Previously:
Ais and Riveria would make their way to the surface, only to find Bell facing an Infant Dragon. After a brief verbal exchange, the Loki Familia members would speak with their Goddess, with Riveria speaking to Loki privately about Bell, only to be warned away from investigating him. Hestia and Hephaestus would continue to work on Bell's custom order, before Loki would find them have lunch. Probing the diminutive Goddess, Loki would get some answers, but leave with even more questions, before deciding to head to the Hostess of Fertility, only to find out she had already missed Bell. Ryuu and Bell would try to exchange Bell's drop item from the Infant Dragon, before Bell proposed fashioning it into armour. On their way back to the Hostess of Fertility, Ryuu would take a brief detour with Bell, passing near an abandoned building overrun by greenery, before the pair ran into an adventurer in pursuit of a girl, only to be scared off by Ryuu.
Disclaimer – I don't own anything from the Danmachi light novel/anime/manga/games. All I own are my original characters and plot twists.
'Talking'
"Thinking"
*expression*
Flashback
Magic
Chapter 16 – Naïve honesty
'Goddess Loki, have you not had enough yet?' Asked Syr worriedly, looking at the redhaired Goddess, who was sprawled over the counter.
'No! I want to see him.' Whined Loki, causing Syr to sigh for the tenth time that hour.
The redhaired Goddess had stubbornly refused to leave, even as the lunch time rush had finished, and was still there as the dinner rush was being prepared for.
'We are back.' Announced Ryuu, as she entered with Bell, causing Syr to smile.
'Welcome back.' Replied Syr, causing Loki to groan as she looked up through bleary eyes.
'Hey, I've got some things to say to you.' Slurred Loki, spotting the white-haired boy, only for Mia to interrupt.
'Well then buy a meal, since you aren't taking my chef's time before the dinner rush. No more wine either, you puke here and I'm throwing you on the street!' Interjected Mia, causing the Goddess to sober up slightly.
'Fine, fine, gimme what the chef recommends then.' Mumbled Loki, before placing her head down on the bar.
'Well, you heard her, let's get going.' Declared Mia, causing Bell to nod, before he, Ryuu, and Syr, moved to get ready for the dinner rush.
Loki kept her head down, even as dozens of voices passed in and out of the establishment, until she felt something placed down in front of her. Lifting her bleary eyes up, Loki was treated to a meat and onion stew, with pickled beetroot, asparagus, and boiled potatoes, garnished with pimento and bay leaves, before being finished with a sprinkle of sea salt.
'Please enjoy.' Said Syr pleasantly.
Loki blinked her eyes awake as she looked at the meal, before closing her eyes and breathing in. It smelled good.
'Who made this?' Asked Loki, her eyes struggling to open.
'It was a special request, you did come all the way here to try Bell's cooking, didn't you?' Asked Syr leadingly, causing Loki to nod.
Loki picked up the fork beside her plate and dipped a piece of the potato in the sauce, then smushed it onto a piece of meat, before finally popping it into her mouth. A sense of nostalgia washed over Loki, recognising the flavour of a Nordic dish, which had somehow been executed brilliantly. Loki was now completely awake as she took her next bite, savouring the taste of the pickled beetroot, before her eyes narrowed.
"Who the hell is this kid?" Thought Loki in disbelief, before noticing a bottle of red wine had been set beside her.
Taking a moment to pour herself some in the glass, Loki enjoyed a sip, before taking another piece of potato into her mouth. Syr smiled as she watched on, feeling a small sense of satisfaction, before feeling a small feeling of jealousy creep into her mind. As the dinner rush came to its eventual end, Syr sat down next to Loki.
'Well Goddess Loki, was it everything you hoped it would be?' Asked Syr.
'I'm scared.' Mumbled Loki, her head resting on her arms, confusing Syr.
'Scared?' Asked Syr in confusion, her head tilted to the side.
'It was too good. Maybe he will steal my cute little Ais and Riveria with something like this.' Groaned Loki.
'Oh Goddess Loki, I thought you were only a trickster, not a joker too.' Giggled Syr, before a plate was set in front of her.
'Thank you, Bell.' Said Syr, causing Loki to lift her head again and look at the boy.
'Oi, how come you are a part of itty-bitty's Familia?' Asked Loki, puzzling the boy, who turned to look at Syr in confusion.
