Chapter 73 - Chapter 2

P/N let me know if there's any mistakes and I will try to fix them

CHAPTER 2

DAILY LIFE WITH A VOUIVRE GIRL

We surface pretty close to midnight.

Just as Lilly had predicted, Babel and Central Park are practically deserted

when we arrive. We don't stick around, and the side roads and back alleyways

provide the perfect cover for us as we stay out of sight on our way toward home.

The bars are loud, as are some houses in the residential areas—the vouivre

girl jumps in surprise at the lights and sounds of civilization. Although it's a

challenge to keep her calm in a city overflowing with noise, we eventually make

it safely back to Hearthstone Manor.

"Mr. Bell, please wait here with her. Lilly will have Lord Miach leave first."

She tells the vouivre girl to stay out of sight next to the manor's back gate

while everyone else enters through the front.

Miach Familia was kind enough to housesit for us while we were in the

Dungeon today. Lord Miach is one thing, but the situation will get tense if the

chienthrope Nahza or his two new followers, Daphne and Cassandra, see the

vouivre—just like what happened earlier with my own familia. While they're

friends of ours, Lilly and Welf thought it might be a good idea to keep them in

the dark about the monster girl. I agreed.

The salamander wool–covered girl and I hide in a dark spot behind the manor

for a few minutes. At last, I hear voices come from the other side of our home

and fade in the distance. Lord Miach and his followers are gone.

Haruhime and Mikoto run out the back door to collect us moments later.

"Sir Bell, who should inform Lady Hestia…?"

"…I will. Please let me tell her."

"Are you certain…?"

They're clearly concerned as they open the iron gate to the back garden.

The girls take up positions one step to the left and right of our visitor. I'm the

one who invited her here, so I should be the one to explain. I glance down at the

vouivre girl and marvel at how much her leg has healed on its own—this is what

monsters are capable of. Even so, I tighten my grip to support her.

"Hey, hey. Welcome back!"

The goddess greets us in the living room with her customary smile.

"Well, Bell! This is unusual, you coming in through the back door by

yourself. Miach's already gone home. And who's this—?"

She looks at us with bubbly curiosity, only to suddenly fall silent.

Welf and Lilly arrive and see all of us frozen with our mouths nervously

clamped shut. The goddess's sky-blue eyes are locked on me.

Time slows to a crawl as her gaze shifts to the girl at my side, hiding beneath

the robe.

"—Bell, what is that?"

Her expression changed completely. Our goddess hadn't asked "who" but

"what."

Overwhelmed, I silently pull back the girl's hood.

"...!!"

Bluish-white skin, amber eyes, and a garnet-like jewel in her forehead.

Hestia gulps hard at the girl's fantastical appearance.

Meanwhile, our visitor is terrified of the deity staring at her. She wraps her

thin arms around me in response.

"…Explain what happened for me."

Surrounded by her familia, Lady Hestia takes a deep breath to steady her

voice and looks at me with unblinking eyes.

In the living room, I recount the details of how we met.

Lilly, Welf, and the others have all pulled up chairs around our round table.

I'm sitting with everyone else, next to the vouivre girl. The goddess retains a

gentle expression while listening to me and doesn't say a word from start to

finish.

"…What should we do, Lady Hestia?"

Lilly asks the goddess for a decision as soon as my story ends.

The vouivre girl has a strong grip on my right arm and won't let go. Our

goddess is deep in thought, arms crossed over her chest until she slowly opens

her eyes.

"…Please don't tell anyone else. We'll wait and see."

She makes eye contact with each of us in turn, even the strange girl at my

side.

"I'm going to be brutally honest with you all, but I really don't know how to

take this. I can hardly believe it…"

The goddess stares at our unexpected guest for a few moments as the blue-

skinned girl quivers in fear under her gaze.

A talking monster has violated everything we thought we knew about the

things that lived in the Dungeon.

Furthermore, the goddess's admission that even the all-knowing deities aren't

truly omniscient has left all of us speechless.

"Monsters and you children of the mortal realm…are enemies. Two entities

fated to fight each other. I know that to be true, but I can't turn my back on

someone capable of so much fear."

"So that means…!"

"Yeah, she can stay here for now."

Protecting those in need is the goddess's way of showing affection.

Her willingness to kindly reach out to any child fills my heart with relief. Her

decision triggers many different reactions around the table, from sighs to

grimaces. But no one speaks out against the decree.

The goddess hops out of her chair with a little grunt of effort. I can see the

anxiousness in her eyes, but she still gives the vouivre girl a gentle smile.

"So, do you have a name?"

"…Name?"

The vouivre girl dons a curious expression as she leans in closer to me.

"…Bell?"

"No, that's my name…"

She tilts her head to the side, making her silver-blue hair swish. A bead of

sweat rolls down my face.

"My…name? …Don't know."

Lilly and the others gasp softly in surprise at her choppy sentence—it's the

first time they've heard her say something besides my name. But at the same

time, the girl lowers her head.

So she doesn't have a name, after all.

"Vouivre" is the name that people chose for her species. She needs something

to go by as an individual.

"Bell, give her one."

"What, me?!"

"Yep, Welf's absolutely right. You found her and brought her home, so to

speak. You're the one who saved her. You should take on a fatherly role and

name her."

How…How did it come to this…?!

Welf and the goddess are the only ones who say anything. Lilly, Mikoto, and

Haruhime have their mouths shut but their eyes silently say, "Go ahead."

Heart racing, I search the others at the table. If I didn't know better, I'd say

Welf is enjoying this. Even the vouivre girl is watching me blankly.

So much responsibility…! Why do I have to be the one to give this girl

something that will affect the rest of her life?!

I look into her amber eyes. My mind is already reeling, but her expression

flips my brain into desperation mode.

Vouivre, dragon, girl, jewel, garnet, bluish silver, amber eyes…

I try listing every physical trait I can see—it's no use!!

Cold sweat runs down my back, and my eyes spin. "Hurry up," somebody

says. How long have I been thinking about this…? My lips tremble.

"Wi…Wilusine?"

"Huh?" Everyone responds with confusion, and even the goddess tilts her

head to the side. Maybe I tried a little too hard to come up with a striking name?

"If I may ask, Master Bell…Is that name based on a fairy in a hero's tale…?"

Well…crap.

Haruhime, who likes myths and legends about heroes as much as I do, saw

right through me.

There is a story about a fairy with wings of light named Melusine. The story

revolves around her falling in love with a hero who saved her life, as well as her

efforts to blend in with people and try to live among them. She tells the hero to

never peek while she's cleansing herself, but he eventually breaks that promise

and winds up seeing her wings, exposing her true form…They become separated

afterward but reunite to slay a dragon that threatens to destroy the hero's

hometown.

I've liked Melusine's story since I was a kid, so combine that name with

vouivre and you get…Wilusine.

Too easy?

"Not a bad name, especially considering it was Mr. Bell's idea. A bit

grandiose, though."

"Yeah, and long. Stands out like a sore thumb."

"Hmmm. Okay then, why don't we call her Wiene? Sounds cute, don't you

think?"

"Ohh, very nice suggestion, Lady Hestia. That one's more down-to-earth."

Lilly, Welf, the goddess, and Mikoto take turns criticizing the name I came

up with. Nobody pays any attention to me shrinking in my chair.

"I-I think Wilusine is a wonderful name!" Haruhime rushes in, giving me a

compliment, and Mikoto takes notice. Great, older women are trying to comfort

me…This is so pitiful it hurts.

But "Wiene"…That might actually be better now that I think about it.

"Wiene…? Me…Wiene?"

"Y-yeah. What do you think?"

Still attached to my arm, the vouivre girl asks me with that same childlike

innocence.

But I'm sure that look on her face is a smile.

The vouivre girl's—No, Wiene's lips spread into an unmistakably joyful

expression that takes everyone's breath away. Even the goddess is transfixed.

There's a pure, almost naive, childlike happiness on the face of a surprisingly

beautiful monster right beside me.

The very foundation of the man-and-monster relationship has just crumbled.

This strange girl overcame the wall that should have separated us, and now

we're completely taken with her.

"Bell, Bell."

Wiene lets go of my arm in her moment of happiness and rubs her face

against my unarmored chest.

My arms move on their own to catch her, but I'm speechless.

Her warmth envelops me, stirring all sorts of emotions in my chest for an

instant.

"…Ahem."

Our goddess has been watching us the whole time, faking a cough to get our

attention. Then she clears her throat to bring everyone back into the moment.

"Let's start off on the right foot—nice to meet you, Wiene! I'm Hestia, Bell's

goddess! You'll be living with us starting today. Try to get along, okay?"

She puffs out her chest and gives Wiene an energetic greeting.

Wiene glances up at the goddess from her perch in my lap as Lady Hestia

reaches out to shake hands.

"…Bell's…goddess?"

The words fall out of her mouth as the two make eye contact—and she buries

her face back in my chest.

She leaves the goddess hanging with her hand extended. Lady Hestia lets her

arm drop, having learned that gaining Wiene's trust won't be that easy.

Haruhime and I force a smile.

"…Anyway, how long are you going to hold her, Mr. Bell? Do you so enjoy a

girl's touch, even if it's a monster's?"

"Huh?"

"Gah! She's right, Bell! Let go of her! Ogling is disgraceful, disgraceful!"

"I-I'm not ogling!"

And so begins Lilly and the goddess's tirade.

I quickly deny all their accusations, but nothing will convince them that it's

Wiene who won't release me. Welf and Mikoto quietly chuckle at our pointless

argument as Haruhime follows the conversation with her eyes.

