Hello everyone and welcome back.

Okay…well. The truth has finally been revealed about Bell's parentage and many of you are, quite understandably, concerned. Now, because I would really hate to lose any of you because of this matter, I'm going to start today with a not so little explanation, starting with the statement that Bell and Ais's relation to each other is not as straightforward as it initially appears. There IS an explanation for what exactly they are to each other and it has been hinted at. In fact, someone's already guessed it. So, for those who are worried about the incest stuff, I repeat, it is NOT as straight forward as half-siblings unintentionally in a relationship. There are other factors to it and I hope you will be willing to stick around to find out more.

Now, all that said, some of you might be wondering why I would even go this route. Well, this is all based on a theory I had regarding Bell's parentage. A theory that the 3rd anniversary of Memoria Freese event utterly shat on, but which I decided to continue with writing about regardless given that I liked my idea and, if I may be blunt, thought was better than the revelation that Bell's parents were a lovely invalid and a perverted coward. My theory, as is now revealed, was that Bell was the son of Aria and the One-Eyed Black Dragon. This theory originally stemmed from the discussion on the color of souls. We learned from Freya that souls are colored by their past lives, however Bell's soul was revealed to be clear. To me, this suggested that he didn't have past lives and thus hadn't been "colored" yet. I thought about why this might be and came up with the idea that maybe he was born to beings who also hadn't been colored by past lives, i.e. hadn't died. Well, that left only immortal beings and we already knew of one immortal being that did have a child; Aria. Obviously though, the father couldn't be Albert since he had died many years before, and given Aria's capture, that left really only one other being that could be the father. One who also hadn't been killed in its 1000 years. The One-Eyed Black Dragon. I figured that Omori was throwing in a haymaker to both stir up drama and tear Bell and Ais apart. There were a few other minor reasons for my theory, from the Xenos appearing 15 years before the main storyline, to the cover of volume 11. On the latter point, if you look closely, Bell's eye looks slitted as it glows menacingly, at least to me it does. This seemed to give credence to the idea of a monstrous origin. Thus, my theory was born.

All in all, I know this is NOT a popular move and I did not decide to continue with my original plan lightly. There were several points I considered changing it to negate the incest aspect. I even briefly considered following the cliché of Aria having a secret twin sister named Meteria in order to make some distance between Bell and Ais, but I decided against changing my plan for two reasons. One: the story itself was based on the theory, changing it would change the very center of the story and possibly even destroy it, half-assed cliché or not. Two: I have, as some of you know, compromised this story in the past for the sake of crowd pleasing. An entire arc was added for this purpose as well other small changes along the way. While many of these changes and additions have had benefits, they weren't done for the sake of making a better story. They also caused me a great deal of time and stress as I was writing something purely in the hopes of getting a positive reaction. And so, despite my fear, I kept the Aria connection. I know many of you don't like it, the sheer amount of "Sweet Home Alabama"s and "ews" I've seen has told me that quite well, but I'm following this path regardless. It creates, to me, an interesting story and plenty of exceedingly useful drama. In the end, if it's not your cup of tea, I understand, even if I will be sad to see you go.

With all that though, if you're still here, thank you. Now, on with the story.

I do not own Danmachi

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!

Not a single adventurer didn't scream, cry, or curse as the blast of magic shot through the city like the most powerful hurricane ever unleashed upon the earth.

"What the hell is happening?!" an adventurer cried as the winds continued to whip around him.

Mord did not have a concise answer, but if the ringing bells from earlier were any indication, he at least knew who was at the center of this latest terror.

Kid.

"Look! The Tower!"

Mord and every adventurer across the whole city, in near unison, turned towards the Tower of Babel where they found the great beast that had attacked their city, attempting to destroy something on the top of the tower.

"It's the Red Dawn! He's holding off the dragon!"

Word spread like wildfire and though many couldn't believe it and some even didn't want to believe it, there was no way to deny it. Who else could be standing atop of Babel and holding back such a monster but the young hero that, for better or worse, had burrowed himself into the very heart of the city?

"YOU CAN DO IT KID!" Mord roared. "BEAT THAT UGLY BASTARD!"

The bellow initially startled those around him, but soon, a few voices began to join him.

"Beat that flying lizard!" a man nearby cried.

"Turn that ugly bitch to dust!" a woman added.

