Ais Wallenstein. The Sword Princess and fastest growing adventurer in Orario. Ever since she had joined the Loki Familia, Ais had obtained countless accolades and praises. A calm and collected warrior. A cold young woman who was always composed.
But at that moment...
'What... did I just feel?'
She watched the mysterious man with white hair and crimson eyes dash away carrying that goddess. As she did, she reflexively glanced back down at her sword.
It was a masterpiece blade, but it wasn't unbreakable. In that moment where she reflexively acted, Ais channeled both her mana and Avenger to attack. A move that should have cracked the blade to its core.
But it was fine.
Not only that, but...
She tightened her grip on the blade.
'How?'
She saw the sword cut through. But in an instant, it had vanished and reappeared in his hands.
Was he that much faster than her? Stronger? Was that how he could tell?
No. More than that...
Ais narrowed her eyes and pursed her lips.
She was sure of it.
For a brief moment, she felt a monster's presence overlapping with that man's form. Not only that, but she felt *that* presence as well. The one who had slain her father and taken away her mother...
"Geez, Ais! I told you that you've been spending too much time training!"
A familiar voice broke Ais out of her thoughts. Lefiya's voice.
Ais blinked and then saw that the half-elf was standing in front of her.
Lefiya sighed and then grabbed Ais's hand. "This is why I said we should have some fun."
Loki stepped forward and nodded. "Lefi's got a point, you know? We can't have our cute Sword Princess attacking any old couple just because they're so disgustingly sweet."
Lefiya gave a serious nod and said, "That's right. Even if they should get a room."
Ais blinked and tilted her head. "...I don't understand?"
Loki laughed and patted Ais's head. "Don't worry about it. Now, let's go try out some more cute dresses. We got one for Lefi so now it's your turn, hehehe..."
Lefiya gave Loki a blank stare and said, "If you do anything weird, I'm going to tell Lady Riveria."
Loki straightened and saluted Lefiya. "Understood, Ma'am!"
"..." Lefiya shook her head and then started walking off, tugging Ais with her. As she did, she muttered, "Maybe Captain Finn was right. We might all need a break from all of these events happening..."
xxx
Loki smiled and watched as her two cute children walked off together. But then she turned back to look at where Hestia and that 'Bell' had gone off.
'A naive demispirit, huh?'
That Shrimp didn't know anything about Ais. And she wasn't like Freya who had her scary eyes that could see through everything, so that information didn't come from the Shrimp.
And Loki saw it too. The Shrimp didn't expect that comment, even though she went with it... Which meant that her 'Bell' figured it out by himself.
'...Just who is that guy anyway?'
A man who Hestia loved enough to lash out with her Arcanum because he could have been hurt. A man who could avoid Ais's attack while disarming her. And a man who put Ais on guard enough for her to reflexively attack him...
"...Meh." Loki laced her hands together behind her head and started walking off after Ais and Lefiya.
Even if that guy was weird, he was someone that Shrimp chose. And while Loki hated to admit it, the Shrimp was definitely a better judge of character than her.
So for now, she'd ignore it. That man didn't mean anything by saying what he said, and the Shrimp didn't want anything to deal with them.
Although...
Loki cracked one of her eyes open a bit more as she watched Ais glancing back towards where Hestia and Bell left.
'...This might be messy later.'
xxx
"What did you do that for, Bell?!"
I set Tia down on the ground while I adjusted my shirt. "What was what for?"
Tia huffed and said, "Pulling me into your arms and then running away like that! N-Not that I didn't like it, but that was a serious situation!"
I brushed down my pants and then smiled. "All the more reason to get us out of there then, right? We're on a date, and we can't have a good one while other people are bothering us."
Tia covered her face and let out a deep sigh. "I can't believe you sometimes, Bell..."
"That's because I'm unbelievably awesome."
Tia swatted my arm and said, "You're just lucky you're handsome."
I chuckled and said, "Should I tell that to Fina? Seems like her Mommy's the sort to judge on looks."
