Crafting Trust and Demonic Steel

From the moment Maribel reached an Infatuated state with regards to Vampire, she didn't let go of her arms, and kept her clutches on her 'Toy'. It was quite a great sensation for Vecna to have this type of skinship with such a beautiful woman.

The silence between them was filled with unspoken emotions, and Maribel couldn't help but let out a soft, contented sigh. Her vibrant crimson hair cascaded like a waterfall around her shoulders, creating a stark contrast against the luxurious room they stood.

Breaking the silence, Vecna's voice rumbled like velvet, filled with satisfaction. "I must admit, Maribel, I truly enjoy these moments."

A mischievous glint danced in Maribel's eyes as she traced her finger along the contours of Vecna's chest. "You have a way of making them enjoyable, Vecna."

With a seductive grin, Vecna teased her, "Perhaps we should always start with this before our chess matches. It seems to set the right mood."

Maribel blushed at his teasing words, her finger curling into a playful pinch on Vecna's side. "You rascal," she whispered, her voice low and sultry, "You shouldn't say such things to a lady."

Vecna's laughter filled the room, deep and genuine, a rare sound from the enigmatic vampire. He looked at her face without blinking, his eyes focused on her forehead, and as he approached closer, as if to kiss her forehead affectionately, Maribel closed her eyes, expectantly.

"Now, if you react like this, it is too inviting." he initially stopped midway, but decided to go along with his instincts, and proceeded to kiss her forehead.

"That was a good reaction, but aren't you enjoying this too much?"

Maribel's excitement and playfulness lingered, but she sensed a shift in Vecna's demeanor. He was a master at manipulating conversations, and he had a more professional tone in mind.

Reluctantly letting go of their shared warmth, Maribel propped herself up on one elbow, her hair spilling over her shoulder like a cascade of rubies. Her expression became more attentive, her green eyes locked onto Vecna's, waiting for the next part of the conversation.

Vecna, too, straightened his posture. The allure of their intimate moments was momentarily set aside as he began to delve into a more serious matter. His eyes, once filled with the passionate allure of their earlier moments, now shone with a serious and focused gleam.

He recognized Maribel's reluctance to be directly involved in the ongoing conflict, especially in her condition as a Homunculus, and his request would further emphasize her unique talents.

"Maribel," he began, his voice steady and focused, "I need to discuss something important with you."

She leaned in closer, her vibrant crimson hair cascading around her like a fiery halo, a picture of fiery beauty and intelligence. "I'm listening, Vecna. What can I do for you?"

Vecna's eyes held a touch of admiration as he explained his request. "I need your expertise, your craftsmanship. I believe you're uniquely qualified for a specific task."

Maribel's curiosity was piqued as she considered what Vecna might be asking of her. She was a skilled craftswoman, and her talents were known far and wide, but mainly in the previous generation of Heroes and Legendary Figures. 

She inclined her head, encouraging him to continue. "My craftsmanship? For what purpose?"

Vecna's lips curled into a sly smile as he continued, "I want you to help me forge a new weapon, one that aligns perfectly with my fighting style."

Maribel's eyes widened with both surprise and intrigue. She knew that crafting a weapon for someone as formidable as Vecna was no small task. But she also understood that her current body was far from what her original body could muster, and her skills might not match up to the grandeur of her reputation.

Vecna's voice remained smooth, soothing, and persuasive, qualities that he had kept in himself from his Antisocial Disorder, allowing him to manipulate various situations to his advantage. "Maribel, you don't have to worry that you'll not be capable of managing this task. It's not the body that gives birth to a creation, it's the mind and soul."

"It's your creativity, your ability to craft something extraordinary. I've seen what you can do, and I believe you're more than capable of this task."

Her cheeks flushed with a mix of flattery and humility. Maribel couldn't help but be charmed by Vecna's faith in her. She ran her fingers through her vibrant hair, considering his request.

"Thank you for your trust, Vecna," she said sincerely. "I'll hear you out. What exactly do you have in mind?"

Vecna's confidence in his choice of craftswoman was evident in his smile. "I'd like you to reforge my Knightsblade. I believe you're the one who initially crafted it out of sheer boredom since it has dropped from one of your Automatons. Isn't that so, 'M'?"

"Continue, with what do you want to combine the Knightsblade?"

"Along with that, I have acquired some crafting materials from Camio and the Demonified Goblin Chieftains."

Maribel's surprise was palpable, her eyes wide with astonishment at the materials Vecna mentioned. However, her expression soon turned serious as she pieced together the implications of his request.

"You're attempting to forge a Demonic Blade, aren't you?" she asked, her tone a mix of concern and curiosity.

Vecna's ambition and determination radiated as he confirmed her suspicion. "That's exactly what I want to achieve by reforging the various crafting materials into one, however, I don't know if a Craftsman capable outside of the Great Empress of Battle Gear exists in this World."

"From what I heard that Pagma guy is far beneath your greatness, and couldn't even compare with a speck of dust from your slender fingers.

He brushed off her concerns and revealed his disdain for Pagma, the famed blacksmith from the East, with a wicked grin. He heard quite a lot about this Legendary Hero called Pagma who had managed to crush Maribel's confidence in her own creations, constantly living under his shadow.

Maribel couldn't help but chuckle at Vecna's humor and the playful push he gave her shoulder in response to his mockery of Pagma.

Receiving all the signals from Maribel's body language, Vecna inquired with a villainous grin, "So, will you help me craft a weapon that will put to shame all those pretentious blacksmiths?"

