Megami Tensei ~Orario Revelation~

My hair has grown.

At some point, it grew past my shoulders, long enough to reach my

back.

Taking a handful of it, I spot a strand of gold peeking out of the field of

faint green.

She was the one who always dyed my hair to hide my identity. And she

was the one who always cut it, too. The gentle gaze that looked at me from

the mirror is so far away now. I can't quite remember how that faint smile

of hers looked.

The girl who cut my hair for me is gone. I rejected her, and then she left.

Now that I think about it, that was probably what she wanted.

What went through her head when she brushed my hair? How did she

feel when she called it pretty? Was all that time we spent together a lie?

I can't begin to count how many times that question, that anger, that

sadness crossed my mind, only to disappear.

She said that everything I saw in those eyes was just role-playing. She

was quite clear that all the time she had spent at the tavern had been nothing

more than a game.

There are a lot of things I don't know. And even more feelings that have

been hurt.

Should I scream and yell about being betrayed? Cry about being lied to?

Or would it be easier to just demand some recompense for my innocent

feelings?

The whole time I was trapped underground, I couldn't stop thinking

about all of that.

But then it dawned on me.

Nothing had changed about her.

She was always selfish. She always said how precious we were, but she

would never talk about herself and was full of secrets. She would just

giggle and play it off and slip away. She was always like the wind, freespirited and unbridled.

This is no different.

She made a convenient declaration and one-sidedly ended our

relationship. Even though I still don't understand anything and don't know

what to believe.

That's right…

I can't accept this situation unless I have a proper talk with her.

In which case…

I can be forgiven for telling her that isn't my problem and chasing after

her. It doesn't matter whether she says everything up until now was just a

game or a bunch of lies. Because I haven't gotten a chance to let out

everything in my heart.

If you're going to cast aside your life as the girl I know and proclaim

you're the egotistical queen, then I can do as I please, too. This time, I'll let

the gale grow into a violent storm.

"…I brought it like you asked. Picked it up after that battle."

We're standing in front of the gate, outside the city walls.

I notice the broken fragment of wood.

With a grateful nod, I take it from one of the city's most notable figures

who came all this way for me, and then slowly look up at the sky. We stand

on the boundary between night and day before the sun has begun to rise.

The gleaming stars are still visible in the sky. I would no longer avert my

eyes from those countless pinpricks of light.

"Lord Hermes said to take this… She is apparently in Zolingam, far to

the east."

I thank my friend for the message from her patron and nod.

With her help, I have made all the preparations for my departure. The

only thing left to do is bid farewell to this city for a while. I turn my back to

the city walls, gazing out toward the uninterrupted horizon.

For that white-haired boy. For that girl with blue-gray hair. And for the

me who hid her blond hair for so long.

I'll be performing one final purification.

Still peering up at the twinkling stars, I turn my back to the city and

whisper into the wind.

"Wait for me, Syr. I won't be satisfied until I give you a good slap."

A war game like never before was being—

The news immediately spread all through Orario.

While the residents of Orario were still struggling to sort through their

memories after the goddess of beauty had charmed the entire city, the

rapidly developing events sparked widespread panic and confusion.

Freya Familia versus a coalition of familias.

No one had any way of knowing whether this unprecedented

arrangement had been decided by the Guild and the general consensus of all

the deities, or if Freya herself had proposed it. Either way, it was sure to

become the biggest war game in Orario's history. Even the city's massive

walls couldn't contain the news of an impending familia war, and when

word got out, it stunned the outside world.

"What's going on?!" was a common refrain.

"Just desserts," sneered those who were outraged that their minds had

been toyed with.

"It's not enough!" could even be heard on some lips.

But the most frequent response was "What's going to happen next?"

Shockingly, the merchants were not trying to take advantage of the

situation to make a profit for once. Even they were worried about the fate of

the city.

And the deities felt no different.

Their usual playful attitude had all but evaporated, and many had started

seriously thinking about their future course. More than a few struggled to

control their hotheaded followers—adventurers who were chomping at the

bit to join the upcoming battle.

Naturally, no one raised their voice urging people to forgive Freya

Familia's crimes. Even if they were dumbfounded by the idea that

everything would be settled with a war game, all the grudges and

resentment stretching back to the destruction of the pleasure quarter and

countless other high-handed, unilateral actions had finally exploded.

That's right.

In this moment, Freya was all alone, completely without support.

If nothing else, there weren't any publicly claiming to be her ally.

—At the same time, there were not many reckless enough to challenge

the goddess of beauty's fearsome host.

"What are you saying?!"

Hestia's shout echoed against the room's massive vaulted ceiling.

Denatus was being held on the thirtieth floor of Babel, in the center of

the city.

