Author's note:
We're back!
Another small timeskip later, it probably should have been a little longer but oh well.
Once again, I am pretty sure I was going to write something important here, but have forgotten what it is.
Either way, stay safe out there.
Chapter 46: Renewed bonds
Prologue: Fearful progressions
Sakura:
"Insane, isn't it?" Wearing shades and a blonde wig, Sakura was completely unrecognizable. Standing at the edge of a construction zone, Sakura watched with awe the quick progression that occurred.
Even in the early hours, hundreds of figures swarmed around the incomplete buildings like flies on a carcass. It almost looked a dying animal to Sakura, it exposed ribs poking to the sky. Massive cranes on each corner began the slow process of reconstructing it. No longer visible was the core of the structure, covered by tarps and moved in by hordes of security.
"Yeah… I can't believe how fast things are moving. Countries never agree on things this quickly."
Turning to Kirigaya Midori, Sakura frowned. "How long until they get moved inside?"
"Less than a month…"
"Already?" Sakura tsked. "Things have been moving fast, too fast."
"…" Midori did not reply, she did not need to. The massive construction project in front of them replaced a baseball stadium that had been planned but scrapped due to lack of funding.
As the women watched, the front panels of the structure began to be placed together. Massive steel structures forming an odd, irregular shape at the front of the building.
"Looks a but like a pig's snout, doesn't it?" Sakura commented. A carcass steadily coming alive.
"Yeah, but the corners are elongated, more like flippers. Odd design."
Sakura could tell that Midori's heart was not in the conversation. It was merely a guise letting them hold their emotions together in the face of the terrifyingly fast response that was occurring.
"Only a few weeks left." Midori spoke suddenly. "A few weeks until my children are taken from me and locked and inside that accursed man's pet project."
"How do we stop it?" Sakura followed up, her voice quiet.
"…I don't know if we can."
Wrapped in silence once more, the women stared up at the looming fortress of steel, coming together faster than any building that size had any right to.
Chapter: Kirito:
"So different, and yet so similar…" Side-stepping a bugbear's lunge, Kirito bisected the slow monster with a lazy swing of his longsword. As by his design, the blade passed straight through the creature's magic stone, turning it to ash.
Feeling somewhat nostalgic, Kirito paced through the halls of the colossal tree labyrinth. Like returning to the beginning area of an MMO, Kirito felt little threat at this point. As long as he avoided the green dragons, and nests of the twenty-fourth floor, nothing in the area was a threat.
Every now and then, Kirito's eyes traced back to the central trunk where he knew he should be returning to. Slipping out of the house undetected in the morning, Kirito knew he would get yelled at upon returning. Knowing he deserved it, Kirito still was not eager to return to the surface.
The dungeon was uncomplicated. Monsters tried to kill him, he killed them. No drama, no manoeuvring, or people wanting something from him. A simple bliss that would have once caused a goofy smile to show.
Now, too many burdens lay on Kirito's thin shoulders. Responsibilities he never expected to carry. His life and those of all his loved ones were dependent upon his continued strength.
"RAGH!"
Kirito's heavy thoughts were interrupted by charging lizardmen. Displaying exquisite technique, Kirito cut down the four monsters in four swings. The blur of his blade leaving a perfect square suspended in the air.
As ash fell around him, Kirito frowned at the blade in his hand. Even two weeks later, it refused to answer his requests perfectly. It did nothing to hamper his attacks, but at the same time, the extraordinary blade added nothing extra to them.
"Still not worthy, huh?" Smirking, Kirito chuckled to himself. If he did compare this dungeon to an MMO then he was probably mid-level. The sword in his hand was one of the strongest in existence, a true end-game blade.
As Kirito stared at it, footsteps rang out from around the corner. Briefly considering fleeing, Kirito stayed his ground. They were coming from his exit after all.
"W-Whoa! It's the Black Knight!"
"Idiot!" Another adventure scolded the incorrect human with a smack to the back of their head. "He's the Black Swordsman now!"
"I-Is there a difference?"
I'm with you there buddy… Kirito thought to himself. Nodding to the party of four, Kirito was barely surprised as they scurried to the side to let him pass. Comprised of two men and two women, Kirito could feel the female gazes clinging to him as he walked past.
"He's cute I guess, but I can't imagine sharing the man I like…"
I can still hear you! Kirito complained. Sometimes the enhanced senses only made things worse.
"Maybe its his strength in battle?"
"Got to be more than that, maybe his blade is ginormous…"
Unable to shut his ears, Kirito ducked his head and tried to suppress his blush. Most people did not know how to take it. Kirito felt horrible for the treatment his girlfriends must face when he isn't there.
Lost in his head, Kirito almost missed the bloodthirsty gaze that sent chills down his back.
Spinning around, Kirito raised his blade in a defensive stance. Cling!
With a metallic shriek, another blade, larger than his, was halted a handsbreadth from his face. Arms shaking, Kirito desperately fought to push back the assailant.
Who the hell is this!?
"Hehe, you can do better than that boy!"
"Aisha!" Yelling at the annoying amazon, Kirito pushed forward and then leapt back, disengaging the duel. Keeping his sword up, Kirito waited until the beautiful woman lowered her weapon.
"You're getting excitingly strong!" Aisha complimented Kirito with a predatory smile. "Did you run off to the dungeon because you were bored of the girls you have at home?"
"Of course not!" Kirito retorted, sheathing his blade with a huff. Eyes flicking past Aisha, Kirito glared at the party of four that was still standing around in shock.
"Eep!" Jumping, the four darted deeper in the dungeon.
"Scary…" Aisha smirked, no glimmer of fear on her face.
"So?" Kirito pressed. "Why are you here?"
"Why? To find you of course!"
"…Why?" Kirito asked warily.
Licking her lips, Aisha let her replacement greatsword collapse to the ground as she sashayed toward Kirito. "What if I said to see if you were ready for a real woman?"
"…I'd call you a liar." Kirito was proud of his ability to maintain eye contact with Aisha as she walked toward him. Thank you Strea!
"Ahh… Honestly… I… I was hoping to join your harem…" Aisha's upturned eyes were filled with mischief.
"Stop lying and tell me what you really want." Kirito replied, looking to the side.
"Aww, very well." Straightening, up, Aisha put one hand on her hip and with her right procured a letter from Kirito didn't know where.
"What is this?" Kirito asked, taking it.
"Settlement." Aisha answered, giving her first serious answer. "I'm sure your familia will be happy to see it. Although I think the guild is testing me asking me to deliver it…"
"Ah, no doubt." Kirito chuckled. "I was doing slave labour trying to recoup loses from the wargame…"
"That is not all I wanted to say…" Running a hand through her silky hair, Aisha's eyes flickered with indecisiveness briefly. As you know, Ishtar is still missing. While she remains on this plane but absent, none of us can change familias, including Haruhime. There are still girls who cannot break free of Ishtar's programming."
