Is it Wrong to Live Transmigrated as Bell Cranel in a Dungeon?

Chapter 25: Christmas Antics Part 1

"The earth has grown old with its burden of care, but at Christmas it always is young, the heart of the jewel burns lustrous and fair, and its soul full of music breaks the air, when the song of angels is sung."

— Phillips Brooks

Main POV

I once again found myself in a purple forest, surrounded by a sea of stars. The Ghost of the Goddess of the Hunt stood before me, in her usual outfit while holding the Arrow of Orion in her hands. There was an amused glint in her eye and a fond smile on her face.

"Two nights in a row? Couldn't wait to see me again, could you?"

I rolled my eyes, "I'm getting less sleep tonight than usual as is. And you know why I'm here."

I wasn't going to say out loud that I intended on seeing Elpis every night, when it was possible and or reasonable for me to do so. Though based on the warmth in her eyes, I wasn't fooling anyone by keeping my silence.

I'm a little surprised with myself that I don't find the idea of Elpis being to see completely through me as disturbing. Normally, the thought of anyone knowing everything about me would be intimidating, mortifying, and more. But, somehow, Elpis doing just that could only fill me with a vague sense of comfort.

"How boorish," Elpis huffed playfully, "Only coming back for business, are you? That is a surefire way to hurt a lady's feelings, you know."

"I'll let you know when I see a lady around here," I scoffed, "All I see is a brat."

"...How about we get the serious stuff out of the way before I bicker with your stubborn idiocy all night," Elpis proposed, her eyes twitching a little bit. I held myself back from engaging in banter and acquiesced to her reasonable request.

"I'm sure you've already picked my head for the plan I've come up with to infiltrate Ishtar Familia," I stated the obvious, "Any criticisms?"

I had the general outline of a plan in my head already. To put it simply and quickly, it involved disguising myself much like I often do when at the Hostess of Fertility. I was not confident enough in my stealth abilities to think I could infiltrate Ishtar Familia's headquarters completely undetected – and didn't feel comfortable asking Chloe to take all of the risk by doing so in my stead. And going into that District directly? With my appearance? I'm too conspicuous to Ishtar's people. I'd be attacked, and who knows what other kinds of chaos would happen? It was too risky and reckless. But going into the district as a woman? That would be far more likely to succeed without resulting in a scuffle.

"It's reckless," Elpis bluntly said, "Ishar is already paranoid of Freya. The fact she is lashing out against a small Familia like yours so publicly is just proof of the matter. She'd normally just use her influence to kill you and sweep things under the rug. But she went straight for theatrics. It is possible that Ishtar is involving herself in the War Game as a bluff to try to show Freya that Ishtar isn't scared of her. By bluntly flaunting the military material and manpower she has spent the last years gathering for her latest attempt against Freya. Or perhaps Ishtar suspects that you are important to Freya, and is looking to hurt Freya by hurting you. Driven out of fear, Ishtar is attacking you in the light because she believes she can't get away with fighting against Freya in the dark. Or maybe she is trying to lure Freya into a trap, by using an attack on you as bait. No matter the case, if Freya Familia stands menacingly around the Entertainment District, it will look like Freya is calling Ishtar's bluff. Ishtar's ego may not survive the slight."

"And thus Ishtar might react unpredictably…" I deduced where Elpis is going with this.

"Exactly," Elpis confirmed, before saying, "That said, it really is the best plan to use with little planning or preparation. White hair is not a common trait, and red eyes even less so. Only a large distraction will allow 'Belko' a chance to sneak in where 'she' shouldn't be. The only way to prevent violence from breaking out is to ensure that Freya Familia does not enter the district and does not do anything aggressive beyond standing around menacingly. Moreover, the majority of Ishtar Familia's military forces are going to be enroute to the battlefield for the War Game. The Entertainment District will be barely manned by Ishtar's security forces; if Ganehsa Familia helps with the security burden, they have even less reason to look your way. This certainly is the best time to try and infiltrate the enemy base. The District will be running a skeleton crew whilst most of Ishtar's military force is traveling by carriage over rocky terrain to the War Game site. And I agree, evidence of wrongdoing will be required in order to make the Guild be amiable to aid in the dismantling of Ishtar Familia."

There were only three days until the War Game. While Orario would be celebrating Christmas when I woke up, all participating Familias needed to start making the trek to the site of the War Game because of how long it would take to get there by wagon. The terrain was incredibly rough and hilly around the Castle, which made transport long and difficult. Because of a trick or two up our sleeves, however, my allies and I could make it to the battleground with all of our gear in less than a day. So we were able to make last minute requests to the Guild and celebrate Christmas in the city without a care in the world. Probably. Maybe I should check up on Welf to make sure…

"Ask Hestia," Elpis advised me, having read my mind, "I doubt that she's just been knitting those plushes the whole time. She's likely been meeting with the other Familias' to coordinate logistics and the like. They are likely just waiting on a finalized battle plan."

"For sure," I said, agreeing with the idea that Hestia probably had things covered as far as preparing for the War Game went. Hestia was still livid at Apollo specifically, after all. She had likely been using her freetime to organize things with the other Gods in the coalition.

"Anything else I should know?" I asked Elpis for more of her opinions on Ishtar.

"Freya's arrogance is often tempered by her intelligence," Elpis prefaced, "Ishtar's arrogance, in contrast, is only exacerbated by her pride and ego. A good way to draw suspicion away from your physical features is to ironically draw attention to them."

"Ahhh…" I drawled in revelation, "Imply to guards and onlookers that Ishtar wants to take frustrations out on a look-a-like since she can't get her hands on the real thing… But wait, don't you find this kind of deception unsavory?"

"I certainly prefer the idea of settling things on an open and fair battlefield," Elpis confirmed, "And this sort of deception is distasteful. But I've seen your visions of how the Entertainment District will burn if Ishtar's ambition and Freya's recklessness goes unchecked. In order to bring peace and stability to Orario, Ishtar must be dealt with. If infiltrating under a disguise is what it takes to gain the necessary evidence to stop her for good, then so be it."

War being raged inside the Pleasure District, and thus within Orario, is something I was aiming to avoid at all costs. Which is part of why I was glad, in a way, that Ishtar had joined the War Game. As it meant that I could hopefully contain all of the inevitable fighting outside the city – and thus minimize the impact it could have on the lives of citizens within the city.

Damnit. I want to get my meeting with Freya over with as soon as possible so I can attempt to relax and enjoy the Christmas party tomorrow evening!

"With that out of the way…" Elpis said, suddenly having a second spear in her hand. She tossed the weapon to me and said, "Your use of the spear could use some work."

I barely caught the weapon in my hands, and grumbled, "Really? Mindscape training?"

How cliche.

"Call it what you will, it's not my fault your spearmanship is still rather basic." Elpis shrugged away my naming convention, before smirking evilly, "I'm looking forward to teaching you without your Falna allowing you to simply overpower me. Prepare yourself, because I'm not letting you get a wink of rest tonight~!"

"This is not the kind of physical activity I was hoping for in my dreamscape…" I bemoaned reality as I took a defensive stance.

Elpis blushed violently, her expression quickly enraged, "Pervert! Hentai! DIE!"

Elpis lunged at me then, and instead of a night full of bickering, we are going to be fighting in a more literal manner… Fuck me.

"IN YOUR DREAMS!"

"WHERE DO WE THINK WE ARE, YOU DUMB—!"

WACK!

"BAKA!"

I woke up to the sounds of light knocking on my door. It took a moment for my adventurer instincts to bring me back to full awakeness. I was inside my room at the Hostess of Fertility, having slept in the arms of a giant plushie of myself since Hestia was already passed out on my bed. I was, of course, loosely holding the Arrow of Orion in my hand – which allowed me to meet with Elpis in my/our Dreamscape.

My clothes in a decent state, I gently put the spear down as I got up and checked the door. On the other side was the smiling face of an entity wearing the face of Syr. Her silver eyes had met mine for a split second before she closed them as she smiled brightly… and disingenuously; to say that Syr had certainly used false smiles against me before, they were used in the context of an attempt to tease me. This was not that, there was something foreign about her smile. On top of that, her silver irises had held barely hidden murderous intent… and boundless lust. This was not the Syr I knew. This must be Hörn. I guess even Freya is not bold enough to sneak back to the Hostess and then out again to beat me to Babel Tower.

'Syr' giggled, then said, "Good morning, Bell-kun! Here I was hoping to catch another sneak peek of you and Ryuu snuggling together~"

"..." I won't deny that my cheeks flushed under the teasing, but my expression otherwise remained stern and guarded as I said, "You aren't Syr."

"Eh?" the being masquerading as my Syr stammered, "But I'm me? You didn't get a concussion from your training trip did you?!"

"Whatever," I said dismissively. I was not up to an argument with Hörn first thing in the morning. And I was content with keeping up the charade that I didn't know that Freya is Syr until after the War Game was concluded. I simply can't afford anymore bullshit on my plate right now.

"Someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed!" the imposter wearing Syr's face excused my passive aggressive behavior. I had the impression that Not!Syr found the notion of excusing away my impolite words to be extremely annoying. That my breaking of her cover was an annoyance or slight against her.

"Yeah, well, negotiating a secret alliance with Freya Familia – however temporary it may be — is not what I'd like to be doing so early in the morning," I said, trying and failing to hold back my snark. "This was supposed to be where I get to relax with everyone for Christmas, instead I'm sleuthing around because one Goddess of Beauty wants to kill me while the other's interest in me and mine is going to do something to similar effect if I'm not careful."

"Considering the fervor of Her disciples, you'd be lucky to have a quick death, I think. Talking about Freya-sama in that way, I mean," the imposter posited. "But because it's Bell-kun, I'm sure everything will work out!"

"I'm going to pretend that you did not say something scary just now. Because I don't have time for banter right now," I said, keeping the fact that I had no interest in bantering with an imposter at the moment to myself. I'd rather not escalate things by calling Hörn out on her bullshit.

"Well, before you go, Asfi-san dropped this off for you," the imposter said, handing over a letter in a sealed envelope.

I accepted the sealed parcel and opened it. Skimming over the text, I grinned in satisfaction. "Welf is done with all the preparations for the War Game. Any remaining qualms over getting to kick back and enjoy the holiday instead of frantically trying to travel to the battlefield is now gone."

"That's excellent news!" the imposter cheered, "I suppose that just leaves your business this morning then! Better not keep a lady waiting now!"

"...Right," I said, rather awkwardly. I wasn't really sure how to best interact with Hörn . Especially since she was doubling down on her Syr act. Which wasn't a very good one if I was being honest. Was Hörn not even bothering to try since I debunked her cover almost immediately? Or was I just that good at telling the difference between them?

I was leaning towards Hörn not bothering much to be disingenuous with me since I had already seen through her. She would likely give significantly more effort if there was anyone else nearby to observe our interactions. Whether or not Hörn being frank with me was a good or bad thing, I couldn't say for sure. It's not like I had anything against her in particular. I just didn't really know her. Not like I knew Syr.

I idly and hesitantly waved 'Syr' goodbye as I left her and made my way out of the annex. Instead of heading straight out to the streets, I decided to make a quick stop inside the pub to grab something so I can eat while I walk over to Babel Tower. Entering the pub, I quickly found Chloe and Anya passed out at the bar wearing their Christmas outfits. Walking over to them, I gingerly grabbed one of the strewn mugs and gave it a whiff.

"That's Mama Mia's special stuff she was saving for the party today…" I said in realization, familiar with the smell of the special wine that Mama Mia had in the back room. "Well… it was nice to know these cat girls while it lasted. Mia's gonna kill them."

I placed my palms together, quickly praying to the gods that Mama Mia would have mercy on these two idiots. I certainly wasn't going to place myself between Mama Mia and them. Mia was way more scary than Allen and Freya Familia would ever be. The fact that Mama Mia was going to kill these two cats for drinking all of her special fruit wine was a certainty. As simple as that. Something unchangeable and certain as the sun rising in the east every day. Satisfied that I had done everything in my power for them, I turned, grabbed a bowl of oats, teleported into a nearby alley, and headed out onto the mostly empty streets towards Babel Tower. Eating as I went.

The ping of the elevator door opening was almost ominous. Mainly because when the doors opened, I half expected to be greeted with Ottar, or another Familia member, or even a swarm of maids. Instead the area around the penthouse elevator was devoid of people. Which was rather shocking in its own right. Why? Because I was still armed – sure, just with the Hestia Knife and a bunch of throwing knives, but that was still a rather substantial armament. I hadn't been searched by the Guild personnel when flashing Anya's medallion before nor after I had been led to the special penthouse elevator. I reckon it was safe to assume that Freya had persuaded her Familia members to not worry about the fact that I might be alone with Freya while armed. If Freya was trying to conceal the fact that we both knew more about the other than we should, she was not being very subtle. The fact she was practically baiting me into a conversation I didn't have time for was actually kind of annoying.

Was it really too much for me to want Ishtar to be defeated before dealing with Freya's bullshit? I didn't think so, but the universe sure seemed to have other ideas at this rate. Regardless, I walked further into the penthouse suite. It didn't take long to find the famous room that is often shown: a luxurious room full of bookshelves on the back wall, a grand throne overlooking a large glass window that looks down on all of Orario from on high.

And, rather than being seated, Freya was standing before said window. Looking out over the city. As I walked closer, I was able to tell that Freya was looking in the direction of the city where the Hostess was located. Whether Freya was focused on Ryuu, on Anya, or all the girls in general was impossible to say. When I got about a meter away from her, Freya turned to me and with a smile she beckoned me to stand beside her. Silently, I obliged, standing beside her and looking down on the city as it continued to wake from its slumber.

"It's quite the view, is it not?" Freya asked innocently.

"...It is," I agreed, the sheer scale of Orario was laid out before me in a way that had no equal. I hadn't looked to see if an official census had been conducted for the city, but I wouldn't be surprised if a couple million people called this city their home. And they had no idea of the threats that were bringing them closer and closer to doom. How Ishtar's lust for power and Freya's possessive greed would have an eighth of the city burn. How the Evilus Remnant continued to plan to destroy the city and watch as the world suffered from the aftermath.

"...You may not care for all the lives down there. Even I only have bonds with a minority of a minority of people who call Orario home. So, for the sake of the people that you do love, are you willing to lend me your strength?" I implored Freya, continuing to look over the fragile city down below. "After the immediate potential crisis is solved, we… we can settle everything between us then."

Freya giggled, "You make it sound like I have sinned against you. And you against me. How interesting."

"Because we have. The only sin in common between us though is omission," I declared.

"...I see," Freya responded simply. Neither confirming nor denying my accusations. Whether it was because she knew I was telling the truth, or because she respectfully disagreed was impossible to say.

"When I offered to dance with you, I hadn't meant it in a metaphorical sense," I told her. "So let's get down to business? Being professional right now is harder for me than I make it seem."

I'm still mad at Freya for 'playing a Game' with the girls and making Anya cry. I'm mad that Freya would trample over Syr to play a Game. I don't care that it was for Anya's sake. Doesn't she realize that all of the things she has done hurts those she cares about? That the semantics that differentiate between Freya and Syr mean nothing to the Girls? Does she not care about the consequences? Does she not care about us? How can she expect us to trust her if she continually and completely hides herself from all of us?

"...You are awfully cheeky for someone asking for my help," Freya quipped.

"And you pretending to play hard ball is really making me regret even extending an olive branch!" I raised my voice in frustration. "You can't trick me. We wouldn't be meeting here like this if you weren't prepared to help me."

"What if this was an elaborate trap?" Freya posed a hypothetical, her tone academic.

"I think you already know that I'm not someone who can be easily contained," I said, basically outright saying that I knew that Freya knew about Hiraishin. Syr did get multiple front row seats of me using it after all. I continued by saying, "So stop dragging out this conversation, and get down to business already. The longer I'm in your presence, the longer it'll take me to stop being utterly pissed off at you."

"...I see. Forgive me for pressuring you then, Bell Cranel. I'm afraid I can't help myself sometimes. Let us have our discussion so you can go on your way then," Freya said to me. If my harsh tone offended or hurt her, she didn't give it away with her voice in the slightest. "How is it that you would like me to aid you in gathering evidence against Ishtar, specifically?"

"...My plan relies on Ishtar's arrogance," I stated after a moment. "Her Familia home is a fortress. No one dares to infiltrate because it is the home of a weapon with which there is no defense - Charm. That is, no defense until now."

I looked Freya in the eye, "You already know by this point, so there's no point beating around that bush."

Freya nodded, her eyes doing nothing to hide her intrigue and desire, "Indeed. It is very easy for mortals to be Charmed even when I do not aim to do so. You've never faltered before me even for a moment. That slag, Isthar, has no hope to subvert your will in such a manner."

Freya was pointing out that just conversing with her, especially with the amount of eye contact I've done, had a chance to result in a mortal being Charmed. The fact I never seemed to have exerted any willpower to resist her Passive Charm was very noticeable to the Goddess of Beauty. Freya had gotten a hint of this truth about me at Apollo's Ball. My confrontation with her last night must have been the final blow that confirmed any suspicions on her part about my Charm Resistance.

"It is a threat that I doubt that Ishtar has ever even considered," I stated, "Her arrogance is a weakness that I will exploit. All I need to do is infiltrate Belit Babili and find their records room. I should be able to easily uncover all the evidence of Ishtar's crimes with ease." Outside of an audit/inspection from the Guild, Ishtar had no reason to particularly hide anything within the confines of Belit Babili itself. Getting by Ishtar's defense forces was an impossible task to all but a few, and most of the remaining few had no defense against being compromised by Ishtar's Charm, a risk that deities would not make with their 'precious' children.

"And how, exactly, do I and my forces factor into this?" Freya questioned with a raised eyebrow. "And how exactly do you plan on walking into Belit Babili? Your description has been spread around to her entire Familia. It is an unspoken secret that Ishtar would do anything to apprehend you in order to get revenge against you for interfering with her petty plans."

Freya was sharing information that was news to me with a matter-of-factness that gave me the impression that Freya's agents had gathered this intelligence. That Freya was not parroting rumors, but was regaling me with a known fact. That Ishtar had given her Familia an internal order to look for opportunities to kill or capture me; that way, Ishtar could get revenge against me and Freya by proxy for interfering with her scheme involving Haruhime. Inside or outside of the War Game, my death or capture could happen in either and Ishtar would be satisfied.

"I'm almost there," I assured her, before continuing, "Let's just say that I have a fairly convincing disguise that will allow me to walk inside the Entertainment District in plain sight without looking too out of place."

Freya's eyes flashed with realization… and mischief, "I see."

I could tell that Freya realized that I was referring to disguising myself as 'Belko'. As embarrassing as it would be, and despite Ishtar's knowledge of Belko (whatever it may be that she learned from Samira), it was my best bet to walk into the District. It was so audacious and against expectations that it just might work.

"The Entertainment District guard is already going to be running on a skeleton crew, since most of the Berbera is going to be enroute to the battlefield sight for the War Game," I detailed, "Ishtar won't close the District down in the interim, as she will want to project an image of strength. That even with only a portion of her forces on hand, that she is untouchable. And I'm willing to bet my chips that Ishtar's bluffing. All I need is a good enough distraction to help guarantee my success."

"I believe I'm starting to see where you are going with this," Freya said, her eyes sparkling with intrigue.

"You will post some of your forces around the outskirts of the District," I finally detailed Freya's part in the plan. "Ishtar will freak out, and send her people out to the walls to meet them. Once this happens, your agents will fall back. Any destruction of private property and any violence or provocations will not be tolerated. Self-defense notwithstanding."

"Surprisingly less than I expected you to ask of me," Freya admitted, finding her part in the plan to be shockingly minimal.

