The Magic Stone lamp's glow pushed back the darkness, revealing the severity in Hermes' expression.
"Back to business. The adventurers who targeted you last night have confessed to everything…"
Those men's Familia had taken on a commissioned job as a side gig. The pay was extremely generous, several times higher than dungeon exploration. The task was simple: act as bodyguards and escort different women.
"The starting points were all different, but the destination was always the same—the bustling district in Orario's South Quarter."
Bell frowned at Hermes' words.
"If it was within Orario itself, why bother arranging bodyguards?"
"Is it kidnapping…?"
Bell voiced his suspicion.
"Something close to that. Bell, do you know about gambling?" Hermes asked.
"Yeah. To avoid getting tricked, I studied a lot about it before."
Bell knew the ins and outs of all sorts of gambling tricks. Growing up deep in the mountains, surviving a city full of adventurers like Orario required such basic self-defense knowledge.
"That makes explaining things much easier," Hermes said. "The women they were escorting were all gambling stakes."
Laurier immediately frowned.
"Using people… as stakes?"
"Exactly. First they lose money, then their homes, and finally they bet their wives and daughters. One win is all it takes to reclaim everything they lost. Tempted by that illusion, gamblers keep taking the hook."
Hermes had seen enough human ugliness that his expression hardly shifted at such vile acts. Bell quietly analyzed the situation. The culprit used gambling as a means to abduct other men's wives and daughters. Because of the sensitive nature of the work, they hired Familia members who operated mainly on the Middle Floors to act as guards. Judging from their behavior yesterday, they clearly knew the details behind the scheme. But one thing didn't add up.
"What exactly was their goal in going after Laurier?"
Even if they leaked information, they were only hired guards. The punishment wouldn't be severe.
Hermes nodded, acknowledging Bell's line of thought.
"Now for the important part. The women they escorted were generally beautiful. A few days ago, during one of the jobs, one man made a move on the woman he was supposed to guard."
Anyone willing to accept this kind of commission was already the type with a stained record and no proper sense of morality. Driven by lust, one of them reached for the woman they were meant to protect. Naturally, the client was furious. The Familia's leader also suffered serious consequences. Bell quickly caught the implication.
"That monster 'gift'—was it originally meant to deal with the member who committed the offense?"
"Yes. To punish the culprit and save their highly paid commission, they planned to abandon that comrade alone in the dungeon."
Hermes recalled from the man's confession.
"One person would lure the monsters, the others would guide the condemned companion to the designated spot. The plan probably went smoothly… until Laurier slipped into their group."
The beautiful blond elf, seeking information under Hermes' instructions, had infiltrated the party. When the monster wave hit, the adventurer who was supposed to be abandoned must have sensed something wrong. He tossed Laurier aside, making her the scapegoat.
But the dungeon's malice far exceeded expectations. Those used to roaming the Middle Floors could never have imagined monsters would pour endlessly from the walls. In the face of that overwhelming hostility, everyone involved in that so-called "monster gift" was swallowed by the Hellhound's flames.
The entire squad was wiped out, yet Laurier survived.
Hermes relayed the man's confession, "The familia leader was furious at first, but upon seeing Laurier's face, he changed his mind. He decided to offer Laurier to the quest, hoping to wipe the slate clean."
The men had a righteous cause. All the familia companions perished in the dungeon. Even if they had committed extreme acts against Laurier, they wouldn't face severe punishment. Thus, they struck last night, intending to abduct Laurier.
"That's the whole story."
Hermes lowered his hat brim. His gaze grew sharp and probing as he spoke slowly, "Bell-kun, are you willing to wade into this murky water?"
For the youth, the matter was already resolved. The criminals who targeted Laurier had been brought to justice, and the origins of the monsters' offerings had been uncovered. Those girls, used as gambling stakes and brutally violated, held no connection to Bell. He saw no need to risk himself by getting involved.
Hermes fixed his gaze on the youth, as if probing the hero's innermost thoughts.
"Of course I'll help."
Bell replied decisively.
"Huh—never expected our little Bell here to have such a strong sense of justice." Hermes glanced toward the doorway.
At some point, Ryuu had appeared beside him, silently watching the youth.
"Laurier's information might be exposed. If we don't eliminate the root cause, incidents like yesterday's could happen again."
Bell had long resolved to protect the girl's smile. This potential threat must be eliminated.
"I see. I thought you'd say something like, 'Of course I'd step in when a girl is crying—after all, I'm a partner of justice!'"
