Chapter 4: Demeter's Gratitude, Training, & Dungeon Exploration
Here is the rest of the chapter. Sorry for the delay. So this is my first time writing a Dungeon exploration arc. I wasn't sure how much to write so let me know what you think in the comments. Constructive Feedback is always welcome.
One of the reason for the delays is the outlining of the next few chapters and getting all my ideas in order. Here is a sneak peak of the tentative chapter names I have:
Chapter 5: Dungeon Exploration, Caught, and Lurking Shadows
Chapter 6: A New Party Member
Chapter 7: Evilus, Plots, and A Choice
Chapter 8: Plots And Confrontations
Chapter 9: Strife, Discord, and SCHISM
Chapter 10: Resolutions and Unveiling the Past
What do you all think?
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Any support is much appreciated. Bell of the Darkness and A Light Amidst the Darkness will continue to be published for everyone's enjoyment. I will NEVER EVER hold these stories behind a paywall.
Demeter Food Delivery
A knock reverberated on the manor's door, prompting Bell's gaze to shift from the book in his hand towards the front door. Peering out the window, he recognized Persephone, who he had encountered just yesterday.
Curiosity piqued, Bell hastened his steps towards the entrance, swinging the door open to greet her.
"Hi Miss Persephone, what can I do for you?" Bell inquired
"Ah, Lady Demeter sent me with her thank you gift," she explained, gesturing towards the wagon stationed before the manor.
"Uhm. Sure, thank you for delivering it, all. You can set it down in the kitchen," he offered, stepping aside to make way for the procession of Demeter Familia members bustling with activity.
The air hummed as the members of the Demeter Familia diligently unloaded the wagon's bounty. Bell watched in awe as crates of food and freshly baked goods flooded into the kitchen, a fragrant wave of familiar scents wafting towards him.
"Uhm. Please thank Lady Demeter for helping me. She really didn't have to go through all the trouble. This looks like a lot," Bell expressed his gratitude, as multiple Demeter familia members begin to stream by with crates of food and baked goods.
As Demeter familia delivered the goods a familiar scent reaches Bell's nose:
Carrots.
"Well, Lady Demeter insisted on making it as a thank you gift. She did almost all of these personally with only a little help from us. We only really watched them when they cooked. Apparently, the letter you delivered meant more than she let on and speaking of letters, I have one for you from Lady Demeter," Persephone explained, extending a delicate hand holding a sealed letter towards Bell:
Dear Bell,
First, I wanted to thank you for the letter you brought. I know I said this already, but it truly meant the world to me. I haven't been able to see my daughter since I descended. So, I have been missing her terribly after all these centuries. So once again thank you. Now, I don't know what you like, other than carrots, so I made a variety of things. Plus, since you look like such an adorable bunny, I thought a carrot theme would be best. I made two varieties, a sweet and then savory option in case you don't like sweets. I know that you are living with Zald, Alfia, and Erebus so I made enough that you won't have to share unless you want to.
Here is a list of what I made:
• 4 Layer Carrot Cake (Each layer 12" by 24") X 16.
• Carrot Muffins X 60.
• Carrot Bread X 24.
• Carrot Cookies X 40.
• Carrot Scones X 40.
• Carrot Cupcakes X 40.
• Carrot and Walnut Loaf Bread X 40.
• Carrot and Raisin Bread Pudding (Pan size: 12" by 24") X 16.
• Carrot and Zucchini Cake Bars X 80.
• Carrot and Cheese Biscuits X 40.
I made plenty of snacks for you to take when you get hungry in the Dungeon. I made sure that everything would be very filling and nutritious. I hope that you can enjoy them at your leisure. I look forward to seeing you again.
With warmest regards,
Demeter
P.S. In case I made too much, please feel free to share some of them. I may have gotten carried away, but I wanted to make sure to properly thank you.
Bell's eyes widened almost comically as he continued to peruse the list of goods Demeter had prepared for him. Meanwhile, the members of the Demeter familia, having completed their task of unloading the wagon, began to filter past Bell as he remained engrossed in the letter. The sound of their footsteps drew the attention of the others.
"Bell, what's all this from the Demeter familia?" Zald inquired, his curiosity piqued as he and the rest of the group approached.
Without a word, Bell handed the letter to Zald, his expression a mixture of disbelief and gratitude. Zald's initial response was a burst of laughter, the sound echoing through the room as he absorbed the contents of the letter.
Passing it to Alfia and Erebus, Zald's laughter subsided into a warm chuckle, contrasting with Alfia's barely perceptible eyebrow twitch and Erebus's lighthearted amusement.
"Well, we are done here, so I will be leaving you now," Persephone announced
The group migrated to the kitchen, where the bounty of Demeter's generosity lay spread out upon the table. A veritable mountain of food towered above them, each dish a testament to Demeter's skill and kindness. The mountain of food stood as tall as Zald, casting a shadow over the group.
"We are never going to get through all of this before it spoils. I think we should share it," Bell suggested
"Oh. And who do you think we should share it with, Bell?" Alfia interrogated him, her gaze daring him to mention them.
Bell swallowed nervously, feeling the weight of Alfia's scrutiny. "I think Ardee, Alise, and the rest of them would be best," he replied, his voice tinged with uncertainty.
"Tch. Of course, it is those hyenas," Alfia muttered, her gaze drifting towards Stardust Garden with a mixture of disdain and resignation. "However, you are right. It would be shameful to let this food go to waste. Lady Demeter obviously went through a great deal of trouble to make all of these personally for us. She is also one of the very few good deities in this cesspool of a city."
"Alright, I will bring it over to them after we sort it all," Bell agreed
The freshly baked goodies were swiftly split into two distinct stacks. Bell walked over to the Astraea Familia home and tapped on the door, greeted by the familiar face of Neze.
"Hey Bell, what's going on? And why do you smell like baked goods? You smell delicious." Neze asked with excitement, her nose twitching and tail wagging eagerly.
"Oh, Lady Demeter made a ton of desserts for my familia as a thank-you for delivering a letter from her daughter still living in Tenkai. She made too much, so I wanted to share it with you all. Could I get your help bringing it over?" Bell explained.
Neze's mischievous grin widened as she leaned in, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "Oh, yeah, Alise mentioned that you nearly died by boobs," she remarked with a playful tone. "That also explains why Lion looked so distraught and was muttering to herself when she came back about hope for the future."
Bell felt a flush of embarrassment color his cheeks at the mention of the embarrassing incident.
