26 Chapter 23: Ira Fianna
"ha...ha...ha...ha..."
In an empty alleyway, far from the notice of any resident of Orario.
𝘚𝘓𝘜𝘔𝘗
Bell stood against the wall, heaving heavily, body incredibly injured.
'What...was that?....'
He had only recently regained his consciousness, only remembering faint bits during his last exchange with the Goliath.
His magic circuits that once burned with an endless amount of energy...with an endless feeling of strength and experience...now began to wane as he tried regaining his breath.
'It was as if...my body was able to continue moving...beyond exhaustion...over zero?...'
His memories were just as muddled. Various experiences and techniques he had never learned of before began appearing and fading throughout his mind.
Familiar yet foreign at the same time...as if it wasn't time for them to come into manifestation...
'ha...ha...I need...a potion...'
Bell tried to move his body to consume a healing and stamina potion he had both from the Dian Cecht familia, something he did that day to see if there was any noticeable difference in quality compared to the potions he got from the Miach familia.
'... can't...move my body...'
Exhaustion began to take over his body, it was not too long ago that he felt a second wind in his struggle with the monster rex.
『Retracting False Manifestation』
「Limited/Zero Over」
Bell felt as though something that was never meant to be his at this time was taken away...
D̶̦̞̼͕̖̓́̋̚͠e̴̢̡͎͖̙̿̌̈̍̉t̵̨͙͚̩̙̿̅̓̈͘e̷̖̬͇̩͈̅̒͆͝͝c̶̢̤̼̱̪̿͌̑̃̀t̴̗̙̞̰̎̓̄͊͝ͅī̵̻͇͇̪̦̌̽̇͑n̸͙͕̝̬̭͆̀͂̀͠g̶̨̲̲̮̹̎̊̕͝͝ ̶̫͕̺͚̮͑̏̐̓̓B̴̗̦̫̹̘̓̑̽̈́́ȩ̵̱̖̹͎͂̓͛͌̚l̷̝̞̭͗̄̊̒̾͜͜l̸̢̗͎͎̖̈́̉̏͘͝ ̵̧̩͓̩̓̓̂̔̏͜C̴̮͚̯̯̘͆̈́̊͌̽r̸͔̙̜̝̲̀̎̓̕͘a̷̤̗͙͕̣͒͌̊̏͋ń̵͍̟̱̞̒̀̚͘ͅḛ̵̼͚̥̰̏̅̅̈́̂l̸̖̩̯̥̯͋̍̂̀̿ ̸̬̗̦̜̹́̓͆͐̆ȉ̸̧̘̤̜̻͗̊̑̚n̶̖͇̳͍̥̔͆̂̅͝ ̷̨̖͓̟̞̇͂͗̆̈́s̶̜̻̬̫̈͗̄̃͝ͅé̷̢̥͕̗̞͆̀̆͑r̷̟͕̱͚͔͆̌̐͑̈i̴̼̺̺̪͕͗͗̀̓̈́ò̵̧̭͔̞̔̋͜͝͠ŭ̸͚̠͓̒̃͘͠ͅͅś̸̻̝̱͚͖̓͗̇͝ ̶̜͍͈̹̰̌̓̄̅͝ć̷̱̠̬̮̼̕͝͠͝o̵͚̠̩̺̎̋̄̀͜͝n̸̡̛͇̙͚͚̍͛͂͠d̴͇̪̜̬̒̂̽̈͘͜î̷̡̼̘̙̗̈́̈́̏̇ṭ̴̡̗̞̯̊̏̎̽̓i̷͎̭͔̗̥̓̋̍͊̓o̷̙̜̱̮̹̓̽̋̏̑ń̵̠͖̳̮͆͑̾̕ͅ.̸̡̧̯͉͙͂̀͗̋͝.̵̤͚̘̽̉̑̃̋ͅͅ.̵̨̹̹̠̼̉̓͐̔̕a̵̱̞̝̗͗̒́̐̾͜c̸̹͙͇̳͐̈́̐͒͝ͅt̵͎̙͉͈́͋͆͝͝ͅì̵̱̹̥̦͙̽͊̅̑v̶̮͙̲͚̬̈́̍̃͠͝a̶̩͎̯̪͍͌̀́̀͝t̸͉̠̘̯̭͗̐̿͛̓i̴̛̥̭̘̮̲͗̌̏͒n̸̢̤̹͇̊̊̑̔͑͜g̷̲͖̗̠͖̓̽͘͝͝ ̸̘̻͍̰̠̐̃̿̒͝ō̴̬͍͔̤̬̎̊̇͠f̷̡̨͓͕̘̽̓͆͊̆ ̶̢̹̦͇͍́̐̏̉͗f̴̡̬̮͉̗̐̏́͆͛ī̶̜͖̹̹̮̏͆́̃n̵̨̹͓̩̲͑̓̂̾̕ą̵͙͖̞̋̇́̓̾͜l̷̢̛͎̰͇͕̑̃̈́͝ ̸̯̼͈̋̎̐̕͜͜͝f̴̧̪̻̼͖͆̑́̀̽ạ̴̧̧̛̝͎̈̉̀͂l̶̨͙̩̻̹̇̈́̓̆̚s̷̗̬̗̺̽̊̓́̇͜e̷̹͍͕̮͇͒͛̋̑̓ ̸̨̨͕͎̫͛͒̉̈͑m̵̲̙͉̦̜͒̂̔̏̚a̶͖͙͇͈͈͗̈́̓̊͠n̴̡̛̞̲̫̬͂͝͝͝i̷̧͍̻̹̼̐̏̄̿̉f̵̡̟̖̭̭̾̈́̂̐͝è̴͍̭͕̈́̓̒̔͜ͅs̷͉̪̝͍̀͑̏͑͠ͅẗ̶̨̡̟̣̟́̑̏̈́̽a̴̡̲̪̫͔̓̈́́̕͝t̷̻̤̺̯̣͐̔͑͠͝ḯ̸̡̼͚̘̗͌͌̂̃o̶̡̺̣̥̟̾̇͗̚͝n̶̼̗̭̙͕̅̍̀̂̐.̴̧͍̪̤͈͛̿̀͛̽.̴͖̲̻͚̟͌͗͗̓̚.̵̨̟̟̠̄̓̐̑̆ͅb̴̼̜̠̫̦̄̿̇̈̈́ę̵̰͙̗̟̂̈́̌̃͝f̵̛̤͓͈̰̱̔̎̔̏ō̸͖̦̙̦̘͐͛̑̚r̴̹̝͍̣̪̿̈́̂͑̚e̵̲̼̫̪͊̔̍͒͘͜ ̶̨̯͈̝̜́̀͒̚̚ṡ̵̛̗̮̝̯͔̀͊̐ľ̸̪̲̣̳̜̓̃̓͂ủ̴̢̡̜͖͍́̃̏̈m̷̢̢͈̠̝͆͂̒̓̍b̷͚͚̬̹̗̀͒̽͆͠ë̵̢͖͕͈͎̇̈́̓̕ŗ̷͍̟̦̮̈̾̌̽̈́
Before Bell slipped into unconsciousness, he felt a warm embrace begin to cover his body...one he had experienced long before he was aware of his new life...
