One year had passed since the white-haired youth first set foot in the Labyrinth City of Orario as a weak novice adventurer. In the span of three hundred and sixty-five days marked by blood, sweat, tears, and miracles defying logic, Bell Cranel now stood at the peak of the world. At the age of fifteen, the Falna on his back officially displayed the number Level 8.
However, that achievement was not the end, but rather a ticket to the true stage of judgment. The subjugation expedition for the One-Eyed Black Dragon (OEBD)—the apocalyptic dragon of despair that had annihilated the Zeus and Hera Familias fifteen years ago—had officially begun.
The greatest alliance in the history of the Gekai was formed. It wasn't just the Loki and Freya Familias uniting and casting their egos aside; every combat faction and familia in Orario marched under a single banner. This expedition pushed far across the Black Wasteland toward the north, into the Dragon Valley where the one-eyed monster slumbered within the storm of the Breathing Seal.
The battle that erupted there was the true manifestation of hell.
The OEBD's roars tore the sky asunder, its black fire breath turning the land into a sea of lava that vaporized everything it touched. Ottar, Finn, Gareth, Riveria, and the other top-tier heroes fought desperately, sacrificing every drop of their blood to withstand the dragon's physical onslaught that defied all logic. Amidst the chaos, the spirit of Aria—in her wisp form—became the absolute navigator for the alliance. Having been held captive within the dragon's chest for a thousand years, Aria knew every blind spot, every weakness in its energy circulation, and the breathing rhythm of the apocalyptic monster.
In the rearguard, Sanjouno Haruhime sacrificed all her Mind to the point of near unconsciousness to cast her final Uchide no Kozuchi on Bell Cranel. A golden light soared, boosting Bell Cranel from Level 8 straight through to the absolute realm of Level 9.
Although technically a Level 9 through a magic boost, Bell had been forged in hell. He was accustomed to fighting across levels, enduring the torturous and deadly techniques of his aunt, Alfia, and dismantling Zald's impenetrable defense at the Orariopiad. His combat instincts, the kinetic dampening technique of Afterglow, and his Initiative maneuvers allowed Bell to fight in that moment as if he were a true Level 10 monster.
Facing Bell's frontal assault that surpassed the heroes of the past, the OEBD finally felt cornered. Its primal instincts forced the dragon to draw absolute energy from the "eternal battery" that had been embedded in its chest for a thousand years. The dragon opened its jaws wide, preparing to unleash a continent-destroying breath to obliterate the entire Orario alliance.
The dragon took a deep breath, attempting to siphon the limitless spirit magic.
However, all it found was absolute emptiness.
The fake obsidian stone embedded in the dragon's chest shattered to pieces. Thanks to Venti and Alfia's actions in secretly stealing Aria, the apocalyptic dragon had lost its limitless energy supply. The OEBD had exerted a massive amount of power thinking the spirit energy was still there, and that fatal failure caused the dragon's magic circulation and strength to malfunction. Its gigantic body tensed, its movements freezing for ten seconds due to the backlash of its internal black fire energy.
That momentary void became the deciding factor of the world's fate.
"Now, Bell!" shouted Finn with a bloodied throat.
Bell wasted no time. He fused all his magical Firebolt power, the compression of Afterglow, and the majestic chime of Heroic Wish (Argonaut), charged to the absolute limit of his Level 9 status. The hero's bell chimed loudly across the valley, silencing the dragon's roar.
"Argo Vesta: Ignis Zankou!"
The reddish-white slash of light, so long it pierced the clouds, cleaved the northern sky. The attack struck the OEBD's unprotected neck flawlessly, tearing through its absolute black scales and decapitating the apocalyptic monster in a blinding, catastrophic explosion.
As the dust of battle slowly settled, the dragon collapsed. The earth quaked violently before a long silence finally blanketed the world. They had won. The thousand-year curse was over.
And thanks to the massive, unprecedented Excelia gained from slaying the OEBD, Bell Cranel's Falna status officially skyrocketed. He was no longer just a youth boosted by magic; he had truly leveled up to Level 9.
