Night had fallen on Orario, shrouding the city in a deceptive quiet. Bell walked the streets, Lili at his side. She was silent, her hands gripping the straps of her bag, a mixture of fatigue and apprehension visible on her face. Bell, for his part, was thinking about how best to keep his promise to Hestia while offering Lili a refuge.
— "I know where we can go," Bell said suddenly, breaking the silence. "I know someone who will take you in."
Lili looked at him, uncertain.
— "Why are you doing all this for me? I have nothing to offer..." she whispered.
Bell stopped, turning to her with a genuine smile.
— "Because you deserve a chance to start over. Besides... a promise is a promise."
They arrived in front of an old, dilapidated church, partially in ruins but strangely peaceful. The place exuded an aura of simplicity and warmth despite its austere appearance. Bell knocked softly on the door.
A few moments later, Hestia appeared. She wore a simple outfit, her long black hair cascading over her shoulders, and her eyes sparkled at the sight of Bell.
— "Bell! What brings you so late?" she asked, curious but smiling.
Bell turned to Lili and encouraged her to come forward.
— "Hestia-sama, this is Liliruca Arde. She's looking for a place to rebuild her life, and I thought that... maybe she could join your familia."
Hestia, at first surprised, observed Lili carefully. Lili, visibly nervous, lowered her head.
— "Do you really want to join my familia?" Hestia asked softly, almost incredulously.
Bell spoke to reassure her.
— "With you, she will be free, Hestia-sama. She needs a home, and I know you will know how to take care of her."
Hestia blinked, moved. She crouched down in front of Lili, gently placing a hand on her shoulder.
— "Is that true?" she asked, her voice shaking with emotion. "Do you really want to stay with me?"
Lili finally looked up, meeting the goddess's benevolent gaze.
— "Yes... if you accept me."
Hestia smiled, tears in her eyes. Without warning, she hugged Lili with motherly tenderness.
— "Welcome to the familia, Lili. You're not alone anymore."
Bell watched the scene with a smile. Seeing Hestia so happy and Lili finding some semblance of peace comforted him. He himself knew what it meant to feel accepted.
— "Thank you, Bell," Hestia said suddenly, turning to him, a sincere light in her eyes. "You make my familia bigger and stronger every day."
Bell nodded, his thoughts turning to the future.
— "That's what I promised you, Hestia-sama. But this is just the beginning. We will become even stronger, together."
Hestia led Lili inside, showing her a space where she could settle down. Bell, meanwhile, slipped away discreetly, preferring to let them enjoy this moment.
As he walked through the silent streets of Orario, Bell felt a strange satisfaction wash over him. He had not only kept his promise, but he had also helped another lost soul find a home.
To him, it was more than just an act of kindness. It was a step closer to part of his vision: to build a familia that would be stronger than all others, a familia that could protect its members no matter what.
Chapter 37: Suspicions
As Bell wandered the quiet streets of Orario, lost in thought, he caught sight of a familiar figure. Ryuu Lion, the stoic elf he had met many times, was taking out the trash at the Fertility Hostess. His movements were calm and methodical, but his face held that same distant, almost melancholic expression.
Bell hesitated for a moment, then approached quietly.
— "Ryuu-san?" he called timidly.
The elf looked up, surprised, but his posture remained calm.
— "Bell Cranel. What are you doing here at such a late hour?"
Bell scratched the back of his head, a little embarrassed.
— "Oh, uh... I was thinking as I walked. But seeing you, I remembered that I wanted to thank you for your advice the other day. You really helped me see things more clearly."
Ryuu tilted his head slightly, saying nothing. Bell took a deep breath, pushing on despite his own embarrassment.
— "I'd like to invite you to dinner. If you're free, of course."
A flash of astonishment crossed Ryuu's face. It was a proposition she didn't receive often, and even less so from an adventurer.
— "That's... unexpected," she replied. "But I suppose refusing would be rude, given your sincerity."
Bell took her to a small, discreet restaurant he knew, away from the hustle and bustle of the big taverns. Once seated, they ordered simple but filling dishes.
The silence that followed wasn't uncomfortable, but Bell felt he had to initiate conversation.
— "I wonder... you always seem so calm and wise. How do you manage to keep your cool in all situations?"
Ryuu, who was cutting a piece of bread, looked up.
— "Experience, no doubt. But also, a determination to never let my emotions dominate me. It's a lesson I learned at a high price."
Bell nodded in awe.
— "That's impressive. I wish I could be that much more in control of myself."
Ryuu gave a rare, almost imperceptible smile.
— "You are already on the right track, Bell Cranel. What you have done for your supporter today shows an inner strength that few adventurers possess."
Bell blushed slightly, taken aback by the compliment.
As they finished their meal, Ryuu observed Bell with quiet curiosity.
— "You are different from other adventurers I have met. You seem to seek something other than glory or wealth."
Bell thought for a moment before answering.
— "I want to become strong. But not just for myself. I want to protect the people I love, and those who count on me. That's what drives me forward."
Ryuu nodded, his gaze getting lost in his own thoughts for a moment.
— "It is a noble aspiration. Never lose sight of that conviction, Bell Cranel. It is what sets you apart."
After the meal, Bell walked Ryuu back to the Fertility Hostess.
— "Thank you for this meal," she said simply, bowing slightly.
— "I'm the one who should be thanking you," Bell replied with a smile.
