Days goes on as the Kaisers released the people that they had captured, but amongst the numbers there are a few who haven't been seen since.
Orario is now repopulated, but the numbers were only 82% of the original numbers, and no one could complain because of the Kaisers being in charge of the guild and the city.
Things were slowly going back to normal for the people in Orario who now has to live with Hell Knights guarding and patrolling every corner of the city, and the Underworld Castle that remains floating ominously above their heads.
At one street area, Riveria can be found walking a bit solemnly by herself as she is heading straight for the guild.
The high elf had left her Familia as she is staying at a random inn for the remaining time, only coming out to have a meal and come back early if Lefiya and the other elves came to try to get her back through various reasonings that she rejects.
Riveria arrives at the street by the guild and sees adventurers going in and out of the building that is now guarded by numerous Hell Knights.
"at least Orario is peaceful as it was in the past." Riveria whispered as she began walking up the stairs and go for the guild's front door but was stopped in her place by two Hell Knights that crossed their spear to block the high elf. "wha?"
"Riveria Ljos Alf of the Loki Familia, you are no longer permitted to enter the guild." One of the Hell Knights spoke in its robotic voice.
"w-what? why?" Riveria asked a bit taken back while a few adventurers near her look at the high elf a bit surprised.
"You are a member of the Loki Familia that has been stripped of their rank and privileges by the Kaiser Familia." The other Hell Knight replied before pointing to the side. "if you wish to venture into the Dungeon, you must go to your permitted and designated office for the permission. That is all"
Riveria looks at where the Hell Knight is pointing, and she looks in surprise to see that near the guild is a worn— and run-down wooden stand that is being watched over by Royman who looks sad and depressed.
"Royman…?" Riveria whispers before she walks away from the guild and approached Royman's stand as the fat elf saw her coming.
"G-Good morning, Riveria-sama." Royman greeted a bit softly. "are you going to the dungeon?"
"Royman… what are you doing here?" Riveria asked in confusion to see the guild chief working outside and in such a poor working station. "why are you here?"
"t-that's…." Royman spoke before he looks down with a frown. "I have been fired from my position as the guild chief."
"eh?" Riveria looks surprised as Royman just nods to confirm her of what she had heard from him.
"Ouranos-sama gave an order for the guild to fully comply with the Kaiser's orders." Royman stated. "with the guild only having power with the citizens' help….the order of power was taken by the Kaisers."
"then that means everything that is going on right now is because the Kaisers have commanded it to be done, is it?" Riveria said as Royman nodded to reply. She frowns while looking down. "this is getting worse by the day…"
Soon, a screaming shout was heard as Riveria with Royman and a few other bystanders turns to see a group of adventurers getting kicked out of the guild by the Hell Knights before being arrested and taken away.
"another group…" 'this makes it the 16th today, right?' "well those guys are gruff and rough adventurers, right?" "the Kaisers are so damn scary..i don't think I ever want to be an adventurer with them around." The crowds chattered in whispers as they all watch the Hell Knights taking away the arrested adventurers.
'no one can ever soothe their rage…' Riveria thought with a sad expression on her face as she sees how some people in the area were looking in fear at the Hell Knights. She then looks to the front and sighs a bit softly. 'is this why karma the worse feeling ever to be felt?'
The high elf then looks up and frowns sadly to the sight of the Underworld Castle that is hovering in the sky above.
In the Underworld Castle, the Kaisers were sitting upon their Thrones in the dark chamber as they are overseeing Orario from their large black sand model that shows moving small models of Hell Knights and people.
"What is the current situation?" Zagreus spoke out as he sat with his arms crossed on his chest.
"dozens of people from Orario left the city a few days back but they were all caught by the Hell Knights after we found out that they were black merchants in disguise, they're in prison right now." Makaria said while having a paper floating upon her hand. "the guild is steadily doing its work with the adventurers going into the dungeon, Demeter Familia are doing well in their activities while under the Hell Knights' guard, and most of the other news are the same as yesterday."
"What about that bitch and her maggots?" Polemos said as he leans against his seat while cracking his knuckles a few times. "they plan on doing something that will get their limbs ripped off by us?"
"as far as we can see, they are a no show after what you did to that cat brat." Melinoe replied to the Arc Kaiser while waving a hand to the side before turning to look to the side. "they're hiding right now in their underground hideout somewhere."
"so she lingers around like some sort of worm, huh?" Thalia said while tapping her Saint Cross' bottom on the floor a few times. "how fitting for such an ugly bitch."
"so? Should we leave them be?" Ploutos stated as he snaps his fingers, and the black sand model shifts then make form of an area of Orario's southeast area. "or flush them out and give them more pain?"
"the latter." Zagreus stated as the other Kaisers looks at him and sees that his eyes were glowing under his helmet. "for what she has done to one of our own….there can never be forgiveness or mercy for the likes of her."
Zagreus raises his right hand and did a loud finger snap that echoed in the chamber that rumbles.
all the Kaisers instantly disappeared in a blur before reappearing in the Lounging room's center table where they all are situated upon their seats.
"Polemos, and Melinoe. You two go and teach that bitch and her brats that anyone who dares enrages us won't ever find peace till death comes." Zagreus said while turning his head slightly towards the two Kaisers. "I want her to feel nothing more than disgrace, humiliation, and pure frustration."
