The two girls fell silent before they reacted.
"You could've done that with your strength…"
"...That's right."
Considering they saw me defeat that cursed spirit from six months ago, they managed to process it well.
"Sirius is really… strong!"
"Tiona-san could also become that strong."
"If you say so..!"
Well…
I wonder what'll happen if I let them know I could go far beyond the deep floors? But then, I plan to teach them several magicka-related knowledge as well as [Mana Furnace]. Since I saw they would fight until the bitter end, their character is unquestionable.
That brief connection with Miku is enough to gain more knowledge in that iteration. It mainly contained crucial information such as the School District's principal, Freya Familia's surprising addition to the subjugation team, Loki Familia's estimated strength…
Of course, these would take some time. I still have to check on Loki-sama and Ouranos.
For now…
"Finn-san might worry if you two took a long time here."
I would like to meet them.
*****
Tap.
Tap.
Tap.
Nobu's each step carried an invisible prestige. It is akin to seeing one of the most loyal knights to their retainers—and in his case, the king.
Aiz and Tiona noticed this not-so-subtle change on their way to the temporary camp.
"You were asleep the entire time… Was it really an experiment?" Aiz asked.
"Indeed. It is caused by that. Things went wrong, but it still affected me to this extent."
"Oh…"
Suddenly, Tiona asked a question:
"Was it related to knights?!"
"Yes. It is a type of magicka that is based on knights." He replied. "Your eyes are still sharp as usual."
"Hehe… It's just that your image fitted a knight's image in those fairy tales."
"A knight…"
A thought went inside Aiz's mind.
Knights are synonymous to heroes—the type of people who would rescue the princess kidnapped by a dragon.
'...'
Nobody knew what was going on inside her head except for Nobu. Her blank expression occurs whenever she thinks about something that elicits her interest. It is a common occurrence during the ninth iteration.
'What was it this time..?'
It didn't take long for the three to arrive at the temporary base camp. There are no tents set up as they are designated to move continuously until they reach the eighteenth floor.
"...Akasaka-san?"
The orange-haired elf—Lefiya—came across the three of them.
"Greetings. It's been quite a long time, Lefiya-san."
"You're… Since when..?!"
"A few days ago. I came across Aiz-san and Tiona-san just now."
"I see… It's a miracle you woke up! Even Airmid-san couldn't do something about your condition!"
"It simply happens."
While the two were talking, they garnered several gazes from the Loki Familia members. From confusion, it went to shock and surprise. They realized it was Sirius, the boy who went into a coma six months ago!
Right after shaking Orario to its core with his level up records as well as inventions (i.e., unbreakable magic swords), he slowly went to obscurity. Nevertheless, nobody forgot his name.
Seeing his slightly unfamiliar appearance startled them. It's as if he went on a growth spurt, but ten times more intense.
"...You're here."
One of the Loki Familia's executives came close. Her usual intellectual look was preserved even inside the dungeon.
"I apologize for my late arrival, Lady Riveria."
Nobu said as he made a bow. Coupled with his unique aura, it became very impactful.
"You changed."
"...Indeed."
Their gazes met. Only the two of them knew the underlying meaning behind Riveria's words.
She felt the dormant dream organs within him. It is an extremely vague sense, but one that Nobu acquitted on. Riveria is already familiar with their sensation during the time with the cursed spirit.
"It seems like it is true. However… You shouldn't attempt to do such things again."
"Duly noted."
With that, her reprimanding stopped. Nobu is aware that she treated him just like Aiz—the type to dive into dangers actively. Even though she misunderstood it partly, he didn't bother to explain. In a way, he did put himself in danger when he went to the ninth iteration.
Despite the unknowns associated with it, he took that chance. It is not something he would usually do, but he was overwhelmed by many things at that time.
While they were taking—with him as the main topic—it went off topic for a while.
"I remember Bete-san staying in the Twilight Manor. Loki-sama mentioned he was grounded due to some things."
Swiftly, Aiz made a dull look. Lefiya-san was startled while Riveria shook her head, as if resigning herself to the outcome she saw long ago.
"That…" Tiona hesitated whether to say it or not. "That dumbass shouted something that revealed it to the entire hostess. That included its other patrons."
"It's that incident… Everyone was too scared when Aiz-san took the initiative to drink alcohol…"
Hearing their words, Nobu confirmed it had something to do with him. The strange look Bete gave him when they met a few days ago is proof of it.
"I won't ask further." He said before musing, 'Letting Aiz take on alcohol is the worst that could happen…'
When she first drank alcohol—a sip of fruit wine—Aiz went on a rampage that injured dozens of the hostess' patrons. That included members from the Loki Familia. It took Finn and Gareth to calm her down.
It happened one time in the ninth iteration. She resolutely drank a mug of alcohol after thinking for a while.
After that…
It was easily resolved with Nobu's level six status. He was there at that time as it was the first joint expedition of Loki and Hephaestus Familia. It is a special occasion as Aiz let some words of confession slip out of her mouth.
Seeing his willingness to diffuse this scenario, Riveria inwardly praised the boy's maturity.
'He already has someone…' She thought. 'Would Aiz have a chance?'
What she didn't know was that… another goddess would be added into the fray.
*****
Leading a large organization is just as hard in this place. The communication orbs showcased their value under Finn-san's hands. They would be able to return to the surface by tomorrow morning at latest.
After meeting with Loki Familia, I spent the entire afternoon doing my usual routine. The magicka lessons couldn't stop. Fortunately, everyone is learning at a sufficient pace. Even Lili could match Filvis, Ein, and Haruhime-san. She could analyze things and think critically, which is a fundamental talent for magicians.
