3 Chapter 3: Machinations of a Goddess 2

The next day

The goddess left three days ago. She's still not back.

It felt a little lonely eating breakfast without Hestia in the room this morning.

I am going back to the Dungeon again today… need to save more money.

The goddess left three days ago. She's still not back.

I felt a little lonely eating breakfast in an empty room this morning. Going back to the Dungeon again today.

I have a job to do; it doesn't matter if she's here or not. Besides, I want to surprise her with a big pile of loot when she gets back. "Hey! Look how much I earned while you were away!" I can see her face now… Got to get the loot first, though. Quick

check in the mirror; everything looks in order.

My leg holster has the two potions I got last night. My dagger is strapped to my lower back. Slip the backpack on over my armor, and I'm ready. Come on, Bell, you can do this!

"We are heading out."

There's no one to hear me, but I feel like I should say good-bye anyway. Here I go.

My leg's back to normal. Today's the day I go back to the lower fifth.

A few days ago, I got carried away and went down there. It didn't turn out so well.

I ran away crying, literally. It'll be different this time. I don't know exactly how much, but my status is much higher now. Well, just to be safe, maybe I should talk with Eina before going into the Dungeon today…

Before I know it, I've climbed out of the hidden room under the church along with Shirou and walked my usual path through the ruins. I love how morning feels, so fresh and ready. Ah, already on West Main. Time is flying this morning.

Should loosen up a bit before getting to the Dungeon… A morning jog sounds good. This morning looks a lot like the morning I met Syr. The sun is in the same place, people are going about their business. I can run faster than this—speed up, man, speed

up.

Yep, they're the same two animal people talking on the corner. Someone's setting up the terrace. The girl who was in the second-floor window of that shop isn't here today, though.

"Oi! Wait up nya, white-head kid!"

White-head kid…? I haven't heard "kid" since… Where did that voice come from?

Isn't that The Benevolent Mistress? And that's the catgirl waitress. Running over, her thin tail swishing, waving her arms like a maniac…

… Behind her, isn't that the elfess who works there, too?

I remember the voice that called me "kid" all too well. It was that or "tomato boy," and other things I'd rather not think about.

Is she really talking to me…? I returned Syr's basket on my way home last night…

I point at myself and mouth, "Me?" The catgirl is still coming this way at full speed, nodding.

"Good morning, nya! Sorry to call nyou out like that, nya!"

"Ah, um, morning… Can I help you…?"

She's bowing to me. Okay, I can do that, too…

That's a very rehearsed bow, must be for work. She's about to say something.

"Got a favor to ask nyou. Here, nya!"

"?"

"Syr is nyour friend, white-head kid. So I want nyou to give this to her, nya!"

It's a cloth coin purse with a metal clasp. I've seen this style before. It's popular.

There's an unfamiliar emblem engraved on the clasp, and I can tell right away it was made by one of the Familias. The purse itself is purple, kind of cute and girlie.

Yeah, it's cute and all, but I don't understand…

Give this to Syr? What's going on?

"Ahnya. You are not being clear. Mr. Cranell is confused."

Ah, the elfess. She was the one on the terrace this morning. Maybe she can tell me what's up…

… Hang on, she said, "Mr. Cranell"! She remembered me. Me!

Shirou looked at the interplay going on with these people

"Lyu, nyou're stupid! Syr forgot her wallet, playing hooky to go to Monsterphilia, nya. She nyeeds it, so I'm asking him to take it to her. Nyou knew that, right, white-head kid?"

"That is how it is. I apologize for the confusion."

"Ah, no, I got it now. That's what's going on." Bell said accepting the request.

The elfess named Lyu ignores her coworker's pouting face and gives me a short, repentant bow. I lower my head, too; she sorted it all out for me.

The catgirl looks dejected, like she was left out in the cold. Her tail hangs limp, and she looks at the ground. I hear a small "hm" come from her nose. Is she angry at me?

"Please pay her no mind. Are you sure it is okay to accept our request? Ahnya, the other employees and I are too busy preparing to go after Syr ourselves. I know we are interrupting your plans for today…"

"It's not that big of a deal, but is it true Syr is skipping out on work?"

"Ahnya did not choose her words well. Syr is not playing hooky. Her situation is different because she doesn't reside at our establishment like we do."

I knew Syr wouldn't skip work. She seemed to really enjoy it. Sounds like she has a day off or something. She doesn't live at the bar, which means that she doesn't need to work every day like these two. I bet that dwarfess, Mama Mia, had to give

permission, though.

So she's bound to have a day off here and there, right?

And it sounds like she went to some kind of festival…

"Monsterphilia…?"

"Yes. She went to see the opening events today."

I heard those words in the basement of Babel Tower.

"Do you not know? All residents of Orario know about this event."

"Actually, I haven't lived here very long… Could you tell me about it?" Bell asked.

Shirou listened in.

"—Nyay! Me will tell nyou about it, nya!"

As soon as I asked, the catgirl suddenly jumped in between us. She looked so depressed two seconds ago… Where did this energy come from? She's talking really fast, too!

"Monsterphilia is an event put on once a year by Ganesha Familia, nya! We fill the stadium for a day and tame the monsters, nya!"

"Huh?… T-tame?!"

What the hell is she talking about?!

Taming the monsters? Keeping those vicious beasts as pets?!

"It's nyot really that strange, nya? Nyou're an adventurer, nya, aren't cha, white head? Nyou have seen when a slain monster wakes up with a look in its eyes. It wants to be our friend, nya!"

"Uh… no. I can't say I have…"

Should I believe her? Can I? I must look confused, because Lyu speaks up again.

"Taming has been recognized as a skill. I am being brief, but a person proves him- or herself more powerful than a monster. In turn, the monster obeys that person's commands."

"The monster obeys their commands."… Sounds like I'm in another world.

"The monsters in the Dungeon have bad tempers, nya! So usually monsters already above ground are tamed. But Ganesha Familia's tamers are good! They break the Dungeon-born monsters, too, nya!"

Ganesha Familia… I've heard that name before. They are probably the most influential Familia in Orario. I've heard there is a ton of members, too.

"So, basically these tamers fight a monster until it submits. And people watch?"

"That's right, nya! Like a really big circus!"

Except much more dangerous… Yeah, I got it.

"We wanted to go, too, nya! But Mommy Mia said nyo nyo… Syr said she'd buy us syomething, but she forgot her wallet, nya! She smiled and waved, but nyo money! Careless girl, nya!"

"Ahnya, I don't believe you are correct…"

Ehh, I got this figured out. Syr can't buy souvenirs, or anything else, without her wallet. I owe her, so it's the least I can do to take this to her.

"I believe that the area around the stadium on East Main will be very crowded. If you head in that direction, you should find the stadium easily."

