The Fallen Argonaut
Rated; M (Blood/Gore)
Disclaimer; I do not own Danmachi or anything created by the author Fujino Ōmori, all rights go to him
Authors: Eli-er01 & ViceroyChalister
Summary: The will of a hero is strong, yet unwavering but all good things must come to an end, even at the cost of one's Heroic Will. Imprisoned and blamed for a crime he hadn't committed, Bell seeks a way out of his predicament so that he can live without fear of being hunted by the people he once looked up to.
22: Heroes
"Everyone mobilize on the 11th floor!" Finn's voice came through the oculus as Bell picked up his spear that had been thrown into the demi spirit on Front 6. Elora had met up with him here as well. Bell figured that Bache was by front 4.
Bell turned to the side, looking past Elora smiling at him, he noticed Ais standing there, looking at the floor in contemplation, the wind dancing around her frame which gave him an idea.
"Sword Princess" He began as all eyes turned to him. Ais looked at him before, the question in her eyes clear "is it possible for you to lend me your wind?" He asked. He had seen her do it earlier with Bete in the room, who was staring at him weirdly. Bell already knew what it was, he probably recognized its smell, but it had probably changed over the years and it was also likely mixed with Eloras as well.
Either way, the senses of a werewolf should not be underestimated and he was clearly being suspicious which made Bell want to be anywhere but here.
Ais nodded at his question before uttering her chant. The wind came towards him and enveloped his frame before he turned to Elora and smiled underneath the mask before whispering 'Hold on'. She instantly reacted and made a face that screamed 'Don't you dare'.
Bell exploded forward and grabbed her as gently as he could at those speeds and disappeared through the Knossos. Thankfully, where he currently was, he was actually quite familiar with it as he had passed it when he had been rushing towards the surface to save Wiene 3 years ago.
He followed the path that led to stairs and rushed down. He could faintly hear Elora squealing as she held onto him tightly, her eyes squinting at the air resistance. Her current level really wasn't made for this kind of speed.
He wanted to slow down for her sake, but knew that he couldn't. They were running out of time. The song of the 6 spirit ring was progressing with this 7th hidden spirit.
Eventually, Bell stopped for a split second in the room he had fought Dix in before continuing and coming out on the 18th.
Things from here were much easier, he knew the dungeon down to the 18th like the back of his hand, even after 3 years of absence.
He rushed up to the 17th quickly and passed the big wall of grief before the Goliath even knew what had happened.
On the way up to the 13th, Bell didn't even use the normal path and jumped through the vertical holes that went through the floor, speeding his arrival time up by an incredible margin before he went the normal path from the 13th.
"B-BELL! ARE WE THERE YET?!" He heard Elora scream out as he felt he laughed lightly.
"You don't need to scream" He told her "We are strong enough to talk this low even at these speeds" He felt Elora nod before he came to a halt.
"Is it over? God… I'm gonna throw up" Elora wobbled on her feet before collapsing on the floor, emptying her stomach as Bell flinched in guilt at him most likely causing this. May also be her pregnancy.
"Are yo-" She held a finger up in a gesture to give her a second. He did so and she got up and wiped her mouth.
"Don't. EVER. Do that again" She warned with a glare at him. This time, he practically felt the emotion in it.
'Oh, she's mad. I'm sleeping on the sofa when we get back, that's for sure' He thought as he nodded in agreement in an attempt to earn forgiveness.
"Now… let's finish this" Her frown didn't dissipate even a little, much to Bell's grief as she walked past him, before bounding up the stairs to the 11th.
Bell followed her, but noticed quickly that she was slowing down.
"Elora… something wrong?" He asked as she nodded, still not looking at him.
"Yes… just… the entire spell is focused here and we Elves are more sensitive to magical energy. The magic in the air is screaming out, that's all" Bell nodded before they walked through the entrance and was greeted to a horrifying sight.
An infant dragon, mutated beyond recognition was surrounded by an army of Violas and tentacles. It made the protection of the other Demi spirits look like a joke.
"Great… Elora, how about we do it like this. We use 'that' strategy to create a hole in it's defense. Once the hole is made, you focus your magic on it's jaw. If it can't sing, it can't continue the song" Elora thought about it and nodded.
"Alright, You begin charging" She said "Just hope they don't come here first, they might recognize the move" Bell nodded as he activated Argonaut.
Because of him being level 5, his Argonaut could charge up to 5 minutes, but they don't have that long. Bell would have to guess they had at most, 1 minute, if even that before it's too late.
Elora stood guard as Argonaut started to assimilate in his hand, her shortsword on the ready as the Violas picked up on Bell's mind usage and launched it's forces towards them. The sheer number made Elora gulp, they looked endless.
