Danmachi Emerald Version

Chapter 9

Dungeon Oratoria


A/N:

Narration

"Talk"

Monologue

sfx*


Dungeon, 18th floor, Under resort, night

"Haaaaaaah..."

As I slowly submerge my body to the cold pool, I inadvertently sigh. It's been a while since any of us had a decent relaxation after all.

Urgh

I stretch my arms up towards the artificial night sky of the dungeon. Releasing all pent up stress that had build in since the start of the expedition.

"I hope they won't stir too much ruckus."

After a long and stressful day, the High Elf Riveria temporary retreated to the under-resort as she recall the recent incident after their meal.


Loki familia camp, Main tent

After the scene caused by the rescue party when they escape the floor boss, they, minus Ryuu, were brought in to the familia's main tent where all executives gathered.

"To think that the Loki familia was the ones that saved Bell Cranel," the God Hermes began in a delighted tone as he removed his signature hat and bowed to the Braver Finn. "You save us a lot of trouble and with that we are extremely grateful." followed by handing them the official guild request for Bell cranel and his party's rescue.

"Hmmm..."

Ignoring the obvious flattery the God present before them when he present himself as the voice of the rescue party, Finn took the parchment of paper from Hermes, skim the important information. Verifying the authenticity of the request, who made the request and the 400,000 valis reward for the quest before handing it to Riveria and Gareth who is sitting beside him.

"I understand that you are the rescue party but..." Finn paused for a while as he looked at the other executives gathered in the tent.

More than being bothered by the two deities that came along the party, their focus were instead lock on a certain individual wearing the uniform of one of Orario's strongest familia.

Make no mistake, the gods being in the dungeon was the oddest things out there as it deliberately disregard the rules set by the guild followed by the obvious animosity between the goddess Hestia and the rescue party members dressed in far eastern clothing. The representative of the Freya familia is by far the seemingly normal here but if you considered most executives save from Gareth are also the vanguard when they began their expedition. The awkward stare is expected.

"Is there really a need for you to be here?"

Finn continued with a double meaning question as he shifted back his gaze to the Gods before them.

Karen who understood the question simply smiled not to Finn but she directed her smile to their Familia's second in command Riveria.

"There are various reasons," Hermes replied with a knowing smile. A smile directed mainly to the top executives. "But the short version of it, Hestia want to go as she is too concerned of her child's safety and I want to make sure she is safe."

"Hey-hmph!" Just as the goddess Hestia tried to protest on how Hermes's answer the Braver's question when he puts the blame on her, Asfi, his captain, quickly covered her mouth and try to pacify the outburst of the loli goddess.


Meanwhile at Pleblica

A bored goddess look at the full moon from the inn's veranda they are staying for the night and raised her half full glass of wine up facing the moon as if making a toast to the heavens.

"Haaaaaah," a sad yet beautiful sigh escape from her lips as she remembered the argument she had with a certain bow wielding 'unpopular' goddess with long blue hair. "There she goes once more playing hunting with her children. It's sad but she's already a lost cau-."

"Lady Aphrodite," just then, as she is about to take a sip on her glass while continuing her monologue, one of her children entered the veranda and with a light bow greeted the Goddess of Beauty. "Your warm bath is ready."

"Very well," Aphrodite replied as she stood up and handed him her half full drink with a teasing smile. "I hope at least Hestia found herself a decent man to love." she continue her train of though as she entered the inn. "After all, falling in love is a wonderful thing."


To continue their discussion peacefully, they had the Goddess Hestia, Karen and the rest of Takemikazuchi's children out of the tent where Raul then escorts them to the tent Bell and his party are currently staying at.

"Now then," Hermes continue with his businessman like smile. "Is your expedition a success? what did you saw down there?

A question that was met by a raised eye brow from the high elf.

"You're not our God so we have no reason to divulge any information of our expedition." the High elf Riveria replied calmly.

"Point taken," Hermes replied with a fake disappointed tone. "Just so you know, Loki, Dionysus and I had form an alliance so there's no need to give me that suspicious stares."

"And?" Finn asked

"There's certain issues that were raised and I believe it is better to inform you of this sooner than later.

"So is this the real reason why you came to this rescue party?" Riveria asked.