"Ah, the guild has them arrested," Kirito remembered the information he received.
"Yeah…" Aisha trailed off. "As Ishtar is absent, all our familia's assets have been seized by the guild. Besides a small clerical fee, the rest of it has been given to your familia. I'm not going to say we don't deserve it but…"
"But you have nowhere else to go and can't even join a different familia." Kirito tsked. "…Wait a minute… Are you saying that we now own the entire entertainment district?"
Aisha's lips curled into a devious smile. "Something like that. Expect a large headache. Individual brothels will try to change their royalties on you and renegotiate new contracts. Some of the more daring ones will even attempt to break away and go solo…"
"Oh no, not happening, not happening…" Running a hand down his face Kirito groaned.
"If only there was someone experienced in this who could take the issue away from you…" Aisha muttered. "Sadly, I doubt there is a single group out there that has the experience to…"
"I get it, I get it!" Kirito interrupted her. Grabbing her roughly by the arm, Kirito locked eyes with Aisha. "But I want to talk to your familia. No more slaves, no more rape."
"Oddly enough, you will find our goals align there." Aisha smirked. "Come on, let's get you back to the surface before your girls tear all their hair out."
"Eh? You saw them?" Kirito asked, beginning the trek.
"Of course. Got a five-minute lecture about you sneaking out early, and how worried they are since you like to take risks… Not telling anyone where you were going…"
Gulping, Kirito wondered if he had underestimated exactly how much trouble he would be in upon returning home.
Strea:
"Hehehe," giggling to herself, Strea happily checked her reflection in the mirror. Her checks were tinged red, with a glow that had refused to fade.
Last night, she had finally managed to find Kirito in a state with enough energy to fulfill his promise from the wargame. The memories of the night were enough to carry her through yesterday until today.
Poking her cheek, however, Strea felt the urge begin to rise again. "I really should get Kirito as a hug pillow every night…"
Contemplating ways to make this happen, Strea heard the unmistakable creak of the front door opening. "Kirito!"
Bouncing up and down, Strea shot out of her door and down the stairs in one jump. Landing with a bang, Strea was shortly followed by Rain, the only other person remaining upstairs. Waiting on the main floor were Haruhime, Lili, and Bell. Everyone else had left for the day. Taking one look at the door, the two rushed to the basement where Hestia was likely still sleeping.
"Uh oh," Kirito's audible mutters of horror did nothing to stop Strea from rushing over to him.
"Welcome home, Kiri—" Awkwardly sliding to a halt, Strea blinked at the woman already by his side. "Huh?"
"Ah, yes Aisha and I need to discuss something Hestia…" Kirito responded.
"W-What!?"
"That's right," the amazon smirked and pulled Kirito tight against her. The boy's face heated slightly as his arms were mushed into her giant breasts, of a size with Strea's own.
Feeling a weird tick in her eye, Strea thought she understood the odd expressions the other girls made when she did things like this better now.
"The two of us have decided to elope and explore the world as exclusive lovers! Please do not try and interfere."
"..." No one is laughing, amazon." Rain glared, stepping up beside Strea. "We will discuss your excursion later Kirito. For now, explain what is happening!"
"Ah, yeah… So uhh, is Hestia around?" Kirito asked.
"…"
"Kirito…" Rain whispered in a deadly quiet voice.
"Oh! Haha…" Upon being reminded by Rain's pointed stare, Kirito finally extracted himself from Aisha's embrace. "S-So?"
"Urgh… Who needs me?" Bleary eyes filled with sleep, Hestia finally emerged from the basement, getting shoved up the stairs by a combination effort from Bell and Lili.
"Hestia," Kirito breathed with relief, extracting an envelope from his pocket. "Our winnings from the wargame have been finalized."
"Hmm? Then you mean…" Sleepy eyes snapping open, Hestia bounded forward with the speed of an upper-level adventurer. "MONEY!"
"Ah, but I haven't…" Kirito was unable to explain anything, as Hestia ripped the envelope open with a maniacal laugh and perused the pages within.
"Yes… Yes! Ishtar's domain of debauchery and lust shall belong to me! The virgin goddess, queen of the prostitutes! Muwahaha, the rich irony shall drive the desperate to me in droves!"
"Umm, what is happening?" Strea whispered to the nearby people.
"I guess it really is true what they say about money turning good people bad," Rain sighed. "Oh well, it was nice while it lasted, right?"
"Why are you accepting this so easily!?" Lili complained, her words unheeded.
"Oh, Haruhime was explaining this to me!" Strea snapped, the information clicking. "Kirito and Hestia are going to… what was word…? Oh yeah, pimp us out, right?"
"What kind of ideas has she been putting in your head!?" Rain balked.
"I'm afraid that isn't going to happen, Goddess Hestia." Aisha finally broke in, her booming voice, silencing the increasingly rowdy room. "Kirito and I have agreed it is time to free the entertainment district. Take Belit Babity if you must but leave the rest."
"Ahaha," Scratching her head, Hestia tried to play off her antics. "I'm way too lazy to do something like that anyhow!"
"That's the truth," Lili muttered in agreement.
"Hey!" Hestia protested. Her familia betraying her by nodding in approval.
"I think I speak for everyone here when I say we have no interest in that place," Rain spoke up, trying to steer the conversation back on track.
"I figured as much, you people from the other world start shifting uncomfortably at the mere mention of sex. Why, the girls and I used to discuss positions and—"
"Aisha stop!" Haruhime appeared from seemingly nowhere to cover the taller amazon's mouth. The Renart's face was a deep scarlet.
Feeling a lightbulb light up in her head, Strea bounced up and down. "Oh, oh me! Strea has the best idea!"
"It better not have anything to do with what Aisha just said," Rain warned her with a sideways glare.
"H-Huh? But it would be fun…" Strea pouted. "We can share information on the comfiest way to hold Kirito, or the different noises he makes when you touch him in different places…"
"Strea!" Rain yelled at her. "Please stop getting strange ideas!"
"I don't think that is strange at all," Aisha commented unsolicited. "If you plan on sharing him as equal wives, then your relationship with each other is just as important as your relationship with him."
"…I'm still here." Kirito muttered.
"Aren't we talking about the earnings from the wargame?" Lili interrupted, a desperate note in her voice. "Also, what happened with Apollo familia?"
Aisha turned her eyes away from Rain from Strea to address the girl. "Apollo familia has retreated from the wargame. No loses, but no earnings either."
"Bullshit," Lili tsked. "Not that we actually ended up winning but…"
Aisha snorted. "I don't think you have to worry about them. With Mr. Black swordsman over here hitting level four, there is not a lot they can do to you."
"Our familia did receive quite the power-up," Lili agreed. The postings had gone up a few days ago with a slew of level-ups from their familia.
