Author's note:
Hello again,
I finished this chapter quite quickly this time, which is always nice. It was however, fairly easy to write compared to some others. Hopefully you find it somewhat enjoyable at least.
On a completely unrelated note, I'm going to try and play Alicization Lycoris. I'm not sure if it has much of an online component, but if it does and you want to play, send me a DM. I'll be on PS4, NA if it matters.
Once again, enjoy, and there will be another chapter before I peace out for August.
Later!
Chapter 28: The Battle of Wills
Knossos:
"Hehe, so three weeks left, ya?" The god asked, his head leaning on his hand, kept up by his elbow resting on his knee. His dark blue eyes matched his hair, which the god wore long, bangs parted down the middle so that he could see.
"That is correct," PoH confirmed to his god, not bothering to bow. "…"
"Ah, you're a shy one," the god Ikelos laughed, a twisted smile contorting his face. "I remember my last leader, that guy sure was crooked. He would say whatever was on his mind, didn't care how I would feel about it."
"Fine. I don't think we should go along with Thanatos' plan."
"Oh," Ikelos laughed again, finding entertainment in the mortals' ploy. "Why? I've heard he is a solid strategist. Did the guy finally crack from all the darkness in this place?"
"It isn't that…" PoH denied, finding a strange emotion rising within him. The last time he felt something similar… yes, it was back on the tenth floor. When that bitch had managed to fend him off. Embarrassment. "Many of us will die. It is an unnecessary risk."
"Hmm… While I certainly owe Thanatos a debt for giving us somewhere to live, you may have a point. However… As always, I don't care what you children do as long as you keep me entertained. If you really want to pull out of it, talk to Marloon, as head of our familia, she is the one you need to convince."
"…It isn't that I'm scared of dying," PoH replied, feeling a strange need to defend himself. "I just think we can do this smarter, break more pantry crystals, set traps."
"Hide in the shadows and use monsters to kill adventurers, yadda yadda yadda. You're still talking like an assassin from your world. The thing is, adventurers here are pretty dramatic. They like putting on shows, epic fights to the death. Long monologues explaining their motivations, they love shit like that. All because us gods love that stuff!"
"So… they'll kill themselves… to put on a show?"
"Maybe," Ikelos shrugged, not really interested in going into semantics. "Or maybe they just want to die, bringing terror to their enemies. Getting rid of those that will inhibit their way of living."
"…I don't trust Thanatos'… followers." Spitting out the word, PoH shook his head under his hood. He still couldn't comprehend how many the god had whom believed in him. "They're too eager to die. If it suits them, they will take us with them."
Ikelos merely shrugged. "Like I said, I don't care. Just remember, entertain me."
"Fine." Realizing he wouldn't get anything from his god, PoH left, stalking off to find the familia captain.
Bell:
"Are you sure we should be down here?" Lili asked for the fifth time. "I know how good you are, and you seem to be getting stronger at an impressive rate, but still."
"I can handle it," I assure her. I hope. Holding down my uncertainties, yesterday's memories push me on. Level 3. In some ways, it seems so low to me, so weak. Yet in others, it's insanely impressive. Especially in the time frame it was accomplished. A time frame I aim to surpass. To do so, I am pushing myself further than I've ever gone before.
The seventh floor.
A floor I had never even considered to be a challenge. Growing up my head was filled with stories from the deep floors. Dragons that shoot between floors, whole platoons of fomoire, floor bosses shooting spikes from the floor.
Now though, I knew better. Lili had lectured me thoroughly how tough the shells of Killer Ants are. Likewise, on the higher floors, Lili had carefully instructed me on the strengths of every monster. Without exaggerating, I can confidently say that she is the only reason I am still alive. My fits of anger and desperation when I throw myself forward would have been deadly without both her knowledge and presence as my supporter.
"Well… If I tell you we're leaving, you better follow! Otherwise Lili will leave you behind, I really will this time!"
Smiling at her, I can't help but feel warm from her words. I know that she'll never leave my side. She's proved that more than enough times already. All that's left to determine is if I can kill these monsters. Make sure that I can keep Lili safe.
Descending the sixth-floor stairs, we enter onto the seventh. Instantly, the floor gives off a different aura. The floor has continued the strategy of getting darker than the previous. Other than that, it appears to almost the same, expect for how it feels. This floor has a tension to it, enough to raise the hair on the back of my neck.
"Stay close to me Lili."
"Of course," the girl sniffs back. "Who knows what you'll get up to without me there."
"H-Hey!" I protest weakly.
"You know its true." She continues ruthlessly. "You're too emotional."
"Like you're one to talk," I fire back without thinking.
"…I think my ears must not be working. Because you couldn't have said what I thought you did. It just wouldn't make sense for you to ask me to kill you."
"Uhh… I-I said…" Trailing off, I felt lost. This always happened to me with women. Especially a cute one like Lili, or the goddess, or.
The goddess?
Shaking my head wildly, I find my cheeks hot. I don't know why she would have popped into my head.
"You said…" Lili pushed.
"T-that I was going to take you out for supper after the dungeon?"
"Why thank you for the invitation Bell. I will gladly accept."
"Ha…" One bullet avoided; I focus back unto the floor itself. We've passed a few groups of adventurers, more than we encountered on the first five floors. It seemed like Lili's information was correct when she was telling me about the dungeon and the places adventurers conglomerate. The seventh to twelfth are apparently the most packed, the majority of adventurers possessing statuses that keep them within that range. When I thought about it that way, I began to understand Lili's hesitation and disbelief. I am trying to join their ranks after only a week of adventuring.
"Good," Lili nods noticing the other groups. "At least there will be other parties to dump our monsters on if we get overwhelmed."
"Lili," I try to assure her. "I have this. My body is moving well."
"Tsk, this floor isn't just about raw strength. I can help a little, but in general, you are on your own. One slip-up, one error in strategy and suddenly that Killer Ant that you injured has called ten of its companions. Coming from all sides they tear you limb from limb."
"L-Lili…"
"So, to stop that from happening, you run when I tell you to."
"…Yes," sighing, I break down and accept the girl's logic. She has stayed calm even during our closest calls. The more we adventure, the more I respect her. She has a head for this stuff. Finding places to fight monsters, determining which groups we can fight head-on, when we need to thin their numbers.
I trust her completely. So, if she tells me to run, I'll run. Mind made up, I don't know why that was so hard for me. Of course I should listen to my supporter who has years of experience clearing these floors.
Level 3.
Oh right.
With just those two words, running no longer sounds appealing. A desire rises within me. A desire to slaughter monsters, to push myself harder, faster, to catch up. To do so, I stalk forward, heading deeper into the floor. Head whipping side to side, I quickly locate a scuttling noise.
Legs pumping, I speed up to a jog, skidding around the next corner to find a Killer Ant. The beasts are exactly as Lili had described. A dull red, almost crimson colour. About a meter long, their only weapons are the mandibles on their jaw. However, its carapace sparkles under the dim light. It looks hard.
Drawing the knife I'd switched to, I found the style strangely comfortable. It fit me better than the short sword, although I realized the benefits of mastering multiple styles and weapons. For now, I would focus on mastering the dagger. Squaring off against this killer ant, I wasn't quite sure where my weapon fell in feasibility against it.
But I can figure it out while fighting!
