Chapter 8: Contract
A/N: Yo wys. My schedule is a mess like always but it does make me happy when people ask for updates. Real nice to see support.
I'll be real with you. These days, writing just hasn't been the same, I keep realising just how much ass my writing sucks. It makes sense since I usually come up with things on the spot, there is no planning anything at all.
So after this chapter, I'm going to re-plan a lot of my series, I have no reason to give up but I won't continue to pump out shit.
I would like to mention okietrapper in this A/N. This person has well shown their enthusiasm for my writing and even managed to get me off my lazy ass to write in such a polite manner that I started feeling like I should do something, I apologise for the horrible uploading man as you can probably read above, writing ain't been the same and fanfics especially have been out of touch for me.
Oh, I also somehow managed to tear my tendon so that's nice.
Either way, tata~
"Oh dear lord," Riveria facepalmed seeing Tiona letting herself go. Her worst nightmares were coming to reality, as Tiona really had decided to ask Bell a weird question.
Bell chuckled at this sight but still shook his head, "I'm sorry Tiona san, but I can't do that."
"Whaat? Why not? Is it the boobies? It's the boobies isn't it?" Tiona pouted as she pat her rather 'flat' chest.
"It's not your chest," Bell casually replied.
"Or the lack thereof," Tione murmured.
"Hey! I heard that!" Tiona shouted indignantly at her sister.
Bell sighed, "Regardless it's not because of your chest." He felt a bit shocked that someone could even arrive at such a conclusion regarding him. Though it seemed more like Tiona had that as a complex or insecurity rather than him being the cause of the issue.
He knew that she was out of the norm of course she seemed far more pure-spirited than any Amazoness he had ever met, and though her face would be seen mostly as beautiful, the rest of her was severely lacking to the point that she was notoriously known as "The Washboard of Telskyura".
"I'm not shallow enough to allow the physiques of people to sway me, I have my own type, yes, but I wouldn't allow it to hamper my opinion on another woman."
Tione rolled her eyes, "Ok ok we get it, you are a knight in shining armour, someone with no imperfections with the most composed mind ever. Gee, talk about being humble."
"Tione you are being rude!" Riveria immediately chastised. "Sorry Bell san, she isn't very good at controlling herself."
Though she had apologised, things in the room had taken a turn for the worse.
*Sluuuurp*
Both ideas seemingly had no way of going on.
*Sluuurp*
No way of going on...
*sluuuuur-
"Do you mind gramps?!" Bell glared at his grandfather.
"What? It's not like any of you guys are talking. You lot killed the mood." Zeus shrugged before going back to slurping on his ice cream.
Bell could only grit his teeth before sighing, "Apologies Riveria san, it seems we should continue this another day."
"Yes, so it seems," Riveria grabbed her staff as she got up. "Thank you very much for the delicious meal, we shall invite you for dinner soon hopefully."
With that, the trio saw themselves out of the manor as Bell and Zeus stayed sat in the dining room.
As if on cue, the maids entered and began cleaning up the tables in silence.
"well, that didn't turn out as expected but at least it was a step towards friendliness?" Zeus spoke.
Bell silently got up, "I'm going to the workshop."
And with that, he silently left the room. Leaving Zeus and a melting ice cream.
"Haa...that boy surely knows to trick people."
In the backroom of the Zeus manor, a dim oil lamp was lit. The room wasn't anything fancy and it was far from anything you'd expect in the house of the ex-strongest familia. Yet it was the place where Bell spent most of his time outside the dungeon.
A wall made of stone, leaving virtually no way for light to come in, and a singular ventilation chimney.
The workshop where the personal blacksmith of the Zeus familia used to work. Like many other familias, the Zeus familia needed an abundance of weapons, and considering the number of high-quality adventurers they needed many more than others and simply waited for Hephaestus' executives for modifications or weapon smithing for a familia as large as theirs. Thus they had their own contracted blacksmiths that would exclusively work for them.
This was Bell's workshop, something that had been left behind by the Zeus familia. Due to the door being sealed shut when the guild members came to check the manor out, they were blocked out of this room by a powerful barrier.
Not just this room, but a few numerous rooms they simply had no access to, eventually Ouranos had told them to simply lock the place up and keep it in wait.
