—
Discord: https://discord.gg/6yuj5UvAZ2
Thanks to Rayx2108 for being the beta reader and quality manager of this Chapter.
—
The sound of creaking wood and deep voices filled the air. Bell opened his eyes, sensing something wasn't right. A second later, the couch he was sleeping on lifted up… and he fell back onto the floor with a thud.
"Ugh! What… what's going on?" he muttered, rubbing his head as he sat up awkwardly.
A familiar voice cheerfully answered, "Good morning, Bell! We're remodeling!"
It was Hestia. She was standing next to several burly men carrying planks, tools, and materials all over the place.
"Remodeling…?" Bell repeated, looking around. The church was full of rough-looking workers, all from the Goibniu famila, it seemed. Planks, hammers, dust. A real transformation.
"Yes! I hired the Goibniu famila to fix up our home. With some of the money we earned!" Hestia said, puffing out her chest with pride.
Bell stared at her silently. "You got up before me?" he asked, incredulous.
"Of course! I had to take care of all this."
Bell blinked, slowly processing everything. Hestia, waking up early. Making responsible decisions. And also, starting home improvements. It wasn't something he saw every day.
"I'm surprised," he finally admitted. "But in a good way."
Hestia smiled broadly. "Well, get ready, because this is going to be a new era for us."
Bell nodded with a smile, though still somewhat dazed. Maybe, finally, things would start to look up a little.
But after a brief pause, she added: "Although I still have no idea where we're going to sleep today…"
Bell sighed, still smiling. Apparently, some things didn't change that much.
"Well then I'll go take care of some things I have pending. My equipment needs repairs."
Hestia, who was reviewing some plans with one of the dwarves, looked up and smiled at him.
"Don't worry about me, Bell. I've got this all under control."
Bell watched her for a moment longer. Though still surprised, he was also relieved. He nodded with a smile.
"Then I'll leave it to you."
"Leave it to me!" she replied proudly, pointing at a half-fallen wall and shouting, "Don't tear that down! We're going to reinforce it, not destroy it!"
He gave a small laugh before turning to leave.
Bell walked calmly through the streets of Orario, feeling the hustle and bustle of the city's familiar atmosphere gradually envelop him. The routine, with its small details and familiar faces, was comforting after everything he'd been through. He allowed himself a small smile when he saw a group of novice adventurers excitedly discussing things in front of a weapons shop.
Then, a soft, clear voice was heard from the spear on his back.
"It's been a long time since I walked around Orario," Artemis said, her tone melancholic but serene. "It looks nicer than I remember. More alive."
Bell looked back, as if he could see her, and answered in a low voice so as not to attract attention.
"Have you ever come here?"
"Only a couple of times, on short visits… My family preferred the woods and open skies. But… this isn't bad. It has its own charm."
Bell smiled, adjusting the spear on his shoulder slightly.
"Welcome back, then."
Bell arrived at the square in front of the imposing Tower of Babel, looking up at its summit like so many other times. The tower contrasted with the blue sky, and for a moment, he felt like the boy who first arrived in Orario, dreaming of adventure.
Just as he was about to enter to look for a new armor, his [Divine Blessing of Context] suddenly activated, causing his body to freeze.
[Goddess Freya became aroused while watching you.]
Bell stood completely still, his eyes flickering with confusion, and a drop of sweat trickling down his cheek. Instinctively, he looked around, as if he could find the goddess among the common passersby passing through the plaza.
Nothing.
Then his gaze slowly rose to the top of the Tower of Babel.
"From… there?" he muttered softly, incredulous.
Bell took a deep breath, closed his eyes for a moment, and shook his head.
"No, no, no… better not think about that."
For the sake of his sanity—and to avoid asking himself questions he didn't want to answer—Bell decided to completely ignore what he had just felt. He turned toward the doors of the Tower of Babel with renewed determination.
"I just came to change my armor. Nothing more. Just that."
And without looking back, he crossed the entrance of the tower, as if with each step he could also leave behind that disturbing notification of his blessing.
Bell pushed open the shop door and entered. It was a simple place, with armor and weapons hanging neatly on shelves and walls. In the back, the manager was talking to a young redhead with his back to him.
Bell approached the counter, his jacket open and the armor visible underneath.
"Excuse me do you know Welf Crozzo? That's the name engraved on my armor. I assume he made it."
The red-haired young man turned his head at the sound of his name. He turned around completely and walked toward Bell with a curious expression.
"I'm Welf Crozzo. What about my armor?"
Bell looked somewhat surprised, but smiled with relief. "Oh great. I just wanted to thank you. This armor has protected me more than you can imagine."
Welf glanced at the piece briefly, appreciating his work. "Wow, I didn't expect to find someone still using it. I'm glad to know it was useful to you."
"It was, a lot," Bell replied sincerely. "And now… I think I need a new set. This one has seen too many fights."
