Author´s Note: Guest: I can´t answer most of your questions, or I would spoil the story. I will say as much, Dionysus will get what he deserves, while I have certain plans with Ein. About Freya, while I have no such scenario in mind for the story, the Freya familia will get involved with Bell, just not in the same way as in the original story.
.
..
.
.
.
."So, what do you say?"
Cecil was looking at Ryu, her arms crossed under her chest, waiting for an answer. Ryu was looking at the item in front of her for five minutes now.
It was a sword.
Her new sword.
"It´s...it´s wonderful, Cecil. May I?"
"It´s yours."
Ryu nodded slowly and carefully closed her hand around the familiar hilt. It was the Alf´s Lumina´s hilt. Astrea had requested that Cecil used this part of the old sword, which made Ryu happy. Instead of a crossguard, the spirit drop from Euphie sat above the hilt, enclosed by other parts of Alf´s Lumina. Above that started the blade, with a core of wood, but sharp edges, looking more like crystal than metal. The balance was just perfect, it could be used as a blade, as well as a staff if she used the backside.
She slowly raised the sword, looking at the blade, and the crystal in the middle.
"It feels so...good."
Cecil closed an eye and smiled pleased. "Glad you like it."
Ryu closed her eyes for a moment. "I can feel it...more than Alf´s Lumina."
"I guess that comes from the materials I used, and probably mostly from Euphie´s spirit drop."
Ryu glanced at the big couch, on a special pillow on top of it, rested Euphie in his form as a green orb, in her mind, she heard a noise that might be soft snoring, it let her smile.
Astrea looked at Ryu and the sword. "So, do you like it?"
"Yes, very much."
Ryu put the sword on the table again, then, to everyone´s surprise, she bowed to Cecil. "I can´t thank you enough for what you did, Cecil...captain."
Cecil grinned halfway, feeling a bit embarrassed. "Well, I did it as much for me as I did it for you, big sister...Champion."
Ryu´s cheeks turned slightly pink, her new title within the familia was still unfamiliar, but Astrea had insisted on it, and the others had all agreed before she had any chance to protest. She was part of the familia, the oldest member, yet she would neither take the spot of the captain, nor Iselina´s vice captain. She would be the teacher, the mentor of the familia in Orario and the dungeon. Their big sister, their protector. The familia´s champion.
Astrea´s Champion of Justice.
The expression that Astrea had when she told Ryu that, was unfamiliar serious. Astrea wouldn´t accept a no from Ryu.
"Lady Astrea?"
"Yes, Ryu?"
"Would you do me the honor and name it for me? Please?"
"Oh? Of course, just give me a moment."
Ryu believed in Astrea, she heard that some gods had a pretty horrible taste when it came to names, especially shown during a Denatus. But even outside, some gods came up with really "good" and "awesome" names for things, at least in their eyes. Syr had told her with sparkling eyes, how Freya got an awesome idea to name Ottar´s weapon.
Supreme.
Black.
Sword.
Ryu couldn´t break Syr´s heart, since she too liked the name very much, but Ryu would probably sink into the ground on the spot if her weapon received such a name.
"Hmmm...I have an idea. Ryu, would you do me a favor?"
"Of course."
"Then please, take a knee."
As an elf, Ryu would normally refuse such a request vehemently, but not when it came from Astrea. So, Ryu went down on one knee, and lowered her head, fully aware that the rest of her familia and Bell watched it.
Astrea raised the sword with both hands.
"In my name, and my right as the Goddess of Justice, I hereby name this sword "Alf´s Justitia". And I will hereby knight you as my familia´s champion."
Astrea lowered the tip of the sword first on Ryu´s right shoulder, then on the left, gently touching the symbol of her familia that was there. Then, on her head, before lifting the sword back up again. Even among elves, there existed such a thing as an elven knight. Originally, at least according to ancient stories, it were the humans who copied the existence of a knight from the elves. Even when elven knights were different from human ones. If someone like Riveria had a male attendant in the past instead of a female chamberlain, it could´ve only been her personal knight.
Ryu rose to her feet again, a light shone in her eyes, she was visibly happy.
"I thank you for naming the sword, Lady Astrea."
It wasn´t only about the sword, everyone present could see how much this meant to Ryu, about being named Astrea´s champion. Even her "little sisters" could see how her ears twitched up and down.
And then, Ryu surprised her familia even more, but she felt it was the right thing to do, she felt this wish inside her.
"Cecil?...Or..should I call you captain?"
"Cecil is fine, but don´t you dare call me Ceci! Only Lady Astrea is allowed to do that."
"Of course, I won´t."
"How may I help you?"
"Since you did so much for me, my new sword, my new armor, and that you´re a part of my familia...I would like to ask you...about forming a direct contract with me."
"Oh?"
Ryu smiled in the same gentle way as Astrea usually did. "I will never go to a different smith, never entrust someone else to take care of my equipment."
Cecil looked for a moment at Astrea, then at Ryu again, offering her the right hand.
"Alright, I will accept your request and form a direct contract with it. But let us just go with a normal handshake, and not like we form contracts here in Solingen."
"How would that work?"
Cecil grinned wryly. "We would both spit into the palms of our hands and then shake hands."
Ryu´s expression froze. "Then let us do a normal handshake..."
"Sure."
Cecil smirked in a slightly teasing way as she shook Ryu´s hand.
"Hehe~~~ My first direct contract.~~"
Bell smiled slightly as he remembered the time when he and Welf made a direct contract. Even when they were part of the same familia, a direct contract was something more special than just taking care of the equipment of the fellow familia members.
"Cecil, would you then take care of these? I inherited them from Kaguya, they´re very important to me."
"Leave it to me, I will treat them with the respect they deserve."
Cecil took the Futabas from Ryu, and carefully started to clean and take care of them.
.
.
.
.
And eventually, the day arrived.
It was so early in the morning that the horizon to the east was only slowly getting bright.
"Do you have everything?"
"Of course."
