Chapter 42: Shadow of the Behemoth 1

A month had passed since Arry took back control of the resistance.

The Shalzard forces bolstered their capabilities and set forth for the reclamation of their homeland. They descended upon their foes with deft quickness and endless ferocity.

The Shalzard counterattack had begun.

Gaining ground in each encounter. Each skirmish was hard fought as the Warusa war machines became bruised from the endless blows of the resistance forces.

The blaring of cannon fire. The clash of steel against steel. Flesh against flesh. Blood against blood. Warusa had the fury of the Shalzard people seared into their existence.

"CAVALRY! HOLD THE FLANKS! IF THOSE SHALZARDIANS BREAKTHROUGH, WE'RE FINISHED!"

A Warusa commander blared out orders left and right as he desperately tried all he could to direct his forces to defend the city he was assigned to. His subordinates ran in and out of his tent with haste and fear in their eyes.

"Fuck... fuck... JUST HOW DID THOSE BASTARDS REACH HERE SO QUICKLY?!"

The commander shouted in disbelief at what they were currently going through. Numerous reports were sent throughout the Warusa army about the fierce Shalzard force that tore their way from the border with the goal of reaching the nation's capital.

"Numerous defensive lines were drawn to wear them down... any normal forces should be beaten and haggard with that much resistance and movement... BUT THEY'RE STILL SO PERSISTENT!"

The commander slammed his fist onto a table that currently depicted their current battle. The Warusa army was currently engaging the Shalzard forces at the northern gate of an outpost city.

It was the commander's strategy to encircle the Shalzard forces and end the battle swiftly... but as he attempted to draw the Shalzards in and encircle them... his formation was pierced through a single point and his entire strategy collapsed.

"They're so damn quick... reaching city after city in the span of a single night... it's like their army is lightning itself!"

The commander was more versed in slow forms of warfare due to the desert sands obscuring most armies and causing them to slow down... but the Shalzard forces seemed to somehow be able to cover large distances in a short amount of time.

"I know why... it's all because of that horrifying fleet of desert ships!-"

As the commander's voice began to curse the ships that became the thorn in Warusa's side, the accursed craft reminded the desperate commander of its presence with deafening cannon fire.

𝘽𝙊𝙊𝙈... 𝘽𝙊𝙊𝙈... 𝘽𝙊𝙊𝙈... 𝘽𝙊𝙊𝙈... 𝘽𝙊𝙊𝙈... 𝘽𝙊𝙊𝙈

The loud blasts shook the commander with fear as he exited his tent to see the fearsome ships wreak havoc across his army.

Prydwen and the retrofitted raider ships tore through the Warusa army with extreme prejudice. The cannon fire of the warships never seemed to end.

𝘽𝙊𝙊𝙈... 𝘽𝙊𝙊𝙈... 𝘽𝙊𝙊𝙈... 𝘽𝙊𝙊𝙈... 𝘽𝙊𝙊𝙈... 𝘽𝙊𝙊𝙈

The commander despaired as the monstrous crafts loomed over ominously... but the ships weren't the last of his problems.

"I-IT'S HERE- THE TERROR!!!"

Shouts of terror reached the commander's ear from the urban forces that he kept for the city's defense. A blurry silhouette hopping from rooftop to rooftop. Leaving a trail of arrows in his wake.

Where the Shalzard warships instilled fear from the front, a single shadow inflicted terror from back. A nightmare that pushed the Warusa army to essentially fight a battle on two fronts.

The Shalzard army... and a lone warrior who was powerful enough to be an army all by himself.

The commander paled as the warrior's eyes reached him. He had torn a bloody path from the urban centers of the outpost city all the way to his command hub... and he had now reached him, the head of the army.

"No... no... no... no... NO!-"

The commander began to run away as the figure silently watched him. He was the only remaining person alive inside the city walls as the rest of the Warusa army died at the hands of the resistance outside of it.

"... 𝙨𝙞𝙜𝙝"

Removing his cloak, not worrying about the escaping commander, Bell tiredly looked at the bloody trail he had created himself. He no longer had any breaking of will from the sight... he simply wished for the war to come to an end soon.

"This war is significantly shorter than most other large-scale conflicts... I even introduced the war philosophy of Blitzkrieg given that we just needed to tear our way to the capital and possess high-speed artillery through the desert ships... but even this short month has been taxing... "

Bell quietly talked to himself as he soon wished for peace to wash over Shalzard soon.

But he didn't wallow by himself, as another figure soon approached him.

"No more brooding, Bell. Arry is waiting for us to send the clear signal that the city has been cleared"

Freya said as she stood by Bell's side, making sure the vigilante didn't lose himself in another monologue. Holding his hand to reassure him of her presence. To remind him he wasn't alone as he walked through the streets he bloodied with his own two hands.

"... thanks, Freya"

Bell smiled lightly as the goddess released her hand with a smile and as well as a response.

"Anything for you, my Odr"

The goddess stepped away as she allowed space for Bell to deal the finishing blow to yet another operation during their month-long lightning war.

『Trace on』

Bell projected his nameless bow into his hands, alongside a random sword. Entering his shooting stance, he began to alter the sword into the form of an arrow. His eyes kept track of the running commander even as he talked with Freya.

"... "

Bell went quiet as he focused for a moment to gauge everything he needed for his shot... the commander entered a passing under a tunnel that went over a river... the man sighed in relief as he believed he was now safe.

"... fuu"

Bell breathed in and out... before letting his arrow fly.

𝙋𝙄𝙀𝙍𝘾𝙀

He didn't need to even reinforce the arrow, the draw strength of his bow and sword arrow was enough.

In an instant, the arrow tore through the commander's chest and blood spilled across the ground violently.

"... "

The man clutched his chest in disbelief... not having the strength to curse the warrior who had taken his life so easily... his eyes growing dimmer in a matter of a few seconds.

𝙎𝙋𝙇𝘼𝙎𝙃

His body weakly fell into the river as the water was profusely stained red. All his accomplishments and experiences... thrown into the drain as his body floated down the river lifelessly... turning into another corpse in the war-torn outpost city.

"... "

Bell quietly watched the deceased commander before turning away. Beckoning Freya to come to his arms.

"It's time to regroup, Freya"

Freya happily complied with her Odr's request. Wrapping herself in his arms with a smile on her face. The sight of the carefree goddess in his hands helped to ease the burdens of war in Bell's heart.

Leaping off of the building he stood upon, Bell began to invoke the abilities of his grandfather's necklace on himself and Freya.

『Transient』

𝙁𝙪𝙪...

A mystical blue haze began to wrap the goddess and vigilante. Their bodies faded from view as they fell down and disappeared entirely before they had made contact.

The city now stood eerily quiet as countless bodies lay lifelessly on the floor.

Just as quietly as Bell came... he just as quietly left.

But beyond the city walls, the battle was nearing its end.

The shouts of the Shalzadians rang aloud as they pushed forward to the last bit of Warusa defense.

Leading the entire army along, her body a blur just like Bell's but not as obscure... Arry tore her way through enemy lines.

"IS IT SO HARD TO KILL ONE DAMN PRINCE!!!-"

A captain of the remaining Warusa forces shouted in frustration at his men's inability to dispatch the prince and figurehead of their enemy's resistance, even when he rushed into battle like a madman.