S̷̲̖̪͓̣̑̆̓̐̈ļ̷̻̗͈͕̆̔͌̍̉ȩ̷͎͔̩̱̾̿̑̄͝ë̴͖̩̻͍̮́̋̏͌̊p̵̥͍̜͔͙̽́̽͠͝ ̵̧̦̝͎̬̈̐͆̿̀ẅ̷̮̩͎͉͉́̐̒̔̐ê̶͍̙̪̩͔̈́͝͝͠l̴̛̠͖͚̦͆̏̏̿ͅl̸̢̯̭̙̜͑͆͆̍͠.̶̛̼̰̙̜̪̈́̊̓̓.̷̙̰͙̝̿͒̑̀̅ͅ.̷̛̤̜̜̣̈́̊̉͐͜m̵̜̰̤̲̣͒͆̅́̾y̶̥͕̝̤̲̍́͋́͘ ̶̮̯̼͈̞͗̽̓͠͝p̸͕̟͖̱̝͂͆́̏͘r̷̪̝̭̯̞̽́̿̈́͋ȇ̸̟̖͍͙̟͛̇̂̕ċ̸̡͙̬̙̼̑̓̅͘ḯ̶̢͍̬̪̰̾̆͗̕o̴̼̱͚̤̫̍̊͗̍͐ű̵̧͕̱̖͑̍̾͝ͅs̵̫̻̘͚̞̾̀̓͠͝ ̶̩̩̯̱̺̊͊̐́̂s̷̛̗̜̬͙͕̒̓͗̕ơ̶̡̧̫̙̭̈́͐͛̋ņ̷͓̦͕͋̑͋͗͜͝.̴̥̫̯̹̒̅̊̑͜͠.̸̛̯͖̗̭̪͛̇͗̊.̷̡̱̱̣͙̒̅̆͌̐
Bell felt an instinctual need to reach out to the calming voice...
He didn't know what had taken over him...or how he spoke as he did...it was as if...it were natural...
'...mom...'
『False Manifestation』
「Body of Swords/Ȁ̸̡̦̝͇̈́̀͝͠ͅṽ̸̛͖̗̘͚̫̈̇͘á̸̛̹͓͚̖̭̌͑̕l̸̛̛̦̗̖͚̳̔͛̏o̵̧̧̙͚̅̈̔̆͂ͅn̵̛͉͖̳̦̥͛͂̈͝: Tempering of Infinite Blades」
Bell's body began to glow with a faint and gentle light. His healing factor had begun to repair his body...but it was faster...stronger...more potent...
His already well-trained muscles were torn apart and stitched back together stronger than before...held together by a vast amount of white strings...each constructed with numerous minuscule blades...
"..."
Bell had never felt such comfort before...and in the sweet embrace of someone he couldn't
recognize...he fell asleep...the tired hero slumbered peacefully for the first time in months...
『Severing Tether through Imaginary Number Space...Connection to future self has been terminated...』
「Fare well, Singularity」
It will be a long time before Bell would encounter these forces again in this life...but when the promised time comes...the war of inconceivable proportions will commence...
But that...is a story for another time...
...
..
.
Three months have passed.
'Overedge...Full Volley...Perfect Structural Grasp...Magic Counter...'
Bell pondered heavily on his thoughts in the training grounds near his hideout, while Lili in her armor and equipped with her gunlance was performing warm-up routines Bell had designed for her,
"HA!-"
Moving, slashing, and thrusting in a way that efficiently utilized her strength and adaptability.
"HA!-"
'The memories I have of these techniques are faint...but I can clearly visualize the general idea of them...even the memories I obtained from tracing the Loki familias weapons...I can't make much of them right now, but they have allowed me to get some ideas on how to improve in making magic weapons with projection...'
Bell over the last three months attempted to gather all of the faint vestiges he had of the memories of his fight with the Goliath. Taking down notes and referencing them with his knowledge from his past life to get the best estimation he can get.
'I have a general idea of what I need to do to improve...but more importantly...I was severed from Alaya...and Gaia is somehow related to the dungeon'
Bell's clearest memory of the entire incident was his relationship with Alaya and Gaia, the living will of Humanity and the Planet and respectively.
'So am I some sort of bastardized version of a counter-guardian?...I'll speculate on that in the future if I encounter more Fate elements again...counter-guardians shouldn't even be able to revoke their connection to the counter-force in the first place...'
Bell decided to shelf it for another time. He needed to get stronger, and he knew he will get his answers the farther he progresses through the story of Danmachi and in exploring the world.
'For now, I have to focus on my current objective before I go through with what I need to do...that is to awaken Lili's unique skill embedded into her soul...「Bloodfury Spear」"
「Bloodfury Spear」, a skill that manifested itself in Lili's past life, Fianna. Responding and resonating with her hatred for the world and monsters, allowing her to fight with the capabilities of a well-rounded level five or six.
'She needs to awaken through her rage...in a battle against her greatest fear and enemy...her familia...'
This was what Bell was planning and training for Lili these past few months, to confront her abhorrent familia. The source of all her pain and suffering...with her own hands...
'It's also better to clean up the Soma familia...turns out that Dionysus had a hand in raising Zanis Lustra to prominence...dirtying the profits of his largest competitor to help in propagating crime in Orario...'
He would be raising the strength of his companion and diminishing that of his enemies by taking out a single criminal...Bell couldn't be more excited, developing such a tendency during his time as a vigilante.
"Lili! That will be enough!"
Bell shouted out to Lili as she finished another set of her combat exercises, complying with strictness to Bell's orders. Taking a breath whilst maintaining a stance that wasn't lousy.
"Yes, Lord Ghost!"
Seeing how far the pallum girl has come from her previously weak self when they first met, and the hyper-dependent supporter from the original story, Bell couldn't be happier with Lili.
"Tonight is the night Lili, prepare yourself. This will be a defining moment for you"
"!-"
Hearing what Bell had said, Lili immediately tensed with fear...and excitement.
She had long been informed by Bell about his plans for her to confront her tormentors in the future, thus she delved even further into training, wanting to stay by Bell's side and to give retribution to the source of all her suffering in her fifteen years of life.