"Did you double-check?"
"We did."
"Did you go to the toilet before you will go?"
"Mother!"
Astrea got red at Hera´s last question.
"What? It is a long journey."
"We will need a week anyway."
"Make sure you send me letters."
"Of course, but I don´t know if Hermes himself will deliver them."
"Oh, I doubt that. It would be better for him if he didn´t do that... I heard that he was the one who lured Bell into peeping at some girls bathing ont he 18th floor...I won´t allow such influence."
Bell got red when he heard that and noticed how Astrea´s and Hera´s followers looked at him. "I didn´t know what Lord Hermes had planned! When I noticed it, I refused to take part of it, but I fell from the tree into the water!"
"I am aware, you said that before, and you speak only the truth. You´re no lecherous boy."
"Of course, I´m not. It is wrong to do these things."
"Then make sure you will ask Hermes thoroughly what exactly he wants if he asks for a favor."
"I will do that, ahm...ah...A-Aunty Hera."
Hera´s eyes widened for a moment when Bell followed her request, she quickly made sure that no one would see through her expression, only Astrea noticed the moment of pain in her eyes, but didn´t say anything.
"I also expect letters from you too, Bell."
"Oh? But why that?"
"To hear of course, how well you´re doing, by using the items from the vault. And how well you will do in showing Loki and Freya who´s boss. And, so that I can still be sure, that you value and love only your sworn partner."
"I will never look at another woman like I look at Ryu!"
"Good."
Ryu was flustered and happy when she heard that. Hera looked over the nine people, whose house she would now inherit.
"I will make sure that Solingen remains proper and treats the spirits here with respect. And we will work to make ourselves stronger too."
Hera´s eyes nearly dug into Bell´s. "Be assured, when the day comes, we will be there to fight against the dragon too."
"I understand."
"Then have safe travels back to Orario."
With a last, long look at the house, the Astrea familia and Bell turned around and left in the direction of Solingen.
Astrea turned around a last time and waved to Hera, she would keep her promise to write Hera letters. When they were out of sight, Hera went into the house and closed the door. All of her followers were upstairs, knowing they shouldn´t be close to their goddess right now.
Hera slowly sank down to her knees, a hand pressed over her mouth, tears rolled down her cheeks as she sobbed. Meeting Bell, hugging him, now seeing him off and wishing him safe travels...for her, it was like with Meteria all over again. Hera hated it when someone saw her looking so vulnerable, that was why her followers kept their distance and pretended not to notice anything.
She never thought she would feel like that with a mortal ever again, but Bell was just perfect.
I will watch over him for you from afar, Meteria. I will do my best to help him.
Hera didn´t know if she would tell Bell the truth. On one hand, he deserved to know about his family, on the other...it could cause him pain and trouble. She wanted Bell to remain who he was, and not force him to face any past and maybe have him change into someone different.
The goddess would remain on her knees for half an hour and cry.
.
.
.
.
Many people of Solingen were sad that the Astrea familia would leave the city, they feared that order might leave the city with them. And many, many went pale when Astrea told them about Hera taking over her place here now. Cecil left the group for a while, to go to her father and brothers, to wish them goodbye for now. But she promised she would come home now and then. While her father was sad that his little girl would move away, he was glad that she wouldn´t end up like the rest of them. Most of what they forged were simple swords, such was the reality for most smiths in the wide world. Cecil told her father with burning eyes, once she found her place in Orario, found connections to one of the big smithing familias, she would look for a way to get her family to Orario too, to give their lives as smiths more meaning.
If that would work, was something for the future.
And so, it was time to travel back to Orario, Ryu and Bell had left the city almost a month ago, and both missed it, missed their friends. And Bell missed his goddess, very much.
The way back would take about a week, at some times, Euphie would carry Astrea and her followers, giving Bell and Ryu the chance to run faster. It was only possible due to the sheer size that Euphie could take, easily being bigger than an elk. According to Astrea, as a growing greater spirit, Euphie wasn´t bound to one form, but he liked this one, and as an infant, was still unable to change into a different form. And thankfully, Euphie was a wind spirit, being able to create something similar to a barrier around himself, otherwise, it would become very unpleasant and cold for Astrea and the others on his back, when he ran at full speed.
It would mostly remain peaceful during the travel, only two special events would happen. And Bell and Ryu would only witness one of them... The other...would happen each night, unnoticed by both.
Astrea and Cecil would be the first to notice it.
.
.
.
.
"Everyone is asleep now."
"That´s good, it was a long day."
"I have to say it truly shows what high levels are capable of, to see them running for so long and fast."
"It´s always a sight, right?"
Cecil and Astrea whispered, both had the duty of the first guard at night. Astrea never needed much sleep, gods needed to sleep on the surface, but not that long. Five hours were mostly enough for her, only sometimes when she felt like it, did she sleep longer. Since Cecil and Iselina were level two, both would take over most of the night guard duties. Ryu and Bell had at first insisted on it, but as the captain, Cecil declined and had ordered Ryu to rest. Since they were the ones who would protect the group if anything dangerous happened.
"Absolutely...just like..that."
Both looked at Suumetess, who lay there covered in a blanket, even when it wasn´t that cold at night, she was weak to the cold. Her tail was curled over her hip, slightly rolled together. In the middle of the "tail nest", rested Euphie and only glew very slightly, a clear sign that the spirit was asleep.
Then, their eyes wandered to Bell and Ryu. They weren´t sleeping side-by-side, but about one meter away from each other.
"I really thought they would sleep together."
Astrea chuckled softly. "Not so early, and not while we´re camping outside."
"They look a bit...restless...somehow."
"Adventurers at some point always look like that, even when they´re deep asleep."
They noticed how Ryu moved around a bit, eventually turning onto her right shoulder, facing away from Bell. Then, after a few minutes, she rolled onto her back again, then onto her left shoulder. Ryu was now closer to Bell. Next, she turned on the spot onto her right shoulder again, then onto her back...and onto her left shoulder. And again...she was closer to Bell now.