But now that the anxious vibe is gone from the living room, I notice how soft

Wiene's body is. There's nothing I can do to stop the pitiful groan from my

throat as I blush furiously.

Sometime later.

I'm not sure when, but Wiene must've succumbed to exhaustion at some

point during my argument with my offended goddess and fallen asleep in my

arms.

Running around in the Dungeon without a friend in the world…I can't

imagine how much stress and anxiety she's been dealing with. Already in a deep

sleep with her arms wrapped around my body, she absolutely will not let go.

Everyone tried their hand at prying me loose, but Wiene's incredible strength

—a dragon's strength—kept her locked in place, and she only hugged harder and

made me scream in pain.

With no other alternative, I ended up spending the night with her. Our

goddess and Lilly had a few choice things to say, like "I won't forgive any

'mistakes,' got it?" and "Mr. Bell, please don't forsake your humanity." I swear

their eyes were as cold as ice as they issued warning after warning, though I

vigorously nodded my assent to everything they said.

As I lay down on a living room sofa with Wiene on top of me, Haruhime was

nice enough to bring us a thin blanket.

…But in the end, everyone came in…

They've all gathered in the living room, claiming spots on other sofas or on

the floor under the dim magic-stone lamp.

My goddess was the first one to join us, a blanket in her arms and an

expression that said she couldn't leave us to ourselves. It wasn't long before

Lilly, Mikoto, Haruhime, and even Welf settled in for the night as well.

Do they not trust me at all…?

"..."

Welf is currently sitting against the wall, one knee up for balance. His eyes

are closed, his greatsword across his lap.

It's the same with Mikoto. She might be lying on a futon with Haruhime, but

her shortsword Chizan is within arm's reach on the floor beside her. Even Lilly

has a firm grip on her bow gun.

I know why they're armed and who those weapons are for.

It's not that they don't trust me. They don't trust her…

Surrounded by a soft chorus of shallow breaths of uneasy sleep in the dim

living room, I look down toward the girl atop my chest.

If it weren't for the jewel ominously twinkling on her forehead, she could

pass for a completely defenseless sleeping beauty.

What is she, really…?

I ask myself that while contemplating the vouivre girl—a monster who's

fallen asleep, wrapped in salamander wool, on top of a human.

It would be a lie if I say that the lines of dried blood on her bluish-white skin,

peeking out from under the robe, and her unusual smell aren't unnerving.

Visions of an uncertain future keep popping into my head, too.

My brain silently works until…my eyelids become too heavy to stay open.

It's been a busy day for me as well. I must've reached my limit. Sleep can't

wait any longer.

—In any case, the first thing I want to do tomorrow is take a bath.

That's my last thought before slipping into unconsciousness.

"I want more information about Wiene."

The next morning…

Hestia made a declaration at the dining table during breakfast.

"We can't decide what to do from here on out without knowing more about

her. Are there any others like her? What's happening in the Dungeon right now?

That's what I want to know."

A drowsy Wiene still refused to let go of Bell, who was the only one unable

to eat with the rest of the familia. Meanwhile, Hestia ordered her followers to

collect as much information as possible.

"However, I need to make this clear: No tidbit of information is worth

drawing unwanted attention. No one can know…Don't let anyone figure out

there's a monster living with us."

The fact that a creature like Wiene existed at all was one thing, but the public

would panic if word got out that an untamed monster was in the city. Lilly told

everyone in no uncertain terms that Wiene must never be seen or mentioned at

any time outside the manor.

"I'll do some investigating, too, so please focus on this, starting today."

"Guess that means Dungeon crawling is on hold for a while," Welf

commented in response to Hestia's request.

"Indeed. Also, Mr. Bell, Miss Mikoto, and Miss Haruhime, please avoid

talking to anyone you cannot trust beyond a shadow of a doubt."

"""Ah, yes…"""

Lilly issued a warning to Bell, Haruhime, and Mikoto, who all agreed with a

heavy nod.

It wasn't that the trio couldn't keep a secret but more that they were terrible

liars. The three of them sank back into their chairs, trying to look as small as

possible. Hestia giggled to herself as she watched her followers banter before

standing up from her chair.

"Just be careful, everybody. Well then, let's get to it."

Late-morning sunlight poured onto the streets of Orario.

The sky overhead was a clear blue as far as the eye could see. Average

citizens went about their business, brushing shoulders with adventurers as they

traveled along the main streets toward the Dungeon.

"What now? This 'important thing' you want to talk about better not be a new

excuse for skipping work."

"I-I've been working really hard! I've turned over a new leaf, Hephaistos,

believe me!!"

They were on the fourth floor of Babel Tower, inside Hephaistos Familia's

branch shop.

Hestia came to her part-time job at this high-end weapon shop today like

always, but she had asked her friend Hephaistos for a word in private.

It just so happened that the Goddess of the Forge had come to the shop this

morning for an inspection, and she agreed to hear the young goddess out.

"So? What is it? You better not pull me away from an important meeting for

some nonsense."

The crimson-haired goddess led her counterpart to a consultation room in the

back. Separated from the commotion of the sales floor by thick, soundproof

walls, Hephaistos was certain they wouldn't be overheard. She crossed her arms

and suspiciously raised an eyebrow at Hestia.

As this was the first time Hestia had set foot in this room, her head was on a

swivel. She immediately went up to a beautiful longsword mounted on the side

of a bookshelf and examined her reflection in the blade until her attention was

drawn to Hephaistos's figure over her shoulder.

"Have you ever…heard of a monster that can speak?"

"What kind of question is that? Of course I haven't."

"Should've figured…"

Hephaistos looked more annoyed than anything as Hestia's shoulders sank.

Hestia's crimson apron, her work uniform, shifted as the young goddess

slowly faced her friend.

"If, hypothetically, there were a monster that could speak…what would you

do?"

"…More details—now."

Seeing the young goddess's unusual earnestness, Hephaistos narrowed her

patchless left eye.

"A talking…monster…"

The Blue Pharmacy, situated off a backstreet between Northwest Main and

West Main streets in Orario's seventh district, was also Miach Familia's home,

but the building didn't get much light. The little sunshine that did make it

through the windows fell on three figures in the middle of a conversation: the

god of the familia, Miach; the god Takemikazuchi; and Mikoto.

"This monster really speaks? Meaning it's fully aware of itself and its

surroundings?"

"Yes…It spent last night in our home."

Takemikazuchi had a similar reaction to the news as that of a certain crimson-

haired goddess in Babel Tower. Mikoto's voice was heavy as she explained the

situation.

Mikoto had received permission to consult with any trustworthy deities, like

Miach and Takemikazuchi. On the other hand, she was also not to share any

information with mortals, no matter how trustworthy.

Ouka, Chigusa, and the rest of Takemikazuchi Familia had gone into the

Dungeon while the members of Miach Familia were busy collecting ingredients

to restock the shelves of the pharmacy. Mikoto used this chance to consult the

two gods about the vouivre girl's existence.

"I thought your behavior last night was a little strange. So that's what

happened…"

Miach could attest to Hestia Familia's anxiety after witnessing their behavior

the previous night once he had finished house-sitting for the day. Finally

connecting the dots, he nodded.

"Lord Takemikazuchi, Lord Miach, do you know of any other similar

incidents?"

"Can't say I do. A talking monster…That's news to me. And shocking, to be

honest."

Mikoto had never seen Takemikazuchi so perturbed.

"Yes, even now I have a hard time believing it to be true…However," Miach

said, "the mortal realm's 'Unknown' is so complex that even we can't predict it.

The possibilities are limitless…Perhaps something is also happening in the

Dungeon even as we speak."

Mikoto sat quietly and listened to the deity's warning, his aquamarine-blue

hair shifting from side to side as he spoke.

Takemikazuchi observed Mikoto's reaction from his spot next to her and

asked a question of his own.

"What is your view on the matter, Mikoto? How do you feel about this

talking monster?"

"…I don't know."

She answered with honesty, weakly shaking her head.

"I understand that Wiene…Lady Wiene is different from other monsters,

but…I am unsure how to treat her as of yet."

Her lips quivered as she went on to list specifics.

"I find myself constantly on guard, concerned that she might betray our

trust…I stand vigilant, ready to act at a moment's notice."

"..."

"I cannot relax, no matter how hard I try. I am…afraid of her."

Mikoto's gaze fell to the floor as she struggled to string the words together.

Takemikazuchi fiddled with the loops of hair framing his face while he

listened to her. Beside him, Miach watched Mikoto with an understanding gaze.

"Well, I'm sure anyone would react the same way…"

The deity reassured her that this response was only natural.

Mikoto didn't have anything to say. She sat in silence, staring at the floor.

Guild Headquarters, lobby.

Welf stepped into the spacious chamber of white marble, brushing against

many other adventurers who were passing through before venturing into the

Dungeon.

He was perfectly comfortable walking among them with his ears wide open.

He'd learned during his time as a struggling young smith that small treasures

could be found in the most mundane of conversations. This was nothing new.

Due to his leveled-up Status, his hearing had become more sensitive than any

lower-class adventurer's, and he used every bit of this ability to sift through the

noise in search of information. It went without saying that he didn't approach

any adventurer or Guild employee with inquiries to speed up the process.

With a black workman's jacket over his shoulders and a greatsword strapped

to his back, Welf made his way to a corner of the lobby.

Several Guild employees were posting new information on a public bulletin

board as a cluster of adventurers watched.

"—Oi, did ya hear? Another monster stealing equipment."

