Danmachi Emerald Version

Chapter 7

Journey to the 18th floor

A/N:

Narration

"Talk"

Monologue

*sfx*

11th day of Loki familia's expedition.

Abandoned Church. It is quarter to seven in the morning and the Goddess Hestia still sleeps soundly on the sofa.

"Hmmmmmm... Bell... slow down... guhehehe... I can't eat..." Hestia mumbles as she twist and turn until-

*bang*

She fell of the sofa, hitting the floor face first.

"Mukyaaa!"

Hestia winced in pain as she quickly stood and looked around to she the dim lit room, the untouched food and already empty cheap wine bottle she prepared for Bell last night. The sense of dread quickly overcomes her as it instantly kick off her drowsiness. The last two times it happened, the Thieving Elf Riversomething was there to seduce him by the guise of providing assistance. This time around, he is with Lily and Welf so it should be fine. Yet...

"Bell!"

Hestia tried calling her beloved child, hoping for all hope that he will answer her back.

...

But there was no reply. She tried doing it a few more time but there was still no reply.

Where could you be Bell?

Hestia thought as she leaves their home in a panic.

Guild Headquarters

Just as Eina was about to go to her booth,

"Mi-miss Adviser!" Hestia burst in garnering the attention of those in the guild lobby. Mainly the God Miach and his child Nahza.

"Lady Hestia," Eina called as she meet with the Loli goddess half way.

"B-Bell... did he... when was..."

"Why don't we calm down and discuss this over there." Eina asked as she leads Hestia to a nearby bench.

I hope you're safe, Bell.

Eina thought as a similar case before meeting Bell comes to mind.

The discussion they had was plain and straight forward.

Bell didn't come home yesterday

When was the last time he was seen in the guild.

Fortunate for Hestia, Miach and Nahza was there to lend her their shoulders and offer sound advice base from their own experience.

An hour later, a search and rescue quest was pinned at the guilds board.

Among the adventurer that saw the request, only two stood out that were not amazed or ridiculed the fate of the little rookie. A mortified Karen, who quickly ran out of the guild and the irritated blue haired captain of the Hermes Familia, Asfi, that instantly ripped the quest from the board.

Lord Hermes, we got a problem!

"Damn it! Just what happened down there?" Asfi said as she ran out of the guild.

Twelve hours earlier,

xth dungeon floor

"Lilly, Welf get behind me," Bell order as he look at the new monsters, Lygerfang, that appeared before them.

"Firebolt!" I said as I cast my magic to then Hestia knife. Swinging it to the monster so that the flame that came out of the tip of the blade creates a whip like effect to momentary distract it before throwing Ushiwakamaru to it's head for a clean hit.

"Thanks Bell," Welf pants as he planted his sword to the ground for support.

"It's okay," I replied with a reassuring smile while keeping my guards up by monitoring any alight movements in my surrounding

"Master Bell,"

Lilly called as she take a look at our remaining supplies that we didn't lost after jumping to one of the hole passage she learned from Ms. Riveria.

"Why don't we take a rest first?" I asked as I points at the dungeon pillar to my right. "Then we can assess our situation."

"Very well," Lilly replied as she pack our remaining supply back to the second compartment of her torn bag.

"Here," with Welf having difficulty to walk, I walk besides him and offer him my shoulders.

"I'm sorry about this," Welf grimace as he look at his injured legs before hanging on to me with remorse. "Bell... if needed..."

"No," I answered seriously. I kbow what he wants to say but I refuse to leave him here to die. "We'll survive this together."

Seeing his determination, Welf clech his sword tightly in frustration.

A few seconds later, after arriving at the pillar, I lean Welf on the pillar while Lilly slumps on to the floor.

Keep a calm mind and assess the situation.

Keeping Ms. Riveria's advice to heart, I try to maintain my cool so that I can assess all my options.

"Lilly, what's the status of our supplies?"

"We lost 80 percent of it." Lily answered honestly with a tone of bitterness. "We lost all of the weapons in my backpack including my bow, I still have a few healing potions here but the rest including the status recovery potions are either lost or broken when we jump off the hole.