"Not exactly," Hermes replied honestly. He can lie his way out if this but it's better to sprinkle some truth to his deception. "My original plan was to verify if the rumors regarding the Little Rookie are all true while having this meeting as a side trip. Your party rescuing Bell is a happy coincidence."

"Little Rookie?" Tione asked. "Is that Argonaut's alias?"

"Hooh~" Hermes muses. "That name sound a lot better than what we come up."

"Ehehehe," Tione chuckle from the God's praise.

"Ahem, Going back to the main topic," Finn fake a cough to get all their attention back to him. "What information you want to relay from Loki that is so important that you, yourself came down here?"

"I am certain you already consider this as well. Base from the conclusion we got from previous incident is that an entrance separate from the Babel exist,"

"..." Neither Finn nor the rest of the executives voiced their surprise. Tiona tried but she was quickly silenced by Tione.

"We plan to gather more information during Grand Day as the festivities will mask our actions and a thorough investigation outside Orario right after.

"And who knows this alternate passage," Finn added.

"None, it will be troublesome to inform the likes of Ganesha when we have yet to find solid proof after all,"

"Anything else?"

"Ahahaha... About that..." Hermes replied with a dry laughter. "Do you have a space space that you can lend us for the night? Due to the urgency of the quest, we quickly leave as soon as possible. And because of that we don't have any camping provisions with us.

"Tell me you're joking," Tione asked.

"No," Hermes replied honestly while Asfi evade eye cotact. "I know we can always stay at Rivira but-"

"Hey! You can't have Argonaut stay in that place." Tiona grumble knowing the rip-off price and type of living condition the rouge town Rivira has to offer.

"Be quiet Tiona," Tione whispers as she jab her elbow to Tiona's side who is sitting next to her.

"In any case, I am asking if you can spare us a space to rest. We'll reimburse you the expenses you used on us once we returned to the surface. Plus interest."

"Hooh~ that's quite generous of you," Gareth replied as he rub his beard.

Hearing the Dwarf asked this, the God smiles widen.

"Outside of the reward money from Bell's rescue, Hephaestus personally came to me to look after Welf, he's the blacksmith of Bell's party by the way."

Hearing this, Gareth grumbled as he pretty much fallen for the trap the God set when he inquired his compensation while Riveria massage her temple over the God's negotiation skills. A no negotiation deal by any means. By denying his request, they will also be denying assistance to the Hephaestus familia. A long standing ally to Loki. The silence of the other executives means they also got what the God actually wanted to convey.

"Lord Hermes, I don't care for this needless bargain considering we already took them under our wings," Finn replied flatly with a calm smile. "As long as your group behave, you're welcome to stay until we leave." followed by an ultimatum.

"Ahahaha..." Hermes laugh dryly considering he did plan to cause some ruckus for Bell sooner than later. "I also hope you won't mind us accompanying you back as well." which is why he decided to shift the topic to a different subject. "So how long will you be staying here anyway?"

With this level of shamelessness, the rest of the executives could not help but look at the sly God coldly.

"C'mon now," Hermes protest over their disgusted stares. "We barely got away from the Goliath after all."


Bell Cranel's Party temporary tent

"We deeply apologize for the inconvenience that we had caused!"

After meeting with Goddess and the rescue party, we all went back to the Loki familia camp, minus Ms. Ryuu, where they had a small audience with the familia executives.

A few minutes after that, Mr. Raul led most of them to the tent we are in where the girl called Mikoto prostrate herself before us in a dogeza pose while her two companion, the Tall man Ouka who is the captain of the Takemikazuchi familia and the girl Chigusa stand behind her with their head hanging low.

"Do you really think Lilly will forgive you just because you are in that weird kneeling pose?" Lily replied coldly as she cross her arms and look at the children of the Takemikazuchi familia. "We almost DIED in there!"

"Hah! If you think measly words are enough for us to forgive you then you are mistaken," Welf added.

Unlike Goddess and I who are taken back by the sudden dogeza of Ms. Mikoto, Welf and Lilly look at them indifferently.

"We... we are.. t-truly sorry,"

"Be mad at us all you want. We deserve it."

In contrast to the shy Ms. Chigusa who stutter, Ms. Mikoto's voice is convey her feelings clearly and with remorse.