Tia rolled her eyes and then started adjusting her dress. After that, she looked around and said, "Did you have plans here in Daedalus Street, Bell?"
"Not really. But it's a good place for a stroll, right?" After saying that, I took a look around.
A haphazard and winding street. Uniform buildings that looked the same in every direction... and when they didn't look the same, they hid countless alleyways.
In short, the sort of place that a person could easily get lost in without a proper map or directions.
Of course, I didn't need that since I was me and could mark places with mana.
While we were on the move, I had perfectly mapped out the entire area. Although...
I glanced towards a powerful mana signature that seemed to be radiating from the depths of Daedalus street and frowned.
Tia noticed and said, "What's wrong?"
"...Nothing." I sighed and said, "Just have a feeling that life's going to get more complicated soon."
Tia rolled her eyes and then wrapped herself around my right arm. "If you were worried about that, you should have listened to me and become something other than an adventurer, Darling."
"And you need to try a bit harder than that if you want to be seductive Tia. Though you don't have to be." I gave Tia a warm smile and said, "I was already enchanted the moment I met you, my dear goddess."
"Hmph." Tia huffed and leaned her head against my arm. "Don't think you can get off that easy. I'm still upset about what happened earlier." Tia frowned and said, "That cutting board..."
"Calling another Goddess a cutting board is a bit much, don't you think?" I paused, remembering how Tia roasted Loki.
...Well, there was a reason why she was considered a goddess of fire too, I guess?
Tia rolled her eyes and said, "I've called her worse and she's called me worse. It's fine. Now." Tia tugged me along and looked around. "Where are we going, Bell?"
I started walking, taking the lead, before saying, "Easy there, Wifey. There's plenty of daylight left. Besides, there's a lot we don't know about each other, right?"
Tia swatted my arm again and said, "Stop with that silver tongue of yours. It's because of that thing we're in trouble with Freya."
"Right. Sorry." I frowned and said, "Force of habit."
Not mine though. Maybe accelerating Bell's growth was bringing out his natural tendencies? And maybe he was meant to be a playboy?
I mean, Bell was the MC of a harem manga or something, right?
I thought I was keeping it in check, but I might need to do dedicated speech therapy. Maybe start scolding women instead-
Ah, wait. That would just draw the weird ones to me.
...
I decided to set that issue aside for the moment and focused on Tia. "Anyway... You like reading, right, Tia? Is there a reason for that?"
Tia paused to consider it and said, "...Not really? I enjoy stories, but I guess it just became a habit? Back in Heaven I didn't really have many friends, so stories and books became my companions."
"...You know I love you, right Tia?"
"You do?!"
I blinked.
...Oh yeah. Haven't said that outright yet.
I coughed and said, "I-I do. I mean, isn't that obvious?"
Tia looked away and blushed. "N-No. I mean... I guess so...? You're always flirting with other girls, but you draw the line pretty harshly, so... Gah." She shook her head and glared at me. "You shouldn't say these things so casually, Bell!"
"Right, right. I'll remember to say it in a more serious setting next time, Tia."
Tia's face turned a darker shade of red and said, "Y-You don't have to..."
"But I want to. And it'll be more fun seeing you squirm then."
Tia was already cute, but seeing her embarrassed was even cuter.
"S-Squirm?" Tia looked at me and then I caught her eyes flicking down for a second.
I blinked and then did my best to ignore my face heating up. Instead, I stared at her and said, "Tia."
"W-What?! I didn't look at anything!"
"...Sure."
Yeah. Let's play along for now.
Today was meant to be a wholesome and romantic date, not one where we end up in a hotel room or something doing the loveydovey.
Yet.
...Though I probably should start working on that before Freya starts trying to work Tia over for a threesome or something.
But first, cute and romantic date.
xxx
Damned Einstein. The passage of time passing entirely on where you're standing, the theory of relativity... It really was true.
Chatting with Tia about various things. Getting to know each other a bit more, like favorite colors, foods, and activities. Discussing various stories and what sorts we liked...