Gripping the handle of her gunlance with determination, her gaze piercing through her helm and conveying her sentiments to Bell. She loudly replied with conviction.
"Yes! Lord Ghost!"
A faint trace of red appeared briefly in her eyes.
...
..
.
Night.
The stars and moon illuminated Orario...but not being able to penetrate the dark corners of its districts...
𝘊𝘙𝘈𝘚𝘏-...𝘊𝘙𝘈𝘚𝘏-
"USELESS. THE LOT OF YOU!-"
A gray-haired man shouted in his office, throwing about furniture and piles of documents in frustration.
"Profits are down...allies are being arrested left and right...I can't even source as many ingredients through the black market...sourcing them legitimately will cut the margins down...FUCK!-"
Zanis Lustra. Captain of the Soma familia. And the person responsible for turning the once respected brewery familia into one that dabbled in the dungeon city's underworld.
He had been very stressed for the last couple of months. All of his plans began to fall apart around him.
At first, it was a few inconveniences here and there across various parts of his criminal operation...then the few inconveniences began to grow in severity...faster...more frequently...until he noticed it too late for him to do anything about it.
'It's like I'm being slowly choked with a rope...that sadistic bastard...does he find fun in torturing criminals?! Hypocrite Gray Ghost!-"
Zanis knew all too well who the culprit who had been causing him immense suffering was. He didn't have any proof of his involvement, every place he had raided was left without a trace of evidence as if it magically dissipated into the air.
'I know it's him...I don't have proof...but only someone as insufferable as a vigilante can do something like this'
The once criminal mastermind who had swindled and exploited many unfortunate souls in Orario slowly began to deteriorate against Bell. Becoming irritable and senile with even the slightest mention of his name...almost exposing his true nature in public when some passing adventurers were talking about him...
'I tried contacting that bastard Enyo to deal with him...but it seems like he's in the same boat as me'
Zanis had rose to prominence and became so successful with his operations due to the help of a figure he had met named Enyo.
He wasn't aware of who he worked for, or what his goals were, but so long as he saw benefit in working with him, Zanis didn't care if it was a blasphemer whom every god despised.
'He even told me to shut up and not mention his name...Gray Ghost...'
Zanis tightened his hand immensely before he rushed out of his office.
'I need to relieve some stress...those whores at the local brothel will do...'
Zanis was a man who wouldn't partake in such activities, considering himself above such things. But under all the stress he had been receiving from Bell, he no longer cared.
He roughly grabbed a bag of Valis off of his desk and opened the door of his office...being met with a dark hallway...
'...? Where in the hell are those idiot guards?...'
Zanis had stationed numerous patrols and guards across the perimeter of the Soma familia's base. Constructing and scheduling it to be as efficient as possible, given his available resources.
"Those bastards are probably drinking...AAAA!!"
Irritated once more, Zanis used his outer voice and immediately began brisk walking to the usual drinking spots his subordinates would use.
"I swear! When I!-"
He was too submerged in his irritation and anger that he failed to notice the peculiarity of torches and lanterns...
When Zanis continued to walk in anger...𝘩𝘦 descended upon him.
"GH?!-"
Zanis fell onto the floor immediately, hit at the Vagus pressure point, knocking him out completely. It caused confusion about his blood pressure in his brain, causing him to faint by misguided orders from his mind to lower his blood pressure.
"..."
A strike that was only possible with immense precision and proficiency...
'You...'
A man looked down on him as he pierced his gaze with cold and hazy blue lights...
'Gray...'
...
..
.
"..."
In a room that reeked with the scent of herbs and alcohol...illuminated only with the moonlight of the night sky...a man stood in silence as he brewed something on a table...his eyes obscured and his appearance rather disheveled.
"It's quiet tonight...not that it matters..."
Soma, head of the Soma familia.
A god of winemaking...famous for his brews which are popularly sold around Orario...gathering immense wealth....but such things didn't garner his attention...
'This sample batch is worse...that recipe variant is a failure then...'
Soma was once a god who had descended into the lower world to experience a life that he couldn't experience in Tenkai... bright-eyed and hopeful of the possibility of mortals which has fascinated him and many of his peers.
'Moving on to the next recipe...three cloves of Altena seaweed...crushed....'
He had gathered a familia who swore loyalty to him and...having fun conversing with them...and developing his skills of winemaking without the use of his falna...
'Spices from the Kaios desert....mixed...'
He had awarded his familia with the wines he had made...but it would prove to be the greatest regret in his entire existence...
'...'
They became addicted to his creations...begging...pleading... groveling at his feet for more...his once happy children...succumbing to the ecstasy of his wind...something he had hoped wouldn't happen...
'...'
He had long been surrounded by drunkards who had only wanted to be with him for his wine in Tenkai. Soma, seeing the conviction and determination which allowed the weak mortals to surmount the greatest adversities...found hope...
'...'
What if they can be the ones to surmount the ecstasy his wine gave? Soma wanted to find someone he could converse and talk with...someone who wouldn't want him only for his one...someone who could conquer his innate nature as a god...and experience life with him...
'...ha...'
Soma sighed in exasperation...the feelings of memories he didn't want to think about began to recollect in his subconscious...
Broken of his hopes for mortals to conquer the allure of his wine. Soma began to solely focus on improving in making wine without his arcanum, shutting himself off from the world entirely.
He no longer cared if he died...he no longer cared if a criminal ran his familia...he had long given up to despair...choosing to simply exist rather than to continue trying...
But as the night became posed to become yet another uneventful day for the god...
𝘚𝘞𝘖𝘖𝘚𝘏
He arrived...
"God Soma..."
"?..."
Soma looked onto his balcony, blocking the moonlight that he had long become familiar with, a man with armor in various shades of gray took away his attention from his wine. Carrying his familia's captain on his back, someone he faintly remembered due to not paying much attention to him in the first place.
"What do you want? You can buy my wine in stores...you can also take those failures over there..."
Though Bell had captured his attention for a brief moment with his arrival, he soon became dismissive of him. If he died, he died. He didn't care much anymore.
"..."
With Zanis still hung over his shoulder, Bell immediately walked to the corner which stored his wine, picking the jar which gave off the sharpest scent.
'So he's another drunkard...'
Soma faintly watched him in the corner of his eyes, soon dismissing him once more...
Except...
Bell now stood in front of him...the jar of alcohol in his hand...
"Hm? What is it?"
Soma looked to Bell, nonchalance apparent on his face...
But Bell simply dispelled his armor which covered his mouth...
Opened the jar and released the complete scent of the alcohol...
'That jar...that one had a weird flavor...but its ability to cause a stupor was rather large...'