A series of bangs rung out, thankfully, however, the room was soundproofed so no one in the house was even bothered.
"Hm...as expected making smaller blades is easier in general," Bell muttered before chucking the piece of steel to the back of the room.
While many would see it as a waste, to Bell it was simply a failed product. Though blacksmithing wasn't his expertise, he wasn't particularly poor at it and while being with Zeus, he had been taught everything by a dwarf that resided in the village.
Though he found smaller blades easier to make, it didn't mean his lack of experience would also disappear.
Making yet another steel cast he began to hammer away once more. The blazing heat in front of his face didn't even bother him anymore, and his iris constricted in the sheer concentration that he was using.
He had thought he could use his new development ability to make a better weapon. But all it did was show the structural weakness of his weapons not where the impurities were. So the plan had failed.
"Haa...well, it was worth an attempt." Bell got up and began walking around the workshop. His goal was a single golden pedestal tucked into a corner of the room. A single blade is embedded into it.
"Now, how do I create a piece like you?" Bell spoke to himself as he admired the work in front of him. A scope-like cross appeared in his eye as he stared at the masterpiece in front of him.
' The Shingen'
A blade too pristine to be called a weapon of murder. The polished wood of its sheath covered the flawless blade within it. Flawless because he knew, looking into the blade itself, there was not a single weak point the blade.
In his entire life, Bell had never come across a weapon quite like this. Silently without speaking another word, he went back to the forge. He would keep trying, he needed some throwing knives anyways.
The Next Day
Bell left the workshop in the morning. Having not slept all night, he didn't manage to make a single decent blade even by throwing knife standards. Nothing compared to match the ornament by his side.
"Did you just get up? What on Earth were you doing in that dust pit?" Zeus asked exasperated at the tired expression Bell had.
Bell sighed once more and ruffled his hair, "I was trying to make a few throwing knives using my developmental ability to see if I could make them any sturdier than before but well, it failed."
"Bah, minor inconvenience, your developmental ability isn't enough of an edge to make you a master blacksmith, you're an amateur at best," Zeus laughed, "Why don't you just buy a weapon?"
Bell pondered a bit on Zeus' suggestion, to be fair although his ability wouldn't allow him to make stronger and better weapons, it would definitely allow him to find a better weapon. The more weak points a weapon had, the worse it was going to be.
"Thing is though, it's difficult to find weapons that suit my preference," Bell emphasised by tapping his falcatas. Truly they were different than usual, it was a unique weapon. A weapon that could as sharp as a razor but with a weighting that allowed it to hit as hard as an axe.
"That's why you need a contracted blacksmith my boy."
"Contracted blacksmith?" Bell raised an eyebrow at the alien term.
"Simply put, it's someone who makes all your weapons for you and thanks to that the weapon will be best suited to your desire. Hell since you know smithing too you can even help out." Zeus explained. "The previous members had contracted blacksmiths too, did you really think that Dord alone could've handled all the members in that little cave hole of his?"
"It's not a cave hole, it's a workshop." Bell corrected feeling a little bit insulted about the forge, "Okay, fine. Where do I find these contract...able blacksmiths?"
Zeus laughed at Bell's difficulty, "They aren't some majestic beast that you have to go around searching for, you do know that right?"
"S-Shut up, I know."
"The best bet you have is in the tower. Go to the weapons floors owned by Hephaestus, and find a good weapon. Smiths always brand their weapon and try asking around for that blacksmith. Alternatively, you can just crash Hephaestus' house, I'm sure she wouldn't mind." Zeus shrugged.
Bell took a step back, "No no I think anyone, in general, would take offence to that."
"Well then the tower it is, grab breakfast and head off. We aren't low on funds so you may as well get yourself some supplies if you need them."
Thus, Bell got cleaned up and left for the Babel Tower. He grabbed a jagamarukun on the way from a deity he couldn't understand why she was working there and made it to the entrance. As he was about to enter someone interrupted his march.
"Oh Bell san," Eina called out, " I thought you would be in the dungeon already it's almost mid-day. How are you doing today?"
Bell turned to see Eina Tulle in a casual set of clothing. Wearing a white blouse with a light green summer jacket. She had one of those belted sandals on too. Overall she looked stunning, with her brown hair on one side and a gentle smile.
