The gates of Orario loomed in the distance, the towering walls casting long shadows in the afternoon light. Bell Cranel stood still for a moment, taking it all in. His heart beat steadily in his chest, and a surge of emotion swelled within him as memories of his journey came rushing back. He wasn't the same boy who had left Orario all those months ago, eager and naïve. He was something more now—something stronger, wiser, and, in the eyes of the world, a true hero.
At his side, Hestia's blue eyes sparkled with pride and joy. Her goddess aura glowed, radiating the warmth and excitement that seemed to fill the air around them. The core members of the Hestia Familia—Ryuu, Lili, Welf, Haruhime, Mikoto, and the others—stood beside him, each one wearing a mixture of emotions on their faces: relief, pride, and anticipation. They were home.
The gates creaked open, revealing the bustling streets of Orario. For a brief moment, there was silence, as if the city was holding its breath in anticipation. Then, like a dam breaking, a roar of cheers erupted from within the city.
"Bell! Bell!" the crowds shouted, their voices rising like a wave.
All of Orario was there, it seemed. Adventurers, civilians, guild workers, shopkeepers, and even children—all crowded around the entrance, waving and shouting in joy. Flags bearing the symbol of the Hestia Familia were held high, and confetti rained down like colorful snowflakes, catching the light of the setting sun.
Hestia, standing next to Bell, had tears in her eyes as she beamed at the sight. "They're all here for you, Bell," she whispered, her voice trembling with emotion.
Bell's breath caught in his throat as he looked out at the sea of faces. He saw familiar ones—adventurers from other familias, shopkeepers he had visited, people he had saved, friends, and allies. And there were gods among the crowd too—Loki, Hephaestus, Hermes, Demeter, and even Freya—all standing together with expressions ranging from admiration to unspoken respect.
But it wasn't just admiration Bell saw in their eyes. It was something deeper, something he hadn't expected: gratitude. They weren't just cheering for the King of Heroes or the boy who had once been a fledgling adventurer—they were cheering for hope, for the future he had helped preserve.
Bell took a deep breath, his heart swelling with emotion. He stepped forward, and as soon as he did, the cheering grew even louder. The crowd surged forward, hands reaching out to touch him, as if making contact with him would bring them a little closer to the hero's strength.
"Bell! You did it!" a voice cried from the crowd. It was Tiona from the Loki Familia, standing next to Tione and Ais. Her usual playful grin was even wider as she waved enthusiastically. "We always knew you could!"
"Welcome back, Bell!" Ais called out, her usually calm voice filled with warmth and relief.
"Let the man through!" Welf bellowed, laughing as he nudged Bell forward. "You're Orario's hero now, and heroes get parades!"
As they made their way down the crowded streets, people continued to shout Bell's name. The feeling was surreal, like a dream. Everywhere he looked, people were smiling, laughing, and celebrating.
The Guild, usually so rigid and formal, had joined the festivities. Eina Tulle, Bell's long-time guild advisor, was among the crowd, her cheeks flushed with happiness. "I'm so proud of you, Bell!" she called out, waving as tears welled in her eyes.
Bell gave her a grateful smile. She had been there from the start, guiding him, supporting him when he had been just a novice adventurer.
Hestia, ever the exuberant goddess, suddenly ran ahead and jumped into the arms of her fellow goddesses. "Haa! Look at him!" she said, beaming with pride as she pointed to Bell. "The King of Heroes! My little Bell, the boy who did it all!"
Demeter chuckled warmly, brushing Hestia's hair affectionately. "You've raised quite the family, Hestia."
Freya, watching from a distance with her usual serene smile, raised a glass in silent acknowledgment. Her silver eyes shimmered with something unspoken—admiration, perhaps even affection.
The celebration spread like wildfire. As night began to fall, the central square of Orario became the heart of the party. Tables and booths had been set up, overflowing with food and drink. People were dancing, musicians played lively tunes, and the air was filled with laughter and song.
The gods and goddesses themselves were not immune to the revelry. Even Loki, who usually kept her emotions in check, was seen downing mugs of ale alongside her familia members, grinning ear to ear. Hermes was telling exaggerated stories of Bell's heroics to anyone who would listen, though no one could deny the truth of his tales.
"Bell, come on!" Lili tugged at his arm, laughing as she dragged him to one of the tables. "You've got to try this wine!"
Ryuu, always composed, allowed herself a rare smile as she raised a glass of her own. "To Bell Cranel, our hero," she said softly, her eyes filled with admiration. The others raised their glasses, and soon, a chorus of toasts followed.
"To the hero of Orario!"
"To the King of Heroes!"
As the night wore on, the partying grew even more intense. Ottar, the once-untouchable champion, raised his glass to Bell, his respect clear in his eyes. "You've surpassed us all," he said simply, his voice full of sincerity.
Bell, though still modest, couldn't help but feel a warmth in his chest. He had never wanted to be a hero for the fame or the glory. He had fought for his friends, for Orario, for the people he loved. But seeing the joy in everyone's faces—seeing the world he had saved come together in celebration—made it all worthwhile.
As the night deepened, Bell found himself standing on a balcony overlooking the square. Hestia stood beside him, watching the revelry below with a contented smile.
"They love you, you know," she said softly, leaning against the railing.
Bell glanced down at the crowd. Mortals and gods danced together, their faces illuminated by the soft glow of lanterns and the flicker of magic lights. "It's not just me," Bell said, his voice humble. "We all fought together. We all saved the world."
Hestia reached out and took his hand, squeezing it gently. "Yes, but you were the one who led them. You were the one who gave them hope. That's something special, Bell. You've become something more than just an adventurer."
Bell looked at her, his heart swelling with affection. "I couldn't have done any of it without you, Goddess."
She smiled up at him, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears. "And I wouldn't want to be anywhere else but by your side."
Suddenly, the sound of a horn blared through the air, signaling the start of a new round of festivities. Fireworks shot up into the sky, exploding in bursts of vibrant color that lit up the night. The crowd cheered, their voices rising in unison as they watched the dazzling display.
Bell and Hestia stood together, watching as the fireworks painted the sky with reds, blues, and golds. It was a celebration unlike any other—an acknowledgment of the sacrifices, the battles, the victories, and the lives that had been saved.
As the final firework burst overhead, showering the square in shimmering light, Bell closed his eyes for a moment and took it all in. The cheers, the laughter, the happiness that filled the air—it was overwhelming, but it was beautiful.
He had become a hero, the King of Heroes, and tonight, the world celebrated not just him, but the future they had fought so hard to protect.
And as the night wore on, the celebration continued, with mortals and gods alike rejoicing in the triumph of their hero. Bell Cranel, the boy who had once dreamed of becoming a hero, had not only realized his dream but had surpassed it in every way.
This was his moment, their moment—the moment when the world could finally breathe easy and celebrate the light that had been won against the darkness.