Chapter 30

  Bell struggled to his feet, swaying. His own wounds screamed, but the scene before him compelled him to move. Alise rose as well, fire still flickering around her, now intermingled with Haruhime’s golden aura. She looked like a war goddess reborn—her red hair flowing, her blade coated in flame, eyes burning with determination. Bell’s heart skipped; even injured, she was magnificent and unyielding.

  The Peluda reared up, putting all weight on its hind legs—a desperate stance. It opened its maw wider than ever, magical energy coalescing in its throat alongside flames and vile miasma. Bell’s eyes widened in alarm. “It’s gathering everything for a blast—fire and poison both!” he shouted hoarsely. If that hit them, none would survive. Mikoto, Lili, and Welf, all battered, looked on in horror, unable to intervene in time. Ryuu tried to lift her sword again, but her arms trembled with exhaustion—she had nothing left for another big strike.

  Alise, however, stepped forward calmly to meet the monster’s do-or-die assault. A serene focus had overtaken her features, even as blood dripped from her side and thigh. She glanced back at Bell, giving him a fearless grin despite everything. “Bell, fight with me,” she said, as if inviting him on an adventure rather than into mortal peril. Bell felt a swell of emotion—admiration, trust, and something more—flood through him. In that instant, pain and fear fell away. He returned her smile, nodding firmly. “Right by your side.”

  Bell willed the last dregs of his strength into his skill. He raised his Hestia Knife, the blade chiming with faint light. The image of a hero saving his companions filled his mind—his unwavering desire to protect everyone. Argonaut activated. A shimmering, pale glow began to engulf his knife, growing brighter as he poured his heart into it. Seeing this, Alise seemed to sense what he was doing. To Bell’s surprise, she shut her eyes for a heartbeat, whispering something like a prayer. When her eyes opened, they flashed with crimson light—a trigger of her own skill. Alise’s Falna markings burned under her armor, responding to dire need. Lubrude Bequia—her rare skill that skyrocketed her abilities in the face of powerful enemies and adversity—fully bloomed. Combined with Haruhime’s boost, it elevated her to a realm of strength beyond a normal Level 5 or even 6. Flames around her sword intensified, turning white-hot.

  The Peluda Xenos spewed its final attack: a terrifying torrent of mixed flame and toxic smog blasted toward them, a hurricane of fire and poison potent enough to melt stone. Alise and Bell moved in unison. “NOW!” Alise cried. Both of them lunged forward, side by side, straight into the oncoming blast.

  Bell channeled every last ounce of Argonaut power he had charged into a single thrust. “Firebolt!” he roared, layering his fast-cast magic atop the charged knife. His Hestia Knife glowed brilliant gold and red, flaring like a small sun in his hand. He drove it forward into the heart of the oncoming fiery maelstrom. The golden Argonaut energy and his crimson flames combined in a blinding flash. For a moment, it was as if Bell held a shining spear of light that pierced through the monster’s attack. The fire breath split around the radiance, the poisonous fumes vaporized by its intensity.

  In perfect sync, Alise leapt through the parted flames right beside that spear of light. “For justice… and for my family!” she cried, voice echoing with raw emotion. Her sword, wreathed in incandescent fire, sliced through the air in a horizontal arc as she passed through the breach Bell created. Alise and Bell’s combined onslaught struck the Peluda like a divine hammer.

  Bell’s Argonaut-infused Firebolt hit first, exploding against the monster’s open maw. The golden-red blast detonated with a thunderclap, snapping the Peluda’s head back and silencing its attack. In that same breath, Alise closed the distance and struck. Her blade, glowing white-hot, cleaved clean through the Peluda’s thick neck in one sweeping motion, empowered beyond mortal limits. For an instant, time seemed frozen: Alise landing on the far side of the beast, kneeling with sword extended, Bell standing just before the monster with arm outstretched, his knife still crackling with residual light.

  Then a slick shhhhlick sound followed. The Peluda’s head slid from its neck and thudded to the ground with an earth-shaking weight. The massive body remained upright for a heartbeat, claws twitching, before crashing down in a cloud of dust and ash. A final wheeze escaped its jaws… and then it moved no more. The rogue Xenos was defeated.

