Luki and Hestia walked side by side with arms linked, a curious sight, given the striking difference in height between them.
Luki didn't know his exact height, but he was certain he stood about a head taller than Lyu, who measured 1.65 m. By that logic, he was somewhere between 1.85 m and 1.90 m. Beside him, the goddess of the hearth and home stood at barely 1.40 m, making their contrast all the more noticeable.
— Are you sure you're ready for this? — Hestia asked, casting him a worried glance.
— More than ever — Luki replied firmly.
— B-but... wouldn't it be better to wait just a little longer? I don't know, train until all your stats reach rank A? Or better yet, rank S?
— Do you even hear yourself? Do you know how long that would take just with training? I also need to make money... or would you rather spend the rest of our lives living in other people's houses?
— And what's the problem with that? I've done it twice already: once in Tenkai and another here on Genkai. It worked out fine!
— "Worked out fine" like... Hephaestus hasn't kicked me out yet, so it's all good? Or maybe you mean Miss Artemis' house, that one time?
— Hey! I'm not some freeloader who lives off other people's generosity just to go from party to party!
Luki tilted his head slowly, staring at her with a mocking smile that reached his eyes. He said nothing.
She noticed the silent jab, turned her face away with a fake pout, and muttered:
— Well... it's not like I party every day...
— Sure, sure... my goddess, huh? — Luki sighed, as if accepting defeat before the conversation had even ended.
They'd had this kind of back-and-forth a thousand times before. And every time, without exception, he ended up losing one way or another. At least it never escalated into a real argument. In the end, it always turned into flirting, light, teasing, full of complicity.
It was hard, almost impossible, to stay mad at Hestia.
— Pfff~
— What are you laughing at?
— Nothing... it's just that you've been so talkative lately. I remember the quiet elf I met months ago. That one would've never teased me like this.
— Hehe~ let's just say I had an excellent teacher. — Luki smiled and leaned down, brushing his face against hers.
— Stop it, Luki~ — she complained, but her resistance was pure theater. It was obvious she liked it — Not out here, what if someone sees us like this?
— Let them. I want everyone to know how lucky I am to have you by my side. — he said, looking straight into her eyes without hesitation.
— Lukiii~ you're so gallant... you're making me blush.
— That was the plan.
— Hihi~ — Hestia let out a giggle, but as she looked at him, her smile softened into something more hesitant.
— Sorry... Luki...
— Hm? What for? What is it now?
— It's just... you're always so good to me. Nothing in the world would make me happier than shouting how much I love you, but... this is the first time I've ever gone through this. I get... embarrassed.
— Hestia — he said gently —, I already told you it's fine. If you want to keep this just between us for now, I don't mind.
— I know, but... — she lowered her head slightly, avoiding his gaze.
Luki watched her for a moment, then acted without thinking much. He glanced around discreetly, then swept her up into his arms.
— Come here!
— Wait! Luki!? — she yelped, startled, as he lifted her off the ground as if she weighed nothing.
With ease, he turned her to face him and cradled her in his arms, her knees resting as if she were seated.
— Put me down! — she protested, blushing all the way to her ears.
— Only if you give me a kiss.
— What!? B-but I... — Hestia looked around like a child caught misbehaving.
— Sorry, didn't catch that. Care to repeat? — Luki leaned even closer, eyes locked on hers, lips just inches away.
In that position, with her arms wrapped around his neck for balance, Hestia had nowhere to run.
— Luki... I hate you — she muttered, face crimson, but a smile tugging at the corner of her mouth.
— I love you too, my goddess — he whispered back, his voice soft and warm.
They stared at each other for a moment. And then, with a resigned sigh, Hestia took the initiative and kissed him.
— Chu~ There. Happy now?
— Hmm... maybe I'll be happy if I get one more.
— Stop that, you silly! Hihihi~ — she laughed, visibly lighter, completely melted by the affection — We're almost there.
Luki glanced over her shoulder and saw the Hephaestus Familia's mansion looming ahead.
— Hm... yeah, you got away this time. For now. But when we're alone, I'll be collecting that second kiss, you hear?
— Oh, Luki~ — she sighed, but her smile gave her away. She wasn't upset in the slightest.
He set her down carefully. Hestia's heels clicked against the pavement. Without missing a beat, they linked arms again, this time with Hestia resting her head against his arm, and kept walking together.
...
When they reached the Hephaestus Familia mansion, Luki and Hestia discreetly separated, at her request, before anyone saw them arm in arm.
At the gate, two guards approached out of formality, but a closer look was enough for them to recognize who they were. Without another word, they stepped aside.
Inside the main hall, Luki couldn't hide the spark in his eyes. In two lifetimes, he'd never been able to afford anything like this. The architecture, the polished marble, the golden chandeliers... everything seemed arranged with deliberate extravagance.
— Fufu~ — Hestia murmured proudly. — One of these days we're going to live in a mansion bigger than this one.
Luki arched a brow, surprised at her ambition, then broke into a wide grin.
— True... and it'll be right in front of a lake.
She laughed, pleased with the answer. But before they could keep dreaming, a familiar voice echoed down the corridor.
— You two! Do you have any idea how late you are?