"Keep fighting!"

Soon there were dozens of voices, adventurers and civilians alike. Then hundreds. Then thousands. Every race and creed added their voice to the call as the boom of battle echoed above them.

"WIN BELL CRANEL!" Mord demanded.

And finally, using the last of his strength, Bell forced back the Herald of the Sky, stunning the great beast and opening her up to the attacks that would finally slay her.

"They…they did it," someone said.

Mord smiled.

"Of course they did. I only wish I'd bet on it," he stated.

A great cheer went up in the city, shaking the earth and the heavens with its triumphant merriment and not-so-silently signaling Bell Cranel's return to the good graces of Orario's people.

"No more baa-chaaaaan," Bell groaned as he sank into his seat. "I swear…I can't eat anymore."

"Nonsense. Look how skinny you still are. I have not fed you even half as much as I should," Mania declared as her tiger tail swished back and forth behind her.

"He won't fatten up in a single day, Mom, even if you make him eat his entire body weight in calories," Achilles stated with a smile. "It also won't do anything for his health if he heaves it all back up."

"Hm, I suppose you're right, but don't think you're getting off too easily, Bell. I still fully intend on fulfilling my grandmotherly duty and right to fatten you up properly!"

Bell just nodded, unable to speak after all the eating he'd done, not that anyone could really blame him. The only one who seemed able to continue eating was Achilles and that was only thanks to his first skill.

"Alright, let's get you to bed, kiddo," Achilles said, smiling down at his boy as he gently lifted him from his chair and headed towards the stairs.

"Bed sounds really good right now," Tione groaned.

"Yeah. It's gonna take me a full day to digest all of this," Tiona joined, happily patting her full stomach.

"Would you like me to schedule some early morning training tomorrow? That would certainly help you burn off all those excess calories," Finn offered.

"You wouldn't dare!" Tiona cried as Lefiya placed a hand over her mouth, queasy at the very idea of doing anything physical for the next two days.

"He's just playing with all of you. I know for a fact that he has no more interest in training, fighting, or anything laborious for at least a day," Gareth assured them.

"You're ruining my fun, Gareth," Finn bemoaned, even as he smiled.

"Well Lili, for one, has had enough 'fun' for today and is going to bed and no one!" she paused, pointing an accusatory finger at the crowd of adventurers. "Is going to wake her up early."

"Even I'm not crazy enough to try that after today, Lil' Lili," Welf replied .

"Good," the prum replied as she and everyone else headed up the stairs.

As they reached the top and prepared to head towards their given rooms, a quiet, tired, but joyful voice called out to them.

"Good night everyone," Bell said, his voice barely more than a whisper.

"Good night," everyone but Achilles replied, smiling at the young man who could barely keep his eyes open.

"Good night," Achilles said to the others before heading down the hall towards Bell's room.

The Father On High quickly entered and took his son over to the bed where he gently laid the young man down. He then dutifully tucked the captain of the Hestia familia into his blanket, kissed his forehead, and turned to leave.

"Thanks Dad…for…everything," Bell said before finally drifting off to sleep.

Achilles turned back to his boy, his smile even prouder than before.

"You're welcome Bell, and thank you for everything, too."

Achilles exited the room, finding, to no great surprise, Ais and Riveria.

The golden young woman gave Achilles one grateful look before heading inside to join Bell as the ex-captain turned to his lover.

"Shall we?" he asked, holding out his hand.

"We shall," Riveria answered, taking his hand and leading him towards his bedroom.

The next day, everyone gathered at the dining table again for breakfast, though with so many people, many had to stand as they ate and chatted.

"Bell-kun still hasn't woken up?" Hestia asked.

"Can you blame him, Hestia-sama? He fought a giant, five-headed dragon to a standstill," Lili defended. "If anyone deserves to sleep in, it's Bell-sama."

No one was inclined to disagree with that. Even the Freya familia kept their jealousy at bay out of respect for the Hestia captain's accomplishment and their lady's feelings.

"I'd say you all deserve to sleep in after yesterday's battle," Take state, "unfortunately there is much to be done. Not only does the city need to be repaired, but it's entirely possible that some of that immense horde escaped, meaning there may be monsters hiding within the city."