'Goddesses Loki and Hestia have a bit of rivalry.' Revealed Syr with a teasing smile.
'Why wouldn't I be a part of Goddess' Familia?' Asked Bell, causing the redhead to look up.
'She brings nothing to the table, why wouldn't you try and join someone else's Familia, even mine?' Asked Loki, only to see Bell smile, confusing her.
'Because Goddess Loki, your Familia and so many others rejected me, but Goddess Hestia accepted me.' Explained Bell, causing Loki to slide off her chair and fall to the floor.
'Damn it, pure white rabbit gonna win everyone over at this rate.' Grumbled Loki, causing Syr to giggle as she overheard her.
'Well Bell, looks like you have Loki's tick of approval. Oh, why don't I get you something though? I have a surprise for you.' Declared Syr, hopping off the stool and running to the kitchen.
Loki blinked as a shiver seemed to go through the restaurant.
'Anya, did someone open a window, it just got cold in here.' Whined Loki, catching the eye of the short waitress.
'Don't accept any free samples.' Whispered Anya quickly, before walking off to collect a stack of bowls.
Loki grumbled, shakily placing her hand against the bar and pushing herself up, before dragging her unstable legs to the stool she had been sitting on and plopping herself back down.
'Are you okay, Goddess Loki?' Asked Bell, coming around the counter to steady the Goddess, who almost fell off the stool again.
'I'm fine.' Sighed Loki, confusing Bell, but getting a nod from him nonetheless, before he sat beside her.
'Here you go, Bell, I made this myself when you and Ryuu were out.' Revealed Syr, placing a piece of cake down in front of Bell.
Loki looked up and saw a piece of cake which looked quite nice, but something in the back of her head was alarming.
'Would you like to try some as well, Goddess Loki?' Asked Syr.
Ryuu and Anya inhaled sharply at the request, but the inebriated Goddess missed them.
'Yeah sure, thanks Syr.' Replied Loki, causing the two waitresses behind her to shake their heads softly.
Loki watched as Bell took a piece and ate it, before seeing an inscrutable expression on his face, before he moved on to his next piece. Syr seemed to beam at this, causing Loki to open her eyes again and try a piece.
'Syr, did you have any trouble making the cake?' Asked Bell, as Loki placed a piece of cake in her mouth.
'Well I couldn't find any baking powder, so I used baking soda.' Admitted Syr, causing Loki's eyes to widen as the cake was already in her mouth.
While the cake looked good, the texture was flat, and it was bitter.
"How the hell did he eat the whole thing? This is like something Freya would cook up." Thought Loki, before feeling something at war in her stomach.
The Goddess felt her slit eyes open as she quickly ran outside, before opening her guts, sending her desert and the acidic remains of her wine pouring into the street. The rest of her meal managed to stay down surprisingly, almost as though her stomach didn't want to let such a nice meal escape and be splattered on the dirt.
'Are you okay, Goddess Loki? You shouldn't drink so much you know.' Inquired Syr in concern, walking over to the Goddess with Bell in tow, the boy holding a damp washcloth, which he handed to Loki to clean herself up with.
'Wine has never hurt me like that before.' Mumbled Loki.
'Surely you don't mean it was my cooking that caused you to feel unwell, you'll hurt my feelings like that. Bell, was there something wrong with my cake?' Asked Syr cutely.
'No, it was okay, it is just when you use baking soda instead of power, you need add some acidity like with some lemon juice. Why don't I show you how next time?' Offered Bell, causing Syr to smile blissfully.
'Okay then!' Agreed Syr happily, only for Mia to come by.
'Oi, Loki, on your way now, you hear?' Grumbled Mia, spotting the pile of vomit outside her establishment.
'Oi, I'm drunk here, how am I supposed to get home? At least let one of your pretty girls walk me home.' Whined Loki.
'My girls are off limits, Bell, you can walk her home until you find one of her kids to offload her on, but you better come back for the dishes.' Ordered Mia, getting a nod from Bell.
'Of course, I wouldn't leave the dishes for everyone else to do.' Agreed Bell.
'Now if only some of the others here shared that attitude.' Grumbled Mia, causing Syr to whistle innocently, while Anya and Chloe quickly ran away, causing Lunoire and Ryuu to sigh as they continued to wipe down the tables.
