[105] Sin

Due to Aiden's flapping wings, Bell acquired weapons from Hephaestus Familia earlier than expected and thus encountered Liliruca, who in the original stories became his supporter due to coveting his weapons.

Supported financially by Aiden, Bell's equipment surpassed even that of an ordinary Level 2 adventurer, replete with luxury.

The value of just two one-handed swords from Hephaestus Familia exceeded a million valis each, alongside armor, clothing, and potions, all of superior quality.

Of course, Bell wasn't targeted merely because of these items; ultimately, it was the powerful brand effect of Hephaestus Familia's creations.

As the most prestigious equipment supplier in Orario, Hephaestus Familia's products epitomized excellence and expense, highly sought-after even in the black market.

Even stolen goods from third-class weapons could easily fetch hundreds of thousands of valis, a temptation Liliruca, forced to operate in the gray areas, found difficult to resist.

With Hephaestus's insignia engraved on the scabbards of the dual swords, Bell became her target.

The inexperienced Bell was easy for Liliruca to manipulate initially. Unworried about repercussions from a high-ranking Familia due to his naivety, Liliruca had no reservations.

In the original stories, Liliruca similarly stole the Hestia Knife, adorned with Hephaestus's insignia, only to regain it later due to the intervention of Ryuu Lion, an elf waitress at the Hostess of Fertility.

Presently, Bell hadn't visited Hostess of Fertility nor met its staff, allowing Liliruca to successfully steal his weapons.

Unfortunately, fate remained unkind to Liliruca. Despite gaining nearly a million valis, she couldn't sever ties with her Familia. Without reaching Level 2 and gaining resistance to the Divine Wine, Soma wouldn't permit her to convert.

However, reaching Level 2 required Soma's intervention, an impasse.

Moreover, upon discovering Liliruca's lucrative earnings, the scum of Soma Familia, who had long exploited her, wouldn't easily let her go.

Returning to the afternoon, just before dusk. Bell, now weaponless, didn't venture into the dungeons but aimlessly searched the streets and alleys of Orario for his missing swords, suspecting Liliruca's involvement.

Suddenly appearing and disappearing right after gaining his trust and losing the dual swords made Bell couldn't help but suspect Liliruca's intentions.

"Lili, where are you? Why did you do this?" Bell frowned deeply, filled with frustration and confusion. Unknowingly, he found himself near a jewelry store.

Simultaneously, not far from the shop, after Liliruca exited and entered an alley, several men who clearly weren't good people surrounded her. Each had a menacing face, with a distinctive emblem, a yellow crescent moon and a silver goblet... signifying their affiliation with Soma Familia.

"Well, well, if it isn't Arde. What brings you here? Let me guess, where do you think you are?" Canoe Belway, a burly raccoon, looked down at Liliruca, his meaty face twisted with greed.

One of his lackeys chimed in, "This is where they buy and sell gemstones."

"It seems like you've had a big 'haul' today, Arde."

"Now, are you going to hand over the valis yourself, or do you want us to stretch our muscles a bit?" Before Liliruca could reply, Canoe lowered his head, his rough hand smacking Liliruca's cheek, a direct threat. "I think our brothers who haven't been to the dungeon in days would love to warm up. Just think about it carefully. If we have to act, how long do you think you'll survive in this condition?"

Today, he didn't directly resort to violence but chose to play a different game, satisfying his base sense of achievement.

Facing Canoe's usual threats, Liliruca didn't take his words seriously.

Apart from her regular contributions, she had already converted her earnings into gemstones stored in a vault.

Normally, Liliruca, used to being bullied by her Familia members, would choose to hand over the valis to ensure her safety. But today was different. After deceiving someone as gentle and kind as Bell, her conscience was already condemning her. She comforted herself with thoughts like 'adventurers are all bad people' pinning her hopes on this money.

She hoped that Soma, who accepted this money, could lift her indebtedness and allow her to leave.

Even if this hope was just a lie used by their Familia's leader, Zanis Lustra, to exploit the value of its members, Liliruca clung to it desperately, like a drowning person grasping at a straw.

So, despite knowing the consequences of angering these people, she reluctantly chose to negotiate with them.

Her body trembled slightly under the milk-white robe sleeves, and her left hand, tightly gripping the money pouch, turned pale from exertion. The gemstones inside this bag were her hope, her hope for freedom.

'Come on, Liliruca, you can do it. You must, you absolutely must deceive them!'

Suppressing her nervousness, she lifted her head with feigned innocence and said, "Lili doesn't know what Canoe-sama is talking about. Lili hasn't earned any money these days, and now she's very hungry. If Canoe-sama lets Lili go to work now, Lili will surely be very grateful to Canoe-sama."

Unfortunately, Canoe was not deceived. With his true intentions revealed, he kicked Liliruca's pitiful face with force, sending her sprawling. He then pressed his foot onto her left arm where she clutched the money pouch, crushing it ruthlessly.

"Arggh!" The excruciating pain from her arm made Liliruca, who was used to their beatings, cry out involuntarily, her cute face swelling up.

"It's Lili! What's happening to her?!" Bell who was nearby heard Liliruca's cry of pain. Without hesitation, he drew out his last remaining dagger and ran towards the direction of the sound.

"Do you think you can deceive me?" With no mercy, Canoe continued to press his foot on Liliruca's left arm, snatching away the money pouch from her hands with a satisfied, savage grin.

From the frail pallum like Liliruca, he derived a sense of satisfaction and achievement that he could never get otherwise.

"Give it back to me!" Despite the intense pain shooting through her left arm, Liliruca struggled to reclaim her money pouch.

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