Time passed upon Orario, the City of the Dungeon has its normal day just continuing with peace as the citizens roam around endlessly.
At the abandoned church, Bell is found walking out of his Home as he is all prepped up for another day of being an adventurer.
"another day of an adventure." Bell said after stretching and sighing a bit loudly. The young boy looks up and smiles to see the beautiful morning. "alright!" he pumped himself up and runs off. "I'll be going now, Kami-sama~!" he hollered to Hestia who had just come out of the front door and seemingly to have woken up considering how she is still trying to tie her hair and everything.
"Bell-kun is really a morning person, huh?" Hestia said before she tied her twin tails up. "it's getting hard to wake up as early as he does." She then yawns a bit loudly. "so sleepy.."
At a street area of Orario, Bell is found walking amongst the crowd as he is heading straight for the guild.
"I wonder if I get to be strong enough to go to the lower floors today…." Bell wondered out loud as he is excited to be going for another adventure into the Dungeon.
As Bell is walking amongst the citizens, he hears some racket from nearby as he turns and sees a bunch of people crowding around a pub where they are all watching a large mirror hanged up on a wall and is showing some sort of battle in a coliseum where a large hog monster is chasing after a masked matador like person.
"What's that?" Bell asks himself as he sees that the people are cheering while watching the supposed battle.
"Interested in it?" a voice asks Bell from nearby as he made a noise and turns to see Alise standing behind him with Lyra. The red haired captain doing a friendly wave to the young man. "yo."
"Alise-san!? Lyra-san too?!" Bell spoke out in surprise to see the two Astraea Familia members. "why are you here?"
"Why wouldn't we be here?" Lyra replied while crossing her arms and then turns to look at the pub as the crowd is cheering after seeing the matador killing the boar with a rapier sword. "considering that today is Monsterphilia and all."
"Monsterphilia?" Bell asks in confusion.
"It's an event of Orario that is held by the Ganesha Familia at their coliseum." Alise replied before she pointed at a banner hanged up to a lamp post as it shows the Koinu written words of Monsterphilia and a symbol of a hand wielding a sword against the head of a wolf. "what was once a training session for new adventurers a few hundred years ago is now an event held once a month where many people would watch without missing it."
"the Kaiser Familia had once allowed it for the citizen's entertainment purposes but after seeing how its popularity never died down, they've decided to host it for one whole week in a month." Lyra added in. "the first three days are for the Ganesha Familia's trained Tamers to fight against the monsters but the last four days are for volunteer adventurers who want to show off their skills."
"I see…" Bell nodded in understanding. "are you going to participate in the volunteer matches?"
"I wish we could, but our Familia was given the task to patrol the city because of how the Ganesha Familia's members will be more focused around the Coliseum than the city." Alise explained while waving a hand to the side. "Albeit a few of us could go and spectate, we can't actually participate because there might be an incident and we might be too tired because of the match."
"oh, so that's why." Bell nodded again, the young man remembering that Ganesha Familia isn't the only Familia that safeguards the city in patrols.
"that's all about us, what about you?" Alise asks. "were you on your way to the Dungeon today?"
"yes, I was." Bell nodded. "just got a bit sidetracked from hearing the crowd cheering about."
"yeah, the crowds can get crazy once they see the matches." Alise said with a nod while watching the people at the pub having cheers of joy and disappointment when they see that two Ganesha Familia's warriors finishing off a large orc monster. "sometimes they can get a bit too crazy during the event."
"And that leads to us breaking them off before things go way crazier." Lyra added in.
Before long a fight suddenly breaks out as Bell and the others see that some people from another pub nearby are now fighting each other over something.
"look at that, just on time." Lyra said before scurrying off to the fight.
"well, looks like duty calls!" Alise said with a smile to Bell. "be sure to watch the matches tomorrow, Bell!" she then hurried after Lyra who pulls off a werewolf guy fighting a dwarf. "and be sure to back away from any fights~!"
"yes~!" Bell replied as he watched Alise now helping Lyra, both pushing away some people from the fight while other nearby adventurers came to help in breaking the conflict.
Bell watches the scene before he turns to look at the banner showing the Monsterphilia's event.
"Monsterphilia, huh?" Bell said as he looks at the banner's symbol.
Meanwhile in a pub somewhere at the northeast district of the city.
