--
Hey everyone, I've been considering love interests recently. So I've put together a new vote on the Discord server about whether or not I'll end up in Harem.
Join the Discord to vote: https://discord.com/invite/mkQgu52pjd
Thanks to Rayx2108 for being the beta reader and quality supervisor of this chapter.
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The door closed softly behind him.
Bell had barely taken a step inside when a blue and white whirlwind enveloped him.
Hestia hugged him with a strength that didn't seem possible from her small body, as if she feared he might disappear from her arms at any moment.
"Idiot! Stupid, stupid, Bell!"
Her voice cracked on the last word. She pounded his chest with her fists, weakly, trembling from head to toe. Her eyes were filled with tears he couldn't hold back.
"I thought I'd lost you! That Freya had taken you from me… or that she had…!"
Her voice broke completely. Bell felt her fingers clutch desperately at his clothes. The pressure of her body was that of someone who had held their fear for too long.
"I knew I still felt your blessing… I knew you were still alive… but… but I kept thinking that at any moment it would go out! That I would feel this horrible emptiness and—!"
She sobbed against his chest. She cried as if just having him there hurt more than the fear. Bell, unable to say anything, wrapped his arms around her and held her. Just that. There were no words that could soothe what she'd felt.
"I'm sorry…" he whispered. "I didn't mean to scare you."
"Don't do that again, Bell! Don't leave like that, not with her! She could have killed you, she could have—!"
"She didn't," he said softly.
Hestia looked up, her face bathed in tears.
"What did Freya say to you…? Did she do something to you?"
Bell shook his head.
"We talked. She explained things to me. I don't know if I should believe her, but she didn't attack me. She didn't try to control me."
She squinted at him, trying to read between the lines. Then, in a low voice, she asked:
"And what did you tell Freya?"
Bell hesitated.
"I told her… I would think about it."
Hestia blinked. Her expression was a mixture of disbelief and suppressed pain.
"Think what?"
"If I can ever forgive her."
For a moment, everything was silent. Hestia didn't respond, just breathed deeply, trying to calm the trembling that still ran through her. Finally, she rested her forehead on his chest, feeling weak.
"I just… don't want to lose you. I don't care what you say or what you do, Bell, just… come back. Always come back."
Bell nodded slowly, closing his eyes.
"I always will."
The silence remained between them, warm and vulnerable. Hestia still clung to Bell, her breathing ragged, the traces of tears barely beginning to dry.
But then, as if she could contain herself no longer, Artemis's voice emerged from the spear on Bell's back, her tone soft but unmistakable.
"You're leaving out several details, Orion."
Bell sighed in resignation, still holding Hestia.
"This is not the time, Artemis."
"I know," she replied. "But I also know that if you don't say them now, you'll never say them."
Hestia looked up, no longer surprised. Just a raised eyebrow.
"What details?"
"Love," Artemis said bluntly. "Freya confessed it to him. She promised support, even if he rejected her. It was… contradictory, considering her past actions. And yet, sincere."
Hestia gritted her teeth.
"Did she promise support? After sending a Silverback to kill him…"
"We talked about that too," Bell murmured. "I threw it in her face. Everything. And she didn't deny it. She just… said she didn't want to force me anymore. That she wanted to really try."
Artemis was silent for a few seconds before cautiously adding:
"There was something that caught my attention. While they were talking, they mentioned a certain Syr."
Hestia frowned and turned to Bell slowly.
"Syr…? That Syr?"
Bell nodded, this time without hesitation.
"It was her. It was always her. Syr was Freya in disguise."
Hestia closed her eyes, letting out a bitter, disbelieving laugh.
"We knew it. We accepted it. But to hear it like this…"
Bell nodded, his gaze lowered.
"Yes. Her words. Her silences. The times she showed up at the worst possible moment… Or the best. There was always something off. But now I understand everything."
"And does that change anything?" Hestia asked, not gently.
Bell was slow to respond.
"Don't know."
The glow on the spear dimmed, but Artemis's voice still floated in the air.
"Changed enough."
Hestia remained silent, then approached Bell again, this time with less desperation and more firmness. She rested her forehead on his chest, breathing deeply.
"Thanks for coming back," She murmured. "Even if you come back with doubts… you're still you."
Bell closed his eyes and hugged her back, this time tighter.
"I'll always be me."
The embrace with Hestia had already relaxed, but the silence that followed was tense. Bell stared at the ground, his mind still trapped at the top of the Tower of Babel.