  For a long moment, no one made a sound. Bell stood panting, trying to comprehend that it was over. The air was thick with the scent of charred flesh and ozone from their attack. His knife’s glow faded, leaving only the flicker of flames along the cavern walls from residual fires. The Peluda’s corpse began to dissolve into ash, its monstrous form collapsing into the Dungeon floor as all monsters do upon death—Xenos or not, it returned to its origin.

  Alise slowly rose from her kneel, her sword still in hand. The flames around it sputtered out as her magic ended, leaving the blade smoking. Blood trickled from her many wounds, yet she paid them no heed. She turned back toward Bell. Their eyes met through the settling dust—Bell’s wide and silver, Alise’s fierce green softening with relief. A smile, warm and victorious, blossomed on Alise’s face. Bell felt one answer on his own lips, an overwhelming gratitude and admiration swelling in his chest. They had done it, together.

  Behind them, the others began to stir from stunned silence. Lili let out a whoop of joy, though it came out weak and wobbly. “They… they won!” she exclaimed in disbelief and happiness, slumping against Welf in relief. Welf, battered and poisoned, managed a grin. “Hah… That Rabbit… always pulling off something crazy,” he rasped, pride in his eyes as he watched Bell. Mikoto closed her eyes and murmured a prayer of thanks to the gods, her shoulders sagging with exhaustion and gratitude. Haruhime burst into sobs of relief, covering her mouth with trembling hands—her spell had worked, they were saved. Ryuu, swaying on her feet, finally allowed herself to collapse to her knees. She was smiling—truly smiling—tears gathering at the corners of her eyes as she beheld Alise standing triumphant. A weight that had burdened her heart for years seemed to lift in that moment.

  Bell’s knees buckled as the adrenaline drained away. He nearly fell, but Alise was suddenly there, catching him under the arm. She helped lower him gently to sit on a fallen root. “Easy, hero,” she teased softly, though her voice was thick with emotion. “That last move took a lot out of you.” Bell realized he was shaking; the toll of the battle and Argonaut’s strain made his limbs feel like jelly. Still, he managed a chuckle. “Y-you… you’re one to talk, Miss Alise,” he replied, noting her own trembling form. Blood stained her side and leg heavily now that the fight was over and nothing held back the pain. Her face was gaunt with fatigue, yet she remained upright, concern for Bell seemingly overriding her own hurts.

  Before Bell could protest, Alise suddenly pulled him into an embrace. Bell’s eyes widened in surprise. Alise was warm—and despite the metallic scent of blood and the soot and sweat, she smelled faintly of something comforting, like embers and roses. She hugged him tightly to her armored chest for a brief moment. “Thank you,” she whispered near his ear, voice shaking. Bell realized her shoulders were trembling. Was she… crying? Just a little? “Thank you for fighting by my side… and for giving me the strength to end it.” Bell felt his face heat, and an ache in his heart that wasn’t from injury. He lifted his arms and returned the hug awkwardly around her waist, mindful of her wounds. “We did it together,” he said softly. “All of us.”

  Alise released him, brushing quickly at her eyes. The rest of the party gathered around now, limping and shuffling but grinning with elation. Lili and Mikoto hurried to Bell and Alise’s side, already fussing over their injuries. “Sir Bell, Lady Alise, you’re hurt! Here—potions, now!” Lili insisted, pressing a high-grade potion into Bell’s hand and practically uncorking another with her teeth for Alise. Mikoto, despite her own burn and poison, lent her shoulder to Alise to lean on. “Please, drink. We can’t have our saviors collapsing after the victory,” Mikoto said kindly.

  Welf lowered himself next to Bell with a groan, one arm around Haruhime for support. He thumped Bell’s back lightly. “That was one hell of a flashy finisher, Bell,” he said, trying to sound light, though his voice quavered from lingering pain. “Remind me to never doubt your crazy ideas.” Bell gave a sheepish smile and winced as the potion stung his cuts closing. “Honestly, I didn’t know if that would work either.” He looked over at Alise, who was obediently drinking her potion under Mikoto’s stern eye. The gashes on her leg and side began to knit slowly, though she’d clearly need more treatment later, especially for the poison. “If Alise hadn’t been there… I… I couldn’t have done it alone.” Bell’s admission was quiet, but everyone heard it.