"Syr just left, nya! Nyou can catch up!"

"Sure thing."

My heavy backpack would get in the way, so I ask them to keep it at The Benevolent Mistress. I can swing by later to pick it up.

Clutching Syr's wallet in hand, I make my way toward Babel Tower. I'll need to go beyond it, but it should be a straight shot from here.

Monsterphilia… I wonder what it's like…

Maybe I should check it out later?

Bell looked at Shirou.

"I don't care either way… but it might be interesting to watch" Shirou said.

"It's not that big of a deal, but is it true Syr is skipping out on work?"

"Ahnya did not choose her words well. Syr is not playing hooky. Her situation is different because she doesn't reside at our establishment like we do."

I knew Syr wouldn't skip work. She seemed to really enjoy it. Sounds like she has a day off or something. She doesn't live at the bar, which means that she doesn't need to work every day like these two. I bet that dwarfess, Mama Mia, had to give

permission, though.

So she's bound to have a day off here and there, right?

And it sounds like she went to some kind of festival…

"Monsterphilia…?"

"Yes. She went to see the opening events today."

I heard those words in the basement of Babel Tower.

"Do you not know? All residents of Orario know about this event."

"Actually, I haven't lived here very long… Could you tell me about it?"

"—Nyay! Me will tell nyou about it, nya!"

As soon as I asked, the catgirl suddenly jumped in between us. She looked so depressed two seconds ago… Where did this energy come from? She's talking really fast, too!

"Monsterphilia is an event put on once a year by Ganesha Familia, nya! We fill the stadium for a day and tame the monsters, nya!"

"Huh?… T-tame?!"

What the hell is she talking about?!

Taming the monsters? Keeping those vicious beasts as pets?!

"It's nyot really that strange, nya? Nyou're an adventurer, nya, aren't cha, white head? Nyou have seen when a slain monster wakes up with a look in its eyes. It wants to be our friend, nya!"

"Uh… no. I can't say I have…"

Should I believe her? Can I? I must look confused, because Lyu speaks up again.

"Taming has been recognized as a skill. I am being brief, but a person proves him- or herself more powerful than a monster. In turn, the monster obeys that person's commands."

"The monster obeys their commands."… Sounds like I'm in another world.

"The monsters in the Dungeon have bad tempers, nya! So usually monsters already above ground are tamed. But Ganesha Familia's tamers are good! They break the Dungeon-born monsters, too, nya!"

Ganesha Familia… I've heard that name before. They are probably the most influential Familia in Orario. I've heard there is a ton of members, too.

"So, basically these tamers fight a monster until it submits. And people watch?"

"That's right, nya! Like a really big circus!"

Except much more dangerous… Yeah, I got it.

"We wanted to go, too, nya! But Mommy Mia said nyo nyo… Syr said she'd buy us syomething, but she forgot her wallet, nya! She smiled and waved, but nyo money! Careless girl, nya!"

"Ahnya, I don't believe you are correct…"

Ehh, I got this figured out. Syr can't buy souvenirs, or anything else, without her wallet. I owe her, so it's the least I can do to take this to her.

"I believe that the area around the stadium on East Main will be very crowded. If you head in that direction, you should find the stadium easily."

"Syr just left, nya! Nyou can catch up!"

"Sure thing."

My heavy backpack would get in the way, so I ask them to keep it at The Benevolent Mistress. I can swing by later to pick it up.

Clutching Syr's wallet in hand, I make my way toward Babel Tower. I'll need to go beyond it, but it should be a straight shot from here.

Monsterphilia… I wonder what it's like…

Maybe I should check it out later? After we deliver the coin purse and do a bit of dungeon crawling.

East Main Street was alive with the songs and voices of the citizens of Orario.

It was now nine o'clock in the morning.

While most adventurers were already prowling the Dungeon, throngs of townspeople were gathering on the streets.

A line of food stalls ran down the middle of the street, another two lines along the sides. Sounds and smells of their various confections spread out over an ocean of humanity. The street itself was decorated with long ribbons and vibrant flowers.

Flags of many colors flew in the morning breeze. Some of them had the silhouette of particularly vicious monsters printed on them. The others had an elephant's head, the emblem of Ganesha Familia.

A young animal boy, his face red with excitement, pulled his mother's arm as they plunged into the crowd. The sun itself seemed to be celebrating the day, its bright yellow beams lighting up the sky.

East Main had been completely transformed by the fair.

"…"

The line of fairgoers ran from the east gate all the way up to the stadium itself. A pair of silver eyes watched them inch along from above the street.

From the second floor of a café, to be exact.

The café had a wooden interior and a very laid-back atmosphere. One woman was sitting at a table next to a glass window facing the street. She was wearing a navy blue cloak to prevent her face, and snowy-white skin, from being seen.

However, one layer of cloth was not enough to contain this person's beauty.

Even though her face was well hidden under a hood, every set of eyes in the café was trained on her. Whenever she would trace the lip of her cup with her delicate fingers or her elegant chin peeked out from under her hood for a moment, everyone

around her held their breath. Many people who happened to see her stopped and stared.

All of them were fascinated by someone doing almost nothing. Freya, the Goddess of Beauty, ignored them and kept her eyes on the street below.

"…"

She was watching the many people of Gekai, the children.

Humans, animal people, dwarves, elves. A few adventurers were sprinkled in among the colors of these different races.

Freya thoroughly scanned them with her sharp eyes.

Creaks in the wooden floor announced the arrival of a few customers.

Freya stopped the examination and turned to greet the newcomers.

"Yo! Sorry to keep ya waitin'!"

"Not at all. I just got here myself."

Freya smiled under her hood at the person waving at her from the head of the stairwell.

The newcomer's hair was not the bright flame of Hephaistos's, but a more subdued shade of red, the hue of an evening sky. It was tied back into a small ponytail. Her shirt and pants were worn out and faded. If Freya had not known her, she might have

thought this person was male.

Fighting back a yawn and with tears in her eyes, Loki smiled back at the cloaked figure.

"Haven't had breaky yet. Mind if I grab a bite?"

"Do as you please."

Loki pulled up a chair across from Freya and sat down. Freya continued to smile her usual smile, not reacting to Loki at all. The two of them had an air about them, like friends who had known each other for a very long time.

"I heard you had quite the night after the Celebration. Crawled into a bottle and passed out, did you? Hee-hee-hee, Hestia's something else, isn't she?"

"Where'd ya hear that, boobs for brains?"

"I overheard some of your cute children. They had themselves quite the laugh."

"Those bastards, always havin' a good time without me!"

Freya had invited Loki to this café to talk at nine in the morning.

It had been a few days since the Celebration. The two goddesses were only here because of Freya's request.

"So when are you going to introduce that girl standing behind you?"