Soma faintly recalled his failed creation...but it would soon not matter to him...
Because Bell began to consume it whole in one go.
"?!-"
𝘎𝘜𝘓𝘗
After Bell had consumed it whole...he pitched the jar forward...only a few droplets came out...
𝘉𝘈𝘔
He then loudly put the jar onto the table Soma had been working on.
"..."
The god was speechless. He had taken in his wine...a stronger variant at that..in one swig...
"Do I have your attention now? god...Soma..."
Soma became silent for a moment. The situation wasn't processing itself clearly...but he soon gave a curt reply.
"Yeah..."
It still felt unreal to him.
"I will be honest with you...I despise you"
Bell's eyes began to pierce through the deity, his anger being conveyed clearly to the god. For the first time in a long time, Soma had begun to feel something...a feeling of fear.
"Choosing to abandon and to not move forward...letting others suffer as you watch by in ignorance... it's something I utterly detest you for..."
Sweat began to pour down slowly upon Soma's face...the pressure he was experiencing shook him to his core.
"But as much as I despise you...I cannot deny it...I was once like you myself..."
Bell's gaze began to calm from his previous raging stare...
"In my time as a vigilante...I killed only those I believe cannot reform...and I spare most of my victims...some for the purpose of facing punishment for their crimes...and others...because I believe they can change...be better...do more good than bad with the remainder of their life..."
The tension that had struck Soma began to loosen itself.
"You...are one such person I believe can do more good than all the bad you have helped happen...had I killed you here...no doubt even more suffering would ensue"
Images of Dionysus having a complete monopoly of the alcohol trade...using the funds he gained with the disappearance of his greatest competitor to further his goals...the demi-spirit... was something Bell didn't relish imagining.
"This is the time of your judgment...god Soma...the world you once thought could never break through your wine...it was nothing more than a false idea...something you had imposed on yourself...because you were too afraid to continue searching for it"
The sins of Soma began to crawl on his back. His senses slowly roused themself from a long slumber with the appearance of Bell who had thoroughly broken his preconceptions.
"You won't be forgiven by a lot of people...the few who do will continue to hold resentment for a long time...but the path to redemption is open to you...you will be scorned...detested...hated...and you will grovel across a road of shame for your sins...but you can create a world that wouldn't have to experience the same despair you once did..."
Seeing a light far away...the memories of his past weighed heavily...but the pursuit of that dream he once thought impossible...even if it broke him...Soma...he...
"What will you do Soma?...will you walk the down the path of a hypocrite?...or will you let go of hope... and enter the yawning maw of apathy?"
Scenes of his once happy familia...scenes of their subsequent breakdown...memories of the announcement of their excruciating deaths...memories of the innocent souls they left behind...
"I... don't believe...I will ever be forgiven..."
Soma said in a voice that seemed as apathetic as before but his held-back tears throughout the years slowly formed on the edge of his eyes, covered beneath his long and disheveled hair.
"...if it's possible...'
He selfishly sought companionship...and selfishly ignored the pleas for help...he was unforgivable to many...
"...then ill do it..."
Now, even as he lay scorned by the sins of his numerous evils...even if all mortals and gods were to disdain his existence...knowing the dream he once gave up on was attainable...knowing it was because he wasn't determined enough to obtain it for himself...
"...and thank you...for showing me...it was true...that my dream wasn't just foolish make-believe..."
Even if it appeased no one...even if it was only for himself...Soma...will continue to walk down the path he once left behind once more.
Bell began to observe the god in front of him.
His body was barely holding back his emotions, shaking lightly with each second, unable to express the full extent of his feelings.
'Time will be the judge if your convictions hold true, Soma...but as a fellow person who was once apathetic to everything...who chose to do nothing instead of something...I wish you all the best'
A mortal who had long grown out of his cage, and soared high into the sky.
A god who took his first steps into the wider world, afraid but determined at the limitless expanse.
In a sanctuary of divine drinks.
The unfeeling winemaker...began to feel once more...
...
..
.
'...ugh-'
Zanis Lustra began to open his eyes, reeling from the pain he was now experiencing from being knocked out.
'Where?...'
As he tried to recollect his memories, he soon began to hear the conversation between two figures in front of him.
"Are you sure Gray Ghost?... I'm not the best at managing a familia...as you can see"
A voice he recognized. A voice he would describe as belonging to a gullible and apathetic idiot...but it seemed...different this time...as if the person he ascribed it to...changed.
"I'm plenty sure...you are the only one I can entrust her to, Soma"
Another voice...Zanis wasn't familiar with it...but for some reason... he felt hostile to it.
'huh?...'
Zanis began to squint his eyes to focus on the silhouette of the figure...memories and recollections began to slowly fill his mind...until he finally recognized it.
"?!-"
The Gray Ghost.
"MMMPHH MPPH!- ?!-"
Zanis attempted to lunge immediately at Bell, but his accumulated stress and anger made him ignore the sheer ridiculousness of trying to apprehend a vigilante that can collapse an entire criminal familia by himself.
But he soon realized he had been bound to a chair in chains and gagged with a washcloth...the taste of it almost inducing Zanis to barf in disgust.
"Hm? It seems like your former captain has awakened Soma"
Bell spoke in amusement but only brought confusion to Zanis.
'Huh? Former captain?! What is he-'
"So it would seem Gray Ghost"
Hearing the serious tone in Soma's voice, Zanis realized it wasn't a lie.
'...how...I HAD THAT BASTARD WRAPPED AROUND MY FINGER'
Zanis couldn't comprehend what had happened while he was unconscious. One moment he was heading out to relieve his stress, and in another, he ends up bound and told he's been stripped of his position
"He once seemed like a good person...but his crimes...I'll have to start producing more wine...to pay the reparations for mine and my familia's crimes to the guild...and to begin repenting to the victims..."
Soma spoke in a somber tone. Though he didn't initiate the crimes Zanis had committed, he was complicit despite his being able to do something about it.
He didn't scorn the criminal captain because he didn't deserve to be angry with him in the first place.
Zanis, hearing that Soma had somehow been convinced to take responsibility for his familia, fell deeper into perplexion. He was too confused to even make a reply or conjecture about the situation.
"Though not many will praise you for doing so...you can rest assured that I recognize your decision, Soma...you did something that most people would fail to do when soaked in so much sin and guilt"
Bell attempted to give a small piece of comfort for what the god will face in the upcoming years.
"I know...thanks"
Soma smiled upon hearing the consoling of Bell.
'What the hell...'
Zanis couldn't figure out for the life of him what was happening...even with the intelligence he constantly boasted about, he could do nothing but watch...hoping it might become clearer soon.
And his answer would soon come for him.