Welf nodded, but then spoke in a firmer tone. "Happy to do something for you… but no magic swords."
Bell blinked, somewhat confused. "Magic swords? No, I just need new armor."
The seriousness faded from Welf's face, and he smiled with relief. "Then there's no problem." Just then, a phrase echoed in Bell's mind, like a clear and direct whisper:
[Welf Crozzo has a bloodline that allows him to make magical swords, but he dislikes creating them because they break after a few uses.]
Bell followed Welf out of the tent, walking beside him through the tower's wide corridors to the main entrance. The midday light greeted them as they crossed into the plaza in front of the Tower of Babel, where the sun's rays made the white marble shine.
As they walked, Bell kept his eyes straight ahead, but his mind was occupied with the message of his blessing.
It was strange. Bell had never heard of such a skill. Magical swords… they sounded impressive, dangerous even, but he also understood why someone would refuse to forge them if they were so fragile. Creating something powerful, only to see it shatter after a couple of blows… must feel like a betrayal of a blacksmith's art.
He glanced at Welf, who walked calmly, showing no trace of the weight such a skill could carry.
"So…" Bell said cautiously, as if testing the waters, "if someone asked you for a magic sword, would you just say no?"
Welf turned slightly, raising an eyebrow. "Hmm?" He scratched the back of his neck, somewhat uncomfortable. "Yeah. I don't. I don't like what they represent."
Bell noticed there was no anger in his voice, just a firm determination. So he decided not to press further.
"I wasn't planning on asking you for one," he said with a faint smile. "I just thought it was interesting."
Welf looked at him for a moment, then gave a short laugh. "That relieves me."
The square in front of the tower was still full of adventurers and merchants, and conversation mingled with the bustle of the place.
"So, do you want us to work with something similar to what you've already been using, or do you want something completely new?" Welf asked as they made their way toward the plaza's exit.
Bell thought about it for a moment.
"I want something new. Something that lets me move freely… but can also withstand the worst of knocks."
Welf smiled approvingly. "Good choice. We'll need decent materials then and some time."
Bell nodded. "I'm in no hurry."
Welf gave me a thumbs-up. "Perfect. Stop by my forge tomorrow. I'll show you some designs."
Bell watched him walk through the crowd, his bright red hair swaying with his steps. A small smile spread across his face as he thought about how odd it was to run into someone like that by chance... although with his life lately, he wasn't so sure what those things were by chance anymore.
…
Bell walked aimlessly through the streets of Orario, letting his steps guide him as he enjoyed the gentle breeze that swept through the city. After weeks of tension, impossible quests, travel, monsters, and decisions that weighed on the world, he finally felt something resembling... tranquility.
There was no rush in his walk, no clear destination. Just the constant murmur of the city, merchants hawking their wares, and the aroma of freshly baked bread wafting from a nearby bakery. The normal bustle of Orario, but for the first time in a long time, didn't feel overwhelming.
He stretched his arms above his head, letting out a long sigh.
"It's been so long since I could just… walk like this," he muttered to himself, with a relaxed smile.
Artemis, from the spear hanging on her back, seemed to sense that change in him. Although she didn't say anything this time, Bell could feel her presence. Calm, as if she too were enjoying this respite.
For a moment, he stopped thinking about the Dungeon, about levels, about blessings and curses. He was just Bell Cranel, just another adventurer, wandering through his town.
And that simple thought was… comforting.
Bell turned a corner in the shopping district, letting the warm afternoon sun shine full on his face. It was a simple feeling, but after everything he'd been through, walking through Orario in peace felt like a luxury. However, that peace was interrupted when his gaze met someone he hadn't expected to see.
A droopy-eared chienthrope, with a tired expression and a resigned expression, watched him from a few meters ahead. Naaza.
They stood still for a moment. She let out a sigh so long it seemed she'd been preparing for this for days. Bell, out of habit, looked up slightly. The number hovering above his head was clear: -8.
Naaza walked toward him with slow, heavy steps, as if each one cost her a little more than the last. When she stopped in front of Bell, she didn't immediately look up.
"The god Miach asked me to speak to you," he finally said, his voice barely audible. "To… apologize."
Bell said nothing, waiting.
"And… he's right," Naaza continued, slurring her words. "What I did was wrong. It doesn't matter that the store was bad, that sales weren't enough, or that the pressure made me lose my mind. What I did… could have killed you. And that's unjustifiable."
The number above his head flashed. -8 became -6.
Bell opened his mouth, but Naaza interrupted him, raising her hand in an almost pleading gesture.
"Let me finish. I always thought if no one noticed, it wasn't that bad. That as long as no one died, I could go on as before. But you made me see it. With your expression. With your words, even with your silence. You didn't say anything aggressive… but it was worse this way. It made me think. It made me feel ashamed."