"Eh, ya need introducin'?"

"This is the first time for us to meet face-to-face."

Loki had not been alone when she entered the café.

Standing like a guard behind Loki with her sword's sheath clutched in her hand was a young girl with blond hair and golden eyes that even Freya, the Goddess of Beauty, had to notice.

"'K then, this is my Aiz. That 'nough for ya? Aiz, this is a goddess, ya should at least say 'ello."

"… Nice to meet you."

Freya muttered, "Kenki," under her breath as her eyes skimmed over the girl.

Aiz Wallenstein. She was the female swordsman who was responsible for Loki Familia's sudden rise to notoriety, even among the gods. Her name and reputation were known not just in Orario but were spreading around the world.

Indeed, she needed no introduction.

A girl with her looks did not usually go into a dangerous profession like adventuring. Someone who didn't know her face would never guess that she had slain countless monsters and trodden on just as many of their corpses.

"Ya can take a seat," said Loki as the girl with a thin, delicate face nodded and pulled out a chair to sit down.

"She is very cute. And also… Yes. I can see why you have taken a liking to this one."

Aiz's golden eyes met Freya's silver ones. Aiz kept her face emotionless as she lowered her head in a polite bow.

Her nickname was perfect in some ways, completely wrong in others. Freya's smile flexed for a moment thinking about it.

"Can I ask why you brought the kenki here with you?"

"Fu-he-he-heee… It's the Fair, yah? What better time for a date with my Aizuu?"

Loki's eyes twinkled, a vulgar smile on her lips.

"Well, that and she's finally back from an expedition. She'll be back in the Dungeon in no time. That's just her."

"…"

"Someone's gotta tell 'er to relax, don' they?"

Loki patted the girl's head as she spoke. Aiz looked down, deciding not to speak up.

Freya looked at the warmth in Loki's thin eyes and couldn't help but remember how she was before coming here. Loki had been quite the troublemaker in Tenkai.

"Well, then, I think it's about time ya tell me why I'm here."

"I just wanted to chat. It's been a while."

"Lyin' through yer teeth."

Loki sent a smirk at Freya, still smiling under her hood. She matched Freya's tone to the letter. The "old friends" aura was gone.

A waiter was unlucky enough to come to take their order at that very moment. Stuck between two lightning rods, he stood silent and motionless at the head of the table as if he had been chained down.

As for Aiz, she kept her face devoid of emotion and chose to watch quietly from the side.

"I'll ask ya again, why?"

"I don't understand. What's the matter, Loki?"

"Come on, moron."

Freya turned to the waiter, still motionless at the head of the table, and flashed him a smile. The man's eyes opened like floodgates, his face turning beet red. He broke out in a cold sweat before quickly turning around and wasting no time leaving the

area.

Loki watched him leave for a moment before returning her raptor-like gaze back to Freya.

"Ya been strange recently. Ya claim not to be interested in the Celebration, but poke yer head in at the last minute. Say yer there for information? Ya don' care about that, ya never have… What are ya scheming?"

"Shut ya mouth."

Loki followed it with saying that strange things happened when Freya acted like this. She went on to say that if it got in her way, she'd end it herself. Loki didn't blink, her red eyes adding weight to her words.

Freya didn't back down, meeting Loki's eyes with her own. The look on Loki's face could have killed a serpent, but Freya took it head-on smiling. Invisible sparks flew; the pressure of their conversation filled the room. The café emptied in no time flat.

Aiz had a front-row seat to the clash of goddesses that seemed to go on forever. Until…

Loki got tired and backed down.

The tension instantly evaporated, and Loki continued in a more relaxed voice:

"A man, isn't it?"

"…"

Freya didn't answer, just kept smiling.

Loki took it as an affirmation.

She let out a deep, long sigh. She had seen this too many times already.

"So… Ya got an eye for a child already in another Familia, I take it?"

All of the gods and goddesses knew about Freya's "habits" when it came to men.

Once a male on Gekai caught her eye, she made a move. Her beauty was powerful enough to make her target her own. Exactly how many men had fallen under her spell, no one knew.

Loki reasoned that Freya's target was most likely not in her Familia. Therefore, the reason she came to the Celebration in the first place was to figure out whose Familia the target was in.

Obviously going after someone already in another Familia, to take them away from it, would not go over well. The god of the other Familia would not sit by and do nothing. Freya was picking a fight. If the other side was strong, she'd get rejected and

wallow in despair until she found her next target. She was being cautious, gathering information before she made her move. That was what Loki was thinking, anyway.

Freya didn't try to deny Loki's words.

"Jeez, woman. Is that all ya think about? Ya'll go after anyone, young or old?"

"How rude. I do have standards."

"Leaving out all the bumbling idiots on Tenkai you pull fast ones on?"

"They have their uses. I'm quite skilled at getting money out of them."

Loki cleared her throat. The witch was putting up all of her dirty laundry. Loki raised an eyebrow at her fellow goddess. Freya shrugged, but only just enough for the fabric on her cloak to bend ever so slightly.

Thinking that there was nothing left to be said, Loki put her hands behind her head and leaned back in her chair so much that the front feet came off the floor.

Freya also let her guard down and took a sip from her now-cold cup. They both had an answer, and the mood finally cleared.

A clear, sunny sky spread out from the window beside them. The noises of the street were pouring into the café.

Freya's navy blue cloak swayed in a light breeze rolling in from an open window.

"And?"

"…?"

"Who's the guy? What child are ya after now? When'd ya find 'im?"

Loki leaned her head to the side as if to say, "Spill it."

Now she was interested. Unlike Freya, Loki loved details.

If she didn't get the goods now, she'd leave.

"…"

"I came all this way, changed my plans. I have the right to know."

Freya looked away from the goddess giving her demands and cast her gaze back out onto the street.

The hood of Freya's cloak opened enough for Loki to see her silver eyes go clear, as if she was thinking about something in the past.

"… He's not that strong. Weak if you compare him to the children in our Familias. Easily upset, he starts bawling at the simplest of problems… That kind of child."

The word "but" was on the tip of her tongue.

"He was beautiful, pure. I've never seen anything like him."

And that was why she'd fallen for him.

She heard a melody that most could not, coming from a flame within him. A soprano.

"I found him by accident. He just happened to walk across my line of vision"

As she talked, Freya thought about every detail of the second she'd first laid eyes on him. She kept her eyes on the busy street, searching for him. This was how she'd found him last time. Maybe today would be the day.

"It was just like this…"

Early morning, brisk air, fresh sunlight, West Main.

He'd come from the other end of the street—just like right now.

He ran into her line of sight, just like he had that morning.

"…"

Freya stopped breathing.

Her eyes had found a white-haired human boy in light adventurer's armor.