Diving forward, I put pressure on my left leg, jerking my body away from its strike. The mandibles closing around the space I had been less than a second later with a chilling snap. Lili was right, these things aren't to be underestimated. Each one moves with the speed of a wall shadow, those pincers snapping shut with the power necessary to rip a limb off.
Undaunted by the opponent, I continue to move around it, swiping with my knife. The ant jerks in response, trying to answer my feint by retreating.
Twirling, I strike the creature with my heel. The metalled boot rings clearly off its carapace as the ant is thrown into a nearby wall. With a thump, it lands back on the ground, legs shakily holding it up.
Surprised by its tenacity, I see my chance to finish it off. Leaping in the air, I bring my knife down hard on the space between its head and thorax. An area with no armour.
A small tug of resistance pulled on my knife before it passed through. Smiling, I stared down at the beheaded corpse. My first fight on the seventh floor went smoothly. Not a scratch on me.
"Very good master Bell!" Lili praised me.
As usual, her name for me made me both embarrassed and sent a burst of pride. It seemed to be the title that she used for adventurers. One that I was not yet worthy of. "Thank you. You're right though, that armour looks hard."
"You doubted Lili's advice? So cruel…"
"Ahh… That's not it. I just… Umm… Was acknowledging how correct it was…"
"Much better." Standing up from where she had deftly extracted the magic stone, Lili shoots me a pleased smile. "You'll be a proper gentleman in no time!"
"H-Hey," I protest weakly. "I'm already buying you supper after this…"
"Exactly!" Lili agrees happily, bouncing as she walks beside me. "A definite improvement over Mr. Sulky back in that shack."
"Ugh…" I have no reply for her words, they strike a clean blow to my consciousness. I certainly wasn't friendly to Lili back when I thought she was one of Hermes' pawns.
"Actually," Lili continues, appearing to be in a surprisingly good mood despite the worrying before about the increase in difficulty on the seventh floor. "If you want to learn to be a better gentleman, you could ask Kirito for some tips. Lili thinks he has some very smooth lines."
"Grr…" Gritting my teeth, that was the last name I wanted to hear right now. Level 3. Seeing the whole familia, and even friends heap so much praise on him for his actions. To hang off his every word. But mainly… It hurt because I may have been wrong. Thinking on it now, joining a familia and then getting mad at its captain on the first day may not have been the smartest move.
I don't know if Lili picks up on my animosity, but she doesn't press any further. With a bubble of silence springing up between us, we walk further down the rust-tinged corridor. Noises can still easily be heard. Roars and shouts of combat that echo through the cramped spaces. Numerous parties caught in battle sound in the vicinity. Heading away from the combat, it isn't long before silence reigns, only far-off noises keeping us company.
"Huh," I comment, "I thought there would be more…"
Crack!
"You just had to say it, didn't you?" Lili sighs, backing up to cover my flanks.
"Hee, sorry." Offering a brief apology, I prepare my knife as the wall next to us cracks. After a brief pause, there's an explosion of shrapnel from the wall as another Killer Ant drops out, fully formed. While it isn't my first time witnessing a birthing event, it is still shocking. Freezing slightly, I lose my chance as the Ant takes in its surroundings, red eyes glowing with hate as it focuses on me.
"Hiyah!" Diving forward, I strike at it with my knife, attempting to pierce its eye slot.
"Kreee!" Crying back at me, the ant lunges in return, trying at bite at my arm.
Too fast for the creature, I get inside it and strike. The tip of my knife colliding solidly with the Ant's head.
Crack!
For a second time, I hear a loud crack as the Ant is tossed backwards against the wall, only a small cut in its carapace where my knife dented it. Looking down at my knife, my heart stops for a moment in horror. The crack didn't come from the carapace breaking, it came from my knife. It snapped cleanly in half; four inches of steel jutted out in a ragged line from the handle.
"Oh…"
"…"
"Is this when we run?" I ask weakly.
"Yes," Lili nods quickly. "This is the part where we run."
As the killer Ant stands back up, I see its legs tensing for a charge. Throwing the handle as a distraction, the Ant flinches giving me enough time to pull Lili away.
Dashing through the halls, we flee as the injured wails of the killer ant follow us, drawing more of its kind. Running past another group of adventurers, their eyes track us, and their laughter soon after. Ducking my head in embarrassment, there was little I could do but keep pace with Lili as we headed back to the surface. If my knife broke here, then my weaker short sword wouldn't have much of a chance.
Damn it!
Anger pulsing through me, I felt like an idiot. Hot tears began to run down my cheeks. Wiping them away quickly, I felt even stupider.
What the hell am I crying for!?
My parents never cried. No, the great adventurers I looked up to were invincible. Each and every one of them seasoned from years of combat. But I'd never felt so humiliated. The laughingstock of adventurers. Some cocky kid that went one floor too far and was sent running with my tail between my legs.
I bet Kirito never ran from these things.
As the thought courses through me, memories of yesterday come back. During the trip to the surface, I recall the events of supper.
"Everyone!" Hestia cheered, standing up at the head of the table. "Congratulations on surviving your exhibition and defeating a floor boss to do so!"
"Yeah!" Everyone let out a loud cheer in celebration. Excitement filling them as the final tensions of their adventurers left. Hestia, Miach, even Takemikazuchi familia had packed the first floor of the church.
Sitting beside Lili, I stared at the goings-on from afar. It was so joyous, it felt like a family. Something I was only now realizing I was missing. Something I wanted to get back. Yet, I wasn't a part of the celebration. Like the pair of Miach familia members that were also sulking in the back, uninvolved in the festivities. All we could do is watch and marvel, guessing at what it must have felt like to be there, to endure the battles together.
"And, I have another important update to announce!" Hestia continued, her high-pitched voice travelling easily through the room.
"H-Hestia…" Kirito muttered awkwardly form beside her, shifting under the attention as she turns her eyes on him.
"Kirito has hit level three from this expedition! I have here his last status update from level two! Reaching level three Kirito has gained new ma…"
"Hestia!" Kirito pled desperately interrupting her. "We all did our best to defeat the floor boss. Please don't make this all about me."
"Hmm, fine. Well then… Cheers!"
"CHEERS!" The room roared back, eager to partake in the food and drink that had been provided.
Yet as the others dug in, my eyes were focused on one thing alone. The sheet slowly making its way around the table. The status update. Some of the others were pausing to look at, muttering in awe at one thing or the other. Eyes burning a hole in it, I waited impatiently until it reached me.
The numbers are forevermore burned into my memory.
Kirito
Level Two
Strength: A 804 → S 921 Defense: C 661 → B 742 Utility: B 730 → A 824 Agility: A 852 → S 960 Magic: D 555 → C 666
So strong…
Snapping out the memory, I step onto the cool white tiles of Babel. Driven out of the dungeon after only a few hours. "Hey Lili, what do you say we turn that supper into lunch?"
"I was coincidently thinking the same thing master Bell. Then we can use the evening to talk about weapons. Maybe finding you a blacksmith if you're going to go through them like this."
"Ha," Laughing quietly, I felt some humour return as Lili tried to lighten the mood. She could probably tell how discouraged I felt from today's events. Giving her a half-hearted smile, we went off to the exchange together, then to get some food.
Lisbeth:
"…"
"…"
"…"
"Damn it!" Welf swore, slamming a fist against the wall. "I can't do anything with you kneeling there. When the fuck are you going to leave!?"