Kirito hit level four. Philia hit level three, Leafa and Strea as well. Silica had the ability to level up but was refraining for now to further increase her base stats. Perhaps the most interesting one was Yui. Her incredible defensive skill not detracting from her heroics and allowing her to ascend to the realm that most adventurers never reached: level two.
With the level-ups, the adventurers had received improved titles from the denatus yesterday. Having settled herself as a familia with considerable force in Orario, Hestia had more pull than she had earlier. With Hephaestus backing her, Hestia was proud… ish, of the titles she had secured for everyone.
Strea was unsure about the one she received, 'The Bloody Berserker'. She would have preferred something that didn't have as many bad memories associated with it. Something like 'Kirito hugger' would be better.
"Anyway," Aisha spoke, beginning to sound bored. "If you would kindly sign over executive rights to me, I will make sure…"
"Hold on!"
Strea tried not to groan as Lili interrupted the higher-level adventurer. It was almost comical as the prum supporter stood up to the amazon captain.
Eyes filled with dollar signs; Lili began her counterpunch. "Now hold on a minute. We won all of that property fair and square from your conniving goddess! If you want it back, you'll need to pay for it."
Aisha blinked in surprise. "You already own all our liquid assets which come to over 100 million valis, is that not enough?"
"Enough," Lili let out a harsh bark. "Did you read this? The properties in the entertainment district are valued at close to 50 billion. Ishtar owned them all, her own empire. Why should we give that to you?"
Aisha's expression grew exasperated. "Use your ears prum, I already told you that the purpose was to dissolve that empire. Even if the guild did not have the power to stop the slave trade, we are now in a position where—"
"I don't trust you." Lili poked her finger at Aisha. "A sex-starved amazon like yourself is just going to insert yourself at the top, replacing your goddess."
Strea wondered for a moment if Aisha was going to punch Lili in the face. Strea was unsure if she would even try and stop it.
"…" Whirling around, Aisha grabbed Kirito by the collar. "I'll meet you at the guild entrance tomorrow at noon. I hope you keep your promise."
Without another word, the amazon stalked from the premise, the wooden door slamming behind her with a slight crack.
"A-Aisha wait!" Holding up a hand, Haruhime ran out after the amazon.
"Lili… umm, what was that?" Bell asked gently, speaking for the first time.
Hestia snorted. "A fantastic job. We worked hard for these earnings. Why should we give it all up?"
"Hestia…" Rain muttered.
Staying silent, Strea glanced at Kirito and shivered. She hoped to never receive the look he was giving to Hestia and Lili. The utter disappointment would have shattered her.
"I think the two of you have forgotten who won the war game," Kirito finally spoke, his voice hard. "It was not me, nor anyone in this familia. We will discuss this further after I take a nap."
The boy yawned widely at that moment, his entire leader aura dissolving into memory, leaving only behind a tired looking body pillow.
"Umm, Kirito, can I…"
"N-No! I need to actually sleep this time!"
Confused, Strea blinked. "But I slept so well…" Pouting, she did not give chase as he fled up the stairs to his room.
"I agree with Kirito," Rain spoke, her voice flat, trying to imitate Kirito. "What do you hope to gain except enemies by pursuing this route? Ishtar kept it all together using her oppressive powers of charm. We don't have that."
"Urgh," Hestia wavered.
Standing strong, Lili whirled on Rain. "So take the 100 million and call it a day? That money will vanish in moments if we try expanding our territory. Orario is still heaving from the aftereffects of so many top adventurers disappearing. If we act now, we can come out on top!"
"…Why?" Rain replied simply. "Why do we need to be on top?"
"…Because if you are the strongest, no one can bully you." Lili answered, large eyes filled with painful memories.
"…" Rain gave the pair a disappointed shake of her head before retreating back up the stairs as well.
Glancing up after Rain, Strea considered perusing as well. She had been left behind when everyone left to go accomplish things. Watching Kirito's sleeping face was number one on her priority list at the moment.
But I don't want to make him uncomfortable and unable to sleep… Musing to herself, Strea heard Kirito's sleepy words from last night floating back through her mind. Do you think it would be okay… if I relied on you more?
Nodding, Strea made up her mind. She may not understand the intricacies of everything, but she could listen and report back. Grabbing a glass of water, Strea sat at the table and watched.
"Lili…" Bell spoke softly to the girl. In the quiet house, they probably did not realize that Strea could hear every word.
"…Are you going to tell me I'm wrong as well?"
Bell simply shook his head. "You lived happily on a farm with me for two weeks. I know how hard this wargame was… how unfair the situation was that we were forced into…"
"And?"
"…And I swear that I will protect you." Bell blushed as he promised. Even if he did, his eyes never left the prum's. "No matter who comes after you."
"Cute," Hestia interrupted the two's conversation with a sharp slap on Bell's hand, outstretched to Lili. "But Lili was right. Have you forgotten that we haven't dealt with Apollo familia yet? Also, Freya is mighty suspicious. Not to mention Loki may strike at any moment as revenge on Kirito for dating one of her favorite members…"
Hestia's matter-of-factness drew a surprised blink from Strea. The only way Hestia survived Asuna's presence was pretending that the Loki girl did not exist.
Last week when she came over for supper, Strea thought Hestia was going to have an aneurysm. Asuna makes good food…
Even as she was getting distracted in her thoughts, Strea kept an eye on the proceedings as Lili and Hestia began to investigate the guild's report in depth.
Rain:
"You should sleep." Stroking Kirito's head, Rain lay beside the familia leader on his bed. Laying on her side, Rain's head was propped up with her hand.
"Yeah…" Kirito agreed softly, his eyelids fluttering shut. "I would have had no problem doing just that when I got here weirdly enough."
"Yes, Asuna and Leafa seem to agree that you're a notorious napper."
Kirito smiled mischievously. "I work better at night anyway."
"So what changed?" Rain prompted, her hand continuing to work through his hair. The pure black strands filtered softly through her hands. There was a routine dishevelment to it that looked intentional at first glance. Rain's many attempts at calming it had convinced her that it was stuck that way.
"You guys…" Kirito responded honestly. His eyes snapped open and met Rain's.
Swallowing, she felt her heartbeat fluctuate violently. The space between them suddenly feeling very small.
"I have so much to lose now… So much…"
"Unn," Grunting her agreement, Rain could only imagine how much stress weighed on his shoulders. How worried he must be. She had been petrified with worry for Philia and Kirito during the wargame and before. Kirito had those feelings for everyone. How he loved everyone so deeply, Rain struggled to comprehend. The odd boy was special in numerous ways.
"I'm sorry," Kirito apologized quietly, his lids fluttering shut again. "I know how strong you all are, I know I am a fool, but—"
"Shush." Placing a finger on his lips, Rain cut him off. "Durak. If anyone is to blame, it is us for not supporting you correctly. For now, leave your worries behind and rest."
