Bell Cranel had risen early that morning, staring up at the ceiling of his modest room. The night before had been a turning point. The revelation of his new ability, The Rise, had opened up possibilities he had never imagined.
He still remembered Ishtar's words, her hands shaking as she wrote the update on his status card.
"A unique skill," she had whispered. "It makes you nearly invincible in the long run. Accelerated growth… But most importantly, total resistance to my charms."
Bell had just smiled softly, playing innocent. But in reality, he understood perfectly the scope of this gift. This immunity was a fatal blow to Ishtar's authority over him. She could no longer manipulate him, but he could continue to exploit her position within his Familia.
The pleasure district was still abuzz, and Bell already had a clear plan in mind. The Amazons were formidable warriors, but their thirst for conquest—both on the battlefield and in love—made them predictable.
Bell approached Kali early in the morning. With his humble tone and carefully chosen words, he presented her with an exaggerated version of the rivalry between the Amazons.
"Kali-sama," he said with apparent worry, "I fear that this tension between them will end up harming the Familia. I don't want to be a cause of conflict."
Kali stared at him, a smirk on her lips. "You're a lot smarter than you look, kid. And why should I get involved?"
Bell looked down, feigning vulnerability. "Because you're the only one who can maintain order here. If they continue to argue, it will weaken the Familia… And Ishtar-sama won't appreciate that."
Kali burst out laughing, but deep down she knew he was right. So she decided to intervene subtly, exacerbating the rivalries while maintaining a semblance of order.
Bell used his Ethereal Vision to gauge each Amazon's feelings toward him. He focused particularly on those who showed traces of respect or sincere admiration. To these warriors, he addressed kind words and gestures of recognition.
With the more aggressive ones, he took a different approach, playing on their pride by showing a slight indifference. This strategy pushed them to redouble their efforts to attract his attention, without him ever giving the impression of giving in.
That evening, Bell asked Aisha to help him practice privately.
"I want to become stronger," he told her, his gaze sincere. "But I don't want to depend solely on my Familia or luck. I want to be someone you can count on, Aisha."
These words deeply touched Aisha, who accepted with a smile. Their training became an excuse to spend more time together, strengthening the bond between them.
Meanwhile, Ishtar was deep in thought in her chambers. She held in her hands Bell's recent update.
"The Rise… A skill that turns every difficult battle into an opportunity for growth…" she whispered.
But it wasn't this ability that worried him the most. It was the complete immunity to charm. Bell was now immune to his most fearsome power.
She summoned Phryne and Kali to discuss the situation.
"This boy has become an anomaly," she said. "We must find a way to maintain our control over him."
Kali, still mocking, replied, "Perhaps you should give him what he wants, Ishtar-sama. After all, he's never really shown any interest in carnal favors."
Ishtar gritted her teeth. She knew Bell was playing a more complex game than he seemed, but she had yet to understand his true intentions.
As Bell headed to his room after a busy day, he came across an Amazon he had never seen before. Tall, slender, with hair as black as night, she gave off an aura of mystery.
"Bell Cranel," she said, a cryptic smile on her lips. "I have heard of you. They say you have captured the attention of many warriors here."
Bell discreetly activated his Ethereal Vision and saw a glimmer of curiosity mixed with a hint of defiance. He tilted his head slightly.
"I'm just a novice trying to find my place," he replied humbly.
The woman burst out laughing. "Modest, too? I am Tiamat. If you want to become the best, you will have to prove to me that you have what it takes."
Bell smiled softly, but in his mind he already saw how to use this new encounter for his own goals.
On a rooftop not far away, a figure in a silver robe watched Bell with a smile. Freya stared at the young man with an almost obsessive intensity.
"Bell Cranel… You are much more interesting than I had imagined. But how far are you willing to go to achieve your goals?"
She turned to Ottar, her faithful servant.
"Keep a close eye on him. If he becomes a threat, we'll have to intervene. But for now… I want to see how high he can climb before he falls."
