MTLNOVEL Chapter 14: chapter 14
"To rule is to control, and I control everything."
---
Three weeks since joining hestia familia.
---
"Ughh…" A groan escaped Canoe's mouth as a pounding headache crashed against his skull, like a smith hammering a weapon.
Slowly, he lifted his head. His vision was blurry for a few moments before adjusting to the dimly lit environment.
"Where… am I?" he muttered, his voice hoarse. The unfamiliar dark room sent a shiver down his spine. The only source of light came from a faintly glowing magic stone lantern hanging above him, casting eerie shadows across the walls.
Instinctively, he tried to stand—only for the sharp clinking of iron to snap his attention downward. Chains. His wrists and ankles were bound to the chair, restricting his every move.
"What the hell?" His breathing quickened as he scanned the room again, panic creeping in. How did he end up here? The last thing he remembered was—
"Fuck!" The realization hit like a sledgehammer. Those two security bastards. They were probably the reason he was in chains.
Oh, he was in deep shit now.
"Is there anyone out there?!" Canoe called out, his voice rising. "Can anyone hear me?!" But silence was the only response, each second stretching the weight of his desperation.
He thrashed against the restraints, twisting and jerking. "HELP!" His voice cracked with alarm. He never should have taken this job. "HEL—"
"Will you shut up already?!" An irritated voice snapped from behind him.
Canoe froze before recognition dawned on him. "GED!" Relief flooded his chest. He wasn't alone. "Untie me, fast! We can overwhelm them together!" He struggled to turn his head, the chains made it impossible to see behind him.
Ged let out a long, exasperated sigh. "You moron, I'm tied up just like you," he muttered. His tone made it clear he had already tried calling for help before Canoe woke up.
"What?!" Panic clawed at Canoe's throat again. "What the hell are we supposed to do!?" He yanked at his restraints, twisting violently in his seat.
"Stop moving, you'll fall," Ged deadpanned. Why couldn't he have been locked in a room alone instead of being stuck back-to-back with this fat idiot?
Canoe ignored him, thrashing harder. With a final lurch forward, the chair tipped over, sending him crashing flat on his face with a painful thud.
"Heh. Told you," Ged chuckled, amused at the mental image of Canoe sprawled out like an idiot.
"Fuck you! I'm getting out of here!" Canoe gritted his teeth and began crawling toward the only door he could see. His chains dragged noisily against the floor, but he ignored them—until he felt a sharp tug. His body jerked to a halt.
"What the—?" He glanced back. Their chairs were tightly chained together, giving them only minimal slack.
"Come on, you loser! Move with me!" Canoe demanded, yanking at the chains. He wasn't just going to sit here and wait for whoever had captured them to do God-knows-what.
Crreeeaaak
The sound of a door opening made Canoe freeze. His frantic struggles halted as his head snapped toward the source.
A white-haired teen stepped inside, his calm stride carrying an air of amusement. "Ho~? We have an energetic one here." His voice was smooth, almost playful.
Canoe immediately tried to back away. "Stay the hell back, you bastard!" he spat.
The newcomer paid him no mind. Instead, he reached down, gripping Canoe's chair effortlessly and lifting it upright.
"You wouldn't want to miss the show," he chuckled, positioning Canoe to face Ged.
Beside Ged's chair was a small wooden table. Canoe's stomach twisted at the sight—laid across it were an assortment of tools, from a hammer to a small saw.
His breath hitched. The colors leaving his face. His pulse pounded in his ears. "H-Hey, man! Look, you can just let us go, alright? We won't bother you again, we swear—!?"
A cloth muffled the rest of his frantic plea as the albino pressed it against his mouth.
"What a nuisance," the teen muttered irritably. He removed his lounge, setting it down neatly on the table before turning his attention to Ged. With ease, he spun Ged's chair to face Canoe.
"So, Ged," he murmured, his fingers hovering over the array of tools. "Last time, I didn't have the time to go rough with you." A slow, menacing pause. "Don't expect to be unscathed today."
"Fuck you!" Ged spat, his glare burning with fury.
The teen chuckled humorously while picking a thin blade from the table. "Did you know," he mused, twirling the blade between his fingers, "that the human body has about forty-five miles of nerves?"
Canoe's breathing turned ragged. His eyes darted frantically around the room, searching for an escape—anything.
The white-haired teen chuckled at his desperation before turning back to Ged. He pressed the knife lightly against Ged's exposed arm, watching as the man flinched.
"With the right technique," his voice dropped to a whisper, his smirk turning cold, "I can make sure you feel every inch of them—slowly."
---
'It's raining.'
Ryuu Lion, alias Gale, watched the gentle drops fall from the slowly darkening sky, the last rays of the setting sun casting a golden glow over the city.
It was a calming sight.
