Chapter 3

Chapter 3

[Carne Village-10XX]

When Ashton opened he expect black oblivion, not a very familiar ceiling. Ashton shot up and looked around to see his childhood room. Books line up on his bookshelf filled with stories of heroes of old. A toy chest that has seen better days that still holds all the wooden weapons he used to play with.

As he to the closet he looked at himself in the mirror on the back of the door. He expected his body to be covered in hideous scars but his body was fullied healed.

"Tch. Dammit, Aria." Ashton whispered to himself.

Why did she have to save him? Why couldn't she take her freedom to see her daughter before she deform? It would take decades if not a century to regain her physical form. And the last time he saw Aiz, which was 7 years ago, she seriously needed help.

Seeing her mother again would have helped immensely but nooo Aria had to save him and now he has to deliver a message to her. That means going to Orario, the city of graves.

As he looked through the closet he noticed the clothes were new. Each was sewn together with great love and care. And the clothes fitted him perfectly.

"Seriously Old Hag? I haven't been here in 7 years yet he knows my exact size. Creepy." Ashton said with a fond smile on his face. Once he dressed he opened his door. As he walked through the hallways memories began to enter the front of his mind.

Of the old hag chasing him down the hallways because he didn't want to take a bath. The delicious food they ate together. Reading stories to him until he fell asleep.

His childhood was by no means perfect but it was a good one all the same. As he entered the living room he the Old Hag.

She has big, captivating, and beautiful eyes and soft white skin. Her hair was deep violet braided with gold and silver ribbon weaved in. She wore a simple dress that any country woman could get but even in such a low-grade dress, she made it look divine. She was watery some plant on the window ceil unaware of him.

"Uhm." Ashton coughed into his hand. The Old hag looked up and she dropped the waterer onto the floor.

"Ashton!" The Old Hag yelled as she ran up to him with her arms open wide. Ashton opened up his arms for a hug only to be blindsided by the Old Hag going for his cheeks.

"YOU DAM BRAT! DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA OF HOW WORRIED I WAS!! 7 YEARS OF NO CONTACT AND SUDDENLY YOU APPEARED IN FRONT OF THE HOUSE UNCONSCIOUS!!!" The Old Hag yelled into his ears as she continues to pinch his cheeks.

Ashton broke free of the grip and started rubbing his cheeks, "I forgot how vindictive you were, Old Hag." Ashton said which only serves to piss her off even more

"IT'S LADY HERA OR ANY VARIANT OF GRANDMA TO YOU UNGRATEFUL BRAT!" Hera continued to yell at her grandson

"I see no lady here and vindictive Grandma, equals Old Hag," Ashton said with a straight face only to receive a punch to his face. Ashton only raised an eyebrow at the action as he felt nothing from the punch. While Hera was now on her knees clutching the fist he hit him with.

Ashton sighed as he bend down and extends his hand to H era's injury, "Heal." Ashton's intones and the pain in Hera's hand was now gone.

"You fought and kill the One-Eye Black Dragon didn't you," Hera said quietly. Ashton looked before sighing.

"....Yes." Ashton said with a great deal of reluctance.

"Ouranos broadcast the news with Divine Mirrors. The entirety of Tenkai plans to celebrate the death of that monster for an entire month. You missed the first week." Hera said with a distant voice and Ashton felt his heartache while everyone was celebrating the news that was thought impossible she was worried to death for him.

"...Why did you choose to fight that monster," Hera asked

"I was just there. If I didn't stop it how many would have died?" Ashton asked

"I don't care about about anyone else. You are my grandson, the last remaining member of my Familia." Hera said

"You would have seen me again in Heaven." Ashton said with a sordic smile which earned him a slap.

"Don't talk about your life as it's meaningless!" Hera said

"It is meaningless." Ashton said

If one was to ask Ashton what is the meaning of life he would say "Finding people to share your life with." So if you have no one in your life to share your mortal life with then your life is meaningless. For 7 years Ashton has been traveling across Tenkai in isolation forming no connections to anyone.

