Author`s Note: Hello everyone, thanks again for the Reviews. It seems like quite a lot of people like the story and that Freya gets love, she deserves it.
Shinji: I´m sorry, but I have no idea what you´re trying to tell me with your Review.
I can´t directly say how long this story will become, but longer than Route Freya. I want to work with everything that Freya is, which includes all three halves of her. Syr, Freya..and Horn (she will have the most complicated relationship with Bell).
A little something, personally. I made myself a pat reon side. The content and chapters will remain 100% free, there will be no paywall, and no earlier posting on the side. It´s just for people who might want to support me a little.
pat reon com slash Ventanus
(the free parts away, a dot behind com and exchanging slash with / )
If no one does it, that´s of course fine. And even then, I will continue to write and post my chapters (100% free).
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When Bell came down into the living room the next morning, he saw a very strange scene.
The other three residents of the house were already awake, he heard Hestia humming from the kitchen, busy making breakfast. The small goddess took her job very seriously, Bell didn´t know if he should be ashamed or delighted to have his food made by yet another goddess.
But what was strange was the scene on the couch. Rose and Lily sat there...shaking hands.
"Adventurers are the worst."
"Scum, every single one of them."
"They should all just go and creep into some dark corner."
"And die to death."
Bell got pale when he heard how both talked, did they resend adventurers that much?!
"R-Rose?! You´re an adventurer yourself, right?"
"Silly Bell, I told you I´m a battle adviser! Totally different!"
Lily looked at him with a strange expression, like a person who had experienced selfless kindness for the first time in her life...which she did.
"Good morning, Mr. Bell. Thank you again for saving Lily."
"How are you feeling? Does it still hurt somewhere?"
"No." Lily shook her head, then...she smiled.
A genuine smile. "Lily feels much better, thanks to you saving me. But, Mr. Bell?"
"Yes, Lily?"
"Why did you save Lily? Normally, stinking, disgusting adventurers only care for themself and would never bring themself in danger to save someone else...especially a lowly supporter..."
Bell looked surprised. "Because you were in danger of course!"
"Just because of that?"
"And you´re a girl, I can´t leave a girl in danger alone."
"Eh?..."
Rose chuckled. "He´s a very unique adventurer...no...sorry I called you that, Bell."
"Huh? But I am an adventurer?"
"No, don´t let us put you on the same level as...adventurers...irgh..."
"Ahaha...ahm, Lily?"
"Yes?"
"Why...why are you calling yourself a lowly supporter? Rose explained to me more than one time how important supporters are."
"Because most adventurers look down on supporters."
"But why?"
Rose cleared her throat, going over into her teacher or adviser mode. "Because around ninety percent of adventurers in Orario are scum...I mean level one, some for years already, they don´t go further than the 12th floor into the dungeon. Compared to upper-level adventurers, these are just low-lives. They aren´t worth anything, only cause trouble, don´t explore the depths of the dungeon, aren´t worth a single Vals when it comes to defending Orario."
She took a deep breath before she continued.
"These are the ones who live from today to tomorrow, ripping off supporters where they can."
"That´s horrible..."
"That´s the truth, Bell. Not every familia is like Ganesha familia or Loki familia."
Rose leaned closer and lowered her voice. "To be honest, I don´t like some of Loki familia."
Bell smiled wryly. "What about Freya familia?"
"Oooh, I can´t complain about them at all. I heard their goddess can be quite nice, and has a good taste for baths."
Hestia appeared with a large tray, filled with food, she smiled when she heard the words "goddess" and "nice". "Did you talk about me?"
"No, about Lady Freya."
"Oh..."
Bell went up to help Hestia with the tray. "You´re of course very nice too, Lady Hestia!"
"Hehe, thank you, young Bell.~~"
Lily frowned. "Why is there a second goddess here? Lily never heard about a familia coalition."
Hestia smiled as she sat down. "I work here, Freya gave me a job."
"Oh?"
"It´s nice here, and I´m happy to see my friend so often."
"You´re Lady Freya´s friend?"
"I am."
"Oh."
Before they could continue, a knock came from the door. Bell went to open the door, he wouldn´t continue sitting and let one of the girls go and open the door. It was no surprise who was at the door, only that it was so early.
"Heith, Goddess. Good morning."
Heith smiled slightly, she looked a bit tired. Not as if she had worked hard already, but rather as if she wasn´t fully awake already as if she slept very long.
"Morning, Bell.~~"
Freya smiled at him too. "Good morning, Bell. May we come in?"
"Of course."
He moved to the side, noticing that Heith carried a basket with her.
Hestia got up from the couch. "Ah, Freya, Heith, good morning. You came just in time, I prepared tea for you."
Bell looked curious. "Oh, you will join us for breakfast?"
"We do, I want to tell you something, a few things."
Bell smiled, visibly happy. "Then please come in, breakfast will be even better when you are here."
"Hoh!" Freya´s cheeks reddened when she heard Bell´s words.
Heith couldn´t help but smile and went to the table, Rose got up and helped her with the big basket. But Freya didn´t come inside. She was frozen at the door, looking outside and inside, unsure of what to do. Hestia had mercy on Freya, got up from the couch, went to Freya, and gently pushed the other goddess inside the house, closing the door behind her.
Hestia mumbled lowly. "Keep moving...you love-struck maiden."
"Hestia...don´t tease me..."
"Not doing that, but you´re currently helpless."
Hestia made Freya sit down on the couch, who looked at Bell when he came closer. Even Lily, as the newcomer, noticed immediately what was wrong with the goddess.
Rose took the basket from Heith and made her sit down on the couch too, next to Freya.
"You sit, Heith. Today is your birthday, let me do that."
"Thank you, Rose."
While Rose turned to the kitchen, she looked at Bell and nodded to the stairway. "Go now, I will take a moment."
"Thank you, Rose."
Freya and Heith looked curious when Bell jogged up the stairs.
"Where is Bell going?"
Rose walked back and forth between the kitchen and the living room, bringing food to the table. "He just gets something from his room."
"Oh."
About a minute later, Bell came down again, holding a long bundle, wrapped in cloth, as well as a smaller bundle, also wrapped in cloth, everyone else already sat at the living room table. Lily was almost drooling when she saw the huge amount of food for breakfast and the quality.
"Is this...really okay for Lily to eat?...*sob*"
Freya looked at her and chuckled slightly. "You´re now part of my familia, Lily. Good food is the least you get."
Bell stopped close to the table and cleared his throat.
"Heith, first things first, this is for you, happy birthday."
"Eh?" Heith looked surprised when Bell carefully put the long bundle in her hands.
"Bell, you don´t need to gift me something."
"But I want to, I´m sorry, but I can´t think of anything better to give you."
Then he turned to Freya. "And goddess...I have something for you too, two things."
"Oh?"
He got a bit red and scratched his cheek. "Last time you got upset when I gave Lady Hestia a gift, but not you."
"Oh, Bell..."
Heith unwrapped the bundle and gasped loudly when she saw what was inside. "Bell! Is that what I think it is?!"
"I...think so?"
"That´s a unicorn horn!"
At least most of it.
The unicorn horn was a bit smaller than originally. Bell had shown it to Rose, and while she wasn´t a smith, she had quite a lot of knowledge, due to her experience as an adviser. She told Bell that a unicorn horn could actually get cut a bit, to take something off, but it shouldn´t be much. So Bell used his knife for dungeon work and very carefully cut a slice of roughly one centimeter from the bottom, putting this piece away for something he might...he hoped he could need later!
And the very tip of the horn, two centimeters.
"I know, Rose told me that healer can make good use of such a horn."
Heith looked at him and shook her head. "I can´t accept this, do you even know how much worth such a horn is?!"
"Ahm...Rose said something about...eight million Vals."
Hestia turned her head to the side in time before she spat out her tea, Lily´s eyes were glued to the insanely valuable item.
"But Bell...why?"
"Because...because it's you, Heith. I can´t think of anyone I would like to have this horn more. Don´t you like it?"
"Hah...that´s not what I mean...is that really what you want, Bell?"
"Yes, because it's you."
For the first time when she got a compliment from Bell, Heith´s cheeks turned pink. "W-Well...th-thank you."
Freya didn´t say anything, she looked at the bundle she got from Bell, after opening it.
"It´s so...pretty."
Freya looked at the big, golden egg.
"I found a Jack bird by chance yesterday."
Lily´s eyes widened. "You found a Jack bird, a unicorn and you saved Lily yesterday? Is Mr. Bell some sort of luck-bringing bunny?!"
"I´m not a bunny..."
"You´re not a hume bunny?!" Lily looked genuinely shocked. "Not even a half-blood?!"
"No..."
"Oh."
Freya smiled as she looked at the egg, it was really beautiful.
But there was also something under the egg...
"Bell...is that..."
"I thought...you might like it...Goddess."