Cecil raised an eyebrow and looked at Astrea, who giggled without making a tone, raising a finger to her lips.
Again and again did Ryu turn on the spot onto her right shoulder, only to roll onto her back and then the left shoulder again. She was clearly restless, moving closer and closer to Bell. As she was only twenty centimeters away from him, Bell showed signs of restlessness too, tossing and turning in his sleep, until he rolled onto his right shoulder, just as Ryu did it too and intended to roll onto her back again.
Her back touched his chest.
Bell´s left arm moved around on its own in his sleep, at first coming to rest on her hip, then a bit further up around her waist. Ryu´s head rested on his right upper arm, while her left arm came to rest on Bell´s arm around her waist.
At once, both became quiet and stopped moving.
"They´re holding hands in their sleep! And cuddle!"
"Ehehe~~ Both confessed their love for each other, I think that much is alright."
Ryu mumbled softly in her sleep. "Bell..."
"Ryu..."
Both snuggled closer up at each other, finding comfort and peace in the other´s presence. The look of unease and restlesness vanished from their faces, both relaxed completely and breathed calmly in their sleep.
Cecil leaned closer to Astrea and mumbled, so that no one would wake up. "Are they really restless because they´re adventurers...and not because they missed the other?"
"That might also be the case."
Astrea was the only one who knew a few details about the 37th floor, Ryu didn´t tell her other familia members, it had been way too personal and she didn´t know them well enough. And wouldn´t want to scare them about the dungeon too much...
So, since the goddess knew her child pretty well, and had seen how Ryu and Bell acted without and close to each other, it was pretty obvious what was going on. The events of the 37th floor sat deep within both. Both weren´t scared and restless because of what happened to them...but because of what happened to the other. Sleeping together on the 37th floor, let them know in their sleep, the other was there, the other was alive, the other was fine and safe.
At some point, Ryu slowly turned around in her sleep, burying her face at the crook of Bell´s neck, while Bell´s nose rested close to her hair. Ryu even rubbed her face there for a few moments, to find the perfect spot to rest. Inhaling the other´s scent helped them even more, both hugged in their sleep. Luckily, Cecil had enough decency to stop looking, and Astrea did the same after seeing Ryu turn around.
When Astrea and Cecil went to sleep, Iselina got up. She too, noticed how Ryu and Bell were sleeping, it was quite a cute sight, but she only looked for a few moments. About two hours before they had to get up, Iselina went to sleep and Suumetess took over, the cat girl showed an amused grin as she saw Bell and Ryu.
And got even more amused when both slowly started to move, rolling away from each other, about ten minutes before she would wake up everyone. So, both wouldn´t even notice how they slept together...
This would happen every single night during their travel. And every single member of Ryu´s familia would witness this.
And...not one of them would ever talk about it, or mention it.
.
.
.
Two days before the Astrea familia would arrive in Orario, Freya sat on a special chair, Ottar standing behind her.
While her whole familia knelt in front of her.
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""We have no excuses, Lady Freya!"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
They had returned from the Expedition, yet, in their eyes, they had failed.
Her familia didn´t manage to reach the 60th floor.
"Hedin, report."
"Yes, Lady Freya! As we went deeper into the dungeon, past the 50th floor, as expected, more and more monsters came at us. We didn´t have much problems until we entered the 52nd floor, from there on, the Valgang dragons sniped at us."
Freya leaned her chin onto her right palm, she gave the very image of a warrior queen. A disappointed warrior queen.
"And this was enough to stop you?"
"Of course not. We managed to evade without casualties, but there were much more than I had predicted, I have no excuses for my failure."
Freya nodded. "Continue."
"Some of us were not fast enough to escape the collapsing ground, so, they fell into the dragons crucible."
Freya raised an eyebrow, looking over her gathered followers.
"The one who saved them, was Allen."
"Oho?"
Allen held his face turned to the ground, as did the others. He didn´t feel any pride, he had failed his goddess. Had disappointed her.
"He reacted faster than anyone else and jumped into the hole."
Freya looked slightly amused. "That sounds a bit unlikely for you, Allen."
"I merely fulfilled my duty. You declared no one shall fall, that your divine will stands above the dungeon."
"So, you saved their lives."
"I didn´t...that were Hogni and the Brimgar."
"Oh? And what did you do?"
She could see the pulse in Allen´s soul, rage. Hatred. Despise. Absolute disgust.
"I killed the dragons."
Dragons.
Only Freya and Allen knew about the depth of his hatred for all dragons. It ran so deep that he had developed a skill because of it, Dragon Slayer. Which gave him a massive boost in status whenever he fought against dragons of any kind, but the closer they were to real dragons, the higher his boost went.
Hedin continued. "We followed through the holes to regroup on the 58th floor."
"Enlighten me, Hedin, for I am not familiar with the floors that deep down, didn´t you say you were on the 52nd floor?"
"We were. But the dragons crucible connects multiple floors, yet the 52nd isn´t part of it. The Valgang dragons aim through the ceiling at adventurers on these floors, blast away the ceiling and make them fall."
"What a cruel tactic. Continue."
"Once we reached the 58th floor, we gathered together again, the Andhrimnir healed the wounded. While Allen and Hogni continued to fight the dragons. It pains me to acknowledge that, but Allen defeated more than anyone else."
"And you didn´t manage to go to the 59th or 60th floor after you skipped down to the 58th floor?"
"No. We read reports of the Loki familia, about the situation at the bottom of the crucible. It was nothing like they had described it, or even like Ottar had described it."
Freya turned her face halfway to Ottar, looking at him with one eye.
"Hedin described the situation to me, even I have never encountered such a huge outbreak down there."
"Could it be because you just went through there earlier?"
"No. While the monsters appear faster again on these floors, there should´ve been far fewer than what attacked the party."
"Was it maybe because you slew Balor?"
"I doubt that. It was probably because of your divine will."