"…When you agree to teach me," I answer, thoughts returning from the ether they had drifted to. As they do, I gain a new appreciation for the brutally hard stone beneath my knees. How my belt digs into my stomach. Minor inconveniences usually. When they continue for hours…
"I already said it! I hate magic swords! Why on earth would I teach you how to give second-rate garbage to your adventurers? To people who need good, hard sharp steel to carry them?"
"Is that really enough?" I speak, words muffled by the floor. "Are weapons and wit enough to surpass all of the dungeons tricks? If you can honestly say yes, then I will leave."
"Tck… Whatever." Welf grunts, stoking the fire again. Glancing up, I track him through the shadows he leaves on the floor. With my forehead on the cool stone, there is little else to do. After another moment, the banging begins. Another forging attempt. Large, angry swings. I don't know what metal Welf has selected for the forging, but I doubt it is going well.
The metal isn't… singing. That's the word. When each blow lands correctly, it releases a soothing resonance as it bends to your will. Becoming harder than ever before as it takes on its final form.
"Damn it!"
More swearing. A small smirk places across my face. I can feel it. Welf is slowly breaking. I can do this! Determination stoking within me, I wait patiently, trying to ignore my screaming knees, my locked muscles. If this is all it takes, it will have been a cheap price to pay.
I will protect you Kirito.
"Why?"
"…Why what?" I answer, the question surprising me. I notice that the hammering has stopped. With a large hiss, Welf banks the forge, no more smithing to do for the day.
"Why are you going this far? I just don't get it."
"Of course you don't." I bite back. "Your pride is more important than your friends. You don't have someone you would do anything for. Go to any length to protect. That's the difference between us."
"Go home." Welf intoned angrily, my words cutting deep. "You're nothing but a third-rate smith out to steal techniques. Maybe after three more years of forging you'll have learned some common sense."
The words hurt.
Wincing, I wanted to deny them. To call Welf out that he is making things up because he is angry. But I can feel it. That's his honest impression of my skills.
"…I know."
"What?"
"I know I'm not as skilled as you are. That's why… Please, I'm begging you to help me protect the ones I care about."
"…I'm going home for the night. Don't be here in the morning."
"I won't be," I assure Welf. I find my determination as high as ever. While his words hurt, I'm more sure of my path now than I was before.
"Good," he nods strongly.
As he tidies up his shop and puts his equipment away, I begin the long process of pulling myself off the floor. Each joint hurts as I awaken them from their six-hour siesta on the floor. "Ahh!" Letting out a cry, I find my leg giving out. Stumbling to the side, I find an arm stabilizing me.
"Tch, can't even stand anymore. Whatever, crawl home if you have to."
With that, Welf releases me. Slightly off balance, I was able to stay upright due to his help. As he exits the forge, I follow, stumbling awkwardly. Neither of my knees bend properly as I stagger back and forth.
Locking the door behind me, I stand and wait for Welf to finish. Throwing up a hand of farewell, a smile crosses Welf's face, a victorious one. As he turns his back, an answering one splits my lips. As he begins walking, I follow.
The direction is one I've never gone before. Due to the size of Hephaistos familia, our familia is spread across Orario. While members are always welcome at our central home, there are numerous smaller 'dormitories' near the industrial sections of the city. Welf lives in one of these, close to his forge I believe.
Groaning, I force my legs faster, Welf's pace is ruthless. An angry stride that eats up ground. Something my body in unable to do as the blood tries to flow again. "Gah!" Shouting, I trip and eat dirt when my knees lock. "Shit!"
Cursing, I quickly push myself back up. I'll lose him at the pace he's travelling. It will be annoying to ask around to find his residence as well. When I finally pull myself upright, Welf is right there. His face a thunderhead as he stares at me angrily with his gray-blue eyes.
"What the hell do you think you're doing?"
"Following you?"
"I can see that! WHY!?"
"Why what?" I reply innocently.
"WHY ARE YOU FOLLOWING ME!? GO THE HELL HOME LIKE YOU SAID YOU WERE!"
"I never said that," I deny him with a smile. "You said that. I just said that I wouldn't be at the forge in the morning."
"…Which means you're going home."
"No, it means I'll be in your room when you wake up."
"W-What!?" Welf shrieked, the most thrown-off I've ever seen him. "Y-You think you can get me to teach you by… By s-slee sleep…"
"N-NO!" I reject him, blushing as I realize the obvious connection he had made from my ambiguous words. "I'm going to be kneeling beside your bed the entire night. Hopefully in the morning you will be less hard-headed."
"Hell no!" Welf shoots me down. "There's no way I'll be able to sleep with you there!"
"That's your problem," I shrug. "This could all be solved if you give in."
"Grr… I'm going to have myself a nice sleep, behind my locked door. Good night."
Once again, I'm left behind as Welf angrily stalks away. Trying to keep up, I find the time spent standing still has greatly benefitted my mobility. With a level two status aiding my recovery, I'm able to keep up.
His dorm is only another block away. It's a squat two-floor building that desperately needs renovations. The wooden sides are wavy from years of rain damage and the shingles in the roof are starting to pull up. For a bunch of craftsmen… I expected it to look better.
Keeping my mouth shut, I don't want to worsen my case any more than I already have. Walking through the entranceway, I stay tight behind Welf. I probably won't know anyone living here despite being in the same familia, and don't want them kicking me out as a stranger.
All thoughts of that fade, however, as a wall of smell hits me. Combined with laughter, I can practically see the trail of delicious fumes that would lead me to a dining area. Foooood.
How long has it been since I've eaten?
As the hole in my stomach rumbles, I try and think back. Around noon is when I approached Welf, skipping lunch. Then for breakfast, I only had a small bite due to the butterflies circling around. Thankfully they had faded, but I lamented my choice to skip those two meals. I should have known how stubborn Welf is.
Preparing to head to the kitchen, my heart sinks as Welf turns and heads right for the stairs up. Consigning myself to a miserable night, I trail along once again. As I do, a couple of men exit from the kitchen.
"Hey Welf, supper is still hot if you want some."
"I'm good, thanks." Welf growls back as he begins to plod up the stairs.
"Oh…" The second one smiles knowingly. "You've got something better to eat tonight I see."
Trying to contain my blush, I can see the words affecting Welf as well as the back of his neck heats up. "It's not like that you idiots! She's just… Never mind."
Leaving the chuckling men behind we finish our ascent. The second floor is how I always imagined dorms to be. Tight hallways with rooms packed on either side. Welf stalked down one of the identical sides, floor creaking in protest under his heavy boots.
"Hey there Welf!" Yet another resident greeted him, coming from the far side. The member was a dwarf, short and quite overweight. A large beard covered much of his round face.
"Greg," Welf answered, more politely than I expected. They were probably on good terms, most of the time anyway.
"You know… I was thinking about maybe hitting up the, uh… You know, that district if you want to tag alone. Been pretty lon…"
Words trailing off, the dwarf finally noticed me. I couldn't make heads or tails of his words though. Where did he want to go?
"Ah, I guess you already have company for the night… Guess I'll go find some others to drink with."
"I-It isn't like that!" Welf protested. "I'm teaching her!"
"Teaching? Wait… They'll do that if you offer to teach them! Why didn't you tell me this earlier!?"
"T-That's not…" Welf trailed off as Greg stumbled past us, a happy smile on his face.
"So… You go there a lot?"