The tip of the unicorn horn was beneath the egg, even when Bell wasn´t a craftsman, he had been able to drill a very fine hole into the thicker part of the tip, threading a thin leather cord through it, so that Freya could wear it on her neck.
Rose smiled. "I told Bell what he could do with it after he asked me, told him it wouldn´t ruin the horn."
Freya looked at her. "You did?"
The busty, red-maned werewolf winked.
Freya didn´t know who she should hug first, Rose knew about her feelings, and it looked like the werewolf worked secretly behind the curtain to gently push Bell in certain directions or give him tips, without him noticing it was a tip. The goddess decided that Rose deserved a reward.
Her body moved on its own, hugging Bell and gently stroking his hair. "Thank you, Bell. I´m really happy about this."
"Y-You´re welcome."
In the next moment, everyone behind Bell could see how Freya´s face turned more and more red, her eyes widened. Now that she got herself into this situation, hugging Bell, she didn´t know how to get out of this situation! If she moved back, Bell would see her red face! But if she remained like that, he would surely feel her heavily beating heart!
It was good that Heith was there, coming to the rescue of her beloved goddess. Since Freya was more on Bell´s right side, Heith came from the left side to hug and thank him for the gift, Freya used this to "flee", so separate herself from Bell, without him having a chance to look at her due to Heith.
Freya quickly turned to Hestia, who patted her head and whispered a few calming words. Hestia guessed that this was now part of her job, to be present and help Freya calm down, not that she complained.
Bell looked a bit awkward when Heith hugged him.
"That present means a lot to me, Bell. And that you ran straight to me when Liliruca was in danger."
"Because I trust you, Heith. With my life."
Heith´s expression changed when she heard that, this time she got flustered for a different reason, no one ever said these words to her before.
It got a bit awkward to stop hugging Bell, but once she touched him, Heith felt strangely at peace, similar to when Freya hugged her.
Thankfully, Lily´s stomach growled, and Heith´s hug gave Freya enough time to get a normal expression again with Hestia´s help.
"Now then, let us eat."
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They continued to chat while they ate, Freya made a serious expression.
"Bell, Rose, Lily, I have something to tell you all."
Her three followers looked at her.
"What happened yesterday let me realize that we can´t risk anything in the dungeon anymore. Bell, there was the incident with the Minotaur, and now this with the Killer Ants, in both cases someone got dangerously injured. While Lily seems to be quite experienced, she lacks strength. Bell, you´re strong for a level one, the training surely helps you, Rose is still a beginner, and even when she got magic now, this actually can make situations even more dangerous if it gets out of control."
She looked from one to the next.
"That is one of the reasons why there will be a change to your dungeon party. Starting from now, Heith will join the Skjaldarleiðangur, and take constant residence in small Sessrumnir. Even when she will keep her private room in Folkvangr. On days where you aren´t going into the dungeon, and there will be such days, Heith might assist the other Andhrimnir."
Bell and the others looked surprised.
"You will accompany us, Heith?"
She nodded. "This is the only way I can make sure that you all remain safe."
Lily dared to raise a hand. "May Lily ask...what level are you?"
"Four."
"Wow..."
Freya continued. "With her level, her strength as a healer and a warrior, Heith will take over the duty as rear guard. Rose, please explain it further."
Rose quickly swallowed her bite. "Understood. Bell, now that we´re not just two people, but will get accompanied by Lily as a supporter, our formation had to change, since someone had to shield Lily from behind, which would leave you alone at the front. You were maybe used to this before, but now you couldn´t allow one monster to get past you. If Heith joins us and takes over the rear guard, which shouldn´t be a problem for her, then we either have the choice to both stand at the vanguard, or I will be behind you and protect Lily from the sides, or come to help you out."
The more Rose explained, the brighter Bell´s eyes sparkled. "Then we will be a real dungeon party!"
Freya couldn´t help but chuckle when she saw Bell´s childlike joy, for a moment she looked down at the small pendant, Hestia had helped her put it on. The tip of the unicorn horn wasn´t worth much, since it was so small, the golden egg was much more worth it, but Freya knew which one of the two items touched her heart more. The egg would always remind her of Bell´s bright soul, but she would constantly feel the pendant.
"But Bell, this doesn´t mean you all can get careless. Heith is our strongest healer, so you won´t need many healing potions in case something happens. Still...getting hit by a monster will hurt you. And there is the danger of getting too careless because Heith is there. So, I want your honest promise."
"I promise, Fr-..Goddess! I will never become careless, and protect the girls in the dungeon at all cost!"
"Eh? W-Well both of these things are fine."
His three party members were a bit surprised that he promised to protect them at all costs.
"Alright, you´re honest, and listen when they have something to tell you, all three have different fields of experience."
"Of course I will!"
"Good. Also, today you aren´t allowed to go into the dungeon, as the goddess of this familia, I order you all to rest for the next two days. You are allowed to go on the third, but only that day. Since..."
Suddenly, Freya started to fidget a bit, Heith had mercy on her mistress and took over.
"Because the day after we go together into the dungeon for the first time, will be the Monster Philia. And visiting the dungeon during that time is forbidden for us, because of the "war game"."
Lily got pale. "A wargame?!"
"Against Loki familia. But not a wargame, a "war game"."
"What´s the difference?! Loki familia is scary!"
Heith chuckled, even laughed, Freya showed Lily a "mean" smile, of a warrior queen. "Not as scary as my dear children can be, trust me on that, Liliruca."
"Hiii! What did Lily get into?!"
Hestia tilted her head. "I thought you just compete in several challenges that don´t involve fighting?"
"Mouh, Hesita, now you ruined my fun of teasing Lily..."
Lily almost whimpered. "Please don´t scare Lily like that..."
"Oh, don´t be so worried, Lily. If Loki decided to fight me, the others would wipe the floor with her followers."
"Is the familia really that strong?"
Freya shook her head. "No."
"No?"
She smiled again like a warrior queen. "Much stronger."
"Hiii!"
"Oh, by the way, Lily?"
"Y-Yes?"
"Since you will also get a spear for the dungeon, this is mandatory for the party, I asked Alfrigg to show you the ropes, since he is a fellow pallum."
Lily got pale again. "Alfrigg?...The leader of the Brimgar?..."
"Yes, he is the best pallum in the whole city when it comes to using spears."
"Wh-What about the Braver?"
Freya snorted. "Pff, please. Loki´s little pretender of a hero is nothing against Alfrigg. My children are by all means superior to Loki´s."
Heith tapped her chin. "I just think goddess Loki has more high-ranked women in her familia."
Freya´s smile widened. "That might change in the future, who knows how soon."
Bell looked curious. "Why that?"
"To explain the reason, first I have to thank you, Bell. Because of you, I got to see a truly unique and exciting sight."
"What happened?"
"Ottar really likes the book you gave him, it got him pretty excited. So much so that he came to and showed me the book...I´ve never seen him THAT excited before."
"Our captain...excited?"
"Yes, he even smiled."
Heith got pale. "Ottar can smile?!"
"Heith...that´s rude..."
"I´m sorry..."
Freya continued. "So, this is also one of the reasons why Heith joins the party. Ottar is currently talking to the Einherjar...no, it would be more correct to say that Hedin talks to them, Ottar isn´t good with words. The new training methods inside this book will make them even stronger, without all of them just fighting and cutting each other down. It will probably still happen, but it shouldn´t as much as before."
Bell smiled. "I´m glad he likes the book."
"The description of the magic items is fascinating, our craftsmen are already working on them."
"So fast?!"
"Of course, we don´t lose time. Oh, and Liliruca?"
Lily slowly learned that Freya used her full name when she had to tell her something important or serious.
"Y-Yes?"
"Even when you belong to the Skjaldarleiðangur, you´re officially an Einherjar."
"Why that?!"
"Because you did what they all did, you even went a step further, if you wanted to or not."
Lily slowly nodded, she had been about to go over to the other side.
"I think this is the reason why "that" happened. You´re free to tell the others about it when you calm down and get used to your situation."
"Thank you.."
Despite looking calm, Lily was still in emotional turmoil, after all...she died yesterday for a moment...
Which showed in the magic and skill she got when Freya had given her the blessing.
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After the breakfast was over, Freya had to excuse herself, Heith left with her, as did Hestia. Syr would be the one to go and explain to Ryu and Anya why Bell and Rose wouldn´t show up for training today, the next morning he was allowed to train again, as was Rose. And...Lily would meet with Alfrik... Hestia still had her kitchen training...with a slightly agitated Mia. But Mia wasn´t mad with Hestia...the reason was someone else.
On this day, Heith would find so much happiness, since it was her birthday, Freya would spend the whole day with her, and even sleep in one bed! She would be able to hug her goddess and get hugged by her in her sleep!
Ah, bliss!
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Crash!
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"You useless girl! What did you break this time?!"
"I´m sorry, Mama Mia!"
"Where are you having your head?!"