She crouched low and began using mind power to fight faster and more dexterously which also drew some attention to her, but not enough.
"Gah!" She screamed out as she began her attack, slicing up the first two Violas that tried to get past her. She quickly moved forward and created a small gap and slipped through, spinning as her sword cut the tentacle that moved towards Bell in half.
One by one, she cut them down, protecting Bell with everything she had, pushing herself forward harder and faster, forcing herself to fight better and more efficiently.
"Ugh!" One viola got a hit in on her arm as she flew across the floor, before getting straight back into the fray.
She kept fighting as she took more and more hits. Her eyes darted to the right as she sensed something.
"Oh, don't you dare!" She pushed her leg forward, hitting the ground before sharply turning to the side, cutting another tentacle that had tried to slip underground towards Bell.
The magical energy in the air exploded and Elora knew it was time. Bell had just passed the 45 second mark, which was where his skill exploded in magical energy to create active action.
"Through the protection of the forest, power flows through me." She began her chant, diverting a large number of the enemies towards her, but focused on the ones attacking Bell, slicing them effectively as Bell was dodging and weaving. After all, he couldn't attack when charging, but he could still move.
Elora's job was to create leeway for him to dodge and keep charging, which she thought she was doing excellently.
"May the call of the wind show us the way." A massive explosion of magic came from the demi spirit and the two knew they had to do it now.
Bell opened his eyes and aimed his fist as Elora got ready.
"FIREBOLT!" he screamed out as torrents of flames blew out, completely disintegrating everything in its path before the Demi spirit shielded itself.
It's protection took the full hit and disintegrated. The firebolt had been used up and it was about to try to finish the song before Elora jumped through the massive hole in it's defense, continuing her chant as it's eyes widened.
"It cuts down the enemies, who stand before me. SECATUS VETI!" She thrust her sword straight into it's jaw as the full force of her magic practically exploded there, sending Elora flying back from the shockwave, rolling on the floor before stopping next to Bell.
"EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE" It screeched out as Bell pumped his fist.
"YES! IT WORKED!" He laughed out as Elora smiled. It's jaw was completely blown apart as it screeched in pain.
Bell was about to slice the Viola trying to sneak attack him, but a spear flew past and killed it before he could.
The two turned around and saw Finn running towards them with the rest of the attack force in tow.
"Well done! Everyone! Finish the spirit before it heals!" Finn called out as everyone roared out, victory within their grasps. Finn grabbed his spear and was about to join the battle as it began, but Bell stopped him.
"Where is The Sword Princess?" He asked as she wasn't with the attack force.
"She's handling another matter at the moment. Now, how about we assist the rest of them?" Finn motioned towards the battle as Bell nodded.
As they joined in, Bell kept an eye on Finn's movements and tried to imitate them as he fought. Thanks to his training with dual charging, he had become adept in splitting his mind in two directions, so he could easily fight and focus on the other task at the same time, no problem.
Bache flew past Bell and smashed a Viola into the ground, before crushing it in between her palms and grinning at him.
"Mind if I join you?" She asked as Bell grinned back.
"Not at all, let's use the combo now" Bache nodded at him and smiled at his suggestion.
"Di Asla, Velgus!" She activated her poison before she took Bell's hand and imbued his glove with it.
"Woah! That poison is deadly!" Tiona screamed out as she saw what they were doing.
"Don't worry, I can take it" Bell responded before he activated scourge and Argonaut and charged for a few seconds. Bache held her arm out, pointing towards a horde of enemies before Bell moved and smashed his arm next to hers, sending a shockwave filled with poison forward, consuming the Violas as they started writhing in pain.
Tiona gawked at the move they managed to do. It was deadly for sure and seemed very useful. She wondered what level of abnormal resistance the man had in order to be unfazed by Bache's poison.
"It cuts down the enemies, who stand before me!" Elora chanted as she was moving through the Battlefield.
"Elfy! Give me the magic!" Elora frowned at the name Bete called her but complied and aimed her sword at him.
"Secatus Veti!" Her magic shot forward in multiple cuts that were absorbed by his boots. The glowed green before he kicked a tentacle hard before one cut came through and sliced it in half before continuing through another dozen or so.
He stopped after landing and looked at the boot in shock, there was still magic in it.
"Damn… Now this is what I'm talkin' about!" He grinned before rushing forward again into the battle.
Gareth was completely decimating the enemy lines all on his own as he kept slicing dozens with each swing. He was like an unstoppable wall.
Tione jumped over the dwarf and launched off of him into a group of Violas and made quick work of them, pummeling them into the ground before she grabbed her sister's hand, launching her back towards Finn.