"got it." the Arc and Blade Kaisers nodding their heads in sync.
"Makaria, survey the works of the guild." Zagreus turns towards the Mage Kaiser. "I want more information over the last 15 years that we have missed. If they don't have everything, interrogate Hermes and his maggot brats about it. they are sure to know something."
"already on it." Makaria said while crossing her arms under her chest. "I'm almost done milking him of everything that he knows."
"He must know a lot if it's taking you this long to fully get into that stinking brain of his." Ploutos spoke in while leaning against his seat and folding his arms behind his head. He then looks at Zagreus. "so? what about me and Thalia, Zagreus?"
"You go to Hephaestus' place and give her this." Zagreus said as he held up his right hand and a sealed enveloped letter appears in his grasp that he soon throws to Ploutos who catches it. "afterwards join Thalia to meet Demeter. Check on her and ensure that she and her Familia are protected as we had promised."
"You believe that Evilus will try to get to her again?" Thalia asked Zagreus who nods. "how?"
"I just know it." Zagreus said as his helmet expands and detaches to reveal his eyes that were glowing very menacingly. "Evil gods have the tendency to repeat their mistakes after all."
The other Kaisers look at Zagreus as his eyes just glows non stop before they dimmed and the Bloody Kaiser turns his head to the side.
"Bell is coming." Zagreus said as he stood up from his seat. "do as you are ordered to do and ensure that it is done." He then hardens his gaze. "do not repeat mistakes."
"understood." The Kaisers replied in unison before they all stood up from their seats then went their separate ways.
The Kaisers minus Zagreus left the Lounging room as the Bloody Kaiser began to walk to one of the 8 doorways in the area. He went near and snaps his fingers to make the door swing open.
Zagreus walks through as he finds Bell coming towards him.
"Dad" Bell called out to his father before he hastens his pace and stands before him.
"What is it, Bell?" Zagreus asked while looking down at his son. "you need something?"
"no" Bell replied while shaking his head once. "I want to ask you something."
"What is it?" Zagreus asks.
"the thing is…" Bell spoke before he looks a bit nervous and unsure. "it's…" he began scratching the back of his head. "I don't know if it was real or I was just imagining things… but… i.."
Zagreus looks at his son for a moment before his eyes glows for a second time and then dims.
"you saw your mother's ghost?" Zagreus spoke as Bell looks at his father a bit surprised. "is that what you wish to speak to me about?"
"w-well… i…" Bell muttered as he looks down with a frown. "you must be thinking that I was just imagining things… right?"
"no. I do not." Zagreus stated before he turns his head to the side and smiles a bit as Meteria's spirit appears floating behind Bell. "I am very sure that your mother appeared before you on purpose."
"what?" Bell looks at his father confused before he turns to where he is looking and sees nothing. 'eh?' he then turns back to look at Zagreus. "what were you looking, dad?"
"nothing." Zagreus replied while patting his son's head a few times. "just thought I saw your mother beside you for a moment."
Bell looks at his father a bit confused for a moment before he nods.
"is that all you wish to converse with me?" Zagreus asked as Bell thought about it for a moment before he looks down.
"I've been… I've been thinking about my Familia…" Bell spoke out softly. 'I'm still mad that they couldn't trust me but I understand that they did it for a good purpose.' He then looks up at his father. "i… I think… I think I want to meet them and… I want to give them a second chance."
Zagreus looks at his son for a moment before he crosses his arms on his chest.
"what made you so sure that this is what you wish to do?" Zagreus asked while raising an eyebrow. "have you thought about their actions clearly?"
"I thought about what happened that day and…" Bell spoke out while looking down as he looks back at the time of his Familia's harsh betrayal on his trust. "what they did was the right thing. I am childish and I would've gotten into a lot of trouble if my Goddess and my friends hadn't kept the skill a secret from me. therefore, i.."
"is that really what you think you want to do, Bell?" Zagreus asked him. "forgiving them is one thing but rejoining them after what they have done to you? do you really want to forgive those people after betraying you?"
"i.." Bell muttered as he looks down for a moment and then to his father. 'I believe that is what I want to do. I want to forgive them. I mean I'm still angry after what they did but..' he then looks down while holding his left arm with his right hand. "I don't think I want to keep on being angry."
"is your decision true to your heart?" Zagreus asked. "did you decide this on your own feelings? Or on a whim?"
"it's…" Bell spoke before he nodded. "it's based on by my own feelings. I believe I should forgive them and give them a second chance."
Zagreus looks at Bell for a moment before he closed his eyes and slowly nods his head.
"very well, if that is your choice." Zagreus said as he uncrossed his arms. 'for now head back to your room and wait till I come to fetch you. We'll go to your Home once I have finished some of the tasks that I have to complete today. I also want you to rethink if this is the decision that you want to go with' he then placed a hand to his son's right shoulder. "this decision of yours is of your own doing and if you return to the Hestia who might betray you again in the future…"
"I know, dad. But this is what I really want to do." Bell said with a nod before he gets a few head pats by his father.
"just make sure that this is really what you want to do, alright?" Zagreus stated. "your heart is already hurt once, I doubt that it can withstand another betrayal a second time."
Bell nods again as Zagreus nods back in return.
