After the thrilling victory over Apollo Familia and the subsequent acquisition of their grand mansion, the Hestia Familia found themselves in possession of a vast estate that simply didn't feel like home. The sprawling halls, golden accents, and excessive decorations were all symbols of Apollo's ego, not the warmth and camaraderie that Hestia's Familia embodied. It was time for a change—a massive one.
Bell, Hestia, and the rest of the Familia stood before the estate, planning their next steps. As they gazed at the towering mansion that loomed over them, one thing was clear: it was time to redesign the place to make it truly their own.
"Well," Welf muttered, surveying the estate, "we're going to need some serious help for this. I say we hire the best construction Familia in Orario."
"Sounds like a plan," Bell agreed, a faint smile on his lips. "But let's have some fun with it."
A Visit to the Best Construction Familia
The Hestia Familia made their way to the Daedalus Familia, known throughout Orario for their architectural genius and creativity. The moment they arrived, they were greeted by a team of enthusiastic artisans, their eyes alight with excitement at the prospect of designing a new home for one of Orario's rising Familia.
The construction team led them into a spacious studio, walls covered with blueprints, sketches, and scale models of various buildings. Bell, Hestia, Lili, Welf, Ryuu, Mikoto, Haruhime, and Anya all sat around a large table, while the lead architect, Icarus, unrolled a blank blueprint, his hands practically trembling with excitement.
"Welcome! You want the craziest ideas for your new mansion? You've come to the right place," Icarus declared, beaming. "Let's make something unforgettable!"
Bell and the others exchanged amused glances before diving headfirst into brainstorming.
"Okay!" Hestia began, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "What if we had a giant hearth in the middle of the house? Like, so big we could roast an entire boar! And cushions all around it for cozy naps!"
Lili, already caught up in the fun, chimed in, "And we should have hidden passageways everywhere. You know, for quick escapes or pranks!"
Anya, her tail swishing with enthusiasm, added, "What if there's a big cat tree? Like, a massive one I can climb and nap in!"
Ryuu, ever the pragmatic one, leaned forward, "Maybe a training dojo that opens out into a zen garden. It would help with combat practice and meditation."
Even Welf got in on the craziness. "How about a forge on the roof? So I can work and look out over the city!"
The room erupted in laughter and increasingly wild ideas. The group sketched out plans for swimming pools with waterfalls, hidden rooms with secret levers, massive kitchens with open fire pits, and gardens filled with rare, glowing plants.
Bell, however, was quiet, letting his Familia enjoy their imaginative spree. After a while, as the excitement began to wane, he cleared his throat and spoke up.
"I've been thinking… what if we went with something a little more familiar?" Bell began, his eyes soft with nostalgia. "There's this house I remember from… well, let's just say a dream. It was a two-story house, mostly white, with a flat roof. There was a terrace on the roof with a big pool, balconies all around, and the halls inside were filled with art and elegance—like something out of a grand, noble estate."
The others turned to him, intrigued. Bell continued, "It wasn't overly flashy, but it had a warmth to it. A place where we could relax, train, and have parties together. I think it would suit us."
Icarus, always the artist, leaned forward, his eyes wide with inspiration. "Tell me more," he urged, quickly sketching as Bell described the house from his memories in detail.
Bell went on, describing the spacious layout, the elegant furniture with a modern yet noble touch, and lights outside for nightly hangouts. There were large balconies for looking out over Orario, a grand central hall, and the rooftop pool where they could relax after a long day in the dungeon.
By the time Bell finished, Icarus had sketched out a beautiful, sleek design—a stark contrast to the whimsical ideas thrown around earlier but somehow perfectly suited to the Familia's spirit.
Several weeks passed in a whirlwind of construction, and day by day, the Hestia Familia watched as their new home took shape. Bell had spared no expense, paying the staggering sum of 3,500,000 Valis upfront, which shocked the construction team. They hadn't expected such a young Familia to have that kind of wealth, but Bell, with his dungeon earnings and war game victory, had accumulated quite the fortune.
Finally, the day came when the newly christened Hearth Manor was complete.
The Familia stood at the gates, their eyes wide as they took in the stunning structure before them. It was even more beautiful than they had imagined. The white walls gleamed in the sunlight, the flat roof offering a serene terrace with a glistening pool. The grand balconies overlooked the city, and the overall design exuded both elegance and comfort. The mansion was surrounded by meticulously groomed gardens, and the lights hanging outside promised the perfect ambiance for nightly gatherings.
"Wow," Lili whispered, her eyes wide with awe. "It's… perfect."
"I didn't expect it to turn out this amazing," Ryuu added, her voice filled with admiration.
Even Welf, who had been so focused on the practicality of the design, was speechless. "Bell… this is incredible."
Hestia, standing proudly beside Bell, couldn't contain her excitement. "This is the best! It's like a dream come true!"
Bell smiled softly, feeling a sense of accomplishment. He turned to his Familia, the people who had stood by his side through so much already. "This is our home now—Hearth Manor. A place where we can grow stronger together."
Haruhime, her tails swishing excitedly, clasped her hands together. "It's beautiful, Bell! Thank you for giving us such a wonderful home."
Bell, feeling a warmth in his chest, simply nodded. "We've all worked hard to get here. Now, it's time to enjoy it."
As they walked through the front doors, their eyes were met with wide halls filled with exquisite artwork and designer furniture that somehow balanced elegance with the warmth of a lived-in home. The central hearth—a nod to Hestia's idea—sat in the middle of a cozy living area, a place for the Familia to gather after a long day of adventuring.
The rooftop pool shimmered under the afternoon sun, and the terrace provided the perfect space for training, stargazing, or just enjoying a quiet moment.
