Bab 474: Joining a Girl’s ‘Tea Party’ part 2

"Welfy, are you sure that you don't know anything else about the Spirit connection?" Tsubaki asked further after Welf finished explaining.

"How the hell should I know!? Only the first Crozzo had any direct contact with that Spirit, not me!" Welf shot back at Tsubaki.

With a dirty look on her face, Tsubaki replied, "Man, you're seriously useless when it matters! Whether it's weapon-making or giving info, your effort is half-assed."

"What do my forging skills have to do with this!? What the hell is wrong with you!?" Welf angrily shouted at her, "If it's legends you're interested in, don't ask me! There's someone else here who knows a lot more than I do! I'm done here!" Welf stood up and angrily walked out.

A few minutes later, he came back and threw someone in, "Eh?" Bell became nervous with all the beautiful ladies surrounding him as he sat down on his knees, "U-um... Why am I here?"

"Well, well... Bell Cranel. Welfy basically sold you out. You'd best prepare yourself." Tsubaki answered him with a grin.

"S-sold out!?" Bell then noticed the Amazoness who was giving him a happy face, "Eh heh heh... It's Argonaut-kun!" Tiona muttered silly.

Hearing the name 'Argonaut' made Bell flinch a bit, because that was the actual name of his skill which he got when he became a Level 2.

Disregarding his reaction, however, Tiona continued, "Hey, hey! Is it true that you know a whole lot about legends?"

"I uh... wouldn't consider it a lot, but I did read them often as a child."

Tiona then started to ask him questions to test his knowledge, "Then, who did Sir Girard save, huh?"

"Queen Altis." Bell instantly answered.

Happy with his response, Tiona continued, "Then, then, where did Giorgio the Dragon Slayer slay the Beast?"

"Lake Sireina."

"Then, then, then, what weapon did he use to kill it?"

"A spear-like holy sword... And a maiden's ribbon."

Convinced, Tiona happily exclaimed, "Wow! Amazing~!"

Tiona still wanted to continue asking him, but Tione smacked her head, "Ahh, enough already." She then faced Bell with a serious expression which prompted him to sit up straight, "Getting back on topic, do you know anything about a Spirit named Aria?"

"The Spirit, Aria?" Bell thought for a bit before carefully answering, "The Great Spirit in Dungeon Oratoria connected to the Hero Albert?"

"Yeah, yeah! That one!" Tione became excited, "Okay, what about the story where Aria cuts herself to share her blood with someone? Ring a bell?"

Bell went silent for a few minutes and scratched his head while trying to recall if there was something like that, but he ultimately shook his head, "I don't think I've read that one before..."

"Alright, how about Aria helping an injured Human? And that Human having descendants." Tione continued asking.

"I... I feel like something like that may have been there but not specifically mentioned..." Bell shook his head again.

All the Loki Familia girls gave up and sighed, however, Bell suddenly continued his words, "Although... I'm not too sure about 'descendants', per se, but... The Hero Albert did supposedly have a child."

Tiona jumped up at his claims, "What!? I've never heard anything about this!!! Did you read the original version? The very first one from a thousand years ago?"

Even Kisuke's eyes widened as he already asked Yoruichi for any record regarding the Hero Albert and the Spirit Aria. She went out of Orario to ask some scholars regarding Albert's child but nobody knew any version of the lore containing such detail. Kisuke assumed that the Zeus and Hera Familia of that time hid Ais' existence from most people due to her peculiar origin. So Kisuke was surprised when Bell claimed that he read a version where Albert had a child and was wondering where he got it.

While scratching his head, Bell answered Tiona, "Erm... Well, no, but... It was more like... S-something my grandpa drew."

Everyone except for one person became disappointed with his answer. If it was just his grandpa then it was most probably a modified version to more fit the taste of the reader instead of old records. But they still couldn't brush away the possibility that his grandfather had read an even older version as the basis of this.

Kisuke, on the other hand, grinned as a part of the puzzle fell in its place inside his head.

"So... your grandfather drew picture books?" Tione asked.

Bell could only laugh wryly, "Ha-ha, well, how to put this?"

"Do you mind if I ask where your grandfather is now?" Kisuke suddenly asked.

Hearing that, Bell's smile became sad, "Ah... He already passed away..."

"Ah, I'm sorry about that. That was rude of me."

Bell immediately shook his head, "No, no, no. It's fine."

However, Bell's answer only solidified the possibility in Kisuke's mind.

Since they may get more information, Tiona asked curiously, "What happened to the kid, then? I remembered at the end of Albert's story..."

"Yeah, he got involved in that battle... Then he disappeared." Bell replied.

"By the way, who were the women in his party again?" Tiona asked again in curiosity.

"There was uh... The Amazonian Empress, Evelda and The High Elf Queen Celdia-" But before Bell could finish his words, opposing voices came from the Elves, "And what the hell are you implying here!?"

"Celdia-sama is an eternal and beloved saint! Devoid of impurities! The pride of our people, who left her home to save the world! It's unthinkable that she would ever have a child with someone of another race!!" Alicia shouted.

