Embers blazed from his fingertips, reducing the status sheets of both Ryuu and Haruhime to ash. He then looked at everyone, one by one.
Ryuu's stoic expression. Astraea's curled fingers. Hestia's furrowed brows. Haruhime's unconscious heel tapping.
"Let's head out." He finally said, breaking the tense silence.
Bell turned on his heel and walked out of the room. Not once did his stride falter, did his hands clench, did he glance back.
Astraea fell into step behind him without a thought, while Ryuu unwrapped her arms. Even Hestia—after biting her lip and staring at his retreating back—finally strode after him. Haruhime moved at last, hurrying to keep up.
He led them down the stairs. As they passed by, every waitress rose from her seat to watch them stride out.
Bell finally stopped on the desolate road outside. He turned, his gaze landing on Haruhime.
"Haruhime, we need your help. Can you use your [Uchide No Kozuchi] on me and Ryuu?"
She brightened at his words, her green eyes shining with newfound purpose.
"Yes, Bell-sama." She nodded, raising her arms and pointing them toward him. Her eyes closed.
"Kokonoe." Her voice took on an ethereal quality as specks of golden light materialized around her, merging into her body.
"Beloved Snow. Beloved Crimson. Beloved Light." Their surroundings illuminated with her chant.
"Please allow me, I want to stay by thee." Chloe and Syr stepped out from inside, eyes widening. Anya appeared right behind them, freezing at the sight.
"Adoration and wish, I have finally found. After all these 2000 nights. Koyou is my name."
Golden flecks slowly condensed near Haruhime's tailbone, taking the outline of a second tail made of pure energy.
"The symbol of ruin in the past." Luniore emerged last. She didn't speak. Just stared at her.
"The symbol of desire in the past." A third tail condensed behind her, three luminous tails now extending from her back.
Astraea smiled. Hestia looked proud.
"My body is devoted to be possessed by the Nine Spirits." Haruhime took a step forward, her eyes still closed.
Mama Mia walked out of her tavern, glanced at Haruhime, and looked toward the north.
Tremors reached them from Orario's northern gate. Every gaze snapped toward the source—everyone's except Bell's.
"Bless this vessel with thine power." Another step brought her directly in front of Bell.
"A tower of riches for a tower of wishes!" Her voice rose as she cupped his cheeks in her hands.
The surrounding buildings trembled as a shockwave raced straight toward them.
Bell and Haruhime were closest to the impact, their sides facing the oncoming destruction.
Ryuu's fingers tightened around Alf's Lumina. Mama Mia tensed her muscles. Chloe's tail snapped up. Anya bared her canines, and Luniore clenched her hands into fists.
Someone reacted before them all.
Bell.
He kept his gaze locked on Haruhime's closed eyes as she chanted her spell.
"Let them grow!" Leading winds of the shockwave ruffled their hair. Windows of the surrounding buildings shattered in rapid succession.
Bell brought his leg up. Simultaneously, countless arcs of golden energy rushed above Haruhime, wrapping around one another to form a circular vessel.
"Uchide No Kazuchi." Her eyes snapped open, meeting his ruby-red eyes. Bell's leg came down at that exact same moment.
A fraction of a second before his heel met the earth. [Ittou Shura] revolved. Once.
Tap.
It was a tap.
Feeble.
Small.
The result was not.
A shockwave just as devastating roared from beneath his heel. Cracks spread across the ground, buildings and everything in between. It escalated in intensity without end, rushing toward the incoming shockwave.
They collided mid-air.
BOOOOM!
Buildings were shredded apart. Soil was overturned. Dust and debris billowed into the sky.
Yet, Bell's eyes were glued to his hand. A thin film of golden energy coated his body. Strength flooded his limbs, his muscles felt more supple, and his vitality surged. He was a Level 4 adventurer now, if only for a short duration.
He glanced over at Ryuu; she, too, was enveloped in a similar golden film, temporarily elevating her to a Level 6.
Haruhime smiled, sweat beading on her forehead as she pulled her hands from his cheeks.
"Bell-sama! I did it—" Her world spun. Everything dissolved as her footing slipped.
Before she could fall, Bell wrapped an arm around her waist, steadying her. His other hand was already pressed to her forehead.
"Mind down," Ryuu murmured, her shoulders dropping. "She overexerted herself."
"She's never cast it before." Bell said, his voice softening.
"Phew... I thought something bad happened to her." Hestia sighed, wiping her brow.
"Let this child rest. She deserves it." Astraea said, gesturing for Hestia to take Haruhime from Bell's arms.
"Bell, let me take her." Hestia said, pulling Haruhime into her hold.
Before letting go, Bell rested a hand on Haruhime's head, gently ruffling her hair and ears. Even in her unconscious state, she let out a soft giggle.
"Take care of her, alright?" Bell said, taking a step back.
"Hmph. Who do you think I am? I'm her Goddess now, of course I'll take care of her." Hestia huffed, planting her free hand on her hip in mock offense.
Bell smiled.
His gaze shifted to Mama Mia and her waitresses. Chloe's ears drooped, Anya fidgeted with her fingers, and Syr stared with glassy eyes.
"Mama Mia, I'm leaving them in your care." He said.
"Boy... I'll see to it that they're fed until you get back." Mama Mia replied, her arms crossed over her chest.
He exchanged one last look with them.
"Let's go."
Bell pivoted to face north.
Goddess Astraea and Ryuu fell into step behind him. Together, the three of them walked away.
"We have a war to wrap up."
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***
[300 Power Stones = 1 Bonus Chapter]
[8 chapters ahead on P@tr3on = [email protected]/Not_Aaryan]
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[Authors Thoughts]
Enjoy and have a wonderful day everyone!
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