"N-No…"
"But you do go?" I question Welf sharply, trying to contain my embarrassment. I don't know what I expected, but I thought Welf wasn't like that. He always seemed so happy when he forged things that I never expected…
"I-I mean, I have been there. B-But I don't use the services!"
"…Whatever. Let's get this over with."
"R-Right… Wait, get what over with? And why are you still following me!?"
"I told you, you're going to try and fall asleep, but I'll be there disturbing you. That's when your guilty consciousness kicks in and you agree to teach me."
"…Never." Shooting me down, Welf continues to stalk away, still flushed. "And I'm never going to agree!"
Smirking at his back, I do feel a small crack in my confidence. If Welf actually manages to fall asleep have a good night's rest… Will I really be able to keep up? Nothing left to do but trust in my spur of the moment plan, I continue along as we finally reach a door that appears to be his.
Forced to stop, Welf unlocks it and then walks in. Tailing him tightly, I'm forced, once again, to stop as Welf whirls around, a look of disbelief on his face. "You actually thought I'd let you in."
"Huh?" Feeling his hand on my shoulder, I stumble as he pushes me away. Surprised by my weakness I fall to the ground, slamming my head against the far wall. "Ow!"
"…Sorry Liz… but go home."
"Hey!" Trying to crawl forward I'm too slow as the door shuts in front of me, lock clicking in place. Fist shaking in anger, I debate for a minute breaking the door down. I know I have to power to do so, but that seems counterproductive. With nothing for it, I take up the position yet again, my forehead leaning against the bottom of the door. "I will prove my will to you…"
Hestia:
"Sounds frightening." Hestia speaks as she finishes Bell's status update. The early afternoon light illuminates the goddess' room. The biggest room in the house that was produced during the renovations. While she had initially wanted to stay downstairs, the others persuaded her to take this room. "So, you two ran all the way from the seventh back to the surface?"
"Ahh, I mean… Not quite." Bell stuttered in response to Hestia's teasing.
So cute!
Hestia giggled as she looked down at Bell's red-tinged skin. There were moments when Bell looked so hard, so world-weary that she was instinctively shied away from him. At times like this however… She wanted to hold the white rabbit boy close to her. His big red eyes staring lovingly up at her…
Shaking her head, Hestia tried to dismiss the thoughts and focus on the status update. Copying the numbers, she returned the sheet to Bell. Even after the other adventurers she had in her familia and had watched grow… there was something strange about Bell's. Even with that strange skill, he was growing as fast, maybe even faster than the others. "Are you really from this world?" Hestia found herself asking.
"Yes." Bell answered simply from beneath her.
"Huh." Taking one last look at the sheet, Hestia gave Bell the result of his last three or so days in the dungeon.
Bell Cranel
Level One
Strength: G 204 → G 281 Defense: I 91 → H 142 Utility: H 197 → G 274 Agility: F 332 → E 407 Magic: I 0 → I 0
Magic: ( )
Skills:
Lia? Frie$? (Dark Desire) – A strong desire increases rate of growth. The stronger the desire, the stronger the growth.
If Hestia was being honest, the skill still freaked her out. The way it seemed distorted in a way. As if an event in his life and mutated the potential he had inside. Even with the ability to look at his excelia, Hestia couldn't deduce any more than that. Not until Bell himself divulged his secrets.
"That's good growth," Bell mutters. "I should have enough power to cut through Killer ants with this."
"What are you going to do for a weapon?" Hestia asks. Only now as her adventurers mature does Hestia realize how little she has done for them as their goddess. Especially Kirito who had to take care of her at the beginning.
Wincing, Bell responds, his voice filled with uncertainty. "I-I'm not sure. I'll talk to Lili about it…"
Nodding magnanimously, Hestia wished she had something to add. Some goddess level wisdom to bestow upon her uncertain follower.
"Hey, Hestia… Do you think I'll develop magic?"
"How am I supposed to know?" Hestia replies, shrugging back. "All of the other kids have so far, and you have a slot for one, but…"
"But?"
"I've heard that magic has something to do with knowledge. Do you read any?"
"Ha… No."
Smiling at her abashed child, Hestia couldn't help but rub his head. His hair was as soft and fluffy as it appeared to be. "Well, keep your chin up and keep pushing forward! Now, let's go talk to Ms. Supporter about weapons!"
Feeling energized, Hestia led the boy downstairs to where Lili was still working. The girl put so much effort in that she made Hestia feel bad. Even after enduring Bell's long dungeon sessions, the girl had meticulously gone over finances and expenditures for the familia. Sitting beside her was Yui, the two girls of a height. From some reason Hestia couldn't quite figure out, Yui was exceptionally skilled at adding figures together for Lili. It had turned into some kind of a game between them. Lili listing a long number of figures and seeing how long it took Yui to generate the correct number.
"Hey, you two," Hestia greeted them, sitting down on the other side of them.
"Goddess Hestia."
"Mama!"
"It's good to see you too," Hestia smiled, Yui's warm smile never failing to warm her heart. "But Lili, Bell said the two of you were going to talk about weapons?"
"I-It isn't like I'm an expert," Lili admits, putting the ledgers down for a bit. "I-It's just well… Bell is still a beginner, so he should be using a weapon for one…" Casting an uncomfortable glance at the aforementioned boy, Lili keeps talking. "He grows so fast, the weapons become useless too quickly. Soo… I guess I was considering an investment into a higher quality weapon, the only issue is of course…"
"Money?" Bell teases.
Hestia laughs along with the boy, even as the prum girl glowers at them.
"Yes!" Lili answers angrily. "Money is a problem Hestia! I would have thought living in poverty would have taught you that lesson!" Releasing a heavy sigh, the prum girl massages her temples. "Before I continue, here take this. It's from the guild."
Uneasily stretching out her hand, Hestia quickly scanned over the document. "Oh, so they've increased our familia rank based on recent accomplishments, that's good!" Put in a better mood, Hestia kept reading the document. More importantly, the new responsibilities thrust upon them as a familia on the up and up. Suddenly, that good mood came crashing back down. "T-Two million in taxes… Due every six months!?" Hestia lamented. "…along with bimonthly expeditions."
Collapsing to the table, Hestia didn't know what to do. She thought that the worst was over. With a larger home and more members things were supposed to be getting easier. Less stress, less chance of death, all became more chances at reading. Days gone by where Hestia could, without a care in the world, put her feet up and read from morning to night. All sorts of crazy adventures and plots that the mortals could come up with.
"Yes," Lili nodded grimly. "The familia rank is C. Which I personally find ludicrous. It must have been assigned purely on the basis that Kirito will hit level four in record time, giving the familia someone who can stand toe-to-toe with anyone in orario."
"Ugh…" Hestia groaned again, not really caring for the semantics of it all. "What else were you going to say?"
"That I've heard high quality weapons are bad for beginning adventurers, but I don't really know much about it. I thought you would since you've gone through this before with the others."
"Uhh…" Put on the spot, Hestia flinched under the pressure. "T-To be honest… They never really talked to me about it…" As she thought about, Hestia realized she had no idea what most of her children did for weapons. Kirito was contracted to one of Hephaistos' members…
"Hephaistos!" Shooting out of her chair, Hestia flashed the three of them a big thumbs-up. "Don't you fear, your goddess is better connected than you think!"
"You know Hephaestus?" Bell asked, a tinge of awe colouring his voice. "Her familia has been the best blacksmithing familia in Orario for… Centuries!"