She just raised an eyebrow.
"Our familia never went that deep before as a party. The dungeon is used to the Loki familia going there. But you declared your divine will for us to go deeper. And while it may tolerate the Loki familia, the dungeon tried it´s best to go against you, Lady Freya."
"Oho? Are you saying the dungeon doesn´t like me?"
"It fears you, it is jealous of you. It refuses to accept your divine will and bared its fangs, to stop our familia."
"Hm, Hedin, did you have the same impression?"
"It would fit what we saw. The closer we went to the stairs down to the 59th floor, the more monsters attacked us. Wyverns came from all angles, Black Rhinos followed us all the way from the 51st floor, as well as Deformis Spiders. Strange monsters that looked like caterpillars, I thinkt he Loki familia called them Virgas, and Venom Scorpions, as well as Thunder Snakes and Silver Worms, all of these monsters followed us."
"I thought monsters only move one or two floors above or down their usual territory?"
"Not in this case. It might´ve been a similar case as when the rabbit got attacked on the 5th floor back then, just reversed."
"Hm..hmmm..."
All of her followers became quiet as their goddess got lost in thought for a while.
"Aside from the unusual behavior of monsters and their number, was something else different?"
"Yes, an enhanced species of the Valgang dragon appeared, a black one."
"Oho?"
Even Freya knew that enhanced species were much stronger than the normal variants. And black ones were something much stronger than even other enhanced.
"What happened to it?"
All heads turned slightly in Allen´s direction.
"Allen, you fought it?"
"I killed it."
"Alone?"
"Yes."
"Something tells me that you used your magic."
"I did."
"Allen."
"Lady Freya?"
"Look at me when you´re talking to me."
He slowly raised his head, looking into her eyes. Freya smiled slightly in a proud way.
Hedin eventually came to the end of his report. "When Allen defeated the enhanced species, it created an opening we could use. More and more monsters charged at us, so, I gave the order to retreat. I will take the full blame for this failure, Lady Freya. And...it can be said that the use of Allen´s magic saved the situation...and many of us."
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""Tch!""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
Allen turned his face to Hedin, baring his teeth. "Shitty glassed elf, you dared to interfere with my fight!"
"I did nothing of that sort."
"As if you didn´t cast your nasty magic on me!"
Hedin turned his face to Allen and frowned. "I didn´t use my magic on you."
"Are you freaking kidding me?!"
"I didn´t. You´re just a stray street cat, I would never cast my magic on you."
Freya noticed that Allen was visibly confused.
Hogni showed a grim expression. "My mortal rival is right. In fact, he used his magic on me, to interfere with my fight!"
Hedin adjusted his glasses, which flashed slightly. "Hogni is right about that. You fought on your own, cat. Anyway, we shouldn´t quarrel like that in Lady Freya´s presence.
Freya smiled amused.
"You kept your promise, Hedin. No one died."
"Lynia lost her arm."
Freya looked at the amazon, she indeed only had one arm left, a Valgang dragon´s beam attack had hit the ground, while two Deformis Spiders had clung to her. The beam had eradicated her arm completely.
"Lynia, you will go to the Dian Cecht familia once you have recovered enough. Tell Dian I don´t mind the cost, but he shall have you make an elegant silver arm, that looks like your natural one. I despise these chunky ones he normally sells."
"I will follow your order, Lady Freya!"
Freya then got up from her chair.
"Everyone, hear my judgement."
All of them raised their faces to her.
"You did well, my warriors. On your first try you made it down to the 58th floor. You angered and scared the dungeon enough to throw everything it had at you, to try and stop you from fulfilling my will. Without having direct experience down there, you made it as far as Loki´s children did so far. Allen, because of the report, I declare you to be the one who did the best work during this Expedition, you will receive a reward."
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""Tch...""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
Freya chuckled amused when all the others clicked their tongues in unison...even Hedin...
"Non of you disappointed me. You made it far, you followed my will. Rest now. Prepare yourself for the next Expedition. Ottar."
"Milady?"
"Next time you will all go together. Until then, you all are to rest from the dungeon. Ottar, you have my permission to delve down and get used to your level-up."
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""!"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
Now all of them looked at Ottar.
Freya continued. "The next Expedition will start in a week. I know that your blood boils and you want to prove yourself in my eyes. So, I will allow that you will move out again in a week. However! My divine will stands! No one is allowed to die. Lynia, you will sit this out, you won´t get a new arm in time. Recover until then. There will be a feast tonight. And tomorrow, I will update all of your statuses. Allen, I want to see you in my chamber, I will update your status immediately."
"As you wish."
"Lady Freya, if I may?"
"Hedin, go on."
"If the next Expedition is to start in a week, we will move out a day before the Loki familia does."
Her whole familia sighed when they saw the happy, mischievous, impish, playful grin appearing on Freya´s lips. Just like a certain townsgirl might grin. It was a big grin.
A smug grin
"~~~I know.~~~~"
Of course Freya would mess with Loki if she had the chance.
"I have booked the whole pub for tonight, make sure all of you eat and drink properly. But don´t go too wild, or Mia might get angry. We will go as soon as I´m done with Allen. Heith, I want to hear a separate report later how it was for the Andhrimnir."
"As you wish!"
"That is all for now."
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""As you wish, Lady Freya!""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
.
.
.
.
"Oh my.~~ Your back became really big and muscular since you joined the familia."
"That again?..."
"Ehehe~~+ Let me tease you a little, Allen."
"If it brings you joy..."
Freya hummed slightly while she started to update Allen´s status.
"Anya and Chloe both missed you, both were worried about you going so deep into the dungeon, especially Anya."
"Mh.."
"Don´t you have anything to say, Allen?"
"What is there to say? You can see through me anyway, better than anyone else."
"True. But sometimes it is important to hear the words from you. And I see you still have the lucky charm."
"As if I would throw it away!"