The only exception being his grandmother who was a Goddess. The sense of time between a God and a mortal were completely different. For mortals a millennium were long but for Gods it would have been a day. And even if he did died Hera would be able to see him in Heaven when she returns. So it wasn't like it would be long. At least that was what Ashton thought.

But for Hera it would be her greatest crime. She made herself a promise to not allow her only member of her family suffer the same fate as the rest. Yet she was powerless to stop him from doing anything, unless she used her divinity to placed a geass on him to 'Live'. But she would be sent back to Heaven immediately and she knows Ashton would fine a way to circufent her geass if she did.

Hera sighed as she rubbed her forehead, "So mind telling me how you made it here from the border if you were uncouscius."

"Sure." Ashton and Hera sat down across each other at the dinner table.

So Ashton told about Aria and how she saved him. And now he had to go tell her daughter about Aria's current status. Which would be a pain in the ass since the last time he saw her she had a dark obsession to kill the dragon and save her mother.

"Well looks like I have thank Aria the next time I see her as well as you." Hera said as she looked at Ashton with pointed looked.

"Tch." Was that Ashton had to say.

"Honestly she save your life. You should be grateful." Hera said

'I never asked to be saved' Ashton thought only to have Hera pinched his right cheek across the table.

"So I take you will be leaving tomorrow to head to Orario?" Hera asked

"Yeah." Was all that Ashton said

"You know, your cousin as made quite a name for himself maybe you could--" Hera begin

"No." Ashton said as he glared at his grandmother. Hera looked straight at him with her own glared.

"You can't blame him for Meteria's death." Hera said

"Watch me." Ashton said

"Meteria knew the risks." Hera said

"Yes, I'm well aware of that," Ashton said

"Then why are you hellbent on hating him when you know he's innocent?" Hera asked with a frown. While she knew Meteria's death hit both Ashton and Alfia to the point both of them avoided the poor child. It wasn't until 7 years ago that she and Zeus came together to mourn the death of Alfia and his Zard. When she saw Ashton looking at Meteria's son she only saw pure hatred of the boy in Ashton's eyes.

When she tried confronting him, he ignored her and left.

Even now the reason is a mystery but she will be dam if she allows such hatred for an innocent family member to fester.

"You two are family," Hera said

"No we aren't. You are my only family Old Hag." Ashton said as he got up to head toward his room.

(***)

"No way…"

Meteria's legs suddenly gave out upon receiving the news. She fell on the bed, her face a mask of scared disbelief. Her body was feeling light and numb for some reason.

"It can't be… it's impossible!" she couldn't believe her hears. She simply couldn't. "H-H-He is a God! T-There's no way you could―"

"Silence! Do you think I do not know that, sister?!" Alfia hissed with a wounded voice, like a snake, her arms trembling in unrestrained rage while she clenched her fists. "This is precisely what I meant when I said it shouldn't have happened!"

The younger sister brought her hands on her face, her eyes wide and stunned.

Once more, silence fell between the two of them.

"…are you really sure?" she asked for the second time. Her voice was so low that it sounded like a whisper. "You're telling the truth, right?"

Despite her better judgment, Alfia smiled in self-mockery. It was a look that did not fit her at all, in Meteria's opinion.

"Of course. Except for him, I've never let anyone touch me. You know better than anyone in our Familia how much I loathe parenthood and… troublesome situations. I wanted to stay safe and avoid every risk," she explained with a disgusted scoff.

"In my moment of weakness I allowed myself to be a key instrument of ruining an innocent life." Alfia said

"What do you mean sister?" Meteria asked

"Gods can't have children but here I'm with a baby of a God in my womb. If the other Gods find out what will happen to him?" Alfia said with a worried look.

Meteria suddenly gained a look of understanding. Gods are not kind. Sure most Gods are kind to their Familia but not to others. Adventurers are the main entertainment to the Gods and ones Familia represents their favorites mortals. They would either convince you too join their Familia's or forced you if you are too weak.

The Hera Familia made a lot of enemies on their way to the top. If word got out that an actual child of a God came to be they would want to know how it happen. The baby's father disappeared and Alfia had no idea how it happened so the only way to find out was to dissect the baby.

