Bell and Ais needed a while to be able to talk to each other again after that embarrassing morning. He felt great shame that he had enjoyed touching her soft body like that...especially in "these" places.

And Ais was thankful that Bell was so distracted that he didn´t notice her plushy, that would be even more embarrassing for her than him seeing her half naked...

She fidgeted lightly as she watched how Bell prepared the breakfast.

We bathed together, slept together, and had breakfast together. Isn´t that like what mother and father did? So, are we a couple?

Ais blushed even more as she imagined her and Bell being a couple, training together, eating together, and sleeping together.

Wait...we are already doing that...we are a couple!

She made a shocked face when it dawned to her.

But..we didn´t confess to each other...and Riveria said..it is too soon...hhhaauuu...why do I have to wait..

Bell glanced to her over his shoulder. "I would like to do it after breakfast."

Hiiiiiii! What does he mean? K-K-Kissing?

"B-Bell?!"

"We will probably have to try a while to find the right spot."

Hawawawawa! Wh-What does he plan to do to me?!

"B-But..please...be gentle..."

"Hm? Of course, I will, we don´t want to waste a single drop."

D-D-Drop? What is he...wait...does he mean..."that"?...BELL! It´s way too early for us! Riveria said it is only allowed after marriage! Kissing like...adults...and...*mumble mumble mumble*...

Even in her mind, she couldn´t speak this word. Her face grew redder and redder and she started to squeal, she didn´t know what to do, Ais loved Bell but...this development was too fast for her.

"I mean if we have the five bottles they want, we can take as much with us as we want, of the water."

"Water? Oh...Oh!"

"Ais?"

"N-Nothing!"

It wouldn´t be their last misunderstanding on the short trip, Ais couldn´t help herself, all her thoughts circled around love at the moment. Since she never thought about that before, the awakened interest in Bell hit her like a Floor boss. She could only think about spending time with Bell, cuddling with him or...kissing...him. Ais hadn´t forgotten the nice feeling when her lips had touched his cheek last night.

That was something Riveria was never allowed to know, she would scold Ais for being so bold...so indecent...and her Familia would probably call for a city-wide rabbit hunt...

I can´t allow that...Bell is...my rabbit..

Everything she thought about was forgotten when she saw what Bell pulled out for breakfast.

Haaa...I love Ms. Haruhime...´s food...

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Before they started to search, Ais demanded to take a morning bath after breakfast, but this time alone...there was a limit to how much her maiden heart could bear. At least she was able to fully relax, Bell guarded the way to the water with

his life so protect her. While she sat in the cool water, Ais thought about something else.

If he gets nightmares again this night...I will help him to calm down again.

She clenched her fist and looked determined.

But when he has them every night...does that mean...I have to move in with Bell...or he with..me?

Ais could imagine how her Familia...or rather Riveria would react.

"Young Lady! You go on a simple quest and return with a boyfriend you want to move in with?! We two will have a serious talk, right now!"

Gulp...

Again she didn´t know what to do, love wasn´t an easy subject...and it was still new for her.

Bell...

The 18th Floor was quite big and even if they had been here many times before, Bell and Ais hadn´t seen every corner of it. At the same time they started to search, a very bulky man entered the 18th Floor.

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Hmmm...no sign of any spring.

Ottar walked around the 18th Floor, so far he had looked through the 10th to 12th Floor and found nothing that would fit the description. But the 18th Floor looked promising, it was a small paradise so it was only fitting if there was a

hidden spring here with water good enough for his goddess.

I should have gathered more information before I came here.

He would keep on searching but he had to hurry, he was away for two hours now and he couldn´t let his goddess wait any longer. Right when he wanted to move on, he heard a voice.

"Is this water really that good?"

Who is this? The voice sounds familiar...

Carefully, Ottar moved between some plants so that the owner of the voice wouldn´t spot him. Soon he saw a white-haired boy and a blond girl.