It was then that Artemis spoke again, her voice floating from the spear on her back, lower this time… but with a different charge.
"It wasn't nice watching you flirt with Freya."
Bell turned his face slightly, frowning.
"What? I wasn't flirting with her."
"Oh, no?" the goddess replied, serene as ever. "I didn't see you rejecting her."
"Because it was self-preservation," Bell growled, crossing his arms. "Are you forgetting that Ottar was right outside the room? If he heard me raise my voice to his goddess, I might have bent like a toothpick."
Hestia let out a dry snort, without lifting her head from his chest.
"He doesn't lie."
"Besides," Bell continued, lowering his voice slightly, "it's not like I was saying nice things to her. I was just trying to keep her calm. Sometimes speaking softly is the only way to survive someone who can kill you with a smile."
Artemis didn't respond immediately. Then her tone softened slightly.
"I know. I just… didn't like it. It made me feel like I lost you for a moment."
Bell looked down.
"You're not going to lose me."
Hestia, still holding him, murmured:
"Not while I breathe."
Silence fell again, but this time it didn't hurt. It only weighed, like the echo of something that wasn't yet over.
The spear on his back slowly went out again, and for a moment, it seemed that even Artemis needed time to sort out what she felt.
Silence settled between them for a few more seconds, until Bell, still with his arms around Hestia, murmured:
"There's something else."
Hestia raised her head slowly, looking at him with a mixture of alarm and tiredness.
"Anything else besides the confession and the almost-toothpick?"
Bell nodded with a small, guilty smile.
"I received a new blessing."
That caught both of their attention: Hestia sat up fully and Artemis glowed faintly from the spear.
"A new…? What kind of blessing?" Hestia asked, instantly on guard.
Bell put a hand to his chest.
"One that makes me immune to the charm. Freya… she can't affect me any further with that. Not even if she tries unconsciously."
Hestia's face suddenly relaxed, as if a weight had been lifted from her shoulders. Her eyes widened, and then she let out a long, drawn-out sigh.
"Well," she finally said, letting her arms drop, "finally some good news."
Artemis seemed to nod approvingly from her prison.
"That changes a lot."
"Yes," Hestia added, crossing her arms with a slightly relieved smile. "Now, even if Freya gives him those 'I want you like you're the last cake in Orario' eyes, she won't be able to manipulate him. Not on purpose, not by accident."
Bell scratched his cheek, somewhat uncomfortable.
"She didn't look at me like a cake…"
"She looked at you as if she wanted you to be her personal temple," Artemis corrected dryly.
"Is there something that I said?" Bell murmured, very quietly.
Hestia let out a chuckle, her first genuine one since he'd returned. And finally, the atmosphere around the three of them began to feel a little lighter.
…
The morning in Orario was calm, and the air had a pleasant coolness that made everything seem a little more bearable. Bell adjusted the hilt of his sword on his hip and made sure Artemis's spear was securely fastened on his back.
Beside him, Hestia walked with a relaxed gait, noticeably more animated than the day before. She was humming a short tune, her hands clasped behind her back and her expression carefree.
"Where are we going?" Bell asked, breaking the silence.
"We're going to visit a friend of mine," Hestia replied matter-of-factly.
Bell looked at her sideways.
"Is it another god?"
"Yes," she nodded with a smile. "Takemikazuchi. I just found out he's in Orario. He's a good guy."
Bell frowned slightly, thinking.
"I don't know him."
"Well, then it's about time," she said cheerfully. "Besides, it's good for you to meet more gods who don't try to kill you, manipulate you, or use monsters to 'impress' you."
Bell let out a soft snort.
"Yeah… I still don't know if that last one counts as a failed date or an attempted murder."
"A bit of both," Artemis murmured from the spear.
Bell rolled his eyes with a tired smile.
"Well, at least Takemikazuchi-sama sounds more normal."
"Sort of," Hestia said, shrugging. "He's pretty serious, but he's a good person. And his familia, too. I want to check on them."
Bell nodded. After everything that had happened lately, a little peace didn't sound so bad.
"It's okay. It'll be good to meet someone new who doesn't want to… you know."
"Adopt you? Kidnap you? Marry you?"
Bell glanced at her. Hestia laughed.
"I just want to say hi," he added, more softly. "Like old times."
The journey took them to a more secluded district of Orario, where the buildings had a very different style from the rest of the city. Curved roofs, well-maintained dark wood, and small stone gardens marked the influence of the Far East.