"I see. In the middle levels this time, too."

"Oh yeah, I heard some of the guys in Rivira got a little too worked up an'

beat its ass half to death."

He heard every conversation among the adventurers. Scanning the bulletin

board, Welf quickly spotted a sheet of paper.

It was a drawing of a monster holding a sword and wearing armor.

"…Nah, couldn't be."

But the attempt to laugh it off did nothing to ease the tension in his face.

"Well, well. Hey there, cutie…So how about it, little elf? Pour us a round of

booze?"

"We'll listen to what's on your mind…Hee-hee-hee!"

Long, golden hair flowed out from beneath a hood. A female elf—Lilly

disguised using her Cinder Ella skill—ignored the crude laughter of the men.

She quickly made her way through an underground bar where the sun didn't

reach.

Northwest Main Street, Adventurers Way.

A little distance away from the weapon and armor shops lining the street was

a bar in need of a good cleaning. The wooden building itself had an emblem

hanging over the front door, signifying it was a familia-owned establishment.

Familias that ran this type of business provided a venue for average citizens

and those who wanted to remain anonymous to post quests and hosted

information brokers, people willing to share what they knew for a price. With

these transactions constantly taking place, it was also common for customers to

exchange information among themselves.

Several familias like this one operated inside Orario's city walls.

Just as dirty as ever…

Lilly whispered to herself as she reminisced about her days as an outlaw and

continued to ignore the catcalls and whistles coming from all around her. Barely

standing 120 celch tall, she knew the beauty of her transformed face garnered a

lot of attention.

The bar was dark and shabby. There were so many quests pinned to a bulletin

board in the corner that its surface was hidden beneath the mass of paperwork.

On the first floor, civilians could access the familia's services at their leisure, but

this underground bar was only accessible from the stairwell located in the back

of the building. From the dim magic-stone lamps to the shady characters

gathered in the basement, everything about this place was suspicious.

An animal person missing his front teeth chuckled as he downed an

unpleasant-looking beer. One Amazon wore so many rings around her fingers

and neck that her tall frame sparkled in the dim light. A masked man was lurking

in the back corner. Several customers sat on sofas or around small tables, all

conversing in hushed voices.

If the Guild could be called the front, this was the back. People with

something to hide frequented these bars rather than the Guild. Reliable or not,

information spread through these hubs like wildfire. At the same time, Lilly

understood that carelessness in a place like this often resulted in losing every

valuable on your person.

Under no circumstances should Bell ever set foot in a place like this.

"One Alb Spring Water."

Clunk! The barstool clattered as Lilly took a seat and ordered a drink from

the human bartender.

Ice water procured from the sacred peaks of the Alb Mountains—a popular

nonalcoholic drink among elves. Lilly took a sip before addressing the bartender.

"Do you have any information about talking monsters?"

"…Nope, got nothin'."

The bartender didn't even blink as he accepted the payment and generous tip

Lilly placed on the countertop. His message was clear: The information was

valuable, and a pretty face wasn't going to jar it loose without paying full price.

Lilly had chosen this disguise as insurance. It was her way of ensuring no one

would ever know Hestia Familia was seeking out information about talking

monsters.

The bartender kept his eye on the "elf" as he silently wiped down glasses that

didn't need cleaning. Lilly was one breath away from asking if he knew of any

customers who might have more information when someone plopped into the

seat next to her.

"I know something about these talking monsters. Not much, but something."

This newcomer, a wheat-skinned chienthrope, wore lightweight battle gear

and knee-high boots.

She must have been eavesdropping, because her doglike ears were perked up

and a grin was stretched across her face.

Lilly frowned.

"Mud Hound Madl."

"Oh? You know my nickname? That's surprising, since people usually forget

about me with all the really famous adventurers out there…But yeah, I hate that

name. What were the gods thinking, calling me that? Bit cruel, don't you

think…?"

The girl looked surprised when Lilly mentioned her title and started blabbing

away as if the two were friends meeting for drinks. Crossing her lithe legs

beneath the counter, she ordered her own drink. "Barkeep, Honey Beer!" Then

she whispered her allegiance: "Hermes Familia."

"So then, you were saying?"

"Weeeell, um, Lady Luck hasn't been kind to me these days…Not too sure I

can pay for this beer."

With a smile and a wink, the newcomer made a circle with her thumb and

forefinger.

Lilly's beautiful elvish face twitched. Clicking her tongue, she pulled a small

bag of coins out from her robe and forcefully placed it on the counter between

them.

The chienthrope happily wagged her tail and started chattering

enthusiastically.

"Well, like I said, it isn't much. Stories about people hearing words randomly

in the Dungeon have been circulating for a while now. Rumor has it a few

adventurers have even heard whole sentences when no one else was nearby, and

there was another story going around for a while about a beautiful singing voice

deep in the Dungeon…Oh, one more thing. Other people are after that info as

well."

"..."

"Everyone laughed off those rumors—everyone but these guys. They were

serious. They put up requests for any news at all in bars all over Orario, too, not

just here, and they're willing to pay. A lot."

The girl glanced at the bulletin board in the back corner for a moment.

"And who might these guys be?"

"About that, I'm stumped…I'd like to know, myself."

The newcomer suddenly became a bit more aggressive as she went on to

explain that she had posted her own requests for information on this group.

Squinting with a faint grin on her lips, the chienthrope leaned in to get a

better look under Lilly's hood.

"New around here…? What's your affiliation? You seem kinda dirty for an

elf."

Lilly silently cursed to herself as the dog-person's face came uncomfortably

close, animal nose sniffing the air in front of her face. Her current companion

had the same "scent" as she once had.

There was no doubt in Lilly's mind that this woman was a thief. Not some

disgruntled child like her former self, but the real deal.

Madl's work as a deliveryman for her familia, combined with her activities in

this darker part of society, granted her access to a great deal of information.

It was highly likely she was pursuing information about talking monsters as

well. Lilly's search for the same information had gotten her attention, and now

Lilly was her top suspect.

However, Lilly didn't share Bell and Mikoto's trust in Hermes Familia.

Perhaps the two of them hadn't lived in Orario long enough to notice, but that

familia's constant stance of neutrality was extremely fishy.

Hermes Familia could easily turn from friend to foe if it fit their needs.

Fifteen years in Orario's gutter had taught Lilly as much.

No real information of value…but knowing there are others asking about

talking monsters is good enough for now.

The time had come for her to move on. Without another word, she stood up

from her stool.

"What? Leaving already? But there's so much I wanted to talk about."

Ignoring the cheerful voice behind her, Lilly left the bar.

However…

…She's tailing me.

She noticed a presence following her through every twist and turn of the

backstreets from the moment she stepped out the back door of the bar.

It was just one person, and Lilly was 99 percent sure it was the same thief. In

a worst-case scenario, she didn't stand a chance against an upper-class

adventurer.

Cinder Ella and items were her only option. Lilly took unusually large

strides, walking onto a dimly lit path and extracting from her robe a pouch

connected to a string—a Malboro stink bomb.

She'd used similar tactics many times back when she was living the shadowy

life of an outlaw.

Knowing that this opponent would take some time to deal with made her

cringe—although this was nothing compared to being chased by the battle-

hardened elf from that insane bar—Lilly dove into the dark alleyway.

Bright sunlight is shining down from directly overhead.

There isn't even a cloud in the sky. The summer sun hanging over Orario

makes it almost too hot outside. Warm enough that I roll up my sleeves, anyway.

Bright sunlight and a clear blue sky—the vouivre girl can't tear her eyes

away.

With the goddess and everyone else out, it's up to me and Haruhime to

house-sit the manor.

Having arrived here at night, Wiene hadn't seen the sun yet. She had been

saying the same thing since she noticed where all the light was coming from this

morning:

She wanted to go out.

"What is…that?"

We've brought her into the courtyard in the middle of our home, Hearthstone

Manor.

Maybe it's because the Dungeon doesn't have a sun, but Wiene is fascinated.

Haruhime turns to the inquisitive girl and walks up to her from behind.

"We call it…the sun."

"The sun…"

Wiene gazes up at the brilliant sky as she echoes Haruhime with a smile.

Without any sunlight to speak of, the Dungeon is rather cold. Of course, there

are a few exceptions, like in places with fire-breathing monsters and floors with

active volcanoes.

But I'm sure most monsters don't know what it's like to feel sunshine on

your skin.

"…It's warm."

Wiene's eyes light up as she watches the sky and she laughs.

Her expression is so innocent, and I think her amber eyes are tearing up.

I get lost in the moment, staring at her profile from behind, when she

suddenly turns toward me, tossing her long silver-blue hair.

"The surface is beautiful."

I can't think of her as a monster anymore.

Her naive, innocent smile is as bright as the sun.

It may be our job to hold down the fort while the others are out, but that

actually means Haruhime and I are tasked with looking after Wiene.

Whatever we do, we can't let her leave the manor. She knows nothing about

the outside world, so we have to keep her entertained in here.

"Bell…it's very hot. Is it okay to take this off?"

"N-no, you mustn't, Lady Wiene!!"

"Y-yes, you must put up with it."

"Ugh…" she mumbles, pulling at the salamander-wool robe's collar around

her neck like she would give anything to remove it. Haruhime and I panic a little

but somehow manage to persuade her. This is a relief, considering Wiene is

completely naked underneath.

I asked for Haruhime's help to get Wiene cleaned up after the goddess and

everyone else left this morning. It was a real struggle because the girl doesn't

completely trust Haruhime yet, but she did manage to wash off a lot of the dried

blood and dirt.

