-"This is another world... It does not seem so different."-Elysia looked around after we arrived in Orario.
-"Almost every world would not be much different. At most, you would see the difference in eras of time."-I spoke while also looking around.
-"Why?"
-"That is an interesting question. I don't know the full answer, but in my eyes, it's because almost all worlds are made of the same building blocks, but why so is not yet known to me."
-"Building blocks..?"
-"Let's not delve further into that as, much as philosophy and science are interesting, it's not the time for an academic course."
-"I agree that we do not have that much time. Our meeting is to take place in 15 min."-Astraea walked to our side.
-"Let's hurry up then, Astraea. Would you mind leading the way?"
-"It's my pleasure"
-"What is that?..."-Elysia started her sightseeing.
As we walked towards the great tower of Babel, Elysia was frolicking around while we attracted quite a few eyes from the surroundings.
-"Is there something wrong? Why is everybody following us with their eyes?"-Elysia noticed gazes from the surroundings.
-"Well, it is Yue's fault, probably."
-"Sory for that"
-"No, no, even as a joke, it is awkward to apologize for being beautiful."-Astraea showed an exasperated smile
-"Thanks for your compliment. Sadly, extreme beauty can lead to trouble."-I shrugged my shoulders.
-"I know when I traveled around a few years ago, some people tried to kidnap me."-Elysia also shamelessly treated herself as beautiful.
-"Wait, Elysia, a few years ago, wouldn't you still be a child?!"-This caught Astraea's attention.
-"Yes, something wrong?"
-"No, just... speechless."
-"We arrived."-I spoke while looking at the building in front of me.
The Guild was bursting with bustle, people constantly entering and leaving. We also entered inside and made our way to one of the reception windows. As we approached, a lady with brown hair and a bit longer ears saw us and spoke first.
-"Welcome, how may I help you Goddes Astraea?"
-"It's good to see you, Eina. I have an appointment with Ouranos. Those two are with me."
-"Oh, excuse me, I'll call my boss."
-"No need, let them pass. I'll take over."-Said a person behind Eina.
When I looked over, I saw someone in a black cape draped over their whole body. Taking a second look, I quickly understood why it was clothed like that.
-"Lady Astraea, guests from afar this way."
-"You are?"-Astraea looked at the cloaked person.
-"Just call me Fels."
We entered the elevator, and it brought us to the hall, at the end of which stood a tall throne with an elderly man sitting.
-"Welcome, outsiders. Astraea spoke about the whole situation yesterday. It surprised me immensely that things like that could happen. I'd like to hear your point of view on this whole situation."-Spoke the god.
-"Greetings, Ouranos, god of Sky. I'm Yue, Emanator of Finality. Next to me is Elysia."-I showed my courtesy while making the introductions.
-"Hi."-Elysia waved, ignorant of the solemnity that now permeated the air around us.
-"While I was also quite shocked by this whole situation, my belief is simple. It has already happened. Rather than fear the unknown, it's better to use the given opportunity."-I spoke directly, aware that Ouranos should have received the details about Hold from Astraea.
-"While you are certainly right, in the greater scheme of things, stability is far better than opportunity."
-"That may be in the eyes of god, who lived throughout hundreds of million years, but for me, who lived only through tens of thousands, I see that extreme stability leads to rot. Rot in many forms. Hatred and greed are only a few of the forms it takes. I ask you, highest of gods, do you believe that people on streets under your trone are 'Happy' or are they diving deep into the dungeon to change their miserable status quo cemented by the stability you speak of."
-"..."
-"Yue, aren't you too harsh?"-Astraea was surprised by my words.
-"Astraea, I believe that person before me is not a tyrant but rather a god who will choose the world over people, not that I do not agree with that point of view. The issue is that a world without people is not going to grow and sooner or later will be destroyed by the winds of time."
-"Yue, you just made sure that I'll remember that name. Why do you think so much of mortals, aren't they ants in your eyes?"
-"Ants? No, they are a flock with no shepherd, but when a leader can be found, even the greatest beings can fall by their hands. In my world, even Aeons are born from mortals that broke through the limits of the world and became new Paths, capable of giving the power to change the world."
I show my power before Ouranos, just as Fels was to spring into action, risen hand from god stopped him.
-"No need, Fels. You are not his match, and neither is he attacking, just allowing me to get a glimpse of the nature of that power. It's as you say. While being given to you, this power is far greater than divine. I can see mortal origin in it. Incredible... No, rather incomprehensible."
-"Terminus become something that I can not comprehend, but by THEIR blessing, I have seen how other Aeons were born and lived before THEIR rise. What I took from that was that while mortals are an innate part of the world, and when needed, they can rise to heights that elevate the world to another level. This is my belief. [Myriad of Worlds] follows many rules. Each world has countless of them, but the Principle of Finality is something over mere 'Law'."
