[Author's Note]
Greetings everybody! I am back, and I know it has been a while. However, thankfully, I got new inspiration for a Re: Zero crossover with Danmachi.
As of writing this right now, I have watched all of season 3 of Re: Zero so far, and I cannot say I am disappointed.
I have read a good portion of the Light Novel and the Web Novel, so I know I am very ahead of Arc 5 at the moment. However, as to what is going on in this story, I can answer a few questions at the end of this chapter.
Disclaimer: I do not own Danmachi or Re: Zero.
Now, enjoy the prologue!
Prologue: The Lion and Rabbit
More often than not, being an Adventurer means forming a Party, and going into a dungeon for treasures and glory. Why wouldn't one want to do that? Most individuals are ambitious, and some are desiring for more when they go into a dungeon. After all, who doesn't want to be able to make it to the big leagues on their own?
For Bell Cranel, however, his desires were far more rooted in the whimsical, if somewhat corrupt naive thoughts of a 14-year-old barely hitting past their youth. He wanted to pick up girls in a dungeon. He wanted to be able to save a madam in distress and see her blushing cheeks as he took her hand up and saved her. He wanted to fight side-by-side with lovely ladies who he could consider his allies and potential love interests.
The young Bell Cranel didn't want much in life other than being a farm boy who came to Orario for a good reason. He wanted to pick up girls! Nothing wrong with that!
Or so he thought at the moment.
He was wrong to want that.
Because now he's about to die, from a Minotaur of all things.
The young Bell ran with all his might along the Upper Floors, trying to outrun the Minotaur that his Level 1 attacks would not work on. Why would they? A Minotaur isn't even supposed to be on the Upper Floors!
And Bell ran, and ran before he face-planted on the ground trying to avoid a hoof slam from the Minotaur. However, as he rolled back upwards to catch some distance…Bell hit a wall, in a corner that was wide and squared but clearly with no wait out. The Minotaur had twice as much height and muscle as Bell, and it looked down at him with a clumsy, albeit primitive smile as it was about to crush an ant.
Generally, speaking, Bell was ultimately considering just laying over and dying…before a line shot straight through the creature's torso.
For a moment, even Bell and the Minotaur shared a thought, before the beast's torso was sliced open by the silver line across the torso, and then upwards, leaving the Minotaur bisected in a gracefully brutal line across the leg to the upper shoulder. A heaping monsoon of beast's blood splatters onto his upper face and torso as if doused in a red sauce that wouldn't be so easy to tear off.
"…are you okay?"
Bell's eyes noticed the lovely young girl, mistaking her for a goddess. While her expression could be considered that of a young woman, her body looked very well-built and yet didn't detract from her feminine beauty. Because she had golden hair and equally golden eyes that radiated a doll-like prettiness that could be seen in a lot of princesses. And a princess she was, but not a damsel in distress.
Ah, she's looking at me! Bell immediately took a moment, but he then recognized her attire, and her eyes and hair as the Level 5 of the Loki Familia. A human who achieved Level 5 so quickly could be considered a ripe crop of talent.
Aiz Wallenstein.
"…are you sure you're okay?" Even her voice sounded beautiful, albeit concerned for the adventurer she just saved. For the lucky Bell, this could not be more than a moment of just a building crush.
But a spark and his heart feel like it's about to explode as his cheeks blush and love is blooming for the woman right in front of her.
Is it wrong to try to pick up girls in a dungeon?
It seems he was not wrong. Not at all.
Bell had been running through the dungeon after a good amount of time being in the dungeon, staring at Aiz Wallenstein and promptly running away. While it pained him to leave so soon, especially when he was just getting stunned by Aiz, he soon remembered before he was being attacked by the Minotaur, he was just doing his patrols in the dungeon alongside his other Familia member.
Bell knew that his Familia member, a man older than him by 4 to 6 years didn't like to be kept waiting, especially when they had Magic Stones to pick up and distribute. The day had been passing by quickly, and admittedly the man who Bell considered somewhat of a petty but greedy person, would probably be already safe and sound by the gates of the Dungeon, just where the first-floor exit gate was, and into the base of Babel.
Bell did go all the way to the 5th floor immediately, even though Eina advised them to only go as far as the 3rd floor. There's no doubt about it that he would be very miffed, if not outright impatient.
As Bell walked up the stairs and arrived at the base of Babel, where the entrance to the dungeon always is…Bell took his time to look around the general vicinity, before realizing that he must be outside of Babel, by the stairs if anything.