"Hehe, you bet," Hestia winks at him, chest swelling with pride. With a mission in mind, Hestia grabbed her cloak and threw it over her shoulders.
"Will she really be okay with you just dropping in on her?" Lili asked apprehensively.
"Don't worry about it," Hestia tried to assure the girl once more. We're friends! Who do you think found this church for me!"
Leaving that last line as a parting, Hestia strolled out of the house. Letting the door swing shut behind her, Hestia turned to face the structure. It kept much of its religious symbology even after the construction work. Hestia thought it was beautiful. The two-story façade that accepted people in Hestia familia home. Proud of how far she had come as a goddess, and the leader of a familia.
With an undaunted smile, she strode toward the main Hephaistos store located on West main. The busy thoroughfare was quite a way from the church. Flagging down a taxi, Hestia hopped in the back of the horse-drawn cart and gave the driver instructions.
"Yes, ma'am!"
As the cart lumbered off, Hestia got to appreciate the city from a different viewpoint. Above the crowd, everything looked different. Chatting with the driver, Hestia smiled wildly, happy about life despite the recent devastating news. No doubt Kirito would come home later and have a solution to the issues. Scoff at the two million vali number and assure Hestia he could make that in a couple of weeks with his new power.
Chuckling lightly at the thought, Hestia wondered if Kirito had used his new magic yet. It was an interesting type of magic. Something Hestia hadn't suspected would occur. How would the…
"Here!" The driver cheerily declared, bringing Hestia's mind back to the present.
"Thank you!"
"100 valis please."
"Okay! Keep the change!" Smiling at the driver, Hestia threw a bunch of coins into his hand before bouncing into the Hephaestus store.
"But this is only 100 valis…" Talking to the closed door, the driver left to find other passengers.
"Hehe…" Bounding up to the counter, Hestia smiled wildly at the bored looking worker sitting there, leaning heavily upon an elbow.
"What do you need goddess?" Their rough voice sounding like stones rubbing against each other.
"I'm here to see Hephaestus!" Hestia declared proudly.
"Huh?" Jerking upright, the man frantically began shifting through his notes. "Umm, let me see… wait, she doesn't have appointments today. In fact… she isn't even here, she's inspecting the shops in Babel."
"Thank you!" Turning around Hestia bounded away, undaunted by the fact that her first destination had been in vain. Hephaestus was a wily one, always bouncing around to different parts of the city, managing her various stores and chains and familia members.
"B-But… you don't have an appointment…" Once again, the man's words fell on deaf ears as the store door slammed shut behind Hestia. Sighing, the man went back to leaning on his elbow, waiting for his shift to end so that he could do some forging.
Not bothering to call another taxi, Hestia walked the distance to Babel. The store was only a few hundred metres from the great tower anyway. In no time, Hestia was crossing the well-maintained lawns and parks and broke into babel proper.
Skipping the main desk, Hestia shot straight for the elevator at the center. Once there though, she paused with the level. While it wasn't difficult to operate, Hestia realized that she had no idea where the Hephaestus stores were. Awkwardly exiting the elevator, Hestia gazed nervously around the central plaza. This wasn't the guild, there was no one to ask.
Except…
"Hey you, miss pointy ears!" Calling out, Hestia couldn't remember the girl's name from a few days ago. However, Kirito's advisor stood out in a crowd. Her feminine beauty was hard to miss, especially in that suit.
"Oh, Goddess Hestia. I'm sorry, but I need to inspect the Hephaestus stores today…"
"That's great! I was just looking for her!"
"…Well, I guess you can come along," Eina agreed reluctantly. "Please don't interfere with my inspection though."
"You can count on me not to!" Hestia agreed readily stepping into the elevator. Allowing the half-elf to operate the device, Hestia found her curiosity piqued. "So… Miss Elf, I guess I owe you thanks."
"Oh, I'm so sorry, my name is Eina, Goddess Hestia." Bowing politely to Hestia, Eina stopped the elevator on the sixth floor. "From here to the ninth are the Hephaestus stores. I'm not sure where the goddess is herself."
"That's alright," Hestia bowed slightly. "Once again, thank you for taking care of Kirito."
"Oh no," Eina blushed, "It's my pleasure. He's quite studious."
"Studious huh?" Hestia narrowed her eyes. The word had nothing to do with the Kirito in her head. The boy, whom like Bell, Hestia couldn't imagine reading a book. He'd fall asleep and beg someone else to summarize it for him.
"I had the same opinion at first," Eina admits. "But I found out that as long as you twist everything to make it how to kill monsters more efficiently, he laps it up."
"Haha," Giggling along with Eina, Hestia wasn't surprised that worked. There were times Hestia worried about the boy's obsession with the dungeon. Although that had recently transformed into worries about women. "My newest familia member may benefit from your instruction as well. He broke a weapon on a killer ant today."
"Which is why you're looking for Hephaestus?" Eina surmised.
"Yep!"
"Looking for me?" A cold voice cut in. "I thought you were doing better now Hestia. You better not be here to beg for anything…"
"Of course not!" Hestia replied turning around to face the vermillion-haired goddess. "I just needed to ask you questions."
"Umm… If I can interrupt quickly," Eina broke in hesitantly, "I'm from the guild, I'll be doing the inspections…"
"Ah yes. Please continue as you wish. I was just heading out." Hephaestus bowed slightly to Eina who returned the gesture but deeper. As Eina left, Hephaestus turned to Hestia and glared with her single eye. "I'm busy you know. Running a familia."
Wincing under the assault, Hestia spoke up to defend herself. "I-I swear I'm different now! I-I'll even buy you supper!"
"Oh?" Hephaestus muttered intrigued. "Maybe you have improved… Well, I'm heading back to my office to work. Convince me by the time we arrive."
"Will do!" Confidence returning, Hestia felt assured of her victory. Hephaestus could never reject her plights. Once in the elevator with only Hephaestus, Hestia felt that newfound confidence diminish somewhat. Her friend looked extremely distracted and not really in the mood to help. "I-I wanted to talk to you about weapons…"
"If you say you want a free weapon, I will never talk to you again," Hephaestus threatened, rubbing her forehead.
"O-Of course not! It's just… the children in my familia are growing so quickly, and we don't know what to do with weapons…"
"I believe one of them has a contract with one of my children. Perhaps the others should consider that route."
"W-wait!" Hestia pled as she tried to catch Hephaestus' coattails. The taller goddess leaving Hestia in the dust as she strode forward with long strides. "I only want advice! Surely you've encountered this problem and found a solution? Something about high-quality weapons being bad for rookie adventurers…"
Hephaestus finally stopped, her hand naturally finding her eyepatch to scratch. It was a habit she'd never managed to break. "You aren't wrong…" She admits softly. "You're buying supper? Then let's go, I know a place."
"Y-Yes!" Forced to follow along yet again, Hestia had to jog to keep up before Hephaestus realized and slowed down a bit.
"Sorry about that. I'm a little on edge right now." Hephaestus apologized as she led the way down west main. At this time of day, the main shopping district was still packed. Even being a pair of goddesses, they didn't get them much leeway as they forced their way through. Before too long, Hephaestus turned down another street and led Hestia into an emptier alleyway. One more turn and they were there.
"The Owl's Eye," Hestia read. The wood door stood propped open by a rock. The inside was sparsely accommodated. A low drone ringing over the occupants present. "Looks…" Seedy.