"They told me it would taste better than any water I have ever tasted."

Both looked in different directions while they talked and searched for something, but none of them looked in Ottar´s direction and he was experienced enough to hide even from a level-six adventurer.

"They told me it is usually used for drinking directly or some alcoholic drinks. It also be great for cooking... The guild said that even women and not just restaurants issued quests to get this water. It is said to be the best in existence."

Ottar got curious.

This has to be it...they are searching for it too...and if they are on this Floor...I was right.

He got up and followed them slowly.

I have them take me there.

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The 18th Floor was not completely safe, normally the monsters didn´t chase adventurers but when they came too close to them, they would attack...they were monsters after all.

Ais and Bell continued their way to search for the spring, but the Floor was pretty big, at least they could skip a few areas since they knew these places very well.

It always looked like it was sunny on this Floor, but walking through one of the forests was pleasant.

I wonder...is someone else there?

Bell had a feeling as if someone was following them...but Ais didn´t feel the same and they saw no one. But he had the same feeling as often in the past...as if someone was watching them...only less intense.

And there were fewer monsters than they had thought...as if they were vanished or something like that. Ais hummed lightly while she walked at his side, her hands clasped together behind her butt.

She seemed to be in a really good mood since they had woken up together this morning and sometimes smiled at him from the side.

Bell had never before seen her smile so often...it made her only more beautiful in his eyes. A part of his mind enjoyed the fantasy that this here was the small paradise he had with Ais...to live forever with her down here.

But Bell had many fantasies about Ais...like holding hands...or...kiss, he got red every time he had those lewd thoughts.

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It isn´t easy to keep up with them and slay monsters while being hidden.

Ottar followed them in a distance and struck down every monster that would crouch in their direction, that was the reason why nearly no monsters crossed their path.

Find that water little rabbit, prove that you are worthy of her...and hurry.

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Bell and Ais followed the path through the forest, it was unknown territory here.

"I have never before seen this part of the Floor."

"Me neither...it is beautiful here...and so silent."

The forest got thicker and thicker as they walked ... it felt like they were slowly going uphill. The further they came, the darker the forest became, the crowns were so that hardly a ray of light found the ground.

But the path continued...it looked like it wasn´t used very much.

Ais was fully aware of how close Bell walked to her since the path got narrow...her heart raced and she blushed again. It was only thanks to her skill that she did not stumble over roots, since most of the time she looked at Bell out of the corner of her eye.

Both were alone in a dark forest...it would be the perfect place to kiss him.

Haaaa...Bell...I..

"Ais, over there!"

"H-Huh?"

Right now Ais was probably the worst partner one could have on a search quest. All her thoughts circled around love, kissing, and how she had cuddled that night with Bell...how she intended to cuddle with him the next night.

This part of puberty hit her like nothing before, since no dungeon crawling or expeditions were on the plan and she had survived a life-and-death fight...her body...her entire being screamed at her to do something her heart yearned for.

Bell...

Ais couldn´t...she didn´t want to wait any longer...it was the perfect moment.

"Bell...I..."

She held out her hand to his just as he ran off.

"I think I´m hearing something, hurry!"

"Mmmmh!..."

With a bright red face, she followed him...pouting. Right when she had mustered all of her courage...

It was a part of the 18th Floor that most adventurers had never seen or would never see because there was no reason to come here. Bell was right with his thoughts, they were going up a hill...or rather a small mountain. It looked similar to the one

he went up when Mord had kidnapped Hestia, not many plants or green, but a few crystals here and there. It was the beginning of a big rock plateau and from here they could see nearly everything on the Floor since they were surprisingly high up. The big forest they had gone through, lay beneath their feet and they could see the white stone walls that were the boundary of the Floor.

Both looked around, there was only a path upwards so they had no other choice. Bell saw from the corner of his eyes that Ais had red cheeks...maybe she wasn´t very good at climbing?