Chapter 20: A Pact Under the Stars
Morning had barely broken, but the merchant district of Orario was already bustling with activity. Bell, dressed in his usual coat, calmly made his way to the small jagamaru stand run by Hestia.
She was there, just like the day before, her long black hair tied in two pigtails, a tired but warm smile on her face.
"Oh, Bell!" she exclaimed when she saw him coming. "You're back! Do you want more jagamaru?"
Bell smiled, but this time he had a specific goal.
"Not today, Hestia-sama," he said with feigned politeness. "I wanted to talk with you."
Hestia looked surprised but nodded. She motioned for her assistant to watch the stand and invited Bell to walk a little further, into a quiet alley.
"Hestia-sama," Bell began, his tone turning serious. "I observed you yesterday. You're alone, without a Familia worthy of the name, and yet… You still seem to believe in something. Why?"
Hestia, unsettled by Bell's frankness, lowered her eyes slightly.
"Well… It's true, I don't have any members in my Familia yet. But I believe that one day, someone will come to me…"
Bell nodded, feigning empathy, but he could see right through her with Ethereal Vision. A melancholic light tinged with hope surrounded Hestia, a feeling he could easily exploit.
"What if I told you I could help you?"
Hestia looked up, intrigued.
" How so ? "
Bell took a step forward, his gaze piercing.
"I can find members for your Familia. Talented adventurers, people willing to follow you. In exchange, I want you to help me achieve my own goal."
Hestia frowned.
"What goal?"
Bell took a deep breath, knowing this moment was crucial.
"My goal is to bring down the Families that felled my grandfather Zeus. The gods that betrayed him, those who abandoned my village when we needed them..."
Hestia's eyes widened.
"Zeus… Is your grandfather Zeus?"
Bell nodded slowly.
"Yes. And I know it's a dangerous path, but I can't do it alone. If you help me, I promise we'll build a strong Familia, a Familia that will surpass all others."
Hestia stepped back slightly, visibly troubled.
"Bell… I don't know if I'm capable of helping you in such a dangerous quest. I'm not like Ishtar or Loki. I don't manipulate others."
Bell placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder, his tone becoming softer.
"I'm not asking you to manipulate anyone, Hestia-sama. I'm simply asking you to trust me. I'll do everything else."
His sincere gaze seemed to pierce Hestia's defenses. She remained silent for a moment, then finally nodded.
"Okay… But I want a promise, Bell. No matter how far you go, you will never lose your humanity."
Bell smiled slightly, knowing full well that this promise might be difficult to keep.
"I promise you, Hestia-sama."
After their conversation, Bell spent the afternoon talking to lone adventurers and potential recruits at the tavern and in the poor neighborhoods of Orario. Using his charisma and intelligence, he began to draw attention to Hestia's Familia.
Hestia, though still hesitant, began to realize Bell's potential. His determination and strategic vision were contagious.
Meanwhile the Amazons gathered.
"We need to keep a close eye on Bell," Samira said. "That ability makes him uncontrollable in Ishtar's eyes. Aisha, you're the closest to him. Find a way to keep him under control."
Aisha, though loyal to Ishtar, frowned at this request. She was beginning to feel an inner conflict: Bell was not simply a pawn to her.
As Bell returned to Ishtar's quarters that evening, he sensed a familiar presence. A hooded figure stood not far from him.
"Who goes there?" he asked, turning abruptly.
The person removed their hood, revealing long silver hair and piercing eyes. Freya.
"Bell Cranel…" she murmured, her mysterious smile lighting up her face. "You continue to surprise me. But know this: no matter how many plans you weave, you will not be able to escape my gaze."
Bell, although worried, did not let anything show.
"If you want something, Freya-sama, then just say it straight. I don't play guessing games."
Freya burst into a soft but disturbing laugh.
"You are a rare treasure, Bell. But be careful… Too much ambition can burn your wings."
Then, as suddenly as she had appeared, Freya disappeared into the shadows, leaving Bell to ponder the true significance of his actions.
To be continued