Freya giggle when she saw how Allen´s tail went stiff and he growled. She knew very well that her cat would scratch her if she went too far, which was all the more amusing.
"Allen, did you keep count how many dragons you killed?"
"No, at some point I just saw red."
"Do you want to know the number?"
"Does it even matter?"
"For the Execlia you gained, yes. And for something else."
"What do you mean?"
"Your Dragon Slayer skill went up a rank, as did Spearman."
"This didn´t happen in over two years."
"Indeed.
"By the way, Allen."
"What."
"The number of Valgang Dragons alone that you slew is sixty-nine."
"That many..."
"Indeed...the attack of the monsters must´ve been way bigger than it sounded like, with so many Valgang dragons."
"This is ridiculous...I never heard someone defeating so many of them..."
"..."
"Lady Freya?"
"Nothing, let us continue."
Freya saw something in Allen´s status, what he did almost counted as a great deed. Almost.
Something was missing, something small, yet important. The gods didn´t only consider martial deeds as worthy of their attention.
"Allen, I hope you will find time tonight to talk with Anya and Chloe, it would be good for all three of you."
"Mh..."
"Allen?"
"I have to see that."
Come on, Allen. Make that step forward, you´re almost there.
Freya couldn´t tell Allen what to do, he had to jump over his own shadow. Face one of his greatest fears. If he would manage to do that, he would make an important and huge step forward.
.
.
.
And that night, Allen would finally face one of his greatest fears, letting his little sister get close to him again. Both would sit for hours on the rooftop of the pub, talking to each other, making Anya visibly happy.
And when the sun would rise to the east of Orario, Allen would wake up high up in Babel, after Freya told him to sleep there, with a beautiful cat girl at his side.
He looked at Chloe while she lay there, snuggled up to him, wondering where this strange attraction to her might lead them. It was good that Freya had been so nice to give him this room, since neither would he bring Chloe to his room in Folkvangr, nor would he go into the dorm where she lived again, Mia had made it clear that every guy was stricly forbidden from entering that house.
Even facing his fears, starting to let his little sister into his life again, finding peace and comfort in Chloe´s embrace...all that wouldn´t count as a great deed to let him level up.
But it would bring him onto the course he needed for that.
.
.
.
Next time, Allen would give his best. He would tell Ottar not to get a big head, just because he had reached level eight. All of Freya´s high executives had a fire lit up in them, if Ottar decided to go a step away, they would make sure to follow him! By themself, Hedin, Hogni and the Gulliver brothers thought about ways for possible great deeds, worthy to level up to seven. In a slightly silly moment, Hedin thought maybe it would be "enough" to forge the Freya familia´s party into something worthy being called that, and make them better than the Loki familia was.
Which would mean hard work...
.
.
.
.
Meanwhile, in their shared room in Knossos, Revis looked over her shoulder, slightly annoyed.
"Ar?"
The Lamia looked up from her book, looking like innocence incarnate.
Revis sighed, looked forward again and kept cleaning and polishing her sword.
Until...
She felt the slightest tap against her neck, immediately looking back again. But Ar just sat there, on her curled-up tail.
"Revissss?"
Lately, Ar had a bit fun making S-sounds longer, since she was a Lamia...
"Stop that."
"Hm?"
Ar looked confused, Revis looked forward again and kept working on the maintenance.
Until...
The Lamia had way too much fun teasing her for the last days, always slightly annoying her. As she slowly got perfect control over her own body, Ar sometimes poked Revis with the tip of her tail, before pulling it back faster than even Revis could turn around.
Or...using something else.
Revis´ combat instinct took over, she let go of her sword, whirled around and grabbed the object that was about to touch her neck.
"Gotcha!"
"Mmmmh! Mhhhh! Mmmmmhh! Lef goooo!"
Revis had grabbed Ar´s extremly long tongue, holding it at the tip.
"I told you to stop bothering me."
"I´m forry! I´m forry!"
"Are you really sorry? Or just because I caught you?"
"Mmmmmmhh!"
The Lamia flailed helplessly with her arms and long tail, until Revis let go. Ar immediately retracted her tongue, holding her hands over her mouth.
"You´re mean..."
"Hah, let me finish taking care of my swords, then we can play."
"I don´t want to play..."
Yet, the tip of Ar´s tail wagged back and forth.
Revis sometimes didn´t have it easy with the playful Lamia, but she would protect her from all harm. And, as Ar got more and more control over her body, Revis sometimes was baffled in which ways she could move, it looked way more elegant then than she had thought it would.
Ar even got especially interested at a book that Tiona had brought her, it was about fashion and customs from various regions of the world, like the Kaios desert or the far east. Some of the clothes from deep in the south of the Kaios desert fascinated her, and the custom that was called "Belly dance".
At least Revis could convince her not to train belly dancing in their room...it was too small for that.
.
.
.
.
.
""""""Woah...""""""
Cecil, Iselina, Suumetess, Schau, Kella and Ullanda all couldn´t stop gawking as they looked up at Babel. They were about one hundred meters away from the north-east gate of Orario, all six of them had constantly looked at the tower while they came closer.
"Uah...I feel dizzy just looking up at it..."
"I feel as if I will fall over..."
"As if it will fall over..."
"How can it not collapse under its own weight?"
"Or break off?"
"Ugh...my head..."
Astrea giggled softly. "This happens to most people who see Babel from up close for the first time."
The goddess smiled softly. "But it surely has been a while since I´ve seen it from up close."
They took a moment to give the Astrea familia time to get used to it, for Ryu and Bell it was needed too.
"We´ve been away for over a month..."
"Indeed. It is the longest time I was ever away from the city, ever since I came here."
"Hehe~~ I can´t wait to see goddess and the others again."
"And I really want to see everyone at the Hostess."
Bell looked at the eight women. "Shall we go?"
Maybe it was just a coincidence, or because it was the day where she checked all the gates one after the other, but when they came to the gate, out of all people, a certain blue-haired woman was currently there.
"No way...I...Lady Astrea?..."