As he walked away, Ryuu stood at the entrance for a moment, watching the young adventurer's figure disappear into the night. A thought crossed his mind: "He has a long road ahead of him, but he has the heart and determination to travel it."
As for Bell, he returned to his neighborhood with a quiet satisfaction, convinced that he had taken another step toward strengthening the bonds with those around him.
The next day, Bell was summoned to the main hall of Ishtar's palace. The atmosphere there was heavy, marked by the imposing aura of the goddess seated on her throne, surrounded by her faithful Amazons. Aisha stood near her, arms crossed, casting a piercing glance at Bell, as if to probe his intentions.
Ishtar, in all her majesty, watched the young adventurer with eyes full of suspicion.
— "Bell Cranel, it seems that you are at the center of some interesting rumors. A white-haired adventurer, causing chaos in the Soma family? And you acted without even asking my permission?"
His voice was soft, but his tone betrayed a cold irritation.
Bell bowed his head slightly, feigning an expression of respect mixed with regret, though he subtly used his Ethereal Vision skill to neutralize any betrayal in his emotions.
— "My goddess, I understand your concern. But I assure you that my intentions were only to regain your trust."
Ishtar raised an eyebrow, intrigued by this unexpected justification.
— "And why would I have lost confidence in you, Bell?"
Bell looked up, his face a carefully controlled false humility.
— "Since my ability The Rise manifested, I noticed that you paid less attention to me, that you entrusted me with fewer important missions. I was afraid that you no longer considered me a weapon worthy of serving you. So, I acted to prove my worth."
A murmur ran through the Amazons present in the room. Ishtar remained silent for a moment, her golden eyes staring intensely at the young adventurer, searching for the slightest flaw.
Aisha, still wary, intervened.
— "And you thought provoking another family's anger would be a sign of loyalty? That's risky, even for you."
Bell looked away from Aisha, displaying calculated confidence.
— "Sometimes you have to take risks to prove your determination. What I did for Lili was also a message: I am ready to do anything to protect those under my responsibility, even if it means facing another family. And I thought this initiative would show my goddess how dedicated I am."
Ishtar narrowed her eyes, as if weighing Bell's every word. Her mind, however cunning, could not discern the deception behind his apparent confidence.
— "Bell Cranel, you play a dangerous game. But I must admit that your audacity is... fascinating."
She straightened slightly in her throne, an enigmatic smile playing on her lips.
— "Very well. If you want to prove your worth, I will give you a new mission. But know that this time, I will observe you very closely. Disappoint me, and there will be no second chance."
Bell bowed deeply, hiding a satisfied smile.
— "I will do anything to earn your trust, my goddess."
As he left the room, Aisha followed him with her eyes, her face closed. She moved closer to Ishtar, whispering:
— "That kid... He's too reckless for his own good. Maybe we should keep an eye on him."
Ishtar, still smiling, replied in a light tone:
— "Oh, I have no intention of letting him act freely. But for now, his ambition amuses me. Let's see how far he will go."
For his part, Bell left the palace with an inner relief. He had managed to manipulate Ishtar once again, but he knew that the goddess was far from naive. Every step he took brought him closer to his goals, but also increased the risks of revealing his true intentions.
Chapter 38: Double Game
As Bell walked away from the palace, he felt a presence behind him. Without even turning around, he spoke in a silent voice
— "You can go out, Aisha. Thank you for your trust."
Aisha stepped forward slowly, her arms crossed, a slightly mocking smile on her lips.
— "But admit that you took a hell of a risk in that. Ishtar is not the type to let herself be manipulated."
Bell stopped and turned to her, a smirk on his face.
— "And you, you play a role to perfection. If I didn't know, I would have almost believed your accusatory tone just now. You managed to dispel his doubts about your attachment to me. Congratulations."
Aisha raised an eyebrow, her expression vacillating between amusement and defiance.
— "So what, you wanted to see my acting if I could act in front of her?"
Bell shook his head gently.
— "No. I knew you were capable. But it's still impressive how good you are at keeping your cool, even when faced with a goddess as unpredictable as Ishtar."
Aisha looked at him with a mixture of curiosity and respect.
— "You know, kid, you have a way of talking that makes you sound like you're in control. But be honest: how freaked out were you about that?"
Bell gave an enigmatic smile, his eyes shining with quiet determination.
— "Flipper doesn't advance my plans. Every word, every move I make must be calculated. I can't afford to doubt, not when I have so much to lose... or gain."
Aisha was silent for a moment, then approached him, her tone becoming more serious.
— "Listen, Bell. What you're doing is dangerous, and not just to you. If Ishtar finds out I'm covering for you or getting too close to you, she'll destroy me. So don't think you're untouchable. You may have a clear vision of your goals, but Ishtar plays on a different level."
Bell nodded slowly.
— "I know that. But that's why I need you, Aisha. You understand this world better than I do, and you know how to survive in this jungle. Together, we can succeed."
Aisha stared at him for a long time, then sighed before patting him on the shoulder.
— "You're such a fucking manipulator, you know that? But hey, I guess that's why I'm staying on your side. Just... be careful. Because if you fall, I'm not letting you get up alone."
Bell gave a genuine smile this time.
— "Thank you, Aisha. I don't plan on falling."
She nodded before walking off in the opposite direction, leaving Bell alone in the night. He stared at the stars for a moment, his determination still burning brightly. Each step of his plan was taking shape, but he knew he was walking a thin line, where the slightest mistake could cost him everything he had built.
To be continued