The Hestia Familia...
Bell's family... and my family.
I hummed and mulled it over a bit while waiting for the elevator to bring me to the top of Babel.
It hadn't been long since we were around.
In fact, if I thought about it...
Uh. Has it been less than a month? No, I think around a month... maybe?
Time was an illusion these days...
But anyway, the important part was that we hadn't been around very long. Because of that, and because of all the things happening around me... trouble brewed.
It was understandable. After all, Tia was a newly descended goddess, and she wasn't very famous either. Not only that, but she didn't have much to offer other than a warm home and unconditional support.
Personally, I thought that was the most valuable thing in the world. But I could see how most adventurers seeking fame and fortune wouldn't bother.
So the Hestia familia was initially just a no-name familia. Something that was just starting up and would either fade into obscurity or just become another of the many average familia in Orario.
Except there was me.
A crazy adventurer who punched far above his level, reached Level 2 in record time, and had become sworn buddies with the only Crozzo who not only could forge proper magic swords, but unprecedented magic swords that didn't break no matter how much you used them.
And if that was all, it would probably be fine. I mean, I was a ridiculous adventurer, but Orario was a place where ridiculous people gathered.
But then there was Fina, Bella, and Pyrrha. Actual demigods... children of goddesses that could not exist. Should not exist, since gods could not have children.
But I made it possible. Granted, it was accidental... but it had happened. And while Fina and Bella were a bit special since they were kind of adopted in a way since they were originally monsters, Pyrrha was an actual child. One born in a way that actually lined up with the old myths.
A blacksmith forging a masterpiece blade thinking of a goddess, and the goddess imbuing her essence, birthing a child...
It wasn't that different from stories like Athena being birthed from the mind of Zeus.
Suddenly, our humble little familia became a target. A place where the impossible occurred. And for the gods who had descended to Earth out of boredom, it was an irresistible curiosity.
'And that's why Apollo acted up.'
A god who adored the beautiful even more than Freya had once cherished heroes. A guy who went to even crazier lengths to add to his collection.
Maybe he was a good guy. Maybe he was misunderstood. And maybe he was just being used.
But the bottom line was...
'He tried to harm my family.'
...That he had crossed my bottom line.
Still...
I closed my eyes and sighed. "I should prepare more."
There were just too many 'selling points' to the Hestia familia now. Not only was there me, who had recently been revealed to be the son of an infamous adventurer known as the Monster of Talent. But there were my children, Welf and Pyrrha, and now even the six and soon to be seven beautiful young girls who had just joined. Girls who had been 'won' from the infamous El Dorado Resort that was known for not letting a single beauty escape its clutches.
'And that's not all...'
I looked up towards the ceiling of the elevator and also towards the goddess I had to clear things up with.
'...There's still Freya, after all.'
Yes. There was also the fact that the Freya familia was inextricably tied up with ours.
Although I was sure it wasn't 'completely' public knowledge yet that Bella was Freya's daughter... mostly because that would trigger a practical Armageddon what with her familia members snapping out of jealousy.
Anyway, although I was sure it wasn't public just yet, it was only a matter of time.
Plus, there was the now mortal Artemis who had become part of our familia as well as 'Selene...'
"...It will be fine." I murmured the words both to assure myself and declare my intent to the world.
Step by step. Problem by problem.
If I continued in that way, everything would eventually resolve itself. All I needed to focus on was keeping my family safe. And speaking of family...
A soft chime echoed and the elevator doors opened to a fancy penthouse suite overlooking Orario.
I stepped out of the elevator and took a casual glance at the riches on display. But then I focused on the one I came here for.
Freya sat at a table off to the side, piles of documents and books in front of her. Wearing a modest white blouse and blue jeans, she was a far cry from the infamous goddess who used her charm and beauty to steal and win over heroes.
And she was also a far cry from the goddess I first met who gave off an alluring beauty while wearing clothing that put her assets on full display. Now, she was like a proper housewife or working mother instead of the femme fatale she had been.
Of course, that made sense. Having children changed you. And even if Freya didn't give birth to Bella in the traditional sense, it didn't change that Freya had a child now.
Our child.
The elevator doors slid closed.
