Riveria Ljos Alf
A High-Rank Adventurer and one of the Executives of the Loki Familia. Her epitaph, "Nine Hells" was one meant not only to show of her vast arcane knowledge of spells and magic. But alsot when the time called for it, her fury on the battle field or when trifled.
Some had suspected that there was very little to even get a reaction out of her. A show of pure rage or even exhaustion of the Princess of Elves. The only one's sofar being her own Goddess to annoy her with her antics. Or if it had something to do with Aiz.
Yet here, in the parlor of the Loki Familia manor, was a tired princess. Slumped in her seat while the other guest that were with her looked concerned. To her right at the parlor table, was another of her followers and apprentice Alicia. Her left, was a dear family member of her from her mother's side and who was practically a sister to her, despite the complicated family tree, Eina Tulle.
Finally, right in front of the princess, seated across from her was the youngest of the group. Young yet looking so mature for her age as her long brown hair cascades down to her mid back, with hints of green streaks.
Wearing a simple black dress and long skirt that clung to her petite body while also wearing a white coat. Long brown boots stopping at her shins and adjusting her small braid she made for herself and tied at the end of her hair. Fixing herself properly and adjusting the small feather hair accessory atop her head as she was trying to compose herself in front of Riveria.
"Sis, erm...was coming here a bad time?" The girl asked as Riveria looked back up to her and waved her arms.
"No, sorry I wasn't proper in greeting you and your sister Nina. It's just my work has been tiring me much and it isn't helping that my mother is insistent I post my own candidates soon." Riveria said as now the girl bowed her head before Riveria.
This girl was Nina Tulle, younger sister of Eina Tulle. And daughter to Riveria's friend/mentor Ania Tulle.
"I take it this being about...Mr. Cranel's candidates for mairage? And speaking of, why aren't you fretting over this Nina!?" Eina exclaimed as she slammed both her hands down on the table and looked at her little sister with worry in her eyes.
"I can understand why mother and her majesty would suggest both of us as candidates, but you had the right to refuse! You're only thirteen for gods sakes and have time to live your life before you're forces into marrying...that boy!" Eina said in the end with fury as she clenched her teeth and her eyes leered in annoyance.
Blinking a few times before brushing at her bangs before looking directly into her sister's eyes with her own emerald green ones, she cleared her throat and looked at her with one eye open. An eyebrow raised at her older sister who now looked lost and confused at her.
"Eina, I understand why you're worried. But I've read the letters and contracts that mother and even Bell's Father and he himself has written to me. This isn't a direct engagement. And I wouldn't be forced into doing anything I would dislike. Bell and his father have written several times that this would be a slow process and the two of us would get to know one another and see where we move on from then." Nina said as Eina looked dumbfounded and jaw dropped at what her sister was explaining.
"Pardon? But you've been receiving letters from this Bell Cranel?" Alicia asked as Nina smiled and looked proudly at her. Placing her hand over her heart and lightly bowing at the apprentice of Riveria.
"Yes. When I had gotten the notice that I would be a candidate for the new prince, there was a letter attached to it from Bell. And though I had suspected it would have been something formal, to my surprise it was actually a genuine letter from the heart and mind of him. It was so causal and funny and we sort of began to exchange letters whenever we were available and free to write."
"Apparently that's what mother's been told of how he's been handling these posible candidates. That boy writes letters to the ones that he thinks are "interesting" or kind hearted individuals that aren't after any status or wealth even after going through us in picking them out for a potential wife." Riveria said, now reclined back into her seat as she looked at Nina with a raised eyebrow.
"Though I must ask, what about him catches your eye? You are aware what he's caused and done to your sister at work no? Though while thankfully giving her a small vacation-"
"Which is unfair for Mr. Royman to suspend me for a week!"
"Sis, you breached your adventurer's trust and privacy by yelling out his status and Level Up. Even if people were going to hear about it later on from the official reports and after he received his first epitaph, there's the principle of the matter." Nina responded swiftly to her sister's annoyance with her boss.
"How he has caused quite the stir and brewing troubling rumors now in Orario. The issue of Ishtar's woman on the hunt for him when he frequents the Entertainment Districts. Some misleading rumors of him and other women's "private" activities. Even dragging several gods into his web of troubling rumors and acts." Riveria said with a blush on her face at the mention of such 'activities' she heard about by a few adventurers.
"My lady, though I don't mean to go against you, surely you can't believe in such rumors? Though, I am no better to take hear in some of them. I did catch wind from one of the cat girls in the Hostess that many of which those rumors and lie are based upon is some missed context people don't take in account or some odd phrasings of some acts." Alicia chimed in as Nina nodded in agreement.
