Another minotaur was cut down with swift precision and technique. It burst into ash a moment later, its magic stone falling to the ground and Takeru let out a breath and sheathed her sword.
She looked behind her to see similar magic stones on the ground in good quantities. Her previous opponents she had felled.
"Great opponents," she said, wiping a drop of sweat from her head, "I should've been on this floor the whole time."
After seeing Bell's battle with the minotaur, Takeru as well as the others felt something in them ignite at seeing their captain accomplish something near impossible.
For others like Hana and Elbia, it was working on a 'masterpiece', as they called it, locking themselves downstairs in their studio until they completed it.
Those like Takeru, it was about pushing past their limits and gaining new heights of strength. Though, that came with its own set of problems right now.
Takeru heard a noise approaching from behind her. She glanced back to see a trio of hard-armored glaring maliciously at her. They curled themselves up into balls and rolled towards her with incredible speeds. When they were at a certain distance, they launched themselves from the ground, aiming to crush her under their weight, velocity, and armored hide.
It was over for them in three slashes and a burst of fire cutting into each of them..
Takeru dispersed the flames she had called upon, noticing that her hand had only minor burns this time, it would be healed by tomorrow.
It was funny, she had seldom called her flames when fighting the minotaurs but when it came to these creatures, she had a much harder time cutting into that shell of theirs without severely damaging her weapon.
The dungeon was full of surprises.
She idly glanced down at her sword, noticing with a frown at how damaged it was. It had more chips and cracks in it now than it ever did when she explored the dungeon previously. Granted the floors she was on previously were next to nothing to the floor she was on now.
She was going to have to get her blade replaced. Gain a better one hopefully, one that could handle the monsters down this far.
And maybe farther if she could.
"Wow," a familiar voice said nearby, "I knew you were looking forward to fighting these things, but maybe you went a bit overboard?"
Takeru turned to see Ibuki approaching in her full garb and mask, the ninja looking around her and at the magic stones on the ground. Not just the ones from the hard-armoreds and minotaur, but also the ones from other monsters that challenged her previously.
There used to be quite a few monsters in this area, but now there weren't, Takeru was a bit of an overachiever today.
Ibuki idly picked up a minotaur magic stone, looked at it, and then looked at the sacks she had strapped to her sides. She had six of them and each of them were filled with both her and Takeru's gains in the dungeon. Mostly Takeru's, Ibuki had a different motivation into going into the dungeon besides getting some good excelia and magic stones.
"Have you finished your tasks?" Takeru asked, sheathing her sword, "I was worried when you went off on your own without me."
Ibuki waved off her concern and tossed her the magic stone she was holding, which Takeru caught casually and put in her own sack strapped to her side, "Don't be," she said, "I wasn't the greatest ninja in my world but I'm more than good enough to sneak my way around these floors undetected," she paused in thought, recalling when a minotaur spawned out of the wall she that was at her back, the thing nearly crushed her before she ended it swiftly via neck break, "mostly," she finished admittedly.
Ibuki pocketed the magic stone in one of the bags and reached into the chest of her clothing, pulling out a folded up piece of paper that she quickly unfolded and showed to Takeru, "What do you think?" she asked with a smile her mask failed to conceal, "Pretty good if I do say so myself."
It was a hand drawn map of the fifteenth floor, or at least a great chunk of it. Enough of it carefully illustrated to show the routes between the beginning of the floor and the end that led to the sixteenth, with pathways here and there in winding detail that branched off into areas that Ibuki traveled only so far in, before turning back, leaving those trails as open ended lines on the map. Which was expected, given she was only focused on the best routes to the next floors in any case.
Though there was one thing Takeru had some complaints with…
"Ibuki," she began, "not to sound rude but…are the doodles really necessary?"
Here and there across the map were various cartoonish drawings depicting ridiculous things. A minotaur with a head too big for its body, a ligerfang with more fangs then head, and even an Almiraj that was absolutely too cute to be considered dangerous,
Ibuki huffed and folded the map back up before returning it to her chest, "Hey, if Hana and Elbia can be creative whenever they want, than so can I," she put both hands on her waist and stood taller, as if in pride, "besides, my maps are better than those boring ones the Guild."
Takeru only sighed at Ibuki's immature confidence, "Well, nonetheless, good job," she proceeded to walk past her, "I think that is enough for today, let's go home."
"Alright!" Ibuki said with a playful salute before following beside her, arms crossed behind her head, "you think the others are doing alright?"
Takeru barely turned her head to acknowledge the question, "Why wouldn't they be? Not like they were coming down with us in any case," she paused, remembering something, "except Kallen and Chitoge. Those two were talking about going down with us before we left."
Ibuki nodded, "Yeah," she agreed, "haven't seen them at all. You think they decided to stick to the upper floors?"
"Not unlikely," Takeru answered, "but those two are hot headed at times, so I wouldn't put it past them in trying to join us," she smiled, "though given the mood everyone's in, I suppose we're all a little hot headed."
Ibuki smiled, it was true, everyone was feeling a bit full of energy and enthusiasm after Bell's fight. Everyone had to do something with all this energy inside of them. For Takeru, it was pushing herself further and trying to find her match down in the dungeon. For Ibuki, it was using the best of her ninja training to provide for her familia. In this case, make accurate and up to date maps of the upcoming floors the rest were bound to take on.