Finn smiled at Tiona as the two worked together to slice a hole in it's defence, which Finn used to his advantage, rushing through and expertly cutting down the plant like monsters as he made his way towards the Demi spirit.
He jumped into the air before-
"Magic spear, penetrate my forehead offering blood. HELL FINEGAS" He released a guttural roar as the Demi spirit summoned multiple tentacles to block Finn. He threw his spear which exploded the tentacles blocking him before embedding itself into the monsters shoulder.
The next moment, another spear flew into its other shoulder as Finn stopped before turning towards Bell, stopping next to him before nodding at Finn.
"REA LAEVATEINN!"
"FUSILLADE FALLARICIA!" Explosion of fire happened behind them as they looked at the onslaught and utter destruction.
Riveria's level 7 spell which was supported by Lefiya's level 4 spell completely decimated the enemy lines. The army that seemed endless before looked pathetic by now.
"Braver… let's finish this" Bell said as Finn nodded.
"Agreed, together?" Finn asked as Bell nodded. The two launched forwards as Bell activated Scourge. The two split in opposite directions before attacking in a pincer formation from both sides as the Demi spirit desperately tried to defend the attacks.
Bell latched onto Finn's spear that was stuck in the shoulder and pulled it up, pushing himself up and slicing it's eye.
He threw the spear downwards towards Finn, who caught it without looking before slicing deep into its arm before twirling it, creating a deep gash that exploded out in a fountain of blood.
Finn kicked Bell's spear sending it up where Bell caught it before he hit the roof, launching himself downwards towards the spirit at the same time as Finn jumped upwards, both spears aimed straight at it's head.
The spears penetrated each side of the head, one going down, one going up.
"EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE" It screamed and thrashed.
'It's not dead? How tenacious is this thing?' Bell asked in his head before the two were thrown off, before landing on the ground.
"Braver! I got this" Bell said as he released as much malice as he could before he sprung forward with all he had jumping up and impacting it in the chest, digging his hand into it before all sound ceased.
Everything was still and serene for but a moment before-
*BOOM*
The chest of the spirit exploded as blood flew everywhere, Bell's hands held it's glowing yellow magic stone before he crushed it in his hands.
"EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEeeee" It screeched as it got quieter before it completely disintegrated, Bell smiling as he landed on the ground with Finn walking towards him with a smile.
The rest of the attack force were either finishing off the last of the remnants of the monsters or cheering in Bell's direction.
"Impressively done, Royal Executioner… Is there anything else I can call you?" Finn said after frowning at the name. It really didn't roll off the tongue.
"I'll let you know when I found one that's worth it" Bell answered.
"Alright, then let's fini-" Finn began before a loud crash was sounded from the wall of the floor.
Everyone turned towards it only to see a red haired woman with eerie green eyes crashing into the ground and rolling before coming to a stop between Finn, Bell and the rest of the attack force.
Before anyone could utter a word, Ais launched through the destroyed wall, Black wind surrounding her as the floor cracked as she flew past it.
'Black wind? What is going on?' Bell wondered as he tightened his hold on his spear and made a move to intercept, but was blocked by Finn's spear.
He looked questionably at the prum who just shook his head before focusing his attention at the two.
Ais threw attack after attack as Revis narrowly dodged each of them.
"Why haven't you used this power before, Aria?" She asked as Bell frowned at the name.
'Aria? Isn't that the great spirit of the wind?' He thought as his mind raced. Ais didn't dignify her with a response but instead intensified her skill, fighting harder and faster as some attacks managed to actually hurt Revis.
"Tsk" She clicked her mouth as before ducking under a blow, before kicking Ais backwards. Ais didn't let that stop her as she launched forward again, attacking again and again, slicing and thrusting her Desperate as Revis started to become overwhelmed.
'I need to escape! I need more power!' She thought. She had stopped collecting power a long time ago as she had thought it had been enough, but Aria had gotten stronger during the last 2 years. Now she needed even more.
She turned around and tried to high tail it while looking behind her at Ais before she impacted something hard and fell on the ground.
She quickly looked up only to come face to face with a weird mask that was emanating a dangerous Aura that sent chills down her spine.
'What a monster' Revis thought bitterly as she changed directions but was intercepted by Ais, the time bought by Bell intercepting her escape being enough for her to catch up.
Revis, unable to recover from the sudden thrust in front of her eyes, felt Ais' sword thrust into her leg before the other one was cut off.
She fell to one knee while wincing before the rapier was aimed at her chest, touching her magic stone.
"You… a monster in human skin… does not deserve to live" She said with cold eyes as Revis gulped before grinning.