Leaning over him, Rain lightly allowed their lips to touch. Putting as much emotion into it as she could, Rain retracted her head and adjusted her body. Sliding up so that her head was above Kirito's, she let her body fall down to the bed. Wrapping her arms around Kirito's head and shoulders, she pulled the boy against her chest.
"No more thoughts," Rain whispered, receiving a small grunt in answer.
Letting her own eyes close, Rain's lips continued to move. The foreign language she rarely spoke now poured from her lips. The Russian lullaby that she used to sing to own sister, the two of them sometimes sleeping just like this.
Before the first verse ended, Kirito's breaths settled into a consistent rhythm. After the second, so did Rain's, the song fading away into oblivion, remembered only faintly by the sleeping couple.
Philia:
Eye twitching, Philia briefly considered tossing the large piece of furniture with two sleeping figures on it against the wall.
Sighing, she rubbed her temple and a smile appeared instead. "So you finally found some sleep…" Happy for her friend and boyfriend, Philia closed the door again and returned to the warzone downstairs.
At this point everyone had returned, and the room teemed with tension. Philia caught Liz's eye. The blacksmith rolled her eyes signifying that nothing productive had happened since Philia went to check on Kirito.
Pursing her lips, Philia stared at the table covered in paper. Lili's scrawled handwriting filled page after page with columns of numerals. Projected costs for renovating, buying new property, after that were potential costs associated with managing the entertainment district. Philia was just fine with wiping their hands of the matter and passing the problem onto Aisha.
Currently, Bell was the chief opposition to trying to exploit Ishtar familia's empire for more money with Leafa backing him up. The girl, upon hearing Kirito's stance on it from Strea had instantly backed up Bell.
Neither of them made much headway against Lili's math, Hestia's incessant nodding and mumblings about dangerous gods, and most perplexing, Silica's agreement that they should get more money from this.
Mikoto and Sachi sat off to the side, Mouths agape staring as Haruhime huddled in around herself. Strea and Yui did the same thing, their eyes flitting back forth around the room, speaking rarely.
Philia had recruited Liz's help as the blacksmith did not care about anything except procuring her own forge from which she could make weapons.
"Ahh… If only I had the strength to wake him up…" Yet Philia knew that Kirito sleeping was more important than fixing this relatively minor squabble.
Taking another glance at the table, Philia instead made for the couch and Haruhime. "How are you." Speaking quietly, Philia crouched beside the dour looking renart.
"I am… okay." She answered, tail swaying restlessly.
"But…"
"But I don't understand why this continues to happen." Haruhime pouted. Blushing, she looked at her lap. "I know it is selfish of me, but I just thought… after the wargame ended that everything would be over. That I could live happily with everyone… like a princess in the stories."
"Happily ever after, huh?" Philia grunted in understanding. "Those stories never do seem to mention the effort spent repairing the mess the monster leaves behind though."
"No… They don't." Haruhime pursed her lips. "It's always so clean, so tidy. Sometimes a maiden must sacrifice herself, but the story always ends."
"Ishtar is still out there." Philia concluded. "The tale continues."
"Yeah…" Haruhime nodded. "I thought I was prepared for any eventuality. But this one…"
"Don't worry," Laying a hand on Haruhime's shoulder, Philia smiled at her supportively. "I'll get Bell to take you shopping tomorrow with the money. We can get you some nice clothes that remind you of home."
"Thank you… Philia." Haruhime smiled weakly. "But it isn't myself I'm worried about."
"It isn't?" Philia frowned in confusion. Had she read the situation wrong?
"It is the others. The people like me forced to work in the brothels. Orario may not recognize slaves here, but some of the workers may as well be."
Haruhime hesitated here, glancing at Philia as if unsure if she should continue. Meeting only Philia's expectant eyes, she continued. "The dungeon orphans many kids. The boys have few options but to brave it as well. The girls though… many wait eagerly for their first bleeding so they can try and make it in the brothels."
Philia froze. Her first time was over four years ago. She had been a girl at that time. "That young… They can… They can start that young?"
Haruhime's golden eyes hardened with sorrow. "I want them to get help. To give them another choice…"
So kind… Philia had no idea how the beaten girl could still think of others. Putting more force in her grip, Philia made Haruhime face her. "Do you trust Aisha to do what is right? To correct the entertainment district."
"I do." Haruhime answered back instantly, no shred of a lie in her eyes. "She should hate me for the pain she endured because of me… but that is who Aisha is, deep down, she likes to protect people."
Philia snorted. It was hard to believe they were referring to the same imposing woman. Still, Philia was aware that Aisha had played a large role in the war game, aiding them.
"Then don't worry, this is not your problem." Making it hers, Philia stood up and prepared herself to confront one of her dreaded enemies: math. She was by no means a bad student… at the same time however, Philia had never had to deal with the two dreaded words Lili kept throwing around to defend her position, taxes and interest.
"L-Look Lili!" Leafa was saying. "It just isn't feasible… Ignoring the moral implications is hard enough, but we can't run businesses that don't—"
"No, no!" The short prum cut-in irritably. The argument over half an hour old at this point since Philia arrived. Bell had probably been at it for an hour. "We simply maintain ownership officially. The royalties paid to us will finance the hiring of half a dozen clerks and enforcers who will ensure the orderly processing of payments.
"Two weeks, no, one month of work and the district will provide a steady, large stream of cash that we will utilize to enforce ourselves."
"Hestia," Leafa sighed heavily. "You are already worried about Loki and Freya. Will they really stand aside and let this happen?"
"Urgh…" The goddess had no helpful answer.
Rolling her eyes, the prum looked like she knew she could not rely on her tentative ally for help. Before she could say anything, Silica broke in.
"That is exactly why we have to do it!" the young adventurer spoke firmly. Bright blue eyes blazing with passion, she stared at everyone standing around the table. "We have a target on us now! Everyone's magic, their skills, were broadcasted to the world! People know our weaknesses; the large number of level-ups has them whispering about the rise of a third power in orario! If we don't consolidate now… we could lose more people…"
But no one… Feeling horrible, Philia almost left the table. Silica's passion took on a new meaning to her. Everyone here… just wants what is best for all of us.
"Silica…" Speaking mostly to herself, Philia's feet moved woodenly toward the small girl. The table finally turning to recognize Philia as she entered their midst.
"P-Philia?" Silica blinked in surprise and concern as Philia approached her without slowing. "W-What are you?"
Silica tried to back up, but she was too slow to escape Philia's lunging arms. Pulling Silica tight to her body, Philia cradled her with most of her strength. "I'm sorry Silica. I'm so sorry."
"P-Philia…" Silica's voice had lost its sense of confusion. "N-No, it's fine. It has been two weeks… I-I'm fine."