She sat alone on a bench in a small public park, her maid uniform slowly dampening as the rain soaked through. She silently regretted not accepting Syr's offer of an umbrella.
This sudden call for a meeting was unlike Perseus. She usually arranged things more meticulously.
But that didn't matter. What mattered was that she had new information she was willing to share—information about the remnants of that loathsome faction.
Ryuu wouldn't miss a chance to cleanse the world of their disgusting existence. To let her fallen comrades rest in peace.
"Sorry to keep you waiting, Gale."
Perseus's voice broke through Ryuu's thoughts. She turned toward the familiar sound.
Asfi approached, her cloak pulled tightly around her to keep the rain off. Without hesitation, she took a seat beside Ryuu, her gaze flickering to the elf before silence settled between them.
Ryuu sighed, impatient. "Did you call me here just to ruin my uniform?" she muttered, her tone clipped. She wanted to get this over with.
Asfi didn't bother responding to the remark. Instead, she reached into her bag, pulling out a set of documents. "I have evidence that this group was connected to the Dark Faction." She handed Ryuu the papers. "Take a look."
Ryuu took them, her eyes scanning the contents. The information was thorough—shipments, names, locations. The most recent documents dated back five years ago, referencing arms deals with the… Rudra Familia.
Her grip on the papers tightened. "A Familia, or just a few bottom-feeders?" she asked, her voice cold with disdain.
Asfi hesitated before responding. "It's a network of gangs consisting of multiple members from different Familias," she explained carefully. "So far, we have no evidence of an entire Familia's involvement."
Ryuu considered the answer. She could tell Perseus was holding something back. A frustrating reality. But she was the only reliable source Ryuu had in tracking down the remnants of Evilus.
"I'll handle them."
Her voice was ice. She stood without another word and strode toward the park's exit, the papers still in hand.
Asfi watched her go, debating the wisdom of handing Gale such sensitive information.
With a sigh, she rose as well. "I hope this draws them out further," she murmured to herself, heading in the opposite direction.
She didn't want Gale slipping into full vengeance mode against the Anansi Familia. They needed more than just loose connections—concrete evidence of their involvement with the recent experiments.
For now, the immediate task was done. But Asfi had another concern looming over her.
The mysterious white-haired adventurer.
She had arranged a meeting with one of their most trusted informants, hoping for any lead that could help track him down.
The person was like a ghost.
Finding him was turning into quite a headache.
---
"Little Miss."
Lili heard someone call behind her. Her eyes landed on the owner of the voice, scanning him cautiously.
A man in a suit stepped forward, his expression uneasy—stiff, even. A bodyguard, she assumed.
Lili was inside a bar in the eastern districts of Orario. Bell-sama had requested that she meet him here, though she didn't know why.
The establishment was nothing special—run-down, with an almost shady atmosphere at this late hour. It was nearly empty, save for a few staff members cleaning the tables.
Lili wasn't fond of bars, if she was being honest. But she wouldn't ignore Bell-sama's request.
Faced with this uneasy-looking stranger only minutes after entering, she had a strong suspicion that this was Bell-sama's doing.
"Yes?" she answered politely, keeping her tone careful so as not to slip up.
Bell-sama had been kind enough to… teach her how to behave around unknown people.
Not that she wasn't already good at it.
"He's waiting. Follow me." The guard's words were short and clipped as he turned toward the back of the bar, his steps slightly quick.
Lili raised an eyebrow but followed without question. She had a good idea of who 'he' was.
Though… does Bell-sama know the owner of this place? He hadn't mentioned any of these preparations to her.
Upon reaching the back, the guard headed toward the staircase. But instead of going up, he pressed against the wall beside it, revealing a hidden entrance beneath the stairs.
A spandrel.
Lili's sharp eyes picked up the staircase leading downward—likely toward a basement.
She eyed the guard, who now looked at her expectantly. When he made no move to guide her further, she cautiously stepped inside.
"Little Miss…"
The guard's voice made her stop in her tracks.
He hesitated for a moment before simply waving his hand dismissively. "Forget it." And with that, he turned and left, leaving Lili alone.
"This is not suspicious at all," she muttered dryly.
Still, she wouldn't doubt Bell-sama's intentions. Not after everything he had done for her.
Reaching a door at the end of the staircase, she slowly pushed it open.
Creeeak
The hinges groaned, the sound grating against her ears.
"Umm…" Lili peeked inside, her eyes adjusting to the dim lighting provided by a single magic stone lantern.
"B-Bell-sama…?" she called hesitantly, stepping forward.
A sharp, metallic scent invaded her nose.
Her eyes darted around the room, catching a glimpse of... red?
Blood!?
"Hngh—!" A muffled cry.
Lili's breath hitched. Her eyes widened in alarm. "W-what…?" she whispered, voice trembling.