Neze chuckled and gently ruffled Bell's hair, her hand lingering on his head. "Bell, you are really too adorable," she teased, her voice laced with affection. "I heard Lady Demeter called you a little bunny."
Bell couldn't help but feel bashful under Neze's teasing and he gave a shy nod in confirmation.
"Yes, she did," he admitted, his voice tinged with bashfulness.
A mischievous glint danced in Neze's eyes as she giggled, her fingers playfully ruffling Bell's hair. "Better watch out if you keep looking this adorable, Bell. There is no telling how many women will want to snatch you up, especially animal girls. They will see you and pounce before you know it. Be careful not to get tricked by any evil women, okay?" Her laughter filled the air as she finally stopped her teasing.
"Thank you for the warning, Miss Neze. I'll be sure to watch out. But why specifically animal girls?" Bell asked, his cheeks still flushed from both her words and her touch. He couldn't help but stare at her with a mixture of curiosity and confusion.
Neze leaned in close, her warm breath tickling Bell's ear as she explained. "You see, animal people are deeply connected to their primal instincts. So, when a cat girl, fox girl," she paused teasingly, as a sly grin spreading across her lips, "or a werewolf girl catches sight of such a cute little bunny like you, their instincts tell them to pounce and gobble him up."
With a playful growl, Neze ran her tongue slowly over her lips, her eyes sparkling with mischief as Bell's cheeks flushed with embarrassment. He couldn't bring himself to meet her gaze as he squirmed under the weight of her gaze. Unable to contain her amusement any longer, Neze burst into laughter. Her whole body shook as she clutched her sides.
"I am, sorry, Bell," she gasped out between fits of giggles. "But you just make the funniest faces when you're embarrassed. I couldn't resist teasing you a little."
Her laughter echoed through the aie as she called:
"Noin, Iska, Ryana. Come down here for a minute."
Neze's voice carried through the manor as she called out to her friends Noin, Iska, and Ryana. Three figures descended from the upper floor, their expressions brightening at the sight of Bell.
"Hey there, Bell. You are still as adorable as always. I bet Neze was teasing you," Iska greeted him warmly, pulling him into a tight embrace.
"Hi, Bell. How are you?" Ryana inquired.
"How has it been settling into your new house?" Noin added.
"Thank you, Miss..." Bell began to respond before being playfully interrupted by Iska's protest.
"What did I tell you to call me?" Iska interjected with a pout.
"Iska," Bell corrected himself with a sheepish grin.
"Good. Now what brought you by?" Iska prompted
After Bell explained the situation, the girls eagerly volunteered to help Bell transport the treats from Midnight Garden to their own home. With their assistance, the process was swift and efficient as they expressed their gratitude and excitement for the savory delights that awaited them.
Training Day 1:
At the back of the Midnight Garden, there was a training field that had been cleared and sectioned for different training regimes. Currently, the only person on the field was Alfia, watching her nephew Bell with a stern expression.
"Bell, listen up," she said firmly. "I am not going to coddle you in training. Given your vow and my experience, I understand exactly how far you have to go to accomplish it. There will be no mercy during training. I am only going to hold back enough to kill you. I will try not break any of your bones, but that is all. This will be your last chance to give up your vow. What do you say?" While Alfia's gaze was severe and cold, it contrasted to the turmoil her heart.
Alfia's worst nightmare was her nephew wanting to become an adventurer. Her last desire and the reason she originally joined Erebus was to raise new heroes who would defeat the OEBD so that Bell would be safe. For Bell to have taken up the sword and swear to fight the dragon felt as if fate was personally mocking her.
"I am sorry Auntie Alfia, but I refuse. I will fulfill my vow," Bell said as he stared into Alfia's eyes without backing down. Alfia sighed before she spoke;
"I knew it was futile. Very well. Let us begin."
And so the Hell of training begins.
'You are open here." Alfia said as she delivered a swift strike to Bell's left side. The force of her blow knocked him back, a causing a sharp pain radiate through his ribs.
"You're exposed here," she remarked coolly as she struck his right.
Bell gritted his teeth as he tried to regain his footing, but before he could fully recover, another strike from Alfia landed on his right side with a resounding crack. He stumbled, struggling to maintain his balance and defend himself.
"Your stance is off," Alfia pointed out, her tone still calm and collected despite the intensity of their training session. The smell of sweat and exertion lingered in the air as they continued to spar.
Bell gasped for air as Alfia's fist slams into his leg with brutal force, causing him to stumble and nearly fall.
"You must learn to anticipate and dodge all attacks, even the unexpected, " she orders, "Gospel"
In an instant, Alfia unleashes her magic upon Bell, sending him hurtling backwards and colliding with the unforgiving walls that enclose their training grounds. Pain shot through his body like fire, but he forced himself to stand, determined to prove himself worthy of his vow.
The sun had barely risen when Alfia began Bell's training, and it lasted well into the late afternoon. The physical portion finally came to an end, and they shifted to intellectual training.
"Remember, Bell," Alfia's voice was firm and unwavering, "a nimble mind is one of the greatest weapons an adventurer can possess. The Dungeon will try to wear you down slowly, only revealing its true fangs when you are exhausted and vulnerable. That is why we will drill strategies, floor plans, monster strengths and weaknesses into you until they are second nature. I refuse to let my nephew become a muscle-bound brute like so many other adventurers out there. You will receive a well-rounded education in addition to the standard Dungeon curriculum."
She paused for a moment before continuing, her tone becoming more serious. "We will start by having you memorize the first 10 floors of the Dungeon and the major events in Genkai over the last thousand years. As you progress, we will continue to expand your knowledge. I am determined to pass on every bit of my expertise to you."
For the next week, Bell was put through rigorous training in both combat and various other topics relevant to adventuring. By the time he was ready to enter the Dungeon, he had absorbed all of Alfia's knowledge about its first 10 floors and much of Genkai's history. Alfia constantly quizzed and grilled him on topics that they had covered and when she found him wanting, she administered a remedial education lesson. It was not uncommon to find him collapsed from either mental or physical exhaustion.
Hermes Visit (midway through the week of training)
The Hermes and Asfi approached the Midnight Garden, greeted by Zald's familiar presence waiting for them at the door.
"Hello, Zald," Hermes said with a warm grin. "Good to see you again. Are the others free? I would like to catch up with Erebus."
"Ahh, Lord Hermes," Zald replied with a nod. "Alfia and Bell are out back training. I will take you there and then find Lord Erebus."