Speaking of which, I learned that Tia adored happy endings, but couldn't help herself from reading tragedies since she thought those were more realistic. That, and she felt that those stories deserved to be remembered so that the people who suffered didn't do so in vain.
*That* raised a big red flag. Paired with the fact that Tia had apparently risked getting sent to Heaven by using her Arcanum before meant that I'd have to be extra cautious about things.
I had a feeling that if push came to shove, Tia would do a heroic sacrifice to keep everyone safe.
For the record, I despised tragedies and exclusively read happy endings. And when I came across a story without one, I tended to either retcon it in my head or retcon it in writing to fix that.
But anyway, time passed by in a flash. And before either of us knew it, the sun had fallen and gotten replaced by the moon.
Then, to top off our date, we shared a long and sweet kiss while staring at the starry skies from the edge of a clock tower balcony.
It was sweet and unforgettable. Romantic and precious.
And yet...
"...It's already time to get back to work, huh?"
It was now the morning after my date with Tia. And on that morning, I stood in front of the Freya familia building and did my best to ignore the pointed glares from all around me. Glares that were coming from people that were absolutely stronger than me.
Not that I'd lose just because they were stronger though. Right now, I was coming up short in pure stats, but in terms of lethality, I'd developed quite a few trump cards due to the realization of my precarious situation as an MC and the inevitable troubles coming my way.
I sighed and then pressed the strangely modern doorbell next to the imposing iron gate before me.
A soft chime echoed in the distance.
The glares on me became sharper.
And then...
"...You are brave for walking alone into enemy territory, Bell Kranel."
...A firm and powerful voice echoed from the distance. Shortly after, the gate opened on its own, revealing the speaker. Ottar.
I chuckled and waved at him and said, "I've gotta do this much to take responsibility, right?"
Killing intent. Enough to cause any ordinary person to faint.
But to me, killing intent was just another energy.
Apparently.
Huh. That was a new one.
I quietly gathered up the killing intent and stored it away in my inventory for later.
Ottar smiled and then walked forward, placing his hand on my shoulder. "Yes. You must do at least that much. Then... Let us depart. The sooner we accomplish our task for Lady Freya the better."
"Right. That task." I glanced back at the mansion, tracking a few people glaring at me with pure malice. After that, I looked back at Ottar and said, "...You'll give me pointers along the way so I won't die a stupid death, right?"
"Of course." Ottar's smile widened and he said, "Lady Freya mentioned that you have great potential. I will do my best to draw it out along the way."
An imposing aura. Ottar was being completely benign in both his speech and mannerisms... but why did I feel like I was going to regret asking that?
And why was the infamously aloof and cold Ottar staring at me with burning passion in his eyes?
"...Go easy on me?"
"No such words exist for a hero. Now come, there is work to be done."
"Hah..."
[author]Made some concept art of how certain characters look in the story. To be added below.
Bell Kranel
Pre Gainz:
Post Gainz:
Welf Crozzo (After being corrupted by Will of Re-Bel)
Hestia (Tia) at the end of the date
Freya after being affected by Bell's skills.
Artemis
Pyrrha (while using the power inherited from her Mama)
Fina (while using the powers she inherited from her Papa)
Bellatrix. Freya and Bell's child. An innocent looking girl with beautiful looks that hides a mischievous personality.
[/author]
Evening, in Freya's private room within Babel. There, three goddesses had gathered while waiting for the start of the Banquet of the Gods in a few hours.
Hestia adjusted the form-fitting black dress that Freya lent her and then looked into the full-body mirror nearby. When she did, Hestia frowned, carefully spinning in place to examine herself.
It was a pretty outfit. Unlike her usual bright blue bow and white clothes, the dress Freya lent her was mostly black, with only a bit of white around her shoulders and chest. Paired with the black ribbons that Freya also lent, Hestia was sure that she gave off a more mature vibe. Even so...
"...Am I growing a bit?"