Soaked in deep crimson, two figures sat strapped to chairs, their heads covered by dirty old cloths.
One of them seemed to be still breathing—if only barely.
Her gaze trailed downward, and her stomach churned violently at the sight.
A severed tail along with fingers scattered near his chair.
Lili clamped a hand over her mouth, fighting the rising nausea. "W-what is happening!?" She staggered back, her heart hammering. "B-B-Bell-sama?!"
Did he… did he do this?
"Lili."
Her entire body jolted at the voice behind her. "Ahh!" She flinched, her legs catching on something, making her fall onto the cold, blood-streaked floor.
Frantic, she whipped her head toward the source of the voice.
"B-Bell-sama…?" Her breath hitched further as she took in the sight before her.
Bell-sama was wearing what likely use to be a white shirt, now the white of it was barely visible.
But what unsettled her most was the smile on his face.
Calm. Unfaltering.
"I'm so happy you managed to come." Bell-sama turned toward the bound figures, his steps unhurried, almost casual. "I have a surprise for you!"
Lili's frantic gaze never left him, her lips trembling as she took in the scene. "B-Bell…?"
Her voice was unsure—lost.
With a soft, almost gentle motion, he pulled off the cloths covering their heads. "Surprise, Lili."
Her breath caught in her throat.
"Canoe-sama…?" She recognized him immediately. She could never forget that bastard's face.
"Mmph! MMPH!" Canoe thrashed against his restraints, his terrified eyes locking onto hers—begging.
Her gaze shifted to the other figure.
Ged...
Unlike Canoe… he was already gone. His lifeless body slumped in the chair, motionless.
A cold shiver ran down her spine.
"Lili." Bell-sama's voice cut through the haze in her mind, drawing her attention back to him.
He reached for the table beside the bodies and picked up a bloodied knife.
"Why did you betray us in the dungeon?" His tone was calm. Almost… sad.
"Mmmph!" Canoe flinched violently, his muffled protests growing more frantic.
Bell-sama turned back to her, stepping toward her. "What could be the reason that you willingly betrayed me?"
Lili trembled, her throat tightening. "I… I…"
Bell-sama crouched beside her, his voice softer now. "Tell me the truth. Please."
Lili swallowed hard.
"I… I needed the money," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.
"And why did you need the money?"
His tone remained patient. Steady.
Lili clenched her fists, looking down in shame. "M-my Familia…" she began, gritting her teeth as faint tears trickled down her cheeks. "Lili wants to leave the Soma Familia… To be free, Lili needs money for that!"
The weight of her selfish wish crushed her. She squeezed her eyes shut, bracing for the disgust she knew he would feel.
But instead—
Bell-sama pulled her into a gentle embrace, catching her off guard.
"B-Bell-sama!?" she stammered, face red with confusion.
"No one came to save you," he whispered. "I understand that." His voice was so soft. So… understanding.
"How scared you must've been. All alone, with no one to turn to." He tightened the embrace, his words striking something deep within her.
Lili's vision blurred. "B-Bell-sama…" she choked.
"From now on, you'll be okay. Because I am here." He helped her up.
And then, gently, he placed the knife in her trembling hands, adjusting it to point at Canoe's terrified face.
"But I need you to help me with this one task."
Lili's breath hitched at the implication.
"N-No… L-Lili can't…"
Bell-sama's smile faded, sadness flickering in his eyes. "Lili, isn't Canoe the one who stole your belongings?"
Her heart pounded. 'H-how did he know that?' she thought.
He must have forced the truth out of them.
The thought sent shivers down her spine.
Bell-sama's voice grew colder. "Wasn't Canoe the reason you had to work for those awful people? The reason you had to betray me?"
Lili squeezed her eyes shut, not wanting to hear it anymore.
"It's all his fault." Bell-sama's unflinching voice still reached her.
The last remnants of resistance crumbled.
Bell-sama was right. It was all Canoe's fault.
Her grip on the knife tightened. The blade felt cold, heavy in her grip. She took a shaky step toward Canoe, his desperate muffled cries growing louder as she drew closer. His eyes pleaded for mercy, glistening with terror.
But there would be no mercy. He hadn't shown her any when she'd begged him for it.
With a shaky, trembling hand, she plunged the dagger into his chest.
"Mmpphhh!" He screamed, expression one of horror and pain, muffled agony filling the room as his blood coated her hands.
She withdrew the blade, her grip tightening as she stabbed him again.
And again.
And again.
AND AGAIN!
A hand stopped her. Bell-sama's hand.
"Well done," he murmured, that warm smile back in place.
Unable to contain herself, she broke down, burying her face in his chest as she sobbed.
"It's okay," he soothed, stroking her hair. "I'm here. I'll always be here for you."
