Is it Wrong to Live Transmigrated as Bell Cranel in a Dungeon?
Chapter 4: The Golden Angel
"When you rise in the morning, give thanks for the light, for your life, for your strength. Give thanks for your food and for the joy of living. If you see no reason to give thanks, the fault lies in yourself."
- Tecumseh
Main POV
Soft.
That was the first thought that came to mind as I started to wake up. The pillow I was lying on was the perfect combination of soft yet firm.
The second thought I had was that someone was touching my hair. That was weird. I usually wake up before most of the staff so it's out of the ordinary for someone to be in my room let alone like me enough to start petting me… though I guess Syr might have the guts to do it.
My third thought finally caught up to where I had last been and what I had been doing. Dungeon. Minotaur. Me in a pulp.
My eyes snapped open in shock. Then rapidly blinked to finish getting all the blood out of my eyes. Finally able to see, I looked up to see the face of a golden-haired beauty above me, and the ceiling of the Dungeon above that.
"Eh?" I mumbled out, utterly confused. The exact series of events before I passed out were starting to finally come together…
"Are you… okay?" the girl asked, with a cute tilt of her head.
Hnng! That was so cute my heart skipped a beat!
And just as quickly I felt the blood drain from my face as I finally realized what was going on and who this girl was.
Ais Wallenstein, the Sword Princess. Of the Loki Familia. The person I described mentally as an angel on Earth. I could feel my cheeks warm up in embarrassment as my stomach churned with butterflies.
And I realized what this sensation was.
Damnit, Bell! It's called the suspension bridge effect, look it up!
In any case, I was pretty damn mortified. I almost died, got saved by Ais, accidently repeated the events of canon to the point of crushing on Ais hard, I'm covered in blood, and Ais was giving me a lap pillow as she petted my blood-soaked hair.
And after all the embarrassment I've endured over the last few weeks… I could hardly stand Ryuu seeing me in one of her spare uniforms on the regular. But now this?
Nope. Nopenopenope. I wanna go home and reflect on my choices in self pity.
So! I bolted out of Ais' lap pillow and rolled to my feet in a single motion. Without wasting a single motion, I ran out of the chamber with the intent of refusing to stop until I got all the way back home. I tried to scream out as I fled, "I'm sorry!" But I'm pretty sure it just came out as non-descript screaming.
I ran.
And ran.
And ran.
I only paid enough attention to my surroundings to avoid the monsters I happened to run into while in the dungeon and that was about it.
I paid no attention to any comments or yelling at me as I ran inside and out of Babel tower. Nor any attention to anyone on Orario's streets. I was so utterly done, that nothing else mattered except me getting somewhere 'safe'.
I probably would have jumped right into my bed at the Hostess if Mama Mia didn't catch me and man-handle me into taking a bath before I dirtied up her establishment any further. Being covered in fresh blood would do that.
I came out of the bath smelling like a girl, because the girls' needed to help fight off the scent of mead and food that working in a pub will do to you. Thus, a lot of feminine cleaning products. At least it helped maintain my Belko disguise…
Ouch, I just did some more damage to myself there…
As I made to retreat to my room in the dorms, I found Ryuu lying in wait for me.
"Ryuu-san? What are you…? Shouldn't…" I asked.
"I'm on my lunch break," Ryuu explained, before asking, "Would you like to explain why you returned so early while covered in monster blood?"
"Not particularly, but I think I can handle it if it's Ryuu-san," I admitted bluntly. At this point, I don't think it was possible for Ryuu to consider me any more pathetic, so I might as well confide in her.
"I decided to head down to the 5th Floor today," I explain, "And it was just my luck that a M-minotaur managed to run into me there. If not for… another adventurer helping me out I would have died. It was that close."
"A Minotaur?!" Ryuu sounded shocked, it certainly wasn't normal for them to be that far up in the Dungeon. Ryuu gave me another look over, and observed, "You do look like you can barely stand…"
"I'm not actually sure exactly how I got the energy to even run back here," I admit, "I'm not sure how long I was unconscious. Maybe it was the…?!"
I stopped myself before admitting to having received a lap pillow. Besides, it's not like that was what gave me the renewed stamina and energy to run away, right?
Right?!
Thankfully, Ryuu didn't press the matter - likely assuming I was just still a bit out of it from the close encounter. She nodded to herself in understanding, "I see. I will inform Mama Mia about your circumstances. I'm sure she will demand you take tonight off."
I chuckle hoarsely, "I sure feel like I could sleep like the dead."