𝘊𝘓𝘈𝘕𝘎....𝘊𝘓𝘈𝘕𝘎...𝘊𝘓𝘈𝘕𝘎...
The sound of metal...stepping across the cold ground...heavy...very heavy...
𝘊𝘓𝘈𝘕𝘎....𝘊𝘓𝘈𝘕𝘎...𝘊𝘓𝘈𝘕𝘎...
Soma turned his face to the window of his workshop. Looking at the figure who was approaching his familia's base.
"So that's the girl?... Will you be sure she'll be alright Gray Ghost?..."
Soma spoke in a worried tone, he vaguely remembered the status of the figure which was approaching the mansion. He didn't believe they would succeed in what they were about to do.
"I'm confident she'll succeed Soma...though her status may be inferior...her technique will trump over your familia...not to be rude, but most of your familia is rather weak"
Bell spoke in a confident voice that didn't hesitate to speak his mind. Soma visibly winced at the reminder of the poor job he made in running his familia.
"Yeah, I know...but it's still quite...absurd"
Though Bell gave him his confidence in the figure's success, Soma couldn't still help but feel worried.
"That's understandable...simply watch...I haven't been training her all this time for nothing"
With that statement from Bell, both he and Soma began to quiet as they watched the figure.
'...who is that?...'
Zanis thought to himself, still bound to the chair, but able to see outside through the wide window.
The figure had a small stature, like that of a Pallum.
Heavily armored from head to toe, the craftsmanship of the armor indicated clearly its quality through appearances alone.
However the most striking part of the figure...
'What the hell is that absurd weapon-'
An intricate lance that radiated an aura of oppression. The details and construction alone could make a novice in weapons like Zanis know that there was more to the weapon than what meets the eye.
'How can such a small person carry such a large weapon?'
The dichotomy between the heavy and large weapon and armor to the small stature of the figure gave quite a shocking contrast.
𝘊𝘓𝘈𝘕𝘎....𝘊𝘓𝘈𝘕𝘎...𝘊𝘓𝘈𝘕𝘎-
The figure stopped moving...and silence fell over the area...
"Fuu..."
The figure drew in a breath...before raising her lance to the sky...
"..."
Hidden beneath her eyes...a determined gaze gave way to a powerful shout.
「Fire-」
Wisps of flame began to converge within the barrel of the lance...heat radiating out of the metal of its structure...the figure's mind began to circulate into the lance's core...
「Bolt!-」
𝘉𝘖𝘖𝘔
A pillar of flame erupted out of the barrel of the lance...bright...loud...the figure wanted to make her presence known.
"!-"
Zanis was shocked at seeing such a powerful display of magic. It was impressive for most high-class adventurers, but to a level two who did the bare minimum to level up...it was an oppressing display.
Within moments the figure had been surrounded by the members of the Soma familia.
"Halt! If you make another step forward, we will engage! State your identity and drop your weapon!"
The figure remained silent...before taking a step forward...and loudly declaring.
"My name is Liliruca Arde! Member of the Soma familia! Student of the Gray Ghost!"
"And I have come for revenge...for all the torment you have given to me...and to make sure your crimes are answered for...so that no more victims will be made by your greed!"
Lili's voice resounded all throughout the Soma familia's mansion...many were confused by the intruder who declared herself a member of the Soma familia...those who knew Lili was shocked at how she looked like and what she did...to Zanis...even more confusion.
'Liliruca Arde...that pallum?...'
"HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA-"
Zanis began to laugh despite being gagged, the absurdity of the situation was too hilarious.
'So that's what he was talking about?! The Gray Ghost wants that pallum for revenge...by taking on the entire familia by herself?! How idiotic is he?!-'
Zanis finally was able to connect the dots with that declaration. Laughing in mockery, along with some of the people confronting her.
"pft- HAHAHAHA- That pallum? That's you?! HAHAHAHA-"
Canoe Belway began to laugh heartily at the realization that the foe he was once afraid of was just another kid he would bully regularly.
"Cool magic weapon...it gave me quite the scare...but that's just it...a magic weapon... you're probably all out of mana after that one blow. Did you think you might be able to continue intimidating us? After stating your name so idiotically?~"
"No one's afraid of you. You gave us quite the scare...but now that we know who you are? We know you're not some threat...you're just some kid playing hero like that insufferable Gray Ghost HAHAHAHA-"
Canoe Belway began to mock Lili as he approached her. Lacadasically holding his weapon. Looking down on the Pallum.
"If you think...that just because you were saved by that edgy bastard that one night...you're suddenly able to fight against all of us..."
He then extended his sword, placing it on Lili's neck, just barely touching the armor.
"Then you're simply deluding yourself...pallum bitch~"
They were now face to face...mere inches apart...the malicious grin Canoe wore was hideously sadistic.
"If you drop that magic weapon and grovel on your knees, I might just forgive you y'know?~"
"But- pft- HAHAHAHAHA- If that Gray Ghost bastard really thought you could do this- Then he really is an idio-"
𝘚𝘓𝘈𝘚𝘏
In an instant...Lili moved quickly...and dropped her lance faster than Canoe's senses...cutting his arm off in one clean motion...unspeaking and unfazed.
"Eh?-"
Canoe Belway began to slowly process that he had just been amputated.
"?!-"
Soma, Zanis, and the other Soma familia members also became shocked at the sight. Not expecting such a performance from the level one pallum.
'How?!- I remember that she was only level one last I checked- And she hasn't come back for a status update...so how?!-'
While everyone was left confused at how Lili could so accurately move, Bell smiled in knowing.
'The experiment was a success'
In the past three months after his fight with the Goliath, Bell began experimenting with his abilities. The most prominent experiment he conducted...was reinforcing the body of a person aside from himself...and maintained for a certain amount of time.
'It's a rather inefficient method of buffing, but it's still viable. If I fill the structure of a person with large amounts of mind, condense it, then reinforce the structure with that condensed mind, the person will be buffed to a certain extent for some time'
It would be as potent as Bell's reinforcement of his own body, but if he trained it, he would have one of the best supporting buff abilities in the world.
It won't be as powerful as specialized buff skills and spell made from Falna, or as broken as a certain renard's magic, but the sheer adaptability it had made it quite valuable in Bell's eyes.
'And it's the perfect way for Lili to carry out the first stage of her revenge'
Bell's buff of reinforcement boosted Lili's capabilities approximately to a high-end level one.
"I will have no qualms with lethally wounding or amputating people who have tormented me in the past...for those who did nothing to me...I will simply knock you out..."
The coldness in Lili's voice along with the gruesome scene of Canoe Belway grasping at his open wound as blood continued to pout out, sent immense fear to all the members of the Soma familia.