"It's quiet," Hephaestus answered. Explaining succinctly why she had chosen the bar. Entering with the confidence of someone who had been there before, Hephaestus signalled the bartender before sliding into an empty booth.
Wincing slightly at the grimy fabric, Hestia figured if Hephaestus wasn't complaining, then she couldn't either. Yet as she tried to emulate Hephaestus' slide, Hestia found her cloak sticking to the cushion. Shivering from disgust, Hestia almost fainted as her cloak made a ripping noise as it came off the seat.
"Ah… Sorry about that as well," Hephaestus chuckles upon seeing Hestia's expression. "It took me a long time to get over that as well."
"I don't know how you ever did…"
"Oh, well after a hundred years or so, it won't seem that bad."
"I suppose…" Hestia murmured. "I almost forgot how long you've been down here for."
"Time passes so quickly here some days… but now, this last year in particular has passed with frightening slowness. A strange malevolence hangs in the air…"
"H-Hephaestus?" Hestia inquired, scared at the strange poetic waxing her friend had indulged in.
"Forgive me," the vermillion-haired goddess smiled, "you wanted to talk about weapons, correct? Actually, this is…"
"May I take your order?"
Hestia's jaw almost dropped as she gazed upon the waiter that had shown up. Rather than the women most places try to recruit, this one was a prum. Not just any prum, but an extremely overweight prum to the point that Hestia wasn't sure if the man was taller or wider. If it was just that, she would have been able to get over it, but is was his attire. The suggestive suspenders that rose from his belt with no shirt on underneath.
"Oh, just the special for me," Hephaestus answered, completely unfazed.
"I-I guess I'll have the same…" Hestia weakly tagged on.
The waiter shot Hestia a suspicious glare before waddling away to fill the order.
"You really are quite kind…" Hephaestus muttered, shaking her head at Hestia.
"W-What are you talking about?"
"That man, almost any other deity would have teased him. Poked fun at his weight or something. Called him nicknames. You didn't do any of that."
"To be honest, I was more put off his clothes," Hestia smiled back, glad that conversation was flowing between them.
"Yeah," Hephaestus winced. "I think I'll need another hundred years to get used to them."
"Hehe," Chuckling lightly, Hestia waited in companionable silence until their drinks came. "W-What is this?" Hestia asked once the waiter had put the cups of brown sludge on the table.
"Umm… Beer? I think…"
"Hephaestus…"
"Sorry Hestia…"
"N-Never mind! I'm just happy I get to talk to you!" Hestia responded, forcing herself to try a sip. The liquid sloshed, not as viscous as it looked. "Gah!" Choking on the liquid, Hestia grabbed at her throat. "So… Bitter!"
"Hmm… You're right." Hephaestus nods thoughtfully after taking a long draught of her own glass. "It's more flavorful than usual."
"…Horrible isn't a flavor," Hestia complained glaring at her glass. But as Hephaestus took another long, pleasurable drink from hers, Hestia mustered the courage to try again. Taking a smaller sip, it was at least palatable this time. But the flavour…
"Anyway," Hephaesuts says to focus them, "weapons."
"Yes! Hestia chimed on, glad for an excuse to stop drinking. "I wanted to know what to do with adventurers that grow really fast. How do you get them the right weapons without having to replace it every week?"
"I understand," Hephaestus winced. "I've actually been bombarded with questions about this from other familias. Most of them came some months ago when the adventurers from the other world first arrived. Loki was perhaps the most insistent."
"Ehh? L-Loki already asked you for help with this!?"
"Of course," Hephaestus nodded. "Our familias get along… ahh, but I suppose the two of you don't…"
"Grr…"
Laughing at Hestia's stricken face, Hephaestus continued. "Do you know why top-tier familias don't just buy the highest quality gear for new adventurers?"
"It's really expensive?"
"That's part of it," Hephaestus agreed. "But there is a bigger reason. Excelia is gained from struggle. If a new adventurer sets out with armour that can block every blow and a weapon that can dispatch any monster in one hit, they'll never grow. Obviously, the inverse is true as well. If their gear is too weak, they will struggle to survive, and be unable to progress if their weapons simply can't kill the monsters."
"Yeah, that happened to my child," Hestia nodded rapidly in agreement. She was glad that she had understood Hephaestus' explanation. "So, what's the solution?"
"Well… There isn't one really," the goddess shrugged, face tinging as she looked slightly abashed.
"W-What!?"
"T-There isn't anything I can do about that! If a child grows at three times the speed of another, they'll need to replace their weapon three times as much."
"Urgh," Hestia winced at the cruel logic. It made sense, but it certainly wasn't something that they could afford. She didn't want her children to suffer from having poor equipment, but she simply didn't have the funds to continually upgrade their gear.
"Which," Hephaestus kept talking, "got me thinking about a different type of weapon. One that grows with its owner. Blessed with the same ichor."
"Need!"
"What?"
"I need one!" Hestia begged, lunging over the table to grab Hephaestus' hand.
The goddess simply laughed in reply. "Absolutely not. It would be horrible for business. All someone needs is one weapon for their entire adventuring career? My familia would be bankrupt in months."
"Please!" Hestia begged, eyes large staring up at her friend.
To counter, Hephaestus' eye narrowed to a slit. "Do you have 200 million valis?"
"Ergh!?"
"I'll take that as a no then." Hephaestus announced smugly, turning to take the food from the waiter. "Thank you very much sir."
"Always a pleasure Lady Hephaestus."
"Ergh!" Making the noise again, this time Hestia's exclamation was tinged with disgust. "Do they know about an ingredient other than grease!?"
"Not sure!" Hephaestus answered jovially before digging in. "I always find greasy food helps me when I'm stressed."
Swallowing once, Hestia tried picking at… whatever it was. Going in with no intention on finishing it, Hestia wanted to at least make a valiant attempt. Any less and she would look like she thought herself above the place. On the other hand, her instincts from when her familia had zero money made her want to devour it. To consume every last morsel since she had no knowledge of when her next meal would be. Thankfully that time was over, but old habits die hard.
"Soo… Why are you stressed?" Hestia asked, changing the topic for awhile. Just until she thought of a way to get Hephaestus to make her one of those weapons.
The blacksmith goddess winced, putting her utensils back down. "Why do you care?"
"I'm your friend!" Hestia replied indignantly. "Of course I care about you."
"Ahh, you really are an innocent one, aren't you?" Hephaestus sighed, picking at her eyepatch again. "I suppose it isn't fair keeping it from you, since it you live here as well. But… things are getting worse in Orario."
"Getting worse?" Hestia asked fearfully.
"Since Zeus and Hera fell, everyone has been shock, but it's slowly fading. People put Freya and Loki up on a pedestal, like their familias are unbeatable, but that simply isn't the case. The dissident parties are beginning to understand that."
"Dissident parties?" Unable to do anything more then repeat dumbly after her, Hestia felt a seed of fear taking root inside her. Hephaestus' face looked so drained. As if the city was marching rapidly toward its own end.
"Yes… There were a couple times when groups tried to participate in organized crime in Orario's recent past. Most of the provokers got laughed at before a first-tier adventurer fell from the sky and casually disposed of them. Now though…"
"There are none…" Hestia murmured sadly.
"Yeah," Hephaestus agreed, rubbing her eye yet again. "Their reach seems to be growing, and quickly."
Shivering, Hestia didn't know what to say to cheer her friend up. It was sad to think that the children of this world couldn't work together. They already had the dungeon as an enemy, did they really need more?
