They spent the next hour discussing the official terms.
By the end, Hephaestus had decided on a structure that would keep the situation from turning into immediate political poison.
Cassandra would not be asked to pay two hundred million valis at once.
Instead, the sale would be converted into a long-term contract under Hephaestus Familia's authority, with Cassandra herself named as the chosen wielder and Apollo Familia forbidden from claiming ownership over the blade.
That last clause required careful wording.
Daphne insisted on it.
Hephaestus rewrote the clause three times before it sounded legally sharp enough to make a god hesitate and polite enough to avoid sounding like a direct insult.
The final version stated that Yumeutsutsu's ownership was bound to Cassandra Ilion as the recognized wielder, and any attempt by a third party, including a patron deity or Familia representative, to transfer, seize, sell, trade, or command the blade against the wielder's will would be considered a violation of the sale contract and grounds for direct arbitration by Hephaestus Familia and the Guild.
Daphne read it twice then she looked at Rayleigh.
"I hate how relieved I am that you people are good at contracts."
Rayleigh leaned back in his chair.
"We sell weapons to adventurers who regularly lose limbs, money, and common sense. Contracts are necessary."
"That explains Orario more than I wanted it to."
Hephaestus placed the document down.
"Cassandra still needs Apollo's acknowledgment, but this gives us a position before he can twist the situation. I'll speak with him in the morning."
Cassandra immediately looked alarmed.
"Hephaestus-sama, you don't have to do that for me. Apollo-sama may become upset, and if this causes trouble between your Familias because of me—"
Hephaestus raised one hand.
"Cassandra, listen carefully. Rayleigh used my shop, my seals, and my Familia's name to let this trial happen. That means Hephaestus Familia is already involved whether you worry about us or not. Besides, Apollo needs to learn that calling something beautiful does not give him the right to take it home."
Daphne looked deeply moved.
"Please say that to his face."
"I intend to." Rayleigh smiled faintly. "I should attend that meeting."
"NO."
Hephaestus, Daphne, and the shop manager spoke at almost the same time.
Rayleigh paused.
"That was very coordinated."
Hephaestus gave him a flat look.
"If you attend, you will say something true, rude, and politically explosive within five minutes."
"That is unfair!"
Daphne crossed her arms.
"Rayleigh, you told Apollo-sama to admire sincerely from behind the line after threatening to throw him out of the shop. Five minutes is generous."
Rayleigh considered protesting, but the evidence was unfortunately recent.
"I can be diplomatic."
Everyone look at him.
Even Cassandra, who clearly wanted to be kind, looked doubtful.
Rayleigh placed a hand over his chest.
"I see how it is. Betrayed by everyone in the room!"
Daphne snorted.
"You betrayed yourself first."
Cassandra finally laughed softly, not from nerves this time, but because the exchange had become too ridiculous to fear.
Yumeutsutsu chimed again.
Rayleigh pointed at the sword.
"And you don't get to laugh. Half of this is your fault."
The sword chimed once more, lighter this time.
Cassandra looked down at it with a strange mix of embarrassment and affection.
"He says it was necessary."
Rayleigh narrowed his eyes.
"You can understand him already?"
"Only a little. It's more like... I know what he means, even if I don't hear every word."
"Wonderful. The brat has found someone to translate his excuses."
Daphne leaned toward Cassandra.
"Please don't let the sword learn from him."
"I think it may be too late."
Rayleigh looked offended.
"I am an excellent influence."
Hephaestus finally drank her tea.
"No, Rayleigh. You are an effective influence! Those are very different things."
The room went quiet for one second before Daphne failed to hold back a laugh.
Even the exhausted shop manager looked like he had nearly smiled before remembering the night's paperwork.
Rayleigh accepted the blow with dignity, though internally he was fairly certain his goddess had become much sharper ever since Alfia started living in his house.
Perhaps sarcasm was contagious.
If so, Orario was doomed!
...
Near dawn, Cassandra and Daphne prepared to return.
The formal documents could not be completed until Apollo was informed, and Cassandra could not openly carry Yumeutsutsu back before that conversation happened.