As Zald led Hermes to the backyard, they approached just in time to witness Bell being sent flying through the air, landing unconscious in front of the wall in a heap.
Hermes chuckled lightly. "Ahhhh. I see Alfia hasn't changed."
"Mhph. Did he really expect her to?" Zald scoffed, his tone tinged with amusement at the thought of Alfia changing.
"Not really, but one never knows with mortals. They can change so quickly," Hermes mused before plastering on a smile and striding towards the duo. "Hello, my dear Alfia, you look as radiant…"
"Gospel," Alfia chanted, her voice slicing through the air. The rock, mere feet away from where Hermes and Asfi stood, disintegrated into nothingness. Hermes's heart lurched with fear at Alfia's magic, while Asfi's eyes widened in disbelief at the sight of such potent short-chant magic.
Alfia's gaze bore into the duo, her eyes glaring at them enough to send shivers down their spines. "You are being noisy and perverted. I will not allow you to corrupt my adorable nephew."
Alfia's glare promised much greater violence if he were to try anything. Hermes swallowed hard, the sound echoing loudly in the tense atmosphere. Beads of sweat formed on his forehead as he struggled to find words to placate Alfia.
"Haha. Sorry about that," he mumbled, his voice trembling slightly. "Crap, she's got an even shorter fuse now. And she's overprotective, too. Didn't expect her to be such a Mama Bear."
"Sigh. Alfia, you probably want to give Bell a potion since you knocked him out again. Besides, Lord Hermes wants to see Erebus," Zald remarked with a weary tone, his footsteps echoing as he made his way into the manor in search of Erebus.
"Tch. So long as he behaves himself, I will allow it," Alfia replied curtly, her focus shifting to the unconscious Bell. With practiced ease, she produced a potion from her clothes and administered it to him. Almost immediately, Bell stirred, his eyes fluttering open.
"Ouch," he groaned softly, blinking up at Alfia.
"Bell, we have guests. It is Lord Hermes and…" Alfia began, but before she could finish, Asfi, who had finally regained her composure, spoke.
"I am the Vice-Captain of the Hermes familia, Asfi Al Andromeda. Please, call me Asfi," she introduced herself with a nod.
"I am Bell Cranel, Captain of the Erebus Familia. Nice to meet you. Please call me Bell," Bell responded, extending his hand in greeting as Asfi reciprocated the gesture.
"Hermes, good to see you again. I believe it has been several centuries since we last saw each other," Erebus greeted warmly as he arrived. "Let's have a seat and chat."
"An excellent idea. I would love to hear about what you have been up to," Hermes began, his curiosity piqued. With a nod, Hermes followed Erebus's lead as they settled at a table set up in one of the neighboring gardens.
"Ahh, nothing much in Tenkai, same old, same old. When I descended, I happened to find Zald and Alfia. I was planning to make my introduction to Orario a little later, but then we stumbled upon Bell, who aspired to be an adventurer, so we brought the announcement forward a bit. But enough about me, I'm much more interested in hearing how you've been," Erebus replied, his gaze curious.
"I see. That is interesting. I have been well; my familia is wonderful and filled with great children. I am curious, though, why is Bell the captain? I would have expected Zald or Alfia to hold that position, given their levels," Hermes inquired, his brow furrowing with curiosity.
"Ha. Absolutely not. Too much paperwork for me," Zald scoffed
"Absolutely not. I won't be returning to the Dungeon anytime soon," Alfia chimed in.
"And that is how Bell became the captain. We decided that, given their preferences, it would be best if Bell took charge of the Familia, as he is likely to be the one leading us in the Dungeon," Erebus explained.
"Makes sense. Do you happen to remember me, Bell? I saw you a few times when I had something to deliver to Hera and your mom," Hermes inquired, his tone friendly and nostalgic.
"I remember a little bit, mostly your hat and..." Bell began, his voice trailing off as fragments of memory flashed in his mind. The image of Hermes's distinctive hat, adorned with a single feather, stirred something within him, though the memories remained hazy;
Flashback start
"This way, Meteria. We have to move quickly," a formerly flippant voice urged, its tone now urgent and determined.
…
BOOM.
…
"Damn. We are cut off," another voice muttered, frustration evident in its tone.
…
"Right this way now," came the response.
…
"We will hold them here. Go on from here. We will buy you as much time as we can," a female voice declared, her words ringing with a sense of duty at the approach of heavy footsteps echoed through the passage, drawing nearer with each passing moment.
…
"We made it out. Quickly, to a safe house," someone exclaimed, relief evident in their voice as they hurried away to seek refuge.
…
Flashback ends (all will be revealed in time. I promise.)
"You helping mama escape," Bell finished after a moment's pause, his voice tinged with gratitude.
Hermes paused, his expression turned solemn, and closed his eyes briefly. "I only wish I could have done more. It truly is a disgrace what happened."
"I understand, Lord Hermes, and I thank you for your help in the past. Now, I have a mission for you if Lord Erebus agrees to it," Bell stated
"Well, let's hear it. I am sure it will be good," Erebus responded, his demeanor calm yet attentive.
"I can't make any promises, but I will help if I can," Hermes added
"I want you to continue the quest to find a cure for Alfia's illness and Zald's poisoning from Behemoth," Bell declared
Hermes responded carefully "There is no guarantee of a cure. Hera started looking as soon as she brought Meteria and Alfia in. She had no success, though we certainly did not cover everywhere. It will be a very difficult task. Given the state of the city, I can typically only spare a few children. I will look, but this will take a while."
Hermas paused before he continued, his tone measured. "As for Zald, the Behemoth was one of the Three Great Quests. I doubt there is anything that will be naturally occurring that will surpass that. The most likely success would be to gather up healing herbs and items and start the research from scratch. It will be a labor-intensive tedious, and very time-consuming process. I would recommend talking to Miach and Dain Chent Familia,"
"I understand. I will make sure to pay them a visit soon. I was not expecting this to be easy. I also want you to investigate anything that might delay the progression of their respective ailments," Bell continued
"If you are looking for a treatment, when we were at the elf village in the Dedine, there was a plant that grew there in spite of the Behemoth's poison. It was helpful in alleviating the symptoms," Zald offered.
"And for me, while it is not a cure, a branch of a Sacred Elven Tree helps to both alleviate the symptoms and slow its progression. The older the scared tree the greater the effect." Alfia added
"Welp, that is where I will start then. If we can at least slow the progression of both of your diseases, then that will be helpful to the city," Hermes concluded, his gaze shifting between them.
