62 Updated to include both the previous and current chapter

....

(Chapter 62)

It has been a couple of weeks since Hephaestus had repeatedly request for Gilgamesh to stay in her place for her to examine his collection*wink* even closer.

During this couple of weeks, Gilgamesh had witnessed many of the fine weapons that she had crafted and added to his collection via tracing.

Gilgamesh had also met Tsubaki, captain of Hephaestus Familia as well as a master smith, Gilgamesh who saw an opportunity to hone his skill even further then began sparring with Tsubaki, of course, Gilgamesh had way much power for Tsubaki and so he had lower himself to equal strength.

Gilgamesh still does not possess enough experience in fighting within his mind and used this chance to repeatedly spar with Tsubaki to increase his experience.

Tsubaki, of course, obliges and soon found out that Gilgamesh is if not way stronger than her and used the chance to also improve on her skill.

Gilgamesh had also been the one cooking for the past couple of weeks as an experiment with his abilities to maximize the flavor and taste from any ingredient. When both Tsubaki and Hephaestus who were discussing forge related matter caught the scent of the heavenly food, Gilgamesh was begged by both of them to cook, Gilgamesh wishes to use this chance and hone his cooking skill as a surprise for his family member back home.

Thanks to the various weapon that Gilgamesh had shown her, Hephaestus had managed to improve her craft even more and had invited Gilgamesh to a party to celebrate.

Gilgamesh seeing no reason to refuse accepted the invitation.

The celebration party was hosted within the Hostess of Fertility.

Because Hephaestus rarely celebrate, many of those who got the news were surprised at it.

Loki and Hestia, friends of Hephaestus was also invited towards the party and also brought some of their famalia members with them to the party.

Just as both of them were preparing for their party in a couple of hours, Gilgamesh decides to help his new friend in this world a bit.

"Hephaestus, your eyepatch...what purpose there be for you to wear it?"

Hephaestus who was writing down new inspiration in her note suddenly paused, she was visibly hesitating.

'Shit..he ask about my eye...what should I do? Should I tell him the truth? What if he rejects me...What if he finds it disgusting....Will he be like the rest of them and shun me? Will he abandon me like everyone else?... What should I do?'

She was suddenly shocked out of her thinking when she felt a hand on her shoulder, not in a flirty manner.

"That is all I need to know, your movement and hesitation all points towards fear of being shunned again and feared."

Upon hearing that Hephaestus was trembling, afraid of it coming true.

"Who am I to judge? Who are they to judge you? I am Gilgamesh and you are Hephaestus, those who judge us, for what reason do they have just because we are not normal? You are born beautiful, I am sure that I am not nor the last to praise of you about this. I know how it feels to be mock by and shun by...I know it all and what I had always wished was for someone to listen to my story...I never did had the chance until recently...I now offer the same thing my dear friend did to me,

Haphestus, share your burden with me so that I may listen to it and we shall carry it together. Your story I will listen, and your heart I will mend and together the wound shall heal."

Hephaestus shed tears, for the first time. She had endured this for such a long time, she was too stubborn to accept in telling her story when even her own friend and familia asked about it...but why then, does she felt the opposite now...

"I...I was born with a beautiful face, the majority of the God lust after me and the majority of the Goddess envy and hate me. I was young and naive at the time, any God or Goddess that wanted to be friends with me, I quickly accept them all. It was after a while that I start to realize their true motives, the male had repeatedly tried to get into my pants while the female spread rumors about me to destroy my reputation. They spread about how much of a whore I was and will be willing to

spread my leg to anyone willing.

My reputation was quickly destroyed, the male who realize that I was not willing to spread my leg quickly left, many of those who were rejected by me hate me. The Goddess who was once friend with me quickly joined the other side and only less than a handful actually stood by my side.

Gilgamesh who saw Hephaestus was already shedding tears like no tomorrow squeeze her shoulder a bit harder to show his support.

"It was around this time that one of the few friends that had remained with me gave me a cursed item that was even able to harm us with divinity, he had wanted to ruin me because of his lover ranting about how unfair it was for me to have a pretty face. I in my most vulnerable state accepted the gift thinking that it was meant to comfort me."

Hephaestus then took a deep breath before continuing.