"Why aren't you joining the war game, Loki?!"

BAM!

Hestia's hands slammed down on the round table.

Sitting diagonally across from her, Loki pursed her lips.

"…I just can't. That's how it's gotta be."

"What do you mean by that?!"

An uproar filled the room as Hestia shouted.

The goal of the current Denatus was to discuss the rules and structure of

the upcoming war game and confirm who would be joining the coalition led

by Hestia Familia.

It went without saying that Loki Familia was the top choice when it

came to contesting Freya Familia. But they were not participating.

A shudder ran through the massive number of deities who had shown up

at this Denatus.

"You're everyone's first pick to kick the tar out of Freya! And you're

chickening out at a time like this?! Aren't you ashamed?!"

"You're the one who got all cocky saying you'd accept the war game…"

"Because I was sure that you'd be first to join the coalition since you're

such a hothead! I was counting on Wallen-what's-her-face! Otherwise, I

wouldn't have tried to fight those monsters head-on!"

"Doesn't it embarrass you to rely on the strength of someone you hate so

much…?"

Loki could hardly believe how much the little goddess was expecting

everyone else to solve her problems. But Hestia had her reasons to not be

overly concerned with appearances at the moment.

Leaning forward, she shouted, threatening to spray Loki with spittle.

"Look around you! Declaring that you won't be joining will make

everyone else get cold feet!"

All of the deities were closely watching how everyone else reacted, and

all of them had suddenly distanced themselves from Hestia, both

metaphorically and literally. They had scooted their chairs about five paces

back from the table and had superficial, nervous smiles on their faces.

If Loki Familia isn't joining, then who's going to hold off those

monsters?

It was clear they were all thinking the same thing.

When prospects looked grim, most prioritized protecting themselves.

That was as true of gods as it was mortals.

"Then I guess I'll come out and say it…" Loki responded wearily after

taking a look around. "If we join the fray, then this is just gonna become a

tumble 'tween me and Freya."

"Wha…?!"

"On paper at least, this is supposed to settle your beef with Freya. If we

swoop in, then you're gonna end up bein' an afterthought…You'd be in the

fight in name only."

Instead of Freya Familia versus Hestia Familia and their allies, it would

become Freya Familia versus Loki Familia and some tagalongs.

Hestia couldn't argue it because she knew it was true.

Considering Freya had staked all of her wealth, honor, and pride on this

fight, it would be pathetic and dishonorable of Hestia to let someone else

fight for her.

Of course, she couldn't care less about how it came across, because the

enemy was so impossibly strong, and Bell's chastity was on the line.

"Th-then at least you could have some of your kids participate…!"

"That was already ruled out—by the Guild."

Freya might have proposed this war game herself, but at this rate it

would just be a public execution.

That would not do any favors for their reputation in other countries, so if

it was going to be called a war game, there would have to be at least some

semblance of fairness—that was the Guild's stance on the matter.

"Wasn't it even more unfair that time with Apollo?!"

"That was only because you screwed the pooch and didn't prepare

right."

In the end, Hestia could only clutch at her head.

It was already a massively unprecedented clash of familias. There was

no prior example to refer to, so it wasn't all that strange, but…

"…"

Hestia glanced at the empty spot directly across from her at the table.

That was the seat of the queen who she would be challenging.

Freya wasn't taking part in this Denatus.

She had declared that she would accept whatever contest, under any

rules, no matter how disadvantageous.

Giving up her right to reside on the highest floor of Babel, she had

returned to the throne in her home, eerily silent, awaiting the city's decision.

Staking everything she had amassed to have her war, Freya remained a

queen still.

"The Guild won't allow a war that shatters the balance of Orario.

Them's the orders that pain in the ass gave, unfortunately, so we're gonna

have to sit this one—"

"—That's just a convenient excuse. The truth is Freya has some leverage

on you, right?"

"—Ngh!"

Loki panicked in the most obvious way possible.

Hestia's eyes flared.

"I knew it! The moment I heard you of all people obediently going along

with what the Guild said, I knew something was fishy!"

"Wh-wh-what are you goin' on about?! It's not like I'm bein' extorted

over a robe of falcon feathers I borrowed and never returned. Nothing like

that ever happened!"

"That's the bit you're supposed to keep quiet, you hoodlum goddess!"

Hestia leaped to her feet, knocking her chair down as Loki hemmed and

hawed while Hephaistos, Miach, Takemikazuchi and the others who were

watching let out heavy sighs.

Finally, Loki let out a long sigh of her own and sat back down.

"…If we could fight, we would. That dumbass earned it for real this

time. I won't be satisfied till I personally let her have it."

"Then—"

"But there's a reason I can't this time."