'Lunoire, would you know of someone who could turn Infant Dragon Hide into a pair of gloves?' Asked Ryuu, watching as Bell tried to help Loki up.
'Infant Dragon? You've gone down to the twelfth floor already?' Asked Lunoire, as she sent a quick glance Bell's way.
Ryuu nodded, before the Elf moved to a table closer to Lunoire.
'Yes, I know someone. Any special requests?' Asked Lunoire.
'Heat resistance.' Replied Ryuu quietly, getting a nod from Lunoire.
'Sure.' Replied Lunoire, before the two continued to wipe down the tables.
-line break-
The young Elf watched as the boy helped carry the drunk Goddess, her arm slung over his shoulder.
"Is he a part of Loki Familia?" Thought the small figure, before seeing the boy being led in circles by the Goddess.
"He should know the way if that was the case… is he even an adventurer? That presence before… was that him or the woman?" Wondered the blonde elf, before seeing the boy run into a grey-haired Werewolf.
The pair seemed to talk for a bit, with the drunken Goddess chiming in momentarily, before the wolf sighed and took the redhead into his arms, throwing her on his back a moment later, before walking off, the white-haired boy also walking off, heading back to the restaurant.
-line break-
Loki woke the next morning in a cold sweat. Blinking quickly, she realised she was in her room and vaguely recalled being taken back there, only for the memories to slam into her all at once.
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Flashback
-line break-
Loki had spent the better part of the past ten minutes leading Bell around, only to find she was actually lost herself. Every direction Loki gave made them move in a circle, but the boy remained calm and continued to steady her.
'Hey, what's Freya got that I don't?' Asked Loki suddenly.
Bell looked at the Goddess curiously, seeing her eyes were open.
'What do you mean, Goddess Loki?' Asked Bell, shifting his grip on the drunk Goddess, so she now rested partly on his back, her chin on his shoulder.
'Everyone loves her, even people she hasn't charmed or screwed, so why can't I get a break, huh? Even my own adorable Ais won't let me touch her.' Whined Loki.
'Uh, is it because you are trying to touch people who don't want to be touched?' Asked Bell, only for Loki to give a harsh bark of laughter.
'I don't want to hear that from a guy who can touch untouchable Elves. What's so special about you anyway? Sure, you're a little cute and can cook, but so what? I mean, I guess you also fought off that Sword Stag and Troll, but so what?' Ranted Loki belligerently.
'You're right, I'm not anything special, I'm sure someone like Miss Ais, or Miss Riveria, would have been able to beat those monsters without getting hurt.' Agreed Bell, causing Loki to look at him oddly.
'What are you, stupid? What you did was crazy for a level one, no one could do something like that as a level one!' Shouted Loki, causing Bell to shrug.
'I think I just got lucky, and I couldn't do it alone, I had a lot of help.' Replied Bell simply, before shifting the slumped Goddess again.
'Do you have any sense of pride at all?' Asked Loki in annoyance.
'I haven't done anything to be proud of yet.' Countered Bell, causing Loki to slip, only for Bell to catch her and steady her again.
'Are you sure you know where we are going?' Asked Bell.
'It's fine, I think.' Muttered Loki, before sensing one of her children nearby.
'Ah, that's someone over there.' Mumbled Loki, too drunk to realise who she had sensed.
'What the hell are you doing now, Loki?' Asked Bete, spotting his Goddess being held by someone he didn't recognise.
'Sorry, I tried to get her home, but I don't think her directions were right.' Apologised Bell, causing the Werewolf to notice the boy.
'Rabbit boy? In an apron? You wise up and decide to stop being an adventurer?' Asked Bete.
'Wise up? Wise up! This little runt took out a Sword Stag, Troll, Silverback, and now he is apparently hunting Infant Dragons by himself… and he is working part time as a chef, with girls all over him.' Slurred Loki.
'Let's get you home Loki, you're clearly drunk.' Sighed Bete, accepting his Goddess from Bell, before giving her a piggyback.
'I'm not drunk! He really did all of that stuff and now Freya's after him, Riveria is interested in him, he is going around touching Elves, and he even made me regret letting itty-bitty get to him first.' Ranted Loki, before slumping on his shoulders.
'Thanks for looking after her.' Mumbled Bete, getting a nod from Bell.