Inwardly, All For One smirked, his eyes glinting coldly as they shifted back to the mangled corpses of the two idiots.
His perfect pawn has shaped up well. Now, it was time to place her exactly where he needed her.
'Oh, little supporter, you are my ticket for a very promising business.'
---
Hestia sighed.
The goddess of hearth and home was doing that a lot these days.
She couldn't help it—her only child had become quite the headache.
It had been three weeks since he joined her Familia as her first child, and almost over one week since the last time she had a real conversation with him.
He was mostly away now, either deep in the dungeon or off to heavens-knows-where until well past sunset.
So much for being the goddess of hearth and home when her only child barely came home at all.
Being the overly concerned type, she stayed up until he returned, hoping to give him the warmth of home. As the goddess of the hearth, she wanted to make him feel at ease and never alone.
But Bell-kun seemed to come home only for status updates, then go straight to bed to get ready for yet another day in the dungeon with his new party member.
He was also probably out flirting with those girls in the red-light district! She smelled women's perfume on him yesterday, and there was a woman's hair on his new suit!
Though he denied it, insisting he was "busy earning us money," she couldn't shake the suspicion.
Could he be… selling himself for money? Some women do prefer their men cute and cuddly like her Bell-kun...
The thought made her shiver.
Still, she could see he was working hard, bringing in money to support them. Maybe it was her fault for being broke—he was probably exhausting himself to keep them both afloat.
That thought left her feeling a bit ashamed for letting her child shoulder so much of their burdens alone.
Suddenly, she heard footsteps coming down the staircase.
Finally, Bell-kun had decided he'd had enough of women and came home.
Her delinquent brat.
"I'm back," Bell said softly as he reached the bottom of the stairs, his expression blank as ever. He was carrying a small white box with a blue ribbon.
Delinquent! Getting gifts for the girls he's visiting!
"Oh~ look who finally decided to 'grace' his goddess with his presence," she greeted him in a chilly, almost threatening tone, making it clear she wasn't a fan of his late-night returns.
He sighed. "This again?"
"This again," she repeated, crossing her arms. "Where were you this time, huh? I know you're up to something in the red district. Just admit it already! That box is making it even more obvious! If I ever get my hands on those girls, I'll—" She launched into her usual rant, shaking her finger at him as she described all the ways she'd "have a chat" with those women.
Bell's expression didn't change; he just looked at her with an exasperated "I'm too old for this" look.
Rude child!
"—so stop visiting those places, or else!" she finished, jabbing her finger in his direction.
Bell's blank expression remained unfazed as he slowly approached her and… handed her the box.
"W-What's this?" she asked, momentarily distracted by the unexpected gesture.
"I heard there's a banquet for the gods. You got invited, right? I don't want you making us look poor. How you present yourself is important," he lazily said while heading toward the bed, getting ready to get updated.
Did Bell-kun just imply her outfits were shabby?
She peeked into the box and found an elegant blue dress, neatly packed with an intricate necklace with a blue gemstone in its center.
"It suits your eye color," Bell added, already in bed, waiting for her to come and update him.
Her cheeks flushed. Bell-kun had bought her a dress…?
She quickly set the box near the closet and tried to focus on updating his status, her face still a bit warm.
With a small cough, she attempted to play it cool. "Y-you didn't have to do that, Bell-kun! But I'm happy that you're buying your goddess gifts! You've finally softened up a bit from that grumpy attitude of yours," she added, feeling a bit sheepish.
"Can you finish it already? I'm busy tomorrow," he replied in an emotionless tone.
So much for his grumpiness fading.
"Where's the polite boy I met that day?" she muttered, clearly not liking this change. She missed the earlier version of Bell-kun that was actually pleasant—aside from when he thought she was a prostitute.
Bell responded with an audible sigh and said nothing, which only added to her frustration.
Ungrateful child! No respect for his goddess!
She pricked her finger, letting a drop of blood fall onto his back to begin the Falna update. The faint glow of the ritual allowed her to focus on his progress so far. His skills and spells had made him a formidable adventurer for a Level One, but she doubted he'd stand a chance against a Level Two.
She pressed a sheet of paper to his back to imprint the status so he could read it.
She could tell he loved seeing his progress, but somehow she doubted he'd be thrilled with this update.
---
Bell Cranel: Level 1 Adventurer
Strength: 232 → 234 G
Endurance: 116 → 119 H
Dexterity: 108 → 110 H
Agility: 168 → 172 H
Magic: 100 → 105 H
Skills:
All For One, Feral Clarity, Durak'gor
Magic:
Fireball, Raijin
---
"It's getting slower," Bell muttered, sounding mildly irritated, though his expression barely changed.
