Meanwhile, Bell and Fels were in pursuit of Viene.
Fels, having caught up to Bell, judged that it was already impossible to overtake Viene through speed alone and prioritized treating Bell's body first.
"[Dia Panakeia]."
Sshhh—!!
"This is...?"
A brilliant light enveloped Bell, perfectly mending every wound sustained during the battle.
"Like an elixir, it is what one might call 'Perfect Recovery' magic."
"Thank you, Fels!"
Dash—!!!!!!!!
"...Are you serious?"
'Unlike a few minutes ago, he's heading straight for the surface without a shred of hesitation...'
"I thought coming to Daedalus Street might reveal something."
Step, step—
"But the layout is far too complex, isn't it?"
"Yes, it has exceeded our expectations."
Hestia, along with Welf, Lili, Mikoto, and Haruhime, continued to gather information regarding the Xenos.
"However, this might actually make the rumors more credible...."
"True. It would be stranger if nothing was hidden in a labyrinthine place like this."
They had visited the currently detained Zanis, former captain of the Soma Familia. Based on information that he had previously used Lili to smuggle monsters, they interrogated him and learned that something was hidden within Daedalus Street.
—'Explain what you meant by that deal you mentioned before—luring monsters using Lili's magic.'
—'Heh.... If you go to Daedalus Street, you might find something.'
Recalling Zanis's words, they were scouring the streets for whatever might be concealed there when it happened.
".....What exactly could be hidden here?"
"Probably cages for monsters or a smuggling route of some kin—"
BOOM—!!!!!!!
"""""!!"""""
A massive explosion erupted from the far end of the street, seizing everyone's attention.
—Krrraaaaah!!!!!!!!!!
"It's a monster!!"
"Help me!!"
As the roars echoed, the crowd's focus shifted, and people began to evacuate immediately.
Hestia's party rushed toward the source of the noise. What they found was a single Vouivre, rampaging in a state of total madness.
"A monster....!?"
—Krrraah!!!
"Mikoto, wait! That's...."
"No way...."
"It's Lady Viene....!"
It was indeed Viene.
—Gggraaaah!!!!!!!!!!
Swoosh—!!
"Get back!!"
Viene failed to recognize Hestia, Welf, Lili, Mikoto, or Haruhime. She swung a lethal claw at them.
Everyone except Haruhime managed to clear the area instantly. Haruhime, being a non-combatant, stood frozen in shock, staring blankly at the dragon girl.
"Lady Viene.... why!"
Whish—!!!!!!
"Get out of there! Haruhime!!"
CLANG—!!!!!!!!
"Lord Bell!?"
"Bell!!"
Just before the strike landed, Bell appeared in front of Haruhime, parrying Viene's attack and saving her.
"Stay back, Haruhime!"
"Yes!"
—Krrraah!!!
Crash—!!!
"Ugh....!"
'I have to return the jewel to her forehead, fast!'
While blocking Viene's strikes, Bell's mind was consumed with a single thought: he had to restore the gem to stop this rampage.
'If I can just stop the frenzy, I can entrust Viene to Lyd...'
"Viene.... please, stop....!"
He believed that if he could just calm her down and return her to the Xenos, everything would be resolved.
Swoosh—!!!!!!!!
"Viene!!"
THUD—!!
—Krrraaaah!!!!!!!!!!
That was until a spear, thrown from somewhere, pierced Viene's shoulder.
"It seems the residents are safe."
Standing there were the executives of the Loki Familia, who had rushed from Twilight Manor the moment they heard the commotion.
"Oh, it's Argonaut-kun!"
"That rabbit brat again."
Every executive of the Loki Familia looked toward Bell, who was facing off against Viene.
Tiona spoke with a hint of gladness at seeing him, while Bete felt something was inherently wrong about Bell being at the center of yet another suspicious incident.
".....Bell."
'Why did things have to get this tangled...'
Naturally, Akumo was also there, his gaze fixed on Bell.
With Viene's rampage coinciding with the Xenos incident, Akumo looked at Bell with a face full of concern, realizing that the situation had reached a point of no return.
"Brother....?"
'Miss Aiz.... the Loki Familia....?'
Seeing the Loki Familia—especially Aiz and Akumo—Bell's mind began to simulate the worst possible scenarios.
'The Loki Familia doesn't know about the Xenos....'
'Is Viene going to die...? No, I can still stop the rampage....'
"I can't."
'Even if I stop the frenzy, in the eyes of the people, Viene is just a monster that attacked the town....'
'If we run away together.... what happens after that....?'
Bell agonized over a way to break through the current situation, but the world wouldn't wait for his internal debate to conclude.
"Captain, what about that monster?"