"Do it then, and lose everything I know of your mother" She said as Ais' eyes widened as she noticed the man on the side, staring wide eyed at her.
"Mother…?" He asked out loud as Ais shook her head, deciding to ignore it.
"Can't do it, can you?" Revis grinned as Ais hesitated.
"Do it, Sword princess. It's clear she's trying to mess with your head" Bell's voice came as Ais looked at him in confusion.
"She's trying to get you to second guess your action. I've seen it before… she knows nothing" Bell said as he stared coldly at Revis.
Just having seen her for a few minutes, Bell understood she was bad news and the magic stone in her chest clearly showed she was a part of this entire scheme to destroy Orario.
Ais closed her eyes for a split second and pondered his words before thrusting the rapier forward. Revis' eyes widened as she looked down at the shattered magic stone.
It soon morphed into anger as she grabbed Ais' arm, only for it to disintegrate.
"ARIAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA" She screamed before she turned to dust, leaving the entire Area quiet as everyone took in the events that just transpired.
=Knossos, Hidden passageway=
"N-no…" Dionysus breathed out as the song stopped to a halt. Loki grinned at that before Dionysus quickly opened up a divine mirror to the 11th floor only to see a masked man and an Elf that looked familiar stand there, staring at the destroyed jaw of the demi spirit.
"It seems that those 'Nuisances' have flipped your plan on it's head" Loki grinned at the events as she mentally praised the mortals before she turned back to the god.
"Tell me… what did you do to that shrimp's kid?" She asked as Dionysus looked back up at Loki with bloodshot eyes.
"LOKIIIIIIIIIII!" He screamed out as he launched himself at her and started pulling her hair. Loki retaliated as she kicked him in between the legs, before throwing dust into his eyes.
He wobbled back as he didn't know where to hold, his crotch or his eyes. Loki on the other hand didn't let up and punched him in the face.
"Guh! That's dirty Loki!" He complained as Loki just scoffed.
"I'm a deity of trickery, playing fair ain't in my nature" She said before slamming her heel into his foot sending him spiraling back on one leg before landing on his back, groaning.
"Dionysus, You. Lost!" She exclaimed.
"What are you doing Thanatos! Help me! Flivis!" He called out. As Loki laughed.
"Didn't you forsake Thanatos? Didn't you also send Filvis up north to plant evidence?" Loki asked mockingly as Dionysus' eyes widened.
He was all alone, with no one to help.
"Now… answer me, what did you do to the shrimp's kid?" She asked out as she put one foot on his crotch, threatening to put more force on it.
"I-I don't know! I only asked her to get him out of my way! She did the rest of it!" He desperately cried out as Loki frowned.
"Who is she?" She asked again and when Dionysus didn't answer, she pressed down harder, causing him to whimper.
"I can't say! I can't say! I'll be doomed in Tenkai if I do!" He tried to reason as Loki thought about that. What god could do that?
"AH! She's a goddess of beauty. She had a feud with the boy, that's all I can say! Please!" Loki frowned but nodded, stepping off of him as he groaned out louder as he held his crotch.
"Now…" Loki said before bringing out an intricate knife, causing Dionysus to crawl backwards up to a wall.
"Since Finn and the others ain't here, I gotta do this all personal" She said with a gleam in her lidded eyes.
Dionysus shrieked before a bright light enveloped him and he was sent back to Tenkai, the knife embedded into his chest before retracting.
"You brought this on yourself, Dionysus" Loki muttered as the body disappeared and was transferred into heaven to heal, never to return again.
=Dunonge, 11th floor=
Bell was staring at Ais after Revis had turned to dust in disbelief and confusion.
'Aria, Mother? What…?' He thought as he tried to sift through the information. Ais on the other hand had been lucky. The others had been too far away, even with their status to hear her.
The only reason Bell had was because he had intercepted Revis' escape attempt. Finn hadn't stopped him that time because he understood that the man had only wanted to stop her and wasn't going to interfere for real.
Now… Ais was looking at Bell with eyes of panic. Was he going to figure it out? Was he going to tell the others? She had no idea as the man in front of her was unknown to her. She had no idea who they were and the fact that they now knew something so personal was shifting something uncomfortable inside her.
Bell eventually shook his head and decided to contemplate how in Tenkai Aria could be Ais' mother, after all, that was the only thing Revis could have meant. She had been going on about Aria after all when talking with Ais.
Bell walked up to Ais and nodded at her.
"I won't pretend I didn't hear, but I promise that I won't tell" He reassured her before walking past, heading to Bache and Elora, the latter looking worse for the wear, which Bell didn't like… not at all.
