Danmachi: Is It Wrong to Be the Main Character in Orario?-Chapter 836: Believer in Equivalent Exchange
The age comment had left Gareth somewhat rattled.
Still, he knew many of the younger members of the familia already saw him as a "grandfather." Even hearing Ais say it outright only made him sulk for a moment before he quickly adjusted.
As one of the three pillars of Loki Familia, he needed to understand Ais’s circumstances.
After all, some things weren’t only Ais’s matters—they were theirs as well.
Finn now sat with a far more serious expression than before, fully assuming the role of Loki Familia’s captain.
"Bell, it’s about time to begin the formal process, isn’t it?"
"I suppose so. Ais’s parents’ souls only have two months left."
"!?"
Bell’s sudden statement made Finn jolt slightly.
There was a lot hidden behind those words.
Finn suppressed his shock, his peripheral vision catching Ais’s calm reaction—and Loki’s equally composed one.
’Looks like the two most important people already know.’
"Albert and Aria are still alive?"
"Of course they’re alive."
"Then this deadline... does it mean they’re already at the critical point, almost dead?"
"That depends on how you define death."
Because the concept of death varies from person to person, determining it requires a shared definition. Bell needed them to understand exactly what "death" meant in this case.
"If you’re asking whether they’ve experienced physical death, I can tell you with certainty—they haven’t. They’re still alive, still conscious, still retain their memories. But they’re no longer the same people they once were."
They hadn’t died physically, and their memories and consciousness remained—but they were no longer themselves.
To give Finn and the others a clearer impression, Bell offered an example.
"Take the previous ’Corrupted Spirit’s Fetus.’"
Just that one example immediately made Finn understand the urgency of the situation.
"So that’s why Ais has been growing so quickly these past months?"
Realization struck Finn at once. Ais’s rapid growth was undoubtedly tied to this.
And Finn also understood Bell must have been the one to explain the situation to Ais.
"It’s only one of the reasons."
"Ais’s parents’ souls are being eroded. The time they can wait for her is ultimately limited. They’ve already held on for more than ten years. No matter how unwavering they are, soul erosion doesn’t humor anyone for that long."
Bell stated the unavoidable truth without sugarcoating it.
He understood Finn’s implication well enough. But he had never hidden his intentions and didn’t need to start now.
He wanted Ais to grow quickly because it aligned directly with his own interests.
But those interests aligned with Ais’s too—this wasn’t exploitation but mutual benefit.
Finn found himself unable to refute.
He had long realized Bell intended to use Ais’s parents as a stepping stone to advance. What bothered him was the thought Bell might be pushing Ais too hard to squeeze out her potential.
To Finn, Ais had a bright future—one she should be allowed to grow into gradually.
Unfortunately, he still hadn’t understood everything.
Without Bell giving Ais the chance to advance—allowing her to achieve the Excelia required to pass Lv.7—she would have remained stuck at Lv.6 regardless of talent or potential.
The boon Ais had received already had a price marked on it. The moment she accepted it, she would someday have to pay back an equivalent value.
From the beginning, Bell and Ais were engaged in an exchange of equal worth.
Bell gave Ais the chance to reach Lv.7, even Lv.8, and potentially help her reclaim her lost parents.
And all Ais needed to offer in return was the opportunity her parents prepared for her to advance to Lv.8—an opportunity she merely had to pass along for Bell’s ascent to Lv.9.
In a sense, Bell was the one sacrificing more; Ais gave the least.
Bell’s lips curled faintly as he spoke four weighty words.
"Equivalent exchange."
"Nothing in this world escapes these four words."
"There’s no such thing as kindness without a reason. Every kindness has intent behind it. So whether you’re the giver or the recipient, you must follow the unchanging principle of ’equivalent exchange.’"
Equivalent exchange was Bell’s creed. He believed that to gain something, one must offer something of equal value.
Yes—to gain something, one must offer something. Not the other way around.
Because what you offer does not guarantee what you receive. Only when others recognize the value you provide do you earn the right to receive something in return.
If you possess no value at all, no one will look your way.
"I believe in equivalent exchange, so I prefer to speak plainly."
"Ais, I said something similar before, didn’t I?"
"Yes. The teacher told me."
Ais was certain the teacher had spoken similar words. Regarding saving her parents and needing them as a stepping stone for his own advancement, he had concealed almost nothing.
"So what do you think?"
"The teacher’s request is reasonable."
Bell nodded with clear satisfaction. Ais did understand, after all.
Though his words could be blunt or even sharp, this was indeed an equal exchange.
He had no interest in deception nor in taking advantage.
So he set terms neither side could refuse.
Bell spread his hands toward Finn.
"This is how I work. A transaction must be equivalent."
"When discussing benefits, then talk properly about benefits. Beyond that, you can discuss other matters—as long as the foundation is mutual value."
Finn remained silent for a moment, then took a deep breath and spoke with apology.
"Sorry, Bell. I was being too presumptuous."
"Ais is our hope for the future. So no matter what, I don’t want anything to go wrong with her."
Bell understood perfectly.
"I know. That’s why I explained everything clearly just now."
"If I were bothered by what you said earlier, I wouldn’t have bothered speaking even half a sentence more."
Bell believed in equivalent exchange, but he also believed this world needed emotion. 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆𝙬𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝒎
Some things couldn’t be judged solely by profit—one had to consider what lay beyond it.
Like friendship, for instance.
...
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