While Hera's Familia strength was undoubted and they could rely on Zeus's Familia they wouldn't be able to fight off every God on Tenkai and in Heaven. Sooner or later the child might be taken and experimented on so that Gods can have their own children.

"I'm sorry my child. I have already proven myself to be a terrible mother." Alfia said as she strokes her womb

(***)

[Labyrinth City of Orario-Central Park-1 week Prior]

The entire city was celebrating.

Clear blue as far as the eye could see. There were a number of white clouds floating here and there like the seeds dotting a fruit. Compared to the summertime, the clouds were higher up and much, much smaller to the eye. A cool breeze blew through the wide-open sky.

The incoming fall weather was pleasant. Perfect weather for a festival.

"Rejoice, people of Orario! We've been blessed with a wonderful news! It looks like even the fickle gods of weather are in a good mood today!"

A god's gentle voice was projected by a magic-stone amplifier, reaching every corner of Orario. The source was at the heart of the city, in Central Park at the foot of the chalk-white tower. It was the place where all eight arteries of the city converged, a place where tens of thousands of people could comfortably gather.

Today, however, the plaza looked different from usual. There were pagoda-like stone towers with altars at their bases erected in the north, south, east and west around Babel ― places of worship.

"At last, at long last, after more than a thousand years in which it has inflicted terror and death over the world, the One-Eyed Black Dragon has perished! The long-awaited fulfillment of the Three Great Quests has finally been completed! Its fangs and fire shall threaten humanity no more!" Hermes's voice carried across the city, while the people of Orario cheered and clapped in joy. "Ganesha, what do you think of it?"

"I AM GANESHA!"

The four tall altars were crowded by countless humans, demi-humans, elves and members of all races, all of them gazing up at the gods and goddesses placed atop each towering structure. Hermes, Ganesha, Demeter, Hephaestus, Freya, Loki, Damia, Hathor, and countless other deities who resided in the Labyrinth City stared down at the crowd with joyous, excited faces and gleaming eyes filled with relief and glee. Each and every one of them wore an expression of pleased satisfaction, dressed in brightly colored clothes and attracting the attention and gazes of all citizens.

Suddenly, Demeter lowered her gaze and took the floor. "A great many things came to pass this past year… many of them frightening, and many of them sad. A year is but an instant for us deities, but I will surely never forget these few shorts months."

There was a desolate tone in her voice. The dregs of grief from all the dark and terrible events that had happened during the previous months and days. Around the city, people's thoughts turned to the uproar at Monsterphilia, the destruction of the red-light district, the armed monsters that appeared on the surface, and various other incidents that had occurred in such a short amount of time. There was no way to deny that it had been a hectic period for Orario; one comparable to the events of the Dark Age from seven years prior.

A momentary hush fell over the entire city. Then, the goddess Freya broke into a smile. She raised her head to look out from the altar, regarding the children staring up at her with an amused smile and a beautiful face.

"And that is all the more reason why we should appreciate this moment," she declared with a seductive voice. "Now, at long last, the Dragon will no longer threaten the world. Humanity is one step closer to the path of glory, leaving only the quest of the Dungeon to be fulfilled before humanity can truly achieve freedom… and peace."

"And that means… that we should all celebrate this moment!" Hermes cut in swiftly, grinning like an excited child as the crowed continued to cheer and cry in joy. "Go forth now, people of Orario! Celebrate this victory with hearts filled with gratitude!"

Ganesha roared his approval with a bellowing cry. "I! AM! GANESHA!"

Excitement bloomed on every face in the listening crowd.

Hephaestus's crimson-colored hair fluttered as she opened her arms wide. "We offer our thanks for the joyous news… and from this moment forward, we declare the opening of the Victory Festival!"

Wooooooooooh!

Cheers rose throughout the city. What sounded like thunderous applause at first turned out to be fireworks set off by the Guild. And judging by the tricolor bursts of flames, ice and lightning blooming overhead, spellcasters from some Familia or another had decided to help out. Tendrils of white smoke rose up into the sky as the roaring display went on. With all the children letting their pent-up excitement come out, Orario was filled with sounds of celebration as the opening ceremony drew to a close. Energy thrummed in the Trading Post and the commercial district, and even in the rebuilt slums of Daedalus Street.