They turned and saw Tsubaki Collbrande approaching with firm strides and crossed arms, as always. Her black eyepatch, carelessly tied-up hair, and soot-stained clothes made her stand out in the refined environment, but no one would ever dare point it out.
After all, Tsubaki was the Chief Smith of the Hephaestus Familia, and her very presence carried enough authority to make anyone straighten their posture.
— Hi, Tsubaki! — Hestia greeted with an enthusiastic wave.
— Long time no see, huh? — Luki added with a smile. — Still carrying that same smell of smoke and charcoal.
— And you're still as cocky as ever, elf boy — Tsubaki shot back, raising a brow but unable to hide the smile tugging at her lips. — Hephaestus sent me to fetch you. Your request is ready.
— Really!? — Hestia nearly bounced on the spot. — That was faster than I expected!
— Well, the goddess here made a special order — Tsubaki said, giving Hestia a light pat on the shoulder. — And when the boss takes something seriously, nothing can stop her.
— So that means... — Luki began, excited.
— Follow me. — Tsubaki turned without another word. — You'll want to see this with your own eyes.
Without hesitation, Luki and Hestia exchanged a thrilled look and followed her through the mansion's corridors, heading toward the forges.
The smell of heated metal and oil thickened in the air as they approached. With every step, Luki's heart pounded faster, he had a pretty good idea of what awaited them inside.
...
The heavy forge doors creaked open. A wave of heat washed over them immediately, along with the sharp scent of hot iron and smoke.
The light inside was harsh but golden, casting flickering shadows on the stone walls. Tools hung neatly, molds, tongs, and hammers filled the room, all carefully arranged, yet clearly well-used.
Hephaestus stood with her back to them, adjusting the fitting of a metal hilt on a short blade. The soft sound of metal being pressed echoed through the room.
She wore a sleeveless reinforced leather shirt and dark trousers. Her arms were sweaty and smudged with soot, as was part of her face. Her red hair was tied in a high ponytail, with a few strands sticking to her skin.
Even in that rough state, her presence stood out. There was a solid, natural beauty about her, one that didn't fade with sweat and grime but blended seamlessly with them.
— Lady Goddess, I've brought them. — Tsubaki announced, stepping forward.
— Hephaestus! — Hestia called, waving excitedly as she strode to the center of the room, Luki right behind her.
The smith goddess turned at the sound of her friend's voice. A faint smile touched her lips as she recognized them.
— Hestia. Luki-kun. It's been a while... — she said, giving a brief nod.
— Sorry to interrupt. — Luki spoke up.
— Oh, it's nothing. I was just making some knives to pass the time.
With a soft sigh, Hephaestus carefully set the dagger and tools on the bench. For something she called "passing time," her work was impressively meticulous.
— I imagine you came for your equipment... or maybe another loan.
— Hey! That's the second jab about me asking for money! — Hestia puffed her cheeks, arms crossed. — I'm not that desperate!
Everyone in the room stared at her for a moment. The awkward silence made the little goddess shrink back slightly, avoiding their gazes.
— It was only a few times... — she muttered.
Hephaestus sighed, rubbing her forehead.
— Anyway, follow me. I stored your things over there.
She and Hestia took the lead, while Luki and Tsubaki followed close behind, like makeshift bodyguards. Silence stretched for a while, until Tsubaki broke it.
— So... how's the training? Ready to dive again?
— Uh-huh. I'll update my Falna later today, but honestly, I feel confident as is.
— Good. But really, you don't need to worry that much. With my armor and Hephaestus' weapon, you couldn't possibly die down there. That'd be a disgrace to our skills.
— Thanks for the vote of confidence... — Luki chuckled. — And you? When are you going to take another stroll in the Dungeon?
— Oh, you know... later, when I'm more... prepared. — she answered, looking away with a pout.
'Why does everyone make that face when they're lying? Does she really think it fools anyone?' Luki thought.
— What? You scared? — he teased with a half-smile.
— Pfff~ scared?! — Tsubaki snapped, indignant. — Oh, you damn elf, I've been at this longer than you! I just prefer forging over using what I make.
— That's why you're still Level 5.
— Excuse me?! For your information, I do go into the Dungeon regularly, thank you very much!
— Yeah, but without a Great Achievement, you'll never hit Level 6.
Tsubaki sighed in frustration.
— Don't even remind me... I've tried everything, but nothing I do counts as a Great Achievement. What, should I dive to the hundredth floor?
— How about asking Loki Familia for help? They already have three Level 6 members.
— Hephaestus and I were actually considering that... but we don't want to owe that redhead any favors.
They walked past the benches and metal frames until Hephaestus stopped before a wide table and a sturdy stand. Both were covered by a white cloth, deliberately set to build suspense.
— Here it is. — the goddess said with a faint smile, hands on her hips. — I was waiting for you to reveal it.
Luki narrowed his eyes, feeling the anticipation rise in his chest. Hestia moved closer from the side, as curious as a child about to open a birthday present.
— Can I? — she asked, her hand already reaching for the cloth.
— Go ahead. — Hephaestus nodded, then looked at Luki. — You too.
Luki took a deep breath, stepping in front of the stand as Hestia took her place by the table.
— On three? — he suggested, and Hestia nodded eagerly.
— One... two... three!
Two almost simultaneous pulls filled the forge with the coarse sound of cloth being dragged away.