NOTE: This is story is currently on a hiatus, as I am currently burned out and there are other things I need to attend to. However, I will likely continue the story in the very near future if there is popular demand, so please let me know if you'd like me to continue. Some drafts of future chapters already exist, but they need extensive reworking.

Disclaimer: Based on the characters created by Fujino Omori. This is NOT Omori's vision, nor is it canon in the Light Novels. This is a story built on the world developed by Omori, expanding it with my own ideas. I do NOT own the rights to Danmachi: I simply saw a perfect fit with this universe and my own ideas.

This story was ai generated, however, it was carefully managed and edited by myself. Claude 3 Opus, Novelai and ChatGPT 4 were all used, where I mixed and matched the best content. They not only speed up the writing process considerably, but they also improve the overall quality and make writers' block a non-issue.

Every care has been taken to be consistent with the Light Novels, however there may be discrepancies, especially as the Light Novels are ongoing.

Some notes on Riveria: I know Riveria Ljos Alf is not a major player in the main series, nor, as far as I know, has she ever met Bell face-to-face in the Light Novels. They have, however, met face-to-face several times in Danmemo (albeit seldom), where Bell x Riveria has been touched upon briefly. This is an expansion upon that.

Some of you may ask, why Riveria as the primary love interest? The answer is that Bell really lacks someone with age, wisdom and maturity in his harem, someone who can serve as both a mother figure and a love interest simultaneously: someone who can guide him on his quest having lived for a century, someone who is both stern and kind (she is like an older and wiser Ryu in many ways). She also served as the perfect antithesis to Medusa (pictured above): The Elvish Queen versus the Monster Queen, she is the only one who can challenge Medusa directly, both in power and wisdom.

Without further ado, let's begin our epic quest, the union of the Green Fairy and the White Rabbit!

Chapter 1

The Green Fairy and the White Rabbit

Hermes leaned back in his chair, a cryptic smile playing on his lips as he regarded Asfi across the desk. "The old man has spoken. The union of the Green Fairy and the White Rabbit must come to pass."

Asfi's brow furrowed, her mind racing through the implications. "Riveria and Bell? But why? What is this evil snake we are meant to battle?"

Hermes shrugged, his eyes glinting with mischief. "Ouranos moves in mysterious ways. It's not our place to question, only to facilitate."

Asfi sighed, her fingers drumming a restless rhythm on the arm of her chair. "And how, exactly, are we supposed to make this union a reality?"

Hermes's grin widened. "Ah, that's where your clever mind comes into play, my dear Asfi. We'll need a plan, something to draw them together, to forge a bond that can withstand the trials ahead."

Asfi's eyes narrowed, calculations whirring behind her gaze. "It won't be easy. Riveria is notoriously private, and Bell is still finding his way in this world."

"All the more reason to give them a little push," Hermes said, leaning forward conspiratorially.

Asfi nodded slowly, her mind already weaving the threads of a plan. "A 'happy accident,' you say? I think I might have an idea."

She stood, her chair scraping against the wooden floor. "Leave it to me. I'll make sure their paths cross in a way that seems like fate's own hand."

Hermes chuckled, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "I have no doubt you will. Just remember, subtlety is key. We don't want them to suspect our involvement."

Asfi's lips curved into a sly smile. "Don't worry, I know how to play this game. They'll never see me coming."

Hermes clapped his hands together, his eyes sparkling with delight. "Perfect! We'll set the stage, and let fate do the rest."

Asfi rose from her chair, her mind already racing ahead to the preparations that would need to be made. "I'll start making arrangements. But Hermes, we must tread carefully. If Loki or Hestia catch wind of our meddling..."

Hermes waved away her concerns with a dismissive hand. "Leave the gods to me. You focus on bringing our two protagonists together. The future of Orario may depend on it."

She turned to leave, her mind buzzing with the details of her scheme. As she reached for the door handle, Hermes's voice stopped her.

"Asfi," he said, his tone suddenly serious. "Be careful. We're dealing with forces beyond our control. One misstep and this could all unravel."

Asfi paused, her hand hovering over the handle. She glanced back at Hermes, her eyes glinting with determination. "I know the stakes. I won't fail."

With that, she stepped out of the office, the door clicking shut behind her. The wheels were in motion, the pieces set on the board. Now, it was up to her to make sure they fell into place.