"..."
They simply stood in silence, never breaking their sight away from Lili.
"...you won't come to me?...very well-"
In an instant, Lili quickly moved to the nearest enemy in her sight. Her grip tightened as she prepared to swing her gunlance.
"Then I'll come to you"
"?!-"
Faint traces of red could be seen from inside the visor of her helmet. Scaring the Soma familia immensely.
"Everyone! Engage!-"
Lili knocked away her nearest foe with the blunt side of her gunlance, blowing them away with immense strength, and knocking them out.
She was immediately surrounded on all sides, but she didn't panic. She had long ingrained into her body the cold rational thinking one needs when engaging in combat, something that was beaten into her by Bell in their spars.
Lili instead softly invoked her magic, wisps of flame beginning to form as she made her intention clear.
「Firebolt」
"?!-"
In an instant she aimed her gunlance's barrel at a figure she recognized for constantly stealing her food, leaving her hungry for many days.
"Burn-"
𝘉𝘖𝘖𝘔
The person was instantly swallowed in the explosion, left with burns all around their body, screaming in agony.
But Lili didn't pay heed to it, simply utilizing this moment to break out of the encirclement with haste and engage another enemy before another maneuver could be pulled off once more.
She fought with a ferocity they didn't see in her before.
Not one of a beast, but of a predator that trained itself to efficiently hunt.
A honed killing intent that didn't cloud her judgment...merely strengthening her desire...
Obsessed with taking down the target in front of her...for her goal...for her savior...her eyes gleamed redder and redder...if it was for him...
"I would even burn the entire world-"
「Firebolt」
𝘉𝘖𝘖𝘔- 𝘉𝘖𝘖𝘔- 𝘉𝘖𝘖𝘔-
𝘉 𝘖 𝘖 𝘔- 𝘉 𝘖 𝘖 𝘔- 𝘉 𝘖 𝘖 𝘔-
Up in the workshop of Soma in the mansion, unaware of the monster he had just created, Bell smiled softly beneath his mask and hood at how far Lili has come.
'She really worked hard to reach this point...I'm so proud of your Lili'
Meanwhile...
"..."
"..."
Soma and Zanis stared in horror at the one-sided beatdown that occurring in the courtyard.
Zanis was afraid since he knew that he would eventually be staring down the barrel of her gunlance once she was through with the rest of the familia.
Soma was afraid, but not too much. He had learned what had happened to the child due to his apathy, and could only be relieved she wasn't killing everyone...just permanently damaging some of the viler members of the familia.
𝘚𝘞𝘖𝘖𝘚𝘏
After a few minutes had passed, a small breeze passed through the night and over the courtyard...the battle was finished...
"..."
Lili stood solitary over the battlefield. Rubble everywhere...clouds of dust fuming out of the ground...numerous bodies scattered across the area...most were merely knocked out...others...worse for wear...
𝘊𝘓𝘈𝘕𝘎....𝘊𝘓𝘈𝘕𝘎...𝘊𝘓𝘈𝘕𝘎...
Lili began walking towards the balcony that was connected to Soma's workshop.
𝘊𝘓𝘈𝘕𝘎.𝘊𝘓𝘈𝘕𝘎.𝘊𝘓𝘈𝘕𝘎-
She began to hasten her pace, now running toward her location. Then she pointed her gunlance to the ground...before invoking her magic once again.
「Firebolt」
𝘉𝘖𝘖𝘔
Lili leaped off the ground with proficiency, using the explosion her firebolt produced from the barrel to propel herself upwards.
𝘚𝘔𝘈𝘚𝘏
Lili landed safely on the balcony, causing a few cracks on the floor due to the weight of her equipment. She immediately straightened her posture before removing her helmet.
Her chestnut brown hair seemed to glow in the moonlight. Her hazel eyes were also just as radiant...but Bell quickly noticed her irises slowly morphing into a crimson red...something that made him very joyful.
"I'm back Lord Ghost...did I perform well?..."
The cold and calculating demeanor she had while she fought had disappeared completely...replaced with an adorable and shy personality.
Lili was worried she might've done something wrong...perhaps she made foolery of her position as Bell's student. But she was immediately dissuaded when she felt his hand begin to rub her head.
"You have exceeded my expectations, Lili. I'm proud of you"
Hearing the kind and gentle voice that she so loved...Lili immediately melted into a puddle of blushes...snuggling up to the hand that she so adored.
"hehe~"
She had used her magic 「Cinder Ella」to assist in improving her senses, so a pair of animal ears were twitching happily, alongside a bushy tail inside her armor which wagged excitedly.
'...how is that person the same as the one who had so...𝘷𝘪𝘰𝘭𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘭𝘺...beat up an entire familia...'
Zanis was struck with fear for Lili. Though he was a level two, he wouldn't even be able to replicate what she had done, even if he had the same equipment as her.
The Soma familia mostly consisted of level ones with few level twos, but their numbers were nothing to scoff at. Though a difference of one level is quite immense...in the face of such sheer numbers, such a difference can be easily overcome.
As Lili was enjoying her head pat from Bell, it suddenly stopped, leaving her dejected and confused.
That was until Soma had interjected between the two.
"My actions are unforgivable...the pain and the abuse you had experienced is something that can never be taken back...I don't expect any reciprocation...but I just want to say..."
Soma took a deep bow, something which would surprise many of his fellow deities immensely.
"Im sorry, Liliruca Arde"
Soma readied himself for what was to come, perhaps even to be fired upon by the pallum...
"I won't forgive you..."
Hearing what Lili said, Soma accepted it easily, but she continued.
"But if you can turn this familia...the place I suffered greatly in...into a place that won't ever repeat such things...into a place that can prevent such experiences from even happening in the first place...perhaps I might forgive you slightly then..."
"...'
Soma felt tears begin to well up at the corner of his eyes, some having already fallen to the floor.
"Had it been six months ago...I would've most likely lambast you, Lord Soma...even try to harm you..."
"But it's very hard to constantly keep a grudge...when your life improves by so much...and is filled with so much happiness "
Lili said as she slightly looked at Bell from the corner of her eyes.
"If Lord Ghost believes you're capable of redemption...then that will be okay with me...and if you're able to put smiles on people just like him...that's all I will ask for you to do"
Breaking down with emotion...determined to make good on that promise...Soma agreed whilst in tears.
"I will...𝘩𝘪𝘤...thank you...thank you...𝘩𝘪𝘤"
Lili could only smile awkwardly as she caused a deity to begin crying profusely, all the while Bell watched over the scenario satisfied.
'I'm glad Lili didn't become a revenge story manhwa mc...that would've been a bit troublesome to rein in...'