"So," Ibuki began, starting a new subject, "Hestia's finally going to tell Bell, huh?"
"Yes," Takeru answered, "if I'm honest, I believe she should have told him from the onset. It only complicates things the longer she holds something like that off."
Ibuki nodded, "Yeah," she said, "still a ridiculous skill to possess for ourselves, right?" she cocked her head to the side in thought, "Can't say I'm against it though. Especially if I can do it with someone as cute as Bell," she gave a giggle, "Though I'm not that easy to get with. If he wants to lie with me, he at least owes me a good date."
"If that is what you wish," Takeru said, "I'm not so complicated myself. If he chooses to lay with me, I would appreciate it. If not?" she gave a shrug of her shoulders, "then there's always next time."
"Yeah," Ibuki agreed, "Though I suppose the hard part would be getting Bell to agree to it in the first place. As brave and awesome as he was against the minotaur, Bell can still be a bit jumpy around women," she cocked her hip to the side and brought a hand to the back of her head, "especially hot ones like us, right?"
Takeru didn't deign that last part with a response, but focused on the former, "That may not be as much of an issue now," she said, "according to Koukin, Bell has grown a great deal confident around women, to the point where he and Koukin shared a shower with each other."
"What!" exclaimed Ibuki, "Really? He didn't just run out the second Koukin bared some skin?" she gave a whistle, "that is impressive."
Takeru thought it best not to include the part that it was Koukin who left the shower first after seeing something quite impressive upon Bell. Ibuki was easily excitable at the best of times.
They continued on, handling the occasional monster attack here and there, and making polite conversation. Ready for a peaceful return home.
Arue was not too comfortable with how magic worked in this world. It just seemed so…boring.
She was at a library within the city, one that specialized in holding and containing various texts on magical theory, practice, items, and history.
She admits that the magic here was interesting in its own way and quite a few figures she read about while here could practically be called walking forces of nature.
Arue sighed and closed the book she was reading, a disappointed air about her. What she read was magic in regards to the individual, more accurately, what she read was how many magic spells one could possess when blessed with a falna.
Three honestly seemed way too low of a number.
Arue huffed in thought. If what she read was true, then she was already full in regards to her magic abilities so far, having three of her spell slots filled already at level one.
Granted, those spells were quite potent and Arue had only casted one of them constantly so far. She had thought of utilizing the other spells on occasion but given her knowledge of those spells she had from her old world and how she struggled with holding back on her fireball spell for so long, she didn't want to imagine the potential collateral that would occur if she casted the other two, especially if she was near her party at the time.
She wondered how her old friends would have reacted to this…how Megumin would have reacted to this.
'Knowing her,' Arue thought with a smile , 'she would only really need one spell in any case.'
With a sigh, she got up and returned the book to the shelf. All in all, her research had been much less than what she had hoped and she overall refused to believe a mage like her from a clan of 'Demons' was limited to three spells.
Like Hell she was going to take that laying down! She didn't know how, but she was going to defy the odds and somehow do more magic than what the logic of this world said was possible for her status.
'Logic' never stopped The Crimson Demons before and it certainly won't this time!
'But that was enough of that for today,' Arue thought, cooling her frustrations , 'it's time to head home in any case.'
She proceeded to make her way to exit the library with a bit of disappointment but with a new spark of ambition.
There was also something else, she was eager to get home to see Bell, both to see if he was doing any better.
And to see his reaction to the big reveal regarding their skills.
They had been at it for hours.
Hana inhaled and exhaled deeply, sweat covering her face.
Nearly a day so far.
Elbia's tongue lolled out as she was also catching her breath, sweat beating down her face.
It was almost done.
Wearily, they both rose to their feet, brushes in hand and with a stubborn burst of vigor, continued their work.
"The shadows need to be more defined," Elbia said, working on said shadows.
"Agreed, but we can't neglect the lighting. It's good, but the details need to be emphasized to reflect this," Hana said, making careful strokes with her own brush.
And so they continued. Hestia familia's chief artists continued their craft with focus and vigor.
They would get this project done. It had to be done. Their muse will not be stopped!
When Bell had woken up feeling like his whole body was a massive bruise, he knew he made a mistake somewhere.
That was emphasized all the more by Hestia, who saw him wake up and rushed to his side, fretting over him for a moment before suddenly pinching his cheeks really really hard.
Eventually, after no small amount of begging and asking for mercy, Hestia released his cheeks with a huff and a few words for him to ponder on.
"I'm not gonna chew your ear off, Bell," Hestia said, "you know what you did and the others know what you did and I know what you did," she leveled a stern stare at him, "couldn't help but be reckless again, hmmm?"
Bell had the decency to look away at that, his guilt showing on his face, as well as a bit of amazement of the truth of the matter. He defeated a minotaur, at level one. He defeated a minotaur at level one by himself.
That was incredible! That was amazing! That was…mad.
How the hell was he alive right now!?
Hestia nearly laughed at seeing his expression shift into disbelieving amazement and terror at what he accomplished. 'Good,' she thought , 'he understands at the very least.'
"You're not getting off easy for this, mister," she wagged a finger at him, "consider yourself on leave from any dungeon diving or adventure activities until you're completely," she leaned forward and near his face, her features leaving no room to argue, "and I mean completely healed. Goddess's orders. Understand?"
Bell wanted to argue that, instinctively so, but Hestia leveled another stern look that made Bell want to hide under the covers.