He jumped between people, jogged for a bit, and then stopped before doing it all again.

The boy was moving toward the stadium. Monsterphilia along with that other person.

That other child… he was dangerous… he actually sensed her intent and gaze.

Riding the river of people, he was well on his way to the circular building not too far down the road.

Freya watched him for a moment. A new smile, a scary smile, grew on her lips.

"I apologize. Something has come up."

"Eh?"

"Let's do this again soon."

Loki collapsed to the table in stunned disappointment. Freya was already out of her chair.

She adjusted her cloak as she went down the stairs and out of the building.

Only Loki and Aiz were left in the café.

"What kinda person just leaves ya hangin' like that…?"

Loki stared at the staircase for a moment, her eye twitching.

A small "hmm" escaped her throat as she turned to face the girl one seat away from her.

Aiz had her eyes glued to the window.

"What's up, Aiz? Somethin' wrong?"

"… No."

She went on to say, "It's nothing," but she didn't look away.

Her golden eyes, just like the silver eyes of the goddess before her, saw a familiar white head moving through the crowd to the stadium.

"Here it is."

"Ooooo!"

Hephaistos, still dressed in her work gear, handed Hestia a small case. Hestia let out a squeal of delight. She had bags under her eyes, but her face still beamed with energy.

Hephaistos, still dressed in her work gear, handed Hestia a small case. Hestia let out a squeal of delight. She had bags under her eyes, but her face still beamed with energy.

"Does it meet your expectations?"

"Yes, yes! Very much so! No complaints!"

The hinges of the case squeaked as Hestia opened it to have a look inside.

The case contained a dagger with a black handle and sheath.

The entire weapon was black from top to bottom. It might have looked like a simple blade, but Hephaistos had put her soul into making this weapon… with a little help from Hestia.

Completing Bell's new weapon in just under a day gave Hestia a look of happiness and satisfaction, the likes of which Hephaistos had never seen.

"Ah! Hephaistos, the blade needs a name! Can I give it one? Let's see, how about something that binds Bell and me together? 'Love Dagger' or something like that?"

"Please, no… This dagger is worth more than that. But this is your blade now…"

Hephaistos suggested "Hestia Knife," but Hestia wasn't too excited by that name.

More like she was embarrassed by it.

She blushed and scratched her head. But her level of delight was still as high as ever. Even the long ponytails on each side of her head were full of energy, swishing from side to side.

"I'll say this again: Do not go back on the loan."

"I won't! I won't!"

Hephaistos took her hair out of the tight bun she had made yesterday and started putting in pins. Hestia's energy was infectious, and she couldn't help but smile and nod at her.

However, Hestia was busy adjusting her clothes, as if she were getting ready to go.

"Leaving already?"

"Yeah, sorry!"

She couldn't just sit here now. Hestia made for the exit.

"You should rest before you go!"

Hestia didn't turn around or respond, just waved her hand as she headed out the door.

She had been waiting in a small room behind Hephaistos Familia's main store. She walked right past it and onto Main Street.

I can't wait to give this to him!

Just thinking about his face the moment she gave him the dagger made her so happy she could die.

First, he would simply smile at her, look at her with respect and admiration, and he would hold her…

Hestia's cheeks puffed up as she thought of how to set up that moment. She was walking down the middle of the road, her face stuck in the same expression, giggling to herself.

She calmed down a bit as she walked farther down Northwest Main. She decided to wait for Bell at home, rather than trying to find him in the city. Of course, she wanted to give it to him as quickly as possible, but she didn't know where he was at the

moment.

Probably somewhere in the Dungeon, knowing him.

"Hmm?… Ha-ha-ha, I see…"

She'd had a plan, until she happened to see a poster on the side of a shop. No one showed it to her. It was just there. A triumphant grin grew on her face.

The poster detailed the schedule for Monsterphilia, opening today.

The yearly festival is today! Bell and Shirou had just came to Orario. If he knows about Monsterphilia, that's where he'll be! Therefore, if she went, too, chances were she could see him there.

She was in such a good mood that the idea of searching for Bell in a massive crowd didn't bother her at all.

She'd figured out how he thought. Or so she declared to herself via her new (slightly unfounded) confidence. She knew where she needed to go.

Turning on a heel, she made her way toward East Main.

"Hey! Taxi!"

She flagged down a horse cart that was passing through by waving her small hand.

The young driver neatly pulled right up at Hestia's feet. She climbed into the cart and said, "To East Main, please!" and pointed that way for good measure.

"Ha-ha, loud and clear. Are you by chance going to Monsterphilia, Miss Goddess?"

"Something like that."

The young man flicked the reins, sending the cart into motion. The sound of wooden wheels hitting the rock pavement bounced in her ears. Her seat shook with each stone.

This was a huge city. Home to the most adventurers and Familias in the world, Orario distinguished itself from the rest of the larger cities. Inside a city this large, walking wasn't the most efficient form of transportation. Horses had been brought in to help

transport supplies to businesses around the city as well as assist private citizens.

The term "taxi" was first used by a god trying to flag one of them down. The name stuck and had been used ever since.

"I want to get there as fast as I can. I know it's crowded today, but can you speed up?"

"Do I look like a man who would refuse the request of a goddess?"

The young man was more than happy to oblige and urged his horse to run faster.

Since the main streets were full of people and food stands, he veered off the main road and went into the backstreets. Sometimes their path was so narrow that the cart barely fit through the gap as they rode toward East Main.

The driver, who couldn't have been more than five years older than Bell, was very friendly and kept a lively conversation going during the trip. Hestia got into the festival spirit watching all the decorations fly by their cart.

"A-ya-ya. I'm sorry, Goddess. Looks like I can't go any farther."

"Hmm?"

They had been making great time, but suddenly the cart came to a halt. East Main was only a block away, but the number of fairgoers had increased to the point that the taxi couldn't proceed.

The driver lowered his head in apology, but Hestia figured this was close enough and started getting ready to disembark from the cart.

"It's okay, Mr. Driver. I'll walk from here."

"I really do apologize. It may be a little dark, but if you use that side road, you should be able to get to East Main."

"Thanks! How much do I owe you?"

"It comes to ninety vals."

Hestia turned her purse inside out and emptied the entire contents into the driver's hands, her face glowing with excitement.

"Hee-hee. Keep the change! It's your tip!"

"Um, Goddess, this is exactly ninety vals…"

His words fell on deaf ears as Hestia half danced her way onto the side road he had suggested. He watched her for a moment, a slightly lonely look on his face. Giving up on the tip, he turned his cart around and set off to find another customer.

The side road was dark and narrow. But unlike the main street, no one was back there, and Hestia moved quickly down the path. She skipped forward, humming a happy tune and cradling the weapon case in her arms.