Bell couldn't help but blush a bit, not having mentally prepared for such a sight, "O-oh hello there Eina san," he smiled awkwardly, "I was just going to check out the weapons shop in Babel, my gramps was telling me to...contract a blacksmith and he said the best place to look was in the tower."
Eina smiled, "Contracting a blacksmith huh...yes that is a wise decision to make especially if you are reckless with your weapons as you can get things for discounted prices from your contracted blacksmith too."
"Well, the issue is that my weapons are somewhat unique so it's hard to gauge what blacksmith could even create a weapon such as these." Bell once more pointed towards his falcatas.
"Are they so unique though?" Eina asked, "I mean appearance wise they looked pretty close to the Zolas Tione Hiryute uses."
"Although they are similar in looks, there are in fact a fair amount of differences in them and while the shape is easily recreated, getting the weighting right is difficult," Bell explained not blaming her ignorance.
"I see, well shall we head in then?" Eina asked.
"We?"
"Yes, I have a day off today so I may as well show you around the tower."
Bell panicked and shook his head, "It's your precious day off, you should do things that you enjoy Eina san. I know how much they work you in that place."
Eina giggled, "You are quite a considerate person aren't you Bell san, but it's okay, it's nothing compared to the peril adventurers face and besides, I think I would enjoy some company on my day off anyways." Eina leant in, a couple of loose strands covering her eye, "Unless it is you who doesn't want me to stay."
Bell smiled, understanding her attempt at poking fun at him, "No, if you are willing to help me out, then who am I to refuse?"
"Great, let's go in then."
So the two went in. Bell was introduced to the novel existence of elevators, ended up being dragged around to anything but the weapons shop and was practically introduced to the entire tower.
Though he learnt a few things.
One, Hephaestus owned many floors, understandably her familia was large enough to have products on all of the floors.
Two, just because it wasn't made by her executives doesn't mean you can't find hidden gems. You can find plenty of cheaper options that are still decent quality and from the prestigious Hephaestus familia.
As they approached the cheaper products he saw a familiar half-dwarf.
"Collbrande san?" He paused as he looked into the store, certainly not expecting her.
Tsubaki was after all someone whose products were more high-end.
The dwarf similarly turned around and saw Bell. Immediately smirking she leaned on the crate she had on the counter, "Ho if it isn't Spades. The man who has a different woman with him every day of the week."
"Wha- No, Eina san is only helping me discover the tower," Bell replied.
The grin on Tsubaki's face widened, "Oh she's helping you discover alright. Will she be helping "discover" her cave later?"
Eina, not one to be unaware of the insinuations blushed a bright red, "C-Collbrande san I'm just his advisor. It is my duty to help the adventurer I'm in charge of."
"Hm is that so..." Tsubaki laughed.
"Either way what are you doing here? I thought your weapons would be further up." Bell asked.
"Well these are all failed products, but still decent enough for lower-class adventurers to use. What about you?"
"I needed throwing knives. Also to search for someone to become my contracted blacksmith." Bell replied.
"Eh? You need a contract blacksmith?" Tsubaki looked at him for a bit, "How about it?"
"How about what?"
"How about making a contract with me? I won't be able to be your exclusive blacksmith but I can take care of your weapons for ya. Besides, I made your 'Twin dragons' anyways." She shrugged.
"T-Twin dragons," Bell's eyebrow shook, "That's the name you gave them?"
"Yeah so? Ain't it a bit cool? Twin dragons going into action and decimating everything in the path. I'm even surprised you managed to find a weapon design like that." Tsubaki's eyes glistened.
"Uh, I think I won't be calling them that for...well, forever," Bell informed her.
"What? Why? It's such a cool name!"
...
Bell didn't even want to explain to her how embarrassing it would be to even go to someone and ask them for his "twin dragons". He'd bury himself in shame.
'I'm being totally ignored here aren't I?' Eina realised standing to the side. Although she was more or less used to it since this was a discussion between an adventurer and a blacksmith, she did feel slightly left out.
"Great then, let's go over to my forge and we can look over the details." Tsubaki slapped, "While we are at it, you can take this too. It ain't got much just a few throwing knives and some daggers and one sword. Just in case I got your weapon for maintenance."
"Okay then," Bell turned to Eina and gave a curt bow, "Thank you for showing me around Eina san, even though it was your day off."