"True, but even so we should find the time to rest and recover," Miach said, turning his worried eyes towards Naaza who had been painfully quiet since her awakening, her eyes often trained on her reattached leg as they were now. Saddened by her suffering, the god pulled her to his side. She quickly snuggled into his side, burying her face into his torso.

"Yeah, I think we could all use a break," Hephaestus stated, eying her friend and his captain.

"Unfortunately it looks like we won't get it any time soon," Loki cut in, her eyes looking out the window, "not if that quick stride Shakti's rocking is any indication."

Not even thirty seconds later, there was a knock at the door and Haruhime let in the Ganesha captain.

"My sincerest apologies for disturbing you," she stated with the utmost sincerity, "but Ouranos-sama has called an emergency Denatus to discuss the attack and how Orario shall proceed over the coming weeks."

The deities nodded and rose.

"We'll be back soon everyone," Hestia assured them. "Please keep eating and rest as long as you like, you've all more than earned it."

With that, the hearth goddess and her fellow immortals departed, leaving the worried mortals behind to try and get that oh-so-desired rest.

Hestia and the other deities entered the Denatus where they found many, though not all, the other gods already assembled. Amongst them, was Aphrodite who turned to the hearth goddess with a mixture of disappointment, sadness, and anger in her eyes.

"Good morning, Aphrodite," Hestia greeted as pleasantly as possible.

"And what, pray tell, is good about this morning, Hestia?" the beautiful goddess demanded. "Is it the destroyed neighborhoods? The hundreds of missing people? Or perhaps it's the hundreds dead? Maybe it's the tens of thousands who are absolutely terrified right now."

"Your sarcasm is wearing down my limited patience, Aphrodite," Freya warned darkly.

Aphrodite's glare turned to her fellow goddess of beauty.

"A week ago, that would have scared me into silence, Freya, but not now. Not after this carnage."

"Which, let me guess…is somehow the rabbit's fault," Loki jumped in with a dismissive flurry.

Aphrodite snarled.

"Everyone's talking about it. How Tiamat was so focused on him. Almost like he was her target. Her reason for coming to Orario."

"And did those same people happen to say anything about my grandson restraining Tiamat from the Tower of Babel?" Mania snarled back.

Aphrodite's fists tightened.

"If anything, that is only further proof that Tiamat came for him. Why focus so solely on him if he wasn't her focus?"

"Oh come off it, Aphrodite!" Loki exclaimed. "That sounded so forced I'm surprised you didn't pull a muscle stretching for that one."

Aphrodite growled, but said nothing in response.

"Maybe that five-headed lizard was so focused on little Notre-Dame because he's the only one who could fly and fight her. Well, him and old zappy with those blinding wings of his."

The nicknames eased some of the anger Hestia, Mania, and the other deities felt and a few even cracked a smile.

"I don't buy that for one moment," Aphrodite stated, a few of the other deities growling their agreement in the background.

"No, you just refuse to buy it, because if ya did, ya couldn't blame Bell Tower for another grave catastrophe."

"He's a danger to us. That's not an opinion, it's a fact. He doesn't belong in this city."

"Oh not this again," Loki sighed. "Listen, blondie, if Bell Pepper was really a threat then the best thing we could do would be to keep him close so that we could keep an eye on him," the trickster goddess punctuated this by cracking open an eye. "Forcing him out would only make him more unstable and place him out of our sights, which is where the real problems arise."

Before Aphrodite could argue more, Hades stepped forward, his dark imposing frame silencing her.

"Leave it be, Aphrodite. Your concerns are noted and I will watch over my grand-nephew to ensure he stays out of trouble. In exchange you will leave…him…alone."

Even after so many millennia, the underworld god had a way of frightening everyone into compliance, no matter their argument or emotional state.

"He's dangerous," she turned her eyes back to Hestia, "to all of us, especially those closest to him."

With that warning, the goddess of beauty headed towards her seat, leaving the glaring deities behind.

"Wretched little girl," Mania hissed. "But why did you say you would watch over Bell, Hades? You don't believe he's somehow to blame for all this, do you?"

There was a warning in her voice, but he was unperturbed.

"I know that something is afoot, Mania, and that Bell is, willingly or otherwise, a part of it. As such, I will keep an eye on him," he answered. "He is also family, which means that his safety is of the highest priority. All in all, keeping him out of trouble should be our highest priority. In fact, it must be our highest priority."