"I agree with Miss Forestlight. I might not know the extent of such rumors he's linked. But I won't judge him until I understand what happened to cause such rumors. Though, some of those I do know the truth from his responses to me when I wrote to him about it. And to be honest, how is it that there are plenty of adventurers here that can't think calmly and rationally about it and instead have their minds in the gutters!" Nina said, chocking a bit and holding back her giggling as Alicia smiled and stifled her own chuckles while Eina and Riveria blushed and looked away.
"Though...while I have yet to meet him in person. Each letter he writes back to me has given me this sense of...familiarity? I suppose you can call it that. As if he's a frined from long ago that you meet once again and fond over old memories you had and want to rememebr and know more about them."
"So he seems familiar to you? Friendly, even though you two have never meet? Hmm, whell I suppose I can't argue in that reguard, since Tiona has already quite the bond with that boy." Riveria said as she smiled lightly before resting her head atop her hand. Looking off into space at the thoughts of Nina's words.
"My Lady. if I may trouble you for asking this?"
"Yes?"
"E-Even though that you've made it clear you have a distain for his father. Could you tell us your thoughts about Bell Cranel? And why take in so much effort to looking out for him in reguards of picking a potential wife?" Alicia asked as Eina and the others then turned back to Riveria in surprise as the high elf looked at them all.
"I am rather curious about that myself Miss Riveria. I had suspicions you had somewhat an irritable view of him such as myself. Granted, there is a part of me that feels he's an honest boy. But rather his stupidity clouds the goodness he has and causes havoc and stress on me." Eina said as Riveria looked up and returned her gaze to her guest and sighed.
"It's not that I detest or despise the boy. Rather I'm annoyed with my mother's sporadic antics and simply adopting him into the family without taking things in account first. Hence, causing us to work more into thinking for his future. Plus, it involves me being or have been in a "relationship" with that damn "father" of his." Riveria growled at the mention of Bell's father, not wanting to even call his name.
"So it's more about his "Pops" that you have issues with and the pressure that her majesty puts on you. But what do you think about this Bell Cranel boy my lady? Take away his father and the issues with her majesty putting in extra work on your shoulders." Alicia asked as Riveria looked up, pressing a finger to her cheek before looking at them once again.
"Hmm...if I had to put it, I would say he's a rather odd and perplexing child. While he acts childish and like a fool, there's something in his eyes that show he has experience and is capable of his actions."
"*Giggle* That's what he's mentioned to me in my letters a few times. There were instances where he admits to being an idiot or a stubborn man, but there's a feeling to his words that he's at least wise enough to know what to do or when to retreat." Nina said as Riveria nodded.
"Yes, he has that feeling towards him. If given the chance, I believe we would have accepted him into our Familia. Though, that would mean that I'd have two problematic children to look after now."
"*Sigh* How is it Miss Aiz has grown so much these past years, and yet acts like a child with no awareness? I could only imagine the stress and headaches that would have caused you to suffer Lady Riveria." Eina said as all the women, aside Nina, nodded in agreement.
"Speaking of, where is she today? Last I saw her she appeared to be taking the day off and wasn't in her armor at breakfast."
"That idiot went off to the dungeon again. She had this sudden want to hunt minotaurs and muttered something about repayment to someone. Between that girl's obsession with the dungeon and that boy's foolish nature and selfish want of adventure I would fear if the two of them ever go off into the dungeon if he had joined." Riveria said, rubbing her temple and eyes at the head aching thought if Bell had joined them in Loki's Familia.
"Sad to say, but I can't picture him ever teaming or joining with Miss Aiz in a dungeon dive." Alicia said, surprising both Riveria and Eina and Nina looked at her in interest of her words.
"It's quite obvious this Bell Cranel has a grudge with Miss Aiz. Given how you mentioned how she "saved" him from that little mishap a few months ago from the minotaurs that escaped the lower levels. Plus, I have heard that he hates being called "rabbit" or anything similar to that name. Ang given how Miss Aiz mostly remembers and recalls about him looking like one, that would most likely anger him if she called out to him."
"Hmm...true. But it's been months since then. How long can he hold a grudge about that."
"Miss Eina, perhaps he's let it go about the minotaur incident. But even I would be annoyed if someone repetitively called out an annoying nickname for me or associated me with something I detest."
"Huh, so I suppose I don't have to worry about him seeking out Aiz as a potential partner then. For now." Riveria said as she relaxed a bit as Eina and Alicia looked at her in shock.
"You mean you set Miss Aiz as a potential candidate for him?!" Eina and Alicia shouted as Riveria looked at them both with a dull look and waved her hand back and forth.
