The forge echoed with the steady taps of Welf Crozzo's hammer, but tonight, something was different. Hephaestus, the goddess with scarlet hair and piercing eyes, watched Welf with a watchful eye. Normally, the blacksmith was taciturn and reluctant to open up, but Bell Cranel's arrival seemed to have lit a spark in him. She could hear him laughing, talking, and even genuine smiles, a rarity in his case.
Once Bell left, Hephaestus approached, crossing his arms in front of her.
—You laughing like that with someone, that's new, she remarked in a neutral tone, although a slight smile played on her lips.
Welf stopped hammering the steel, putting down his hammer before answering:
—I don't know... This boy has a strange aura. He exudes a raw, almost disarming frankness, but behind that, there is something deeper, an ambition that seems carved from steel itself.
Hephaestus narrowed his eyes, intrigued.
—And that's enough to put you in this state?
Welf turned to her, a serious glint in his eyes.
— No, not only that. He asked me to forge him two weapons, masterpieces, and I want to do it. But for that, I need your help, Hephaestus.
The goddess frowned, hesitating for a moment.
— Welf, you know I'm always here for you, but... why is it so important?
Welf lowered his head slightly, avoiding his gaze, then whispered:
— Because I believe in this boy.
Hephaestus felt his heart clench at that statement. She looked at him, the stubborn blacksmith she had taken under her wing, and a familiar warmth filled her chest. This wasn't the first time he had asked her for help, and despite her desire to appear distant, she knew she couldn't refuse him.
Yet what Welf didn't know was that his goddess had feelings for him. She had buried them, hidden behind her role as guide and mentor. But sometimes, like in this moment, her mask cracked.
—Very well, she said finally. I will help you. But don't think that I will make it easy for you.
Welf smiled, a genuine smile that made the goddess's heart beat a little faster than she would have liked.
Meanwhile, Bell walked the bustling streets of Orario, his mind always racing, juggling his plans for revenge and the relationships he had to maintain to keep his balance.
Bell entered the Hostess of Fertility, his bag slung over his shoulder and a slight smile on his lips. He had barely set foot inside when Syr emerged from behind the counter, hands on hips, eyes piercing.
— Bell Cranel! You think you can just disappear like that without warning? she called out in a tone that echoed through the room.
Bell, taken aback, raised his hands in surrender.
— I'm sorry, Syr! Things have been… complicated.
She narrowed her eyes, approaching like a mother lecturing a child.
— "Complicated", huh? And you didn't think to give a sign of life? A simple visit, a letter, a word?
Before he could answer, Ryuu, calmer but just as attentive, intervened by placing a light hand on Syr's shoulder.
— Syr, he came back safe and sound. That's already a good thing, isn't it?
Bell gave him a genuine smile.
— Thanks, Ryuu. Don't worry, I'll be careful.
Syr sighed, but a slight smile betrayed his own softened worry.
— Promise me you won't do that again, okay?
— I promise.
"Say Miss Ryuu, as you are an adventurer, wouldn't you know a seller of potions or other elixirs" said Bell
"There is naaza from the miach family, she is a very good alchemist she can help you, she is just behind the pub her shop is there" explained ryuu
Thanking Ryuu and Syr, he left following the directions.
Naaza, a no-nonsense, straightforward alchemist renowned for the quality of her potions. Bell arrived at the modest but well-kept shop, where shelves were bulging with bottles of all sizes.
Naaza, busy preparing a mixture, looked up when he entered.
"What can I do for you?" she asked, her voice direct but not devoid of warmth.
— Hello. Ryuu recommended your shop to me. I'm looking for reliable potions for my next trip to the dungeon.
She arched an eyebrow.
— Ryuu, huh? If she recommends you, then you must be serious. But you seem a little young to face the depths.
Bell smiled softly.
— I take danger seriously. And I want to be prepared.
Naaza nodded, appreciating his determination.
— Good. Here are some healing potions and some antidotes. But remember: no potion is a substitute for caution.