"That's right! How profane!" Lefiya added.

"To avoid any careless remarks, allow Lefiya and I to educate you a bit!" Alicia declared.

"That's right! Edu-" Lefiya then suddenly looked at Alicia in surprise, "Wait, me too!?"

Ignoring Lefiya, Alicia then transferred her attention to Tiona, "While you're here, we'll teach you everything that we remember."

"Why am I being included!? Hey, someone, help me out here!!"

"Calm down, Alicia. You're gonna make our little guest feel sick." Tsubaki tried to stop the Elf but to no avail. And so, everyone in the tent was forced to listen to her 'lessons' and Bell had to leave tired.

After a few more minutes, Alicia calmed down and everyone sighed in relief.

"That was insightful, but we're not any closer to how this connects to Ais." Anakitty muttered.

However, Tione and Tiona were silent and Anakitty had to call out to them when she noticed that they were making a difficult face, "Tiona? Tione? What's wrong?"

"Ah?... Ah... Aha-haha-haha. Nothing. I'm just thinking of something else." Tiona replied with a forced laugh. Anakitty and the others were confused and curious but didn't ask any further.

Unlike them, both Tiona and Tione made a small connection after thinking longer, 'That guy said that Ais could have been sleeping for a thousand years... Could it be...?'

It was at this moment that Riveria entered the tent, "You all shouldn't be prying this much."

"R-Riveria-sama!? Why are you here!?" Lefiya and Alicia both stood up and greeted her.

"As if no one would notice the giant commotion you all were making." Riveria then looked towards Kisuke who was grinning, "And to make it worse, you invited a man over." Riveria recalled the gnashing of the male members outside the tent and could only sigh.

"Not my fault~!" Kisuke chuckled but he could imagine the faces of everyone outside.

"Anyway, you lot shouldn't pry too much." Riveria reprimanded everyone.

With a sad face, Tiona replied, "Actually, Riveria... Don't you think this secret with Ais is something we should know? Aren't we a Familia?"

Riveria sat down beside her and answered, "Now, I won't deny the fact that we as a Familia are connected by a strong bond. Having said that, I don't have to explain to you all who witnessed the events on the 59th floor, but Ais still cannot speak on it. It is our full responsibility to allow her to conceal it. Despite its dishonesty."

Patting Tiona's head, Riveria continued, "Although I cannot explain everything without Ais present, I can say with certainty that Ais is blessed with the blood of a Spirit."

Riveria then stood up and looked towards Kisuke again, "Then again, it's probably that guy who benefited from tonight's discussion the most. Did you figure something out?"

Everyone was shocked at Riveria's claim and immediately looked towards Kisuke.

Kisuke's grin grew larger and he replied, "Yep~. Some things fell into place. I'm really thankful that this happened~."

"Mind sharing with me what you figured out?" Riveria asked.

"Indeed we have an agreement to share intelligence and facts with respect to what the Loki Familia needs. However, what I figured out isn't a fact but just mere speculation. I don't need to share my guesses, right? It might be wrong, after all. On top of that, this one isn't related to the Loki Familia." Kisuke then slightly bowed to everyone and bid his farewell, "Now then, thank you very much for inviting me over. I still need to tend to our girls so I have to leave. Good night, everyone~!"

When Kisuke was about to leave, Tiona wanted to call out to him but Riveria stopped her and shook her head.

"Riveria... Just who is he?" Tione asked.

"Right! Riveria-sama! Who is he and why is he so close with Ais-san!?" Lefiya added.

Riveria was conflicted, but after a few seconds, she decided to tell them a few things, "I couldn't say much, but what you're about to hear, I want it to be kept in this tent."

Everyone's eyes widened since they didn't expect Riveria to give them some info. After all, since they started to ask about the Hestia Familia, Riveria, Ais and Line kept a tight lip due to some agreement. The first one to react was Tiona, "I'll go and check the surrounding first."

A few seconds later, Tiona came back and said, "No one is around."

Riveria nodded at her and asked her to sit down, "What I'm about to tell you is the limit of my restriction so I can't answer most of the follow-up questions. Another thing you should remember is to never repeat my words... Ready?"

"Is it fine for me to be here?" Tsubaki asked.

Riveria nodded, "I think Hephaestus-sama can say the same thing to you."

Riveria took a deep breath and said, "Even in a fair fight, there's no way for Ais to win against Kisuke Urahara."

"W-what!?" Everyone exclaimed.

================================================================================================================================================================================================

Editors corner

Alexander: Now, now listen clearly to the great tale of the Gigolo Master. I so hope that the two Elves get their ass spanked for acting almighty and ohhh so pure.

28th00: He enjoys playing with others too much… Riveria could go the extra mile and say "Even our entire familia at once would lose to him." and truly shatter their worldview though! Poor Bell-kun, you forgot that the Elves are dogmatic fanatics with religious devotion to their venerated ancestors, it's kinda really creepy...