The monster repellent is still here hanging on my neck and outside of the smoke pellets I gave you earlier when we try our escape from the pass parade, they are lost as well. For the rations..." Lily pauses as if she is hesitating for some reason. "we still have a day worth ration and some leftover from the lunch box Ms Syr gave you."

"Then we can eat-"

"No!" Lily and Welf both protest. Their voice might be weak so that they won't attract unwanted attention but the intensity it carries are strong to send the message.

Eh? I wonder why... they liked it before right?

"But we need to eat at some point," I replied. Clueless to why they refuse my offer to share my food to temporary save our rations.

"Moving on," Lilly said trying to shift the topic as a horrible memory of her and Welf trying that 'lunch box' slowly resurface to her mind. "What about your supply Master Bell?"

I asses my own supply as I gave her a wry smile. "I still have three potions and an antidote in my leg holster, both my knives are still here but the smoke pellets, I also lost them when we jump."

"And Master Welf?"

"Sorry," Was the only reply Welf gave to us as he hung his head down in shame.

"Now then, Lily do you have any idea where we are?" I asked asked as ai am not familiar to the monster we just encountered.

"..." Lily took a pregnant pause that alarm the two. "We should be in the fourteenth floor. At least that was the plan." Lily once again took a short pause as she surveyed their surroundings. "But with how long we fell and the monsters we encountered here, I'd say we are in the fifteenth floor."

"Damn it!" Welf cried in frustration.

Not only are they in a dangerous place but he is a dead weight to them.

Not good.

I try to maintain my cool but my body is slowly trembling. This is the worst possible place for us right now. Without Ms. Karen, it will be difficult to protect both Welf and Lily.

As soon as I was about to fall from despair from this hopeless situation,

The person who survive is the best. Even if the results were miserable.

Keep a calm mind, analyze the situation and execute

Do not confuse indecisiveness to kindness.

Mama Mia, Ms. Riveria's and Ms. Shakti's advice rang through my mind.

That's right, I must not lose hope.

It's difficult to go back to the surface with our injury and lack of supply. I thought as I weight all possible options. All three of us going up in one piece is next to impossible without sacrifices. My main priority is our safety. We need to avoid monsters and sneak away if we can. It might not be gallant like in the picture book of grandfather but it will keep us safe... safe... wait...That's it!

"Lilly, I think we can still make it to safety,"

I pound my left palm with my right fist as I said joyfully without raising my voice to much.

"You're thinking of going to the 18th floor, aren't you, Master Bell?" Lilly asked as she herself arrive with the same conclusion.

"That right," I replied.

The 18th floor is a safe haven for adventurers. From what I learned from Ms. Eina, Monsters does not spawn there and 2nd class adventurers uses that floor as pit-stop when going to the middle floor. If going to the 18th floor, they might get assistance from adventurers down there to help them go back to the surface.

"Bell, you know we will need to face the floor boss before we reach the 18th floor," Welf argue. He wants to cling to this silver lining of hope but even the likes of Bell wont be enough to handle a monster rex like the Goliath.

"It is possible," Lily answered with a smile, garnering their attention. "10 days had pass since the Loki familia's expedition and the The monster rex re-spawn every 12 days."

"There you have it," I said as I walk to Welf and offer him once more my shoulder. "All we need now is to safely look for the holes going down."

"Thanks Bell," Welf groan as he put his arm around my neck. "Your next maintenance is on me."

"I'm counting on it," I replied with a smile before looking back at the repellent hanging on Lilly's neck. "How long will it last?"

"About six hours at best," Lilly replied. "Should we use it now?"

"No, let's try saving it until we reach the 16th"

Though using it now will make our travel easier I though as I weight all of our options. I can't afford to waste it here knowing that there are stronger monsters at the 16th and 17th compared to what we have now and we don't know how long it takes before we find another hole.

We need to use that 6 hours window time properly and from there, we began our excruciating journey to the 18th floor.

11th day of Loki familia's expedition.