There was something he wasn't saying, they all knew it, but they also knew the god well enough to know that he wouldn't share unless he wished to or absolutely needed to. Luckily, any further pushing on the matter was ended with the arrival of the Hermes and Ganesha, which signaled the beginning of the emergency Denatus.

"We're ready for you, Ouranos," Ganesha called out.

"Good," the elder god's booming voice echoed before a divine mirror appeared at the front of the collection of immortals, revealing the Guild deity.

Many of those gathered were stunned to see Ouranos as it had literally been centuries since they'd had a face-to-face with him, but they said nothing, allowing him to speak.

"Orario has now suffered several major incidents, the most recent being the most devastating of them all," he began, not wasting any time. "Orario has been heavily damaged, many have been killed, and our children are frightened. At this rate we may soon find mortals unwilling to come to our city or many of our citizens fleeing it. Trade may soon be stifled, and other nations may think it is time to try to strike us." Some of the deities nodded. "We must act to waylay these fears as soon as possible. Orario must be rebuilt and rebuilt grander than it was before. Its defenses must be strengthened, at least until such a point as we can be sure that no threat is presented to us. Given this, I am assigning all familias to the reconstruction of the city and ordering a temporary ban on Dungeon delving."

Many of the delving familias immediately jumped to their feet and began to complain, only for Ganesha, who had completely dropped his playful personality to step forward.

"SILENCE!"

The entire Denatus went quiet.

"Our city is in ruins! Hundreds are dead or missing, despite our best efforts to protect them. Twice now, in recent weeks, we have been utterly unprepared for a major attack. Twice now, our children have suffered, and that is if we do not include other smaller, recent events. We must do better! For our city! For the people! For our children! And I will not hear any argument on that!"

Seeing the God of the People so enraged was a rare sight indeed and took the wind right out of the sails of the complaining deities, who all returned to their seats.

"Precisely," Ouranos agreed, unperturbed by the outburst. "A few select adventurers will still enter the Dungeon in order to scout for any potential threats within. I will also be issuing special missions for medical resources and other rare items that can only be found in the Dungeon. They will be heavily regulated and special agents, trusted by the Guild, will be assigned to these missions to ensure those who receive them aren't side-tracked, but they will be available and plentiful."

That eased the gods even more and plenty of them were nodding now.

"Our first order of business is, of course, rescue, which many are already doing in both an official and unofficial capacity," the Guild god continued. "After that the focus is on the safety of Orario. As previously stated, a select few adventurers will be assigned to scout the Dungeon, these will only be tier one adventurers, level five and above. They will enter the Dungeon, delve for any threats, eliminate those they find, then return to report. If possible, they are to stay within the Dungeon no longer than a week. Those not assigned to scouting the Dungeon will join the middle tier adventurers, level 3 and above, in guarding the city on the surface. Their job will be to scout the surrounding area, including Melen, to man the walls, and perhaps most importantly, to be seen by the public. The people of this city need to know that we are taking their security as seriously as possible. That it is our primary concern."

More immortals nodded.

"These adventurers guarding the city will be swapped out routinely so that they can assist with reconstruction and participate in the special missions. All low tier adventurers, level one and two, will be assigned to this task. We will repair what can be repaired, tear down what must be torn down, and then rebuild our city better than it was before. We will inspire a new wave of mortals to come to our city with our strength, our beauty, and our prosperity. We will be the unquestioned center of the world again."

A few gods and goddesses cheered and a feel of rejuvenation flowed amongst them.

"We have been wounded," Ouranos stated, putting a damper on the spirit, "but we are not lost. The peace of the last few years has been disrupted, but it can and will be regained. The next few weeks will be trying, but they shall be overcome."

That was all that needed to be said and the deities began filing out. Except for one.

"I have something I need to speak with Ouranos about," Hades stated.

"That being?" Mania pressed, thinking back to their previous conversation.

He did not answer, his ice and fire eyes merely holding her own.

"Please, Hades, if it's about Bell, tell me," Hestia pleaded.

His eyes turned to her and though still cold, she could see the sympathy there was well.

"I do not keep secrets because I enjoy toying with people, Hestia. If I am keeping one from you, please understand that it is because I feel I must. If I myself was not so afraid at the moment, I would tell you. I swear."

