Chapter 25: Aphrodite

'...the food is good...but I have to admit...I'm really missing the food of May...'

Bell said to himself as he partook in a bowl of stew in front of him.

'I could cook for myself...but if I do then the rest of the caravan will push the job onto me for the rest of the trip...I also don't want the accompanying chef to lose his job...'

He ate by his lonesome while the rest of his caravan galavanted together in a drunken cheer.

The moon was high up in the sky as the traveling group set up camp for the night. It had been a week since Bell had left Orario to initiate his plans that took place outside of the dungeon city.

'I thought it would take a few months given the medieval nature of Danmachi...who knew there were paved routes for relatively easy travel...even to a relatively unknown city like Preblica...'

The caravan Bell hitched a ride on had made astonishing progress in traveling such a distance in a relatively short amount of time.

Bell had prepared to wait long amounts of time like in the journey he read in Mushoku Tensei...but it would seem Danmachi made traveling more convenient.

'Well, the gods somehow were able to make plastic without an industrial revolution, so I shouldn't be so surprised they can incentivize mortals to make travel highways...'

Though Bell was amusing himself with parts of the world he didn't expect to occur...in his heart he was deeply worried for the future of his plans...about the situation which lay inside the Elsos Ruins...the great sealed monster Antares...

'There hasn't been news of a horde of black scorpions or a dead forest...so I think I should be safe for now...'

Antares. A monster that wreaked havoc upon the lower world in an age long before the gods descended, and even longer before the age of heroes.

A black scorpion that decimated entire civilizations into extinction with its brood and violet magic blasts.

A being so powerful that it required all of the spirits under the goddess Artemis to seal in a great cavern.

A being so powerful...it can consume a god...and utilize its arcanum for its own...

'Though I have a feeling Antares cant utilize arcanum freely...the mere fact it can do so without the restrictions of Ouranos' promise with the dungeon is a major concern'

Bell reminisced on the events of the movie he watched. Though most of the audience was mainly concerned with the arcanum arrow pointing towards Orario and its populace, Bell was more concerned with the dungeon's behavior.

'The monsters of the dungeon became berserk and were no longer affected by Ouranos' prayers which kept them from invading the surface...a dungeon outbreak with only monsters from the early floors will be catastrophic...but if the demi spirit were to make a move...'

Every consequence of Antares continuing to exist posed massive risks that Bell cannot ignore in good conscience.

'It may also not exist...the movie was non-canon, so such a broken monster might not be sealed...and Artemis and her familia won't have to die...'

The other reason which motivated Bell was the fate that was to befall the Artemis familia should Antares exist in the world.

The Artemis familia was one which primarily focused on hunting surface monsters, but despite that, all of their members were veteran level twos with the exception of their level three captain.

In addition to the emotional aspect of Bell wanting to save people who were fated to die, he didn't want such a promising familia to be wiped out. He may need their assistance one day should it be required.

'They can also serve as a successor to the Astraea familia with how strained Ganesha is at the moment...'

There were an abundant number of reasons for Bell to involve himself in such a remote place of the continent. So he quietly steeled his resolve for what was to come.

As Bell continued to eat in silence, the reflection of the burning fireplace appeared in his eyes...

'If it exists...I will hunt it down...no matter what'

...

..

.

As the sun stood high in the sky, Bell walked down the streets of a small city at the northern edge of the continent.

'So this is Preblica... it's quite peaceful...in the slow-life kind of way'

Bell had gotten used to the bustling nature of Orario, so seeing the peaceful streets of Preblica brought him back to his nature when he lived in his home village deep in the mountains.

Preblica was a wide and open-aired city with building built out of bright wood and stone. Each is placed widely from the other, unlike the cramped Orario.

But though it was relatively unknown, the city wasn't dilapidated or underdeveloped. Having a well-built infrastructure that pleased the eye.

'Good infrastructure...refreshing air...good people...this might make a good place to retire one day'

Bell smiled as he thought of the peaceful days he was working hard to achieve, but as he was doing so, his pondering was broken off by a loud shout. One which was done in a serene voice...from a lady that naturally drew his attention...not solely for her outburst, but for her beauty as well.