At that time, Freya finally realized I was here. She blinked and then stood up, a warm smile on her face. "Bell!" She walked over and then gently placed her hand on my cheek, caressing it. "I didn't expect you... but I'm glad you came."
I smiled back at her and gently pulled her hand down, wrapping it in mine. "Well, there was something I wanted to talk to you about."
At that time, I caught a proper glimpse of the papers on the table. Papers which were definitely debts, accounting reports, and intelligence on the Apollo familia.
I shifted my gaze back to Freya and said, "Though it seems I came at a good time. Any later and I have a feeling the Apollo familia wouldn't be standing by the end of the day."
Freya blinked, but then she blushed and let out a shy laugh. "You caught me..."
I patted her hand and said, "You can relax. I'll handle it."
Freya's smile faded. Her violet eyes narrowed and grew sharp before she said, "...Bell. They could have harmed Bella. Our Bella."
"But they didn't." I reached up to caress her cheek just like she did to me. "Because I was there. And I'll always be there. So relax. There's no need for you to act."
Freya's eyes widened and then she let out a content sigh, leaning into my hand. Her expression softened and she said, "My, my. I've fallen for quite the dangerous man, haven't I?" She murmured and looked into me eyes before saying, "I should be quite upset at you. Daring to rebuke an esteemed goddess like myself and daring to make promises you can't keep-"
"Who says I can't keep my promises?" I lowered my hand and held hers. Raising it up, I placed a gentle kiss on the back of her hand and said, "I always keep my word. Always."
Freya's eyes trembled and then she looked to the side, pursing her lips. As if trying to keep her expression from crumbling. "Bell. I... I am grateful that you're being considerate. But you don't need to-"
"I thought about it."
"P-Pardon?"
I walked over to the table with Freya and waved my hand.
The papers shuffled, neatly organized into a pile on the floor, along with the books.
...Also while also making a copy in my inventory, but I didn't let on that I did that. I mean, why miss an easy opportunity to get intel on the people I was going to smack on the back of the head, right?
But anyway, I cleaned up the table and then dragged over a pair of chairs before placing Freya in one and then taking a seat across from her.
Freya sat there and waited. Although she put on the appearance of a perfectly calm woman, there was no hiding the anxiety in her trembling violet eyes.
An anxiety that I caused.
Neither of us was at fault. After all, neither of us could have expected it to unfold like this.
Freya had been a cold, ruthless, and ambitious woman. A goddess who knew what she wanted and took what she wanted. Perfect, beautiful, and competent.
And then she met me.
I came into Orario and practically upended her life.
Freya did not love. She gave favors, gave affection... but she never gave love. There were many who construed it as love. And there were many more who sought it, believing it to be love.
But I knew the truth. Until she met me, Freya did not give out her heart or her love.
And like that, Freya had remained and aloof, cold, and 'perfect' beauty. But she had fallen. Not just in love, but from that 'perfect' beauty.
A 'machine' who had been acting out her role had been pierced through the heart by love and become 'human.'
I stared at her for a while, taking in the appearance of the beautiful woman in front of me. The woman who had held her heart out for me expecting to be hurt but daring anyway.
Tia had embraced me and revolved her life around mine, supporting me in every way. She was a calm and constant campfire, a lighthouse that always pointed home. No, someone that was home itself, true to her role as a goddess of home and hearth.
It was why I fell for her first, and also why I chose to love her.
In contrast, Freya was a star- No, like the moon. A light that only shone in the dark, but also a light that came and went. Distant and out of reach... at least, that was how she should have been.
It was why I had my doubts at first. Freya was someone who should be out of reach. A goddess who had no reason to choose me. And one who if she did choose me, did so out of a desire to collect and keep. Not love.
...But she did love me.
I could see it in her eyes, hear it in her voice, feel it in her gentle touch...
"Bell?" Freya tilted her head and stared at me, nervously tugging at the bottom of her blouse.
I looked at her and thought about it.
...Yes. Freya was like the moon. A celestial beauty who should have remained among the stars and perfect.
But I had pulled her into the light.
Like how you could sometimes see the moon in broad daylight, Freya had chosen to step away from her role to just grab a bit of happiness. Even if she couldn't have it all, she was content with just a piece of that light.