Ryuu looked like she wanted to hit me for a second, "That remark is hardly appropriate, Cranel-san."
I flinch, "Y-yeah. I'm sorry. It's not an excuse, but I'm really out of it right now."
"Good," Ryuu said, meaning that it was good that I acknowledged my faux pas.
There was a moment where we just stood there in silence. I was a bit confused, "Uh, aren't you going to go talk to Mama Mia then, or…?"
Ryuu raised an eyebrow, "Were you not wanting me to heal you? Or… are you just a pervert?"
'Who likes being in pain' were the unsaid words at the end of her sentence.
"I'm not a pervert!" I denied, "I will gladly accept your assistance!" I finish with a bow, almost toppling over in the process. Thankfully, my balance wasn't that utterly shot in my exhausted state.
"Then go to bed," Ryuu said with authority, "The second I start healing you, will likely make you pass out instantly. And I'd rather not have to carry you all the way to your room."
"You mean, leave me on the ground and maybe get someone else to carry me to my room," I tried translating her words.
Ryuu didn't respond, she just looked blankly at me. I'm not sure if that was supposed to be an affirmation or denial. Either way, it was both intimidating and cute.
"...I'll head up now," I said, cowed by her gaze.
"Excellent," Ryuu said, pleased with herself. But what for, was lost to me.
Word somehow got to Hestia about how my day had gone, so she ended up barging into my room in the evening hours after having finished her work at the hot potato stand. After a firm, but concerned nagging, I was told to take the next day off from the Dungeon in order to get something of a break, Something I could agree to. I didn't want to burn out, or head back into the Dungeon with that traumatic experience so recent.
She updated my Status while she was there.
Bell Cranel
Level 1
Strength: D: 572 - D: 596
Vitality: A: 804 - A: 891
Dexterity: D: 595 - C: 618
Agility: B: 712 - A: 820
Magic: I: 0 - I: 0
Magic:
()
Skills:
Liaris Freese - Rapid Growth. Fast growth as long as feelings last. The strength of the effects corresponds with the level of the user's feelings.
Singularity - The user is immune to all mental and spiritual attacks.
Development Abilities:
()
As one could have guessed, it was really only my Vitality and Agility that made significant changes. For better or worse, getting the crap beat out of me by a Minotaur didn't have my Status try to offer me a Level Up. That would have just been utterly embarrassing and patronizing.
I really shouldn't have underestimated the beast like I did. I wasn't trying to, but that's it might as well have been. I somehow thought I could run right by a monster that was easily keeping pace with me. After that direct hit, I simply couldn't muster any of the strength that my stat points would have given me.
I'll remember to be more cautious... and avoid getting hit, from now on.
In any case, after being woken up by Hestia in the first place, I was glad to spend the rest of that day resting.
The next morning, however, I still got up early to train with Ryuu. It is said, after all, that taking a single day off from practicing your craft can throw you off for multiple days afterwards.
To Ryuu's credit, she didn't treat me like I was some fragile thing and trained me just as hard as she normally does. Intentional or not, I appreciated how normal she made me feel at that time.
Mama Mia, of course, also treated me normally. Which meant getting told to work all of today to make up for the hours I missed yesterday. Nevermind the fact she gave me permission.
Not that I was spiteful, it wasn't like I had anything else to do. My constant training didn't really leave me any time for hobbies. I'd anything, the familiarity of a customer service job helped me relax. It was comfortable, known.
Though I wasn't exactly thrilled at the idea of wearing a dress all day…
Thankfully, much of the day passed by quickly. Traffic was higher than usual, I had been told, as usually there aren't that many people in the earlier hours of the day. All of the girls claimed to not know why that was the case, but I had the feeling they were covering something up. Oh well.
Before I knew it the sun was setting and the dinner/nighttime rush was starting - my usual prowling hours.
"And here you are! Enjoy!" I said with a polite, yet shy smile as I laid a series of plates full of May's delicious food onto a table full of male adventurers.
"Thanks again, Belko-chan!" one of the older adventurers said to me. The adventurer was in his mid-thirties with brown hair and golden-brown eyes. He bears two long scars on his face, one on his left cheek, and the other across his forehead.
His name was Mord Latro, a Level 2 from the Ogma Familia. The man was the loud and tough type, and was a little too aggressive with his pursuit of the fairer sex; as he had tried getting too grabby in our first encounter at the Hostess.
I guess he considered me his savior after I convinced the other girls to not kill him on the spot when he initially responded to their threats with aggression.
The girls can be really scary when they want to be.