Bell watched everything with curiosity as he followed Hestia, who walked with a determined stride until she stopped in front of a discreet but harmonious residence. There was a small paper lantern hanging by the entrance, and a bell that jingled softly when Hestia touched the sliding door.
Only a few seconds passed before he slid smoothly to the side, revealing a man of athletic build, simple clothes, and a serene expression. His dark hair was pulled back and he had a sober, almost disciplined presence.
His eyes widened in surprise at the sight of the visitor.
"Hestia," he said with a mixture of amazement and genuine joy. "I didn't expect to see you here."
She smiled broadly, taking a small step forward.
"What's up, Take? Can't I stop by to see an old friend without it being an emergency?"
Takemikazuchi gave a light laugh.
"Knowing you, I'd say that would be the weird thing."
Then his gaze fell on Bell, and his eyebrow raised slightly.
"And this young man?"
Bell bowed his head respectfully.
"Bell Cranel. I am… part of the Hestia Familia."
"Ah," Takemikazuchi said, looking at him more closely. "I've heard interesting things about you."
Bell tensed a little.
"I hope not everything you heard was… too interesting."
Takemikazuchi smiled slightly, then pushed the door aside.
"Come in. My house is your house too."
Hestia entered with a familiar gait, as if the house welcomed her with open arms.
Bell followed her, carefully observing the details of the interior: the polished wooden floor, the walls decorated with scrolls, and a soft scent of incense floating in the air.
From the spear on her back, Artemis murmured softly:
"I like this place. It's… tidy."
Bell nodded to himself. For once, things seemed to be going smoothly.
Takemikazuchi led them into a traditional living room. The tatami-covered floor exuded cleanliness and serenity. In the center, a low polished wooden table waited, surrounded by cushions. There were no tall pieces of furniture or excessive decorations, only the harmony of the Far East.
Hestia sat down without a second thought, letting out a contented sigh as she sank into the cushion. Bell followed suit more carefully, still adjusting to the sober atmosphere. The spear remained on his back, comfortably crossed.
Takemikazuchi sat on the other side, with the same composure and integrity one would expect from a veteran swordsman. His gaze turned somewhat nostalgic.
"It's been a long time since we've shared a conversation, Hestia. Not since the old days in the Tenkai."
She laughed softly, almost shyly.
"Yeah… it's been a while."
Takemikazuchi crossed his arms, smiling calmly.
"We all used to get together, remember? Although you weren't exactly the life of the party. Always hiding in a corner, looking sleepy."
"Hey!" Hestia protested, her cheeks flushing. "That's an exaggeration!"
Takemikazuchi raised an eyebrow.
"Exaggeration? If I didn't bring a tray of food to you, you'd fall asleep on the first couch you found."
Bell blinked in surprise. Seeing Hestia embarrassed was unusual.
"Really, goddess?" he asked, suppressing a smile.
"I'm just… not one for crowds!" she murmured, hugging a pillow to cover her face. "And I had… limited energy…"
Takemikazuchi gave a quiet but honest laugh.
"That's how you were. Always lazy, but with a huge heart. It doesn't seem like you've changed much."
Hestia peeked her face out from between the cushion, looking at him out of the corner of her eye.
"I'll take that as a compliment."
"You should," he said, then looked at Bell. "Take good care of her, Bell-san. She may look like a mess, but she's worth it."
Bell nodded, serious for a moment.
"I know."
From the spear on her back, Artemis murmured softly:
"Curious… I hadn't seen this side of you, Hestia."
"Shut up!" the goddess replied without looking up, still red as a tomato.
Takemikazuchi blinked, noticing the spear for the first time.
"Did that spear talk?"
"Yes," Hestia replied with resignation. "And she has more opinions than she should."
Takemikazuchi looked more closely at the spear on Bell's back, narrowing his eyes with a mixture of curiosity and suspicion.
"Can I… hold it for a moment?" he finally asked, turning to Bell.
Bell turned his face slightly, as if waiting for a signal.
From the spear, Artemis's soft voice responded calmly.
"Okay, Orion. Allow him."
Bell nodded and carefully removed the spear from his back, handing it to Takemikazuchi with both hands.
The god held it respectfully, as if he already sensed it wasn't just any weapon. For a few seconds, he turned it over, examining the texture, the weight, the perfect shape of the metal… and then he stopped.
His fingers tightened slightly around the shaft. His eyes opened slightly wider.
"Wait… this energy…" he murmured. He looked down at the spear and spoke, almost in disbelief. "Artemis?"
A tense silence filled the room for a moment.
The spear responded in a calm voice, although full of melancholy.