Babel, executive floor

Right after seeing the quest for Bell and his party's search and rescue, Karen quickly ran to Babel without a care to those she bumps into along the way. It took her a few minutes but she manage to arrive at their goddess' suite.

*knock knock*

Karen heaves as she knock at their Goddess' door as gentle as she could.

"Lady Freya,"

*creak*

"What business do you have here?"

Opening the door, she was greeted by their captain and current strongest Lv7 of Orario, Ottar.

"I... I need to talk to Lady Freya," Karen replied as she compose herself and stood properly. "This is about Bell Cranel!"

"Ottar, let her in," Freya's voice can be heard from the inside and as soon as the orders were made, the boaz open the door wide and let Karen in.

From there, Karen explain the situation of Bell's party missing in the dungeon.

"I cannot dispatch them to look for him," Freya rejected calmly to her child's plea.

"..." Kneeling down, Karen grit her teeth in frustration. "I beg you Lady Freya!"

"Karen," Freya called in a serious tone.

Looking to her Goddess' Eyes, she could tell she is worried as well. This is why it confuse Karen more. She knew her goddess' unnatural affection for Bell Cranel. To be honest, she once hated Bell for it before knowing his character.

But why would she not lend a hand this time? is what is going on in her mind after hearing her initial rejection

"Ordering my children to go look for him will draw more unwanted attention." Freya explain as she cross her legs. "I already stop Apollo's scheme. Any more than that will likely get the likes of Ishtar's attention."

"In that case, at least please allow me to go look for them," Karen continue to plead. "At the very least, it wont look as suspicious as I was part of his party before."

*sigh*

"Very well," Freya replied as she seems to lost interest of the discussion already and she shifted her gaze to the horizon outside. "Do as you please."

"Thank you very much!" Karen bowed before leaving.

Just as Karen left her chamber, Freya ordered Ottar to pour her a glass of wine before asking him to guard outside.

There's nothing wrong with taking a small peak. Freya though as she readied her mirror that she use from time to time to see what Bell is doing in the dungeon.

She took the wine glass on the table and take a small sip to sooth her nerve.

Though she is nervous to what she would see, she is confident- no, she knows that he is still alive and struggling. Keeping that pure soul shining brightly.

That nervousness she had though soon vanishes after seeing him with his pure, bright white soul burning stronger than before.

Fufufu... I knew it but...

however...

*crack*

Just like the Pallum behind Bell, she did not like what she is seeing.

Meanwhile

For most part on our journey, we try to conserve our strength by taking turns to rest and sneaking our way from one passage to another. Trying to avoid monsters by various cowardly means like peaking into one passage normally or using my armor as a mirror to peak in a hallway to see if there's monster inside, change course if the numbers are unfavorable, throw rocks to distract them or taking them by surprise with my firebolt.

A very tiring and repetitive cycle but at the same time, it makes me appreciate the hunting lesson Ms. Riveria gave me as it armed me with the proper perspective we needed right now.

Right now we are the prey struggling to survive rather than the hunter we were on the upper floor.

It took us a while, a days worth if our estimate is correct but we finally manage to find a hole going down to the next floor.

"Here we are," I said as I breath a sign of relief.

"Hold on tight Welf."

"Got it - whoa?!"

"W-wha?" Lilly was practically speechless to what I am doing right now.

Due to Welf's injury, I can't jump in with him hanging on my shoulder so I shifted our position and I am now carrying him with my arm (a.k.a princess carry) before making our jump.

For some reason, I can feel Lilly's glare from behind as she grinds the floor with one of her foot in irritation.

!

Just as I am to jump in to the hole, that feeling of being stared hit me. This is not the same stare Lilly is giving me right now nor their (Lilly and Welf) look whenever I was eating Ms. Syr's lunchbox. It's the very same stare I've been feeling from time to time. The very same passionate and intense look.

"Master Bell?" Lilly asked after seeing Bell look at the ceiling of the dungeon.

"Nothing," I replied after the feeling I got disappear. "Hang on tight Welf."

Miach familia early evening

After a days worth of gathering information, Hestia, Hephaestus, Miach, Nahza and Karen finally got a lead to Bell's status.