A secret meeting is held placed in the VIP section on the pub's second floor as it is a meeting between two gods from two different Familias. One of the gods bringing a bodyguard with her as it is Aiz Wallenstein herself.
Aiz stood behind a pony tail red headed petite girl who is the patron god of her Familia; the Goddess of Mischief, Loki. Currently, the trickster goddess is meeting her fellow goddess of the same region and it is none other than the goddess of beauty; Freyja herself.
"you know, I don't mind you treating me to a drink from time to times…" Loki spoke as she is holding up a glass filled with a red and fruity looking alcoholic drink. The trickster goddess staring at her reflection in her beverage before glancing at her companion. "but considering what has happened recently? I'm beginning to want to reject any more of your invites."
"you say that like I'm such a bad goddess." Freyja replied, the goddess of beauty smiling to Loki. "even I have some attentiveness for Orario's order during the times of chaos, right?"
"yeah, that was only if you didn't get your slutty greed take your desires." Loki said before sipping her drink and sighs a bit. She then glances at Freyja with a serious look. "just so you know, if you dare make any bad stuff happen in Orario during this time of the month. The Kaisers won't take it kindly."
"and should I care about what they think?" Freyja asks with her smile growing. "I mean, even you would like to break free from their oppressive rules sometimes, right?"
"when I feel like it, but I still follow the rules." Loki said while gently swirling her drink. "besides, I got to obey after that incident in the Dungeon."
"ah, right….your children accidently let a herd of panicked minotaurs run up the floor levels, didn't they?" Freyja said before giggling. "I also heard that you had to pay a hefty compensation money for Hestia, right?"
"Don't remind me." Loki growls in irritation before she sips her drink and sighs then looks back at Freyja. "Back to the discussion, what the hell you plan on doing? If it somehow affects the order of Orario, you can leave me and my kids out of it." She placed her drink down to the table. "my Familia is already black listed and seen as an eyesore by the Kaiser Familia."
"oh, I won't do anything drastic." Freyja replied. "I'm just going to make some animals go loose, that's all."
"some animals?" Loki asks before she realized what she was talking and just leans to her seat while shaking her head with her hands raised up. "You're this crazy because of someone, aren't you? Another kid just got your attention and you want him, right?" she then smirks a bit while pointing a finger at Freyja. "if you want my help in doing this little prank of yours, forget it. I ain't want any trouble with 3-5 Kaisers who may be present there."
"oh, I don't need your help in it, Loki." Freyja giggles. "I just need an opportunity, that's all."
"and what's that supposed to mean?" Loki asks before seeing Freyja taking out a scroll that she slides to her. "a scroll?"
"a contract." Freyja replied. "I get your assistance in the exchange of one of my possession."
"something of yours?" Loki asks as she unravels the scroll and reads the content which made her slanted eyes pop open then turns to look at Freyja in shock. "y-you!? Are you for real!? This isn't just some contract!"
"I went to some trouble getting this, you know?" Freyja said while taking out a quill pen that she slides to Loki's side. "sure it has some downsides for me, but the benefits are too tempting for you not to take, right?"
Loki started to look bewildered and baffled before she looks very irritated.
"just so you know, I just like the stuff and planned to give it back on the day I return to heaven!" Loki said while taking the pen and then begins signing it. "I hate you, damned slut goddess!"
"I heard that a thousand times, Loki." Freyja replied before she receives the scroll that Loki rolled up and threw back to her. "I'll have the item sent to your home by tomorrow noon, do remember to stick to what I have planned, okay?"
"whatever!" Loki said before she huffs and looks away. "I'm only doing this because it benefits my cute Aiz-tan! And that's it!"
"fufufu, I see.." Freyja replied before she slowly gets off her seat. "well then, wait for tomorrow for it to happen and do whatever you need to tame the animals, okay?"
Loki just grumbles in response as Freyja smiles before she begins to walk to the VIP room's door.
"wait a second." Loki said as this made the goddess of beauty stopped near the door and turn to look at the trickster. "the kid you are after now." her eyes then shows a glint of seriousness. "It's that Shrimp Hestia's new kid; Bell Cranel, right?"
"maybe, maybe not." Freyja replied as she turns and reached for the door knob then pulls the door open slightly. "would it matter to you?"