Maybe she should try to comfort him a bit. "Bell-kun," she said gently, catching his attention. "You're progressing very quickly for a Level One. You're practically one in a thousand, maybe even rarer," she added, her tone slightly proud. "But you have to understand that sometimes you won't get the exact results you want."
His expression suddenly looked bored.
Ungrateful brat! That's what she gets for trying to comfort him.
"My point!" she added quickly, forcing a smile to hide her irritation. "Don't expect to get the same amount of progress from killing monsters like you did when you first encountered them."
Bell's expression turned slightly annoyed, but he responded with a quiet, "I'll keep that in mind." With that, he stood and moved to the couch, settling down with an old blanket.
She sighed again, watching as he wrapped himself in the blanket.
Well, she should head to bed too. After all, she had a banquet to attend tomorrow.
---
It was early in the morning, and All For One strode toward the dungeon entrance, his mind lingering on the results from his status update with Hestia the previous night. Once again, the progress was meager—his physical body stubbornly refusing to grow at the pace he required. This body's limitations are becoming an intolerable obstacle.
To counterbalance these setbacks, he knew he had to expand his arsenal, find something unique to exploit, and compensate for this frail body's failings. If he couldn't achieve pure physical dominance, then versatility would have to be his strength for now.
As he passed through the city, the usual throngs of civilians and adventurers alike buzzed around him. Fragments of idle chatter drifted his way, piquing his attention but not his interest.
"This year's festival is going to be exciting, I can tell!" an overly cheerful brown-haired girl gushed to her friend, her tone almost nauseatingly enthusiastic.
The girl's friend, a dog-eared girl with a bored expression, rolled her eyes. "It's the same every year," she muttered in a disinterested tone. "Who cares about watching monsters?"
All For One moved past them without so much as a glance. Monsters? That casual mention echoed in his mind for a fleeting moment, though he dismissed it.
He could investigate this later, if necessary.
---
"That was quite the experience," muttered Hestia bitterly as she entered the Ganesha Familia headquarters, where the banquet was being held.
The entrance, oddly enough, was through the crotch of a giant statue of Ganesha himself.
And to think she used to make fun of poor Helios for his colossus statue.
As she entered the banquet hall, she noticed many familiar faces already there. She could spot Takemikazuchi chatting with that perv Hermes.
"Oh, Hestia, is that you?" a familiar voice called from behind. She turned to see the owner of the voice, only to be greeted by two... giant melons.
As expected from the goddess of agriculture and harvest.
Looking up, she met Demeter's warm smile.
"Oh, Demeter. Sorry, I couldn't see you behind those," she replied, returning the smile.
Demeter wore a floor-length cream-colored gown with an off-the-shoulder ruffled neckline, a soft coral-pink lining peeking through at the hem, and long white gloves. There was also a subtle wheat emblem embroidered on her dress.
"You look lovely," Hestia complimented honestly.
With a small, innocent laugh, Demeter replied, "You're even lovelier! That dress suits you a lot."
Hestia wore the dress Bell-kun had bought for her for the banquet: a blue, floor-length gown with off-the-shoulder sleeves and floral accents along the neckline and waist, paired with an intricate necklace with a shining blue gemstone at its center, and white gloves reaching her elbows. She had also gone for a looser hairstyle.
She had to admit—Bell had picked a beautiful one.
Hestia's face flushed a little at Demeter's compliment. "W-well, it was a gift from my child, so I thought to wear it for this occasion," she said with a nervous smile.
"Oh~ Hestia finally got herself a man!" Demeter exclaimed. Thankfully, no other goddesses overheard.
"D-Demeter! Shut up! It's not like that!" Hestia replied, her face now completely flushed. Why was she spreading rumors?!
Demeter just laughed it off. "Alright, alright. I'll leave you be, Hestia," she said, smiling as she turned toward a figure that Hestia could make out to be Dionysus, who waved at her.
Hestia waved back but quickly refocused on the most interesting thing about this banquet: the buffet.
Target locked. Time to enjoy herself.
---
"Welf, can you enlighten me on the purpose of this?" All For One inquired, his curiosity evident as he observed a group of adventurers hauling caged monsters. It was an unusual sight, one that intrigued him.
He and Welf were heading back to the surface after another gruesome dive in the dungeon. It was late, and Hestia was probably at that gods' banquet.
Welf looked over. "Oh, those? I think they're collecting monsters for the festival—Monsterphilia," he answered casually.
Monsterphilia? So that was the name of the festival those annoying girls were talking about.
But why would a society dedicated to eradicating monsters hold a festival about monsters?
"And what is Monsterphilia?" he inquired further. He should have been aware of it long ago if it was important.
Welf chuckled. "I forgot you're new around here. It's a relatively new thing; it's basically a festival about taming monsters. The Ganesha Familia runs it. They're skilled monster tamers, you know? It's crazy!" He sounded amazed at the prospect of taming monsters.
