Danmachi: Unalloyed Blade Works

Declaration

With the Apollo Familia's note tucked away in his back pocket, Bell stood in front of the doors to the church, unsure of what to do once he opened those doors and entered his home. What should he tell his Goddess and the rest of his Familia about the invitation? The fact that he was approached by the Apollo Familia so soon after the incident at the tavern could only mean something bad was going to happen. He didn't want to ruin the exciting energy from planning for their vacation, but he also didn't want to hide such an important issue from his Familia. 

"Bell! Welcome back!" Hestia greeted cheerfully. 

"You remember to tell Eina about our vacation plans?" Muramasa asked from the kitchen, packing up several sandwiches into a basket. "It'd be a real shame if we didn't get the authorization to leave the city after all this prep work."

"Urk!" Bell gulped. He instinctively pushed the note deeper into his pocket after seeing everyone in such good spirits.

"Bell? You look awfully pale." Artoria commented. 

"D-d-d-do I?" Bell stammered.

"Did Eina and the Guild not approve our vacation?" Muramasa asked.

"N-no, not exactly..." Bell stuttered.

"Bell, what's wrong?" Hestia asked.

"N-nothing! Nothing happened!" Bell exclaimed, waving his arms around frantically.

"Bell..." Muramasa murmured. "Even a blind man can see that you're lying outta your ass. What happened at the Guild?"

Bell's skin grew cold as he realized that there was no way he could lie himself out of his current predicament. Seeing no other option, he hesitantly pulled out the invitation and held it out to his goddess.

Hestia took the white envelope from Bell and immediately, a scowl appeared on her face. That told Muramasa everything about why Bell had been so hesitant and scared when he fist came back home.

"Lemme guess. It's from the Apollo Familia." Muramasa sighed as Hestia opened the envelope and began to read its contents.

"I knew I should've planted a hidden bomb on that pallum!" Artoria growled. "Did he declare a War Game against us?!"

"No, at least, not yet. This is just another gathering of the gods that he's decided to host at his place. But, this time, he's allowing us to bring one child of our own to the celebration." Hestia answered.

"This the first time something like this happened?" Muramasa asked.

Hestia nodded in response. "Yeah. Normally, children aren't allowed to come with us, so this definitely comes as a surprise. Especially so soon after our encounter with the Apollo Familia."

"I ain't no strategist, but I smell a trap. We're being lured into hostile territory in order to have as many eyes on us when that War Game does get declared on us." Muramasa suggested.

"Lady Hestia, you can always just ignore this invitation. We have no obligation to answer it and use our vacation as an excuse." Artoria suggested.

"As much as I'd like to that, the fact that it's Apollo of all deities is what's giving me a headache. He's known to be pretty...persistent." Hestia groaned.

"Sounds like you're speaking from experience," Muramasa noted. "So, our options are to either ignore this issue for as long as we can or we go right into the lion's den and confront it. Can't say I like either choices, but it's the hand we got dealt."

"Goddess, whatever you choose, I'll always be by your side." Bell said with a reassuring smile.

"Me too! No matter what happens, I'll be sure to stick with this Familia to the end!" Artoria added.