Afterward, Bell began heading back to his room while Zagreus remains standing and watching his son leave.
Zagreus watches his son and when he is gone from sight and hearing range, he turns and glance to the side.
"did you talk him into doing it?" Zagreus spoke out as Meteria's spirit appears floating beside him. "getting him to forgive the people who had betrayed him very harshly?"
Meteria shakes her head and speaks in her multiple echoing yet whispering voice to the Kaiser for a moment and then floats near while holding his right hand.
"just because they were his friends, doesn't mean that they should be forgiven," Zagreus stated while looking away, but Meteria reaches her hand to his face and gently make him look in her direction.
Meteria speaks out to Zagreus once more while placing a hand on his chest.
Zagreus listens to her voice before he closed his eyes and sighs.
"very well, if you believe that this will help him stay strong." Zagreus said in a small voice before he turns to look at Meteria. "but if they betray him one more time…."
The white spirit nods her head before speaking to Zagreus once more and then leans close to him.
Zagreus leans close to the spirit as he gently circles an arm around her before letting go as she floats away and disappears.
"only with Kindness can the heart be healed, huh?" Zagreus said as he looks to where Meteria's spirit disappeared to before he looks down to his right arm as his Halo Ring's ruby gem is glowing repeatedly because of a call from another Kaiser.
Zagreus holds his right hand up to his chest and taps the red gem that began to glow green.
"Zagreus, this is Makaria. I just made a quick interrogation of the dirtbag god and he coughed out some info regarding Evilus' activities in the Dungeon for this entire month." Makaria said in the call as a hologram screen appears flashing from the Halo Ring and in front of Zagreus' face. The screen shows a 3D map of the Dungeon that goes from the 1st floor to the 20th floor and a few floor levels are showing red dots that flickers. "There are several hotspots of their activities at those floor levels. Think you can go and check on them?"
"from the 10th floor to the 18th floor, huh?" Zagreus said in checking where the markers are at. 'I see' his helmet soon reforms upon his head and his eyes glow under the visor. "I got it."
The call was cut off as Zagreus's helmet reforms upon his head and the Kaiser disappears in a black blur.
Within the Dungeon and on the 10th floor, the members of the Hestia Familia's party can be found venturing into the labyrinth as they needed to do some adventuring activities in order to pay their taxes.
The party is a bit silent as their mood isn't that good because of the lack of their rabbit captain who is not with them.
"this feels… off." Welf said in a soft voice that got the others nodding in agreement.
"without Bell-sama… our party doesn't feel the same." Haruhime whispers while having a sad frown and her fox ears drooped down.
"perhaps… if we had trusted him more.." Mikoto said while looking down.
"Lili don't think that is a good idea." Lili stated. "everyone knows how Bell-sama's personality works. If Hestia-sama had told him of his secret skill…" she frowns. "I doubt we would still have Bell-sama in the past."
"I guess….Lil Lili got a point." Welf said while slowly nodding.
The group continues going into the Dungeon as they plan to reach the 10th floor to start their subjugation of monsters and everything.
But as they arrived upon the 14th floor, they stopped because they find Aiz, Tione, Tiona, and Lefiya killing monsters that came swarming at them.
"isn't that?" Welf spoke as he blinks his eyes twice. "the Loki Familia…"
"they're really going at it against the monsters." Mikoto said, noting how fast and brutal the group was killing the monsters spawning near them.
"Lili believes that they are doing so because of the rise in taxes for their Familia." Lili stated. "the Kaisers have removed their Familia's rank and privileges, remember?"
"this must mean that they must work more harder to collect money… right?" Haruhime said as Lili nodded.
"let's just go and pass them." Welf said while adjusting his hold on his great sword. "we've got to collect more magic crystals and money for our Familia too, remember?"
The others nodded and continued their travel into the Dungeon.
Aiz and her party are killing the monsters that the Dungeon spawn. They killed them one by one and collect the magic crystals and drop items.
"that should be enough, right?" Tiona said as she swings her Urga to the side after she finished killing a Hard Armored that disappears into black ash.
"yeah, that should be enough for today." Tione stated while putting away her Kukri Knives and turning towards her other comrades. "Lefiya"
"Yes!" Lefiya responded as she is in the middle of collecting the magic crystals and drop items on the floor into a sack. "Please give me a minute!"
Aiz is on another side as she swings her Desperate side to side before sheathing it away after she finished killing several Imps.
The Sword Princess is looking a bit solemnly expressionless as she seems to be thinking of something else that was noticed by Tione and the others.
"Aiz is still thinking about what Riveria had said, right?" Tiona said to Tione who nodded.
"even I would be thinking much on what she said that day." Tione stated as she crosses her arms under her chest while cupping her chin. "I still can't believe that Bell Cranel is the child of Zagreus Kaiser.."
"yeah." Tiona nodded while folding her hands behind her head with her Urga. "I can't believe that Argonaut-kun is the son of a Kaiser and no one ever knew…."
"I believe that may not be true, Tiona-san." Lefiya said while hoisting up the sack of magic crystal and drop items. 'maybe that was pure theoretical thinking from Riveria-sama.' She then frowns a bit. "she was crying and angry… maybe it was just in the heat of moment that…"
Tione and Tiona look at Lefiya with a frown before to each other and then back at their elven companion.