As Asfi left the room, Hermes leaned back in his chair once more, his eyes drifting to the window and the city beyond. The pieces were in motion, the players positioned on the board. Now, all that remained was to see how the game would unfold.

As she walked through the bustling streets of Orario, Asfi's mind raced with possibilities. She needed a situation that would force Riveria and Bell to interact, to rely on each other. Something that would create a bond, a connection that could grow into something more.

A smile played on her lips as an idea began to take shape. It was risky, but if it worked, it could be the catalyst they needed. She quickened her pace, eager to set her plan into motion.

The game was afoot, and Asfi was determined to emerge victorious. After all, the fate of Orario itself hung in the balance.

The Benevolent Mistress tavern buzzed with the chatter of adventurers, the clinking of mugs, and the occasional burst of laughter. Bell sat at a table, nursing a drink, his eyes darting around the room with a mix of excitement and nervousness. Asfi had told him to come alone, but she did not say why.

The tavern door swung open, and a hush fell over the crowd. The core members of the Loki Familia strode in, their presence commanding attention. Among them, Riveria Ljos Alf, the Nine Hell, her jade hair shimmering in the tavern's warm light.

As they made their way to a table, Riveria's gaze flicked towards Bell, a brief moment of recognition before she looked away. Bell felt his heart skip a beat, a flush creeping up his neck.

Suddenly, an unseen force shoved Bell from behind. He stumbled forward, his hand grasping for purchase, finding only air and then—the soft fabric of Riveria's leggings. The garment slid down, exposing the smooth skin of her thighs. Bell lied prone on the floor, and as he looked up, he saw a glimpse of her underwear.

The tavern fell silent, all eyes fixed on the unfolding scene. Bell, his face a mask of horror, stammered, "Oh dear."

Riveria, her expression unreadable, slowly turned to face him. The tavern held its breath, waiting for her reaction. To everyone's surprise, she merely arched an eyebrow, pulled up her leggings with a hint of amusement playing at the corners of her mouth.

Bell, his face burning, scrambled to his feet. He mumbled an apology, his eyes fixed on the floor, and turned to leave. But Riveria's voice, calm and clear, stopped him in his tracks.

"Wait a minute, Bell Cranel," she said, her tone brooking no argument. "You don't get out of it that easily."

She gestured to the empty seat beside her. "Sit."

Bell, his heart pounding, obeyed. He slid into the chair, acutely aware of Riveria's presence, the heat of her gaze on his face.

The tavern slowly returned to its normal hum, but Bell could feel the eyes of the Loki Familia on him, curiosity and amusement mingling in their expressions.

He risked a glance at Riveria, finding her watching him with a calculating look. "I...I'm sorry," he managed, his voice barely above a whisper.

Riveria leaned back in her chair, her fingers drumming on the table. "Sorry? For what, exactly? Falling victim to a prank, or for the audacity to touch a High Elf?"

Bell swallowed hard, unsure how to respond. He could feel the weight of her gaze, the expectation in her words.

"I...I didn't mean to..." he began, but Riveria cut him off with a wave of her hand.

"Of course you didn't," she said, her tone softening slightly. "But intent and outcome are two different things, aren't they?"

Bell nodded, his throat tight. He braced himself for her judgment, for the scorn he was sure would follow.

But Riveria surprised him once again. She leaned forward, her voice low, meant only for his ears. "Perhaps this is an opportunity, Bell Cranel. An opportunity to learn, to grow, to...understand each other better."

Bell's eyes widened, his heart racing at the implication of her words. He met her gaze, finding a glimmer of something he couldn't quite name.

"I...I'd like that," he managed, his voice steadier than he felt.

Riveria smiled then, a genuine curve of her lips that made Bell's breath catch. "Good," she said, leaning back once more. "Then let's start with a drink, shall we?"

Bell nodded, a tentative smile playing on his lips as Riveria signaled for another round. The drinks arrived, and Riveria raised her glass in a silent toast, her eyes never leaving Bell's.

As they sipped their drinks, the conversation flowed, starting with small talk about their adventures in the dungeon. Bell found himself drawn in by Riveria's stories, her voice painting vivid pictures of battles fought and challenges overcome.