Some joked it may had something to do with Bell´s appearance...but he had very good ears...he could swear he heard some light splashing, as if water was running nearby. Being a gentleman, Bell walked up the path first, Ais probably would forget it but Bell

was aware that her skirt would be too short for that.

"Do you hear that?"

"Yes...there is...something."

Ais knew that Bell was better at searching things than she was, so she kept on looking for monsters. From the look of the path there should be only a possibility for monsters to come from behind, so Ais glanced over her shoulder from time to time. But

they were lucky and not one monster followed them, from time to time Bell also glanced over his shoulder with a strange look on his face.

"Bell?"

"Hm...no...nothing."

Ais tilted her head and followed him when Bell walked over the edge on the top of the path.

"Ais! Hurry, you have to see that!"

Hm?

She quickened her pace to catch up to him. At the end of the path was another, smaller rock plateau but this time with a few bushes. And right in the middle of the bushes was a small spring, the source of the splashing sounds. It looked really lovely so hidden up here.

The water sparkled lightly and was crystal clear, even the splashing sounded good.

"So do you think this is it? It truly is a beautiful spring." He looked at her.

Ais crouched down and put her hands on her knees while looking at the small spring. "I think so...it looks nice."

Bell searched in his backpack and took out the mug that was used by Ais while they camped. "Do you want to taste test it?"

"You don´t want to take the first sip?"

He smiled shyly. "No..If it is really such a special water...I want you to taste it first."

"Bell...you are so kind." She smiled openly at him.

Ais lowered her mug a little bit and caught a bit of the water, it smelled like ordinary water. Carefully she took a small sip...then her eyes widened in surprise.

"Mmmh Hhmmm mmmh!" She waved her free hand and looked at Bell with a surprised look.

"Ais?"

He saw her swallowing and she beamed all over her face. "That is the best water I have ever tasted!"

"Really?"

"Yes, here try it too."

She held her mug to him but Bell didn´t take it.

"Bell?"

"Ais...that is...your mug...I...ahm...that would be...an..."

"Hm?"

After a few seconds, it came to her what that would be.

Oh...

Both were a bit red when she lowered her mug.

"It looks like this is the right spring, no wonder no one found it so far, it isn´t very big."

Ais nodded. "Yes, if you are unlucky and someone was here before you, you may not be able to get any."

"A good thing that it is full, it looks like we can fill all of our bottles. We can fill them and then return home."

Returning so...early...mou...

"Bell?"

"Ais?"

"It might be better if we return tomorrow."

"Huh? Why that?"

"Because ahm...well...*mumble mumble mumble*.."

"Ais?"

She thought for a good reason...Ais wanted to cuddle another night with Bell.

"It is getting late you know? We...searched for the whole day...it is not good to wander through the dungeon at night...and tired.."

"But Ais-.."

When he saw her face, he stopped...she looked almost pleadingly at him.

"Okay I got it...let´s scoop up the water and then set up our camp again."

Her following smile convinced him that he had made the right choice. For a moment he stopped and turned his head around when he heard rustling behind them.

"Bell?"

"Hm...no it´s nothing."

All in all they were able to fill twenty bottles with water, Bell put most of them in his backpack.

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Ottar walked slowly up the path after Bell and Ais had left, he made sure that they didn´t see him. For a moment he looked around to take the area in.

"Hm...so this is the fountain, eh?"

But to his bad luck, the spring was empty and only slowly filled up again.

"It´s already dried up? It would take too long to wait...I can´t let my lady wait any longer..."

Ottar was in thought when something caught his eye, two small bottles were standing next to the spring under a bush.

"Is this...from the fountain?"

"Heh...He must´ve left it. So he noticed I was following them, did he?"

He crouched down and picked up the two bottles, both containing a half liter of water.

"I guess that proves that he really is worthy of lady Freya´s interest."

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"Bell, why did you leave two bottles at the spring?"

"I had a feeling that someone else was searching for the spring too, I would have felt bad to take everything."