But then again, maybe us gods are to blame.
Hestia couldn't deny that possibility either. All too often the children went head to head due to their gods' actions. Mere pawns in struggles that could consume hundreds of lives before the deities laugh it off and continue on as if nothing ever happened.
"Isn't this a good reason to make those weapons though?" Hestia pushed, mind cycling back to the original topic. "This way they'll have something strong enough to defend themselves!"
"A weapon that an enemy can't steal…" Hephaestus muttered back.
Surprised to not find herself shot down like last time, Hestia jumped on the faint strand of hope. "T-That's right! You can treat mine as a prototype! A first design to build off of!"
"…"
"Eep!"
"So, a weapon that doesn't cost as much," Hephaestus snapped pick, picking up on Hestia's ploy.
"W-Well…"
"Not happening. When you want a custom Hephaestus weapon, order one through official channels."
"B-But… Please!" Slamming her head against the table, Hestia entered full-on begging position.
"No."
"I'll pay you back! Every single vali!"
"Grr… I've had enough of the food here, I'm leaving."
Obediently, Hestia followed Hephaestus. She was sure now, that this is what she was meant to do. For almost the first time since she started a familia, she was about to do something for her children. Heart set, Hestia dogged Hephaestus' steps, intent on receiving this weapon for her children.
Lisbeth:
"She's still here?"
"You think she's really been out here all night?"
"Urgh…" Blinking sleep from my eyes, I found herself where I last remembered myself. Forehead propped against Welf's bedroom door, I groaned slightly as sensation began to return to my body. I was surprised I actually achieved any sleep. My whole body had gone numb sometime during the night. I could tell I was reaching the end of my capabilities. Just as Welf would have recovered from a nice long sleep.
"What the hell did the dude do to get a pretty girl like her to beg at his door all night?"
"Bah, stupid Welf. Blessed with Spirit magic, probably has crazy endurance in the sack."
"Ugh, it's so unfair."
I couldn't even work up the motivation to call them out on their incorrect assumptions. Not even a blush managed to tinge my sunken cheeks. As pain began to return, I prayed that Welf would get up soon. I really needed to walk somewhere, anywhere. Even if it was just back to that forge and the hard-stone floor that awaited my knees there.
Taking a few deep breaths, I tried to settle myself. One by one, I worked through my muscles. Tightening and loosening it. Starting with my hands, I worked my way down my body. It was slow going, but it was something. A way to keep the blood pumping and distract myself from the pain and stiffness.
"Ahh!" Letting out a shriek of surprise, I toppled to the floor a few inches below me as my forehead's pillow was suddenly removed.
"Get out of here." Welf's gruff voice insisted.
"Not until you accept…" Finally free of the position, I put a hand on the doorframe to prepare to move. I can't afford to let Welf run off and leave me behind.
"Tck, you're an idiot, you know that."
Not really hearing the words, all that registered in my tired brain was the tone. He sounded… tired. Not the fatigue of just getting up. But a bone-aching exhaustion of staying up all night.
Working up the energy, I lift my head to meet his eyes. Just like his voice, he looks rough as well. Wearing his clothes from yesterday, Welf's eyes are sunken with bags underneath them.
"Did you not sleep?"
"Don't change the topic!"
"…"
"…How the hell am I supposed to sleep with you out here!? Seeing your shadow from beneath the door, blocking the light, not moving… Seriously? How stupid are ya?"
"Hehe," Chuckling lightly, I pull myself farther up. My hands tight around the doorframe are the only things supporting me as my legs refuse to function. My knees scream in agony, their feud against my ill-management of the important joint raging. No doubt about it, another day of this will have potentially permanent consequences. I may need to find a new position to beg from.
"Bat-shit fucking insane, that's what you are…"
Despite the tough words, I detect a hint of uncertainty from Welf. A wonder if he will actually win this contest between us. "If you just accept, we wouldn't be having this problem."
"Grr… I'm going to the forge."
"Uh oh." Muttering, I fall back to the floor as Welf storms past me, his hip colliding roughly with my side. "You won't get away…" Crawling after him, I find my arms work surprisingly well. Maybe holding me up functioned as a warm-up to get the blood pumping. Whatever it was, the floor was still rough, but I was able to pull my body across it with relative ease.
"What the hell are you doing?"
"Well I can't exactly walk right now!" I snap back at the man who registered my strange movement.
"That's your own god damn fault!"
"I wouldn't have had to do it if you had just said yes!"
Our loud voices echo through the building. Soon after I hear the sounds of doors opening behind us. Residents peaking out to get in on the drama between Welf and I. Undaunted, we reach the stairs. Still on the ground, I reach for the railings. "And up!" Pulling on them at the same time, my upper body begins to rise like a snake, my lower half still stretched up behind me.
"Move you useless legs!" Growling at them, I twist to the side and force my lower body in front. Once I move them the first time, the legs become more responsive. Taking one tentative step, the majority of my weight is still resting solidly on my arms. Halfway down the stairs though, a change occurs. Blood begins to flow and the weight on my arms lessens.
Smiling, I stumble out the door after a disbelieving Welf. "You can't… escape me that easily."
"What the hell are you!?"
"Hungry," I answer truthfully. "It's been a day since I last had anything to eat." The words get to him as Welf winces in response. Nonetheless, our course doesn't change. He's probably going to prove his superiority by going longer without food.
"Two crepes please."
"Huh?" Muttering in surprise, I can't believe I didn't realize it yesterday, but our path takes us straight past a food vendor.
"Right away sir! Little early for a date, innit? Ah, I see the missus can barely walk. Should have taken it easier on her last night."
This time the words do get a rise out of me. Why do men always see a guy and girl together and assume they're together? Taking the anger, I turn it to Welf as my stomach rumbles. No doubt he bought two just to eat them both in front of me.
"Here, and we aren't together."
"Huh?" Looking down in confusion, I can't believe it. Welf's proffered one of the crepes to me. "S-Seriously?"
"Of course. I don't want to have to explain to Hephaestus why one of her favored children keeled over dead."
Taking it with uncertain hands, I took an unsteady bite. Instantly the cream and sweet flavour shoot into my mouth.
So good!
With no restraint, I devour the rest of the crepe on the spot. Within a couple of seconds, the thing is gone. Sighing in satisfaction, I felt my stomach grumble. The snack wasn't enough to fully quench my appetite.
"Ah, two more." Welf ordered.
Glancing over at him, I saw that he'd done almost the same thing. The hunger must have gotten to him as well. Taking our second round from the vendor, we moved on. Moving slowly, we walked side by side, cautiously munching on our crepes, neither of us devouring them in seconds again. With more time to appreciate it, I fully savour the rich creamy flavour as it melts in my mouth.
"I'm sorry."
"Huh?" Taken away form my crepe, I glance once more to Welf. He's staring straight ahead, his cheeks tinged red.
"I shouldn't have said what I did yesterday. You aren't actually a third-rate blacksmith."
"Apology accepted. But… You also aren't wrong." I reluctantly admit. "I am a complete beginner. I may have the forge ability now, but my skills need work. That's why Welf… I need a teacher."
I don't get a reply as we finish the final few metres to his forge. As he enters and begins to set up, I simply sigh. My words didn't reach him. The crepes were only because he was hungry and not a complete asshole. Mentally preparing myself, I once again start to kneel.
