6 Meeting with Hephaestus.

As soon as I entered the guild, the familiar face of Eina entered my sight. It seems I arrived just in time.

I silently went over to her.

''Hello there, Eina-san.''

She yelped in surprise, and her companion snickered a bit at her display. A rather petite girl with pink hair and eyes.

I almost made a run for it here and there... Her features reminded me

too much of a certain crazy murder-happy Yandere. But then I seemed to remember who she was.

[Misha Flott.]

She should be Eina's friend. They graduated, and then joined the guild at the same time. She was not featured that much, however.

'' You scared me. Did you have to do that, Ken-san?'' She said with a mildly annoyed tone. All the while Misha and I shared a laugh.

''My bad, my bad. I did not think you'd get so surprised. Anyway, got any news?''

''Lady Hephaestus did indeed answer your call. It seems she was free this week. You got really lucky there. It's all up to you at this point. I do hope what you got is as special as you think it is.'' Eina said.

I could see Misha, her companion, look surprised at what she said. She didn't ask, though. I guess she doesn't want to know what she doesn't have to.

I can respect that.

I suppose the guild does indeed take confidentiality seriously. Likewise, I hope that also applies to close friends.

''Can you lead the way, Eina-san? We wouldn't want to keep Hephaestus-sama waiting, would we?''

''Of course, please follow me.'' She said.

I followed her as she led me to a secluded room.

------

When she opened the door, I could see Hephaestus sitting on a couch while talking with the Hephaestus Familia Captain, Tsubaki Collbrande.

[Hephaestus-lvl?]

I was surprised at the appraisal's result but quickly shook it off.

The goddess of smithing had a crimson eye and just as red hair that reached down to her shoulders.

She has a slender body, highlighted by her skin-tight leggings showcasing those divine thighs... A simple white shirt hugged her lines showing a bit of cleavage.

Her eye patch seemed to cover the entire right half of her face, which strangely did not ruin her rather sharp features.

I always found her story rather sad in a strange way.

She was my favourite character. Although, it would be foolish to treat these people as some sort of NPCs.

[Tsubaki Collbrande-lvl5.]

HP: 3680

MP: 1350

The half-dwarf captain had brown skin, long black hair, and red eyes.

Much like her goddess, she had a simple eyepatch, but it seems to go on her left side instead. She has a well-endowed chest which she keeps in a Sarashi. She wears a red hakama and sandals.

While I observed the two of them, they seemed to be doing the same to me.

''I assume this is the one that wanted to join the Familia, correct?'' Tsubaki asked Eina while cocking her head towards me.

Eina nodded her head and left the room after exchanging the usual pleasantries.

''Hello, the name's Ken Akagi. I am indeed the one that wishes to join the Hephaestus Familia. Do you mind if I take a seat?''

Hephaestus shook her head. She kept staring at me for a couple more seconds, then said. ''Go ahead.'' She gestured at the red couch opposite hers.

''I take it you heard from Eina-san that I possess unique magic... I even advertised that it would be very appealing to a crafting familia.''

''Yes, that is the reason we are here.'' She said as she mentioned to Familia's captain.

I grabbed the air, pulled out a pouch of Valis and put it back in. While to me, it was but a simple use of the inventory. To the two ladies in front of me, it would appear as if I can pull things out of thin air. Which I am capable of, but that's beside the point.

Just as I assumed, they seemed very shocked. Although, it seems the smithing goddess came out of her shock first. She asked in a somewhat grave tone.

''Is that space manipulation? No mortal should be able to use it...''

There was a certain edge to her voice. That made her captain even more shocked.

''I wouldn't know about that. I can store just about anything in a separate dimension for use later, time is halted as well. However, I can not put living beings there.'' I took a still steaming hot potato puff from my inventory and put it on the table that separated up.

She seems to mull over it for a few seconds, no doubt understanding the implications of what I demonstrated. She took a bite out of it.

''I am sure you can understand the value of this magic, especially to a crafting-type Familia. I am sure you can think of a large number of applications.''

She put a hand on her chin. The sound of her heels tapping on the wooden floor resounded in the small room for the next minute or two.

'' Why is it that you want to join my Familia? You don't strike me as the crafting type... The exploration familias would suit you better. I am sure either Freya or Loki would take you in.'' She said.

'' That's a fair question. There are other reasons, but the main one is rather simple.''

I paused for dramatic effect. Then said with a faint smile as I pointed at her.

''I simply find you attractive. I wouldn't want anyone else in this world as my goddess.''