"Riveria still won't come back?" Tiona asked Lefiya who shakes her head in response. "I see…"
"she must be really serious in leaving the Familia, isn't she?" Tione spoke while frowning before she scratches the side of her head with a little frustrated expression formed on her face. "ah damnit! I just don't get what is going on here! First the Kaisers come back, they attack our Familia and the Freyja Familia, and then we learn that Bell Cranel is Zagreus Kaiser's son, after that Riveria leaves the Familia for some reason and doesn't want to come back after that we got treated like trash by other adventurers and at the guild too! just what the heck is going on?!"
"beats me" Tiona said as she couldn't understand the whole situation.
"isn't that….?" Lefiya spoke out as she looks to the side and Tione with Tiona looks at where she is looking and the three sees Welf and the others passing by.
"The Hestia Familia." Tiona spoke out as Aiz heard her and she turns to look at the small party passing by.
"They don't have Bell Cranel with them right now?" Tione said in seeing how the usual party of the Familia would have the rabbit man in them. "he didn't come?"
Before they could blink, they see Aiz running towards the group.
"wha!? Aiz-san?!" Lefiya exclaimed in surprise.
Aiz runs towards the Hestia Familia who saw her coming and looks a bit surprised.
"S-Sword Princess-dono?" Mikoto spoke out as Aiz stops near them.
"Where is Bell?" Aiz instantly asked as she looks around and then to the group. "is he not with you?"
"w-why you want to ask about Bell-sama?" Lili said as she calmed her expression a bit before facing Aiz with a firm face.
"i…" Aiz spoke out before she pause and looks down. "I need to ask him something. Something important."
"important?" Welf said with a bit confused face before he realized what Aiz might be asking and firmed his face. "is it regarding the Kaisers?"
Aiz looks at Welf before she slowly nods.
Her response made the Hestia Familia's members look at one another for a minute before they turn towards Aiz and shakes their head in response.
"we're sorry, but Bell isn't in with our Familia right now." Welf said with a serious face.
"he's not?" Aiz asked confused before she turns to the side as Tione and the others came to them.
"Aiz! You can't just run like that!" Tiona exclaimed as they stand near the Sword Princess. "what was with the rush?"
"i… I needed to ask them something." Aiz said in reply before she turns toward the Hestia Familia members. "I need to ask them if Bell is really the son of Zagreus Kaiser."
"You know about that?" Haruhime said with a rather surprised face.
"wait what?" Tione stated. "are you guys saying that Bell Cranel really is the son of Zagreus Kaiser?"
The Hestia Familia look at each other one more time before to Tione and slowly nodded their heads.
"wow! He really is!?" Tiona said in surprise. "that's like a damn bomb!"
"he is the son of a Kaiser…." Lefiya whispers before she cups her chin and looks down while pondering in her mind. "then that means…"
"Would that mean… he's growing fast because he's the son of a Kaiser?" Aiz said as she looks at the Hestia Familia with desperate eyes. "do you know how is it possible for him to grow so fast?"
"We cannot tell you that." Lili stated with a firm tone. "that is something we cannot share outside of our Familia."
"Please, I need to know." Aiz said. "I need to know how Bell is growing so fast. I need to know."
"why do you need to know?" Haruhime asked. "you're already a level 6 while Bell-sama is merely a level 4."
"i…" Aiz spoke out and was about to reply when the group felt an immense level of power coming from out of nowhere.
"t-this is!?" Mikoto said in shock as everyone felt a heavy pressure pushing down on their body. "w-what power!"
"w-who!?" Tiona exclaimed. "who could be?!"
Echoing metallic footsteps were soon heard from one of the many pathways of the Dungeon as the Hestia and Loki Familia's group turn towards it.
"w-who?" Haruhime stuttered as she felt very scared from sensing the ominous power that is unleashed from out of nowhere.
"t-this sensation….it's…" Lili whispers while shaking in fear.
The group soon sees a pair of glowing red and blue eyes from the shadow where Zagreus appears.
"Z-Zagreus… Kaiser…?!" Lefiya stuttered in fear to coincidentally meet the most powerful Kaiser in the Dungeon.
Zagreus walks towards the group as he is just silent while taking each step.
The two groups stopped and just stayed silent as Zagreus came and walk pass them like he was treating them as if they were not even there.
As the Kaiser slowly gets away from the group, Aiz snapped out of her surprised trance and turns toward Zagreus.
"wait!" Aiz cried out as Zagreus stops in his track and turns his head to the side to see the Sword Princess facing him. "are you… are you really Bell's father..?"
"if I was?" Zagreus said as his eyes glows under his helmet's visor. "What is it to you?"
Everyone could feel the air getting cold and pressurizing because Zagreus stares at Aiz and the others with his glowing eyes that were very menacing.
"i.." Aiz spoke out but pauses and bit her lips because she felt very nervous from Zagreus' power that is unlike anything she has ever felt before. "i…"
Zagreus looks at Aiz for a moment before he turns his head to look front.
"it's useless." Zagreus spoke out as he began walking once again. "I have told you before that you won't ever get strong nor will you ever be able to defeat that monster. You are weak."
Aiz's eyes widen to hear his words as she hardens and grips her fists while taking a step forward.