In any case, he mellowed a little and was a great source of information. I learned a lot about the Dark Age from him in the first place. His main character flaw at this point was that he looked down on Level 1s a bit. Hopefully he'll grow up soon. In the meantime, he has been a great source of intel.
"No worries!" I assure him, "Hey can you answer something for me?"
"What's up?" he asked, digging into his food.
"Do you know why so many adventurers have come by today?" I asked him. The Hostess had been unusually packed today. I had to all but yell to even talk to him. It was that crowded. Ironically, it was so busy, that all of the hustle and bustle was what was giving me the time necessary to even inquire about it.
I wasn't too knowledgeable on the usual foot traffic of the Hostess during the day. But I felt like it was far busier than it should have a couple hours after opening. Too many adventurers. Shouldn't they have been in the Dungeon? This was the reason behind my questioning.
Mord opened his mouth to respond, but after looking over my shoulder he froze before coughing into his fist, "...No, I've got no idea. Everyone probably just had a craving for some good food and booze."
I looked at him unconvinced, "Well, if you say so…"
"Ah, as much as I'd like to, better not let me keep ya," Mord chuckled, "I'd rather not have Grand-sama kick my ass, ya hear?"
"Yes, yes," I chuckled, before walking away with a short wave.
I went back over to the kitchen window and grabbed a few more orders, frantically passing them out to make up for the lost time.
I must have lost track of time, because at some point, the sky outside turned dark and Mama Mia was yelling at me to take a break sometime today.
With a sigh of relief, I sat down next to Syr at the bar, "What a day!"
Syr giggled, "It sure has been rough today."
"What's up with that?" I asked her, "No one will tell me why traffic was so busy today. I may not work in the morning or day shifts, but this evening shift was packed!"
"It certainly isn't because the cute, new waitress was here all day. That's for sure~" Syr said conspiratorially.
"You're kidding," I instantly retort, spotting Syr's teasing tone from a kilometer away.
"Don't you know?" Syr said with mock surprise, "'Belko-chan is a sickly girl, but despite that she tries so hard every day! I've got to make sure to see her even if my wallet ouch must be sacrificed!'"
"You're so full of it," I deadpan with an amused grin.
"Fine~" Syr shrugged, "Don't believe me."
Before anything else could be said, I heard Anya's voice announcing, "Nya! Customer's with reservations coming through, nya!"
That perked my attention, as it was rare for people to bother making reservations. Looking at the entering group, I could instantly tell a few things. One - they were all strong; I couldn't tell exactly their levels but it was easily 4+. Two - that the red-haired androgynus-looking fellow was of the divine. The third thing cleared up who they were entirely: Ais Wallenstein. These people were Loki and the executives of her Familia - the best of the best.
My blush deepened. Both at the sight of Ais and the embarrassment of potentially being found out by her and her Familia.
"The Loki Familia are regulars here," Syr commented to me, "You haven't seen them yet since they were on a deep expedition until yesterday. It seems their goddess, Loki, really likes this place."
"I see…" I reply absent-mindedly. So now by coming here everyday, I'll get to see both Ryuu and Ais regularly… What is this line of thought for exactly!?
I sigh, getting myself under control. I hardly have the charisma or strength to be trying to pick up girls in or out of the Dungeon.
I tried putting the party of the Loki Familia out of mind, but that didn't last more than a five minutes when I heard:
"Okay!" The silver-haired Werewolf I now recognized as Bete yelled out drunkenly, "Ais, tell everyone all about what happened."
"What do you mean?" Ais asked stoically.
"You know the one! About those Minotaurs that got away! Remember, you finished off the last one on the lower 5th! You know: Tomato boy!"
Lightning shoots down my spine. Calm down. Calm down. You're disguised, they probably think your hair is red, and even if Bete did have your scent you are concealed by all the feminine cleaning products and food and booze.
Did Bete see me? I didn't notice anyone else except me and Ais Wallenstein. But I was hardly in the state to detect anyone anyway. Still, if I hadn't been noticed already, then I was probably safe. I don't think this Bete fellow would be able to resist pointing me out if he noticed. The blood from the Minotaur must have hidden my scent and hair color enough so that in combination with my disguise, I was safe.
"Are you talking about the group of Minotaurs that attacked us on the lower 17th Floor, and they ran away when we fought back?"
"Yeah, yeah! That one! By some miracle they ran up! We tore after them! Already damn tired, too! Yeah, and there! That 'adventurer'! Damn newbie kid!" Bete regaled, his speech was slurred and not telling the story very coherently, but enough to get the point across.
I breathed in deeply through my nose and plastered the brightest and most fake smile of my life on my face.
