New Chapter 16: Weapon Plans

The sun rose quicker than I thought, but such details didn't matter as I was more lost in the finalization of the weapon I planned to get made. A weapon with a growth effect, which meant it would grow with me! I'd never have to get it replaced unless it broke, but that's why I'm also working on a way to throw in a restoration effect as well. However, that makes the price jump drastically.

Maybe a fusion effect would work better? I don't have Playful Cloud yet, nor the Inverted Spear of Heaven and Earth. Opting for a staff in frame for now would be good; then I could have it absorb both of the aforementioned weapons later! I could also give it more later, but having to learn so many weapons would be inefficient. So, I'll stick with the staff and spear, but if I could absorb the effect of the Extermination Sword into the spear, that'd be great!

My thoughts were very expensive, but spending this much on a weapon was worth it in every way. Sure, I really didn't need to get a weapon since I'd be fine without one with all the abilities I'll have eventually, but you never know what could happen! This weapon might save my ass later.

DuDu

"You can come in, Aura." I allowed the elf's entrance. Honestly, the thought of making Aura's life harder did come to mind, but that entertainment wouldn't last very long, so I didn't waste my time with such thoughts.

Bowing slightly while entering, Aura spoke, "Enkidu-sama."

"...What did you just call me?" I could feel my face twitch. Her words were strange, although they did kind of fit her whole demeanor, but still, this woman was acting weird!

"Sorry? I called you Enkidu-sama. Is that a problem?" Aura tilted her head in confusion.

"I mean, not necessarily, just why would you call me that? In my opinion, the only person you should address as 'Sama' is Artemis and not me." I spoke my thoughts as I tidied up all the notes I had written down. These notes and drafts contained the weapon ideas I'd been working on all night, so losing or damaging any of them would be a little inconvenient. I wouldn't forget them, but rewriting and drawing would be aggravating!

"I was told by Artemis-sama that you were my boss and I was your assistant. I thought 'Sama' was the right way to address you."

"She really said that? I can't see her, who was being so jealous about you being near me, saying that!"

"Yes, it threw me off as well, but...that's what happened!"

"Why did you pause then?"

"..." Aura didn't answer.

Haha, clearly something else went on, but I don't really care all that much. I already got my answer!

I put the papers in a folder and the folder in a bag that Artemis lent to me. It was a basic black bag, just big enough for the folder; it resembled more of a suitcase with a strap that could rest on my shoulder. Now that I was ready, I left the room and went out of the manor where Artemis already had the carriage ready with Rethusa (Rethy) in the driver's seat.

"I'm sure I don't need to tell you to join Rethy, right?" Since Artemis gave her to me, I ordered Aura to help Rethy. I entered the carriage, which was the same one that got attacked a little over a week ago. Artemis, with her beautiful blue hair and green eyes, was sitting and waiting for me, her face adorned with a small smile, very different from the playful smirk from last night!

I waved at her and she pointed in front of her, signaling for me to take the seat in front of her. I did without hesitation and made myself comfortable.

"Good morning!" I can't lie; I was in an outstanding mood today.

"Hehe, good morning! Somebody is really happy to use my money."

"-_-" I didn't say a word and just turned my head toward the left. I'd be damned if I gave her the satisfaction of agreeing. Silence in these situations was always the best answer!

In no time, we arrived at the Hephaestus Familia, and since we had an appointment, getting to the woman in question was easy. Our scheduled time was for 9 am, and since it's around 8:30, we'd be waiting for a little, but that's fine. It'll give me more time to add or remove some things from the weapon drafts!

Even when curing her, this weapon will cost an insane amount of money. Easily 10,000,000,000 at the minimum if she offers the most generous of discounts. Of course, she could decide to be even more generous, but realistically, this number will be around the cost! However, I can't lie; I hope that Hephaestus decides to be SUPER generous.

"Hey Artemis, do you have enough money?" I whispered into her left ear, which caused her to jump a little, but she didn't want to ruin her image in any place outside of the Familia, so she controlled herself. I explained a little more in detail, which caused her face to blank out!

"A-Are you serious?! What happened to the original weapon plan?!" She began freaking out, but I reassured her that if she didn't have enough, then I'd handle it somehow. This, for some reason, didn't calm her down but instead made her even more worried.

"Why are you still worried?"

"Listen, Enkidu...I don't mean this in any disrespect, but when you say you want to handle something, it typically involves darker methods."

"I don't know what you are talking about!" I smiled like an angel with no hint of deceit.