Once he reached them, he nodded at the three.
"Let's get out of here" He said. He didn't want to stay longer than he had to. Freya could return at any moment and he didn't want a runin with her, no sir.
Elora and Bache nodded before the two ran towards the exit leading to the surface. Bell was about to do the same before he was stopped by a hand. He turned to Finn who looked at him questionably.
"Are you leaving?" He asked as Bell nodded.
"Unfortunately, this ordeal interrupted some business the three of us were handling. It's urgent so we don't have much time" Bell said. It was basically the truth before they left, the Assault on Rakia had intensified and Bell had decided to go a little early, so he was going home to get a good meal before heading off to Rakia. Bell wasn't a good liar, but he had no problem omitting one truth with another.
"I understand. I would like to personally thank you for your help in this matter. If there is anything we can do within our power…" He said, almost asking as Bell thought about it.
"... I'll save the favour for another time" Bell said before launching him away, Finn's level 7 status more than enough to see him running in the distance.
"That man… Why do I get a weird feeling with him?" Riveria asked as she walked up. Finn turned to her before his expression turned thoughtful.
"Perhaps it's because he's mysterious. You've always liked a good mystery to solve" Finn gave her as she shook her head and scoffed.
"Mysteries? What are you on about? They only give me headaches, just thinking about solving the mystery of that man hurts my head" She answered, causing Finn to chuckle, not having expected that response.
He had to agree though, the man was mysterious, so much so that the task of solving them all was daunting, even for him.
"Well, we can leave him be for a while. He did practically save us here today" Finn said as he smiled at Riveria. Gareth walked up to them as well and nodded at Finn.
"Aye, that we can" The three gazed into the direction of where Bell had disappeared into, wondering about the truth of that man.
=Western Mainstreet, Orario=
Elora and Bache had gone first, waiting outside Orario for him. Bell on the other hand had sensed a specific group of people nearby that he knew, and he wanted to check out how they were doing.
He walked towards the building where he had sensed them, peeking inside as he at least tried to stay quiet.
Inside was a group of people he had quickly recognized, alongside some pub workers. Once Bell had sensed them, he had figured that they had been inside the Hostess of Fertility when the lockdown started, which would force them to stay.
"When is this thing gonna be over?" He heard Welf complain as Bell smiled at the smith's words.
"Stop asking, anvil head! There is nothing we can do to know!" Lili screamed out, clearly frustrated.
"Stop fighting everyone! It isn't right!" Haruhime, always the peacekeeper.
"Haruhime-done is right, cease this at once!" And Mikoto, the one always following the rules.
"I am inclined to agree with Sanjouno-san on this one. It is better to wait until it's over" he heard Ryuu's voice.
"That's right! We nyad to wait for it to be safe, Nya!" Bell frowned, trying to place what she meant for a second, but understood somewhat what she wanted.
For a split second Bell felt a chill before he raised his hand and caught a fork right in front of his eyes, Ryuu's hand extended.
"Woah! Now that isn't nice" Bell muttered as he felt the glare of distrust seeping off of Ryuu
"Who are you and what's your business here?" She bluntly asked as Bell chuckled.
"Just checking on the situation. I heard some noise from here and decided to check it out. The crisis is over, so it's safe to leave if you want" He said, aiming the last words towards Welf.
Ryuu frowned as she inspected the man before a certain rumor came up in her head.
"Wait… are you the man from the rumors?" She asked as Bell tilted his head.
"Rumors?" He played dumb. He knew well the rumors that were spreading about him.
"The man helping a village outside Orario" She clarified before Bell nodded.
"That I am. I was requested by Braver to come and assist in the crisis" Bell smiled underneath his mask as he felt two admiring eyes aimed his way. He turned towards the two and he almost chuckled at the look they had on their faces.
"You're a Royal Executioner!" Haruhime exclaimed loudly.
"This armor! What a wonderful creation! It's intimidating but also strong and durable. Such a fine design as well, no openings, but provides mobility…" Mikoto muttered as she inspected the armor, Bell a little uncomfortable with her practically shoving her face into his chest to see the armor up close.
"Hey... no need to be so close" Bell chuckled as Mikoto seemed to realize what she was doing and backed up.
"Anyway, I only wanted to check up here so I'll take my leave" Bell said before turning around and walking down the steps, satisfied with having at least seen his old familia again.
"Wait!" He stopped before turning around, looking at Lili.
"Lili wonders… have you seen a white haired human boy with red eyes out there?" She asked as Bell thought about how to answer.
"That's quite a unique appearance for a human… can't say it rings any Bell's" He threw that last part in there with a smirk, Lili's eyes widening at the hidden meaning.