"Got himself cornered like a lil' bunny! Shaking like one, too! Poor thing was about to explode!" Bete continued.
Every inch of my body is burning. I might explode right now. Just because I'm disguised, doesn't mean that I'm immune from the emotional damage.
"Oh? What happened to the boy? Was he okay?" One of those at the table asked, I think that was the High Elf Riveria.
"Ais here carved up the Minotaur at the last second, ain't that right?" Bete regaled.
"…" Ais was silent.
A strange calm washed over me at this point. And the sudden urge to do something overtook me. I quickly hatched a plan and I went over to where the chef, May, handed food and drink from the kitchen. "Can I get a pitcher of the strong stuff?" I asked.
"Sure thing, Belko-chan!" May said without looking, sliding the pitcher without even a second glance.
"The kid took the full blast of that damn beast's blood, and got soaked! So, 'tomato boy'! Gyahahaha — Ow, my ribs!" Bete laughed hysterically. That sure seemed to imply he did see me run off. Oh, fuck me, that's so mortifying!
However, it does little to affect my mask - a pleasant and fake smile plastered on my face.
"Woah…" Someone muttered.
"Ais, please tell me you weren't trying to do that! I'm begging you!" Bete asked her hysterically.
"… No, I wasn't," Ais answered honestly.
Bete has long since been laughing so hard he's tearing up. The rest of the table, too. They're laughing at me - not that they realize I'm here. Even the customers around them are trying not to laugh, but aren't doing a good job of it.
"And get this! Tomato boy! He ran away, screaming his head off! Gyahahaha! Our princess saves him, and he just buggers off!"
"… Hm," the dwarf grunts, trying to hold a chuckle in or just displeased at my lack of manners I couldn't say.
I calmly walked over to their table, like I belonged, and nonchalantly refilled Bete's empty flask full of our strongest liquor. The table barely acknowledged my presence, as anticipated.
"GYAHAHAHA! Absolutely priceless! Ais scaring away a newbie! You are so awesome!" Bete laughed, finding the thought of Ais being that scary to be a riot. "Ha… ha… ha… I'm sorry, Ais, but I can't take this anymore!"
"…" Ais wasn't amused and started looking sharply at Bete.
At this point, I was starting to get a sick enjoyment out of being so close to them and them being none-the-wiser. Oh, it was still embarrassing. I had gotten so embarrassed that I must have looped back around to being calm. And I wanted to get a front row seat for what was to come.
"Ooooh, don't make them scary eyes! It ruins yer cute face!" Bete said, slurring some more.
Bete takes a big swig from his refilled glass in between bellows of laughter. He fails to notice the souring mood of the rest of the table. I seamlessly and immediately refill his mug with more of the hard stuff. He hasn't seemed to have noticed what he's just drunk yet.
I could make out Syr watching me out of the corner of my eye. She looked confused and amused at the same time. She must have realized this story was about me, and wondered what I was up to.
Their conversation is starting back up.
"But really, it's been a long time since I've seen something so pathetic! So disgusting I could cry!" Bete laughed.
"… Hmmm," A member of the table idly agreed. Or disagreed? The elf, Lefiya(?), seemed to be incredibly uncomfortable.
"The hell was he doing? If you're gonna cry like a little bitch, you shouldn't be down there in the first place! Right, Ais?" Bete asked. I guess if anyone had the right to call someone else a 'bitch' it would be a werewolf like Bete.
All the humiliation I've suffered in the past few weeks was not worthless, I realized. It built up a tolerance that allowed me to find some enjoyment in my current bizarre situation.
"…" Ais, however, hadn't laughed even once, and continued to use her 'scary eyes' at Bete.
"It's weak adventurers like him who give us a bad name. Just give it up already!" Bete said harshly.
"Shut your mouth already, Bete!" Riviera finally spoke, getting annoyed with Bete's words, "It was our mistake that let the Minotaurs escape! That boy had nothing to do with it! And stop drinking! Learn some respect!"
As if to spite her, Bete shoved his empty flask in my direction. I silently refilled it, unapologetically. I noticed that Loki, who was nearby at the bar, seemed to have realized that my pitcher of booze was the hard stuff based on the mischievous look she was giving me.
I winked at her. She grinned slightly in response. As far as I could tell, no one had noticed this interaction. All I knew was that I was given divine approval to continue my prank.
"Oh-oh! You elves and your pride!" Meanwhile, Bete started arguing, "But yeah, what's in it for you to protect that piece of shit? Saying it's our fault, you're lying to yourself! Just to keep your pride! Trash is trash! What's wrong with calling it what it is?"