"At work, I swear!"
"This all will get taken from your salary!"
"Mouh..."
Syr sniffed and crouched down, picking up the pieces of the broken plates. She had never been like this before, Ryu came over to help her.
"Syr, are you...alright?"
"Mostly...yes..."
"Syr...you won´t get sick on me?"
"No, it´s not that..."
She was so out of her mind that she spoke loudly about what she meant to keep a secret...
"It´s just about my date with Bell..."
"A date?!"
"""A date?!"""
Lunor, Chloe, and Anya were close enough to hear it.
""""""""A date?!""""""""""
As were most of the other staff members...
"E-Eh?! Did I say that loud? Please forget it!"
"S-S-Syr?! A d-d-date?! You don´t even know Mr. Cranel for a year! A d-d-date is too soon!"
"Mouh, Ryu! Don´t say date so often!"
They all saw just how red Syr was.
Immediately, even when they feared Mia´s reaction, her friends stopped their work to prepare the pub and gathered around her.
"Nyou are going on a date with that nyautiful butt, Nya?!"
"Chloeeee!"
Lunor leaned closer. "When did he ask you? How did he ask you?! Tell me every detail of how you got yourself a man so fast!"
"L-Lunor, you´re scary..."
"Meow..he does smell very good...and is soft to hug.."
"A-Anya?!"
Ryu was probably even redder than Syr. "But, still, Syr! A d-d-d...I can´t bring myself to say it again!"
"W-We´re just going to the Monster Philia festival...walking around...eating something. Bell said he wanted to tell me something important..."
""""That´s a date!""""
Syr couldn´t help but grin in a goofy way.
But deep down, she hated it...hated Bell to no end. In her mind, Horn was gritting her teeth, insanely jealous of the affection that Bell got from Freya. Oh, how much she despised that handsome jerk. He let her heart race when she saw him, sometimes from delight when she saw that he was hurt from training, even when it made her a bit worried.
She was happy that Freya felt so much joy and love, but jealous that it wasn´t because of her! Sometimes she wished she could just take the kitchen knife and stab Bell with it, knowing it would make her sad and worried.
Right now she got bombarded with all these feelings from Freya, throwing her into emotional turmoil.
Just what did he do right now...CURSE YOU, BELL!
Thankfully, there was someone in the pub who could drown her worries with her mere presence. Her fear of Mia...for breaking so many plates today.
Curse you...for making me act like a love-struck maiden in love...I hate you so much!
Horn´s feelings reacher deeper than mere jealousy, she was afraid...scared. She couldn´t name the feeling, didn´t understand it herself. But due to her long connection with Freya, Horn was afraid of losing all she got, that her noble goddess would stop being the noble goddess...reduced to a mere girl. More than one familia member was afraid of that, Horn knew her strongest ally in that matter would be Allen.
But what also hurt Horn, over time, not only because of Freya´s feelings, she had started to consider the staff members of the pub her friends. Even if not one of them was her friend...they were Syr´s friends...they didn´t even know that Horn existed...except Anya maybe.
Freya had no idea how much this hurt Horn, tore into her heart. At the same time, a part of her was glad they didn´t know she existed, since that would allow her to fulfill her role better and protect her Lady´s happiness.
Horn did everything for Freya, her happiness wasn´t necessary.
At least...
That´s what she told herself...
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Since Lunor, Anya, Chloe, and Ryu were extremely worried, they secretly discussed a plan for one of them to watch over Syr, to make sure that Bell would treat her nicely, and not turn out to be a bad guy.
Or as Ryu called it so that he wouldn´t "spill out his lust over Syr". Like...holding her hand in public...
She had seen how he was during their training, how he had protected Syr from the soup. But Syr meant just so much to Ryu, she wanted to make sure her friend got happy, with a good guy.
The four thought who should be the one to watch over Syr, but two of them had immediately dropped out.
Lunor raised her hand. "I´m sorry, Mama Mia already ordered me to go and help Lady Demeter, she had a lot to do during the festival, and Mia would get a nice amount of vegetables for free then.
Anya also couldn´t help. "Lady Freynya asked forrrr a favor...she will pay a lot...and...I..."
They knew that Freya would pull some strings so that Anya could talk with Allen for a bit, Freya had promised after all to help Anya make up with her brother.
Which left only Ryu and Chloe. Ryu hated to admit it, but Chloe would be better suited for the role of the secret observer. Chloe had the patience to wait and not just burst between them in case she saw something "lewd".
"Nya will do meow best! Nyufufufu!~~"
Spying on Syr gave her a pleasant thrill...and like that, she had an excuse to look at Bell´s behind from afar.
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Unknown to them, the Freya familia also discusses about Freya´s time at the festival.
"We have to protect her, I won´t leave her safety in the hands of the rabbit!"
As usual, Allen growled.
Ottar shook his head. "She doesn´t allow it this time, Lady Freya insisted that I shall do it from afar, but without having my eyes on her all the time."
"Tsk. We have to take care of her safety, we simply cannot allow th-"
"Allen, Lady Freya told me what will happen when we don´t follow her wish this time."
Allen clicked his tongue and continued. "Even if she gets mad, I will at leas-"
"She said that she will cry."
The others looked shocked and became quiet, they could bear with many things. With their lady being upset, being angry, even pouting, but her tears...seeing her sad...making her cry...that they couldn´t bear with. And it wasn´t a hollow threat, Freya would cry if they wouldn´t follow her wish and hurt her heart.
As good subjects, they would strife for their Mistress´ happiness. Especially Ottar, since Freya was something different for him than for most of the others. Only Allen saw Freya in a similar light, which was the reason why he insisted so much on protecting her. Also...projecting his worry for Anya and losing those that he loved onto Freya.
"Allen, Lady Freya has a job for you to do on that day anyway."
"Is that so?"
"You shall make sure that no one of the staff members follows her. She knows how they are, we can´t risk them seeing her when she changes."
"Hmpf."
Four voices raised their concern too.
"You´re too big to remain unseen."
"Too much of a klutz."
"Big like a boulder."
"And as loud."
""""You will be seen, Ottar!""""
The brothers spoke in unison, as always.
Hedin raised his glasses, they flashed. "We don´t have time to watch over her all together. And we should follow her wish, make sure you are prepared to crush Loki familia on the following days."
The shadow next to him chuckled. "Ufufufufu! I will drown them into the deepest abyss of nocturnal night!"
"Hogni, you will watch over the pub, while Allen will make sure that any staff member that gets out doesn´t get to her."
"No problem!"
Hogni was surprisingly eager for the "war game" since there would be competitions at night too, and he would only take part then.
Also...because of a suggestion that his "pupil in the shadows" had made!
He was a genius, Hogni never considered it!
The others all looked at him, and the four brothers spoke again.
""""Your new look is creepy...take that silly thing off.""""
"I will not!"
No one of the others could see Hogni´s face.
He wore a mask, without holes for his eyes.
It was Bell´s idea.
But...how did this happen?
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It was just last night...
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Bell couldn´t sleep, not only had the incident with Lily thrown him off course, but he was also extremely nervous because of his decision.
To confess to Freya.
So, after the daily training had ended, Bell had wandered alone along the training field, passing by the giant heart that he had carved into the ground.
It was already dark outside, but he heard the soft noise of a sword swinging through the air, and a voice mumbling.
"Eternal destruction, with the might of the demonic sword...Burn Dain!"
Bell saw a flame bursting into the distance, he was surprised, but not shocked.
"Gh, I have to become stronger. For those who seek the goddess´ favor, must devour the deep darkness, transcend good and evil, into the jet black torrent..."
"Huh?"
Bell heard Hogni´s words, and strangely...he understood him again. Only due to his surprised noise, did Hogni notice him. The dark elf whirled around, the sword pointed at Bell, while his other hand was in front of his face, with spread fingers, striking a dramatic pose.
Hidden behind his hand, small tears gathered in Hogni´s eyes, invisible to Bell, the dark elf trembled, hidden beneath his dark clothes.
Ugh...why is he here right at this moment?!
"Ahm...stop looking at me like that, fledgling of war!"
"So cool..."
"Huh?"
"Your lines...they sound so cool!"
Hogni gasped, taking half a step back as he saw Bell´s eyes sparkle in genuine admiration.
"In a way, it´s just so cool!"
"Guh?!"
Hogni was thankful for the collar of his coat, hiding his darkening cheeks in the darkness. Not that Bell would´ve been able to see a dark elf blush in the darkness.
"Do you...Do you really understand?! My words of chaos? Drenched in crimson blood?!"
"I don´t understand everything, but...jet black torrent...that sounds really cool...like the name of a special move!"
"Eep?!"
Hogni´s sword and hand trembled more, Bell´s words dug deep...into his maiden heart...
"Sir Hogni?"
"Ungh! D-Don´t waste words! I...shall ignite an unwavering, pitch-black flame and rise in defiance!"