"GIVE ME MY SWORD! I'LL SHOW YOU PATHETIC LOT HOW TO FIGHT-"

But as the captain continued to vent his unjustified rage on his subordinates, his figure soon became covered by a shadow who leaped over the trench defenses. Aiming to dive into the enemy encampment with little regard.

"... "

The captain wasn't able to process it entirely... for all he saw was a shining golden sword... and cold amethyst eyes.

𝘾𝙐𝙏

"... "

The captain's subordinate stood in horror as he watched his superior be skewered in an instant under an ornate sword. The warrior responsible dressed themselves in white robes and silver armor that was stained with endless crimson.

𝙎𝙋𝙇𝘼𝙎𝙃

Blood splattered across the ground as the figure drew away her sword and wiped it of the blood that stained its blade with a fierce swing.

"It's still not right... Bell's sword flowed more naturally... I still have a long way to go... "

The figure spoke in rebuke of her performance. Realizing the areas she could've improved on. Between her eyes were a series of circuits that ran the length of her skin. The way they shimmered brought an even greater sense of dread who laid witness to it.

"... "

The figure noticed the shivering subordinate of the now deceased captain and pointed their sword to his neck. A cold voice declaring loudly.

"Tell me where the vice-commander is. Your commander's death is assured by my servant, Gray Ghost. Comply... and I'll make your death painless"

Allum Raj Shalzard, in truth, Arry Shalzard. The king of the Shalzardian resistance spoke with a royal's presence to the shivering subordinate.

Having performed a small coronation in the resistance fortress to signify the true beginning of the reclamation efforts, she was now king of their nation rather than a simple prince.

"... t-the v-vice commander is located in a tent just along here... you'll find him there... "

The man cried as he saw his death looming over him... seeing the man shivering greatly, Arry found it in her heart to comfort the enemy in front of her a little bit. She knew better than to simply label all Warusas horrible people... there were many among their ranks who simply had no choice under the military dictator.

"Be not afraid... for death isn't the end for those who walk the sands... "

The man grew quiet as Arry began to recite a common phrase among the desert people of the Kaios. Though many nations and people differed greatly in the endless strife of the sands... these common passages gave them all a shared identity in spite of the endless wars and conflict.

"From body to ash... from ash to sand... from sand to river... from river to ocean... we all return to life from death... "

Though the words he heard were from the enemy nation's king, the man found it comforting and gentle... wishing he could serve such a figure instead of the selfish leaders he always had been assigned to.

"Your journey has only begun... Shalom"

Arry ended her words as she rose to strike down the man.

Even though it was the end of his life... the subordinate felt at peace. Thankful the Shalzard king allowed him to die with dignity.

"May your reclamation be successful, your majesty... Shalom"

𝘾𝙐𝙏... 𝙩𝙝𝙪𝙙...

"... "

Arry grew quiet as she gave one last farewell to the life she had taken. Quickly moving on as she climbed out of the entrenchment.

Her clothes alerted all the nearby Warusa soldiers to her identity. The enemy focused their efforts to take down the king with them.

The shouts of men resounded all around her. The wishes of death from the enemy. The shouts of concern from her army.

But Arry simply focused on the sensation of the sword in her hand.

"Merodach... accompany me once more"

𝙘 𝙧 𝙖 𝙘 𝙠 𝙡 𝙚

Bell's reinforcement magecraft began to spark alive throughout Arry's body. The numerous lessons beaten into her muscles began to move as they replicated what little they could of the vigilante's swordsmanship... a swordplay Arry couldn't help but admire as beautiful.

『Perfect Counter』

"... fuu"

Arry drew a breath before leaping off the ground with immense force. Merofach turned into a golden blur as it began to cut down all the approaching enemy soldiers like a flowing river.

𝘾𝙐𝙏... 𝘾𝙐𝙏... 𝘾𝙐𝙏... 𝘾𝙐𝙏...

Numerous bodies began to fall onto the ground. The enemy's assault didn't relent as a shower of arrows began to head for Arry, but the king simply analyzed the flow of movement in each one... and readied to parry them all.

"Fuu... "

Drawing breath once more, Arry began to run through the sands as she parried away every single arrow that wished to tear through her body. Swatting each one as if they were negligible obstacles.

The Shalzard resistance couldn't help but watch in admiration as their kind led the charge. The men and women of the force screamed out in unison as they followed their ruler with vigor.

A crowd of people flowed out with Arry as the head.

A flurry of arrows tore through the air alongside her.

A shower of cannonballs drifted across the sky to mark her momentous occasion.

The Warusa soldiers fell into despair at the sight... Arry was soon upon them all with her amethyst eyes glowing faintly... speaking out softy beneath her breath.

"Long live Shalzard"

𝘾𝙐𝙏

...

..

.

After the battle at the outpost city, the Shalzard resistance continued to tear their way through a number of other cities along their path.

It would be seen as idiotic to overextend the limits of your army... but with their natural vigor and with the assistance of Freya's divinity as a war goddess, the Shalzard army was able to do so.

For one simple reason... after tearing their way through all the cities, they now arrived at the city of Halvan... the city that was nearest to the capital Sorshana... the reclamation of Shalzard was at hand, and the resistance was eager to end the reign of Warusa upon their soil.

Resting at the city of Halvan after cleaning it of the Warusa forces, the Shalzard resistance celebrated loudly their endless success.

"CHEERS!"

The raising of cups and the resounding of jolly hymns resounded all throughout the city. The people who once lost hope now relished the overwhelming amount they had in recent times.

"HAHAHAHAHA!"

Laughs of joy were heard everywhere as tears fell down on the ground.

This was the moment they had all been waiting for... brought to fruition by the three great figures of their resistance force.

"TO HIS MAJESTY, ALLUM RAJ SHALZARD!"

Loud praises erupted.

"TO OUR GODDESS OF VICTORY, MAIDEN FREYA!"

Even louder praises roared.

"TO OUR GUARDIAN, GRAY GHOST!"

Fierce cheers sprang from every voice.

Arry, Freya, and Bell were praised endlessly among the people as their nation's three great blessings.

The wise king who led them all. The divine beauty who rallied everyone with her voice. The fierce warrior who tore through armies with little effort.

These three were what lead to the resistance gaining much ground, and their notoriety even led to the formation of assistance from the once-neutral nations around Shalzard. Wishing to ingratiate themselves with the three figures by giving rations and supplies for their battles.

"CHEERS ONCE MORE!... CHEERS!"

As the majority of the army celebrated in the streets in drunken joy. Situated near the desert ships were a series of tents. The recovery ward for the resistance effort.

"Ughh..."

Though the resistance was largely successful and faced little losses due to their war philosophy, there were still numerous casualties and even more numerous injured.

"Damn it! Let me out of here! The battle of our nation is at hand, and I can't just be laying around in some bed!"

With the battle for Sorshana so close, many of the people in the recovery ward voiced their desires to be released and enter into service once more.

"P-Please calm down sir... I will have to bring this up with my superior first-"

The numerous volunteers at the recovery ward struggled to keep all their patients in control... but just as they were about to succumb to the protests of the still-recovering soldiers, a gentle voice rang throughout the tents.