  Ryuu, now sitting on the ground, coughed softly. “And if Bell hadn’t been here, Alise might not have succeeded either. You complemented each other perfectly.” Her eyes shone with pride for both of them. Haruhime nodded vigorously, wiping her tears. “It was like watching two halves of a whole,” she agreed. The renart’s face was flushed from crying, but a radiant smile was on her lips.

  Alise, having recovered enough to stand on her own, stepped over to Ryuu first. Without a word, she knelt and threw her arms around the elf. Ryuu gasped softly as Alise embraced her tightly, but then closed her eyes and returned the hug with equal fervor. “I thought I’d lost you again,” Alise whispered, voice hitching. “Seeing you nearly sacrifice yourself… please, never scare me like that, Ryuu.” Ryuu’s composure finally broke; a sob escaped as she held Alise close. “I-I’m sorry… I just couldn’t bear the thought of losing you… or anyone,” she managed. Alise stroked Ryuu’s hair comfortingly. “We’re alive. All of us. That’s what matters.”

  The others respectfully gave them a moment. Bell felt a lump in his throat at the sight. He remembered how often Ryuu had spoken of her late familia, how she’d carried guilt and loneliness for so long. And here was her beloved captain, alive and in her arms, both of them crying softly in relief and joy. It warmed Bell’s heart beyond words, and he discreetly wiped his eyes, which had grown misty.

  After a minute, Alise helped Ryuu to her feet and turned to the whole group. She placed a hand on Bell’s shoulder, another on Ryuu’s. With a grateful, almost motherly look, she said, “You all fought bravely. Each one of you.” Her gaze swept across Welf, who gave a thumbs-up despite leaning on Lili; Mikoto, who bowed her head modestly; Haruhime, who blushed at the praise; Lili, who straightened proudly despite tears in the corners of her eyes. “This monster… this Xenos… was unlike any foe I’ve faced. Without everyone’s support—Haruhime’s magic, Ryuu’s ferocity, Welf and Mikoto’s defense, Lili’s leadership, and Bell’s… Bell’s heart—we could not have prevailed.” Alise’s voice was warm and sincere, carrying the weight of her respect for them.

  Bell felt embarrassment and happiness flood him in equal measure. Coming from Alise Lovell—the hero he’d heard so many stories about—that praise meant a great deal. “We only succeeded because of you, too,” he insisted. “Your command and strength… it held us together when things looked grim.” He gave her a genuine smile. “Fighting alongside you, Lady Alise—it was an honor.”

  Alise laughed softly. “Just ‘Alise’ is fine. We’re comrades now, aren’t we?” She playfully ruffled Bell’s white hair, and Bell laughed, feeling oddly at ease. It struck him how naturally she fit with them—like a missing puzzle piece clicking into place.

  Lili cleared her throat, practical even amid the emotional moment. “We should leave this floor soon. Welf and Mikoto need proper antidotes and treatment, and we’re all exhausted.” She eyed the slowly dissolving remains of the Peluda uneasily. “And before the Dungeon spawns something nasty to replace that thing.” It was a fair point; they had made a tremendous racket, and no doubt the Dungeon was destabilized here.

  Welf tried to stand tall, though Lili and Haruhime hovered to steady him. “I can walk,” he insisted. “Don’t fuss.” But he gave a grateful nod to Haruhime, who had begun applying a light Chienthrope salve on his quill cuts to slow the poison. Mikoto sheathed her sword and adjusted her stance, hiding a slight limp. “I concur. Our mission is accomplished: the threat is neutralized.” A small smile touched her lips. “Though it was hardly the mission we expected.”

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  The party began to gather their belongings, Lili quickly retrieving any unbroken quarrels and distributing the last of the antidote doses. She made sure Mikoto drank one for her burn, and forced Welf to down another despite his grumbling about the bitter taste. Bell took a dose too, at her insistence, even though the potion had healed his cuts—the poison in his system still needed purging. Alise, to everyone’s surprise, seemed relatively steady despite being hit by venom multiple times. She shrugged when Lili looked at her in wonder. “Abnormal resistance. Perk of my old status,” she explained with a wink. Nonetheless, she accepted an antidote draught to be safe.