Haruhime also tried to put proper clothes on her, but…that didn't end well.

That's the only thing that she's outright refused. Maybe she's scared?

In any case, Wiene was having none of it, so we at least convinced her to put

back on the salamander-wool robe from yesterday.

Even if you call her a monster, she's still a girl…I just hope she can let her

guard down around Haruhime and the others…

The robe still provides ample glimpses of her lithe legs and cleavage, so I

have to be careful where I look…Not to mention she has no sense of shame

whatsoever.

Haruhime, dressed in the maid outfit she always wears around the manor, and

I do our best to keep up, but Wiene pulls us along at her own pace.

"Bell, what is this?"

"That's a magic-stone lamp. They make light like the ones in the

Dungeon…"

"What about that?"

Wiene doesn't want to go back inside. Her leg made a complete recovery

overnight, and now she's giddily skipping along out under the sun.

Since we're surrounded by four walls in here, I doubt anyone will catch a

glimpse of her. For someone like Wiene who has no place she belongs, whether

on the surface or in the Dungeon, this is her only safe haven.

Peering with curiosity into the walkways along the courtyard, Wiene makes

new discoveries at every turn. Her cheeks glowing a light pink, she grabs hold of

my arm every so often.

"Lady Wiene, would you like to partake in a meal? You didn't have anything

to eat this morning."

"…A meal?"

"Um, it's another word for food…Wiene, you haven't eaten anything since

yesterday, right? I'll eat, too, so how about it?"

"…Okay."

Wiene looks up at me with concern, not completely sure what Haruhime was

suggesting. I softly smile at her, and she slowly nods.

Haruhime retrieves a basket from the passageway, and the three of us take a

seat on the grass.

"…Yum…"

"D-do you really think so?!"

"Yes…"

"That is a rice ball, handmade by Lady Mikoto! Would you like to try this

fruit?!"

Haruhime seems thrilled, her fox ears standing straight up and her tail

wagging back and forth almost as if she were presenting her own cooking.

Meanwhile, Wiene quietly nibbles on the food in front of her.

The vouivre glances over at Haruhime's beaming face.

I know that bugbears eat the honey cloud fruits on the eighteenth floor—and

many monsters go after trap items as well—so it seems reasonable to assume

monsters can eat our food, too. If not, we'd have to go to a pantry to get food for

her, and Haruhime seems as relieved as I am to discover that isn't the case.

She reaches out to pat Wiene on the head while the vouivre girl is busy

gobbling down fruit. Wiene dodges her hand with a wiff and pulls away.

Haruhime's shoulders droop, and Wiene leans closer to me.

"Ha-ha-ha…"

Seems like Wiene is still a bit wary of her.

But she did let the other girl gently wipe down her body, so I think there's a

little bit of trust between them.

The next thing to capture Wiene's attention is Haruhime's renart fox tail.

She's watching it very closely, mimicking its movements with her body.

Haruhime catches on, sweeping her tail side to side and making up a game as

they go along.

You'd almost think they were sisters…

Haruhime was scared stiff at the sight of her yesterday, but now she's trying

to bond with Wiene.

Her laudable efforts to accept this girl—a monster—make me so, so happy.

Then again, perhaps only Haruhime, who survived a great deal of hardship

herself, is capable of this kindness.

"Bell, do you have any poshun?"

"You mean potions? I have a few in my leg holster back in my room; I can

go…"

"Do you know…it has a good smell? Smells just like…the fruit there."

Wiene is talking quite a bit.

Maybe it's because of the warm sunlight or just that she was really frightened

before, but she's using more words than yesterday. Smiling and giggling like

this, she's speaking a lot more freely and fluently, or so it seems to me.

No—it's not just me.

Ignoring her earlier reticence, it's amazing how fast Wiene is picking up

words and expressions—acquiring language. As I review our conversations, I'm

sure of it.

But I don't think she's learning, exactly…What is it, then?

She looks like a girl…but she's a monster.

I answer her questions with a forced smile, but there are a lot of unsolved

mysteries.

She has a good grasp of grammar and bears a strong resemblance to us.

There's not much difference between her and other people. However, her bluish-

white skin and scales clearly indicate she is a monster.

The red jewel embedded in her forehead sparkles in the sunlight.

"Bell, Bell."

Then, as she giggles and playfully tugs at my arm…

…she tries to change her grip, sliding her hand across my skin—and the

sharp claws on her fingertips carve into my arm.

"!"

I have no battle cloth or armor for protection, and my rolled-up sleeves do

nothing to protect me as three long streaks appear on my forearm.

Turning red immediately, the gouges her claws leave behind start leaking

drops of blood. Blades of grass beside me turn red.

"Huh…?"

"M-Master Bell?!"

I freeze in place as Wiene stares at her own bloody hand, shock in her eyes.

Haruhime screams when she catches a glimpse of my injured arm.

"I shall bring the first-aid kit!" she yells, jumping to her feet once she sees

the bleeding won't stop and rushing back into the manor.

"Ah, n-no…Bell, does it hurt?"

Wiene reaches toward me, amber eyes trembling, before coming to a sudden

halt.

She abruptly pulls back her hand—and the claws that drew blood.

Moving back and forth between my pained eyes and bleeding arm, Wiene's

gaze then falls onto her own fingers. Her face suddenly contorts.

"I…no…so sorry, Bell…!"

A river of tears flows down her cheeks. I can hear shock and sadness in her

unsteady voice.

Then she withdraws her trembling hands and holds them tight against her

chest.

She wants physical contact but can't touch me.

She can't reach out because she'll hurt me again.

"Sorry, sorry…!"

More apologies.

She's afraid of her own hand, that it can hurt people so easily. She's afraid of

herself.

Watching her go through this is too painful.

"...!"

I can only watch so many tears roll down her cheeks before my hands move

on their own.

Surprise flashes across her face as my injured right arm reaches out, and my

hand clasps the claws covered in my blood.

Her claws dig into the palm of my hand and open new wounds, but I pay

them no heed.

"It's all right."

I smile at her like I did when we met.

Paying no attention to the pain, I tighten my grip.

"—Bell!!"

Overcome with emotion, Wiene shouts my name and dives into my chest,

wrapping her arms around me.

Burying her face in my neck, hot tears dampen my skin.

She's really…just a kid.

Afraid of being hurt and hurting others, she seeks warmth and kindness like a

lost child.

That's the only thing I can think of as I listen to the soft whimpers beneath

my ear.

I wrap my blood-free left arm around her slender body and softly run my

fingers through her silver-blue hair. Her shoulders quiver, and I swear her eyes

are closed with pleasure.

She presses her nose against my neck like a cat wanting attention.

Overtaken by a sudden warmth, I gently pat her on the back of the head.

"—?"

I gently rub her back until she calms down, and suddenly I feel like we're

being watched.

Being rather sensitive to this feeling for various reasons, I quickly look

toward the source—a single bird sitting on top of the roof.

An owl…?

Several questions come to mind as I inspect the vertical patterns in its white

feathers.

Aren't owls nocturnal? And why would there be an owl in the city in the first

place?

The owl, far removed from the nearest forest, regards me with what I'm

positive is a twinkle in its eye.

It suddenly spreads its wings and takes off before I can get a better look.

"..."

The owl disappears into the heavens, leaving me close-mouthed and

confused.

It was just a bird, and yet I can't shake the feeling I was being watched.

All this thinking causes me to tighten my grip on Wiene—as I sense another

observer right away.

Twitching in surprise, I look around to see—

"...Awww."

Haruhime is standing nearby, holding a first-aid kit in her arms.

For some reason, she almost seems jealous at seeing Wiene tucked

comfortably in my embrace.

"..."

"..."

"Bell, Bell!"

Wiene's happy voice in my ears, I break out into a sweat when I see

Haruhime's tail swishing back and forth.

The sun descends behind the city wall as night falls.

Our goddess, Welf, and everyone else is home by the time the sky completely

darkens.

"I'm hooome."

"Welcome back, Goddess. Oh, hey, everyone. So, um…how'd it go?"

"Horrible. Couldn't find any leads at all."

"Many things happened to Lilly, but it was impossible to obtain any direct

information concerning talking monsters…"

"Lord Miach and Lord Takemikazuchi as well…They know nothing about

this matter."

Lady Hestia drifts through the front door, tired after a long day at her part-

time job. Welf follows her in, scratching his head. For some reason, Lilly looks

even more tired than the goddess. Mikoto avoids my question altogether…No

one seems satisfied with their day as they step into the passageway.

I know we only started gathering information today, and we'll need an

amazing amount of luck to strike gold on day one, but judging by their

expressions, this could actually take a while.

I mull over that thought as the three of us who had stayed home today go to

greet everyone.

"So, how was your day?" Welf asks.

Everyone else is looking at the girl hiding behind my back, Wiene.

She's gripping my shirt, extra careful to not extend her claws. Haruhime

walks up beside the trembling vouivre girl with a smile on her face and bends

over at the waist before whispering, "Why not try doing it yourself?"

She nods, and ripples run down her silver-blue hair.

"…W-welcome back."

She steps out of her hiding place just enough to expose half her face. Wiene's

quiet voice fills the hall.

The goddess, Welf, Lilly, and Mikoto watch in shock as Wiene quickly jumps

out from behind me and hides behind Haruhime.

Haruhime and I exchange glances and light smiles.

"She certainly…got used to you."

While Lilly and Mikoto continue standing in stunned silence, Welf breaks the

ice, though he isn't sure what expression to wear.

