Chapter - 34 [ #V1.17 : Danmachi : Closing The Distance! ]
[ BONUS CHAPTER (5/??) ]
...
For the next few months Ash and Hephaestus enjoyed the shows like AoT, Naruto, and some Rom-com animes like Horimiya, The Quintessential Quintuplets, And NiseKoi. Since they were fully watching anime unless they are sleeping, eating and enjoying some time together, they were able to finish AoT and Naruto within two months.
Currently they were watching the scene of Ichijou Raku having a fake date with Kirisaki Chitoge to fool their respective stalkers like their father's gang members!
Seeing the scene of Chitoge punching Raku when he called her a gorilla, Hephaestus couldn't stop laughing. Currently what's more important was her position. She was currently resting her head on his lap while seeing the episode.
In the two months, a lot of things happened between them. Though they haven't crossed the line, after that incident at the bath, they decided to become lovers but they still want to learn more about each other.
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[ Flashback ]
After the day of their incident at the bath, Hephaestus and Ash was no longer that concious of each other. Rather they began to be honest about their desires, like wanting to hold hands, hug, talk, have a small date around the forest and many other things.
One day, Hephaestus was the one to ask him. She asked if they could be a little more passionate. Not intimate like passionate, but more romantic type passionate activities.
Ash was obviously okay with it so, he agreed. On the first day, Hephaestus brought him outside and talked with him about her past.
She had some insecurities about her past. She was worried if she should talk about it or not. But not wanting to hide anything from him, she told him her story.
In short, she was a lonely goddess. As she was beautiful even with her eye being a little scary for others, her beauty attracted the attention of many. Even the gods like Zeus and Odin tried to court her. But of course she knew they were after her body, not her heart so she refused. Odin just sighed in defeat. But Zeus being a lecherous old frog, he began to pursue her even after her firm rejection.
One day, when she was about to be forcefully raped, a saviour came. It was a goddess. She had an aloof face, but there was an unpredictable kindness under her stoic face. That was her first friend. Her name was Hestia, the goddess of Hearth and Family. She was a First generation goddess, so she was naturally stronger than Odin or Zeus who were strong second generation. When Hestia arrived, the lecherous old man and his goons ran away. Because if Hestia wants, she can even destroy his divine soul, in other words a permanent death for them.
Saved by the petite goddess with big boobs, Hephaestus became close to her. At first they were only friends. But with time, Hestia who was okay with loneliness found her solitude in her first friend. Thus, they became best friends. So, Zeus rejected the idea to pursue Hephaestus any further.
That was a fine ending. At least that's what the two goddesses thought. One day, a god came and confessed to Hephaestus normally. He was a young generation god, so Hephaestus wasn't worried. But even so, she rejected him. But then he asked if she would give him a chance to prove himself.
As the kind goddess she was, she decided to go with his plan. They enjoyed their time together and even Hestia was happy for her friend. With time, Hephaestus fell for the god. And that was where she was destroyed.
When they were close enough, he asked for an intimate relationship. Of course as she was already in love with him, she gave the confirmation. But after the day they had their first night, in the morning, Hephaestus who woke up saw a letter, nothing more. Within that note, heartbreaking words were written as if intentionally trying to drive her to despair. He who she thought loved her confessed that he just wanted to fuck her. And when that was over, he simply left her. He even said harsh words about how disgusting her eyes were.
Due to despair, Hephaestus didn't even go to see her best friend for a long time. Hestia who learned of this was enraged. Because Hephaestus was the reason for her change, she felt very angry knowing someone hurt her. Needless to say, Hestia who became the wrathful demon instantly destroyed that entire god and his group to ground! Even Primordial Gods didn't intervene because even in their eyes, she was equal to them. Besides, the lost was only weak generation gods, so they weren't worried. But the terror of Hestia became legend making any men remember to think again before planning something like this again.
After a long time, Hephaestus finally exited from her hiding. But she was no more the bubbly person she was. Hestia immediately welcomed her to stay with in her hearth temple. Hephaestus obeyed. After few more years have passed. Hestia who was known for her virginity introduced a fellow virgin goddess, Artemis. They became friends, but Hephaestus only considered Hestia her best friend.
When it was time for them to descend upon the mortal world, Hestia refused her invitation and said she will wait for the right time.
After she explained her story to him, she was slightly nervous as to know what his reaction will be. But unlike what she expected, he only had slight angry face. Not a disappointed one. She asked why was he angry. He said if he was in Heaven at that time, he would have tortured the god until he begs for total destruction.
She was slightly startled by his words. But his next question made her nervous. He asked why was she feeling insecure about their possible relationship.
She answered that she was worried about him being disappointed at her since she wasn't a virgin anymore. And she was used by someone else.
He didn't lie, he said he was jealous that she lost her virginity, but that wouldn't make him hate her or be disappointed in her. She was so happy that he said that she pounced on him and began to sob.
And when Ash muttered how he can go back in time to stop what happened to her, Hephaestus immediately requested him. He also went together with her back in time and killed the poor god as soon as he confessed to her. Though the past Hephaestus was shocked, when he showed her the future memories of herself, she nodded and with a small hesitation allowed him to go. The orginal Hephaestus who was hiding by his powers left together with him.
When they returned, Hephaestus pounced on him with even more passion and happiness. She said she doesn't remember such a memory anymore. Which means the past did change. And thanks to his existence, nothing of sorts of a universal threat happened due to the change of past.
After that day, Hephaestus began to trust him even more, showing off her affection by sometimes even teasing him.
...
"By the way Dear, Hestia will descend somewhere between the two months outside. Can you tell your familia to check upon her?"
She began to call him more affectionately and passionately from then. Hearing her, he said,
"That won't be a problem. Just let her stay in Eternal Manor for a while. When we return you can take her back with you."
He telepathically orders Haruhime to tell some of them go to Babel after a few days as he predicted. Haruhime obeyed and told the others of this.
And after a few more months inside, Hestia would have entered the mortal realm.
"I told them to help her. So, for the time being, let's finish this show. We have two more weeks before we will return to work."
Hephaestus nodded. Ash began to pet her red hair making her sleepy. But they watched the show until it was evening.