"Please don't vent your frustration on the poor nurses and doctors, dear soldiers... the battle of Sorshana may be tomorrow, but the war for Shalzard's recovery is far from over... "

The people inside the tents grew quiet as Freya walked along the insides of the tent. Her silver hair flowed gracefully as she walked. Her gait captured and allured many men and women alike within the tents.

"Myself, Gray Ghost, and his majesty Allum will do our best to make the reclamation successful tomorrow. So do your best to recover and help Shalzard recover from the war. Do you understand young one?"

Freya turned her head to the rowdy soldier with a gentle smile. The goddess' expression instilled obedience in him in an instant.

"Y-Yes, Maiden Freya... "

Seeing the soldier comply with her request, Freya smiled wider before walking away to leave the tent.

"I was just passing by to make sure you all are complying... please don't trouble me and make another ruckus when I leave... I need my beauty sleep after all"

Freya said with a light laugh that pierced all of their hearts instantly. The crowd resounded their obedience aloud and in unison.

"WE WILL, MAIDEN FREYA!!!"

Seeing their display, Freya was quiet for a moment before giving them all a wink. Closing the curtains to the tent as she did.

"... "

The people in the tent were silent for a while... before one man voiced out his desire.

"What I would give to spend a night with her... "

But upon hearing the man's lust, many others began to glare at him with hate.

"HOW DARE YOU LOOK AT THE MAIDEN WITH SUCH EYES! HAVE YOU NO SHAME?!"

Numerous other similar cries resounded before the man shrunk from it all and began to repent for his wandering eyes.

"Seriously... Maiden Freya could very well end up becoming our queen you know? Have you seen how close she and his majesty Allum are?"

One of the nurses in the tent commented, drawing in the opinions of the others towards the topic that was all the rage in the Shalzard resistance...

Maiden Freya's love life.

"His majesty Allum? His majesty is a great man, but you're blind if you can't see the way Maiden Freya looks at Gray Ghost... a bright beauty contrasting with a dark warrior... it's only natural Maiden Freya end up with Gray Ghost!"

One of the soldiers of an opposing camp in the topic declared his belief. Believing Gray Ghost paired up with Freya to be the superior choice.

But the declaration was met with fierce opposition.

"HAH?! I admit the Gray Ghost is outstanding, but any woman would be remiss to not be charmed with the quiet but gentle king! Maiden Freya brings out the emotions of the stoic heir to the throne... IT'S OBVIOUSLY THE SUPERIOR CHOICE!"

The people of the recovery ward began to bicker back and forth. Arguing whether the fair maiden would choose the royal king or the rogue warrior as her lover... among the crowds, there were two smaller factions.

"I... believe that Gray Ghost with his majesty Allum is much better... "

The camp which supported a romance between the rogue warrior and silent king was quite prominent. Homosexuality was quite normal in the land of the desert, so it wasn't ignored entirely as a possibility/

But beyond that camp... there was another faction that slowly grew in popularity...

"What if they're all doing it with each other?"

The three-way faction.

This faction largely grew as the Shalzard resistance members began spotting Allum, Gray Ghost, and Freya enter the same room together to rest for the night.

Doing so in extreme frequency, to the point it was now common knowledge among the resistance members.

"All of them doing it together huh?... it's possible... "

The voices that argued incessantly slowly began to nod in an understanding of the proposal of the three-way faction.

"After all... his majesty Allum is known for leading the army from the front, and Gray Ghost is known for tearing his way from the back... is it that much of a stretch the same may be true in bed?... "

The doctors, nurses, and soldiers began contemplating as philosophers as to the truth of the three's love lives.

The men envied Bell and Allum for being able to tag–team the beautiful Freya.

The woman envied Freya for being sandwiched between the two great men.

The discussion continued on with no clear answer in sight...

...

..

.

"♩♪♫♬♭~"

Paying no mind to how the resistance members were talking about her sex life behind her back, Freya simply hummed a tune as she made her way through the resistance camp. Amused at the speculation being made about her, Bell, and Arry.

'The Freya x Gray Ghost camp are the ones who hit the nail on the head... I'm slowly making progress with Bell... I can already see the affectionate way he looks into my eyes after every battle... hehehe~'

Freya giddily thought to herself as to how much her relationship with Bell improved over the last month.

After sharing their first kiss together by the watchtower, the goddess and vigilante grew closer and closer with each battle they shared.

Bell protected Freya as he tore through the Warusa front lines with the goddess aiding with her war goddess divinity.

Freya comforted the weary Bell who grew tired of the tolls of war. Letting the burdened hero rest on her body.

'I have surpassed the time he spent with Artemis, but I'm far from reaching the time he spent with Athena... but I'll make up for the difference with my experience!'

Freya felt her victory was soon at hand. Bell's walls around her were slowly deteriorating with each moment they shared. She knew he was falling in love with her... and with the confession of love nearby...

"Our first night together is just as close~"

Freya playfully whispered under her breath.

She had abstained from all kinds of sexual activity in recent times, doing her best to save herself for Bell. The goddess wanted their first sharing of a bed to be seared into her body like an unforgettable moment.

"♩♪♫♬♭~"

Freya continued humming as she imagined the numerous ways she could ravish Bell and the endless ways Bell could ravish her.

'In credit of the three-way faction... I've been sensing that Arry is close to growing affection for Bell... though I swore myself to only be Bell's... I'm sure he wouldn't be opposed to a threesome among us both... '

Freya thought as she began formulating ways to bring such a reality to fruition. She had long since grown from the behavior of keeping Bell to only herself. Though she originally only considered Ryuu as a possible person whom she could share Bell with, Arry soon rose to become a prominent candidate as well.

'Bell making a mess of both me and Arry... hehehe~'

Freya sincerely looked forward to the future in store for her.

But she soon shifted her thoughts as she began to near a prominent tent that stood from the rest of the resistance's temporary camp.

𝙁𝙡𝙖𝙥...

Freya carefully opened the curtains to the tent, and the sight of its insides soon revealed itself to her vision.

"As you command, your majesty"

The Shalzard resistance's leadership all congregated within this single tent.

All the officials and vassals who swore loyalty to the Shalzard king gathered around a table that depicted a map with numerous figures atop it. The battle plan for the soon-to-come reclamation of Sorshana.

"At ease, gentlemen"

Atop a throne that overlooked the entire tent, Arry sat atop it, with Bell in his Gray Ghost armor standing by her side.

The king had tired eyes. She had led the assault in the numerous battles they underwent during the day. The physical exhaustion topped with the mental exhaustion of consulting with her vassals in war strategy... the king was greatly exhausted.

As Freya entered the tent, all the leading figures of the resistance paid their respects to her immediately.

"Welcome, Maiden Freya"

Freya ran her eyes through the crowd in the tent. Using her ability to look through a person's soul to check if there is any disloyalty at the highest level of the resistance. The goddess knew that at such an opportune time, Warusa would try their best to foil the reclamation before it even began.

'I already identified a few on the lower ranks who made contact with spies... but it would seem there is none at the top level who has succumbed... Bell had raised Arry to be a fine king... '

Freya smiled as she found no disloyalty to the king she found so adorable, and the figure whom her beloved served. Knowing all was well, the goddess soon replied back to the men's greetings with a smile.