"Sit on that stool."
"I can't," I reply, wishing to take the offer. Sitting on a stool will never get my point across. "Not until you accept."
"That's why I told you to sit on the stool."
"Huh?" Pausing, it takes a moment for the meaning to click. "Wait… You… You'll teach me?"
"Yeah," Welf sighs. "I'll never get a good night's sleep again with you following me around every day."
"Thank you."
Welf grunts in response. "Prove your appreciation by making strong weapons. Now, pay attention, I won't be repeating anything."
"Yes!" Eager to learn, I dart to the nearby stool and watch as Welf begins heating an ingot. Excitement flowing through me, the exhaustion fades away. The heat, the smell, the sound. I'm more confident now than ever, this is what I was meant to do.
Hestia:
"You can't be serious…"
"…"
"I can't work with you there! Leave!"
"…"
"…Insufferable goddess."
"…" Staying silent through the abuse, Hestia didn't know what else to do. She found herself bowing in front of Hephaestus in her office. It was the ultimate technique that Take Mikazuchi had taught her: the dogeza. A full body bow that maximized prostration and induced acceptance in ones viewing it. A technique that would allow Hestia to surpass Hephaestus' rigid morals and claim the weapon that her familia deserved.
"It isn't like I'm not curious," Hephaestus admits as she begins ranting a little. "A weapon that grows with its user. Nothing like it was been done before. How far can the weapon go? Would something like this have let them defeat the black dragon? So many questions… But it's also so wrong…"
"…"
"…But then again, what if they can save lives? How many adventurers from that other world died that I could have saved? Hmm…"
"…"
"Why aren't you saying anything?" Hephaestus finally burst.
"The dogeza reaches pinnacle power when its user remains silent, and only addresses direct questions."
"T-the what now?"
"The dogeza. Take taught it to me."
"Take? You mean Take mikazuchi?" Sighing Hephaestus began to play with her eyepatch. "I hear he works at your rival potato snack stand."
"Yes."
"…"
"…"
"So how would you pay me back for a weapon."
"I…" Hesitating, Hestia realized that as a goddess, her income was practically zero. Kirito could spend ten minutes in the dungeon and make as much as she could in six hours at her shop. "I'll umm… find a higher paying job?"
"Stand up." Hephaestus ordered.
"O-Okay?" Hoping that she wasn't being duped into getting exiled from the room, Hestia rose on uneasy legs. Her status-less body struggling from her short stint on the ground.
"Hmm… Yes." Walking out from behind the desk, Hephaestus pinched one of Hestia's cheeks and played with the soft, taffy-like substance.
"Eeh!? Ahh! H-Hephaestus…" Slurring her words, Hestia was shocked by the rough treatment.
"Hmm? Oh, sorry. I got a little carried away."
"Was there a reason for this?"
"Yes, you would make a suitable clerk for our stores. Eight hours a day, six days a week. 500 valis an hour. If you prove yourself as a dedicated worker, that salary can go up to double."
"T-That's quite extreme, don't you think?" Hestia stuttered in reply. "I mean… that's like a full-time job…"
"That's exactly what it is," Hephaestus answered with a knowing smile. "Even if you put all of that toward the weapon, it will still take many years to pay off. Are you sure about this?"
"Ye… How many years?" Hestia asked weakly.
"Let's see…" Hephaestus muttered, returning to her desk. "At your starting wage you will make… 24,000 valis a week. Multiple that by fifty-four weeks and you're looking at just about 1.3 mil a year."
"That's a lot of money!" Hestia nodded excitedly. 2 million every six months. With the guild taxes coming back to mind, Hestia realized how much more money the dungeon produced. Compared to her job at Jyagamarukun, Hephaestus' proposed salary was extremely generous. "S-so… how many years is that?"
"Well… for a 200 million weapon… hundred and fifty-five years or so?"
"Urgh!" Hestia collapsed to the floor. The barrier separating the high tier familias and the low ones came crashing down on her with startling clarity. The amount of time she would spend working… "It's worth it."
"Huh?"
"It's worth it!" Hestia replied stronger peeling herself off the floor. "Please Hephaestus, make the weapon!"
"Let's get started then, shall we?"
Sharing a smile between friends, the goddesses moved together to Hephaestus' personal forge.
Argo:
"What is it?" Asking Hermes the question, I stood warily next to his desk. The room was packed with maps of the world. Each one a place Hermes had been or was planning on going. Usually I could spend hours staring at them, marvelling at the details and exotic places.
"Another shipment was intercepted."
"How?" I ask warily. Orario didn't just export magic stones. They relied on importing goods from a variety of countries. One of the major ones was metal. While the dungeon dropped rare, high-quality metals like adamantium, and the dungeon exclusive orichalcum, many people depended on lower quality ores for day-to-day equipment. With Orario being home to some of the best craftsmen and blacksmiths, it was often easier to import the ingots and raw ores and forge them here.
"Same story. Smoke filled the area, guards and merchants couldn't see, could barely breath. By the time it faded, the goods were gone. No deaths, no injuries."
"Hmm…" Humming along, I tapped my fingers along the chair I was using. "Doesn't sound like evilus. They'd just kill everyone to strike fear."
"Not necessarily," Hermes rejects my hypothesis, a wondering smile touching his lips. "Killing is messy, it creates bodies. Also, adventurers tend to be good at protecting themselves. Even with the smoke, I'd imagine killing them would be hard."
"Perhaps," I unwillingly relent. "But if was just that, you wouldn't be in such a foul mood." Most people wouldn't be able to see it, but after spending enough time with the deity, I was learning to read his moods. This smile he wore was one of seething anger. An easy wonder displayed to the world to hide the rage of his plans getting screwed up.
"Hmm… You're far more perceptive of people than Lulune. I'll have to keep an eye on you."
"…"
"To answer the question, I received this letter."
As he held out an innocuous piece of white paper, I tilted my head in confusion. I'd never seen this from the god before. An almost anxious worry filling his movements. "It is from Ishtar."
Blinking in confusion, I of course knew the name. As the technically largest familia in Orario due to their sheer number of non-combatants, we had frequent dealings with them. Procuring items of note, supplies, and other things. Besides that though, I knew next to nothing about the goddess herself. Only the area of the city she ruled over.
"She's threatening me that unless I procure her parcel in the next two weeks, she will eliminate my familia."
Blanching, I stumbled to my feet in horror. "W-What!? T-That's a ludicrous threat! Our familia is central to Orario's market and delivery. The guild will never…"
"The guild is powerless," Hermes cut me off sharply with a hard chuckle. "They remain in power because the familias of Orario let them be. No one would want the managerial issues that the guild faces."
"B-But…"
"I imagine the threat isn't entirely empty," Hermes sighed, displaying for the first time I'd ever seen, exhaustion on his face. "She'll probably start with picking off my members one-by-one in dungeon. If she's confident enough, she'll move the battle into the city."
My body has gone numb with horror. The scenario is unbelievable. Yet Hermes is right. Without Freya or Loki familia, we'd have no chance against Ishtar, no one would. "S-So what does she want!? Let's just complete the delivery!"
"I have the package."
"W-What!? So there's no issue!"
"Oh, there's an issue," Hermes chuckled back, his eyes deadly serious. "If Ishtar gets its contents, her familia will become unstoppable."
Sitting back down with a hard thump, I listened, barely comprehending as Hermes outlined the details of the item Ishtar had ordered.