"You… You've met him…" She muttered as the others looked at her confused.
"Yes… you're clever for having spotted that" Bell said before he turned around.
"Like he said to my companions, I will relay the same message. He will return, but it might take a long time" Bell finished before finally taking his final leave, leaving the group a little disappointed but at least a little happy.
Bell quickly ran down the street once he was outside and quickly arrived by the gates, passing outside Orario and meeting back up with Bache and Elora.
"How did it go?" Elora asked. He peeked at her through his mask and smiled behind it as he took his place in between the two.
"As well as I could have expected. I can't reveal my identity for obvious reasons but… it was nice seeing them again" He finished, the smile serene and wide.
"Well, should we head back?" Bache asked as Elora nodded at the question.
"Yes, but I will leave shortly after for Rakia" Bell answered.
"Yes, we know… Just remember to be careful" Elora asked as Bell nodded.
"I will, I promise" He smiled as the three headed back towards Anfesera
=2 days later, Open roads=
Bell had been traveling towards Rakia since this morning and had already run into evidence of battles.
The lands had been charred and corpses had still laid on the fields. There were only about a dozen or so that hadn't been from Rakia, and considering the amount of the dead was spread across the fields, it had pretty much been a one sided massacre.
Bell had initially expected to be disgusted by the sight, but had quickly figured out that he had already seen something far worse. Flashes of the Ikelos Familia members he had slaughtered 3 years ago flushed through his mind at the thought as his eyes scanned the field.
This was the 3rd battlefield he had come across, and it seemed to have been the closest. Judging from the tents that had been ruined, this was a Rakian foothold to the east in order to protect them from pincer attacks from the enemy.
The fact that this place was in this condition only meant one thing. Rakia had been surrounded and the only thing that's keeping the Vikings from victory, was the walls.
But like all fortresses, nothing is impenetrable and if something isn't done, they will get inside.
Bell stood up after inspecting the small scene of the center of the battlefield before turning towards the direction of Rakia.
He picked up his pack, slung it over his shoulder before bursting forward, running across the field in seconds.
As he kept going, he slowed down when he spotted some evidence of past encampments. Probably the vikings when they had been marching.
'Hmm? Is that… warm?' He thought as he stopped completely in front of an extinguished campfire. It lacked smoke remnants from it's previous flame but…
Bell reached down and touched the ash, feeling his glove heat up.
'As I thought… maybe 2 hours old?' He concluded before his hearing picked something up. Bell wondered for a second how he hadn't noticed before but was that clashing of swords and… screams?
It was very quiet, so much so that it was basically a miracle he had heard it at all. If it weren't for Bell's senses as a level 5, he wouldn't have noticed at all.
Bell frowned as it was very hard to pinpoint its origin. It was echoing everywhere around him at it's extremely low volume so Bell used a trick he had learnt when he had to hunt for monsters for villages.
He closed his eyes and focused on the noise, forcing himself to only hear that specific one as he slowly turned his head in one direction.
The noise got quieter, although slightly. It was enough for him to notice so he turned in the opposite direction until the noise hit its peak. In volume.
He opened his eyes and-
'Figures, the battle is taking place near Rakia' Bell thought as he ran in the direction.
He had focused his hearing for the noise and pinpointed it's origin by tilting his head and determining where the noise was the loudest and which direction. Echoing makes it harder to pinpoint, but it will always be louder from where it's actually coming from than the other directions around you.
As he ran forward and jumped through small patches of trees and bushes, he eventually stopped as he came to stare at Rakia's massive walled city. Orario was much larger, but it was still very large in size because the houses are more spaced, and because there is a massive castle at the center.
Bell's gaze turned down as before he saw what he was looking for. There were a decently large group of men wearing furs and fought with twin axes, swords or hammers. They almost looked primitive compared to the fully plated soldiers of Rakia, but it was clear they had the advantage.
The Rakian soldiers were being pushed back and the screams were practically coming from just them. From the movements from the Vikings, Bell guessed they were level 3's mainly but…
His gaze latched onto a certain one that was decimating the Rakian lines. Bell figured from the movements, Level 4. Bell shook his head after counting the amounts of vikings.
This wouldn't be too hard. They numbered around 30, which was ridiculous with all of them being level 3 or above, but Bell knew these were most likely only one group. There was an entire army out there which was what Bell was after… after talking with Ares.
Bell rushed forward and pulled out his daggers, this was going to be close quarters with enemies on all sides. Speed was the biggest advantage one could have here, and daggers were made for that exact purpose. Speed over power.