"DAMN THAT ARTEMIS!- CANT SHE TAKE A HINT AND REALIZE IM DOING THIS FOR HER SAKE!"

A blonde-haired and green-eyed woman shouted into the air as she chugged a glass of alcohol in a rage. Though she lost herself in a fit of anger, all the actions she performed exuded the radiance of elegance and finesse.

Her body was clothed in numerous ornate pieces, each one serving to highlight her well-kept figure. Most striking were her navel and slender long leg.

"𝘩𝘪𝘤 THAT LONER CAN DIE FOR ALL I CARE!- 𝘩𝘪𝘤 WHY SHOULD I CARE FOR A THOUSAND-YEAR-OLD VIRGIN LOSER?!-"

Tears streamed down her face, tears she was used to experiencing whenever she deal with the person she was talking about.

Swarms of people began to try in vain to calm down the beauty.

But though she was surrounded at all sides, her radiance wasn't hindered one bit in Bell's eyes...the radiance of the divine...a goddess.

"Lady Aphrodite...please calm yourself..."

A beautiful female elf with black hair said in futility. The goddess was surrounded by beauties at all sides, something which drew the attention of a crowd of people. All wanting to observe the situation.

"I'M COMPLETELY FINE THALIA! IM JUST TALKING ABOUT THAT LOSER ARTEMIS. WHY WOULD I NOT BE FINE WHEN I'M TALKING ABOUT THAT LOSER?!-"

( image )

Aphrodite continued to rage about in the street while her numerous familia members tried in vain to calm and restrain their goddess.

'Aphrodite...'

The goddess which presided over beauty and love.

Known for being a constant thorn in the side of Hestia, Artemis, and Athena in Tenkai by admonishing their choice to remain virgins. Though she was known to be more lenient on Hestia than the other two.

Aphrodite was also known for her travels across the continent. Constantly seeking people for her familia that she built on the premise of beauty complimenting strength. A defining characteristic that distinguished her from people like Apollo.

'She's very beautiful...much more of an enchanting beauty rather than a seductress in other stories...'

Bell thought as he continued to stare at what was happening.

He was one of the many people who were looking at the chaos which ensued among the traveling familia, but he would soon continue to do so not out of curiosity...but out of a growing sense of concern...

'Wait...Aphrodite just mentioned Artemis...Aphrodite isn't the type to endlessly talk about Artemis...only doing so whenever she encounters the goddess...Artemis...meeting Aphrodite in Preblica-!'

Bell immediately remembered why such an event struck a cord in him.

Memories of his past life began to flood en masse. The contents of a side story which detailed the events leading up to the movie...the novel "One Love"...where the Artemis familia began to head to the Elsos Ruins after completing a request to subjugate some local wyverns...walking into their demise.

'I have to intercept them before-'

Bell thought as he was about to start heading in a certain direction. One he assumed would lead to the Elsos ruins' location after conversing with some locals. But before he could...

Bell had locked eyes with Aphrodite.

In an instant, she was taken away from her rage. Focusing instead on the handsome youth which lay before her eyes.

'Shining white hair...as if it were made out of the purest silk...'

Aphrodite began to make note of Bell's appearance. Her eyes moved up and down his body with expert precision. The goddess prided herself on her skills in analyzing aesthetics.

'Clear blue eyes...as if the skies themselves were implanted into them...a robust body which shows signs of well-defined and developed muscles despite all his layers of clothing...'

'Though his fashion sense could use...a little bit more work...he...that boy has the greatest potential out of all the people I've met!-"

Aphrodite concluded her expert analysis with a fervent passion.

'Handsome..and a feeling as if he's stronger than he assumed to be...'

Bell's facade broke under the goddess' eyes in an instant...the treasure that lay beneath the mask...tantalizing her desire.

'This boy...I want him~'

Aphrodite thought as she licked her succulent lips...her verdant green eyes shimmering with intrigue...

'I feel like I'm in danger...'

Bell thought as he immediately recognized the dangerous glint in the goddess' eyes...a gaze he became familiar with for reasons unknown to him.

"Hey! Boy over there!"

Aphrodite called out to him, a voice which made her familia stop trying to restrain her and begin to focus on the figure she had called out to...even the crowds who were watching began to focus on Bell...