But it wasn't fair for her. Or for Bella, who was caught in the middle. So...
"Freya."
Freya flinched and then sat up straight. "Y-Yes?"
I stared at her. And while there were many ways this could go wrong... I would make it right. Because...
"You deserve to be loved too." I reached out and gently held her hand.
Freya's eyes widened. "B-Bell...?"
"I love Tia."
Freya flinched and lowered her gaze. "...I know."
I stared at Freya and said, "Tia was the first to reach her hand out to me. She had almost nothing to her name, but even so, she was willing to share what little she had with me. And so I love her, since she deserves that love."
Freya nodded. "I agree." She let out a wry smile and said, "Hestia is a wonderful woman who deserves all the happiness in the world."
"Right. But... You know?" I gently rubbed the back of her hand and said, "I think you deserve to be happy too."
Freya's violet eyes trembled. Her lips opened and closed a few times, as if wanting to ask a question. The question. About whether I was serious.
But she was afraid to be wrong and hurt. So Freya was stuck like that, unable to ask for fear of being wrong, but wanting to ask out of the hope that she was right.
Ambiguous. Just like everything between us until now.
So I decided to make it clear.
"Let's try it."
Freya's eyes widened. "Bell. You... Are you... I mean, do you..." She stopped talking and shook her head. After that, she took a breath to calm down. Then she looked at me and said, "Are you serious?"
"I am always serious." I stared at her, still holding her hand. "To be honest... I don't like polyamorous relationships. I've seen too many crash and burn. But." I squeezed her hand tight and said, "I'll make this work. Not for Bella's sake. But because I think you're worth loving."
Freya froze. Then her violet eyes started to shimmer with unshed tears.
...I had my doubts. After all, I'd seen all the reports about Freya. And I'd heard stories about her from Cranel. But.
Even if those might be true.
Even if Freya might have been obsessive and a terrible person in the past.
I also knew that the lonely woman who was desperate to be loved... and who loved me desperately was also true.
So it didn't matter.
The goddess... No, the woman sitting across from me was someone who adored her family and would give everything she had to keep it together. One who was starved for genuine love and affection, not just sex and intimacy.
She was a mother who loved her daughter and did her best to spend as much time as she could despite running the most powerful familia in Orario.
So it was enough.
I smiled at Freya and said, "Today, Freya. I choose to love you as well."
Freya let out a sharp gasp and covered her mouth. Tears started streaming down her cheeks, and then she shook her head, quickly brushing them off. "Bell..." She laughed through her tears and smiled. "You're terrible. This... you should let a woman prepare. Ambushing her like this with such words after everything..."
I chuckled and said, "Well. I don't like leading women on. And since I'd be doing that if we went on as we were... I figured I'd clear it up. But..." I smoothed my expression and focused. "You know, right? That I can't actually be with you. Not yet."
Freya froze, looking panicked for a moment. Probably fearing that she had misunderstood everything. But then she calmed down, realizing what I was really saying. "...Ah. Of course." She sighed and brushed away her tears before letting out a wry smile. "My 'family.'"
"Right." I nodded. "Other than Ottar... if we go public, then your 'children' will raze Orario to the ground trying to get rid of me. Especially since you would technically be sharing me."
Freya frowned. "...True. They wouldn't understand."
"Yeah..."
The members of Freya's familia had a reputation for vicious competition and drive to win her favor, all for the sake of a chance at her 'love.' It was part of the reason they were at the top of Orario. After all, what better motivation to improve than the love of a perfect goddess, right?
So then if word got out that I not only won that love of that 'perfect goddess,' but that I was shamelessly loving her and another goddess...
Well, people hated NTR for a reason.
Freya giggled and then pulled my hand up to rest against her cheek. "You are such a scoundrel, Bell. Loving a goddess already, complete with a child, and yet declaring that you would love me as well... How shameless."
I chuckled and said, "Well, I suppose I am a scoundrel." I smirked and said, "I'm the bastard who stole the heart of not just one, but two goddesses and had children with both. If Orario knew the full details of what I did, I'd probably be on the hitlist of every adventurer alive."