'It's nothing, I can't leave people alone when I can help them.' Replied Bell through pursed lips, before he and Bete turned away from each other and walked away.
-line break-
End Flashback
-line break-
'Ah, damn it, they weren't supposed to meet. It's a good thing he didn't believe a word I said and that he was wearing an apron. I don't want Bete to start tearing into everyone if he thinks it'll make them stronger.' Mumbled Loki, before turning around and burying her face in her pillow again.
"This guy is unbelievable. Deities are after him, Elves are after him. He's going around trashing monsters way above his level of experience, and he's got girls hanging all over him. What the hell, where did itty-bitty even find this kid?" Thought Loki in annoyance, before feeling her head throb.
'Ah, I'm too hungover for this.' Whined Loki, forgetting the reason she had even tracked the boy down in the first place, with what had ended up going down.
-line break-
Bell decided to go into the Dungeon today for a bit more practice with his magic, only to realise a problem with his plan.
"I still have no weapons or armour… I guess I will have some armour soon with the gloves, but I wonder if I can get something else too… maybe I can get another drop item from an Infant Dragon." Thought Bell, staring at the water fountain, before feeling someone approach him.
'Master adventurer, would you like a supporter?' Asked a small blonde Elf-girl with brown eyes.
The girl was wearing a pair of green stockings and a long-sleeved green shirt, with a small cream coloured shawl over her head and shoulders. She had two large pouches on either side of her hip and a large backpack for her size.
'Ah, maybe. I'm sorry, I wasn't planning to go for a long dive, I just want to pick something up.' Said Bell vaguely.
'Please allow this one to accompany you then, Master adventurer.' Offered the girl.
'Are you sure? I don't want to waste your time.' Queried Bell, causing the small blonde to blink at him in confusion.
'Waste… my time? I'm afraid this one does not understand your meaning. A supporter is only useful if they are with an adventurer, without an adventurer, all of a supporter's time is a waste.' Said the girl, causing Bell to frown.
'No, you could follow someone stronger down and get even more for your time. A supporter is very useful, or even more would get left behind.' Countered Bell, remembering all the drop items he and Ryuu had left behind last night.
'This one thinks you are a unique adventurer, but if that is the case, please let this one accompany you today, for however long you will allow.' Offered the girl.
'Okay then, how comfortable are you going down into the Dungeon?' Asked Bell, confusing the girl.
'I have been down to the middle floors before.' Said the girl, causing Bell to whistle in surprise.
'Wow, that's really impressive, you must be very brave. I don't plan to go that far down; would you be okay with the twelfth floor today?' Asked Bell, getting an eager nod.
'Yes.' Agreed the girl quickly.
'Okay, let's go then.' Declared Bell, before heading into the Dungeon, the Elf-girl following him.
'Oh, I forgot to ask, what is your name?' Asked Bell.
'This one's name is Lili, Master adventurer.' Answered the girl.
'My name is Bell. You also aren't like most Elves I know.' Commented Bell, as the pair set foot on the first floor of the Dungeon.
'You are not like most adventurers.' Countered Lili.
Bell smiled at that comment, before looking around. Lili also looked around, only to see all the monsters were out of sight. Lili's eyes narrowed for a moment, not sensing the use of any items or magic to keep monsters away.
"I don't feel any presences at all. Where are all the monsters?" Wondered Lili.
The pair made their way through the first floor unobstructed and soon the second, before landing on the third. Lili felt the tension in the room shift, almost as though it had thickened the very air she breathed, but couldn't seem to locate the source. A Dungeon Lizard dropped out of the sky but was smashed to a pulp by Bell's fist. The small Elf leapt slightly despite herself, as the magic stone clattered to the ground. Lili didn't see Bell use any weapon or magic in his attack. Did he really just pulverise a monster with his bare fists? The same guy who had been working in a bar and seemed to struggle carrying a slim Goddess. Lili quickly pocketed the stone, seeing Bell was already moving on. The fourth floor was also empty, unnerving Lili. It was almost as though after Bell's earlier display; it thought better of sending any monsters against him. Arriving on the sixth floor after moving though a desolate fifth floor, the pair finally needed to prepare for possible combat. Lili spotted the War Shadows instantly, hiding just out of sight. Lili sent a side glance to Bell, wondering if he was going to show his weapons now. Bell moved through the lurking War Shadows, who seemed to be sizing him up, wondering if they should attack or not. It seemed one was prepared to test its luck, stepping out of the shadows, only for Bell to glare at it, causing it to back off.