"Hello, Takemikazuchi. It's been a long time."
The god of the Far East stood still, his face caught between astonishment and confusion. His tone deepened.
"Are you… trapped on this spear? Why? What happened?"
Bell looked down, uncomfortable.
"It's… complicated."
Takemikazuchi stared at the weapon, as if he could see beyond its surface. He stroked the edge reverently, as if touching the shadow of an old friend.
"I can't believe this. Artemis, of all the goddesses… how did you end up like this?"
There was a brief pause before Artemis's voice returned, softer this time.
"It wasn't exactly my decision… But after my mortal body disappeared, I ended up staying here. I don't know for how long… but at least I can stay by his side a little longer."
The silence that followed was different: less tense, more introspective.
Takemikazuchi looked at her with renewed astonishment. Finally, he spoke in a low voice.
"You were always stubborn."
With great care, he handed the spear back to Bell, who received it with both hands.
"But I never thought you would go this far."
Bell placed it back on his back respectfully.
"Me neither," he admitted, "but… I'm grateful."
Takemikazuchi didn't respond immediately. He just nodded thoughtfully before looking back at Hestia, as if he had even more questions on his mind.
Takemikazuchi remained silent for a few more seconds, staring at the spear now sheathed again on Bell's back. Then he let out a small sigh, accompanied by a resigned smile.
"Well… as long as you feel comfortable in there, Artemis, I guess I have no right to complain."
From the spear, the goddess's voice responded with an almost imperceptible warmth:
"Thank you, Takemikazuchi. It's strange… but for now, I'm at peace."
Hestia, who had remained silent during that exchange, smiled tenderly and leaned back a little, crossing her arms behind her head.
"I knew you'd take it well. You were always more reasonable than most."
Takemikazuchi chuckled, not hiding a hint of irony.
"Compared to you? That's no small feat."
"Hey!" Hestia protested, puffing out her cheeks.
Bell couldn't help but let out a short laugh.
Just as the conversation began to wind down, the distinctive sound of sliding doors came from the hallway.
Takemikazuchi looked up calmly.
"Ah, there are my children."
A female voice came forward, forceful but respectful.
"We're back, Takemikazuchi-sama!"
Hestia turned around with a smile.
"Just in time."
One by one, the members of the Takemikazuchi family entered: Mikoto, with her solemn and serious demeanor; Chigusa, more discreet and nervous; Ouka, firm and stern-faced; and finally Asuka, who greeted them with a slight bow.
But as soon as their eyes fell on the figure of Bell, sitting next to Hestia and still with the spear on his back, the four of them stopped in their tracks.
The atmosphere froze.
Bell, puzzled by the reaction, blinked slowly.
"…Hello?"
Mikoto was the first to move… or rather, to fall.
"I'm so sorry!" she cried as he suddenly knelt down, her forehead touching the tatami in impeccable dogeza. "Please forgive us!"
Bell jumped, completely confused.
"Huh?! What?! Why?!"
Ouka and the others hurriedly followed, repeating the bow with a murmur of apology while avoiding looking directly at him.
"What… is going on?" Hestia asked, frowning and looking at Takemikazuchi.
The god of the Far East placed a hand over his face, sighing heavily.
"I think… there's something I need to know."
Bell threw up his hands, agitated.
"No, it's not that bad! It's just that… well, we ran into each other in the dungeon a while back. There was a monster party. They were running away. And, uh… the party ended up with me."
Takemikazuchi slowly turned his head towards his children, still in dogesa, his expression becoming more stern.
"You guys… threw a monster party at this child?"
Mikoto clenched her fists against the ground.
"We didn't mean to! We thought there was no one else, and… and he was there and…"
"And I survived!" Bell interrupted, sweating. "It's all good. Really. I survived. It wasn't that bad. Well, it was bad, but… I don't hold a grudge!"
Takemikazuchi placed a hand on his chest, closing his eyes.
"My children... what a shame."
Bell raised his hands in a sign of peace, nervous but trying to smile.
"Honestly, don't worry so much… It's all in the past now. I'm fine, you see? Whole. No… major scars."
Mikoto didn't dare raise her head. Chigusa was trembling as if she were at a public execution. Ouka muttered something about honor, and Asuka simply resigned herself to her fate.
But Hestia narrowed her eyes and crossed her arms, her smile quickly losing its sweetness.
"Just forgive me like that?" she murmured in an almost theatrical voice. "After they left my Bell-kun in the middle of a monster party…"
Takemikazuchi rubbed his chin, nodding as if assessing a war sentence.
