About two weeks after passing through the post town of Karna—or, measured against the time we had traveled alongside the merchant caravan, with about a week left to go—we arrived at the village where we had dealt with those thugs(...).
Were those bastards still around...?
Fortunately, from what I heard, they had been executed for insulting a god, with all their prior crimes thrown in at once. Though in the former case, it seemed to be little more than a pretext to make it look proper...
"...So then Talos showed up, struck a pose, and said, 'Are you done with your last words?'"
"Ooh!"
"When those thug bastards tried to say something—
'Have you all finished pissing? Said your bedtime prayers? Ready to beg for your lives while trembling in the corner?'
—he completely crushed them with sheer intimidation!"
"Ooooooh!"
"Please, Goddess... Why did you have to come all the way here to dredge up my embarrassing past...?"
"Oh, be quiet. This is the climax."
"..."
"The thug bastards stammered for a while, but when one of them tried to say something—
'Shut your mouth. You're dog food!'
—then bam! Right in the solar plexus!"
"Just as expected of Talos!
You casually do what the rest of us can't! That's what makes me admire you!"
"...We are about to reach the inn. Let us stop this and quickly get rooms and something to eat."
"Ehh? But this is the best part..."
"..."
"...Food sounds good. Yes, let's eat."
Since this Black Knight Armor looked so terrifying, it was quite nice that simply staring silently at someone could intimidate them like this.
"Welcome! Well, if it isn't the party of that knight who came by before!"
"You remembered us. This time, however, we need rooms for three—"
"Talos."
All of a sudden, the Goddess's demeanor changed.
She was always relaxed, always exuding an easygoing and comfortable air.
But now, she was different. She radiated an edge as sharp as a blade honed to its utmost.
...What happened?
"Just now... a Falna was cut off."
"...What?"
"Not one. Three were cut off in succession... and another one was cut off just now."
"Did something happen in Orario...?"
"I don't know. But one thing is certain: we have to return immediately. As fast as possible."
"...I will try to purchase a carriage. Innkeeper."
"Y-yes! Sir, I believe I know someone who sells carriages and horses..."
I threw a whole money pouch containing one million valis at the innkeeper, who was beginning to read the situation.
"There's one million valis in there. Buy the best you can, and you may keep whatever is left over."
"I'll get you the finest ones available!"
"..."
The innkeeper ran out the door with a broad grin, and before long, silence settled over the inn.
"U-um... Talos? What is going on?"
"...You know that our Familia is a commercial blacksmith Familia, right?"
"Yes."
"Being a commercial Familia, our members rarely enter the Dungeon.
Even when they do, it is usually to procure drop items themselves or test weapons, so only capable battle smiths go down there.
But among those currently remaining in Orario, aside from me, there are only the Captain, the Vice-Captain, and perhaps one other battle smith.
Yet now, Falnas..."
I continued while glancing at the Goddess, whose expression had frozen and whose face was clouded in shadow.
"...Four members were cut off almost simultaneously. That exceeds the total number of battle smiths.
Which means either something happened outside the Dungeon and our Familia was attacked, or circumstances arose that forced even non-battle-smith members into the Dungeon...
Either way, it is a major problem.
In the worst case... something like what happened to the Zeus or Hera Familia may have occurred."
...Of course, I knew that "their" attack was supposed to happen around this time, but the original story had said nothing about damage to the Hephaestus Familia, so I had let myself be reassured.
Foolish, foolish, foolish!
More than three thousand deaths had occurred throughout Orario, and countless Familias had been disbanded. How could a commercial Familia responsible for supplies—the most vulnerable target imaginable—not have been attacked in the midst of that?!
But... I never imagined this would happen before the journey had even ended...! If I had stayed behind, I could have reduced the damage, even a little...!
"...It is not your fault."
"Goddess..."
"Whether I had stayed in the city or you had stayed in the city, it would have happened in the end. That is what fate is."
"But... but... at least if I had remained in the city..."
"Then what about me?"
"...Huh?"
"If not for you, I would have traveled alone, and who knows what might have happened. Thanks to you, I was able to enjoy this journey in comfort. This is no one's fault."
"..."
"If we must blame someone, then curse those damned bitches up there weaving the tapestry of battle."
"What is that even supposed to mean...?"
Silence once again filled the inn. As Welf fidgeted, unable to bear the awkwardness and heavy mood, the sound of carriage wheels rolling and horse hooves approaching came from outside.
Unable to endure the oppressive atmosphere, Welf brightened and rushed outside.
"I brought the two fastest horses in town and the best carriage, sir!"
"Thank you. I will not forget this favor. If you ever come to Orario, visit the Hephaestus Familia and give them my name. We will help you with most anything."
"Thank you, sir! Then I will see you again someday!"