"Handsome fella with the white hair!"

Aphrodite said as she began to elegantly skip her way to Bell.

Her joy at finding such a promising recruit for her familia made her choose to skip rather than use the eye-catching gait she would normally use. One which swayed her hips and drew attention to her bare and beautiful legs. Two things she prided herself immensely on.

"..."

Bell was now face-to-face with the beautiful goddess. Her small mannerisms appeared more adorable rather than seducing. The goddess was so excited she began to lightly jump in place.

"Hey! What's your name boy?"

Aphrodite asked. Excitement and curiosity were apparent as her green eyes began to shimmer as if stars were in them.

"B-Bell...Bell Cranel, dear Goddess"

Bell replied in an awkward tone as he did his best to resist the unconscious charming aura Aphrodite was releasing at the moment. One which affected the bystanders and her familia.

'He's desperately averting his eyes from me...like a nervous white dog...he so cute~~'

Aphrodite fell harder to the appeal of Bell. She definitely wanted to invite Bell to her familia now.

"Bell Cranel? That's a nice name. It rolls off the tongue well~"

Aphrodite said as he began to encircle Bell. Doing so to more accurately assess him...but to Bell...it was more like a shark circling around its prey.

"Dear Goddess...may I ask why you're walking around me?..."

Bell hesitantly asked as the goddess continued to drill holes all over him with her gaze, only growing happier and happier as she did so.

"Hm? Oh, it's nothing~ Also you can call me Aphrodite, Bell~"

Hearing her vibrant reply and locking onto her green eyes, Bell tried to speak to move on to his next question.

"Lady Aphro-"

But he immediately cut off.

"Aphrodite. No "Lady". Just Aphrodite, 'kay?"

Aphrodite said with a wink, immediately convincing Bell.

'So this is the charming radiance of a goddess of beauty...I really hate that I don't have an immunity to it like the original Bell...'

"Lady...Aphrodite..."

Seeing Bell comply with her request brought a sense of glee to the goddess.

'I wonder...is this the "desire to conquer" Hermes tells me whenever he tries to peep on the goddess' bath?'

Pushing her ponderings to the side, Aphrodite began to probe Bell for more information before he could speak.

"So tell me Bell. What brings you to Preblica? Travel? You look like a traveling type of person with those robes~"

Aphrodite began to push the conversation forward with immense force as if it were natural to her. Bell could only struggle as he was swept away by Aphrodite.

"You look young you know? You still have some fat on your cheeks which just look adorable~ fifteen...no, fourteen? You're fourteen arents you?~"

Bell could only be in awe at Aphrodite's level of deduction through his appearances alone...

'I can't really underestimate a goddess of beauty to not be knowledgeable about appearances...the way she bombards me is quite...extroverts...what terrifying creatures...'

Bell was able to develop his skills to a respectable degree to not struggle in a social setting...but he was far beyond the level of Aphrodite who was running circles around him.

"Yes, Lady Aphrodite...I'm fourteen..."

Bell could only reluctantly fall the goddess' persistent questioning.

Aphrodite upon hearing this only grew more interested in him.

'So young...yet so mature...both in appearances and possibly his mentality as well...I really~'

Seeing the glint appear once more in Aphrodite's eyes, Bell finally recognized it...

'That gaze...Syr...Freya...oh no-'

It was at this moment...Bell knew...he fucked up.

'I have to get out of here!-'

Bell immediately resolved to get out of the conversation as fast as he could.

"Lady Aphrodite I have some business to attend to at this moment so if you could-"

But it was in vain...Aphrodite knew to cling to whatever caught her attention in spite of her high standards...her fangs had long since sunk into Bell's supple skin.

"Oh my~ In that case do you mind if I and my familia accompany you? We're quite reliable at solving problems you know?"

Aphrodite wasn't going to easily let go of this boy who had caught her eye. She desired to appreciate Bell's beauty for every waking hour she has...perhaps even discover more of its appeal at night.

"I really appreciate your concern, Lady Aphrodite. But don't you think it will be troublesome for your familia to-"

Bell tried to dissuade Aphrodite by hoping her familia were sensible people, given they tried to restrain her from lashing out in public. But at a click of the goddess' fingers and a call of a name.

