Eleven

Third POV

Orario

2 DAYS LATER

in these two days, Orario experienced a very spectacular change. the news about Ais Wallenstein and Bell Cranel's Duel and what it entails becomes a heated topic that everyone knows, except the related person that still gets locked in her own room. Everyone either cursed Loki Familia for their cowardliness to make impossible demand or cheering at Hestia Familia especially Bell Cranel. a story about hero overcome impossibility always famous everywhere. even some denizen gather in front of Hestia Familia to cheer him, the exact opposite of Loki Familia which they protest. but, the gathering causes the Hearth Manor's resident to grow flustered so Elasha and Riveria build a sound and visual barrier there.

But there an unexpected thing that makes denizen confused. many of Loki Familia's members leave their Familia and join the other.

'(why they leave their Familia which clearly in an advantageous position?)'

and they shocked when they got an unexpected answer, a high possibility of Ais's losses. of course, at first, they did not believe it because who did not know 'Sword Princess' feat? but after a fifth of Familia's members leave in one day, they know its true so they rejoice and stop protesting at their gate and focus at Freya Familia, much to their distress that Freya decides to urge her child to finish the expedition faster. the other god gleefully mocked Loki for her foolishness. they even plan to hold a banquet after the duel, early celebration for Loki Familia's destruction, and even deliberately invite Loki.

##########################################

Twilight Manor

Captain Office

"So, what will you do with that invitation Loki-sama?"

"of course I will go."

"arent they going to mock you there?"

"that's why. I will remember their faces so I can play with them later on. hahaha"

"do it in moderation, Loki-sama"

"fine! so, what about you, Riveria? didn't your people beg you to leave the Familia?"

"haaah, those people. there no way I quit but I hope they calm down a little."

there is an amazing fact that happens. Even when more than a fifth of Loki Familia's members leave, there not a single one elf that leaving. on the contrary, some elf requests to join her familia. this is happening because their princess declares that she will not leave and will participate in the fight with the black dragon.

of course, some of them tried to persuade even begging her to leave but she rejects their ideas. for elf outside the Familia, only some of them that still retaining their loyalty. but, for elves that already together with Riveria these years, they already borderline fanatic or even already cross it for example Alicia Forestlight who vowing to make any man wish they had never been born if they ever saw her bathing. so, after hearing Riveria's declaration they did not leave. they even planning to do a coup d'etat to save her from Loki's clutch if she didn't stop them.

In the end, they decide to get stronger so they can a bit more useful for her and start killing monsters in the dungeon indiscriminately. they like a group of madmen that performing mass-murder with their bloodlust and bloodshot eyes while shouting 'EXILIA!'. even makes some people scared when mentioning 'elf' which finally ends up increasing Riveria's headache.

"didn't elf is a peace-loving and elegant race?"

"you better to shut up, Gareth."

"it's because they love you Ri-chan! even if its too much."

"haaah, I don't know anymore. just let them be. they will calm down after a few days anyway."

"well, you're right. they will stop after his return but at least we need more supply of potion for them. Lulaena, can you?"

"sure! my workshop has been ready for production. just help me securing more ingredients."

because Lulaena usually sleeps in Finn's room she decides to make the room that she got from Tione become her personal workshop. because Elasha still held a grudge to her, she can only do it herself and just finished yesterday even after dragging some unfortunate people around.

"thanks. next, are all the preparations for tomorrow ready?"

"did we even need to prepare in the first place?"

"ah, you're right."

even this event will become their turning point, there nothing that needs they prepare. all things already are prepared by Ganesha Familia and Guild. they only need to send Ais to participate in the duel which she is not even allowed to prepare. the only thing occupied them these days only handling documents from Familia's members that leave and elf's protest.

"Finally we overcome the most difficult time even if some people start bragging that we lose to their pressure and give up."

"did you send someone to find the perpetrators?"

"of course, we only need to wait for their feedback before let Loki-sama plays with them."

"hahaha. yes! more playthings! let me release my frustration for what they do."

#############################################

Ais's Room

after the ended their talk, Riveria goes to Ais's room. she finally has time to visit them after the hectic days.

*knock-knock*

"yes... Riveria-sensei! come in."

Lefiya, a rare elf that still calm and did not go crazy about acquiring more exilia because she will not give the position as Ais's roommate and watcher to anyone.

"How are you Lefiya?"

"I am okay but Ais keep pushing me to speak about the duel. did she really not allowed to know?"

"good work to keep silent. she needs it."

When they arrived at the bedroom they find Ais putting on equipment that gifted from Elasha while smiling or at least what they can see from her stoic face.

"did you like it Ais?"

"um, I felt stronger."