"Ooh! That means you go for it with all your heart, right? So admirable!"
Just as Bell´s words dug deep into Hogni´s maiden heart, Hogni´s "cool" words slowly corrupt Bell. It touched a part deep inside him, made him think of cool lines by himself again.
But inside Hogni´s mind..
Hehe...hehehe...hehehehehe! So it´s really cool...I mean i-it´s not like I´m doing it because I want people to think that! Ehehehehe.
Hogni eyed Bell from head to toe, the way Bell looked at him..was almost like...a pupil. Hogni knew that Hedin had ordered Bell to call him master..
Gasp! Could it be...is my eternal rival like me?!
Inside Folkvangr, a lower-leveled member of the familia flinched as he walked past Hedin, and the beautiful elf made suddenly a sinister face, which spoke of murder. He was insanely annoyed and pissed for some reason.
I want to train with him again...but having him call me Master...maybe teacher?!
While Hogni was in thought, he suddenly leaned with great flexibility backward, this way avoiding a lightning bolt that got shot at him from the house. Bell yelped as the lightning illuminated the darkness.
Hogni turned with a strange smirk to the house, even when he couldn´t see Hedin from this distance.
"What was that, my eternal nemesis?! You attack me for seeking what? Murder, the destruction of the world even?!"
Bell looked at the house too. "Why did Master attack you from this distance?!"
Hogni turned with a dramatic pose to Bell again. "Fear not, my pupil! For I am a cold-hearted knight, I seek to control my emotions better than my nemesis!"
"U-Understood, teacher!"
Without further words, Bell got pulled into Hogni´s influence, accepting it like it was the most natural thing to do.
In her room, Freya felt an icy chill running down her spine, while Remilia combed her hair.
"Hear me out, my kind-hearted pupil."
"Mh?"
"I am a dark spawn, birthed alone at the pinnacle of solitude...this is my fate!"
Bell understood Hogni felt uncomfortable around people he didn´t know well, and had problems looking them in the eyes. Or rather...when they looked in his eyes.
"I´m contemplating how to slay the insignificant soldiers before my eyes...the feast of blood and curses shall begin!"
Which meant...he was looking for ways to improve himself. In fighting strength, and his personality. Bell understood him, every word.
"With a slash from my Victim Abyss, I shall offer you as a sacrifice to the Goddess of Beauty. Resistance is futile!"
Which meant...Hogni would like to train with Bell again...but this time he would hold himself back a bit.
"Teacher...I might have an idea."
"Speak your wisdom, fledgling."
"Have you ever heard about Solitarius?"
"I have not, enlighten me."
And so...Bell unknowingly unleashed hell...in a way. Solitarius was a hero of the past, a mysterious elf who wore a different kind of coat than Hogni, who had covered his face with a mask. A mask that showed a grinning face on one side, a sad face on the other half, without holes for the eyes. The mask had been made in a special way, similar to the "helmet" that the saint Fianna had worn.
When Hogni had accompanied Bell to his house, hidden in the darkness so that no one would see him, Bell went to show him a book about the story, with a picture of the mask.
This was what Hogni inspired...
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"Thee are just jealous, for my mask is beyond your silly helmets."
""""Say that again, you cringy freak!""""
"Your words run down at me like water, you have no power here!"
""""*Gasp*""""
Wearing the mask, making other people unable to see his face...to look into his eyes...for Hogni it was like a part of Dainslaif was constantly activated.
Such delight! And his pupil had even praised the design of his mask!
When Freya would learn about this...she would cry, hidden in her chamber.
Because of the way she would learn about it, by updating Bell´s status. He would get a second chant for his long magic, with completely different lines...
Something about a jet-black torrent...a burning furnace...and more cringy lines.
It would change how the magic looked like, coming down in a meteor instead of a heart. Freya would never forgive Hogni for "corrupting" Bell...
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"Hah...it´s so nice here..."
"Ehe~~ I´m glad that you like it, Heith."
"Hauu...nngh...your hands feel so divine...Lady Freya.~~~"
Freya smiled, as part of Heith´s birthday gift, the goddess massaged the shoulders of her dear follower.
"Your shoulders feel much less stiff than usual, Heith."
"Because of your orders and your hands.~~~~"
Heith looked like she was about to melt.
"Hehe~~ Heith, say can I ask you something?"
"Of course, Milady."
"You don´t have to answer if you don´t want to."
"Hm?"
"You...like Bell, don´t you?"
"Fueh?"
Heith turned her face slightly so that she could look at Freya. "Lady Freya?"
Her goddess smiled gently. "You don´t have to answer if you don´t want to."
"Why...are you asking me this?"
"Because I see how differently you treat Bell from the others."
"Well, I´m his personal healer."
"Aside from that."
"And he isn´t a barbaric beast...or beasty barbarian..."
"I mean aside from that."
"And he is pretty nice, the only nice guy I know."
Freya just smiled and massaged Heith´s shoulders more, which let the healer sigh blissfully.
"I...I don´t know if I would call it...love? I like Bell, I really do, he is the nicest guy...ah, who am I kidding...he is the only nice guy I know. But I don´t know if one could call it love."
"You blushed quite a lot when he praised you."
"I wasn´t expecting such a praise..."
"Hehe~~"
"Besides..." Heith glanced up. "I would never dare to go between you and Bell, Lady Freya. I know that you genuinely love him."
"I do, I really do."
Heith was startled when Freya leaned forward and hugged her follower from behind. "But I love you too, Heith. As I love all my followers."
"I...dare to say that this and that are different matters. Also...your vow toward Lady Hestia..."
"My vow stays to the heavens and back to the surface, into all eternity. Bell is the only man for me."
Freya looked a bit sad suddenly.
"But...there is something I can never give Bell..."
"Lady Freya...you...you don´t ask me to...his...I mean..."
Freya walked around the chair and crouched down in front of Heith, so there wouldn´t be any misunderstanding.
"No, Heith. And if I made you think that, I am sorry, it wasn´t my intention that you think I would ask you to...you know..."
Both knew how Heith understood Freya´s question since she couldn´t give Bell children. But this wasn´t what Freya meant...well...maybe in a way...but not directly in that way.
"Heith...you´re special to me, you know?"
Heith got deep red when Freya crouched like that in front of her, and said these words with such an expression.
"So, if it would ever happen that some unknown feelings appear between you, be assured I won´t be against it. Don´t misunderstand me here, it isn´t that I would "share" Bell...Bell and I would love you together..."
Heith got even redder. "L-Lady Freya...I..."
Freya leaned closer, a special expression on her face. Even when she turned more and more into a love-struck maiden in front of Bell, a part of her flirty nature remained...but only towards women.
"What is it...Heith..."
"Y-You´re too close..."
"Do I...make you uncomfortable?"
"N-No...that´s not it..."
Only centimeters separated their faces, and Heith gulped heavily.
Despite being flustered, Heith understood one thing, which she hoped Bell would understand and accept too. If he loved Freya, truly loved her, with all her sides, moods, and the way she was...he would love "the whole package".
And Bell did exactly that, he loved everything she was, not just one aspect of her.
When Freya said that someone was special to her, she wouldn´t just play around with that person. Without knowing it, or maybe she did know but didn´t intend...or did she intend it? Heith couldn´t say, but whatever exactly it was, Freya easily eased an unfamiliar uneasiness in Heith´s heart.
The goddess leaned even closer, Heith could feel her gentle breath on her face.
"You and Horn...are both very special to me...Heith..."
Hauuuu~~~~
Heith couldn´t hold back.
"B-But first, Bell has to confess to you!"
And she would need to explore her feelings, did she love Bell? Was she slowly falling in love with him?
Whatever it was, Heith´s thoughts vanished when she saw Freya´s reaction to her statement.
"C-C-C-C-C-Confess?! Hauuuuu..."
She´s so precious...
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Just like she promised, Freya spent the whole day with Heith, while the high executives held their war council, it was Hedin´t job to assign the various familia members to the various challenges.
Only a completely crushing, obliterating, devastating defeat for the Loki family could be accepted.
They would bring their goddess happiness and joy! At all costs!
Even if it meant swallowing their pride!
So, even Ottar would participate!
And Anya.
Hedin felt immense joy and satisfaction when Allen glared at him, and Hedin said Anya had to play a key role in the competitions. That the cute cat girl would face Riveria out of all people...because Hedin noticed something in the schedule and the rules of the "war game".
With a sinister smile, the handsome elf worked hard to defeat the Loki familia!
But not only their defeat, what was most important, was Freya´s joy and happiness.
When Hedin assigned the Gullivers to a challenge, they just snorted.
"Easy."
"No problem."
"Already won."
"They have no chance."
""""No one will beat us!""""
Even when Allen got assigned to a challenge, he wouldn´t back down on this one, bared his teeth, his tail became bushy, since he already knew who his opponent would be.
