After days of grueling training, Bell Cranel and Haruhime walked through the bustling streets of Orario, returning from the depths of the Dungeon. The city's familiar sights and sounds welcomed them back, but something felt different this time. Haruhime's presence beside him wasn't the same as when they'd left. Her aura was more powerful, her magic more refined. Bell, with a warm smile, glanced over at her.
"Haru, you did amazing down there," Bell said, his tone full of pride. "Level 6 already. I knew you had it in you."
Haruhime, her golden hair glistening in the afternoon sun, smiled shyly at the compliment. "Thank you, Bell-sama," she replied softly, the addition of a sixth tail swaying gently behind her. "It's all thanks to you. You've helped me grow stronger... and more confident."
Bell chuckled, placing a hand on her head, affectionately ruffling her hair. "You're the one who put in the hard work, Haru. I'm just glad I could be there with you."
The bond between them had grown considerably stronger over the past days of training. The trust, affection, and closeness they shared were now undeniable. As they reached the gates of their new home, Hearth Manor, Bell stopped and took in the sight of it. It was a mansion now, standing as a testament to Hestia Familia's growth, but more challenges were on the horizon.
Inside the manor, the rest of the Hestia Familia greeted them with relieved smiles. Hestia herself stood proudly at the entrance, having joined them in their intense training. Though she was a goddess, the physical regimen Bell had imposed upon her had left her in better shape than before. She no longer lazed around as much, something she begrudgingly admitted had been good for her.
"Bell, Haruhime! Welcome back!" Hestia called out excitedly, waving her arms with an infectious smile. "Did you two have fun in the dungeon?"
Bell grinned as he and Haruhime stepped inside. "Fun might be a stretch, but Haru leveled up."
"Level 6?!" Hestia's eyes widened in surprise. "That's amazing!"
Ryuu, Mikoto, Welf, and Lili were all there as well, having trained under Bell's strict regimen. Each one of them had reached new heights, growing stronger together. The Familia was no longer what it once was, and they all knew it.
"Everyone's gotten stronger," Bell said, addressing them all. "We're on a whole new level now."
Ryuu nodded in agreement, her calm demeanor reflecting the fierce determination she had. "Indeed. Your training has pushed us beyond our limits, Bell."
Welf crossed his arms, grinning. "Though I have to say, I didn't expect you to push Hestia-sama so hard."
Hestia puffed out her cheeks, clearly embarrassed. "I'm still a goddess, you know! It's not like I was that out of shape…"
Lili giggled. "It's good for you, Hestia-sama."
The mood was light, but Bell knew that their strength wasn't just for their benefit. There was more to be done. With a determined look, Bell spoke up again, this time with seriousness in his voice. "I have something important to announce."
The room fell silent as everyone turned their attention to him. Bell's crimson eyes gleamed with resolve as he revealed his plan. "We're going to the Guild to declare a War Game."
"A War Game?" Hestia repeated, her tone both curious and cautious. "With who?"
Bell's smile turned slightly mischievous. "Dian Cecht Familia."
The room was stunned into silence, and then erupted into murmurs of surprise. Dian Cecht was known as the god of healing and medicine, and his Familia included Airmid Teasanare, one of the most powerful healers in all of Orario. But they were not known for their combat prowess, and Bell saw an opportunity.
"The stakes?" Lili asked, tilting her head.
"If we win, Airmid Teasanare joins our Familia," Bell said simply, his words sending shockwaves through the room.
"Airmid? The best healer in Orario?" Welf muttered, trying to process the weight of Bell's declaration. "But… why would Dian Cecht agree to that?"
Bell's smile turned cunning. "Because I know how greedy Dian Cecht is. I offered our entire Familia as the stakes if we lose. He'll be too tempted to say no."
"You offered us?" Mikoto said, slightly alarmed but trusting Bell's judgment.
Hestia folded her arms, tapping her foot. "Bell-kun, I trust you, but this is a huge gamble. Are you sure we can win?"
"We're not the same Familia we were before, Hestia-sama. We're stronger now. We can win this, easily," Bell reassured her, his voice confident. "And having Airmid on our side will give us a huge advantage in the future."
Ryuu, always analytical, chimed in. "You're planning for the long term. Having the best healer in Orario would elevate Hestia Familia to new heights."
Bell nodded. "Exactly. This is about more than just winning a War Game. It's about securing our future."
Hestia sighed but smiled. "Alright, Bell-kun. I trust you. Let's do it."
With everyone on board, Bell led the Familia to the Guild, where he would make his bold declaration. The Guild was bustling with adventurers as usual, but the atmosphere seemed to change as Bell Cranel and his Familia walked in, clad in their striking white attire.
Bell approached Eina at the counter, and her eyes widened as she saw the determined look on his face. "Bell-kun… what's going on?"
"I need to declare a War Game," Bell said, his voice steady.
Eina blinked in surprise. "A War Game? With who?"
"Dian Cecht Familia."
There was a pause, and then Eina quickly composed herself, understanding the gravity of the situation. "I'll notify the higher-ups immediately."
As the Guild went into motion, word quickly spread throughout Orario. A War Game between Hestia Familia and Dian Cecht Familia was not something anyone had expected, and the stakes were enormous. Whispers and rumors began to circulate, and the city buzzed with excitement and curiosity.
In Dian Cecht's grand mansion, the god of healing received the news with a gleam in his eye. "A War Game, huh?" He stroked his chin thoughtfully, a wicked smile playing on his lips. "And the stakes are Airmid… interesting."
He glanced over at Airmid, who stood silently beside him, her calm, serene expression unchanged. "Are you ready for this, Airmid?"
Airmid didn't flinch. "I will do as you command, my lord."
Dian Cecht chuckled. "Oh, this will be fun. And when I win, I'll have the most powerful Familia in Orario."
Back in Hearth Manor, Bell gathered his Familia in their grand meeting hall. The room was filled with anticipation as everyone prepared for the challenge ahead.
"This will be our easiest victory yet," Bell said, a confident smile on his face. "But after this, we need to grow even stronger. We'll have more influence, more resources… and then, I'm sure a certain goddess will be watching very closely."
His thoughts drifted to Freya, the goddess who had been watching him intently for some time now. He knew that with each victory, her obsession with him would grow, and soon, he'd have to deal with her directly.
But for now, his focus was on the War Game. The Hestia Familia was stronger than ever, and they were ready to claim victory.
"Let's win this," Bell said, his voice full of resolve.
And the Familia echoed his sentiment, ready for whatever lay ahead.