"Thalia?"

A reply was given immediately. In obedience to the goddess and to answer Bell's concern.

"We are all prepared for the journey, my goddess"

A beautiful female elf replied to her goddess' snap, with the rest of her familia lined up obediently behind her.

Aphrodite simply smiled in reply to Bell's concern, but he wasn't about to give up here.

"I see...but it will be a long journey to arrive where I want to go, Lady Aphrodite. It might strain your group given how plentiful you all are-"

But the elf by Aphrodite's side simply reported in compliance to Aphrodite after she snapped once more.

"My lady, we have prepared a month of supplies with our familia's supporters. Should you wish for it, we may ration and extend the supplies to last three months if necessary"

Once the Thalia finished another report...Aphrodite smiled at Bell, simply waiting for him to give another concern...she would swat it away as if it were a fly.

'You're not leaving me so easily Bell~'

Bell saw the glint in Aphrodite's eyes once more and prepared to give out more concerns to possibly dissuade the goddess from following him.

"How about!-"

...

..

.

'WHY THE HELL IS THIS FAMILIA SO DAMN CAPABLE!?-'

Bell lay defeated as every concern of his was answered with a prompt reply by Thalia, who he assumed was the familia's captain given her extensive knowledge of the group's resources and capabilities.

Even when Bell said he wanted it to be a private affair, Thalia simply gave him an understandable compromise that would allow them to continue with Bell regardless.

'I thought...Aphrodite's familia would be the same as Apollo's...guess that was wrong...'

Bell faintly remembered that on top of being a goddess of love and beauty...Aphrodite was also worshipped as a goddess of war and discipline in his past life...a weird dichotomy considering all the legends where chaos ensued due to her lack of discipline.

Seeing the panting Bell who was winded from speaking so much, Aphrodite began walking towards Bell, this time with a sensual gait that captured his attention immediately. Even the crowds who continued to watch the weird and desperate attempts of Bell to shake off Aphrodite were captivated.

"Bell?"

Aphrodite spoke as she held his chin in her hands.

'Soft...yet strangely lewd?'

Bell was confused at how he found eroticism at her touch, but Aphrodite cut him off from his thoughts by continuing to speak.

"Do you know a nickname I was given in Tenkai? For how I would discipline fools who would abuse love?..."

Bell simply kept quiet...but his silence was a loud confirmation in Aphrodite's eyes, his gaze never leaving herself.

"Areia...Aphrodite Areia...love and war...they're quite similar you know?~"

Aphrodite said as she pressed her supple breasts onto Bell, closing the distance between them entirely. Wrapping her slender leg around his. Her verdant eyes captured his attention all for herself.

"..."

Aphrodite saw as Bell began to lightly blush at her beauty and approach. She was flattered that he found her attractive, but mainly for the fact that it allowed her to look closely at him as well rather than her own ego.

"Do you find me beautiful Bell?~"

Aphrodite wanted to tease the young boy who was in her embrace. Tracing her hands across his chest. Feeling his toned muscles beneath his clothes. He was everything Aphorite wanted when she descended into the lower world.

"I find you quite beautiful as well you know?~ The most beautiful in fact. We can stare into each other all day, appreciating each other's appeal with our eyes without a concern...if you join my familia..."

Bell struggled to not immediately comply with Aphrodite's request. His head felt light and numb...as if he were being invaded by immense desire...to covet a goddess..to lay claim to her for himself...

"We can explore the endless depths of passion together Bell~ We can start off with Philia~"

Aphrodite spoke as she began to trace her fingers down Bell's body...

"Then move on to Storge~"

From his neck...

"Play with some Ludus here and there~"

To his chest...

"I want to be able to experience Pragma with you eventually~"

Then down to his abs...

"But I won't deny..."

She playfully crept closer to a forbidden spot...

"I want to see you deal with sweet..."

Swirling circles with her finger as it played with the distance...walking on the edge of carnal desire...

"Succulent..."

Excited her...

"Eros~"

Aphrodite continued to play as she continued to touch dangerously closer to Bell's... Excalibur.