"Thank you, Lord Hermes," Bell said with a respectful bow.
"Think nothing of it, Bell. It is the least I can do." Hermes replied
As the gods continued their conversation, Bell returned to training with Alfia.
Dungeon Exploration (1 week after training began)
The morning light filtering through the windows cast gentle shadows across the dinning room where everyone had just finished breakfast. Erebus leaned forward; his eyes fixed on Bell with a curious intensity.
"Alright, Bell, how about a status update?" Erebus began, his voice calm, "We've held off because we wanted to see what would happen with your skill."
"Great idea. I can't wait," he exclaimed as his eyes brightened with enthusiasm
"Alright, Bell, turn around and take off your shirt," Erebus instructed. There was a sense of purpose in his words, a determination to assess Bell's progress and potential.
Bell Cranell
[I didn't want to rewrite the entire status again, so I just included skill and magic names and one line.]
Human
Age 13
Lvl 1
Strength: I-0 - I-45
Endurance: I-0 - H-175
Dexterity: I-0 - I-80
Agility: I-0 - H-125
Magic: I-0 - I-75
Magic
[Satanas Version] (Inherited)
Skills:
[Realis Phrase-Crystallization of Desires]
As long as owner has a strong desire and goal, he will grow stronger according to his desires. Applied to other.
Copy (Inherited)
Allows its user to replicate the movements and actions the user has observed once.
[Inheritance of Talent]
User has monstrous talent and will surpassing the Incarnation of Talent herself.
"Damn" was collectively muttered the three adults as they stared at the status sheets, a mix of disbelief and astonishment clouding their expressions. Meanwhile, Bell's face lit up with unbridled excitement at the growth he had witnessed on the sheet.
"This would normally take several months of growth," Zald remarked
"Then the answer is Realis Phrase, correct?" Erebus questioned, his gaze flicking between the others as he sought confirmation.
"It has to be. Even with Alfia's training regime, this amount of growth is not possible any other way," Zald affirmed, his eyes drawn to the fact that Bell's highest stat was his endurance.
"Bell, you must absolutely never tell anyone about this skill. It is even more potent than we thought. Gods will absolutely wage war for a skill like this. Zald and I can handle ourselves, but if either you or Erebus get taken, we won't be able to do much," Alfia instructed, her voice conveying the seriousness of the matter.
"Okay, I understand. How long before you think I can level up at this rate?" Bell inquired, his voice tinged with a mix of eagerness and apprehension.
"If you were to level up as soon as possible, I would say no more than two months. And that is being generous. You might accomplish in weeks what takes most years to achieve. However, the first level up is the most important as it affects the quality of the rest of your level ups. In addition, your skill might let you break past the S rank limit. So, we need to confirm whether that is possible for you at all. Once we have done that, we can make a plan," Alfia explained, her tone measured and thoughtful.
"Okay, I understand," Bell replied, his gaze drifting out the window where a bob of blonde hair caught his attention. "Oh, it looks like the girl from Loki Familia is here. I will go greet her."
With that, he made his way towards the Midnight Garden to welcome his visitor.
Ais's Arrival At Midnight Garden:
Ais paced back and forth in front of the Midnight Garden, her footsteps echoing softly against the cobblestones as she wrestled with their inner turmoil. Mini-Ais, a personification of her thoughts and anxieties, mirrored her actions, pulling at their hair in a gesture of nervous tension. Ais grappled with the weight of her decision, torn between entering the property or waiting for someone to come out.
"What if I am supposed to go in?"
.
"But this is their home it would be rude to barge in."
.
"If I offend them, they might stop teaching me."
.
"I cannot let that happen."
.
"I have to get strong."
.
"I have to save mama."
.
Her mind churned with questions and doubts, each one a knot in the fabric of her resolve.
How could she make a good impression?
Would Alfia agree to continue teaching her?
The prospect of rejection loomed over her thoughts, urging caution and hesitancy.
Despite her inner turmoil, Ais maintained a neutral outward appearance as she grappled with the weight of her decision. She hadn't confided in anyone in her familia about her upcoming meeting with Alfia and Zald, fearing interference that could sabotage her desires. Alone with her thoughts, she awaited the approaching footsteps with a mixture of anticipation and apprehension.
As she looked up, she recognized the white-haired boy from before. "Bunny," mini-Ais thought with a hint of amusement, momentarily distracted from her fretting.
"Hello, Miss Wallenstein," Bell greeted her coolly,
Mini-Ais's anxiety resurfaced prompting her to run in circles and flailing until when a light went off above her head.
"Ais," she replied, her voice steady despite the fretting of Mini-Ais.
"I am sorry, what?" Bell asked, confusion flickering across his features.
"Call me Ais; everyone does," she clarified
"Alright, Ais. It is then. You can call me Bell. Our training grounds are around the back," Bell stated, his demeanor relaxed as he took the lead, gesturing for Ais to follow.
Mini-Ais nodded in satisfaction, pleased to have succeeded in getting Bell to address her by her name as they headed towards the training grounds, where Alfia was waiting for them.
As Ais followed Bell to the training grounds, Mini-Ais's earlier worries resurfaced. What if she didn't perform well in front of Alfia? Would she be a disappointment? These doubts were quickly silenced as they arrived at their destination.
Alfia's voice pierced through the quiet, "Listen closely, little girl. I have no interest in coddling you. You will learn, or you will suffer for your mistakes." Her eyes drilled into Ais, unflinching. "But don't worry, I will ensure that you improve both in status and skill. If you are willing to accept these terms, draw your sword and we will begin."
Ais drew her sword with determination. "I accept. I will do whatever it takes."
"Good," Alfia responded, "First, I will evaluate your abilities and provide personalized instruction. Then, you will spar with me. Later you will work with Bell to spare with me."
Ais nodded once more, preparing herself for the upcoming training.
"Okay," she replied confidently.
"This will serve two purposes," Alfia declared, "It will fulfill my promise to train you and improve your teamwork for the Dungeon."
"I understand," Ais replied
"Then let us begin," Alfia commanded, her gaze never wavering as she closely observed Ais.
Ais wasted no time, charging forward with determination imbued in every step. But her eagerness was met with a swift and definitive blow. With a loud CRUNCH, Alfia's fist connected with Ais's stomach, causing her to stumble backwards, gasping for air.
Alfia commented in a cool tone, "You left yourself vulnerable."