"Shakti, I wish you a wonderful day. It has been a while."
Ganesha´s captain looked more than just surprised. "Why...are you here?"
Astrea smiled. "I decided to return to Orario, if that won´t cause a problem."
"Of course not! Ganesha already gave us an order because of that."
"Ganesha did? How did he know I will come back?"
"He gave the order when the dark times completely ended. That in case you would return one day, we should absolutely let you through. And let him know."
"Oh, that is really sweet of him. But Shakti, please wait a bit to inform him, I want to take in the city first, before I am ready to face his energetic greeting."
"No problem, Lady Astrea, welcome back to Orario!"
At once, Shakti and all Ganesha familia members went down to one knee for a moment.
"Sh-Shakti...please stand up."
Astrea was still rank one on the list of the "godliest deity". She had this special aura around her, that easily let people notice that she was a goddess. And, what was more important, she acted like people thought a god would act like, a being truly worthy of being worshipped.
After Shakti and her familia members got up again, they looked at the six young women behind Astrea.
"Be welcome in Orario, Astrea familia."
They looked a bit overwhelmed by everything, Solingen was nothing compared to Orario´s sheer size.
Ryu nodded to Shakti. "Thank you for the welcome."
Shakti lowered her voice. "Will you...return too?"
"I will, in a way, but first Lady Astrea has to talk to someone."
"I understand, let me know if you need something."
"Thank you, Shakti."
"By the way, Leon..."
"Yes?"
"What´s that?"
Shakti pointed at the green orb, which was sitting on Ryu´s right shoulder.
"Euphie."
"Euphie?"
"He´s a spirit."
"Oh. Ooh..."
Astrea giggled. "He took a liking to Ryu, Shakti."
"Is that so...hm. Rabbit Foot."
Bell looked a bit surprised when Shakti turned to him. "Yes? Ms. Ankusha?"
"I was informed that your permission to leave Orario was for a month, you were away for five weeks."
"Yes..."
"Normally this would mean a punishment and a fine for your familia, a huge fine."
"Oh..."
"But, as everyone here can testify, I have punished you thoroughly and gave you a harsh warning, you may consider the matter solved."
"Eh?"
The Ganesha familia guards nodded.
Astrea leaned to Bell and mumbled into his ear. "Shakti lets you off the hook, she´s a really good girl."
Ryu mumbled into his other ear. "It´s her way of saying, she will protect you from any punishment coming from the guild."
Bell bowed slightly towards Shakti. "Thank you, Ms. Ankusha!"
.
.
.
.
On their way through Orario, people of course noticed Astrea, and the emblem on the shoulder of her seven followers. Citizens called out to her, cheered when they saw her again, word spread quickly through the city. But they managed to reach the Hostess before any god came bothering them. Bell wanted to go to his home directly, but the Hostess was on the way, and he should at least say hello.
As a gentleman, he opened the door for Ryu and the others. A warm, kind voice greeted them.
"Welcome to the Hostess of Fertility, dear gu-BEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEELLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!"
"Go-UNF!"
Bell got hit by a projectile in the form of a very small goddess, launching itself at him as soon as he came into view. Hestia´s head made an impact at his chest, her arms slung around him immediately, as enormous crocodile tears pooled out of her eyes.
"Beeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeell! I´ve miffed you fo muchf! *Hic*"
"G-Goddess, I missed you too!"
Bell hugged her in return, as Hestia cried louder and louder, due to that, other noticed them too.
"Ryuuuuuuu!"
"Huh? Ah, S-Syr!"
Ryu got pulled into a tight hug immediately, her friends followed shortly after Syr.
"Ryu!"
"Finally, meow!"
"Nyuuuu!"
Ryu vanished in a group hug, in the background, Mia leaned out of her kitchen to see what caused the commotion, but returned when she saw it wasn´t a reason to cause her concern. Bell had as much trouble holding his clingy goddess, as Ryu had with her four friends.
For a few minutes, not a single understandable word came from any of them.
Eventually, Bell managed to calm Hestia down a little bit.
"Goddess, I´m back."
"Finally! I was so worried! Worried you would never return, after you eloped with that elf."
"I didn´t e-elope!"
"All that matters now is that you´re back..."
"G-Goddess?! I really didn´t elope!"
"There there, Bell, it´s alright. You there, elf! You promised to be away under a month! Explain yourself!"
Ryu managed to escape the group hug, to face Hestia properly, she bowed slightly towards the small, agitated goddess. "I´m very sorry, Lady Hestia. My selfishness has caused you great displeasure, I have no excuse for what I did, keeping Bell away from all of you for so long."
"Hmpf! Well, at least you´re back."
A gentle voice interrupted any further words. "Hestia, please don´t be too harsh with my child."
Hestia immediately smiled and turned around. "Asti!"
Astrea blushed when Hestia called her that. "H-Hestia, not th-"
She didn´t get further, Hestia immediately clung to the other goddess too. "Oooooh! My cute, little Asti! It´s been so long! You´ve grown so big! Do you always eat properly?! Was the journey long? Do your feet hurt? Do you need to use the potty?"
"Hestia!"
Astrea´s face was crimson, way more than when Hera had behaved similar.
"Ah, my cute, little Asti shouted at me..*sniff*...and that were I´m your favorite aunty..."
"D-Don´t embarrass me like that! I´m a grown woman!"
"To me, you´re still the cute little girl, who used to sit on my lap and look at me with gleaming eyes!"
"Auuu...I regret coming back already..."
"There, there, my little Asti, come, take a seat. Your aunty will bring you a juice."
Astrea´s eyes got filled with tears. "Hestia...I swear on justice..."
She could see her seven followers, all of them looked surprised, but also as if they adored their goddess even more than before.
Bell tried his best to interrupt Hestia´s pampering. "Goddess...ahm...oh right...why are you wearing these clothes?"
"Hm? Oh, I work here now, full time."
"Full time?! But why?!"