"I'm testing to see if you are able to play a 'Game' without getting innocent bystanders caught in the crossfire," I stated bluntly, my bitter tone showing how incapable I thought she was of doing such a thing. "I'm trusting you to walk the fine line of provoking Ishtar to move her forces, but not so much so as to escalate things into violence. And, frankly, I'm struggling to believe you are up to the challenge of achieving those mission objectives."

"Ho-oh?" Freya made a haughty and questioning sound, "You think you can manipulate me with such obvious provocations? How amusing."

"Is it working?" I asked sharply. I had a feeling I already knew the answer.

"It is, to my indignation," Freya admitted, sounding frustrated and amused at the same time. Because my opinion of her mattered to her, and I was using it as a weapon against her. I was aware that it was kind of toxic to treat her this way. But Freya cared about so little in the Lower World. If harnessing my opinion was the only way to teach and discipline her, then what choice did I really have? Not much except to live with being a hypocrite that hurts the people he cares about… just like Freya does.

No wonder Freya thinks we are meant for each other.

"...Then listen up," I said, beginning to share the tiny and minute details of the plan I had in mind, and Freya's part in it. Where Freya would move her troops, the maximum number she would deploy. When she would deploy them. When they would fall back. How to respond if Ishtar's troops overreact. What to do if they don't show up in the first place.

I didn't contribute everything in this discussion. Freya made sure to give her own advice and input on the strategy and plan of 'attack'. Focusing on the task at hand, rather than another one of her word games. Freya even pulled out detailed maps of the Entertainment District's layout. She even had a floor plan for Belit Babili – though she admitted that the HQ layout document for Belit Babili could be incorrect; the layout of the Ishtar Familia Home she had laid before me had been constructed by interviewing former members of the cleaning staff and prostitutes who had been kicked out after losing Ishtar's favor without also losing their lives in the process.

I knew where to go. I knew what to say. I knew what to do. All that was left was waiting to put it all into action. If Ishtar had any paranoid presumptions that I was working together with Freya Familia to spite her, then her fears were finally the truth. Ishtar was one step closer to defeat, and she didn't even know it.

But if I thought I could finally just have a cordial and professional meeting with Freya and just leave, I was sorely mistaken. I had made it halfway out of the room before Freya called out to me.

"Before you leave," She said to me, her voice like a melody. "There is something I'd like to inform you about."

"...Is that so?" I said, not turning around to face her.

"No need to be so aloof," Freya said with a hint of amusement and frustration. "I just wanted to share that if you win the War Game, I have a gift prepared for you."

"A… gift?" I said, a little confused and equally unable to hide my curiosity at what exactly she meant.

"Indeed," Freya confirmed, a smile in her voice.

"I'm not exactly interested in whatever gifts you have to give right now," I said, bitterness slipping into my voice. After all, Freya considered putting Anya against Allen in a deathmatch to be a gift.

"Don't be so certain," Freya said with a giggle. "For I have information that is of great interest to you~."

With a snarl, I turned around and projected my voice, "Enough playing around! If you care about anyone – about me – stop toying with me!"

Freya flinched for an instant in pain, before recovering so quickly I wondered if I imagined it at all. She then said, "Very well. Let me preface my words by saying that I intend on acting on my information should you somehow lose. Understand?"

"I'll choose to believe you," I said to her in reply. I had little reason to trust Freya on her word alone right now – she was a master of word games, after all. I trusted her to keep to the plan regarding Ishtar because I knew it was in her best interests for her Familia in the long run.

"Good," Freya said, a relieved smile on her face as she then revealed the nature of her gift. "I believe I have the answer on how to awaken your surrogate-daughter, the spirit child, from her slumber."

My eyes widened in shock, "What?!"

Anger started to burn in my heart. Was all of that talk of family, was it just another game to her? Was anything real? Why does Freya seem intent on breaking my heart for daring to try and empathize with her? I couldn't stop my eyes from watering as I clenched my fists in an effort to restrain myself from lashing out again.

"This information was… difficult for me to convey to you," Freya spoke to me, her voice hurried as if under pressure. "Especially because I am uncertain as to how effective or possible it is to put into action. While I know more than most, my knowledge on the Spirit race is not perfect. I did not watch the Lower World with as much attention as others had when Spirits were more prevalent. And most records that I… 'inherited' from Hera that might have information on Spirits had been lost or destroyed. If Loki has any of Zeus' records, she is keeping them close to her chest."

Freya couldn't help but smirk in amusement at her last sentence. I also could not stop a chuckle at the veiled joke at Loki's expense.

While I was not sure whether Freya was being truthful or not, her desperation to convince me of her reasoning was reaching me. I may not agree with it, but I understand how important it is to Freya to keep herself and Syr separate. Syr being able to track Noel was a MAJOR stretch to begin with. Syr being able to divulge how to awaken Noel from her coma would be completely inexcusable. I wouldn't be surprised if the Hostess Girls were already suspicious that Syr was not all that she seemed – not enough time or interactions have happened for me to know either way. And I could acknowledge that the gods of this universe were not omniscient – they certainly knew a lot more things and could thus make accurate predictions. But I had to agree that Noel's situation was likely unique enough that things like guarantees were not something Freya could offer me.

So I released a big sigh and said, "Alright. I get it. You have no certainties to give me, but an idea you are fairly certain might work. And that's why you've waited to pass anything along. And why you are holding it over me now – if I somehow lose the War Game, you'd rather Noel be saved by someone else rather than have to watch something horrible happen to me. I get it. I'm not mad."

"Goo- Excellent," Freya began to sigh in relief before quickly hiding behind a mask of regality. "Of course, I have ever the faith that everything will end in your victory. But for the sake of that child, and yourself, I do not wish her to see you walk off to war. Defeat Ishtar and Apollo in battle, and I will share how you can awaken that child without waiting for months for her to recover her power naturally."

"I will," I said with a wry smile. Turning around to leave as I said with a chuckle, "Believe it."

If Freya had wanted to give me even more of a reason to be determined to win, she had certainly succeeded. And, instead of a burden, my heart felt a bit lighter.

Other POV

" –We need wine," Dionysus suddenly declared.

"...Pardon, Dionysus-sama?" Filvis questioned in confusion. She and her God were in the latter's office within their Familia home. Filvis was getting the Familia's paperwork out of the way so she could move onto other matters for the rest of the day. Only for Dionysus-sama to suddenly breach his silence with something utterly random.

Filvis had assumed that Dionysus-sama was being silent and doing nothing because he was thinking up more for his grand vision. Filvis had a bad feeling that he was just doing something silly instead.

"The Holy Winter Festival – Christmas – is tonight!" Dionysus declared, "It's a special day, where one gets to enjoy special food and drink!"

'...But we don't have plans for a Christmas party?' Filvis internally thought, massively confused. Their Familia home currently only had the two of them inside – the few who volunteered to guard the property notwithstanding. The vice-captain, Aura, had already led the rest of the Familia out into the city to enjoy the daytime festivities. All of the Familia were out celebrating the holiday on their own time and Valis.

Filvis then said, to appease her deity, "T-That is true. However, we've already got hundreds of fine wines in our cellar–"

She was interrupted by her God, who loudly whined, "NO!"

"Eh?"

"It can't be just any ordinary fine wine!" Dionysus insisted, his voice whiney like a child, "It must be a special one, to celebrate the wine festival! It's a special day after all!"

"It's not a wine festival though!?" Filvis couldn't help but protest. Far be it for her to suggest that her God was wrong, but… Christmas wasn't a wine festival. Right? RIGHT?!

"It is wrong for I, Dionysus, to drink an ordinary wine on a special day! I demand a special wine!" Dionysus whined even louder than before. He didn't even bother trying to argue against Filvis' logical reasoning.

A shiver went up Filvis' spine as she realized, 'Oh dear… It's happening…!'

"I want it…! I want it…! I must drink! I must quench my thirst with the most special, finest wine!" Dionysus whined with even more childishness, flailing his arms around like a mad-man.

Filvis finished her realization, 'This is bad! He's having a fit!'

Unfortunately, due to the almost constantly drunk Dionysus, this was a common occurrence that Filvis had to deal with.

"Quick!" Dionysus demanded incessantly, "I need it now! My, my… nnnooouuuvvveeeeaauu!"

"–There. I hope that answers all your questions," Filvis said to the other elf.

Lefiya felt even more confused than the sight of Filvis showing up at the Twilight Manor in a very festive looking outfit. "Umm… I'm not really sure it did. For instance, why are you dressed like this?"

Don't get Lefiya wrong, she really liked how it looked on Filvis. It just seemed out of character for the serious Filvis to wear such a festive looking outfit. A long-sleeved white blouse with frills and a black-gold collar. A light blue-jabot held in place with a golden star. A dark blue skirt accented with gold, her thighs and legs protected from the gold with black stockings. Red heels that were collared black and gold. Black gloves protected Filvis' dainty hands from the cold air of the outside. A small red cylindrical hat rested atop her black hair that matched her red eyes. A red cloak with white fur was worn over the rest that completed Filvis' stylish attempt to protect from the cold while being in the Christmas spirit. Though now that Filvis had left the outside, she had slung one of the shoulders off of her overcoat to prevent overheating.

Lefiya couldn't help but think it was lewd, even though it didn't show off any of her porcelain skin. Nor did the overcoat really accentuate Filvis' figure. Maybe the fact that Filvis' long legs were more emphasized because everything else was so well covered up? Lefiya felt embarrassed and dismayed at herself for somehow turning Filvis' legs into something lewd.

"It's to prevent Dionysus-sama from having another fit," Filvis defended herself, sounding exasperated and embarrassed, "I had no other choice. He feels better when I serve him dressed like this during this time of year."

'So I'm not the only one with an eccentric deity…' Lefiya couldn't help but empathize with Filvis' plight. Loki was similarly silly and neurotic, to put it lightly.

"But this method isn't going to last long…!" Filvis sounded desperate, "Soon, he'll crave for wine and start screaming 'nouveau, nouveauuuu!' like a baby!"

"Oh wow, I wish I didn't hear that. I didn't know that Dionysus-sama was that kind of God," Lefiya bluntly admitted that her respect for Filvis' deity had dropped a notch or two.

"Please have some respect," Filvis defended her God, "His fits are the key. His love for wine is so deep it turns him into a completely different person sometimes."

'Completely different sounds a bit much…' Lefiya internally noted Filvis' words.

Outwardly, Lefiya said in understanding, "Okay, it sounds like you have a lot of respect for him but at the same time think he's weird…"

"That's why I have a favor to ask," Filvis got to the point, "I want you to join me as I search for a wine so fine that my God will be satisfied."

"I have a feeling I'm getting myself into something entirely meaningless and all too troublesome…" Lefiya bemoaned her future-self for the chaos that was sure to come. That said, Lefiya couldn't help but welcome the distraction. While she was looking forward to participating in Loki Familia's own Christmas party… Lefiya was also welcome for any reason to leave the property. It felt… stuffy lately. Like she was an outsider in her own home, despite everyone being as friendly and welcoming as ever.

Whenever Tiona or Tione weren't keeping her occupied, Lefiya couldn't help but feel… lonely, as pathetic as it sounded. Like she was a stranger intruding on her own home. Attention from Ais would likely also have worked to distract Lefiya, but she couldn't know for sure because Lefiya hadn't seen the golden haired girl recently. Lefiya couldn't help but darkly think that Ais had abandoned her. Even though Lefiya logically knew that Ais didn't owe her any of her time in the first place. But how else was Lefiya supposed to feel since Ais hadn't even tried to talk to Lefiya after she had run off for Rivira?

"Plus, he'd be very pleased if the two of us were to serve him the wine together. Here's your outfit, Lefiya," Filvis suddenly proposed something utterly ridiculous as she pulled a festive outfit from seemingly nowhere before attempting to shove it into Lefiya's arms.

"I have to wear one too?!" Lefiya cried out, blushing, "Why would that be necessary?!"

"I taught you magic, remember?!" Filvis loudly pointed out, her eyes filled with embarrassment, desperation, and mania, "You're my friend. Friends are supposed to help each other!"

Lefiya tried to pull away from the insane elf, "Don't just throw around the term 'friend' when it suits you! I absolutely refuse to wear that outfit!"

Filvis gave chase after Lefiya as she said, "It'll at least look cute on you, unlike me! It's just a piece of clothing!"

"You lost your mind the moment you put that on, didn't you?!" Lefiya cried back as she blushed madly. 'Filvis thinks I would be cute?!' Lefiya thought to herself with a squeal. Lefiya felt like she could stand outside in the cold air and still feel like she was next to a roaring fire with how hot her cheeks were burning. It wasn't the exertion from running away from Filvis that was causing her body to warm up, as much as Lefiya would like to delude herself otherwise.

Filvis continued to chase Lefiya around the guest room. Lefiya's knowledge of the layout was the only thing that allowed her to outmaneuver the faster Filvis that was hot on her tail. Just as Filvis was about to finally catch Lefiya and do unspeakable things to her, the door suddenly opened.

"Ah, what an interesting guest we have today…" Raul Nord, wearing a black and green festive suit, said. The surprise in his tone managed to hide his minor distaste for the external Familia Captain in the room.

Anakitty, also wearing a complicated festive outfit, had also entered along with her unofficial partner. She too had an unpleasant glint in her eye upon noticing the foreign elf in her presence.

Filvis blushed in embarrassment, "Alchat (Noble Cat) and High Novice. I'm sorry you had to see me like this."

Lefiya also blushed at being caught doing something so childish, "Oh. Umm… Is it just you two? You look like you are about to head out somewhere?"

"Well…" Raul sighed in exasperation, "because Loki-sama came up with another brilliant plan… we now need to run some errands."

"We have to go and search for a fine alcohol," Anakitty explained further, also sounding exasperated at Loki's whims. "One fit for the holiday and the party tonight."

Filvis' face lit up at the sight of potential allies, all but running over to them to say, "Is that so? That's great! Would you mind if I tag along?"

"Why would you want to do that?" Raul asked in confusion. Bringing someone as infamous as The Banshee on an already annoying errand was not Raul's idea of a good time. That and he honestly had no idea why Filvis of all people would be trying to join them on such a troublesome task.

"My God wishes for a special drink too. However, I have no idea where to even b-begin… look…ing…" Filvis explained. Her enthusiasm and speech slowed the longer she spoke. Filvis was not blind to the dislike and fear, however small it was, that was in both Raul's and Anakitty's eyes – directed at her. As such, Filvis felt a cold dejection wave over her like ice cold water being poured over her head.

The feeling was interrupted as Lefiya pulled her away as she cried out, "No, you can't!"

"Woah!" Filvis said as Lefiya pulled her over to the opposite side of the room. "Wh-what's going on, Lefiya?"

"Geez, Filvis. Can't you see?!" Lefiya asked frustratingly, before whispering, "It's a chance for those two to hang out. And with it being Christmas Day, it happens to be the climax for a season of love in Orario!"

Filvis' face lit up in realization, "–Oh!"

Filvis held hope in what remained of her heart that the hostility that she had seen in Raul and Anakitty's eyes was because Filvis had almost interrupted their date and not for any other reason. Filvis' romanticization of, well, the hint of romance was enough for her to completely forget having dark thoughts about how most people in the city don't like her without even trying to get to know her.

Filvis whispered back to Lefiya, "D-Don't tell me that… Alchat and High Novice are um… in a… relationship, are they?"

"I don't know," Lefiya answered back in a whisper, "but my Familia members think there's definitely something going on between them!"

It was mostly rumors from Elfy, but it sounded pretty accurate to her! Lefiya continued to whisper in gossip, "They always spend so much time together, and there's something about the way Raul-san treats Aki-san. It's different from the way he treated others!"

"I-Is that so…?!" Filvis couldn't help but be excited and embarrassed at the talk of love.

"Loki Familia largely consists of powerful girls and we might finally have our first couple!" Lefiya declared. Just because Lefiya was on the rocks about Loki Familia's leadership, didn't mean that she couldn't be happy for Raul's and Aki's happiness!

"...You realize I can hear you, right?" Anakitty cut in with a deadpan from across the room. Her ears twitching as if in emphasis, but more likely out of annoyance than anything else.

""Waaah!"" Filvis and Lefiya yelped in frightened embarrassment.

"You couldn't possibly think that you could whisper secrets around a demi-human?" Anakitty chided them lightly. "I've been telling this to everyone, but it's not like that."

"O-Okay…?" Filvis stuttered, confused at her own disappointment in the lack of romance.

Raul, guessing as to what the topic was about from Aki's words, said, "It's just that we joined the Familia around the same time. We're like classmates, in a way."

"We have been at the same Level, and our battle style is similar enough. Recently, our Captain's even been asking us to give orders on his behalf," Anakitty explained.

'So that way Finn can do less work,' Lefiya thought negatively, 'If they succeed in the battlefield, then Finn can claim credit for the success. And if they fail, then it's not his fault that his subordinates weren't up to the task. At most, he is at fault for trusting in his comrades too much, which just makes him look good for being so benevolent…'

Whether Lefiya's dark thoughts were true or false, is hard to say. Finn very well could have no hidden intentions in sharing responsibilities with the likes of Raul. Lefiya was hardly in a frame of mind to make objective observations on her Captain.

Raul continued, unaware of Lefiya's misgivings, "Yup, we both rose the ranks around the same time. We tend to get assigned the same missions, which gives others the wrong impressions. Everyone's been asking the same question over and over, and we're simply tired of correcting them."

'How convenient,' Lefiya suddenly realized, 'Finn has turned gossip into a weapon to distract the Familia from potential flaws in his leadership. I suppose I shouldn't be surprised to see that Finn has turned love into a weapon…'

Again, Lefiya was likely looking too deep into it. Finn's hidden intentions could just be about encouraging relationships within the Familia so as to propagate an internal source of additional manpower. Finn could just think that the pairing of Raul and Anakitty was cute; that he supported others having a chance for love that Finn could not allow himself in the name of his Vision. There could be no hidden intent at all, and Lefiya is seeing schemes where there are none. She doesn't have evidence either way.

"So we've agreed to just let everyone say whatever they wanna about us," Aki said before adding, "I don't really want those from other Familias to believe these rumors, though. Maenads (White Witch), I'd appreciate it if you took it with a grain of salt."

"Right… I see," Filvis said slowly as she came to terms with this interesting and disappointing bit of Loki Familia drama and intrigue. Part of her had been genuinely excited to potentially witness a blooming romance, only to be disappointed with the cruel, banality of reality.

Lefiya was not ready to watch this ship sink right in front of her, no matter how much of it was some kind of political ploy by Finn or not. She insisted, "But then, you two seem a bit too perfect for each other to just be teammates…"

Raul gave a pained grin, "We've known each other for so long. Aki and I are hopelessly linked together."

"...I can't believe you just said that in front of others, Raul," Ana frowned in annoyance, frustrated that Raul had been so dismissive and negative of their relationship.

"Eh?" Raul became confused, "Aki, you say similar things in front of others all the time."

"But not in front of you," Aki said sharply, "I have respect for you. Haven't I been telling you that you should learn to think what others will think before speaking?"

"Oh. Err…" Raul shrunk in on himself as Aki chided him.

"By the way," Aki continued ruthlessly in her calm criticism, "I checked our ledger and realized your math was wrong. I fixed it for you, though."

"Really?!" Raul exclaimed, shocked at having made such an error, and that Aki fixed it for him. He felt a combination of surprise and gratitude at the revelation.

"Yeah," Aki confirmed before adding, "I had to edit the report you prepared last night, too. You wrote down too much information, making it hard to read."

"Hnnnnngh…" Raul squirmed in discomfort, "I'm sorry, Aki!"

Lefiya and Filvis were stunned at what they just witnessed.

"This…" Lefiya deadpanned, "isn't quite what I was expecting."

"This is not what young lovers should look like. They're like an old married couple," Filvis declared.