A festival about taming monsters named Monsterphilia? Strange naming.
"Look, that cage is holding a pack of hellhounds. It'd be hilarious to see a hellhound shepherding cattle, huh?" Welf laughed at his own joke, while All For One cracked a small smile.
Hellhounds, huh? He recalled Eina mentioning that they had magic—an intense fire-breathing attack that could reduce even some Level 2 adventurers to cinders with a direct hit.
Salamander wool, a fire-resistant fabric imbued with the power of salamanders, was recommended by the Guild as a countermeasure, especially because the monster preferred to attack in groups.
An attack that strong would certainly be useful in future encounters.
All For One's expression turned thoughtful, his curiosity apparent. I wonder... he mused quietly.
---
Hestia was finishing up a small Far Eastern snack, holding a glass of wine in her other hand.
She couldn't exactly dive into the buffet; Bell-kun had made it clear that she should not "make them look like hungry barbarians," as he'd put it.
Damn it, Bell-kun! Let her enjoy herself!
"Hestia," a soft, familiar voice sounded from behind her. "It's been a long time."
Oh no. It's her.
She turned around, forcing a smile. "Freya," she said. "Yes, it's been a while." Freya was the last goddess she wanted to chat with right now. If only she could spot Hephaestus.
Freya wore a sleek, form-fitting white gown with a deep V-neckline and sheer long sleeves, accented with a layered gemstone necklace that caught every bit of light. She was practically a magnet for all the men around her.
"How have you been?" Freya asked, her tone polite but unmistakably interested.
"I was better when you weren't here," Hestia replied bluntly.
"Oh, am I interrupting something?" Freya's tone made it clear she wasn't sorry in the slightest.
Actually, Hestia was looking for Hep-chan while conveniently standing by the buffet table. "As a matter of fact, yes," she replied, unfazed.
Freya responded with a lighthearted laugh. "I've always liked you, Hestia. The way you speak and behave is… refreshing."
Hestia was about to respond when a distant voice interrupted.
"Freyaaaa!"
She looked over to see... a moving flat pavement!?
Oh. It's just Loki.
Loki quickly reached them and immediately started to mess with her. "Hi there, shrimp. I almost didn't see you down there."
"What are you doing here?" Hestia asked, already irritated. She wasn't a fan of Freya, but she'd take her over this annoying flat surface any day.
"What? Am I not allowed to roam around?" Loki smirked, clearly enjoying herself.
Hestia's eye twitched.
"Loki, I must say, you look a little different. It's been ages since I saw you in a dress," Freya said, cutting in before things could escalate.
"Oh, well, I heard there was a certain broke shrimp attending tonight, and I thought I'd show off and have a laugh. Though I'm a bit surprised she could afford a dress," Loki said, sounding a little disappointed.
That set Hestia off. "Huh? At least I don't look like a walking chalkboard. That black dress isn't really showing off anything," she shot back, smirking.
Loki deflated. "What did you say, loli-boobs?!" she spat furiously.
Hestia was ready to engage in a full-blown spat, but a voice cut in.
"You two are at it again?" said a new voice. They turned to see Hephaestus approaching.
"Hep-chan! I've been looking for you!" Hestia said with a delighted smile.
"Tch, I'll let you off easy this time, shrimp. You're lucky I'm busy." Loki scowled as she made her way to the stairs.
"Hey, pavement! Don't show yourself around me again with those pathetic things!" Hestia called after her, chest puffed in victory.
"I'll show you next time, shrimp!" Loki retorted, her sniffing barely audible as she disappeared up the stairs.
Fatality! Hestia totally beat her this time!
Hestia turned to Hephaestus, who was watching with an amused smile.
Hep-chan was wearing a red dress with a plunging neckline and thin straps, accented with a large white rose at the hip, and a white panel running down the center, combined with long white gloves.
"Hep-chan, you look totally feminine today!" Hestia gave her a thumbs-up, happy to see her friend putting in some effort to look ladylike.
The compliment seemed to hit a nerve inside Hephaestus. Is she not feminine all the time? She's a lady, dammit!
But Hephaestus held her composure. "What's that supposed to mean?" she asked, a bit menacingly.
Realizing her mistake, Hestia quickly replied, "I-I meant you look beautiful in that dress."
Hephaestus's expression softened. "Thanks. You look nice too," she said, smiling. "Now, you said you were looking for me? Need more advice on handling your Familia member?"
Freya, who had been silently observing the whole time, finally spoke up.
"You have a Familia member? What's he like?" she asked innocently.
Though it probably wasn't wise to talk about her Familia in front of the goddess who literally steals anyone interesting. But hey, Hestia was dying to brag about her super cute rabbit.
Besides, what's so interesting about Bell-kun apart from his secret skill?