"No of course not. Honestly I'm still having to give Aiz, "The Talk". It's a slow process since it's like trying to teach a toddler how to speak. But I'd never force her into a position like that. I raised that girl, and I would see to it she chooses someone on her own and see if they're worth her hand."
"So you protect her but not me or Nina!?" Eina shouted as she slammed her hand down and leaned in closer to Riveria. Who returned the action in same and had her face scrunched in an annoyed look and leered at Eina. Pressing her forehead to her as both elves leered at one another.
"You think I had any choice in that matter! Blame your mother and mine for it!"
"Yet you protect Miss Aiz even though she's not even adopted by you. But Bell is technically your son! You should have some leeway to get me and Nina out of this situation."
"Sis, I think this is your issue. Like I said, I have no problems and we're just exchanging letters for the moment before we can meet. I'm often too busy sending Lord Baldur our party's reports and homework he's sending to us from the Main School District." Nina said as Eina felt betrayed by her own sister and pouted back at her.
"Honestly I can see why that boy is somewhat annoyed by you Eina. You have that nasty habbit to go on your own emotions in your work. Maybe you should take a hobby to get rid of some of that negative energy and rage." Alicia offered non-chalantly as Eina snarled.
"Shush! You have no idea what it's been like to deal with reports and issues he's brought to me! If I can't control him, then I'll make it my mission to tame that boy when we're married!" She said as she clenched her hand. The others hearing her knuckles cracking as Riveria shook her head and Nina and Alicia looked at one another before staring at Eina.
"Nope. I doubt that will ever happen." Both of them said as they waved their hands at Eina as she fell over the table and climbed back up. Staring dumbfounded at the both of them and in shock at her own sister.
"Betrayal! Do you think I can't make a proper husband and polite man out of him?! And why don't you show me any support here Nina!? With you, you can help me at least make him behaved and civilized!" Eina exclaimed as Alicia and Nina leaned over on the table smiling and looking at her with a smirk on their lips.
"Sis, you get riled up too easily and are a work-a-holic. Odds are you would be too tired and fall for his taunts and challenges with haste. He'd be playing you."
"Indeed, along with the fact that you get easily flustered with anything romantic or even any greetings like "I love you". And if the rumors are true about Bell Cranel and his habits of visiting the Pleasure District, I fear you wouldn't survive your own wedding night~" Alicia taunted, seeing how red Eina became and now breathing heavily to calm herself.
"I-I-I'll do research! And with what I'll learn, he'll be putty in my hands and be on his knees before me!"
"My~ Such lewd and vulgar words coming out of your mouth. Right in front of your sister no less." Alicia taunted, making Eina's eyes widened as Nina giggled at how easily defeated her sister looked as she slammed her hands over her mouth.
"I feel as thought the twins are corrupting you Alicia."
"Perhaps Lady Riveria, but you can't deny their teachings and taunts I've heard aren't effective right?"
"...Perhaps. Though, aside Eina's plan to subdue the boy. It's true that he is a skilled and crafty one. And with already now becoming a Level 2 Adventurer, it won't be long until I might see him down on the lower levels, perhaps even on Floor 18."
"Ah, about that actually. I recall in our latest letter that he's mentioned going down to the fifteenth floor. But nothing further." Nina said as that got Alicia and Riveria to look puzzled and blinking at Nina.
"That low? But that's still in the early floors of the Middle Levels. Given his nature I would have imagined he'd try to reach the seventeenth." Riveria asked as Nina shook her head and began to explain.
"He mentioned he was going to be a bit busy for a while. He recently got a new familia member and they're part of his crew. So he wants to get them used to him as a group in the dungeon. Along with trying to find someone to take in the dungeon."
"Well, he is actually being thoiughtful and preparing him and his party for the middle floors at least. So that's a good course of action. But who is he looking for to take with him in the dungeon? Has he mentioned anyone in his letters before?"
For a moment, all were sielnt as Nina looked up and closed her eyes. Trying to recall any names she's read in her past letters with Bell. Until finally, she opened her eyes and brought her hand up and counted on her fingers and recalled some names.
"He's mentioned someone named Lili. Another which I think you might remember, a Miss Filvis i believe. And he mentioned he wanted the blacksmith that made his armor but had a terrible naming sense. A Welf Crozzo?" Nina said as Eina then looked worried while Riveria looked shocked and Alicia tightened her fist.
"A Crozzo? He wants a Crozzo in his party?! That's insulting!"
"Alicia!"
"My Lady you can't be serious to allow someone like him to join with Bell Cranel? Nina! You should write to him to warn about what the Crozzos mean to the Elf-"
"Oh. There's no need for that Miss Alicia. After I saw his name I did write back to him and try to explain the topic about the Crozzo family and how it could be seen as an issue to the elves." Nina inturrupted her as she watched her get out of her seat and look at her.