"I will defeat him! Make that shitty wolf eat my dirt!"
When Hedin read the list of challenges further, he looked at Ottar.
"Naturally, you would be the best one for the arm wrestling competition, it is most likely Elgarm who will take part in this, but the note says that you´re forbidden from any competition that needs strength."
Hogni grinned behind his mask, chuckling. "That means they already admitted defeat if they don´t want us to fight at full strength."
Hedin sighed. "That mask probably puts pressure on your brain, just keep your mouth shut or return to your delusional talking. The guild wants to make it an enjoyable sight, not that it matters, but Lady Freya will watch the challenges and take part in some. It is of utmost importance that she has as much fun as possible."
Ottar remained silent.
"So, Ottar, you will join the eating competition. From my suggestions, you will face the Sword Princess."
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Despite Heith now being a member of the dungeon party and taking constant residence in small Sessrumnir...Freya liked that cute name more and more...didn´t she return in the evening. Since Heith would sleep in Freya´s bed, getting hugged by her goddess and hugging her in return.
When Bell, Hestia and Rose went to their training the next morning, Heith took care of the house, as Lily went with a mortified expression to the training field to meet with Alfrigg...
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"So..."
"A new pallum..."
"A girl..."
"A challenger..."
""""You will not take away our position here!""""
"Lily doesn´t intend to!"
Lily shivered as she faced the four pallum brothers. She just wore a simple armor over a uniform of white color, just like every other member of the Einherjar. In her right hand was a training spear, just like Alfrigg held one.
"L-Lady Freya said you´re the best spear user among all pallums! That´s why she wanted Lily to learn from you!"
Alfrigg nodded slowly. "Do you have any experience in fighting?"
"Just from the backline as a supporter, with my small crossbow here."
"So you have no idea how to use a spear?"
"No, Lily saw adventurers using them, but all of them were low-life, tall scum."
The four brothers nodded, Lily´s despise for the tall people and weaklings was welcome.
Alfrigg whirled his spear around. "Then I will drill into you what you need to know, I will show Lady Freya that I´m better than that shitty cat, and the four-eyed elven princess!"
"Of course, you´re better, Alfrigg!"
"Big brother is the best!"
"No trainer can be better!"
Lily gulped, she feared the training that awaited her. It would turn out that she was a natural when it came to using spears. The prum brothers would just believe it came down to Alfrigg´s skilled teachings.
"I will make you stronger than Bell Cranel! To prove my point!"
"Lily is just the supporter!"
"Nonsense! You´re part of Lady Freya´s familia! Each and every single one of us has to be strong! You´re part of her Valkyries-in-training! I will only tolerate absolute perfection!"
"Hiiiiii! Have mercy!"
""""We won´t!""""
At first only Alfrigg, but later the other three brothers too would drill how to fight as a prum into Lily thoroughly. Some Einherjar who saw the training would joke that Lily became their plaything.
The fact that she was a girl didn´t matter...or that she was supposed to be a backline supporter...
Lily had the strong feeling they didn´t see her when they taught her how to fight...but vented a bit of frustration because of Bell onto her.
Whatever it was...the extremely harsh training would make Lily stronger, not only in status but especially in technique, saving her from getting harmed more than one time in the dungeon later.
They would also be the ones to drill how to use her skill and magic into her. Their training would also forge Lily´s shaky mind after her death experience into an iron will.
She would survive this training! She would survive in the dungeon!
Lily wanted to live!
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And...as one of the first things that she would do after the training of the day was over, even when she was insanely exhausted, Lily would go to a certain flower shop, apologizing to the two owners there for everything that happened in the past.
People saw someone from Freya familia appearing there, promising she would make up for the damage they had taken in the past. In contrast to Bell, Lily was fully aware of what it meant to belong to Orario´s strongest familia, how people would react to it, and how to use this small power. It would tell people that messing with the elderly couple would mean messing with Freya familia.
Lily intended to pay them back, but now all she could do was give them protection in this way.
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The first small dungeon trip with the party happened still carefully since they had to get used to each other. Lily showed just how valuable her experience so far was, always moving in the middle, calling out information to Bell, from where monsters came, and keeping an eye on Rose and everything around them. Heith didn´t intervene in the fight even once, she just kept guarding their backs, her rod was on her back, holding a spear in her hand just like the others. When a monster was dumb enough to attack from the rear, she easily slew them and threw them onto the pile that Lily worked on.
The deepest point they went was the stairway between the 9th and 10th floor, the judgment about their strength and whether they could do deeper, lay with Rose and Heith.
When they returned, the party was chatting happily.
"That was so amazing! Working as a proper party feels so different from before!"
Rose nodded to agree. "It feels more safe too."
Her smile was a bit scary since there were a few splatters of blood on her clothes and face. This time it wasn´t Bell´s fault, it was because of her axe. It just felt so great to swing it, hack down monsters, and vent her stress this way. Rose had grinned like a true werewolf as she had cleaved a Kobold´s head in half.
Lily was also a bit scary on the upper floors, using her spear to kill more than a few monsters. She stated that if she slacked off, Alfrigg and his brothers would treat her even harsher. There was a fire burning in Lily´s eyes, while she was a bit scared of some monsters, especially Killer Ants, she also felt strangely calm, which maybe came from her skill. Seeing the Killer Ants get slain by Bell by the dozen, with Rose taking care of the few that got past him, with Lily´s support, helped her a lot. It turned out quickly, that Rose and Lily made an excellent team. Rose used her axe and shield at the front, with Lily moving quickly behind her and stabbing the monsters while Rose blocked. Their height difference also helped a lot with that.
The only flaw in their party work was that Bell was way too eager to come to their help and save the maidens in distress. Rose was the only one to openly complain since it was her job at the party to point such things out. Lily wouldn´t dare to criticize Bell, not after he saved her life. And Heith thought of it as quite charming, chivalrous even.
Also...going into the dungeon was so much more relaxed than the baptism!
While they left the dungeon and walked through Babel, Lily shed a tear.
"This feeling...being part of a familia...not getting ripped off...Lily won´t get ripped off, right?!"
"Of course not, we will each get a fourth of today´s income...or is there a rule that we have to give something to the familia, Heith?"
Heith shook her head. "Nothing of that sort, and what we earned today isn´t much compared to the familia´s fortune."
Lily pouted and moved her arms quickly through the air. "Are you kidding Lily?! We made 102.000 Vals today!"
Rose smiled. "I have to agree that it´s quite a lot."
Heith nodded. "I don´t intend to talk it small, but we made so much due to a lot of drop items."
"True...Lily has never seen so many drop items before."
All three looked at Bell, most of the drop items...ALL of them except for one kobold nail, came from the monsters that Bell slew.
"Is Mr. Bell really not a luck-bringing hume bunny?"
Rose´s tail wiped through the air. "He surely seems like one."
Heith chuckled. "Well, at least he is as pleasant to hug as one."
"We need to keep Mr. Bell safe at all costs! He brings us luck and money!"
Bell turned to Lily. "That sounds a bit cruel...Lily."
"You know what Lily means!" Lily grinned wide.
They wouldn´t share in a completely even way, Heith didn´t accept any money, stating she had quite the funds at home, also Bell had gifted her the horn. The truth was, that the three new members needed the money more than Heith. Lily cried happy tears, as did Rose when they heard that the familia took care of all equipment costs.
Things were looking good so far.
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And then finally, the big day was there. The first day of the Monster Philia.
The day of...
Bell´s and Freya´s date.
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Freya had slept at the pub that night since her friends just wouldn´t let her go and asked questions constantly. Hogni had watched over the pub at night, having fun writing down new cool dialogue lines to discuss them with Bell, trying new poses, and enjoying in general what his new mask let him do. He already thought of letting another one get crafted, or rather a few more, in different designs, with protective characteristics.
And since he now wasn´t afraid of being seen, Hogni could start to fulfill other dreams...
Hidden dreams...
When Ryu went into the backyard to throw away the garbage, Hogni stood tall and proud on the rooftop, his cape moving in the soft wind. He had turned his back to her, his arms crossed. Hogni didn´t move until Ryu was back in the house again, she didn´t notice him up there.
As soon as Ryu was inside, Hogni squealed in his mind.
Hyaaaa! I did it! Standing-on-the-rooftop-and-observing-the-situation-while-having-turned-my-back-to-it-pose complete!
In his current state, Hogni would even be brave enough to ask directly for a lap pillow! Maybe from his lady, or even this forest elf down there! So brave had he become with this mask!
Not that he would actually ask Ryu, since he didn´t know her...but he surely wouldn´t have a problem if she had spotted him and asked him why he was there!
He couldn´t thank his precious pupil enough for it! But he had to thank him in one way or the other...maybe train him in more ways than just the sword? How about striking cool poses? Finding cool words? Or gifting him a mask on his own?!