"Greetings to you all as well"

The people in the tent felt their tiredness begin to sap away under Freya's resplendent smile. But as they all busied themselves with admiring the goddess' beauty, Arry soon began to greet Freya as well.

"Welcome back Freya. I assume nothing went wrong with the recovery ward"

Arry asked as she was the one who sent Freya to the ward. Knowing the goddess would be able to calm any problems that might've arisen.

"A few skirmishes, but nothing to worry about your majesty. They are simply too loyal to a fault"

Freya spoke her reply and the words greatly relaxed Arry who worried about her people's determination to participate in such a momentous occasion for their nation.

"I see... then with your report, I believe all our concerns for this meeting have been resolved... everyone is hereby dismissed"

With Arry's declaration, all the men in the room broke into a salute as they replied in unison.

"Thank you for your hard work, your majesty!"

Arry tiredly waved as a reply and Bell soon assisted Arry off of her chair. The king took her servant's hand and smiled at his kind gesture.

"Thank you, Bell... what would I ever do without you"

Arry spoke with a gentle gaze that looked fondly at the silent warrior. Bell replied with a brief but thoughtful reply.

"I live to serve, your majesty. Your happiness is my own"

Hearing Bell's reply, Arry laughed lightly as she knew his current attitude was to simply maintain appearances among her vassals.

"... "

But though Bell and Arry intended it to be a display of loyalty... to them it only looked like the tension of romance.

"So we will be retiring for the night... allow me to accompany you, your majesty"

Freya approached Arry's side. The king smiled just as fondly at the goddess.

"Thank you, Lady Freya"

Their interaction was brief, but the way they conducted themselves spoke to their familiarity with such closeness. The scene further confused the men in the tent.

"... "

"May you all have a fulfilling rest"

Arry spoke as a last greeting to the men before the entrance to the tent closed. The three great blessings of the resistance walked together before they all slept for the coming battle the next day.

"... "

The men in the room were quiet... but they all shared one sentiment in their minds...

'Sasuga Arry-sama'

Though they knew not of which faction spoke the truth about their king's love life. Whichever it may be, it would be an impressive act for their ruler to covet such an impressive partner between the maiden of victory and the Gray Ghost.

...

..

.

『Transient』

Bell, Freya, and Arry all disappeared and appeared together in a location far from the resistance camp at Halvan City. They had teleported to a location Bell had surveyed prior to their retaking of the city. A location that was necessary for the weary king.

"Fuu... "

Bell drew breath as he felt a rush of exhaustion go through his body. Teleporting with three people wasn't very easy for him, but he bore it. He treated this as training for if ever he needed to perform an emergency escape with other people.

"Bell... are you alright?"

Arry asked in concern after she had sensed her servant take in a deep breath. She was greatly appreciative of the lengths Bell went to for her, but she didn't want it to come at his expense.

"... "

Freya too was concerned, but she knew Bell would simply accept exhaustion as a small price to pay.

"It's alright Arry... you're doing most of the heavy lifting in this resistance in both fighting and planning... all I'm assigned to do is be your weapon. A little exhaustion is nothing I can't handle"

Bell said with a light laugh as he unmanifested his mask. The sincere emotion on his face lit up a spark within Arry...

'Idiot... just because you can... doesn't mean I can accept it... '

Arry's face began to contort with frustration for her servant. Bell had been pushing himself to end the war quickly. Never once complaining nor questioning Arry's requests for him to slaughter hundreds or thousands... doing so much because he believed in her dream.

"... "

As Arry grew silent, so did Bell. He recognized the growing affection the king was developing for him but was unsure of what to do with it with Freya so close by.

Bell could only keep her at arm's length as he continued pondering on ways to resolve the situation.

"... "

Freya smiled as she saw the king begin to feel affection for the hero she adored as well. Bell grew fainter emotions but kept in check out of consideration for herself.

The goddess resolved to break the tension that was held between the two with her words.

"Now now, your majesty. There's no use fretting over spilled milk. The sooner this war ends, the sooner you can finally order Bell to take a break"

Freya intruded between Arry and Bell with a smile as she began pushing Arry away from the tired vigilante. The king struggled to process the sudden actions of Freya.

"F-Freya w-wai-"

But although Arry tried to return to Bell's side to knock some sense into him. The goddess simply pushed on as she began to unfasten her clothes and armor with precision... Freya was quite the expert at unclothing people.

"No struggling, Arry. Bell went out of his way to find a place where you could relax... so I would be remiss if his efforts turned fruitless... "

Freya revealed where they currently teleported to.

A nearby oasis by the city of Halvan that was rich in magical rejuvenating waters. A location Bell took note of to allow the weary king to rest for the upcoming battle.

"So stop fighting... and enjoy the waters... your majesty!"

Freya shouted as she successfully stripped Arry nude and threw her into the water. The king screamed in embarrassment at the actions of the goddess.

"KYAAA!!!-"

𝙎𝙋𝙇𝘼𝙎𝙃

"Freya!!!"

Arry resurfaced on the water with an angry expression, Freya simply laughed at it as she began to strip nude herself.

"Don't be so angry, my dear king. Don't you just feel your tiredness being washed away?... "

𝙁𝙪𝙪...

Freya said she loosened her red robe and white dress that fell seductively onto the ground.

The goddess sensually lifted her legs from the grasp of the cloth before slowly descending into the waters of the oasis. Letting out a sultry breath as the tension in her body began to fade away.

"Haaa♡... "

"-!!"

Arry began to form a faint blush upon seeing the erotic body of the goddess accompanied by her rather suggestive moan of relaxation... but the king wasn't captured by the goddess' charm. Her blush only grew due to another reason entirely separate from Freya...

"I'm not angry but about what you did... it's... it's about... "

Arry failed to fully voice her words as she began to sink her head in the water out of embarrassment. The reason was that the person she was referring to was in earshot of her voice.

"..."

As Freya and Arry descended into the relaxing waters of the oasis, Bell promptly hid behind a nearby tree. Recognizing the scheming smile Freya wore on her face as she approached the king to strip her.

'Clear mind, Bell... clear mind... clear mind... clear mind... '

Bell channeled his inner yugioh protagonist in order to not be so affected by the fact two very beautiful women were bathing right behind him.

(E/D: —Om— Abokya Beiroshano Makabodara Mani Handoma Jinbara Harabaritaya Un. Vajra Thathuvan. Naumaku Sanmanda Bodanan Abila Unken Sowaka! Tenchi Genmyo, Shinbe Hen Tsurikiji)

Bell knew that Arry was at the brink of her physical stamina. He could recover any of his weariness with Avalon, and Freya didn't have to do much physical exercise during each battle.

'This is all for Arry... this isn't some perverted desire to see them bathing... you're just trying to be a loyal servant, Bell... '

Bell was currently trying to convince himself and the readers that he didn't have any ulterior motives... but he had a feeling that he was fighting a losing battle.

Freya noticed the distress within Bell from behind the tree and a grin grew across her face as she found an opportunity to stoke the flame of desires within him.