  As they prepared to depart, Bell walked over to where the Peluda’s enormous head lay partially dissolved. Its once-fierce eyes were now lifeless orbs. Despite everything, Bell felt a pang of sorrow. This creature had been born a Xenos, intelligent and feeling, yet consumed by rage and pain. Perhaps in another life, under different circumstances, it could have been an ally. He murmured a quiet apology in his heart that they couldn’t save it in a better way. Gently, he placed a hand on the cooling, scaly snout for a moment—a gesture of respect for a fallen opponent.

  Alise came to stand beside him, leaning lightly on him for balance. “It had to be done,” she said, as if reading his thoughts. Her tone was sad but firm. Bell nodded. “I know. I just… wish the Xenos didn’t have to suffer like this. That hatred…” He swallowed, recalling the creature’s venomous words. Alise sighed softly. “There is much wrong in the world, Bell. We do what we can, with justice as our guide.” She turned to him, giving a gentle smile. “Today, our justice was protecting our friends from a great evil. No one can fault that.” Bell looked into her kind green eyes and found reassurance. “You’re right,” he said, standing a little straighter. “Thank you.”

  The group formed up to leave, Alise and Bell both keeping themselves at the ready in case the Dungeon had any surprises left. But the path back was strangely calm—almost as if the Dungeon itself acknowledged the removal of an abomination from its depths and granted them safe passage. Only the distant drip of water and crackle of fading flames from their battlefield accompanied them.

  Ryuu walked close to Alise, their hands brushing now and then. Finally, after stealing a few glances, Ryuu broke the silence. “Alise… earlier, your finishing move with Bell… it was astonishing.” There was a subtle lightness in Ryuu’s expression, a pride that her beloved captain had achieved something new. Alise chuckled. “I didn’t even have a name for it. It just… happened.” She flashed Bell a grin. “Guess we’ll have to come up with something cool to call our synchronized technique, huh?” Bell felt a flush of embarrassment and honor. “Maybe leave the naming to Lili or Welf,” he joked bashfully. “I’m bad at naming things.” Everyone chuckled, the tension finally melting into relief-fueled mirth.

  Welf rubbed his chin thoughtfully. “How about Crimson Argonaut?” he proposed. “There was a lot of red and heroism going on.” Lili snorted. “Too on the nose. What about Twin Flame Strike?” Haruhime murmured shyly, “It looked like two shooting stars. Perhaps… Gemini Nova?” Mikoto gave an approving nod at that. Bell and Alise exchanged looks, laughing at their friends’ enthusiasm. “We have time to decide,” Alise said brightly. “I have a feeling Bell and I might pull that trick again someday.” She gave him a playful nudge, and Bell found himself smiling ear to ear at the prospect.

  As they exited the cavern, leaving behind the horror and darkness, Bell felt a profound sense of catharsis. They had faced death and won, together. Each member of his party had fought with everything they had, and they emerged not only victorious but closer than ever. Bell glanced around at his companions—Lili offering Welf her shoulder despite him protesting he was fine, Mikoto quietly thanking Haruhime for saving them all, Ryuu walking in step with Alise, talking softly about the past and future. It warmed Bell’s heart. This was his family, bound not by blood but by shared struggle and care. And now Alise was a part of it, even if only temporarily. In this moment, it felt as if she had always belonged.

  Bell’s gaze met Alise’s once more as they climbed the winding path upward to the safer floors. There was a newfound respect and kinship shining in her eyes when she looked at him. Bell realized that to someone like Alise—who had fought true horrors in the past and even lost her life to one—seeing Bell and his friends stand against a similar horror and refuse to give up must mean a great deal. Perhaps it even eased some of her old pain, knowing Ryuu had found comrades who would not falter. Alise inclined her head to him in a small, almost reverent nod. “You’re quite the hero, Bell Cranel,” she said quietly so only he could hear. “I see now why Ryuu and so many others place their hopes in you.”

