Orario.
After ten minutes of shaking Ouranos, I had learned little about Zelretch. All I could figure out was that he supported Ouranos's views on the separation of gods and mankind, but nothing more. Now, while Ouranos was fixing his wrinkled clothes and not angry with me for my actions, I looked around the city and frowned at the fact that most of the weapons were still in the ground.
This didn't surprise me, as most people were inert by nature and afraid to risk their lives for a not so high chance of success. On the other hand, about one tenth did take up arms and join the defense of the city. These were adventurers of the first or second level, as well as those who saw no other choice but to defend themselves and their loved ones.
The main force on the surface was, of course, the Familias of the Gods. At the same time, the gods were in no hurry to use their Arcanum, though they could have. My guess would be fear of accidentally hurting their own, and so they left everything to their children.
About a minute ago, the Dungeon had already stopped sending new monsters, apparently Tia was able to negotiate with it. However, the ones that managed to get to the surface are still carrying on their aggressive actions. And looking at all this, I thought for a moment, and then amplified my voice so that the whole city could hear it.
I suppose I should channel them a bit. What words were used in the anime there?
-0-
Bell's short sword was cutting another monster in half. Sweat soaked his clothes and hair, his movements were rapidly becoming more jerky and slow, but he continued to fight to protect his goddess and the people around him.
Bell had always dreamed of being the hero his grandfather in the remote village had told him about. He wasn't his own relative, but it was this old man who raised him and gave him the dream that Bell strived for with all his heart. To fight monsters, to become stronger, to save people and, most importantly, the ladies, from whom he would gather his own harem, sincerely loving him.
After such a short time, fighting what seemed to him to be an endless stream of opponents throwing themselves at everything they saw, Bell couldn't help but feel a certain hopelessness. No matter how many monsters he killed, twice as many, or even three or four, always appeared in their place.
Clutching the goddess's blade tightly in his hand, Bell gritted his teeth and, after a brief moment of respite, leaned against the cold wall to catch his breath. Hestia, who was hiding nearby, immediately ran up to him and gave him a very concerned look. He could see her tear-stained eyes, but he smiled, trying to reassure her that everything was all right.
- "Bell... I'm sorry I'm so useless..." Hestia started and hugged him despite his sweat soaked and blood soaked clothes from small wounds, "Come on... let's hide somewhere... I don't want you to suffer even more than you are now..."
- "No, goddess. You are not useless. You took me into your Familia, gave me a home and this sword so that I could achieve my dreams," Bell said and put his hand on her head, which made Hestia hug him even tighter.
There were sounds of battle and pleas for help all around, but now Bell felt his strength returning to him little by little, thanks to her. He wanted to keep fighting, but he couldn't push his goddess away, for she needed him. And so did he need her.
Warmth spread in his heart, seeing how the goddess herself, so fragile and petite in appearance, needed him. How tightly she held him and treasured him. And Bell couldn't let her down. He just couldn't. And so he would do anything not to undermine her faith and hopes.
Bell shifted his gaze to the streets of the slowly crumbling city, and he caught sight of the various weapons stuck in the ground that had appeared some time ago. He didn't understand why they were here, but he assumed they could be used.
- "Can you hear me? I think so," Bell suddenly heard a painfully familiar voice.
- "Is that... Romani...?"
Romani gave Bell mixed feelings. He had seen his strength and was sure that the one who defeated the One-Eyed Black Dragon without even breaking a sweat, as well as showing overwhelming power in the interrupted War Game, could save all the people of the city in a matter of minutes. However, Romani did not participate in the battle for Orario, no.
He was inactive, and that didn't please Bell. The Hestia Familia member simply didn't understand how or why Romani wasn't doing anything. It just wasn't right.
In his mind, a hero is supposed to save people when they face a threat, help them and protect them, and Romani was doing none of those things. Neither did Morgan, who was just as strong as Romani.
- "So, the town met with a threat. Monsters are attacking and killing innocent residents, and adventurers and the Familias of the Gods are confronting them. You'll say that's the way it should be, but is it?" Hearing Romani's words that spread throughout Orario, Bell couldn't help but frown, for he didn't understand why he wasn't part of the battle, or where he was at all.