Lili blinked in confusion. Did he just scare off a War Shadow with a look? Who was this person? Nothing made sense. Lili was now starting to regret her decision to follow this adventurer, the lack of drops aside, there was no way she could benefit from an adventurer like this. A person who could scare off War Shadows with a glance… that was not a person she wanted to cross, no matter how nice he seemed. The seventh floor finally caused Lili's eyes to brighten. Killer Ants were swarming them already. This was the first true test for how she would manage things. Surely this would reveal a weakness she could use to her advantage.
'Firebolt!' Shouted Bell as he incinerated half a dozen Killer Ants in one attack.
Lili felt her shoulders drop.
"I'm in over my head. I need to get out of here now!" Thought the girl, before hearing a mandible clicking behind her.
A gust of wind passed her, causing her hood to fly off, blonde hair and pointed Elven ears being revealed. Looking behind her, Lili saw a Killer Ant with its head crushed to a pulp.
"Forget the monsters! He is a monster!" Thought Lili nervously, only for Bell to look at her with worry in his eyes.
'Are you okay, Lili?' Asked Bell, causing the Elf to blink.
'Is Lili… okay? Lili is fine…' Mumbled Lili, unsure what to make of things.
'Do you want to go back?' Asked Bell carefully.
Lili weighed up her options. This boy was going to be trouble one way or another. At the same time, she had nothing to show for her efforts so far. She couldn't just stop now, she needed more information first.
'No, this one can continue on still.' Declared Lili firmly, getting a nod from Bell.
'Okay, let's move a bit faster then, please let me know if I go too fast.' Requested Bell, getting Lili to nod absentmindedly.
"Please? He said please… to a supporter…" Thought Lili in befuddlement.
As the Elf followed the boy, the next few floors would shake Lili's nerve down to the last fibre. The boy was roasting monsters like he was a fire dancer. Enhanced Goblins, Kobolds, Killer Ants and Needle Rabbits were felled easily. Stepping onto the foggy terrain of the tenth floor, Lili expected Bell to slow down, only for him to speed up. Bell was smashing through Orcs with a brutal efficiency. Kick to the leg, fireball to the face, repeat several times. The Imp that tried a sneak attack found itself roasted completely, leaving not even its stone behind for Lili to pick up. The supporter had pulled out a knife and was carving out the stones as fast as she could, struggling to keep up with Bell's onslaught. Even a few Orcs were left behind, but Lili didn't dare to stop and harvest the drop items right now, fearing the floor would become littered with corpses. A few minutes later, the blood bath ended. Lili didn't waste a second and started pulling the Orc Hide off as carefully and quickly as she could. After harvesting her sixth hide, Bell spoke up.
'You're really good at that, have you been doing this long?' Asked Bell, causing the girl to flinch.
'This one has been a supporter for many years now. Surely this one is not the best supporter Master adventurer has worked with.' Answered Lili, not stopping in her task.
'Actually, I've never had a supporter before, I've been doing things myself mostly.' Admitted Bell, confusing the girl.
'You've been going to the Dungeon by yourself for years?' Asked Lili, not knowing any adventurer to continue the "demeaning" task of looting monsters for so long.
'Years? I've only been an adventurer for a few weeks now.' Responded Bell in confusion.
That caused Lili to pause. Weeks? Was he serious? There is no way an adventurer capable of crushing Killer Ants with his bare fists could be a new adventurer.
'Did you train before coming to Orario?' Asked Lili.
'No, I was a farmer.' Answered Bell, causing Lili to pause again.
'Please give this one a moment to finish up and we can continue on.' Announced Lili, ignoring the ludicrous knowledge Bell was imparting on her.
Lili rolled the hides up and placed them in her bag, before the pair continued on. Reaching the eleventh floor, progress proved to be no different at all, as Bell was just as unrelenting as he had been on the tenth. A pack of Silverbacks swarmed Bell, but the boy was cool. The same pattern repeated, Bell would cripple their legs with a kick or a punch, then vaporise their heads. Lili ran after Bell and picked up all the stones as though running a gauntlet. Fifteen minutes in, a loud crack was heard, causing Bell to smile. Lili looked on in abject horror as a tan dragon emerged from the wall and rushed right at Bell. A light white glow surrounded Bell's hand, causing the supporter to look at him in surprise.