It was at that moment she realized she wasn't alone.

"Huh? Is that you, Freya?"

"… Hestia?"

Hestia almost ran into a woman covering her entire body with a navy blue cloak at a small intersection. Hestia could tell it was the Goddess of Beauty from a few locks of silver hair sticking out from the neck of the hood and the woman's posture.

"Did you come to watch Monsterphilia, too? Taking a back road like this, you must be in a rush."

"… In a sense, yes. There are many children on the main street, so I'm staying out of sight. Sneaking around back here is the fastest way to get around."

"Ah! Must be difficult being the Goddess of Beauty!"

Everyone who saw Freya had a different reaction, but many tended to stop and stare. She could avoid a lot of hassle by staying out of sight. That meant she couldn't ride a taxi to get around, either. This had to be her only way.

Freya smiled her usual smile. Hestia gave her an affirming nod.

"Oh, Freya, while I've got you here. Have you seen the boy in my Familia? I'm looking for him."

"…"

"He's a human with white hair and ruby-red eyes… Kind of looks like a rabbit!"

Hestia mimed out her explanation of Bell, arms becoming rabbit ears. Freya stopped smiling and went silent.

But her smile soon returned, and she told Hestia what she knew.

"Now that you mention it, I have. On East Main, not too long ago."

"Really?!"

"Yes. He was heading toward the stadium. So if you take a left up there, you should be able to avoid the crowd completely."

Accepting her directions without a second thought, Hestia thanked her with her biggest smile yet and set off.

Freya smiled a different kind of grin before continuing on her own path.

Hestia followed the road and turned left. More and more sunlight reached the street as she got closer to East Main.

It wasn't long now. Hestia picked up speed and burst out of the side street and into the throng of people on the main street.

The fairgoers didn't have any time to waste, either.

But in the waves of people, she immediately found Bell's white head trying and failing to move forward through the crowd.

"Heeey! BELL!"

"Huh?"

Is that who I think it is over there…? Oh, wow.

Haven't seen the goddess for days, and suddenly she shows up here, in the middle of this mess?

"She seems to have impeccable timing uh? Our goddess that is" Shirou said.

"Goddess?! What are you doing here?" Bell said, shocked at finding her goddess.

"Hey, don't be stupid! I wanted to see you, why else?" She comes all the way up to me, her ridiculously large boobs leading the way. That's not really an answer… She's making me a bit nervous.

"Yeah, I wanted to see you, too, but not that. Where have you been…?"

"What a wonderful coincidence, don't you think? I wanted to see you, and here you are! We must have some kind of special connection! Hee-hee-hee!" Hestia said giggling as Shirou just observed them both. Hestia was very romantically invested in Bell

but the boy was too dense to notice it… and for some reason he had a nagging feeling on the back of his mind.

She's not listening… at all.

She's gone into her own little world. Where does that leave me?

"G-Goddess, you seem to be in a really good mood. What happened?" Bell asked.

"Hee-hee… You wanna know? The reason why I'm happy…" She said as she got closer.

"Y-yes?"

I swear she's smiling hard enough to power all the magic stone lamps in Orario… She's also hiding something behind her back. What could that be? Well, I'll just have to wait. She's really drawing this out.

"The truth is…"

I wait for her to continue, but she just stops.

Shirou saw it…

He was impressed at it, that gift she got for Bell.

Yes, she was a good person at heart… something made for Bell himself and only him… a weapon that held the love of a Goddess.

She looks around the fair, taking in the sights and sounds. But I don't think she's really here, in the real world. Now she's staring up at the sky.

What is going through her head?

"… Hmm. We're already out here, so I'll tell you later!"

"Ehhhhh?"

"Look forward to something really special!"

My shoulders drop; pretty sure my jaw does, too. What is she trying to do to me? Wait, what? She grabbed my hand?!

My heart skips a beat as she takes my right hand. Her skin, it's so soft… She's pulling!

"Let's have a date, Bell!"

She turns her back and looks over her shoulder with a cute little smile.

"… A date?!"

"Yep, yep! Just look at the city! Everything looks so fun! We'll have a great time!"

"Sure, but what do you mean, a date?"

"Hee-hee! Let's go, Bell! Let's go!"

I'm blushing like mad; I can feel it in my cheeks. But the goddess looks so happy.

Her silklike fingers clamp down on my hand, and she leads me straight into the crowded street.

The street vendors show no signs of slowing down. They are selling so many things! Meat on a stick; easy to carry, I suppose. Oh! Small souvenirs, key chains, accessories with Ganesha Familia's emblem or a monster on them are in that one! Aren't

those… real weapons? Not the highest grade, but they're very real. Only in Orario…

Seeing that he was the odd man out he decided to let those 2 alone and explore the event.

Fireworks fired off from the stadium dot the sky. I can barely hear them over the noise on the street.

"Wait, Goddess. I have to tell you, I'm in the middle of something!"

"Oh, like what?"

"I was asked to find someone."

"Okay, then, we'll look for them while on our date! I think the phrase is two birds with one stone? Hey! Mister! Two of those crepes, please!"

"Goddess?!"

She brushes me off again… I'm in trouble now.

I can't go back to The Benevolent Mistress without getting Syr's wallet to her and say it was because I was on a date! Is this a date…? Anyway, if those ladies find out, they would hate me for sure!

And then there's…

The goddess. I can't take my eyes off her.

My hand won't relax, damp with sweat. That's nothing compared with all these new looks from the goddess.

It is strange to think, but she's acting the age she looks, going from vendor to vendor, her eyes sparkling as she points to a pastry or clothes like a teenager.

She's completely different at home, more grown-up. Her smile is always contagious, but now it's… cute.

The goddess really is a beautiful young lady. Seeing this side of her proves it.

My heart is beating a rhythm now… What have I gotten myself into?

She's a goddess!

"Bell? Be-ll?"

"Ah, yes. What is it?"

"Ahh—nn."

"… Huh?"

She's making this a whole lot more complicated…

She's holding one of the crepes that we just bought up to my mouth with that radiant grin on her face…

While she finally lets go of my hand, she's on tiptoes holding the crepe with both hands and trying to get me to open my mouth.

My arms flail as I struggle to get words out, eyes locked on the confection now inches away.

"Goddess, what are you doing?!"

"What do you mean? Say 'ah'! Ready, ahh-nn. I always wanted to try this."

"…?!"

My whole body is twitching… How pathetic…

I forgot what I was going to say, great. All right, maybe if I don't say anything, she'll get the message. My cheeks are on fire!

I know she's in a good mood, but this is absurd! Maybe it's the festival that's giving her these ideas.

"Aww, what is it, Bell? Is it because I took a bite first?"