— Thank you. I will remember that.
After making his purchases, he left with a full bag and an impression of rare professionalism. Bell headed towards the guild
Bell had barely stepped through the door of the Guild when a shadow fell upon him. Before he could react, a firm hand grabbed his ear.
— Bell Cranel! Eina shouted, dragging him into a private room. Are you unconscious or something? Do you know how worried I was?
—Ouch, ow, ow! Eina, easy! Bell protested, a grimace on his face.
She finally let go of him, crossing her arms, her stern gaze fixed on him.
— You disappeared without warning, again, I heard rumors that you even attacked a family, Do you know how many times I looked for you?
Bell, who could face terrifying monsters without flinching, lowered his head like a child caught in the act.
Bell lowered his head, unable to meet her gaze.
— I'm sorry, Eina. I didn't mean to cause you any trouble.
His sincere tone slightly disarmed the half-elf, but she wasn't going to let him get away with it that easily.
— It's not just a matter of "sorry". If you're going to put yourself in danger, at least let me know!
Bell nodded, like a lamb facing a protective she-wolf.
— I promise I won't make that mistake again.
She sighed, running a hand through her hair.
— Good. Now, let's go over the details of your next expedition. And, Bell… take care of yourself.
He smiled softly at her.
- Always.
Finally, Bell finished his day, Bell joined Hestia and Lili at Jagamaru-kun's stand, the atmosphere light and relaxed. Hestia busied herself enthusiastically, while Lili grumbled as she arranged the sweets on the stall. With her natural smile and good humor, Bell attracted several curious customers, which made Lili groan.
"Ah, Bell!" Hestia cried as she saw him arrive. "You've come to help us?" "Of course," he replied with a smile.
Lili raised a skeptical eyebrow. "You mean he'll attract all the customers with his cute smile, yes."
Bell burst out laughing. "If it helps sell, why not?"
Lili, with a mocking smile, commented: — Bell, you are a real girl magnet.
—Maybe, but I'm here to help you, Bell replied, laughing softly.
After the day was over and the stand closed, Bell accompanied Hestia and Lili home, exchanging light-hearted anecdotes along the way. He made sure to stop by to see Haruhime.
At the old church, Bell went to see Haruhime. The fox greeted him with her usual sweet and warm smile.
— Bell… I'm glad to see you.
He felt a familiar warmth in his heart.
— Me too, Haruhime. How are you?
She looked down slightly, playing with a strand of hair.
— Well, thanks to you.
They spent a while chatting quietly, Bell trying to make her laugh with his anecdotes from the booth. He liked these quiet moments, when the weight of his ambitions was lightened, if only a little.
Before leaving, Haruhime whispered softly:
— Be careful, Bell.
He gave her a tender smile.
- Always.
These interactions, while seemingly light, strengthened Bell's bond with those around him. Each one, in one way or another, brought him back to his humanity, a necessary counterbalance to his relentless quest for power and vengeance.
Bell couldn't stop thinking about Aisha. Every interaction, every smile he exchanged with her seemed to awaken something in him. But he repressed these feelings, afraid they would jeopardize his plans. Yet when he closed his eyes that night, it was her image that occupied his mind.
And so, as the forges burned in Welf's workshop and Hephaestus struggled to contain his feelings, Bell, strategist and manipulator, began to understand that some bonds could not be planned, but simply lived.
Chapter 56: An Unexpected Alliance
The manor was quiet, but Bell could sense a constant tension in the air. Aisha, though she maintained a stoic facade, was still suffering from the wounds inflicted by Ishtar's cursed whip. Bell couldn't bear to see her like this. Every glance he gave her fueled a dull rage and a fierce determination to relieve her.
The next day, Bell decided to take matters into his own hands. In Orario's vast library, he spent hours pacing the rows, searching the shelves, desperately searching for a manuscript or grimoire that might offer a solution.
He reached a particularly high shelf and had to stand on tiptoe to grab a book at the top. But in pulling the volume, he unbalanced a stack of books on the other side, causing a loud fall.