Freya let out a soft sigh. But then she gave me a serious look and quietly said, "But are you certain you want this, Bell?" Her violet eyes trembled a bit, but she stayed firm and said, "You are already happy. You have a family. This tiny piece..." She closed her eyes and leaned against my hand. "...This drop of love is enough for me. I am fine if we keep things as they were."
"No." I shook my head and gave her a firm gaze. "It might be 'fine' for you. But I know that when woman say they're 'fine' they're lying."
Freya flinched and opened her eyes.
I gently tugged my hand away and then cupped her cheeks. "I know you want more. And you deserve more. So... wait for me, Freya." I smiled and said, "You love heroes, right? Then... I'll become your last and only hero. Give me a bit of time and I'll earn your hand the proper way."
Freya laughed and then looked up with loving eyes. "You are such a scoundrel. Calling yourself a hero? Saying to become my last and only when I will be one of two... Still." She let out a soft smile and said, "I suppose that's part of why I love you." She reached up to cup my cheeks as well and said, "A hero and a villain. Good and evil. Diametrically opposed normally, yet so paradoxically combined in you wonderful, wonderful man."
I smiled and said, "Well. That's because I'm just me."
Freya laughed. "Yes. Just you. Bell. My Bell- No. Our Bell."
I smiled and lowered my hands. But then a thought came to mind.
Tia and I had a matching pair of rings.
Now, I would be a suicidal fool to give Freya one considering the time bomb that was her Familia. But I could still give her something as proof.
"Bell?" Freya looked confused. "What are you-"
"Here."
I reached around her neck and crafted a golden locket shaped like a heart. Or to be exact, 'half' of a locket.
Freya's eyes widened as she felt it settle on her neck and instinctively reached up to grab it. "This is...?"
"A promise." I reached around my own neck and put on the second half. After that, I glanced at both.
Freya's pendant was the bottom half of the golden locket, holding a picture of her and Bella hugging each other within the heart frame.
And mine was the top half. Although it just looked like a golden heart, if I turned mine over, it was a picture of me, reaching out to the side.
I smiled and walked around to lean in close to Freya, hooking our halves together. "See?"
The completed locket now showed a picture of me hugging Freya and Bella.
Freya gasped. "Bell..."
I gently pulled my half away and said, "We can't be like that yet. But soon. I promise."
Freya was quiet, just holding the pendant in her hands with a warm smile.
I smiled back at her.
And then Freya shook her head. "To think I could be this happy... feel this loved..." She instinctively clenched her hands around the locket. But then she sighed and lowered her hand. Smoothing her expression, she folded her hands on the table and said, "While I appreciate you for all of this, Bell... I'm sure you didn't come here just to flirt with me."
I laughed and rubbed the back of my head. "Ah, well..."
Freya chuckled and said, "Hestia told me about it. You have a habit to bombard a woman with love before asking something ridiculous... so what is it?"
"I don't-" I paused, thinking about it. And then I sighed. "I guess I do... but anyway." I cleared my throat and said, "You see..." I waved my hand off to the side and dumped a mountain of gems, treasures, and valis that I'd pilfered from my night out in the red-light district. "I recently came into possession of some riches. And since I know a lovely and intelligent woman who is very skilled at discerning treasures and spending money for goods... Would you kindly acquire some resources for me, Freya?"
Freya giggled and then poked my cheek. "My, my, my... I already adored you for you. But now you come and show that you have money as well... and you're giving this money for me to spend however I want?" She let out a teasing smile and said, "You really are a scoundrel, aren't you? Treating such an esteemed goddess like a simple mistress."
I coughed and said, "W-Well... you are a connoisseur of the best in Orario, are you not?"
"I am indeed." Freya chuckled, her mind already turning. Then she hummed and said, "Some grimoires for Hestia's new children and some useful equipment... I can do that. But that will only take a small portion. For the rest, I presume you want raw material to give to Welf to use?"
"Right." I nodded. "If I'm going to solo the Apollo Familia, I'll need better equipment. And while I can make it myself, I'd rather have Welf train his blacksmithing and make it. Not to mention that revealing my trump cards so publicly would be bad..."
Freya smiled and said, "Yes. I suppose our Bell does have quite a few tricks that should be kept under wraps... particularly if my hero plans to win me in a proper challenge."