The pleasure that came with her not even touching...it threatened to rival the times Bell had to relieve himself in private in both of his lives...

'I was mistaken...the stories Aphrodite appears in portrayed her as clumsy and cute...but she..."

Seeing her clothes scrunch up as she pressed herself on him...feeling her breath on his skin...the faint heat radiating off of her.

'She isn't an innocent maiden... she's a woman...'

Bell looked how her green eyes which once radiated an adorable charm now swelled with desire.

'A woman who knows what she wants...'

"I-"

But before Bell could fall to temptation...memories began to fill his hazy mind...the irises of his eyes changing...into a black sphere...with a brilliant ring of light.

Memories of his family...his grandfather...aunt...and childhood friend...

The various adventurers of Orario...the simple citizens who lived their lives in the dungeon city...

The characters he loved...the world he loved...the danger it faced...

The goddess of the moon mourning her lost children...even Aphrodite could fall victim to such a tragedy...if he refused to move forward...if he simply gave in to temporary comfort.

"What do you say...Adonis?"

Aphrodite was about to speak the final blow she had prepared to reel Bell into her familia...but...

'Hm?...his...eyes...'

Where Bell was once lost in a daze, he was now looking at her clearer than ever...and where she single-mindedly pursued Bell...she now stood dazed...at the form his irises turned into...

'It's like...I'm staring into an entirely different world...'

But before Aphrodite could lose herself in Bell's eyes, he was quickly picked up by him.

"Eh?!-"

And covered with the cloak he wore while traveling. A simple brown cloak that kept its wearer warm.

"It's quite chilly this up north, Lady Aphrodite. With how exposed you are, I was afraid you might be getting cold. You did get quite close to me to seek warmth did you not?"

Bell said with a warm smile, wanting to switch the mood of the conversation to something else entirely. Something which left Aphrodite confused.

"Huh?..."

But Bell persisted.

"I'm also very honored that you wished to get closer to me, Lady Aphrodite. But..."

Bell placed his face closer to Aphrodite's. Wanting to make sure his intentions were conveyed.

"Unfortunately...I'm not looking for a familia at this moment...so...how about we start off as just friends?"

Innocent. That was the only thing that was going through Aphrodite's mind at this moment.

She didn't believe Bell to be innocent and naive to the world...she saw how he desperately stopped to not pitch a tent. But more so how in spite of the carnal temptations she presented him...he still chose to not partake in it. Instead offering a pure friendship.

A relationship that wasn't based on the fast-paced highs of passion...but a slow-burning warmth...one that seeped far deeper than a sweaty night could ever reach...and reach it did...

"Huh?- What- I- You!-"

Aphrodite began to blush far brighter as Bell showed her a gentle smile. The way he looked, the firm grasps he had on her body. Not one that was made to exert ownership or control...but a gentle hold that didn't wish to harm what was held in its palm...

The warmth of the clock reinforced this feeling in the goddess. She was well acquainted with the best articles of clothing money could afford...but this simple traveler's cloak...was much more comfortable than any of the exotic pieces she had accrued.

"..."

Warm...a warmth that did not seek anything in return...not in search for a high of emotions...

'This feeling...'

A goddess that was so immersed in passionate desire.

'Is this...'

Now personally learned...about innocent romance.

'Love?...'

"Will you be my friend, Lady Aphrodite?"

Bell spoke with a gentle face...a complexion Aphrodite couldn't help but be drawn to...not out of a desire to lay claim to it...but to make sure...it never suffered any plight which might diminish its radiance.

"...um...sure..."

Aphrodite quietly replied. A stark contrast to her borderline sexual harassment...in public no less.

The goddess fidgeted with her hands as she averted her eyes from Bell. Blush apparent on her face.

'Did this boy...not only refuse Lady Aphrodite's sexual proposition...but charm her as well?!-'

Thalia, the female elf aide and captain of Aphrodite's familia, thought to herself in shock. In her long time by the side of her goddess, she never once saw a mortal who could resist her temptation, much less drive her to so openly pursue them.

The people who watched this unfold slowly snapped out of Aphrodite's charm and began to reach the same conclusion as Thalia. Both men and women would've folded had they been pursued the same way.