Loki herself looked deeply unsatisfied, and her face was strained as she

said it.

Her divine will was unshakable. Or rather, there was some reason

twisting her divine will and forcing her to pay back what she owed Freya.

And she had no intention of elaborating.

Hestia couldn't do anything other than accept things as they stood.

As a fellow deity, she knew that there was nothing that could change

Loki's decision now.

"…Okay. I won't ask you to join the fight itself. But can you at least let

Wallen-what's-her-face help us?"

Hestia desperately tried to negotiate a concession. Even if Loki refused

to join the coming battle, Hestia didn't want to walk away with nothing.

"Bell and what's-her-face are…ummm, a good match when it comes to

fighting style. So can we at least get her help until the war game starts?"

Hestia carefully picked her words to keep the deities around the table

from learning the nature of Bell's rare skill.

As she knew the source of Liaris Freese's power, she was painfully

aware how much Bell grew whenever he trained or fought with Aiz. Their

training sessions before the war game with Apollo had boosted his growth

dramatically and been a big part of how they managed to pull off their

upset.

Loki stared back at Hestia…and then weakly shook her head.

"No can do."

"Wh…?! Wh-why?!"

"Aiz can't make a move." Loki leaned back into her seat and looked up

at the ceiling. "That girl is tied down by oaths more than anyone."

An enormous field shrouded in morning fog.

A wintery cold in the early autumn morning. There was no sunlight.

Aiz was alone, standing face-to-face with a boaz man.

"This is my goddess's message."

"…"

"She is demanding what she is owed."

"…"

"The price you must pay is silence."

"Gh…"

Aiz's shut lips trembled.

"You are not to involve yourself in Bell Cranell's affairs at all."

"…!"

"The time limit is until the war game is finished. Considering what

happened here, this should be fair compensation."

"But that's…"

"Are you going to say you cannot accept it?"

"…"

"It is nothing more than a verbal promise. If you say that you will break

the contract, then you may do so."

"…I can?"

"If you do, all that will happen is your sword will rot away."

"!!!"

"How could a sword that cannot even keep its word still keep its edge?"

Ottar had nothing to add as they stood in the sea of green. The boaz

warrior turned his back to Aiz and disappeared into the fog.

Aiz was left alone in Folkvangr, her lips pursed as she peered up at the

sky.

"…Bell…"

I'm sorry.

That was all she managed to get out.

"What is this about, Royman?"

The prum's voice was filled with reproach.

His disapproving gaze caused a bead of sweat to appear on Guild head

Royman Mardeel's brow, but he still resolutely returned the stare.

"Exactly what you were notified of. The Guild cannot grant Loki

Familia approval to join the war game."

The prum and elf stared at each other over the table between them.

Finn and Royman were having a secret meeting inside a small café that

sat on a side street off the main thoroughfare.

"Can you give us a reason as to why we should accept that judgment?"

"As if it needs explaining. Loki Familia and Freya Familia are the two

strongest forces in Orario, the twin peaks of the city. Just like Zeus and

Hera before, they must continue standing atop Orario while maintaining a

perfect balance!"

Royman's intent was obvious as he raised his voice.

"Loki and Freya cannot be allowed to clash and destroy each other in

the war game!"

He was trying to contain the war that was brewing.

And he was trying to do whatever it took—likely on his own initiative—

even if that meant being detested and scorned by everyone for it.

He pressed a hand to his flabby belly and was rubbing it hard. His face

was pale. There were surely many inside the Guild who were against his

decision, and it almost sounded like he was groaning from stomach pain.

The whole reason they had chosen this back-alley café for their meeting

place was to avoid being seen by others, a concern that was primarily

Royman's. If rumors spread that Braver had walked into the Guild

Headquarters to argue the decision, Royman's authority would plummet.

That would invite criticism from adventurers and Guild workers alike,

causing public opinion to grow even more hostile. Finn judged it would just

be a waste of time if Royman collapsed from the compounding stress, so he

had decided to meet at this establishment he learned about from an elf in

Loki Familia.

It was obvious to see that this was a last resort for Royman. But Finn

didn't care about that.

The elf's dangerous, sharp glare was completely at odds with his usual

warm demeanor. One look was all it took to see how badly this decision sat

with him.

"What is the point of a war game? What is the point of setting rules?

The whole reason you created this system that takes private conflicts and

turns them into duels—a game—was to avoid the damage and injuries

you're so worried about now. Am I wrong?"

"Try saying that again! Who can trust an adventurer's word!" Royman

fiercely rejected Finn's argument. On that alone, he refused to cede any

ground. "We trusted your words, but how often has there been a war game

with no deaths? Not even half the time!"

