Danmachi: Is It Wrong to Be the Main Character in Orario?-Chapter 837: The Resolve to Win

"Alright, alright, let’s end things here."

Seeing the situation had wrapped up, Loki stepped forward to stop the discussion.

Loki knew Bell’s way of doing things very well. Aside from being cautious, the kid always repaid kindness.

In his own words, it was ’equivalent exchange.’

So whenever he negotiated, he always spoke openly with nothing hidden, all to uphold his belief in "equivalent exchange."

"The situation between Bell and Ais isn’t as complicated as you all think."

"Ais-tan may seem a little slow in some ways, but she isn’t stupid. She can tell what counts as a fair deal. Mama spent no small amount of effort teaching her that."

Riveria had been very thorough in teaching Ais.

Perhaps out of worry that Ais might be tricked someday, Riveria specifically taught her how to distinguish good people from bad, and how to see through traps others set so she wouldn’t step into them. This wasn’t meant to guard her against Bell, but against the dangerous elements scattered throughout Orario.

This world was full of unsafe people.

Ais’s bright, intelligent eyes shimmered as she nodded firmly, clearly agreeing with Loki’s explanation.

"Bell, you’re planning to move out with Ais-tan this time, right?"

"Not immediately."

Though he wanted to agree on the spot, the timing still wasn’t quite right.

Bell knew time was pressing, but some things just couldn’t be rushed.

"Ais and I are still on the 87th floor. My detection shows her parents are on the 90th. We still have two floors left to clear."

"Their condition is terrible, but a few days won’t make a difference. So I plan to advance steadily."

Their situation is awful, but yours is nearly the same... Loki glanced at Bell but kept that thought to herself.

Given Bell’s personality, it was obvious why he arranged things this way.

Ais had advanced nearly ten days faster than previous estimates. Even if they spent a few more days clearing the floors, it would still be sooner than the previous fastest prediction of three months.

Meaning they still had more than enough time before the two-month limit.

’Bell definitely has the timing planned out. It shouldn’t be a problem.’

Loki chose to trust Bell without reservation.

"Handle the schedule as you see fit."

"But as for the footage showing you and Ais challenging her parents, I want my children to see it."

"All of it?"

"Mm. All of it."

After thinking for a moment, Bell nodded.

"Alright."

Bell’s straightforward answer left Finn and the others stunned. Clearly, none of them expected him to agree so easily.

Bell, noticing their expressions, spoke again.

"So, Captain Finn, while my approach is cautious, it doesn’t mean I need to be as careful at this stage as I used to be."

Indeed—Bell no longer had to cling to the same caution he once did.

Even if he didn’t want to stand in the spotlight, letting the Loki Familia witness the challenge between him and Ais wasn’t a problem.

Besides, allowing them to watch didn’t mean he’d show his face. They’d only see the challenge itself.

Nothing too serious.

Bell stated this naturally.

Yet Finn and the others exchanged glances. Bell’s face was still blurred and indistinct—hardly matching his claim of not needing to be overly careful.

Bell didn’t care about their looks at all.

"Loki-sama, I’ll notify you before Ais and I begin the challenge."

"I think it’ll be in about three days."

If he and Ais pushed forward now, they’d clear the floors extremely quickly.

The last two floors wouldn’t even take two days. He could easily reach the 90th floor today and confront Ais’s parents.

But the challenge needed to begin with Ais. As an outsider, he wasn’t the one to start it.

A few extra days didn’t matter. He could wait.

"Three days... that’s a bit long."

Loki subtly reminded him.

"Yeah, a little long. The clearing itself would take a day or two at most. The last day is for Ais to rest."

Bell understood Loki’s implication, but he wouldn’t change his plan.

"This time, it’s a direct confrontation."

"Ais needs to use her full strength to face her parents. No clever little tricks. She needs to be fully prepared."

He turned to look at Ais beside him.

"I won’t let her fail this challenge because she gets excited about clearing floors or meeting her parents."

"So the final day is for Ais to adjust her mindset."

"This is one of the things I’ve taught her. Adventurers must always be prepared—especially before facing something important."

It was the guidance of a teacher to a student.

Ais drew in a deep breath and silently committed every word to heart.

She knew her teacher’s style, and she knew the attitude toward battle that he had taught her. She had never slacked, and she hadn’t let her excitement about seeing her parents show on her face.

Her teacher was right. Everything he emphasized was something she needed to keep in mind.

Ais held those teachings close.

At the same time, she focused intently on another matter as well.

This challenge meant facing the pressure from her parents head-on. No tricks, no shortcuts.

Bell looked at her again as he continued.

"Ais, I want you to adjust your mindset over the next three days."

"You have one chance to show your parents everything you’ve learned. Whether you fail or succeed afterward, I’ll still give you the qualification to reach Level 8. But can you accept that in your heart?"

A brilliant determination shone in Ais’s eyes.

"Teacher, I will."

"I absolutely won’t waste this chance. This is my challenge—and my way of showing Dad and Mama that I have the resolve to live in this city. I’ll prove to them that I can accept the inheritance they left me."