"Ehe...you really are soft-hearted."

They memorized the place well, and when they would see a quest for that again they could easily fulfill it. They returned to the place where they had stayed the night and set up their camp again.

Since Bell didn´t want to argue with Ais, he agreed to bath together again but demanded to sit back to back. Ais was all too happy to have Bell for herself for another evening, and something they hadn´t had in mind before, they still had food for

two days so...Ais could eat to her heart's content and enjoy Haruhime´s housemade food. They chatted about various topics but in secret both thought about confessing to the other...using the good mood here.

But both still were young people in love...even when they had faced death multiple times...both were too shy to do it.

And in the night...

"Ahm Ais...your side is over there..."

"I know."

Bell´s body was stiff as he felt Ais snuggling against him, putting an arm around his waist and her cheek on his chest...at least both were fully clothed.

"Then..why are you...lying here?"

"I don´t want you to have nightmares again."

"Th-Thank you...but..."

Her head moved a bit and she glanced up at him with puppy eyes. "You...don´t want...to?"

I want to kiss you...

Bell loved her even more for what she wanted to do for him.

"I would love-"

"Love?!"

"I mean...I would be glad to..."

"Oh...or is it because of that?" Ais pointed at her shirt.

"What?"

"Would it be better...if I take it off?" She blushed heavily and grabbed the hem of her shirt.

"No! No...it is...okay like this.."

"Mmmh!" She smiled happily and snuggled more against Bell.

"Ais please...I.."

"Okay...but!"

"But?"

Ais moved away from Bell a little bit and lied down next to him. "I will lie here, my last offer, take it or leave."

"Leave?"

"I heard shop owners talking like that..."

She is too precious...

Even if she might hurt its feelings...but cuddling with Bell was better than the plushy.

It was a wonder that both were so clueless about the other's feelings since it was pretty obvious. But Ais was an airhead and Bell was just shy...

So both spent another night sleeping side by side and Bell indeed had no nightmares...but he also didn´t sleep much since he looked at the peaceful sleeping face of the girl he loved so much.

"Bell..." Ais mumbled in her sleep.

"Ais?" He whispered.

"Bell...I love..."

His eyes widened...was she about to...

"I love..."

Ais...does that mean...

"Haruhime´s food..."

For a moment his expression froze, and then he chuckled silently.

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A few hours before both went to sleep, Ottar returned to the surface with the two bottles. Immediately he ran up the stairs of Babel to reach his goddess.

When he entered her room, Freya looked at him frowning...clearly unhappy.

"Ottar...you naughty child..sheesh...How many hours does it take to bring me a glass of water? You were away for five hours."

"I apologize Mylady..." He was sweating lightly, not because of his fast return...but because of Freya´s tone and expression.

"I went a bit out of my way to find the best water there is for you...water befitting you, Lady Freya."

Her eyebrows rose in curiosity. "Water befitting me?...What do you mean by that?"

"I couldn´t bear the thought of you drinking normal water that I´d scooped from somewhere around here, Lady Freya."

"And where did you go that I had to wait so long?"

"I went into the dungeon to find the best water for you."

"The Dungeon..."

He dared to smile lightly...it was an expression he only showed her. "I wanted to offer you the highest-quality water, Lady Freya."

She smiled lightly...a sight he could die for. "I see. Then I´m sure this water will be quite good."

"It is said to be the tastiest."

"Fine, then give it here. My throat is parched from waiting so long."

He looked troubled. "I apologize for making you wait so long, Mylady. Please, drink."

Ottar opened one of the bottles and poured the sparkling water in an elegant glass that Freya used normally. She took the glass and looked at the water inside, admiring is crystal-clear sparkle.

Carefully she took a sip and her eyes widened.

"Oh my, this is water?" She looked really surprised.

"I´m surprised. I never knew such delicious water existed!"

"I´m honored that it is to your liking."