Anakitty, meanwhile, was still laying into Raul. "Also, I heard about you shopping in Rivira before it went to hell. Why didn't you buy everything you needed in advance? Rivira's not cheap–"

Raul finally had enough embarrassment, and cried out, "I get it, I'm sorry! Please forgive me!"

It is rumored that Raul's cries of mercy could be heard throughout Twilight Manor. All of the women giggled at Raul's misfortune while the men, for the most part, seethed at how he was probably getting attention from a cute girl like Aki again.

A short time later, the party found themselves outside the Twilight Manor.

Raul sighed in relief, "Phew… I thought that would never end."

"Umm… Are you alright, Raul?" Lefiya asked, trying to not think too deeply on her newfound attire.

Somehow, Filvis had convinced her to dress up. So now Lefiya was wearing a blue outfit with gold accents that exposed her shoulders and upper back. There was a window above and below her cleavage, which rankled her elvish sensibilities to no end. The outfit didn't even have sleeves! She had white gloves at least. Her blue skirt was similar to Filvis' – straight and tight with little ease of movement. She had white stockings to keep her legs warm, but unlike Filvis there was a noticeable gap that revealed her thighs – thighs that like Big Sis Ryuu were more plumb than the average elf. She had brown heels, with star accessories on them. Thankfully, there was a red overcoat with white fur to help keep Lefiya warm in the cold air – though the inside layer of her's was blue with white snowflakes whereas the internal side of Filvis' coat was black.

"Huh? Yeah, well, I've gotten used to it…" Raul said with a pained chuckle, "which is probably a bad sign."

"It's like Alchat's your boss, and you're an ineffective employee working beneath her," Filvis bluntly commented.

"Well, Aki is always correct," Raul responded, taking no offense to Filvis' words. "She's brilliant. She knows what she's doing, and she spares no effort in anything she does. She's so freaking cool. People think she and I make a perfect couple, but I don't… I'm no match for her. I still can't believe that I'm permitted to be her partner. It just doesn't make any sense."

""..."" Filvis and Lefiya had nothing to say in the face of such sad words of self-deprecation. They were in various stages of discomfort at Raul's words, neither close enough to Raul to be able to take it as simple dark humor.

Anakitty chose that moment to join them. She said, "Sorry to keep you all waiting. As you know, Loki-sama can be very demanding, so… What did I miss?"

"Nothing," Lefiya rapidly assured the Catfolk, "We were just chatting! So, where shall we go first?"

"Y-Yeah," Filvis also made to cover for Raul, saying, "it's not like we can walk into a random corner store and find the perfect drink for a God!"

"Yeah," Anakitty said, falling for the distraction, "We don't want to be wasting time randomly searching through places with no chance of getting what we want."

"I can only think of one place to go if we need to ask for advice regarding drinks…" Raul began to offer a suggestion. One that none of the others had no objections with. And a place that Lefiya was particularly eager to visit…

Ryuu, wearing her own Christmas outfit, deadpanned, "–And that's why you've all decided to come here?"

Not that the newcomers would know, but Ryuu had actually altered her Christmas attire. A minor change, with great consequences. For what Ryuu had done was… add a garter belt to help keep her stockings up. Even though the stockings were tight enough to form a small bulge at the point where silk met supple flesh – and thus had no need for the extra assistance in resisting gravity. Ryuu had assured herself when making the addition that it was NOT to aid in Bell looking at her thighs – which he seemed to enjoy with immense interest, she noticed. She DID NOT add the garter belt for that reason though. It was for purely pragmatic reasons. That was all.

Ryuu was standing opposed to the party that came from the Twilight Manor out in the street before the Hostess of Fertility. Chloe and Anya were also there, flanking Ryuu while standing directly in front of the door. The two cat-girls were standing right at the entrance of the store in their Christmas outfits. Along with signs hanging around their necks that read 'STORE IS CLOSED TO NAUGHTY CATS DRINKING ALL THE BOOZE'. The girls', who's crying was overly theatrical, also had welts on their heads as they shivered out in the cold mid-morning air.

Ryuu had come outside after Chloe and Anya called her out to deal with Lefiya and company after Lefiya refused to leave without talking to her 'Big Sis'.

"Yes!" Lefiya warmly confirmed Ryuu's question, "We determined it'd be best to ask for help from a professional!"

"I'm sorry to say," Ryuu demurred, "but if there are spirits so exquisite that even the Gods would be pleased, we'd like to know ourselves."

"I was hoping you guys might have a special drink or something. Loki's always talking about how much she loves having a drink here," Raul said. He eyed the two cat girls behind Ryuu as he then uttered, "Though, it seems like even that is not available at the moment…"

"We are innocent, nya!" Chloe pleaded.

"Innocent, nya!" Anya mirrored.

"Ignore their lies," Ryuu instantly shot down the girls' attempts to earn pity. "But yes, Mama Mia's fruit punch could've been something to please the Gods, but… Those two drank it all."

The two cat girls shuddered from the trauma of Mama Mia's punishment…

"Things really do get pretty hectic around here…" Raul commented, not sounding too surprised.

"So we're in a bind, too," Ryuu declared, "We were supposed to serve them for the Coalition Christmas Party tonight. So all that is left is just common mead…"

"Oh! That's right!" Lefiya explained, "Why are you still here, Big Sis Ryuu?! Shouldn't you and Bell already be on your way to the War Game site? It takes a while to get there."

"I've been assured that our manner of transport will allow us to cut down the travel time significantly," Ryuu said vaguely, "Pardon me for not elaborating further. But that is why we are still in the city to celebrate the holiday."

"I see," Lefiya nodded with understanding, not taking Ryuu's confidentiality personally. She then asked, "Is that why you and the other waitresses are here dressed like that?"

Ryuu blushed, "I'm just dressed like this because Syr… I mean, my coworker forced me to."

"Lies, nya!" Chloe called out, "She knows that Bell thinks the outfit is cute and sexy, nya!"

"I'm cute too, nya!" Anya chimed in, looking smug and proud of herself. Before shivering again from the cold of the outside air.

Ryuu blushed in embarrassment, "A-anyway, that outfit you're wearing is q-quite something too."

'She didn't deny it…' was the collective thought among the entire party gathered outside the Hostess.

Still, Lefiya blushed as she said, "I-I'm not dressed like this because I wanted to either! In fact, I have no idea why I'm actually dressed like this! Or that Filvis was so good at braiding hair!"

Lefiya's hair was not in her usual ponytail, instead she had a strand of her hair done into a braid that circled back to the base before being bound together with a golden star accessory.

"I have many skills," Filvis explained proudly, "And it'd be unreasonable for me to be the only person to be dressed like a psycho. Friends should support friends in their times of need."

"Stop throwing around the word 'friend' like that!" Lefiya bickered, "And don't make me wear this if you know that we both look like psychos!"

"Anyway, let's get back on topic," Anakitty cut in, "So you can't think of any other drinks that are special and fit the occasion, can you?"

"Unfortunately, no. We tried visiting the Exchange to search for something good enough to replace the fruit punch," Ryuu answered, "But we got nothing. It's not easy to find something of such high quality…"

The Exchange is another word for the major markets in the Southwest of the city. Ryuu had actually returned from there back to the Hostess shortly before the party in front of her had arrived.

"Oh, um…" Raul began, "Would you like to come with us, then? We can all search for a special drink together."

"Together?" Ryuu said, surprised at the sudden offer. Anakitty chided Raul for having poor manners.

"Well," Raul defended himself, "it seems like she's in trouble, and so are we. Don't you think it'd be best if we worked together? The Hostess of Fertility is always providing us a comfortable place to be, and I thought we could return the favor."

"So you would have me join you folks on your journey in search of exquisite spirits, huh?" Ryuu summarized, thinking about the proposition, "Hmm… I would like to ensure that Bell and the others can enjoy themselves before we need to go to War. Very well. Give me a few moments to gather a few things before we head out."

Ryuu turned away without waiting for a reply and went back into the pub.

Anakitty sighed, "Geez… Why did you suddenly decide to ask her out like that?"

"W-was that a bad idea?" Raul stammered, "Our Captain told us to form alliances with those who share common interests, and to have a flexible mind, so–"

"Damnit!" Anakitty cursed, "You captain-worshiping idiot! You're not using that as an excuse to hit on other girls, are you?!"

"Of course not! And why would you think that I'm only trying to talk to girls? I'm not like that!" Raul protested vehemently.

"All I'm saying is that I'm worried you might get tricked by some bad women! Just because you're Raul, Raul!" Aki said, her tone aggressive and jealous.

"What am I to you, Aki?!" Raul cried out at the treatment from his unofficial partner.

"Putting aside the lovers' quarrel…" Lefiya said off to the side with Filvis, "Bell is gonna kill Raul for hitting on his fiancé…"

"I don't agree with you on that at all… I see an elder sister scolding her stupid brother. It's really hard to define their relationship… Wait. Fiancé? That elf? Bell? As in Bell Cranel?" Filvis disagreed before finally noticing what Lefiya had slipped about Bell and Ryuu.

"Yes!" Lefiya confirmed to the other elf, "Big Sis Ryuu told me herself! She was intending on performing some kind of ceremony with Bell on Floor 18! She didn't tell me the details, just that it was equivalent to marriage! Though, things happened and it looks like they weren't able to complete the ceremony…"

"Is that so?!" Filvis was excited at the news of love. Especially since it involved a fellow elf. "Bell Cranel… what a dangerous fellow."

"That's right, nya!" Chloe chimed in, having heard everything with her demi-human ears. "Those two dorks are as close as close can be, nya! Bell is gonna beat the crap outta anyone that messes with his girls, nya!"

Anya giggled, "It was nice knowing you, mister black-hair, nya!"

"How ominous?!" Raul blanched, "And why is grievous bodily injury to death already a foregone conclusion?!"

Chloe and Anya gave Raul a cursory look over. Chloe then concluded, "...Perhaps it'll be a fair fight if Bell doesn't use his magic, nya."

"Maybe three minutes, nya?" Anya posited.

"If he leaves that spear of his at home, nya," Chloe affirmed.

"How cruel?!" Raul couldn't help but take mental and emotional damage at the fact that those waitresses thought that an adventurer of 2 months or so could defeat a Level 4 like him.

"Are they exaggerating?" Filvis asked Lefiya idly.

"Yes," Lefiya answered, giving Raul a spark of hope.

"Bell wouldn't hold back his magic against someone messing with Big Sis Ryuu. We should start looking for a good tombstone for Raul-san while we are out," Lefiya finished, crushing Raul's spirit.

A short time later, the now party of five walked the streets of Orario. The streets were lined with stalls and decorated with lights and stars and ribbons. And, considering how beautiful and relatively famous the four girls were, they were attracting a lot of attention. With Raul, who was taking the rear of the party with Aki, earning the ire of all nearby men.

"People passing by are all staring at me like they wanna kill me or something!" Raul shivered from the collective killing intent being sent his way.

"Well of course," Aki stated, "just look at this group. It looks like you're a huge player. Three elves and me. Not that I'm calling myself pretty…"

"That's a huge misunderstanding!" Raul bemoaned his circumstances, "I can't stand this… this atmosphere is just killing me!"

"You're thinking too much," Aki said, not understanding Raul's pain, "Stop being such a coward."

"Don't look at me like that…!" Raul protested, "I can't be confident all the time like Bete and the others…"

"Well… perhaps that's one of the good things about you," Aki kindly offered, giggling at the end. She then said, "I'd actually hate to see you acting like Bete out of the blue."

Meanwhile, at the head of the pack, the three elves had a conversation of their own.

"...I hope this is an appropriate question to ask, but are they friends or enemies?" Ryuu asked the other elves.

"Obviously they're friends, or something more than that!" Lefiya declared, "The entire Familia's been talking about them!"

"However, while observing," Filvis added, "I noticed that there's something different about them from how an ordinary couple behaves."

"But still!" Lefiya gossiped, "There's obviously something going on between them! The way they talk tells it all. It's hard to explain, though."

Before Ryuu could give her input, they overheard Raul say, "You're quite pretty yourself too, Aki."

"What made you say that all of a sudden?" Aki asked.

"Because you sounded like you didn't consider yourself one of the pretty girls," Raul said matter-of-factly, "It was close to sounding super sarcastic, even. What I'm trying to say is that you're gorgeous. I'm not saying this because you and I are teammates."

"Th-thank you," Aki said, flustered, "That makes me glad to hear, Raul. You certainly have a unique, lovable face, too."

"I've heard that a million times," Raul said dismissively with a chuckle, "Plus, I don't really take that as a compliment in the first place."

Raul's face was painfully average. This was a well known fact and part of why even his alias is average.

"It was supposed to be a compliment though," Aki insisted simply.

"All right then," Raul conceded, "I'll tell myself to feel thankful about it."

"Yup," Aki smiled, "You better."

The three elves looked at each other in varying degrees of shock. Or rather, Lefiya and Filvis were shocked while Ryuu had a look of understanding.

"I see," Ryuu said, "I understand."

"You know something?!" Lefiya asked, all but begging for answers.

"It is simple," Ryuu said, "The way they calmly say stuff like that to one another…it is love. Without a doubt."

"They were giving each other compliments regarding their appearances…!" Filvis blushed, scandalized at the lewd behavior, "The man clearly said she's pretty…! But then, why do I not feel romance in the air?! Something's very wrong!"

"How do you know?" Lefiya demanded from Filvis, "Don't tell me you've had a similar experience, have you?"

"O-Of course!" Filvis stammered, "As an elf, people would compliment me all the time whether they actually mean it or not!"

For better or worse, Filvis was referring to… before the Nightmare. Upon becoming known as the Banshee, Filvis is usually too feared and hated to have her beauty addressed. Or perhaps Filvis was just too blind to see it.

"What I mean to say is that usually, even if it's a random person of the opposite gender…" Filvis continued, "They'd normally blush, turn their head away and… Urgh! What am I saying?!"

Filvis blushed deeply. Embarrassed at describing matters of love.

Lefiya had a moment of realization, her observations of Ryuu and Bell coming to mind, "...By any chance, is this what adults look like when they're in love?!"

Ryuu nodded in agreement while Filvis was shocked at the assertion.

"Filvis and I have never even fallen in love," Lefiya postulated, "Perhaps we're not old enough to understand the relationship they're in…"

Lefiya was self-aware and mature enough to know that her feelings for Ais were 'just' a crush! However! That didn't mean that it was wrong to feel the way she did about the golden-haired girl! Not to forget her complicated feelings regarding Filvis!

"No!" Filvis denied reality, "It's shame! It must be shame… right?"

Filvis sounded less and less sure the more she spoke.

"No," Ryuu said, beginning to educate the other elves, "it is love. Why? Because love is like the warmth of the Sun. It encapsulates you, fills your being. And even when it is absent, you are assured that it will return to you when the sun rises again. Love is like the moon. Even when it changes its 'shape', you know it is the same – constant and ever-present. Love is like the stars in the sky. Gentle, eternal, unending. Standing together and guiding you both towards a brighter tomorrow."

Ryuu was smiling, her eyes closed, her thoughts consumed with the thoughts of her Hero.

""Woah…"" Lefiya and Filvis chorused together, inspired and completely enraptured by Ryuu's flowery, romantic words.

"What are those elves talking about up there?" Raul asked Aki from the back of the pack. "You can hear the noise they're making, can't you?"

"...It doesn't matter," Aki assured him, not wanting to touch the elves' conversation with a thirty-nine and a half foot pole.

"I suppose it is a world that you elves can't yet understand…" Ryuu consoled the other elves, "Perhaps this will serve to drive home the importance of broadening your knowledge."

"But–!" Filvis protested, "It's impossible to have such a conversation with those other than our own kind! I'd rather die than be heard talking about this."

Filvis had a lot of elvish pride, as such she found the idea of opening up romantically to other races to be too much for her sensibilities at this point in time!

"But, at the same time, my curiosity for these relationships are growing…!" Lefiya chimed in. Her interest in Aki's and Ryuu's relationships were reaching new heights!

"Whose relationships are we talking about," The sudden voice of Bell Cranel interjected.

Lefiya's face completely turned cherry-red, "B-B-Bell Cranel?!"

All three elves were surprised at the second male subject of their gossiping suddenly appearing amongst them!

Main POV

"That's right, I'm Bell Cranel. Why do you all look so surprised?" I asked, thinking their surprise was a little overboard. What could they have been talking about that they were too distracted to have their adventurer senses fail to notice my approach? Probably something lewd, like hand holding.

Speaking of lewd things, it took all of my concentration to not stare at Ryuu's thighs. Those supple peaches separated by the straps and clasps of a black garter belt… It was too much for my hormonal brain to take. If I looked for too long, I might get desperate enough to squirrel Ryuu away to the nearest inn. For my sanity, I did everything in my power to pretend I hadn't noticed the alterations to her Christmas attire.

Lefiya stammered, "Th-that's none of your business! But uh… have you been listening to what's being talked about?"

"Just something about a relationship…" I answered, getting suspicious. Ryuu certainly had a look on her face that said 'but it is kind of his business'. Was I the subject of girl talk just now? Scary.

Somehow, Lefiya's face managed to get even redder. Even I could tell that she was extremely embarrassed for some reason. It must have been quite the conversation, even Filvis was unable to look me in the eye.

Ryuu then said, "I was just educating my fellow elves. Think nothing of it. I see you are back, it went well?"

"Yep," I confirmed, "For better or worse. I was on my back to help set up the party when I saw you with everyone else. What are you up to? This looks more like a party for clearing out the entire Lower Floors than anything else."

"We are Christmas shopping," Ryuu answered.

"It's a long story," Anakitty chimed in, "We all share a common goal. We're searching for the perfect drink for a God."

It took me a few moments to recognize the cat girl and male adventurer in the group.

"Um… you're Alchat, correct?" I asked, "And High Novice? Of Loki Familia?"

"Yes, that's right," the girl confirmed, eyeing me warily as she said curtly, "Anakitty is fine too, I suppose."

The rumors about me must really be bad like Haruhime said if I am being viewed by random women with such distrust. If I didn't know any better or had worse self-esteem, I might feel like absolute trash under Anakitty's gaze! Her eyes were piercing with their disapproval and wariness.

"Yes, I'm Raul Nord," the other adventurer confirmed, "a pleasure to meet you."

Raul's tone was polite and neutral. Basically, he also didn't have a good opinion of me either, but was more professional about it. I could respect that.

"So you all are looking for drinks, huh…" I said, remembering how Chloe and Anya had drunk the good stuff on my way out first thing this morning. In terms of getting god-tier drinks like the kind they all seem to be after, only one place came to mind. I hadn't intended on going there so soon, but it was a good idea to check up on how things were going after everything I had done to that organization.

"I think I know just the place," I told the others.

"Eh?" Lefiya questioned, "Did you become an alcoholic when I wasn't looking?"

"No!" I denied, "It's just I have a contact through Lili! Her former Familia, remember?"

Lefiya blinked. Then once more. Then her face paled, "You cannot be serious. You'd be so bold as to–?"

"Yup," I said with a cheeky grin.

"I feel so out of the loop right now," Raul chuckled.

"Follow me!" I declared, "You guys aren't going to find what you are looking for on a random street corner, anyway."

"He's not wrong," Raul agreed.

"As long as he can get this inane chore out of the way, then fine by me…" Anakitty grumbled. The feminine passive aggression hurts my feelings, but only a little, because it's not like this random woman is my friend or anything.

Ryuu smiled knowingly, "Lead the way, darling."

I ignored the shiver that sent down my back as I reviewed my mental map of Orario to lead us where we needed to go from here. "He's most likely going to be at that place…"

I once again found myself at the compound where I liberated Lili and brought a certain Familia to its knees in a single day.

"–Soma Familiia!" Raul exclaimed, "That's it! I can't believe we hadn't thought of that!"