"it would to you too." Loki said as she went and picked up her drink. "that kid, Hades is watching over him for some reason." She then glanced back at Freyja with a serious look. "did you forget the last time you tried your so called might against her?"
Freyja went silent as she didn't reply with words but by glancing at Loki with her eyes glowing pink.
"You trying against the Kaisers is one thing, but I don't ever want to deal with the likes of Hades." Loki said before she drinks her beverage till it was empty then sighs a bit loudly. "She's scarier than Zeus and Odin themselves." She glances back at Freyja again. "if this goes south, I'm breaking the contract and you're on your own."
Freyja looks at Loki for a moment before she turns to look at the door that she opened then said "Very Well" before leaving.
As Freyja left Loki be, the Trickster goddess place down her empty glass to the table and then leans against her seat.
"this is worth so much and at the same time ain't worth that much as well." Loki said after sighing loudly, she then looks at Aiz. "can I ask you to comfort me back at our Home, Aiz-tan?"
"no." Aiz replied in a stoic voice.
On the next day, Bell is walking in the city's street but this time he's with Hestia.
"a date with Bell-kun~! A date with Bell-kun~!" Hestia chanted all happily as she skipped in her steps like a happy little girl. "a date with Bell-kun~!"
Today is another day for the Monsterphilia event as this time Bell decided to go there instead of the Dungeon. The young man inviting Hestia with him as this seemed to be a good opportunity for a Familia fun time together.
"let's have some crepes together, Bell-kun~!" Hestia called out to Bell while holding his right hand and then pointing a finger at a nearby crepe stall. "let's go~!"
"alright, Kami-sama." Bell replied with a smile as Hestia pulls him to the stall and they begin to order the owner to make two crepes for them.
As Bell is with Hestia by the crepe stall, just a few feet away and doing their share of patrolling are Hayate and Shakti; the couple going around in making sure the city is safe in their district but while also watching over Ardee who is going around all the stalls and buying all the yummy foods that she could smell and see.
"ah~! Grilled squid~! There's also Takoyaki~! Yummy~!" Ardee zig zags around the stalls one by one as she had carries all the food in her grasp while also eating a few. "I just love Monsterphilia!"
"Ardee! We're on patrol! Not on a food buying spree!" Shakti scolded her little sister. "and if you want to eat something, just eat one at a time! Look at the mess you're making on yourself!"
"but it's all yummy food~!" Ardee whined while hugging her food away from Shakti. "I can't help it~!"
"you little…." Shakti looks very angry but at the same time tired as she has to deal with her sister's antics all the times.
"isn't it fine, Shakti?" Hayate asks while coming near Shakti. "this is Monsterphilia and it's a time of fun for everyone. Even for us." He smiles. "How about we patrol while having fun in the event?"
"that's right! That's right!" Ardee said in compliance. "we need to have fun! Hayate-niichan is correct!"
"Do not spoil Ardee, Hayate!" Shakti scolded her husband. "she needs to have more discipline and more responsibility! Especially for a person of her age and her status!"
"I know." Hayate replied after chuckling. "but we've all been swamped with work lately and this serves as a good opportunity to let loose and relax." He then intertwined their hands together. "besides, we haven't gone on a date for a while, right? How about we just spend today being together with Ardee? Just like back then?"
Shakti blushes a bit before she looks away and sighs then mumbles a small "Fine." to him.
Hayate chuckles before he leans close and kisses Shakti's cheek then held her closer.
"so adorable~!" Ardee slurred out with a teasing smile. "Onee-chan is blushing~!"
"do that one more time and I'm going to swamp your office desk with three months' worth of paperwork!" Shakti exclaimed angrily at her sister who begins to run away.
"don't wanna~!" Ardee cried out as she flees.
Shakti grumbles a bit while Hayate chuckles and smiles to the little amusement.
"looks like Ardee got the best of Shakti again." A voice spoke out as Hayate and Shakti turns to see Kenji coming to them while waving a hand up in greeting. "yo."
"Kenji." Hayate greeted his cousin before looking side to side and then back at the young man. "you on your own today?"
"nah, I'm with Tsubaki who is haggling a merchant over there." Kenji replied as he turned his head a bit and pointed over his shoulder at the direction of where his wife Tsubaki is; the Cyclops of the Hephaestus Familia is in a heated debate with a merchant over a large jug with the red symbol of 酒 (Sake) on it. "that girl has been planning to meet with the merchant after his visit to the far east and brought me along to get her favourite sake for a more cheaper price."