She might be untalented physically, but the simplified and sorted modern magic system made learning way easier than it should've been. It is one of the perks of my world. AS long as you have the time and drive, learning magic becomes possible.
The same applies to people without much innate power. There is a reason why the lowest-rank magicians could reach up to Rank C at minimum.
In this world, it should be the equivalent of level three to four. The ratio is far higher than here on Gekai.
"Hm…"
I adjusted the collar of my beige trench coat. I partnered it with a black turtleneck and gloves.
Yes, I am trying to actively fix my distorted sense of fashion.
The memories of Galahad had a part in it. When I saw how his formal outfits looked, I knew I was the problem.
It is still fine during casual wear, but the magician's outfit for a formal date?
I talked about this with Artemis a few hours ago.
In the end, she said that my outfit wouldn't matter—my feelings do.
Buzz-!
A virtual silhouette appeared in my sight.
"{Arbiter's upgrades have been completed. The parts constructed by goshujin-sama are successfully loaded into the combat suit.}"
"Thanks, Miku."
As we spoke, the portion of the floor receded. A black case with the same height as me emerged from it. The sleek case has the improved space magicka on my previous bracelet. It contained [Arbiter] as well as the spare arsenal.
I placed it on my newer space bracelet. It joined the other precision machines inside it. I made it a habit to carry these in case I encounter something similar to that scenario with Jogo.
I wouldn't repeat the same mistake again.
Pulling my sleeves down, I left my room. Hephaestus-sama isn't here as of the moment. Tsubaki-nee caught wind of this date and insisted for them to stay elsewhere.
It did lessen the awkwardness we would be feeling had she stayed here.
"I wonder…"
I hope I can make her happy.
*****
Right now, Hephaestus couldn't think straight.
'What… Should we… The plan..?!'
She was turned into a blushing mess before everything began. Unlike Artemis' case, she had Tsubaki at her side. The latter served as an assistant of sorts that gave advice when it comes to dates.
However, it also caused the matter to remain stuck on Hephaestus' mind. As a result, she couldn't think straight for two hours.
She chose to wear a black long sleeves with a few unbuttoned parts. These types of clothing suited Hephaestus very well.
'Will he…'
Her thoughts were cut off when Nobu arrived. His tall stature combined with his new sense of clothing made her dazed for a while.
"It suits Hephaestus-sama very well."
"You too… You look great."
Hephaestus withheld her embarrassment with her last bit of pride.It created a sense of coolness akin to a mafia boss with her eyepatch.
"You look like a mafia boss."
"Mafia… It's those people in your world, no?"
She thought of the mafia/yakuza that she heard from Nobu way back in the past. They are the type to wear black coats/blazers with a gun holstered behind their belt.
At this moment, Hephaestus did look like one. Although, she looked far more cool and elegant compared to them.
"I won't deny it. I am interested in the guns in your world. I could understand the reason behind your choice."
Hearing this, Nobu smiled. He didn't tell her the gift he prepared a few days back. It is supposed to be a surprise for today.
Soon, the two became more comfortable with each other. Perhaps it is Nobu's experiences from his ninth iteration that he was able to navigate with less awkwardness. While that sensation still exists, it is not as frequent as his first date.
He might be walking on a path of his fellow knights.
Of course, he dislikes Lancelot's irresponsibility and Tristan's womanizing trait. It is something that Galahad found quite incomprehensible as well. Although, Nobu could somehow relate on how emotions could spiral out of control sometimes.
"You are experienced with this…" Hephaestus commented. "Did it come from Artemis? Or was it due to your future?"
"Both."
Seeing his complicated smile, Hephaestus chose not to ask further. Nobu feeling troubled only means that he is still not clear on what to do at this point.
It elicited a desire to pat his head but she realized how he became much taller than her.
Surprisingly, Nobu reacted and smiled at her. She knew he saw it, making her feel more flustered than before.
The two arrived at their destination. It is not a fine dining restaurant inside Babel but one of the more underrated restaurants on Orario. It is known for one thing: steaks.
Hephaestus happened to be a fan of them.
Thinking about how Nobu went as far as to plan everything, she felt jittery in her heart. She felt warm, and at the same time, flustered. Throughout their time together, it was the first time they went out not as a deusdea and her children, but as lovers.
On the way to their seat, she tried to prevent herself from showing embarrassment. She did what she was used to—mask her emotions beneath a veil.
"Hephaestus-sama could be this cute…"
"Nobu?!"
Unfortunately, it didn't work on him.
"It was effective before, but now…"
"..!"
She fell silent for a while. It remained that way until Nobu made their order.
In the midst of her struggle, a realization sank on her.
"Nobu-kun… Was this really fine? You know… Artemis is already…"
"...Hephaestus-sama might not know this, but we have a connection. We could feel what the other was thinking. Artemis wasn't lying when she talked about this."
Artemis understood Hephaetus' loneliness. She saw the latter's loneliness during the time they met each other. Both of them were mutual friends with Hestia. At the very least, they had an understanding of each other.
With Artemis' personality, she felt bad about Hephaestus. She tried to help several times but to no avail.
"That's why… Hephaestus-sama should spend this night without any concerns."
After Nobu said it solemnly, Hephaestus saw something on him. The trace of falna behind his back seems to have left specific records the moment they became closer.
An image of an older Nobu overlapped with his current self. He possessed greater charm with his innocent yet determined face.
'Nobu…'
She might have just fallen harder for him.
*****
A/N: Well, I apologize for the inactiveness these days. I haven't found the right time to write chapters during this hectic week. It is the usual with college giving us tons of projects to work at. Though, the update rate would slowly return to normal during these coming days.