The number changed again: -6 became -2.
Bell watched her closely. There was something genuine about her, an honesty he hadn't seen before.
"I thought if I apologized quickly, I'd just do what Lord Miach asked and be done with it. But… I couldn't. Every time I thought about approaching you, something stopped me. You weren't just that adventurer I sold a bad potion to. You were someone who trusted me as a salesperson, and I broke that."
- 2 became 0.
Naaza finally looked up. Her eyes no longer looked so dull.
"So I'm sorry. I'm really sorry. Not just for what I did, but for what it says about me. Thanks for not making a fuss."
The number above his head rose to 5, then to 8.
Bell gave a calm smile, shaking his head slightly.
"It's okay, Miss Naaza. Really. It's over now. And you didn't have to come, but you did. That says a lot."
She looked at him with a mixture of relief and bewilderment.
"I don't know if you're very naive… or if you're just too good." The number flashed once more. Finally, it reached 10.
Naaza took a step back, now with a much more relaxed posture.
"Well… I guess that's all. Thanks for listening."
Bell nodded.
"See you, Miss Naaza."
She smiled, for the first time. It wasn't a big smile, but it was genuine. Then she walked away down the street, her silhouette disappearing among the passersby. Bell watched her go in silence, feeling that, even if only a little, something good had happened.
As Bell resumed his pace, the scene still fresh in his mind, he felt a faint vibration against his back. The spear. Artemis's voice echoed softly.
"That was nice."
Bell blinked, somewhat surprised.
"Not the scam, of course," she added in a slightly hurried, almost awkward tone. "But the other thing. The… apologizing. The genuine feeling of being hurt. It's a rare sight."
Bell smiled a little, letting out a short laugh.
"Yeah. I didn't think she'd apologize, to be honest."
Artemis was silent for a few seconds before speaking again.
"During my time at Genkai, I didn't see many people who admitted their mistakes without being forced. I guess that's what makes it special… like you."
Bell blushed a little, pressing his lips together slightly, not knowing what to say. "I'm saying this as an objective observation, Orion. Don't get too excited." Bell gave a nervous laugh as he continued walking.
Bell continued calmly through the streets until he reached the old church again. Although the structure was still standing, it no longer looked the same. Scaffolding lined the walls, tools scattered in the corners, and several members of the Goibniu Family were finishing the last details with surprising efficiency. Even from outside, Bell could see that the cracks in the ceiling were gone, and the interior smelled of freshly cut wood and polished stone.
It hardly looked like a ruin… although it wasn't a complete home yet.
Upon entering, Bell found Hestia in a corner, sitting on a couple of stacked planks, chatting happily with one of the dwarves. When she saw him, she jumped up.
"Bell! Just in time. This is looking amazing, isn't it?" she said with a radiant smile. "Although we can't sleep here yet. They're still putting up the doors and finishing securing the roof."
Bell nodded, looking around. "Yeah… they moved much faster than I expected." "I told you I hired professionals!" he replied proudly.
"So…" Bell scratched the back of his neck, peering out one of the glassless windows, "do we have a place to sleep tonight?"
Hestia raised a finger as if she were about to make a grand revelation… and then lowered her arm with a nervous giggle. "…No. Not yet."
Bell sighed with a tired smile. "Let's go looking, then."
"Yeah! But you're buying dinner, huh?"
Bell raised an eyebrow. "Didn't we have five million valis?"
"Exactly! We're rich, Bell! Live up to your fortune!"
The tavern they chose was one of the liveliest in the central district below the Hostess of
Fertility (which they didn't go to for obvious reasons), a place called "The Golden Horn",
Known for its hearty food, fair prices, and cozy atmosphere. Bell and Hestia settled into a table near one of the windows.
The table was soon filled with steaming dishes: wild boar stew, garlic bread with cheese, meatloaf, mashed potatoes, a fruit salad, and a couple of jugs of thick, sweet juice. Hestia ate enthusiastically, without the slightest hint of restraint, while Bell watched her with a calm smile, eating at his own pace.
[N/A: I'm hungry, can you tell?]
"This is life…" Hestia murmured, her cheeks puffed out. "How long has it been since we ate like this without worrying about the price?"
Bell took a sip and said, "I don't think so."
They both laughed softly, letting the heat of the moment and the taste of the food erase all recent tensions for a while.
It was then that the tavern door opened with a distinctive creak, letting in a night breeze and a familiar face that seemed to appear just when they least needed it… or expected it.
Hermes.
With his cape slightly wrinkled, his hat tilted as if there were no wind capable of moving it, and that smile somewhere between innocent and too interested to be casual, the god approached with a relaxed stride.
"Oh! But look who's here, enjoying the fruits of heroism and hard work." Hermes said with mock surprise. "What a coincidence… I never would have imagined finding you right here. In this tavern. At this exact hour. At this exact table."