Bell and his party were caught in a pass parade when they were in the 13th floor.

Right now, the provider of the information, the God of the familia that is responsible to this is on his knees doing a dogeza pose. Him and his followers.

"Take, raise your head," Hestia said after thinking it through for quite some time. "I understand the situation but if something bad happened to Bell, the least I can do is to not hate them for it."

"Hestia..." Take said as he raised his head. There's still kindness reflecting in her eyes but the immense sorrow far outweigh it. She is serious and will do it even if it hurts her.

"I guess this is probably the rare case that even a dogeza might not work, Take." Hestia said solemnly.

"I know this is not enough but please lest these children to help look for Bell."

"Please let us help too," Take's children said in unison.

The male with a tan complexion, tall and a tough build is the captain of his familia, Kashima Ouka, the female with long black hair tied in a pony tail is named Yamato Mikoto and the small girl with short black hair is Hitachi Chigusa.

"Very well," Hestia sigh as she look at her friend, Hephaestus.

"Sorry," Hephaestus replied to her pleading look with a shrug from her shoulders. "I lend all of my capable children to Loki. The remaining ones can not go down to the 18th floor."

When Hestia look to Miach, he shakes his head apologetically while his child, Nahza hold her prosthetic arm and eyes fixed to the ground. "The best I can do is provide you with medical supplies."

"Oh, what's this?"

Breaking the tension in the room, a god with blond hair enters. Accompanying him is the captain of his familia.

"Hermes?" They all asked suspiciously.

"Now, now," Hermes said with his hands in the air. "I heard what happened and I came here to offer help to a dear friend."

"Some dear friend considering you have not visited here ever since Hestia came to Orario." Takemikazuchi said as he did not bother to hide his distrust.

On the side, Hephaestus nod in agreement.

stepping forward, Asfi handed Hestia the quest for Bell's rescue.

"Time is at the essence so Bell's rescue is more important," Hestia replied.

Hearing Hestia say this, the three deity began discussing on what they will need.

"Don't worry Hestia," Hermes reassured her with thumbs up. "We'll go and definitely find that precious rabbit of yours."

We?

Upon hearing this, Asfi pale as she drags Hermes in the far corner of the room.

"What do you think you're saying, Lord Hermes!" Asfi whispered.

"I am going with you down there" Hermes replied honestly. He could lie his way out of this but Asfi will immediately know so he told her the truth.

"That's the point!" Asfi continue. "Not only it is dangerous for you to go down there but this is against the guild's rules!"

"But you will be there protecting me, right?"

Hearing her God say this, Asfi did a facepalm out of pure frustration.

"If you're going then I'm going as well,"

To their surprise, Hestia is there listening to their conversation with a big smile.

Asfi double facepalm to the absurdity of these two deity. It's one thing if it is just Hermes but protecting two of them is next to impossible.

"Okay then," Hermes replied, turning his back on them. "I guess we need to get extra help." Standing up, he dust his pants as he offer Hestia a hand. "Where should we meet then?"

"My home after we finished preparing" Hestia answered as she readies her self to leave.

"The crappy rundown church?" Hermes asked which was met by an annoyed look from Hestia. "Ok, we'll be there."

Dungeon, 16th floor

Almost six hours had pass since they decided to use the repellent

With Lily taking the lead, Bell and Welf trails right behind her even if they want to be further away from her right now."

"Lilly, can't you do something about it?" Bell asked as he pinch his nose to prevent the foul smell coming from Lilly's repellent.

"Master Bell, you are asking for the impossible." Lily reply. "This foul smell is like a poison to the monsters, keeping them away from us. If you want a more fragrant one, try asking Ms. Nahza when we- eh?"

Before she could even finish, the scent coming from the repellent completely vanish.

oh crap!

And what comes next is monsters they were trying to repel, hell hounds, coming from one hallway.

The way they loom at us is like a predator seeing a helpless prey ready for the taking.

"I got this," Welf said as he mutter a quick incantation. "Blasphemous burn!"

He aim his right palm into one of the hounds setting it aflame.