Freya, who had worked at this moment, had sometimes glanced up to the ceiling, wondering why Hogni´s soul shone like that, what got him so extremely excited.
After her work was over, her friends insisted on playing cards...most of them were quite merciless and took advantage of the fact that Syr was so overwhelmed with her feelings, that she couldn´t win a single round!
And all of them wanted to know about Syr´s plans for the next day, seeing her fidget on her chair, unable to speak properly, blushing again and again...it surely was precious to see.
But what they saw in the morning of the next day...let them gasp.
"S-Syr?!"
"Syr?!
"Unyah, meow is blinded!"
"An angel, meow!"
Syr just wore her usual white dress, with a large hat, sandals, and a small handbag. But the things that let them gasp were the pendant that she wore and her expression. The unicorn-horn pendant looked simple, but when they heard what it was, and that it was a gift from Bell, they could only sigh.
Every part of Syr´s expression spoke of one thing.
A very nervous, love-struck, pure maiden.
She glanced shyly at her friends. "What do you say...will he...like it?"
"Of course he will!" Lunor threw her hands into the air. "There is no way he won´t be enchanted by your sight, Syr!"
"Ehehe~~ Thank you, Lunor. I did my best to dress properly and as timid as possible. Everything is white, from head to toe, and also my underwear. Not...I don´t want to risk him seeing a glance of darker underwear through my dress, or in case it gets windy."
"Nya...Syr turned into a white witch..."
"Chloe..I don´t know if that´s a compliment or not..."
Anya eyes Syr´s dress, sniffing at her friend. "Nyou smell good, Meow."
"It´s sandalwood, I hope he likes it."
Ryu was the only one who looked troubled. "Syr...you will be careful, yes?"
"Ryu, are you that worried? I thought you knew Bell by now."
"I know him a bit...but it´s you, Syr...I...I just hope he won´t become too excited when he sees you."
"Don´t worry, Ryu. Bell is a gentleman."
"I can´t not be worried about you, Syr."
"Ehehe~~ You´re such a sweetheart, Ryu."
Chloe leaned to Lunor and Anya and whispered. "Nyou know...meow always thought both would maybe go Yuri Yuri...like the gods call it...meow."
Lunor exhaled through her nose. "I mean, Syr is pretty flirty..."
Anya nodded. "Meow...and touchy-feely..."
Ryu got red when she heard her friends. "What are you talking about?! Syr and I aren´t like that!"
Syr looked almost sad at Ryu. "Oh..Ryu...and here I thought...I´m someone special to you..."
"S-Syr?!"
Syr giggled. "Ehehe~~ Just kidding. I know that you´re not into women. By the way, we still need to find a fine gentleman for you too, Ryu."
"Wh-Why are you talking about something like that now!"
Syr beamed all over her face. "Because I´m sure you will become a great mother one day. Also, I want to see the fidgety and flustered you when you fall in love!"
"Th-That´s nonsense!"
"Hehe~~ We will see."
A knock from the door interrupted further teasing.
Anya´s tail almost wagged. "He´s here, meow."
Lunor raised an eyebrow. "You can smell him that easily?"
"White-hair smells very good, Meow!" Anya almost purred.
She loved Bell, no doubt. Not in the way that Syr did, but more...in the way that a stray cat would love someone who fed her something delicious. And because Freya had promised Anya to help her with Allen, which only happened due to Bell needing training.
Anya opened the door with a bright smile. "Good meowrning, White-hair!"
They had expected Bell to wear a lot of different outfits, but he appeared in a normal set of clothes. Syr still smiled, or rather...smiled more because he wore these clothes. Freya knew her followers all very well, especially Hedin. She knew how he would´ve taught Bell, preparing him even beyond his training, so he would be the perfect gentleman to accompany her.
But Freya didn´t want such a man, she wanted Bell, the true Bell.
So he risked Hedin getting angry at him, for her sake.
But one thing that Hedin taught him couldn´t be ignored by Bell. He had a small flower with him, meant to be put in Syr´s dress or hat.
"Good morning...Syr. You...look wonderful."
Her friends...every single staff member of the pub that was so precious to her, saw how heavily Syr started to blush.
"G-G-Good morning, Bell..."
Nothing right now as an act. Normally, much of what Syr did, how she acted, was the pure-girl act, as it was part of Syr´s personality, while Freya acted much more confident and flirty. There wasn´t one true personality, both were two sides of the coin that was Freya.
But under Bell´s gaze, his influence...
Did this coin melt into a puddle. Freya grew to wax...or pudding...in Bell´s presence.
He smiled at her and held up the small flower. "Would you like to accompany me to the Monster Philia?"
"Gladly!~~"
"Then...ahm..."
Bell didn´t dare to attach the flower to the part of Syr´s dress that was above her heart. So he held the flower to Ryu. "Ms. Lyon, would you maybe do it?"
"Of course."
Ryu nodded with more respect towards Bell than before, she was glad that he had shown this courtesy and didn´t touch Syr at that place. Carefully, Ryu attached the flower to Syr´s dress, it was a white lily, which represented purity and sweetness, the perfect flower for Syr.
Both were clad in white clothes, they looked pretty good, and chaste.
Bell offered Syr his arm while she came outside, for a moment, the only thing in the whole world that existed were each other's eyes.
"Shall we go...Syr?"
"Gladly...Bell.~~"
It wasn´t hard to see for her friends how much Syr was in love. They watched how both went in the direction of the arena, where the Monster Philia would be, after wishing them goodbye for the day. They waited until they were out of sight.
"Chloe, get ready."
"Alrrright, Nya."
"You know what will happen to you if Syr spots you?"
"She won´t spot meow!"
Lunor sighed. "I hope we don´t go too far with this. Alright, let´s get to work, I have to leave in half an hour to help Lady Demeter."
"Meow has to leave soon too, Meow."
Ryu nodded. "I will make up for all of you missing."
The Monster Philia was usually a calmer time in the pub since most people would be at the festival. Ryu just hoped she would manage to keep her nerves under control, and not skip work at some point to take a look at Syr, to make sure she was safe.
In case she would try that, a shadow watched over the pub, striking a special pose, hidden from everyone´s eyes. Hogni wouldn´t allow Ryu to ruin his goddess´ fun, even if she only meant good and no harm, which was the reason why he wouldn´t cut her down to stop her, but just get in her way. He was confident, that with his mask, he could do that.
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While they walked, Syr explained to him everything about the Monster Philia, but first, when he was sure that no one could hear him, he leaned close to her ear, whispering softly.
Bell had gathered all his bravery for this day.
"You look really wonderful...Syr."
How he spoke her name sounded a bit different, she knew how to take it. He didn´t compliment Syr, he complimented...her.
"Thank you, Bell."
Her cheeks got pink again, Freya was insanely happy right now.
"How did the Monster Philia come to be?"
"It was Lord Ganesha´s idea, with Lord Ouranos´ blessing."
She wouldn´t make a mistake when she was in her disguise.
"It started about a year after the dark times ended, he wanted to create an event to make people excited. And take a bit of the constant fear of monsters away from the people. Those who learned skills to tame monsters will compete in the arena, taming monsters in front of the audience. There are rumors that this year´s pinnacle shall be a silverback."
"And they caught it in the dungeon?"
"Yes, Lord Ganesha´s followers are quite skilled in that matter, and their captain watches directly over it."
"Hm, I wonder..."
"Hm?"
"When someone tames a monster in the dungeon...will it accompany them until they leave again?"
"I think they slay the monster at the end, if they would leave, it would become feral again, maybe even attack someone."
"That...hm...sounds a bit cruel, in a way."
"Not so much, these are monsters."
"True."
Syr giggled. "It´s not like they´re intelligent!~~"
"Yeah, I heard at most some deeper down are cunning."
"Probably, so always be careful, alright?"
"I will."
She leaned closer and whispered. "And always come back to me...alright?"
"I will."
The closer they came to the arena, the more the streets changed. It looked like a festival, garlands hung everywhere, with little flags on them, many with the symbol of Ganesha's familia.
There were stalls everywhere, many offering different types of food, many varieties that Bell had never seen before.
They stopped at a stand, the seller greeted Syr in a friendly manner; she seemed to know him. The merchant offered apples on sticks, either covered in chocolate or a red mass, which Syr said was very sweet, so not for Bell.
But she got one with chocolate.
Bell couldn´t believe how cute she looked as she nibbled on the apple! And if his eyes didn´t deceive him, she enjoyed herself. Since it was his first time at the festival, Syr led him around, showing him all kinds of stalls. Some were run by members of different races, elves showing what fine craftsmanship they had, made entirely of wood. Or at a different stall, there was a dwarf, showing off goods made from stone or emeralds.
"Woah...all that made from stone...or wood...it´s...I have no words."
Syr giggled happily. "Ehehe~~ It is something else, right? Orario is truly the center of the world. In no other city would you find so many different things."