"Hmm, so you're afraid of Bell seeing you're body, Arry?"

The goddess pulled out the words that were stuck in the king's throat, much to her dismay.

"F-Freya!!!-"

𝙎𝙋𝙇𝘼𝙎𝙃

Arry immediately got up to stop Freya from exposing so much about her intent. Her sudden movement caused a burst of water to erupt all around her and resound through the area.

"♡~"

With Arry exposed from the water, the goddess quickly wrapped around her and began inspecting her body. The king moaned in surprise at the sudden contact.

"Mmm-"

Arry had still remained as sensitive as she had been back in Lioad, and thus reacted greatly to Freya's sensual touch. The goddess laughed lightly as she found it fun to play with Arry with Bell so close.

"You don't have a problem with me inspecting your body a bit, right Arry?... after all, we've gotten close as well, right?"

Freya said playfully as she began to trace her fingers along Arry's curves.

The goddess began interacting more with the king in a bid to help her beloved. At first, Freya was simply only motivated to help Bell and inspect Arry's soul. But the goddess soon grew fond of the king who wished nothing but happiness for her people.

"After all. We both sleep in the same bed, right♡?~"

Arry's eyes widened at Freya misconstruing the habit they had been partaking in during the past month. The king quickly spoke to dissuade any misunderstanding.

"T-Thats only so that Bell doesn't have trouble- Mmm♡- P-Protecting us both- Mmmph♡!!-"

Arry struggled to speak as her body reacted greatly to Freya's fingers. Tracing along her thighs... to her hips... across her abdomen... .around her chest... and teasing her nape.

As the king explained, Freya tuned out her voice as she began focusing on inspecting Arry's body.

"I don't know why you're so conscious of your body, Arry. It's quite alluring"

"HUH?!-"

Arry spoke out in great surprise at the sudden comment by Freya on her physique. The words the goddess spoke made Bell flinch as they were uttered.

"You have a pair of modest but adorable breasts. Your fit but lean. You're quite light despite your looks... and your butt is just the softest little thing I've had the pleasure of kneading♡"

Freya said as she began groping Arry's soft behind. The king had a moan escape despite her best efforts to hold it back due to the goddess' actions.

"Haa♡"

Freya laughed lightly at Arry's reactions as Bell's heart began to quicken with each progression of the situation.

"Any man or woman would be lucky to have you as a bed-time partner, Arry~ I believe Bell firmly believes in that as well~"

𝙍𝙐𝙎𝙏𝙇𝙀

"-!!"

A ruffling of the oasis' shrubbery reached Arry's ears as Freya made that comment. A result of Bell shaking from the sudden mentioning of his name in the rather erotic situation the two women found themselves in.

"..."

Arry grew pensive and guilty as her heart began to beat in excitement... at the thought of Bell liking how her body looked.

'Would Bell... like me?...'

The king grew more affectionate of her servant during their time together.

Having him encourage her pursuits and ideals every step of the way.

Helping her develop into a person worthy of her dreams and aspirations.

Assisting tremendously with incredible feats to make her vision a reality.

Arry found herself falling for her loyal servant who simply smiled at being able to help her.

'I still remember the words he told me... the words I can never get out of my mind... '

『Your pursuit... as self-defeating and futile it may be... 』

『𝙄𝙨 𝙪𝙣𝙙𝙚𝙣𝙞𝙖𝙗𝙡𝙮 𝙗𝙚𝙖𝙪𝙩𝙞𝙛𝙪𝙡』

The king felt her face begin to heat up as she remembered so vividly the words that struck a chord so deep into her heart... she didn't know it then... but that moment was when her breath was taken away... when her heart ceased to beat for herself and for her people alone...

'But I can't... because... Bell already has Freya... '

Arry tried her best to ignore her growing feelings for Bell after seeing how closely he acted with the goddess.

The king read atmospheres greatly, and she recognized just how deeply the pair cared for one another.

It hurt Arry immensely... but for her servant who kept on giving to her without asking for anything in return...

'How could I possibly intrude on his love?... '

Arry grew quiet as she fell into despair about her first love.

"..."

Freya watched Arry grow disheartened then smiled wickedly upon seeing her chance.

'You should thank me in the future Bell... I am about to snag you another beauty to love alongside me♡~'

Freya lowered her face closer to Arry's ears. The goddess' hot breath sending down a tingling sensation down Arry's spine... but she soon began to focus more on the words Freya began to convey.

𝙬𝙝𝙞𝙨𝙥𝙚𝙧... 𝙬𝙝𝙞𝙨𝙥𝙚𝙧... 𝙬𝙝𝙞𝙨𝙥𝙚𝙧...

Arry's expression shifted rapidly. Shock. Intrigue. Embarrassment. Elucidated. Curious... then finally... a look of approval...

"... are you sure, Freya?"

Arry looked in concern at the goddess. Though their relationship wasn't as close as hers and Bell's, the king still considered Freya a close friend and confidant.

"Yes, Arry. I'm more than sure... in fact... I was hoping for this kind of development~"

Freya said as she laughed lightly with Arry only being able to awkwardly laugh alongside her... but a small smile began to show on her face as well.

But beyond the waters where the two beauties currently resided, Huddled tightly as he covered his ears. Bell was busy distracting himself from all worldly desires. Not being able to detect what exactly Freya had whispered into Arry's ears like a devil's temptation.

"Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers, A peck of pickled peppers Peter Piper picked; If Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers, Where's the peck of pickled peppers Peter Piper picked?"

Bell began reciting tongue twisters as often as he could in order to distract himself and drown out any possible noise that may have entered his currently muffled ears... but he soon heard his name being beckoned.

"Bell?"

Bell shook a bit as he heard his name being called... deliberating for a bit on whether or not he should reply... Bell succumbed and unmuffled his ears.

"Yes?... "

The vigilante cautiously replied to the voice that called out his name. Arry soon replied to his words.

"This is an order to aid your master, Bell Cranel... join us in the water... "

Arry's brain struggled to process everything that was happening as Freya said her words which beckoned Bell to join them. The goddess soothed the panicking king in her arms.

"-!!!"

Bell shook greatly at the proposition offered by Freya. In an instant, his brain began debating with itself as to the truth of this situation.

'It should surely be a test right?... a test to see if I'm as depraved as other men, right?... there's no way Freya is asking me to join her alongside Arry in the water... right?'

The rational side of Bell's mind tried its best to come up with possible alternatives to what was happening... but a more violent part of his mind spoke out in protest.

'SEGGS!'

Needless to say... Bell quieted down that part of his mind quickly.

Bell struggled and debated with himself for some time... but he finally reached an answer he was satisfied with.

『Trace... on... 』

As Bell invoked his magic, Arry grew disheartened with each passing moment Bell spent in silence...

'Does Bell not like me that way?... '

But before the king could have her heart shattered, Bell soon arose from the cover of the shrubbery.

𝙍𝙐𝙎𝙏𝙇𝙀

"..."

Bell nervously stood before Freya and Arry with a towel around his waist and a blindfold wrapped around his eyes.

"... "

Arry looked at Bell with an even redder face. The king was aware of his well-built torso and arms through their training together... but seeing it all together alongside his muscular lower half... Arry's senses were overloaded.