As he exited Babel, he noticed the second member of the Hestia Familia, standing near the fountain closest to the tower.
"You're late."
Compared to most of the adventurers, he and Bell didn't necessarily have enough money for expensive or even well-made armor that wasn't beyond their budget; so Bell usually wore a brown coat over a black shirt that worked like a beginner's set of sorts…but the man that Bell spotted a standing in front of the fountain only wore the clothing they found him in.
His clothing looked rather expensive, which made it very ostentatious and quite frankly a bit of an eye-catcher alone. It was white pants and a white jacket-coat that was accentuated with gold and black accents, along with a high-black collar near the neck. The young adult himself had a slender figure, but it wasn't anything you'd call remarkably unattractive or appealing. It was simply average and yet simply self-assured. His face and hair also shared the same feeling of being remarkably average and yet not unpleasant. However, his hair was a rather average albeit well-met pure white that confused many people for him being older than he was.
His eyebrows bore a striking resemblance to that of a lion's brow, and needless to say, they were rather demanding of attention at the same time.
His eyes were a harsher, albeit darker tone of gold, but where Aiz's eyes were reminiscent of that of a princess, this man's eyes had the dull gold of a noble or a prince.
If he was one anyway. Bell never got a good answer out of him from that, and the young man didn't remember if he was a noble or not, to begin with. However, one thing was very clear. The young man wouldn't go into the Dungeon without at least the same clothing that he felt comfortable in. Even so, it took a lot of convincing from Bell and the Goddess to have him at least get a weapon and some armor that would let him go prepared and not die from a blow.
Because while his leader had a brace, Bell also noticed that he refused to get anything other than a brace on his arms.
The weapon was just a standard Leather Whip that he loaned out from the Guild a week ago. Bell considered that to be an issue not of pride or arrogance, but rather that they just didn't have enough funds for anything extra like a knife or sword.
After all, the knife that Bell had cost him like 3,600 Vals…and the Leather Whip cost them at least 2,000 Vals. Why did they get the new member of the Familia a Whip? It was he himself who requested a rather elegant and more attention-grabbing weapon…and well, a whip does fit the bill.
"Right, Right! Sorry, I'm so sorry for the wait!" Bell ran up to him, and he gave a genuinely bashful chuckle.
"You know, you should be apologizing for the stench. Why are you covered in blood? Please don't tell me you made a mess of yourself getting ahead of yourself." His frown didn't budge entirely, but he didn't even give Bell much of a chance to retort. "I finished my patrols around the first three floors, having finished getting rid of the opposition in my way, but lo and behold, once I took a moment to breath and stop…you were no where to be seen. Now, I figured you were just lost, and why wouldn't you be? The Dungeon is like a maze, and it all looks the same. Adventurers certainly don't go down there to waltz around like its a day at the park. So, mind explaining to me why you just left and went a bit deeper than expected? Because as members of the same Familia, I feel pretty much left behind and insulted."
Bell sighed, but he didn't really deny him an answer at all. "I-I'm sorry, it was just an accident, and…well, a lot happened on the 5th floor. I-It's why I look like this, but you will not believe what happened when we get to the Guild!"
"Bold of you to assume I won't believe your excuses, but whatever…" The Familia member in front of Bell just sighs, but he does ease up the frown with a smug, albeit smarmy smirk. "I'm not unforgiving unlike the majority of the people in this city, so I'll give ya some leeway. Let's get going and not waste any more time. We have Magic Stones to exchange."
"Oh, right!" Bell almost forgot about that, but he got his bag of the Magic Stones. While there aren't that many Magic Stones that he earned…he wasn't entirely unable to buy some food with this. Magic Stones are very useful after all. They are the core of the Monsters that spawn in the dungeon, and hold some power and magical properties…but most people use them to exchange to the Guild for Vals, and thankfully they pay well depending on the quality and amount of Magic Stones given.
Bell and the other Familia members are two Adventurers, which means they are estimated to have twice as many Magic Stones for the Vals they both have to share. Bell thankfully earned some Vals with his knife, so it didn't break.
Whether they both earned enough for weapon repairs, food, and other expenses, would be figured out after the exchange.
Along the way however, to the Guild, where Headquarters was, Bell followed behind his self-appointed leader between the two of them in their Familia. The people around them were giving Bell weird looks, and when Bell noticed the Guild, he ran ahead of his leader and ignored anything else.
