After parting ways with Eina, Bell wandered through the lively streets of Orario, his mind still lingering on the conversation about his armor. As the night light began to glow, adventurers and merchants created a vibrant, restless energy in the air.
He made his way toward the Hostess of Fertility. The scent of roasted meat and freshly baked bread filled the air, making Bell's stomach rumble in response. He stepped inside, greeted immediately by the lively clamor of voices and laughter.
Bell found a quiet corner, trying to remain inconspicuous. As the night wore on and the tavern grew louder, Bell finished his stew and quietly slipped back into the cool night air.
Meanwhile, across the city, Shakti knelt before Ganesha. Her posture was rigid, the tension in her body betraying the turmoil she tried to suppress.
"There seems to be some problem, Lord Ganesha," she said, lowering her head. "Luther has refused to follow the Guild's regulations completely."
Ganesha, seated cross-legged atop a small dais, frowned in thought. His normally cheerful demeanor was subdued. "Such weapons... unrestricted in the city... it could cause chaos," he mused aloud.
Shakti continued, "I confronted Luther, but he showed no fear. In fact, he implied he could sell them elsewhere, beyond Orario, if we tried to shut him down."
Ganesha leaned forward slightly, fingers steepled together. "If he really left the city other countries might offer him shelter—and if they got the method of making them, we would be in big trouble."
Ganesha nodded. "Legally, we don't have rules for selling non-magical items, and if we make a new rule just to restrict him, it could open the door for other issues." He paused, looking around the room. "But we don't have to act. We are not the only ones who should be concerned."
He rose to his feet, his expression uncharacteristically grim. "Request Hephaestus's help. As the goddess of forging herself, she would have a better understanding."
Shakti bowed deeply. "As you wish, my Lord."
As she hurried away to deliver the summons, Ganesha remained standing, his gaze distant.
"I just hope this change of power in Orario won't cause more trouble," he murmured to himself.
Back at the abandoned church, Bell pushed open the heavy door, stepping inside the cool darkness. Hestia looked up from a small pile of papers, her blue eyes brightening when she saw him.
"Welcome back, Bell!" she chirped. "Did you eat properly?"
Bell smiled awkwardly. "Y-Yeah. I did."
He hesitated for a moment, gathering his courage. "Um, Goddess... tomorrow, Eina's helping me buy armor."
Hestia's smile faltered for a brief moment, a flicker of something tightening in her chest. She stood up quickly, her tone shifting slightly. "With Eina?" she repeated, her voice sweet but with an edge. "You're going with her?"
Bell blinked, surprised by the subtle change in her tone. "Y-Yeah, she knows a good place, so—"
Hestia cut him off, her gaze narrowing slightly. "I see." She stepped closer, a hand resting on his arm, her eyes lingering on his face. "So, you're going to be with her... alone? Both of you will buy clothes, then go to dinner, then find a hotel?" Her voice grew quieter, and the tension thickened in the air.
Bell, now feeling the weight of her gaze, rubbed the back of his neck nervously. "I-it's nothing like that, Goddess! She's just helping me pick out armor, that's all."
Hestia's eyes softened, but the jealous glint didn't fade completely. She smiled, but it was a little forced. "I'm glad you're finally thinking about your safety, Bell," she said, though there was a slight edge to the praise. "But, you know, don't get too close to her. And after this, you'll be going on a date with me."
Bell's eyes widened in surprise. "G-Goddess, you're really misunderstanding…"
Hestia's eyes remained sharp. "Hmm, well, you better not forget who you belong to, Bell," she said, reaching up to gently tap his chest. "I said we are going on a date. And when I say something, I mean it."
Bell's face flushed a deep red. "O-Okay..."
She nodded, her playful smile returning, though the jealousy still lingered in her expression.
Bell, trying to avoid the imbalance in the conversation, glanced toward the back rooms of the church. "I also wanted to ask Luther for advice. Is he back?"
Hestia's expression shifted. "Luther? He's been busy, huh?" Her voice was cool, and there was a subtle bitterness to it. "Well, if he's so busy, I haven't seen him for the last two days."
After talking for a short time, Bell retired to his small room for the night. The city of Orario stirred with movements and decisions that would soon ripple into his world—changing it forever. Meanwhile, Hestia remained in the church, her mind racing with thoughts of Bell, Eina, and the future, her protective and possessive instincts running high.
Outside the church, the moon hung high above, casting a pale glow over the silent streets. As midnight approached, only the desperate or reckless remained outside. Liliruca led Luther through alleys without hesitation, her steps sure and deliberate.
They moved through older parts of the city. At the end of a narrow, dimly lit passage, Liliruca stopped before an unmarked wooden door. She glanced once at Luther, receiving a brief, approving nod, then knocked in a precise pattern — three short taps, a pause, and two more.
After a tense moment, a narrow viewing slit opened. A pair of sharp, suspicious eyes peered out, but upon recognizing Liliruca, the door swung open without question.
Dim lanterns lit the crooked stalls, casting the merchants' faces into deep shadows. Here, forbidden items, enchanted relics, and weapons of dubious origin were traded freely, far from the Guild's watchful gaze.
Liliruca moved with familiarity, Luther followed in silence, his imposing presence alone enough to unsettle those who dared look too closely. Yet it was Liliruca whom the merchants acknowledged — she was the familiar face in a place where trust was a scarce and valuable currency.
She approached a reinforced stall manned by a grizzled old dwarf. His single eye, sharp and calculating, shifted briefly to Luther before settling on Liliruca.
"You're early, Little girl," he grunted, leaning over the counter. "What are you selling tonight?"
Without a word, Liliruca set a heavy satchel onto the counter. The dwarf's fingers moved deftly, opening it to reveal its contents: uncut diamonds that shimmered in the lantern light, finely crafted mechanical prosthetics of masterful design, and neatly bundled stacks of private-minted coins.
A glint of greed flashed in the dwarf's eye, quickly masked by professional caution. "Quality goods," he muttered. "What's your asking price?"
"Rare alloys," Liliruca replied coolly, tapping a finger against the worn wood. "No scraps, no diluted metals. Just pure Adamantite, mithril."
The dwarf scratched his beard thoughtfully, weighing her words against the goods before him. "That would be expensive."
"You don't have to worry about that," she answered simply.
What followed was a quick, sharp exchange of words and gestures. Liliruca negotiated with practiced ease, setting prices, rejecting counter-offers, and pushing harder when the merchants hesitated.
Throughout it all, Luther remained a silent sentinel at her side, his gaze unwavering, his presence alone forcing the merchants to tread carefully.
Within half an hour, their business was concluded. Crates filled with rare forging materials nearly impossible to acquire through legal channels were exchanged.
After checking the quality of the materials, both sides took what belonged to them.
As Luther picked up the box filled with Adamantite and mithril, Liliruca guided him back into the cool night.
Above, the stars glittered coldly over Orario as the two of them discussed their next step.