"Yes Goddess!" He exclaimed, holding his blanket to his face.
Hestia nodded before turning and walking to his door, "I'm gonna get you something to eat. You could use some food after all that you've been through."
At the mention of good, Bell's stomach audibly growled, making him flush red in embarrassment, "That would be very nice, Goddess."
Hestia smiled at her first child but paused just as she was at the room's entrance, "Also, when I come back, I want to talk to you about something. Something important," she looked back to him, an apologetic look on her own face that worried Bell, "something I should have told you a while ago."
Before Bell could ask what it was, Hestia left his room and closed his door, leaving Bell to blink in surprise and wonder what she meant.
Hestia walked downstairs, trying not to show any nervousness.
Which failed the second Koukin caught sight of her sweating face.
"Hestia," Koukin began, putting aside a book she was reading in the lounge, "if this is too much for you, I can talk to Bell in your stead."
Hestia shook her head, flicking some of the sweat off her face, "No," she said, "it has to be me. I held it from him because of my own sensibilities when I shouldn't," she took a deep breath that made her chest balloon somewhat and make Koukin's glasses slightly fall off her nose at the sight, "and I held it from him for so long…among other things," she whispered the last part so Koukin couldn't hear it.
Her vice-captain pushed her glasses up and reached for a stack of papers on the coffee table, "Then I believe these will have some weight of their own to take off your shoulders," she handed them to Hestia, "not that I believe Bell would doubt your words, but evidence and facts are always best to have on hand in these kinds of things."
Hestia took the stack, looked them over and nodded, "Good idea," she said, "this will definitely help."
She took another breath and slapped her cheeks, "Alright!" she exclaimed, "First! I'm hungry! Nerves are getting to me! Second! Bell hasn't had any food since coming home, he has to eat too!" Hestia proceeded to march over to the basement door, "Hana! Elbia! I'm not waiting anymore for you two to be finished with whatever crazy artwork you're doing," she reached for the handle, "I'm making something for Bell and you two aren't going to stop me!"
She reached for the door handle and twisted, expecting it to be locked. Only for it to turn with her motion and gently open up, "Oh it's unlocked," Hestia said softly in surprise, "yay."
Koukin watched her Goddess walk down the stairs. She was proud of Hestia right now. Finally, she was ready to talk and inform Bell about the skill she and her fellow summoned allies possessed. She wished she did it earlier, much earlier actually, but she supposed it wasn't as important then as it was now.
The battle with the minotaur and the apparent intervention of Ottar made things different.
For the minotaur battle, it was a clear reminder of both their captain's bravery as well as his recklessness. Both attributes that Koukin could recall on some of the best leaders she served, as well as those she fought.
And often those she served met an unpleasant end and she would not allow that to happen to Bell.
If Bell was determined to keep pressing on like this, then his familia will press on with him and utilize everything they can to help him and themselves by extension.
In regards to Ottar's intervention…Koukin admits to being chilled by that certain detail.
Having any experienced familia as an enemy at this time was not ideal. Having Freya familia as one was tantamount to a nightmare.
Virtually unchallenged in the city with the exception of Loki familia, Freya familia was a juggernaut to contend with. Executives all level five to level six, with Ottar being the sole level seven. With their own soldiers being level three to four on average, Freya familia was a power any fool would know better than to mess with.
'Then why did their strongest member appear in the dungeon that day?' Koukin thought, looking up at the ceiling where her captain rested above , 'What business does Orario's strongest have with our captain?'
She didn't have answers, but she had a mountain of theories. All of which she discussed with the Goddess.
If Koukin had to pick any of the ones more likely to be then the rest, it would be that Bell caught Freya's eyes somehow. Something Hestia lamented uproariously, much to her chagrin.
Koukin had planned for countless battles and wars in her past life. She strategized against overwhelming odds, superior arms and equipment, environmental hazards, and even the damn mystic and powerful sorcerers that plagued her homeland and beyond.
Yet that was back in her old world, not this one. This one was a completely different beast to take on, where the magic and mundane walked hand in hand and clashed with blade and blade. Something her world rarely saw in comparison.
Koukin couldn't plan against Freya familia, tragic though it was. She had not the resources or manpower to compete against such a foe.
Not yet anyway.
She focused her gaze up with more focus, as if trying to see past the ceiling and into the room where her captain rested. Where her summoner rested.
"Bell Cranell," she muttered, "you might be our best bet overall."
Between the summoning and their shared skill, Hestia familia could stand a chance if given enough time.
Koukin just hoped Freya was merciful enough and complacent enough to give it to them.
"Koukin!" a familiar godly voice called up to her from the basement, "I need your help!"
Koukin blinked in surprise, Hestia sounded like she was…whining? She went down there to make some food, what could have happened?
Hestia's vice-captain rose to stand and walked to the basement, the sight that greeted her nearly caused her to fumble down the last steps.
"Wha-I-how?" she struggled to find the words, "what the hell happened here?"
"I don't know! Just help me get these two up!"
Hestia's voice followed with a grunt of exertion as she tried to pick a clearly exhausted Hana off the ground, who was beside a tired and delirious Elbia similarly laid out on the ground.
Seeing two of the familias artists pass out was one thing.
It was another to see them completely naked. Their clothes apparently discarded all around them in some form of manic fit. Leaving their bare bodies visible to the world, covered in splashes of paint, charcoal, and ink.