An admission of fear from the God of the Underworld was not something one heard often. In fact, Hestia could count on one hand how many times she'd heard that admission, and the first time had chilled her to her soul.

Just like now, she thought.

"Al-Alright," she conceded, "if you must."

He bowed his head in thanks.

"Only because I must."

Hestia and the others departed and Hades approached the mirror. With a quick look from Ouranos, Hermes and Ganesha departed.

Hades watched Hermes the entire time, wanting to make absolutely sure the messenger god was away before turning back to Ouranos.

"It is as we feared," he stated to the elder god.

A long, horrible silence followed as Ouranos closed his eyes and sank his head into his hand.

"And his mother?"

"Aria," Hades answered.

Ouranos sighed again.

"Then he truly is dangerous," Ouranos's eyes opened. "Is there any reason to suspect he knows?"

"No. Zeus would not have told him, and I have no doubt learning the truth would crush him, revealing his knowledge. However, I do believe that Achilles knows the truth about us."

Ouranos sat up in his chair.

"What makes you believe that?"

"Uriel informed me he did not seem surprised at the knowledge of the Imperator Monstrorum, which, by itself, would make me question his knowledge, but something else far outweights that. I suspect you already know that voices were heard from deep within the Dungeon?"

Ouranos's fist tightened as he nodded.

"Yes."

"Well, they were heard by the Expedition and Uriel informed me that everyone seemed confused and alarmed by the voices. Everyone that is, except Achilles who, according to her, seemed to know who they were."

The silence returned and was even deeper and more painful than before.

"What do you propose we do?" Ouranos finally asked.

"I am not entirely sure there's much we can do. Achilles is no fool and I expect that, even if we were to kill him, that the truth would still be out there," Hades answered.

"Do you believe there's any chance he'll willingly inform us if it is?"

"It's not out of the question, especially with Mania, Hestia, and Freya on our side, but I cannot guarantee it," the underworld god replied honestly.

Ouranos sighed again.

"We cannot leave this to chance. We need to know what he knows and what information, precisely, is out in the world."

"So you will bring him in for questioning?"

"Not now. Orario's safety and reconstruction are my top priority, even with this revelation. Achilles was instrumental in the defeat of Tiamat and the city will feel more at ease with him visible. Far more importantly," Ouranos voice grew even more deadly serious than normal, "I am aware that should we actually do anything to him, Bell Cranel's peace of mind and…allegiance, may be called into question."

Hades nodded darkly.

"When things are calmer, I shall summon him, you, Hestia, and the other deities directly associated with him so that he may be questioned on his knowledge, but no more than that."

"Do those other gods include Hermes?" Hades questioned.

"Hermes is adept at finding secrets, so I'm not sure how long we would be able to keep this from him even without telling him. Besides that, I would much rather he be focused on Achilles than on Bell."

Again, Hades nodded.

"Agreed. If Achilles has revealed what he knows in some way or another silencing that information will keep Hermes's mind occupied and well away from Bell and his lineage."

With that, the divine mirror disappeared and Hades departed the hall.

He'd only just left the meeting room when an all-too familiar voice popped out from the side.

"Something big must be going down for you two to be talking in secret," Hermes said.

"There is, but if I wanted you to know, I would have invited you to the meeting," Hades said, his voice low and menacing.

"Yikes, that's a scary tone you've got there, Hades. You know you can trust me. I'm great at keeping secrets."

"That is precisely why I don't trust you, Hermes. I would, in fact, warn you away from delving any deeper, but I know you and your twisted mind well enough to know that statement will only encourage you. As such, I will simply tell you that you'll learn in time."

Hades turned and marched on, leaving a smiling Hermes behind.

"I look forward to it."

Bell's eyes blinked open before slowly turning to the weight on his chest. He smiled as Ais's blonde hair shined even in the low light that broke through the curtains.

He raised his hand to stroke her hair, only to pull it back when her head turned to him.

"You're finally awake," she said.

"Was I out for a long time?"

"Yeah, it's past noon and we've missed breakfast and lunch."

"I'm sorry," he cringed.

"Don't be," she quickly replied, "you've more than earned a rest after everything that's happened. The Herald, the Evilus, Athens. You deserve to have some time to yourself."