"Running from part-time job to part-time job was exhausting. And Mama Mia was very "convincing" when she told me that she´s missing a staff member, because of you."
"Hay?!"
Lunor nodded. "I can only agree. Mama Mia and Syr were so worried because of Ryu, as were we!"
Chloe agreed. "It was rrrrreally vexing, Syr paced around all day, Nya. Because nyou eloped with Nyu!"
Ryu´s face got a similar color to Astrea´s. "W-W-We didn´t elope! What are you saying, Chloe?!"
Anya tilted her head, confused for some reason. "But nyou smell like white hair, Meow. And nyite hair smells like nyou, nyou know?"
Ryu´s face turned pale, while her ears remained crimson, Bell looked embarrassed too.
"Th-This absolutely can´t be! No way!"
Bell nodded slightly. "There is no way..."
Syr eyed both of them thoroughly, especially Ryu, she noticed how Ryu´s eyes moved to the side, as if she was trying to escape Syr´s gaze.
"Hah, I knew it! Something is fishy! Something happened!"
Chloe, Anya and Lunor shouted out in unison. """Details!"""
Ryu got saved by a loud crashing sound, Mia throwing open the door to the kitchen. "Stop making a scene in my shop!"
.
.
.
Eventually, so that everything would turn a bit more civilized, Bell and the Astrea familia sat down at two tables, that got pushed together...by Syr...with ease. He was surprised how strong she was, despite not having a blessing. Then again...did he know she didn´t have a blessing? He had learned that Syr apparently had the same background as Anya and Mia, was a former member of the Freya familia, but he couldn´t imagine Syr fighting.
Hestia begged Mia to let her take a break, as did Ryu´s friends, but they would have to work longer in exchange. Bell´s goddess started to explain why she worked here at the pub now, it was close to their home, and just like she said, it was easier than multiple part-time jobs. Syr explained that Hestia was extremely popular, despite the fact that she was probably the clumsiest staff member they ever had. She made a lot of mistakes, but received enormous tips. For some it was of course obvious why, Hestia´s outfit...her buttons...fought harder than Ottar did in the dungeon to keep her outfit together.
Hestia also explained, that the familia was currently in the dungeon, but would return in the late afternoon, they would surely be overjoyed to have Bell back.
"Our dungeon alliance has grown, I talked with Hathor, two of her followers joined the dungeon party a while ago, it makes things much easier. Little Aisha also comes often now, when she has time."
This seemed to displease Ryu, but only that about Aisha.
Hestia grinned. "And the dungeon part got currently joined by an internship squad from the Education District."
"A what?"
"The Education District puts its students in squads, similar to our parties. Many students from the district wanted to meet you, Bell. Something happened in the dungeon, with Hephaistos´ captain and them, then they later showed up at our door. I talked with Baldr about it, he asked me to show them the ropes."
"Wow, it seems like a lot happened while we were away."
"Absolutely! You have much to catch on! And to make up for the time you were away! All of us were so worried!"
"I´m sorry, Goddess."
"I will not let you go away for such a long time again!"
"I don´t intend to ever leave you again for such a long time."
"That´s good!"
Hestia clung at Bell´s arm, "glaring" at Ryu.
"I can only ask for your forgiveness again, Lady Hestia."
"Hmpf!" Hestia pouted and looked away from Ryu.
In the past, Ryu would´ve been extremely upset by such a behavior, but she knew how to take Hestia, and she could understand the small goddess.
Astrea´s other followers were all overwhelmed by the situation, especially by the mountain of food that got brought to their table!
Syr smiled. "Mama Mia said you should all eat, you probably weren´t able to eat good food while you traveled. And Mama Mia´s food is the best in the world."
There was even food for Sharpbeak, Mia made an exception about her "no pets" rule. Euphie had found shelter on Astrea´s lap, the goddess sometimes took something from her plate and held it to the glowing orb, it looked like Euphie absorbed the food.
"Asti, I´m surprised you came back to Orario."
"Hestia...please us my name properly..."
"Hah, the little girl...all grown up."
"Mouh...hah...well, to answer your question, I thought it was time. And we all didn´t want to be separated from Ryu again."
"So, you will oficially return to Orario?"
"I intend to, I hope the others let me."
"I will fight everyone who dares to vote against you! I will send my whole familia after them!"
Astrea chuckled. "But what if Loki opposed it?"
"Ungh...I would still support you!"
Syr giggled. "And I´m sure Freya would do so too, she often told me how much she misses her friend."
Astrea smiled. "I missed her too. But I don´t think Loki would have much against me, we worked together well during the dark times."
Hestia suddenly grinned wide. "And I´m sure your grandfather wants to have you back in the city too."
"Hestia..."
"Hehe~~ You´re such a cutie pie. By the way, where do you plan to stay?"
Astrea then looked a bit sad. "I would like to find out who bought the Stardust Garden, but until then...maybe a hotel?"
Hestia shook her head. "We have about fifty or so empty rooms, you can stay at our home until you found something."
Syr slightly raised her hand. "Lady Astrea?"
"Yes, Syr?"
"I know who owns the Stardust Garden now."
"Oh? How?"
"She...brought me there, one time."
"You don´t mean..."
"Freya bought it after the guild took hold of it. She said she wouldn´t allow anyone to move in there."
"Oh..."
"Anyone but you."
Astrea´s eyes widened slightly, as did Ryu´s.
"You mean...Freya..."
"She took hold of it, saying she would do so until you return."
"Oh my... I should go and see her tomorrow."
"Shall I tell her when I go home?"
"Please do."
"Hehe~~ I´m sure she will be glad."
Their small welcome party continued for a long time, and would continue even longer as the dungeon party arrived at some point. It was then Bell´s turn to vanish in a group hug, many tears got shed. Lily and Haruhime clung to him, even Aisha tried to "hug" him, but a glare from Ryu warned her to not even try it. Which let Aisha raise an eyebrow and grin.
"Marking your territory, huh?"
