DanMachi - Adventure Across Time

Rabbit and Elf's Turning Point

Bell vividly recalls the day Hestia's controlling nature became unmistakably clear. It was shortly after the intense Faction War Game against the Freya Familia. The Familia had gone on an expedition to the Dungeon requested by the guild, and he had returned back home.

Bell excitedly mentioned a new friend he had made during their journey—a friendly and skilled adventurer from a different Familia, a girl who had shown kindness and camaraderie during a tense moment. The atmosphere in the room was light and joyous, but it shifted when Hestia entered, her expression a mix of concern and irritation.

As Bell continued recounting the expedition, including his interactions with the girl, Hestia's face darkened. "Bell," she interrupted, her tone unusually sharp, "I want you to minimize your contact with other adventurers, especially those from other Familias."

The room fell silent. Bell, taken aback, looked at Hestia with confusion. "But, Goddess, she was just being friendly. We had a great time working together. It's important to make connections, right?"

Hestia's gaze hardened. "No, Bell. You don't understand. You're still a kid—you don't know the world well enough yet. People might seem nice, but they can have ulterior motives. I can't let you get too close to them. You're my Bell, and I have to protect you."

Liliruca, standing beside Bell, frowned and spoke up. "Lady Hestia, with all due respect, Master Bell isn't a child, I can admit he can be childish sometimes but he's proven himself time again and again. He's capable of making his own decisions."

Mikoto nodded in agreement. "We've all seen Sir Bell's growth. He deserves the freedom to interact with others, to learn and grow on his own."

Welf, leaning against the wall, added, "We're his friends, too, and we trust him. You can't keep him sheltered forever."

Haruhime, with her gentle voice, chimed in, "Lady Hestia, we all care about Master Bell as well. We know he can take care of himself."

Hestia's eyes flashed with frustration. "You don't understand! This world is dangerous, and Bell is too naive to see it. I can't just sit by and watch him get hurt."

Bell, feeling a surge of frustration and a growing sense of confinement, stepped forward. "Goddess, I appreciate your concern, but I can take care of myself. I need to make my own choices and learn from them. You can't control everything I do."

Hestia's expression softened momentarily, but her resolve remained firm. "I'm not trying to control you, Bell. I'm trying to protect you. I don't want to see you get hurt because you trusted the wrong person."

Bell, his expression a mix of frustration and concern, took a step closer to Hestia. "But why, Goddess? Why do you think that way? We've faced so much together and come out stronger. What makes you so sure that everyone out there is a threat?"

The Goddess sighed, her shoulders slumping slightly as she looked at Bell with a mixture of worry and affection. "It's not just about thinking everyone is a threat, Bell. It's about being cautious. The recent War Game with Freya Familia has put us in the spotlight. We're the center of attention in Orario right now, and that makes us targets."

She continued, her voice tinged with concern. "Haruhime's level-boosting skill has been revealed to the world, making her a valuable target for many Familia. Your incredible growth as an adventurer has caught everyone's eye, and that brings both admiration and envy. And let's not forget Welf—his ability to create unbreakable magic weapons is something that many would kill to have. Our Familia has become a beacon for potential danger."

Bell's eyes narrowed, a determined glint in his gaze. "I understand the risks, but we can't live our lives in fear of what might happen. We've always faced challenges head-on, and that's what makes us stronger. We can't hide away just because things might get tough."