"Then why are you so calm about it?!"
W-Well. Because his response back to my letter of warning and about the Crozzo, honestly made sense and showed me that we'd be the stereotypical elves we're trying to break away from how people perceive us now."
Riveria was now intrigued by Nina's answer. And with Bell's answer to her warnings on the Crozzo. She herself hadn't meet any Crozzos before. And would see and not be quick to judge them until they would ever meet in person. But she'd be lying if she didn't say there was an issue about it to her.
The Crozzos. A family of blacksmiths that were once said to create powerful magic swords and tools with ease. They rose to fame and power by crafting such tools and weapons for the king of this land hundreds of years ago. Blessed by Elves and Fairies to create such weapons after saving some from dying. But their blessings turned to become their worst nightmares when war came upon her people centuries ago.
After the wars, her kind barely survived. Anger rose and curses spewed at the Crozzos for damning and burning their homes and kind. Years after, it was apparent that the curses and blood of their race spilt in the war took its effect on the Crozzos. They couldn't make magic tools anymore, and their weapons broke apart soon after a few more uses.
Disgraced and outcasted by the king, even to this day until rumor had it one Crozzo child was blessed with his ancestor's gift to craft such tools. She had heard a few elves spitting his name with disgust, even though odds were they had never meet once.
"What was his response?" She asked Nina, who smiled and looked into her emerald eyes.
"He said: "So what? It's not like this guy went out personally to kill elves. Or anyone I know and cared about. Pops, Riveria, Lefiya, Filvis, Granny and Granddad are still around. Plus from what Tsubaki, this cook eyepatch wearing tall dwarf that's captain of this Welf guy's familia, told me about him is that he's a shut in trying to make good armor and weapons. But he's a moron and not giving his all and refuses to make 'em. I want him to join as a favor to Tsubaki, and to smack the hell out of him for being an idiot. If he calls himself a blacksmith then he's half-assing it and refusing his talents. Plus, his naming sense is crap, so I feel like I gotta pound it into his head he's wrong."
All of them blinked at her multiple times. Even cleaning out their ears and looking at her again.
"Yes that is exactly what he wrote to me about it. Sure, it was a bit crass and harsh. But, in the end I think it's true. This Welf person didn't harm anyone we know or cared about. And there's the fact that sins of the past shouldn't fall onto others." Nina stated as Alicia grumbled and sat back down while Riveria smiled softly and Eina sighed, rubbing her eyes and letting out an annoyed "Tsk".
"This is going to cause me so much paperwork to file when I return back to work. I can feel it already."
"Hmph. While I might see how he's right. I still don't like this. It's just worrying for a member of the royal family to now want a Crozzo so close to them."
"Alicia. While it is worrisome, we aren't in control of his actions or can force him to reconsider. And odds are he would seek him out even if we warn him. As a member of the royal family, all I can do is keep an eye on him and investigate into the matter about this Crozzo boy just in case." Riveria said as Nina clapped her hands at the wise words and course of action coming from their kind's princess.
"My Lady, your motherly side is showing."
"Maybe. Is that an issue for you Alicia? Or should I give you punishment by tending to Loki while wearing a maid uniform?" She smiled sweetly at her young apprentice. Who now became frozen stiff while shaking her head violently back and forth.
"No Mama!"
[Deep in the Dungeon Depths]
Blood splattering against the dungeons walls as a flick of a rapier echoed in the dark walls of the dungeon depths. Scattered cut corpses of minotaurs laid before the adventurers' feet. Stepping over them as they exploded in small plumes of black and stones dropping.
The adventurer's blonde hair flowed with each stride they took. Her sigh telling they were bored, and golden eyes showed little emotion at the last minotaur before them. Hands resting at their slender hips. Pointing their weapon at the beast as the creature parried her blade. Surprising them as they didn't expect the monster to avoid her strike.
"Interesting. Perhaps you could do well as my apologies to him." A voice, soft and that of a woman's, escaped her lips as she watched the creature take one of its kind's dropped weapons. Replacing the broken one it had in hand and pointed it at her.
"Come then. I will prepare you well to give him a proper fight and apology." She said as she brought her blade towards her face. Magic spiraling around her as she shut her eyes for a moment. Before opening them and turning the blade to where it became a thin line of metal in her eyes and brought it back, ready to lunge at the incoming beast.
"Don't disappoint me. Give me a reason to raise you to become a perfect fight for him."
The monster let out a sickening echo.
Its roars drowned on for many floors as the sound of clashing weapons soon rang after its scream ceased.