"I didn´t know Orario could offer so much fun."
"Did you think the city was that serious?"
"Yes?"
"Hehe~~ A whole District here is only meant for entertainment. It is pretty close to Folkvangr. But you can absolutely never go theeere~~ Alright?~~~~"
"I don´t have a problem with that, but is there something that I shouldn´t see?"
Syr leaned closer with a red face and whispered into his ear. "A large part of the District is called...the Pleasure Quarter...and...you know.."
"O-Oh! A-Alright! I promise I will never go there!"
"That´s good, ehehe~~~~"
She took his hand, smiled so bright that the sun looked dull compared to her, and continued her way, she would show Bell as much as possible, and enjoy the festival to its fullest potential.
Until...it was time for what Bell wanted to tell her.
Her heart never stopped pounding.
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"Hmm~~ Hmm~~ Hmm~~"
Heith hummed while she ate a banana, covered in chocolate. She strolled around the festival on her own, knowing exactly where Freya and Bell would be, making sure not to get close to them, so she wouldn´t ruin the mood in any way.
For Heith it was quite easy to keep track of where they were, she just had to glance at the rooftops, until she found Ottar´s figure, seeing in which direction he looked.
I wish you the best of luck, Milady!
Heith enjoyed her free time, walking in this direction, then in that. She didn´t wear anything that would show to which familia she belonged. Since she was a rather unknown member to the citizens, she could be more at peace this way. On the side, she looked at anything that could cause trouble for her goddess.
Hm?
She noticed a blonde, golden-eyed girl running past her, holding her sword in her hand.
The Sword Princess? Trouble?
A movement caught Heith´s attention, Ottar suddenly started to move on the rooftop.
I better take a look, no one is allowed to disturb Lady Freya´s date!
While she ran in the direction that Ottar moved, Heith kept eating her treat. Just because there was potential danger, didn´t mean she would throw it away...
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In a part of the city, not too far away from the festival, stood a young elf, almost frozen in shock due to the monsters in front of her.
The Amazon twins, who were with her, had just attacked one of these strange tentacle monsters, while Lefiya was busy chanting her magic to destroy it.
But...
The ground next to her cracked open, and another one shot out of the ground and smashed right into her ribs. Tears filled her eyes as blood spurted from her mouth. Lefiya fell to the ground like a broken doll, not able to move. The "tentacle" suddenly unfolded, showing a flower head, with very human-like teeth. Lefiya didn't have the strength to get up as it shot towards her, opening its maw impossibly wide.
"Ah-Aaaah!"
She tried to crawl backward, but she had no chance.
Only seconds separated Lefiya from getting devoured alive, mauled to death by the monster.
When a giant shadow fell from the sky, smashing right onto the monster´s head, crushing it.
"Eh?!"
She whinced in pain, as the boulder-like boaz stood in front of her, a foot on the remains of the monster´s head. More of these monsters burst out of the ground, Tiona and Tione couldn´t even hurt them!
"Stay here."
Ottar didn´t have a weapon with him, he didn´t need one. With just his fists and sheer presence, did he rip the monsters apart. Lefiya coughed again in pain until she heard a female voice behind her.
"Looks like he already dealt with the problem, well...oh, it´s you..."
Lefiya looked with a pain-filled expression up, to the slight-red-haired healer, she could only wince and groan in pain.
"Hah...well you healed Bell, so I´m returning the favor, stay still."
Heith didn´t have her equipment with her, she didn´t need it for something like that. She mumbled for a while.
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"Zeo Gullveig."
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The enormous magic circle appeared and covered the whole place, the magic engulfed Lefiya, Tiona, Tione and even Ottar...not that he needed any healing. Lefiya couldn´t believe how fast the pain vanished, she got completely healed, while Tiona and Tione quickly came to them, since they only got in Ottar´s way.
""Lefiya!""
As Ottar took care of the last plant monsters, destroying them with ease, the sudden attack came to an end. The twins helped the groaning elf up, but soon, even her sore muscles relaxed again. She was shocked at just how strong and fast Heith´s magic was.
"You´re...from Freya familia..."
"Indeed. You healed Bell, I healed you, that´s that then, have a nice day."
"Eh?"
They looked perplexed as Heith turned around and walked back to the festival before they could even thank her. A person in mortal danger, being heavily wounded, getting healed by her...that was nothing concerning, it was completely normal in her life.
Heith didn´t even say she didn´t care for their thanks, since she really didn´t care, just that the slight possible disturbance for her Lady´s date was taken care of.
What should I try next?
There was still a lot of delicious food to try.
When the three turned around, they saw Ottar leaving without muttering a word to them.
Only seconds later arrived Ais, followed by Loki. Both wouldn´t believe what the three told them. Loki was glad that her followers were alright, happy that Lefiya was healed and not in pain, a bit sad that her clothes didn´t get torn...but groaned because now she had to thank Freya for helping them.
"You four will still give you all during the next days and kick their asses!"
"Mmh..." It would be hard for Lefiya to "fight" against Freya familia...she didn´t even know in which competition she would take place, that was for Riveria or Finn to decide.
Despite feeling more than a bit weird, for almost dying and getting saved in such a bombastic manner, Lefiya accompanied her familia to the festival, Loki said it would be good for her to let go of the moment and relax.
Lefiya would meet the most beautiful elf she had ever seen at the festival, a raven-haired beauty.
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While Ottar went elsewhere for a moment, Allen found who he was looking for, a naughty black-haired cat waitress, who was secretly following his mistress.
I will eliminate every obstacle for her enjoyment, you will not ruin this moment by spying on her.
Chloe only had enough time to whirl around, her hand flying to her skirt, trying to grab her hidden weapon, as Allen landed behind her in the side alley.
"Girl, you will stop right here."
"Unya?!"
Chloe tried to jump back, but the wall was behind her.
"Go back to your tavern, serve your customers! I will not allow you to spy on her!"
"Who´re nyou?!"
Allen clicked his tongue, she also talked in that annoying way.
"Go back to your tavern, now!"
Chloe gasped. "I know nyou! Nyou´re Anya´s br-! Unya!"
Allen rammed the palm of his hand next to Chloe´s head against the wall. "Not. One. Word. More."
Chloe shivered heavily...but not from fear.
Unyaaaaaaah~~~~
He was so hot! The way Allen "towered" over her! He was easily four centimeters taller than her! And the way he looked at her with his fierce eyes, halfway leaned over her as she almost slumped down to her knees.
Hanyaaaah~~~
He was in every way her type! A bit taller than her, looking like a handsome bad boy, yet having a more petite body...even when she could almost see his muscles through his shirt.
And the fact that he wall-slammed her...if he would move closer, his body would get pressed against her.
She couldn´t resist as he grabbed her wrist and dragged her back to the pub, her eyes flew to his backsides, hearts appeared in them.
Allen Fromel had the most purrrfect butt she had ever seen!
She forgot what she had planned to look out for...her eyes were glued to Allen´s backside, her mind became empty.
Take meow right here and now!~~~~
Chloe...was in love.
And Allen Fromel wasn´t aware of what he was getting himself into.
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Freya tilted her head in curiosity, she saw Allen´s soul in the distance, as well as Chloe´s. And for some reason, Chloe´s soul almost exploded.
What did he do to make her that happy?!
Freya appreciated that her followers kept their distance, making sure that none of her friends had a chance to be close, since...
She was extremely afraid of what might happen if they ever found out the truth...
They might start to hate her, and Freya would be unable to bear with that.
They kept walking until she saw a pretty interesting stall. The concession stand had a large sign above it, described in Far Eastern symbols, repeated in Koine below.
"Oh, Bell, let us go there!"
"Hm? Oh."
Not many people were close to the stall, even when the familia running it tried their best to sell their goods, but not many people seemed interested.
And the familia running the stall was...
"Oh, Lord Takemikazuchi!"
"Hm? Ah, young Syr, enjoying the festival?"
"Jup! Together with Bell! A dear friend."
Syr leaned forward and looked at the food.
"What are these?"
"We call them Onigiri, or rice balls."
"So, it is...just rice?"
"No, each of them has a filling, with different kinds."
"Which one has what kind of filling?"
Takemikazuchi smiled. "That´s a secret! If you buy some, you have to be lucky to get all six different flavors! Or..you could buy a box, all six in there have different flavors!"
Syr giggled, easily understanding Takemikazuchi´s trick.
"Ehehe~~ That´s quite smart. But six are too many for us...can you eat them later?"
"Of course, they can stay like this for a few hours."
"Hmm...Bell? What do you think, two...or a box?"
"I am curious, I would say a box."
"Ehehe~~ Good choice!"
She leaned closer and mumbled into his ear. "Good choice...play along now, alright?"
"Hm?"
Bell paid Takemikazuchi 3000 Vals, a rice ball came for 600 Vals, but a box was just 3000, so it was a "discount". Syr picked a rice ball by chance, while Bell took another one.