-"You have strong conviction. So be it... I'll allow your operations in Orario and the world. But you won't get assistance greater than recognition from the Guild. You will be treated as an organization equal to the Guild. You will be given some land to establish."
-"Thank you."
-"You needn't thank me. Just show me the same thing you saw in mortals here."
-"I... No, we will do what we can."
Soon after that, we exited the Guild and started our tour of the city.
-"That was nerve-wracking."-Elysia wiped the imaginary sweat from her forehead.
-"Yue, please warn me next time you do something like unleashing your power. You almost gave me a heart attack."-Astraea admonished me with a stern look.
-"Cannot promise anything, but I'll try."
-"I'll take that for now."
-"How can you speak calmly with someone like that? Even dr. Mei can not speak so eloquently while she discusses with Vill-V and Mobius."
-"I can only immodestly say that experience comes from age."
-"Ok. Guys, what do you want to see in Orario?"
-"Everything!"-Elysia's eyes sparkled when she heard that question.
-"I'd like to see some artesian workshops and libraries."
-"So let's go this way. I'll take you around some scenic spots, and after dinner, I'll lead you to the workshops."
-"Aye! Aye!"-Elysia saluted.
-"Lead the way."-I spoke to Astraea while smiling at Elysia's antics.
Our walk took us around the whole city. During our travel, we saw both great and not-so-good things in the city, which was truly worth the title of melting pot. Just before picking a place for dinner, we run into a party led by two short people and an elf.
-"Oh? Isn't this Astraea, and who is this? New god?"-The short woman spoke as she approached Astraea.
-"Hi Loki, this is Yue. His situation is a little special.."
-"Special? What is he, some kind of love child of god? Don't tell me... You have met Ouranos today. Is he his? Impossible... or is it?"
-"Master Loki..."-The short man held his forehead.
-"Loki, calm yourself."-The Elven woman looked at the goddess sternly.
-"No, Loki. While I'd like to explain it. It is a little long story. How about talking over dinner? Do you two mind the additional company?"
-"Why not? The more the merrier."-I shrugged my shoulders.
-"Then let's go. If the story is interesting enough, I'll even pay for your part."-Loki smiled while looking me up and down.
We all entered a nearby restaurant, ordered dishes, and sat together.
-"Before we start, let's get our names straight. I'm Loki, goddess of Loki Familia. On my right are, in order, Riveria Ljos Alf and Ais Wallenstein, and on the left are Finn Deimne and Gareth Landrock."
-"Hello. I'm Elysia! And next to me is Yue."
-"Happy to make an acquaintance."
-"That done, now speak Astrea. Who are they?"
-"Well, it started yesterday..."
While Astraea recounted what had happened in the last 30 or so hours, dishes had arrived, and while Elysia was adding to the story and answering questions, we were able to have a pleasant meal.
-"How could you not include me in something so interesting! Astraea, do you even take me for a friend? Or even a fellow god?!"-Loki was almost standing on the table by the time Astraea's story ended.
-"Loki is not that, just..."-Astraea didn't know how to word her sentence.
-"Something happened that overturned your worldview, and you are yet to come to terms with it?"-I smiled and spoke Astraea's thoughts aloud.
-"Yes, something like that."
-"Ahhh... Luckily, I found out about today. If I was to wait until the announcement, who knows how much I would lose."
-"Who could have known that there are so many worlds out there? You are called Yue, right? Would you mind telling me about your world?"-Riveria looked at me with great interest.
-"Well, a place I come from is a little complicated to describe to a person with a common sense of this world. Let's just say that the same way you see cities and villages, we see stars."
-"It is indeed hard to imagine. Is it possible to see it one day?"
-"Of course it is. That depends on whether your Loki familia wishes to join us in Hold?"
-"Hold it! That is something for me to decide!"
-"Yes, so how about if we will not restrict you in any way, shape, or form? You may enter another world if you comply with the rules of Hold and do not violate our interests. You will be required to act as an advisor to a roundtable under the principle that matches you best. You will be allowed to enter [Grand Library] and trade directly with other worlds."
-"It is too good. You still have something to say."-Loki didn't buy my honeyed conditions.
-"Yes. First, you will help us train recruits here in Orario. During that time, we will give only minimal compensation for their living needs. Second, high levels of your family will join as knights, which would mean that while they aren't under orders of the army, they are still required to assist when the serious need arises."
-"That's too much."
-"Are you sure? Becoming a knight has its own benefits, while new blood into your familia will help during an expedition in the dungeon."
-"That does not change the fact that we will become boot camp for you. And my elites are not to be bound."-Loki started the second stage of the negotiations.