"N-no! It's not that, it's just…"

It's a little embarrassing… and you are a goddess! I have to respect you! Respect!

Being fed like that by an otherworldly deity? I have no manners at all!

Avoid eye contact! I already look pathetic enough! Come on, think! There has to be a way out! Ah! My own crepe!

"I bought that for you! To take a bite of your crepe would be disrespectful because I have my own. Please have a bite of mine instead!"

"… You got away…"

Her smile is gone, pouting a bit. At least she lowered the crepe.

But she shrugs it off. "Oh, well." Her smile is back!

"Okay, we'll do it your way. I'll have a bite of yours."

"Eh?"

"See? Ahhh-nnnn."

"… Ah-nn."

She closes her eyes. Her thin lips are open.

Okay, I can handle this. Just bring the crepe close to her mouth…

Chomp.

Her cute cherry-blossom lips jump forward as she takes a small bite. She looks like a cute, innocent child… Stop looking at her like that! I'm blushing again!

With Shirou

He decided to see the espectacle .and sat down to see what was so good about this event that happened once a year.

It started with a big roar from the crowd.

Released from its chains, a monster howled as it charged forward into the arena, leaving a cloud of dust in its wake.

The Battle Boar stood more than two meters tall. Only a short-haired female tamer stood in its path. She nimbly rolled out of the way, her hair swinging around her head.

The crowd erupted at the display of sheer athleticism. Fifty thousand strong in the stands create a whirlpool of energy all flowing to the stadium floor.

The stadium, Anphiteatom, was located in Eastern Orario.

The curtain had just been lifted on Monsterphilia's main event. Thousands of citizens filed into the stadium to witness the spectacle.

The Battle Boar had been captured for just this purpose. It kicked off the stadium floor, intent on mauling the woman in its way. The beast's overwhelming power left cracks in the surface of the floor with each step. However, Ganesha Familia's tamer was

unfazed. She adeptly dodged all of the boar's charges, much to the delight of the crowd.

This battle was very similar to a bull fight. An attractive person in flashy clothing faced down a beast armed with a whip and a cape. The beast charged many times, but the tamer dodged by the smallest of margins.

It was her mission to tame the beast, not kill it. Seeing her calm demeanor in the face of life-threatening danger inspired awe and respect among the audience.

They wanted to see more. They applauded every time the tamer emerged from a charge without a scratch on her.

The monster's bloodcurdling roars were amplified throughout the stadium by magic stone microphones to make sure even people in the upper deck seats got the full impact of the show. The stadium was absolutely electric.

"They've started…," Eina muttered to herself after hearing the noise erupt behind her.

"Oh… Eina-san! Fancy meeting you here" a voice called from behind.

She turned around to find him, Bell's companion and second member of the Hestia Familia.

"Shirou-san, I didn't imagine you would be here, heard about the event?" She said.

"Yes, when Bell and I passed by the pub, he was asked to deliver a coin purse to one of the girls that work there, she forgot it apparently" Shirou said with a shrug. "what about yourself? What are you doing here?"

"The Guild is in charge of the event… I am working as an usher right now" she said "Here let me take you to a seat" she said with a smile.

He was taken back by this, he would have tought it was a blood spectacle but in truth it was a monster Taming event of sorts.

It was then he sensed something off…

A particular scent… the same one of the one that had targeted them before in the street… it smelled of honey and roses.

"Eina-san, would you mind saving my seat? I will be back in a bit" Shirou said as he left.

She pouted slightly at this bit accepted.

He was good company to have around and she felt... comfortable with him.

Massaging her temple, she went back to where her coworkers were stationed at the base of the stadium.

"What the hell's going on over there?"

"Complain all you want later, get some people over there now."

"…?"

The mood had changed; voices were raised everywhere.

Eina's eyes narrowed as she walked up to the group. "Excuse me, what's going on?"

"Guild staff stationed at the west gate collapsed for some reason."

"… Huh?"

"They're awake, but they're all sitting down on the job or lying on the floor… Could just be a bad hangover from last night. But everyone's too far gone to do their job, so we're sending some more people over there." The animal people Guild employee

rolled his eyes in frustration.

But Eina felt a cold chill in her chest. She wasn't just nervous now, her whole body started to tense up.

Am I overreacting…?

Another roar from the crowd echoed over the stone wall behind her. She looked up at the top of the wall, trying to steady herself.

However, a different echo, one from a monster's roar beneath the ground, reached her ears as well.

Basement of the Arena

It was a dark, dirty room with almost no light.

A single magic stone lamp hung from the ceiling, casting long shadows over everything in the room. Boxes standing a square meter tall lined the dusty, dank storage room. Different types of weapons and items hung on the walls.

Many cages were in here as well. The sound of chains echoed as the beasts inside the cages fought against their restraints. The iron cages were built in a lattice pattern. Monsters stuck their snouts out of the openings, baring their fangs and howling.

The room was under the stadium's main stage. It was being used as the monsters' waiting room.

Their cages would be moved to the surface by a staff member when it was their turn onstage. A tamer would be waiting for them when their chains were broken.

"What are you doing? We're ready for the next one! Why won't you raise it?!"

Clop-clop-clop. Sharp steps in high heels echoed off the stone floor outside the storage room just before the door opened to reveal a female member of Ganesha Familia. She was the team manager for monster transportation. Her assistants never missed

a beat, so when the next cage failed to show up on time, she rushed to investigate.

She was ready to scold them, but no one responded.

"W-what's wrong? Hey!"

Her team members were on the floor all over the room.

The four men she had left in charge were sitting down, leaning against boxes with absent looks on their faces.

She ran to the closest one, fearing the worst. He was breathing. No injuries, either. Going to the rest of the team, they were in exactly the same aloof state. However, they were alive.

The only problem was that all of them looked like puppets that had their strings cut. There was no strength in their bodies at all.

"Ah… ah."

Monster poison…? No, it can't be… What the hell did this?!

All of them were murmuring something. Their faces were beet red. Their eyes weren't focusing.

She had never seen anything like this. A chill crept through her body as she realized she didn't know how to help them. How could she cure what she was seeing for the first time?

What happened here…? She stood up and scanned the room, ignoring the howling and thrashing beasts still locked in their cages.

"—"

The air behind her suddenly shifted.

It was not an aggressive sneak attack, more like one friend creeping up on another. There was no intent to harm, which was why the woman was too slow to react.

Someone was standing behind her.

"Please stand still?"

"—ah."

A quick swish of cloth, and suddenly she couldn't see.

Her eyes were covered by delicate fingers that were smooth to the touch.

A heartbeat later, her whole body froze in place, limbs shaking ever so slightly.

A sweet smell licked her nose, a soft body pressed against her back, warmth enveloped her skin. All of her senses were paralyzed by a "beauty" she couldn't see.

