The church didn't really have another place to sleep. I'd given the option for Belle to sleep with me and Hestia but they both seemed oppose
The church didn't really have another place to sleep. I'd given the option for Belle to sleep with me and Hestia but they both seemed opposed to the idea. I couldn't really see why, we were family after all!
I slept with my parents when I was a kid, and Hestia was basically my second mom with Belle being my new sister! I'd always wanted a sibling . . . and I didn't even have to deal with my new sibling being a tiny flesh goblin for at least four years. Belle was even a part of the Fool Arcana.Truly Belle was my sister in Shounen!
Anyways that brings us here to our current predicament.
Belle needed a place to sleep, and she refused to sleep on the pews of the church which she most likely found uncomfortable. I found the soft wood nice, but I had specifically trained to fall asleep anywhere. Belle wasn't like that.
So we'd gone on a side quest to find a place for her to stay.
A small inn of which I'm paying for because Belle seemed to not have that much money despite her previous rich girl outfit. I tend not to ask people why they have a problem, and I just help them with it instead. If they want to tell me they can . . . but if I get really concerned I might ask in case it ends up becoming a problem again.
Problems that come back are the worst! Just like debt! Ah, Belle was saying something.
"Ah, Belle, you don't need to pay me back or anything." Her eyebrow twitched. She'd been insisting on paying me back for this but I used my Forbidden Technique: Brick Wall Transformation.
The technique was simple, I just repeatedly rejected someone repaying me! I only used it for small things like this though, also I didn't want Belle to spend her first hard earned Vali's on paying me back for all the things I planned on buying her with Hestia!
Essentially, I didn't want Belle to go into debt. I wasn't an evil overlord intended on spreading debt to the masses after all.
"You're an odd one." I just shrugged. The two of us were Fool's, people who walked a path and would meet countless others along the way who would change us for better or worse. To be a Fool is to be on a journey. I knew the two of us could make it to our happy ending someday, but I was certain we'd be a pair of oddball's along the way.
"It takes one to know one, let me know if anyone gives you any trouble. I'll give them a stern talking to!" I let out a light laugh and patted her on the shoulder before turning away, leaving the girl with the pouch of Vali's and an odd expression I had trouble describing.
I left back to the church in the dead of night and a light smile on my face. Tomorrow was going to be amazing! The Moon shone brilliantly upon the world and I decided that before I got back I'd enjoy the view of the sleeping city.
I started climbing the wall of the city only to pause once I'd gotten high enough to realize there was a set of stairs rising up the wall. That was embarrassing! However I had to fully commit, I was always an amazing climber anyways. With my newly enhanced stats I couldn't help but easily make it up in about twenty minutes.
"It's beautiful."
https://i.postimg.cc/fLZbXdbh/Aerial-View-of-Orario.webp
"Why did you climb the wall?" I leaned on the stone railing and perked up at the woman's voice next to me. I didn't look over my shoulder to spot her, instead I just stared at the moon hanging in the sky.
Its beauty had enraptured me, and I simply could not look away. I let out a gentle sigh and spoke to the passerby.
"I climbed it because I wanted to see the beauty of the City." Hopefully she wouldn't call me out on my shounen fueled madness.
"There are stairs." Called out so easily! I dare not show my face!
"The increased effort of the climb, the danger of the fall, and the desire to not give up on myself . . . all of them contributed to making this view far more beautiful than I could have ever imagined." My words hung in the air for a moment before she spoke like a whisper.
"I see." We settled into a gentle silence. However I decided to break it with a question.
"Did the beauty of the city draw you here as well?" She answered instantly.
"No." Such a fast rejection!
"Then what brought you here?"
"I saw you from the window." I was up here for a minute at best, she got here fast! She probably lives nearby . . . though I guess she could have started moving while I was mid-climb. That would explain a lot. I'm surprised she saw me in the dark though.
"Do you think this city is beautiful?" She didn't respond immediately, she took a breath for a moment and her words drew a dramatic sigh from my mouth.
"No."
"In a way that's both a good and bad way of thinking."