"..."

But though Bell and Arry were currently experiencing the peak of embarrassment and sexual tension... Freya looked at Bell with disappointed eyes.

'Why the hell are you wearing a towel and blindfold, Odr?'

Bell awkwardly made his way into the oasis' waters. Unsure if what he was doing was correct as he has yet to hear a response from Arry who beckoned him or from Freya who was alongside her... but he still persisted in pursuit of the possibility he thought impossible.

'This should be fine right?... in case this is just some joke or test, I have plausible deniability through the blindfold... but Freya isn't one to make these types of things happen without supporting it herself... I still can't determine the true nature of this whole situation... '

Unsure he was... but forward he moved.

"... "

Bell sat silently in a spot in the water as he awaited any sort of reply from Arry and Freya.

Arry stood deathly still as she processed a near-naked Bell sitting so close to her nude self.

Freya continued to watch in silence and began to act in order to break this deadlock of silence.

𝙎𝙋𝙇𝘼𝙎𝙃

"-!!"

Bell's senses went into overdrive as he began to feel the body of the goddess press onto his. The aroma of Freya's hair wafted over him as he soon began to feel a soft pressing against his sides. The goddess laughed softly as she watched his reaction.

"Honestly Bell... you take things too seriously sometimes... simply learn to not worry-"

Freya began speaking as she put her fingers around his blindfold. The vigilante realized too late what she was doing.

"-and relish the moment!"

Bell's eyes quickly adjusted to the change in view as he soon laid eyes on the bare goddess... Freya smiled gleefully as the droplets of water shimmered around her in splendor.

( i m a g e )

"... "

Bell was silent as he began to take in the sights of the most coveted goddess standing proudly in the nude in front of him.

Freya appreciated the genuine look of admiration in her beloved's eyes... but now was not the time for her to monopolize Bell's gaze all to herself.

"Doesn't it feel much more liberating now that you can see, my love?... Fully enjoy this moment... not everyone can claim to lay witness to naked beauties in the desert sands after all"

As Freya spoke, Bell's head tilted ever so slightly to see a nude Arry standing shocked like a deer in headlights. Red as a tomato and visibly panicking about what to do at the moment... but she eventually found the courage to make the first move.

"H-Hey, Bell... "

Arry awkwardly greeted Bell as best as she could. The vigilante doing much the same.

"H-Hey, Arry... "

Seeing progress between the two, Freya announced her departure from the situation. If she wanted to reap the seeds she had sown, it would be best to let nature take its natural course.

"You two have fun resolving everything you might be feeling... I'll be over here relaxing and soaking in the water"

The goddess winked at both Arry and Bell as she began to make her way to the other side of the oasis to give the two space... both Bell and Arry couldn't help but be drawn to Freya's curvaceous ass and how it melded with her thighs as she walked through the water.

"..."

"..."

Once the goddess had gone far enough, Bell and Arry began to focus once again on one another. A tense silence fell over them both... but the king broke as she soon began to approach her servant.

"... You don't mind if I sit here, Bell?"

Arry nervously asked as she stood right next to Bell, the man replying shortly after she had spoken.

"Yeah... feel free, Arry"

With his permission now given, Arry began to gently lower herself onto the water. Pressing her back onto Bell's. Though she wished to sit by his side, the king still found it hard to be so direct. It was her first experience with a naked man, so she knew very little about how to navigate such situations.

"..."

"..."

Unable to bear the silence, Bell began to strike up a conversation with Arry in order to get their minds off of their current predicament.

"... so... big day tomorrow. The reclamation of Sorshana... how do you feel, Arry?"

Seeing Bell's attempt to start a conversation, Arry eagerly picked up on it. She too had been unable to bear the tense silence.

"The reclamation of Sorshana... to be honest, it still feels a bit unreal to me... just a month ago, I was still locked away in chains, but now I'm leading my people to reclaim our capital with our own hands... it's like I'm living in a dream in every waking moment"

Arry spoke with a kind smile.

The prince had been read poetry by her mother when she was young. So as she was unsure of how best to describe her emotions, Arry resorted to the medium she was most used to.

Speaking flowering words as if she were giving a speech as a ruler and not as a person.

"I am unsure what force played to make this moment happen. But I'm eternally grateful that everything occurred as it did... there were mistakes, and there were tragedies... but I wouldn't forsake the air I breathe and the sensations I feel for anything else in the world... "

"For my vassals who swore loyalty even with my countless failures... for my soldiers who charge so fearlessly into battle under my banner... for those who lived in hope that I would come... for those who died in the belief I would carry on their dreams... .for Lady Freya who has become a reassuring presence in my life, like that of an older sister I never had... "

Arry fell into silence as she spoke... and soon grabbed hold of Bell's hand.

The gesture made the vigilante widen his eyes. Arry's hands were shivering on top of his, but they held on tightly onto the gaps of his fingers. Bell could tell just how badly the king didn't want to let go.

"And for being fortunate enough to have met you... my loyal sword... my wise teacher... my calming aide... my reliable confidant... my faithful servant... "

The king's words for Bell seemed to never stop as she began to describe Bell's presence in her life with a menagerie of descriptors and analogies.

Her praises flood out endlessly. True and unending like the flow of a desert river. Her heart soared as she expressed what she long held back. Bell's beating faster as his master confided her affections with him through her serene voice...

"The reassurance as certain as my heartbeat... the calm as gentle as the night breeze... the warmth as brilliant as the great sun... my love for you... as endless as the horizon is wide..."

No words seemed to be enough for the king to express all she felt for Bell.

In such a short time, he became all she could see... in such a short time, he became all she could feel... in such a short time, love bloomed in her once barren heart.

Arry was nervous as she began to reveal her heart. But as her emotions continued to flow forth, the king grew to have an embarrassed smile plastered all over her face.

Arry felt as much embarrassment as she did joy. Joy that her heart was reaching the person so thoroughly. Joy that he could hear Bell's heartbeat quickening with each word she used to paint the outline he had in her heart.

Closing her eyes and taking in the atmosphere, the king weaved poetry for the one she loved most dearly.

"... "

Bell felt his face begin to burn with the endless words Arry had poured out for him and him alone... he thought he would've grown some resistance after what he had gone through... but Bell had to admit that the desert monarch had a way with words... and it would seem words of affirmation were his love language.

'All the women in my life tended to prefer actions over words... so this is quite different... and bad for my head and heart...'

As Arry poured out the contents of her heart and as the moment seemed to pass on longer and longer... the king's smile gradually faded and her grip began to loosen as the moment she shared with Bell waned on.

With each word she used to describe the dream-like fantasy that was her time with Bell... it became harder and harder for Arry to ignore the growing reality which she desperately tried to ignore... but she couldn't keep running away from it forever... the ending that lay at the end of her first love...

"I love you, Bell Cranel... I really... really love you... with all my heart... with all my soul..."

Bell noticed the shift in tone within Arry's voice. He too got lost in the dream-like situation he was sharing... and he too fell through the cracks of the crumbling dream and began to wake up... Bell remembered the truth of his relationship with Arry.

