Danmachi: The Wheel Chapter 18 18: Cry

The idea itself was madness, but possible, though only for him.

If soone without adaptation tried to have more than a single God's Falna, they might just be sent to heaven directly.

The idea was sound, and also the only feasible way he could think of to break the limits of S-Rank.

S-Rank was the limit of Falna, not his own.

His own Aunt Alfia was called the Incarnation of Talent by the Gods.

Even in *Danmachi*, Bell could still break through the limits of S-Rank even though it was through [Liaris Freese].

It showed that the talent was always inside him, but a singular Falna was holding him back.

If he sohow got Falna of two Gods with the help of adaptation, he could then have 999 stats through each Falna.

But he knew the inherent dangers of trying to swallow more than what was possible for him.

He won't try this until he at least gained [Regeneration] from the wheel.

After all, It was a gamble, with his life on the line, if the wheel's adaptation could not keep up with the clash of two different God's Falna, then he won't even end up with a grave to cry over.

Hence for now, it was just a wild idea inside him, whose feasibility was rely theoretical.

Before focusing on these things, Bell resolved to first fully master [Ittou Shura]—everything else could wait for later.

Bell finished his thoughts as the carriage continued to move towards Orario.

He looked outside the carriage towards the outline of a city appearing at the edges of his vision, a solemn, colossal and sky-piercing tower rising from the city.

Orario was close, and this ti he was ready for it.

Bell sat besides Goddess Astraea after taking a look outside as Koenji drove their carriage closer to the dungeon city Orario.

_________ 2 Hours Later _______________

The people of the contingent went their own way after profusely thanking Bell for saving them after they reached Orario.

Their carriage then stopped at a street as Koenji stretched his stiff muscles with a yawn.

Bell walked out of the carriage and helped Goddess Astraea down with gentle care.

As Goddess Astraea's steps touched the ground and she took in her surroundings, a multitude of emotions flashed over her face, reminiscence, regret, fondness and bittersweet lancholy.

He silently stood besides her, his hand slipping down, wrapping around her hand in reassurance.

Bell wanted her to know, so things could never go back as they once were, but he was here and would be with her.

Just like once she'd held out an umbrella for him, while he was drenched in rain.

He too was here, this ti he would be the one to tell her, she was not alone now.

In her happiness, he would find his own joy.

In her sadness, he would support her.

In her Justice, he would follow her.

In her gentle smiles, he would find his ho.

In her laughs, he would find his own warmth.

Bell did not speak of his own thoughts, his gaze alone was enough to convey what he wanted to say.

Sotis, to say sothing, you did not need to speak.

Your eyes spoke louder than any words ever could.

He looked into her conflicted eyes, a pure and gentle smile spread across his face.

Bell did not wait for her to speak, instead tightened his hold over her hand and dragged her deeper into the streets while gesturing a silent goodbye to Koenji nearby.

He dragged her deeper into the flow of people moving across the street, his gaze gentle, intentions kind and heart pure.

Life had a multitude of facets, not everything needed to be about fighting, not everything was killing, not everything could be solved by a Shura.

Bell dragged Goddess Astraea to a street stall selling crepes and bought one, and handed it to her.

Then dragged her to small jewelry stall when she had barely taken a bite of her crepe, cream spilling over her lips.

When he saw her like that, he laughed at her like a child, her nails digging in his hands in retaliation.

Bell had to apologise in mirth while pulling a handkerchief from his pocket to wipe her face, since her hands were occupied.

After wiping the cream off her face, Bell had her try all kinds of jewelry, and bought two crystal earing's which suited her.

Then Bell dragged her into a clothing shop in enthusiasm and had her try all kinds of new dresses.

And in the end, was even forced by her to try so new clothes.

They walked out of the clothing store after buying so suitable clothes for both himself and Goddess Astraea.

Bell even felt a bit of sha, since all the money they had used till now ca from Goddess Astraea.

'Was this what it ant by eating soft rice?'

'Was this what mooching felt like?'

He joked inwardly while dragging her to any shop that she showed even a hint of interest towards.

They enjoyed themselves, forgetting the ti, the place or even their surroundings.

Lost in the joy of each others company and the simple joys of living.

As dawn shed it's last rays over Orario, Bell and Goddess Astraea were resting over a bench near the central fountain of the city.

Bell looked at Goddess Astraea, who radiated peace and happiness from her being and felt fulfilled.

Yet, when he looked even deeper in her eyes, there still was a hint of fear, pain and lancholy buried beneath her sturdy exterior.

When he saw that buried pain in her eyes, he didn't know what impulse hit him, but he bought both of his hands to her cheeks, and had her face him.

His gaze looked deep inside her eyes, beneath all that joy, peace and contentnt, where old scars and lancholy still lingered and spoke without his own awareness.

"There is a part of you that existed before the pain.

Before the scars.

Before the self-hate.

You've forgotten who you were, but I am here to remind you:

You've always existed beyond this broken version of yourself.

You're not the mistakes.

Nor the sha.

Nor the fear.

Those are clouds.

You, you are the sky.

You can't see it now, maybe. But it's still there."

It took a mont for Goddess Astraea to comprehend his words.

Tears started to drip across her face at Bell's words, gently falling on the wood of the bench beneath them with a pitter-patter.

He did not console her.

He did not wipe away her tears.

He let her cry.

Because crying did not an she was weak.

It ant she was healing.

So to those who are stuck in pain.

Those whose constant companion is struggle.

Those who have gone through suffering.

You can cry.

It does not make you weak.

It makes you deeply human.