Just as they are about to retaliate with a blast if their own, Welf once more whisper a chant before saying "Will o wisp!"

the hounds attack were cut short due to Welfs magic, causing an ignis fatum on them that resulted in them bursting from within.

"No matter how many times I had seen it, it really is a crazy magic," Lilly sigh as she pick up the magic stones left by the monsters.

"I know right? Well replied with a laugh. "But I really never expect it to work on monsters as well before we tried it on the monsters on the upper floor.

"As well?" Lilly asked, feeling something is off in that comment. "Master Welf, did you tried that on a human before?"

"Once,"

Welf replied sheepishly as he told us what he had done before. When he asked on of his familia members to practice on the magic he had just gain.

Hearing this, Lilly and I shared a look and decided to drop the issue.

Hostess of Fertility

Right after the meeting with Hestia, Hermes decided that they need a ringer if they want to survive going to the 18th floor.

A seemingly innocent pub with a strength of a 2nd to 1st class familia.

"Oh, Lord Hermes," one of the four maids outside the pub greeted him. "We are still preparing to open up. So please wait for a bit."

"I actually came here for the gale," Hermes said as he looked at the green haired elf maid.

In an instant, the atmosphere turned cold as the maids now see them as the enemy.

The situation is so unfavorable that even Asfi is trembling. It's one thing if they are dealing with just one maid but if the all attack them including the head honcho of the pub, then they are toast even if they bring all of their members into the fight.

"What do you want from me, Lord Hermes?" The maid Ryuu asked as she steps forward. Asfi can sense that if they say the wrong thing then its over.

"We actually need a ringer for Bell's rescue party," Hermes said as he explain to them the situation they are in.

The good thing here is that it seems like they view Bell favorably so the moment Hermes mentioned his name, it manage to diffuse the situation and they were let in the pub to further discuss the issue as they are now starting to garner unwanted attention.

With the plea from the seemingly normal Syr, Ryuu agreed to come with them with the approval from Mama Mia.

"Nyahahaha, why not take me along as well?" surprising enough, the black cat Chloe volunteer herself to come. "We can't let the treasures of the world with that cute butt(Bell) go to waste after all."

*thud*

"Nyaaaa!" Chloe wince in pain as she curled into a ball after Mama Mia hit her head.

"Stop fooling around!" Mama Mia said. "You just want to skip work."

After half an hour of unavoidable fight, we took a temporary stop.

We have been using lots of magic so its better to drink some potions first.

Thinking that, I took one flask and drink on it.

"Here" Bell said as he offered the half of it to Welf.

"Thanks," Welf replied as he finished the content in one fell swoop.

On the side however, Lilly is dumbfounded with mouth hanging half open.

"M-master Bell, leave some for Lilly?"

"Sorry Lil' Lilly," Welf replied as he showed her an already empty flask. "And besides its not like you need mana recovery potions right?"

"This is so unfair! Why is it it is always you master Welf?" Lilly complain for some reason as she stomps on the floor with her feet.

"Sorry bout that, it just feels good that I finish it all up." Welf replied calmly. Tilting his head from the rambling chienthrope, Well look at Bell seriously. "This is good stuff. Better show me where you got one."

"Sure, I'll bring you there as many times as you want."

Abandoned church, night.

"You're late!"

As soon as Hermes entered the abandoned church, He was greeted by an angry Hestia and the suspicious look from the Gods that were waiting for him. After all, all participating members of the rescue party are already in the abandoned church half an hour earlier than Hermes and it includes his captain as well.

"Sorry about that," Hermes apologize with a bow and a quick glance at Karen. "I met up with her Goddess so that we are all in the same page."

A half true statement that made Karen clench her fist. Hermes will do something and it has the consent of her Goddess.

"So what are you waiting for, Let's go." Hermes said cheerfully that earn him an earful sermon from his child whose face is all red due to anger and embarrassment.

Dungeon, 16th floor

A few more hours of walking and we once again took a full stop. Not to take a rest but because they are standing on our way.

"████▄▄▄▄▄▄"

The monster roared ferociously. The embodiment of death in the upper level of the middle floor, the Minotaur.