"Hey, hey! That's enough! Bete, Reveria, relax! You're killing the mood!"
I started mentally counting down until Bete's cosmic punishment was delivered. Assuming he had the Abnormal Resistance Development Ability, then it should give out soon. I had enough with drunk adventurers to have a rough guess at how far along he was.
"Eh, Aissu~!" Bete was starting to slur every other word, "What did youuu think abouuut him, the pathet*hic* piece of shit who was shaking in frooont of you? Do youuu think he deserves to stand at ouuur level, as a-adventurers?"
"… I don't blame him for acting the way he did under those circumstances," Ais defended me.
It should hit him very soon now. Though his Level 5 Falna sure is helping him. I believe he's Level 5 anyway – I'd have to go look through the public records at the Guild to confirm for certain.
"Why you acting all Goody Two-shoes? Okay then, I'm changin' the question. Him or me—who's got it going on?"
"… Bete, are you drunk?" the Loki Familia Captain, Finn, asked jokingly as it was pretty obvious at this point.
"Shut it! Now, Ais! Choose! As a female, which male wags your tail? Which male makes you hot?"
Any moment now…
"… I have no reason to answer that question, especially to you, Bete," Ais replied, sounding annoyed. Which was saying something – it was the most emotion I've heard out of Ais yet… not that I'd interacted with her all that much. Still, Ais was a fairly stoic person – more so than Ryuu even.
"You're absurd…" Riviera was disgusted at Bete's lewd phrasing and/or question.
"Quiet, hag!… Well then, what if that piece of trash came up to you, said he liked you, would you take him?"
"… Hm," the dwarf Gareth seemed to be getting annoyed as well.
Any second now… his resistance is more than I've seen from others, but it can't be too long now…
Bete was slurring so bad that it was hard to make out what he was saying, "Of course you wouldn't! Why would a tiny kid who's so weak, feeble, and all-around nauseating have the right to even stand next to you? There's no way he'd measure up! A tiny kid could never land Ais–!"
At least, that's what I think he said. His slurring was bad, but that seemed to be what he was saying.
Before Bete could finish saying Ais' full name, however, he suddenly hiccuped before his eyes rolled to the back of his head as he passed out drunk. His face fell forward into the dish in front of him with a loud 'splat'!
There was a beat of silence.
"Ara?" I said, once again using all of my voice acting skills to pull off a perfectly convincing female pitch, "I thought with all that confidence, only our best liquor would satisfy him?"
"Hah!" Gareth laughed the loudest, though Finn and the Amazon girls also didn't hold back their amusement, "He's got quite the mouth, but can't hold his liquor nearly as well! Nice one, missy! Never thought of doing something like that to shut him up!"
"Whatever do you mean?" I ask, pulling my best Syr impression, hiding part of my face behind a tray, "I'm just the latest hire trying to do my best to anticipate our patron's needs. I take customer service seriously, you know?"
That again got a series of laughs from the likely candidates at the table. I could tell that Ais was confused; I got the impression she thought my face was familiar but couldn't connect the dots. Good.
The elf Lefiya seemed to be perplexed, amused, and upset all at the same time. It was an odd sight, as I was used to formality and limited emotions from elves thanks to spending as much time with Ryuu as I've had now. Not a bad sight, it just stuck out to me. A good reminder to be careful with racial stereotypes and customs.
Then, Loki put her arm around my shoulders with a laugh, "So you're Mama's latest child? That was a great prank you did there! And you even have great— ouch!"
Loki yelped as I slapped her hand away from groping my chest. With a twinkle in my eye, I told her, "And Mama Mia already informed me about your habits, Loki-sama."
"Foiled again!" Loki complained in amusement, "It's not fair!"
"Apologies, Loki-sama," I say with a grin, "I may take customer service seriously, but we don't provide that kind of service here. You'll need to head a few districts over for that."
"And give that slag Ishtar the satisfaction?" Loki said incredulously, "She wishes she had beauties like that of my Familia!"
"On that we can agree," I said with a laugh.
Loki, with her divine perception, got the impression I wasn't lying. Which was true, despite the fact that such a sense wouldn't work for her on him anymore. Which was why she looked at me as if she found a comrade, "You…"
Continuing the bit, I easily force myself to blush, "Working in an all-female establishment is the best, you see~"
"It's like I've found my mortal counterpart!" Loki laughed, "Good thing you aren't in my Familia! I'd hate the competition!"
"What competition are you referring to?!" Riviera called back in exasperation.