Even with all the prohibitions on killing members of opposing familias,

people were still going to die.

That was the Guild's primary concern.

Even if it was supposed to be a proxy battle between deities, the ones

actually fighting were hotheaded adventurers. And when the opponent was

a familia that was considered a bitter enemy, that only made matters worse.

In the fevered pitch of battle, things like rules often went out the window.

But as far as Finn was concerned, that worry was too little too late. The

Guild had long ago averted its eyes to the costs of war games. If anything, it

even encouraged war games as conflict resolution.

The main reason was because it was better than letting fights spill out

into the streets, and there was a general admission that without using a

game format to decide a clear winner and loser, quarrels between deities

would never end.

But there was no denying that a crucial factor was the expectation that

pitting familias against each other would push more adventurers to achieve

great feats and drive them to level up. War games were essentially trials that

could provide returns far greater than whatever sacrifices were incurred.

The war game between Hestia Familia and Apollo Familia was a good

example. Against all expectations, Hestia's side had refused to become

fodder and managed to wrest a victory from the jaws of defeat. Bell in

particular earned the title of Super Rookie for his performance and took his

place among the up-and-coming adventurers. Some even whispered about

his potential to become a new hero.

Royman would adamantly assert that Orario was different from the

Amazon holy land, where a struggle to the death continued all year round,

but if Orario was to be the city of heroes, it was only natural that those who

strove to be heroes would clash.

"Even I know it, Finn! This war game is going to be the largest one yet!

The intensity will overshadow all the ones that have come before it. There

will be no room for extraneous thoughts, and all self-control will fall by the

wayside! First-tier adventurers won't be any exception! That's what it

means to start a war with Freya Familia!"

This was especially true because of the root of the current uproar

engulfing the city. Everyone in Orario had been placed under the influence

of an irresistible charm that had tampered with their memories. This

violation had countless people braying for blood.

"I acknowledge Goddess Freya did something unforgivable! But that is

all the more reason why! Too many people are thralls to their rage, and it

will be impossible to stop them once things go out of control! Like

Vanargand!"

The moment Hestia had burned away the shackles of Freya's charm,

Bete the werewolf had immediately rushed out to raise Freya Familia's

severed heads on pikes. Even after the Guild ordered everyone to stand

down, he wouldn't have stopped if Finn and the rest of his familia hadn't

forcibly held him back.

"Just this once, we absolutely cannot risk it! We can't afford to lose any

first-tier adventurers, let alone Ottar or one of the elites in Loki Familia!

Not before the Black Dragon is slain!"

The last of the Three Great Quests, slaying the Black Dragon—that was

the Labyrinth City's highest task and its obligation.

If Loki Familia and Freya Familia ended up wiping each other out, the

mortal realm's dearest wish would grow distant, or hope could even die out

entirely.

Royman was more concerned about that than anyone.

"If we don't join, Hestia Familia and their coalition have absolutely no

chance of winning."

Finn's eyes narrowed sharply as he listened to Royman's argument. The

elf closed his mouth for a moment.

"…What of it? Goddess Freya's demand is to simply transfer Bell

Cranell to her familia. Nothing more. A trivial bit of paperwork." Royman

groaned. "If Hestia Familia loses, it won't reduce the city's strength in any

way!"

For the first time in a long, long time, Finn almost audibly scoffed.

The Guild's—no Royman's bad habit—is showing.

This was an unreasonableness that came from focusing on the big

picture too much.

Royman was by no means the useless Guild pig many believed him to

be. But he often prioritized the supposed greater good to the point that he

failed to take people's emotions or morals into account.

And now he was doing it again.

To avoid hurting the powerful force that was Freya Familia, he would

prevent Loki Familia from intervening and abandon Hestia Familia.

Even after his mind had been completely violated, Royman still sided

with Freya Familia. Despite the fear that he could be charmed again in the

future just as easily, he controlled his emotions with an iron will and

focused on fulfilling the Labyrinth City's duty, the achievement of the

mortal realm's greatest wish.

For a statesman, that was probably the correct choice, and perhaps it

truly was the wisest decision when the fate of the mortal realm hung in the

balance. But at the same time, it was not a justification that the masses

would accept.

And Finn, Bete, and the rest of Loki Familia wouldn't accept it, either.

"This is a farce, Royman."

"It has to be a farce, Finn."

The two stared at each other. Even though Finn's eyes were filled with

an emotion verging on bloodlust, Royman didn't look away. His resolve

was clear in the way he carried himself.

"…The format and rules of the war game are being decided at Denatus.

They will be fair, so that both sides have a chance to win. I do not wish to

see Hestia's side lose."

"How many people do you think will believe that when they see

everything you are doing? At the very least, our familia members won't.