- "Of course, everything can be left as it is, except are you really okay with that?"
- "What does he mean?" Hestia asked, to which Bell shook his head.
- "Man is weak, that's a fact. That's the way he was created. But how he grows up, what strength he develops, and how he lives his life is another question. Only man decides his destiny, and only with his own hands he creates it. Not the gods, not other people, not anyone else, but only he, the man."
- "Are you waiting for salvation? Are you waiting for someone else to come along who can live your life for you? If so, congratulations, you are complete idiots. Willow puppets, cattle that do nothing but wait for commands," Bell heard this and a fire of indignation rose up inside him, because not always everything depends on the person.
- "Yes, not always the choice given by life, shines with colors, light and kindness, but whether you stay true to yourself - the answer depends only on you. There are weapons scattered throughout the city that MAY give you a chance to protect yourself, your family, and your loved ones. But to GET that chance, you'll need determination. Determination to take your life and destiny into YOUR own hands."
Suddenly Bell heard the sound of doors and windows opening, and then he looked in their direction. The heads of huddled men peered out of them, their eyes briefly running down the street and stopping at the weapons stuck in the ground.
- "Man does not need a god. Man doesn't even need another man. Most people don't care about other people, and that's the harsh truth of life. What does that mean? It means what it means is that it is up to the individual himself to live his life and what he chooses to do with it. Do you want to continue to let others dictate your life? You're welcome to do so, as they say, it's a purely personal choice. But when the time comes, like now for example, don't you dare even squeak and complain that you've been abandoned and no one cares about you."
Romani's voice went quiet for a few moments.
- "You have the tools, you have the opportunity, and all you have to do is use them. Those who don't want to do that, well, good luck to you, because it's the only concept independent of anyone in principle."
Bell saw people, both men and women, and even children, come out of houses and back alleys, and then head for the guns. And he did not understand it, for they could all die and leave their families and loved ones to the lot of fate. What would become of them if they died, and most importantly, what should Bell himself do?
-0-
- "Not a bad speech, husband. But it lacked power and authority. Would you like to take a couple lessons from me?" Morgan asked, appearing beside me.
- "Nope. I'm fine," I shrugged, and the next moment Tia joined our group. Except now she felt different. Like her powers and essence had diminished a bit, "You look... different."
Tia only smiled at that, but as long as she was satisfied, so be it. Ouranos' eyes, on the other hand, lit up as he watched the intensity of the battle erupt with renewed vigor. The surface dwellers were now giving the remaining monsters, though they were taking wounds and losses.
- "Perhaps your efforts are worthy of gratitude. Thank you," he said, "I can already see how the world is going to change in the next couple years, and I can't help but feel good about it."
- "I wish we'd gotten something tangible," Morgan said with a hint, to which I rolled my eyes.
- "Unfortunately, whatever I can offer you is of no value to you," Ouranos replied calmly.
- "By the way, what did you talk about with the one you were interested in?" I asked Morgan.
- "Oh, a little surprise for the gods," was all she said, to which I raised an eyebrow and then looked at Ouranos, "I suppose it's time to say goodbye. Even despite your actions, you're not as bad as I thought."
- "Without the 'lord' already, eh?" grinned Ouranos, "Given your power, though, that's acceptable. When will he pick you up? Or should I provide you with some sort of lodging until he does?"
- "That won't be necessary. He's definitely been watching us this whole time, hasn't he?" I rolled my eyes, and the next moment a familiar crevice opened up beside us, and Zelretch stepped out.
- "How are you doing Lord Ouranos?"
- "You were right about them," he nodded.
- "I'm rarely wrong," Zelretch grinned fangily, and an Excalibur flew at him, which he dodged and then looked at me, pretending it wasn't me, "I'll take that as a compliment to my work. So, ready to go home?"
-0-
A/N: How's the chapter? Give us your opinion. You may well be able to influence future chapters.
My Pa.t.r.e.o.n: P.a.t.r.e.o.n.c.o.m/mirzael
You'll be able to read more chapters there.