Welf and Lilly stop on their track as fear creeps down their spine.

Almost all stood still in fear. It's not just one but four Minotaur on sight.

Almost all except for Bell who quickly jumps into action.

He first throws the Ushiwakamaru to the Minotaur left eye, rushed to it, evading its wild swing as it cry on pain and deliver a powerful kick to the elbow holding a weapon, two quick strike on its knees before hacking its neck with his black knife and roasting it from the inside using one firebolt.

And in that instant the Minotaur was defeated.

Seeing one of them fell, the Minotaurs at the farthest of the hallway let out an angry roar as they began walking faster towards them.

In response to that, Bell once more throw his red knife to the leading monster. It got parried easily but that's all the distraction he needs as Bell looks at them while both hands holding the weapon dropped by the Minotaur he just fought. With an intense level of concentration from Bell, the weapon began glowing just like what had happen a few days back.

After activating Argonaut once, Bell practiced hard to learn how to activate the skill. And he learned that the longer the charge, the more powerful the attack but a trigger to activate the skill is the key. A strong emotion put to his next action. But that is not enough. He also needs to focus otherwise the skill will not activate just like what happened when they were being chased by the pass parade.

With a ten second charge, Bell jumps up and swing the weapon dungeon the approaching enemy. Sending a powerful slash killing them in the process along with collapsing the hallway the monsters are in. For the weapon he used it on, it quickly disintegrate down to the tip. Unable to handle the sheer pressure of Bell's attack.

"Minotaur slayer..." was the only thing Welf could mutter beneath his breath.

If there's one thing that Bell is famous off, outside of his fastest level up record, it'll be the rumor that he defeated a Minotaur by himself. Most adventurers shrug it off as mere luck or he kill steal it from the Loki familia.

Seeing him doing it solidifies that Bell did not defeat the Minotaur by pure luck or with someone's help considering he defeated four in less than a minute and a single one is even difficult for a party of seasoned level 2 while he who had been a level 2 for a few day defeated four as easy as slicing a soft butter.

"Welf, Lilly, Let's go," Bell said as he look to them with a gentle smile.

Not long after that encounter and they finally manage to find the next hole leading them to the 17th floor.

Dungeon 11th floor., Midnight

"Whoa..."Mikoto was speechless to what is happening before her.

Only a few hour had pass but they are already in the 11th floor. Twice as fast than venturing with her familia.

Asfi is one thing but the elf in green is as good as well.

"Just who is she?" Ouka asked in awe as the elf in green is capable of matching the movement of Hermes familia's captain.

Dungeon 17th floor.

I don't know how long I've been waking but I need to hurry.

Struggling to walk, Bell pants as he walk by himself in an empty hall. The exit is on sight but he is now feeling the fatigue of his body catching up to him.

"Welf, Lilly... we're near... wheeze... pant..." Bell said more to himself knowing Welf and Lilly who have been hanging on his shoulder and back respectively already pass out for quite some time. With tears welling up from his eyes Bell increase his pace.

"████▄▄▄▄▄▄"

But then, an ominous roar echoes within the hall.

I need to hurry!

Bell pants as he put more force into his legs now than before as the Goliath is starting to come out from the dungeon wall.

"████▄▄▄▄▄▄"

Using his last ounce of strength, Bell jumps into the exit just before the Goliath swat the ground he was on.

*Bang*

Up in the air, the impact sends Bell and the rest flying to the exit before rolling on a grassy field.

"Please..." As his vision is hazy, Bell cling to the person he saw walking towards them. "...Please save Lilly and..."

Was his last word before falling unconscious.

Aaaaaaaaaaand cut.

A/N:

The update came later than expected due to certain circumstances mentioned in Ai Hayasaka Want to Seduce ch9 A/N note (shameless plugin) but here is the new chapter. Yehey!

For the reviews, likes and follow, Thanks!

Made some minor changes. Corrected some grammar and spelling err. v3

12th day of Loki familia's expedition.

Morning

Dungeon, 18th floor, Loki familia camp.