"Miss Eina!" Bell called out with a cheerful, if also very excitable expression, that he neglected to see just how he looked to everybody in the Guild outside of his leader and Eina. While he noticed her from a distance, she noticed him first and exclaimed in outright shock and almost horror. "Tell me everything about Aiz Wallenstein, please!"
Bell blinks as he stops in front of her, but he doesn't realize, or rather is easy to forget he was drenched in Minotaur's Blood all the same. The stench was strong and admittedly a morbid but not horrific sight unless you were a Guild Receptionist.
"You know," Bell twitched a bit nervously at that tone, and admittedly he turned to see his leader with a hand on his waist but with an expression of outright annoyance and slight frustration. "I forgave you earlier because you had something to say to me when we arrived at the Guild. But the instant you run off without barely a word, I have to chase you a bit faster just to compensate. Like I said earlier, I am willing to forgive you for that, but don't just ignore my words."
"R-Right! S-Sorry about that…" Bell nods, lowering his head nervously, meek in the face of his leader's vexed gaze. However, he hears an inhale and then looks up to see his leader exhaling just in time with a patient, albeit smug smile.
"Seriously, you're lucky I am infinitely more patient to a fellow member of the same Familia," His leader looks down at Bell, although there was less of a look of annoyance or scorn, but a self-satisfied, pure white expression. His entire being could be considered White by many people's standards, and he had a rather self-assured gaze down at Bell. "Bell."
Eina adjusted her framed glasses as she was taking a seat in a room set up in the lobby of the Guild. In front of her, are two rather recent additions to the Guild as Adventurers.
The first one in front of her is Bell Cranel, a young boy who she found herself caring for in a way that she understood to be another young child. His white hair and ruby-red eyes made him look akin to a young innocent white rabbit, although his excitement and reckless behavior made it almost difficult for her to compare him to being just a reckless young man at times. She may only be 5 years older than Bell, but she still worried for him as she would for any new adventurer.
While the Guild can allow any prospective individual regardless of race, gender, or age to join and become an adventurer, that doesn't mean that she had to send a young kid like Bell to the dungeon where he could die or even just end up permanently dismembered.
However, she had a good soft spot for Bell's innocent, if albeit naive behavior. The young man only arrived two weeks ago and registered as an adventurer after joining a Familia earlier, and needless to say she was being endeared to the kid. She had a positive opinion of him at the moment…but he's not the only adventurer who joined, as the other one joined like a week ago.
Regulus, unlike Bell, had gold eyes as opposed to Bell. They may share white hair, but where Bell's hair looked white as a bunny's fur; Regulus' hair was unkempt and well-maintained at the same time. His hair was like snow, but his general appearance screamed white at the same time. White as snow in appearance and in how he seems so confident and self-assured. However, if it were that simple, Eina would have found him more likable.
Because as it stands now, Regulus acted more…arrogantly, some might say, but she has mentioned it to his face that he is somewhat too self-confident.
Regulus surely complained a lot, but he always did so with a verbose way of speaking that seemed almost as if he was someone from a high-class family. However, she didn't pry into any of that despite how he acts. Ultimately he appointed himself as the leader of his and Bell's Familia.
She remained silent, almost staring at Bell and Regulus with a speculative gaze.
"Aren't you going to say anything?" Regulus spoke first, his tone sounding rather impatient as he shifted under her gaze with a rather self-assured expression.
"Bell, you seriously should have at least taken a shower before coming in here," Eina spoke, but she didn't pay attention to Regulus. She'll get to him soon.
"Y-Yeah, I'm sorry about that…" Bell sighs, but he looks down at the table while glancing to his side at Regulus occasionally.
"Honestly, the idea of you running across the streets like a revolting mess! It makes me question your sanity." Eina stated with a shake of her head and a sigh.
"H-Hey…" Bell looked like her words had cut him deep, and for a moment was about to tear up.
"Excuse me," Regulus raised a brow, but he seemingly was trying to bring attention. "I asked a question and you didn't even pay attention."
"Yes, Regulus, I'm getting to you now…but Bell looks like he's about to cry any moment now." Eina sighed, a bit exasperated but also pretty much sympathizing with Bell at the moment if her glance was there.
"Again?" Regulus rolls up his eyes in annoyance but turns to Bell who glances at Regulus. "You know, there's no need to be crying over every little disagreement the two of you have. It's unbecoming of a young boy, and especially uncouth. Besides, you haven't yet to explain why you were drenched in disgusting blood."