He's right. Wiene is finally opening up to Haruhime. Her blue frame is

pressed against the renart's back, forehead between her shoulder blades.

Meanwhile, Haruhime is gently patting her on the head with her golden fox tail.

It must tickle, because Wiene is twitching like she's fighting back a giggle.

Haruhime glances over her shoulder and smiles along with her.

Lilly still hasn't recovered from the shock of a greeting from a monster. She's

standing there with her mouth hanging open. My goddess is next to her, arms

crossed over her chest and grumbling.

"Well, well, Haruhime. You've got the makings of a great mother. No doubt

at all."

Maybe she's still sore about being rejected point-blank last night?

"It's delicious…! Mikoto is amazing!"

"Th-thank you…"

Everyone has gathered in the dining room after changing clothes.

The first thing Wiene says after taking a bite of dinner causes Mikoto a great

deal of turmoil.

A wide array of food, including meat and fish, covers the table in front of us.

Tonight's menu isn't too intricate, everything lightly cooked and seasoned only

with salt. Thick slices of ham have been cut into small pieces for convenience.

There's a plate topped with whole grilled fish and bowls of vegetable soup. The

only trace of Mikoto's Far Eastern traditional cuisine on the table tonight is a

dish of sweetened fried eggs. Apparently, Wiene approves.

"Haruhime said so. Mikoto is amazing. Makes good food."

"N-no, there is so much I can do to improve. I'm vegetarian after all, and…!"

Mikoto is flustered at Wiene's glowing praise—well, just embarrassed, really.

Not sure what to do with herself, Mikoto sways her black ponytail from side

to side as her face reddens.

I realize we're not feeding an animal at a zoo here, but…Wiene's voice is

louder than usual. Maybe the tasty meal is exciting her? "Ahn!" She opens her

mouth and waits with pure bliss for Haruhime to feed her a thick chunk of

steaming-hot fried eggs.

Even the garnet jewel on her forehead is twinkling along with her amber

eyes.

"Uh, wah…I've spent all this time wondering how to approach her. How

laughable…" The vouivre girl's innocent smile seems to have disarmed Mikoto,

who's hanging her head low.

"Miss Mikoto, that is a monster. Please go easy on yourself."

"Why so uptight, Supporter? Keeping an open mind and mending bridges is

very important at times like this…and that's why I'm going to do that with

Wiene right now."

"Please do not compete with Miss Haruhime! How can deities act so

carefree?!" Lilly issues another warning, but the goddess waltzes over toward

Wiene like it's a day at the beach. "Mark Lilly's words, this is a dangerous time

for our familia!" Lilly raises her voice further still, but to no avail.

Haruhime smiles at Mikoto and invites her over; the goddess is hell-bent on

bonding with our houseguest, and Lilly is equally determined to stop her. Wiene

is in the middle of all the fireworks.

"Is it okay for them to get attached? Not worried about Li'l E but…is this a

good idea?"

"Um, are you…nervous around Wiene, Welf?"

"I'd rather avoid her, to tell the truth."

The goddess asked me to give up my seat next to Wiene, so I've left the

women's conversation behind to sit down beside Welf as he eats.

Having taken refuge, I ask for Welf's opinion, but he forces an awkward

smile and shrugs.

"Still, it must be nice to escape for a bit. She hasn't left your side for two

days, right? Don't tell me you're feeling lonely now that she has other friends?"

"W-Welf!"

I know he's just teasing, but I still snap. At the same time, I can tell I'm

blushing, so I don't blame him.

I've figured out that no matter how startled or scared Wiene is initially, she

becomes friendly when she knows that you mean her no harm.

The scene unfolding around the table is proof enough. It's all thanks to

Haruhime assuring Wiene everything is okay, and now she's talking with

everyone without fear.

I don't know how long she was alone, but I think she's trying to put that

frightening solitude behind her by becoming friends with us—with people.

Our noisy dinner continues with the men and women on different sides of the

table. Wiene is happily and contently eating alongside everyone with an indelible

smile.

"Lilly, Lilly."

"L-let go of Lilly! Why would you want to hold her like this?!"

After our lively meal comes to an end and the dishes are put away, we move

to the living room.

Wiene suddenly takes an interest in Lilly for some reason and wraps her arms

around her. Much smaller than the vouivre girl, the prum disappears into her

embrace.

"Aww, she likes you, Supporter."

"And whose fault is that?!"

Lilly has made her stance toward Wiene very clear, but the girl must've been

entertained by their hilarious argument earlier and let her guard down. A vein

pops out on Lilly's forehead, her face turning crimson in frustration as she glares

at the goddess from Wiene's arms. Thoroughly enjoying the moment, Lady

Hestia strokes Wiene's long silver-blue hair.

"A-and she really stinks! Lilly noticed it before, but our 'monster friend' has

a definite smell to her!"

Lilly yells once she breaks free of Wiene's embrace.

The vouivre girl mournfully watches her go as Mikoto and Haruhime nod at

each other.

"Yes, that is true…"

"I wiped her down with a moist towel this morning, but…"

Wiene hasn't had a proper scrub since coming out of the Dungeon yesterday.

She's been wearing the same salamander-wool robe, too. It's been absorbing all

her sweat over the past two days, so it probably smells worse than she does…

Then again, it's not as if I can talk. Being glued to her all this time, I haven't

taken a shower, either.

As I suddenly become self-conscious of my own stench, our goddess's eyes

light up as though a magic-stone lamp came on inside her head. "All right,

then!" she says with a smile.

"Why don't we all take a bath together?"

The smell of cypress trees wafted in the air as white steam rose to the ceiling.

"Ooo…This is…bath?"

"Yes, it is. It feels nice to soak in the bathtub."

Haruhime smiled at the completely naked Wiene while holding a thin towel

over her plump breasts with one hand.

A spa-like bath was located on the third floor of the manor. The women of

Hestia Familia left their clothes in the changing room and let the warm steam

wash over their healthy, vibrant skin.

"It's been a long time since all of us shared a bath," Mikoto casually

remarked, the skin covering her arms and legs smooth enough to make women

jealous.

"Schedules for venturing into the Dungeon and my part-time job don't really

line up, do they?" Hestia responded, her shapely bosom jiggling as she spoke.

Both the girl and the goddess let down their long black hair with blissful

anticipation.

"Using this bath one or two at a time is the very definition of luxury…More

people using it at once saves money. Lilly thinks we should do this more often."

The cypress floorboards creaked under their bare feet as the women made

their way inside the bathing room and Lilly offered her opinion on the financial

benefits of the arrangement.

This Far Eastern–style bath had been installed at Mikoto's request. The lavish

design and spacious interior impressed even Haruhime, who hailed from a royal

family and had spent years with Ishtar Familia. The tub was large enough to

easily accommodate ten people at once. With steam constantly rising from its

softly rippling surface, there was nothing more enticing to behold. A steady

stream of fresh hot water flowed out of the nozzle in the back corner, softly

echoing in the bathroom. The wooden floor and ceiling framed the view of

Orario's nightscape beyond the window. If it weren't for the white noise from

outside, the ambience would be perfect.

Wiene stared intently at her own reflection dancing on the surface of the hot

water.

"Lady Wiene? Let's wash up before entering the bath."

Haruhime, who had always carried herself with purity and grace while being

groomed as a prostitute, procured water from a bath with a bucket before

pouring it over herself and guiding Wiene away from the shallow pool.

Hestia and the other girls followed suit and began washing their bodies.

"Bell's not with us. Why?"

"Mr. Bell is a boy! It's common sense!"

"Boys and girls have their differences, Wiene. That goes for monsters and

deities, too."

Wiene had looked around the room as if something were missing. Lilly

offered a retort, and Hestia provided an additional explanation while washing her

arms. The vouivre girl had invited the boy to join them to the point of pestering.

"Please no…" The boy turned her down every time, desperately trying to come

up with an excuse as his face burned red.

"Lady Wiene, please hold still."

"Th-the scales…"

Instructing Wiene to sit down on a bathing stool, Haruhime knelt behind the

girl and began washing her hair while Mikoto scrubbed her body from the front.

The girl's bluish-white complexion stood out even more in the steam-filled

bathing room. The two girls were in awe of the monster's smooth, shimmering

skin. However, the scales clustered around her shoulders and lower back were a

constant reminder that this girl was not a normal person but a type of dragon.

These scales presented a serious challenge for Mikoto because their sharp, sturdy

points tore the washcloth to shreds whenever it passed over a patch. Determined

to complete her mission, Mikoto held Wiene's limbs and carefully avoided the

scales as she covered the girl's body in a soapy lather.

"That tickles!" giggled Wiene. She occasionally squirmed under Mikoto's

and Haruhime's hands running over her skin and through her hair.

"You have beautiful hair, Lady Wiene."

"I do?"

"Yes. It's like a stream of pure spring water."

Wiene's face lit up when she heard Haruhime's compliment behind her.

The renart—her long golden hair, fox ears, and tail all dripping wet—

carefully handled the vouivre girl's silver-blue hair as if washing silk.

"Shall we rinse?" said Haruhime, and she emptied a bucket of water over the

girl's head a moment later.

All the dirt and grime flowed off her skin along with the suds. A now clean

Wiene shook off before leaning backward into Haruhime.

A soft plop filled the room when the girl's head met Haruhime's curvy chest.

"Lady Wiene?"

"…E-hee-hee!"

The vouivre smiled up at Haruhime from her resting place on her chest.

Meeting the girl's gaze, the renart smiled down at her like an older sister.