"Don't just stand there," Hestia said, struggling to bring Hana up, "help me get these two to the showers. They smell something funky and are covered in paint!"
Koukin sighed and moved to help. She walked past Elbia, Hana, and a squawking Hestia, "Hey! Where are you going?!"
Koukin didn't respond, continuing over to the sink where she filled up two cups of water. Once they were good and full, she walked back to the two artists, "Let's actually wake them up before shoving them into the shower," she said, tossing the water in each of their faces.
Elbia woke with a start, sputtering and spitting water out, "Wha-huh?" she looked down at herself, "Why am I wet?" she asked, completely unbothered with being nude.
Hana jumped from Hestia's arms when the water hit her, her eyes wide and active, "What happened? Did we spring a leak?"
Koukin wanted to laugh at their reactions but decided now wasn't the best time for that. Something in the room caught her eye and she looked to the far wall to see a massive square object leaning against it, with some kind of large cloth covering over it.
"What is that?" she asked.
As if prompted, Hana and Elbia launched themselves in front of it, a fire of excitement and passion burning in their eyes that distracted Hestia and Koukin from their nude forms.
"Allow us," Hana said, reaching for one side of the cover.
"To introduce," continued Elbia, doing a similar action on the other side.
""Our masterpiece!""
With a flourish, they pulled the cloth down to reveal a canvas of massive size, nearly reaching the ceiling with its height and just as nearly the width of the room.
What was on it though rendered Koukin and Hestia speechless.
"You two did this?" Hestia asked in amazement, "I knew you two were talented but this is…wow."
Hana put her hands on her hips and stood straighter, the action making her generous chest bounce, "Thank you lady Hestia," she began, "Elbia and myself have been working on this project for the last-," she trailed off, suddenly caught off guard by something. She turned to Elbia, "How long have we worked on this?"
At the question, the werewolf shrugged, her tan chest and fluffy tail bouncing with the motion, "No idea," she answered, "I lost track after hour…twelve, I guess?"
Hestia would have commented on her children's careless behavior in ignoring sleep but she was still transfixed by the art piece before her. It stirred emotions inside of her in ways she never imagined since arriving to the mortal realm.
This had to be displayed! In the living room maybe? Maybe the upstairs lounge? Or maybe go all the way and display it at a museum inside the city!
A polite cough brought attention back to the present. Hestia, Hana, and Elbia turned to see Koukin, who no longer had a look of amusement on her features, replaced instead with one of grim tidings. Hestia was surprised to see such an about face, she saw that Koukin was just as impressed with this piece as she was. What could make her do an about face like that?
"Is something wrong?" Hana asked, cocking her head to the side on seeing Koukin's expression, "Do you have a critique to share?"
Hana and Elbia fully expected criticism, regardless of how well their work was. It was just a part of being an artist. Granted Elbia could try to handle criticism a little bit better. Last time they had a mock-critique over each other's work, Elbia tried to hide behind her own tail when flaws were pointed out. She had gotten better since then, if just barely.
"Somewhat a critique," Koukin replied to Hana's question, "Just one thing I've suddenly noticed about the work."
"What is it? What is it?!" Elbia nervously asked, her tail now shaking in fits as she leaned towards Koukin with her hands close to her chin held in nervous fists, "Is it the colors? Lighting? Shadows? Canvas texture?"
Koukin tried to find the words to break the news to them gently, "Something to do with the canvas, yes," she said, "This is a custom canvas, correct?"
"Yes," Hana answered, "we made the frame ourselves and stretched the canvas material over it ourselves," a common practice for herself and something she was happy to teach Elbia, who was used to working with premade canvases.
"I believe you made an error at some point," Koukin said.
"Where?" Hana asked.
"In the dimensions of the canvas. It's too big to be moved out of the basement."
Hana and Elbia blinked at that, before looking at the painting, then the door, then the painting again, then once more the door.
Their eyes widened in horrific realization, with Elbia's tail standing on end at the understanding of what they've done.
They messed up!
Bell was sitting on his bed, finally having strength to do so. He'd gotten plenty of rest and was feeling refreshed, even with the minotaur fight still fresh in his mind.
Bell was sitting on his bed, finally having strength to do so. He'd gotten plenty of rest and was feeling refreshed, even with the minotaur fight still fresh in his mind.
He still had trouble believing he beat it. It was a surreal feeling having defeated something that would practically turn someone like him into paste on a whim. It made the victory taste all the better though.
He wondered how much his status had grown from that fight. He hoped it was a good amount.
He was about to leave his room to check on his Goddess when a loud sound rang through the home.
""Noooo!!!""
The wailing sound made Bell jump from his door. He stood for a moment in shock before recognizing those voices.
"That sounded like…Hana and Elbia!"
He ran to his door, opening it up and ready to run downstairs.
"Hey! Hey! Hey! Enough of that, it's not the end of the world! Now put on some damn clothes already!"
Bell paused just outside his doorway at hearing his Goddess's voice from below, "What?" he asked aloud.
"Hestia is right you two, this is ridiculous. I'm sorry you're unable to move your painting but that doesn't explain why you two are naked in the first place," Koukin's voice rang.
"We were so wrapped up in our inspiration," he heard Hana say, "our clothing stymied our flow."