Lili originally held a deep grudge against every member of the Soma familia, Soma himself especially. But with her 6 months with Bell, she had long forgotten her grudges as she indulged in the happiness of being with him.
Unknown to Bell...she had become a much more troublesome individual than a revenge story mc...
'Everyone who benefits Lord Ghost is okay with me...and everyone who opposes him...'
As she thought this to herself...Lili's irises began to shine faintly red...looking directly at Zanis Lustra
'I'll burn~'
Once Soma calmed himself from his outburst of tears...Lili began to approach Zanis who had still been bound to the chair.
"HIIIIIIIIII!-"
Zanis screamed in fear as Lili loomed over him. The faint traces of red in her eyes seemed to glow even brighter as she looked at her former captain.
"What do you want to do Lili?"
Bell asked the pallum girl, waiting for her response as the tension in the room heightened.
"...I'll fight him, Lord Ghost..."
Hearing her reply, Bell was satisfied and moved to unbind the man, but Lili cut him off by speaking more.
"But...remove the buff magic you have placed on me Lord Ghost...and if you can...make my armor heavier"
Lili had a vague idea of Bell's reinforcement through the small conversations they would have about his abilities, something Bell did after he confirmed that Lili was loyal to him alone.
"?"
Bell was confused by the statement and wanted to clarify that it would be dangerous...until he saw her eyes...
'They're...completely...glowing red...'
Bell was surprised. He thought it would only awaken in the heat of battle between Lili and Zanis. For it to awaken so early was something he didn't predict.
'The 「Bloodfury Spear」only awakens in response to intense emotions...mostly anger and hate...does Lili hate Zanis that much? Fianna awoke the skill due to monsters killing most of her family and her entire hometown...so maybe...'
While Bell was pondering why Lili had awoken her ability so early...Lili blatantly made her reason clear in her thoughts.
'Zanis Lustra...I read some of the documents about your actions...documents Lord Ghost would spend countless nights analyzing and working on... your crimes...about your relation to some person named Enyo'
Lili's eyes radiated with immense energy.
'I hated you for causing my suffering...but for troubling Lord Ghost...my savior...my beloved...forcing him to spend countless nights working instead of resting...something he deserves for all his actions....'
Red, red, and even redder, her eyes became. Flickering. Burning. Like a flame that wished to extinguish what she saw.
"Please trust me, Lord Ghost. I know what I'm doing"
The red glare of her eyes disappeared entirely as she looked at Bell, seeing that she was already consciously controlling the 「Bloodfury Spear」, he eventually relented.
"𝘴𝘪𝘨𝘩 Alright...I'll trust you, Lili"
Hearing that Bell had placed his faith in her, Lili widely smiled as she proclaimed.
"I'll do my best"
Soma, seeing Lili so happily slightly smiled at the sight of her and Bell bantering so cheerfully...
ignoring the fact that Zanis was bound for a world of hurt.
'...am I gonna die?-'
...
..
.
𝘊𝘓𝘈𝘕𝘎....𝘊𝘓𝘈𝘕𝘎...𝘊𝘓𝘈𝘕𝘎...
Lili and Zanis both walked quietly to the private courtyard located within the Soma familia's mansion.
Such was the place where the duel between the two would take place.
"..."
Zanis hesitantly looked at Lili who had worn a modified armor set by Bell, made to be heavier.
She didn't put on her helmet like last time, so he could see clearly the crimson red which emanated from the pallum's eyes.
"..."
Zanis considered doing some foul play prior to the match, but he believed that he would easily be caught by Bell who was looking over them both from a higher floor that overlooked the courtyard.
'Damn it...if it's like this...then I'll take that thing Enyo gave me...'
Zanis hesitantly thought as he readied a pill he had hidden in the interior of his might should he ever be caught in a situation like this.
"..."
Zanis and Lili arrived at the training ground that had been installed in the inner courtyard. Something which was rarely used by the familia due to the actions of Zanis filling it with incompetent members who simply wanted to get drunk.
"Whenever you want to start"
Lili proudly declared as she readied her shield and gunlance, her posture radiating her confidence to win this battle.
'You little...'
Seeing the pallum so blatantly look down on him, Zanis' pride was hurt.
He was afraid of both Lili and Bell...but he would be damned if he didn't at least fight back.
'Let's face it...I'm never getting out of this...even if I beat this little shit...that Gray Ghost bastard is way beyond my capabilities...even if I drugged myself'
'So if I can't beat them'
A dangerous glint shimmered in Zanis' eyes.
'Then I'll just cause as much suffering as I die!-'
Zanis gulped down a pill he had stored in the confines of his mouth. For a moment he seemed dazed...until a malicious grin formed on his face.
Smoke began to emanate all throughout his body, his skin becoming redder as his blood flow increased, and his eyes become just as red as well.
"HAHAHAHAHAHAH!!-"
Zanis charged with immense strength toward Lili, at a speed he wasn't capable of with his status alone.
"?!- Gray Ghost! Zanis, he!-"
Soma, seeing that Zanis had swallowed something and knowing such a feat wasn't possible with his stats, immediately went to inform Bell. But he was cut off.
"It's fine Soma. I trust in Lili"
Seeing Bell become so trustful yet again, Soma was naturally worried. But after witnessing what Lili was capable of, and his attitude at the time, Soma decided to trust in the pallum girl as well.
'Please...don't die...'
Zanis breezed past Lili in an instant, and once he did, various wounds and dents were found all across her armor.
In the small instant that Lili was in his range, he had dealt numerous blows to her with his sword.
His technique was beyond pitiful, but the increased stats he received from the drug he consumed made it deadly, regardless of his skill.
"IM NOT DONE YET!!-"
Zanis wildly declared like a wild beast. Immediately changing his footing to charge once more at Lili.
Constantly charging, then switching positions to charge once more at her at a different angle and direction.
This was the strategy that Zanis was employing to drag Lili down with him.
"HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!-"
Lili's armor began to slowly but surely dent and damage, before being torn off completely.
She began to bleed in numerous spots. Blood dripped onto the floor profusely.
To other people, it would seem as if Zanis was playing with her, prolonging her suffering as much as possible instead of finishing her off.
And he soon began thinking as such. Seeing the pallum girl do nothing but stare blankly at the ground with her red eyes. He thought that what happened prior must've been a fluke...or he was that strong.
Emboldened by this idea he began getting cocky and spoke as he attacked.
"HAHAHAHAHA- WHAT'S WRONG PALLUM?! TOO SCARED TO DO ANYTHING?!-"
Zanis said as he leaped at her once more, striking her extremely damaged chest plate, which was torn off of her body after it had made contact.
"..."