For the night, the blade would remain sealed in Hephaestus Weapon Shop, but this time the seal was different.
Rayleigh adjusted the Kidō around the display case, then asked Cassandra to place her hand against the glass.
"Think of his name."
Cassandra nodded and closed her eyes.
The golden flowers along the scabbard glimmered faintly.
Rayleigh watched the response and gave a satisfied nod.
"That should be enough. The sword is still here physically, but the connection is yours now. If someone tries to forcefully touch him before the contract is settled, he'll reject them harder than before, and I'll know immediately."
Daphne looked at him sharply.
"Harder than before means what, exactly?"
Rayleigh avoided the shop manager's gaze.
"Let's call it non-lethal discouragement unless they try very hard to deserve worse."
"That is a horrifying phrase."
Cassandra touched the glass gently.
"Yumeutsutsu, please don't hurt anyone too badly!"
The sword remained silent.
Cassandra listened for a moment, then frowned.
"He says he'll consider it."
Daphne stared at the display case.
"Why does your sword sound like an awful child?"
Rayleigh sighed.
"I am starting to feel unfairly blamed for this."
"You forged him."
"Yes, but Cassandra-san is the one who asked his name. If a rude spirit chooses a polite wielder, that's between them."
Cassandra gave him a helpless look.
"Rayleigh-san, please don't abandon me to him already!"
Rayleigh's expression softened.
"I won't. You'll need training, and not only with the sword. Yumeutsutsu's ability is tied to your dreams, your Mind, and your courage, which means it's going to be messy. But messy doesn't mean impossible."
Cassandra nodded slowly.
The word courage still made her uncomfortable. It felt too big for her, like armor made for someone stronger.
But when she looked at the sword now, she no longer felt only fear.
Daphne noticed and gently touched her shoulder.
"Ready?"
"No," Cassandra admitted, then added before Daphne could worry, "but I think I can walk."
"That's better than sneaking out alone."
"I said I was sorry."
"And I said you apologize too much. We're both repeating ourselves."
Cassandra smiled faintly.
Rayleigh opened the side door for them, checking the street before letting them out.
The sky was beginning to pale, and Orario was slowly shifting from night to morning.
Before leaving, Cassandra turned back.
"Rayleigh-san."
He looked at her.
"Thank you for letting me choose."
For once, Rayleigh did not answer with a joke immediately. He leaned against the doorframe, his expression calmer than usual but not cold.
"You were the one who walked here, Cassandra-san. I only opened the door."
Daphne rolled her eyes.
"That almost sounded cool. Don't ruin it damn it!"
Rayleigh smiled.
"I was about to."
"I knew it."
Cassandra laughed quietly and followed Daphne into the early morning street.
Rayleigh watched them go until they turned the corner.
Only then did Hephaestus speak from behind him.
"You're getting attached to her?"
Rayleigh did not turn around.
"She reminds me of someone who kept shouting warnings no one wanted to hear."
"Yourself?"
"Maybe. Or maybe every idiot who knows too much and still can't stop the world from being stupid."
Hephaestus stood beside him.
"That sounds lonely."
Rayleigh looked at the brightening sky.
"Yeah it is."
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
Then Rayleigh sighed.
"Also, I'm absolutely being dragged into Apollo trouble after this."
Hephaestus smiled.
"Yes."
Rayleigh sighed. "I hate gods."
Hephaestus gave him a dry look. "You say that while standing beside your goddess."
"You're the exception."
"That sounded almost sweet."
"Don't get used to it. I'm under stress, and my judgment is impaired!"
Hephaestus stared at him for a moment before flicking his forehead.
"Ow."
"There. Your judgment should be clearer now."
Rayleigh's expression changed.
"Hephaestus-sama, surely family should not involve money."
"You should have thought of family before damaging my shop."
"That ceiling tile was already weak."
"Rayleigh."
"Yes. Financial punishment. Understood."
Inside the display case, Yumeutsutsu chimed softly.
Rayleigh glanced at it.
"Don't laugh. You're paying too!"
The sword gave no answer, but somehow, the silence felt smug.
Wonderful.
He had created another problem child!