"It's probably because we haven't heard very nice things about them," Anakitty told him, "We tried to stay away from them."

"I heard from Riveria-sama that their wine was dangerous and that Loki-sama would drain our funds to get some," Lefiya chimed in.

"He and I have a long history, to put it lightly," I told everyone, "This serves as a good opportunity to check up on how Soma Familia is doing after I… smoothed out our differences."

I heard Raul shiver violently for some reason. Strange, I wasn't trying to intimidate anyone just now?

"So you did get Soma Familia to drop out of the War Game?" Lefiya asked pointedly, "I remember all the rumors surrounding it."

"I just came over and… negotiated with them so as to work out our differences," I said vaguely.

"Negotiated?" Ryuu asked me, raising her eyebrow, an amused smirk on her lips.

"Aggressive negotiations," I admitted sheepishly. "But they deserved it! Lili would back me up on this."

"...They probably did," Filvis chimed in, "I've had information come across my desk. He's not known for being the most friendly, delightful God."

"Let's meet with their Familia members first and talk, I suppose," Anakitty said, "We might not even be allowed to pass through the gate–"

"–That was easy," Lefiya deadpanned.

We walked up a familiar set of stairs inside the Soma Familia compound. We had done so in almost complete silence up until this point.

"It was as if they were welcoming us knowing that Bell Cranel was with us…" Anakitty sounded dead inside as she stated that.

"Welcome, Bell Cranel-sama!" I could still hear the guards' manic and fearful accommodations to my request to talk to their God. Had I accidentally acquired a vassal Familia? That's kind of awkward. That level of respect is both nice to have but also disgusting.

As we reached the top of the stairs, a guard nervously asked us to wait a few moments for Soma to be ready to greet us. We only needed to wait a minute or so before Soma called out to the guard to let us in.

We were let into the dimly lit room where I had first confronted Soma himself all that time ago. The difference in lighting between the room and the room outside took me a moment to adjust, so I didn't see Soma at first.

"...Sorry to keep you all waiting," Soma addressed us politely.

Everyone of us made sounds of surprise at the sight of the God before us. He was wearing a green outfit and Santa hat that made him look like a Christmas tree. An ugly one.

"What's the matter?" Soma asked us, noticing our collective shock at his choice of festive attire.

"How do I put this…?" I said slowly. Soma and I might not be on the best of terms personally, but even I had enough tact to not roast the man for his taste in clothing.

I could hear almost the entire party whisper behind me about Soma's attire. On whether it was actually Soma's choice to wear the outfit and whether it was their place to comment on how bad it was.

Only one of us was willing to call him out directly. "–That's an interesting outfit you're wearing," Ryuu said bluntly.

All of the other party members gasped in shock. I just thought Ryuu was cute for being so blunt.

"Ah," Soma said simply, "I'm wearing something that belongs to a Familia member. All my work clothes are being washed right now. What I wear doesn't matter so long as it doesn't affect my work performance."

That is the most bullshit excuse I've ever heard. But considering this is Soma, I actually believe it. I could overhear Raul and Anakitty whisper that they think Soma was being bullied by his subordinates. He probably was. Either way, it was for the best if we move past this topic and move onto why we were here in the first place. "So, Soma-sama, I came by to check and see how your efforts to reform the Familia were going. Have you been able to come up with something more… moderate yet tasteful for your followers?"

Part of 'forgiving' Soma was that he would work on trying to rehabilitate his followers. That meant producing a drink that would help wean them off of their Soma Wine addictions.

"Yes," Soma confirmed, "After everything that happened with Liliruca Arde, I've transitioned to producing ordinary alcohol. I truly don't want to see anyone get hurt again."

Did Filvis just gasp behind me? Maybe she just took a deep breathe…

Soma continued saying, "But then I found myself enjoying it. Now I've been so absorbed in the process that my nose can barely tell the difference between smells."

"I have a bad feeling about this…" I muttered. I somehow get the feeling that Soma got carried away again and has made something dangerous without meaning to. Yet I do believe it is an honest mistake on his part, if my hunch is correct.

"Soma-sama," Filvis addressed the God before us, "Is the drink you've produced good enough to please the Gods who've sipped a wide variety of amazing drinks?"

"I'm not sure if they're good enough to satisfy Gods other than myself," Soma responded humbly, "I, however, am quite happy with their quality."

That is another way of saying they are absolutely amazing. Probably.

Filvis gasped, also interpreting his words the way I did as she asked, "May I know where that drink is?"

"It's right here," Soma said, turning and pulling out a single large basketball sized jug of liquid. "It's my newest production – Orari Root Beer."

"O-Orari Root Beer?" Lefiya questioned.

I heard Raul mutter that the name of the drink was terrible. Anakitty chided him for disagreeing with a God's naming sense. I personally had no problem with it. Sure, it wasn't very original sounding, but it got the point across. Orario did imply a sort of quality of assurance on the global stage. It had marketing potential as far as I was concerned.

"Root…?" Ryuu said in confusion, not having context like I do to know what root beer is, "It sounds very… unique. How is it different from the drinks we know of?"

"It has beer in its name, but it's non-alcoholic," Soma explained.

"...I'm sorry?" Ryuu clearly didn't believe she heard the God of Wine correctly.

"Orari Root Beer…" Soma declared, "It's something that anyone can drink, including those who can't drink alcohol."

I had to give Soma credit, that was actually a good idea. Make a drink that tastes like alcohol without the actual alcohol content. It would help those with Soma addictions without the actual side-effects! Assuming it worked as prescribed.

"I-I have no idea what you're talking about…" Lefiya bemoaned. The idea of alcohol without alcohol in it didn't compute.

"You're suddenly being more talkative than before," Raul claimed sheepishly, "I think I know what Loki-sama meant when she said that you're a God consumed by your hobbies."

"Considering your efforts are to help your subordinates get over their addictions, I think this is an excellent step in the right direction," I conveyed my approval.

"I don't get it," Anakitty admitted before saying, "but I'm sure Loki-sama would be happy to drink anything."

She then addressed Ryuu, "And you'd be happy to serve Soma-sama's newest item at your pub, wouldn't you?"

"You're right indeed!" Ryuu agreed, apparently my words got her onboard. "Soma-sama, could we by chance have some of your Orari Root Beer?"

"...Sure," Soma agreed after considering it for a moment, "but on one condition."

"Really?" Lefiya asked in excitement, pleased to be on the precipice of completing her quest, "And that condition is…?"

"Our Familia is currently facing an issue–" Soma began to explain before getting interrupted.

"–Hold it," Filvis sternly cut in, "It seems Lefiya and the others are convinced, but I'm still not sure about this new drink of yours. The drink is going to be served to Dionysus-sama. It can't be some cheap drink for commoners or anything fishy."

"Hold on, Filvis?!" Lefiya chided her (possible) girlfriend, "You're being quite impolite in front of a God!"

"I'm sorry, Lefiya," Filvis said before defending herself, "However, I'm a child of Dionysus-sama and it is mandatory for me to have high expectations of wine and other drinks. Whether my God will be pleased or not is everything to me."

I mean, wine is supposed to be one of Dionysus' purviews if I remember correctly. I'll need to double check with Hestia and Astraea to learn more about him. Something I would have done sooner if I wasn't so preoccupied with other things.

"...Then, what are we going to do?" Soma asked, no doubt wondering what the hell he was supposed to do if we weren't interested in what he was offering.

"It's easy," Filvis declared, "I'll take the first sip. There's no way I'm allowing my God to swallow anything before I taste and make sure it's not poisonous."

"I'm fine with that," Soma found her words reasonable. He proceeded then to turn around and pour a small cup of the drink from the jar he had.

I felt something burn on my back. I had a bad feeling something stupid was about to happen. Soma claimed it was non-alcoholic, but the lack of peer review concerned me greatly now that I thought about it. Soma coming up with something good for his Familia right away seemed far more competent than the God actually was. "Hold on a minute here," I tried to stop imminent disaster from happening, "This is an untested drink made by Soma-sama! If you were to still somehow get drunk–"

Filvis cut me off and declared, "I'm imperfect, but I am still a high class adventurer. There's no way I'd get drunk from drinking alcohol, much less something that is non-alcoholic." She accepted the cup offered to her by Soma before I could intervene and said, "–Well, then. Cheers."

Filvis delicately drank the shot of root beer. Within a moment, her eyes went wide, dropping the glass which shattered when it hit the ground. Filvis' expression was that of abject euphoria that was disturbingly close to looking like she was experiencing sexual bliss. She even began to pant, her breathe suddenly heavy.

Lefiya looked at her fellow elf in concern, "...Filvis?"

"...Amazing," Filvis managed to finally say, a soft smile on her lips, her cheeks rosy. Surprisingly, her speech was coherent.

"Quick… Dionysus-sama…" Filvis' speech quickly began to deteriorate, showing I had spoken too soon. "You need to drink this… my lord… Lorrde… Dionyusuossss…"

"Huh?" Raul made a noise of confusion.

"H-Hey, are you alright?" Anakitty asked Filvis in concern.

"–That freaking, wine-guzzling, garbage Gooodddd!" Filvis drunkenly yelled out.

"""EHHHH!?""" Lefiya, Raul, and Anakitty exclaimed at the sudden transition from sobriety to drunkenness. I felt no pride at my intuition realizing that something was up with Soma's drink.

"I won't fooorrrgive you!" Filvis continued to bad mouth her God, "You alllways, alllways treat us like your slaaaaves! Where are you, trashy Goooodddd?! Imma show you muh divine fist!"

"Oh dear, she's absolutely hammered!" Raul said what everyone had realized.

"Come on, come out, wherever you aarrreeee! You blond peeerrrv!" Filvis continued to holler. Before running out down the stairs, no doubt in search of her God so she could pummel him. Or at least the first blond male she finds in lieu of her God.

"There she goes!" Anakitty called after her.

"We've got to chase after her!" I commanded. Filvis might accidentally kill someone with her 2nd Class Adventurer strength if she runs into the wrong person first. And I won't allow that to be on her conscience. And besides, it was cold to think, but this served as an excellent opportunity to investigate and see if Filvis was EVIL. A drunk tends to have loose lips after all.

And so, just like that, our calm adventure to find an interesting drink turned into a high speed chase as we ran after the drunken black-haired elf.

Other POV

"Oh, nouveau… my nouveau…" Dionysus uttered madly, embracing his inner nature without restraint. Even while drunk, it was hard for Dionysus to be constantly showing a kind and congenial face when around others. Insanity was part of his very nature, but it was important to give off the airs of someone that wasn't completely crazy. So, with no one around to witness him, he was free to be as neurotic as he pleased.

That said, his divine intuition was calling out to him about something. "Where's Filvis?! I feel a burning heat, almost like desire, but it's making me uncomfortable…"

It was at that moment that Dionysus heard the sounds of doors loudly opening. It could only be one person entering the Familia home!

"There she is!" Dionysus called out with an outwardly warm smile, "Filvis! Are you back with my wine?!"

Filvis busted into the room he was in, slurring out loudly, "Theeerrreee you are! You piece of traaassshhh!"

"Aaaaaaaaah!" Dionysus screamed in terror, recognizing righteous drunken female anger when he saw it.

"Maenads Punch!" Filvis drunkenly declared her attack as she punched her God with such force he literally flew across the room.

"Gwaaaaaahhh!" Dionysus cried out in pain as he flew and impacted the wall.

"You freaking, wine-drinking, piece of garbage!" Filvis drunkenly raged, "I have a lot of things to say to you!"

"What's gotten into you?!" Dionysus weakly demanded answers, "I've never seen you like this, Filvis!"

Dionysus wasn't sure whether to be angered at the insubordination or aroused at the insanity of everything. Perhaps both would work?

"Die, Damn-you-nysus!" was all that Filvis had to offer as explanation as she moved to pummel her deity into submission.

Dionysus wisely took that as inspiration to start running for his life. Filvis was hard to evade, her adventurer's strength more than enough to outperform his own meager physical abilities. Thankfully, however, Filvis' drunken state prevented her from being able to catch him as he used the room's layout to his advantage. Unfortunately, Filvis had unintentionally or not done well to prevent him from being able to escape through the only doorway out of his office/guest room.

"Stoooppp!" Filvis drunkenly demanded, "Don't ruuunnnnn!"

"What's happening?!" Dionysus cried out at the unfairness of the world, "Why is Filvis attacking me?! I don't understand!"

Dionysus' mind scrambled as he considered the ramifications that this newfound revelation might mean for his future. A future that was looking increasingly short.

"Yaaaahhhhh!" Filvis cried out as she took advantage of Dionysus talking to himself, impeding his breathing and thus his ability to evade her. With a flying side-kick, she flew at Dionysus and kicked him into the same wall as she did before.

After the impact, and through the pain, Dionysus managed to say, "Ghaaaaah! What a beautiful kick that was–!"

"Damn yooouuuu! Don't you get how I feeeel?" Filvis drunkenly yelled and cried, "You stupid piece of traaasssshhh!"

Filvis continued to pummel him with punches as Dionysus said, "Cut it out, Filvis! I mean, please stop! I'm begging you! For God's sake! Stop before I discover something new that peaks my fancy!"

That usually gets even crazy women to stop beating him due to how disgusting his words were. Dionysus considered himself lucky that Filvis, in her drunken state, was only mustering a fraction of her true power. The stats of a Level 4 pummeling his mortal body would have otherwise killed him if unrestrained.

Filvis, however, wasn't listening. She continued to yell, "You treat me like a slave allllll the tiiiiime…! Have some respeccct for meeee! Think about being nice to meeee for once! You bastaaarrddd!"

"Aaaahhhhhh!" Dionysus cried out. Both in pain, and in frustration. He only knows how to pretend at being nice! Universal kindness is outside of his skillset, and he is proud of it! How infuriating! That said, this entire situation is amusing in its own right, so he cannot help but see it through to its conclusion. Hell, he can use this drunken disobedience to his advantage in the future with his honeyed words and silver tongue…

Assuming he didn't die first!

Main POV

With the girls ahead of me, we finally entered the room inside the Dionysus Familia home where Filvis was beating the crap out of her God. Filvis, despite her outfit impeding her movement, was somehow able to stay ahead of all of us chasing after her. Even Ryuu had been unable to catch the drunken elf. Then again, Ryuu's own outfit was impeding her movements. That, and I think that Ryuu was more concerned about making sure Filvis didn't attack a random civilian than about restraining the dangerous Level 4 adventurer. Which had been a close call more times than I'd care to admit. And, for better or worse, it seems to have worked out fine as Filvis was corralled into only laying into the actual source of her apparent frustrations.

Anyway, the girls had entered the room in question first. They stopped shortly after entering and looked at the chaos in stunned shock.

"...Woah," Anakitty sighed.

"This is bad," Ryuu said clinically.

"I don't want to comment poorly on my own kind, but this is really, really bad," Lefiya said distantly, like she was a neutral observer or something.

"How are you all so calm right now?!" I exclaimed, once more feeling like the straight man in a comedy skit. I had kind of expected Lefiya at least to be trying to get her girlfriend under control!

"Stop them now!" Raul pleaded. Likely also not wanting to break up the scuffle lest inappropriate contact accidentally occur. I had a feeling that if I tried to get Filvis to stop beating up her God, that I'd somehow end up in a lewd position, and I wasn't falling for it!

At my additional urging to Lefiya, she finally moved to distract Filvis and pull her away from the blond-haired God. And, thankfully, my intuition was correct. Lefiya's presence and words were enough to distract Filvis from her drunken rage.

Filvis was hanging onto Lefiya, her arms around Lefiya's neck as she continued to drunkenly and weakly cry, "Lefiyaaa… I'm trying…. Trying so hard for Dionysus-sama…."

"Yeah, you are," Lefiya cooed and consoled the elf hanging off of her, "We can all see just how hard you're trying."

Awwwww. Lefiya looks so cute blushing in embarrassment at having public displays of affection with her girlfriend! The way she's trying to sound like she's not uncomfortable with a drunken Filvis all over her is adorable.

"I'm a captainnn…" Filvis continued to cry to Lefiya drunkenly, "I know I'm responsible for a lotta thingsss… But whyyy? Why can't I expect a word of appreciationnn?"

"You can, absolutely," Lefiya assured her girlfriend. "I absolutely agree with you, Dionysus-sama is awful."

"How daaarrreee…" Filvis lamented, a hiccup cutting herself off, as she suddenly changed tact, "But you know… He is suuuuper hot…"

HOLY SHIT! FILVIS! YOU CAN'T NTR YOUR GIRLFRIEND LIKE THAT!

I could see the light leave Lefiya's eyes as she said, "Okay… that's enough."

I glanced over at Dionysus, as if trying to find some evidence to absolve Filvis of her sins if I looked at him long enough. He was lying on the ground in a heap. If you ignored the developing bruises, Dionysus' appearance would objectively be considered beautiful, if that was your type. He was of medium height with medium length blonde hair, emerald eyes, and long arms and legs. He wore a violet suit matching his long-sleeve coat, pants, shoes, a yellow button shirt inside, and a white cravat around his neck. Frankly, I could understand why someone of the female gender would consider Dionysus to be 'hot'. I thought he looked rather snobbish, but I understood how his appearance could appeal to women. That said, I don't think I can forgive Dionysus for getting in the way of Lefiya's yuri romance.

Soma suddenly commented, "She's getting everyone caught up in this, crying for some reason, and talking about a guy she likes all of a sudden… I think she's drunk."

"Well, of course she is!" Raul instantly retorted incredulously.

"I never wanted to see Filvis-dono this drunk…" I said, as I continued to internally lament the existence of NTR. "Actually, I hope she IS drunk, otherwise she's just lost her mind."

Dionysus, by this point, had shakingly gotten to his feet and said, "I see… So it was Soma's alcohol. I did hear about the effect his drink could bring. That explains why Filvis is disgracing herself to this extent." He then glared at his fellow God in apparent frustration and said, "You've done it this time, Soma…!"

After a beat of silence, Soma responded, "...My bad."

Children. They're a bunch of children. How do grown men, much less Gods, talk to each other like that?

As if trying desperately to change the subject, Raul asked a question, "By the way, Dionysus-sama, what happened to that fit you were apparently suffering?"

Dionysus smiled so brightly he was sparkling as he answered rapidly, "All of this has me so worked up that I was knocked out of it! This is no time to be wallowing. Hahahah!"

Lefiya's voice promised bloody murder as she asked aloud, "Oh… So long as Filvis is here to beat you up, everything is fine, then? There's no need for me to be wearing this, right? Right?"

"Don't let yourself fall to the dark side, Lefiya," Anakitty advised sternly, unaware of the reference that the Gods had no doubt slipped into this world's lexicon of metaphors. Seriously, you can't make this shit up, that's what the cat girl said just now.

"Besides, it suits you," I couldn't help but chime in with my opinion. "You're beautiful, Lefiya, so there's no need to be self-conscious or anything."

Lefiya froze. Her mouth dropped as her entire face went red. Her eyes became clouded as she likely began to vividly daydream… something. Meanwhile, I could feel Anakitty's piercing gaze on my person. There was a barely restrained sneer on Anakitty's face that screamed, 'disgusting playboy'. If speaking the truth is disgusting, then society is what has a problem, not me! Is this what it's like to be Hikkigaya Hachiman? Harsh.

I had a feeling that Ryuu was amused but she didn't show it on her face at all. Outwardly, Ryuu ignored the byplay as she said to Soma, "You said your drink was improved, but look how she is. Is Orari Root Beer normal alcohol or not?"

"It's a long story," Soma answered, "but there was a little bit of a problem due to my alcohol in the past. My children were victims of related issues. Quite a few suffered due to it, including Liliruca Arde. I feel quite bad about it. However, because of the nature of my Familia, I can't stop producing alcohol. That's why I came up with an idea… If getting drunk was the problem, then it could be solved with a waker-upper."