Ais's room cleaner and brighter than usual including some new furniture and fluffy bed. there also a landscape painting of green meadow on the wall and a clear blue sky on the ceiling. even if they did not speak, she knows who did it because the preparator also changes her room except it is a painting of a green forest and she also suspects Lefiya's room will not much different.

'(is her roommate alright?)'

"I see, Elasha treat you well."

"um."

"yes, she is. b..but don't you think she does it too much? I mean there nearly nothing left that I can do."

"well, its how she is. she always tried perfecting her job. also, it looks like she adores you so she not let you do hard work and start pampering you as much as possible. just enjoy it and you will not suffer."

'(yep, just give up)'

these days Lefiya, Ais, even Riveria get access to a nearly unlimited stock of any kind of confectionery from cake to candy and dress to try that even successfully stop Ais's complaint to get out. Elasha also gives services like massaging, cleaning, organizing which make their lives easier. even Riveria starts to give up her normal life and accept it except the dresses.

"Riveria-sensei, is my mother really an elder?"

yesterday, Lefiya ask Elasha about her mother but she did not believe that what she described is her mother. it's too different than mother that she knows. but Elasha insists that she is an elder, so she decides to ask Riveria

Elder, they are the most important people after the king. consist of talented elf and has privileges to participate in the royal meeting and handle important tasks that affect the kingdom's future. some of them even have the responsibility to take care of the secondary forest.

'(is mom an elder? but..)'

;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;

10 years ago

"happy birthday Lefiya!"

"eh, mom!? are you alright? also, what is it?"

"This is your birthday cake! look! I now lit the candle!"

Lyrei lit a candle on top of deformed cake while smiling brightly with a face fully covered by white cream

"haaah, sister. come here, let me clean your face."

Riveria who sits next to her, wiping the cream with her handkerchief before she divides the cake into 4 portions. even if the cake in their plate didn't look normal, Lyrei and Lefiya eat their portion happily while opposite of them, Riveria and Ais eat silently.

"sister, did you finally get a job?"

"no. and I decide to give up."

"...what?"

"umu. you will help me right?"

"what do you mean, mom?"

"you see, mom will not work so we can play more! and Riveria will take care of us"

"yay! but, is it alright?"

"of co-""of course not. stop misleading your daughters, please. Lefiya, Ais in future you must study and work hard if you want to eat and live so you will not become like this" say Riveria while pointing at Lyrei

""yes!""

"How cruel."

the birthday party ended with Lyrei begging Riveria to give them money which she reluctantly agreed.

;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;

"...it's impossible right?"

no matter how Lefiya trying to remember, she can't find the similarity between her mother and the graceful elder that handles the important tasks in the forest.

"Unfortunately, its the reality. your mother is an elder. she also one with the highest power also given responsibility for a forest."

"no way... high elder and a forest! is the forest alright!? did it got burned? or famine!? no-no-no! first of all, did something happen to the king when giving her authority?"

"Lefiya"

"ah, sorry Riveria-sensei. I mean there no way an elder like that right."

'(Lefiya, how low you imagine your mother)'

"it's okay. my father is alright and the forest is prosperous. did she already tell you that she from Wishe Forest? its biggest forest and center of elf kingdom's economy. she is one of the elders of that forest. your mother and father dislike formality. at least your mother still keeps her appearance in public, unlike your father."

"How is my father?"

"idiot"

"huh... what?"

"your father is the biggest idiot and shameless bastard in elf history. so its better if you never think to use him as a model to follow."

"...Alright."

Lefiya speechless and decide to stop asking further when Riveria that always polite insult someone. worse, that someone is her father. Riveria and Elasha instinctually think that hero Estelar and Estelar that they marry are a different person. they also have a habit to insult him when he makes them worry, moreover when they didn't know the aftereffect of sealing. so, of course, they will not have a positive answer about him these years. these things cause Lefiya rarely got a positive answer when asking about her father either from her mother or Riveria. while Elasha describing her mother overly positive so she did not ask her about her father.

"Ais, did you ready for tomorrow?"

"um, I will win and find it."

"then please sign and drop your blood in this contract. like what written in these. if you win, is up to you if you want to find it. but if you lose, you will do as we planned and never go out of orario except your Familia agree."

Ais without hesitation do it after reading the magic contract. she did not even bother to ask about what they planned because she already believes that she will win. Riveria smile watching it.

'(too easy)'

Magic Contract is a magic item that usually used to make an absolute deal. the related party will feel extremely pain when they violating the contract so no one dares to do it. the related party must know and agree with the term for the contract work and the contract cant be removed except by approval of all related parties or by magician at the highest caliber also, in theory, a god using their arcanum while giving up their existence in Genkai. in the past, these contracts used by evillus to force someone become a slave before selling them but now, no one dared to do it except some crazy people because there will be a big penalty like forced disband a Familia.