"I'm sorry." Philia repeated, the only words she could speak as tears started to streak down her cheeks. Philia had not realized how close they were in height. Silica had always seemed so young and small that Philia had struggled to consider her as an equal.
Embracing her now, Philia felt like an idiot for her previous emotions. Silica's emotions and thoughts were as real and powerful as her own.
"Stop… Stop apologizing." Silica blubbered.
"I won't!" Philia yelled in response. "I failed you! We… We all failed you. Pina died… and we weren't there for you."
Philia remembered those days following the wargame. Silica had done tasks and helped them organize, even helping Kirito in the dungeon as they scrounged for funds. After a few times checking on her, everyone had forgotten the trauma and moved on. Silica continued to be helpful and acted normal.
How much of that was shock? Emotional numbness allowing her act without feeling it?
"I… Hic!... Got over her already! I'm fine!"
"Oh, Silica," Diving forward, Leafa joined the two of them in their teary hug. "I'm sorry, I failed you!"
"N-Not you too!" Continuing to choke up, Silica's sobs gradually became more pronounced as she leaned into the hugs harder. Finally, after two weeks, the tears for her fallen friend were allowed to flow. Silica's emotions restarting one sob at a time.
"W-What is happen—ING!" Hestia's words became a frantic cry as Philia grabbed the wayward deity and pulled her into the hug as well.
"Group hug!" Strea declared from somewhere. "Come on everyone!"
"Huh?"
"B-But!"
Despite the audible protests, Philia felt as the other members slowly joined in. Lili and Bell. Haruhime, Sachi, and Mikoto. Liz, Strea, and Yui.
"Hehe, yay! Everyone is in it now!"
Silica sniffed, her tears starting to dry. "Everyone…"
"Isn't this nice?" Philia chuckled. "We all care for each other… Just need a little reminder every now and then."
"Doesn't solve our predicament though…" Lili grumbled, her biting words had no teeth behind them.
"But I suppose we will come up with our answer together," Hestia sighed. "Every time I think I've improved at running a familia…"
"Thank you… everyone…" Silica sniffed one last time before giving them all a bright smile. "Umm, I know it is selfish, but can I leave this to you all? I think I want some alone time…"
Eventually, the hug broke off. Silica went around and hugged each person before waving and ascending the stairs.
Lili sighed heavily, "I suppose the rest of us should come to some kind of conclusion regarding our newfound property."
"Yep!" Strea agreed happily. "Let's all sit on the floor in a circle!"
"Agh!" Grabbing her papers first, Lili was pulled by Strea to the area rug next to the couch. Still brand new, everyone took a place in the tight circle, knees banging against each other. Philia found herself sitting to Lili's right, with Leafa on her right and Liz on hers.
"Umm, I, AHH! It is too hard to say this after that." Lili blushed.
"Well, maybe we should try and start slowly." Philia began. "I know this may be hard, but Haruhime, do you think you could tell us about the district we just inherited?"
"That… would be my pleasure." Smiling, Haruhime began her tale.
Asuna:
"Loki… You monster…" Hand seizing up, Asuna dropped the quill in her hand. It was awkward and lacked the ergonomics of modern pens. What Asuna wouldn't give for a modern keyboard that she could have chugged away on in moments.
The once neat writing that had dotted the pages with a precision and delicacy reminiscent of Asuna had started to descend into rough jagged lines where hand seizures shook the quill.
"I understand now… Astrid." Whispering to the absent second-in-command, Asuna could see the mischievous wink and reply of 'hang in there!' that she would have received. The thought brought a small smile to Asuna's lips, a momentary respite from the dizzying amount of paperwork ahead of her.
Never before could Asuna have imagined how it could pile up. She had often heard adults complain about 'paperwork' but figured that was an exaggeration. Similar tales to what her classmates told when faced with one sheet of math homework.
Six hours in, Asuna had to re-evaluate. The correspondences took time to read, process, and then pen a reply. Unlike with email, the letter required sealing, and addressing as well. For the internal memos, Asuna had to scratch her head and wonder if she was important enough to be deciding upon things like mass of potatoes purchased, and the ideal trade off between quality and price.
"Well, you look ready for a break."
Head springing up from the desk, Asuna smiled widely at the person she wanted to see second most in the world at that moment. "Lefiya!"
"Heya Asuna. Come on, we are going on an errand run together."
Asuna briefly hesitated, wondering if she should protest out of politeness. A false effort to pretend her most fervent wish wasn't to flee the desk that Loki had shown her to the week before.
Lefiya's smile grew wider, reading Asuna's thoughts written plainly on her face. "I have Loki's permission, now, come on."
"Ahh…" Getting dragged, Asuna offered zero resistance. A weight coming off her shoulders as she finally exited her prison. The dreaded torture chamber called an 'office' by those searching for a conversation friendly word.
Winding down through Twilight Manor, Asuna exited out into the early afternoon sun. "Light… Natural light!" Strength leaving her legs, Asuna collapsed to her knees. The light blue dress she wore getting dirtied by the well-treaded cobblestone entrance.
"This is worse than I thought…" Lefiya mumbled. "I understand why Loki is doing this but…"
"You do?" Whirling on Lefiya with a passion, Asuna grabbed the fellow elf's collar in a death grip. "Tell me! Why? Why must I endure this punishment!? Half of what I'm doing could be figured out by anyone who paused to think for five seconds!"
"Err, well isn't it obvious?"
"Yes, she is punishing me for dating Kirito… but I don't understand. I mean she smiled and said she was happy for me… even if her eye twitched as she talked…"
Lefiya sighed heavily and began walking, dragging Asuna along. Without looking back at her, Lefiya answered the question. "Loki does not want to lose you."
"L-Lose me?"
"Unn," Lefiya grunted in agreement. "She is giving you all this work to convince you how important you are to the familia."
"…Huh? Why?"
"So you don't leave obviously?"
"Leave…?" Asuna blinked and finally blushed when she understood what Lefiya was referring to. When she was talking to Kirito last week neither of them had brought up one of them changing familias. It seemed like such a simple solution now that Lefiya mentioned it.
Briefly Asuna wondered if maybe she should change familias. Try and join Hestia familia, live in the same house as Kirito… Cheeks trying to heat further from the potential implications, Asuna shook her head hard to dislodge the scenes in her head. "Loki should not worry too much. I am here to stay."
"I am happy to hear that," Lefiya nodded guiding Asuna unto the main thoroughfare. "You mean a lot to me now. I would have been useless against that monster without you."
"You did most of the work…" Asuna replied. She was still in awe of the power that Lefiya had within her. The level four mage standing heads-and-shoulders above anything Asuna could conjure.
"No, you really are something special," Lefiya replied. "With that rapier you wield, sometimes you remind a little bit of… her."
"…" Asuna did not question who 'her' was. She had heard enough about the absent Aiz and how Lefiya had worshipped the girl. The high praise from Lefiya, helped ease Asuna's pains from her tribulations.