"Yeah, Yeah…I suppose you're right." Eina nods but turns to Bell regardless. "You wanted to talk about Aiz Wallenstein? Why is that?"
"Oh…uh…uhm…" Bell chuckles with a little sheepishness to it. And as he explained, Eina found herself rather…shocked every time and every little bit.
Bell went on to the explanation that he ended up on the 5th floor, despite her advice that he not go so deep into the 5th floor yet, or at all!
And then there was the fact that a Minotaur appeared from the lower floors, and got to the 5th floor. Eventually being saved by Aiz Wallenstein…and then some stuff about trying to thank her for saving him, and then running immediately afterward out of the dungeon, meeting up with Regulus…and then speeding off to the Guild.
…
…
…
"Aaaahh, why is it that you never listen to me! I told you to stick with Regulus, no matter what! Even a party of two Level 1 adventurers has a better chance of being up to the 3rd floor and surviving! But going up to the 5th floor that deep without any prior preparation?! I told you before that Adventurers shouldn't go on adventures?!" Eina exclaimed a scolding to Bell, but she noticed Bell just looking down at his lap with some level of sheepish embarrassment and chided form.
"Y-Yes, Ma'am."
However, she noticed Regulus putting a hand on his expression, and his furrowed brows showed deeper frustration with Bell, although Eina wasn't too surprised about why. For a moment, Eina noticed him just mumbling to himself about Bell having overreached his capabilities. It was a minor bit of rambling and something she noticed a lot.
Eina only ever saw this when Regulus had been losing his patience. However, she only ever really saw him for a week, so she didn't know him that well. And he doesn't give much of an explanation of who he was or is, outside of his name.
But regardless, she was just grateful on some level that Regulus didn't do what Bell did and overextended. Her motto may sound contradictory, but she just wants adventurers like Bell to focus on safety first. People like Bell are all too eager to go deeper and make it big in the Dungeon, but they end up dying quickly…and sadly, most of them aren't prepared.
A Level Two monster like the Minotaur going to the 5th Floor? That admittedly could never have happened before, but she doesn't really discount the fact that the Dungeon is very unpredictable and quite frankly dangerous.
"I swear, sometimes it feels like you get these weird ideas about the Dungeon, and as a result this happened." Eina sighs once more, speaking with a plain tone but echoing what she guessed Regulus might be thinking.
"Hehehehehe…w-well, that's not exactly…" Bell chuckled, although Eina simply kept narrowly looking at him with a rather odd expression.
"That's exactly what happened, I can assume." Regulus states, glancing at Bell sideways, and looking a bit displeased. "And quite frankly, this makes it the 4th time this week. Seriously, are you so incredulously reckless about going to the dungeon like that? If it weren't for the fact that this Aiz saved you, I'd be left as the only member of our Familia. Now, does that sound fair to you?"
"Regulus, no need to be so harsh on Bell, that's…my responsibility to make sure he knows all this." Eina raises a hand, sternly reminding Regulus who turned to her with a furrowed brow, and a slightly impatient expression despite how 'patient' he proclaimed himself to be before. "Just because you followed my advice, doesn't give you much of a right to act like your not somewhat responsible for him leaving your side.
"…"
Eina stared at his golden eyes, staring at her back with a seemingly growing sense of annoyance and a temper. It showed in his furrowed brow, as well as he tightly pressed his lips were at the statement.
For a moment, she saw him grit his teeth, but before that same second, he inhaled and exhaled a breath to try and calm himself down. "I'm willing to concede that it is an error on my part. After all, I was the only one there, and I alone have a responsibility now don't I? It would make sense…but don't tell me I don't have the right to chide Bell when the young man himself didn't consider me in the equation. Me, of all people, his leader."
"…" Eina and Regulus both stared each other down, although not one of them was willing to back out of the situation.
Despite her role as their Guild Advisor, Bell had the problem of constantly getting into trouble and being a naive young man who is too reckless…Regulus was a different kind of problem.
Regulus, despite how he talked about himself as if he was the most patient person
"…u-uhm, sorry but…" Bell raised a hand, sheepishly smirking and catching both of their attention. "If it's all well and good, can we move on to more about Ms. Wallenstein?"
"…yes, I suppose that's been running on my mind as well. Who is this Wallenstein, and why is she important?" Regulus seemed pacified for a moment, and the temper from before seemed to be slowly petering out from what Eina could see.