"Why?" Back to the one word responses I guess. Doesn't she know this is just an opening for a shounen monologue? Foolish random woman! You've fallen into my trap!
"Not liking something is the first step on the path to making it better. I haven't even been in Orario for a week and I can see its countless faults already on display. The death, the pain, the greed, and the unsubtle sting of hate emanating from the core of this city . . . all of them are ugly. But on this canvas stained in red and black ink, I can't help but admire the tenacity and hope that is still present in little pockets of this city . . ." At this point I was standing on the edge of the thick fall guard, then I stopped talking as I had a thought that would be quite embarrassing if it were true.
"Though if you were just talking about aesthetics I'll probably sound really stupid right about now." I put my hands on my hips and stared at the moon. The last time I was this high in the air I was on a plane. Had to fly out for an MMA tournament. It was a fun experience, even if I only got second place. I was a swordsman, not an MMA fighter anyways! Also he was like double my age. My tangential thoughts are cut off at her words.
"The Dungeon can never produce something beautiful." I gave a shrug. I didn't fully disagree, but I didn't fully agree either.
"True Evil does not produce beauty. That's true . . . however, by overcoming that evil and living with love in our hearts something else can occur than destruction that infects everything around it with the same disease of Evil. Perhaps we can change those drops of ink from ugly stains to a joyful picture someday." I took a breath and continued as I sat on the edge of the wall and lightly kicked my legs against it.
"It'll be a lot of work . . . but I choose to help make this city better with a smile rather than hatred tearing my heart apart."
We sat in silence before I heard the woman start to walk away. I gave a small sigh of disappointment but her next words surprised me and brought a sense of melancholic to my heart.
"You are strong." I blinked at that and caught her dark figure disappearing in the distance with the faint sound of wind at her back. She really is fast . . . A shame I couldn't see her too well in the darkness.
I am thou, thou art I. Thou hast acquired a new vow.
It shall become the Wings of Hope that break the chains of thy Fate.
With the Birth of the Justice Arcana, You have obtained the winds of blessings that shall lead to freedom and new power. . .
Rank 1: In the Name of Hate - Increases Exilia gain of the Justice Arcana.
I blinked at that. I didn't even know her name! I wondered if my ability would tell me? Also she was probably an adventurer with a confidant like that!
[Social Stats]
-> [Confidants]
0 Fool - Isabelle Cranel
Rank 1: Call to Adventure - Increases Exilia gain of the Fool Arcana.
Rank 2: Meeting a Mentor - Increases training speed of the Fool Arcana when training with you.
Rank 3: Crossing the Threshold - Increases Growth of Guts. Awakens a special skill within the Fool Arcana.
VIII Justice - Mysterious Stranger
Rank 1: In the Name of Hate - Increases Exilia gain of the Justice Arcana.
IX Hermit - Naaza Erisuis
Rank 1: Precise Potioncraft - The positive benefits of potions are increased on you.
XIV Temperance - Rose Fannett
Rank 1: Preparation is Key - Increases Growth of Knowledge. Increases chances of recalling relevant information while in danger.
Rank 2: Reliable Service - Increases Drop Rates.
Rank 3: Quality Insurance - Wielded equipment becomes more durable during combat. This effect ends after combat is finished.
Rank 4: Advisor's Guidance - Increases training speed. Increased training speed for all allies while training with you.
XIX Sun - Hestia
Rank 1: Resting by the Hearth - Increased recovery while resting in an allied location.
Rank 2: A Warm Embrace - Increases Fire Magic Affinity. The positive benefits of allied effects are increased on you.
Rank 3: Passion Behind my Eyes - Increased Sensory Perception. Effects increased with Emotional State.
Rank 4: Stoke the Embers - Grants basic Fire Magic.
Rank 5: Those Moments we Share - Increases Growth of All Social Stats.
Rank 6: Next to the Sacred Fires - Increases Fire Magic Affinity. Increases the strength of Rituals.
Rank 7: Eternal Flame - Increases Endurance when Health is low. Effects increased with Emotional State.