"Oh it's alright, it was quite fun for me anyways. Especially when you pfft... discovered the elevator." Eina stifled a giggle.
Bell took on a tinge of red but said no more letting her have her fun. Soon they separated on their paths.
Once they had returned to Tsubaki's forge, she got two chairs for them to sit on. The entire place was about what one would expect from a high-level blacksmith.
She had weapons on hooks for the walls, and the room itself was spacious and with multiple ventilation ports. Seemingly also soundproofed as well, most likely so she wouldn't be bothered as she worked.
Materials and schematics were lying around a bit, though it only made sense given the context.
"Sorry for the mess, I didn't get a chance to clean up much." Tsubaki apologised.
Though it was doubt worthy whether she even had plans to tidy things up either way.
"Now," She slapped a piece of paper onto the table, "The contract is simple. You're a second-class adventur-"
"Actually I'm first class now." Bell cut her off.
"Oh great, even better." Tsubaki took it in stride, "Either way, the way this will work is as follows:
I will make your primary weapons and make adjustments as to your wishes. You bring me better materials from deeper in the dungeon, the stronger the weapon will be.
If you want me to make other weapons, I'll also make those. It will be knowledge that I'm your smith but don't worry I assure you that your information will be secure with me.
As for payment, you will get a discounted rate, depending on your weapon quality the payment will differ, you can pay in instalments too. Or you can pay in ores too." She explained.
"huh, seems pretty flexible."
"Well, of course, everything I mentioned is useful and has enough monetary value for it to count as a method of repayment. Also, if you can bring me materials for the reinforcements or creations, the prices will go further down."
The deal seemed pretty good. Tsubaki had no reason to lie to him. Though he would add on a clause himself.
"I'd like to add a condition," Bell piped up, " I want you to swear an oath, that no matter what happens. You cannot divulge my information or anything I've told you. As my blacksmith, you will know many things, but you must swear upon your deity to never tell anyone."
Tsubaki made a fake pained expression, "Wow do you trust me so little? I thought we were friends," she jokingly said but upon seeing Bell's expression she understood it was far from that. She scratched her head for a bit before sighing, "Fine I swear upon Hephaestos, Goddess of the forge, to never reveal your details, information, status or anything you divulge me with."
An oath under your deity's name was a divine promise. It forged a new line to the connection to your host God and it was the most sacred promise one could make.
If one were to ever go against it or break the oath, 1000 hammers of justice would metaphorically land on them and very much kill them, severing the connection between them and their God.
In all fairness, it was the most sincere anyone could be.
Bell smiled, "Thank you. It's not that I doubt you, but things change. Who knows what happens in the future."
"Yeah, I get ya. It's a horrible world we live in," Tsubaki reassured him. "Anyways, do you need me to do anything immediately, now that we have made this contract, you can just drop by to give me your weapons for maintenance."
"No I have nothing needed right now, I might head into the dungeon for a bit," Bell shrugged.
With that Bell took his leave. Not taking so long he went straight into the dungeon, having the efficiency to get to the 16th floor with ease, simply because he wanted to sock some of these bastards around.
Meanwhile,
Two people in capes were sitting across from each other in a cafe. Their real identities were known to none but each other.
"I can see how cute he is," the man spoke up, "But I see no reason for you to help me with this."
"Ufufu...don't worry about it, I'd rather him in your hands than in Zeus." An effeminate and sweet voice replied. The sound of her giggle was enough to enchant those with weaker minds.
"Bah, your feud with Zeus still continues huh? Well, are you sure we can beat him with this? He's a level 5. Even my strongest child is level 3." The man spoke.
"Don't worry, not even a first-class adventurer will be able to handle this much magic on them. Just do it as I told you and everything will work out."
"Ok then. Soon, hehehehehe he will be mine." The man laughed like a perverted maniac.
Meanwhile, the woman sat in silence alone with her thoughts, 'oh you fool. He's mine for the taking, you're just a pawn in this.'
A/N: And that's a wrap. Gods I haven't written a fanfic chapter in so long. Merry late Christmas to those who celebrate it and an early happy new year. I hope everyone enjoys their holidays, or at least these events and I pray that I get more time to upload chapters in 2023.
Pray so that my ass quality writing can also be improved bruh.
Bless.