Staring at herself in the mirror, Hestia couldn't help but think that.
She knew that her clothes had been a bit small recently, but Hestia thought it was just because she had been eating a bit much. But the woman in the mirror...
It was definitely her. But at the moment, it looked like people would double-take if Loki called her a Shrimp again.
Freya walked over to the mirror and smiled. Like Hestia, the Norse Goddess was wearing a form fitting dress. It was a bit different in style though. Unlike Hestia's dress which had shoulders to support the top of her dress, the top of Freya's dress had bare shoulders and was being held by the thinnest of silk strings.
It was still an elegant ball gown, but it looked like a wardrobe malfunction waiting to happen.
Freya glanced at Hestia's reflection and then let out a calm smile. "Perhaps it's the maturity of motherhood, Tia?"
Hephaestus walked over as well to look at Hestia's reflection.
The Goddess of the Forge was also wearing an elegant black ball gown that night. But to reflect her origin as a blacksmith, she was also wearing a few accessories. An obsidian and gold necklace, golden trimming at the top edges of her dress to properly support it (unlike Freya's), a golden armband... and most importantly, a golden sword at her side that had been forged by the man she loved. <Eternal Love>.
Hestia eyed the sword Hepheastus wore at her side and raised an eyebrow. "Are you seriously planning to carry that around, Faefae?"
Hephaestus blushed a bit, but then she held her head high and said, "Of course." She rested her hand on the hilt of the sword and let out a warm smile. "With how much love Welf put into it, how can I not?"
Hestia gave her a blank stare and said, "...Weren't you the one worried about drawing attention because of the kids? Isn't carrying around a ridiculous sword like that even worse?"
Hephaestus waved her hand and said, "Don't worry. It's sealed and just looks like an ornamental blade." She glanced over at Freya and said, "Even you can't detect anything from it, right?"
"Mm..." Freya stared at the sword and said, "No. You've done a great job of concealing it."
Hephaestus looked at Hestia and said, "See? It will be-"
"It's a pity though." Freya interrupted Hephaestus and sighed. "To think that the crystallization Crozzo's pure love and affection would be smothered like this instead of being revealed to the world..." She glanced at Hestia and said, "It's a bit tragic, isn't it, Tia?"
Hephaestus flinched, but she quickly recovered and said, "At least it's a mutual love, unlike yours."
Freya smiled and said, "You say so, but does your child know that?"
Hephaestus winced and then lowered her head.
Hestia sighed and said, "Could you stop jabbing at Faefae, Freya? You know she has her circumstances."
"If you say so, Tia." Freya turned away from Hephaestus and then helped adjust some of Hestia's ribbons. As she did, she gave a sidelong glance at Hephaestus and said, "Though, I just have to say. If it came between choosing my Familia or the man I loved, I would choose him without a doubt."
Hephaestus pursed her lip, subconsciously resting her hand on <Eternal Love>.
Hestia glanced at Freya through the mirror and said, "That's my Bell you're talking about."
Freya nodded. "Yes. And I'm his Mistress."
"...Say that again after I marry Bell." Hestia stepped away from Freya and then glanced out the window at the setting sun. "In any case... Should we get going?"
Hephaestus looked out the window as well and then sighed. "...I suppose we should." She reached up the scratch the back of his head and said, "I'm still not prepared though..." She looked over at Freya and said, "Are you really going to back us?"
Freya smiled and said, "We're a sisterhood of divine mothers, are we not? Of course I will."
Hestia resisted the urge to sigh again at Freya's shameless insistence. Instead, she nodded and said, "Then... Let's go." She put a serious expression on and prepared herself.
For the sake of her family.
xxx
Fina was enjoying herself.
Although she was a bit sad because both Mommy and Daddy were busy, she was happy because she got to spend lots of time with her friends!
And not only that, today she managed to earn some rent money!
Since Mommy was busy, she couldn't work her job at the stall making yummy Jagamarukuns. And since Fina was still too small, Mister Owner wouldn't let her cook them. But Mister Owner *did* let them borrow the stall to sell some things with Pyrrha!