Rank 8: Flames of Passion - Increases Fire Magic Affinity. Effects increased with Emotional State.
Rank 9: Family by the Fire - Increased Parameters when fighting for Family. Effects increased with Emotional State.
It looks like the answer is no. Well, I'm sure we'll meet again! Perhaps I should come up to this wall more often. She'll probably spot me and we can hang out! I'm not completely certain about what type of person she is, but considering she's the Justice Arcana she's probably someone who needs a healthy dose of SHOUNEN!
The Justice Arcana represents a deep commitment to a singular ideal/goal and the refusal to change no matter how much it harms those who follow the path of Justice. Yet at the same time their ideal is both an obsession and a facade. Deep down they know their ideal will not make them truly happy, however they use it as a mask to avoid their actual problem.
I made my way down the stairs and back to the church. It was a long walk and a sleeping Hestia rested on the steps. She waited for me . . . Truly my Sun shined even in the darkness of night! I softly picked her up and into the church. She didn't awaken from her slumber, but she held me back and slightly drooled on my shirt.
Tomorrow I might just do some more chores . . . like laundry. Tucking the woman into the bed I allowed her some rest as I clutched her tightly under the sheets.
. . .
Day Two of the Dungeonless Week
I woke up the next morning with a small yawn. I'd only gotten about 6 hours of sleep but Hestia's warmth had made me practically fully refreshed and ready for the day. I allowed Hestia to sleep in, for I had a Belle to pick up!
I walked through the city with a pep in my step, I'd ended up arriving at the Inn she was staying at and waited outside. Ah, she's probably still asleep. I let out a light hum as I decided to get some breakfast. I'd brought 5,000 Valis with me in total and I could certainly spend some of it on food. Thinking about food made me think about one of the few dishes I could make.
Soft Tacos, probably my favorite food. Easy to make, you could eat them on the move, and they were a great food to have with your companions! They also tasted really good! Alright, looks like I've got a new side quest. I've got to find some soft tacos . . . even if it's the last thing I do!
. . .
I couldn't find them. I spoke of tacos and people just looked at me confused. Is the food of this city so lacking? Not exactly, there were plenty of other dishes . . . but seriously? No soft tacos? I could even settle for hard shell tacos, but alas this was my fate.
My journey lasted an hour and a half so it was about seven and I'd made my way back to the Inn Belle was staying at. The Inn was named the Golden Stag and I gently made my way inside. It was a nice place, giving a real homely vibe!
I sat on a hard wooden chair in the lobby while I waited for Belle to arrive. However my musings would be cut short by an older man's words.
"Any business here?" I looked up to him, the large man approached me with an intrigued expression. His attire was not that of a warrior, but instead that of a cloaked innkeeper.
"I'm waiting for a friend, she stayed the night here." He let out a hum and pulled out the chair in front of me. Somehow the small thing held his massive weight. He slid an unfamiliar board between us and smiled.
"Care for a game?" I tilted my head back for a moment, then nodded.
"Not sure what it is, but I'd love to!"
"You ever heard of Tabula?" As in the Tabula Rasa? I knew Tabula Rasa meant blank slate, so the carved stone board in front of us probably referred to the 'slate' part.
"I've heard the word, but never the game."
"Then I'll show ya lad."
. . .
The game was fun, and I'd been defeated many times and even managed to pick up a win in the chance based game. It was pretty fun to spend time with this old fellow.
"You got any other games old man?" He let out a snort at that and stood up using a nearby cane as a support. He pulled out a different board and smiled.
"This is my favorite game lad, it's called Fidchell. You've haven't heard of it I'm certain."
He was right, I hadn't!
"How'd you know?" He let out a jovial laugh.
"It's from far away, and you don't speak like any of the children from over there." I rested my chin on my hand as I watched him set up the board.
"So how do I play?"
. . .
I hadn't won. Not a single time. This game was all about strategy, and I'd gotten walloped! Either way it was still something fun to do while I waited for Belle.
Just as we finished up our game I got a notification that shocked me.