" It was only after a week that the earring he had gifted me start to corrode my divinity within, I immediately rip the pair of earrings off but it was too late, my right eye was infected and the energy within the cursed item and my divinity clashed. When I first saw part of my face had become disgusting, I immediately lost all sense of reason and kill the one responsible for it every time he had reform repeatedly. This action earned me the fear of others and the mutation of my right eye also made me hated. My power had increased at the cost of my face."

Gilgamesh who heard all of this decided to help his new friend, even more, he gently turns Hephaestus around and slowly removes her eyepatch.

Hephaestus of course immediately tries to stop him but when Gilgamesh asks a single question, she stopped.

"Do you trust me?"

Gilgamesh slowly removes the eyepatch, what greeted him was black vein surrounding the right eye which was fully red in color. Gilgamesh shown no emotion upon seeing this for this will soon be gone. Gilgamesh then dematerialized his left-hand golden gauntlet and slowly put his hand on the right side of Hephaestus face.

Hephaestus despite only knowing Gilgamesh for just a couple of week trusted him, he may not show that he cares for others but deep down, she knows he does..just a bit...tsundere with his feeling, for what she had experienced, reading character is easy for him and Gilgamesh does not seem like the type to betray his friend. Of course, that didn't stop the blushing from occurring with Gilgamesh put his hand on her face.

Gilgamesh did not notice that for he has been checking what was causing all of this, he then has to use his Juubi power to cleanse of the energy that was still within Hephaestus, this type of power belongs to a nature curse and was extremely hard for even God and Goddess who specialize in healing to cure this.

Hephaestus who felt a numbing sensation on her face and when Gilgamesh releases his hand from her face and was preparing to wear her eyepatch again when Gilgamesh stops her, pointing towards a small mirror on the desk. Hephaestus was reluctant to look at her scarred face but was curious as to what Gilgamesh did.

When she looks at the mirror, she was shocked, the very face that she missed, the very unscarred face of hers before everything went downhill.

She didn't care about anything right now and directly hug Gilgamesh while repeatedly saying thanks.

Gilgamesh of course+ accepts the hug and pat her on the back to comfort her.

'Hmm, I've always wished for someone to save me in the past..now I am the one doing it even...Heh...'

"Yahoo are you...."

Tsubaki who had entered the room without knocking to see if both of them were ready slowly close the door while giving the "Don't worry let me handle the rest" look towards Hephaestus and a thumbs up.

"WAIT WAIT TSUBAKI COME BACK HERE."

"You sure?"

"GET IN HERE NOW."

"How bold~~~ a Threesome."

Hephaestus was as red as her hair color now.

Tsubaki who was laughing suddenly stop when she saw the face of her leader.

"Wait...your face."

Hephaestus signal for her to close the door first.

Afterward, she explained to Tsubaki what had happened.

"Ey thanks Gil, you recovered my leader's face, want a threesome as thanks?"

Hephaestus smack Tsubaki on the head for saying that.

"Hahahaha, perhaps I shall keep that in mind."

Tsubaki then took out her eyepatch as well, the whole reason for wearing it was for her leader, after all, now no longer require it.

"Let's celebrate!"

The news was quickly spread among all of the members of Hephaestus familia and all of them gave their heartfelt thanks to Gilgamesh. Their leader had been the one who gave them a chance and hope, to finally see their leader being happy again was a joyous occasion for them.

The time has come for them to meet up with both Loki and some of her famila and Hestia.

As expected, now that Hephaestus no longer required to wear an eyepatch, she was the attention of many men.

"Heeeeey Hephaaa!"

A white blur then crashed into Hephaestus and hugged her.

Hephaestus simply gave a sigh.

"Hestia, how many times have I ask you to not do that, greet normally."

"Oh come now, hugging is the best greeting."

Loki then appeared out of nowhere and push Hestia aside.

"Oh Hepha, how...what happen to your face?"

After another explanation to both Loki and Hestia...

Loki pervertedness was well known and thus everyone ignored that.

"Oh my..such good looking man, I mean thank you."

After a while of greeting, all of them prepare to then walk towards the pub when Ais Wallenstein spoke out.

"Wait, can I duel with you?"

Everyone stopped when hearing her voice, Ais was usually very quiet does not talk very much.

She was known as the Sword Princess by many due to her skill and is one of the strongest among first-class adventures.

Gilgamesh was amused by this and accepted it.

"Very well, a small spar before the celebration."

The rest seems to be interested and curious as to why Ais suddenly initiate a spar with Gilgamesh.