"I look forward to our friendship then...Aphrodite"

Bell said as he began to head pat the blushing goddess, an act which only led to more blood rushing to her face.

'I should be angry...never once have I been denied...never once have I been delegated to simple friendship...but...'

Aphrodite's anger began to be cooled rapidly as Bell rubbed his hand on her hair. Something she went to great lengths to treat, maintain, and style every day. He was no doubt ruining it...but the joy she felt feeling the warmth of his hand on her head...

'It isn't as unbearably hot as a night of passion...but this warm feeling...that's treating me as if I'm the most fragile object...'

A smile erupted on the goddess' face as Bell continued with what he did.

'It's nice...'

The goddess who charmed mortals to the point their minds could no longer think...was now feeling that same sensation for herself...

"I'm looking forward to it too Bell...hehe~"

Bell, seeing the goddess fall for his head patting technique he developed with Medea, Syr, and Lili, immediately began making moves for his success.

"Aphrodite...we're gonna have to split up for now...I have some other stuff to do alright?"

Aphrodite immediately clung onto Bell, not wanting to let go of the warmth she was feeling.

"..."

She didn't say anything but Bell could faintly make out a pout on the goddess' face.

"I promise we will hang out a lot more when we meet again... won't you do this for your friend? I'll even cook for you. I'm quite confident in making a rabbit stew y'know"

Bell said as he stroked Aphrodite's back. An innocent sensation that melted the goddess' brain even further in innocence.

'Bell and me? eating together...that scene...it warmth'

The goddess of passion became an addict for innocent wholesomeness.

"...promise?"

Aphrodite spoke quietly, but Bell was able to hear the reluctant goddess.

"Promise...here give out your pinky to me"

Bell said as he kneeled in front of the goddess...like a parent talking to a child...

"?..."

Aphrodite did as Bell said, unsure as to what was happening. But in an instant, her pinky intertwined with his. The sudden physical contact in her innocence loving state brought her immense emotion.

'H-Hand holding?!-'

But Bell, unaware of the irreversible changes he had made to another woman, spoke in naivety.

"Where I come from, this is called a pinky promise. It's meant to symbolize our promise. So whenever I look at my hand, and whenever you look at yours, we will both remember the promise we made. Cool right?"

"..."

Aphrodite was quiet but her thoughts were anything but.

'This is so insanely adorable and cute!-'

She immediately became enamored with the concept as she began to fiddle with her pinky, smiling like an idiot as she did so.

"This isn't goodbye Aphrodite. Friends will always be able to meet each other again...so...see you later...my friend"

Bell spoke with a smile. Something Aphrodite immediately replied to.

"See you later...my friend, Bell~"

Thus with that...Bell escaped the sexual clutches of a goddess. Briskly walking away from her and the crowds that simply stared at the entire encounter...he didn't want to continue being an exhibition for the townsfolk of Preblica.

'I can't retire here anymore...the people will just know me as the guy who got sexually assaulted in the streets-'

Bell thought with some tears at his failed retirement plans. Walking into an alleyway before invoking his magic with a chant.

「Trace...𝘩𝘪𝘤...on-」

...

..

.

"Hehehe~ Bell called me his friend~"

Aphrodite thought to herself happily. Still stuck in her innocent joy. But her familia's captain approached her side and called out to her.

"Lady Aphrodite...may I ask a question?..."

Thalia breaking Aphrodite out of her state of joy was somewhat annoyed and ask in a miffed tone.

"What is it, Thalia?"

The innocent smile and radiance around her had instantly faded. She now returned to being the goddess of a powerful familia who had mortals and deities of all types wrapped around her finger.

But the realization of what had happened would come to her until after Thalia's next statement.

"My lady...I can no longer feel the presence of Bell Cranel...I fear he may have left while you were...enjoying the butterflies in your stomach..."

"Eh-"

Aphrodite immediately began scanning her surroundings.

The crowds simply continued to stare at her and her familia. Some even walk away to move on with their day or to escape the goddess' realization.

Her familia continued to stand at attention...sweating lightly in anticipation of the outburst that was to come.

"Bell is...gone?..."