Her eyes sparkled with pride. "You heard right! I have an amazing child!" She hugged herself, smiling. "He's cute and spoils his goddess!" Her Bell-kun was also grumpy at times, but no need to mention that.
"Yeah, he was polite when I met him that day. Bell Cranel, right?" Hephaestus asked, confirming.
Hestia smirked, raising a thumbs-up. "Yup!"
Freya's eyes twitched a bit at the name, a gesture Hestia and Hephaestus did not catch.
"Hephaestus, Hestia, excuse me, but I have to leave now." She turned to Hestia with a smile. "And Hestia, I'm happy to see you've found a good child for yourself." With that, she turned and made her way toward the exit.
Hestia felt a bit unsettled by that last comment. "What was that about?" she asked suspiciously.
Hephaestus only shrugged in response.
Well, maybe it was nothing.
---
"Hey, since the festival is near, let's take a few days off. I'll start finishing your new gear. What do you say?" Welf suggested, carrying a bag of magic stones on his shoulder.
They were nearly at the guild to cash out their magic stones for the day—today's dive had been fruitful, especially after a decent bout of spawn-killing Killer Ants before heading toward the lower floors.
All For One, carrying a bag of his own, considered the suggestion. With this unexpected free time, he realized he could advance a few plans sooner than anticipated.
"Yes, I believe a short break would be pleasant," he agreed, already considering which task he should prioritize.
Ged was disappointingly empty of useful information.
Canoe, on the other hand, had kindly provided him with the location of the people who had hired him through... persuasive measures.
Alternatively, he could go and offer a bit of... guidance to Little Supporter; after all, he needed her in prime condition for the tasks he had planned for her.
Entering the guild, All For One kept his expression carefully neutral, concealing his inner thoughts as he headed toward the exchange booth.
"Bell!" He heard Eina's voice calling from her counter, waving for him to come over.
Another lesson already? She'd mentioned she was out of material for the moment.
Turning to Welf, he said, "Cash out and go on without me. The guild will handle the share." Handing Welf his bag, he made his way over to Eina, who was waiting expectantly.
"Sure, take care, Bell," Welf called after him as he approached Eina.
"Bell! Did you have a good dive?" she asked, her curiosity about his day as lively as ever.
If the bags weren't indication enough, he'd indulge her with a polite answer.
"It was productive. For now, we're staying on the tenth floor until I get my new equipment." His latest status update wasn't particularly impressive; he needed to expand his arsenal if he wanted to delve deeper. That included his armor and weapons.
Eina, concerned as always—perhaps for her record as much as his well-being—offered her customary advice. "You're progressing astonishingly fast, Bell. Most Level One adventurers take years to get to this point. Don't push yourself too hard; you could end up in a dangerous situation."
This again. He resisted the urge to roll his eyes. No need to damage the carefully constructed rapport he'd established with Eina just because she was doing her job.
"I'll keep that in mind. Thanks, Eina," he replied with a smile. "Was there something you needed?" After all, she'd called him over.
Her eyes widened, as if only now remembering. "Oh, right! Sorry!" She rubbed the back of her head, a bit sheepishly.
She pulled a small slip of paper from her pocket and held it up. "I won a ticket for two to Monsterphilia from a little game we staff were playing. I wasn't sure who to invite, so… if you're free…." Her voice trailed off, ending in a shy laugh and a slight blush.
Heh, she really wasn't good at hiding her intentions.
With a practiced smile, he replied, "Of course! I wouldn't dream of turning down a lady." Besides, this made his next move clear.
Her ears turned noticeably pink. "O-Oh, good. Then, uh… see you there, I guess?"
Was she expecting him to refuse?
"Yes, see you there." With that, he headed for the exit.
Before leaving, he glanced back at Eina's counter. She was hiding her face with her hands as a pink-haired girl nudged her playfully.
Not his concern. He had plans to set in motion.
---
"Did Hep-chan really have to leave me alone so soon?" Hestia muttered, her voice carrying a hint of dejection.
The banquet was winding down, its vibrant energy slowly fading as guests began to depart. Hephaestus, one of the more important attendees, had already left, leaving Hestia alone.
It was getting late. She should head home too—Bell-kun was probably waiting for her to update his status.
She turned toward the exit, mentally preparing herself to once again go under the crotch of Ganesha's statue.
Creepy.
On her way, a voice called out from behind her. "Well, well, if it isn't loli-boobs herself."
Hestia's eye twitched. Really? She wasn't in the mood for this.
Turning around, she replied coolly, "Hm? What do you want, you emo poser?"
Standing there was a pale-skinned goddess with sleek, long black hair cascading down her back. She wore a dark, gothic dress that fell to her knees, its hem uneven and wild. The sleeves were long and sheer, patterned like delicate spider webs, perfectly matching her eerie, edgy look.