'I'm ready this time.' Thought Bell, recalling another figure that had conquered a dragon, George of Lydda.
Bell didn't have a spear or a horse, but he was going to slay the dragon, nonetheless. Bell charged the dragon before passing it, leading it away from the wide-open space to a narrower part of the floor. Bell leapt up and let his feet find purchase on the wall behind him, before pushing off and landing behind the dragon. The Infant Dragon crashed into the wall and was now dazed. Turning around slowly, the Infant Dragon turned to face Bell, only to come face to face with a bright white glow, making the boy look like the saint he was picturing.
'Firebolt!' Shouted Bell, as a cannon of fire exploded out from his hand and incinerated the beast.
Lili blinked in shock, watching as the boy approached the mass of ash, before hearing him exclaim in excitement.
'Yes, it worked!' Cheered Bell, causing the supporter to walk over to him.
Bell had picked up what looked like a tooth, as well as a small piece of hide.
'Is it okay if I keep these drop items, you can have the magic stone?' Asked Bell, leaving Lili speechless.
'Yes, this one will hold them for Master adventurer.' Replied Lili, her mind unable to process the statement for what it was.
Bell then started to head back out of the Dungeon, the Infant Dragon Fang in his pocket, while he slung the Infant Dragon Hide over his left shoulder. Lili noticed Bell was flexing his right hand every now and again, almost as though he was injured in some way. The pair exited the Dungeon quickly, the monsters on the higher floors not daring to attack someone who had bested an Infant Dragon. The pair then made their way to the Guild, before Bell realised something.
"If Miss Eina sees me like this, I'm toast!" Thought Bell.
'Uh, hey, Lili, I'll leave you to it. I've got something to do. You can have the rest of the stuff, I'll just keep the fang and hide, is that okay?' Asked Bell, causing the girl to look at Bell strangely.
'This one does not appreciate bad jokes.' Replied Lili, only for Bell to look at her in confusion.
'So do you want to split the hide too then? I'm sorry, but I can't give you the fang, it was the whole reason I went into the Dungeon today.' Explained Bell, causing Lili to blink in surprise.
'So what about all of the other monsters?' Asked Lili.
'They attacked me, I was fine just moving past them to get to the dragon.' Admitted Bell with a small shrug, causing Lili to blink her eyes in shock.
'This one will accept your generosity then, please keep the hide and fang.' Agreed Lili, only for Bell to immediately run away, seeing the Guild door in view.
As Lili walked to the front counter and went to exchange her drop items and magic stones. A pink haired girl was working the stone exchange at the moment, her colleague being on her lunch break.
'Oh wow, did you really do all of this yourself, that's amazing!' Gasped Misha as roll upon roll of Orc Hide was placed on the counter.
'No, this one had help from… a boy.' Clarified Lili, unable to say the word she had intended.
'Ah, that sounds like someone familiar, what do you think Eina, isn't that something Bell would do?' Asked Misha teasingly.
'Bell would not be going down to the tenth floor without any armour or weapons.' Disagreed Eina, carrying a stack of papers with her.
'Does Bell have white hair?' Asked Lili, wanting to confirm if they were talking about the same person.
'Yep… wait, did you really go down into the Dungeon with Bell?' Asked Misha, now getting Eina's attention.
'He wanted to get some drop items from an Infant Dragon, he left everything else with this one.' Elaborated Lili, causing Eina's eyes to widen.
'Was he wearing any armour, or did he have any weapons?' Asked Eina quietly.
'Armour? No. He did have weapons though, his fists and his magic.' Explained Lili.
'Bell Cranel! Get in here and accept your scolding like a man!' Shouted Eina, slamming her stack of papers on the counter and angrily walking out of the Guild, all the while Misha laughed.
'Bell's in trouble now.' Sang Misha, confusing Lili.
'This one doesn't understand what is going on.' Commented Lili.
'Bell has been Eina's newest adventurer for a few weeks now and he promised he wouldn't go back in until he got some armour and weapons… and you just ratted him out, so Eina is going to track him down now.' Whispered Misha, leaning over the counter conspiratorially, missing Lili's stunned expression.