Ais clenched her teeth, refusing to show any sign of weakness despite the pain.
She forced herself to stand up straight and charged forward with even more determination, determined to prove herself.
"Hmm, slightly better," Alfia acknowledged "However, Gospel."
The impact of Alfia's magic sent Ais hurtling backwards and crashing into a wall.
"You must learn anticipate your opponent's actions." Alfia ordered as she gazed down at Ais.
And so began Ais's training under Alfia's watch. Eventually, Bell joined in, the two of them working together to improve their teamwork.
Arrival of the Astraea Famila:
Zald welcomed the Astraea family as they arrived, and then led them to the back of the training grounds. The group consisted of Alise, Kaguya, Lyra, Ryu, Neze, and Maryuu. As they approached, they greeted Ais with nods or waves, but their attention was clearly focused on Bell. It was evident that most of the girls had a fondness for Bell, as they either gave him a hug or playfully ruffled his hair with a smile.
"Greetings, Miss Alfia," Alise exclaimed, "We are beyond thrilled for the chance to train with you."
Alfia grimaced and nodded curtly. "Very well. Let us waste no time and begin immediately. Who among you will accompany Bell and Ais into the Dungeon?"
With a sly grin, Alise spoke up; "Ah, me and Lion will be taking Bell's first time together."
Bell's cheeks burned bright red at her suggestive words, while Ryu let out an indignant shriek; "Alise! What are you talking about? How can you be that lewd?"
Kaguya teased; "Arr, arr. To think it would be the little Elf who'd be popping Bell's cherry."
Bell blushed bright red, his embarrassment visible in the tips of his ears. Meanwhile Ryu's face had joined him in turning bright crimson.
"Me lewd, Lyon? No, no, no. I am the noble, beautiful, innocent, and just Captain to the equally pure and beautiful Lady Astraea. Everything I say is just, pure, and completely innocent. I could never be lewd, and those that interpret what I say lewdly are already lewd themselves. Blaming others for your lewdness. Shame on you, Lyon. You should just accept your lewdness, Lyon. Accept being a lewd and naughty elf," Alise replied with mock innocence as she playfully poked Ryu on the nose.
"Ahhh, I give up," Ryu conceded defeat, unable to keep up with Alise's antics, while Bell continued to avoid eye contact, looking anywhere but at the girls.
"Muah. That is better, Lyon. I knew my genius would convince you," Alise boasted, tapping her breastplate confidently. The other girls' smirk at Lyon's surrender.
"Just remember, Bell, if you ever need some luck in the Dungeon, just give Lyon's ass a good smack like this," Lyra declared mischievously, playfully delivering a swift swat to Lyon's rear. This caused the elf to jump in surprise.
"Emp! Lyra, how could you?" Ryu screeched
"What? It's for good luck," Lyra replied casually, grinning as the other girls giggled at Lyon's reaction.
Alfia, usually composed and collected, stood in shock with her mouth hanging open. Zald couldn't contain his laughter at Alfia's expression, began wheezing uncontrollably. He had never seen her react like this before. Erebus, attempting to maintain a neutral facade, struggled to keep the corners of his mouth from turning up into a smile.
"Alright, I think we've had our fun with Lyon and Bell for today," Alise declared, her tone returning to its usual lightness. "It's time to head to the Dungeon."
Bell and Ais both nod in agreement, and the group of four makes their way towards their destination
Dungeon Exploration
As the group approached the great stone staircase leading down, a hush fell over them, anticipation crackling in the air. Alise's demeanor was serious, her tone commanding attention from both Ais and Bell as they straightened up, ready to absorb her words.
"Before we enter the Dungeon, there are five absolute must-follow rules that you need to know," Alise declared, her voice carrying weight and authority.
"One: your weapons and armor must be in good condition," she began, raising a finger to emphasize the importance of her words.
Bell tapped the newly forged sword and daggers from Hephaestus, along with the shining armor he had acquired from the shop. Ais mirrored his actions, double-checking that her own equipment was good. The glint of metal caught the light and reflected it back.
"Two, a loot pouch without any holes," Alise continued, her expression serious as she moved on to the next rule.
Both Ais and Bell nodded in unison, confirming that their pouches were secure and free from any potential leaks.
"Three, at least one mind and health potion. Preferably two and securely strapped in," Alise instructed, raising a third finger.
"Four. The caution the Dungeon deserves. The moment you enter the Dungeon, you are putting your lives on the line. You are not there to play. Your lives will be in danger every second," Alise emphasized
"Now, Number Five. The Most Important Rule. Especially for you, Bell. Since you are a boy," Alise said with a playful wink, as Bell felt a shiver run up his spine.
"A harem of beautiful maidens to watch over your back!" Alise's voice rang out echoing through the corridors. She lunged forward, pulling Bell into a tight embrace that caught him completely off guard. His head slammed against the cold, unyielding metal of her breastplate, the impact leaving him momentarily stunned. Ryu's cheeks turned a bright crimson at Alice's wording, while Ais tilted her head in confusion.
Meanwhile, Bell struggled with the discomfort of the freezing breastplate pressing against his face and the embarrassment of being publicly buried atop Alise's chest. But as if that was not enough, his mind flashed back to Stardust Garden and the night he had spent there. He could not help but be reminded of Alise's warmth and tenderness as she hugged him that night. The memory only added to his embarrassment in this moment.
After a few seconds, Ryu intervened and pulled Bell from Alise's embrace, as she did so, Bell noticed Ryu's flushed face and bright red elven ears. A single thought crossed his mind before he could stop it:
cute.
As Ryu's grip pulled them apart. She quickly cleared her throat, trying to regain some composure.
"Thank you for the advice, Alise, but I believe you said something about seriousness" Ryu said, her voice slightly strained.
"hehe. I did but that is in the Dungeon and we are not quite there yet." Alise countered with a beaming smile causing Ryu to sigh.
The group cautiously descended the massive spiral staircases that led to the dungeon's first floor. The carefree energy they had earlier dissipated as they entered the dark and foreboding atmosphere. Ryuu and Alise wordlessly agreed to let Bell and Ais to take the lead, allowing them to absorb everything at their own pace while they kept a watchful eye on the surroundings.
With each step he took, it felt like the world was shifting around him. The warmth of the sun and cool breeze of Orario were replaced with an eerie light and a suffocating wind filled with death, rusted iron, and dust. As they descended deeper into the dungeon, the once familiar sounds of bustling adventurers and clanging weapons were replaced by an oppressive silence, broken only by the occasional skittering of unseen creatures.