"You sure you weren't looking for an excuse to get naked?" Bell heard Hestia deadpan, "You do do that a lot."
"No! No! It's true!" Elbia's voice intervened, "I was skeptical too, but Hana opened my eyes to the truth. Clothes can limit creativity!"
There was a moment of silence and Bell understood why, he was still trying to process what he just heard.
"Is this the start of a cult?" he heard Hestia say loudly, incredulously , "I feel like this is the start of a cult of some kind and I'm not having it in my familia!"
"It is not a cultish belief, Goddess," Hana said resolutely, "it is the truth of life, my wise cousin taught me so."
"What you just said sounded exactly like something someone would say in a cult!" Hestia exclaimed, "and was your cousin in a cult? Did she brainwash you somehow?"
"As I've told you, Goddess," Hana said, her voice firm and unyielding, "clothing can limit creativity! Nakedness can open the mind!"
"When have you ever told me that?! And we're off topic now! Just put some clothes on!"
"No! Not yet!"
"What do you mean 'not yet'?!"
"Not when I still feel the sparks of inspiration in me!"
"Well I'm putting out those sparks! Go take a shower! You and Elbia both before Bell sees you two."
"No!"
"Yes!"
"No!!"
"Yes!!!"
Bell returned to his room and shut the door. It was probably best he not get involved right now.
Eventually Hestia returned to Bell's room, carrying a tray that held a bowl of homemade potato puffs and some hot tea.
Bell was glad to see the food and drink, his hunger had been growing all the more since he woke up. He was also surprised to see the state his Goddess was in.
"Goddess," he began, "What happened to your hair?"
Hestia's twin pigtails were frazzled nearly every which way. Long strands sticking out around her in a messy tangle and even some sticking to her body and face.
Hestia put the tray down on the nearby desk and quickly smoothed her hair back into its normal shape, with some difficulty, "It's nothing, Bell," she said, "just a little skirmish between Goddess and children."
She wasn't going to tell him that she nearly had to drag Hana and Elbia to the shower, with Koukin's reluctant help, and messed up her hair in the scuffle. That sequence of events was too ridiculous and embarrassing to recall ever again.
Hestia tapped the tray with a finger, "Well? Come on Bell," she said with a smile, "you don't want it getting cold, do you?"
Bell shook his head, a grateful smile on his face and he went to his desk, sat down and ate.
Hestia moved to his bed and sat on it as she watched her first child eat. He was enjoying the food, simple as it was, with great relish. Glad to have something in his stomach after the craziness he faced yesterday.
She hoped she made enough for him, given what she was about to tell him, a full stomach might help him digest the information she was about to tell him a bit better.
Bell finished his meal with a final gulp of his tea, a content sigh leaving his mouth, "That was delicious Goddess," he said genuinely, "that was probably the best meal I've had in a long time."
Hestia felt herself perk up at Bell's kind words. Feeling the honesty and kindness in them.
'You really are too precious, Bell,' she thought , 'I just hope you still are after what I tell you.'
No sense in beating around the bush any longer, Hestia got down to brass tacks, "Bell there is something I need to tell you," she began, her tone serious, "in fact, it's something I probably should have told you a long time ago."
Bell was surprised by this sudden change over his Goddess, but nonetheless he listened.
Hestia took another breath, no going back now that she started, "It's about your magic," she said, "Drop of Eros to be precise," she said the God 'Eros' name with just a tinge of venom that Bell was oblivious to, "When you summon someone, they have their own abilities, magic, skills, etc," she inhaled again, trying to smooth her nerves at what she was about to say, "you know this already, but there is something else to. Something…I've kept from you."
Bell blinked in surprise. His Goddess had kept something from him involving his fellow familia members? What for?
Hestia saw the look of confusion on Bell's face and continued, "It's not anything bad per say," she squirmed in place, "just maybe…a little awkward is all."
This garnered another confused look from Bell and Hestia decided a more direct example was probably for the best. She reached into her chest, pulling a stack of papers before Bell's blushing face at seeing the act.
"Here is everyone's status," she said, holding the stack out to him, "look at the skills section and you could probably guess what I kept from you."
Bell took the stack of papers, trying his best to ignore how warm they felt and the pleasant odor they had. He looked over the first page for a moment, his eyes widening as he sought the section his Goddess told him to look for.
He read the skill, he read it again. He brought a hand up to rub at his eyes before reading it again and again. He moved the paper to the back and read the next one, then the next one, then the next one. Each of them having the same skill upon each paper.
Passionate Recipient: Status can be increased to a degree by intimacy with the summoner. Full copulation results in better increases. Results to status vary upon intent and focus.
It was the strangest skill he had ever seen or heard of. It was almost unbelievable that such a skill was there before his eyes, yet here it was. He looked to his Goddess, who's face held shame and embarrassment in equal measure.
"Goddess," Bell began, "this is…how long has everyone had this skill?"
"Since they were first summoned," Hestia answered softly, "they've had this every time."
Bell was speechless for a time and blushing up a storm, trying to process the fact that everyone he had summoned had this skill straight from the get go. He was also processing why Hestia kept something like this from him. He wasn't mad at her, just wondering why.