"Hah!" Gareth laughed at Loki's expense.
"Best play dumb," I whispered a suggestion to Loki.
"Tactical retreat, huh…" Loki whispered back. She then addressed the table, "I was just referring to competition for providing the best 'customer service'! Honestly, that was it!"
Her Familia's table didn't seem convinced, but weren't going to press things further.
"Best take what you can get," I offered to her.
"I'm the Goddess around here…" Loki mumbled in mock disgruntlement, "Why am I the one getting bullied?"
"Karma?" I offered.
"Shut up!" Loki said in annoyance and amusement.
Not a whole lot happened after that.
With a rapport established, I managed to maintain my cover for the rest of the night and managed to make some connections with the higher ups of the Loki Familia. Well, as Belko anyway.
The next morning, I was picking up some food from the market for the Hostess when I happened to come across an accessory stand. I almost walked by it, but a blue and white set of ribbons with bells caught my eye. The color scheme instantly reminded me of Hestia - her eyes and white dress. And the bells were a fitting nod to myself, I got a chuckle out of it as soon as I thought of it.
I went ahead and quickly bought them, my own valis of course. I quickly hurried back to the Hostess, no need to sneak in like I usually do since I was still in my Belko disguise. After dropping the supplies off and getting into my adventuring gear, I snuck out and made my way over to Hestia's Church.
"Hestia-sama!" I called out as I came down the steps, "Are you awake? I brought breakfast, as usual!"
"Wallenwhatsit!" Hestia cried out as she was startled into awakeness.
"Good morning, Hestia-sama!" I greeted again with a smile.
"Oh…" Hestia blinked, still waking up all the way, "Good morning, Bell-kun…" she finished with a yawn.
"I'm surprised to see you sleeping in," I comment as I place her bento on her nightstand, "Did you have a day off? I didn't forget, did I?"
"Ah, I forgot to mention it," Hestia said sheepishly, "I've gotta get myself ready for a ball being hosted by Ganesha."
"Ganesha-sama, huh…" I hum, "I guess it's sort of like a pre-party before Monsterphilia? I've heard that it's some kind of festival that's just around the corner."
"That's actually a good way to describe it!" Hestia said, not having thought of it like that, "But yeah, I'll be gone all night for it. And, uh, I'll actually be gone for the next few days. More likely than not, anyway."
"That's some party," I chuckle.
"R-right, haha…" Hestia chuckled nervously. She was probably hiding something, but I figured that if it was something to worry about that she would let me know. Hestia cared a lot about my safety, but she did have common sense.
"Anyway, I got you something this morning," I say, passing a small package over to her.
"A present?" Hestia asked, a little stunned.
I scratched my cheek, "I feel kinda bad for barely spending any 0ne-on-one time with you, Hestia-sama. What with my constantly being in the Dungeon; combined with working, training, and boarding at the Hostess. We barely get the chance to see each other… Not counting the times you hang out at the bar or when I sneak you food from the Hostess out back."
"Bell-kun!" Hestia cried out in anger, with an embarrassed blush on her cheeks.
"A-anyway, I saw it and thought of you so… there you are," I finished.
"Ah, Bell-kun, that's so sweet!" Hestia said, already happy at the simple gesture. She quickly opened up the package, and her eyes twinkled with joy. "Oh, Bell! Are these ribbons for my hair?!"
"I noticed your's are wearing out," I said sheepishly, "They match your typical color scheme and they even have, uh, b-bells on them."
Hestia blushed, "Bell-kun…"
"A-anyway, I just hope the ringing they cause won't get annoying or anything… I just thought it was kinda funny, you know?"
"Never!" Hestia denied, "Whenever they ring, I'll be thinking of you! Come on! Hurry and put them on!"
"Eh?" I said startled, "But I don't know how to–"
"Don't care!" Hestia interrupted, "I just want you to put them on! Hurry, hurry!"
"Fine, okay!" I said, trying to avoid an argument, "But when you get weird looks in the street from how badly I do your hair, don't blame me, okay?"
Hestia didn't respond, she was too busy lost in her little world, bobbing back and forth in excitement. My guess was that she was imagining herself getting admired in the streets from the new hair ribbons. A little vain, but an acceptable amount I would argue.
Shaking my head in amusement, I go ahead and do my best to tie her hair into twin long ponytails as per her usual style. I actually think did a pretty good job; her hair is really smooth and is completely fritz free - I guess that's a perk of divinity.
"How's that?" I ask, getting her opinion anyway.
"It's perfect!" she said instantly.