The festival began with a proclamation from all gods and goddesses, and after seven days of celebrations, it would end with one as well. From this moment forward, this day and month would forever be remembered in Orario and in every corner of the globe. For today was a day for celebrations and joy. Today was the day in which the Black Dragon had been bested, and humanity had regained its dominion over the world's surface. Today was a day that would go down in history, no matter how much time would pass and what would happen in the future. Because the Dragon was dead, the beast had been slayed; and after fifteen years of uncertainty and hesitation, humanity had finally completed the legendary Three Great Quests.

Even if the one who made it possible would never be remembered; even if the Hero who had killed the beast would never be discovered… the world would move forward, and never forget the miracle that happened today. But from this day forward, Orario and the world were surely going to prosper.

And today was a day for all to laugh and play.

This was the beginning of the Greatest Victory Festival. It will last an entire month in order to celebrate a new era for the world.

Bell Cranel and his companions stared at the scene with wide eyes. "Amazing…" the Rabbit Foot whispered.

The cheers erupting all around the city could easily be heard from every corner of Orario.

Hestia and her Familia walked around the streets while the city was celebrating. "I can't believe it… so this is what a Victory Festival looks like," the goddess exclaimed with a huge smile on her face, observing the streets rejoicing and the people cheering and singing. "This is the first one I've ever seen!"

"Well, there hasn't been a festival like this ever since the Behemoth and Leviathan were defeated more than fifteen years ago," Welf mused to himself, clearly excited by the celebrations happening all around them.

"That's right! Lily would be lying if she said she wasn't excited as well!" the small prum of the group exclaimed as well. For once, everyone shared her excitement right now, even Mikoto and Haruhime. The thought of a huge festival being held in the city known as the Center of the World was no small deal, after all. Especially for such a special occasion.

Bell watched, wide-eyed, as every citizen and every street began feasting and celebrating around him. People began dancing and singing. Children began running and playing. Even bards conjured pleasant melodies on strings and pipes, urging passersby to make the most of the festival and not waste any time. It was like the whole city had suddenly forgotten the previous tension and alarm ever since learning of the Dragon's demise. Not that he couldn't understand the feeling, though. The One-Eyed Black Dragon's death was no small feat, after all. The excitement and joy erupting around him was completely understandable.

"For once, I'd love to enjoy this festival too, Hestia-sama," Mikoto said to their small goddess, glancing around the streets with a gleaming face.

Hestia grinned. "Of course! I give you all full permission to enjoy the celebrations to your heart's content!" she declared, making her children's faces lit up in excitement. "We've been through a lot during the last few days, so it's only fair to relax and enjoy the moment. What kind of goddess would I be if I can't even allow my cute children to enjoy Orario's greatest festival?"

Haruhime's face glowed in sheer joy. "Thank you very much, Hestia-sama!" she said with a bright mood. Then, the blonde Renard turned to a certain white-haired boy while her cheeks flushed a little pink. "W-What do you say, Bell-sama? What do you plan to do?"

The young Adventurer eyed the city with a lost face. He truly had no idea of what to do right now.

From the moment the deities had declared the start of festivities, Orario's enthusiasm could not be contained. This was the long-awaited Victory Festival, after all. The eddies of noise were louder than ever, but they were not harsh on the ears: the pleasant footsteps pattering across the streets; playful, overwrought praise of the bounty of the earth; full bands appearing out of nowhere, trumpets and flutes blaring, drums thumping; dwarves dressed in formal attire singing with booming voices coming from such small frames, drawing laughs and cheers in equal measure from the crowd… it was too much. It was simply too much for him to decide.

Beneath the clear blue sky, everyone had the right to enjoy the festival. The city had already come alive again with the sound of celebration.