Oblivious -> Learned
I felt my mind race and I felt many of the math classes in my head actually make some sense! I felt as though I might just be able to get a B in class for once in my life! I turned up to the old timer and gave him my honest thoughts.
"Thank you for these games."
"Bah, my children rarely ever come around. It's good to have a young lad who's willing to play a game with me." I held out a hand for him to shake and he returned the gesture.
"I'm Andrew, and I'm an adventurer." He let out a laugh at that.
"Dagda, and I'm just a humble innkeeper. Don't die in a stupid way lad." That was certainly Irish, if I couldn't have already put that together from the way he spoke.
"Dying in a stupid way would make quite the story. Though I don't intend to die on my adventures. I intend to die surrounded by those I love with a smile on my face."
He let out a booming laugh that nearly shook the building.
"That's a good way of thinking lad!" I spotted the mop of white hair slowly descend down the stairs and for a moment she threw a glare in my direction that morphed itself into a smile.
"Good morning Belle!" She gave a casual wave as I shot up to my feet. However the old man raised an eyebrow.
"This is your friend?" His tone was measured, as though appraising my loyal companion.
"Yep! Isn't she awesome?" He gave her a once over and she seemed to freeze under the old man's gaze, then he planted a hand on my shoulder and pushed me in her direction.
"You brats run along, just follow my advice." I let out a laugh as I grabbed the tired hand of Belle.
"Of course! Now let's go Belle, we have to keep training!"
I pulled her along as the old man ran a hand through his beard as he watched our departing figures through the window.
"What an odd duo. A dark hearted faker and a joyful souled fool. I wonder what will become of them in the future?"
. . .
Belle lay exhausted on the ground and let out heavy breaths from our intense training. I let her rest for a moment as I let out a sigh. Her progress was insane, she wasn't at my level yet when it came to swordplay in context of her martial artes . . . but even still. I was aware I was very good with the blade, for me to speak of her progress in relation to my sword techniques spoke volumes.
"You're amazing Belle!" I gave her a smile and pulled her into a princess carry causing her to softly glare at me in exhaustion. She let out a small hum, she was way too tired to even think straight. Of that I was sure!
Instead I walked down the street in search of FOOD! Alas no soft tacos were found, but I did find a stall that sold gyros. A type of greek sandwich I'd had before, and Belle seemed to like it with how she ravenously ate the thing up.
"Are you enjoying it?" She glanced at me as she finished it and then she started to speak. However her words mostly went over my head as I realized she looked like a cute rabbit!
"I'm just hungry . . ." I smiled at her and she softly gripped the paper in her hand that once held the food. Then it looked as if all emotion drained from her face for a second, then she smiled.
"Shall we get back to training?" My eyes widened at her sudden request. We'd just trained for four hours. That wasn't a small amount . . . but if it's what she wanted. Then how could I refuse a treasured companion? I bought an extra gyro for Hestia as we made our way to the church.
"Where were you two?" I let out a light laugh as I handed Hestia the gyro.
"We were up on the wall, I found it's a good place to train. It's a good view of the city too!" She pouted lightly at my words.
"We still need to get Belle a proper place to sleep! You can't go disappear to train for half the day!" Ah, I'd completely forgotten!
"I'm sorry Belle! I'm sorry Hestia! I'd completely forgotten!"
The following shopping trip was short, but we'd managed to buy Belle a futon to sleep on for 3,500 Valis. All we had to do now was carry it back! I lifted up the back end and gave Belle a smile.
"Belle, this is going to be our first opponent working as a team. Can I trust you to have my back?" She gave me a conflicted look for a barely noticeable moment before nodding with a smile
"Of course! Let's do this!" We lifted up both ends and started moving the futon as Hestia walked next to us with a smile.
"This is good team building! You two are going to be working together for a long time so this is good!" For a moment Belle nearly tripped but I pivoted and started holding the entire futon by myself with some slight effort before she recovered.
"Don't worry Belle! I've got your back as well!" She didn't respond, perhaps she had 'locked in' as my cousin would put it!