"What do you mean by that?" Raul incredulously asked.

I was also confused. I thought I understood Soma's logic in developing the Orari Root Beer, but now I feel like I misunderstood his intentions in the design process.

"I came up with a formula at the same time as I made the Orari Root Beer," Soma casually explained before asking, "Would you like to know the name? —It's called a Virgin Merry."

That pun is bad. Soma should feel bad.

"One sip of it should sober up anyone who drank Orario Root Beer," Soma dropped the hammer, "In other words, without it, you'll literally never sober up."

I resisted the urge to ask Soma if he'd like me to just go ahead and send him back up to Tenkai right now. Instead, I exclaimed at the absurdity, "I don't see any improvements in the improved version of your drink whatsoever! And to think that Soma Wine was terrifying!?"

Orari Root Beer was like encrypting a file with the AES-256 algorithm… adapted for a quantum computing environment. Without the 'key', Virgin Merry in this case, breaking the 'encryption' was essentially impossible. Without the 'counter-drink', anyone who consumed Orari Root Beer would be in a permanent state of drunkenness. The only bright side is that Virgin Merry could potentially also work for drunkenness caused by other sources of liquor. But I wouldn't be surprised if it only countered Orari Root Beer specifically.

"By Loki!" Raul cursed in horror, "What's your definition of an ordinary drink, anyway?!"

Ryuu focused on the bright side of this entire situation. "We should be glad we have an antitoxin… Or should I call it 'anti-intoxication'? After all, I'm not comfortable seeing my own kind acting like this."

"E-Exactly!" Lefiya returned to reality, "I feel very much disgraced to see Filvis looking and talking like this! So, where is this wake-up juice you're talking about?!"

I think Lefiya is denying the reality that Filvis netorare'd her by blaming it all on the Root Beer. I'm not so unkind as to deny her THAT delusion. I'm still reeling from the fact that Filvis has at least some sexual feelings regarding her God.

"Well…" Soma said slowly, "Somebody stole it."

""WHAT?!"" Raul and I exclaimed in unison. How did Soma create Orari Root Beer and Virgin Merry AND get robbed all within less than a week?! I thought only I could get into that much chaos in such a short amount of time!

Not reacting to our distress, Soma explained the situation. "Some bandits broke into the storeroom a little while back. Apparently they were hardcore fans of the divine spirits I used to produce, but have since halted. They've taken all the Orari Root Beer and Virgin Merry that I kept in the storeroom. That's why I need to ask a favor of you all. I want you to bring back what's been stolen."

"I get it, but…" Anakitty said before criticizing, "Don't you think you ought to work on your home security a little too?"

"...My bad," Soma responded simply.

Normally, I'd deadpan at this answer. However, it clicked in my head that most of Soma Familia is likely still disarmed. Their Falna are collectively still sealed while Soma is working on a detoxing program. The lack of militarization likely enabled the bandits to steal his stuff in the first place. So, in a roundabout way, this is all MY fault.

Fuck.

"Enough with the 'my bad'!" Raul retorted, unaware of my realization.

Glancing at Ryuu, I could tell that she understood what was going through my mind. Her eyes were silently conveying, 'This isn't your fault, you idiot'.

'Yes. It is,' I silently conveyed back with a look.

'You're being stupid,' Ryuu silently retorted with a raised eyebrow.

'Yes,' I confirmed by not changing my expression.

Ryuu rolled her eyes.

"Anyway…" Lefiya said, her face a little pale, "You're saying that if we help you out, we can have some of your Orari Root Beer and the wake-up drink… What was it called?"

"Virgin Merry," Soma answered with a straight face, as always.

"Right. That…" Lefiya deadpanned. I could tell that while she didn't understand the reference to 'Virgin Mary' the drink, she did know that the reference was stupid.

"I thought we were just going grocery shopping," Raul moaned and sighed in despair, "but now we're heading off on some Quest all of a sudden…"

"Complaining isn't going to help," Ryuu said, taking charge of the situation, "and refusal isn't really an option here."

At some point, Ryuu or someone must have healed Dionysus, because his bruises were gone. Dionysus addressed everyone, saying, "I understand the situation now. By finding these bandits, we will get this… captivating Orari Root Beer. Allow me to help."

I gave the blond-God a weird look. "You're coming with us, Dionysus-sama?"

This presented an opportunity to keep an eye on Filvis' God. Perhaps he might let something slip, something that would show whether he – and thus Filvis – was EVIL. The fact that he would personally get involved was useful to me, but also seemed out of character if he is EVIL. Then again, that might be exactly the point. Regardless, Dionysus seemed to have little sense of self-preservation to volunteer to join a party that included a drunken elf that was inclined to beat him up.

"I must do this for Filvis," Dionysus responded, looking me deep in the eye from his position. "It's my fault this happened to her. I'm sure I can find a way to help you all out. I know a lot of people."

Considering that Dionysus Familia had once been a contender for the 5th strongest Familia in the city, his claim of having connections was not bold in the slightest!

Anakitty sure seemed to think so. "That's very helpful, however… What are we going to do with Maenads in the meantime?"

As if on cue, Filvis' drunken ramblings picked up volume. "Uuuuurgh! Dionyusuuussss-sammmaaaa! Where are youuuu? Gimme a hugggg or I'll kill yaaaa!"

"We can't leave her alone like this," Dionysus stated ruefully, "She's like an uncontrollable weapon, and my life is in jeopardy."

"That's pretty harsh…" Raul deadpanned.

"He's not wrong though," I commented back. Filvis was probably gonna kill her own God if she wasn't distracted.

"Filvis is a Level 4 and none of the Familia would be able to control her even if they were here," Dionysus neatly concluded.

Lefiya realized what everyone likely knew on some level. "Huh? Wait, does that mean–"

"You need to distract your girlfriend with the power of Yuri before she cheats on you again before proceeding to kill her God like a Yandere madly in love," I deadpanned.

Dionysus shivered, likely having understood my terminology entirely.

Lefiya smiled sharper than the Hestia Knife. She pointed a finger at me and started to sing, "Proud warrior, snipers of the forest. Take up your bows before the advancing plunderers—!"

I instantly caved. Within a split second, I was down on the ground begging for mercy in a dogeza, "HAVE MERCY!"

"DIEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!" Lefiya screamed in embarrassment as she raised her fist against me, while Ryuu sighed in exasperation.

Pain swiftly followed.

"–Bandits?" a patrolling member of Ganesha Familia answered us, "I haven't seen or heard anything about that. I'm sorry I can't help."

I and the others thanked the guard for his help as he left us. We had taken to the streets of Orario again to look into the bandits so we could cure Filvis. The drunken elf was currently being distracted by Lefiya, somehow having been convinced to give Filvis a piggy back ride of all things. Dionysus had split off while we had waved over a guard to ask him about the situation.

"Even Ganesha Familia hasn't a clue about it," Raul sighed, "Not like I'm surprised, but this isn't looking good."

"All we know is that the criminals are a huge fan of Soma," Ryuu declared, "We need more clues to locate them."

"And we really need to be quick about it," I said, "I mean, look at her…"

We all looked at Filvis and Lefiya.

"Lefiyaaaa," Filvis whined sadly, "where's Dionyususss-sama? I wanna see himmmm!"

"No, you may not see him!" Lefiya chided, "You'll kick him and step on him like a bug!"

I suppose Lefiya's reverence for the divine was greater than her anger at being netorare'd. What a good girl. It took a lot of self-control to not actually lash out considering the circumstances. Rather than send annoyed or passive aggressive words at Filvis for 'betraying' Lefiya's feelings, Lefiya is instead focusing on the matter at hand. It really speaks to Lefiya's character.

"I won't do that!" Filvis drunkenly insisted, "I'm a Captain for God's sake! Hmph!"

Cute. That pout at the end was so cute.

"Ugh…" Lefiya winced, "She's cute, but so annoying!"

Trying to talk and reason with someone who is drunk can be like that, for sure.

"...I don't want to imagine what it's going to be like when she sobers up," Anakitty commented, empathizing with Future!Filvis. It would seem that Filvis' pitiful state was enough to overcome any dislike Anakitty may or may not have had about the elf with the poor reputation.

"She's probably going to explode from embarrassment," Ryuu said, giving her expert opinion on all things Elven.

Soma then decided to speak up for the first time since we left the Dionysus Familia Home. "...A drunk is not the master of their own soul."

"Considering everything, you have no right to be saying that, Soma!" I deadpanned.

"This is exactly why I hate dealing with deities," Raul said, agreeing with my sentiments before saying, "By the way, where has that other God gone off to?"

Raul was wondering what was taking Dionysus so long to return.

And, as if summoned, Dionysus emerged from a nearby alleyway. "Sorry, kids. I was having a little stroll."

Suspicious… Something about the way he talks, despite being so outwardly innocent, just rubs me the wrong way. I don't understand why my intuition, or instincts, are warning me about this God. I'll need to remember this feeling in my heart for later consideration.

"Where even were you all this time, Dionysus-sama?!" Raul asked, "You promised you'd look for the bandits with us."

"The bandits?" Dionysus said, with a hint of smug condescension, "I've already found them."

"Huh?" Raul uttered in surprise.

"I know where their base is, too," Dionysus revealed. "Let's all head there right away."

"Wait, what?" I questioned in confusion. "How could you already know? This city isn't exactly small, and Daedalus Street is an endless maze. How did you manage to find the base already?"

The enemy base being in Daedalus Street was just an educated guess on my part. Considering how even natives of Orario get lost there, it was no doubt an excellent place for ne'er do wells to establish themselves.

"I just asked the right person who happened to be my own kind," Dionysus answered vaguely, "Didn't I tell you I know a lot of people?"

Ryuu's eyes narrowed slightly, it was such a minute movement that I doubted that most people would have even noticed it. She asked, "And who is this mysterious pal of yours?"

"There's a firm bond between those who worship alcohol," Dionysus replied, "We hunt for exquisite spirits, teach each other lessons, and get drunk together."

"So in short, it's your drinking buddy," Anakitty deadpanned.

If I didn't know any better, I'd get the impression that Dionysus just spouted off a vague statement instead of actually answering Ryuu's question and then allowed us to make our own conclusions from said statement. He was awfully evasive and the opposite of specific with his source.

Dionysus then elaborated, "The bandits who broke into Soma's are worshippers of divine spirits. It seems they've gotten in contact with my people to gather info, too."

That sounds more reasonable. Why do some Gods have to be so dramatic?

"Everything's starting to make sense now!" Raul exclaimed happily, "Thanks to you, my lord, it seems we'll finish this in no time!"

"Hah," Dionysus chuckled before saying humbly, "Do not try to flatter me. I only did what I must."

All of a sudden, Filvis appeared without Lefiya holding her back. "Ah! Dnysussss-sama!"

Dionysus paled, a weak smile on his face as he said, "(Damn it, it's Filvis…) Hey there. It's nice to see you looking all happy now."

Filvis smiled drunkenly, yet also like a maiden in love. "I missed you so much, Dnysuuuse-sammmaaa–"

Then, in a split second, her expression became one of drunken, murderous rage. "–Raaaaaaagh!" she yelled as she punched Dionysus, the force launching him into a stall across to the other side of the street.

"Gwaaaahhh?!" Dionysus screamed in pain from the attack.

Filvis began to move after her God as she said, "Seeing your face reminded me of how mad I was! You stupid, trashy Gooooddd!"

"Stop it, Filvis!" Dionysus begged as Filvis stalked closer and closer. "You're about to send me back up there!" Dionysus was, of course, referring to Tenkai. The words involuntarily reminded me of a certain pillar of light… I flinched at the reminder.

Lefiya came back over to try and stop Filvis. "Come on, Filvis!" Lefiya pleaded. "What are you doing?!" Lefiya was blushing as she moved to prevent Filvis from killing her deity. It's just a theory, but I think the drunken Filvis flirted with Lefiya or even went as far as kissing Lefiya on the cheek which gave Filvis the opportunity to get away from Lefiya to then kill Dionysus. But that's just a theory.

"...We've got to do something about this, and fast," Anakitty observed.

All Raul and I could do was chuckle weakly at the task ahead of us. This Christmas is definitely shaking up to be one I'll never forget alright…

Other POV

In a shabby warehouse on the edge of the Daedalus Street District, a dozen alcoholics were gathered in secret. Or, to put it another way, a gathering of the average adventurer. If said adventurers all happened to manage to make it to Level 2 despite their alcohol problems. Or perhaps, it was their unhealthy love of alcohol that forced them to Dungeon Dive enough to fund their drinking problem; and thus pushed them to new heights through sheer degeneracy and desperation.

"Look…!" one of the goons drooled as their leader began to pour the first drink from the barrel. "It's Soma-sama's newest production! It's what we've all dreamt of…!"

"H-Hey, I wanna have a drink!" Another cut in, desperate to get his fix of the new spirit. "Come on, can I have a drink already?!"

"Relax," the big boned leader chided with a chuckle. He continued to pour glasses as he spoke, quickly dispensing enough drinks for everyone present. "The drink ain't going nowhere. Let's spend some time enjoying it. First, a toast."

The leader of the band passed the drinks around. When everyone had a mug, he said, "To the finest drink and its creator, Soma-sama!"

All the men cheered. The irony that they were cheering to the very God they stole from was lost on everyone present.

"Cheers–!" the band of brigands exclaimed as they moved to partake in their stolen goods.

"–Hold it right there!" the voice of Anakitty called out as she kicked down the door of the warehouse. She entered the building, flanked by Ryuu and Lefiya on either side of her.

"Who are you!?" the bandit leader exclaimed in shock, not having expected to be raided like this. And if he was to be under a raid, he expected a bunch of masked guards from Ganesha Familia, not a trio of hot women!

"How shameful of you all to be toasting with stolen spirits," Anakitty said in lieu of answering. She placed her hand on the hilt of her short-sword as she said, "I couldn't be more disappointed."

"I wouldn't go so far as to call these people villains," Ryuu hummed, beginning to palm one of her kodachis, "They're just filthy street urchins. However, a crime is a crime, and someone must pay."

Lefiya tightened her grip on her staff as she said, "You've all caused a lot of trouble! To me in particular! Now, give us back the Orari Root Beer and Virgin Merry that you stole!"

Main POV

Meanwhile, in the back of the group, Soma commented, "...At a glance, this warehouse cannot account for everything that was stolen."

"Considering the size of this warehouse, that's both impressive and concerning!" Raul deadpanned. There were easily 20 barrels filled to the brim with heavenly spirits. It was concerning that Soma had made even more of the stuff that the brigands were able to partition their stolen supply into such large groups.

"Why am I on drunk duty?!" I exclaimed, unnerved at how Filvis was giving me a death glare straight into his eyes while standing uncomfortable close to me.

"I've gotttt my eyessss on you, Bell Cranellll!" Filvis slurred ominously.

"She'd kill me if I tried to distract her," Dionysus smiled.

"...She has no reason to listen to me?" Raul offered unsurely.

"...And I'm a God," Soma said as an excuse.

"How awful!?" I exclaimed at the injustice.

Other POV

While the boys were bantering, the girls were confronting the bandits.

"H-How could they know all of that?!" The leader exclaimed, wondering how all of these people had caught onto him and his crew so relatively quickly. It's not like they stole the Divine Spirits that long ago, just the day prior in fact.

"Damn!" one of the bandits cried out, "That's Alchat and Thousand Elf from Loki Familia! What do we do, Boss?!"

Ryuu's appearance was still not universally known to the people of Orario – for now.

"Urgh!" The leader groaned in anger, "We finally got our hands on Soma-sama's booze, and I'm not gonna let go of it no matter what! We're adventurers! We can hold our own in a fight!"

"Is that so?" Anakitty said with a raised eyebrow as she drew her short-sword. "Then I guess you can all tolerate a little bit of pain."

Lefiya took a defensive stance as she said, "This is for Filvis, who turned into a completely different shameless person who will probably die once she knows about it!"

"Shut up and get 'em, boys!" The bandit leader galvanized his men. The bandits enthusiastically drew their weapons, willing to put up a fight if it meant protecting their ill-gotten booze.

Unfortunately for the bandits, the layout of the warehouse didn't exactly allow them to all swarm the girls at once. Meaning their advantage in numbers, their only real advantage, was not exactly able to be utilized properly. Only three to five men could attack the girls at a time.

With ease, Anakitty was able to use her strength, dexterity, and experience to knock her opponents weapons out of the hands before lashing out with a fist at vulnerable points to neutralize her opponent.

Lefiya, knowing that using spells would just cause property damage that would eventually result in a fine from the Guild showing up on Twilight Manor's doorstep, stuck to more mundane forms of defense doctrine. She wasn't so petty as to unnecessarily cause problems for Loki Familia in such a manner. Instead she stuck to using her magic staff as a sort of pole-arm — using the reach of her staff to prod attackers away with the bottom end of her staff. Forcing her attackers in this way would then leave them vulnerable to getting attacked by Anakitty or Ryuu.

Ryuu, in a similar fashion to Anakitty, was able to easily evade attacks sent her way and retaliate with a counter attack that sent her opponent into the land of unconsciousness. Assuming that her attacker even got the chance to swing their sword.

"GYAAAH!" A bandit cried out as he was beaten back.

"Th-they're so strong!" Another stuttered in fear.

"Damnit!" the leader growled in frustration. It was clear that his men were being pushed back with ease. His crew were moments from breaking and routing.

"Let's end this already," Anakitty called to her fellow combatants, "Try to keep the stolen items from being damaged. The thieves, though…"

"Understood," Ryuu acknowledged the other girl's unsaid words. An unspoken directive to roughly disable the remaining bandits.

Main POV

While the girls were utterly dismantling the enemy resistance, all of us boys stood transfixed by the sight.

"It makes you think that we aren't even needed here," I said with a chuckle. The fact they could just stand there with a battle occurring in front of us and we did not need to worry was amusing.

Raul chuckled listlessly, "How typical for Loki Familia. Try to look cool by fighting, but then realize Aki and the girls are way stronger than you. Then you question why you're even there, and find your confidence slipping away."

"Oi, don't fall into depression that easily!?" I comically chastised with some honest concern. "Use this sight to invigorate your competitive spirit! Or something!"

"There, there," Dionysus said comfortingly, "In fact, nothing's more beautiful than a strong lady. I'd like to have a sip of wine as I watch this show."

"I… I just want to go home," Soma whimpered.

I gave Soma a weird look, "You're the one that followed us out of your home though…"

"That doesn't change the fact that I'm always at home making spirits," Soma defended himself, "It's been awhile since I last went out and walked around like this. It makes me uncomfortable."

"Uncomfortable, you say?" Raul asked in confusion.

"The eyes of strangers, their footsteps…" Soma explained, "The presence of others generally bothers me. Plus, seeing sparkly things makes me want to go home."

"You just feel that way because you're always cooped up in your house!" Raul exclaimed incredulously.

I chuckled again and said, "A normal person like you wouldn't be able to understand the mindset of an introverted shut-in, Raul-san."

Filvis chose that moment to once again remind everyone that– "I've gotttt my eyessss on you, Bell Cranellll!"

"Yes, I see that…" I said nervously. I get it, Filvis, you're being conscious about me because I revealed I knew you were a Creature to your face. But would it hurt for you to not be so obvious about it! Please, for the sake of my sanity, let this battle be over soon so we can cure this drunk elf!

Other POV

Nearby, the battle was about to come to a close. Which is when one of the bandits grit their teeth before pulling out a red dagger. Another of the bandits saw this and exclaimed, "Fuck! Put that shit away, you'll get us all killed!"

The loud exclamation gained the attention of most present. And Ryuu was the first to identify and speak about it, "That's a Magic Sword!"