Bell couldn't help but feel a sense of unease wash over him as he realized just how different this new environment was from the one, he knew above ground. But he was determined to press on, accompanied by the menacing growls of creatures coming from various dark corridors.
Alise maintained her friendly smile but kept a hand on her sword and occasionally twitched in the direction of the others, ready to protect them if needed. Ryuu, usually stoic, had a glint of determination in her piercing sky-blue eyes as she scanned their surroundings relentlessly. Her hands were also fidgeting restlessly, poised for any potential danger.
"Bell, which floor would you like to visit?" Ais asked.
"Alfia said I was allowed to go up to the 5th floor alone. But since I am with you, I am permitted to go deeper than that, but not lower than the 8th floor for now," Bell replied.
"Wait, Bell seriously? Are you sure that will be, okay?" Alise's voice was filled with concern as she gazed at Bell. Thinking that there should be no way for Bell to be able to make it to the 10th floor. Meanwhile, Ryu's eyes had grown fretful, worry etched on his face.
"Yeah, I got the okay. Do not worry Alise. I won't push myself too far and besides, I trust both of you. So, I know that I can count on you if anything happens," Bell's confident response caused a slight blush to rise to Alise's cheeks and a small wiggle of Ryu's ears.
"Of course you can count on me, Bell," Alise exclaimed, trying to cover up her embarrassment.
"Thank you, Mr. Cranel," Ryu added quietly, a hint of shyness in her tone, as her ears twitched.
"Alright well if Alfia gave the okay than you must be pretty good Bell. So, we will go along with it but I reserve the right to call it off if I think you are getting too tired." Alise says as she looks bell in the eye.
"Okay. I understand." Bell replied.
As they reached the final steps, Bell drew forth the sword that Alfia had commissioned for him—an ebony black longsword. Ais looked on with a mixture of envy and awe at the quality of the blade. Meanwhile, the other two were slack-jawed at the weapon's craftsmanship.
"Whoa. Bell, where did you get that?" Alise asked wide-eyed.
"Oh, um, Auntie Alfia had it commissioned for me," Bell replied.
"Mr. Cranel, that's a top-class weapon. What smith forged it?" Ryuu inquired.
"Uhm, well, Alfia had it commissioned by... uhm... Goddess Hephaestus herself," Bell said.
Each of the girls went bug-eyed at the mention of Goddess Hephaestus.
"I can't even begin to imagine the cost of that sword..." Ryuu muttered.
"UHM. Yeah. I nearly fainted when I heard the price," Bell responded.
"Well, that just proves how much faith Alfia has in you, Bell. So let's get going," Alise said.
As the group followed closely behind Bell, their eyes scanned the dimly lit corridors for any signs of danger. The shadows seemed to crawl along the walls, reaching out and threatening to swallow them whole. The flickering light cast eerie shadows on the walls, causing Bell's grip to tighten around his sword, his red eyes scanning the darkness for any signs of movement. As Bell was monitoring the darkness he heard the noise of the two women behind him shifting their position ever so slightly
"Something's coming," Alise whispered, her senses picking up on the faintest sounds of skittering footsteps drawing near.
"Get ready, Ais" Bell said, his voice steady despite the pounding of his heart. Ais nodded as she readied her sword.
As the goblins charged towards the group, Bell and Ais sprang into action. Bell's sword glinted in the dim light as he swung it towards the goblin on his left. The monster let out a high-pitched shriek as Bell's blade sliced through its flesh, causing it to collapse in a heap before vanishing to ash.
Meanwhile, Ais effortlessly dodged the goblin's clumsy attacks, with one swing of her sword, she decapitated the goblin, its head rolling to a stop at Bell's feet before disappearing into ash.
The group took a moment to catch their breath and assess their surroundings. It seemed like they were safe for now, but there was no telling what other dangers lurked in these dark corridors.
"Good work," Alise said with a smile, patting Bell on the head.
"That was quite impressive for new adventurers," Ryu added
Bell couldn't help but grin at his companions' praise. He felt proud of himself for successfully taking down his first monsters without any help from anyone.
"Let's keep moving," Ais said, her voice breaking through Bell's thoughts.
"Me and Lyon will focus collecting the stones and drop items. You two focus on fighting." Alise said.
As the group continued their descent, the fought effortlessly against any of the monsters they encountered.
Eventually they had an encounter with pack of goblins. Goblins emerged from the darkness, their twisted forms snarling and gnashing their teeth in anticipation of fresh prey. Bell and Ais moved as one, their earlier training have allowed them to coordinate their attacks to an extent. Alise and Ryuu stood at the sidelines, weapons at the ready, prepared to step in if needed.
"Ais Behind you!" Alise shouted, her green eyes narrowing as she spotted a goblin attempting to sneak up on Ais. As she prepared to jump in Bell was the first top respond.
Bell spun around as he chanted "Gospel,"
A surge of magical energy from his outstretched hand and towards the goblin. The monster let out a blood-curdling scream as it was crushed in shockwave before disappearing into ash.
"What the fu-" Alise started before she was cutoff with a pinch to the ribs from Ryu
Bell turned around to see both women giving him astonished looks. While Ais was also looking on in awe and curiosity.
"Nice move," Ais said
"Thanks," Bell replied, taking a moment to catch his breath, "But we can't let our guard down."
"Indeed," Ryuu agreed, her blue eyes focused on the remaining goblins. "There are still more of them."
The sound of steel meeting flesh filled the corridor, punctuated by the goblins' dying screams.
"Is that all of them?" Bell asked, his body tense with anticipation even as the last goblin fell to Ais's sword.
"For now," Alise replied, "But there will be more."
After the fight, while Alise and Ryuu were picking up the magic stones, Alise asked. "Bell, what was that magic?"
"It is magic that I received upon getting a falna," Bell explained.
"Bell, that is incredibly rare for anyone, let alone a human, to have magic when they first receive a falna. Not to mention that it had virtually no incantation," Ryuu remarked.
"Yeapers, it just goes to show how awesome Bell is," Alise chimed in, patting Bell's head as he blushed at her praise.
"Bell, how do you have the same magic as Alfia?" Ais inquired.
"Wait, what do you mean the same magic?" Alise asked curiously.
"During training, Alfia used the exact same magic that Bell just used," Ais explained, while Ryuu and Alise went wide-eyed as they turned to face Bell.
