is it wrong to try to build a criminal Empire?

1 month and 4 days since joining Hestia familia.

3 days since joining Takemikazuchi party.

---

"How is your new party?" Hestia asked while holding out All For One's updated status sheet. Her expression held a soft smile, but something about her unusual calmness felt forced.

"They are acceptable," he answered simply, reaching for the paper. "They're planning to explore the 13th floor tomorrow." He glanced over his updated stats.

---

Bell Cranel: Level 1 Adventurer

Strength: 289 → 296 G

Endurance: 141 → 145 H

Dexterity: 132 → 135 H

Agility: 215 → 222 G

Magic: 160 → 165 H

Skills:

All For One, Feral Clarity, Durak'gor

Magic:

Fireball, Raijin, Hellhound X5

Development Abilities:

Abnormal Resistance I

---

Another notable jump in his strength and agility parameters. He should ask Hestia about it later.

After memorizing the numbers, he ignited the paper with a small flame from his fingertip, watching it crumble into ashes.

His gaze returned to Hestia, who remained seated, her eyes lingering on him with the same unnerving calmness.

"Is something wrong?" All For One asked, his tone even, though he suspected where this conversation was headed.

"You know, Bell-kun~," she said, her voice sweet but laced with tension. "I had a chat with Hep-chan about Development Abilities."

All For One's eyes twitched slightly. Here she goes again.

It had been three days since he and Welf had started diving with the Takemikazuchi Familia. While the silent treatment from them persisted, Mikoto had been friendly enough, which lessened Welf's complaints.

A win for him.

During his status update that evening, he had noticed Abnormal Resistance appear—it was likely the ability that cat-person possessed.

Unfortunately, Hestia had noticed the new ability as well, a rather unpleasant outcome.

Oddly enough, she had initially convinced herself that this—Development Abilities typically only manifesting in Level 2 adventurers—was natural. An unusually optimistic conclusion, even for her.

But it seemed she had finally put the pieces together.

"Let's cut to the point," All For One said abruptly, his tone curt. The shift startled Hestia, momentarily breaking her composure.

"I stole it," he admitted bluntly. "From a gang member—a particularly unpleasant one, at that."

The restrictions imposed by Hestia for using his quirk were getting annoying. If he were to continue gaining power at the necessary rate, he needed to reach a compromise with her.

"So you admit it!" Hestia exclaimed, pointing an accusatory finger at him. "Why don't you ever listen to me?! I'm doing this to protect you!" Her voice cracked, her emotions spilling over.

Her child was already a target; she didn't want to see the list of his enemies grow.

All For One chose his next words carefully. "It's my job to protect you," he said, his voice softening as he stepped closer. "To do that, I need power."

Hestia looked down. "I know that," she muttered, her voice barely audible. "But is it necessary to kill for that power?"

Her teary eyes met his. "Why not stop here? Is it not enough?" Her words wavered, small tears sliding down her cheeks, leaving her visibly vulnerable.

All For One regarded her carefully, noting the trembling of her hands and the genuine sorrow in her expression, and for a moment, he felt a twinge of hesitation.

Perhaps he had been too harsh.

He made a mistake, one that needed immediate correction.

Without warning, he stepped forward and wrapped his arms around her.

"Bell...?" she asked hesitantly, caught off guard by his uncharacteristic gesture.

"I'm sorry," he said softly.

Hestia sighed deeply, her voice laced with disappointment. "You're lying, dummy," she murmured, though her arms instinctively wrapped around him in return. "I told you mortals can't lie to gods."

She wanted to believe him, desperately so, but experience had taught her better. His empty words had hurt her trust far too many times before.

"I am not sorry for using my power," he admitted, his tone resolute.

Hestia's heart sank further. Why does she keep hoping for something better? Bell will always break his promises...

"But," he continued, tightening his embrace, "I'm sorry for making you worry." His tone shifted, sincerity creeping into his words.

He wasn't lying.

"Bell...?" she whispered, her eyes wide.

He released her slowly, and as her gaze followed his face, she caught sight of faint tears slipping down his cheeks.

'Bell-kun is crying?!' she thought, stunned.

Her mind raced with conflicting emotions. Has she been too harsh?

"I was reckless and made you worry," he said quietly, wiping slowly at the corner of his eyes. "I'm sorry." He looked away, unable to meet her eyes.

Another truth...

Was this the true face of her Bell-kun? A fragile, vulnerable child?

Oh, her sweet boy...

"Oh, Bell-kun..." She threw her arms around him again, holding him tightly. "I'm so sorry! Your goddess was being too unreasonable!"

All For One returned the embrace gently, his features soft.

In truth, he hadn't lied; he had just exaggerated his emotions, and it seemed that it worked wonders.

Now, it's the perfect time to present his compromise.

"Goddess?" he called softly, his tone steady and reassuring.

Hestia hummed in response, still clinging to him.

"I believe I have found a way that doesn't involve killing," he said, his tone calm and measured, his lips curling into a reassuring smile.

Hestia pulled back slightly, her blue eyes locking with his crimson ones. She wanted to believe him—needed to believe him. Even her divine powers confirmed his honesty, yet doubt lingered in her heart.

"Really?" she asked, her voice cautious and tinged with uncertainty.

"Indeed," he replied, his tone unwavering. "I have no desire to see you in pain because of my actions."

He reached out gently, taking her right hand in his. His grip was firm yet protective, his touch Carried a practiced reassurance. "All I need is your approval," he said softly, his voice almost tender.

Hestia couldn't shake the feeling that this new alternative might not be to her liking. Still, she would listen to her child—what else could she do?

He truly is a handful, her little headache...

---

To help visualize All For One as Bell Cranel, I put together a picture that combines their features as accurately as I could.

(Image)

Apologies for the short chapter! I accidentally deleted Chapter 21 and was only able to salvage this part of it. I wasn't in the mood to rewrite the rest, especially since I plan to revise its content, so you'll have to wait a bit longer for the full version.

I've started adding dates to show how much time has passed since All For One teleported to the Danmachi world. This also highlights the speed of his progress. I hope you find it helpful!

As the hype for this fanfiction is pretty much non-existent and only a small group of you are reading, I've decided to take my time with new chapters. I've noticed that extra time lets me create something much better—just compare the quality of Chapter 1 to Chapter 20, for example!

I hope you enjoyed this short emotional moment between our friendly neighborhood demon lord and his adorable little goddess.

Spoiler alert: He didn't manipulate her this time—he's just a tsundere hiding behind a façade of manipulation.

I call this Character Development! Who knew All For One had the potential to grow beyond being a edgy villain? What a twist!

Thank you so much for reading all of this. You're truly a dedicated fan!