"Be quiet, amazon."
"Heeeeeh..."
It would become a very, very long evening, the party went on deep into the night. Food and drinks kept coming. Bell especially had to drink more than ever before in his life, no alcohol of course. But he talked so much, that his throat was constantly going dry. When he needed a break, Ryu took over. They didn´t tell them every detail, some things were of course too personal.
But Hestia squeaked in joy when Bell gave her what Hera asked him to do, and hugged her again. Lily of course got upset, and demanded a hug too, as did a very shy Haruhime. Aisha noticed how Ryu didn´t react to that, raising an eyebrow.
"Unlike you, they don´t have any naughty intentions."
Aisha said nothing, she just grinned.
It got so late, that Aisha helped Samira at some point to carry Lena to the home of the Hathor familia, she was slightly drunk and very tired. Cassandra and Daphne excused themself a bit earlier, they would return to the Heart Mansion with Ouka and Chigusa, to watch over the home, and spend their gods company. Actually, Daphne and Cassandra wouldn´t spend Miach company, they feared they might interrupt him and Nahza cuddling, or something similar, which would make Nahza very...upset.
Astrea thanked Hestia when they all went to the Heart Mansion, that she would give them the rooms as long as necessary.
"I can´t let my cute niece sleep on the streets after all!"
It would be very late at night, when Bell and Ryu sat in the living room, with the Hestia familia. No one said something at first after Bell had explained their situation now. Welf looked a bit worried at the three women, not daring to congratulate Bell, neither did Mikoto, she just looked at Haruhime.
Hestia eventually smiled sadly. "I guess we were right..."
"Goddess?"
Lily wiped a small tear away from her cheek. "Lily thought so too..."
Haruhime nodded, her ears and tail hang down. All three had at some point expected what they might hear when Bell and Ryu returned to Orario. Bell wouldn´t leave Orario for so long for anyone.
Maybe to hide her feelings, Hestia eventually pointed at Ryu.
"Don´t you dare make my Bell sad, and don´t even think I will back down on my shares of cuddles with him! Bell is still my Bell!"
Ryu nodded with a very slight smile. "Of course, Lady Hestia."
"Hmpf! And that where you said you two didn´t elope! Hmpf!"
"Lily also won´t hand over her time with Master Bell! We´re familia members! Master Bell is Lily´s saviour."
Ryu just nodded again.
Haruhime was the one who looked the most sad. "I...Sir Bell is my hero...he saved me..."
Bell smiled gently. "And I will ever do that, if you need help in the future, Haruhime."
"Mh."
Haruhime bowed slightly towards Ryu. "Please treat Sir Bell well, I just want him to be happy. And...still have him brush my tail now and then..."
Ryu nodded with a serious expression. "I don´t intend to steal Bell away from one of you."
Mikoto knew why the three didn´t react stronger, they all had expected this for two weeks now, that there was something between Bell and Ryu. The reason for that, was Freya, secretly. Choosing her words very carefully, spread ideas and suggestions here and there, so subtle that Hestia never got it wasn´t her own ideas that brought her to a possible conclusion...with all that, had Freya prepared the three. In her way, caring for Hestia that way, and her two followers. While at the same time, clearing the way for Ryu.
The three would still shed tears when they would be alone in their rooms, in Haruhime´s case, she was held by Mikoto, while she sobbed and cried.
But it had to get out.
Hestia eventually looked at Ryu again. "What do you plan to do from now on?"
"We all talked with Lady Astrea, it is time to return to what we were before. I will talk to Mama Mia, to go down to a past time employee. Lady Astrea said she would love to take over the work I won´t have time to do. My fellow familia members and I will start to go into the dungeon together, I will show them how it works. And in case you will go on an Expedition...I would like to accompany you."
Hestia nodded. "That goes without saying. Heh, our alliance grows more and more. Soon, we will be able to challenge Loki, mark my words!"
"Ahaha..." Bell smiled wryly.
Hestia winked at him. "Prepare yourself, Bell. As the familia´s and the dungeon party´s leader, a lot of work awaits you."
"I will do my best."
"But first, you will rest for a few days, your goddess´ order!"
"Hay, goddess!"
.
.
.
The very late night ended with Bell and Ryu holding a hand for a while, standing in a hallway. Ryu´s room was of course next to these ones of her familia, sleeping in Bell´s room was out of question. These things should only be done after their pledge of eternal love, which would happen in roughly three weeks, one month after their confession. Under a full moon, in a forest. As it should be. Where...following elven traditions...both would have their first kiss...
"Good night, Ryu."
"Good night, Bell."
Both smiled, their love for each other not hidden at all. It still became quite hard for both to sleep separated from each other, not knowing what they had done during the last nights.
.
.
.
.
At the next day, in the morning, there was something that should be done as soon as possible. Since no god came to complain about Astrea returning to Orario, she would immediately go to the guild and register her children there. Before that, Ouranos had send a special message to Astrea, to talk with her in private.
Due to what Ryu had done in the dungeon during the Juggernaut incident, risking her life to save others, she got a secret pardon from Ouranos, ordering the guild to turn a blind eye to the fact that this elf looked very similar to Gale Wind, who was officially declared dead now.
Which meant, if Ryu wanted to register herself at the guild, she would need a different last name. Astrea´s suggestion let Ryu squeal in shame, feeling very bold and daring to consider it...and do it in the end.
She had looked at Bell, he at her, both equally crimson.
Until...Ryu got registered.
Under her new name.
.
.
.
.
.
Ryu Cranel.
.
.
.
.
.
Her fellow familia members would be shocked how bold and straight-forward Ryu was! When Hestia, Lily and Haruhime would hear about this, all three would cry out in unison, declaring they misjudged how sneaky and bold Ryu truly was!
It would be hard for the rest of the day, to see Ryu´s face, it would mostly remain hidden behind her hands. She herself couldn´t believe how daring she was...to take Bell´s name before they had their pledge.
I´m a lewd elf...