"And that water like this is found in the dungeon..." She took another sip and smiled, pleased.

"But unfortunately, when I got there, the spring had already dried up and was empty...but that rabbit left these two bottles of it at the spring."

She looked a bit more surprised and smiled lovingly.

"Is that so? It is very tasty...Ottar. You´ve done well. I am very pleased."

"I am very honored, Lady Freya."

He heard a sound that he always feared...a light gurgling from Freya´s stomach...his goddess was hungry.

"I could eat some delicious meat with the second bottle of water..."

"I will bring it as fast as I can! From the best chef!"

Ottar was already on his way to run out of the room.

"But don´t search in the dungeon for it!"

Freya just hoped that he had heard her...

She looked at the half-filled glass and smiled. "Heehee...knowing it is from him...makes the water taste even better."

With a smile, she drank the rest of her glas and waited for Ottar´s return with her food.

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"Meow!"

Anya startled when the door to the pub was pushed open with force. She wanted to yell at the customer but froze the next second.

"O-O-Ottar...meow?!"

She shrank away, frightened.

He loomed over her and stared down. "Little cat...where is Mia?"

"Mama Mia, Meow?"

The bulky man nodded, Ryu and the other waitresses looked curious about who it might be. Most of the customers fell silent when they saw who it was.

"Oy, what´s with the ruckus here-...Ottar? What do you want?"

Mia came out of the kitchen and built herself up in front of the man who was much taller than her.

"Lady Freya wants to eat your best meat."

"Why does the goddess want to eat my food?"

"I don´t question her wishes, it has to be your best!"

"Okay, Okay. Rakia beef deluxe coming up, wait for a moment."

"Sure."

Ottar waited next to the stairs until Mia would finish up, one of the waitresses walked past him and smiled up to him.

"Mr. King, good evening."

Ah...it is...her.

He nodded to the silver-haired girl who beamed all over her face. Ryu and Lefiya looked perplexed as they saw that Syr started to chat a bit with Ottar.

"Isn´t that...the "King"?" Lefiya was taken aback.

"Yes..." Ryu was a bit shocked...just how many people did Syr know?

After he received Mia´s best meat, Ottar returned to Freya.

His eternal quest to please his goddess continued.

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On the next day, Ais and Bell returned to Orario. The Quest had asked for ten bottles so they were able to keep eight for themself, sharing them equally.

"So Bell...have a safe trip home." Ais smiled as they stood at the entrance of Babel.

"You too Ais, it was fun."

"I had fun too."

For a moment both fidgeted shyly again...Even if they didn´t found the courage...both were determined to do it soon.

Bell was welcomed back warmly at his home and he used the water immediately to give everyone a glass. Lefiya had mixed feelings when she heard that Bell was away with Ais for two days.

Her instinct yelled at her to protect Ais from Bell...but she already started to see him in another light.

He isn´t a bad guy..

It would take a long while to change for real...but Lefiya had realized that she needed to change. She looked at Bell when she took a sip of her water and smiled happily by the taste.

I wonder...I know that Bell loves Ms. Ais...but...how does she...feel about him?

Even if Bell wanted to keep it a secret, Lefiya knew for a while now that he was in love with Ais.

I want to talk to her before we go on the journey...

Lefiya cleared her throat to get the attention of the others. "May I...say something?"

"Of course." Hestia smiled.

"Ahm...at first...thank you all very much..." She glanced at Bell. "Especially to you...You have taken me in and gave me a place to stay...I can´t thank you enough. I wanted to tell you, that I will go on a small journey with Ms. Ryu soon."

"A journey?" Bell wasn´t the only one that looked surprised.

"Yes...she wants to search for someone."

"Might we ask for whom?"

"I...don´t know if I have the right to tell you that...please...ask her yourself."

Hestia nodded understanding.

Now Lefiya focussed on Bell. "And...I wanted to ask you all something."

"What is it?" Bell smiled friendly.