Lili remained unmoving despite the insults and mockery hurled at her, accompanied by the pain of the numerous wounds she had accrued.
Seeing nothing had happened once more, fueled by the effects of the drug, Zanis began to speak once more.
"IF I CAN BEAT THIS EASILY. THEN ILL GO AFTER THAT SON OF A BITCH GRAY GHOST AFTER!-"
Zanis leaped off the ground once more...this time aiming to end the battle by decapitating Lili.
"I'LL TORTURE HIM. I'LL KILL HIM. FOR ALL THE STRESS AND IRRITATION HE CAUSED ME! I'LL-"
However, once he began speaking about Bell...Lili's eyes immediately moved...catching his position in an instant...staring directly...into his soul.
"!!-"
Zanis instantly knew...he bit off more than he could chew.
"I was fine with you insulting and wounding me..."
Lili moved her lance quickly to intercept Zanis. Zanis seeing this, tried his best to stop his momentum, but it was too late for him to do so.
"But insulting Lord Ghost-"
「Ira Fianna: Spear of Fire and Blood」
"-is unforgivable"
A red aura immediately covered Lili's gunlance and her arm.
In an instant...
𝘚𝘓𝘈𝘚𝘏
Zanis' arm was cut clean off
"AAAAAAGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!-"
Zanis tumbled onto the ground, rolling profusely due to his high momentum prior.
Clutching at his open wound which endlessly spilled blood, crying in misery as he did.
"Shut up. Your voice will desecrate Lord Ghost's ears..."
Lili began to slowly walk toward the crying Zanis...her obsession was enhanced...brought to levels she had never experienced before...she was drowning in her hatred.
𝘗𝘐𝘌𝘙𝘊𝘌
"GAAHHHH!!-"
Lili had pierced her gunlance deeply into Zanis' remaining arm, the barrel wedged deep into the muscle.
"Those hands that caused Lord Ghost so much trouble...they're unsightly...they must be burned..."
Gathering her mind, Lili invoked her magic, to burn the blasphemous horror that she saw.
「Firebolt」
"AAAAAAAAAAA!!-"
Bursts of flames spread throughout the inside of Zanis' arm, burning it from the inside, before making it implode internally. The pain was much more immense than the cut prior.
His arm was now gone...only faint vestiges of hanging skin, bone, and muscle remained...all burnt to a crisp black.
"Didn't I tell you before?...Shut up-"
Lili pointed the barrel of her gunlance squarely at the head of Zanis. A sight she considered unsightly with all the tears and snot on his face.
"Since you refuse to learn...I'll do it myself-"
An orange flame became all that Zanis saw. He stared into the barrel of the gunlance as he watched Lili prepare to invoke another 「Firebolt」.
"-and shut you up forever"
Zanis no longer was able to cry out in pain...simply too struck by fear to do so...
「Fire...」
"Stop Lili"
"!!!-"
Lili jolted in surprise. Feeling the touch she adored, and hearing the voice she loved.
"Lord Gho-"
Lili wanted to ask for his praises. She wanted to hear him say she did a good job. But-
𝘏𝘜𝘎
-She was immediately pulled into an embrace.
"!!!-"
'Do-Does this mean that Lord Ghost...li-likes!!-'
Lili was overcome with emotion and was about to follow through with it until she felt a calming sensation come over her.
"Lord...Ghost..."
Lili's eyes began to fade back into their original color...slowly entering a slumber as they did so.
The emotions...and excelia she had just accrued...were mixing together to form a skill that would appear upon her next status update...
『Fianna amor: Mane latus tuum』
"Sweet dreams Lili...you did so well... I'm so proud of you"
Bell tightened his embrace of the pallum who cherished greatly, not allowing her to fall down, in spite of the weight of her equipment.
𝘊𝘙𝘈𝘚𝘏
Lili's gunlance crashed onto the ground as she lost her grip. The red aura which had enveloped it slowly dissipated into the air.
Seeing the peaceful look on Lili's face, Bell faintly smiled as he made sure to take note of what he had just seen.
'So the「Bloodfury Spear」enhances her emotions as well...I always questioned why Fianna needed a visor that constricted her power...so this was why...'
As Bell quietly contemplated the things he would need to do for Lili to effectively utilize her newfound powers, Soma quietly walked up to them both and splashed a basic healing potion on the unconscious Zanis, making sure he wouldn't die of blood loss.
𝘚𝘗𝘓𝘈𝘚𝘏
"Will she be alright, Gray Ghost?"
Hearing the winemaker speak to him, Bell replied.
"Yeah...maybe a few days of rest once she wakes up...I'll cook her favorite rabbit stew for messing up and not preparing counter-measures for her power"
Hearing the reply of Bell, Soma faintly smiled, but he asked a concern of his he can't seem to get out of his mind.
"Alright...but I still don't get why you would ask me to have Lili stay in our familia's mansion... wouldn't she be much better continuing to stay with you?"
Soma was the familia head of Lili, but he had no qualms if the pallum were to continue being under the care of Bell.
He knew he had to fix up the crime-infested mansion of his familia, and a bunch of other cleaning up in terms of personnel and familia policy before it could even become a suitable place for a victim of his apathy and indecision like Lili.
And even then, he just knew that she would be happier living with Bell...however he spoke to Soma about his reason for asking such a thing.
"That's because...I'll be leaving Orario soon"
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Authors Note:
Thank you for reading this chapter!
I will now be moving on to Bell's journeys outside of Orario. This will be done in order to expand his knowledge as well as to increase his skill and power.
I know some of you might be turned off by this development, so I'll just list the arcs which will occur during this journey of his so that you hopefully won't lose interest.
-『Arrow of Orion: Killing of Antares』
「Based on the events of the Danmachi: Arrow of Orion. Artemis and her familia will be the characters involved here. This arc will happen before the Artemis familia gets wiped out」
-『Research into the Arcane: Magic Nation Altena』
「The nation-type familia run by the goddess Athena. Mostly populated with Elves and focus on the study and research of magic. Naturally, this nation was only mentioned in passing, so this will mostly be filled with OCs」
-『Shalzard Revolution: Royalty in Hiding, Ali』
「Based on the events of the Danmachi: Episode Freya. This will follow the events of that story which revolve around the war and succession crisis in the desert nation Shalzard. Ali, the person Freya considered her Odr prior to Bell, will be the main highlight of this arc...shes a tan tomboy if that hasn't gotten your interest yet」
After all of that, the canon of the anime will begin.
The next chapter will be about the Denatus, and one last incident Bell needs to solve as a vigilante before embarking on his journey.
Thank you again for reading this fanfic, consider reading my other fanfic, and I hope you look forward to the next chapter. Have a nice day!