And I don't feel inclined to convince them, either."

Royman was clearly doing his best to stay calm as he spoke, but Finn

had immediately laid into him with those provocative words. The elf grew

red with anger, and then…he let out a heavy sigh.

His face suddenly looked like that of an exhausted old man as he pulled

something out of his jacket.

"Finn. Look at this."

"?"

He placed a chunk of ice on the table.

It was smaller than a dagger. Looking closer, it wasn't a simple shard of

ice, but a shortsword missing its blade that had been coated in frost.

Finn looked at it dubiously.

"What is this…?"

"Something brought back from Thalia's Ice Garden."

"!"

Finn's eyes widened. He examined Royman's face before turning his

attention to the ice again.

"…Someone other than her managed to do it?"

"This is nothing more than a minor relic."

"…Where is it?" Finn's voice dropped to a whisper.

"The gulf between the sixtieth and sixty-first floors. For now, that is all I

can tell you."

After several seconds' hesitation…

"…And the key?"

"Undiscovered, as of now. At the very least, Zeus and Hera couldn't find

it."

Silence filled the café for a moment. For a brief moment, it almost felt

like the world had frozen over.

But Royman wasted no time making his offer.

"If you promise not to join the war game, the Guild will share all the

information it has on the Ice Garden with you."

"!!!"

"The location, how to reach it—everything. It will be possible for you to

challenge it."

This was the second time Finn had been caught by surprise today.

While the prum was still reeling, Royman continued, a supremely bitter

look on his face.

"Even Zeus and Hera only managed to bring this little trinket back to the

surface. But…if it's Loki Familia and that famous tomboy of yours, then

you might just be able to find the key."

Royman's words almost didn't register as Finn's thoughts raced.

Shaking off the lingering shock, Finn desperately wanted to gather more

information, but rather than probing Royman to find out what he was after,

Finn simply had to ask…

"Why are you revealing this now?"

"Don't make me spell it out, you stubborn fool!" Royman's eyes flared

again. "I never intended to share this! Not until you and Freya Familia

joined forces! Like Zeus and Hera!!! If the report is right, the area where

the Ice Garden lies is impossibly dangerous! But you are always at each

other's throats, as if you have no intention of ever working together! What's

worse is that you are trying to cross blades with them this very moment!"

BAM!

Royman slammed the table as he leaped to his feet, shouting in a spittleflecked rage.

"If you are going to kill each other anyway…!!! If it means avoiding

that, then sharing this information is the lesser evil."

Royman shuddered as he slumped back down into his chair.

That was the deal he was offering in what was, for him, a heartbreaking

compromise. An unimaginably dangerous location that he hadn't intended

to allow anyone to challenge until the two greatest familias were willing to

cooperate. In exchange for Loki Familia staying out of the war game, he

would give them permission to challenge it alone.

"…"

For the first time, the Guild chief silenced Finn. Royman had landed a

clean hit on him. Because what he had dangled was something that his

familia couldn't possibly ignore. At the very least, Riveria wouldn't stay

silent. If she found out about it, she would keep the familia out of the war

game even if it meant fighting Bete and the others.

"Finn…you have to slay the Black Dragon."

"…"

"There won't be another generation like yours. We'll never see anyone

with the potential to become heroes ever again."

"…"

"That is how difficult and weighty the Three Great Quests are."

The 150-year-old elf slowly, carefully chose his words.

"In the coming battle to slay the Black Dragon, you will surely

command our forces…How long will you continue to pretend you are just

some adventurer?"

There was a desperate plea nestled within that admonishment.

A deep silence fell over them.

"…I told you all there is to say! Don't join the war game, Finn! Just

don't!"

Regaining his usual tone, Royman stood up.

With that final push, he hurriedly left the café.

"…Haaaah…"

Finn exhaled the breath he had been unconsciously holding.

After picking up the frozen relic left on the table, he held it up to the

ceiling and studied it.

Leaning back in the chair, he tilted his head and asked, "Is this all part of

Goddess Freya's plan, Hedin?"

"Do not casually speak my name, prum."

The answer was cold and bitter.

Deeper in the café, a handsome elf who looked nothing like Royman sat

behind a partition. Hedin Selrand's long blond hair flowed down his back as

he held a book in one hand.

This was one of Freya Familia's core leaders and a Level 6, first-tier

adventurer.

"I didn't know you were a regular here."

"It should be obvious from the name this is an elf establishment. And

I'm sure it was Thousand who recommended it to you."

The café was called Wishe. Finn couldn't have possibly known, but it

was also the café where Hedin had carried off a certain young boy, and also

where Finn had consulted the same boy about proposing to a certain prum

girl.