"so you're basically the bargaining chip." Hayate chuckles. "as always, using our status to get a discount."
"That's illegal and unfair in so many levels." Shakti said after shaking her head.
"that's what I keep telling her and she always whines then complains about me not being a good husband for her and everything." Kenji replied as he shrugs his shoulders while pocketing his hands. "it's hard to keep her in control."
"I'd say the same for Shakti with Ardee." Hayate said with a smile before wincing when Shakti gave him a quick elbow jab that made him apologize to her. "just a joke."
As they were conversing, a loud cheering noise is heard from a far as they turned to look at a large mirror hanging in the air and is showing the current event of the Monsterphilia where Baku could be seen carrying up a large boar monster then proceeds to throw it away.
"looks like Baku is already up in his turn of volunteering in the match." Kenji said seeing the big muscular cousin of theirs who is just flexing out his muscles. "and he's doing his old antics of flexing his muscles again."
"it never gets old." Hayate replied. "though it can be quite boring at times."
"makes me wonder if Airmid likes his personality or his muscles." Kenji said while crossing his arms before Tsubaki made an appearance as she went and pushed down her breasts on top of his head. "bugeh!?"
"yo! I finally got my Sake~!" Tsubaki cheered while holding up the jug by the red rope tied around the top. "I'm all set for this month and the upcoming wedding!"
"looks like you win the debate against the seller." Hayate said as he sees the one who sold the sake is now sulking while looking frustrated. "did you get it half the price?"
"even better! I got it only by 250 out of 700 valis!" Tsubaki grins. "I got to owe it to Miwa-san for teaching me how to haggle them merchants!"
"I don't think she taught you how to haggle merchants just for Sake." Shakti said while sweatdropping to see how Tsubaki is kissing her Sake jug. "but considering your personality, I guess Miwa-san wouldn't actually complain."
Another roaring cheers are heard as they all turned to look at the mirror once again and it shows Baku standing on the top of a mountain of monsters who he had taken out.
"seems that Baku is going head strong during the event, huh?" Tsubaki said with a smile. "guess the big guy is pumped up and energetic for his wedding."
"That's an understatement." Kenji said before he pushes Tsubaki's breast off his head. "and get off my head! Your breasts are heavy god damnit!"
"ah, I forgot you were there." Tsubaki said with a nonchalant voice. "sorry."
"you little. You did that on purpose." Kenji growls while crossing his arms. "always pushing me down with those heavy fat lumps of yours!"
"heh~! You say that they are fat and heavy even though you like to fondle these babies when we got a good night together~!?" Tsubaki said with a teasing grin while cupping up her breasts and this made Kenji look red. "Awww~! is little Kenji all frustrated and lonely because I've been too busy at my shop!? Don't worry, Tsubaki will comfort you tonight~!"
"this damn half dwarf~!" Kenji growls angrily while raising up a shaking fist.
"alright, that's far enough, you two." Hayate said while clapping his hands twice. "save the lover spat when you guys go home. We're still in public, remember?"
"big and wise talk coming from the guy who has to keep the tension between sisters as calm as possible." Kenji said before huffing. "fine, I'll settle it later."
"aww~! So mature of Kenji~!" Tsubaki said while coming near Kenji and hugs the back of his head to her breasts. "I'll make sure to spoil you tonight, okay~?!"
"You're lucky that you're my wife and I love you, Tsubaki." Kenji has a tick mark appearing on his forehead as he slowly raised his right fist that has electrical dancing around the knuckles. "or this fist will go straight down your hard ass head."
"They'll be at this all day." Shakti said as she sighs.
"It's their trait after being together for a few years." Hayate said while shrugging his shoulders before he hears some noises from the sidelines. He turns and caught sight of Bell and Hestia heading off the road which leads straight for the Ganesha Familia's coliseum. "Seems that today Bell and his goddess are off to watch the match."
"Alise and the others did tell me about meeting him the other day." Shakti said as she turns and sees the two heading off. "this is his first time of hearing such an event, right?"
"His first time hearing and his first time joining one." Hayate said after nodding.