More accurately, the bandit had pulled out a Magic Knife utilizing Fire Magic. The output of a Magic Knife was less than that of a proper Magic Sword, but was still nothing to scoff at. And considering everyone was in a warehouse full of spirits, they might as well be standing inside one of the powder kegs Naaza had made for Bell that one time.

Needless to say, the warehouse suddenly became even more chaotic as the ongoing battle was forgotten. Bandits began to scramble, began to try to wrestle with the idiot with the Magic Knife in his hand. While the girls began to back up towards the boys by the entrance.

The magic knife-wielding bandit, while immobilized, was still able to retain ahold of his magical weapon. The blade began to glow with magical power. It was too late to stop him or what was to come.

"Filvis!" Lefiya called out urgently, and scared, "Fairy Shield!"

In spite of her drunken state, Filvis reacted concisely to the deliberate codenamed callout. Her ears twitched as she heard Lefiya call out to her. Still looking Bell in the eyes, she reached into her red overcoat and pulled out her wand – she expertly twirled the Guardian's White Torch in her hand as she drew her magic wand. Filvis then took a half step to turn, her right arm outstretched in the direction of Lefiya and the threat with her left side of her body facing Bell and the boys.

Filvis began to drunkenly sing, "Become a ssshield, horrry grrrail of crrrushing evil!"

"Get behind us!" Lefiya called out, falling beside Filvis as she sang in unison with the other Elf, "Become a shield, holy grail of crushing evil!"

Ryuu and Anakitty fell back behind the two elves with the rest of the boys. Just in time for the two elves to call out–

"Dio Grrrail!"

"Dio Grail!"

Twin ovular barriers erupted from the magic tools of the elves. The barriers came into contact with each other and, as if resonating, combined into a singular, larger barrier of white magic. The size of which easily could encompass the entirety of the allied party.

Just in time for the Magic Knife to go off. A blast of fire erupted from the knife, striking a barrel. The force of the impact obliterated the barrel and sent burning liquid everywhere. Bits of burning wood and ignited liquid impacted the magic barrier, but were easily repelled. Within moments the entire warehouse was burning.

Main POV

With the main threats being to avoid the fires consuming the building and the smoke, I guess Lefiya felt that the barrier had served its purpose. Because the elves dispelled their magic. Presumably so they could try to pursue the bandits before they made it out of the burning building.

Seeing that Filvis was about to glomp Lefiya, and that I had been tasked with trying to rein her in while protecting the Gods, I reached out to pull Filvis back. Unfortunately, my back burned as my hand found purchase on Filvis' empty but gloved hand instead of the sleeve of her overcoat as I intended. I must have lowered my guard with all of the hijinks that have been going on the last hour or so. Because I was unable to defend myself as Filvis twisted and slammed the end of her wand into my stomach; and it took all of my willpower and endurance to not lose the contents of my stomach from the force of the blow.

The strike to my torso knocked me off of my feet. And yet I did not lose my grip on the elf. Like a misfired firework rocket, Filvis and I flew into the nearby wall. Miraculously, the force of our impact didn't send us through the wall. But considering the sound the building made, it's a surprise that the whole building didn't collapse from the impact. I was too dazed to think deeply on the matter however. I was much more concerned about the fact that Filvis was on top of me, I couldn't see anything, and that – while the back of my head had hit something hard – the front of my face was covered with something incredibly soft.

My brain, despite the pain of the impact, was able to put 2 and 2 together to make 4. I couldn't help it, the realization I was getting a face-full of boobs was enough to get my teenage hormones into full gear. On the other hand, I couldn't help but bemoan the fact that if the universe was playing a joke on me right now, it was awfully cliche.

"Bell!" Ryuu called out to me in concern. I could tell from the sound of her voice that she had turned to face me, turned away from the attackers.

"I can't see through all this smoke…" the voice of Lefiya rang out with a mutter. I could tell from the pitch that she had managed to keep her gaze away from me and toward the bandits. I couldn't help but be glad that Lefiya was blissfully unaware that I was unwillingly getting a face full of her girlfriend.

"Look out!" Anakitty yelled out. "Haaah!"

I could hear the sound of a sword swinging. The splintering of wood and the sloshing of liquid. The yelping of women and the splashing of liters of booze.

"...Where'd Bell Cranelll gooooooo?" Filvis obliviously slurred, having lost track of my position in her drunkenness. She got up off of me, stepping on my stomach as she got up on her feet. And… considering she was wearing a skirt… I, uh, was getting quite the view now that I could see again.

Black! Lace! LEWD!

I'd like to take this moment to thank the universe that Filvis was too drunk to notice the view she gave me. I'm sure she'd kill me if she knew, and would be completely justified in doing so. On a more serious note, I've put together what happened while I was on the ground and unable to see anything. The fires in the warehouse had quickly obscured vision via smoke. The goons still in the warehouse likely realized that the fires weren't enough to stall us for long and that this was the prime opportunity to flee. As such, they threw one of the surviving barrels of Orari Root Beer at us in hopes of delaying the girls for even a second.

I cautiously got off of the ground and onto my own two feet. Desperately hoping that my guess about the series of events was horribly wrong.

As I did so, Raul called out, "Hey, they're getting away! Are you girls alright?!"

Indeed, through the smoke I could vaguely make out the silhouettes of bandits fleeing through holes in the walls that hadn't existed before. I could also see that the girls were soaked and standing eerily still. Though the heat from the fires was making quick work of their clothes being lightly drenched in a liquid that I REALLY REALLY hoped wasn't the root beer. Conscious of the burning building around us, I knew we needed to get the girls and ourselves out of it before it collapsed. So as I made to run forward, I yelled out, "Raul! Grab your girlfriend!"

"EH!?" Raul yelped, "Like I said! Aki's not–!"

"Didn't say anything about Anakitty, you bastard!" I yelled back like a gremlin as I grabbed Ryuu and Lefiya by the back of their collars and began to pull them out of the building. I didn't have to worry about Filvis, I could feel her presence near me. Her drunken insistence on keeping an eye on me made it easy to corral her to some extent.

"Damnit!" Raul hissed in embarrassment at my wordplay as he too grabbed Anakitty and evacuated the building with me. And our timing was great, as the building collapsed moments after we got a few meters away from the structure.

I coughed at the plume of dust created by the collapse. Then I called out, "Ryuu! Ryuu, are you alright?"

"...Bell," Ryuu murmured, facing away from me still. Unaffected by the building collapsing nearby.

"Yes," I responded.

"Bell," Ryuu repeated.

"Y-Yes?" I repeated, confused and worried.

After a beat of silence… Ryuu giggled.

OH. SHIT.

"Bellllllll," Ryuu drawled drunkenly as she turned to face me. Her face was clearly flushed with drunkenness. There was… a seductive grin on her face, her eyes half-lidded and cloudy with desire. "You're a naughty, eeevil human…"

My mind couldn't help but flash to that night. I flushed in embarrassment, and a bit of arousal (sue me). "E-evil? N-naughty?!"

"How daaaare you hold my hand like that… have you forgottennn?" Ryuu said accusingly.

"I'm starting to lose track of the amount of times I've held your hand, you'll need to be more specific!" I exclaimed instinctively. Only realizing the hole I was digging for myself now after I had already spoken.

"Exxxactly!" Ryuu exclaimed drunkenly, "You pervert! Seducing a fffair maaaiden like meee… Making me feeeeeel hot and fuzzzzyyy…"

"Ryuu! Please!" I begged as my face burned bright like the sun, "For both of our sakes, please stop talking!"

WE ARE IN PUBLIC. Kinda. IT'S CLOSE ENOUGH. Keep the sexy talk for the bedroom!

"Oh my God the rumors were true… They're totally lovers… holy shit…" Raul muttered nearby.

The mere idea of the fact Ryuu and I have spent personal time together becoming public knowledge almost makes me wish for the Black Dragon to just go ahead and destroy the world right now. Almost. I'll settle for being mortified in the future.

"Oh hoooo~" Dionysus hummed in teasing approval, the tone conveying his congratulations that I had relations with Ryuu. Though part of me felt like he was more intrigued by the knowledge itself rather than the lewd gossip.

"Alcohol is known to make people feel oddly warm," Soma said, the reality of Ryuu's words thankfully going over his head.

"Belllllll…" Ryuu continued to mutter, "you know… you're bad. Oh… so… bad!"

"I'm not the one drunk in the middle of Daedalus Street!" I retorted, trying to do anything in my power to get Ryuu to stop talking about lewd things out in public. To little avail in all likelihood.

"Bell almoooost got killeddd by Aliseeee…" Ryuu slurred, "Bellllll isn't allowedddd to die before… giving meeee twelvvve kids orrrr step-kidssssss!"

"TWELVE!?" I exclaimed before catching the second bombshell that Drunk!Ryuu just dropped on me, "STEP-KIDS!?"

I'm really starting to get the feeling that Ryuu has some kind of weird NTR-like fetish. And I don't know how to feel about that in the slightest.

"Is this for real…?" Raul muttered nearby in disbelief. Everything we had been doing up until this point had been completely forgotten.

"BABIES!" Lefiya suddenly exclaimed near me before latching onto my arm.

"EH?! Lefiya! What are you–?!" I stammered in surprise as the elf glomped onto me. This is the most physically affectionate that I've ever seen Lefiya be with someone that isn't her netorare-ing girlfriend! That alone was enough for me to know with the utmost confidence that Lefiya was also drunk out of her mind!

"I bettt I… can babbbysittt babiessss better than… you, Bellllll Cranellll!" Lefiya slurred aggressively into my ear.

"It's a competition?!" I deadpanned incredulously.

"Yessss!" Lefiya hissed into my ear, "So give Big Sissss sssome babies!"

"Storks don't just fly in and deliver babies, you know?!" I retorted heatedly, trying to get some kind of control of the conversation.

"AHHHH! I underrrstandddd!" Lefiya exclaimed as if she suddenly uncovered the secrets of the universe. "Bellll Cranellll is not giving…. Big Sissss babies because he doesn't knowww how to make babiessss! Huhu~ It can't… be helpedddd! Hehe~"

No. Lefiya. Please. Please don't. For your own sake please do not do it. PLEASE.

Lefiya, a gremlin-like smile below her glowing-red cheeks, pulled at her collar to slightly expose her breast and offered, "...Big Sissss Lefiya can teachhh herrr little… brother how to be a biggg boyyy and make babiessss~!"

KILL ME NOW. (No, that didn't get me excited! I'm not lying! Believe me!)

"You can't!" Ryuu suddenly yelled, grabbing my other arm and staring across at Lefiya. She then slurred, "Bellll is… a bad boy! He'll… just nibbbble on your earssss!"

I thought this couldn't get any worse. I was so very wrong. My knowledge of the concept of worseness continues to expand in ways I wish it would not.

"That's your only reason to protest this nonsense!?" I managed to retort to Ryuu, my face burning brighter than a star going supernova.

Lefiya gasped, "Nnnnnoooooo…. Wayyyyyyy… Belllll Cranellll is that… big of a perrrverrrt? Ehhhh…"

"I don't have an ear kink!" I protested, "And even if I did, this would be kink shaming! Kink shaming, I say!"

"Bell…" Ryuu said darkly, gathering my undivided attention as she concluded, "...It'ssss not goooood to lie, youuuu knowwww."

Lefiya's entire face was tomato red. Her blue eyes were filled with distrust… (and lust?) as she whispered, "...Hentaiiii."

"Hestia, smite me now…" I sighed out, begging for the sweet release of death, to no avail. Because I was quickly realizing that resistance was futile.

Other POV

Bell, however, was not to be alone in his suffering for long.

"Hmm," Dionysus said like he was commenting on the weather, "This is absolute chaos. Nothing's worse than dealing with a group of drunks."

"That calm explanation wasn't exactly necessary!" Raul retorted, "They're 2nd Class Adventurers for God's sake! A splash of that drink turned them into animals, regardless of their status resistances! That liquid is stronger than a curse! This is really bad. At this rate–"

It was at this moment that Raul was interrupted by a figure tugging on his sleeve. Anakitty mumbled out, "...Raul?"

"...Yes, Aki?" Raul replied cautiously, fearful of the state of his partner. He then pleaded, "Are you alright, Aki? I mean, please tell me that you're alright…!"

"...I'm fine, Raul," Anakitty replied, sounding out of breath. She insisted, "I really am."

"Are you, now?!" Raul said in relief, "Oh thank Loki! You're brilliant as always, Aki!"

"Yes, Raul!" Anakitty said, "Because I…"

There was a beat of silence. Then Anakitty giggled and drunkenly finished her sentence, "–I'm Anakitty! Nya, nya, nyaaaa!"

"AKIIIIIIIIIIIIII?!" Raul screamed for the heavens.

But heaven had no mercy to spare for Raul. Anakitty was also drunk and would stay so until the cure was acquired.

"Raul?" Anakitty asked with a flush to her cheeks, "What's wrong, nya? Why are you giving me that furr-ace?"

"Everything's gone wrong!" Raul exclaimed, "I'm losing my mind, just like you!"

"Nya? Did I lose my mind?" Anakitty slurred in confusion, "What's wrong with nyaaaa?"

"Aki!" Raul bemoaned something he just noticed. "You're turning back! You're turning back into a Catfolk like you used to be! I thought you went through a lot to fix your dialect!"

Raul was referring to 'cat-speak'. Anakitty had gone through honest-to-god speech classes and such to get herself to lose her native dialect – having been embarrassed by the way she spoke after coming to Orario. And in a flash, just like that, all of her effort was washed away.

"I nya'm?" Anakitty slurred, "Un-believa-nyaaa!"

Raul wouldn't notice this, but it was a testament to how bad Anakitty's accent was that she was even less understandable than Anya. It was little wonder that Anakitty was mortified by her accent when sober.

"Nya'm? Oh, please help me…" Raul deadpanned, embarrassed on Anakitty's behalf.

"I…" Anakitty purred, "I don't know what to do, nyaaa… I'm feeling fur-zzy, and it feels gooood…" Anakitty then shuffled closer to Raul, basically in his personal space, as she asked, "Raul… do you hate me nya-w?"

"Do I what?!" Raul yelped, not expecting the trap question being thrown in his face.

"Do you hate me for purrrring like a cat?" Anakitty drunkenly asked, staring Raul deep in his eyes. "Tell me, nya…"

Raul's brain froze. He had trouble processing Aki being so cute and forward. Nor how to best respond to her question. Because he knew that Aki hated her accent, but that answering that he did not like cat-speak would also upset her. Answering yes or no both yielded bad outcomes. There was no winning!

Anakitty, however, was not going to give him time to think of a response. She insisted, with a drunken smile on her face, "Say something, Raul! Do you purrefer the old me, or is the current me fine?!"

"N-No, I… I have no right to… say anything!" Raul… COPPED OUT OF ANSWERING. A very beta-male response, many would agree.

"...Right?" Anakitty mumbled in shock, her eyes widening. Drunken smile falling away.

"A guy like me doesn't deserve to say whether he likes you or not. That's just insane–"

"–No." Anakitty cut Raul off.

"Huh?"

"That's not insane at all," Anakitty said with a frown. If not for the blush on her cheeks, one would mistake her as having instantly sobered up.

"...Aki?" Raul said hesitantly. Anakitty's shift in speech threw off Raul's expectations. Raul wasn't sure if these mood swings were preferable to being swarmed by horny elves–

No. Nevermind, looking over at Bell, Raul knew that mood swings were preferable to whatever hell the younger boy was going through.

Raul was then forced to focus on Anakitty as the girl grabbed his face and forced him to look her in the eyes.

"No one understands anything," She sternly told him, "Everyone just assumes you're boring and unskilled. Including yourself, Raul. You think you're no good yourself – and I can't stand it!

"W-woah!" Raul yelped as Anakitty started to raise her voice in his face.

"What's a High Novice anyway?!" Anakitty yelled in frustration, "Don't give me that crap! Raul is not that kinda person!"

"Let's relax, shall we, Aki?!" Raul tried de-escalating as he removed Aki's hands from his face. "You're not yourself right now, and–"

"–I always knew…" Anakitty muttered.

"Huh?"

"I've watched you all along," Anakitty elucidated. A small smile on her face, her hands in his, as she said, "You and I joined Loki Familia around the same time, and ever since then, I've been watching you."

"All… along…?" Raul slowly said, his eyes widening as he listened intently to Aki's words.

"I know things about you that others don't," Anakitty declared, "During the Great Feud seven years ago… I was too afraid to do anything. I stood there, shivering."

Raul remembered it. He remembered the smell as the city burned. As people burned. How smoke filled the sky, only to be pierced by columns of light as Gods and Goddesses were cruelly slain. He remembered the wails of despair, as children stood over the bloody viscera that had once been their parents. As mothers bawled and held babies to their chest, having died from smoke inhalation or other physical trauma. He could never forget. It still haunts his nightmares whenever he has them.

"But you, Raul…" Anakitty said, it was clear from her voice that she was holding back tears, "You were brave."

"...I was too scared to do anything as well," Raul replied.

"You're wrong," Anakitty rejected his reality. "You were shivering, and you were crying, but you kept running. You turned pale, and you couldn't eat anything, but you kept your head up, delivering your voice to the Captains and the others. You desperately ran around without averting your eyes when Orario turned into hell. You searched for what you could do. When we lost our mentors, you're the one who kept crying in pain, until the end. Yet, you chose not to run away."

With a sweet smile on her face, her eyes watering, Anakitty declared, "I saw."

"..." Raul could say nothing. He could not deny what Anakitty said was true. There was nothing to refute. Raul's self-deprecation could not deny the achievements that Anakitty had laid out before him.

"That's why it doesn't make any sense for our allies and those from other Familias to not know your worth!" Anakitty continued to drunkenly argue heatedly, "You're way more brilliant than I am!"

"Aki…" Raul stated, "I never knew you felt that way…"

"It's partly your fault, Raul!" Anakitty chided him, poking him on his chest for emphasis, "They all look down on you because you let them!"

"Wh-wh-why the sudden blame on me?!" Raul yelped, taking a step back from the unexpected physical contact.

Anakitty stepped forward into his personal space again, not letting him get away, as she yelled, "Yeah, well, I just hate it when you start acting all indecisive and lazy while you truly are a great guy!"

"B-But what can I do…?" Raul stammered in confusion, feeling utterly lost at receiving so much abject praise.

"See?!" Anakitty yelled, "Right there. You're a great guy, but you have that miserable look on your face all the time! Plus, the last time we had a fight, you went to the Entertainment District just to annoy me!"

"That's got nothing to do with this!" Raul pointed out the logical fallacy before adding, "Plus, I want to pretend that never happened, so please stop bringing it up!"

"I saw you return home in the morning with Bete the following day!" Anakitty accused him, "What were you two doing that night?!"

"I-It's really not what it looked like!" Raul insisted, "But, for the dignity of Bete-san I need to say that we didn't do what you think we might've done!"

"Liar!" Anakitty didn't believe a word of it. "You smelled musky that day!"

"Noooooooooo!" Raul cried out to the heavens for mercy. But nobody came.

Main POV

Dionysus and Soma and I looked over Raul and Anakitty's… argument. "What's that all about?" I asked.

"... A lover's quarrel," Soma asserted.

"But the nagging is more like that of an older sister, no? Are they really lovers?" I asked. I had certainly felt the urge to ship the two adventurers together. But I couldn't help but be uncertain as to what I was looking at.

"Yes and no," Dionysus replied. "Perhaps they're just both unaware of their feelings. The power of exquisite spirits must have done something to them, but still…"

Dionysus shifted his gaze to another group in our party. "...What is this?"

Ryuu, Lefiya, and Filvis were giggling together in a triangle. How did I manage to escape their attention? By shamelessly diverting them with Anakitty's flirting(?)! Raul, thank you for your sacrifice!