"i!" Aiz exclaimed loudly but stops when Zagreus suddenly appears before her. "ah!?"
Zagreus looks down at Aiz whose neck he grabs with his right hand before proceeding to lift her off the ground.
"A-Aiz-san!" Lefiya cried out before she squeaks in fear because of a dreadful aura that is being unleashed by Zagreus.
'this is beyond strong!' Tiona thought as her body began to tremble and shake along with the others. The amazon couldn't speak nor move at all. 'h-he's way too strong!'
'h-he's a m-monster!' Tione spoke in her mind that is just being override by dozens of thoughts that told her to flee.
Aiz gasped while her body shakes and trembles as she is directly facing against the Kaiser's powerful might.
Zagreus glares directly at Aiz's eyes for a moment before he drops Aiz to the ground. The Sword Princess' eyes were wide as saucers while her pupils were shaking, and her face flushed with sweat dripping down to the ground.
"if you continue to tremble before my might." Zagreus said as he slowly lowers his hand and stares at Aiz with his eyes that glows even more menacing. 'What makes you believe that you can stand a chance against the Black Dragon?' he turns and began walking once again. "learn your place, little brat."
Zagreus walks deeper into the shadows and disappear.
Once the Kaiser is gone, everyone fell to their knees and began to take deep breathes.
"h-he's incredibly strong." Mikoto gasps while looking terrified. "he's incredibly strong unlike anyone!"
"and he just said…." Welf gasp as he wipes off some sweat on his cheeks. "the Sword Princess doesn't stand a chance against the Black Dragon!?"
"the Kaisers are all monsters…" Lili whispers while still shaking in fear. "but… but Zagreus Kaiser is…."
"a monster beyond monsters." Haruhime added in with a completely terrified look on her face.
The two Familias felt that no one can ever stand a chance against the Kaisers, especially Zagreus Kaiser who had just shown the group the gap of their level and power.
"A-Aiz-san…" Lefiya calls out to the Sword Princess. "a-are you a-alright?"
't-too… strong.' Aiz thought as she looks at the ground and at her shaking yet trembling hands. 'h-he's too strong.'
Aiz gritted her teeth while gripping her hands upon the dirt. A feeling frustration and desperation washing over her soul that has its desire thwarted.
At Orario, the day is going on as normal as possible for the city of the Dungeon.
In the eastern part of the city, Hestia is seen walking at the street as the goddess of hearth is currently heading for the Hephaestus Familia's main Home.
'Hephaestus managed to talk things with the Kaisers who did as she had asked…' Hestia thought as she walks to a corner of the street and looks up to a large building that has a sign of the Hephaestus Familia's emblem hanged above. 'this would mean that Hephaestus can help us get Bell-kun back.'
Hestia began walking straight for the Home as she is determined to ask Hephaestus' help to get Bell back to her Familia.
The Goddess of Smith, Hephaestus is currently in her office, doing paperwork of her Familia's work, income, and taxes.
"That should be the last of it…" Hephaestus said as she signs a paper and then puts it away before sighing. she placed away her quill pen to an ink bottle before she pushes back her chair and then stretches her arms. 'so much work after the Kaisers began controlling Orario….' She sighs tiredly once again before patting her right shoulder a few times with her left fist a few times. "I can already feel the old tiring pain resurfacing."
Hephaestus stretches a few times before she screams in surprise when the door to her office room gets slammed open by Hestia.
"Hephaestus! I need your help!" Hestia exclaimed.
"H-Hestia!?" Hephaestus said in surprise before she sees Hestia going to her table and then did a bow.
"Hephaestus! Please! Please tell the Kaisers that me and my Familia wants to apologize to Bell-kun!" Hestia said as she bowed even more before her posture became a dogeza. "I know that we did him wrong! But we want to apologize to him for how long we have betrayed him! please! Please, Hephaestus!"
Hestia dogeza towards Hephaestus who looks at the goddess of hearth for a moment before she closed her eye and sighs.
"I can't, Hestia." Hephaestus spoke out. "I can't ask such a thing to the Kaisers."
"eh?!" Hestia looks up to the red haired goddess in surprise. "but why not?! You were able to convince them to let Ouka-kun and many others to be freed, right?! Why can't you ask them to let us apologize to Bell-kun?!"
"It's because Bell is Zagreus' son." Hephaestus said while opening her one eye as she leans back against her seat and crosses her arms under her chest. "Hestia, listen to me. the Kaisers operate in a very simple manner." She raise a hand with two fingers outstretched. "one, they go into action when Orario is in peril and secondly, they make decisions based on their interest and that of the city. just that." She re-crosses her arms. "trying to convince them to let free of Ouka and other innocent people is one thing, but convincing them to let one of their own family members be away from their own protection? That's something impossible to ask from them."
"eh?" Hestia looks confuse as she couldn't understand what Hephaestus is saying.
"long story short." Hephaestus spoke out after sighing. "you and your Familia can only meet Bell if he wants to meet you. If he doesn't want to meet you, the Kaisers won't allow anyone to meet him." she uncrosses her arms and then adjusts her eyepatch. "even I wasn't able to meet him when me and Tsubaki went to the Underworld Castle last time."
"You went to their Home!?" Hestia said in surprise. "How!?"