We eventually made it and we sat the futon down on the church floor, of which Hestia seemed to claim it as a temporary throne while staring at Belle.
"Belle are you alright?" Belle blinked for a moment before slowly panning her expressionless face over to the Goddess. Then she tilted her head in confusion and smiled.
"Why wouldn't I be?" Hestia frowned and I was confused. I was definitely missing something! I sat down next to Hestia and looked at Belle with widened eyes.
"Belle, if this is about you briefly messing up, you don't have to worry about that. No matter how many times you may stumble, the two of us will be there to catch you if you fall. We're your Familia, your family you can count on us . . . and I know that with a little bit of hard work we can count on you as well."
Rank 4: Tests, Allies, and Enemies Within - Increases Mind. Increases Mind for the Fool Arcana.
Belle slowly closed her eyes and nodded without a word. Then she turned around and muttered something.
"I'm going to the bathroom." Hestia blinked at that before her jaw dropped.
"Huh." I raised an eyebrow at Hestia's sudden change.
"Is it really so weird? We had a long day with only a few breaks."
"S-sorry, I'm just surprised that she really is going to the bathroom . . ." My head tilted in confusion. What did she even mean by that?
"What?" Hestia looked surprised for a moment, before she turned shocked.
"You know Gods and Goddesses can tell when people lie, right?"
THEY CAN!?
"THEY CAN!?" She let out a light laugh and hugged me. Her expression turned gentle as she looked at me.
"You've never once lied to me without even knowing that? You really are a special person."
"Thanks Hestia! You're a special Goddess too!" She slammed her face into my side and started laughing weirdly causing me to decide that it was time for bed. Everyone is acting weird and I'm starting to get sleepy!
. . .
Isabelle Cranel POV
I lay awake and my fist clenched on my dagger. She had told me that these brittle friendships I might form would only hold me back, they would make me weak and get in the way of my mission. She had told me that such people should be eliminated. You do not form attachment to a tool you use. Such attachments may make you use it when something else should be used instead.
You should replace it with a similar tool, as long as it wasn't the same per- tool, then it was alright. That was what she had taught me.
Yet Andrew was unlike any tutor I'd ever had. He'd made me excited to train, and my improvement had skyrocketed like never before. My 'mentors' had berated me, beat me senseless, and drilled techniques into my very being in the name of forging me into the perfect weapon.
So why had this random individual made so much progress in so little time? With such a gentler hand than anyone else before?
I blinked as I realized I was staring down at the hatched door with my knife gripped tightly in my hand.
She told me to get rid of them, so why did I hesitate? I reached a hand for the hatch only for it to freeze before pulling it up.
What?
I tried to move it but it refused. Ah, why was I crying?
Oh. I understood. I didn't want to hurt them. I didn't want to break those faint bonds we'd forged. It hurt to feel this way so the tears continued to flow from my crimson eyes. Picturing the corpse of the per-Andrew I couldn't help but consider his personality.
She had told me that all adventurers were the worst type of people, monsters who would do anything in pursuit of power. That the Gods and Goddesses were no better. However the two of them were like an open book, Andrew even more so.
He wasn't like the other adventures, he wasn't an awful person, he wasn't like me.
My mind floated back to the time I'd been given a book by a strange old man. He'd disappeared shortly after that but promised me that if I read that book someday I'd be able to come to an important realization with the help of a true hero.
That book was Dungeon Oratoria. A book recounting ancient heroes fighting against the Dungeon. Their personalities conflicted with everything she had taught me. Personalities I'd seen in him.
I moved back to my futon and stared at the church roof with blank eyes.
I-if I was going to get her-my revenge then perhaps I could stick with this Familia for a while longer.
I didn't need to abandon them so readily, after all wouldn't it be wrong to abandon a hero in the Dungeon?
Andrew Ariti POV
Rank 5: Approaching the Innermost Heart - The Fool Arcana has increased Agility. Effects increased with their Emotional State.
What? I literally just woke up!
If you'd like to support me or read ahead you can do so on my p . a . t . r. e . o . n . c . o . m/BobOftheHedgefield