'He wasn't lying.' Muttered Lili in disbelief.
-line break-
Bell's instinct to run away and hide was a good one. He would later hear of how an angry Guild Employee searched around the Guild and eventually made her way to the Hostess of Fertility to search for Bell, only to come up short. Luckily for Bell, Eina hadn't thought that a person capable of running away from her would need any sort of healing, hence, Eina did not search the Dian Cecht Familia pharmacy, where Bell currently was.
'Has it even been a week yet, Mr. Cranel? Did you listen to my words at all?' Asked Airmid, as the boy had presented himself to her and showed her his scorched hand.
'But I did rest for a few days like you said. I'm even planning on getting protective gloves, so this doesn't happen again.' Protested Bell, causing the girl to sigh.
'Fair enough. Is that dragon hide what you plan to use for your gloves?' Asked Airmid, her eyes darting to the thick piece of material beside him.
'Not this one, this one is just an extra, I really wanted a fang or a claw to make a weapon.' Answered Bell, causing Airmid to blink.
'Not this one? How many Infant Dragons have you fought?' Asked Airmid, momentarily looking him in the eye, before returning her gaze to his hand.
'Just two, really.' Admitted Bell, causing the girl to look up at him in disbelief.
'Just two. Bell Cranel, you are going to give me a migraine at this rate. What are you planning to do with this other hide then?' Asked Airmid curiously, before her hand glowed slightly, as she placed it gently over Bell's.
'I don't know. I tried to sell the other one before I had the idea to use it for armour, but everyone was giving me a bad price according to Ryuu.' Explained Bell, causing the girl to nod.
'Yes, most merchants will try to maximise their profits. Even I am guilty of this, but it is the nature of buying and selling drop items. The Guild Exchange is consistent but is always the lowest return. If you were to find a merchant you approve of, then you could create an arrangement at a higher price for exclusive first rights on items.' Explained Airmid, as she looked through the elixirs on the shelf, until she found the one she needed.
Bell gave a small nod as the healer returned, before placing a few drops of the elixir on his hand, causing the hand to shed the damaged tissue and show revitalised tissue underneath.
'Do you want to hide then?' Asked Bell, surprising the girl.
'I would not say no to such an offer, but I will admit I am not the most giving merchant either. Profits and expenses are closely overseen by Lord Dian Cecht.' Explained Airmid, only for Bell to smile.
'That's okay, I don't need two and I guess it can be payment for my hand today.' Replied Bell, confusing Airmid.
'Considering you have already tried to sell an Infant Dragon Hide, surely you have some idea as to its value.' Retorted Airmid.
'But I mean, aren't you the greatest healer in the world? Having you heal me personally has to be expensive.' Countered Bell, causing Airmid to look off to the side, a light dusting on her cheeks.
'I am not the greatest healer in the world, it is only my reputation which makes it so.' Confessed Airmid.
'But if value is determined by the buyer and I think you are the best, doesn't that mean I need to pay you as such? If you think it's too much, just consider the rest of it a tip, there isn't much I could do with part of a hide anyway.' Shrugged Bell, causing Airmid to nod conceding the point.
'Very well, I will accept your offer, on the proviso that you also take the rest of this elixir with you. A partially used elixir is also not worth much and even harder to sell.' Countered Airmid, causing Bell to smile.
'Okay, but if it is bad enough, I will probably have to come back.' Cautioned Bell, causing Airmid to frown.
'Then don't let me see you back so soon or I will be upset.' Warned Airmid, as she capped the top of the elixir, causing Bell to smile.
'Okay then, I'll do my best. Thanks Miss Airmid.' Agreed Bell, before accepting the elixir and standing up from the examination bed.
'If I see you back here in need of healing in the next few days, I will double the fee.' Threatened Airmid, causing Bell to chuckle nervously.
'All right, I'll be careful, at least for a few days then. I wasn't planning to go back into the Dungeon until I get my new armour and weapons anyway then.' Chuckled Bell, causing Airmid to nod.
'See to it that you don't then.' Advised Airmid, before ushering the boy out.
The healer looked the at the hide curiously, placing a hand on the material.
'You are far too naïve, Mr. Cranel, even my healing isn't worth an entire hide.' Sighed Airmid, internally acknowledging her God would be happy at the very least.