The Rabbit Foot watched the city with crimson eyes filled with wonder. "I… I just―"

"Oh no, you don't!" Hestia suddenly exclaimed with an annoyed tone. Before Bell could fully understand what was happening, he found himself grabbed by the arm and pushed against the goddess chest, causing his face to flare up in embarrassment while Hestia openly glared at Haruhime. "Don't you even think about it, you sly fox! Bell is going to stay with me! I have a very special date planned with him while the rest of you go enjoy the festival."

The poor boy's face couldn't get redder than that. "D-D-Date?! Kami-sama?!"

"Huuuh?! What are you talking about, Hestia-sama! What right do you have to keep Bell-sama for yourself?" Lily demanded angrily, desperately trying to pull away the boy from the goddess's grip. Unfortunately for her, she was failing miserably.

Even Haruhime's face had become a bright red color. The blonde Renard, having been filled with forbidden knowledge by Aisha, had immediately begun to panic and slip into a pink haze of delusions at the mere thought of Bell and Hestia having a date. A-A-An Illicit tryst during the festival, nestling together from noon to night, whispering sweet nothings to each other, before ending up in bed together― Aaaaaaaaaah! Bell-sama! Her poor mind couldn't handle so many delusions.

Meanwhile, Welf and Mikoto looked down in deep thought and crossed their arms. Hestia's words had spurred them to think about the deities they loved, making them completely oblivious to the goddess and the girls muttering and trembling nearby.

Perhaps I should reach out to Takemikazuchi-dono…! Mikoto mused.

Maybe I should ask Hephaistos on a date too…! Welf pondered.

And all the while, Bell desperately tried to break free from his goddess' chest. Help me! Someone, please help me!

Luckily for him, his panicked cries were heard by the heavens.

"Hey! It's Argonaut-kun!"

Everyone turned around upon hearing that cheerful voice, blinking in confusion. Their eyes widened a little upon seeing Tiona and Tione – the Hiryute Sisters from Loki Familia – strolling down the main road with their hands full of bags filled to the brim with Jagamarukun snacks. They had wide smiles on their faces and a look of excited surprise upon seeing the white-haired boy.

Bell's eyes widened as he finally managed to break free from Hestia's grip. "Tiona-san! Tione-san!" he greeted them with a polite bow of the head, surprised as well.

"Fancy meeting you here, Argonaut-kun! Are you enjoying the festival?" Tiona asked him with a sly smile, noticing all too well the flushed expressions that Hestia, Lily, and Haruhime were wearing behind the boy's frame.

He paid no mind to her question. Instead, his eyes were instinctively drawn to the bags filled with Jagamarukun snacks as a single thought entered his mind. He was extremely familiar with those snacks, after all, and seeing them right now couldn't help but remind him of a certain person who could never truly leave his mind ever since he had become an Adventurer.

"…that's a lot of snacks you're carrying there," Welf noted with a raised brow, voicing Bell's thoughts for him.

Even Hestia was slightly baffled by the sight. And coming from her, who used to work occasionally at the stand that sold those snacks, it meant something. "Are you seriously going to eat all of those?" she asked, astonished.

The entirety of Hestia Familia narrowed their eyes when they saw the two Amazoness flinch at their question. Their smiles twitched for a moment, and a look of sadness and hopelessness came to Tiona and Tione's faces all of a sudden, making their previous cheerfulness disappear completely. Bell widened his eyes in concern at their sad expression.

"No," Tione answered with a low tone of voice, her eyes dropping to the ground. "These are for Aiz..."

Bell immediately perked up. "Aiz-san? Is she here as well?" he quickly asked, glancing around the streets with his eyes.

However, much to his shock, every bit of excitement and hope disappeared from his face not even a moment later. After all, no matter how dense he was, there was no way he could miss the way in which the two sisters wouldn't dare to meet his eyes. Even Hestia, Welf, and the others couldn't help but frown a bit.

"She's… not here," Tiona muttered with a sad tone, unable to speak further for some reason.

Bell widened his eyes. His very own heart began to clench in worry and concern.

The Hiryute sisters exchanged a defeated glance, their eyes shining with a great amount of pain and sadness.

In the end, Tione spilled the beans. And Bell didn't like what he heard.

"Aiz… is not feeling well right now."

He didn't like it one bit.