"I agree. It can't be so easily dismissed. What do you propose, Hestia?"
"Hmm… district cleanup for a week. And homemade food for Bell for a whole month."
Chigusa shuddered.
"F-food?! For someone else?!"
Mikoto raised her head slightly, pale as a ghost.
"What if... we apologized every day too? On our knees?"
"That's not necessary!" Bell interrupted, sweating. "Really, I'm over it…"
"And have them write motivational messages for him every morning," Takemikazuchi added with a barely contained smile.
"What kind of punishment is that?!" Bell exclaimed.
Ouka sighed in resignation.
"We can hire a calligrapher…"
Artemis's voice echoed from the spear, amused.
"This is getting more ridiculous than I expected."
Bell was already covering his face with both hands.
"Can I vote against all this…?"
But then Takemikazuchi raised his hand.
"All right, all right. That's enough. As much as I love the sound of those punishments, let's decide on something more practical."
Hestia snorted, but nodded.
"The punishment will be to help Bell with anything he needs during his upcoming dungeon expedition. Providing logistical support, equipment, and, if necessary, escorting him. Okay?"
The Takemikazuchi family members nodded in unison, with a mixture of relief and resignation.
Bell lowered his arms.
"Well… that does sound reasonable."
Mikoto bowed again.
"We promise to make up for our mistake, Bell-dono. This time we'll be by your side."
Bell gave them a small smile.
"Thank you. I really appreciate that."
Takemikazuchi nodded with a slight smile.
"That's the way to talk. Justice. Although… I'm still tempted by motivational messages."
Bell turned to the group, his tone more focused, though still friendly.
"Well… since we're all here, and it seems we've made peace… how about we take the opportunity to talk about the next expedition?"
The atmosphere, still tinged with tension from the apology, changed immediately. Mikoto straightened, her expression serious, and Ouka crossed his arms, nodding.
"Good idea," Takemikazuchi said, settling into his pillow. "There's no better time than when everyone involved is present. Do you have something in mind?"
Bell thought for a moment, then straightened, as if he had come to an important conclusion.
"Actually, I've been considering another objective for the expedition," he said, looking at the group. "How about we go to Rivira?"
There was a brief silence, followed by a confused look from Takemikazuchi, who raised an eyebrow.
"Rivira, you say? That's no small target, Bell-dono," he said, clearly worried. "Not for a Level 1. And you…"
Hestia smiled calmly
"He's not level 1, Take" she replied with a smile. "Bell is a level 2."
Surprise was evident on Takemikazuchi's face, as he fell silent for a moment, looking at Bell with even more interest.
"Level 2?" he repeated, surprising his familia members as well. "That… changes things."
Hestia, seeing that the situation was unclear, quickly intervened.
"Exactly! He's no rookie, Takemikazuchi," he explained, smiling proudly. "He's already skilled enough to handle the higher floors, and Rivira is within his capabilities. Besides, he won't be alone; we have your family's full support."
Takemikazuchi thought for a moment, assessing the situation, and finally nodded, a little more relaxed.
"That changes everything. If it's already Level 2 and you have support, then the goal becomes more reasonable. With my children's support, and knowing there's a safety net, the trip to Rivira shouldn't be so complicated. I just don't want the dangers to be underestimated."
Bell smiled with relief, knowing the plan was beginning to take shape.
"Thank you, Takemikazuchi-sama. With all of you supporting me, I know I can do it."
Hestia approached Bell and hugged him briefly.
"Well said! But remember, Bell, don't forget to rest too. The journey isn't all about fighting."
Bell nodded, his resolve undimmed.
"I promise."
Takemikazuchi stood up from his cushion, looking at each of those present seriously.
"So, if everything is clear, we'll meet in the square in front of the Tower of Babel in two days," he said, with a firmness that indicated there would be no doubt about the plan. "That will give us enough time to prepare and make sure everyone has what they need."
The Takemikazuchi family and Bell exchanged smiles and nods. Although the tone was light, the seriousness of the upcoming challenge was not lost on anyone.
"Then it's settled," Takemikazuchi said. "See you in two days. In the plaza in front of the Tower of Babel. Be prepared for whatever comes."
With that, the group began to stand up and prepare for their respective duties before the final encounter.
Bell looked at Hestia, who smiled at him proudly.
"Everything will be okay, Bell. Just remember, you're not alone in this."
Bell nodded, his gaze fixed on the future, determined to do whatever was necessary to be ready for what was coming.