Royman hadn't noticed, but Hedin had already been there from the

moment they entered.

Finn had stubbornly decided to carry on his conversation even though he

knew they would be overheard—partly because he wanted Hedin to hear—

but the elf owner of the café, who was just pleasantly sipping a cup of tea at

the counter, had been strangely insistent on being present the entire time as

well.

"Lady Freya requested this battle with the intention of crushing all of

Orario. Do not besmirch her good name with such vulgar suspicions."

Hedin's eyes never left his book. Meanwhile, Finn played with the icy

relic in his right hand.

"She intended for us to join the coalition and crush us, too?"

"If you were to stand against us, then we would merely create a plan that

accounts for your presence. We will put down all the rabid beasts."

Freya Familia was made up of Einherjar, who fought only for the sake

of their goddess—a gathering of overwhelming individuals who bucked any

attempts to coordinate or control them.

What would happen if, for their goddess's sake, they somehow started

working together?

…They would become untouchable.

Just hypothetically, if they could achieve greater teamwork than Finn

and the rest of Loki Familia, then there would be no hope of defeating

Freya Familia.

"We will deal with the first-tier adventurers. Heith and the others can

deal with the rest."

"The Andhrímnir, huh…?"

"Though it pains me to say it…so long as we have Ottar, we can

overcome anything that may come our way."

"…"

He was right.

Ultimately, no matter who joined the fray, it was meaningless if they

couldn't topple Ottar. That was all there was to it. That was what it meant to

fight Freya Familia, who boasted the city's strongest warrior.

"…Despite what Royman said, I am going to side with Hestia Familia."

"What of it?"

"Even if getting directly involved has been forbidden, cooperation isn't

off-limits."

"Meaning?"

"I will be sharing some wisdom with a courageous fellow prum."

"Spare me your sophistry and sour grapes, fool." The two of them had

remained facing away from each other throughout. "I am more than

satisfied having seen you taken for a ride by the Guild's pig. That was quite

the breath of fresh air."

"Yeah, he got me good."

Finn acknowledged that he had been caught by surprise, as Hedin

casually turned a page in his book.

Royman was more scared than anyone of seeing the city's strength drop,

so he played the trump card he had been saving. If even one member of

Loki Familia joined the war game, he would most certainly not give them

the information they wanted.

"Their chances of finding allies will not be good…"

If Loki Familia joined, it would make the contest a coin toss. Only then

would the balance of power even out.

That was just how strong Freya Familia was. What awaited Hestia

Familia was a battle that was sure to be furious, desperate, and devoid of

hope.

Finn looked out the window, thinking of a certain prum girl as his blue

eyes narrowed.

"I wonder if she will be able to stay calm and keep from screaming or

crying?"

"Mr. Belllllllllll!!!"

Unfortunately, Braver's hopes were dashed because Lilliluka Erde had

reverted back into an infant as she bawled her eyes out.

"Lilly…I'm okay now, so…"

"I'm sorry I'm sorry I'm sorry I'm sorry I'm sorryyyyy! Lilly was…!

Lilly was…!!!!"

Bell was standing in the living room of Hestia Familia's home,

Hearthstone Manor. Or more accurately, he couldn't do anything other than

stand still there. Lilly had her arms wrapped around him and her face buried

in his stomach, only stopping to peer up at him with tear-filled eyes and

apologizing over and over like a broken music box. As she clung to him in

tears, Bell was unable to move.

And it wasn't just Lilly.

"I'm sorry, Bell…! Saying something like that…! I'm a failure as an

adviser…!"

"Even though you saved me, I repaid your kindness with heartlessness…

What can…what can I possibly do to atone…?"

Eina was behind him to the right.

And Haruhime was behind him to the left.

The elf's hands were wrapped around his right hand, while the renart

was on her knees as her fingers gently grasped his left hand. The flood of

apologies was steeped in utter grief.

The atmosphere was heavy. It was enough to make sweat start beading

on the back of Bell's head. And while it wasn't a shock to see Haruhime

broken up, it was a major shock when he realized Eina was sobbing. Seeing

the woman who was like a big sister crying like a child for his sake—

arguably, crying because of him—was too large a blow for a boy not even

fifteen years old. Even though he wanted to say something, the words

refused to come, so there was nothing to do but endure the guilt welling up

inside him.

"My humblest apologies, Sir Bell…Not only did I forget you, I pushed

you away…! What is a familia good for if they can't even come to your aid

in your darkest hour…! What I did was unforgivable no matter how much I

beg!"

"Sorry, Bell. I…I…"

Mikoto, Welf, and several others were also surrounding Bell. Nahza and

Daphne, Cassandra, Ouka and Chigusa, plus the rest of Takemikazuchi

Familia. Even Aisha and Mord were there. Other than the deities who were

attending Denatus, this group included everyone who had pushed Bell away

while under the influence of Freya's charm.