"It is against guild regulations to give out adventurer's personal information," Eina stated, but after pausing for a moment she smirks a bit. "But nothing says I can tell you what's already been said or informed out there."
"Ah…" Bell sighs in relief, and admittedly his smile showed how he appreciated this bit of kindness. Even Regulus seemed a bit self-assured and satisfied for the moment. His smug smile returned, along with that self-important expression, but he was less annoyed and temperamental now, and just listening.
Whether that's because Eina did what Bell wanted or what Regulus wanted, she didn't really know.
But what she could tell was about Aiz Wallenstein. She's a member of the Loki Familia, and a core member of it as well. Her swordsmanship is on par with some of the strongest adventurers, and her Alias is a reward for her amazing demonstration of having defeated a horde of Level 5 monsters on her own.
Admittedly, Eina found herself admiring the young woman in her way. After all, she's younger than Eina by only 3 years and she has already achieved so much. Needless to say, there are a lot of things for her to talk about.
"U-Um, not as an adventurer." Bell scratched the back of his head. "I-I more so meant…like, as a person. What does she do in her free time? What food does she like, and…well, what is she like."
"Huh?" Both Regulus and Eina hummed, in confusion at that.
"…What's this? Bell, are…are you interested in Ms. Wallenstein?" Eina's eyes were half-lidded with a teasing glint. Bell, being interested in Aiz? It's almost adorable if it weren't also very much to be expected. Even so, she chuckled a bit when Bell stammered a bit. Even Regulus had a surprisingly…patient smile as well. "Honestly, I wouldn't blame you, even as a woman I can't help but admit my heart skips a beat every time I see her."
"I can't speak much about a woman I have never seen, even if she does sound rather strong," Regulus spoke with a rather honest tone, but he also looked at Bell with a smug albeit poking smirk. It made Bell stammer even more. "But if this woman is enough to catch his attention, It's only common courtesy that as a man, no, as your leader I am supportive of you're future endeavors to gain her affection."
"R-Regulus! C'mon, please don't say it like that!" Bell stammered again, his expression and face redder and redder with embarrassment. Eina and Regulus both silently agreed on Bell's naive, but rather boyish enchantment of Aiz to be appropriately endearing. Eina took a sip from a cup of tea to her lips, smiling to herself.
"Quite frankly, there isn't much I can say about her hobbies but…wait, wait, wait! This is a workplace, These questions have nothing to do with your job! I'm not your matchmaker."
"A-Aww…but couldn't you try?" Bell asked genuinely.
"No, absolutely not. Unless there is more to say about work, you and Regulus should be going home now!"
Eina stands up, having rightfully realized that she should probably be sending both Regulus and Bell home. While Bell was easy to push along, Regulus simply sighed and walked behind the both of them while he crossed his arms. They were outside of the room closes to the lobby, but that also didn't mean there weren't some adventurers along the way.
The lobby looked unimpressive despite the white marble, but there was a bulletin boards with the pictures of Adventurers, Gods and Goddesses, and even some information on Monsters from the Dungeon.
Ultimately, this was the same place where Bell and Regulus registered for the Guild. However, both of them were far too different that you wouldn't think they'd be in the same Familia, let alone that someone as self-assured and overly confident like Regulus would bear or even be patient with Bell.
"What a tease you are, Miss Eina…" Bell sighs.
"Even so, as an Adventurer you have a lot of other things that need your attention. Even if you're not the only member of your Familia, you and Regulus need to focus on yourselves."
"Yeah…I know."
"That doesn't need to be said, but I would be moronic to ignore that reality…" Regulus sighs as well, although he doesn't seem to be liking their situation either. At least, that is what Eina figured from how they are.
Then again, she learned that they were in a relatively poor Familia compared to every other Familia. At the end of the day, even two Adventurers isn't enough to call a Familia by any means rich or able to pay off many expenses without needing a budget. And from looking at Regulus' insistence on wearing his white coat, looking expensive and yet very useless compared to the light armor that Bell had over his own shirt, just trying to wash something like that is doing a number on their expenses, Eina could guess.
Even so, she does speak again. "Still, aside from all that…you two need to exchange your Magic Stones don't you?"
"Yeah, although thankfully I managed to kill some Monsters aong the way before the Minotaur." Bell nods, bringing out his Leather Pouch. He had some shards, but not enough to be considered a huge haul. "What about you, Regulus?"
"…" Regulus raises a brow but smirks smugly despite rolling his eyes as he brings out his own leather pouch and slightly more shards in it compared to Bell's. "Need you say more?"