"Ahhh. I am sorry, but that is related to my status, and I cannot reveal the details to anyone," Bell replied.
"That is fair, Bell. I am curious, but we are all entitled to our secrets," Alise said.
"I want magic too," Ais pouted.
"Ahh. I don't know if you will get it, but Auntie knows a lot about magic, so you should talk to her about it," Bell suggested, making his best effort to get along with Ais. Despite his disdain for the executives and goddess of her familia, he sincerely tried to take Alfia's advice to heart. He also knew that his mom would not want him to be consumed by hatred.
As they pressed onward, the darkness thickened as Bell led the group further into the Dungeon. Then they heard it—the unmistakable growling sounds of kobolds.
Ais's golden eyes narrowed in concentration as she whispered, "Kobolds."
Bell's grip tightened on his sword as they advanced, adrenaline pumping through his veins. There were at least half a dozen kobolds in the room they were approaching.
"I'll focus on softening them up for you," Alise stated confidently, her eye glinting as she eyed the monsters.
The pack of kobolds snarled and jeered, their gnarled claws lunging at Bell and Ais.
"Be careful, you two," Ryu warned.
As the duo fought on the front lines, Ryuu and Alise stood in the rearguard, keeping watch. Ryu watched carefully to ensure none of the monsters ambushed them. Meanwhile, Alise held a set of stones that she rubbed together in the palm of her hand. Anytime a monster looked like it would get to Bell or Ais, a stone shot out from her palm directly at the monster. Alise kept her promise, focusing on wounding the monsters, mostly by aiming at their limbs and putting enough force behind her throws to either break or blow off their limbs.
With this support, Bell and Ais were able to focus on the kobolds in front of them. As the last kobold fell, the group took a moment to catch their breath, their bodies slick with sweat and dirt. The battle had been intense, the kobolds' agility and cunning pushing them to their limits.
"We did it," Bell said, his voice filled with pride and relief.
"That was good," Ais agreed.
"Yeap. You both did well," Alise commended. "So, do you want to keep going or head back?"
"Further," Bell and Ais replied in unison.
"Alright. By the looks of it, both of you can keep going," Alise observed, surveying the duo.
"So, we are at the entrance to the 5th Floor now. What do you say to going to the 6th floor today?" Alise proposed.
Bell and Ais nodded in agreement.
And so, the group continued their descent.
Astraea Familia Training Session
Alfia led the remaining Astraea girls to the training grounds in the backyard. As she prepared to assess each of them individually, she spoke with a voice that brooked no argument.
"I will be testing each of you individually," she declared, her tone firm and unyielding. "As a Level 7, I will temper my strength just enough to avoid causing permanent damage. But make no mistake, I have no intention of going easy on any of you."
With practiced ease, Alfia exchanged a series of blows with each of the girls present, testing their speed, strength, and endurance. The clashing of steel and the sound of grunts filled the air as they engaged in the rigorous evaluation.
"Excellent. Now I know exactly how hard I can hit you," Alfia declared, an evil smile spreading across her face.
The sight sent a shiver down the spine of each Astraea girl, freezing them in place as they met Alfia's gaze with a mixture of trepidation and determination. The tension hung thick in the air as Alfia's smile lingered, casting a shadow over the training grounds.
"What do—?" Kaguya's question was abruptly cut off by a sharp pain in her chest as she was sent flying into the hard training yard wall. The impact rattled her bones and left a ringing in her ears.
"Now, now, this is combat training. There is no time for idle chatter," Alfia declared, her eyes locked on her next target:
Lyra.
Feeling the intensity of Alfia's gaze, Lyra reacted on pure instinct. She leaped away, her hand snatching a vial from its hidden location in her clothes. In one fluid motion, she launched it towards Alfia, determined to gain distance.
With a swift and practiced move, Alfia redirected the bomb towards Neze and Maryuu, who were caught off guard by the sudden blast. While the explosive power itself weas minimal, it was enough to throw both the girls off balance and leave them dazed.
As Alfia closed in on Lyra, Kaguya scrambled to her feet, but before she could fully rise, a terrified scream pierced the air. As the sound echoed, it sent shivers down Kaguya's spine. Her heart raced as she looked up and saw Lyra hurtling towards her like a cannonball.
With a deafening THUD, Lyra's body slammed into Kaguya, sending them both tumbling to the ground in a chaotic mess of limbs. The impact jolted through Kaguya's body, knocking the very breath out of her and leaving her disoriented and dizzy. She struggled to regain her bearings as pain shot through her body from where they had collided.
"You stupid Prum. How could you get caught so easily? I thought you were supposed to be sneaky," Kaguya grumbled through gritted teeth as she struggled to untangle herself from Lyra.
"Shut it. You got taken out first. This woman is a goddamn monster," Lyra retorted, her voice trembling with both fear and frustration as she tried to regain her footing. The look on her face mirrored Kaguya's own shock and disbelief at their opponent.
Meanwhile, Neze and Maryuu struggled to pick themselves up from the aftermath of the bomb blast, their expressions a mixture of annoyance and determination as they glared at Alfia.
"Is that all you little girls can do?" Alfia taunted, her voice dripping with mockery. "Truly, if you are considered a top Familia, it is just pathetic. How far Orario appears to have fallen. Though now that I am here, anyone else was always going to be second-rate."
The girls continued to glare at her as they ground their teeth, but Alfia remained unfazed and merely scoffed at them.
"Those glares are not going to do you any good with me. Glare all you want, but you little noises mean nothing," Alfia dismissed their anger with a wave of her hand.
"I sincerely hate this bitch already," Kaguya seethed, as her fury began to mount
"Me too. I can't believe Bell is related to her. He's such a sweet kid," Lyra cursed
"Well, that is because my sister was a saint, and Bell inherited her kindness. You will find that I am unconcerned in that regard, particularly with all of you hyenas looking to sink your teeth into Bell and throwing yourselves all over him. As if I would allow any of you little noises anywhere near him. Especially that red-head. However, since she is absent, you all are going to serve as my punching bags instead. Don't worry I will make sure that your skills improve." Alfia explained, her tone dripping with disdain.
The girls were dumbfounded by Alfia's reasoning.
"We will be continuing now," Alfia declared, her voice cutting through the tension as she resumed the training.
As the training session continued, Kaguya groaned as she struggled to push herself up from the ground, her body aching from the brutal training session. She glanced over at Neze, who had just gotten up after being sprawled on the ground, whimpering in pain. Lyra and Maryuu were also sporting various bruises and cuts from their training with Alfia.