One of the Vikings spotted him and screamed out in a howl and launched himself forward to Bell, expecting him to be another weakling, but Bell's knife completely blocked the mans warhammer before Bell leaned back under his arm and kicks the man, sending him tumbling to the ground before he embedded his knives in his knees before retrieving them.
By now, the others had noticed their fallen comrade and split their focus, allowing the Rakian soldiers to somewhat breathe.
Bell moved to fight but his ankle was grabbed, causing him to turn around. The viking on the ground was grinning before he opened his mouth.
"Should have killed me. Now feel the might of Thor!" Bell moved to slice his wrists but the enemies had surrounded him and quickly moved in to smash Bell into the ground.
"Firebolt!" His magic flew up into the sky, causing the others to hesitate before Bell twisted the man's wrist with his foot before kicking him hard in the skull, knocking him out.
As one axe went for Bell's neck, his knife deflected it before he slid under another waraxe, sending his knife past the guts of one viking, cutting through it as the man fell to the ground.
Bell slid on the ground, leaning back as a sword flew past his face before getting back up and kicking the viking in the face, sending him back into more of the men, knocking multiple of them out.
He quickly shifted his focus on the incoming projectile behind him and deflected it before spinning and kicking it back, sending it through the shoulder of the viking that had thrown it.
"Stop!" Everyone stopped as the man Bell had seen before walked up to him.
"He's mine, focus on the Rakians" The viking said as the rest nodded before turning around and reassessing their assault.
The viking walked up to Bell and grinned before putting a finger on Bell's head.
"You are a fool, you're so tiny I could snap you in half" He breathed out disgustingly as Bell almost puked at the smell of his breath. The viking was actually really large and Bell wondered for a second what kind of race he was. He was like a giant.
His massive paws landed on Bell's shoulder and put down pressure.
"Guh?" He grunted as he noticed nothing was happening. Bell sighed before putting one hand on his massive paws and squeezed just enough to send pain through the man.
Bell's eyes opened just in time to see the man flinch before his glare intensified. He squeezed harder before pushing him down to his knees before hitting him hard in his face using scourge.
Bell almost felt sorry for him when he felt his fist break the man's nose and shatter multiple teeth. He most likely crushed his eye as well. The next moment, the man flew back through the enemy lines and rolled on the ground before stopping right in front of the Rakian soldiers.
Everyone turned back to him in time to witness his glare sifting through all the vikings before he calmly walked forward before disappearing out of their sights.
One second, everything was fine for one viking, the next, they and multiple of their comrades were sent flying, pummeled into the ground or sliced into a world of pain.
The Rakian soldiers just stared in awe as Bell mowed through the vikings, reducing their numbers.
In the matter of a minute since Bell's arrival at the battle, there were only 6 vikings left, none higher than level 3 and they weren't long for the world of the conscious as Bell pressed two of their head into each other as a crack was heard before he threw each of them into two others, knocking them out as well.
Just like that, only 2 remained and they were sandwiched between Bell and the Rakian army.
Bell sighed before taking out his spear and walking towards them. The men were saying something in a language he didn't understand, probably norse.
He leaned down before rushing forward before inspecting how he held the spear and moved it.
'Was this how Finn did it?' he questioned as he imitated what he had seen in Orario. It somehow… felt off to Bell as his attack sliced close to the heart of one of them and cut off the wrist of the other.
'Maybe… this style isn't focused on battling people… but monsters? Should I modify it?' He thought as he inspected the spear before lifting his hand up and smashing the viking that had lost a wrist in the gut he hunched over before Bell pushed his hand up, cracking his chin before landing on the ground with stars in his eyes.
Bell was thinking about the technique he used so much that he didn't notice the blades pointed at him before they were inches away. He raised an eyebrow under the mask as he looked at the fear clear in the soldiers eyes.
"What? I just helped you guys, why are you aiming your swords at me?" Bell asked as they all relaxed and lowered their weapons.
The man Bell guessed was the leader of this particular group walked forward with a smile.
"I Thank you stranger. Those damn vikings wouldn't let up. My name is Hendricks, what's yours?" He said as he offered his hand.
'Not what I expected from a Rakian… through Welf is Rakian too so they definitely could be good people' Bell thought before taking it.
"I go by no name. I'm merely a Royal Executioner under the employ of Asuka Yume" Bell bowed his head slightly in greeting as the captain did the same.
"It's an honor to meet you. If I may ask, why is a Royal Executioner doing so far from home? Don't you all stay close to the Far East in order to quickly respond to calls?" He asked as Bell shrugged.
"Call me a unique case" Bell said as Hendricks nodded.
"I'll take your word for it. What is your purpose here?" he asked as Bell told him the truth
"I came here partially to help, and partially to seek a great feat" Bell's truthful words made Hendricks trust him a little and nodded.