-"How about meeting halfway? We will give you the right to limit and control over training recruits. If your familia is not enough to meet requirements, we will seek more gods to help. Lastly, your elites may choose what position they want to enter into the Hold. Their requirements and benefits will depend on their own choice."
-"This is much better, but I want one more thing. In the future, I can veto any proposal if it concerns my familia."
-"Veto is a bit too much. How about just the possibility of augmenting any matter concerning your familia? That will be able to satisfy both parties."
-"No, the veto must stay, but I can agree to that if it's used, I will make plans so that the matter vetoed gets done to satisfy the other party."
-"You two, what do you think of this agreement?"-I looked at my Astraea and Elysia sitting next to me.
-"I leave it to Astraea."
-"It is a good agreement, but I'm not exactly well-versed in those things. How about this? Loki will take the position of deputy and advisor to help me in my duties moving forward."
-"I can do that, but my familia is my priority."-Loki understood the benefits of such a position, so she agreed after a short moment of thinking.
-"Understandable. I plan to take my familia whole into Hold and make them first knights."
-"I'll have to wait and see. For now, Hold is only an investment for me. If it's truly as grand as you paint it to be, I may follow your steps."
-"Then to happy cooperation."
-"Cheers!"
While some details are still left to be addressed, a general agreement was reached. After that, we finished our meal and left with an agreement to meet tomorrow to take Loki to Hold. We continued our plans and soon arrived before the workshop of Hephaestus.
-"Here works the best craftsmen in this world, the goddess Hephaestus."
-"Goddess of the forge and crafts?"-I asked to confirm as I read her name in one of the books earlier today.
-"Yes, I hope she is free."
We entered the shop part of a building, and behind a table sat a woman with fiery red hair and an eye patch covering her right eye.
-"Yes..?"
-"Hello, Hephaestus. Sorry to bother you. I promised to introduce you to Yue over here. I hope you don't mind much."
-"Introduce? New clients are always welcome."
-"Not exactly client. If that's not much trouble, I'd like to learn some techniques as I hit a bottleneck in my pursuit."
-"Few can learn directly from god. Why do you think I'll teach you?"
-"Well, I plan to ask. If there is some requirement, I'll be sure to meet it."
-"I'll help you if you can produce something that interests me."
-"Then please take a look."
Reaching to belt, I took out a small hammer. It's a tool that I use while forging. It is made from purple stone that turns red toward the front. It shimmers with small runes, and the handle is made from black wood that seamlessly connects to the head.
-"This is..."
-"My hammer, I mostly create accessories imbued with Mystical Runes. This is also where I hit my bottleneck. I'm unable to imbue higher-grade runes into items. No matter what I try, Soul Runes that I inscribe either implode or are too degraded to work."
I also took out a bracelet cracked all over, but one could still see the marking of a masterpiece on it.
-"Let me see."-Hephaestus stood up and approached me.
-"Here."
It did not take long for us to start discussing methods used in forging, and soon, we stood next to an anvil talking about our insight into craftsmanship. Time passed quickly.
-"How long has this been going on?"-A woman who I don't know asked after she was ignored yet again.
-"A good four hours. The sun was still high when we arrived."-Astraea answered, looking a little bored.
-"The whole time they were like that?"
-"More or less."
-"Well, familia just returned from the dungeon. I'll have to interrupt them."
-"Good luck, Tsubaki."
When Hephaestus stopped hammering and showed me runes inscribed by her, Tsubaki's voice interrupted us.
-"Lady Hephaestus, sorry to interrupt, but there are things requiring your attention."
-"Tsubaki? When have you arrived? What's going on?"
-"I have been here for almost an hour. You were so focused that even my loud entrance hadn't been registered by you."
-"Sorry, sorry, I can rarely see such a nonstandard method of craft like today."
-"Well, this meeting was also productive for me. I'll need some time to consolidate today's gains."-I spoke while still immersed in the forging method I just saw.
-"Then let's end for now. Tsubaki, I'll take care of your matter in a while. Let me talk to Astraea quickly."
-"No problem. Just know that the rest of the expedition is waiting for me in a pub."
-"I'll be quick."-Hephaestus nodded and turned to Astraea.-"Astraea, I hope you can tell me more about how you get to know Yue later as his ideas are otherwordly."
-"You have no idea."
-"How about catching up tomorrow?"
-"I have an appointment with Loki for something. How about a little before that? Maybe you will join her later."
-"Loki? Well, I don't mind, so tomorrow."
-"See you."
-"Also, Yue."
-"Yes?"
-"You are always welcome. If you want, you can even enter my familia."
-"Thank you. I'll be sure to visit you from time to time, as for familia matter, it is sadly impossible."
-"I see, no problem. See you again later."
-"See you."
After that, we walked Astraea to her home. I returned to Hold, where, after looking around, I found a workstation in a villa of progress.