"I have my ways." Hephaestus replied while waving a hand to the side. "and I won't tell you how."
"please, Hephaestus!" Hestia begs as she leans her head down to the floor for her Dogeza. "please let me meet the Kaisers! I want to ask them to let me, and my Familia meet Bell-kun! Please!"
"I told you before that I can't, remember?" Hephaestus said while placing a hand to her forehead and shakes it side to side once. "and for the record, Bell left your Familia because of you betraying him, right?"
"t-that's… "Hestia spoke out, but she couldn't say anything else as the guilt returns.
"I know that boy is kind, straightforward, brave, yet shy at some point. But he has just been betrayed by the familia that he loves and care." Hephaestus stated with a serious face. "Hestia, what makes you think that your Familia can just ask forgiveness from him after what you've all done? Did you believe that Bell would just forgive you because he is kind? Did you believe that the Kaiser would allow it at all?"
"that's… i…" Hestia muttered as she began to tear up. "i! I just want to apologize to him! i!"
"You just want him back so that things could go as it used to be." Hephaestus stated sternly. 'your desire is a selfish desire, Hestia. Proposing such a desire towards the Kaisers, you will be given nothing but rejection as an answer.' She then turns her chair to face sideway. "I'm sorry, Hestia. But there is nothing that I can do to help you."
"please, Hephaestus!" Hestia cried out. "there must be something that you can do! Please! I'm begging you!"
"a selfish goddess' crying plea sure is annoying." Ploutos' voice spoke out from nowhere as this surprises Hestia. "well, goddesses alike with you sure are pathetic no matter how many we've met."
"this voice..!" Hestia spoke out as she looks up and become surprised when Ploutos appears standing before her. "P-PLOUTOS KAISER?!"
"yo." Ploutos greeted as he stands before Hestia while having his arms crossed on his chest. "its been a while."
"didn't bother knocking as always?" Hephaestus said with a smile while sighing.
"since when we Kaisers have ever bothered knocking?" Ploutos replied while turning his head to look at the goddess and shows a smirk.
"never too late to start now, right?" Hephaestus said with a quick chuckle.
"it's way too late." Ploutos replied as he turns and chuckles for a moment before he takes out Zagreus' letter that he handed to Hephaestus. "I just came to deliver this from Zagreus to you."
"what is it?" the goddess asked as she takes the letter and slowly opens it.
"who knows?" Ploutos replies while shrugging his shoulders. "I've just been told to send the letter to you and just that."
"I guess he's still doing things covertly as possible.." Hephaestus said as she opens the letter and checks the content. Her eye reads the words written within and she soon sighs with a smile. 'so that's it, huh?' she then looks at Ploutos. "when you meet Zagreus later, tell him that he has my full assistance for his plan."
"you got it." Ploutos said with a nod. "I'll tell him later on."
"w-wait!" Hestia yelled out all the sudden as Ploutos and Hephaestus turns to see her looking desperate and nervous. "don't go yet!"
"Hestia, I told you that asking such a thing to Ploutos or any of the Kaisers isn't a good thing." Hephaestus stated sternly. "for your own sake, do not be selfish."
"I know, but I still need to try!" Hestia said as she looks at Hephaestus for a moment and then to Ploutos who she dogeza to. "please, Ploutos Kaiser-kun! Please let allow me and my Familia to meet Bell-kun! We want to apologize to him! we!"
"Denied." Ploutos stated in a harsh and stern voice. "Bell won't meet you or anyone that we don't allow."
"w-wha!?" Hestia looks up to the Kaiser. "wait! Please! We are really sorry for what we did to Bell-kun! We want to make it up to him! please! I beg of you!"
"You can beg all you want" Ploutos said as he crosses his arms on his chest. "but my answer won't change. Bell is off limits to you and your Familia." he hardens his gaze as yellow electrical static dance around his eyes for a moment. "you and your Familia betrayed and hurt his feelings. That is something we Kaisers, who are Bell's real family won't ever let slide."
"please! I beg of you!" Hestia cried out. "please! Please!"
Ploutos looks down at Hestia before he raises his right hand and did two finger snaps to instantly call two Hell Knights to come marching into the office room.
"take her away from my sight." Ploutos said as the two Hell Knight's nodded and then grabs hold of Hestia.
"h-hey! Wait! Hephaestus!" Hestia cries out as she is carried out of the office room and away from the area.
Hestia's crying and screaming voice echoed in the hallway and is slowly shrinking in its volume.
Now that Hestia is gone, Ploutos is left with Hephaestus.
"you still call her your friend, Hephaestus?" Ploutos said as he turns his head to look at Hephaestus who is frowning a bit sadly but she nods her head. "I see…" he turns his head around and sighs. "The one who can make such a decision is either Zagreus and Bell, I got no authority over any of the two. That Loli goddess needs to do a lot of studying about how we Kaisers work."
"I know." Hephaestus said with a slow nod while placing a hand to her chest. "I know that very well."
Ploutos took a glance at the goddess before he looks front and sighs.
"i'll try to see if Zagreus or Bell want to have a change of hearts or not." Ploutos said as he holds up his right hand that holds a gold coin with an insignia of a skeleton wielding a pair of flaming hammers, that he flips into the air and let it fall upon Hephaestus' office table. The goddess quickly catching the item and looks at the Iron God Kaiser. "but don't get your hopes up. I'm not the Familia's leader after all."
