Epilogue: A New Day

The golden hues of dawn spilled over Orario, casting long shadows and painting the sky in soft pastels. The city was beginning to stir—merchants setting up their stalls, adventurers preparing their equipment, and the air buzzing with quiet anticipation. Today was just another day for most, but for Bell, it was something different.

Bell hummed to himself as he tightened the straps on his armor, his hands moving with practiced efficiency. The past week had been one of the most grueling yet rewarding experiences of his life, but today marked the real beginning. He was returning to the Dungeon—this time, with Naaza.

As he secured his knife at his waist, a loud huff interrupted his thoughts. He turned to see Hestia, arms crossed, cheeks puffed out in undisguised jealousy.

"So, you're really going to the dungeon with Naaza?" she asked, her voice high with suspicion.

Bell smiled nervously. "Yeah, we've been training for this, after all."

Hestia's eyes narrowed. "I suppose that makes sense, but really, Bell! You're spending so much time with her lately!"

Bell blinked, unsure of how to respond. "She's training me, Goddess. And—uh—well, she saved my life, so—"

Hestia groaned, throwing her hands in the air. "I know! That's the only reason I'm not storming over there and dragging you back home!" She huffed before crossing her arms again, eyeing him carefully. "Just… don't forget who your goddess is, alright?"

Bell chuckled, "of course, Hestia."

Satisfied—if only slightly—Hestia relented and handed him a small cloth-wrapped bundle. "I made you lunch. Not that Icareif you eat Naaza's food or anything, butmine's better."

Bell accepted it with a warm smile, knowing better than to argue. "Thank you, Goddess."

Across the city, at the Blue Pharmacy, Naaza was also preparing for the day.

She adjusted her quiver, ensuring the arrows sat comfortably against her back. Her prosthetic arm, gleaming faintly in the morning light, moved as smoothly and naturally as her other arm. A reminder of both the past and the present.

From behind her, Miach's familiar voice interrupted her thoughts.

"Make sure you stretch properly before heading into the dungeon, Naaza."

Naaza rolled her eyes. "I know, Miach."

Miach leaned against the counter with an ever-gentle smile. "And don't forget to eat before you go."

Naaza sighed. "I know,Miach."

He stepped closer, placing a hand on her shoulder with quiet affection. "And don't let Bell out of your sight, alright?"

Naaza froze for just a second before she snorted. "I'm not his babysitter."

Miach chuckled, "Well, I've seen the way you look after him."

Her cheeks lightly dusted with pink. "He's just… an idiot who needs a good teacher."

Miach's smile softened. "He's also someone who cares about you. And I think you care about him, too."

Naaza turned away, focusing on tightening the straps of her boots. "I don't know what you're talking about."

Miach let out an amused hum but didn't press further. Instead, he reached into his coat pocket and pulled out a small bottle. "Here. A special blend I made. Just in case."

Naaza took it, eyeing the liquid before tucking it into her satchel "Thank you."

Miach nodded. "Just be careful, alright?"

Naaza gave him a small smirk. "I should be telling Bell that."

Miach chuckled. "Yes, but we both know you'll be keeping an eye on him anyway."

With that, Naaza stepped outside, inhaling the crisp morning air. Her heart beat a little faster than usual—not from nerves, but from something else she refused to name.

Bell stood near the entrance of Babel, adjusting the straps of his gear. His fingers tapped lightly against the hilt of his knife—a nervous habit, or maybe just anticipation. Naaza had once saved him when he was at his weakest. But now, as he adjusted his knife, he realized something—he wasn't just following her into the Dungeon. They were walking in together, as equals.

He turned when he heard soft footsteps approaching.

Naaza.

She wasn't wearing her usual pharmacist's attire today. Instead, she was outfitted in her adventurer's gear—a well-fitted leather tunic, her bow slung across her back, and a quiver of arrows resting at her hip. Bell also noticed she didn't have a glove on her right hand. The rising sun reflected off the polished silver of her prosthetic, the gems in its joints catching the light. She looked strong. Capable. Ready.

And yet… there was a moment where their eyes met, and Bell could see the quiet uncertainty lingering behind them.

Naaza exhaled, rolling her shoulders. "Well," she muttered, "we're really doing this."

Bell smiled, feeling his own nerves settle at her presence. "Yeah. We are."

"Bell, look at this." Bell turned to look as Naaza pulled out the notebook he gave her as a gift. "I figured you might want to see this." She said with her cheeks slightly blushing.

"The notebook I gave you?" Bell questioned, looking a bit confused.

Naaza smiled softly, "I used this notebook to record all of your training and the things we've done together." She started flipping through the notebook. "Like the time we went to the tavern after the argument between Dian and I. Or the time that you tried to put up a tent but barely managed to set it up before it blew over and fell on top of you." She paused for a moment. "...The time we stood overlooking the meadow after the battle with the Minotaur and the time we spent together last night." Naaza was blushing a lot more at this point. "And there's a lot of space left on the pages, I'd like to continue filling these pages." She finished as she put the notebook away looking down and away from Bell.

Bell smiled, "let's do it!" He said as he turned towards the dungeon. "I'd be more than happy to help you fill the notebook, to spend time with you, and fight alongside you…"

A comfortable silence stretched between them.

The city moved around them, but at this moment, it felt like they were in their own world. The same world where she had saved him, where he had fought for her, where they had grown together. She had spent so long avoiding the Dungeon, fearing the monsters, fearing failure. But standing beside Bell, she realized—maybe, just maybe, she didn't have to be afraid anymore.

Naaza hesitated for just a second—then reached out and took his hand.

Bell blinked, surprised by Naaza. Her fingers were steady, her grip warm. It wasn't like the first time she had saved him, when her hands had been desperate, trembling as she tried to keep him alive. Now, it was different.

Now, she was choosing to stand beside him.

"Shall we?" She asked, her voice quieter than before, but steady.

Bell squeezed her hand gently, his chest tightening in a way he didn't quite understand yet—but welcomed all the same.

"Yeah," he said, his grin soft but certain. "Let's go."

Together, hand in hand, they stepped forward—into the depths of the Dungeon.

Into a new chapter of their story.

.

.

.

Author's note: : Hopefully you enjoyed the story!

Please give me all the questions, comments, and concerns you have with the story! I'd like to keep improving and to write another fanfic here soon.

Though probably with a different character. So if you do have any character you would like to see in a fan fic like this(wholesome romance, adventure, slight humor-esk style), please feel free to suggest it! I was leaning towards a story that flushes out Daphne Lauros a bit. We'll see if I end up wanting to flush her out a bit more or if I'm inspired by another different character!

Thank you again for reading, and until next time, have a great one! :)

.

.

.

.

.