It was an overwhelming "charm."

A "charm" she couldn't comprehend.

She couldn't fight back, she couldn't resist.

Her mind was going blank, thoughts evaporating all at once.

Her freedom was gone.

"Where is the key?"

"—e."

"The key to the cages—where is it?"

The voice whispered lightly into her ear, but the sound consumed her consciousness. Her head leaned forward, her neck unable to support it.

She could not fight the words in her head, and she obeyed.

Her shaky right arm reached behind her back to grab a key chain strapped to her belt. The keys shook violently in her jittery hand. She raised the keys up to her shoulder.

"Thank you."

The hands covering her eyes left as the keys were taken from her hand. But her eyes didn't trigger. The girl did not see anything.

The presence behind her withdrew. Without its support, her knees buckled, and she fell to the floor, landing softly on her rear end.

She had fallen victim to the same "charm" as her team and joined their fate.

"My apologies."

Freya left the girl behind and walked farther into the storage room.

Guild staff and the "fierce members" of Ganesha Familia had been guarding the west gate. She had rendered them all helpless in order to come this far.

Freya didn't have the ability to fight anyone. She was just one of the many gods on Gekai. She had no special powers.

But she had her beauty. She literally was beauty itself. She had a power that couldn't be controlled by reason. Other gods fell under her spell; humans and demi-humans didn't stand a chance. She had the overwhelming ability to put anyone in a trance

on a whim.

This time she was using it to have a little fun.

The gender of her victims didn't matter. Their consciousness would leave them; they would forget they had bones to stand on. They became infatuated with her "charm."

As long as she was careful not to be seen, this level of infiltration was well within her power.

"…"

Freya stopped in the middle of the storage room.

Monster cages were lined up all around her, their occupants howling with renewed vigor. She listened to the explosion of beastly roars around her.

However, as soon as she lowered her hood, all of the beasts went silent.

Her beauty had ensnared them, too.

Skin the color of freshly fallen snow filled their eyes. Freya's silver hair and silver eyes hypnotized the monsters into a passive state, their muscles shutting down.

Even vicious monsters were not safe from her "charm."

"… You'll do well."

She looked over all of them individually before stopping at one particular cage.

That monster was covered in a thick white coat of fur. Its arms were massive and its shoulders broad with bulging muscles. A line of longer, thread-like fur that matched Freya's hair color perfectly ran down its back ends in what looked like a stubby tail.

The wild silverback locked eyes with the Goddess of Beauty, its breathing getting heavier and heavier with each passing second.

"Come out."

She opened the lid of the cage with the key in her hand.

The monster obeyed Freya's instructions and stepped out of the lattice cage. The chains restraining its arms and legs jangled at its feet.

She had released a monster. She knew how dangerous this could be.

While she was pulling the strings, little details like that meant nothing to her.

She'd come here for one reason.

That boy is right outside…

Her target was Bell Cranell.

Ahh, but it's a pity. I wanted to watch him grow a little while longer…

She knew Bell was growing at an alarming rate. She didn't know why, but she could see he was improving by leaps and bounds.

No one could keep a secret from a god.

… I want to play with him.

Freya laughed to herself like a little kid.

She wanted to play a joke on the one she loved, just as if she were an immature child. But she couldn't stop. Her love at first sight was driving her forward like a twinge of pain deep in her chest every moment she couldn't be with him.

She wanted to see him scared, see him cry, but above all, she wanted to see his courage.

"Fhaa… fhaaaa…?"

Freya lovingly stroked the cheek of the silverback, its nose flaring with each swell of air. She paused for a moment as a new thought went through her mind.

What if this monster accidentally killed Bell because she let it loose?

She hadn't thought of that but quickly shrugged it off.

If Bell died today…

I'll go after him.

If his spirit left Gekai, she would chase it to the ends of time and space.

I will hold him.

Once she caught him, she would hold him against her passionate breasts.

Her eyes glowed with love and tenderness, but her face showed a love of cruelty. An absolutely evil smile unrolled from her lips.

She held the silverback's head with both hands, evil smile and all. Every muscle in the monster's body pulsed with energy.

So…

She leaned forward and placed her lips on the creature's forehead.

Wait for me?

A roar erupted from the storage room.

With Shirou

He was following the scent of roses and honey he had associated with whatever had their sights on Bell, he then found that the scent had stopped moving.

"I see… so it is this way"

He was going Iin when he noticed people unconscious on their feet.

The feeling of danger just went up when he saw that this was were the monsters where being kept.

He heard metal being broke and boxes being broken by the dozen… many monsters had broken free and where now running out, the situation had turned to the worst… and the scent was still there.

Shirou gritted his teeth, but between the people who might be in danger and catching this mystery person… there was no more obvious option.

"Trace on"

A red spear appeared on his hands, he needed to fight and move as fast as possible and there was one hero he knew that could fit the bill.

The arena was a pandemonium.

The master where all over the place and people were terrified.

A little girl and her sister screamed as a monster jumped to attack them.

The older sister turned her sister away and was going to use her body to shield her and buy her time to flee.

A ray of a red light streaked in her field of vision.

The large monster was stopped by a crimson spear.

With a grunt the red haired man flung the monster away.

"Keep going I will cover you, find shelter now" the young man said.

The girl nodded as she rushed off.

9 more monsters appeared… they seemed really strong, probably level 2 monsters… or low level 3.

"Do you need assistance?" a new voice said.

"Aiz… while not nesesarily I welcome it all the same… make sure they don't get close to the civilians" Shirou said as he lowered his body and took a runners stance.

Aiz noticed the change in his combat form, she was sure he was a swordsman but he was now using a spear… and by the looks of it was of rather high quality too.

She was interested in this gap between what he should be and what he is.

A novice that could fight on par with pros… a novice who had weapons that many would kill for.

Well it didn't matter to her either way, she had been asked to protect the innocent… she had to keep her Familia's honor and prestige.

He shot out like an arrow.

One second he was next to her, the next was next to the monster's side.

A single blow.

It took one single one-armed thrust to blow its head off.

He then used the spear to vault out of the way and landed in a couching stance, then, with both hands, swipped away flinging the monsters away from the stands.

Aiz took the opportunity to attack, it wouldn't do to be outdone by her junior.

It was a carnage as both killed the monsters in manners of minutes.

They exited the arena to find there where monsters that had managed to break into the city proper, this would make things more complicated.

"Gya!" a familiar sounding voice yelled.

It was Eina and she was in danger.

A large reptile had her cornered

"Aiz, take care of the other side… I got to save her" Shirou said as he left without waiting for her reply.

"Understood" she said, not caring it the least that he heard her or not.

