Chapter 22 – Hephaestus
After Shirou and Hestia returned to their Familia, they didn't immediately see Bell.
Instead, it wasn't until nearly midnight—more precisely, early morning—that Bell finally returned.
When he came back, his body was covered in numerous wounds. His clothes were torn and tattered, soaked in monster blood. It was obvious at a glance that he had been fighting in the Dungeon.
Bete's ridicule had clearly struck Bell deeply, prompting him to vent his overwhelming anger and frustration through battle.
By the time he snapped out of it, he was already ragged and despondent as he returned to the Familia.
Bell originally intended to keep his emotions from affecting Shirou and Hestia, doing his best to act like nothing had happened.
But he never expected that during his absence, something unimaginable had unfolded in the tavern.
"Eh? Shirou-Nii fought with members of the Loki Familia? And I have to defeat that guy named Bete within five years, or Shirou-Nii will be taken into the Loki Familia?"
Hearing Hestia's explanation, Bell immediately fainted.
"N-No way! I know that guy Bete is already level 5—he's a core member of Loki Familia! Even if I spent my entire life, there's no way I could surpass someone like him, let alone in five years!"
"Is that so? That's what you really think?" Shirou looked calmly at the panicked Bell and spoke slowly. "If that's the case, why did you run off into the Dungeon to fight? If you believed from the start that you couldn't win, why did you feel such strong frustration?"
"This…"
Hearing Shirou's words was like having his innermost thoughts laid bare. Bell found himself at a loss for words.
After a long silence, he finally said with resignation,
"Yeah… I was frustrated. I didn't want our Familia—and you, Shirou-Nii—to be looked down on because of me. But I also know I can't possibly be Bete's match. That's why I rushed into the Dungeon to fight, hoping to become stronger… even if only a little."
"Then tell me: why do you think you can't beat Bete?"
"Why? Isn't it obvious?"
Bell instinctively wanted to explain using the standard cases of adventurers. Most never even reach level 5 in their entire lives.
Only a handful of true geniuses can break through to level 5 in ten or twenty years.
To do it in five years—that's a feat only someone like Ais Wallenstein, the Sword Princess, could accomplish. It's a dream completely out of reach for someone like him, who only knows how to run away.
That's what Bell wanted to say.
But when he opened his mouth, his eyes met Shirou's—and he saw something flash in them. That emotion, that conviction.
In that moment, Bell felt that if he spoke words of self-doubt, he would lose something irreplaceable forever.
"Can I really… surpass Bete?"
"I believe you can," Shirou answered calmly. "Otherwise, I never would've made that bet with Loki Familia. After all, I have no intention of leaving this Familia."
"This…"
Hearing Shirou speak so decisively, Bell knew he had no choice but to face it.
If he gave up, that would mean Shirou would leave the Hestia Familia and be taken into Loki Familia.
That was absolutely unacceptable. He couldn't allow it.
"I'll do it. Even if I have to give it everything I've got—I'll try to surpass Bete!"
"That's enough," Shirou replied.
Seeing Bell's determination, Shirou gave a satisfied smile and said nothing more.
At the side, Hestia watched the two of them with eyes that flickered with emotion, as though she had fallen deep into thought.
.
.
.
The Next Day
Bell set off early once again to fight in the Dungeon.
Shirou didn't go with him, nor did he conduct any special training.
After all, defeating a level 5 adventurer isn't something that can be accomplished with techniques or clever tricks. It's a long and arduous journey that requires persistent effort and unwavering determination.
That said, Shirou didn't plan to stand by and do nothing.
He fully intended to support Bell with his own strength when the time came.
But before Shirou could take action, Hestia was the one who spoke first:
"Shirou, are you free during the day today?"
"Well, I just need to inform Takemikazuchi."
Now that Shirou had fully recovered physically, he no longer planned to continue the food cart work. He had plenty of other ways to earn money and didn't need to stick with selling snacks.
"In that case, come with me. There's someone I want to introduce to you," Hestia said, taking a deep breath.
Before Shirou could ask who, Hestia grabbed his hand and pulled him along in the direction of the Dungeon.
However, instead of heading into the depths of the Dungeon, they ascended the stairs—those that led upward, above the Dungeon.
In the structure of the labyrinth city Orario, above the central Dungeon stood a massive tower—Babel Tower.
This tower served as the residence of the gods and was also a bustling hub of commerce.
All kinds of weapons, armor, and magical items were traded and sold here.
When Shirou arrived, what greeted his eyes was a massive display of weapons and equipment—each one dazzling and impressive.
But Hestia clearly wasn't here to let him browse. She directly dragged him to the entrance of a certain Familia and shouted loudly:
"Is Hephaestus here!?"
Hearing Hestia's voice, the members of Hephaestus Familia showed startled expressions. But once they recognized Hestia, they quickly went inside to report to their goddess.
Soon after, a woman with short red hair and an eyepatch over her right eye came out. She looked at Hestia with a helpless expression and said:
"Don't tell me your Familia already fell apart, and you're here to mooch food and drink again? Didn't you swear you wouldn't be a leech anymore?"
"How rude!!"
Hestia's face turned bright red with anger at being accused the moment they met.
But she didn't forget her purpose, and with a serious expression, she declared to Hephaestus:
"I came to ask you to forge weapons for my Familia's members!"
"Huh?"
Hephaestus and Shirou both wore expressions of shock at Hestia's words.
Neither had expected her to make such a request.
But Hestia, her face full of resolve, declared with firm determination:
"I can't just sit back and watch my children work hard while I reap the rewards. I want to help them however I can. That's why I came to you. Please, Hephaestus—help my children. I'll do anything you ask, just please help them!"