Is It Wrong To Level Up In A Dungeon?

Chapter 36. The Distance Between Gods and Men

"Fresh rations! Guaranteed to restore stamina!" cried another. Coin changed hands quickly; desperation always made for good business.

Ares watched it all from atop a rocky outcrop, arms crossed tightly over his chest. 

"This is intolerable," he growled. "Humiliation piled upon humiliation."

Behind him, Marius shifted uneasily. "My lord, the men are exhausted. We should withdraw, regroup, and—"

"No." Ares turned sharply, eyes blazing. "Regrouping will only invite more ridicule. Orario laughs at us. The gods laugh at us."

He clenched his fist. "If Orario will not respect us... then we will force them to."

Marius stiffened. "Lord Ares... what are you suggesting?"

Ares's lips curled into a dangerous grin. "I will go to Orario myself. I will capture a deity and hold them hostage."

Silence followed.

"My lord!" Marius stepped forward in alarm. "That's madness! Kidnapping a god within Orario's walls would provoke every Familia there. You'd risk divine punishment—"

"I am the god of war!" Ares roared. "If I must stake everything to reclaim my honor, then so be it!"

Despite Marius's desperate pleas, Ares had already turned away, barking orders. Preparations were made swiftly. Pride, once wounded, had no patience for reason.

Bell Cranel walked through the stone-paved streets of Orario with his hands clenched at his sides, his thoughts tangled and restless. The sun was beginning to dip, casting long shadows between buildings, yet Hestia was nowhere to be found.

Why did I say that? he thought bitterly. That I wasn't worthy...

He slowed when he spotted two familiar figures ahead—Miach and Hephaestus standing near a forge stall, mid-conversation. Relief washed over him; maybe they had seen her.

"Bell!" Miach greeted warmly. "Ye look like yer carryin' the weight of the world."

Hephaestus raised an eyebrow. "Something wrong?"

Bell hesitated, then bowed his head slightly. "Can I ask you something... personal?"

That caught their attention.

"...Have either of you ever fallen in love with a mortal?" he asked quietly.

Miach blinked. Hephaestus folded her arms, gaze thoughtful.

"Ah," Miach said after a moment. "Straight to the heart of it, eh?"

Hephaestus sighed. "Yes. I have."

Miach nodded as well. "Aye. I have too."

Bell's eyes widened slightly.

"But," Hephaestus continued, "not the way you're thinking."

She looked up at the sky, expression distant. "We don't age. We don't die. No matter how deep our feelings go, time always creates a divide. Mortal love burns fast and fierce. Ours... lingers differently."

Miach smiled gently. "That doesn't make it lesser. Just... different."

Bell swallowed. "So... is it wrong for a goddess to care for a mortal?"

"No," Hephaestus said firmly. "But it's also not something to be dismissed out of fear."

Miach placed a hand on Bell's shoulder. "Respect yer goddess. But don't deny her feelings just because ye think yer unworthy. Gods don't choose lightly."

Bell nodded slowly. "Thank you."

He parted ways with them moments later, determination slowly replacing the guilt in his chest.

Outside Orario, beyond the city gates, Hestia wiped sweat from her brow as she hoisted another sack of potatoes.

"Thank you again, dear!" the potato stand lady chirped. "I couldn't have managed without you!"

Hestia puffed her cheeks. "It's no problem! Hard work builds character!"

As she trudged along the dirt path, she failed to notice the group approaching from the opposite direction—Ares, Marius, and several armed soldiers.

Ares's eyes locked onto her instantly.

A goddess... alone.

He raised a hand. "Now."

Before Hestia could even register the danger, rough hands grabbed her.

"W-what?!" she yelped. "Hey! Let go of me!"

A sack was thrown over her head, muffling her protests as she was hoisted onto a horse. In moments, they were retreating, leaving behind nothing but disturbed soil and a dropped ribbon.

Bell was just turning down another street when a familiar golden-eyed swordswoman stepped into his path.

"Ais?" he asked.

Her expression was serious. "Bell. Hestia has been kidnapped."

The world seemed to stop.

"...What?"

"The enemy split into three groups," Ais continued calmly. "We don't know which one has her."

Bell didn't hesitate.

"I'll find her," he said, eyes sharpening. "Come forth."

A shadow mage emerged from beneath his feet, it would use it's magic to locate Hestia. 

They moved quickly.

Soon, they found them—a group of soldiers escorting a horse. Upon it, a sack squirmed violently.

"Hestia," Bell breathed.

Ares dismounted, drawing his sword with a grin. "So you followed me, little hero."

Bell stepped forward, fury radiating from him. "You kidnapped my goddess."

He summoned Hestia's Knife and the Knight Killer in a flash of light. "I'm fighting you."

Ares laughed—until Bell vanished.

The next moment, steel clashed as Bell reappeared at his flank, blades flashing faster than Ares could track. Each strike was precise, controlled, devastating.

He's fast...! Ares realized too late.

Ais moved in, cutting Hestia free and pulling her to safety just as Bell disarmed Ares and sent him crashing to the ground.

Ares screamed in rage. "A mortal... bested me?!"

Bell stood over him, breathing steady. "Don't touch her again."

Later, back at the mansion, Hestia clung to Bell, tears streaming.

"I'm sorry... I shouldn't have run off," she sobbed.

Bell hugged her gently. "I'm just glad you're safe."

As she slept that night, unaware, a massive ice bear shadow slipped quietly into her silhouette—silent.

Bell watched over her from the doorway, eyes resolute. He made a promise to himself. Something like this will not happen again. 

Never again.