"You didn't even look in the mirror," I said in a deadpan.
"Irrelevant!" Hestia rebutted, her logic completely sound.
"Anyway, I should probably get a quick update then before your time out," I said, getting us down to business.
"Sure!" Hestia said, her good mood is unlikely to go down anytime soon I reckon. My stats made about their usual change at this point:
Bell Cranel
Level 1
Strength: D: 596 - C: 631
Vitality: A: 891 - S: 959
Dexterity: C: 618 - C: 635
Agility: A: 820 - A: 888
Magic: I: 0 - I: 0
Magic:
()
Skills:
Liaris Freese - Rapid Growth. Fast growth as long as feelings last. The strength of the effects corresponds with the level of the user's feelings.
Singularity - The user is immune to all mental and spiritual attacks.
Development Abilities:
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Ryuu beating me up every morning sure was good for getting Vitality up… And Agility from all the running away from her, now that I think about it.
Anyway, I let Hestia get back to eating breakfast and preparing for the ball. And I went ahead towards the Guild. But I wasn't going just for more Dungeon lessons from Eina. No, I wanted to do some investigative work before going into the Dungeon for a short day.
I entered into the Guild, and Eina happened to spot me first, "Bell-kun, good morning! Here for your lessons?" She asked, seeming pleased with herself.
"Kind of," I said, solemnly, "I did have questions though."
"Oh," Eina said, surprised at my tone most likely, "W-well, of course, follow me."
Eina quickly ushered me into her office, "What is it you'd like to know?"
I interwove my fingers and asked, "What was the Dark Age? Whenever I ask, I don't get a straight answer."
That actually wasn't entirely true. I managed to get some details out of people at the Hostess, Mord-san in particular. Even while drunk, I still didn't get a lot of details. And it was hardly in specific detail or in chronological order. So I had a general idea of what happened, and a nice amount of the Familias involved, but I didn't have confirmation.
"Oh…" Eina said, "I'm not sure this is really appropri–"
"Please," I interrupted, "I'm an adventurer now. That means taking the good with the bad. I signed up for this. I've got to be able to take it. Wouldn't you rather make sure I'm informed so someone doesn't try to spin the story with misinformation?"
Eina sighed, "I can't say no when you say it like that… Very well. It was, needless to say, a bad time for Orario. The Zeus and Hera Familias had dominated Orario's politics for centuries, but when they were decimated following their raid on the One Eyed Black Dragon… Well, the Familias…"
"Sensed an opportunity to seize power? That which was left in their wake?" I deduced.
"Exactly," Eina confirmed, "Orario divided into factions - it was easier to overwhelm individual Familias if you had allies, after all. And one of these factions was Evilus. Many Chaotic and Evil aligned gods and goddesses joined together with the goal of destroying Orario and the Dungeon."
"Why would they want that?" I asked, trying to understand.
"Their basic nature? Entertainment? Who can say for sure," Eina answered, "the most logical answer I've come across was that it was a gambit to force the Familia's to get stronger. With monsters overrunning the surface, the Familias would become strong enough to conquer the Dungeon and end its threat to the world… though it was more likely just an elaborate justification to seize control."
"Well, it's obvious they were defeated," I said, "How?"
"The Loki and Freya Familias faction was vital to ending the conflict," Eina answered, "It's why they are the dominant forces in Orario even now. It can be said that, at least. They defeated Evilus about six years ago now and cemented themselves as the dominant players in Orario."
"But what about Gale Wind?" I asked.
"Oh, you've heard about that?" Eina said, surprised.
"I saw an old bounty flier," I said, "I was surprised there was a bounty so high for someone from the Astrea Familia. Wasn't she the patron of justice?"
"Yes, that's correct," Eina confirmed, "The Astrea Familia once enforced the laws of Orario alongside Ganesha-sama and a few others… The Familia was destroyed five years ago in the Dungeon under uncertain circumstances."
"Uncertain?" I ask.
"The Guild's investigation wasn't able to come up with conclusive evidence," Eina said sheepishly, "Ironically, because the Guild at the time was too reliant on the Astrea Familia for such things. We never expected them to fall in the Dungeon, as the Familia was considerably strong and well received. Only their Goddess and a single member survived the incident."
"The Gale Wind," I said, "Why the bounty then?"
"She systematically annihilated the Rudra Famliia and other Familias and organizations," Eina declared, "Our investigation concluded that she died from related injuries right as she finished the job."
"Why the bounty exactly?" I asked, "I heard that Rudra Familia was apart of the Evilus faction."