"Noted." Bell nods, although he does chuckle a bit sheepishly.
"Well, regardless, let me walk you two there." Eina smiles all the same, walking them both to the Exchange.
After trading the magic stones altogether into the deposit, the counter looks through the stones of both pouches altogether, and then procures an equal amount of Vals. Although, since the magic stones were made from killing Goblins and Kobolds, both Regulus and Bell were a little underwhelmed by their haul today.
All of it comes down to 2,900 Vals, and thankfully about a good portion of that was from Regulus' consistent killing of monsters in Floors 1 to 3. Both of them didn't get any Drop Items, so unfortunately this was the most they had to maintain Bell's armor, weapon repairs, and other expenses…much to the chagrin of Regulus.
"You know…this is severely criminal at this point." Regulus frowns. "This isn't enough for a decent meal."
"That's what you're worried about?" Bell looked at Regulus concernedly, and Eina herself had a look of confusion and half-lidded disbelief.
"Of course!" Regulus exclaimed, raising a hand as he shook his head in disbelief. "Every one needs a decent meal from time to time, it's only right for people to want at least a meal after working hard isn't it? And yet…this isn't enough for a decent meal when we have to consider expenses…"
Regulus inhaled and exhaled again, but he seemed almost perturbed at how…disgustingly cheap this was, Eina thought.
However, Eina wasn't content to have them leave unsatisfied, as much as Bell looked a bit disheartened and how Regulus was complaining about something like a meal.
"You know, the two of you are just starting out." Eina spoke up as she walked them out of the Guild, but before leaving headquarters she got their attention for the moment. "Still Level 1, but you both aren't really going to stay like this forever, if you work harder in the dungeon. I'm not saying to be reckless, but I am saying that you two can definitely improve…and when you do, both of you will be able to get what you want."
"…" Bell blinks in confusion at those words, while Regulus tilted his head with a raised brow.
"What I am saying is, that if you both make a name for yourselves…Regulus can go ahead and eat a decent meal as much as he wants, and Ms. Wallenstein might notice Bell, you know?" Eina stated with a bit of understanding, smiling as she tilted her head but remained positive on the bright side. How could she not? Despite her job being to be their adviser, she did want to help them at the very least as people. She's a softy like that, and sometimes too much of a bleeding heart.
Bell reacted with a growing smile, and bright red eyes shining with joy and gratitude in his eyes. Eina understood that to be hope in his eyes, and she smiled as well before hearing his next words-
"Miss Eina! I love you!" Bell turns on his heel, and he starts running from the Guild and onto the Labyrinth City of Orario, leaving Eina with a blushing red face as she herself feels a bit embarrassment and yet a sheepish smile.
"…" She notices Regulus tilting his head but raising a brow, before sighing out in exasperation. "That boy cannot stay still for a moment, can't he?"
The Labyrinth City Of Orario.
If it weren't for the fact that Regulus himself woke up in this city, he wouldn't have believed many other people when they told him about where hew as, or even about where they found him.
Regardless, Regulus needed to focus on the right thing at the moment. What was that? Ah, yes, Bell's juvenile declaration of affection for Eina, and running off to their…'home'. If you can even call it that, although Regulus doesn't feel any strong feelings about it regardless.
Now where is that rabbit? Regulus had already walked through the main district of Orario, and he had a lot of passing glances towards the people living in this city. He had gotten used to it, but with no prior experience or memory he only had a few thoughts to think about the people.
They were multiplying and varied, and yet a part of Regulus told him that he didn't want anything to do with them. He already has to deal with Bell and his host, and two people were enough for him as of being here for a week. The Prums were shorter than most, the Elves had a look of superiority even in his presence, which irked him for the simple reason that they would look down on him.
The Amazon's, despite their exotic beauty, were too simple-minded in terms of strength; Dwarves are stout but also rather a simple-minded people all around. Demi-Humans are quite varied, but they didn't really give him any incentive to cooperate with them.
As he walks the main street and into the abandoned districts of Orario, he realized that the crowd was gone and no other person was to be seen. Outside of the 'rabbit' whose white hair and red-eyes provided at least some contrast compared to Regulus' own presence.
Said Rabbit waited, standing right outside the abandoned Church where both of them and their hostess resided. Regulus had been living her for over a week, and every time he saw the broken windows, dirt and grime, along with the moss growing on it…it made Regulus sigh and frown every time.