"Never mind that," Lefiya tried to continue talking. "We need to go to the guild and talk to one of the higher-ranking members. Things are still a mess surrounding Ishtar. The absent goddess has everyone high-strung."
"Yes," Asuna knew that form her work. "What I don't understand is why. The gods are essentially powerless."
"Ishtar is a goddess of beauty. One of the three I know of. They aren't bound the same as normal deities."
Puzzled, Asuna frowned, staring at Lefiya's ever moving back. "But the deities cannot use their powers on this plane, or they get sent back up."
Lefiya denied the basic knowledge with a shake of her head, her wheat-coloured ponytail shaking as she did. "Not the goddesses of beauty. Ishtar and Freya are the two in Orario. They have the ability to charm living creatures with just a look."
"What?" Asuna did not understand. "But that is clearly arcanum!"
"It isn't…" Lefiya explained slowly. Taking her time with each word, not wanting to get it wrong. "All of the gods are beautiful beyond comparison. Flawless skin and features. The goddesses who rule of beauty however surpass mortal comprehension. They are literally so beautiful that acknowledging them with one of your five senses will override your thoughts."
"W-Wait but that doesn't make sense!" Asuna protested. "Everyone looks for something different in a person. I'm not even attracted to women!"
"But you could recognize a beautiful one if you saw them, right?" Lefiya countered. "You may not feel a romantic love, or so I've heard, but you'll still be ensnared by her. You probably have not fought them, but sort of like the mermaids in the water capital."
Asuna blinked, and then gave a wry grin, elbowing Lefiya sharply. "I doubt the goddesses would be all that pleased hearing you compare them to monsters."
"Eh? Ah, n-no, I was just… F-Filvis!?"
"Filvis?" Mimicking Lefiya's odd exclamation, Asuna followed Lefiya's eyes to the beautiful elf exiting the guild headquarters.
"L-Lefiya!?" The elf replied, just as surprised.
Asuna remembered this girl now. She was the one that had delivered the package with the guild workers to the Ishtar camp.
Hold on, she's the one who…! Asuna stepped forward to speak but was stopped by Lefiya's hand. "Filvis already talked to the guild, explaining everything she knows."
"Indeed," the black-haired elf, nodded solemnly. Despite her regal appearance, she suddenly bowed deeply to the two of them. "I am deeply sorry for the trials you faced due to my foolishness. If I had only been smarter I could have—"
"Don't!" Asuna ordered. "I've heard enough self-admonition to last myself a lifetime. We survived, that is all there is to it."
A small smile played across Filvis' lips. "In that case, I have taken up enough of your time. I bid you farewell."
"Y-You're leaving already?" Lefiya asked.
Disappointed, Asuna thought. "Actually… do you have time for lunch? You may have told the guild, but I would like the story from your lips."
"That's a good idea, Asuna!" Lefiya agreed.
Asuna gave her familia member a side-long glance at the too-quick agreement. Ignoring it, Asuna waited for Filvis' answer.
Seeming surprised, the girl nodded. "I have time. Were you not entering the guild though?"
"That can wait!" Lefiya assured her swiftly. Leaving Asuna's side, Lefiya grabbed Filvis' arm. I know a great elvish restaurant up ahead. All of the staples from the great forests are served!"
…Scratching her head, Asuna was doubting whether she was the one to begin the lunch date. If Filvis had been a male, Asuna would have thought… "Could it be?"
Holding in a secret smile, Asuna followed after them, a few steps behind. Lefiya had released Filvis' sleeve, but her hand still hung in the space between. As if she was waiting for Filvis to dart away and wanted to be ready to restrain her.
Containing her mirth, Asuna third-wheeled the true elves as Lefiya led them to a restaurant. The shop was small, and at first glance no different from any other of the wood-sided buildings. However, upon more thorough inspection, distinct differences stood out. The plants that grew along the edges gave off a hearty deep-green glow. Even the siding itself looked more polished and refined. No signs of chips or marring from the construction process.
Climbing the short set of stairs to the landing, Asuna read the name of the place from the stylish nameplate, The Forest's Respite. A suitable name, Asuna thought. It made even more sense when she entered. The store that looked small from the outside seemed to have a room that vaulted above them. Fake sunlight filtering through the leaves of plants that were suspended from the ceiling. The trunks of trees were interspersed with tables. It was possible to see most of the interior, yet at the same time, it yet secluded in a serene grove.
Releasing a breath, Asuna felt a wave of relaxation come over her. She could still remember why she had asked Filvis to tell her story, but now it seemed far less important.
Tables were filled with only elves. The beautiful men and women slumping and chatting amiably, their veneer of beauty faded as they interacted only with members of their own kind. Yet, even as their haughty expressions, Asuna thought they were more beautiful in this setting.
"This place is amazing…" Asuna spoke to her companions. Companions that were nowhere to be seen. Head darting side to side, Asuna found them grabbing a secluded booth in the back.
Taking her third-wheel status more serious now, Asuna followed awkwardly to the table.
"Oh, Asuna!" Lefiya seemed surprised to find her. "Where did you go?"
"…Just got a little delayed." Sitting down, Asuna wanted to finish her questions quickly so that she could leave the elves to themselves. Talking to the guild about Ishtar could wait.
Filvis seemed of the same mind as she spoke up instantly. "Frankly, I am unsure what else I can tell you as you already know everything. Ganesha members were busy guarding the exterior, so the guild approached Lord Dionysus about providing a guard for a convey. Having no reason to decline, I fulfilled the job for my Lord."
"And the party?" Asuna asked, wondering where that came to fruition.
Filvis simply shrugged. "It seemed apt timing. A wargame is a prime excuse to hold a party and watch the proceedings."
Ugh, it gets treated like a sporting event back home… Still, nothing was out of place except… "The guild member siding with Ishtar was arrested I assume?"
"Probably." Filvis muttered, somewhat sadly Asuna thought.
"Goddess Ishtar likely played with their life, and now its in ruins," Lefiya cursed.
"But—" Asuna promptly clamped her mouth shut. Lefiya's story about the goddess' charm repeated itself. "Oh."
Filvis continued in a low voice. "They aren't the only ones. Many of the higher ups in Ishtar familia after the wargame ended formed up and tried to deliver poisoned food to Freya familia. Only an anonymous tip stopped their plot."
"To Freya familia? Why?" Asuna felt like a lost child as Filvis turned her exasperated glance to her. Asuna swallowed as those hard ruby eyes tore into her.
"Ishtar hates Freya," Lefiya explained quickly. "This whole wargame was some sort of by-product of Ishtar's plan to topple her."
I totally forgot to get Kirito to explain why this happened… Feeling the tenth fool, Asuna mumbled a swift thank-you.
