---
So real quick, last chapter I named off the various blades Tubal-Cain forged, giving a list of three that the Freya Familia had... and one of them was for Riveria Ljos Alf, who is most definitely not apart of the Freya Familia... my bad. So just ignore that, cause my brain short circuited that chapter.
---
I used those two days to rest, laying around at home and enjoying my time alone, sleeping or reading taking up most of my time.
It was a wonderful two day break, and I was starting to miss it as I walked over towards the Dancing Jester flag near the entrance of Babel.
holding the standard was a short, curvy woman, her red hair in a bob cut that swished as she looked around.
Standing beside her was an even shorter man, but he was much more... round.
Gareth Landrock, Level 6 Adventurer and one of the Loki Familia's executives.
The dwarf had a long, lush braided beard, framing his serious face.
Wearing a full set of thick metal armor, the dwarf looked every part an immovable boulder.
He was staring up at Ais, the blonde Sword Princess wearing her white cloth armor and gleaming metal plates, her hand resting on the hilt of her rapier.
Ais just nodded as she looked down at Gareth, making the dwarf sigh.
Shuffling behind Ais was a petite elf, her wide blue eyes glued to Ais as she twirled a strand of her yellow hair, listening intently as she said something.
Seeing me approach, Ais stepped away from the dwarf, making him sigh again.
"Nikoletta."
I nodded to Ais, raising a brow as I met the elven girls glare, making her flinch.
"Lefiya..?"
Peering behind her back, Ais looked at Lefiya with a tilted head, confused.
"Ah, so you're the infamous Ker... Must say, you live up to the reputation, lass."
I nodded to Gareth as he approached, the dwarf looking me over as he stroked his beard.
"Aye, you carry yourself quite well, lass. Lady Bia must've whipped you up well as a child."
Chuckling, I nodded at that, making Gareth smirk.
"Yeah, Mitera was a tough teacher, and was adamant that I learn to defend myself, especially when I was a kid."
"Well, she did a good job. Watching your fight against Gale was quite exciting."
"Gareth..."
Ais was pouting slightly as she stared down at the dwarf, making him laugh as he walked away.
"Aye, I'll leave you alone with your friend~!"
Ais watched him go, before returning her gold eyes to me.
"Come on... I'll introduce you... to everyone else..."
Following behind the thin girl, I looked around the gathering of people, some of the members of Dian Cecht glaring at me.
"Tubal-Cain..."
An older man with long, plated grey hair turned towards us, his hawkish features pairing well with his sharp hazel eyes.
"Yes Ais?"
"Tubal-Cain... Nikoletta..."
She pointed at both of us as an introduction of sorts, and Tubal-Cain nodded to me.
"A pleasure, Miss Nikoletta. I believe you've met one of my apprentices in Skelea? That is her work, no?"
"I didn't know she was your apprentice, but yes, Skelea forged my spear, Konahrik. You taught her well."
He chuckled, glancing over his shoulder at the four other smiths.
"Well, my other apprentices will be joining us. Ria, Johan, Kallasa, and Linia."
He gestured to the four smiths.
Ria was a tall, muscular Boaz.
An equal muscular Cow Man, Johan, stood beside her, nodding to me.
Kallasa's olive skin glistened in the morning light, and she smiled sensually at me, her Amazonian clothing leaving little to the imagination.
Lastly, Linia's tall bunny ears twitched as she nervously stared at me, gulping slightly as I turned my eyes towards her.
Nodding to each, I was about to say something when Ais grabbed my wrist, saying "Come on..."
Tubal-Cain just laughed, waving goodbye to me before he turned towards his apprentices.
"Ais..!"
Seeing Ais holding my wrist, Lefiya let out a low whine, making us look at her.
Freezing up, Lefiya gulped before looking away, pouting.
Ais just tilted her head, but considering I could see the elf staring at our hands from the corner of her eyes, I just chuckled.
So that's how it is huh...
Not getting an answer, Ais continued to hold my wrist, leading me towards the Dian Cecht Familia.
"Nikoletta... Akeso..."
Akeso was a tall, thin elf, his sharp ears poking out of his pale blonde hair.
Sharp nose, squinted green eyes, and shallow features, the 'Venerable Doctor' simply stared at me, passive.
I nodded to him, ignoring the glares I got from the Dian Cecht healers.
Ais stared between us, before shrugging.
She led me away again, back towards the Loki Familia standard.
"Done? We're just waiting on the Guild's signal, then we can begin."
Nodding at Gareth, Ais sat down on a bench, Lefiya quickly claiming the spot beside her, glaring at me.
Chuckling, I sat beside Lefiya, waiting.
---
Been quite a bit huh...
Sigh...
I mean to update this frequently, but this last week has had many, many contract issues with my main novel Servant System, so I apologize.
Anyways, we'll be traveling back into the Dungeon, and I want to do more in depth fighting this time, since the last expedition was focused more on Sigrid and Nikoletta.
---