"thanks, Ploutos." Hephaestus said with a smile on her lips. "I owe you one."
"just buy me a barrel of beer and we can call it even." Ploutos said as he pocketed his hands and began walking towards the opened door. "see ya."
Hephaestus nods as Ploutos exits the room and closes the door shut.
"they once called your Familia, a Familia of Monsters in the past but your Familia is just a Familia of kind heroes like always." Hephaestus whispers as she looks at the coin in her grasp before she leans back and opens one of the drawers of her table. She place the coin inside and beside an old and small wooden photo frame that has a picture of herself blushing while being hugged by a young man with an identical face and build with Zagreus but he has no scar on his right eye, his hair is white and is at shoulder length, and his eyes are pure blue. "Right…..Helios?"
Time passes as the day is slowly turning to night with the sun setting on the far horizon.
On a random district area in Orario, Riveria can be seen walking upon the street alone as she is heading for her inn after a few hours of exploring in the Dungeon. the high elf had ventured from the 1st floor to the 10th floor in killing monsters and collecting their magic crystals and drop items to be exchanged for money.
Right now, she is just walking all alone and solemnly with a sad expression on her face.
'Orario is in a peaceful yet chaotic state.' Riveria thought as she remembers how her day had gone. 'the guild is under the Kaiser's authority, Familias following strict rules that are implemented, and citizens are under constant watch by the Hell Knights…' she frowns even more. 'I know that this is for the best of the city, but protecting it by using terror and fear…'
Riveria continues to frown before she bumps into someone because she was paying attention to where she was going.
"sorry, I wasn't looking at where I was going.." Riveria said in apology to the person she bumped into, she looks up to meet the person and looks surprised to who it was. "Ottar?!"
Standing almighty before her is the King of the Freyja Familia who is looking down at Riveria with a stoic gaze.
"Riveria Ljos Alf." Ottar spoke out. "My Goddess have ordered me to escort you to her."
"What? the Goddess Freyja?" Riveria said before she tensed up and hardens her gaze while gazing to the side as she sees shadows moving around the area that is void of any citizens or Hell Knights. The high elf squinted her eyes for a moment before she looks back at the boaz. "for what reason does she want with me?"
"I have not been informed of her reason," Ottar stated. 'But my goddess' wishes are my orders to be fulfilled.' He then wields his two large swords from his back. "if you reject her wishes…"
"you should know better that I have no wish to meet your goddess." Riveria said as she tightens her hold on her staff. "especially when I know how her mood is right now."
"very well.." Ottar spoke as he instantly tightens his grip on his weapons. "Know that you have been warned."
Riveria got into a battle stance as she glance side to side to see many adventurers of the Freyja Familia appearing from the shadows and are slowly surrounding her.
'seems that they knew I left my Familia..' Riveria tightens her grip on her staff while taking a step back. 'I can handle the level 1-3s with my magic but..' she glanced at Ottar before to the nearby house's roofs as she sees the Gulliver brothers with a few more Freyja Familia' members. 'I doubt I can handle Ottar and I doubt I can escape with the Gulliver Brothers around. Their goddess must have something planned against Zagreus and the others that involves using me in some way or another.'
Riveria takes another step back, but she couldn't take another because the Freyja Familia adventurers are now behind her. she glances back at them and then to the front as Ottar takes slow steps while wielding his large swords that has their blades raised and pointed towards her.
A bead of sweat slides down the side of Riveria's head as she knows that she won't be getting out unscathed.
"GETTER BEAM!"
Polemos' voice suddenly roared and echoed out of nowhere before a pink star flash from the sky and a pink energy beam came down a second later. The beam descends and draw a circle around Riveria before everything exploded in a fiery flame.
"This is!?" Ottar grunted as he is blown back from the explosion along with the rest of his Familia members.
The explosion was large but not so devastating as it didn't cause the land to rumble too much.
Smoke and dust clouded the area as it began to settle down and reveal Riveria completely unharmed.
"w-what in the world?" Riveria stuttered out as she looks at her destroyed surrounding that is littered with knocked out Freyja Familia members before to a flickering green barrier that surrounds her. 'a… magic barrier?' the high elf looks at the barrier that has protected her from the explosion and sees that it flickers continuously before disappearing into sparkles. "who… how?"
Riveria looks at the sparkles before she notices a small greenish glow coming underneath her clothes at her chest area.
"this is?" Riveria whispers as she place a hand to the small glow before she hears something from above. The high elf looks up and gasps in surprise as Polemos and Melinoe who dons their armors are hovering above her head while slowly descending. "P-Polemos… Melinoe.."
"tch! I didn't manage to get all the maggots and rodents in one go." Polemos said in a displeased voice as he and Melinoe descends and lands upon the scorched and destroyed street. The Arc Kaiser crosses his arms and then turns his head towards Ottar who risen back up to his feet. "looks like you got to do everything by hand these days. Can't rely too much on beam attacks anymore."
"w-why are you two…?" Riveria spoke out to the two Kaisers who turns their head and instantly glared at her. "ah!"
"You think just because you left that pathetic Familia yours, means that you can talk to us, bitch?" Melinoe said in a disgusted voice. "know your place, elven brat."