"Those Ishtar members were found to be charmed. Unable to be trusted, they were obviously arrested as well."
"Umm, this may be a stupid question, but what is stopping Ishtar from going around and charming everyone into obeying her will?" Asuna asked into the hefty pause.
Sharing a look, the elves shrugged before turning to look at her. "Absolutely nothing."
Feeling a chill down her spine unrelated to the cool restaurant, Asuna wished she had brought a cloak.
Silica:
"Hrmm…" Drowsy, Silica's eyes struggled to open. Still, even as her eyes were slow to open, her mind started up in an instant. Sleeping all night, she was as well rested as one could be.
Opening her eyes, Silica frowned in confusion and shut them again. I'm still dreaming? That was odd. Silica thought herself to be fully awake. She could feel the sheets cradling her. The soft pillow under her head, even her cat tail that flicked slightly over the edge of the bed. In essence, there was nothing to indicate that it was a dream.
Upon opening her eyes however, Silica once again confronted an impossible sight only present in her dreams. Kirito's sleeping face large in her field of view. Their bodies were close enough that Silica could easily reach out and touch him.
Feeling a little guilty, Silica decided to use the odd, lucid dream to its maximum. Enacting the things she was not brave enough to do in the waking world, Silica reached out and touched Kirito's hair as the other girls often did. Silica marveled in its silky texture. The unkempt strands sliding through her fingers.
What else?
So many possibilities, so little time. Biting a lip to try and focus, the pain did not actually speed things up. After a moment of pausing, Silica decided to say the things in her dream that she wished she could say in real life.
Running a loving hand down Kirito's cheek, the boy's eyes fluttered open slowly, his eyes blurred with a sleepy confusion.
"Kirito." Silica spoke the boy's name with a loving grace. If she had tried something like this awake, her voice would have stammered into being incomprehensible. Face adorned with a loving smile; Silica spoke her feelings into being. "Please kiss me."
It was far from the first time Silica had imagined something like this. It was the first time she felt like she was actually speaking the words. Actually making progress in their relationship.
"Are you sure?" Kirito asked with a frown.
From behind Kirito, a startled Leafa appeared. Her mouth hanging open in a wide O shape. Wearing a loose light-green top, her black hair was disheveled in a way very reminiscent of Kirito's.
Why is she in my dream…? Silica was not sure how she felt about the answer she arrived at. Kirito was too busy and had so many people after his time that she would never get a moment completely alone with him. Silica did not want to pursue the places that further lines of thought would bring her to.
"Yes." Silica nodded once, bringing her face closer to Kirito. She refused to do the whole thing though. She wanted him to make the move. To get used to pursuing her.
If only he would in my waking hours as well… Silica could never drudge up the courage required that girls like Strea and Philia found with no apparent effort.
"I… Okay." Stroking her cheek in return, Silica rushed with emotion as his gentle fingers brushed her skin. Electric jolts shooting through her body. Tensing up, Silica's heartbeat was a frenzied drum. Its rhythm loud enough to be heard throughout the room, Silica thought. Slightly puckering her lips, Silica's eyes shut as Kirito's mouth approached.
Waiting tensed, A stray thought drifted through her mind. Wait, didn't it hurt when I bit my lip?
Before she could focus on the thought any longer, it was erased in a flash of feeling. A soft, slightly wet sensation pressing gently on her mouth. It was different from she imagined, but also magical.
I felt pain. Could it actually be… Eyes shooting open in shock, Silica flung herself backwards off the bed. Head crashing against the wooden floor, Silica fell backwards in a tumble before slamming into the wall. More pain drove home her superstitions.
"I-I'm not dreaming!?"
"O-Oh, I guess I should have asked a second time…" Kirito blushed apologetically. "Sorry about that. I… I have no excuse."
"N-No, I enjoyed it! Loved it in fact! I-I just didn't realize it was real…"
Leafa snickered breaking up their apology fest. "Oh come on, this has been weeks in the making. Come crawl back in bed and have ten minutes of fun before starting your day."
Leaving it there, Leafa hopped off the bed, grabbed a pile of adventuring clothes and kissed Kirito, a small peck on the lips before darting away to try and find a shower. At this early hour, only the far east girls, and occasionally Rain had a chance of being there. Lili always bathed at night, Philia after returning from the dungeon.
There was so little space in the house that they alternated sleeping in an inn. Sometimes, the girls gave up and used the showers in Babel or the guild. The unisex facilities were somewhat intimidating for Silica who could never get over the male adventurers too keen to show skin outside of the curtained off stalls.
As the door behind Leafa was firmly shut, Silica approached the bed with small halting steps. Kirito was sitting upright almost in the dead center of the bed. Timidly, Silica sat on the corner and tugged at her cotton shirt. The cheap material was slightly too sheer, Silica realized now, for Kirito to see her in.
"Silica?"
Kirito's voice was full of questioning. The unspoken questions haunting Silica.
Don't make me say it! Silica raged internally. She wanted Kirito to look at her with hungry eyes. Like she was something he wanted, needed to have. For him to push her down and claim her.
"Kirito… If… If you really don't like me, I want you to tell me. I'd rather get through the pain now then—"
Looking over at the boy due to a strange creak from the bed, Silica caught the boy shifting strangely. His left arm was between his legs, his knees awkwardly pressing together.
Eyes tracking up past his black shirt, Silica swallowed as she caught sight of his face. It was still flushed, redder than usual. It was his eyes that really caught Silica off guard however. They kept flicking down, pupils wide. The same searching look that Strea had received the most for rather obvious reasons.
"That—that isn't an issue," Kirito answered hoarsely. His voice fluctuating rapidly in pitch.
YES! Cheering internally, Silica felt her tail pick up pace. She had lived with it for so long now that she had forgotten what life was like without one. "Can you… umm, can you take the initiative?"
Seizing on the last vestiges of her fake dream, Silica's face flushed scarlet as she forced the question out.
"Unn," Kirito grunted deeply, his body moving swiftly across the bed. Sitting still, Silica jump as his hand stroked her shoulder from behind.
"K-Kirito?"
"Sorry, you're the only girl with one."
"With wh—ahh!" Suddenly, Kirito's hand closed on her tail. Not tight enough to cause pain, but the sudden sensation straightened her spine. She could feel Kirito's breath on her neck, hear the subtle sounds of his body moving behind her.
Kirito's one hand held the tail in place while his other hand stroked its length. Starting at the tip, two fingers wound through the fur, approaching the base.
"K-Kirito!?"
Silica's questioning gasp was not enough to make his hands stop, however. Breath hitching, Silica felt as his hand reached the base, where the tail connected to the base of her spine.
"It really fuses straight in seamlessly…" Kirito murmured, his hands touching the junction of her fur and skin.
"K-Kirito!" Silica protested again.
"I'm almost done," He assured her, "the anatomy is kind of odd to think about is all."