The sincerity in her voice made him smile lovingly at her and he leant down towards her. Understanding what he wanted, she smiled and slunk up his body so she could capture his lips. It was a sweet, gentle kiss, but it warmed their hearts and properly awoke the worn-out Hestia captain.

"I suppose I should go down and get something to eat before Mania-baa-chan barges in and demands I eat until I burst again."

"Yeah," Ais agreed even as she silently dreaded the idea of the goddess trying to fatten them all up again.

The two got up and began to get dressed. It was as Bell was putting on his shirt that he caught sight of his back in his mirror. At the moment it looked like any other back, his status being hidden away, but the sight of it made him pause.

I didn't want to level up due to fighting everyone in the Dungeon…but fighting Tiamat…that's a worthy reason.

"Bell?" He turned to his lover who was cocking her head to the side in that adorable way that he loved.

He smiled at her and leant over to kiss her cheek as he finished up with his shirt.

"Come on, let's go get something to eat."

The two arrived at the top of the stairs in time to see the deities all return from the emergency Denatus.

"Bell!" Hestia cried joyfully, causing the deities to turn towards the young man, and his friends to rush into the entryway.

"Good morning Hestia. Good morning everyone," he greeted warmly as he and Ais descended the stairs."

"How are you feeling?" Mania questioned, checking him over as if expecting some new injury.

"I'm feeling alright. Still a little tired and achy, but well," he reassured her.

"Well, you seem to have regained some of your color, but you're still too pale," she pinched his cheeks, "and far too skinny! I'm going to go into the kitchen right now and whip up another helping of everything to put some meat onto your bones!"

The adventurers grimaced, knowing that the mistress of curses wasn't going to allow them to sit out such a feast entirely.

"I understand, baa-chan," Bell replied, surprisingly readily, before turning back to his own goddess, "but before that. Hestia."

"Yes?" his goddess inquired.

"I'm ready."

They were all confused at that reply, including the goddess herself for a moment, before realization struck her.

"You want to now?" she asked.

"I do. I didn't want my fight with the others to be what pushed me over the edge, but leveling up from Tiamat seems right."

Now everyone understood and more than a few eyes widened while Hestia smiled and nodded.

"I quite agree. Well," she turned to the others, "it looks like another celebration is in order, my captain's about to become a level seven," with that, she turned her bright smile back to her beloved captain. "Come on, let's update your status."

Bell nodded and the two headed back upstairs as the others watched on in amazement.

"Level seven," Welf whistled.

"It's...amazing," Haruhime quietly declared, her proud eyes following her captain up the stairs.

"Quite right," Ryuu agreed.

"Geez, and here I was proud that I'd finally reached it, only to be outdone by a kid less than half my age," Finn joked, immediately receiving validation from Tione.

"One has to wonder how he does it," Freya said, watching her young love disappear around the corner.

"And wonder if there's a way of copying it," Loki stated, getting a playful elbow jab from Hephaestus.

Level seven, Dido internally growled. He nearly killed us all as a level six. At this rate he really will be on par with his accursed father, her fists tightened. He must be stopped before then.

Level seven, Ais thought. Part of her was overjoyed at Bell's success. He had worked so hard and suffered so much, he deserved his high rank. Yet…she couldn't help the sinking feeling in her gut. I'm falling behind. I need to get stronger. So that I can protect him from danger. So that he won't ever have to suffer again.

The next day, after all the celebrations were complete, it was every hand on deck to help put Orario back together.

"Are you sure about this, Bell-sama? You're still recovering and I'm sure no one would blame you if you wished to rest," Haruhime assured with worry in her voice.

"I would," he said seriously. "I can't just sit by while everyone else is putting Orario back together. This is my home and I hate to see it like this," his eyes turned to the ruined buildings. "And the sooner it's rebuilt the sooner life can return to how it was before everything or…get as close to to how it was as it can."

The Hestia familia and co – minus the first tier adventurers who were acting as the city guard – looked between each other and were soon nodding.

"Alright, but don't push yourself too hard Bell-dono," Mikoto requested

"If you do, I will personally princess carry you home," Ryuu stated with absolute conviction.

"Hehe, noted," the Hestia captain replied with a little embarrassment as he imaged the elf carrying him away in her arms.

"Why do you get to carry Bell-sama in any way?" Lili demanded as several other ladies eyed the elf with the same fire in their eyes.