"This," Bell said, standing in the center of the grand hall, "is the beginning of something new."
Bell chuckled softly and gestured toward the first hallway. "Let's start the tour!"
The Familia followed Bell down the wide, beautifully decorated hall. Elegant paintings adorned the walls, some of which were pieces Bell had commissioned from Orario's finest artists, while others were landscapes of far-off places that Bell remembered from dreams of his past life. The floor beneath them was polished marble, and the light from outside streamed through large windows, casting soft glows on the surroundings.
They entered the Hearth Room, the central heart of the home—a massive open space filled with comfortable couches, plush cushions, and an enormous fireplace that crackled with warmth.
"This is where we'll all relax together," Bell explained, turning to face them with a smile. "I know it was Hestia's idea to have a giant hearth, and I figured we could make this room the real center of our home."
Hestia clapped her hands in excitement. "It's perfect! We can roast things here, and everyone can gather around after a long day in the dungeon!"
Lili, already claiming one of the large cushions, grinned. "I'm going to fall asleep here every night. It's too cozy!"
Bell chuckled and motioned for everyone to follow him further.
The next stop was a set of seemingly ordinary walls, but Bell tapped one of the panels, and with a soft click, part of the wall swung open, revealing a narrow hidden passageway. Lili's eyes lit up in delight.
"Secret passageways!" she exclaimed, practically jumping with joy. "You actually made them! I can't believe it!"
Bell grinned. "I couldn't resist. You asked for them, and now they're all over the house. There are a few that lead to hidden rooms, and others that connect different parts of the manor. You'll have to explore them all to figure out where they go."
Lili darted into the passage, her laughter echoing through the narrow walls. "I'm going to have so much fun with this!"
The others chuckled as Lili disappeared down the hidden corridor, already planning her pranks and escape routes.
Next, Bell led them to the back of the house, where a set of sliding glass doors opened out into a serene Zen garden. White stones were meticulously raked into swirling patterns, and a small stream trickled through the garden, surrounded by vibrant greenery. A wooden dojo stood nearby, simple yet elegant, with space for training both physically and mentally.
Ryuu, ever composed, stared at the garden with a rare look of awe. "This… this is beautiful," she whispered, her usual calm voice barely containing her surprise.
Bell smiled, glad to see her reaction. "I knew you'd appreciate the garden. I made sure the dojo was nearby so you can train in peace when you need to. It's a place for quiet reflection and growth."
Ryuu nodded, her eyes still fixed on the peaceful scene. "Thank you, Bell. This is more than I could have asked for."
The next stop was Anya's special request. Bell led them into a side room that had been transformed into a large play area. In the center stood a massive cat tree, stretching nearly to the ceiling. It was made of sturdy wood with platforms, soft cushions, and various hanging toys for climbing, lounging, and play.
Anya's eyes widened, and her tail flicked excitedly. "Nyaa! This is amazing!" she exclaimed, bounding over to the tree and immediately climbing to the top with effortless grace. "I love it! I'm going to be here all the time!"
The others laughed as Anya perched atop the highest platform, looking down with a smug, satisfied expression.
"I made sure it was sturdy enough for you to climb as much as you want," Bell said, grinning up at her. "It's all yours."
Bell then guided them to the second floor and up a narrow staircase that led to the rooftop terrace. It was a beautiful space with comfortable seating, perfect for lounging under the stars. But the real highlight was the forge set up on the far end, overlooking Orario. Welf's eyes widened when he saw the setup.
"You… actually put a forge on the roof?" Welf asked, his voice filled with disbelief and appreciation.
"Yup," Bell replied with a proud smile. "You said you wanted to be able to work while looking out over the city. I thought this would be the best spot."
Welf ran a hand over the anvil, his gaze scanning the equipment. "This… this is perfect. I can't wait to get started on new weapons up here."
After showing Welf his forge, Bell took everyone to the other side of the rooftop, where the pool stretched out beneath the sky. The water shimmered under the sunlight, and there were lounge chairs and tables set up for relaxation. The view from the rooftop was breathtaking, offering a clear sight of Orario's skyline, including the towering Babel.
Haruhime's tails swayed with excitement as she took in the sight. "A pool! It's so beautiful!"
Hestia clapped her hands in delight. "We can throw parties up here! Imagine all of us lounging by the pool after a hard day's work."
Bell chuckled, nodding in agreement. "I thought we'd need a place to unwind after all our time in the dungeon. This will be perfect for that."
After the tour, Bell led them all back down to the dining hall, a grand room with a long table, chandeliers hanging overhead, and the finest tableware set out for their first meal in the manor.
"This is where we'll have our meals and celebrate together," Bell said, motioning to the elegant space. "But there's one last surprise."
He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small crystal. When he activated it, the walls shimmered, and slowly, portraits began to appear along the walls—paintings of each member of the Hestia Familia, beautifully rendered, capturing their strength, joy, and camaraderie.
The room fell silent as everyone took in the sight of themselves on the walls, their bonds reflected in the art.
"It's a reminder," Bell said softly, "of how far we've come together. This house is more than just a place to live. It's a symbol of our strength, our unity, and our future."
Hestia's eyes sparkled with unshed tears, and she gave Bell a bright, grateful smile. "It's perfect. You've really thought of everything."
Bell, a little embarrassed by the attention, rubbed the back of his neck. "Well, it wasn't just me. Everyone helped with the ideas."
As they all sat down for their first meal in their new home, the warmth of their bond filled the air. Hearth Manor wasn't just a house—it was a place where their dreams, ambitions, and friendships would continue to grow.
And with Bell at the helm, leading them with strength and kindness, they knew that whatever challenges lay ahead, they would face them together, as a family.