"That… is true," Eina said slowly, "Most of Evilus was destroyed the year prior by Loki and Freya Familias, but remnants did survive. But those remnants went dormant, accepting defeat and ending the Dark Age."
"Or maybe everyone just wanted the Dark Age to be over," I realize, the puzzle finally coming together.
"!" Eina was startled by my words, "Ah…! I… can't argue with that… But! It was one thing for adventurers to die in battle during the conflict! A significant portion of the adventurers from those Familias survived and diaspora'd into other Familias. But the Rudra Familia and others were being systematically assassinated and destoryed. That became clear after the third incident."
"Where the Guild formally put a bounty on her head," I assumed.
"Which kept on rising the longer she wasn't caught," Eina summarized, "The total getting to 80,000,000 valis before she died."
"What's the Guild's stance on her now?" I asked
"Why?" she asked, confused as to the point.
"I mean," I tried to explain, "The means weren't exactly the best, but it just sounds like to me she was trying to do the right thing. Rudra hadn't dispersed, after all. How else was a strong Familia like Astrea destroyed otherwise? They very well could have been waiting for an opportunity to strike terror into Orario again. Nobody expected the Astrea Familia to suddenly get wiped out in the Dungeon… and all in one go."
"...Bell, what are you saying?" Eina asked slowly, noticing the undercurrent to my words.
"I'm just saying," I said pointedly, "It seems awfully convenient that one of Evilus' enemies was almost entirely wiped out while in the Dungeon… What incident led to the retaliatory measures that destroyed most of Evilus again?"
"...The Nightmare of the 27th Floor," Eina answered, "Evilus lured many adventurers to be slaughtered in a Pass Parade on that floor. Loki Familia used the opportunity to strike at their base, sending most of the affiliated gods to Heaven…"
"Sounds familiar to me," I said sadly.
Eina just sighed, seeming to give up on arguing the Guild's position and just state the facts of the matter, "...As far as the Guild is concerned, the Gale Wind is dead. We don't have a stance on her, and thus the Guild is just glad those dark days are over."
"I see," I said softly, "I'm sorry if I brought up bad memories."
"No, don't be," Eina said, "We have to confront the past so we don't repeat our mistakes. I hope this was helpful, Bell-kun."
"It was," I said, "...I promise, that if bad times come again - because I can't promise that they won't - but if they do, I'll protect everyone I care about. You too, Eina-san."
Eina blinked at me, before laughing softly, "Why… don't you have a way with words Mr. I-want-to-be-a-hero!"
I grin as I blush in slight embarrassment, "Like you never wanted to be a princess saved by a knight in shining armor?"
"Oh, get outta here! Lesson's over!" Eina said loudly, ushering me out with a blush. It seems I teased her too much. Is this what it feels like to be Syr? This low defense but high attack power? I feel conflicted, but mostly pleased at the expressions Eina is making.
"That wasn't a no~" I said grinning, letting myself get pushed out.
"Just don't die in the Dungeon, okay!" Eina retorted, "You aren't going to save anyone if you die on me – I mean them!"
"It's okay," I said, "Love you too! See ya later!" I wave behind me without looking as I run out of the Guild building.
She is so going to kill me the next time I see her. But her frustrated and embarrassed yelp was totally worth it.
Authors Notes
I was originally going to skip bothering to describe much of Belko's shift, but figured this would be a good way to initially introduce Mord Latro. He's still going to dislike Bell at first, but he doesn't see through his disguise. It won't actually change much until later on.
He had interrogated Mord and others the previous days about the Dark Age, he just decided to finally confront Eina for the Guild's stance since he was satisfied with what he had already learned. Which is, of course, mainly stuff that is public knowledge. The only things outside of the public eye that Bell is aware of are the details surrounding what really happened to Ryuu's Familia. But that's for another time.
Rather than run off in embarrassment, Bell shakes things up a little by getting Bete insanely drunk. Ais still has Bell on her mind, but doesn't have that added interaction of sadly watching him run off. It alone won't really change anything about Ais' awareness about Bell in particular from what it was in canon. All-in-all, a minor change with unknown repercussions.
Also, for anyone wondering how far along my writing is going in the background, I'm trying to cover everything that happens in the couple of days before the Black Goliath spawns in canon. This is how I've managed to keep to a weekly release schedule thus far – I wrote a fair bit before posting and am desperately trying to make sure I stay ahead. Since it can take a day or two to look over every chapter and do various edits.
What kind of magic do you think the protagonist's soul would create after interacting with a Grimoire? I've already decided, but I wonder if anyone will have a close guess. Until next time!