In the end, I never managed to figure out what that warm sensation Aiz had mentioned was.
"...Is it because of my blood?"
It seemed like a few drops had gotten in while I was forging, but...
Well, I'd probably know after a few more tests.
"You're working hard. Any progress?"
"Hephaistos-sama?"
Right after I finished making the sword, I measured Aiz again with the thought of striking while the iron was hot, and I was just about to start making her armor from the prepared materials when Hephaistos came by.
Did something happen?
"What brings you here...?"
"There's a divine meeting tonight. Want to come with me?"
"Why are you bringing me along when Tsubaki is the captain?"
"She said not to interfere because she's making a [magic sword] that will surpass your work, didn't she?"
"..."
No wonder it's been quiet lately.
"So, are you coming?"
"Yes. I'll go."
In the lively banquet hall, the gods were boasting about their own Familia while their children introduced one another.
"Haa... I'm tired..."
The banquet of the gods, hosted by Apollo, the god of the Apollo Familia.
This banquet, where one member of a Familia could attend with their god, had drawn in most of the gods and their children.
Most of the gods and their Familia members were attending in formal wear or flashy tailcoats, and I had intended to show up in a [nagrang]...
But...
"No."
"Huh?"
"I'll pick something else for you, so wear that."
Hephaistos had objected so strongly that I ended up wearing an uncomfortable suit.
"Bellf?"
"Aiz?"
While I was resting on a sofa placed in a corner,
Aiz, wearing a dress, appeared.
"What are you doing here?"
"Taking a break."
"I see..."
"Are you using the sword well?"
"Yes. But..."
"But?"
Was there some kind of problem?
"When I use [Aerial], fire comes out."
...
?
"What?"
"Fire comes out."
"That's not a [magic sword] or a [magic tool], so why is fire coming out?"
"Yes... and it seems to use a little more mind, too."
"..."
Is there something strange in my blood?
Come to think of it, that weird monster I met before called me Urrs...
"...I'll have to look into it."
Now that I thought about it, I also had something to ask Hermes about.
"...Bellf."
"What?"
"Would you... like to dance?"
"Dance?"
By then, the banquet hall was no longer filled with lively music, but with something more like opera.
At the banquets I'd attended in the Kingdom of Lacia, this was definitely about the time when...
Haa...
"...Would you do me the honor of dancing with me?"
"Yes!"
Ugh, that's embarrassing.