  Bell felt his face grow hot, and he quickly shook his head. “I’m just… trying my best. I couldn’t do anything without everyone.” He looked forward at his friends. “We all became heroes today, I think.” Alise smiled softly. “Spoken like a true leader. Humble and earnest.” She then chuckled and added with a wink, “But don’t sell yourself short. That spirit of yours… it’s something special. I felt it, resonating with mine back there.” She placed a hand briefly over her heart, as if recalling the surge of power in their joint strike. “It awakened something in me I thought I lost long ago.”

  Bell tilted his head curiously. “Awakened something?” Alise just gave a mysterious smile. “Maybe a new skill, maybe just an old flame rekindled. Either way, I’m grateful.” Bell decided not to press—if it was a new skill, the gods would decipher it later. What mattered was that Alise had found new strength and perhaps some closure.

  At length, the party reached a safe zone where they could rest properly. As they settled down on the stone floor, Bell looked around at their tired, smiling faces illuminated by the soft light of luminescent moss. He felt an overwhelming rush of affection and relief. They had survived a nightmare and were all here to tell the tale. The horror and uncertainty of that first encounter had given way to triumph and revelation.

  Lili began scolding Bell for reckless moves mid-fight even as she dabbed a cloth on his remaining scrapes; Welf started regaling Haruhime with how he planned to forge a new, stronger greatsword that won’t break next time; Mikoto offered to brew soothing tea from her pouch herbs for everyone; Ryuu and Alise sat side by side, fingers intertwined as they quietly reminisced about something that made them both laugh softly—a sound none of the others had heard from Ryuu in a long time.

  Bell leaned back against the cool stone and closed his eyes for a moment, content. In his mind flashed the terrifying image of the Peluda’s eyes, the feeling of despair as it nearly overwhelmed them, then the blazing light of their combined attack, and finally the sight of Alise standing victorious amid ashes. It felt almost like a heroic tale out of the storybooks he loved as a child. Perhaps someday, this would become a story—of how a rookie adventurer and a resurrected hero teamed up to slay a fearsome rogue Xenos deep in the Dungeon. But Bell didn’t care for glory or renown at this moment. He was just profoundly happy that everyone was alive and together.

  Opening his eyes, Bell saw Alise watching him, a soft, sisterly affection in her expression. He realized that in this short time, they had forged a bond of trust. Fighting side by side in life-or-death has a way of turning strangers to close comrades. He found himself saying, “Alise… I’m really glad you’re here with us.” Alise reached over and squeezed his hand. “So am I, Bell. I couldn’t ask for a better new family.” Ryuu rested her head on Alise’s shoulder, smiling in agreement. “Welcome to Hestia Familia’s crazy adventures,” she said softly, earning a round of gentle laughter.

  As they rested, the Dungeon around them was quiet once more. The horror had passed, giving way to peace. In that calm, with wounds slowly healing and hearts full, the group allowed themselves to relax. They had faced uncertainty and terror and emerged not just with victory, but with stronger bonds and newfound faith in each other.

  In the flickering light, Alise pulled out a small crimson flower emblem from a pouch—a keepsake of her old Familia. She turned it in her fingers thoughtfully. “I think… Astraea would be proud of us today,” she murmured. Ryuu placed her hand over Alise’s, the flower caught between their palms. “I’m certain of it,” Ryuu replied, eyes shining. Bell and the others watched in respectful silence. Alise then surprised Bell by gently pressing the emblem into his hand. “Here,” she said. “Carry this for a while, Bell. A little good luck charm from me.” Bell was stunned, knowing how precious it must be to her. “I-I can’t take this…” he protested. Alise insisted with a grin, “It’s not a gift, just a loan. Until our next battle together. So you remember that I’ve got your back, and you have mine.” Bell closed his fingers around the emblem carefully, feeling the etched petals of the scarlet rose symbol. He nodded solemnly. “I will. I promise to return it to you… after we create many more stories of fighting side by side.”

  “Good,” Alise said, satisfied. “We’ll make those stories reality.” Around them, the party began to pack up to move again, injuries tended as best they could. They were eager to get back to the surface to rest properly. But no one’s spirit was downtrodden now—the atmosphere was buoyant, everyone exchanging light banter and gentle ribbing, a cathartic release of the earlier tension.