"I was the one that issued the order," the man Ouka said with a voice full of conviction as he step in front of Ms. Mikoto. "Even now, I believe that is the correct choice."

"Why you-!" Welf roared while Lily and I restrain him from attacking Mr. Ouka. "You really have the nerve to say that in front of us!"

"Master Welf, calm down!"

"That is why, if you need to be mad at someone, direct all your anger to me and leave them alone!" Ouka finishes as he bowed to us. Seeing this action, Welf bit his lower lip in frustration as he stop from trying to attack Mr. Ouka.

I don't think I can fully defuse this tension.

I thought as I look at Mr. Ouka's non moving body. In a way, these reminds me of one of my lectures regarding the dangers of the middle floor with Ms. Eina.

Passing a monster to a different target is a normal tactics for survival.

Leaving aside the ethical issues of this action if it was done with or without malice and how it sucks to be on the receiving end of it. If you look at it from a logical stand point, his decision save his party member. We almost died from it but we can't deny that fact that they survive.

This is also exactly what Ms. Ryuu told me before as I recal our previous conversation.

"Time will tell whether you made the right choice. It all comes down to following your gut feeling,"

"As the leader of your party, you have the responsibility to keep your party members in line and make the hard call when needed.

Mr. Ouka made the hard choice and is taking responsibility for it. He is prepared to accept all of our angers. While the two apologize for what had happened, he remained adamant that he made the right choice. He wont apologize for his action but he is willing to take all of our anger and frustration.

If Welf beat him to death here and now, I don't think he will retaliate. I can feel his resolve is that strong.

"Welf," I said as I as I look into his eyes followed by two definitive head shake. "I understand your anger. We all experience that death march down to this floor because of the pass parade."

Chigusa flinch while Mikoto bit her lip after hearing Bell's pained tone.

"Bell-" Welf trails off as he clench his fist tightly.

Even if I understand his logic, I cannot deny Welf and Lily's frustration. This is a situation where I need to keep a calm and collected mind no matter how difficult it is. But how exactly? That I am not certain. All I know is that we are in no shape to make rush decisions.

"Mr. Ouka, I can understand your action," I said as I look at him. When he raised his head and look at me straight in the eyes with a shock expression, I can only give him a wry smile in response. "If I am in your position, I might have done that as well if it means keeping Welf and Lily safe."

"Master Bell..."

"Bell..."

"That is why-"

"Oh what do we have here?"

Entering the tent nonchalantly was the God Hermes followed by his child Asfi who seems embarrassed that she was not able to stop the god from entering the tent.

"Well..." Goddess trails off a few second before telling the God the gist of the situation.

"In that case," Hermes replied with a smile. "I happen to have a solution for this issue."

"Really?" I voiced out my shock as I look at the God who smiled back at me.

"Rather than prolonging the inevitable and resolving this through violence where no side wins," Hermes began as he widen his smile. "Why not have them owe you instead?"

"Owe us?" There are many ways to pay a debt. Money is the most commonly used to pay debt like how we need to pay Lady Hephaestus a huge amount of valis for the Hestia knife. Paying for Commissioned goods is one thing but I don't think Welf or Lilly will be happy if we put monetary value over our lives. Even I found that idea distasteful as it cheapen the worth of our lives and the struggle we endure. "How and to what extent?"

"My, my, for you to ask the method and its limits," Hermes said with a smile. "Quite considerate of you Bell. IF it were any other adventurers out there, it'll be sky is the limit."

Knowing what the God meant, I saw Mr. Ouka cast his sight down as he clenches both of his hands tightly into a fist, Ms. Mikoto groan and Ms. Chigusa pales.

"And what's your point?" Hestia interjects, crossing her arms. "If what you will say won't help us, better keep it to yourself."

"Now, now Hestia, Since they want to make amends for what happened," Hermes explains, pointing one finger to Mikoto. "Then why not have them aid you whenever you need?"

"And can we even trust them to keep their end of the bargain?" Lilly asked as she doubt they will be of any help. "What assurance do we have that they won't abandon us or feed us to the wolves just for them to survive?"

"Trust me, you will need all the help you need," Hermes replied with a meaningful smile. "After all, they came here on their own free will. They are that sincere to bury the hatchet at least."

