Danmachi: Is It Wrong to Be the Main Character in Orario?-Chapter 829: The Longing for a Father’s Love
After returning home to update his Status, Bell immediately hurried back to the 79th-floor shelter.
When he arrived, he found Ais obediently sitting exactly where he’d left her, on the ice bed in the very same posture.
"You didn’t move at all?"
"Mm."
Seeing Ais nod so obediently, Bell truly understood just how hard it must be for Riveria to teach this child.
Hard-working in training, earnest in her studies... yet in some areas, she was just—worrisome.
"So, what is it you want me to... agree to?"
"Mm... When we faced the Corrupted Spirit’s Fetus just now, Teacher helped me relieve the pressure."
During the moment when the Corrupted Spirit’s Fetus released its killing intent?
Bell immediately recalled the situation, but he hadn’t done anything noteworthy. He’d simply set up a Barrier out of habit and helped her escape the oppressive aura.
But that clearly wasn’t what Ais was referring to.
’Did I do something at that time that Ais took to heart?’
Bell dug through his memories.
Aside from placing his hand on her head at the beginning, he had done nothing else.
"...Is it because of that?"
Bell asked carefully.
"You wanted me to pat your head?"
Ais’s eyes lit up instantly.
So that was it. Bell stared at her blankly.
But remembering Ais’s upbringing and the fact that she was only sixteen, his confusion faded.
Head-pats were typically something adults gave younger kids as praise.
Older boys and girls usually hated it—they understood embarrassment, and they didn’t need head-pats to feel praised.
But those children grew up with parents by their side.
Someone like Ais, whose parents left her early, might naturally long for that warmth.
"Didn’t Riveria ever pat your head?"
"Riveria feels different. Riveria is like Mama."
"...So you just bumped my rank all the way up to your dad’s."
Bell knew his mental age was old enough to be a father, but in this lifetime he was only fourteen.
"Actually, there should be more suitable people... Gareth, maybe?"
"Gareth feels more like a grandpa."
Her honest reply made Bell unconsciously agree.
Dwarves really did give off "old man" vibes—big beards, fond of drinking. Most old folks looked like that.
And dwarves being more unkempt than humans only made the "grandpa image" stronger.
As for Finn, Bell skipped him immediately.
Reliable? Yes. But with that small child-like body and innocent face, no one would connect him to the word "father."
"So, how do you want me to pat your head? Right now?"
Ais shook her head.
"When Teacher thinks I’ve grown... and wants to praise me... please pat my head."
Right now, she looked exactly like a child hoping for a reward, her eyes sparkling.
It was impossible to disappoint her.
Just like Bell felt now.
’Only for five months.’
’Once her parents are back, she’ll focus on them instead.’
Bell had wanted to refuse—after all, this was physical contact with another girl—but considering Ais’s mindset, she wouldn’t have those kinds of thoughts. At most, she just wanted to feel something like a father’s affection.
Even if he understood that, suddenly gaining a "grown daughter" out of nowhere felt strange.
Shaking off those thoughts, Bell dropped his resistance.
He placed his hand gently on Ais’s head and stroked her hair.
"Like this?"
Ais’s eyes narrowed, closing softly—as if her father was patting her head again.
With her eyelids lowered, Bell’s figure even overlapped slightly with her father’s in her mind.
’Papa had silver-white hair like Teacher... but Papa was taller.’
’Teacher isn’t tall, but his back feels broader than Papa’s.’
In her mind, the image of Teacher’s back—standing in front of the Corrupted Spirit’s Fetus—rose up.
That back looked just like the one her father showed her when he walked away.
"Papa..."
Ais couldn’t help murmuring, calling for the father she’d always hoped would return.
But after lingering for just a moment, she opened her eyes.
...
"Is that enough?"
"Yes. Thank you, Teacher."
"No problem. Just once in a while."
It was nothing more than occasionally gaining a bit of "seniority."
Bell noticed the determined shine in Ais’s eyes had grown even stronger. She had definitely been thinking about her parents.
’Maybe... that’s not a bad thing.’
Now Bell hoped she would grow faster.
But as her teacher, he couldn’t push her. Pressure created anxiety—fear of failing—which only slowed growth. Some things simply couldn’t be said.
But if Ais accelerated her growth because of her own conviction, that was different.
A self-made decision carried no anxiety. It only strengthened resolve and pushed people to pour more effort into revealing their potential.
That was far more likely to speed up Ais’s growth.
Realizing this, Bell felt far less conflicted.
If she wanted to see him as a father figure... that was manageable.
"Ais, starting tomorrow, we’ll head to the 80th floor to explore. Prepare yourself mentally."
"Mm!"