"There's only one possible answer…" Filvis slurred, "They're dating! I just know it!"

"Gosssh Filvis," Lefiya giggled, "You know a lot of things. You are a Maenads after allll."

"I said they were lovvvers first though…" Ryuu pouted.

Is Ryuu jealous that Lefiya isn't giving her attention? Maybe that's why Ryuu didn't tell Lefiya to knock it off about calling her 'Big Sis'. I have a sudden irrational urge to slap Lefiya in the face. Is this what it's like to be netorare'd? Lefiya! Stop trying to add my girlfriend to your Yuri Harem!

"...The girls have gone totally mad," Soma concluded. And frankly, based on the evidence, I couldn't disagree!

"Maybe they won't remember this when they sober up?" I offered a silver lining. "If we pretend we didn't see or hear anything, did it really happen?"

Before either God could reply, we all were distracted by Raul's situation.

"You stupid, Raul!" Anakitty drunkenly yelled, "I hate you! Baka, baka, BAKA!"

"Uhhh," Raul desperately tried to calm her down. "Calm down, Aki. Please…! You're acting like a 5 year old…!"

Anakitty's fists pounding against Raul's chest slowed as tears came to her eyes. She shakily said, "...It's so frustrating."

"Huh?" Raul replied intelligently.

"You're a great guy, Raul," Anakitty repeated, "But no one understands that… They think you're boring and they look down on you… But I know… I know that you can do more than they think. Prove them all wrong, Raul… Prove to them… that you're a great guy…"

With her voice quieting towards the end, Anakitty went limp as she fell asleep. Raul, the absolute chad, managed to catch her in his arms before she crumpled to the ground. He yelled out, "Aki!" as he did so.

Okay, maybe they are lovers. Or soon-to-be lovers at any rate. Talk about sexual tension…

"Is she alright?!" I called out to him, just to be sure, as I walked over a few steps to join him.

"...She seems fine," he said back after a moment, "Perhaps all that shouting and crying tired her out."

We watched her in his arms for a moment, silently considering what was next.

"So?" I said to him, "They say liquor can bring out the hidden truth within. Are you going to answer her call? Or are you going to run away and disappoint her?"

"We do need to talk about what to do next," Dionysus chimed in, "The girls will only be distracted by their swooning for a short time longer."

"The bandits are on the loose," Soma added, "and we've got to chase after them before they disappear."

"That's right," I acknowledged, "Without the Virgin Merry, there's no way to cure the girls. That said, they aren't capable of doing much at the moment."

After a moment, Raul resolutely answered, "...I'll catch them."

"Oh yeah?" I said to him, a hint of challenge in my voice.

"Yeah," Raul said firmly, "I won't be needing help from Aki or the girls. I'll go. For all this time I thought it was okay to let them say that I'm boring and whatnot, but… I didn't know it was making Aki feel this way. I think it's time I thought about becoming a better man."

"Hell yeah!" I said in approval, "Let's be big damn heroes!"

Soma stepped close to us at that moment, looking at Raul as he said, "...Very interesting. Liliruca Arde had similar looking eyes as you do now, when I last saw her. I'd like to know how this interesting story is going to end. All this time up, I just wanted to go home. But now, I want to stick around. The mysteries of the Lower World… It's an imperfect, unchanging light of possibilities. Let me witness it. Only then, might I hold a little more affection for my children."

As if not to miss out on the fun, Dionysus also added his praise. "I like that look on your face. I only adore women, but I do not dislike gazing at the filthy face of a man at times. Oh, how beautiful. Allow me to come along. I'm expecting the first sip of drink I have once this is all over to taste absolutely divine."

"It goes without saying that I'm coming along until all the girls are cured!" I said clearly, "With great power, comes great responsibility! I'm seeing things through until the end."

Raul chuckled, "Two adventurers and two deities. What a weird party this has devolved into. Well! Let's get going!"

I, along with the other guys, let out an enthusiastic war cry. Raul even initiated an energetic high five with me.

After we calmed down, however, Dionysus pointed out the problem we had on our hands. "–So. Who… is going to distract the girls that aren't sleeping in Raul-kun's arms?"

I felt a shiver crawl up my spine. I'm certain that my skin began to pale as Raul and Soma both looked at me. Their expressions clearly say 'not me'.

"Oh no…" I gasped, instantly regretting joining this party. Knowing intrinsically that I had drawn the metaphorical short straw somehow.

"Great power, great responsibility, no?" Dionysus reminded me with a smile.

"...N-NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" I cried out to the heavens, already foreseeing my suffering as I felt the gazes of three drunk (and horny?) Elves land on my back.

"S-Stay back!" I exclaimed in desperation, my back to the corner of the inside of a seedy tavern. How did I get here? It was a blur. The memory of our transit here was so traumatizing that I've already suppressed the memory of it, surely. These drunk, festively-clad elves are all in various stages of idiocy and horniness. And I… am in danger!

Arms slammed past both sides of my head, effectively pinning me against the wall with their body. Ryuu, the perpetrator of my restrained position, giggled. "Ssstay back? Hoooow can I kisssss you if I ssstay awayyy?"

Ryuu was so close to me that one of my legs was basically in the middle of an Elven Thigh Sandwich.

HOLD ON ISN'T THIS HEAVEN?!

"Sssseeee?" Ryuu giggled, "I knew youuuu were nauuughty boyyy, Belllll~"

Ah shit, did I say that last bit out loud?

I opened my mouth to retort, but I never got the chance to say anything. That's when Ryuu decided to dive in for the kill without any hesitation.

"Mmmph!?" I gave a muffled gasp in shock, my head slamming back against the wall from both my surprise and the force of Ryuu's pursuit. Her lips met mine with a furious passion. I could feel her tongue swirl around mine, my neurons flaring from the pleasure. I could feel the hunger, the need in every movement Ryuu made. The desperation. As if she felt that if her luscious lips ever lift mine that I might vanish like a ghost. My eyes began to close, willing to get lost in the moment if it meant that Ryuu would be assured I'd never leave her. The feeling of being watched, however, made me pause from enthusiastically kissing Ryuu back. The sensation of breathe against both of my face cheeks brought me back to reality – the fact I was out in public coming back to me.

Out of my periphery I noticed that Lefiya and Filvis were watching Ryuu and I… really closely; both in intensity and proximity. (At some point I can't recall, Ryuu moved her arms around my neck. And mine fell on her hips. Holy shit this could have escalated quickly…)

"Hehe~" Lefiya giggled lewdly. "Sssso this is kissing… Hehe~ Babiessss~"

Don't pull an Emilia, Lefiya! It doesn't work that way! And I will preemptively not volunteer on being the one to show you how babies are made, you degenerate elf!

"I'mmmm watching youuuu, Belllll Cranellll" Filvis slurred on my other side. Filvis then insisted, "And nooot jussst becaussse I'm… i-interested innnn kissingggg!"

That just implies that you ARE, in fact, interested! Just that it isn't the ONLY reason!

My brain felt fuzzy. The world was getting blurry. I felt like I was melting away. I almost lost all comprehension of my surroundings as Ryuu drew back slightly to nibble on my lower lip. But I refused to lose control! I couldn't give in! And not JUST because it was super embarrassing to be kissing Ryuu while bandits on the other side of the room were shooting me pitiful looks mixed with angry, jealous glares! I couldn't give in and kiss the daylights out of Ryuu right now because I was dangerously close to awakening an exhibition fetish with how intently Lefiya and Filvis were watching the two of us!

Raising my hands from Ryuu's hips to her shoulders, I made to pull Ryuu back. A last ditch effort to use my words and reason with the drunk elf kissing the daylights out of me. Except making an appeal to reason could not be made. Because my attempt to force Ryuu to stop kissing me failed. Her body didn't budge at all, I might as well have been trying to move a mountain when I attempted to push her back. My eyes widened. The shock of my situation breaking through the fog of arousal. The chances of me getting kissed to death were now greater than zero, and the idea of that happening to me does not fill me with any sort of relief or consolation!

Raul! RAUL! Please! Beat the bandits up so we can cure these drunk, horny elves before I die!

Aware of the irony of trying to stop from kissing a gorgeous elf, I tried relaxing my legs. A vain attempt to escape Ryuu by falling limp to the floor. Alas, it seems that even while drunk out of her mind, Ryuu proved to be a prepared Adventurer as always. Her arms around my neck, her hands in my hair, her modest mounds pushing against my chest… all these factors in combination with her absurd strength locked me in place. Ryuu didn't even slump slightly as she supported all of my weight while she continued to wrap her tongue around mine.

My fingers twitched from the sensations that Ryuu was inflicting on me. A strangled, unintelligible noise came from between our lips as I tried in vain to call Ryuu's name. My vision was completely filled with blushing elves – dominated by Ryuu, but Filvis and Lefiya were so close that I couldn't see anything else in the room anymore beyond them; I'm sure from the outside it looked like I was getting smooched by all three of the elves.

Something in me is rising!? DANGER. THIS IS DANGEROUS. This is the worst time for my 'little son' to start getting really excited!

"Uh…" The voice of Raul awkwardly called out from behind Ryuu. "Bell-san? Could you, er, reach your hand out to me at all?"

Not sure where he was going with this, but desperate for any help, I went with Raul's request. I raised both of my hands up and past Ryuu as far as I could. Raul quickly passed a glass into one of my hands.

"It's got the cure," Raul explained to me what was in the glass. "I'd try to administer it, but I get the feeling if I try to breach that elven fortress that… the consequences would be severe."

Raul's got a point. No wonder he's a lieutenant in Loki Familia, he's got a tactical mind. The chances of Ryuu lashing out and knocking him out are high, and if that happens, those Gods don't have the strength to subdue these drunk, horny elves. I'd surely die of asphyxiation at that point!

Wait. How am I supposed to get Ryuu to drink this if she refuses to stop kissing me to death?! I'm not stuck in a Catch-22 am I?!

I'm not sure if it was from my desperation, or from how hot and bothered I was, but I suddenly was overcome with inspiration on how to escape Ryuu's deadlock on my lips – if only for a few moments. I knew what to do. And I had to move fast!

Using my free hand, I reached forward and–! Sensually dragged my finger across the top of Ryuu's elven ear before pinching the tip like I was nibbling on it.

"AH~!" Ryuu moaned loudly as she involuntarily leaned back. Our lips 'popped' from the mixture of our combined saliva on our lips as we separated.

Thinking fast, I quickly took a swig of the glass of Virgin Merry. Then, moving my hand from her ear to the nape of her neck, I pulled Ryuu back into a kiss. As if waging a war of blitzkrieg, I moved to plunder Ryuu's mouth. My tongue pierced through Ryuu's surprised defenses as I forced the Virgin Merry down her throat before she could react or mount a counteroffensive.

(It took all of my power to focus on the objective at hand rather than continue on to get sweet revenge and wage complete, total war against Ryuu's lips.)

Almost as fast as I launched my attack, I retreated from Ryuu's smooth, soft lips. I watched as the flush from Ryuu's cheeks faded, and as focus and rationality returned to the sapphires that were Ryuu's eyes.

Lefiya and Filvis near me were also brought to their senses courtesy of glasses of Virgin Merry from Raul and Dionysus respectively. Administered with more verbal persuasion than physical force.

After a few moments, coinciding with their rabid sobering up, Ryuu's eyes widened in shock and horror and absolute mortification. She turned around, screaming hysterically in a chaotic harmony with the other elves that were also mortified by their behavior.

"Wh-what have I been…!?" Ryuu mumbled to herself hysterically, covering her face with her hands as if to hide her shame. "Oh dear, please tell me it was all just a dream! It was a dream! All of that self-inflicted embarrassment was a dream! Alise! Kaguya! Lyra! Please, stop laughing at me, in my mind!"

"I'm dead! I'm so dead!" I heard Filvis exclaim in embarrassed horror, "Someone kill me! AHHH!"

"Nooooo! Nooooooooo!" Lefiya screamed like a little girl. "I remember everything so clearly! It's all so clear in my mind!"

Having mercy on the poor elves, I decided to not say anything to them and let them get their horror out of their system. Feeling awkward trapped in the corner of the seedy pub, I used my small frame and slipped past the girls over to where the Gods and Raul had stepped back to watch the chaos unfold.

"Good," Dionysus said as he looked over the girls, "they're all awake now. No side-effects to speak of, other than the embarrassment, either. That said, for elves, the humiliation of a hangover should be immeasurable!"

"I don't think this is technically a hangover, but…" Raul pointed out, "I'm surprised they remember everything. What can I say? This is disastrous."

"It could be worse," I said to him idly. Trying my best to play everything cool.

"How so?" Raul asked with a raised eyebrow.

"I could be you right now," I answered.

He looked away with a flush and said, "That's my line. You're the one we dumped those drunk elves on, after all."

Ignoring the fact that Raul had a front row seat to Ryuu and I making out, I focused on Raul's own woman problem that was yet to be resolved. "A bit more passionate than should be done in public, it certainly was, but at least we are already lovers," I said, before directing the topic to his situation. "You're the one who all but got confessed to by Anakitty-san. What are you going to do about it?"

Raul paled slightly, at least partially seeing where I was going with this. The pressure of not screwing things up with her was likely now heavy on his shoulders. Perhaps my thoughts on the matter would be hypocritical, but I couldn't help but want to give Raul a push and help a brother out.

"You're probably thinking of sweeping everything under the rug. Try to keep the status quo as much as possible, aren't you?" I said leadingly to him. If Raul was Finn's disciple or something, this was likely the way Raul was taught to think. Considering the way Raul's eyes widened, it looked like I hit the nail right on the head.

"Adventurers don't exactly have high life expectancies," I said factually. "You of all people know this well, don't you?"

"..." Raul grit his teeth as I once again reminded him of the Dark Ages.

"Ryuu lost everything in those days," I said, "And she had many regrets. I can tell. And those dark times are on the horizon once again. You, and Loki Familia, know of this well, no doubt."

Raul's face became resolute as he nodded stiffly. My allusions to the Evilus Remnant did not go over his head. A Shadow War was already being waged in the city. Who knew would make it out of the conflict on the other side?

"As Adventurers, as humans, we need to make tough decisions and live with them. So it's in our best interest to live without regrets, no?" I said rhetorically. "We can't afford to accept 'what ifs' and 'maybes'. Don't let this chance slip through your fingers because you are afraid… Sorry if this isn't my place to say anything."

Wow I feel like such a hypocrite saying all of this. If the likes of Lili or Elpis were here, they'd be giving me looks along the lines of 'how about YOU practice what you preach buddy'. Clearly I need to take a long look in the mirror after the War Game is concluded. Then again, maybe it's because I'm being a bit hypocritical that I know what the hell I'm talking about. Why does life have to be so complicated and nuanced?

"No, I appreciate it," Raul said in reply. I could tell that he really did appreciate my effort and intentions. "You are right. I already promised her to live with my head held high. I would just regress back into the kind of man she despises if I run away now. For her. For myself… I can't run away from this."

Raul turned to me with a smile, placing a friendly hand on my shoulder as he said, "You're a good guy, Bell-san. I shouldn't have given those rumors any credence. A playboy wouldn't say or do the things you've done."

"Thanks," I deadpanned.

And so, with his eyes filled with determination (and nervousness) Raul went to administer the antidote to Anakitty, who was still resting blissfully.

Hearing footsteps approaching me, I turned and saw… a barrel. More specifically, a barrel was being carried in Ryuu's arms, thus blocking my view of her. Remembering that I needed to try and play it cool for her sake, I awkwardly said, "Uh… Yes?"

Remembering that I needed to play it cool, and succeeding at doing that are two different things.

"I, um, am going to… go ahead and bring this and the antidote back to the Hostess…" Ryuu informed me nervously. "For the party, you see."

Recognizing that Ryuu was trying to get some space due to her embarrassment, I was willing to acquiesce without a problem. Still, I couldn't help but be a little surprised. "You actually want to bring some of that back?"

"I–!" Ryuu exclaimed loudly before containing herself. "I… promised to bring back a special spirit, and cannot go back on my word."

In a lower volume, Ryuu then said, "And it is Justice that everyone else suffers as I have suffered."

Oi, Ryuu, you are dangerously close to using Pein logic. Please, don't find a way to Shinra Tensei the city!

"F-fair enough," I replied, "You go do that. Besides, I just remembered an errand I needed to run."

That wasn't a lie. Thinking of the Christmas party reminded me of something I needed to do for it. Or rather, someone I needed to collect for it. But I couldn't just run off right away.

Turning towards the Gods, noting that Raul and Anakitty had run off already, I asked them, "Do either of you need help getting home this afternoon?"

"No…" Soma said, "I'll have Ganesha's children escort me while they deal with these petty thieves."

Did we flag a random Ganesha Familia patrol on the way to this secondary location? I must have been too busy being molested by horny, drunk elves to have noticed.

I focused on Dionysus. He was smiling at Filvis and Lefiya who were hugging each other in the corner, the two elves were completely broken and despondent. Was that amusement at how eccentric the elves were being right now, or something else…?

Either way, I asked him, "And you?"

"Ah, yes," Dionysus turned to address me, "I'm sure those wonderful ladies will see me safely home with some of this loot. Don't let me hold you up any further, weiẞes Häschen." Dionysus' smile widened further as he said, "And I must say, after tonight's showing, I'll be watching over your career with great interest."

Was that a flag? How is it that Filvis seems totally innocent to me while her God is super weird? Maybe I should talk with Hestia about it. Astraea too. Get their opinion on him, see if he just has a habit of talking weird. This all had been a great opportunity to learn more about Filvis and Dionysus, but I was not much closer to finding an actual conclusion about them.

Either way, after bidding everyone goodbye, I watched Ryuu speed away in the general direction of the Hostess before turning in a similar direction. My destination? A certain government building…

With a swagger in my step, I waltzed into the Guild Building like I owned the place. Of course, this casual confidence was not without reason. I had to show that all of the side-glances, whispers, and pointing in my general direction were not phasing me in the slightest. To say that I was completely unaffected by all of the (negative) public attention would be a lie. But to say I was intimidated or afraid would also be wrong. I just knew that it was important to be confident, to show that I wasn't afraid. That I wasn't weak. That Hestia Familia wasn't weak. That the Hearth Coalition wasn't weak. Isn't there a saying that perception is half the battle?

Scanning the booths, I couldn't spot Eina right away. She was likely deeper in the building at her office/conference room. The only familiar face I could see at the counter was Rose Fannett – a long, red-haired werewolf with light-brown eyes that was in her late-twenties. The only thing marring her objective feminine beauty was her almost constant scowl from her equally constant bad mood. Something about working for the Guild, or with Adventurers, clearly did not sit well with the mature woman. But the pay was likely too good to pass up on.

Needless to say, Fannett didn't particularly like me, but I didn't take it personally. She seemed to hate most people in general, after all. A tsundere without the dere, as far as I could tell at any rate.

Wearing a bright smile on my face as I walked straight up to the counter, I called out, "Good afternoon, Rose-san!"

Rose's scowl deepened, "I told you to call me Fannett, you damn rabbit. And don't cut in line!"

"Sorry about that Rose-san," I said affectionately, her annoyed tone doing little to dissuade me, Artemis was significantly more intimidating. "But what line?"

True to form, the Guild building didn't actually have that many adventurers in at the moment. Sure, there were some – the ones that had pointed and whispered at me – but the number was less than ten and were all mostly congregated at the Magic Stone exchange booth.

Rose clicked her teeth in annoyance. Clearly she just didn't want to talk to me, and wasn't able to use a normal excuse. "What do you want?" She asked with a huff.

"Could you please tell me where Eina-san is?" I asked her. There was a non-zero chance she was not in her office after all. I doubted she was anywhere else, but who knows? Maybe she was in a meeting with Royman?

