki familia by Ottar's orders, Allen seethed with irritation. The prospect would have been bearable if it had come from his own Goddess, but the fact that Ottar was the one giving the orders only fueled his anger.

"If it weren't for the situation that we are in, I would've fought him, if he tried ordering me again" Allen thought as his expression was full of irritation and frustration.

When Freya and Ottar returned back to their familia home, Freya immediately ordered for an assembly in the courtyard for an announcement. To their immediate surprise, they had learned that a decade had actually passed, and not only that but the existence of other dungeons forming during that time had greatly shocked them.

However, this concern was not for their own safety but for their Goddess. Given Freya's mischievous tendencies, she often attempted to venture outside Orario. The fact that there are now additional dungeons beyond the walls of Orario, the familia members were more determined than ever to prevent Freya from leaving.

Allen's infuriation deepened for another reason - Bell's continued existence and survival. His intense jealousy towards Bell stemmed from the boy once monopolizing Freya's attention. Now, learning about Bell's growth into a king of a newly established nation only fueled Allen's resentment.

His resentment intensified upon learning that Bell had married two women. This revelation not only angered Allen but also stirred emotions among the other Freya familia members. Freya herself seemed not just upset but genuinely saddened by the news.

The resentment towards the rabbit boy, who had seemingly hurt their Goddess's heart, fueled their collective rage. Freya then issued a directive for her familia members, which was to bring Bell to her without causing any disturbance or chaos among the residents.

A challenging mission, but fueled by their desire to reprimand Bell for his perceived transgressions, the members of the Freya familia were resolute in bringing him to Freya, despite their internal conflicts of reluctance and jealousy. Following Freya's departure to her room, Ottar gathered the executives for a meeting to determine who would be assigned this challenging task.

Following a long heated debate over who should undertake the mission, Ottar, Allen, and the Gulliver Brothers were chosen to bring Bell to their Goddess. Meanwhile, the remaining members would stay behind to safeguard their residence from potential retaliation.

Subsequently, upon their arrival at the Twilight Manor, they discovered that Bell had already departed. Ottar then instructed Allen to remain and keep a vigilant eye on the Loki familia for any signs of movement. Meanwhile, Ottar and the Gulliver Brothers set out for the Hearth Mansion, considering it a probable destination for Bell.

Although Allen was visibly upset about this decision, he had no choice but to accept it given the current circumstances, leaving him feeling quite frustrated.

"Hmph, I'm going to make him regret every decision before we present him to Freya," Allen thought, harboring a strong desire to make Bell pay for his actions.

Until…

"Who are you?"

A sudden female voice sounded directly behind him. In an instant, he leaped to the side, putting some distance between them. With swift precision, he assumed a fighting stance, spear pointed toward the source of the voice.

Wide-eyed, he gazed at the sudden appearance of the female figure, grappling with the realization that he hadn't sensed her until she was dangerously close. Studying the mysterious figure, he observed red eyes and black hair, and was clearly a female cat person. However, he struggled to recall anyone with these distinct features who could execute such a stealthy maneuver.

His gaze shifted downward as he noticed that she held onto his cloak. The realization hit him hard – in that brief moment, she had managed to snatch his coat without him even registering it. This struck a chord in Allen, the fastest adventurer in all of Orario.

Despite this, Allen gritted his teeth, ready to demand an explanation. However, she beat him to it. "You've been watching us for a total of 45 minutes without leaving this spot," she stated analytically.

Now facing him with a neutral expression, the woman posed a straightforward question to Allen, "I'll make it easy for you: just tell me who you are and what you're doing here." Her voice carried a demanding tone.

Gritting his teeth and sporting a frustrated expression, Allen charged straight towards the woman with immense speed breaking several roof tiles on where he stood. "You think I'm going to tell you shit!" he declared, attempting to land a precise shot towards the woman's shoulder.

However,

KHANG!

The woman swiftly brought out a black dagger in her hand at that moment, easily redirecting Allen's swift strike upward. In that moment, everything seemed to slow down for Allen as he heard her comment, delivered like a whisper. "It seems that you would like the harder option, then so be it," she said, still maintaining a neutral expression towards him.

BACK INSIDE THE TWILIGHT MANOR

-INSIDE FINN'S OFFICE-

Upon hearing Aria's unwavering confidence in Chi's abilities, the rest of the Loki Familia became curious about their strengths. They had already assessed Bell's strength, determining him to be at level 9, considering his feat of slaying the black dragon.

Achieving such a level was the dream of every adventurer in Orario, often regarded as a nearly impossible feat for the average ones.

However, with the emergence of new dungeons outside of Orario, there was speculation in the Loki familia group that the average level of adventurers might have risen, and external Familias could boast higher level adventurers than before.

Hence, they anticipated that Chi's level was likely at least 5 or even 6, showcasing the formidable strength of the Astrea familia and hinting at the potential power of other outside familias.

Loki, driven by genuine curiosity, calmly inquired of Aria, "So, Aria, out of curiosity, what is Chi's level that instills such confidence in you about her safety?" She posed the question with a clear tone, reflecting the curiosity shared by everyone present.

Observing the curiosity on everyone's faces, including that of her daughter, Aria smiled and proceeded to explain in a calm and clear tone with a smile, "Oh, right, I guess we never did tell you guys about her level. She is currently a level 10 adventurer"

The room fell into an immediate silence upon hearing Aria's words. After a few more seconds, a single sound resonated as everyone's eyes widened in surprise.

"Eh?"

This is the exact moment that the Loki Familia and the rest of Orario

Would soon understand, on how much the world had changed

x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x

Yo thanks for reading as always now its time for some serious talk about the fate of this story

I would be graduating this year, so I will soon have to start finding a job and start doing work in the future, so my time writing this would be cut short. So does this mean that I will stop writing this story? Nope not for a long shot as the one thing I hate is leaving something unfinished, and since I started writing this I will have to end it with at least a decent ending haha, but does this mean that there would be long updates? unfortunately yes, after all this is life. So the next update might take awhile but hopefully not too long hahaha, anyways this story will be on a break as I want to start focusing on other stories that I am making so stay tune

Now then for the story, some of you may ask why new dungeons? and to that my response would be "why the hell not?" in a serious note, I wanted to at least explain on how the outside world had adapted and changed without Orario in the picture, so that solution was simple...creating new dungeons, now in the future it would be explained how this had happened and even the bigger picture of what is going on but for now, I'll keep it a secret haha.

As for the reason on why Bell became a king, yes I know the explanation was super short, but believe me it was originally quite a long explanation, but to keep things short and to at least finish that section on time, I decided to shorten it, so for more details on how Bell became a king would probably be explained either in another chapter or even side stories (Yes I'm planning to add short side stories to this series haha). there are definitely some rushed parts as I was quite busy, might fix that later on

Thanks again for reading and I hope that you guys had a wonderful day!

Until Next Chapter!