Ah, but only with an adult watching them. But Miss Lion was there to help, and even Miss Artemis came along!
Uncle Welf wanted to come too, but he was in the middle of a secret project, so he stayed at home to watch the house.
But anyway, after a long day, it was time to count their earnings!
Fina opened the bag of their earnings and dumped the coins out on the kitchen table. Staring at the glittering gold, she smiled and said, "Look, Pyrrha! We got a lot of coins!"
Pyrrha's eyes sparkled and she said, "We did! And they're pretty gold too!"
"Right? It's super pretty!"
Ryuu walked over from the kitchen and set down a platter of sandwiches cut into cute bite-sized pieces. After that, she pulled over a seat and sat down next to the girls. "Remember to eat."
"Oh!" Fina nodded and said, "Thank you, Miss Lion!" She smiled and grabbed a sandwich piece off the platter.
Pyrrha smiled and said, "Yes! Thank you, Miss Lion!" After that, she grabbed a sandwich piece as well and carefully started eating.
Meanwhile, Fina munched on her sandwich and started counting out the coins.
One for her, one for Pyrrha, one for Miss Ryuu... Oh! And one for Miss Artemis too...
While Fina was counting, Ryuu grabbed her own sandwich piece and made herself comfortable. After taking a bite, she frowned and mumbled. "Still. To let children manage a stall like that even with supervision... Is it that the children were too charming, or was the owner that careless?"
Artemis walked over with a pitcher of water and some cups. Pouring out drinks for everyone, she sat down and smiled, "I believe it was more because of you, Miss Lion." She slid a cup over and laughed. "The poor man was terrified of your aura."
Ryuu raised an eyebrow. "Was he?"
Fina paused in the middle of stacking the gold coins and then stopped to think. "...Mm. I guess Mister Owner had been acting a bit weird..."
The kind old man was extra kind that day. He didn't even ask for money from them like he did with Mommy!
Ryuu stiffened and then frowned. "...It seems that I must be more vigilant. I thought I had become accustomed to controlling my strength..." She sighed. "Truly, Bell is a terrible influence."
A door opened, followed by footsteps. After that, Welf's voice called out. "We talking about Bell over here?"
Pyrrha's eyes lit up and she dashed over. "Papa!"
Welf smiled and picked Pyrrha up, giving her a warm hug. "Heya, Pyrrha. Had fun today?"
"Mmhm!"
Fina held up a handful of coins and said, "We made a lot from selling some toys!"
"...Toys?" Welf raised an eyebrow and looked at Ryuu and Artemis.
Ryuu let out a wry smile.
xxx
At the Ganesha Familia residence, the Banquet of the Gods was in full swing.
Lively chatter, livelier arguments among certain individuals, and both good food and good spirits (in both sense of the words) were being passed around.
Despite that, off in a corner of the room, a certain blonde messenger god sat by himself, casually observing a small figurine he bought earlier that day while he was disguised and gathering information.
"...Even your granddaughter is amazing, Zeus." Hermes spun the rough figurine of Bell in his hands and said, "To be able to make a magic item that repels monsters from scraps like this..."
Fina had called it a good luck charm. And most adventurers probably bought it because she was cute in selling it.
But the truth was that it really would be good luck, at least to those who were worried about getting ambushed by monsters.
Though, for those who wanted to hunt them down, it might be more like bad luck?
"Whatcha up to over here by your lonesome, Hermes?"
A tomboyish voice called out. Loki's.
Hermes slipped the figurine away in his suit pocket and smile. "Just playing with some toys."
"Mm. You and your kids like to do that a lot, don't you?" Loki glanced at where Hermes put the figurine away and said, "Anything good?"
"Just a little interesting trinket." Hermes grabbed a nearby bottle of wine and an empty glass before pouring some for himself. "Now..." Hermes folded his arms on the table and smiled. "You wanted information?"
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