Hermes chuckled softly.
"It's not quite as dramatic as you put it, but that is part of the reason."
Whether it was a florist's assistant or a tavern waitress, any girl he'd ever met could potentially become a victim of such crimes. Bell couldn't just stand by and do nothing.
"What? Does this kind of calculated sense of justice disappoint Hermes-sama?"
Bell responded with a self-deprecating chuckle.
"Of course not. Blind justice only brings destruction. I think we're very much on the same page."
Hermes had witnessed too many tales of ingratitude. Once, a Pallum captain led her followers as heroes, repelling monsters for all. Yet some still feared their strength and betrayed these heroes. Like this youth—first safeguarding himself and those close to him, then extending aid to others while championing justice—was precisely what Hermes admired most.
But this path was also far more arduous. The nobler the justice, the more chains bind the bearer, and the heavier the personal burden grows.
Ryuu stared blankly at the youth. She had journeyed this path for so long, yet still saw no end in sight.
"Calculated sense of justice..."
Ryuu murmured softly, as if recalling a distant past. If the boy had been there then, might everything have been different...
"Ryuu..."
Syr noticed her friend's despondency and gently clasped her right hand.
Hermes pressed on with the discussion.
"So, what does Bell-kun plan to do? That casino is still operating. Getting the Guild to investigate would likely be difficult. My guess is the Guild inspector in charge has probably been bribed."
Reporting it rashly to the Guild could alert the culprits, jeopardizing the safety of the victimized women.
"They escort them to casinos in the bustling streets of the South District, right? Then we should infiltrate directly and make our move from there."
Bell proposed his plan.
"Hmm... Stealth Magic carries exposure risks. It's best to have someone draw attention inside the casino, but entering head-on requires specific conditions."
Hermes elaborated, following the youth's train of thought. The target location was Orario's largest Golden Casino. To gain entry, one must either be a noble or wealthy individual possessing an invitation or a high-stakes gambler who spends vast sums on the games. Seeking assistance from members entering or exiting the casino also carried the risk of exposing their intelligence.
"If you're talking about the rich, aren't they right here?"
Bell chuckled softly.
"......Bell-kun, you wouldn't be talking about me, would you? Absolutely not!" Hermes shook his head repeatedly.
"No, I'm talking about myself."
"..."
Hermes froze for a moment before quickly grasping Bell's intent. Currently, the topic of his leveling was all the rage, and rumors swirling around the Little Rookie were already countless. Simply spreading the news that Bell Cranel was addicted to gambling—even if he lacked substantial funds—would draw the casino's attention through his renowned name alone. Whether eyeing his wealth or targeting the youth's lover, the casino's mastermind would surely take the bait.
The problem was, this would damage Bell Cranel's reputation.
"Bell-kun... If rumors spread that you're addicted to gambling, your reputation will plummet. Are you really prepared for that?"
Hermes asked with evident concern.
"..."
Laurier's realization came belatedly—only when the Familia God voiced it did she grasp the youth's reasoning. Disguising oneself or concealing one's identity carried significant risks. To ensure absolute security, entering the casino directly under Bell Cranel's identity was indeed the most effective infiltration method.
Yet even knowing this, Laurier felt a lingering reluctance. She clasped the boy's hand tightly, conveying her worry and concern.
Ryuu was momentarily taken aback. The youth disregarded reputation and threw himself into the fray. Such righteous resolve was truly moving. Much like her former self.
Yet the difference lay in the boy not being blinded by hatred. He had seen everything clearly with his own eyes before making this decision.
Bell Cranel always charged forward with unwavering honesty. Even facing imminent peril, he showed no fear.
Ryuu noticed. Another lover had appeared by the boy's side. A blonde Elf, much like herself. Yet for some reason, as Ryuu watched their tightly clasped hands, she felt none of her usual aversion or discomfort. She understood now. Just as that deadly human-beast contest had drawn her gaze, the girls were all deeply captivated by the youth. And Bell Cranel, in turn, was giving his all to protect their smiles. He hadn't abandoned his reputation—he was confident he could climb out of the mire and turn public opinion around.
Ryuu glanced at Syr and Laurier, both their faces etched with worry. The next moment, Ryuu stepped forward.
"Cranel-san, regarding this matter—please let me contribute my strength."
She cast aside the troublesome harem situation plaguing her mind, simply obeying the urging of her heart as she took that step forward. To answer the yearning for justice.
Ryuu stood before the youth. In the gentle breeze, her emerald eyes held not a trace of hesitation.