Hestia could see the unasked question on Bell's face, the one meant for her, "I'm sorry Bell," she said, bowing her head, "I kept it from you for my own reasons, my selfishness as a virgin Goddess. I was worried that you could be corrupted by that skill, given who it came from," she released a deep sigh, "after talking about it with a few of the others, I no longer believe that," she rose her head and stared Bell in the eye, a soft smile on her face, her eyes glistening with unshed tears, "you will always be you, Bell. No matter the skill or the actions, you will always be my first and most precious child."
Bell felt a warmth in his chest at his Goddess's words, feeling the kindness in them as a physical force that eroded any faint misgivings he had about her keeping this from him.
He had already forgiven her in any case. She was acting as she always did, watching out for him and the others in her own way. Bell could hardly blame her for that. Hestia could be overprotective, silly, selfish, and more at times, but those were some of the things that Bell loved about his Goddess and made him thankful she took him in when no one else would.
He reached over and grabbed Hestia gently by her shoulders, making her give a soft squeak in surprise. He drew her in and hugged her.
Hestia went stiff at this surprise development but soon relaxed and leaned into the hug, wrapping her own arms around Bell's back and squeezing. A few tears left her eyes then, knowing that her child had forgiven her and was letting her know the best way he could.
"I'm sorry," Hestia said, her head on his shoulder.
Bell patted her back gently, a soft smile on his face, "Don't be Goddess. You were looking out for me, for all of us like you always do," he gently hugged her tighter, "you wouldn't be the Goddess I admired if you didn't."
He heard her sniff, "You're not mad?" she sniffed again, "You're not mad I kept something like this from you for so long?"
"Not at all Goddess," Bell said gently.
They held each other for a good while longer, each assuring and comforting the other.
Eventually Hestia let go and so did Bell, each having flush cheeks for the contact they had.
"Is there anything else, Goddess?" Bell asked innocently , "Anything else you want to tell me?"
For a moment, in an act of guilt, Hestia wanted to tell Bell about his skill, then one she had been keeping secret, Liaris Freeze, the skill responsible for Bell's insane growth.
'Should I tell him? I already kept everyone's skill a secret from him for so long and I've kept this one on top of it. Is he ready? Would him knowing lessen the skill's effects? Is now even the right time? What about later when we-'
Hestia was caught off from her internal ramblings by a pair of gentle hands on her shoulders. She looked to see Bell staring at her gently with the kind smile of his.
"There is something, isn't there?" he asked, "You don't have to tell me if you don't want to."
Hestia was speechless for a moment and was about to say something until Bell raised a hand to stop her, "Goddess, I'm reckless, foolish, and I'm still inexperienced when it comes to adventuring," he gave her another kind smile that made Hestia's heart jump, "whatever it is, you can tell me when you believe I'm ready."
Hestia tried to find the words to say to Bell, wondering where this side of him came from, eventually she settled on a few words to say, "Are you sure Bell?" she asked him, "Are you sure you can wait?"
Bell nodded, "Yes Goddess, I can wait," there was a light behind his eyes that made Hestia's heart sore, "I'll prove myself ready for whatever it is for however long it takes," Hestia felt Bell squeeze her shoulders gently, "to you, our familia, and myself."
Hestia found herself smiling at Bell's answer. He really surprised her with how cool he could be at times and it made her love him more and more.
But now was the time for another matter, one that required everyone to be present for.
She got up and gestured for Bell to do the same, "Come on Bell," she started, "the next part of the explanation is next and we're going to talk about it with everyone."
"Talk about what?" Bell asked, watching Hestia walk to the door, before remembering the specifics of the skill they all had and blushing up a storm again.
Hestia chuckled at her first child's expression, "It's written on your face, I see. Yep, since that skill involves both parties to…participate," that word enhanced the blush on Bell's face, "I believe it's best everyone talks about it to settle some ground rules that will be followed in this home," she emphasized before opening the door, "come on Bell, the others already know and are expecting this talk next."
Bell paused for a moment, getting his bearings. He was still honestly rearing from all he was told just now, the skill coming back to his mind in detail.
But also a question, how does everyone else feel about the skill they had? How did they feel about him?
Did they want to…use that skill to get stronger?
Did they really want Bell for that?
It was still a crazy skill and Bell was still surprised by it, but he wasn't discomforted by it or by the chance he would be asked to help utilize it.
His time in a house full of beautiful women had helped Bell greatly in his shyness around them, especially since some of them have been more 'active' in getting him comfortable. Koukin had no issue flaunting her beautiful body to him whenever she taught him. Arue always seemed to find a good opportunity to tease him with her chest and calm demeanor. Hana and Elbia had shown him their 'exotic' artworks that he still burns red in remembering. Even Ibuki glomped him out of nowhere with her hugs, making him feel her toned but soft body under her ninja garb.
Everyone has had a hand in aiding Bell in his comfort and confidence around women to some degree. It was time to see if it paid off.
He got up and followed Hestia to the door.
"So it's finally time, huh?" Kallen asked, leaning back against the couch, "about time if you ask me."
Koukin gave a nod at the redhead's words, "Indeed," she began, "It's been put off long enough and Hestia knows it. What happened in the dungeon yesterday only heightened the issue."
Takeru, standing by the couch, nodding, "Indeed, the minotaur was one thing. Freya familia's 'King' is another more dangerous beast. After all of that and the potential risks, it's best we explore all avenues available to us for the immediate future."
Arue hummed thoughtfully from her seat on the couch, "Indeed. Things have gotten suddenly chaotic all the sudden," she reached down to her lap to pet something, "and if I'm frank, I wished we told Bell much earlier than now. Can't say I was completely comfortable keeping a secret like this for this long."