"How are they?"

Just as the High Elf Riveria emerge from one of their tents, she was quickly greeted by their pallum leader. Seeing his serious face, Riveria can't help but grin. "How are they or how is she?"

"Well?" Finn asked flatly knowing what the high elf meant and what reaction she will make when he overreacts.

"I have healed their wounds and there's no sign of critical injuries." Riveria replies as she sigh. "The blacksmith identified by Tsubaki as one of them still has symptoms of mind zero, El-Lilly is just unconscious from fatigue while Bell's case is a combination of both."

"Him being here..." Finn trail off as he look pass the high elf and straight to the tent.

"I know, it means he leveled up," Riveria replied.

That was after all the goal of the goddess Freya.

Riveria thought while trying to keep a poker face.

"But for them to reach here in that state," Finn said as he look at the dungeon ceiling.

"We can save that for later when they wake up," Riveria replied as she made a gesture that she is going to leave. "I still have a few more patients to take care of."

"It's better to leave that to the rest," Finn stops her in a commanding tone.

Due to an unfortunate encounter they had when returning to the surface, some of their members were poisoned that forces them to stop at the 18th floor while Bete went to the surface to get an antidote. From there, Riveria had been healing them nonstop.

"You've been going around nonstop. You may claim that you are still young but I can't have you fainting on us as well so why not take a rest and sleep by his side?"

Riveria scowl at their leader's obvious tease.

"Are you pushing what you want to do to me?" Riveria countered back with a smirk "If so, I'd be careful if I am you."as her eyes then moved side wards.

Following her gaze, Finn saw three individuals that made him stiff. Ais, Tiona and Tione are standing near a tree looking at them.

"I am sure Ais is more willing to stay with him until he wakes up." Riveria added with a grin before leaving her post and walks towards Ais.

"Still a doting mother," Finn sigh while looking back to the tent. "But you know who he wants to see when he wakes up, right?"

"..." Riveria choose to ignore Finn's comment at she smile to Ais to reassure her of Bell Cranel's condition.

His feelings for me is a misguided affection brought by the suspension bridge effect. I can't afford to crush Ais' budding feelings over a fleeting crush.

Riveria frown seeing the image of an innocent Bell cry but Ais sorrow is more important to her that her admirer.

*shake*

Shaking her head once as a means to erase an unpleasant image, Riveria shifted her thoughts to a more pressing matter.

I thoroughly educate Lilly about the dangers of the middle floors and some shortcut hole passages so she wont make a careless decision.

She knows Bell can be reckless but she also knows that he is not irresponsible. With Lilly supporting them armed with the knowledge she provide, there's no chance that they will go down here unless it was the only option.

"So how's Argonaut?" Tiona asked as soon as the High Elf arrive.

"They are all injured and exhausted," Riveria replied. "But they should be fine now." she added to Ais' concerned look.

"I see..." Ais whispers beneath her breath.

"Ais, go keep an eye on them"

"You sure?" Ais asked as she tilts her head but Riveria saw the sparks in her eyes that she can't help but smile.

"Go before I change my mind."

Babel executive floor

It was past twelve and the Goddess of Beauty blankly stare at the cloud resembling a certain rabbit.

Considering who are included in their party, I estimate that it'll be by dusk before they arrive to the 18th floor.

"Hmmm..."

Freya hummed beautifully as she sip her wine and gesture with her free hand to her attendant to bring the orb to her.

"Please leave me alone for a bit," Freya said as soon as the orb hit the table.

"I understand,"

Knowing what her goddess mean, Ottar bowed before exiting the room

The last time left an unpleasant taste in my mouth. Freya taught as she activate the orb once more. I hope its better this time around.

The moment she took a peak

The boredom that she had all day quickly vanish.

*crack*

Replacing it however was rage after seeing Bell, all bandage up and his face is planted on-

*shatter*

"Nine Hell!" Freya growled darkly as she continue watching what is happening in the orb not minding the shattered glass wine on her hand or Ottar's bursting in after hearing her glass breaking.

Aaaaaaaaaaan cut, for real this time.