"Just punch me…" "That would just make you feel better…" "Th-then

what should we do…?!" "…Seppuku?" "Don't do that, Ouka! I-I'll do it in

your place!" "You're getting too wound up…" "I—I don't think I was even

in the wrong…! It's just…I—I wanted to make sure you weren't gettin'

depressed…" and on and on.

They all looked ashen, as if they hadn't slept at all, and none of them

could look Bell in the eyes. The living room had become an apology-dense

zone.

"Ahhh, this is a huge mess."

The Hestia in Bell's head was looking up at the ceiling and starting to

spin like a windmill.

…What should I do…

To be honest, he wasn't sure how to feel.

He wasn't the type of person who found satisfaction in making people

bow down and apologize. Bell was a simple boy, and hearing their heartwrenching apologies weighed on him. And it wasn't as if any of them had

truly wronged him. They were victims, too, manipulated into thinking he

was someone else. But no matter how many times he told them it was fine,

or assured them that they had done nothing wrong, it didn't help. If

anything, their expressions only grew darker.

And so Bell found himself staring up at the ceiling, keeping his eyes

closed as the creases in his forehead deepened, completely at a loss.

Just as he started to think how much he would like to run away, he could

feel Lilly sobbing into his stomach.

"Even…even though…even though Lilly swore never to betray you

again…!"

The first time they met, it was because Lilly had approached him to get

money and out of selfish resentment.

She had lied to him and betrayed his trust, but even so, he had saved her,

and she had become his irreplaceable supporter.

To her, the fact that she had hurt Bell was the most unforgivable part of

all. Even if she died a thousand times over, she didn't think it would be

enough to atone.

Her sobbing voice, filled with such deep regret, self-loathing, and

repentance, was representative of what everyone else felt as well.

Still not sure what to do, Bell watched her tears fall…and then he made

up his mind.

Putting his hands on her shoulders, he kneeled so that he could look into

her teary eyes.

"Lilly, are you listening? The punishment you want? I can't give that to

you."

"Ugh, sniffle…but that's…!"

She sobbed, and her eyes were filled with grief as she met his gaze.

No matter how many times she rubbed her hazel eyes, the tears didn't

stop coming. Keeping his eyes on her, Bell continued. His words were

meant for Eina and the rest as well.

"But there is something far, far scarier than any punishment coming

soon. Not just for you Lilly, but for me, too."

"!!!"

Lilly's eyes widened.

A ripple of shock ran through everyone who had gathered 'round.

Bell's eyes softened, and he smiled weakly.

"By myself, this next battle is going to be impossible. As helpless as I

am…will you lend me your strength?"

"Mr. Bell…"

"Instead of apologizing…I want you to stand with me. Please, Lilly.

Help me."

Her hazel eyes grew damp for a different reason this time as she met his

heartfelt, earnest, red gaze.

Lilly rubbed away her tears again, sniffled loudly, and then nodded over

and over.

"Of course…! Lilly will help you! Lilly will support you! Until it makes

up for how much Lilly hurt you! No, more than that! Forever!"

"…Thank you, Lilly."

Bell smiled as she shouted the vow.

Seeing that, the floodgates burst again, and Lilly grabbed on to him.

Bell looked around the room gently patting her back as she buried her

face in his neck.

"You too, Welf. And Ms. Mikoto, Ms. Haruhime…and everyone else.

Please help me." As their eyes widened, Bell added a little joke. "I was

always the one causing everyone else trouble, right? So, let's just call it

even now."

—Though my debt is still probably bigger.

Bell scratched his cheek awkwardly.

With that, the others finally broke into smiles.

"…Captain's orders. That's that, then."

"Yes…We'll be the ones to help, Sir Bell!"

"I shall repay my debt! No matter what it takes!"

Welf smiled like an older brother, Mikoto answered as diligently as ever,

and Haruhime daintily wiped her eyes with her fingers as she swore to help.

That was the moment he felt like he had finally returned to being Hestia

Familia's Bell instead of Freya Familia's Bell Cranell.

"Bell…I'm going to make a ton of potions…I'll try the elixirs that were

always out of reach, too."

"Thank you, Ms. Nahza!"

"As difficult as it might get, I'm going to keep sleeping until I see a

good dream!"

"You don't have to push yourself, Ms. Cassandra!"

"Bell! I'll divert whatever information I can get at the Guild to you!"

"Th-that's a little…"

Nahza and the rest finally managed to escape the thorniness of their guilt

as well, promising to help in their own way. As they started heating up and

a drop of sweat appeared on Bell's brow, there was a bang, and the door to

the room burst open.