A mewling sound came from her lap and Elbia turned her head to look at Arue from where she laid, "Really?" she asked, "You've never seemed to mind."
Arue chuckled and rubbed Elbia's head in a way that made the werewolf girl shiver and melt in her lap, "We Crimson Demons are masters at hiding our thoughts and emotions! None shall gaze behind the veil of our spirit made manifest!"
Kallen looked over to her, completely unamused, "So basically, you have a hell of a poker face."
Arue gave no response, simply content to pet Elbia, whose tail was wagging happily in the air.
"She really does," Ibuki said from behind Kallen, "Chitoge and I have played some games with her and she beat us like nine times out of ten," she puffed her cheeks in apparent mock frustration, "we couldn't tell if she was serious or joking depending on what we played."
"All I know," Chitoge added, "is that I'm never playing an actual game of poker with her. Not worth the risk."
Hana nodded beside her, seated in a chair and nursing a cup of tea, "Indeed, a losing battle awaits anyone who challenges her in a game of chance."
She herself tried to play poker against her, strip poker in fact.
She was completely defeated in five hands. With Arue not even losing her eyepatch.
Hana had to admit though, it was an eccentric game to be sure!
Everyone turned at the sound of footsteps coming down the stairs, seeing Hestia and Bell making their way down.
Bell's flushed face told them all that Hestia proceeded with telling Bell about the skill they all shared. Now it was time for the hard part.
Hestia and Bell stood just a distance away from the lounge. Hestia looking better at finally telling Bell what she had kept from him. Bell, by contrast, looked nervous and frankly, clueless at how to even start the conversation.
Thankfully, that's why Koukin was there.
"Captain," she addressed Bell formally, "I take it Hestia told you about the skill we all share?"
Bell nodded, not trusting himself to speak right now, but doing his best to remain calm.
"It is a ludicrous thing, to be sure," she said, "it's one thing to be able to summon us across space and time. It's another to have a skill that increases our status by being…intimate with our summoner."
Bell looked down at that, flushed red, embarrassed by the idea. Even still, there was more to be said.
"Even though it is ludicrous," Koukin continued, "it's also something we shouldn't dismiss out of hand, especially now," this drew Bell's gaze directly to her and she continued, "the minotaur fight reminded us of the dangers and surprises the dungeon possessed and how stubborn our captain can be at times," this unsurprising reveal made Bell rub the back of his head sheepishly, "furthermore, there is something else we may need to be ready for."
Koukin knew that everyone, sans Bell, knew what she was talking about. She explained for Bell's sake, about the appearance and attempted delay by Orario's strongest, Ottar. Bell's expression changed from shock to disbelief when she finished.
"But why?" he asked, "Why would someone like that even be there in the first place? He's so strong! I've heard stories about him even as far away as my village."
Koukin imagines everyone in the whole world has heard about Ottar in one form or another, but that was beside the point.
She told him of her theories and with each one, Bell grew paler and paler with the potential threat they faced. Finally having to sit down himself in a nearby chair, Hestia by his side to comfort him.
Koukin eventually ended on the most likely theory, that being Bell caught Freya's eye somehow and this was her attempt to test him. Needless to say he passed it.
"Don't worry too much Bell," Hestia said beside him, "Freya likes me too much, for some reason. She wouldn't hurt me because she knows it would hurt you and her," she gave a sigh, "we still have to be ready for if we end up butting heads with her or her children in the future."
"Which brings us back to the skill we all share," Koukin added, "Bell, as strong as we are, we wouldn't last five minutes against a familia that big or that powerful. Not without some serious aid on our side," Koukin gave a sigh and continued, "which leaves us few options right now."
Bell nodded along, trying to keep his embarrassment at what he was potentially about to be asked, "What are they?" he asked.
Takeru stepped forward, "One option is to summon more allies to aid us. Having more allies, regardless of how strong or weak they are, would be beneficial in the extreme," Takeru rubbed her chin in thought, "though that may not be practical enough, given our current living conditions."
Hestia chose that time to interrupt, "I've thought about that," she said, "I'm going to Goibniu tomorrow with a great chunk of our coffers. Thanks to Takeru and Ibuki going into the dungeon today, we avoid ending up in the red in terms of our finances," she grumbled at the end though, "granted, if I'm successful, we are definitely gonna have to save up for a house or mansion of some kind. This place is still an old building, no matter how many renovations are done to it, it can't handle too much more."
Bell was a little sad about that. This place was his home in about every sense of the word. He loved it even when it was still a rundown church amidst ruins. Even still, he knew that, if his familia was going to grow, they were going to have to find a better place for themselves.
"Now for the next option, the one we really need to talk about," Koukin said, "Our skill 'Passionate Recipient' will allow us to grow stronger based upon our intimacy with you. How much stronger, I can't say, but there is one thing I want to put forward first and foremost," her eyes took on a comforting stare directed at Bell, "Bell, if you are uncomfortable with this, you can say no."
Bell blinked in surprise at this, wholly expecting something else.
Koukin continued, "While yes, the skill offers a potential boon to the familia, we would rather not have it at the cost of eroding trust with our captain. If you are uncomfortable with this, we will not ask you of this anymore after today and continue to earn our strength in the dungeon as usual."
