Bell Cranel stood before the full-length mirror in his room, adjusting the crimson tie that contrasted sharply with the white suit and pants he wore. The suit hugged his frame perfectly, tailored to accentuate his lean, muscular build. The golden chain on his hip glinted in the light, adding a touch of flair to the sophisticated look. His crimson eyes, sharp and focused, reflected the confidence he now carried—a far cry from the timid boy who had first descended into the Dungeon.
Satisfied with his appearance, Bell turned to the small box on his dresser. Inside were a few accessories he had carefully selected for Hestia, each piece chosen to complement the coral-orange ball gown she would be wearing. The gown was elegant, with a design that showed off her slender arms and a hint of her back, while still maintaining a sense of modesty. Bell had spared no expense in ensuring that the accessories—golden bracelets, a delicate necklace, and earrings that sparkled like stardust—would make her feel like the goddess she truly was.
As he picked up the box, the door creaked open, and Hestia stepped inside. Bell's breath caught in his throat as he saw her. The gown clung to her form in all the right places, flowing down to the floor in a cascade of fabric that shimmered with every movement. Her usual twin tails were styled in a slightly more elaborate fashion, with a few strands of hair gently framing her face. The high heels she wore elevated her to a height that rivaled even the tallest of goddesses, giving her an aura of regal grace.
"Bell..." Hestia's voice was soft, her cheeks flushed with a mixture of excitement and nervousness. "You look incredible."
Bell smiled, stepping forward to present the box. "You look stunning, Lady Hestia. These are for you."
Hestia's eyes widened as she saw the contents of the box. She gasped in delight as Bell carefully fastened the necklace around her neck, the gold chain resting just above the neckline of her gown. The earrings followed, and finally, the bracelets, which added a subtle jingle to her movements.
"Bell, these are beautiful... Thank you," Hestia said, her voice filled with emotion. She reached up to adjust his tie slightly, her fingers lingering on the fabric. "You're going to make all the goddesses jealous tonight."
Bell chuckled, gently taking her hand in his. "Not as jealous as they'll be when they see you. Shall we?"
Hestia nodded, and together they left the room, making their way through the Hestia Familia home and out into the night.
The ballroom was a grand affair, filled with gods, goddesses, and high-ranking adventurers from across Orario. The floor was polished to a mirror-like sheen, reflecting the light from the chandeliers above. Music filled the air, a soft, enchanting melody that set the tone for the evening.
As Bell and Hestia entered, all eyes turned to them. Conversations paused, and whispers spread through the crowd. Bell's striking appearance in his white suit, with the crimson tie and golden chain, was a sight to behold. But it was Hestia who truly stole the show. Her gown, her accessories, and the confident, graceful way she carried herself left everyone in awe.
They moved through the crowd with ease, greeting familiar faces and engaging in light conversation with gods and goddesses who were clearly impressed by the young adventurer and his goddess. Bell's charm and polite demeanor, coupled with Hestia's radiance, made them the center of attention wherever they went.
As they made their way to the dance floor, the music shifted to a waltz. Bell held out his hand to Hestia, who blushed but took it without hesitation. They moved in perfect harmony, Bell leading with practiced ease as they twirled across the floor. Hestia's laughter rang out, a joyful sound that brought a smile to Bell's face. For a moment, it felt as if they were the only two people in the room.
They danced, they mingled, and they indulged in the various delicacies offered by the waitstaff. The night was perfect, a rare moment of peace and happiness in their otherwise chaotic lives.
But as they were enjoying a particularly delicious canapé, a familiar, unwelcome presence made itself known.
Apollo, dressed in an ostentatious gold and white outfit, approached them with a smirk on his face. "Well, well, if it isn't Orario's new golden boy and his beloved goddess. I must say, you two are quite the spectacle tonight."
Bell's expression remained calm, though his eyes hardened slightly as he turned to face the god. "Apollo," he greeted, his tone polite but with an underlying edge. "Enjoying the party?"
"Oh, very much so," Apollo said, his voice dripping with false sweetness. "Though I must admit, I'm rather upset about a certain incident involving my Familia. I've heard some troubling rumors about how they were... mistreated recently."
Hestia narrowed her eyes, but before she could speak, Bell stepped forward, his presence commanding. "Your Familia members were the ones who instigated the conflict, Apollo. They insulted Lady Hestia and attempted to pick a fight. We simply defended ourselves."