As soon as we finished exchanging farewells with the innkeeper, I climbed into the driver's seat and set off at once. I had learned a fair amount about driving a carriage while traveling with the merchant caravan at the beginning of our journey, so it was not much of an issue.
"Hyah! Run, now!"
.
.
.
.
.
.
The Goddess and her party raced onward, hearts full of anxiety...
.
.
.
.
.
.
After driving the carriage for around four days, the outline of Orario's city walls began to appear in the distance.
For those four days, we had run without even a moment to catch our breath.
We rose early in the morning, performed only the bare minimum maintenance needed to keep the carriage moving, and rode until just before sunset.
We did not travel at full speed, but we maintained a pace just short of it, running and running and running.
The carriage had been pushed so hard over such a short period that it was already on the verge of falling apart.
The two horses were drenched in sweat from head to toe, foam spilling from their mouths.
By the time the gates came into sight, the carriage had broken down, and the horses had collapsed and could no longer move.
...May you find good masters in your next lives. I am sorry.
With no other choice, I carried the Goddess on my back and ran into Orario. (I told Welf to just run on his own.)
"Halt! Who goes there?! Remove your helmet and identify yourself!"
"...I am Smith, a member of the Hephaestus Familia, and this is the Goddess Hephaestus. What happened?"
I felt irritation boil up at the guards stopping us, but I removed my helmet and introduced us.
"...Evilus attacked. For exactly seven days, up through yesterday, countless battles were fought all across Orario, and many people died. The number of dead adventurers identified by the Guild alone exceeds two thousand... Your identities are confirmed, so hurry on.
I heard that one member of the Hephaestus Familia is hospitalized with the Miach Familia."
"...Thank you!"
I carried the grim-faced Hephaestus on my back once more and ran toward the Miach Familia. As I ran, I could see the scars of battle throughout Orario.
The shops I often visited had their walls, doors, and windows all destroyed, leaving their interiors exposed.
The fountain that was always pristine had been smashed, and the stagnant water within was tinged with blood.
At the spot where a food cart that would draw crowds the instant it opened had once stood, nothing remained but charcoal.
Tiles were broken all across the roads, exposing the dirt beneath.
Adventurers carrying stretchers draped in white cloth were not an uncommon sight, either.
"We are here."
"Let us go."
The instant we arrived at the Miach Familia, Hephaestus flung the door open as if she intended to break it and stormed inside.
"Miach!"
"...You came. At least... you will be able to see her final moments."
"You... what are you talking about?"
"Sorry... Even for me, today was the limit of how long I could keep her going..."
"You bastard...!"
"Goddess."
"Tal... Smith."
"Let us go inside and talk first. The patients are becoming anxious."
"All right..."
"I will show you the way. Follow me."
Following Miach deeper inside, we saw patients lying in beds everywhere. Some already had white cloths covering their faces...
"It is here. The member inside... rather than hear it from me, you should see for yourselves."
"..."
The Goddess and I silently opened the door and stepped inside.
I removed Ghal Maraz, the Black Knight Shield, and my helmet, then hung the shield and helmet on the upturned Ghal Maraz before entering.
What I saw inside was Jian... pale-faced and struggling to breathe.
"Ah... you came... Goddess, Talos... Haa... hah..."
"Jian..."
"..."
"I... prayed so hard... that before I went... I could at least see both of you... and now... I finally can... cough... Goddess..."
"Speak, Jian."
"I was able to work... under you, Goddess... haa... I was truly... happy. Was I... a good... blacksmith...?"
"...Yes. You were a better blacksmith than any other I have ever accepted."
"Hehe... I know that is... a lie, cough... but it still... makes me happy..."
"..."
"Haa, haa..."
Jian's breaths gradually grew more ragged. At the same time, her eyes began to burn brightly. This was the end...?
"Talos, come a little closer..."
"All right..."
When I moved closer, she pulled me toward her with strength I could not believe could come from that wounded, delicate body, bringing her lips to my ear.
"Talos, you know... I was so happy when we made the Durindana Pilum together last time.
I was truly happy that I could make a first-class weapon together with... a blacksmith considered one of the most promising talents from the class immediately before ours.
When I watched you enjoy the meals I made, my chest swelled with pride.
When I hit you on the back with my hammer and saw you scratch your head as you came to your senses, for some reason my heart would tingle.
When we hammered together and you matched my rhythm, my hands almost began to shake.
Do you remember the last day, when we somehow woke up in the same bed? Back then, you smelled good, and I thought I wanted to smell you more.
I, Talos..."
"Yes. I am here."
I answered Jian as I wrapped my hand around hers, a hand so soft that it was hard to believe she was a blacksmith.
Jian moved so close that her lips nearly touched my ear, and in a voice so... so faint, she continued speaking.
"Talos, I really ----------..."
"Jian...? Jian...!"
And so, that day, I lost one bond.