The company of adventurers arrived at their designated area of operations where they found none other than Eina leading the charge.

"Hey, it's the Hestia familia!" someone called.

No head turned faster than Eina's, who nearly gave herself whiplash as she sought out her beloved adventurer.

"Bell!" she cried before immediately rushing over, Misha and several adventurers joining her.

The half-elf was prepared to pull the young man into a bone-crushing hug, but froze instead once she saw his current state.

"What happened to you, Bell?!" she cried in alarm.

"I pushed myself past my limits is all," Bell replied with a smile.

"'Is all'?!" Eina cried as she closed the distance between them and cupped his face. "You look like a skeleton!"

"I dwon't look thwat bwad anymore," Bell said through his smooshed cheeks.

"'Anymore'!" Eina quoted again. "Are you saying that you looked even worse before?!"

"Come on Eina, give him some room to breathe," Misha ordered, pulling back her friend, though not without receiving a glare from the half-elf.

"Dang, you really must have given it 110% to look like that, kid," Mord said, joining the conversation. Eina turned her glare on him, causing the man to raise his hands. "I'm not saying I'm happy about it, lady, but had the kid not given it everything he had, we might not all be standing here right now."

Eina's glare dropped as she realized that statement was probably true.

At the very least, that dragon would have done a great deal more damage had he not fought as hard as he did, she conceded before sighing.

"Fine, but I expect to see constant improvement in your physique over the coming days, got it?"

Bell quickly nodded.

"Geez Eina, are you going to give him a personal physical or something to see how his 'physique' is doing?" Misha asked after seeing a prime opportunity for teasing.

Eina and Bell both blushed madly, with Haruhime and Cassandra joining them to lesser extent, but after a moment, Eina, head held high, replied with, "Part of my duty as his advisor is to ensure he's in good enough condition to be an adventurer. If that requires a physical, so be it."

Bell's jaw dropped, as did several of those around him. Those not amongst them were Lili, Ryuu, and Aisha.

"There is no way Lili will allow such a thing to happen!"

"Neither will I!" Ryuu joined.

"Not without me!" Aisha added. Everyone turned to the amazon. "What? I've never minded sharing, I just want first dibs."

Hours later, progress in their section of the city was moving along very nicely. The heightened hearing of Bell, Rei, and Haruhime allowed them to hear victims and quickly rescue them, while the strength of the adventurers meant clearly rubble was a simple matter. Welf's blacksmithing skills also came in handy forging tools and equpiment that moved along the actual reconstruction of the city. All in all, things were going well.

"Hey kid," Mord said as he and Bell moved a big pile of debris, "I didn't get a chance to say this earlier, but thanks."

Bell looked at him.

"For what?"

"For saving the city, of course. I know your pa and the others actually killed the dragon, but they wouldn't have had such a good chance without you holding it at the Tower. So, I just wanted to say thanks."

Bell didn't know what to say. He had become so painfully used to the scorn, fear, and loathing of others that genuine gratitude was almost a foreign language to him now.

"Y-You're welcome."

"Yeah, thank you!"

Bell turned and found several other adventurers now next to him, some with smiles on their faces, others with eyes downcast in shame.

"I…I didn't trust you after the tournament and blamed you for everything after the Evilus attacked," the adventurer before him said shamefully, "but seeing you fight that dragon showed me the errors of my ways, and I just wanted to thank you and ask for forgiveness."

Bell felt tears prick at the corner of his eyes as his heart swelled with relief.

"O-Of course. I…I accept your apology and I'm happy I could do my part to protect our city."

The adventurer before him seemed nearly as relieved as the young hero and beamed. The other adventurers quickly joined in and began thanking him and apologizing as well, all of which nearly overwhelmed the Hestia captain, but in the best possible way.

Doneso.

Well, we get to end on a truly happy note for once. I know I often end with cliffhangers and foreboding scenes, but I thought it would be nice to change things up this time around, especially with all the bad feelings from last chapter's revelations and my desperate pleading.

That said, this chapter is concluded and it is time for you all to share your thoughts if you're still around. So, what did you think? Love it? Hate it? Came to this chapter just to throw a few more "Sweet Home Alabama"s at me? Share it all in the reviews.

With that, I will bid you all a fine farewell. So, until next time, bye for now.