The answer made them sweatdrop.

"I want to fight him because he felt dangerous."

After they reach a small open field and Ais then ready herself for a duel while Gilgamesh stood there looking bored.

None finds it offensive due to the fact that Gilgamesh was a god who generously agreed to Ais request.

Ais then drew her weapon, Desperate was the weapon name and have similar properties towards Durundal.

Gilgamesh decides to humor her a bit and call forth a golden portal.

Everyone who does not know about Gilgamesh abilities was shocked when he pulls out a magnificent sword that radiates power and sharpness from the portal.

Ais felt her sword trembling before the sword that Gilgamesh has pulled out and could not resist her curiosity

"May I know of the blade name?"

"One of the treasure in my gate, the symbol of power which holds 3 miracles within it...Durandal The Peerless Sword."

.....

(Chapter 63)

"One of the treasure in my gate, the symbol of power which holds 3 miracles within it...Durandal The Peerless Sword."

At the declaration, everyone present was shocked. Durandal was thought to be long lost in between the war, the peerless blade now being shown before them. Ais of course too was shocked by the appearance of such a blade.

Ais grip her weapon even harder, she assumes a stance where her sword was over her head while feet in a suitable distance to dash in any direction. Gilgamesh was still standing there relaxing, Ais who saw this then took the initiative and dashes towards him.

Ais attempt an overhead blow, Gilgamesh side step the blade and swing towards her right. Ais then did a roll to avoid the swing and attack Gilgamesh feet, Gilgamesh who saw this simply lift his feet up and clamp down the sword that was attempting to cut him.

Ais tried to free her blade, that proving to be a challenge. She then attempts a sweep kick and Gilgamesh jumped to avoid it. She uses this chance and swing from her right, Gilgamesh parried the attack with no difficulty at all. They both trade move after move, back and forth until Ais realize she was not gaining any advantage at all and began to read her opponent and remember her training. She started to think, she blocks each of Gilgamesh attack on reflex while still searching for a weakness.

Gilgamesh, of course, knew this judging from her eye that keeps scanning every movement he made and act accordingly, he then purposely reveal a moment of weakness and Ais of course who saw this took the bait.

Gilgamesh raises his blade up high over his head and Ais size this chance and quickly stabs his blade towards Gilgamesh stomach. Gilgamesh simply spins around and swing the blade down towards Ais neck, Ais who saw this quickly abandon all current movement and quickly dashes backward missing the blade by a small inch.

Ais berate herself for such an amateur mistake, she was too used to fighting monster and had forgotten to adjust herself. She then began to swing relentlessly while searching for a weakness.

Each hit was easily blocked and countered by Gilgamesh.

Ais parried and tried to cut against Gilgamesh while he had dodged to the side and swing towards her left, Ais tried to block the hit and though successfully blocked, the force behind the swing has forced her to take a couple of steps back.

She did not rush back immediately, she was not known as the "Sword Princess" for nothing. She waited for Gilgamesh to make a move this time, Gilgamesh as expected, dashes towards Ais in an impressive speed that Ais has just barely managed to block the attack.

Ais and Gilgamesh then resume their rapid slashes, each slash, and each swing relentlessly. Ais was getting desperate, the attack behind each swing was not one that even a level 6 could easily block. Each of those attacks had repeatedly made Ais hand even more numb and has almost no energy left, she was forced on the defensive side and has no time to rest.

Gilgamesh knew that his opponent is getting more and more tired and increase his attack strength. Ais who saw this began to direct the attack away instead of blocking it, conserving her energy and weakening her opponent.

Ais then suddenly stab towards Gilgamesh neck, Gilgamesh tilts his neck and swing towards her right. Ais then duck down and swing towards Gilgamesh. Gilgamesh who saw this attempt to stomp her weapon down again but Ais had learned her lesson and cancel the swing midway and swing in the opposite direction this time. Gilgamesh who was enjoying the fight and had limited himself towards the strength of his opponent saw this and leap backward.

Ais gave chase immediately, she dashes forward and using her momentum to stab towards Gilgamesh. Gilgamesh then deflected the attack by swinging upward, Gilgamesh then uses this chance and swing towards Ais neck, missing by an inch and smirk.

"Impressive, but I had won this spar."

Ais knew that she was defeated and simply nodded and agreed.

"Yes, I yield."

Gilgamesh then removes the blade from her neck and dismiss it.

