Bell Cranel
The protagonist of the world of Danmachi, he possesses the skill known as Liaris Freese.
It is an ability that grants rapid growth as long as the user is in love.
The strength of its effects corresponds to the depth of the user's feelings. As a side effect, it makes the user immune to charms.
He secretly glanced at Ais.
But Shirou had no time to think about that, as many people came over to force him to drink.
Whether they admired his strength or lusted after his body, everyone came to drink with him.
Soon, Shirou collapsed drunk over the table.
"Ah! I knew this was going to happen!"
Having predicted this situation even before coming, Shirou lay down on the table, dazed, and quickly drifted off.
Half-asleep, he thought he heard the sound of an argument.
But he couldn't be bothered anymore.
Let's just sleep first!
---
"So Bete got drunk and picked a fight with Ais, and that's why she's like this today?"
Standing on the balcony with Tiona, Lefiya, and the others, looking down at Ais sitting alone in the courtyard, Shirou pressed his hand to his forehead helplessly.
"Why can't that guy just sleep like me when he's drunk?"
"His drinking habits are awful!"
"Forget his drinking habits—I think his sober character is just as awful!"
Tiona, who had always complained about Bete, openly criticized his nature. Then she said to Shirou:
"I'll leave this to you now. Aren't you Ais's brother?"
Shirou, who had been forcibly woken by Tiona barging into his room, yawned and replied sleepily:
"Hold on, someone already beat me to it."
From his vantage point, he could clearly see Riveria walking toward Ais.
"Of course, we still need Mama-san!"
"She truly lives up to the name Mama-san!"
"I want Mama-san's love too!"
Hearing the group's teasing, Shirou chuckled and said:
"If Riveria hears you, she'll definitely give you a good beating!"
"Hehe!"
After Riveria left, Shirou finally moved over and sat on the chair beside Ais.
"What's wrong?"
Seeing that it was Shirou, Ais didn't hide anything; after all, she had already confided in Riveria.
"So, the one Bete was mocking at the Hostess of Fertility… that was Bell?"
Shirou feigned sudden realization, though he had already known all about it.
In the Dungeon, Ais had saved Bell at a critical moment. But, whether from shyness or shock, he had fled the scene with his face smeared in monster blood.
Bete had seen everything.
Then, at last night's party, after drinking too much, Bete brought it up as a joke and spat out those provocative words:
"Someone that weak isn't worthy of standing by the Sword Princess, Ais Wallenstein."
Those words had been a fatal blow to Bell, who admired Ais. Because of Bete, he had run out of the tavern.
That made Ais feel guilty, believing she was the reason the boy had gotten caught up in it all.
But Shirou saw deeper than that.
"Be honest with me. I don't think something that simple would leave you like this."
That was what Shirou wanted to ask.
Hearing his question, Ais paused, thought for a moment, and then said:
"I saw myself when I first became an adventurer… in him."
So that was it—empathy.
Bete's words had not only wounded Bell; they had also made Ais see her younger self.
No wonder!
Shirou understood the weight of Ais's childhood experiences on her.
"What do you want to do?"
"I want to apologize to him."
"And make it up to him?"
"Yes."
"Then leave it to me!"
"Huh?"
Ais tilted her head in confusion, staring at Shirou's serious expression.
"As your brother, isn't it natural to share your burdens?"
"..."
Ais's eyes grew misty at Shirou's words.
Though she had called Shirou "brother" before, it had only been a title. To her, all members of her Familia were family.
Especially Finn and Riveria, who cared for her like parents.
But what Shirou said today touched her in a completely different way.
It was an entirely new kind of warmth.
"Yes."
Ais lowered her head slightly, not wanting Shirou to see her expression.
In response, Shirou simply reached out and gently patted her hair; that was enough.
And so, the two savored the comforting atmosphere, treasuring that tender moment.
---
"You saw Ais heading into the Dungeon alone again? She seems quite spirited."
"More than that, I'd prefer she take a little rest."
In the library, holding a magical tome, Shirou and Riveria spoke about Ais.
Of the three leaders of the Loki Familia, Shirou was closest with Riveria.
Because of their high positions, the three were constantly busy and rarely had the chance to interact privately.
It was during their expeditions that they had truly gotten to know one another.
After all, Shirou had only been with the Loki Familia for three months and was usually busy training himself.
But with Riveria, he had already learned the technique of parallel chanting from her, and they had become familiar.
After the Dungeon expedition, having witnessed Shirou's magical power but also his lack of mastery over various magical techniques, she had ordered him to come to the underground library every day to study magic.
That had led them to become both mentor and friend.
"Huh? Why haven't I seen Lefiya today?"
"Today is Monsterphilia. It seems Lefiya went out with Tiona and Tione. Even Ais was summoned by Loki. You didn't know?"
"Now that you mention it, I do recall Lefiya telling me a few days ago, but the thought of joining the four of them made me refuse. After all, what's the point of intruding on a girls' outing?"
"Loki invited me again, but I turned her down."
As an elf, she truly disliked crowded places.
"Really? I still haven't experienced a festival in Orario. Now that you mention it, I'm actually a little curious."
Lightly touching his chin, Shirou thought for a moment, then suddenly said to Riveria:
"Why don't we go together?"
"What?"
"Let's go to Monsterphilia together, Riveria!"
---
End of Chapter
Guys, sorry for the absence these past few days. I ended up dealing with a serious issue in my neck and, to make things worse, I also caught a really annoying flu. Because of that, I wasn't in any condition to write or edit anything new. Unfortunately, I'm still not feeling well, so I'll keep this fic's updates at just one chapter per day for the next 3 or 4 days, otherwise it could end up making my neck worse.I was only able to keep posting MLS because I already had chapters prepared in advance for Patreon, so its schedule wasn't affected.
Thank you all for your patience and understanding! 🙏
"Hmph. If you really want to be useful, then entertain me, try to throw those pathetic power stones at me. Let's see if even your insolence can amuse a king."