Bell looked at him with a mixture of resignation and caution. "Was it really a coincidence…?"
Hermes chuckled, sitting down uninvited and resting his elbow on the table. "Well, well… let's just say fate has mysterious ways of bringing people together."
"It looks more like you tracked us or something," Hestia replied with a sigh, wiping her mouth with a napkin. "What are you doing here, Hermes? Are you here to bother us?"
The god raised his eyebrows in mock innocence. "Me? Disturb them? Never. I was just walking around, looking for a good place to have dinner, and then I said to myself, 'What if Bell and Hestia are around? They're probably celebrating. Maybe I should stop by and say hi…'"
Bell put his fork down halfway on his plate. "And you showed up right here."
"See how bright I am?!"
Hestia leaned her forehead against the table with a groan. "Gods like you should have an off button."
Hermes laughed heartily. "I admit it may seem suspicious, but I swear on the bottom button of my cloak: I only came to talk. Although…" His tone became more subtle, lower. "I also wanted to confirm something."
Bell looked at him cautiously, but Hermes smiled again in a carefree manner.
"But don't worry. Tonight, I'm just an old friend stopping by to say hello." Taking a coin from his pocket, he twirled it on the table. "The next round's on me. Cheers, heroes."
The coin clinked softly before falling onto the wood, spinning for a moment before stopping. Bell and Hestia glanced at each other. While they knew Hermes never did anything without an ulterior motive… for today, perhaps they could let it go.
After all, it was a good night.
The door swung open again, this time with a much firmer bang. A figure with light blue hair and sharp eyes quickly scanned the interior of the tavern. Asfi.
Her frown left no doubt about her mood: annoyed. Her eyes quickly found their target.
"Hermes-sama."
The god shrank slightly in his seat, turning his head with a nervous smile. "Ah, Asfi, what a… nice coincidence. We were just talking about you." Bell didn't remember them doing that.
"You didn't tell me where you were going," she said as she approached, her tone firm, though more subdued than usual given the presence of Bell and Hestia. "I've been looking for you all afternoon."
"All afternoon? You're exaggerating! It's only been… three hours? Four at most," he replied, raising a glass in an impromptu toast.
Asfi closed her eyes for a moment, taking a deep breath. Then with a quick gesture, she tossed him a handkerchief that he barely managed to catch. "Finish whatever you're doing. We'll talk later."
Hermes let out a long, theatrical sigh. "My assistant… always so effusive."
Bell and Hestia weren't overly fazed by the scene, simply continuing to eat as if it were a secondary function. It was then that Hermes, seizing the moment, leaned slightly toward Bell, his tone lowering just enough to be discreet.
"Bell-kun… I have a favor to ask of you."
Hestia, without even looking, commented sarcastically between bites. "It's about time. It was taking you longer than usual to ask us for something. It was so obvious you wanted something."
Hermes chuckled, not the least bit offended. "Am I that predictable?"
"Like a cat approaching a fish."
Bell looked at him with a bit of hesitation, slowly lowering his fork. "What kind of favor?"
Hermes straightened, but his smile remained. "Nothing dangerous… yet. I just need your help with something that… well, only you could do."
Bell didn't respond immediately. He simply set his cutlery aside, calmly stood up from his seat… and tapped his boot twice on the floor, right next to the table.
A soft vibration ran through the tavern floor. The glasses clinked faintly, and before Hermes could ask what was wrong, a section of the floor just beneath his chair shuddered and split open as if made of paper. The god barely managed to utter a "Huh?" before the chair—and he with it—fell through a perfectly circular hole into a tunnel that descended deep into the ground.
His scream faded as he disappeared down the tunnel. Some of the tavern's patrons were startled, others simply applauded, believing he was part of some kind of spectacle. The owner of the establishment muttered something about charging extra if he came back.
Hestia, for her part, didn't flinch. She simply took a piece of bread and commented, "You hit it at the right moment. I'm proud."
Bell sat back down, sipping his glass as if nothing had happened. "Thank you."
A few seconds later, Asfi approached, her cape billowing behind her. She walked directly toward Bell, her expression neutral, though her eyes already betrayed a mixture of resignation and understanding.
"You know that won't stop him from coming back for you, right?"
Bell took another drink and looked at the bomb thrower with a calm smile. "Yes, but it gives me some time."
Asfi sighed, placing a hand on the bridge of her nose. "At least you made it go quickly."
With that, she headed toward the edge of the still-open hole. She paused for just a second, took one last look at Bell and Hestia, and then leaped out with calculated grace, dropping into the tunnel in search of her eccentric god.
Bell breathed a sigh of relief and returned to his food. Hestia, her mouth full, commented with a laugh, "This feels like a real vacation."
Bell nodded, though he knew that with Hermes around… peace wouldn't last long. But for now, it was worth enjoying.