Both of them then walked back towards the rest who were watching the spar the entire time with a wide eye.

Yes, Gilgamesh is a God, therefore his power should not be weak. But he had won against Ais who had been honing her sword skill for a long time and was publicly known as one of the best swordswomen. Gilgamesh had also limited his strength towards the same of Ais, this was a fair and square match to which Gilgamesh had won, this won Gilgamesh even more awe and respect.

Hephaestus, Loki, and Hestia were no different, all of those attacks were all pure skill and no divinity was used at all in this match.

"Our duel is over, a perfect time to proceed towards the pub."

Gilgamesh had to wake them up from their daze.

Once the rest had all come back from their dazed state, they started to walk towards the pub.

As they entered the pub, those who were within the pub were startled to see them all, admiration towards the beauty and respect towards the strong. They dare not show their lust so openly in the midst of a God/Goddess who could easily ruin with just a single word especially with their bodyguard just beside them.

They were of course warmly welcome into the pub by Mia Grand the owner and her employee.

They had ordered a mountain worth of food due to celebrating.

Each meal was delicious, of course in Hephaestus and Tsubaki mind, Gilgamesh meal was way more delicious but they shall keep it a secret to only themselves. They were the only one permitted to enjoy such heavenly food. The food quickly arrived and everyone started eating.

Every now and then, glances were being sent towards Gilgamesh and Hephaestus. Both of them were world-class beauty and any mortal or God and Goddess will consider such a figure worth chasing and stalking.

"Ey, Gil you were really good at sword eh?"

Tsubaki was curious, between their spar they had never gone so far as Gilgamesh and Ais did. Tsubaki and Gilgamesh were both sharpening their foundation after all and were not serious in the fight.

"I can confidently say that I have mastered an impressive selection of weapon but my favorite would be sword and spear."

"Oh, why?"

Others including the Goddess were curious, the surrounding people and employees alike were also trying to listen in.

"Oh, simple, sword, and spear offer a large choice and are not limited in many ways. I had used a spear for a good first half of my journey and finally the sword, I am better at the art of wielding a spear of course, why? Simple...I love to see people unable to cast a spell when I stab them with Gáe Dearg which sever magical enhancement and magic and render them useless."

"Hehe, you are quite sadistic ain'tcha Gil."

Gilgamesh shook his head.

"They had chosen this path, the current path to which we all take is one who we walk with death, but I shall not spoil the celebration mood, come let us eat and drink even more."

"Ooooh"

"Hey hey, Gil are you going to make your own familia?"

Hestia, or most commonly known as Loli cow boob ask, she and Gilgamesh both recently descended and she was having some trouble recruiting people into her familia.

"Perhaps, but if so, my familia will be arriving after I am able to use my time and space power without collapsing this dimension."

Many who heard this spit out their water/drink.

'WHAT? COLLAPSING!'

"Hmm? They are in a different dimension for now, if I forcefully teleport my familia here, the risk is too high.

"Yes yes, you should wait patiently for it."

Everyone nodded towards Hephaestus word.

Hestia does feel a bit down, it seems like she was the only goddess here that does not have a single familia member at all. She does not let it show it on her face as it is a celebratory mood and she does not want to ruin it.

Hephaestus noticed that and simply gave Hestia a squeeze on the shoulder and shove more food towards her.

It was only after night had arrived that the party ended, many present were drunk.

"Hey Gil, what is your most powerful weapon?"

Hephaestus has been waiting to ask this question, Gilgamesh had many legendary weapons, but which among all of those treasures are the most powerful? She was definitely curious about it.

There is only Tsubaki, Hestia, Loki and Gilgamesh with her when she asked the question, Loki had told her famila to head back without her first. Gilgamesh thought for a while before telling them.

"My most powerful weapon would be Ea, it is a weapon that can't be copied after all, how about this, let us head back into Hephaestus home first and if you are keen on seeing it, I shall show it."

The rest quickly nod and headed back towards their destination.

Once they reach Hephaestus home, they quickly entered the inner area of it and turn to look at Gilgamesh.

Gilgamesh gave a sigh and will for the only locked item to appear.

On Gilgamesh palm, a key appears to which Gilgamesh explains on the confused expression of the present Goddess.

Gilgamesh then raises the key and turn it.

Thousands of red lines appear and form a symbol.

That symbol closely represents the end of this chapter until the next one.