Mikoto couldn't help but smile, too, her eyes narrowing as she watched from

beside them.

"She's taken quite a liking to you, Miss Haruhime…Perhaps you might have

the talent to become a tamer as well?"

"It's because Haruhime would make a good mother…Completely different

from you, Supporter."

"Why drag Lilly into this competition?!"

The prum and the goddess watched the affectionate pair's interaction from a

short distance away. Once their brief argument died down, they followed the

other girls into the bath.

Small waves crisscrossed the surface as everyone got settled, piping-hot

water lapping against their shoulders. Mikoto's sigh of pleasure was closely

followed by several more.

"Feels good…"

"Yesss, it's because your muscles have worked so hard all day and now they

can finally relax."

The words slipped from Wiene's mouth as the warm water embraced her

body. Hestia, also very much enjoying the bath, looked up at the ceiling and

explained to the vouivre girl.

Several bathers had tied their long hair above their heads, but all their faces

were relaxed and at peace.

"..."

"Lady Lilly, is something troubling you?"

At about the time that everyone's skin had taken on a pink sheen…

Mikoto tilted her head and inquired as to why Lilly was brooding quietly by

herself.

"…There are too many well-endowed ladies in this familia."

Lilly's chestnut-colored eyes were focused on Mikoto—specifically, her

torso.

Her gaze shifted across the various figures of her peers, somewhat obscured

beneath the surface of the clear water, and her goddess's enormous breasts. Lilly

sank deeper into the bath and blew frustrated bubbles in the water.

There was no point in comparing herself to the deity dubbed "Loli Big

Boobs," but she definitely ranked lower than Haruhime and Mikoto in terms of

breast size, too. Leaving out the young prum, the average size and shape of

Hestia Familia's feminine curves was almost intimidating—and the biggest

shock came from Mikoto, who normally kept herself literally under wraps. The

up close and personal view was a bitter pill to swallow.

Mind racing, Lilly turned her attention to Wiene and was filled with a sense

of relief that she wasn't at the bottom of the hierarchy. However, that relief was

instantly followed by a twinge of self-loathing for thinking such a thing. Splash!

Her head disappeared beneath the surface of the water.

"—Being with Bell is better."

One heartbeat later.

Wiene sprang to her feet, her light-blue skin tinted pink by the hot water.

Lilly and the other girls were caught off guard by the vouivre girl's swift

movements and were late to react. With the speed and dexterity of her dragon

lineage, the girl climbed out of the bath in the blink of an eye.

"—No, don't get out!!"

"Please wait, Lady Wiene!!"

"Sh-she must be stopped!!"

"E-everyone?!"

The bathing room descended into an uproar as Lilly, Haruhime, and Hestia

raced after the stark-naked monster girl. Mikoto called out after them, a moment

too late.

Lilly led the charge of mostly naked women, carrying washcloths to cover

what they could, into the passageway in pursuit of Wiene, but to no avail.

"GAH!" A boy's startled yelp reverberated through the manor.

…After the dust settled, everyone finished bathing, then changed into pajamas

and went to the living room.

All of us are looking at Welf and Wiene sitting on the floor in the middle of

the room.

"Okay, hold out your right hand."

The vouivre girl cautiously sticks out her hand—and Welf goes to work on

her claws.

He's brought a few tools in here from his workshop, including a grinding

stone. Except this time he isn't sharpening a blade but blunting keen edges.

His skills as a smith are on display as his steady hands move with purpose.

Dragon claws are extremely valuable drop items sharp enough to inflict life-

threatening wounds on upper-class adventurers as is. As carefully as possible,

Welf removes each spear point with ease.

Thanks to him, no one has to be afraid of her claws.

"All right, that should do it."

Welf releases his grip on the girl's light-blue wrist.

Wiene's eyes go wide as she gazes at her perfectly rounded fingernails. Her

lips curl into a smile.

"Thanks, Welf!"

"…Don't sweat it."

A few moments pass before Welf acknowledges her appreciation with his

own smile.

Wiene jumps to her feet and rushes to my side.

Eyes brimming with a mixture of hope and fear, she reaches out to me.

First to my left hand, then my arm, and finally my chest.

Her new "fingernails" are so smooth that they don't even snag on my shirt,

let alone pierce my skin.

Tears of happiness glisten in her amber eyes as she realizes her hand isn't

covered in blood.

"Bell…Not hurt?"

"No, not at all."

She starts tearing up in earnest, smiling from ear to ear.

Wiene reaches for me with both hands. Her palms clap against my cheeks,

rubbing back and forth like she's playing with a dog.

"E-hee-hee!" She giggles and smiles brighter than the sun. Her fingers sliding

across my skin tickle my cheeks and neck, but I grin and bear it.

"You mustn't touch others this much, especially faces! And what are you

smiling for, Mr. Bell?!"

"I-I'm not exactly enjoying…"

Lilly's glaring daggers at us from across the room.

I'm just trying to keep Wiene happy by going along with her game, so why

am I suddenly on the receiving end of a lecture?

"…Does Lilly…hate Bell?"

"Huh…? Th-that was sudden."

The prum's obvious irritation and angry tone prompted Wiene to ask that

question.

Lilly's face goes blank, so the vouivre asks again:

"Hate?"

"L-Lilly…Lilly, um…!"

Her chestnut eyes anxiously quiver as words leave her.

Cheeks turning red, her eyes jump between Wiene and me.

Her mouth is moving, but no sounds are coming out. Wiene's shoulders

droop, her expression clouding—then Haruhime suddenly leans forward.

"I love Master Bell!"

Her face pops into my line of sight from behind my seat on the floor, and she

makes an ardent declaration.

The sight of Haruhime's flushed cheeks catches Lilly and Wiene by surprise

as my heart skips a beat.

Welf stops picking up his tools, stands, and turns toward us.

"I'm pretty fond of the guy myself."

"Of course I love him, too!!"

"Ho-ho…I as well."

The goddess and Mikoto chime in.

Lilly looks around the room as everyone gathers near us. She must've

decided that it was pointless to go against the grain and yells at the ceiling:

"—Argh, fine! Lilly does, too!! Lilly loves Mr. Bell!"

The magic-stone lamps on the ceiling shake, their light wavering.

Hearing over and over that I'm loved…My cheeks are burning up. I can't

help but smile with my goddess and friends.

"I love you guys, too."

I put the warmth of our familia into every word.

Suddenly, Wiene puts both her hands on my chest.

"Everyone loves Bell…Everyone loves one another."

She squeezes her eyes shut as another expression of joy blooms like a flower

on her face.

"Warm…"

In that moment, with everyone here, it feels like we all fit together. The air is

free of tension, and Wiene dives into my chest.

Wrapping her arms around my shoulders, she presses her ear against my heart

as if hoping to hear it beat.

One look at the giddy happiness on her face is enough to melt all our hearts

before we know it.

I put my hand against her silver-blue hair and look up.

The scene in the living room is reflected in the glass window.

Humans, demi-humans, a goddess, and a monster.

All of us have our differences, be it skin color or race or all matter of things.

But here we all are, together around one girl.

The picture of a warm family.

After Hestia Familia spent some time with the monster girl, the members

decided to call it a night and returned to their rooms one by one.

The magic-stone lamps on each floor of the manor turned dark.

"Please tell me, Lady Haruhime. What are your thoughts on Lady Wiene…?"

"I feel much the same way as Master Bell. I do not want to abandon her. It

may, however, be empathy getting the best of me…"

Haruhime and Mikoto lay on adjacent futons in a dark room.

As they lay on their sides, green and violet eyes met as they spoke.

"I view myself as a courtesan…Separated from Miss Mikoto and the others,

perhaps I see my former self in her. My own selfishness may be blinding me…"

"That is not so, Lady Haruhime. You are still the same generous person you

were back in those days."

Haruhime had donated food to the impoverished shrine where Mikoto and

her friends lived many years ago, even before she knew their names. Reflecting

on the memories of those days brought a smile to Mikoto's face.

Her face hidden in shadow, Haruhime smiled back.

"What are your thoughts on her, Miss Mikoto?"

"It pains me to admit…but I have yet to reach a definite conclusion," Mikoto

said. "However…I feel that Lady Wiene's smile is the same as our own. If

possible, I would like to build a lasting bond with her…Like our familia."

"…Thank you, Mikoto."

Mikoto and Haruhime slowly closed their eyes beneath the narrow streaks of

moonlight between the curtains over the window.

Just like when they would take naps together at the shrine in their childhood,

they leaned in close enough to feel each other breathe as they drifted to sleep.

"Lady Hestia knows…The gods and goddesses know something about the

Dungeon."

Inside the dim and mostly empty living room…

A lone magic-stone lamp cast a faint light on the room from its spot on the

wall. Welf had almost finished cleaning up after disarming the monster girl when

Lilly broke the silence.

"That was also the case when the Black Goliath appeared. They are hiding

the truth about the Dungeon…or something inside it…from the people."

"Probably."

"Despite that, the existence of that monster surprises them."

Lilly sat in a chair, swinging her short legs back and forth as she spoke. Welf

had his back to her, responding with the occasional grunt or a word or two to

show he was listening.

"An Irregular incarnate, even to the gods…We have a problem on our hands,

but it may be much more trouble than it's worth."

"You accepted that risk when Bell brought her back here. What's the point in

moaning about it now?"

"Lilly did not 'accept.' She gave up…Mr. Bell likes people too much to see

reason."

The prum, who simultaneously supported both the familia and Bell,

continued her conversation with the young man.