Upon returning to Orario, Bell Cranel was crowned the absolute hero of the era. Cheers echoing his name filled every street corner. He was the spearhead of humanity who had succeeded in doing what the Zeus and Hera Familias had failed to do.
Yet, amidst that wave of adoration, Bell never grew complacent. He continued to train in the Dungeon, honing his strength to the bleeding edge.
Venti's parting advice on the balcony that night remained eternally etched in his soul: 'Strength cannot always protect everyone, Bell. Strength cannot solve all problems. But by becoming strong, you will at least have no regrets when disaster strikes.'
Bell didn't want to have any regrets. He became strong not for the title of a hero, but to protect the people he cared about. And above all, he wanted to protect Ais Wallenstein. The golden-eyed girl, who had now cast off the shackles of her past vengeance thanks to the return of her mother, Aria, slowly began to open her heart.
Under the large tree in the courtyard of Hearth Manor, witnessed by the gentle afternoon breeze, Bell confessed the feelings he had harbored since he was first saved from the Minotaur. Ais didn't answer with words; she simply smiled with a tenderness that made Bell's world stop spinning, then embraced the youth. On that day, Bell Cranel officially became the Sword Princess's lover.
Time never stops moving, not even for a hero.
Three years later, Bell turned eighteen. His Falna remained capped at Level 9. Status increases at this level could no longer be measured by human logic. It required years of accumulation and Excelia on a massive scale—perhaps from a floor boss at extreme depths—to even budge from his current position. However, that did not bother Bell.
On a starry night atop the City Walls of Orario, Bell knelt on one knee. He pulled out a ring inlaid with a pale green gemstone symbolizing the wind, and proposed to Ais Wallenstein. Ais cried tears of joy, nodding without the slightest hesitation.
Their wedding was held a few months later, becoming the most festive and grand event ever recorded in the history of the Labyrinth City. The entire street was decorated with lanterns and flowers. The gods bestowed their blessings, the Guild declared a holiday for all adventurer activities, and the commoners partied on the main streets.
However, beneath the euphoria and grandeur of the union between Orario's two strongest heroes, a "bittersweet" symphony played softly.
The wedding was the most beautiful celebration, yet simultaneously a mass heartbreak tragedy that befell many women in Orario.
At the Hostess of Fertility pub, the round tables were covered in liquor bottles. Mia Grand, the proprietress, could only let her waitresses and female patrons get heavily drunk that night.
Ryuu Lion sat in the corner of the bar, downing a glass of wine that tasted bland on her tongue. Her heart was shattered to pieces. The pain was so deep she found it hard to breathe. The youth who had pierced her darkness on Floor 37, who had saved her soul from the abyss of guilt, had now tied the holy knot with another woman. Yet, as Ryuu watched the silhouettes of Bell and Ais smiling at the altar from afar, a melancholic smile blossomed on her lips. Ryuu let the youth go. She swore upon her sword that even though she could not stand at the altar with him, she would remain a battle comrade who always protected the hero's back in the depths of the Dungeon.
Syr Flova—or more accurately, Goddess Freya, who was using her charm from the peak of the Tower of Babel—gazed at the festivities below with a glass of wine in her hand. Her silver eyes radiated a majestic sorrow, but also pride. Her love for her Odr would never fade, transcending the thousands of years of her immortal life. She would not ruin Bell's happiness. Freya chose to continue watching over the youth from afar, turning her love into an eternal, silent observer.
Inside Hearth Manor, Hestia had cried hysterically. For days before the wedding, the goddess locked herself in her room, wailing and mourning her severe heartbreak. Her ward, the youth she loved more than anything in this mortal world, had been taken away. However, Hestia was a goddess who loved her children's happiness above all else. On the day of the wedding, Hestia wiped her tears, wore a beautiful white dress, and stood at the altar to give her holy blessing. She hugged Bell and Ais tightly, promising that she would always remain their goddess. She would live with them under the roof of the Hestia Familia, serving as the protector of the home they sheltered in.