— Hey! Be careful! cried a female voice.
Bell, alarmed, rushed over to see a visibly displeased emerald-haired elf picking up the books that had fallen around her. He bowed deeply, embarrassed.
— I'm sorry! It was an accident, I didn't mean to...
The elf looked up at him, peering at him with a piercing gaze before sighing.
— It's nothing. But next time, be more careful.
Bell hesitated before asking, with a rueful smile:
— Can I help you pick this up?
She stared at him for a moment, then nodded. As they picked up the books, she broke the silence.
— What's an adventurer doing in a library? You seem to be looking for something specific.
Bell quickly explained the situation: Aisha's injuries, the cursed whip, and her despair at the lack of solutions. The elf frowned, listening intently.
Bell, after explaining the situation to the elf, was watching him with a glimmer of hope in her eyes. She was leafing through a grimoire, her gaze focused, her lips murmuring fragments of ancient incantations. Finally, she looked up at him.
"A cursed wound caused by a divine whip," she murmured. "It's rare, but not impossible to heal. However, this kind of curse requires extraordinary solutions."
"What can I do?" Bell asked urgently.
Riveria closed the grimoire with a sigh.
— Two options. The first: use holy water of exceptional quality.
Bell frowned.
— How much would it cost?
— 500 million suitcases, she answered bluntly.
Bell's eyes widened, nearly choking.
— 500… million? Are you kidding me?
Riveria shook her head slowly, an almost imperceptible smile forming on her lips.
— This is not a joke. Divine curses are not ordinary injuries. But there is an alternative, albeit more difficult: holy magic.
Bell nodded, absorbing every word.
— Sacred magic… I'm ready to learn it.
Riveria stared at him for a moment, her piercing gaze searching for something in him. Then she crossed her arms.
— Learning such a spell is not within everyone's reach. It requires rigorous discipline and mastery. Are you sure you can achieve it?
— Yes, he answered without hesitation.
She continued to scrutinize him, intrigued by his determination.
— Why are you willing to go so far for this person?
Bell hesitated for a moment, but finally answered with disarming honesty.
—Because she has already sacrificed so much for me. And because she matters more than anything.
Riveria, surprised by the sincerity of his answer, looked away briefly.
— Hm. I have rarely seen such resolution.
She closed her grimoire, tapped it gently, and said:
— Very well. I will help you. But it will not be easy, and I will not tolerate the slightest laziness or distraction.
Bell nodded vigorously.
— Thank you, Riveria! I will do whatever it takes.
She stared at him, one eyebrow raised.
—You have no idea who I am, do you?
Bell, taken aback, replied with an embarrassed smile:
— Uh… no. But you're obviously an expert in magic, and that's all that matters to me.
Riveria gave a light, almost imperceptible laugh, a mixture of amusement and surprise.
— You are either incredibly naive or incredibly bold. I haven't decided yet.
She took a step back and placed a hand on her staff.
— Know that I am Riveria Ljos Alf, mage of the Loki Familia and one of the greatest mages of Orario.
Bell looked at her, impressed, but didn't lose his composure.
— It is an honor, Riveria. Thank you for taking the time to help me despite your responsibilities.
Riveria nodded, a hint of admiration in her eyes.
— We will start tomorrow. Be ready. It will not be an easy task.
—I will be, Bell promised, determined.
As she walked away, a smirk formed on Riveria's lips. She didn't know why yet, but she felt that this boy was different. A rare aura emanated from him, a mixture of brutal honesty and unwavering ambition.
Bell, meanwhile, clutched the grimoire in his hands, more determined than ever. Aisha was waiting for him, and he didn't plan on disappointing her.
They began lessons immediately, Bell absorbing every detail of Riveria's instructions. Despite his difficulty in mastering the intricacies of sacred magic, his determination impressed the elf.
As they trained, Riveria realized that this boy was not just a naive adventurer. Behind his frank manner and fiery determination lay a depth she did not yet fully understand.
To be continued