"Was Alfia always like this?" Erebus inquired, his brow furrowed in concern as he and Zald observed the rigorous training session.
Crunch.
With a resounding crash, Neze collided with the stone wall, her body crumpling to the ground in a heap of pain. She let out a whimper as she struggled to stand as her limbs trembled as she attempted to push herself up, but each movement sent waves of agony coursing through her body, causing her to collapse back onto the training ground.
"Somewhat. She was often considered a tyrannical woman. She frequently exposed her students to risky situations," Zald explained, his voice tinged with a hint of apprehension.
Crack.
Maryuu was thrown through the air like a ragdoll. Her body twisted and convulsed in agony as she crashed to the ground, her hands frantically clutching at her stomach. With a gut-wrenching heave, she expelled the remnants of her breakfast onto the ground.
"Damn. On second thought, this may be even worse than before," Zald remarked grimly, his gaze fixed on the unfolding chaos.
Whack.
With a kick from Alfia, Lyra was sent flying through the air, her body limp and unresponsive as she crashed to the ground with a sickening thud. Alfia promptly pulled out a healing potion from her pack and hurling it towards Lyra in order to revive her for another round of training.
Erebus's brow furrowed as he observed Alfia and Kaguya exchanging blows in their intense training session. "Do you think they'll be okay?" he asked.
"Don't worry, they'll live. Alfia knows not to use her full strength, and she wouldn't want to upset Bell by hurting them." Zald reassured with a wavering confidence as he watched Kaguya being forcefully thrown outside of the training area and into the lawn, causing a large swathe of the grass to be ripped up.
With a heavy sigh, Zald's voice carried through the air, "Alfia! Stop destroying the new lawn."
"Tch. Whatever," came Alfia's grumbling response, her attention still fixed on the Astraea girls who were struggling to stand back up.
Exasperated, Zald muttered under his breath and shook his head in dismay at the chaotic scene unfolding before him. Meanwhile Erebus's brow twitched in concern. The sound of grunts, screams, and wails filled the air, mingling with the scent of sweat and blood as they were pushed without mercy. Any objections were silenced by force. And so, Alfia continued her training of the Astraea familia.
Dungeon 6th Floor
As the group proceeded across the 6th Floor, a new noise permeated the air.
Crack.
Crack.
Crack.
A spiderwebbing of cracks formed along the Dungeon walls.
"Ais. Bell. Get ready, we're about to have a monster party," Alise said, her voice steady as she and Ryu drew their weapons. Each scanned the cracking walls carefully, preparing to cover for any impending threat. While they had been letting Bell and Ais handle most of the fighting, a monster party may prove too much for the duo.
"Alise, let us try to handle it," Bell suggested.
Alise's eyes flickered with concern but nodded. However, neither sheathed their weapons, their bodies tensed, ready to spring into action at a moment's notice.
Monsters began to emerge.
The first to appear was the group of Frog Shooters, a grotesque blend of slimy green amphibian and sharp, predatory creature. Its massive eye, distended and bulging, seemed to follow the group's every move. With hop each one, left a trail of mucus in its wake.
Then came the second monster, the 6th floor resident known as Newbie Killers.
War Shadows, terrifying sights to behold, emerged from the wall. Their dark and twisted bodies seemed to be made of shadows themselves. Tall and lanky, they almost blended into the dungeon's shadows. Their long arms ended in three razor-sharp claws, each glinting with a deadly edge. Their eyes, a deep red, glowed with malice and hunger for fresh prey.
As the monsters began to emerge Bell and Ais charged.
"HIYA." Bell shouted as he attacked the nearest War Shadow.
The War Shadow eyes honed in on Bell. The back of one its hands aimed for Bell's shoulder but is intercepted by Bell's sword. Bell and the War Shadow exchange a series of blows until Bell forced an opening and drove his sword through its chest.
The blade tore a clean through the War Shadows, causing it to explode into dust. As Bell surveyed the surviving monsters closing in, he saw Ais cutting through the Frog Shooters with precision.
Meanwhile, Ais had been dispatching the Frog Shooters with ease. Until upon striking a War Shadow in the chest, Ais heard an unpleasant sound.
CRACK.
Ais's sword shattered as a nearby War Shadow lunged at her, its arms raised swooped in.
However, before it could strike, even as Alise and Ryu were already moving to intercept, an ebony black blade emerged from the center of the War Shadow's chest, piercing its magic stone. The creature let out a strangled cry before bursting into dust, as the sword clattered to the ground.
Whack.
Having thrown his sword, Bell was left momentarily vulnerable. A Frog Shooter seized the opportunity, shooting its tongue and piercing Bell's shoulder. Blood began to seep from under Bell's armor. As Bell moved to draw his dagger, Alise's shout cut through the chaos;
"Lion, now."
Alise and Ryuu sprang into action, decimating the remaining monsters in seconds.
"Alright, that's a wrap for today. Ais's weapon is broken and Bell is injured. Bell, drink a potion. We will be heading back now. Bell, drink a potion. Lyon, keep watch," Alise ordered, and Bell immediately did as he was instructed.
"But…" Ais began.
"Yes, Ais?" Alise interrupted.
"I want to fight more. I need to borrow a weapon," Ais insisted.
"Well, Lyon and I only have our primary weapons. Bell may have a sword and daggers, but if you break them again, you are going to have to pay Bell back. Plus I guarantee that those weapons are not cheap," Alise said sternly, her eyes fixed on Ais.
"Bell, I want to keep fighting. How much would a replacement cost?" Ais asked, her determination evident, while mini-Ais stacked up all the coins she had and counted them.
"Haha. The sword cost 300 million valis. And each dagger was 25 million," Bell replied, his eyes dead at the thought of what Alfia would do to him if he broke the sword or either of the daggers.
All three of the women freeze. Ryu and Alise's eyes bugged out, while Ais's mouth hung open and mini-Ais has collapsed as the words 300 million hit her on the head followed by a double tap of 25 million valis daggers.
Ais immediately handed the sword back to Bell.
"Here, use the daggers," Bell said as he passed them to Ais.
"Oh... um, I will be careful," Ais said as she gently holds the daggers.
"Okay. Um, Ais, why don't you stay in the middle and only fight when you have to," Alise suggested, finally recovering from the shock of the price tag. "So, we should get out of here now. Before anything breaks."
The group returned to the surface. Everyone not wanting to incur Alfia's displeasure focused on reaching the surface quickly.