"But what about Freya familia?" Bell asked, "What about them or other familias that might come after us if they find out about the summoning magic?"
Koukin leaned back in her chair, a sharp gleam in her eye, "Then I suppose, as the familia strategist and vice-captain, I would have to find a solution to prepare for that. It's not the first time such a situation came against me."
Bell would have been comforted by Koukin's words, had he not seen her expression just then. It was too stiff and lacking the complete confidence she usually displayed when talking about strategy against an enemy.
Bell looked at the others, "What about the rest of you? How do you all feel about it?"
Arue was first to reply, "I have no objections myself in utilizing the skill. You are not an unpleasant man, Bell. I find myself blessed to have been your first summon and to have you as my dear friend," she gave him a gentle smile, "I would never in my life dream of abusing that fact. Even for such a potent skill."
"Meeting you has been an eccentric experience, Bell," Hana said suddenly, "I have no desire to abuse that," her purple eyes burned with determination , "I would jump into the dungeon naked and unarmed before I ever dream of hurting you."
"Not gonna happen," Hestia deadpanned, "I've talked to you about that before," and a good several times since.
"Before this turns into something weird," Chitoge added, then paused, "well…weirder, I feel much the same. You're a good person, Bell," she blushed suddenly as if surprised to have said those words, "don't expect a better compliment than that!"
Kallen chuckled at Chitoge's sudden embarrassment at giving such a basic compliment, before turning to stare at Bell, "I've met and known a lot of people whom I've been proud to fight beside. I can say with confidence that you are one as well and skill or no, I'm not about to ruin that if I don't have to."
Elbia rose her head from Arue's lap, "You're a good person, Bell. If you don't want to mate, Elbia will respect that."
Bell blushed at the werewolf's frankness but again, felt flattered by the sincerity in her words.
He felt someone wrap their arms around him and he looked behind him to see Ibuki with a wide smile on her face, "I don't have a complaint about the skill," she said, "I do however have an issue if it doesn't feel right to you. If it doesn't? Forget it," she squeezed him harder, "Seeing you sad just ruins that cute face of yours."
Bell was blushing something fierce at Ibuki's words and actions. Before he could say anything in reply, Ibuki yelped and jumped back, releasing Bell. Ibuki rubbed the bare side of her thigh that was visible in her garb, a frown on her face, "Hestia," she whined, "that hurt!"
Hestia, who had her hand outstretched to where she just pinched the ninja, huffed and crossed her arms, "We are having a serious moment here. Stow the cuddling antics."
A polite cough brought Bell's attention to Takeru, "I have no issue with the skill itself. As long as it's mutual. If it is not? Then that will be the end of it," she gave him a gentle smile, "you are our captain, Bell and our dear comrade, I would never wish to damage that."
Bell was honestly flattered and humbled by the words of his familia. They had a chance to get stronger but not if it risks his trust in them.
He turned his attention back to his vice captain, who met his stare with one of her own. A gentle smile played itself across then, "Despite all the teasing I've subjected you to, I would never go that far unless you are ready, the skill is good but you're worth more than just that, Bell."
Bell was at a loss for words. Ultimately, the decision lay with him. Could he do this? Was he brave enough?
He thought about his battle with the minotaur and his battle with the silverback. He thought of the time he and the others saved Lili from her own familia. He thought of all the training he went through with Takeru and Ais. He thought of the lessons Koukin taught him and her methods at getting him comfortable around women.
All of that required him to have no small amount of courage to achieve and overcome.
Strange as it was, this shouldn't be any different.
'Grandpa,' Bell thought , 'watch over me.'
"I'll do it," Bell said, his voice steady, "but I have conditions of my own."
The others shared curious glances, wondering what he meant. They thought they covered all the bases of this conversation.
"I want you all to know that the same is applied to all of you," Bell said, "I don't want to take advantage of any of you either. If we do this, we do this together, mutually."
Everyone was stunned at this proclamation. Here they were worrying that they were taking advantage of Bell and here he was saying he wouldn't take advantage of them.
Because quite frankly, the thought of Bell doing that never crossed their minds. Knowing the kind and compassionate person he is
They smiled at their captain, once again impressed by his abundant benevolence.
This definitely went better than anyone could have thought.
"Okay! Now that that's settled. I'm going out drinking with some friends!"
Hestia's sudden proclamation ruined the feel good mood of the room and Bell practically squawked at Hestia's words.
"G-Goddess!" Bell exclaimed, "Where did this come from?!"
"From the fact that I've been dreading this conversation for over a month!" Hestia said, stomping a bare foot, "Now that it's over and the decision has been made. I'm going to go out for a drink with my friends to drown my anxiety!"
That did not sound healthy at all in the least! Was the collective thought of her familia.
"Besides," Hestia continued, "Miach is treating. Something about making a new breakthrough potion and he wanted to celebrate."
Chitoge and Kallen fist bumped, no one noticed.
"Anyway," Hestia began walking to the door, "I'll let you all figure this out in more detail. Don't tell me how, I don't want to know," she turned to them just as her hand was on the doorknob, "just try not to make too much noise is all I'm asking."
With that final piece said, Hestia walked out the door and to whatever destination awaited. Leaving Bell alone with the girls.
Everyone's eyes looked towards each other in a sudden realization.
After revealing the skill they all shared and Bell's agreement to help them utilize it…
Now what?