"I will come back to the office. Elasha will be going back to Manor late but she says she will come if you call her with the necklace as usual."

########################################

"How is it, Riveria?"

"it's easy."

"hahaha, let's relax and wait for the show tomorrow..."

*knock-knock*

"...or not, there are still problems that keep coming. COME IN!"

#############################################

Orario

"Finally, the day has come! I cant wait to see the duel."

"yeah! we don't need to worry about the disaster again."

"but it is only if Antares Killer win against Sword Princess. even if they say he will win but there still probability he gets defeated you know."

"aah, you right. let us pray for our hero!"

"yes. its pity for Sword Princess and Loki Familia but they must lose for Orario."

people chattering can be heard from everywhere. even there still time before the duel started, most of the seats already occupied. some people also gathered in various places like in front of Guild or pub because they also can watch from here with the help of Ouranos power. larger guild also gathering in their own hall like most of the members of Loki Familia that their fate will be determined today and don't want to come out while some of them already filling documents for quitting Familia.

there also betting places in bars. but unlike when Hestia-Apollo War Game that almost no one betting in Bell, this time the odd for Bell is higher than Ais but not too much that is 2 to 1. even if the executives of Loki Familia predict Ais' loses but there still many people that think Ais will win knowing her record.

###############################

Hostess of Fertility

"Welcome! We are sorry, there no empty table. but we can request to joining another customer's table or sit in front of the bar."

"hmm, we too late huh. what do you think?"

"take the bar, Look who is the bartender."

"Woah, it this why you recommend us to come here?"

"yup, there is another reason but let's go."

Syr Flova, a waitress at the Hostess of Fertility with light grey hair and eyes, bewildered at 4 strange combinations before her. a bearded middle-aged man, a bald dwarf with a brown beard, a beautiful brown-haired god with indigo eyes that somehow she felt familiar, and followed by the captain of Ganesha Familia, Shakti.

'(why the captain is not the lead and only silently following these two men?)'

what's weirder is that the dwarf somehow didn't expect Mia Grand what people know as Mama Mia here, she had built this place long ago and all people of orario know her so they must not be in orario for more than 10 years.

Syr guiding them with a smile while inside her mind, she tries to find out their identity with her intelligence. they must have higher status than the current captain of Ganesha Familia and not in orario for more than 10 years.

'(gasp, it's impossible right?)'

"Did something happen?"

"no-there is no problem. is there anything you want to order?"

"We already eat so 2 french fries, 2 beer, 1 orange juice, and 1 milk for this kid."

"there no need for milk, add 1 more beer instead."

Syr let them sit and write their order while trying to maintain her usual smile. she too shocked at her own deduction and nearly show it in her face. after that, she gives the food list to a cat people in the kitchen, May, the chef of Hostess of Fertility and drink list to Mama Mia before continuing her job at serving the customer while maintaining distance from the bar so she can hear their voice.

"here you go! 3 beer and 1 jui... Astraea-sama?"

"long time no see, Mia. thanks for taking care of my wayward child."

"Nah, no problem. she a bit troublesome sometimes but it's okay. hmm, if Shakti here that means Ganesha Familia takes responsibility for your safety. and you are..?"

"did you forget us, Self-proclaimed dwarf?"

"huh... did you get bored with your grave move here?"

"you, damn woman. normally people will cry if met their long lost acquaintance yet you're like cursing us to go die."

"hahaha, you did not change Mia. I thought you will change after I hear you build this place and picking up some lost children. no, I think you got mellowed down a bit."

"well, time change people but there always something that did not change. at first its also hard to recognize you because of your beard, Peter. also, Balrok, did you forget your hair somewhere?"

"what can I do? I am only human. I can't stop the time and someday I will get old and die. but at least, these past few days there was no need for me to hide my appearance like the others because of this natural disguise. right, Balrok?"

"Just shut up, I don't have time to take care of my hair these years. I only need to find Lulaena for her hair tonic and it will back."

"what a shame. we will lose our beautiful light reflector."

*giggle*

"is it okay for you to casually give me information?"

"hmm? if it's a few days ago, it's forbidden. but, now, not anymore. so you guys including the girl over there that eavesdropping our conversation, just come here and ask if you want."

*Crash*

"I am sorry!"

Syr that gets caught red-handed flustered accidentally drops her tray and immediately apologizing while Mama Mia only can sigh looking at her. The other waitress concerned about her but they still have work to do while other customers looking at the commotion before continuing their talk. there almost no one knows them so they did not care and those who know only silent, afraid offending them.