"You have a point..." Lilly mumbles as she consider the pros in this arrangement. "And exploring the middle floor will be a lot easier than before."

"Pardon the intrusion," while we are in silence as we consider the deal Lord Hermes offered, Ms. Tsubaki entered the tent.

"Yo, Welfie, come with me for a sec, we need to ask you some things,"

"Haaah... very well," Welf sigh as he scratch the back of his head. "I'll try to get over it but I will have my eyes on you."

"Fine by me," Ouka replied as the two members of his familia breath a sigh of relief.

After that short exchange, Welf left the tent and followed Ms. Tsubaki.

There are still things that I need to learn. I though as I examine how I act in this situation. If not for Lord Hermes, I don't think the situation will end as peaceful as how it ended today. My original plan was to prolong it but it seems like Lord Hermes see through that.

It does not tke long afte that when they left the tent leaving Lilly, me and Goddess. It was quiet for sometime until Lilly and Goddess started arguing over something. I was too preocupied with my self evaluation that I did not heard their arguments. It was at that point when Welf returned and told me they wanted to ask me some questions.


Loki familia tent.

"uhm... why am I here?" I asked nervously. All I know is they wanted to ask me some questions but it is nerve wreaking that I am surrounded by high level adventurers from the Loki Familia. Ms. Tione and Ms Tiona, are seated four feet away to my right, beside them is Ms. Aki. Ms. Lefiya and another beautiful elf is sitting close to each other to my left alongside an adventurer I am not familiar with. Standing in front of me is Ms. Tsubaki, Captain of the Hephaestus familia.

"In any case," Tsubaki said with a wide grin. "Welfie sold you out so you better answer our questions."

Questions?

"Ehehe, Argonaut is here!" Tiona chuckle. "Is it true that you know a lot about legends?"

Legends? are they referring to the likes of Dungeon Oratoria my Grandfather used to tell me when I was young?

I know I told Lilly and Welf about it from time to time but I don't think I know them all.

"I won't consider knowing them all but I am familiar with them," I answer modestly. All I know are the stories told by my grandfather. Base from the conversation I had with Lily and Welf during one of our adventures, some of the stories change depending on the race where the story comes. Some stories elevate the contribution of the characters from their race and down grade other character from a different race. So what I told them and what they knew are different to some extent.

"So who did Sir Girard saved?" Ms. Tiona began series of question to test my knowledge. From Sir Girards rescue of Queen Altis, the Dragon Slayer Giorgio and the likes. If Ms. Tione didn't intervene, it's likely Ms. Tiona will likely asked all the names in Dungeon Oratoria.


Riveria's tent

Meanwhile, just after Welf called Bell,

As the High Elf Riveria have her tent prepared for the rescue party, a certain individual entered her tent.

"Good evening Lady Riveria," Karen greeted the High elf. "I am Karen Moris,"

Riveria took a side glance at her before returning to her task. "I don't want to be rude but I have things to finish here so I'll get straight to the point. " Riveria asked as she cut short to the pleasantries and head straight to the main discussion. "Is this the will of your Goddess?"

"Me joining this rescue party, no," Karen replied honestly. She has no point to lie nor hide her intention knowing the High Elf already knew that their Goddess is interested with the white haired adventurer Bell. "I was part of their party before they this." For better or worse, Nine Hell stop her movement after hearing this. Not only her inquiry but the advice she gave also didn't go on deaf ears. "Originally, Lady Freya wish to keep her hands of this matter as a certain Goddess started sniffing around after our familia did something against a rumor being circulated related to his level up. I feel guilty for not being there when they encountered the pass parade so I came here on my own free will."

"In that case I hope you wont cause a scene." Riveria warned. "Our Goddesses might have some sort of agreement regarding Bell Cranel but if it involve our familia, we will be force to act."

Knowing what their goddess had done so far, Karen cant help but sigh over the high elf's cautiousness.

"I'll be a proper guest, don't worry about it," Karen replied with a bow. "I can't say the same thing with Lord Hermes though."

"Are you sure it is alright for you to say that?" Riveria asked as she quickly grasp the meaning of what Karen just said. Their familia will not do anything like what had happened with the Minotaur or monsterphilia but Hermes will. It is possible that he was given permission to test Bell Cranel within specific limitations.