"If her presence here puts our familia in danger…When that time comes…"

"You'll chase her out and leave her to her fate?"

"…If necessary."

Welf raised his head and turned to Lilly upon hearing her thoughts on the

matter.

Lilly's concern for her ally's future was so strong that she was willing to

become hated in order to protect it.

"Take a look in the mirror. Determined people don't make that expression."

"..."

Lilly's face contorted. Distress filled her downcast eyes.

Without lifting her gaze, she strung words together and squeezed them from

her throat.

"Following our emotions will lead to disaster…If all of us become attached

to her, we will surely regret it."

"..."

"It can't go on like this forever. It's impossible for tonight to repeat itself for

the rest of our lives…"

Because that girl was a monster.

Lilly's voice faded to a whisper. This time, Welf didn't have anything to say.

"Well then, why don't the three of us sleep together tonight? Just family!"

"Just family?"

"Huh? Goddess…?!"

They were in Bell's room, third floor of the manor.

The room itself was mostly devoid of identifiable features, save for the closet

that had been refurbished into a storage unit for equipment such as mended

armor and other items for adventuring. Hestia was standing in the open doorway,

a pillow tucked beneath her arm.

Wiene flat-out refused to sleep anywhere other than at Bell's side, and Hestia

arrived on the scene to fulfill her divine duty. She practically forced her way into

the room so she could keep an eye on the two.

No one else knew she was there.

"First things first…Wiene, you must now call me 'Mama' and Bell 'Papa.'"

"Mama, Papa…?"

"Goddess, what are you teaching her?!"

Hestia coached Wiene and gently stroked the girl's hair while Bell yelped in

despair.

The vouivre girl inquisitively tilted her head as the deity, shorter than herself,

reached up to lovingly pet her head.

"Bell, at times like this, you must obey the mortal realm's rules about how

families behave. We have an image to uphold."

"What image? I've never heard anything about this!!"

Bell's astonishment did nothing to curb Hestia's enthusiasm. A crisp smile on

her face, she gave him an energetic thumbs-up.

"But…but my room only has one bed! So it's not possible!"

"What do you mean, Bell? You slept with Wiene snuggled up next to you last

night, yes? So you can do that with her but not with me?"

"Th-that's not what I…! You're a goddess! Sleeping next to you would

be…!"

"We slept on the sofa back in the room under the church, remember?"

"Huh? We did?!"

She didn't sleepwalk her way on top of me?! Bell raked through his memory

in search of answers.

Hestia turned to Wiene and gave her a friendly smile as the boy clutched his

head in both hands a short distance away.

"Is it okay with you, Wiene?"

"…Okay."

Bell's only hope of escape had vanished. The three of them climbed into the

single bed and lay down.

"Is…isn't this a bit cramped?"

"Hee-hee, I think you mean 'cozy.'"

"It's very…warm."

Bell's face turned bright red; he knew that they were close enough to touch

each other with the slightest turn. Meanwhile, Hestia's smile widened as Wiene

settled into the bed.

The vouivre lay between human and deity, all three of them on their backs.

While it would have been more efficient for Hestia to sleep in the middle based

on their height, Wiene looked so comfortable that neither of them had the heart

to move her.

Every magic-stone lamp in the room was extinguished; the sound of rustling

sheets filled the space. Bell's anxiety prevented him from moving at all while

Hestia and Wiene jostled for bed space. The sound of light breathing began to

fill the air as the clock on the wall ticked on.

With all the lights off, sleep descended upon the manor.

"…?"

Bell was somewhere between slumber and consciousness when movement

beside him caused him to open his eyes.

He saw Wiene facing him, her body huddled up close.

She was holding onto Bell's right arm as she had done many times before.

"Can't sleep?"

"No…I'm fine."

Two voices whispered in the dark room. Her amber eyes closed to a sliver.

The garnet jewel emitted a faint light as her blue-silver hair slid down,

exposing the bluish-white skin at the nape of Wiene's neck above her pajamas'

collar. She smiled up at him from the pillow.

Bell quickly averted his eyes. "ZZZ…" Hestia snored and rolled over at the

same time. Bell paused when he saw that the goddess had turned her back to

them and adjusted his shoulders to face Wiene.

The vouivre girl donned a calm expression and snuggled in closer.

"…Wiene, where did you come from?"

Bell couldn't help but ask as she pressed her body against his like a sleepy

child.

The girl from a different world finally trusted him. The question that had

been eating at Bell this whole time slipped out before he knew it.

"I don't know."

"Do you have friends? …Are there any monsters that don't attack you,

Wiene?"

"I don't know that, either…"

The girl claimed ignorance no matter what he asked and looked away. Then

she mumbled that her earliest memory was of being alone in the Dungeon.

"But."

Wiene lifted her face up from Bell's chest.

"I have dreams."

"Dreams…?"

"Yes. Attacking Bell…people like Bell."

The boy's eyes went wide in surprise.

"Slashing people I don't know, biting them, tearing them apart…"

In an area filled with rocks and boulders, amid intricate passageways.

Baring fangs at drawn swords, sharp claws ripping through anything in their

way.

Loud screams of those who avoided the fangs; ramming horns through the

backs of those who ran away in a panic.

"Everything turns red…Scary dreams."

The sight of her hands, claws dripping with fresh blood.

Wiene described it all, how these dreams would play out whenever she closed

her eyes.

"I'm always angry in the dreams…always get colder and colder."

"Huh…?"

"Lots of people, just like Bell…protect someone from me."

As Bell had protected Wiene from Lilly and the rest of the familia when they

first met, the people in her dreams did the same, she explained.

There was one, possibly an elf, who embraced her badly injured partner and

used his own body as a shield.

Another, a dwarf maybe, who blocked the passageway by himself, fighting

against a whole wave of monsters at once to allow the rest of his party to escape.

Another, and another, and another…Listening to her fragmented stories, a

picture began forming in Bell's mind.

Wiene curled up next to him, making herself as small as possible as her long

eyelashes trembled.

"I see those people, and I feel cold."

"..."

"Like there's a hole in my chest letting everything flow out, until I feel

empty…But those people were beautiful."

People supporting, protecting, and loving one another.

Sights normally overlooked, such as allies overcoming their fears to save

each other, were suddenly so much clearer.

"What happens next is always the same. I become red, and everything goes

dark."

That was how the dreams always ended.

A cutting flash of silver and a body going cold. Limbs that wouldn't move

anymore. Bleeding that wouldn't stop.

Lying on the stone floor, staring at the ceiling as vision blurred into

nothingness.

"I cry for help…but no one ever comes."

No amount of screaming or begging convinced any of her kind in the area to

come to her aid.

Their battle cries filling her ears, they continued to attack the people.

Clouds of ash choked the air before everything turned dark.

"Very scary and lonely dreams."

The visions always ended without her receiving a helping hand.

"..."

Bell kept his mouth closed, listening to her story from start to finish.

Were those really dreams?

Or were they Wiene's—?

Bell's train of thought had reached that point when the vouivre girl buried her

face in his chest once again.

"But I'm not scared anymore."

Because Bell was here.

Her muffled voice was tranquil as she wrapped her arms around the boy.

Wiene was smiling.

She yearned for his comfortable heat. Bell didn't say anything and accepted

her embrace.

However, he gently reached out and stroked her hair.

"..."

Hestia, her back to Bell and Wiene, slowly opened her eyes.

Mulling over what she just heard, she gazed out the window at the night sky.

After a time, she heard the telltale breaths of two sleeping figures.

Hestia rolled over once again and, after hesitating a few times, wrapped her

arms around the vouivre girl from behind.

A bluish darkness covered the sky.

Countless twinkling stars filled the night. Ash-colored clouds partially hid the

moon from view as the heavens cast light and shadow on Orario.

Business was booming in the bars along the main boulevards and street

corners. A small group of humanoid figures distanced themselves from the

liveliest and noisiest area, the Shopping District and the Pleasure Quarter, to

gather in an alleyway close to the city wall's East Gate in Orario's Eastern

Block.

The wall's imposing shadow overhead, they met where the alleyway

intersected a cul-de-sac.

Several adventurers sat atop a pile of wooden boxes and barrels that had been

left outside. A god stood among them, although this particular deity was mostly

preoccupied with adjusting the feather in his hat.

"Lord Hermes, Laurier and the others have returned."

The clouds high above drifted away from the moon as a beautiful woman

sporting short aqua-blue hair appeared in the alleyway.

The white cape over her shoulders seemed to cut through the darkness. As

soon as the words left her mouth, three demi-humans wearing traveler's robes

appeared behind her.

Hearing the report of his follower, Asfi Al Andromeda, Hermes wore a

delicate smile as he glanced toward her silver glasses and stood up from his

barrel.

"Good work on your long journey, Laurier and company! I've been waiting."

Hermes thanked the three for their hard work as a young elf woman and two

animal people, male and female, lowered their hoods. "So, how did it go?"

"Sir…We tracked the illicit sales taking place around the city and identified

the merchant organization pulling the strings."

"You did? Well done."

Hermes nodded, seemingly satisfied with the elf Laurier's news.

Orario, possessing the world's only Dungeon—the sole source of magic

stones—had to keep constant tabs on the black market. The Guild controlled all

legal rights to magic stones and their related products, but that didn't stop people

from smuggling them through the checkpoints and into other countries, where

they would be sold to the highest bidder. While the Guild and the familias

collaborating with them did everything in their power to eliminate these crimes,

the truth was Orario had grown too large to prevent them from happening.