"Then let me bring you to Ares-sama. He would love to meet a fine warrior of your calibre himself" Bell nodded as he followed the man back around and inside the gates. The city wasn't tightly packed, just like Bell thought but it was clear that the population difference was quite large.
Eventually they made their way up a large step of stairs before they entered the castle at the center. Hendricks led Bell through the Halls before knocking on a door.
"Come in" He heard an exasperated sigh that was slightly masked underneath someone else's booming voice. He heard Hendricks sigh in exasperation as Bell wondered what got him so down all of a sudden.
"Not again…" He heard him mutter before finally opening the door. The moment it was open, Bell instantly understood why Hendricks was sighing.
"What do you mean we can't just beat them! Just go out there and wack them some! We just need muscles!" Bell instantly sighed. He had gotten a glimpse of Ares before but he hadn't realized he was such a muscle head.
Seriously, was there no logic in that head? Just from a second of hearing him talk Bell already had gotten a headache and he knew this was going to be a long trip if he had to deal with that.
"Ares-sama" Hendricks said after clearing his voice, causing Ares to turn to him and grin.
"Hendricks! You were successful! What did I tell you? You just had to pummel them some, huh?" Bell frowned in confusion of the gods logic before Hendricks shook his head.
"No, we were actually losing until...He… stepped in" He pointed at Bell as Ares turned to the person he hadn't noticed before.
He stood up straight and looked Bell up and down.
"You're a warrior… strong too. A little skinny, but definitely strong. Alright, I like him!" His sentences had been normal until that last line where his voice boomed again.
"Now, why have you helped us?" Ares boomed as Bell internally groaned at him to shut up.
"Came to find a great feat. There is practically nothing outside Orario that can challenge me so I came here after hearing of the army of vikings" Bell said truthfully as Ares laughed loudly.
"Ah! A kindred spirit I see! You want to fight an army? Well, I have no problem with that! How about this, if you take out the army, I will pay you a fortune" Bell tilted his head at that
"Fortune?" He asked as Ares looked at his advisor he had been talking to earlier for help.
"We can pay you a billion Valis. We are desperate" Bell's eyes bulged at the number. They were beyond desperate if they could pay him a billion valis! That should be the national fund for 2 years in total!
"Alright, I will do it. We just need to lure them together" Bell said as he saw the advisor smile in appreciation of someone actually thinking clearly.
"I agree… but getting them to do that would be difficult. The only way I can think of is to weaken a part of the wall as incentive" The advisor said before Bell shook his head.
"No… that would be too obvious for them. It would only end with them sending in the strongest to break the wall, That would leave too many stragglers" Bell said before he thought of something.
"Do you have the locations of their camps?" he asked as the advisor nodded before stepping to the side, revealing a war map of the surrounding areas with markings on the map.
"The camps are surrounding us from all directions at this point. The camps south of here were the camps that just attacked. They hadn't established much yet so they were few in number. The most prominent is the north west camps since they are close to the shore that leads to their homeland, Grœnnheim" Bell nodded.
"Alright, I take it that's the main camp then" Bell asked as the advisor nodded.
"Good. I will start to clear out the smaller camps to dwindle their numbers and remove strategic footholds they have. That should make them desperate and likely to try to turn things around with their superior attacking force with one, large frontal assault" Bell suggested. He was mentally praising himself for sitting and reading the books about strategic warfare he had collected on his journey.
Maybe he should read more, after all, knowledge is power or so he has heard… from somewhere which he doesn't remember.
"Hmm… that could work" The advisor said after he had contemplated Bell's suggestion.
"Are you sure you can do it?" he asked as Bell nodded.
"Yes, the strongest of them is level 5. I am the same level so the others shouldn't be too dangerous unless there are too many of them. That is saved for the last battle. I do want a challenge after all" Bell said as the Advisor nodded before turning to Hendricks.
"Hendricks, could you prepare for a large-scale battle?" Hendricks nodded and left before Bell nodded at the Advisor.
"Is there anywhere I can rest before tomorrow? I want to be well rested before I begin" Bell asked before the advisor gave him a map of the castle and marked a free room.
Bell thanked him before passing a very confused Ares before heading off. Once inside the room, he quickly put down his pack and large weapons before jumping into Bed. He had long learnt to sleep with the armor on and he still didn't one hundred percent trust them.
He closed his eyes as the dreams slowly started to claim him. The last thoughts on his mind being of his beloved family.
That's chapter 22! I hope you enjoyed. It's been a running theme these last few chapters that I haven't had anything to say, so I'll just say that I hope you enjoyed and see you next time!