"There's no stone on its forehead. Let's just finish it."
"....."
'Dammit....'
If he blocked those trying to attack Viene, he would no longer be able to remain in Orario. Yet, Viene would continue to rampage.
Even if he stopped her, she was already branded as a monster by the citizens and adventurers alike. The reality remained unchanged.
—'You are a hypocrite!'
"I, I am...."
—Ggraaaah!!!!
—'A bat that couldn't even become a rabbit!!'
"I... I...."
'I am....'
Dix's words swirled in his head, tormenting him. No, they were forcing him to swallow the bitter dregs of reality.
A situation he had never experienced before—conflicting positions, multiple parties, and a crushing weight of responsibility bore down on Bell. The boy's breath grew ragged, cold sweat poured down his face, and he couldn't even find the words to speak.
—Ggraaaah!!!!!!
"..."
Step—
Viene's screams didn't stop, and the gazes of the people felt like arrows piercing his skin.
"That rabbit brat..."
"....!!"
'Bell....!'
Step—
In that extreme situation, Bell finally made his choice.
He had no other choice.
As Bell stood in front of Viene to protect her, not only Akumo and the Loki Familia, but even the Hestia Familia watching from the shadows were stunned by his actions.
"Kyahahahaha!!! Now that's a masterpiece!!!"
".....Bell-kun."
"Is there really still a brat that stupid left in the world~!?"
"You really are....."
'Foolish.'
Icelos couldn't stop laughing at the spectacle, while Hermes's face hardened, feeling a bitter taste at Bell's immaturity.
—Ggraaaah!!!!!!!!!!
"Haa...! Haa....!"
"""....."""
After the initial shock, Viene's continuous cries and Bell's refusal to back down did nothing to resolve the crisis.
"I don't know what you're thinking, but I don't care!"
Slide—
"Hey, let's just finish this quickly!"
".....Bete, wait a sec—"
Flare—!
Knowing this all too well, Bell's mind spiraled further into chaos, ultimately leading him to escalate the situation.
"[Fire Bolt]!!!!!"
""!!""
BOOM—!!!!!!!!!
The flames struck the building behind the Loki Familia—a clear warning shot.
".....Huh?"
"HEY!!!!!!!"
'You brat.....!!!'
"S-She's my prey....."
"!!"
Akumo was about to roar at him, but he stopped as the words left Bell's mouth. He immediately realized what intention lay behind that warning shot.
"This Vouivre is my prey!!!!"
Clench—!
"So don't touch her!!!"
'I have to stop the Loki Familia from intervening, no matter what....!!'
Perhaps it was a stroke of luck amidst the disaster, but Bell had managed to think of one way to buy time even in his panicked state.
—Ggraaaah!!!!!!
Rip—!!
Clang—!!
"....!!"
Dash—!!!!
Viene finally tore Finn's spear from her shoulder and immediately began to flee. Bell gave chase instantly.
Boom—!!!!
Crash—!!!!
"So what exactly is going on....?"
"Bell...."
'So you're using that...!'
Tiona watched the two disappear into the distance with a blank expression, her voice filled with confusion.
"Among adventurers, stealing another's prey is a violation of the rules."
"Ah~ come to think of it, a Vouivre is a rare monster, isn't it?"
Akumo realized Bell's gambit, and Aiz followed up by emphasizing the technicality he was hiding behind.
Thump—!
"Don't make me laugh!! You think this is the Dungeon!?"
"There is no need to indulge a child's stubbornness."
".....As I thought."
'There's no way that would be enough....!'
"Ah!!"
It wasn't enough to stop the Loki Familia. Just as they were about to pursue Viene—
BOOM—!!!!!!!!!!
"KRRRAAAAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
"UOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
The 'people' who had been helped by the hero now appeared to help the hero in return.
"Armed monsters....!?"
"It seems they are indeed related to the commotion that caused the destruction of Rivira."
"Tiona, Bete, Tione! Go and first..."
Grip—!!
'I don't even know anymore....!!!'
The milk was already spilled.
In a situation where Akumo couldn't move directly nor stay still, he finally decided to back Bell's play.
"Subdue them!"
"Subdue? What are you talking about all of a sudden!?"
"It's an order from the Guild! Whether it's for an experiment or whatever, come up with your own reason!"
".....Fine!"
Bete, Tiona, and Tione were skeptical, but they yielded to Akumo's shout and engaged the Xenos.
"Ho.... so you're going to help in your own way?"
Schwing—!
"This is a bit disappointing."
Rumble—!!!!!!!!!!!
Someone was watching them.
"If you have power, you should use it!"
It was the moment the Akumo in the Dungeon discovered the Akumo on the surface.