"You've faced your fair share of trials," Riveria said, her gaze appraising. "For one so young, you've shown remarkable courage and resilience."

Bell ducked his head, a blush staining his cheeks. "I've had good teachers," he said, thinking of Aiz and the others who had guided him. "And I've been lucky."

Riveria laughed, the sound rich and warm. "Luck plays a part, certainly. But don't discount your own strength, Bell Cranel. It's what has brought you this far."

Bell felt a warmth bloom in his chest at her words, a mix of pride and something else, something that made his heart race.

As the evening wore on, the conversation turned to more personal matters. Bell found himself opening up to Riveria in a way he hadn't with anyone else, sharing his hopes and fears, his dreams for the future.

In turn, Riveria shared snippets of her own life, her childhood in the Alf's Royal Forest, the weight of expectation that came with being a High Elf, and how she left her home to find out about the outside world..

"It's not an easy path," she said, her eyes distant. "But it's one I've chosen, one I continue to choose every day."

Bell nodded, understanding in his gaze. "We all have our burdens to bear," he said softly. "But we don't have to bear them alone."

Riveria's eyes snapped to his, surprise and something else flickering in their depths. For a moment, she was silent, considering his words.

Then, slowly, she reached out, her hand covering his on the table. Her skin was cool, her touch light, but it sent a shiver through Bell, a spark of something electric.

"Perhaps you're right, Bell Cranel," she said, her voice low. "Perhaps we don't."

The moment stretched between them, charged with possibility, with the promise of something new, something unexpected.

And in that moment, Bell knew that something had shifted, that the path ahead had changed in ways he couldn't yet fathom. But with Riveria by his side, he found himself ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.

Bell prepared to speak again, but Riveria raised a slender hand. "Before you begin, I must confess I have a question of my own for you."

He nodded, giving her his full attention.

"What drives you, Bell Cranel? What is it that compels you to venture into the Dungeon, to face the dangers that lurk within?" Her gaze was unwavering, her tone sincere.

Bell considered her query, searching for the words to convey the fire that burned within him. "I... I'm not entirely sure," he admitted. "There's a pull, a yearning, that I can't quite explain. The Dungeon calls to me, as if it holds the answers to questions I didn't even know I had."

Riveria nodded, her expression thoughtful. "An adventurer's heart is a complex thing. The Dungeon tests us, challenges us, forces us to confront our own limitations and strengths." She paused, her eyes gleaming with an emotion Bell couldn't quite place. "And sometimes, it reveals to us the true nature of our desires."

Bell leaned forward, captivated by her words. "You speak as if from experience. What has the Dungeon shown you?"

A shadow flickered across Riveria's face, there and gone in an instant. "The Dungeon has a way of stripping away the facades we present to the world, exposing the core of who we are." She met his gaze, her voice soft. "It is a place of both discovery and reckoning."

Bell felt a chill run down his spine, the weight of her words resonating within him. He opened his mouth to respond, but Riveria raised her hand again, silencing him.

"But I did not mean to burden you with my own reflections." She offered him a small smile. "Tell me, Bell Cranel, what is it you hope to find in the Dungeon?"

Bell took a deep breath, considering Riveria's question. "I suppose I'm searching for a purpose, a reason for being." He glanced down at his hands, calloused from countless hours of training. "I want to prove myself, to show that I'm worthy of being called an adventurer."

Riveria studied him, her expression unreadable. "And what will you do when you find that purpose? When you've proven your worth?"

Bell met her gaze, his eyes blazing with determination. "I'll keep pushing forward, always striving to be better, to help others." He clenched his fists. "I won't stop until I've reached the very depths of the Dungeon and uncovered its secrets."

A smile tugged at the corners of Riveria's lips. "You have a noble heart, Bell Cranel. It's a rare thing in this world." She leaned back, her eyes distant. "But be careful not to lose yourself in the pursuit of glory. The Dungeon has a way of twisting even the purest of intentions."

Bell nodded, her words striking a chord within him. "I understand. I'll be careful." He hesitated, then asked, "What about you, Lady Riveria? What keeps you venturing into the Dungeon?"