I chuckled. "You know me so well, Freya." I smiled. "It's nice talking to someone competent."
Freya poked my forehead and said, "I'm flattered. But watch your tongue. Dear Hestia might get jealous."
"True... but what's there for her to be jealous about?" I smiled and said, "I love her, and she'll always have me."
Freya stared at me.
I blinked and said, "What?"
"Nothing, just..."
"Just?"
Freya smiled and said, "It's good that you have standards. If not, I fear you would be running around Orario collecting beauties like coins..."
"Rude. I'll have you know, I am a family man first and foremost. I'm not some protagonist of a novel or show who goes around stealing hearts and collecting beautiful women for fun."
Freya smiled. "Of course not... at least, not intentionally."
"Oi, oi, oi." I poked Freya's cheek and said, "Even if I said I love you, I won't forgive jinxing things. I draw the line at you and Tia." I pulled my hand back and then gave her a serious look. "I want a proper, loving, and healthy partnership to raise Fina and Bella. Not just some hedonistic male fantasy."
Freya blinked and then let out a warm smile. "Of course... that is just like you, Bell." She grabbed my hand and massaged it, chuckling. "A simple family man through and through, despite being able to be more if you wished..."
"Well." I smiled and said, "Is it wrong that all I want is to live a happy family life?"
"Of course not. But..." Freya sighed. "You have much to do. And I should pull a few strings if I am to sort this out in time before the Denatus and the official war game declaration."
"Oh, right." I nodded. "About that... When is it?"
Freya hummed and said, "It should be a week. As for the war game itself... Since you challenged, you can set the date. But the Apollo Familia will decide the format." She hesitated and said, "Will... it really be fine, Bell? Not that I doubt your skill, but you alone against potentially all of the Apollo Familia..."
I chuckled and said, "It's public knowledge now, right? That my mother is the adventurer that was known as the monster of talent?" I smirked and said, "Well... I'll just have to show everyone how children tend to surpass their parents."
===
Freya leaned against the window and watched Bell's swirling black and white soul head back towards the church where the Hestia familia lived.
After a while, a gruff voice echoed from the corner of the room. Zald's. He chuckled and said, "Bell truly takes after Alfia. It seems like all he inherited from that coward were his crimson eyes."
Freya chuckled and said, "It appears so." After giving another longing glance towards Bell, she walked back over to the pile of treasures he left behind. After grabbing an accounting book and a quill, she started to get to work noting the total resources and potential costs of acquiring everything for Bell.
Silence passed, with just the sound of a pen scratching against paper.
But then Zald's voice echoed again. "Lady Freya."
Freya paused. It wasn't like Zald to use her title. So because of that, she paid close attention and glanced into the corner of the room.
Zald had left the tiny soul cage keeping him alive and inhabited armored mannequin in the corner of the room. Walking over, he faced Freya and said, "You know it. That none of your children will be idle from this point onwards. Even having them idle until now was a miracle."
Freya stilled and then quietly said, "I know."
Zald was quiet too. Then he said, "Six months, maybe less. When the Goddess Festival comes... that will be when this situation ends, one way or another. Do you think your 'Hero' will be prepared by then?"
Freya fiddled with the pendant on her neck.
Six months...
Even though Bell had become a Level 2 in record time. Even though he continued to perform impossible tasks and feats...
...Would it really be enough against a familia with three active Level 6 adventurers and four Level 5 adventurers?
Bell had to cross four levels in that short time. Six months, to go from Level 2 to Level 6. A level that most adventurers in Orario never reached.
Realistically, it was impossible.
But...
Freya laughed and said, "I have faith in him."
Yes. Freya had faith in Bell. And wasn't that funny? For a goddess to have faith in someone else... No. For Freya to have faith in anyone at all was already strange. Still...
"...I suppose Bell always does the impossible."
Freya smiled and subconsciously glanced back towards the church in the distance.
A black and white swirl amidst other glowing lights. Lights that got just a bit brighter when he arrived, as if he drew out their potential just by his mere presence.
Freya smiled and fiddled with the pendant on her neck. '...I hope the day where Bella and I can live happily together with you comes soon, my Odr...'