Danmachi: Is It Wrong to Be the Main Character in Orario?

Tsubaki didn't actually know much about Bell's whereabouts. Her contact with him was limited—usually only when preparing materials for Rune Stones. There was rarely a chance to meet him intentionally.

She knew better than anyone that Bell was notoriously elusive. Unless he came to you first, it was nearly impossible to track him down.

Ais's expression showed a hint of disappointment upon hearing that.

"Finn and the others don't know either? From what I've seen, Finn interacts with Bell more than anyone else."

"Mm."

Ais gave a small, resigned shake of her head. She wanted so badly to speak with Bell Cranel, but the right opportunity just never came.

When it came to her parents, she had a feeling that she wouldn't just need Finn and the others—she would need Bell Cranel's help specifically.

Even she had begun to sense it.

There was only one person who could stand at her side and show that strength to her parents. She didn't believe in ganging up on others. That wouldn't be a direct confrontation—it would just be an unfair beatdown.

Even if they won that way, it wouldn't match the expectations her father and mother had placed on her.

That was why she'd always hoped for someone who could face them with her, side by side.

"Sword Princess, are you looking for Bell because it's something important?"

"Yes."

Ais never hid her intentions, and her words were as plain and emotionless as always.

"I need his help."

This was the first time Tsubaki had ever heard the Sword Princess say something like that. But then again, Bell really wasn't like anyone else. In a way, he was the most special kind of person.

Hearing that the Sword Princess needed Bell's help made her want to lend a hand too—for the girl who had lost her smile while growing up.

"If it's really important, I'll mention it to him if I run into him. You could also try asking Loki-dono. Your Familia is close with Hestia's, so with Loki-dono's help, you'd probably be able to meet Bell."

"Loki... I don't think she wants me to meet Bell Cranel."

"Ah..."

Because Loki-dono's a total perv.

Of everyone in the Loki Familia, the one with the strongest possessiveness over the Sword Princess was Loki herself. She constantly kept an eye on any guy who might get close to Ais, like a mother hen guarding her chicks.

No... in Loki's case, it was more like a weasel with its eyes glued to a chick, drooling the whole time. If the chick weren't so small, the weasel would've already gone in for the kill.

Loki definitely wouldn't hesitate to go for it—but whether she'd survive Ais afterward was another story.

Tsubaki couldn't help but rant in her heart.

She snapped back to the moment and steered the conversation in a different direction.

After all, it wasn't exactly polite to call someone else's Familia God an old perv—true as it might be.

"Actually, Sword Princess, there's another way you might try. Something... a bit special."

Tsubaki leaned in close and whispered in Ais's ear.

"Oh..."

Ais's eyes lit up as she listened. She took a deep breath and was about to speak when Tsubaki clamped a hand over her mouth.

"Idiot! If you say it out loud, it won't be a threat anymore!"

"Hm?"

"Keep your voice down. As quiet as you can. From what I know, Bell's usually nearby, watching. Just keep your voice low and you'll draw him out."

Ais gave a small nod, still muffled under Tsubaki's hand.

But before she could pull it away, the space around them began to distort.

They tried to move, but their bodies were suddenly frozen—helpless as the distortion swallowed them whole.

The moment they could move again, both of them sprang into alert stances.

"Sword Princess, Tsubaki... still not used to it?"

The voice made them pause for a second, and then it hit them—there was only one person in all of Orario who could do something like this.

Only one.

That's when they realized they'd been transported to a strange room, and standing before them was the very person they had been trying to find.

"Bell!"

"Bell Cranel."

This time, Bell wasn't wearing his cloak, mask, or gloves—just his regular clothes.

Very few people had seen him like this, probably no more than a handful. And that was mostly back when he first arrived in Orario.

When dealing with others, Bell always kept himself wrapped up, just in case. In Orario, you had to be careful with everything—danger could strike from anywhere.

"Tsubaki, next time, please don't teach anyone how to find me. And also, don't go spreading anything about me and Hestia."

"Got it, got it. Sorry, I won't teach anyone that method again."

"Seriously... I need you to be a bit more careful. The relationship between gods and ordinary people in Genkai is complicated, and it often leads to major problems."

Bell's repeated reminders left Tsubaki feeling a little guilty. She'd only told the Sword Princess that special trick because she could tell how anxious she was.

Once a god and an adventurer become too close, things get messy. After all, their lifespans are completely different. That difference alone is the biggest wall between them.

That's why most relationships between gods and adventurers are viewed with skepticism. It's also why such relationships—between gods and children of Genkai—are treated as taboo. These are matters kept within their own Familia. There are things that neither gods nor adventurers want outsiders to know.

Even though Bell understood that some people would inevitably learn about his bond with Hestia, he still wanted to keep it contained—not let it become common knowledge across all of Orario.

"So, why go to all this trouble to find me?"

Bell turned his eyes to the Sword Princess. After all, this was all because of her.

"Let me say this first—I'm only Lv. 2. Don't even think about asking me to fight the Black Dragon or anything. I have no intention of dying young."

Ais already knew that was out of the question.

Forget Bell Cranel—even she wouldn't be foolish enough to take on the Black Dragon right now.

That single roar had made the difference in power all too clear. She wasn't reckless enough to throw her life away like that.

"It's not the Black Dragon. It's my parents."

"I want your help. I need to prove to the parents hiding somewhere in the Dungeon that I have the strength to face them. And for that, I need someone's help."

...

(100 Chapters Ahead)

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