Eina closed her eyes expecting to die right there… she never would have tought she would die due to a monster attack, she was a worker at a Guild… interacting with monsters only happened when adventurers dropped their items in exchange of Vali.

The monster opened its jaws to swallow her.

She cried… she was gonna die and she never even had a boyfriend yet… oh gods… she was gonna die a virgin!

She could fell the warmth and the stench of the monster's jaw as it grew closer.

"Someone. .. someone please… save me" she thought desesperately.

Flick

He felt a warm liquid spray her face, she was afraid to open her eyes.

She heard sounds of struggle and then silence.

"Eina-san, are you okay?" Shirou's voice asked.

Eina opened her eyes… in front of her was Shirou with a red spear that had something sticking on it… and he was covered with blood.

"Thank god you are alright… a second later and then… well it doesn't matter… you are safe, now get out of here and find shelter" Shirou said.

Eina nodded with a slight blush as she left the streets to a nearby safe house.

Shirou flicked the brain matter on the spear off as he joined the other adventurers to clear the area.

After killing all the monsters in the area they did an inventory… to see what they had killed and compare it to the monsters that they held.

"All monster are accounted for save for one"

"Which one would thay be?"

"Silver greyback"

With Bell and Hestia a few minutes ago

Bell and Hestia were walking around both looking at the stalls and having a fun time (Hestia) and looking for Syr (Bell).

The whole place was lovely and noisy.

It was for that reason that when the atmosphere changed… he knew something was going on.

Just now, something…

Something reaches my ears.

It's not the din of the festival; it's sharper, tenser.

"… A scream?"

Just as the words leave my mouth, a tidal wave of sound overtakes us.

"MONSTERRRRRRRRR!"

The peaceful street erupts into an explosion of panic at that one word.

There it is.

A monster is at the end of the street, coming from the stadium.

It's charging down the stone road, all of its white fur standing on end.

The monster, the silverback, was enraged.

A storm within, muscles firing off at full strength, it breathed with enough force to blow everything out of its way. It wanted her, and it wanted her now.

It was looking for a goddess.

The last it saw of her silver hair was outside the stadium, disappearing into a crowd. The completely charmed monster rushed after her with more strength and power than it had ever had before, almost as though it was being pulled by an invisible chain.

Her love!

The goddess's affection!

The monster's purest, most basic instincts had taken over its body and driven it forward.

A monster's instincts didn't waver. Its quest for a goddess's love consumed it.

"Gaaaaahhhhhh!"

"Heeee!"

The silverback advanced down the street, swatting carts and boxes out of its way.

A crying horse managed to get out of the way. The driver of its cart wasn't so lucky. He was launched skyward and tumbled to the ground. The horse wheeled the empty cart back around to its master as the silverback charged by.

It was losing the scent of the goddess. Her sweet aroma was gone. Had it made a wrong turn?

The silverback stopped for a moment and tried to find her scent again. It looked in every direction, taking in big huffs of air.

Many people filled the streets once again—people running, people in shock, people screaming at the top of their lungs.

The silverback was enclosed in a circle of humanity.

The silverback's eyes skimmed the crowd before suddenly coming to a stop.

Its eyes had locked onto a point, a certain someone.

It saw "her" with bloodshot eyes.

A small girl with black hair and blank eyes staring right back at him.

A being clearly different from the others around her.

Someone on a whole other plane.

Someone with the same qualities as the "goddess" he pursed.

A voice climbed into its ears:

"—Could you chase the small one?"

Those words whispering in its ear were hers.

—Found you!

The silverback took one big step toward the wide-eyed little girl.

It takes a step forward.

"… B-Bell."

I grab the goddess's hand and take one, two steps back.

Every hair on my body is standing up. I haven't felt like this since "that" day.

A white body, silver hair running down its back. Its presence is overwhelming.

It has the eyes of a beast, no rhythm or reason. And it's looking at me and the goddess.

I can't breathe.

Why is there a monster here? What is happening? I've asked those questions before…

I'm facing something that shouldn't be here. It's the Minotaur all over again. I'm sweating, shaking just as hard as last time.

One of us is going to get overrun!

"—Do your best."

Where did that voice come from…?

My ears are ringing from all the commotion.

Bell knew that he couldn't win as he currently was, his equipment was subpar and this monster was around the same in power as the Minotaur.

"Ruguguu…!"

The sun is shining through all the flags on East Main. They look so out of place in this chaos.

I feel like an island in this torrent of panicked screams.

Now that I got a better look at the howling monster, it doesn't have a tail. It's just a thick stripe of long silver hair on its back. Chains are still shackled to its wrists, but they look like they were torn apart. Metal being dragged across stone—I hate that

sound.

Silverback…

Eina has told me about many types of monsters. This is one of them for sure.

She also told me it's born far below the lower fifth—way out of my league.

It really is the Minotaur all over again. I won't be able to lay a finger on this thing!

Warning bells are going off in my head. It's time to go.

Bell grabbed Hestia in a princess carry and dashed out, even if his skills and equipment was subpar he at least was confident on his speed.

"Gyaa…!"

It's moving again!

It bends its knees, turning its body right toward me and the goddess!

—It's coming!

Here comes a massive fist! I have to move!

"!"

"Uwaaaa!"

Dive to the side! Grab the goddess and launch!

I got her, but there's no time to make sure she's safely tucked in my arms. Hesitation was the enemy here... I feel her screams against my chest. Bam! My shoulder into the stone road. Roll, now!

Two, three rolls and stop! That should be far enough, the monster already flew by.

Get up and protect the goddess, now!

Okay, she's behind me. The beast has to go through me if it wants her.

"Urrrrnnnn…!"

It's back up and coming this way!

Its eyes are fixed on me! Here comes another charge!

Why?!

It didn't even hesitate! Just found me again and charged! The goddess will get trampled! I yank her hard to the right and out of the beast's path.

Huh? It changed direction?! In mid-charge?! So the silverback isn't locked onto me…

Oh shit…

It's after the goddess! And now it's airborne!

My legs move on their own. I have to get in its way, since the goddess is helpless. Before I know it, I'm between the two of them, but the monster doesn't even glance my way.

It does, however, send an arm.

"—Gwahhhh?!"

"Gugooooooo!"

I succeed in getting the goddess out of the way of a wrecking ball. Unfortunately, I take that wrecking ball square in the ribs.

It hits my armor, but it isn't strong enough to stop the crushing blow from coursing through my body. I… I can't breathe!

Oh, the punch sent me flying… That's why everything's upside down and blurry… damn it… he was sure he would have blacked out if it wasn't for Shirou's training, he had managed to diminish the blow somewhat and even if he wasn't at a 100 he could

still move, even if he was in pain.

… Ah!

I fly through a food stall! Shattering a hole in it on impact, by the looks of things; splinters of wood are all over the place.