"Ha!" Artemis scoffed, and we continued joking around until we heard a knock on the door!

DuDu

The knocking on the door quickly made me and Artemis quit goofing around. The door opened, and the person knocking revealed themselves; it was Hephaestus with an eyepatch around her right eye. Its size covered most of the right side of her face. She was the same height as Artemis, standing at 5'5", and her skin was slightly tan.

Like Artemis, she was blessed in all aspects of being a woman but gave off more of a strong-willed aura compared to Artemis's refined one. She was also wearing a white dress shirt with the top buttons slightly unbuttoned, giving a good view for any eyes that lay upon her chest. Her red eye and hair looked dull, but maybe that was due to the stress of a lot of work.

"Good morning, Hephaestus!" Artemis became all cheery, which to me didn't seem all that weird, but I noticed Hephaestus's face scrunch up. Did she sense Artemis's intentions? I thought, but I couldn't be too sure since the Artemis I was familiar with wasn't very fond of men, so seeing me next to her probably seemed strange to Hephaestus.

"I heard that you were warming up to men, and now there are even rumors that you've finally experienced the bedroom. I can't say I blame you if I had someone like him at my side!"

Me: 0_0 ---> 'I can't believe she just went straight to the point.' I looked over toward Artemis, and her face was a new shade of red I hadn't even heard of.

"I-I haven't l-lost t-that yet! So, don't say anything more, or I'll take my once-in-a-lifetime offer away!" Artemis tried to sound threatening, but to both Hephaestus and me, it wasn't convincing, considering her stutter and red face.

"Is that why you've asked for a meeting? No offense, but I highly doubt you can help me."

Ah. Hephaestus is egging Artemis on to try and get an advantage in the negotiation! I should take over before Artemis actually does something stupid. I doubt, though, that Hephaestus will stay calm after hearing our plan!

"Ahem!" I coughed loudly, gathering the attention of both women. I'll just get straight to the point.

"Hephaestus, we came with a request, and honestly, it's way too expensive, but we can fix that eye of yours as one form of compensation." I dropped the bombshell and let it sink in. The room became so silent that you could hear a pin drop!

The red-haired goddess's mouth opened and closed, her face showing signs of anger, hope, and conflict. I can understand hope and conflict, but I didn't understand the anger part! Was I too straightforward?

Artemis didn't say anything. As for why, I don't know, but I'm sure she understands Hephaestus's struggles more than I do, as both are women and divine beings. I figure the struggle comes more from being a woman than necessarily a goddess, but I'm not either, so whatever! I just need the weapon made. Wait a second...

Does Hephaestus feel the same connection that Artemis feels towards me?! Isn't this a perfect time to get some answers?! I observed her every reaction and action. We made eye contact a few times, but never did she flinch or turn away, unlike Artemis! This woman didn't even seem affected by anything else but what she just heard.

It's a little too early to make a call, but Hephaestus doesn't seem to be affected by the same connection. I'll figure out more when I cure her, but if this really is the case, then I figure that whatever this connection is with Artemis, it should really relate to the Six Eyes and not to me specifically.

Obviously, I wouldn't get all the answers through mere observations since Hephaestus isn't anything like Artemis personality-wise, but I felt there should have been some visible sign. I didn't let anyone notice anything strange and kept my composure. My answers would come in due time, after all.

"Are you serious?" The red-haired goddess stared us down, or more specifically, stared me down. She tried acting imposing and all that, but against someone like me who had obtained some traits from the King of Curses, that didn't affect me one bit. Just natural confidence when you know you can send her back to heaven easily!

I nodded at her words, though. I didn't need unnecessary drama and theatrics.

"Do it, and I'll give you a 90% discount on whatever it is you need!" She exclaimed, with a lot of hope and desperation lacing her voice. This curse did more damage to her mentally than one could realize from just hearing about it!

Artemis stepped in before I could respond, "I wouldn't be so loose with that promise before you hear what he needs! It's quite the concept, and honestly, you are the only one who could create something like what he designed."

"It can't be that hard. He clearly isn't a blacksmith, and I doubt he has much understanding of advanced runes." Hephaestus bluntly insulted my intelligence, which is fair when you remember what I look like, but still, she didn't need to say all that!

"Sure, I don't, but I still have a brain with a vision. This weapon of mine is the vision I need materialized!" I handed her a bunch of notes that were written in the basic language of the world. I had to do some translating, but everything I wanted is still there. A bundle of 54 pages of everything I could possibly make work and that would be able to adapt to myself!