In the guest seating rows, Haruhime smiled. Tears of joy streamed down her cheeks, without a single speck of envy. The Renard girl saw Bell not just as the man of her dreams, but as "Sanjuan"—the Holy Hero from the fairy tales who saved her from Ishtar's hell. Haruhime's deeply yielding and self-aware nature meant she never forced her ego into becoming his wife. Seeing her hero happy was enough to illuminate her world. She promised to continue serving Bell and Ais loyally in the Familia, remaining their most dependable maid and comrade.
Meanwhile, in the corner of the Guild's banquet table, Eina Tulle poured a drink for her younger sister, Nina, who was sobbing uncontrollably. Nina was experiencing a crushed puppy love syndrome, mourning her handsome ideal hero who was now married. Eina patted her sister's back gently, smiling soothingly. As a Guild advisor, Eina was the first to know that Bell had fallen in love with Ais since the day the youth survived the Minotaur's pursuit with a blood-drenched body. As time passed, Eina realized she too liked Bell. However, her professional side and maturity made Eina choose to bury those feelings deep down. Tonight, Eina once again positioned herself as the mature older sister, the best advisor who sincerely supported Bell's happiness, even though she had to hide the sad tremor in her voice.
A contrasting scene occurred in the Loki Familia's ranks. Veteran executives like Finn, Gareth, and Riveria only smiled warmly seeing the girl they raised finally find her happiness. At the same time, Goddess Loki rolled around on the chapel floor, wailing and cursing the "Damn Rabbit" who had stolen her precious Ais-tan, before finally being knocked unconscious by Riveria so as not to ruin the mood.
Beside Ais, who stood at the altar, the spirit of Aria had regained her form. She smiled with a mother's tenderness, blessing her daughter's union with the hero who had pierced the limits of despair.
The wedding concluded, leaving behind sweet memories and wounds that slowly healed in the hearts of many.
Even with the peace that now enveloped his world, Bell never laid down his weapon. His resolve to become stronger only burned brighter, driven by a new fear that slowly crept into his mind.
Ais Wallenstein was a Half-Spirit. Her age, her youth, and her existence would last far longer than an ordinary mortal human's. It was true that Falna slowed aging, allowing high-level adventurers to live and look young for a very long time. However, Bell knew that eventually, the limits of human age would catch up to him.
He was incredibly curious, yet desperately wanted to know, what would happen if someone surpassed the absolute limit of Level 9. He had felt a spark of that power when bringing down the OEBD. If he couldn't pierce the boundary of mortality, Bell worried that one day he would die of old age, leaving Ais alone to mourn the passage of time across generations, returning to loneliness.
For Ais, for a future that would never fade, Bell plunged back into hell.
He undertook solo expeditions into extreme depths that Orario had never touched, slaughtering ancient monsters that slept in the labyrinth's darkness, accumulating high-level Excelia for years. His struggle surpassed common sense, breaking his body and mind over and over again, only to be healed by his pure determination.
Until finally, that miracle was once again carved onto his back.
A few years after his marriage, Bell Cranel cemented his name not just as a hero, but as the first anomaly in the history of the Gekai. He officially leveled up to Level 10.
A very fundamental change occurred in Bell's body when he broke through that wall of absoluteness. Biologically, his body stopped aging, eternally locked in its prime. The aura radiating from him was no longer just ordinary life energy, but resembled the majesty of a demi-god entity. Pain, mortal fatigue, and the fragility of the human body no longer applied to him. He had cast off the shackles of mortality, making him an existence that could finally stand on equal footing with his wife's immortality without the shadow of death from old age.
Eight years had passed since that joyous wedding day.
Life at Hearth Manor was far from quiet. Peace had returned, and laughter once again echoed through the halls of the large wooden house. The pinnacle of Bell and Ais's happiness was realized with the birth of their first daughter.
However, on the naming day of the tiny baby, a comedic incident occurred. Ais, with her signature deadpan face and absolute innocence, looked at the baby in her arms and offered a name: Aria.
Hearing the suggestion, Bell could only sweatdrop, staring blankly at his wife. Right next to Ais, Aria facepalmed. Naming their child the exact same name as his mother-in-law, who was still very much present and living with them, would obviously invite logistical chaos and immense awkwardness every time the name was called.