Aphrodite asked, her voice shaking as if it were about to break.

"Yes...my lady..."

Thalia answered. She knew what was to come next.

"Bell...gone...Bell is...gone?"

Aphrodite kept repeating to herself that same phrase...each time she did...her eyes began to darken...each time she did...an aura began to leak from her body...each time she did...her hair began to float.

"𝘴𝘪𝘨𝘩"

Multiple members of her familia began to sigh as they witnessed what Aphrodite was turning into, even Thalia who was a veteran level three edging on becoming a level four.

Their familia didn't become anything more than a glorified art gallery like Apollo's because of this part of Aphrodite's behavior.

'Romance...is a battlfield'

Thalia thought to herself as she witnessed her goddess' transformation.

'Those who exploit it must be reprimanded, in order to instill its value. It was something to be worshipped. Those who wish for it must fight to obtain it, for it is not something given without anything in return'

Thalia began to recall what her goddess spoke to her many years ago. She extolls the beauty and necessity of love but doesn't bastardize it to the point of worthlessness like Apollo.

'Love is strength. Love is a battle. Love...is war'

"All members...form a perimeter around the territory of Plebica and begin searching outwards along common routes to the nearest settlement. Do not engage Bell Cranel. Simply inform me of his location"

Aphrodite spoke out in a cold and commanding voice. One which garnered the respect and loyalty of her entire familia.

"Yes, my goddess!"

Aphrodite's familia wasn't formed through selfish greed...but a desire to serve the goddess that embodied love in its truest form...an endless battle.

The familia immediately dispersed into the wind with a level of discipline that would leave even the empire's soldiers embarrassed. Something which shocked the watching crowd as they were hit with a fierce wind produced by the resulting dispersal.

All that was left...was the goddess and her familia's captain, Thalia.

"..."

Aphrodite remained silent as her aura continued to radiate throughout her body.

She was exuding the air of the divine...most would begin to back away in reverence or in servitude of such a figure...but Thalia wasn't most people. She had long known her goddess and was no longer affected by such things. She simply spoke to Aphrodite, knowing what plagued her heart.

"You really like this boy don't you, Aphrodite?"

Thalia said, her black hair and blue eyes shimmering as she watched her goddess, a smile that could be produced between friends.

"...I do Thalia..."

Aphrodite switched from her cold ruthless poise to a more bashful one. Confiding in her long-lived friend about her woes.

"I mean! He's just so handsome, cute, and adorable! I want to just swallow him in a night of passion! But at the same time just lay beside him in a garden with flowers! He's making me feel everything at once Thalia!"

Aphrodite began to list off the list of traits that she found attractive in Bell.

Thalia had long gotten used to her goddess keeping her up all night as she gushed about mortals she had taken a liking to.

'It seems this might take longer than usual...I might have to get a glass of wine tonight...there's no way I'm gonna be able to get through this without being drunk'

And so the goddess and the elf began to walk side-by-side.

The onlookers were confused by the abrupt changes, but Aphrodite and Thalia simply didn't care.

Walking together as the sun was soon approaching its setting in a few hours.

The pair leisurely chatted together as they walked through the city.

The familia roamed the area in a frenzied search, moving like the wind with the eyes of a hawk.

Bell in his vigilante costume, pondered if he was now a member of the me-too movement as he dashed through the woods, heading northwards.

A black beast with red veins slowly roused itself from its slumber in a deep cavern.

And looking upwards to the sky...a goddess on the hunt with her familia.

-

Authors Note:

Thank you for reading this chapter!

Daily uploads won't be as frequent as before since I'm returning to Senior High School in 2 days. I promise to upload at least 2 chapters every week. But I'm sure I'll be able to fit in more than just 2 a week.

I'll also be lowering the word count per chapter from 7-8k to around 4-5k. Hope that's alright.

Hope you enjoyed Bell's interactions with Aphrodite. She doesn't show up much in Danmachi, but after I read her variant that was worshipped in Sparta, I thought this take on her character would be fun.

The next chapter will be about Bell meeting Artemis and her familia. This little arc might end around 2-3 chapters and I'll try my best to make the fight as dramatic as the goliath one.

Hope you look forward to it!