Chapter 52: Riddler, Get Out of Orario

"What exactly happened?"

A "Dungeon riot" is no small matter. There have been similar incidents in the past, but the most recent one I can recall was over a decade ago. Hephaestus remembers that day fairly well—it was when Zeus's Familia and Hera's Familia set out to slay the Black Dragon.

"Riots don't usually happen in the Dungeon. Normally, the worst you'd run into is a 'Monster Parade.' Bell, what exactly did you encounter?"

"Hephaestus-sama, to be honest... I think I might've caused it."

Bell scratched his cheek, looking a bit embarrassed.

"Huh!?"

Hestia's reaction was even more dramatic than Hephaestus'. As Bell's main goddess, she was bound to be more shocked than anyone else.

"Bell-kun, how did you get caught up in something this serious? You don't have any magic or skills that could trigger this kind of event. Was it Evilus? Bell-kun, have you been in contact with them?"

Hestia's string of wild guesses left Bell a little exasperated.

Hephaestus glanced at the frantic Hestia, clearly unimpressed. Contact with Evilus? Frankly, if those guys really had the power to trigger a Dungeon-wide riot, they would've razed Orario years ago. Why would they still be hiding in the shadows?

"Hestia, do you really think they're that powerful? They can barely stir up trouble on a single floor of the Dungeon. If you think they can shake the entire thing, you're giving them way too much credit."

"You're right."

Hestia nodded bluntly, realizing she may have jumped to conclusions.

But now that they'd ruled out Evilus, Hestia turned back to Bell.

"Then, Bell-kun, why did you say it was your fault?"

"I think... it was because of my 'Luck.'"

That answer left both Hestia and Hephaestus puzzled. Luck was a rare skill that usually guided its bearer toward favorable outcomes. How could it possibly be connected to something as massive as a Dungeon riot?

Hephaestus went quiet for a moment, then something seemed to click. She looked up at Bell, still finding the answer she'd reached hard to believe.

"Bell, you've already figured it out?"

"Yes."

"So it really was because you were too lucky?"

"I think... maybe that's it."

Bell's expression was filled with helplessness. His Luck was simply too absurd, and that had thrown the entire Dungeon's operation into chaos—possibly even triggering the riot.

Now that she had her answer, Hephaestus found herself at a loss for words. She let out a quiet breath, her white shirt barely concealing the allure of a mature woman. Leaning back in her chair, she stared ahead, stunned. The idea that a single child's skill could cause this much disruption was almost too much to take in.

"You really are a strange child, causing a full-blown riot in the Dungeon just because of your luck. Bell, if other Adventurers find out, I don't think you'll be able to stay hidden anymore."

As she spoke, Hephaestus wore a mischievous smile. Bell had always seen her as a dependable older sister figure, but now he was starting to sense a hint of slyness beneath that mature charm.

"Hephaestus-sama, please don't joke about something that dangerous. If word really gets out about me, wouldn't all the gods in Orario slice me into pieces?"

"Heh~ fair enough. If your situation were ever fully exposed, I'm sure that woman would make a move. But even for her, protecting you from all the gods in Orario wouldn't be easy."

Right now, Hephaestus found herself wanting Freya to learn about Bell. With that woman's personality, there was no way she'd resist her desires after seeing someone as rare as him. But if Bell's existence were known to the gods at large, even she might be outmatched.

'I shouldn't think like that... but now I kind of want her to know about Bell.'

Of course, this was just a fleeting, self-indulgent thought. Even just considering Hestia's feelings, she couldn't go through with it—otherwise, Hestia might truly break down. Hephaestus could see clearly how deeply Hestia cherished Bell.

Just then, Hestia, who had been silent till now, suddenly burst into the conversation and threw her arms around Bell.

"I won't let Freya take Bell-kun away from me!"

Held in her embrace, Bell felt an overwhelming pressure that only he could understand, and quickly tried to explain himself to the goddess.

"Goddess-sama, with the way things are, I already take every precaution when I'm outside. The chances of me being targeted aren't that high. Besides, who would think a Dungeon riot happened because of a single Adventurer?"

"I'm just a rookie who's only been active on the first floor. No rational god would focus their attention on someone like me. And I'm pretty sure Hephaestus-sama was only joking just now."

Hestia noticeably calmed down after hearing that. She turned to look at Hephaestus, and sure enough, there was that teasing smile on her face. Realizing she'd been tricked—and by Hephaestus of all people—Hestia puffed up in frustration.

"Ugh! Hephaestus, you tricked me again!"

Her cheeks were puffed up in anger, and her eyes sparkled with frustration. The last thing she wanted to hear was someone trying to steal Bell, and Hephaestus knew that—yet still teased her about it.

But Hephaestus just chuckled.

"Well, it's your fault for being so slow. You still don't even know why the Dungeon went into a riot, do you, you dummy?"

A rare look of embarrassment crossed Hestia's angry face. The truth was, she hadn't understood a word of what Hephaestus and Bell had been talking about. It felt like the two of them were speaking in riddles that only they understood—and she couldn't solve.

Seeing how in sync they were made her feel like the odd one out, like a fool who'd been left behind.

"Hmph! That's right, I don't know. And Bell-kun, why are you so in sync with Hephaestus? Why do you two talk like you're both in on some secret?"

...

(40 Chapters Ahead)

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