Was he dissatisfied with the 'home' they have? Of course he was. This barely counted as a home and more so a refuge for people without anything to call their own.
But to Regulus, even if this may be dirty and unsatisfactory…this is his home.
Not the only one he'll have, for certain. Not unless he has anything to say about it.
"Bell Cranel," Regulus called out to him, but he crossed his arms with a slightly appraising frown as he noticed Bell's smile. "Good thing you didn't get lost. If you don't get lost in Orario, then at the very least you could try not to get lost in the Dungeon tomorrow."
"Yeah, Yeah, I know." Bell nods sheepishly but chuckles nervously all the same. In a way that made Regulus rather satisfied how Bell listened to him right now, and thankfully in terms of leadership respected Regulus enough.
After all, respect is a two-way street, isn't it? Regulus has the right as Leader to ensure that Bell remains alive and in-line, and it is Bell's equal right as a Familia Member to work dutifully for both of them and their Hostess.
And keeping that genuine respect between two people makes cooperation possible, and the world rolls with a bit of kindness.
Truthfully, Regulus had quickly realized the way he is after a week…but nothing about who he was or where he came from.
But thinking about that left Regulus in a dissatisfied mood, so he distracted himself by going with Bell inside. The Church itself had a stand, and church chairs all the same, but they don't sleep there.
Instead, in a corner all the way back of the church, there is a set of stairs and a door that leads to an underground room. This room in particular wasn't impressive, but it did have at least one bed and a couch.
A kitchen and running water as well, so it fits the basic necessities at the very least.
I still don't find it preferable to what we could be having instead. Regulus thought, but he doesn't voice it right now.
"Goddess, we're home!" Bell greeted their goddess as they entered the room, and thankfully the Hostess herself perked up from the couch.
Every time Regulus saw their Hostess, it became even harder to remember she was a Goddess, although she would remind him every single time he made a mention. She's a short young girl in appearance, with twin tails and a white dress that was laced with a blue ribbon. The blue ribbon itself wasn't shy about being underneath her buxom, and while the first time made him feel somewhat baffled, every time he just finds himself confused even more why she doesn't even bother changing out of that daily.
It's just common sense.
But that common sense is overridden every time by the fact that her smile beamed and brightened up whenever she saw Bell and Regulus. It was akin to a mother welcoming her family from a long day at work, and her presence did soothe him in a way he wasn't sure how to feel about anymore.
"Bell, welcome back!" Hestia proceeded to glomp onto Bell in a hug that was filled with happiness. While it was presumably unbecoming of a Goddess, Bell could only weakly chuckle at the affection. He patted her on the head even, and that showed how much attention Hestia put on Bell.
"Ahem." Regulus had to hide the smirk on his expression, quickly replacing it with a half-lidded expression. "I'm also here, Hestia. Need I remind you?"
"Oh, right! Sorry, I just got a bit excited!" Hestia blinked, and smiled all the same as she proceeded to give Regulus a hug…again.
This makes it nearly a week where every time he would get a hug from her, and he wasn't sure whether to push her off because how close she was, or just sigh and take the hug as usual. He still didn't feel entirely comfortable just giving affection like that.
He just didn't want to be ignored, not flat-out hugged.
After all, Hestia may have a youthful appearance, but her face wasn't…striking him in a way. Not that he understood what that meant, but when he looked at Hestia he didn't necessarily just see a Goddess for better or worse. He saw a young woman who was too possessive, maybe a bit jealous at times, and mostly just…too eager to boss him around.
Not that he lost his patience. He is a patient man after all, and Hestia is definitely well within his patience to have.
She did offer him a home when Bell found him, in exchange for an equal favor. It was not only satisfactory, it'd be unlikely that he could get what he wanted without joining.
"Well, you two are back really early…did anything make you change your mind?" Hestia let go of the hug and put her hands on her hips, almost as if she wanted to look like his boss.
"Only that Bell seemingly got caught in a fight against a Minotaur. Nearly dying in the process." Regulus stated while crossing his arms, shaking his head.
"What?! Bell, is thayt true? Oh please don't tell me you got hurt!" Suddenly, Hestia patted Bell down as her hands danced to check for any injuries on Bell. However, Bell could only have a small pout as he looked at Regulus who shrugged.
"No, Goddess, I didn't get hurt! It's fine!" Bell had a minor blush and chuckle all the same.
"Good, Good!" Hestia finished her patting, and then chuckled. Oh, please don't tell me she's getting a bit excited over- "Because I got ourselves something to celebrate for the three of us!"