Then she took a small bite, making a bliss-filled face.
"Haaah~~ I can taste pork and garlic! It´s delicious! These rice balls are truly delicious!"
Bell noticed how loud Syr talked, so he took a bite from his rice ball, amazed by the taste.
"You´re right! They´re absolutely delicious! And so juicy in the middle!"
People looked in their direction, seeing a member of the Freya familia praise the food, as well as a cute girl, who was quite well known by some people in the city. Syr went on praising the rice balls, and the delicious tea that they also sold.
Soon, people gathered with curiosity, looking at the food. Syr chuckled and waved to the god, who suddenly had a lot to do, together with his followers. Bell spotted a raven-haired beauty among them, well all of them had black hair, but her hair was long and looked like silk.
"Beeeell...no looking at the girls here..."
"Hm? Oh, I didn´t mean to. It´s just, I never saw people from the Far East before, do they all have black hair?"
"I think most of them? At least all I´ve ever seen."
They kept walking and bought a few things at other stalls, the only food that Bell could carry was in two bags in small boxes. Like every other god, Freya wanted to experience fun and all kinds of things.
Both kept walking, but since the main event of the Monster Philia for the day started, it got pretty loud.
"Bell, how about we go over to that park there? It´s a bit more quiet and...private."
He saw the expression in her eyes, saw how her eyes glew softly, what only he could see.
"Gladly."
Both walked towards the park, but no one was there.
"Can you hold this for a moment?"
She held the half-eaten rice ball to him, Bell took it and Syr winked before she went behind a few trees.
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Bell could only gasp when Freya appeared from behind the trees, thanks to Horn´s magic, she could change her form at will, without needing Horn to be close by. Seeing her wearing that pure, white dress, and the wide hat...Bell was at a loss for words.
"Bell?"
Freya came closer and knelt on the grass in front of him, while he put the bags down and did the same.
"You´re...I mean...I´m sorry...I have no words."
"Oh? Ehehe~~~"
Bell saw that her eyes were still glowing, she took her rice ball back from him and took a small bite. At least...she thought it was her rice ball.
It tasted different.
"Ah, Goddess..that was my rice ball..."
Freya´s eyes widened, her cheeks got as red as Bell´s...this was...an indirect kiss...
Her heart pounded immediately again...but she refused to give the rice ball back.
"Th-Then eat mine, it´s only fair...l-like this w-we both can enjoy both tastes."
"S-Sure..."
Freya nearly choked on the rice ball as she watched Bell bring her rice ball to his mouth and take a small bite.
Hah!...Hah!...Hah!...hah!...Hah!...
Her eyes were swimming around, she didn´t know where to look. It was for Bell equally embarrassing, but the taste was nice.
When he looked at Freya, she looked so different.
"Th-That white dress fits you really well...Goddess..."
"Do you...think so?"
"Yes, it...it looks so pure...innocent...gentle...beautiful...just..."
Freya glanced at him over the edge of the rice ball. "Just?..."
"Just...like you."
"Mmmh..."
She nibbled shyly at the rice ball, glancing at Bell, gathering all her courage. "Bell?..."
"Yes?"
"You...said you wanted to tell me something important."
"Y-Yeah..."
"We´re...all alone here...no one is watching us."
"Mh...Goddess...there...there is something I want to tell you...I...I need to tell you..."
"I´m listening, Bell..."
Bell didn´t have too much experience with women, but the way Freya currently looked at him...so shy, vulnerable, defenseless, open, beautiful, adorable...and many things more.
He gathered more of his courage, Bell wanted to tell her how he felt.
"Goddess...no...Freya..."
"Huh?" She blinked surprised when he spoke her name.
"I...I like you.."
"B-Bell?..."
"I...ever since you let me in your familia...took me in...gave me a place to stay...helped me so much. I can´t think of a better goddess...but...not only a goddess."
She just sat there like the most adorable thing in the world, blinking a few too many times.
The one who sat in front of him wasn´t the Goddess of Love, War, and Fertility, Freya...it wasn´t the mighty queen of Orario...nor the strong woman that she usually was...
It was just a simple girl, with a heavily pounding heart. Sitting in front of the young man she had a crush on, fidgeting a bit in place, her heart racing, hoping to hear the three magical words from him.
"I...I can´t help but see you in a special light. When you look at me...with these glowing eyes...it´s just too beautiful and adorable...when I´m...when I´m close to you, I feel warm...I feel nervous..but also safe...at home."
He took a deep breath, while his heart hammered, Bell remembered the wise words of his grandfather.
Bell, if you one day will confess your love to a girl, if you started...don´t back down or pull back, otherwise you might hurt her to no end.
And by no means, would Bell hurt Freya.
"I...I didn´t know if it would be alright...how...how I see you...but...my Grandpa used to tell me, that this...this isn´t so unusual as I might think."
Freya still couldn´t see Bell´s soul, she was blinded by its brightness, which made her happy in a way.
"And...Rose explained a lot about Orario...and the gods to me...that...some gods...and mortals..."
Oh, Rose...I will give you the greatest reward imaginable...if I can think of something...
"I...I..."
"Bell?"
He took the deepest breath of his life.
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"I love you!"
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A gust of wind washed over Freya´s face, just as Bell spoke the words. Her mind became empty, and her heart sang in joy.
"Bell..I..."
He didn´t give her a chance to reply, as if it was a duel, once her guard was broken, he kept going on.
Following his grandfather´s advice...leave no doubt about what you exactly mean.
"Not as a goddess! I always thought that deities were only allowed to be worshipped! But Rose...she explained it to me! That there are some deities and mortals who are in love! That such a feeling isn´t wrong!"
He took a deep breath, Freya still had no chance to reply, Bell was in his innocence almost merciless!
"I love you! I really do! Not as a goddess! Not like...like worship! I love you as a woman! As a girl!"
He kept shouting. "I lo-Ulp?!"
Bell couldn´t continue, Freya had pressed her hands onto his mouth, he opened his eyes for the first time. Tears pooled in Freya´s eyes, never before in her life had she been so red...so happy.
"Let me reply already, will you?! I´m almost fainting here, you know?!"
Freya was almost crying from embarrassment, for shouting something like that out.
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"I love you too..."
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She glanced at him in her most vulnerable way, like Syr would to most people...like Freya only did to him.
"And not...as a goddess to her follower...I..."
Freya tried to take a deep breath, but her throat refused to move, so she coughed.
"I love you...as a man...loving you...as...as the girl me..."
Both sat there with red faces, unable to mutter another word. Bell thought when the day came, he would be overjoyed...well he was overjoyed...but he didn´t know if he dared to continue...even though she said she loved him.
Since now...
"Freya...I..."
She sat there, her hands clutched between her knees, her eyes told him everything since they didn´t glew...they shone! Strongly! Her eyes told him...to go on.
Bell swallowed hard and leaned slightly forward, hearing faintly the voice of his grandfather, telling him to be a man! Telling him, if he would back away now and don´t go all the way, he might hurt her.
She noticed how his eyes were...glued to her lips.
"Bell..."
Freya sat there as if she wanted to say, please love me...don´t go away...
Time lost all meaning, the world vanished around them, all they could see was the other´s face. Neither Bell nor Freya could say how long it took, how much time went by...until...
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It was the softest touch in the world.
And at that moment, some gods up in heaven got almost blinded, not by Bell´s soul, but by Freya´s essence, shining brighter than any star.
Bell could taste the unique taste of Freya´s lips, it was a bit salty, due to her happy tears.
Both slowly separated their lips after a while, just looking at each other. No words fell, Freya was visibly afraid that this was just a dream, so Bell made sure to her it wasn´t a dream.
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"Mff!~~"
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Bell got daring, he put his hands on the sides of her shoulders and kissed her again, which ended Freya´s shivering. He didn´t know if his kiss was good, but it didn´t matter. All that mattered for Freya, was that it was Bell who kissed her.
Still...he...
"Pffft..."
"Huh? B-Bell?"
"I´m sorry...your breath tickled...and...I´m sorry...I had silly thoughts."
"What...do you mean?"
"Your eyes..they´re glowing so much...I...I thought...if you now could read at night like that."
"Eh?"
"I don´t know why I had these silly thoughts..."
"Mouh...Mouh! Mouh! Mouh! Don´t make fun of me!"
"I am n-"
Freya leaned forward, pressing her lips onto Bell´s.
In the end, both would lay on the grass, Freya on top of Bell, her hands rested on his shoulders, while his arms were closed around her.
They kissed.
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And kissed.
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And kissed...
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Freya had found her happiness, her Odr.
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And during the next few days, her love for Bell would skyrocket even more.
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Author´s Note2: So, the next chapters for this story will be about the "war game", it´s mostly light-hearted and having fun, but I will say this much, Heith will do something that will let Freya blush heavily and her love for Bell shoot into astronomical heights.