There was a moment of silence before the silent Tsubaki roared in laughter and patted the back of her goddess.

It was the truth, and she knew it too.

That fact made her fluster for a moment at my sudden declaration. But that did not last long, because she was soon able to recollect herself. Although, she seemed pleased if the small smile on her face was note. No woman would hate getting complimented by a handsome man.

She asked, ''How about you humour me with the other reasons too?''

I thought the best approach would be my actual thoughts on this matter. ''I need protection from the attention I will be getting. I thought that your Familia would provide an ample amount of it. While the Hephaestus Familia may not be the strongest in Orario, I would reckon it has the most political power. No one can afford to piss off the best crafting familia in the town— the entire world even.''

'' I understand the rarity and importance of your unique magic, but why do you need that much protection? I assume you are omitting something rather important there?''She asked.

''I assure you I have no bad intentions towards your Familia. I mean the good kind of attention... Maybe some jealousy; envy at worst.''

'' Now you are just fueling my curiosity. Can you give the two of us a couple of minutes of privacy?'' asked the red-haired goddess.

''Sure, no problem here.''

---------

(Hephaestus POV)

I watched as the young man named Ken Akagi left me and my trusted captain and Tsubaki alone for a couple of minutes.

A part of me came here only due to curiosity. I couldn't even remember the last time someone claimed that they had unique magic and essentially 'requested' a meeting.

It was a bold move, for sure.

''What do you think about him, Hephaestus? He is hiding something big, surely,'' asked Tsubaki after a couple of seconds.

''I think he made that clear. It may be a personal secret. But, he never lied once ever since he set foot here.''

''Especially his 'main' reason for joining, huh.''She said with a teasing voice. '' 'You are the only goddess for me.'' ' She repeated what he just said.

She started to laugh in her usual boisterous way after she must have noticed the light shade of red on my cheeks.

'' He sounds responsible, despite being young. You'll do together just fine. He's a charmer too... You need to make a move before he gets swept up.'' She said as she gave me a thumbs up.

''TSUBAKI!! Ugh... Just tell me what you think about him.'' I said as I facepalmed.

'' As the captain of the familia, I must say his abilities are enticing. Even if we disregard why he's so sure he will be garnering attention, the 'good kind' as he said, he also seems well-trained. At least that's what his body would make you believe. He sounds like a great investment all around, especially with his age."

She paused for a moment as her whole demeanour changed.

"But, as your friend, I say you should let him join. Simply for the fact he doesn't seem to be bothered by your presence— at all. And he seems to be genuinely interested in you.'' said Tsubaki, seriously.

'I know that. I didn't even feel any feeling of fear or recoil from him. I even sensed a couple of lust-filled glances.' I thought as I went to touch the eyepatch covering the majority of my face's right side.

'Even after sealing my right eye, the curse still comes through. He is the only person so far to seem completely relaxed in my presence, only next to my dear old friend Hestia. Although Tsubaki can hide it well, it still comes off sometimes. '

''Let's just forget about it for now."

'This is not the time for this...'

"Why don't you call him in?'' I asked Tsubaki.

-----

I was standing in the hallway fiding with the dagger I took out from my inventory when I heard the sound of the door opening, with a smiling Tsubaki for some reason. She mentioned me to come inside.

Just as I was about to put my dagger back, my wrist got suddenly grabbed by her. I found her staring at it for a couple of seconds.

''Where did you get this knife? I have never seen a work like that. It's not the best piece I've ever seen, but the way it's forged is intriguing.'' She said in an awed voice.

Oops, should not have done that. Bleh, it matters little at the end.

''Here, I can lend it to you to study. Just make sure to keep it intact.''

''Sure, sure.'' She looked a bit uncomfortable, so she was gonna melt it down, huh?

''So what have you decided, Hephaestus-sama?'' I asked, but she also seemed to be drawn to the dagger. It must be her divinity taking over.

''How come even I don't know the forging method of this dagger?! Who made this?'' the smithing goddess asked in a hurried voice.

''Calm down. You will get a lot of answers once you put the Falna on my back. Let's just say it came along with my magic. ''

I feel bad using her divinity against her, but I had to do what I had to do.

She walked to me and we shook hands. Her hand slightly quivering. She stood there for a solid ten seconds, which confused me.

''You are accepted in the Familia! Now let's go get you that Falna.'' She said in a voice carrying a tinge of happiness as she tapped my shoulders.

As I was heading out, I missed the knowing look Tsubaki gave to Hephaestus.