Hestia walked into the living room, grumbling as if she was totally fed

up with the situation.

"Arrrrghh! It doesn't look like there's any way to convince Loki and

them!"

Returning from Denatus, she let out a shriek and tossed her documents

into the air and dove into the sofa.

"Loki Familia has been forbidden to participate…Which means…"

Bell picked up one of the parchment sheets and skimmed it, unable to

hide his concern.

He knew that Hestia had been at Denatus for several days since the war

game had been decided on, trying to win favorable terms. And also that the

prospects for that had been getting worse and worse.

"Freya hasn't attended at all, saying she'll accept whatever rules are set,

but…"

"The difference in strength is just too great. Without Loki's children, the

other familias that had been raring to go are planning to sit it out now."

Seeing Miach, Takemikazuchi, and Hephaistos trailing Hestia, their

various followers all grimaced.

"Maybe we should challenge them to an eating competition…"

"Who would accept something like that to settle such a big issue…"

Daphne's proposal made Ouka's head hurt, but he understood why she

would want to suggest that.

That was just how much Freya Familia's name rang out and just how

hopeless it was to fight them.

"Regarding Loki Familia's sitting out, there has been significant outcry

inside the Guild. However, the higher-ups are scared of Loki and Freya

wiping each other out…"

With Eina's comment, the living room fell silent.

There was no one who blamed Bell and Hestia for agreeing to the war

game.

They all understood that without getting past this fight, there was no

way to make a clean break from Freya Familia—nothing would be settled.

Pulling away from Bell after finally regaining her calm, Lilly changed

her expression to that of a strategist.

"Mr. Welf…"

"I know…I'm the one who said it to Bell. I'll forge Crozzo magic

swords. As many as time allows."

"B-but Welf…that's…"

"My magic sword relies on the user's strength. We need something with

enough power to take down a superior enemy, even if it breaks in the

process. Using Crozzo magic swords is the only way."

Welf shook his head at Bell's concern. The magic swords he had forged

for the familia's expedition didn't break with regular use, but the trade-off

was that if anyone else used them, their effectiveness would depend on their

status.

If Lilly used one, her attacks would be limited by her Level 2 strength.

To draw out the burst of force required to mow down a formidable

enemy, they needed Crozzo magic swords.

They couldn't avoid copying Welf's homeland—relying on the methods

of Ares Familia and the legend of their invincibility.

For Welf, who eschewed his family's magic swords, this decision was an

expression of his resolve.

And he wasn't alone. Everyone in the room understood that given their

enemy, none of them could afford to be picky about their methods.

"…Let's build a plan. In detail. We'll explore every possible tool we

have. Unless we do that much, we can't hope to create a chance to win."

Right after Lilly made that tense announcement, Aisha—the one person

who had remained silent and not joined in apologizing to Bell—spoke up.

"Rather than lowering my head to Bell Cranell, I think it would be better

to kick the crap out of Freya and her minions. Whether Loki Familia joins

or not has got nothing to do with it…Or do you all think otherwise?"

It was a provocative, aggressive response.

But in that moment, the adventurers were all in agreement.

"Yes, Ms. Aisha! Me too! I will kick their a…buh…bottoms, too!"

"Sir Bell continued to fight all by himself. Now it is our turn to push our

bodies and spirits to the limit!" Haruhime and Mikoto eagerly chimed in.

Hearing their old friends' responses, Ouka and Chigusa grinned and

nodded in agreement.

Aisha's bold words blew away the dark mood. Finally, Lilly began to

lead a discussion about how they would go about the war game.

"…Thank goodness…"

As he saw their spirits and liveliness return, a smile found its way onto

Bell's face. He was relieved everyone had started to shake off their guilt.

Then a pensive look came over him. Moving away from them, he

approached the window and saw that the sun had already yielded its place

to the moon.

I wonder…What is she doing right now?

He was thinking of all that had happened in the false time he had spent

in Folkvangr and the woman who had shown him so many emotions he had

never seen from her before.

Gazing at the ephemeral glow of the moon, Bell murmured a name so

softly that no one else could hear.

The dark night was like a black river.

Gleaming stars dotted the rippling water's surface, and the crescent

moon was a lone gondola. Its faint glow flowed around small wisps of

clouds.

It was as if someone were in that boat, all alone, searching for someone

who had gone somewhere far, far away, but there was no one to be found.

That was what the moonlight seemed to say.

Who could they be searching for?

As she herself asked that, the goddess stopped.

These musings were just too ridiculous, so she pulled herself out of the

sea of sentimentality. But she did murmur the boy's name.

"Bell…"