Racking his brain hard, Bell's memories drifted back to the past. He remembered how Venti, the eccentric wind god, concealed Aria's identity when she first came to Orario fifteen years ago with a beautiful alias.
Sylphie.
"How about Sylphia?" Bell suggested with a gentle smile, stroking the tiny baby's forehead. "Sylphia Cranel Wallenstein."
Ais blinked, then her lips curved to form an incredibly beautiful smile. Aria also nodded in joyful agreement. The name was thus officially bestowed.
Of course, Sylphia's presence triggered a new, small-scale war in Orario. Every afternoon, Hestia and Loki would bicker fiercely, yell, and pull each other's hair in the courtyard of Hearth Manor. They fought viciously over who had the prerogative right to be the "Greatest Adoptive Grandmother," or argued over whose Familia emblem would one day be carved onto the child's back.
And now, Sylphia was seven years old.
The little girl was an incredibly striking visual manifestation in Orario. She had platinum blonde hair—a perfect blend of her mother's pure gold and her father's snow silver. Her smooth, long hair sparkled under the sunlight. But the most enchanting feature was her eyes; incredibly bright, pure, and warm ruby red gems, inheriting her father's rabbit eyes perfectly. Her face inherited Ais's elegant, doll-like bone structure, but her expressions and personality were far from cold. Sylphia was friendly, cheerful, and possessed a contagious smile that was an absolute replica of her father's.
One sweltering afternoon, Sylphia trotted down the corridors of Hearth Manor, searching for her father. Her footsteps led her to the private library in the left wing of the house.
There, she found Bell sitting casually in a chair near an open window. The youth—who had now physically stopped aging in his early twenties—seemed to be smiling faintly. In his lap rested a thick book with an old leather cover, its corners beginning to wear out from being touched too often.
Sylphia tilted her head. Her platinum hair swayed softly. She had often seen her father open that album, smiling to himself with eyes full of warmth, yet also implying a longing for an untouchable past.
"Dad!" Sylphia called out cheerfully. She ran up to Bell and, without asking for permission, immediately climbed onto her father's lap.
Bell laughed warmly, reflexively catching his daughter's waist so she wouldn't fall, steadying the rocking of the chair. "Hey, Dad's little champion. Where is Uncle Welf? Weren't you learning how to make wooden swords with him?"
"Uncle Welf is being punished by Aunt Hephaestus," Sylphia reported innocently, drawing an amused laugh from Bell. However, the little girl's red eyes quickly glanced at the leather book on Bell's lap. She pursed her lips curiously. "Dad, are you opening that book again? It's just pictures of Dad being beaten up by the fierce gray-haired Aunt, and pictures of the weird Uncle in the green cloak. Why does Dad open it so often?"
Bell fell silent for a moment. His left hand gently stroked the leather cover of the album given by Venti. He looked at his daughter's face, realizing that the peaceful life Sylphia enjoyed today—the complete presence of her mother, the absence of the apocalyptic dragon's threat, and the hero's stage he stood upon—it all began with the strangers inside this album.
Seeing Sylphia looking at him with a very cute, insistent expression—the girl was even tugging at Bell's shirt collar—the Level 10 hero finally let out a resigned sigh. He smiled, leaning back against the chair, and let his daughter sit comfortably on his lap.
"Alright, alright," Bell said with a softening tone. He opened the first page of the album, revealing a photo of a lazy wind god laughing while holding a wine bottle. "You know, Sylphia? This peaceful Orario, this blue sky free of fear, it all didn't just come out of nowhere. It began with a miracle brought from a very faraway place."
Sylphia's ruby eyes sparkled with enthusiasm. She loved stories very much. She immediately rested her head on Bell's chest, listening attentively.
While gently stroking his daughter's platinum hair, Bell's gaze drifted out the window, piercing the white clouds in the Orario sky, as if seeing the silhouette of a wooden carriage driving beneath the dawn light over a decade ago.
"Listen closely, my daughter," Bell whispered in a peaceful narrative tone, weaving memories into a bedtime legend that would endure across generations. "This is a tale... about a white-haired, red-eyed youth who was accidentally thrown across time, and met a bardic god of the wind."
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