"What makes you think she's here?" Rose asked confrontationally, "Maybe she's actually out enjoying the holiday."

"We both know that would be a lie," I deadpanned.

We looked at each other for a beat. Rose gave in with a sigh. "That's true," she conceded, "She's doing last minute paperwork for your stupid War Game in her office. Why are you asking?"

"First of all, I agree that it is stupid," I put that out for the record before saying, "And I ask because I am here to ensure she does get to enjoy the holiday."

Rose raised an eyebrow at me, looking me over, "...Well, you certainly haven't brought anything with you for her. Wait. You don't mean–?!"

I nodded, seeing that Rose had come to realize what I was here to do. "That's right, she is being rescued. Please do not resist."

"That's kidnapping you perverted playboy," Rose growled in annoyance.

I waved my finger back and forth, saying, "Tut, tut, tut. It's not kidnapping if she consents. Wait, that still sounds perverted. I swear I'm not here to add Eina-san to my harem! Not that I have one!"

Rose just looked at me with disgust. It was clear she didn't believe a word coming out of my mouth. Maybe someday someone will believe me when I say I'm not trying to make a harem.

"I'm just gonna go get Eina. You know she needs a break," I said bluntly, adjusting the focus of the conversation as I did so. "Am I wrong?"

Rose just sighed in response. With a wave of her hand, she dismissed me and washed her hands of everything I would do next.

"Wait!""You can't!""The paperwork!"

Nearby members of the staff overheard my intentions and began to vocally protest. It was clear that these bozos had been and were planning to continue passing off their paperwork to Eina instead of doing it themselves. Needless to say, I ignored their protests as I lifted the bar and helped myself behind the counter so I could head into the back of the building where the conference rooms and office spaces were. I didn't need any instruction to find Eina's office, to the despair of the Guild employees that hemmed and hawed for me to not take their precious Eina away from them.

When I opened the door to Eina's office, I was greeted with an almost comical amount of paperwork. I could barely make out Eina's brown hair past the piles of documents.

Shooting an innocent smile to the Guild employees behind me, I said, "Looks like you fellas will have to pull an all-nighter!"

"""NOOOOOOOO!""" the Guild employees bemoaned their fate, knowing they couldn't stop me from taking Eina and running for the hills.

"H-Huh? Wh-what?" Eina sluggishly questioned. She was so exhausted that she hadn't even noticed that people were at her office until the Guild staff had raised their voices.

"Good afternoon, Eina-san!" I called to her as I walked further into her office. "I'm here to snatch you away to a Christmas party!"

"Christmas Party? What?" Eina struggled to keep up with my words. "Huh? What!? No, Bell-kun, I can't! I still have so much paperwork to do and not enough coffee to do it!"

"Don't worry about it!" I assured her, "These fellow members of staff volunteered to handle your workload!"

"""WE DID WHAT?!""" the staff members complained loudly. Eina and I ignored them.

Eina sighed, "Bell-kun, no."

"Bell-kun, yes," I retorted as I walked around Eina's desk to stand next to her. "You can either enjoy the rest of your evening by walking to the Christmas party with me, or I'll carry you there. Those are your only options."

Eina looked at me with an utterly done expression, her eyes dropping with bags from a lack of sleep. She then sighed in defeat, recognizing from the look I was giving her that I was not kidding and would definitely carry her out of here kicking and screaming if need be.

"Let me just get the most important stuff in my suitcase and gather my things…" Eina said to me in defeat.

"Works for me!" I said. I then turned and addressed the employees with a thumbs up, "Best get to it lads! This mountain of work won't do itself!"

The employees cried tears of despair as they conceded defeat and began to reclaim their paperwork from Eina's office.

All in a day's work!

Other POV

Lefiya was hiding in the corner of the Twilight Manor's mess hall, trying her best to pretend like she didn't exist. If her mood was better, she'd appreciate the irony that she wasn't brooding about her place in the Familia in said corner. No, Lefiya was hiding because she wanted to drink her sorrows away, but couldn't because the source of her current trauma was alcohol itself! The festivities of Loki Familia's Christmas party meant little to Lefiya at that moment. Not in the face of the turmoil broiling deep in her soul.

'WHAT THE FUCK WHERE YOU DOING, LEFIYA VIRIDIS!?' Lefiya screamed at herself in her mind. Her face outwardly blushing completely as her expression contorted from her mental anguish and shame. 'Lewd! Degenerate! Elf!' Lefiya thought to herself insultingly.

Lefiya may have realized the flaws of having too much Elvish Pride, but she still couldn't help but have a large ego as an Elf. Something that wasn't inherently wrong, in controlled amounts. That said, her pride felt like it was cast into the dirt as she thought on her actions while unwillingly intoxicated. It would be one thing to be flirtatious with Filvis or Ais — though even that would rankle her elvish sensibilities. But to flirt with Bell Cranel?! Her rival?! The boy – the man – that is courting Big Sis Ryuu!? The Hero that feels as close as a brother to her!? She flirted suggestively to that person!?

'I can't be a degenerate! I can't!' Lefiya exclaimed internally, furiously attempting to deny what had happened. 'Why in Orario did I do that?! I don't get it! How could I see him like–?!'

Lefiya cut her own thoughts off. The memory of Bell slaying Antares flashed in her mind. The Battle against the 'Juggernaut' flashed by just as quickly. The latter battle had solidified the respect that Lefiya held for Bell, not as an Adventurer but as a Human – a fellow Child of Man. The former is when… when Lefiya couldn't help but see Bell as a Hero greater than Finn or Ais to look up to. Because she couldn't see either of them making the choice that Bell was forced to make. She could have deluded herself otherwise, but to do so would be to demean the gravity of the choice that Bell was forced to make. And to do that would be an unforgivable insult.

And, as if to show that Bell wasn't done being impressive and not long after those events, he would proceed to finish off a Demi-Spirit mere moments after being impaled to near-death by Levis of all people. Was it any wonder that Bell Cranel was someone she respected? Someone she looked up to? Someone she ad… admired…?

And just like that, Lefiya finally understood.

'I admire Bell Cranel… just like…' Lefiya thought to herself before cutting herself off. Lefiya understood her feelings, this was true. But understanding and being willing to acknowledge her feelings were two completely separate things. And if she said or thought them aloud, she'd be unable to turn away from them. If she were to acknowledge them… would it not just lead to Lefiya hurting herself and her newfound elder Sister figure? But if she easily let these feelings go, were they even real to begin with?

In an attempt to compromise, Lefiya took those feelings and hid them deep in her heart. Adventurers may have an extremely finite amount of time to work with. But, for this, Lefiya would push off for another time. Content with understanding, but not acknowledging herself, Lefiya decided to distract herself in the only way she could since alcohol was off the table.

She was going to eat that entire roast ham that was as big as a goblin or she would die trying!

Tiona would enthusiastically join her in eating large amounts of meat, though was unaware of the strife in Lefiya's heart. Meanwhile, Loki giggled to herself — drunk on root beer — about the fact that Lefiya was now walking down the path of 'thicc thighs'. Riveria was, mercifully, far enough away to not hear Loki's perverted comment — she was too busy enjoying a hearty steak herself; her own Christmas tradition from her time in her homeland.

Main POV

"I know it's a little late to be asking this now," I said to Eina as we walked the relatively sparse roads of West Main Street. "But was it okay that I whisked you away from work like that?"

"Probably not…" Eina said with a sigh. "But, honestly, I've been putting in so much overtime this past week that I doubt that I'd receive any retaliation."

"I'd ask if you've been getting enough sleep, but that feels like a stupid question at this point…" I said, concerned for Eina's health.

"What's sleep?" Eina said in response to my words. Her smile was wide, but her eyes were dead.

"Eina-san, in the name of all that is holy, please take a vacation. For your own health!" I implored her. Legitimately scared of Eina and for her well being.

"I'll compromise and take a sick day or two," Eina replied, swaying because she was unable to walk straight out of sheer exhaustion.

"I'll take what I can get," I said, before bringing up another topic of small talk. "Has everything else been going fine besides your work hours?"

"I haven't really had time for much else to be worried about," Eina replied, before shooting me a look. "And in what little time I have had to myself, I've been finding myself wondering if a certain white-haired troublemaker is still alive or not!"

I couldn't help but chuckle sheepishly, "Yeah… I've certainly had my plate full lately… sorry about that…"

"The last I saw you, Soma Familia was a hostile belligerent to you. And you were suspiciously asking me for publicly available documents about them," Eina said accusingly, "Imagine my surprise the next morning to hear that one of their refineries had a convenient accident and that Soma Familia was dropping out of the War Game!?"

"That's a subject for behind closed doors…" I said sheepishly. I was willing to tell Eina the truth of what happened that night, she deserved it for being an unwilling accomplice by sharing that information with me. But I wasn't going to discuss it in public, you know?!

"I just feel like I'm learning more about what's going on in your life by doing paperwork rather than hearing it out of your own mouth!" Eina complained. "Speaking of paperwork! Have a look at this!"

Eina proceeded to open her briefcase, and pull out a folder as she was walking. She handed the folder over to me growling incredulously, "I really shouldn't be showing you some of these files, but technically I'm not breaking any confidentiality clauses now am I!?"

Something about Eina's words filled me with anxiety. So I was rather nervous as I opened up the folder to look at the files within. I almost wished I hadn't looked at it.

At the front of the folder was Chloe's registration form to the Guild for joining Astraea Familia – not the form for registering a Conversion, mind you. At first glance, nothing was odd about the document – just that it must have been jarring to see that a Level 5adventurer was going to be joining Astraea Familia seemingly out of nowhere and that it was happening so last minute relative to the upcoming War Game. It was after a second skimming of the document that I noticed what Eina was likely drawing my attention to, and why I technically wasn't breaking any rules by getting to read the document.

While Chloe's full name and connection to the assassin 'Black Cat' weren't public knowledge, the Guild and Ganesha Familia likely knew otherwise. And even if they didn't know, using her real name posed a serious risk all the same. Which was a long way of saying that Chloe using an alias for her official documents with the Guild should have been fairly obvious. But the choice of alias she had made certainly wasn't subtle or inconspicuous.

The name field of the form listed her name as 'Chloe Cranel'. And in the familial relation fields, she listed 'Bell Cranel' with the relation between me and her as 'paramour'.

A voice in the back of my head couldn't help but complain that claiming to be a mistress while also claiming my last name at the same time makes no sense. Then again, it was pretty obvious that this was an elaborate attempt on Chloe's part to mess with me. I'm just surprised she has the guts to tangentially get on Ryuu's nerves with a stunt like this.

…?

It was as I pondered on that last observation that I finally noticed the other documents in the folder. With a hint of dread, I looked at the next file… and resisted the urge to plant my palm in my face.

Luniore also did the same damn thing. Level included, the only thing that was really different in Luniore's file from Chloe was that the first name field utilized 'Luniore'.

With a roll of my eyes, I then looked at Anya's Conversion form – the final form in the folder. Sure enough, the name field contains 'Anya Cranel'. Relation? 'Pride Member'. Level 5. Converting from Freya to Hestia Familia.

Ha Ha. I get it. Lions typically form social groups of a single male with a bunch of female lionesses, and the group is called a 'pride'. Anya effectively uses the term to place herself in my non-existent harem. I do find the fact that this terminology is somehow part of Catfolk culture to be amusing, in any case.

Looking back at Eina, who was staring me down with furious exasperation, I said, "I can explain."

"You better explain, Bell Cranel!" Eina exclaimed, "You wouldn't believe the number of times I've heard people gossiping that you've taken Gale Wind as a lover! And receiving documents like these, what else am I supposed to think!?"

"I-I'm close with the three girls who filled these out," I stammered out an explanation as I handed the paperwork back to Eina, who filed it back away in her case. "Long story short, this is some elaborate prank on their part to mess with me… Probably."

I was not ignorant to the fact I've gotten rather close to the rest of the Hostess Girls, not just Ryuu and Syr. Nor was I blind to things like how Chloe got hot and bothered after I took down Vito. Nor did I miss how Anya looked at me last night. I've not done anything grand with Luniore, really, but maybe she was impressed with me dealing the finishing blow to that Demi Spirit? She's been shooting me particularly warm smiles lately now that I think about it.

Chloe doesn't take things seriously most of the time. Not because she is arrogant, but rather because she is confident in her strength and skills. She knows when it's important to be focused, because she has an intimate knowledge on what it's like to suffer and how easy it is for life to be snuffed out. It was something I couldn't have possibly understood when I first met her in person. How could I? But as I delved into the Dungeon, it would be a lie to say that I'd never once seen the dead body of a Level 1 Adventurer that didn't know their limits – it was hard to mistake a body bag for anything else, no matter the era. The girls themselves certainly hadn't held back their punches when faced with Evilus' soldiers. It was… so easy. And if not for outside intervention, I would have had my own journey cut short too.

I might have known some things about Chloe before even meeting her, and while I am not so arrogant to say that I comprehend all of her in her entirety… but I can say with confidence that I now understand her more than I ever could from reading lines on a page. An obvious thing to state, certainly, but it warranted consideration.

She was someone who found no joy in killing. From the fact alone that Ryuu had befriended her, I knew that Chloe reserved death for the evil and unjust. Even if the black cat would never admit it out loud. While I certainly believed that everyone had the potential for redemption, I also acknowledged the fact that most such villains had the choice to be better people and turned away from that path. I intended on sparing Vito's life only because I knew that it would draw out his suffering – and that it would be a form of justice for all of those he tortured and killed. Otherwise, I would have… I would have…

All of this was to say that it is natural that Chloe and I would have grown closer as I shed my ignorance in favor of gaining experience and wisdom as an Adventurer. Even more so after she came after me with Ryuu in the Dungeon, faced the Juggernaut with me, and everything after that until now. I admired her skill and strength of will, and I had compassion for the demons whispering in her ears.

Luniore has perhaps been one of the girls that has been the slowest in warming up to me. Not to mean she ever disliked me, just that she was slower in opening herself up to me than the others – Syr hiding her true self withstanding. And it wasn't too shocking either. Luniore was someone who had been running away from excitement and adventure when she decided to stay at the Hostess instead of just running away when Mama Mia wasn't looking. If anything, she likely hadn't wanted me to ever be hardened by the world and thus be able to better understand her. Looking back on it now, I guess that Luniore really started to open up to me because of the fact I was balancing between working at the Hostess and working as an Adventurer.

She likely wondered how I could balance being in those two worlds at the same time – the line between danger and mundanity. Perhaps when she revealed her past to me, she was looking to see if I would condemn her simple lifestyle or not. A test to see if it was alright for her to truly trust me with opening her heart to me. I feel like I owe her an apology. My unwillingness to truly ever turn away from injustice had pulled me and those close to me into excitement and danger. And, if only to protect her own heart from losing what is precious to her, Luniore has had to step up to fight once more. Then again, considering how warmly Luniore smiles now, she doesn't seem to harbor any grudge about it.

Because of the struggles of her past, the pain she has felt, there is kindness and justice in her heart. Just like Chloe. It's no wonder that Luniore was willing to do whatever it took to save Noel, Syr, and I against Vito and Evilus. No wonder that she was willing to do whatever it took to protect Anya and the rest of her new family. I understand what she feels, even if I haven't gone through the same pains as her. How could I not love her too?

Anya never seems to take anything seriously, but it only looks like that because she's just that much of a natural airhead. Lunoire might lean extrovert as opposed to Ryuu and Chloe, but it is Anya that has the energy and joy that really brought the girls together before any changes I had brought to their dynamic. But was all of that effort in bringing the girls together a coincidence, or Anya merely desperate to not be alone after she lost everything? Anya is, frankly put, one of the girls I clicked with behind the scenes the most. Because I understand what it's like to feel alone and isolated, ever since I found myself in the world all those months ago.

Sure, all of the Hostess Girls struggle with feeling loneliness, but that is hardly a tribulation known to those girls alone. But whereas Ryuu, Chloe, and Luniore feel some measure of guilt over the things they've done, Anya's guilt stems from feeling like she hadn't done enough. That all of her best efforts had fallen short. I certainly understand what it's like to feel like your best effort might be meaningless. It's no wonder that Anya quickly accepted me into the fold. That she quickly became enamored with Noel, and was willing to brave the Dungeon once more if it meant protecting everything that had been built up around her. While Mia Grand is the one who provided a place for all of the girls to call home, I think it would be fair to say that Anya is truly the one who brought everyone together. She's the real heart of the Hostess of Fertility. A place I've dearly come to love and treasure.

…I'd like to say I'm surprised that all the girls have come to love me as much as I love them. But that would just be another convenient truth I've chosen to ignore despite it being plainly obvious. An aspect of a greater truth about myself that I'm terrified to confront, much less accept. The fact that I–

"That doesn't fill me with any confidence at all!" Eina exclaimed a retort to my inability to completely deny that the Hostess Girls were being serious.

"I'm sorry!" I apologized profusely, knowing there was nothing I could say in my defense at this point. "I'll be sure to see you more often so you aren't learning things like this second-hand, okay?"

"That's a good boy," Eina said with a content smile, going from pissed to happy so quickly it was jarring.

I felt my face blush as my spine tingled. I wasn't prepared for Eina's surprise attack just then! Calling someone a 'good boy' with a tired and thus sultry voice… it does something to a lad with hormones like myself. The fact I was still feeling hot and bothered by the things Ryuu did to me was not helping matters.

"L-Let's keep on moving, shall we?" I said, hoping my embarrassment (and excitement) couldn't be heard in my tone. "I need to give those damn cats a talking-to for this stunt they've pulled, I swear! This is just going to end up making those damned rumors about me even worse…"

"Yosh, yosh," Eina hummed an onomatopoeia as she suddenly gave me an unsolicited headpat.

Red-faced, I grabbed the wrist of the hand that was patting my head. In a swift motion I crouched down and planted my shoulder in such a way that allowed me to easily force the exhausted and Falna-less Eina into a fireman's carry. Appearances be damned, I would not let Eina get the last laugh in terms of embarrassment!

"Beeeeell!" Eina drew out her words like someone trying to talk while on a swing set – the timing matching with the rhythm of my footsteps as I renewed our journey towards the Hostess. Though her tone was annoyed, she couldn't hide the amusement and enjoyment of being lifted into the air with such expertise, "Leeeet meee down, haha!"

Was Eina's stomach/torso extremely ticklish? Good to know… hehe…

"No!" I rejected with a laugh, "I am the one who gives headpats, not the other way around!"

"Th-thaaaat's ridiiiculoussss~" Eina protested, futility using her free arm to hit her suitcase into my shin to little effect – the force comparable to the wind of a desk fan hitting a mountain.

In spite of the logical pleas of the half-elf to come, I refused to relinquish her from getting carried the rest of the way to the Hostess. That'll teach her to headpat me in public while saying things that would make boys my physical age and younger develop an older-sister-type fetish. Lewd elves everywhere today, I swear…

Author Notes:

Aren't garter belts great?

Anyway. I'm still alive. Writing is just going really slow for me. One last chapter before the War Game.

This part of the chapter is mainly light hearted stuff. A transition chapter. That got bot surprisingly and unsurprisingly horny. Bell's got it rough. Chapter 25: Part 2 is more serious, raising the tension ahead of the War Game itself. Which I swear will be Chapter 26. Please believe me.

Freya agrees to aid Bell in a raid on Ishtar Familia, while also offering him a prize for winning the War Game. Bell investigates Filvis and Dionysus while also getting some booze. We get to see how people from random mooks to even named characters of Loki Familia view Bell from rumors alone. Elves get drunk. And horny. Lefiya finally notices something that Lili already deduced. The Raul and Anakitty ship is sailing! Eina gets some much needed screen time. Rose gets a cameo too (Sorry Rose fans, she is not on the Bell Train).