Riveria was silent for a long moment, her gaze fixed on the ivy-covered wall. "Duty, perhaps. A sense of responsibility to my familia, to the people of Orario." She sighed, a sound tinged with weariness. "But there are times when I wonder if there's more to it than that. If there's something I'm meant to find down there, in the depths."

Bell leaned forward, his curiosity piqued. "What do you think it could be?"

Riveria shook her head. "I don't know. Maybe it's just a foolish notion, a dream of something more." She turned to face him, her eyes searching his. "But I do know that the Dungeon changes us, Bell Cranel. It molds us, shapes us into something different than what we were before."

Bell swallowed, a sudden weight settling on his shoulders. "I'm not afraid of change," he said, his voice steady. "If the Dungeon is where I'm meant to be, then I'll face whatever challenges it throws at me."

Riveria's smile was genuine this time, tinged with a hint of admiration. "You have a strength within you, Bell Cranel. Never lose sight of that."

Aiz Wallenstein sat at the opposite table, her gaze fixed on the unlikely pair. Bell had barely acknowledged her. She watched as Riveria leaned in close to Bell, a smile playing on her lips as she spoke. Bell, for his part, seemed enraptured, hanging on her every word.

A strange feeling stirred in Aiz's chest, a tightness she couldn't quite name. She watched as Riveria's hand brushed against Bell's, a casual gesture that seemed to linger just a moment too long.

Aiz's brow furrowed, her lips pursing into a slight pout. She couldn't understand why the sight of them together bothered her so much. Bell was just another adventurer, wasn't he? And Riveria was her mentor, her friend, her mother... So why did she feel this twist in her gut, this urge to march over and...

She shook her head, trying to clear the thoughts. It was ridiculous. She had no claim on Bell, no reason to feel... whatever this was.

Beside her, Lefiya Viridis was having a harder time controlling her emotions. Her hands clenched into fists, her knuckles white with the strain. She glared at the pair, her eyes narrowed to slits.

How dare he? How dare this... this upstart, this player, monopolize Lady Riveria's attention? Lefiya had trained under Riveria for years, had worked tirelessly to earn her respect and approval. And now, this upstart was swooping in, charming her with his boyish smile and wide-eyed innocence.

It was infuriating. Lefiya could feel her magic stirring, responding to her anger. She took a deep breath, trying to calm herself. It wouldn't do to cause a scene, not here, not now.

But as she watched Riveria laugh at something Bell said, watched the way her eyes sparkled with mirth, Lefiya felt her control slipping. Her jaw clenched, her teeth grinding together.

She had to do something. She couldn't just sit here and watch as this... this interloper wormed his way into Lady Riveria's good graces. She had to put a stop to it, had to show him his place.

Asfi slipped out of the tavern, a satisfied smirk playing on her lips. She had done it. She had set the wheels in motion, had sparked something between Bell and Riveria that was sure to cause ripples throughout Orario.

It had been a delicate operation, one that required precise timing and a subtle touch. But Asfi was nothing if not a master of manipulation. She had seen the way Bell looked at Riveria, the admiration and awe in his eyes. And she had seen the flicker of interest in Riveria's gaze, the way her attention seemed to linger on the young adventurer.

All it had taken was a little push, a carefully orchestrated "accident" to bring them together. And now, as she walked away from the tavern, Asfi could feel the satisfaction thrumming through her veins.

"Mission accomplished," she murmured to herself, her voice tinged with a hint of self-congratulation.

She had no doubt that the relationship between Bell and Riveria would continue to develop, to grow into something more than just a passing fascination. And when it did, when the news spread throughout the city, it would cause a stir like no other.

Asfi could already imagine the reactions, the shock and disbelief on the faces of the other adventurers. A High Elf, one of the most respected and revered members of the Loki Familia, falling for an upstart human like Bell Cranel? It was unheard of, scandalous even.

But that was exactly what made it so delicious. Asfi loved nothing more than shaking things up, than watching the carefully constructed order of things come crumbling down. And this? This was sure to do just that.

She couldn't wait to see how it all played out, to watch the drama unfold. Would Riveria's familia approve of the match? Would Bell's goddess, Hestia, see Riveria as a rival for his affections? The possibilities were endless, and Asfi was eager to see where they led.

But for now, she was content to bask in the glow of her success. She had set the stage, had put the pieces in motion. Now all that was left was to sit back and watch the show.