"Wait, from work?" Bell exclaimed with an easy-going smile, while Regulus only sighed as he remained standing and deadpanning.
"I swear, if its the same thing as last night—" Regulus stated with a growing sense of unease.
"Potato Snacks for everyone! Tonight we're eating good!" Hestia cheered with an inordinate amount of positivity, and even Bell had a smile all the same despite the fact that Regulus frowned.
Potato Snacks again? They couldn't at least just go to a tavern and get some decent meals over there? Regulus found the idea of eating Potato Snacks to be beneath him, and he's been eating them for the past week. It soon really dawned on him days ago that they were dirt poor. Dirt poor, and unknown to most other Familia's.
That wouldn't stand.
"Hey, Hey, no frowning, Regulus!" Hestia called it him out while pointing her finger at his face, causing Regulus to raise a brow with a flinch. "You've been with us for a week, and you still don't appreciate a good potato snack when its for free! C'mon, go ahead and try one!"
Hestia pushed a potato snack in front of Regulus, and he sighed for a moment while he frowned. He grabbed it and for a moment was generously reminded the smell of fried potato. It's…humiliating he has to eat this while they are watching, and quite frankly he didn't want anybody in or outside the Familia to watch him eat this…pedestrian street food.
I hate being this picky… Regulus thought, before taking a hesitant bite-
…damn you, damn you truly. Regulus' eyes widened briefly, and for a moment like a prideful albeit greedy individual he ate his share with no hesitation. It tasted good, and it certainly made him want more.
"Hehehe~! You complain about this every time, but you always end up enjoying it don't you?" Hestia chuckled, almost amused by his enjoyment of the snack.
Regulus grumbled at that, leaving even Bell to smirk a bit at that.
Must these two constantly make fun of him for enjoying something so pedestrian? You eat Potatoes with meat, as a side dish…not as a meal itself. It's just common sense.
Still… Regulus saw Hestia's genuine expression, and a corner of his mind thought she might be looking down on him. It wasn't loud enough to convince him that…she was being genuine.
Bell's smirk was that of lighthearted naivety, although Regulus felt that he was looking at him and making fun of his tastes. However, that voice itself was drowned out by a certain thought.
They did help me. Regulus wasn't stupid, or immature enough to know that it's common courtesy to help other people when they help you. To not do that is a denial of their character, and especially a denial of their right to offer an extending hand.
But Regulus wanted more than this.
"Well, let's enjoy the meal first, afterwards, we get to update both of your Statuses!" Hestia declared happily and proudly.
"Understood, Goddess!" Bell nods, taking a bite of his own snack.
"If it'll make up for having to eat this street food, then its only natural that a Status update is in order." Regulus smirked with his own smug nature about it, finishing his potato snack almost immediately.
"You say that, but you're the first one to finish your meal already." Bell points it out, only to chuckle nervously at Regulus' glance. It was simply annoying, but he also didn't look that angry either.
"Because a meal is a meal, Bell. I may not like it, but I am not impatient to waste food when there is already so little of it to begin with. It's not our Hostess' fault that her job fits her well." Regulus stated with a shrug.
"And what is that supposed to mean?" Hestia pouted with an exclamation, which only prompted Regulus to smirk smugly.
"You're the Goddess here, aren't you? You figure it out." Regulus's tone was smarmy.
But Bell couldn't help but chuckle nervously despite how…expressive and honest Regulus can be about his thoughts.
And Hestia grumbled with a pout and childish puff of steam.
To many people, these three are an unlikely trio of individuals.
A poor Goddess with an unassuming figure.
A White Rabbit with a naive yearning to be like the heroes from his story books and to reach Aiz Wallenstein.
A Greedy Lion with no memory. No identity, no past, and no idea of his future or where he was from other than his name.
The name is all he has. Some semblance of his personality, along with rather expensive tastes and high standards.
The myth is barely being written, but it begins with the yearning to be a hero and the rise of a Little King.
[Author's Note]
Whooo! That feels good to write, and thankfully I managed to write this all in 3 days. Although, I may or may not have burned myself out. It depends on whether or not the drive to write this story remains. At the end of the day, I am hyped and excited.
But yes, I hope you guys enjoy this chapter and prologue and are invested in the concept of the idea so far.
For now, I wanted to say follow, favorite, and leave a review of any ideas or thoughts you have on the story!
Either way, this was the Maelstrom, and I'll see you on the horizon!