"Think what you will," Karen replied. "I am noting more than a spectator in this act. I just want to inform you that to save the trouble of suspecting me in case something happened"She bow once more before leaving the tent.


"Getting back to the topic," Ms. Tione asked after she pulled her sister back who seem to forgot the main reason they call for Bell Cranel. "Do you know about a spirit named Aria?"

Back at the 59th floor, after arriving at the depths of the dungeon, they encountered a demi spirit that gave them a run for their money. What is interesting here is that it refer to Ais as Aria. From there, they began brainstorming how it is connected to Ais. The very reason they called the smith Welf mainly because he is a living proof of someone inheriting the blood of a spirit from his lineage starting from the original Crozzo.

"The Great spirit Aria connected to the Hero Albert?"

"Yes that one," Ms. Tione continued. "Did you heard a story where the great spirit shared her blood to an injured human and the human's descendant?"

"Hmmm... the only ones I can think of under that circumstance is Crozzo from Argonaut's story," I answer as I recall the dungeon Oratoria that I have heard and read. "The spirit that aid him was not the spirit Aria but a fire spirit... but when it comes to descendants, I am certain the hero Albert has a child."

"What?! I never heard of this!" Tiona exclaim. The visual shock of the rest of the adventurers gathered also tell the same. "Did you read the original version?"

"Uhmm not exactly," I answered as I fidget over the stares I am receiving. "It is something my Grandfather drew as a picture book when he told me that story when I was young. It is possible that he based it from the original manuscript of Dungeon Oratoria.

"Ok so what happened to the child?" This time, it was Ms. Aki that asked the question. Curious to the content of what the original Dungeon Oratoria with no rendition of any race. "Didn't the hero Albert got involve in a fight and disappeared?"

"Yes, after facing the Black Dragon, he disappeared," I answer. "At that time however, he already have a child with someone."

"Were there any woman in his party?" Tiona asked once more. After all, to have a child, one needs to have a partner. So if the Hero Albert did have child, then it is likely to be with one of his party member or a damsel he rescued in one of his adventures.

"I remember the Amazonian Empress Evelda and the High Elf Queen Celdia-"

"What nonsense are you saying?" Lefiya roared as she points at her rival (self proclaim).

It was then when all hell break lose after Ms. Lefiya and the elf beside her , Ms. Alicia, began to argue back over my answer. If not for Ms. Riveria's timely arrival, I bet all of us in there will likely be reeducated by Ms. Lefiya and Ms. Alicia over their version of Dungeon Oratoria.


Dungeon, 18th floor, Under resort, night

"The way how Dungeon Oratoria is told vary from the race that are telling them,"

*splash*

The names might not change but how they act or their appearance does.

Normally, I would just ignore it but my curiosity got the better of me especially when they mentioned the hero Albert had a child followed by Bell telling them that Lady Celdia was in his party so I asked Bell in private before sending him back to his party. To test if the information he have with Lady Celdia is accurate. To be honest I expect him to be wrong but...

"For him to describe Lady Celdia exactly as how I remembered seeing her portrait when I was young is eerie to some extent." Riveria sigh. "And it came from a picture book no less. A picture book made by his grandfather."

As this might affect Ais, should I look further into this?

With that last though in mind, I get out of the pool and reach for my change of clothes.


Aaaaaaaaan Cut

With that, the chapter came to a close.

-Though it came later than plan but here is the new chapter for Danmachi Emerald. For the time being, the chapter returned to its not that short but not that long length as this primary the continuation of the previous chapter's last part. And contrary to canon events, the High Elf got curious as to the version of Dungeon Oratoria he knows.

-For the update of the story, I usually followed the rotation of Fate Caster, Danmachi Emerald and Ai Hayasaka wants to seduce (shameless plug in) but I temporary skip Ai's update until the recent arc of Kaguya-sama finished as I might used it to what I had set up in my story but for the time being, my focus will be on finishing arc four of Emerald as I already put some groundwork to what I will be using after this arc (outside the war games arc) and a chapter or two for Ai. After that, normal rotation once more but as to when or how often I can update however is heavily reliant to RL work.

For the review, likes and follow, thanks.