Hestia studied the elf girl before her.
"Ah! You're the elf who knocked Bell over the other day!"
"I… I was rude last time…"
Ryuu's tone had lost its usual composure.
"Hey, you didn't do anything weird to my Bell, did you? Hurry up and tell me—what did you do last night?!"
Even though Hestia had accepted Bell's decision to search for a lover, the idea still left a bitter taste in her heart. Bell was her only Familia member—and the one she longed for. And he hadn't come home for an entire night.
Watching Bell slip further and further away, Hestia couldn't help but interrogate them.
"I… I was with Cranel-san… we didn't…"
Ryuu felt as if steam had filled her head—light, dizzy, completely incapable of thinking.
Bell frowned slightly.
Syr had specifically warned him not to let Hestia grow suspicious. Bell hadn't asked for the full reason, but seeing Syr and Ryuu's determination, it was clearly more than a simple prank. So he accepted this substitution plan.
He just hadn't expected that the usually cold and aloof Elf girl would instantly turn into a shy and adorable, fragile young maiden.
Seeing the danger of being exposed, Bell tightened his grip on Ryuu's left hand, giving her a subtle signal.
"…?!"
As their fingers interlocked, Ryuu's cheeks flushed like a ripened fruit. She didn't dare even glance at the boy, not even from the corner of her eye.
Before this, Ryuu had rehearsed countless answers.
But all of those preparations were swept away in a tide of shame.
Her instinct was to run—but Bell's grip held her firmly in place.
In that silent pull between them, the distance closed more and more.
By sheer coincidence, this blushing display of intimacy completely shattered Hestia's defenses.
"Ugh… Forget it! Don't say anything! I'm going back to work!"
Hestia couldn't stand to watch any longer.
Leaving aside this completely inappropriate display of affection—
The more she said, the more it only highlighted her own powerlessness.
In Hestia's eyes, this elf girl had once risked her life to save Bell. And the proud, frigid, glacier-like demeanor she once held had now turned into a shy, adorable expression. Her affection for the boy was written all over her face.
It was unfair—far too unfair.
Hestia could swear before anyone that her love for Bell Cranel was not inferior to anyone else's. But that was something that existed only in her heart.
As a Goddess, she had done far too little for him. Aside from obtaining a dagger and updating his Status, she hadn't even managed to recruit one reliable ally for him.
What right did she have to judge the elf girl?
Before her emotions could collapse into resentment and defeat, Hestia chose to flee.
Bell watched the Goddess's retreating back and spoke softly, "She left without asking anything. Looks like the act worked for now… Ryuu-san?"
Bell released Ryuu's right hand, but she was still caught up in the earlier chaos, unable to react.
"I… I'm sorry!"
It wasn't until several seconds later that Ryuu finally managed to step away.
"Ryuu-san gets embarrassed pretty easily," Bell said with a gentle smile.
"...I'm just not good at dealing with you."
A faint blush still lingered across Ryuu's cheeks. Even she couldn't understand it—she had prepared for every possible scenario.
Yet the moment their hands touched, her mind had gone completely blank.
"I think it's quite fitting, Ryuu-san. Facing monsters, you shine brilliantly, yet you always give off a sense of impending departure."
Bell struggled to articulate his thoughts.
The old him would have been captivated by Ryuu's beautiful form as she stood tall against monsters. But after getting to know her, what truly resonated with Bell was her unwavering spirit. She proclaimed justice everywhere, yet it felt profoundly sorrowful.
By now, Bell had sorted out his feelings.
"Ryuu-san, if possible, I hope that I can stand by your side."
As the words fell, the only response to the youth was the desolate air.
She actually ran away...
Bell smiled softly and walked toward the base of the Babel Tower.
Warm sunlight bathed the plaza. Syr stood beside a fountain, waving cheerfully. Ryuu had appeared from somewhere, hiding at a distance. Still reeling from the boy's ambiguous words, she couldn't bring herself to join them.
Just as the two were about to meet, a figure called out to Bell.
"Cranel-san, I've been looking for you."
Airmid appeared at the edge of the square, carrying a bag.
Syr glanced at the doll-like, adorable face and hurried forward, linking her arm through Bell's. Her declaration of supporting the boy's harem dreams was no idle boast. Yet, in the presence of the Dea Saint—who had a "history"—a surge of possessiveness rose within Syr.
"..."
Faced with Syr's affectionate gesture, Airmid paused only for a second before speaking.
"Cranel-san, please accept these items."
She handed over a bag filled with various potions.
"These are...?"
Bell could identify healing potions, magic potions, and antidotes, but the rest were unfamiliar.
"These are all medicines I brewed. Besides the common ones, there's an Elixir and a special secret potion to remove curses."
Airmid introduced the effects and colors of the potions.
"Such valuable things..."
Before Bell could refuse, Airmid pressed them into his hands.
He wasn't sure of the exact price, but roughly estimating, just this bag of potions would cost Hestia Familia decades of work to repay at their current income. Bell also recalled that he had yet to formally thank Riveria for the Elixir.
Airmid's words brought him back to reality.
"Cranel-san... could I ask one more favor?"
"Hmm, certainly."
Bell agreed decisively.
Airmid's gaze remained fixed on the youth, completely oblivious to the tightly clinging Syr. Silver strands danced in the breeze, her doll-like, exquisite face filled with crimson affection.
"Bell Cranel, please marry me."
"..."
Syr frowned.
This was the town square!
She was currently linked arm-in-arm with the boy!
Did this Saint have no sense of shame whatsoever?!
And how could anyone begin a confession with a marriage proposal?!
Not far away, Ryuu—silently watching—was equally speechless. The events of today felt like her heart was being lifted to the sky only to plummet back down, over and over. She began to wonder if she was caught in another absurd dream. And the end of this dream seemed far away.
Several onlookers, originally intending to stir up some mischief, were driven off by the oppressive atmosphere surrounding the trio of women and the lone boy.
Airmid stared intently into the youth's eyes. No matter the outcome, she had voiced her feelings.
Under the gazes of the three women, Bell was about to speak when the Dea Saint suddenly collapsed, as if her strength had left her all at once.
Without hesitation, Bell rushed forward and caught Airmid.
Syr stood in place, a relieved smile spreading across her face.
The boy offered no verbal response.
But his body had already answered.