"I love you, Bell Cranel... but you have your dreams... and I have mine… I love you so much it hurts... but... but... "

Arry hated how she had to say these words... though she enjoyed being able to confess her love... the king knew it wasn't meant to be... Bell and Arry simply couldn't be with how they were.

"I would choose my dream over you... and you would choose yours over me... right Bell?"

A cold silence fell over Bell... he had indeed gotten lost in the allure of having the desert king be his... but reality soon placed itself back in his mind.

Bell began speaking of the truth he wished wasn't true, for he too began to care deeply for the prince who aspired to become a great king for her people. Admonishing himself greatly for forgetting an essential aspect of their bond.

A contract wasn't forever... and so too was the vigilante's time with the king destined for greatness.

"I will head to Orario and become stronger in order to attain my wish... and you will stay in the Kaios as you raise Shalzard into a great kingdom... "

Arry's eyes were filled with emotion as Bell confirmed the truth she dreaded.

The king took a moment to compose herself... and soon began to smile... no tears threatened to spill from her eyes. Arry wouldn't allow herself to ruin the wonderful moment they were experiencing.

"Our dreams will take a long time to accomplish... months... years... possibly decades before they come into fruition... and I can't wait for you for such a time, and you can't wait for me in the same way either... "

Bell's heart grew heavy as each word continued to be uttered... it hurt him immensely... the inevitable parting that was to come for them both.

"You will move on with what you want to do... I will move with what I want... meeting ever so briefly in an intersection... and slowly grow apart as our paths distance away from one another... "

Silence fell over them both as they now lay at the crossroad of their time together. The time had yet to come, but it was nearing.

For Bell would walk left and Arry would walk right. Neither knew if their paths would intersect again if they traveled long enough... but they two slowly grew to accept it.

"... "

Arry smiled as she snuggled her back closer to Bell's.

The time of parting had yet to come, so the king would simply treasure every moment they had left.

Arry looked at the sky as she began to recite the poem her mother used to read for her so many years ago.

Poems that were read to her in the mother's hope that it would make her a wiser person, but they have simply become a way for the lonely child to reconnect with her long-gone loved one.

"A human life spans but a meager 72 years; set against life in the heavens, it is but a fleeting dream; a meager illusion... "

"-!!!"

Bell recognized where the poem was from but was unsure if the source he remembered it came from applied to this world.

But regardless of its origins in the world Bell now lived in, none of it mattered at that moment as he listened to the words Arry continued to speak.

"My encounter with you Bell has been a dream in my waking moments... full of wonder that pulls upon my heart... but temporary in its presence in my life... what a fitting description, is it not?"

Arry laughed quietly as she grasped Bell's hand desperately. One last spurt of her desire before she soon accepted everything that was to come.

"I desperately wanted to confess my feelings, even if they never end up leading to anything meaningful in the future given our position"

"Forgive me for my selfishness, Bell... but I am unable to push forward with our bond, and I am deathly afraid of cutting things off through rejection... I wanted to confess all that I felt, but I wanted to spend our last moments in the comforting way that made me so infatuated with you"

"I am asking you to bear the truth of my heart and act as if it were not there at all. Painting the truth under the cover of a lie"

"I want my last memories of you to be neither heartbreak nor doomed romance... will you do this for me, Bell?"

Arry weakly requested of her servant her request.

With the request she had posed to her servant that was loyal to a fault, Arry condemned herself greatly. To subject such torture to the man who gave her nothing but happiness...

'I really am a horrible person... '

Bell took a deep breath before he replied. He didn't hold hate for Arry in his heart for acting as such... he too was just at much at fault for being so unfaithful and growing feelings for the king. He simply smiled as he took on another request of his contractor.

"As you wish, Arry... "

The king smiled as her servant was loyal to a fault.

Deep in her heart, she wished Bell would've done something different... but it was just not meant to be.

"Many thanks. My dearest, Bell"

Moving from the uncomforting topic, the king and her sword continued to chat together idly under the moon and stars for the day that was to come.

Looking away from heartbreak and romance for the other's sake. Stuck in a limbo between truth and lies. Neither progressing nor regressing.

"..."

Freya watched over them both with sadness in her eyes. Knowing the cruelty of doomed encounters all too well.

'I figured Bell would have been enough to influence Arry's astuteness... but I suppose such is the reason her soul is so brilliant... she will always choose the path of a king. Any other decision would be against who she is on a fundamental level... '

Freya no longer thought about her own desires. Simply lamenting the unfortunate fates between the king and her servant who got along so well.

"The right person in the wrong circumstance... "

Star crossed. Never fated to intertwine.

...

..

.

Late into the night, atop a building that overlooked the Halvan city, Bell sat quietly as he stood guard over the entire resistance... particularly, he watched over the tent where Arry and Frey currently rested together with much vigilance.

The king was able to sleep splendidly after resting for a while in the waters of the oasis. Seeing how thankful Arry was at how much of her strain was gone, Bell smiled that he was able to provide some comfort for her.

"Haa... it still hurts... "

Bell laughed as he still felt the sting of accepting the truth that he and Arry were never meant to be.

"I plan to deal with the black desert in the future... but I am not sure how long it would take before I turn my attention toward it... and just as Arry said, I can't expect for her to just wait for me... "

Bell knew just how much the king's dream meant to her... and he would happily support her decision all the way through.

"Arry would need to find a consort so that she could maintain appearances as a man... then she would have to need to search for a man similar to her consort and with high enough pedigree to produce an heir... I was never in the running for her hand to begin with... not that I should be given with how many goddesses I am already with... "

Bell chastised himself for harboring possessiveness over Arry.

He already had three beautiful goddesses waiting for him to claim their hearts as his own. Selfishly delaying his answers for all three. He would simply be an unforgivable bastard to desire more with all he already had on a backlog.

"I really have become an irredeemable pervert as bad as grandpa... forgive me again, Aunt Idyia... "

Bell snickered to himself at his growing habits of jealousy. His situation with Freya had been resolved, but he had to learn to lower his emotions when it came to Arry.

"... I just hope you can be happy, Arry"

Bell closed his eyes and resolved to close the chapter of his life he shared with the charming king of the desert, and soon turned his attention to more pressing matters he had been noticing.

The lacking presence of the main antagonist.

"Where the hell is Resheph and his familia?... "

The Resheph familia.

A mercenary familia that operates within the vast Kaios deserts.

Working as a client's muscle in order to obtain whatever it is that is desired of them.

A conflict between rival merchant groups.

A war between highly tense nations.

Resheph and his children would happily participate if it meant the god could spread chaos in the region, and his children could plunder all they could want on the battlefield they were tasked to operate in.

"Another chaos-loving bastard of a god... perhaps he is part of Evilus?... if so, this conflict may escalate way beyond a mere conflict between nations of the desert... "

Bell had yet to encounter any of the prominent members of the familia that had aided Warusa in their conquest of Shalzard.

Bell confirmed that they had a hand in the current events. So they definitely existed... but none of their members revealed themselves to him.

None of their many level twos or threes, nor their level four captain.

Bell grew anxious as to what problems might possibly be brewing beyond his awareness. The vigilante began to connect as much as he knew about the world of danmachi and his current memories... hoping one of them might fit

A few moments passed as a few pieces didn't seem to line up... but one piece soon did.