"sure hope things don't get too chaotic there." Kenji said while Tsubaki leans against him. "if there is a thing about Orario that never dies, it's the whole chaos of a craziness that is bound to happen at the coliseum."
"Don't say it like you want to jinx it." Tsubaki said and Kenji just shrugs his shoulders in response.
"that's true." Hayate nodded before he turns and sees that Bell and Hestia are out of sight. "perhaps jinxing it might be good."
"what? How come?" Shakti asks while raising an eyebrow.
"just a feeling." Hayate replied as currently at the Ganesha Familia's coliseum and in the underground dungeon area, there is a cloaked figure going straight into the prison cells for monsters while leaving a bunch of unconscious Ganesha Familia members who all look in a happy daze. "just a very gut like feeling."
The cloaked figure went to a cage where there is a silver back monster that is growling at the person who just smiles sweetly in return.
Near the coliseum of the Ganesha Familia, Bell and Hestia made their way down the path leading to the entrance.
"I wonder what kind of match they will show today?" Hestia asks as she and Bell made their way to the coliseum's main entrance where there are many people coming in and out. "Ganesha Familia's Tamers against Tamed Monsters? Or is it one of the Kaisers going to be volunteering? I wonder which one…"
"Whichever it is, I'm kinda excited for it." Bell said with a smile. "this is such a big event and all."
"I guess so." Hestia nodded in agreement.
"hey, Bell~!" a voice hollered out as Bell and Hestia turned to see Alise who is waving to them while accompanied by Lyra and Astraea. "hey~!"
"Alise-san and Lyra-san! Aunt Astraea!" Bell spoke out as he waves back while being approached by the group.
"yo." "Hello, Bell. Hestia too." Lyra and Astraea both greeted the two.
"It's rare to see you here, Astraea." Hestia said to her fellow goddess. "you came to watch a match or one of your kids here is volunteering for a match in the Coliseum?"
"One of us is" Alise nodded with a smile. "We're just here to give some cheers for one of our Familia member who is participating in the match today."
"really? Who?" Bell asks.
"you haven't met her yet since she was away back when you visited our Home, but her name is Ryuu Lion." Lyra stated while waving a hand to the side. "she's an Elf and is quite the character once you meet her."
"I see.." Bell nodded. "I'd like to meet her."
"oh, you will." Alise replied with a smile.
"are you also planning to watch the upcoming matches, Bell?" Astraea asks the young man. "or perhaps do you plan to volunteer in one of them?"
"no, I'm just planning to watch the matches with my Kami-sama." Bell replied with a smile. "and also cheer for Baku and the others who are already volunteering."
"oh right, Baku-san is volunteering a few fights in the coliseum." Alise said as she looks up to look at a floating mirror which shows the hulkish man pumping his muscles out while getting cheered. "I thought the cheers were louder than ever."
"Never a dull moment when the big guy goes out doing these volunteer matches." Lyre said with a sigh while crossing her arms. "though he might need to tone it down after getting married with Airmid."
"I don't think that'll stop him for volunteering, Lyra." Astraea giggles to her comrade before she looks back at Bell and Hestia. "how about we go in and watch the upcoming matches? I've heard from Sotares that there're some new monsters tamed for the event."
"really?" Hestia said before looking a bit unnerved. "I get that it's exciting for some people, but new monsters that may be dangerous ain't something to be excited for."
"relax, Hestia-sama. The monsters are all tamed and.." Lyra spoke out but as she did, a large white furred ape like claw came out of nowhere and slammed her away. "agh!"
Everyone else got surprised as they turned and see Lyra flying in the air before crashing upon a food stall.
"Lyra-san!" Bell cried out while Hestia gasps.
Alise saw her friend lying on the rubble before she turns while quickly wielding her sword as she came to face a large white ape like monster called the Silverback that is roaring at everyone before itself.
"Why the heck is a Silverback here!?" Alise exclaimed in shock as she guarded Astraea.
The Silverback roars loudly as its roar echoed while a bunch of other monsters suddenly runs out of the coliseum and into Orario's civilization.
Chaos suddenly came as this scene was all watched by the Goddess of Beauty; Freyja who secretly watches things from the top of a roof. The woman having a smile as her gaze locks onto Bell who is leading Hestia and Astraea away from the Silverback that is facing against Alise who began to attack it.
That's a wrap!
Bye bye