  As they started the trek upward, Bell walked near the front with Alise and Ryuu. Haruhime and Mikoto followed, speaking quietly about how to improve their coordination. Welf, refusing a stretcher, hobbled with Lili’s help, joking that he’ll be feeling this fight for a week. Lili retorted that it would be a lesson not to block giant tails with his body. Welf laughed and replied something that made Lili huff, but she was smiling too. It was as if the fight had washed away many doubts they carried: doubts about their own strength, about trusting new allies, about facing the traumas of the past.

  Bell took a deep breath. The air smelled fresher already as they neared the upper levels—tinged with the scent of moss and a promise of sunlight filtering down from the distant surface. He felt alive. Sore and battered, yes, but alive in a way that only overcoming true peril can make one feel.

  He glanced at Alise once more. She was limping slightly—poison aftereffects still working out of her system—but her face was content. She caught him looking and raised an eyebrow. “Something on your mind, Bell?” He scratched his cheek. “I was just thinking… in the midst of all that, I never properly thanked you.” Alise tilted her head. “For what?” Bell flushed a little. “For saving me. You pushed me away from that claw, and took on so much to protect all of us… If you hadn’t been here, I—” Alise gently interrupted by poking his forehead. “Silly. We save each other. That’s how it works with family.” She then gave a cheeky grin. “Besides, I wasn’t about to let a promising young hero get squashed before my eyes. We have more battles ahead, don’t we?” Bell nodded, smiling. “Right. Together.”

  The path ahead was long, and they would all need time to recover. But as Bell led his party upward with Alise by his side, he felt a profound hope ignited in his chest. The Dungeon would surely throw more dangers at them in time—yet now he knew they could overcome even the worst of horrors, if they stood united. Each member had grown from this ordeal: Haruhime discovered her inner courage to support everyone, Mikoto and Welf proved their unwavering loyalty even in dire straits, Lili’s quick thinking had kept them organized under pressure, Ryuu had faced the nightmare of her past and come out stronger, and Bell himself… he felt a little more like the hero he aspired to be.

  Alise stretched her arms upward as they walked, wincing slightly but then laughing at herself. “Ahh, I’m definitely going to sleep well tonight,” she joked. Ryuu chuckled. “After Airmid’s elixir, you mean.” Alise waved her hand. “Yes, yes, we’ll go straight to the Dian Cecht clinic, I know the drill. You lot aren’t rid of me that easily.” Her playful tone drew chuckles from all. Lili added, “We wouldn’t dream of it, Alise. Hestia herself will want to hear of your heroics—after she finishes hugging the life out of Bell for scaring her, of course.” Bell blushed, imagining his goddess’s tearful wrathful hugs, and everyone laughed louder, the sound echoing pleasantly through the tunnels.

  In those echoes, there was triumph and camaraderie. The terrifying rogue Poluda-type Xenos was vanquished, but more importantly, their bonds had been tested and proven true. They had faced horror and uncertainty and emerged into hope and trust. Bell felt it in every smile and light jibe as they ascended: a cathartic sense of closure, and excitement for what lay ahead now that Alise was with them.

  Whatever challenges the Dungeon or fate threw their way next, they would face it—together, stronger and more in sync than ever. And Bell had no doubt that in those future battles, a crimson-haired warrior and a white-haired adventurer would once again join hands—literally or metaphorically—to unleash a devastating technique born of unity and resolve. The story of their first battle together would become a cherished memory, fueling the flames of their spirits for all the adventures to come.

  As they climbed toward the light of the surface, Bell allowed himself one last backward glance into the darkness below. The cavern where the Peluda fell was out of sight now, but he could still picture it vividly. He silently promised the fallen Xenos that its rage would not be in vain—that he would fight for a world where such tragedies between people and Xenos no longer occurred. With that vow in his heart, he turned forward once more, toward his friends—his family—and the bright future they would forge.

  Thus ended the battle with the rogue Xenos. In its wake, fear had transformed into courage, trials into growth, and strangers into true companions. And as the Dungeon’s shadows gave way to sunlight at the end of their ascent, Bell Cranel and Alise Lovell stepped out side by side—ready to greet whatever dawn awaited them, their hearts ablaze with hard-earned hope.