That evening.
A Banquet of the Gods, hosted by the Ganesha Familia, was in full swing. A diverse gathering of deities filled the hall.
"How many centuries has it been?"
"It's been all of four days!"
The gods indulged in the kind of jests only immortals could trade while enjoying the festivities. Among them was Hestia.
"I will never understand this man's taste..."
'Using his own statue as a building, with the entrance right between the legs...'
"Sigh... nonetheless, I must do this for Bell-kun!"
Steeling her resolve like a soldier walking into a terminal conflict, Hestia entered the banquet hall.
"Is that unlucky-looking fellow over there Takemikazuchi?"
"And Hermes is here too? I thought he was still out on his travels."
Takemikazuchi, the male deity from the Far East, was for some reason shoveling food onto his plate with desperate intensity, while Hermes stood beside him, clearly enjoying the act of teasing his peer.
Then, descending from the upper floor, a goddess of such blinding beauty appeared that the atmosphere of the room shifted instantly.
"Oi, she's here!"
"The Goddess of Beauty...!"
"""Freya!"""
Freya looked down and spotted Hestia, who was currently preoccupied with stuffing food into a bag to take home. The Goddess of Beauty let out an amused, melodic laugh.
"A fine evening, isn't it, Hestia?"
"Freya!?"
"Hm? Am I intruding?"
"I just find you difficult to deal with..."
"Haha! I quite like that about you, actually."
"Well, you're certainly better than that other one..."
As if summoned by Hestia's words, Loki arrived, shouting to the two of them from a distance. Unlike her usual self, she was dressed in a formal gown, her hair meticulously styled.
"Freya! And the shrimp!"
"Oh, hello Loki."
"What are you doing here?"
"What's it to ye? I ain't allowed to show me face without a reason?"
"Haa... whatever. Actually, there's something I've been wanting to ask you."
"The shrimp wants summat from me?"
"That Sword Princess in your Familia... Valen-something. Does she have a boyfriend or a partner?"
At Hestia's question, Loki's squinted eyes snapped open, revealing a predatory, ferocious gaze. Her answer was instantaneous and sharp.
"Don't be daft. Ais is my precious little girl."
"Anyone who tries to lay a finger on her... I'll burn 'em alive."
Hestia clicked her tongue, realizing her plan to make Bell give up on Ais had just hit a massive wall. Loki, sensing something suspicious, began to bicker with Hestia in earnest.
"Why ye askin' that, anyway? Ye think I'd hand me Ais over to some nobody sprout?"
"A nobody sprout!? Are you looking down on Bell-kun right now?!"
"How great could a brat in a shrimp's Familia really be?"
"Grrr! One day, Bell-kun will be a man more extraordinary than anyone else!"
Watching the spectacle, Freya maintained a serene smile. She closed her eyes for a moment, perhaps thinking of the individuals connected to both of them.
"You two certainly get along well~"
""We do not!""
"By the way, Loki, it's rare to see you in a dress."
"Aye, well... I heard a certain shrimp was comin' to the banquet. Figured I'd show up and mock the penniless goddess who couldn't even afford a proper dress!"
"Hmph! How ridiculous! Are you saying you came here to be mocked just so you could mock me?"
"What?!"
"With that pathetic, flat chest of yours!!!"
"Gah—!!!?"
Loki, successfully baited, lunged at Hestia. The two began pulling at each other's cheeks, trading insults until Hephaestus approached them from across the hall.
She wore a dress of blazing, radiant crimson, radiating an authoritative heat as she stepped in to stop them.
"Are you two at it again?"
"Ugh!!!"
'Every single one of these women...!!'
"Hephai! Speaking of which, I heard you were making weapons with Akumo again?"
"Ah~ that's right. Fufu."
"Argh!! That lad... why's it feel like he's set up house somewhere else 'stead of with his own Patron Deity!?"
"Oh, that's news to me..."
Hephaestus replied with a smile that seemed almost boastful. Loki grumbled, wondering if it was right for a member who had been in her Familia for years to wander off like this. She made a mental note to give Akumo—and Riveria—a piece of her mind later.