"Whether or not you bear the mark of that useless goddess of yours on your back won't change the fact that you're nothing but a disgusting garbage of a scum." Polemos added in as he uncrosses his arms and hardens his fists that cause sharp blades to extend out of his armor's forearm area. "and we hate scums like you."
Riveria took a step back as she looks nervously scared at the two Kaisers who are just glaring at her with pure rage and hate filled glowing yet menacing eyes.
"we don't give a fuck if you're the high elf princess of some forest or if you're some noble shit!" Melinoe said as she growls. "you don't get no honor nor shit from us after what you and your Familia did."
"you're saved this time." Polemos said while crackles of electricity began to dance around his armor's surface. "but not the next time."
"raaah!" Ottar suddenly roared out as the Boaz had gone with a sneak attack.
The King swings his swords towards Melinoe who defended with just one hand raised.
Ottar's eyes widens a bit as he sees that his swords won't push through no matter how much force he puts into the swing.
"huh?" Melinoe slowly turns her head towards Ottar and her eyes began to glow more menacing than before. "you dare attack us from behind, pig?"
Ottar gritted his teeth before his face scrunched a bit in pain as Polemos had swung his right fist and hit the boaz's stomach hard and sends excruciating pain straight to the internal organs.
"go back to your little pathetic bitch you call your goddess." Polemos growls out as his armor began to crackle with more electricity that rages and focus into his right fist that instantly repelled Ottar.
"goohh!" Ottar roared out as he is sent flying away. The Boaz flew above the road before he came crashing through the nearby border wall of the city and outside of Orario's territory.
"damnit! That muscle head didn't manage to do shit!" Alfrigg growled in annoyance.
"Should we attack as planned?" said Grer to his brothers. "we have to do something for our goddess after that muscle head failed to do no shit!"
"not a good choice considering that the muscle head was taken out with ease." Dvalinn stated with an annoyed voice. "he didn't do shit at all!"
"he didn't do shit at all!" said Berlingr with an agreeing voice as the Gulliver Brothers look at one another and nodded.
"you four didn't do jack shit at all." Melinoe's voice spoke out from out of nowhere as the Gulliver Brothers turned around and made surprised noises to see the Blade Kaiser suddenly appear standing behind them.
"y-you!?" the Gulliver Brothers exclaimed in unison as they were about to ready their weapons and attack Melinoe, but the Blade Kaiser beat it to them.
The female armored Kaiser spins very rapidly like a top before she swings her right leg and sends the four pallums flying with a simple yet powerful round house kick. The Bringar flew in the air before they crashed into a house, an alley, a trash can, and the street at random.
"just one hit…." Riveria whispered in shock as she watched how Melinoe disappeared and reappeared behind the Gulliver Brothers who she attacked without warning. 'in the past, they could just take Ottar down by fighting him for a few minutes and then defeating him. But now they can take him and the Gulliver Brothers out within a few seconds?!' The high elf looks at the Kaisers as Melinoe jumped and stands beside Polemos, both just radiating red and greenish yellow aura respectively. 'I know that they are stronger than any normal adventurer… but for some reason… they're more stronger than before.'
"the fuck you looking at, ungrateful bitch?" Polemos said as he and Melinoe glares at Riveria once again. "you want to die more earlier than the other scums?"
Riveria made a surprised noise before her face formed a nervously scared yet sad frowning expression. She tilts her head to the side and didn't dare to look at the Kaisers in the eyes.
Melinoe and Polemos looks at Riveria for a moment before they clicked their tongue or growl in annoyance.
"that boaz just ruined my mood." Polemos said. 'I don't feel like taking this unfaithful bitch out.' he then turns and spreads his large bat like wings which made him slowly hover off the ground. "hey, Melinoe. You take care of her."
"I would love to, but not right now." Melinoe stated as she crosses her arms under her chest. 'I want to kill her when the time is ripe and ready.' She then spreads her wings and hovers beside the Arc Kaiser while looking down at Riveria. "consider yourself lucky this time once again, brat."
The two Kaisers begin to ascend into the sky before they turn towards a direction and flew away.
When they were gone, Riveria looks to the sky and frowns very sadly while tears slowly began to pool up in her eyes.
"I was so weak without you…" Riveria whispers as she looks down and grasped her right hand to her chest. "…why did it took you so long to get back?" the high elf shed a single tear that drips to her hand and slides down before falling to the ground. "why didn't you tell me that you were still alive? Zagreus?"
Riveria shed more tears as each one drips down repeatedly.
"why didn't you tell me…" Riveria whispered very softly. "…that he is your son?"
"It's because I never knew that I had a son before." Zagreus' voice spoke out from nowhere as which causes Riveria's eyes to widen in surprise before the high elf turns to see the Bloody Kaiser standing behind her a few feet away.
"Z-Zagreus!?" Riveria spoke out in surprise. "w-why are you..?"
The Bloody Kaiser's eyes are glowing under his visor as he stares at Riveria before his helmet expands and detaches from his head then reveals his face. The half elf emotionlessly looks at the Nine Hells before he turns around while waving his cape to the side.
"follow me." Zagreus said as he began walking away.
Riveria looks at the Kaiser and watches him leave before she slowly followed after him.
That's a wrap!
Bye bye