"T-Then stop thinking about it!" Silica was only half relieved as Kirito's hands left that dangerous area of her body. Silica had no idea what Kirito had done with the other girls, where his hands would go.
Before she could think further about it however, his hands had already began touching her again. Stroking her hair for a moment, they swiftly wrapped around her velvety ears, stroking the soft fur that covered her cat ears.
"Nya!" Releasing a very unhumanlike noise, Silica's back arched as strange new instincts were awoken within her. "Kirito…"
"Silica…" Panting from the strange emotion, Silica barely registered that Kirito's words were finally filled with the hunger that she had desired. Falling back against his chest, Silica looked up at the man looming over and shivered. The black eyes were a boring a hole through her and only her. Taking it all in, Silica exalting in having their undivided attention, even if it only was half a dozen minutes more.
Bell:
"Kirito was slow getting up today," Bell commented to Lili. The two of them were alone as they made their way to an isolated forge on the Northern edge of Orario. Bell spoke more for something to say than out of actual curiosity.
"Indeed," Lili's lips pulled into a tight smile as she glanced at Bell. "I can't help but feel you may be in the same predicament sooner rather than later."
Blinking, Bell did not understand Lili's words. The girl shrugged, a faint pulling on her lips as she grimaced from the weight of the basket in her arms. "I really should be carrying that."
"No!" Lili pulled away. "I'm your supporter. If you take even this away from me then I really will have no job…"
"Lili…" Bell knew the girl was devastated at having not hit level two from the wargame. Along with Haruhime – who could not even get an update – Lili was the only level one remaining. Bell knew that there were areas of the dungeon that were completely level locked. Not even in a supporting capacity could one below the threshold enter the area and live. If they kept getting stronger and going deeper…
"Huh? Master Bell should try and not make such expressions. Onlookers will begin to think there is not much between his ears. Then the scam attempts will double."
Bell flushed and kicked the ground guiltily. Week old embarrassment crashed through his body. How was he supposed to have known that the desperate girl begging for help was a thief?
"A-Anyway." Desperate to change the topic, Bell mentioned their destination once again. "What do you know about this Welf guy that helped us? I was so busy trying to not screw up I don't remember much…"
"Hmm…" Lili frowned, adjusting her basket as Bell and her wove their way around the few other pedestrians filling the morning streets. "I was useless in the fight, I remember him charging out from nowhere and then swinging a magic sword. The flames completely disrupted the monster. It was power beyond what I thought magic swords could emit. Rumours are that he is a Crozzo. Lisbeth probably knows, but she refused to do the delivery."
Crozzo… The name tickled Bell's mind. He felt like he had heard whispers of the name during the preparation for the last battle. Disappointed sighs that they weren't still around.
Finding a dilapidated building, Bell and Lili paused in front of it. The squat building was small, almost definitely a single room. A large chimney rising from one corner. With the shutters ability to completely close, it was clearly designed as a forge, the heat warping some of the wooden boards.
Before he could lose courage, Bell rapped his first loudly against the front door.
One second, then five ticked by with no response.
"…Maybe he isn't here?" Lili shrugged.
Bell frowned, not believing for a moment that that was correct. "He must be, Hephaestus told Hestia that if we came here today he would be here."
"Well, where is—"
Lili's question did not need finishing as the door crashed open, dragging out a startled yelp from both of them. Whirling, Bell had his dagger in his hand before he landed.
"What the hell you two doing?" The red-haired greeted them. "Coming to my forge uninvited and then pulling a weapon?"
"N-No, this is!" Waving the Hestia knife in front of him, Bell only deepened the blacksmith's scowl before Lili yanked him backwards.
Bowing half ways, Lili stuck the basket out in front of her. "Master Welf, we are here to bestow our thanks to you for your aid in defeating the Bull outside Orario."
"Eh? Oh, you're with Liz's new familia," the boy's face suddenly split, the scowl disappearing. "Thought you were another of those scoundrels coming to me for magic swords. Can barely go a day before more track me down…"
Gulping, all thoughts about asking after the magic sword he used vanished from Bell's mind. Following Lili inside, Bell thought that maybe he should let Lili handle this. The blacksmith clearly had a temper and irascible personality.
"Let's see what you brought me!" The blacksmith sounded pleased as he pulled back the cloth covering to discover the goods within. The wide smile dropped. "Is this… candy? Oh, and a coupon for Jyaga Maru Kun… Great."
He hates it… Bell started sweating.
Moving those to the side, the Blackmisth's smile returned and in full force. "Oh ho, thank you Liz!" Crowing, the man lifted a pair of ingots from the basket. "Dir-adamantine and Dragon Scale Steel! This is awesome! I've never had a change to work with either of these before!"
Unable to stop himself, Bell barked out his question. "But aren't those metals incompatible with magic swords?"
"Magic swords?" The blacksmith's face grimaced again, disgust plain as day. "Do you see the one I used to help you here?"
"No?" Bell was unsure if it was a trick question. "It broke after you used it. Magic swords always break."
"Yeah," Welf bit out. "They break. They leave their user behind weaponless. Liz can try and push through that pain, but I refuse. A weapon should live and die with their owner. Companions until the end."
Isn't that… a little too romantic? Taking a glance at Lili, the supporter was rolling her eyes. The ever-practical supporter had no room in her heart to consider anything past a blade's useability and cost.
As Bell looked at her though, his eyes were drawn past Lili to a set of armour thrown roughly upon a workbench. The sleek off-white colour with red trim drew his gaze. Taking a step toward it, Bell could no longer focus on anything else. He could see himself fighting in it. Light armour protecting the vital areas, better than what he had.
"Did you… make this?" Bell asked hoarsely. All the while, he did not peel his eyes from it. The armour had transfixed him.
"Urgh… Laugh if you want." Welf griped bitterly. "Didn't sell at the store, so they sent it back. Like it was ever going to sell stuffed in a cardboard box in a corner. All I ask for is equal treatment. Is that too much?"
Bell wasn't sure how much of the speech he had been supposed to hear. Basically though, the blacksmith did not want it. "Welf… Can I buy this?"
Lili gasped faintly, a sharp noise following. Bell did not need to look to know that the girl had slapped her forehead in disbelief.
"Buy…? You want to…" A genuine, hopeful smile split the man's lips. "You're the first person besides Klein to ever ask me for something that wasn't a magic sword. Put that down, I'll make you personalized armour. Armour made with the forge ability."
Bell felt a strange, warm feeling in his chest. The big brother attitude was one Bell had not thought to encounter. Unable to pull away, Bell clasped the callused hand, a matching smile splitting his lips.
Lili could only gape at the boys, feeling for all the world that she was watching a pre-destined event. A pair of kindred souls that would continue to reencounter each other across the many millennia. A bond of friendship reignited that had transcended lifetimes.