I start to understand why so many girls like him...he is...really a nice !

Lefiya´s feelings about Bell would change over time...but in contrast to the most girls...she wouldn´t fall in love with him. Her feelings about Bell would be different...

"I wanted to ask you...when I return...would you...let me in your party...for the time I´m here?"

Bell looked a bit uneasy. "You want...to go into the dungeon...again?"

She nodded. "Yes...I want to get stronger...I have to get stronger."

The others looked at each other, but in the end it was Bell´s decision as the leader of the party.

He smiled to her again. "Of course, Lefiya. We would be glad to have you."

Lily was the one who was happy about this development the most, Lefiya was a skilled mage and surely usefull.

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Ais on the other hand...her welcome was...different.

"My little girl! Are you okay? He didn´t do anything to you, did he?"

Riveria was almost as clingy as Loki...

"Aaaaah my little Ais! Finally you are back! I was so worried you might elope!"

Loki had thrown herself at Ais the moment she came through the door. Riveria didn´t did that but she also was all over Ais...deeply worried.

Tiona and Tione wanted to ask Ais everything about her small journey with Bell...but they didn´t got the chance.

"You don´t need to be worried, Bell didn´t do anything...why would he?"

Loki nearly cried. "Because he is a man! A beast!"

For once Riveria nodded, agreeing with Loki.

All five were in Loki´s room since Ais had to report about the Quest.

But there was only one topic that was interesting for them.

"My little Ais...did something happen between you two? No wait I don´t want to know...what did you two do in the dungeon?"

"Do?" Ais tilted her head. "Well..we searched for the spring."

"And?"

"Set up our camp at evening."

"And?"

Ais looked to the ceiling in thoughts. "Well we ate together, bathed together, slept in the same tent."

"WHAT?!"

"Hm?"

"What did you say?!"

"We...ate together?"

"After that!"

"Slept in the same tent?"

"Before that!" Loki slammed her table.

"Bathed together?"

"Nooooooooo!" Loki threw her hands over her face and lamented loudly.

In the back, Tiona and Tione showed Ais a thumps up.

Riveria looked shocked. "You...bathed...together?"

"We sat back to back..."

"He...didn´t saw...you?"

"No."

"And...you didn´t...saw him?"

Ais got a bit red...but she didn´t answered.

"Ais?"

"Ahm..." She looked at the others. "I...don´t want...to talk about that...here..."

Loki was already crying but the twins looked all too curious.

"Ais...please follow me."

"Okay?"

As Riveria had asked, Ais followed her to her room.

"Ais...please...tell me...what you two...did..."

She looked really worried.

Please...I hope you two didn´t do anything...

"I ahm...looked at Bell...in the bath."

Ha...of course she would be curious...she is at that age...

"A-And?..."

Ais looked a bit down. "I saw...his scars..."

"Scars?"

"From the incident...in the dungeon."

"Oh..."

Riveria understood why Ais didn´t wanted to talk about that.

They talked for a while until Riveria dared to ask the question she was the most afraid of.

"And...in...the night?"

Ais looked down again. "I tried to sleep..until I heard Bell moaning."

"Mo..aning?"

Don´t tell me he...while Ais was next to him...

"Bell had...nightmares.."

"Nightmares? Oh.."

"Yes..about the dungeon."

"Oh..I understand..."

It was quite common for adventurers to have these at some point.

"Was it bad?"

She nodded. "Yes...he was throwing himself around...so..."

"So?"

"I...ahm..."

"Ais?"

Ais got very red. "I...cuddled with...Bell..."

"You did...what?"

"Cuddling..." She was unable to look into Riveria´s eyes.

Cuddling...thank the gods...that was all...

"And that calmed him down, yes?"

Ais shook her head. "No, I had to use my breasts to calm him down."

"WHAT?!"

"Bell really...likes breasts...so...I...took my shirt off...and..."

In the next moment, Riveria wanted to call for a city wide rabbit hunt...