"clean it up quickly and bring Ryu before you come here. Chloe go help May"

""Alright""

Syr picked up the broken glass and waste food before cleaning it with a rag. she then enters the kitchen to throw the trash and call Ryu.

Ryuu Lion or what know to people as 'Gale' for her 80 million valis bounty for destroying Rudra Familia and killing its god while also destroying those that associate with them. She confused by the sudden change shift and told to come out by Syr but after seeing the woman sitting in front of the bar she got frozen and tears pouring from her eyes. the other gets silent while looking at her.

Astraea smiles softly looking at her child and stands up to approach her while Ryu backs away afraid if her touch will tarnish her but stopped by Syr until Astraea stand in front of her.

"Long time no see Ryu."

"Astraea-sama... I am sorry. I disappoint you. please forget me, I am not worthy of you. I don't want to tarnish you-"

Astraea suddenly takes a step forward before hugs her and rub her back gently. Ryu tried to get away but she felt powerless in her hug. she cried harder while feeling the warmth he thought she would never feel again.

"there-there. it's okay, there no need to blame your self. I also wrong to leave you alone to endure hardship."

"no-its my choice you're n-"

"yes, but, there always a better choice if we think together. yet, I run away. I am sorry that I am not here when you need me. did you lonely?"

"...no, there always Mama Mia and the other."

"that great, you find a new family that cares about you... it's maybe shameless for me but, do you want to continue to become my child?"

while tears still pouring from her eyes, Ryu looking at Mama Mia. knowing what she wants to ask Mia sigh.

"do what you want, it will not change anything for us if you want to join a Familia. besides, didn't you still have her falna? just go to your room and talk more with her, we will support your choice. but, finish it as soon as possible, you don't want to miss your hero battle right?"

"Ara-ara, did Ryu has feeling for little Bell?"

Ryu dragging Astarea inside with a red face. After the incident on floor 37th, he developed feelings for Bell Cranel and flustered in his presence. of course, the other girl noticed her weird behavior and push her to tell them. at first, she insisted not to tell them but after falling into the trap Syr had planned, she gave in and they began to tease her whenever they could while Sry pouting at her. of course, the news will also reach Mama Mia.

"Isn't little Bell want to become a hero? why did he become a player instead? how can so many beautiful girls interested in him? this is the first time I felt so envious-ack! I am sorry."

"Hmph!"

"heh, like Captain said, be careful when picking a girl if you don't want to suffer. serve your right for want to chew more than what you can."

"shut up, Baldie. don't angry, okay. I don't mean it. here french fries. aa.."

while Peter trying to appease Shakti and Balkor snickering at him, Syr approaching Mama Mia.

"Mama Mia, are they from that place?"

"hmm? yes, they from that place, that pathetic man is Peter Vig 'Flash Spearman' while the bald dwarf is Balkor Cavehide 'Eldersmith'."

"aren't they already dead?"

"yep, this is just a walking corpse that wanted to spend their money and buy a better grave."

"hey! just how heartless you can be! we still alive you know we just want to stay away from the spotlight and have peaceful days."

"sure, just don't forget to pay."

"umm, why you come back now?"

"did you really want to ask it, or simply want to give Freya-sama more detailed information?"

"h-how did you know?"

"of course, there no way I will miss the smell of her. that's why I specifically call you over the other."

"that our dog for you."

"again! look, Shakti. they teaming up bullying me! comfort me."

"shut up."

"sob, no one care about me!"

"..."

for a moment people in the area near the bar speechless looking at Peter's act slumping at the bar with his crocodile tears like an abandoned dog before he straightened his back again as if nothing happened. everyone has an urge to smack him for his shameless, even Shakti feels ashamed because of him.

"I will answer your question. we simply want to hold a great banquet in Orario. and we need dragon meat for the main menu, especially the black one. coincidently one of them suddenly comes out at this time as it shouting to us 'I am here! please eat me!' its funny right? just thinking how delicious is it make me want to kill it faster"

"hiihk!"

while the context and his talk is carefree but his aura shouts otherwise. Syr frightened by his ferocious smile and murderous aura simply like a mad dog. the other also stiffened even only got caught a bit of it. only Balrok, Mama Mia, and Shakti that can shrug it off while only knitting their brow. finally, Mama Mia smacks his head after she feels its too much for Sry.

"Ack!"

"Stop it or I will smack your head. you will chase away my money and I think you punish her enough."

"hey! you already smack me! whatever, just tell her if you want. there no one can disturb us now."

"...why?"

"because-"

{Thank you for waiting! this day we will show you a duel that will change Orario's future! A duel between Ais Wallenstein the 'Sword Princess' versus Bell Cranel the 'Antares Killer'!-}

"-The plan has begun."

บท 11: Eleven

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บท 11: Eleven

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