The goddess's smile faltered slightly at the word "emo," and Hestia couldn't help but smirk at her reaction.
"Nothing," the other goddess replied with a forced smile, stepping closer. "Just wanted a little chat. Let's walk out together; this banquet has run its course."
Hestia sighed inwardly. She'd tolerate this "Emo" for now.
As they walked toward the exit, the goddess spoke up again. "So, Hestia, how have you been?" Her smile was unsettling, a forced expression with a hint of something Hestia couldn't quite place.
Stifling a sigh, Hestia replied, "Fine. And you?" opting for the briefest answer. All she wanted was to get home fast.
The goddess's smile widened, and Hestia could practically feel the coldness in it. "I am perfect. Recently, a good number of my children decided to get killed." She admitted it as casually as discussing the weather. "And then there are my other children who are ignoring my commands. It's fantastic." Her lips twitched—she was clearly not a fan of the changes her familia was undergoing.
A chill ran through Hestia. She knew this goddess could be disturbingly detached, but this was on another level. "I... uh… sorry to hear that?" she replied, unsure of what else to say.
But the goddess only waved it off, her voice laced with sinister delight. "Oh, don't worry. We've already tracked down the culprit," she continued, her eyes glinting with dark satisfaction. "I'll personally make sure that white-haired brat screams."
Hestia stopped in her tracks, her heart skipping a beat as cold dread settled over her.
No... it couldn't possibly be... could it?
The other goddess halted, turning to face Hestia. Her smile faded, replaced by a cold, steely gaze as she leaned in, her voice dropping to a chilling whisper. "Tell your brat that he's not beyond my reach. When the time comes, I will collect what's mine." Straightening, a dangerous smirk crept onto her lips. "And don't interfere, Hestia... unless you'd like an 'accident' to send you back to heaven so soon."
With that, she turned and strode away, leaving Hestia rooted in place, her heart pounding as a deep sense of dread washed over her.
"What have you done, Bell..." she muttered, expression uneasy.
This wasn't good.
---
All For One sat irritably on the couch, waiting for Hestia to return from the banquet. She really was taking her sweet time.
His mind was on his latest goal: Monsterphilia was just a few days away, more than enough time to secure what he needed. He mentally noted to prioritize acquiring a salamander wool set of clothes—he'd need that fire resistance if his Quirk decided not to work.
Footsteps echoed from the staircase leading up from the church's basement, and he straightened slightly. She must be back.
Hestia emerged, wearing the dress he'd bought her so she wouldn't tarnish their familia's image in front of potential pawns—and enemies.
Her expression was troubled. Something must have happened at the banquet.
She met his gaze and walked toward him.
Raising an eyebrow, he began, "Is everything alri—" but was cut off as she threw her arms around him, pressing her face into his chest.
"Why didn't you tell me you were being targeted?" she whispered, her voice trembling.
All For One's mind raced. How had she gotten ahold of that information?
"What are you talking about?" he replied, feigning ignorance. He needed her to reveal more.
"The people you... killed, they were all from the same Familia. I met their goddess at the banquet, Bell—she's after you. Why didn't you tell me?" Her voice cracked, and he felt tears soaking his shirt.
Ah, so that's it.
The Anansi Familia had caught on to Hestia's connection to him—and more than likely knew of the abandoned church as well.
This was troublesome. A lot of his secrets were known to the enemy.
Setting that problem aside momentarily, he turned his focus to Hestia. He could use this threat to keep her in check.
"I didn't want to worry you," he said softly, leaning into her embrace as if seeking comfort.
Hestia sniffed, still clutching him tightly. "I-I worry about you, Bell. Y-You're my only child, my first one... worrying about you is my job, you idiot!" She tightened her grip around him.
He resisted the urge to roll his eyes. Emotional people were such a bother.
"I'll be fine, I promise," he whispered, a soothing assurance to calm her unnecessary panic.
She looked up at him, tearful eyes full of doubt. "B-but—"
"Don't worry about me," he interrupted gently, adding a comforting smile. "I have everything under control. Just know that I'll always come back to you, alive." He tightened the embrace, as to comfort her.
Her expression was unconvinced, but she couldn't do anything about it even if she wanted to.
'Just what I needed,' All For One thought irritably. This location had been compromised. He'd need to find a new base, ideally one that kept his activities even more under wraps.
'Those annoying pests,' he thought in annoyance.
---
The End
---
Updated version: what changed? Long as hell chapter!
I added the torture scene here instead of the previous chapter.
Here's a song I was listening too while editing this:
~You keep me under your spell
It's like I waited too long
But all the scars you can see
They're permanent and I'm not
I want an innocent love
The rest of time
But all the scars you can see when I take my clothes off~