Freya felt a flicker of jealousy-tinged curiosity at their conversation. She contemplated whether she should send Ottar to request a duel with this man soon.
"Akumo-kun....?"
'If it's Akumo-kun... he must be Bell-kun's father...'
"That's right! He's my proud boy! With him around, even your Familia could be taken down, Freya!"
"Is there any guarantee he'll actually move for you?"
"T-That's...!"
"Fufu...."
"Tch! I've had enough for today! I'm headin' out!"
Realizing that staying would only fuel her frustration, Loki made her exit. Freya followed suit shortly after, mentioning she had other business to attend to.
"So? What is it you want to say to me? Depending on what it is... I might just sever our ties entirely."
"I-I know!"
'For Bell-kun's sake... I have to ask Hephaestus to forge a weapon!'
While the banquet continued, Akumo walked through the city under the light of the night sky. Beside him, Alfia walked along, her face concealed by a robe.
"Yawn~ I'm sleepy..."
"That's what happens when you throw away several days straight just to forge a single weapon."
"I just couldn't shake the urge to create something."
"Both that child and you... you are men who truly overextend yourselves."
"Haha! Is that so?"
Akumo was heading toward the Hephaestus Familia forge to pick up a weapon he had previously entrusted to Hephaestus. Alfia didn't necessarily need to be there, but for some reason, she didn't like the idea of him being alone with Hephaestus, so she decided to tag along.
As they reached Hephaestus's room and he prepared to knock, voices drifted from inside.
"I want to be Bell-kun's strength! That child is trying to change... he's chosen a goal and is trying to walk a dangerous path!"
"Hestia..."
"That's why I need it! A power to help him! A weapon to carve his path!"
"....."
'A weapon to carve a path, huh...'
Hearing Hestia's resolve, Hephaestus was reminded of a beautiful masterpiece she had once seen. That weapon, too, had illuminated a path for everyone through the darkness of the Great Feud, born from the hands of a hero and radiating light without reservation.
With that thought, Hephaestus found it impossible to refuse Hestia's plea. She reached a decision. She would personally forge a weapon for the adventurer.
"...It seems Bell was right to become Lady Hestia's dependent after all."
"Hmph. That child would have flourished no matter which Familia he joined."
Akumo, eavesdropping from outside the door, smiled at Hestia's affection for Bell. Alfia spoke as if it were only natural, yet she too felt satisfied that Bell had found such a good connection.
"Well then, I suppose I should help her make a weapon worthy of him?"
'But if I do that, I'll have to neglect the house again...'
"I wonder what should be done with a man who neglects his woman so."
"My apologies, milady..."
After teasing Akumo, Alfia moved aside and gave him a silent look. Instantly understanding the meaning, Akumo let her depart first before opening the door and stepping inside.
Creak—!
"The one knocking was you, Akumo?"
"Akumo-kun!?"
"Wait, you two already know each other?"
Hephaestus welcomed Akumo warmly, and Hestia, though surprised by his entrance, was relieved and delighted to find that her acquaintance was close with Hephaestus.
"Yes. Actually, the child who recently became Lady Hestia's dependent is..."
"He said he was Bell-kun's father!"
'Lady Hestia...?'
*Snap!*
"......*What?*"
"Lady Hephaestus, wait a moment...!"
"Eek!? Hephaestus... your face is terrifying!"
Akumo panicked at Hestia's words. In an instant, the divine light vanished from Hephaestus's eyes. She turned toward Akumo and began to approach him slowly, her presence suggesting he wouldn't be leaving the room alive without a very thorough explanation.
*Grip!!!*
"Save me...!"
"We can talk while we forge that weapon, can't we~?"
Hestia, who had inadvertently sold Akumo out while prostrating for Bell's weapon, watched in a daze as her friend's terrifying expression loomed over them. She stood paralyzed as Hephaestus dragged Akumo toward her private workshop.
"Well... I suppose it's for the best... since Bell-kun's weapon will be made..."
'Whatever happens, just sacrifice yourself this once, Akumo-kun!'