Therefore, it had fallen to Hermes Familia to investigate the various black

market operations and shutter the organizations behind them. They traveled

outside the city at the behest of the Guild to investigate where the products were

being smuggled. This was one of the reasons that Hermes Familia, which

nominally worked as a delivery service, could pass through various checkpoints

at will. With Perseus's magic items at their disposal, the Guild placed a great

deal of trust in the mid-ranking familia—even if they weren't completely honest

about their members' Levels.

A letter had arrived informing Hermes that one of his investigation teams

would be returning from their mission tonight, and he went to greet them in

person.

"Every detail has been recorded here…Also, there is one more thing to

report."

Laurier handed her god a rolled-up piece of paper, and as she continued, her

pure-white complexion took on an ominous pallor.

"Just as you mentioned before our departure…The sale of monsters has been

confirmed."

"…And the buyer?"

"Our inquiry led us to infiltrate an estate belonging to Elurian royalty…

Further investigation revealed the possibility that nobility residing in other

countries may also be involved."

The elf fought back a wave of nausea as memories of what she had witnessed

flooded her mind. She pressed a hand to her throat to maintain composure and

keep from vomiting.

"Monsters were chained to one another in underground holding cells. We

were unable to ascertain whether or not they had been tamed. However, they

were violated…N-no, it was worse than that. It was treatment that I did not

believe people were capable of inflicting."

As Laurier adjusted her choice of words, the elf's golden hair swayed, and

her pointed ears anxiously twitched.

"They were on death's door by the time we arrived…One asked us with its

last breath—'deliver this to my comrades'…"

One of the animal people behind the elf stepped forward and held out an item

wrapped in cloth.

Hermes pulled back the covering to reveal a heavily scarred monster horn—a

drop item.

The deity narrowed his orange eyes.

The message and the horrid condition of the horn left the surrounding

members of Hermes Familia, including Asfi, speechless.

The two animal people in traveler's cloaks remained silent, their lips pursed

into thin lines. The elf, on the other hand, could no longer keep her boiling

emotions at bay.

"—It spoke to me and asked for help! A monster!! It used words no different

from ours, with tears rolling down its cheeks!!"

Her breathing became ragged.

Her right eye opened wide before she shielded it with her hand. She was on

the verge of a breakdown.

A shudder ran through the young elf, who always strove to uphold pure

ideals. It was no hyperbole to say that she was experiencing a crisis. Her

beautiful eyes blurred behind tears as she laid bare the pent-up emotions inside

her for her god and all to see.

"What was that?! Why did it look at me like that…?! …What should I—

I…!!"

Laurier was distraught.

Not saying a word, Hermes stepped up to her and took the elf's hand.

"Everything you saw, everything you witnessed is now my burden to bear.

Don't let it trouble you any longer. Leave it to me."

Hermes pressed her hand against his chest so she could feel his heartbeat.

The calming rhythm coursed through the palm of her hand; her breathing

returned to normal.

The trembling elf stared up at her god and saw his usual lighthearted smile.

Then he removed his feathered hat before placing it on her head.

"That goes for the two of you as well," he said with a smile and patted the

animal people on their shoulders. He then left the downtrodden trio in the

capable hands of his other followers.

Trusting them to take care of things, he sent all of them home.

"…So what would you have us do, Lord Hermes?"

Once her allies had disappeared into the night, Asfi spoke to her god with

thinly veiled agitation at his condescending behavior.

Sensing her half-lidded glare, the deity looked up into the sky in silence

before turning to another of his followers who was still in the alley.

"Lulune, you said you found a suspicious child?"

"Yeah, I did, Lord Hermes. Some elf brat I've never seen before was asking

around about 'talking monsters.' I tried to trail her but…she practically broke my

nose with a stink bomb and got away." The wheat-skinned chienthrope massaged

her nose as if she were still feeling the effects. "Sorry," she apologized through

her cupped hands.

Hermes glanced at her while she spoke but quickly returned his gaze to the

night sky—or at least to the visible sliver of it directly above the alleyway.

"The client's request is absolute. All we can do is keep gathering

information…"

Hermes's words hung in the air.

"Haaagh, geez," he whispered under his breath. "Well Ouranos, you certainly

gave us one hell of a job…"

The deity's sharp eyes gazed into the moonlight. A long moment passed

before he unrolled the parchment scroll in his hands and gave it a once-over.

It was a list of all the merchant organizations connected with this smuggling

ring, as well as who had bought and sold monsters.

Tracing the route all the way back to Orario, he noticed the name of one

specific familia:

Ikelos Familia.

Chains rattled from deep in the darkness. whimpers—

Rage-filled roars—and sometimes pained, mournful

accompanied the metallic clanging.

Hair-raising howls of agony echoed through the dark abyss.

"You let the vouivre cargo get away?"

As if its owner was completely unperturbed by the noise, an irritated voice

cut through the air.

It belonged to a man with black hair.

He wore goggles made from smoky quartz, though the tinted lenses were

unable to completely mask the glare of the red eyes behind them. He was rather

tall, and his dirty battle cloth was open at the top, revealing well-toned neck and

shoulder muscles. A large combat knife long enough to rival most shortswords

hung from his waist.

He had situated himself atop the black bars of an empty cage, legs carelessly

crossed, and the tone and quality of his voice suggested he was prone to

violence.

"We had it cornered on the nineteenth floor but lost track of it…S-sorry,

Dix."

"You realize what we could've had? Those freaks in charge of Eluria

would've paid a fortune to get their filthy hands on a live one."

The goggled man, Dix, didn't even bother looking at the four adventurers

below him while he spoke. The men and women hunched over in

disappointment as he raised his head toward the ceiling.

The stone canopy was shrouded in darkness, giving the room an oppressive

atmosphere. A few magic-stone lamps illuminated a great many black cages, as

well as the faces of the numerous demi-humans walking among them. The

incessant howls and clanging chains all came from inside those cages.

The man wearing goggles spat at the adventurers' feet before standing.

"If only we could find their nest…It's somewhere in the Colossal Tree

Labyrinth for sure, so we can't be far."

Grabbing a red spear propped against the wall, the man approached one of

the cages in the densely packed array.

The spear's blade was an odd shape, curved and incredibly sharp. Rather than

lethal efficiency, this weapon had been designed with the pain of its victims in

mind.

"And none of these bastards'll say a stinking thing…damn it all!"

The red blade flashed between the bars of the cage. A dark shadow flailed

inside, howling as the spear plunged into its flesh.

The weak, almost pleading whimpering turned to high-pitched screams and

ear-splitting squeals. Chains rattled as a crimson fluid splattered across the floor.

The man's face was devoid of emotion as he watched the dark shadow writhe

in pain before pulling back the spear.

"Then again, a female vouivre, eh…Now that's a treasure I'd like to get my

mitts on."

Tapping the weapon's shaft against his shoulder, the man narrowed his eyes

behind the goggles.

"The nineteenth floor, you say? Tell me the details."

"Ah, s-sure…Rivira's adventurers were on a quest to hunt some firebirds

when we found it. The place was crawling with them."

A disturbed adventurer responded to the man fidgeting with the blood-

covered spear.

"There was some elf rambling about a monster that talked to her, but nothing

else. No one took her seriously. I bet the vouivre is still in the Dungeon…if the

other monsters didn't do her in already."

The man in the goggles listened to his underling deliver the difficult news.

He considered the matter for a moment and then opened his mouth.

"So a bunch of people raised a fuss, yet no one claimed the kill…Could be

that some idiot is trying to hide the monster."

The man's lips curled into a smile before the stunned adventurers, but

immediately after, he burst into laughter.

"From what I hear, the vouivre's got one hell of a pretty face, yeah? Wouldn't

surprise me if some adventurer got carried away and did something insane."

With a grin, he added, "Monster fetishes are a thing, after all."

Knowing how adventurers think, no one would pass up the chance to brag

about slaying a talking vouivre. Stories about the strange monster should be

spreading through Orario like wildfire. The man explained his theory.

"Of course, other monsters could've finished it off, the way you said. And

there's still a chance it's wandering around down there. I'll go have a look

myself…Also, find out who took part in Rivira's quest—all of them."

Orders received, the adventurers gave him a curt nod before leaving as

quickly as they could.

After watching them go out of the corner of his eye, the man in the goggles

turned the other way.

"And there you have it…Lord Ikelos, may I rely on your cooperation once

more?"

"—Hee-hee, is that how you ask your god for a favor, you arrogant little

shit?"

Before the man in goggles was a lone god.

With eyes and hair of the same cerulean shade, the deity wore mostly black

clothing over his dark-brown skin. A fake smile was etched upon his graceful

features, which served as proof of his divinity.

The deity, who resembled a young man, had said nothing during the previous

exchange so he could better enjoy the spectacle. He sat atop a stone pedestal,

legs crossed.

"Gods can see right through our lies. I'd like you to check out any suspicious

individuals I happen to find."

"That sounds absolutely mind-numbing…I'm a god, and you're sending me

on an errand?"

The deity—Ikelos—sneered, eliciting a low chuckle from Dix.

"I think you'll find a way to not be too bored, no?"

"…Guess I got no choice, then."

After speaking to his follower, Ikelos put on a grin peculiar to gods starving

for "entertainment."

"You better make me laugh this time as well, Dix."

"By your will, My Lord."

Two shadows stretched far into the darkness under the magic-stone lamplight.

Amid the smell of stone and the constant bestial roars echoing in their ears,

god and man shared the same thin smile, as though they were reflections of each

other.