Apollo's smirk faltered for a moment, but he quickly recovered, his eyes narrowing. "Is that so? How convenient. But I suppose that's to be expected from a Familia led by a nobody goddess."
The atmosphere in the room grew tense as several gods and goddesses turned to watch the exchange. Bell, however, remained unfazed. He met Apollo's gaze head-on, his voice as cold as ice. "You can insult me all you like, Apollo, but I won't stand for you disparaging Lady Hestia. If your Familia can't handle a fair fight, perhaps they're the ones who need to reconsider their position in Orario."
Apollo's face twisted with anger, his carefully maintained composure slipping. "You think you can just walk in here, dressed up like some noble, and talk down to me? You're nothing but a common adventurer! A pet to a goddess who can barely keep herself fed!"
Bell's eyes flashed dangerously, but he kept his voice steady. "It seems you're the one who's forgotten your place, Apollo. You may be a god, but you're a pathetic excuse for one. You hide behind your Familia, manipulating them to do your dirty work, but you can't even face the consequences of your own actions? That is truly pathetic."
The crowd murmured in shock at Bell's bold words. Even Freya, who had been watching the exchange with keen interest, found herself leaning forward, her eyes glittering with fascination. Her lips parted slightly, and her breath quickened as she watched Bell stand his ground.
Apollo, seething with rage, clenched his fists. "You dare—!"
"I do," Bell interrupted, his tone final. "Your Familia is nothing compared to what we've built. You rely on numbers and underhanded tactics, but we have something far stronger: trust, loyalty, and the knowledge that we fight for something greater than ourselves. You can't hope to break that. In addition to that we also have Quality unlike you, who is almost a picture perfect representation of: Quantity over Quality." Bell finished and made the Gods and Goddesses all around chuckle a little.
Apollo's face turned red with fury, and in a last-ditch effort to regain control of the situation, he pointed at Bell. "Then prove it! I challenge you to a War Game! Let's see if your so-called Familia can stand up to mine when it truly matters!"
The room fell silent, all eyes on Bell. For a moment, there was nothing but the sound of breathing and the faint echoes of the music that had stopped playing. Hestia looked up at Bell, her expression a mix of concern and trust.
Bell's lips curled into a small, confident smile. "A War Game, huh? Fine. We accept your challenge." His voice dropped to a low, dangerous tone as he added, "But don't think for a second that you'll come out of this with anything but a shattered reputation and a broken Familia. You're nothing but a coward, Apollo—a god who's forgotten what it means to lead."
Apollo's eyes widened in disbelief, his confidence shaken. He opened his mouth to retort, but no words came out. The sheer intensity of Bell's presence had left him speechless.
Without waiting for a response, Bell turned to Hestia, offering her his arm. "Shall we, Lady Hestia? I believe we've had enough of this charade."
Hestia, her heart swelling with pride and affection, took his arm with a smile. "Yes, let's."
As they walked away, the crowd parted for them, whispers of awe and admiration following in their wake. Even the gods and goddesses who had doubted them couldn't help but be impressed by the confidence and power Bell had displayed.
Freya, her breath now coming in shallow gasps, watched them leave, her eyes locked on Bell. The sight of him, standing tall and unyielding, had awakened something within her—an insatiable desire that she knew would only grow stronger. Her hand quickly traveled to between her legs, but Ottar who saw her do it stopped her saying that people were around and that she was in public. Freya made haste to leave as the heat was something she had to take care of very fast.
Arriving at her home she looked at her familia's Captain and spoke. ''Ottar, please create me a life size plushy of Bell Cranel, I'll be needing it as fast as Possible.'' As she finished her request, Ottar nodded and silently left her Bedroom.
Apollo, left standing in the center of the room, could only watch as Bell and Hestia exited the ballroom. His fists trembled with a mix of anger and fear. He had underestimated them, and now he would have to face the consequences of his arrogance.
As they stepped out into the cool night air, Hestia looked up at Bell, her eyes shining with admiration. "Bell... That was incredible."
Bell smiled down at her, his expression softening. "I won't let anyone insult you, Lady Hestia. You're my goddess, and I'll always protect you."
Hestia blushed, leaning into him as they walked.
Arriving home, Bell retold the events to the members of his Familia who together with himself began making plans. Meanwhile Bell thought about possible additions to his team and he had one girl in mind that would be very helpful once on his side.