"Angra Mainyu... "

Bell grimaced as he remembered the mysterious Evilus god that had attacked Altena with a Leviathan and a horde of demi-spirits... demi-spirits that possessed the skill 『Nega-Messiah』that tampered with the falna of an individual directly.

Weakening their parameters in response to their magical roar that seemed to expand in range as more beasts joined the ominous chorus.

"I looked into the details as Altena was recovering... and the stat decrease was rather low for the higher-leveled adventurers, and greatly affected level ones and twos... that should mean their anti-falna weapon is still imperfect... but it's concerning enough that they even have it..."

Bell recollected his memories and observations he gathered from the mysterious Evilus god.

Bell briefly considered if the veiled person was the Angra Mainyu of Fate... but it simply didn't add up for such a possibility to be true.

"The Angray Mainyu of Fate wasn't the Zoroastrian god himself... but a man who bore so much of his village's evils that he became a spirit that was granted the evil god's alias for their similarities... that bastard in Altena radiated divinity... so unless there's an already corrupted Holy Grail somewhere in this world. Angra Mainyu probably isn't the person I'm thinking of... "

Bell concluded his hypothesis as to the true identity of the evil god... but as to why he believed Angra Mainyu had some role to play in the differences in the events... it's because of a singular reason.

"He's someone who originally didn't exist... and because he's an abnormal addition to this world... it should be logical to assume that any changes to the story I know about can be traced somewhat back to him... "

Bell could also simply attribute the lack of the Resheph familia on the battlefield to himself, but Bell had reasonings to believe that such a possibility wasn't the truth.

"The Resheph showed themselves to the Freya familia, even though they knew that they were the strongest familia in the world... it shouldn't make sense for their group to suddenly change up when I'm involved... I don't carry as much weight or prestige as Ottar... "

Bell couldn't help but be drawn to connecting the mysterious figure he had met in Altena to the differences in events regarding Arry's revolution.

If it was nothing more than his own paranoia as someone who observed this world in his past life, then it would be nothing but up-sides for him... but on the off-chance that he was right...

"... "

Bell tightened his fist as his mind resolved what he had to do.

"My powers aren't derived from falna, so I should have no problem with 『Nega-Messiah』should Angra Mainyu appear... but the bastard was able to somehow procure a Leviathan somewhere and dragged it along to Altena... "

"If he were to follow that trend... then a Behemoth might be my next opponent... "

Bell grew anxious that such an opponent might be his next enemy. Compared to the Leviathan, the Behemoths were longer-lasting great monsters as they thrived in the hellscape known as the black desert.

A land built atop the ashes of the greatest Behemoth slain by Zald of the Zeus familia.

A great monster that was akin to a moving mountain. Possessing sheer destructive physical power and enormous defense against both physical and magical attacks.

Where the Leviathan is known as the overlord of the sea, and the Black Dragon as the tyrant of the skies... the Behemoth was known as the king of the land.

(E/D: Funny enough. Senji gets a boost against King-type enemies… You all know where this is going?)

"I was only able to defeat the Leviathan with a limit-off. I shouldn't bank on such a miracle happening again... "

Bell looked at his hands as he declared his lacking ability to effectively deal with the greater threats of this world. He had the firepower within him... but his mortal body couldn't yet keep up with the full brunt of UBW's potential.

"... I should probably ask Freya to have her familia stand nearby. It's only best considering the high risk... if such a monster appears, I'll leave the Freya familia executives to handle it while I secure Freya and Arry far from the danger..."

Bell felt hurt as he prioritized the two over everyone else. Only when he knew Freya and Arry could be safe could he turn his eyes to rescue the other people of the resistance... people he fought alongside and grew to understand over time... but Bell knew he couldn't save everyone. So he would simply save as many as he could...

"And if I ever meet that evil god... "

Bell's eyes glowed with energy as his mind grew with hate.

He no longer cared what waited for him in the afterlife should he commit the greatest act of blasphemy in the world of Danmachi.

"I'll kill him"

...

..

.

In the early mornings of the next day.

The sun rose above the horizon, and with its daylight shining upon their backs, the Shalzard resistance loomed over the occupied capital city of Sorshana.

Numerous banners flew high as countless soldiers dressed in armor and armed with weapons stood at attention. Their eyes burned with the desire to take back their home once and for all.

The Prydwen, the other galleon dessert ships, and a number of smaller class crafts began to roar as their engines burned with mind. Volunteers of the resistance that were unable to fight or provide meaningful help contributed to the war effort by providing mind to the ships' engines, alongside a steady supply of magic stones given by the allies of the resistance movement.

"... "

Arry watched over her forming resistance from on high in the Prydwen. The king breathed in the morning air before she gave out the order to commence the attack... but before she did, Freya approached her with a smile.

"You alright there, Arry?"

The king turned to the voice of the goddess who beckoned her, a smile on her face as she did.

"I'm... doing alright, Freya... "

Arry tried her best to appear fine, but the goddess knew the truth about the king's emotions. Her eyes were trained for numerous years to see through a person's mentality.

"It's not a wise move to lie to a goddess you know, Arry... I'm quite disappointed that you rejected Bell despite everything I did to set you up together"

Arry shook at the reminder Freya gave as to what she had done last night. The hurt in her heart stung deeper than she would've liked.

"... it's best this way, Freya. Bell and I are people driven by our dreams above all else... even if we tried desperately to stay together, we would simply be holding each other back... "

Arry closed her eyes as she tried desperately to rationalize what she did.

She chose to be a king first above all else. A king doesn't choose their partner out of personal preference, but what would most benefit her people... and an unknown vigilante, no matter how well reputed, simply isn't a fitting candidate.

"..."

Freya stood silent as Arry struggled to silence her beating heart. She didn't like seeing the girl she grew to adore tear herself up over the man she loved.

Arry, after gaining her breath, turned to Freya with a wide smile. Her eyes were wet.

"I really appreciated that you would allow me to love Bell, Freya... I really do... but to love is to choose what's best for them, right?... as long as my people and kingdom are smiling, I will be content... so long as you are happy, I will be content... "

Arry tightened her grasp on the hilt of the sword Bell had given her. A promise he made to support the king in her path.

"And so long as Bell is happy... so long as he could pursue his dream without worry... I will be happy as well..."

"..."

Freya had no words to say, and so Arry took her silence as the goddess' answer to her opinion in this situation. Turning away from her as she prepared to lead the assault.

"You should best be going back to Gray Ghost, Freya... I'll be leading the army from the front, while you two wreak havoc on the backlines... just like we always do..."

Arry said in a light tone before making her way to the front of the Prydwen.

Tightening her armor and robe with each step she took. For now, was no longer a time of tears and heartbreak. Arry was no more. All that remained was the king of Shalzard.

The resistance armies looked up to their king who stood tall and proud atop the mighty desert warship.

The pounding of spirits... the pounding of drums... the pounding of steel... the slow breaking of her heart... amidst the sounds, Allum spoke.

"All troops... 𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙬𝙖𝙧𝙙"

Reclamation day has come

...

..

Editor:

Editor-kun#4796

AN:

Thank you for reading this chapter.

Arry's development won't end like this btw.

May you have a nice day.