As Maribel playfully pushed Vecna's shoulder, the two shared a brief, light-hearted moment filled with villainous laughter. Vecna's words, while mocking her archenemy, Pagma, had clearly struck a chord with Maribel. 

She couldn't help but enjoy Vecna's confidence and charisma as he expressed his intention to create a weapon that would outshine anything Pagma or other blacksmiths could produce.

Receiving all those signals from Maribel's body language, Vecna seized the opportunity to inquire once more with a villainous grin, "So, will you help me craft a great weapon to put to shame all those pretentious blacksmiths?"

Maribel nodded with determination, her vibrant emerald eyes locked onto his. "Of course, I will. But remember, crafting a Demonic Blade takes time and skill."

Vecna's eagerness was evident, but he acknowledged the patience required. "I understand. How long will it take?"

Maribel considered the task at hand and the materials involved. "About 1-2 weeks, depending on how efficiently I can process the demonic crafting material. I've worked with such materials in the past, particularly when I had dealings with Muller."

"I'll need to adapt to them and strip them of their evil demonic power."

When Vecna hears all of the detailed procedures of stripping the demonic crafting material of their potent power, he listens attentively while Maribel elaborates on the delicate process. Her voice is measured and informative, as if she's speaking to an apprentice blacksmith.

"As you can imagine, Vecna, crafting a Demonic Blade requires a careful balance," she explains. "The crafting materials have to be purified, and their malevolent energy harnessed and channeled into a harmonious form.

Vecna absorbed this information, and when she mentioned stripping away the demonic power, he seemed somewhat concerned. He reached out and placed his hand on Maribel's shoulder, a bewildering gesture that caught her off guard. 

Maribel, intrigued and a little flustered, looked into Vecna's eyes and inquired, "Is there something I should know about this process that I'm not aware of?"

She was uncertain whether she had said something wrong, but she noticed a hint of playfulness in Vecna's expression.

Intrigued, Maribel looked at him, puzzled by his reaction. Vecna leaned in closer, as if about to bite her neck, but he stopped midway. 

A low chuckle escaped his lips as he spoke, "Maribel, do I seem to be a human to you? There's no point in wasting precious energy on what you were about to do. Craft the sword without affecting the potency of the Demonic Power. I'm a sort of Demon myself."

{What demon? You're insulting the great Vampiris Subrace the Great Father has created.} interjected Lamech inside Vecna's brain, displeased that he was associating the Great Vampire Race to some lowly Demons.

Yet Vecna just ignored Lamech's voice, and continued his discussion with Maribel.

This revelation confused Maribel momentarily, but then something clicked. Vecna's identity as a Vampire Lord dawned on her, and it became clear that he was not an ordinary human, unlike his appearance. In fact, the demonic power might even enhance his abilities.

Maribel acknowledged the understanding between them with a nod. "It's good that we cleared this misunderstanding. I might have regretted building a defective product for you."

"However, now that we sorted your requirements, I require some payment."

Vecna seemed unruffled by her earlier action. Instead, he leaned back and began discussing his terms, outlining what he would need from her in return for her assistance with the weapon. When he asked what she wanted as compensation, he did so with a certain cunning charm.

"What do you want, Maribel?"

She couldn't help but smile cheekily, appreciating his playful nature. "Asking like that, it's like inviting the fox into your chicken coop."

Vecna leaned in, genuinely interested in her requests. "Yes, yes, make your demands. I'll fulfill them to the best of my abilities."

"Don't you say?" Maribel didn't hesitate to lay out her desires, her emerald eyes shimmering with excitement. 

"Then, first I want a Date only with you after we're done with Summit's Crest. I want you to take me around Valoria so I can explore, and then have dinner, and then retreat for some time alone."

"Second, I want we two to play chess each month, so I can see my improvements."

"Third, I want to analyze your Divine Artifact, I'm in particular interested in the Ego of the Artifact who I can feel that it has awakened."

Making her demands, she looked expectantly at Vecna, her heart filled with anticipation.

Vecna considered her requests, his expression turning thoughtful. "I'm alright with the first two, but allowing you to analyze the Book of Night, especially its Ego… well, that's something sensitive, Maribel. I hope you can understand."

Maribel was prepared for his hesitation, but just as he appeared to reject her third request, a voice interjected from within Vecna's mind.

{There's no harm done, she's akin to family now. Besides, if I'm not wrong, you're thinking about making her one of your Mistresses.}

{And, I can tell she's a talented woman, with a keen touch for Craftsmanship. She might help me strengthen the connection I have lost over the millenia with the rest of Master's Artifacts.}

As Vecna's internal debate played out, Maribel kept her composure. When he finally broke his silence, her smile was a mixture of joy and relief. "It's alright if you don't want me to analyze the Artifact," she replied graciously.

Vecna, however, had come to a different conclusion. His confidence in allowing her access to his Divine Artifact was evident. "No, I have consulted with Ego, and he says there's no harm done. Besides, we're already a 'family.'"

Maribel's joy was palpable as she received his consent, and in her elation, she was about to rush toward Vecna, her intentions clear in her eyes. But before she could make her move, Vecna extended his long arm, his hand coming to rest on her forehead, gently but firmly stopping her in her tracks. 

He gazed at her with his ever-shifting, mesmerizing ruby eyes, a hint of amusement dancing within their depths.

"You can be adorable at times," he teased, a small, affectionate smile playing at the corners of his lips. "But you don't have to be clingy with me. Like a fine wine, some things are best savored over time. Waiting patiently will only make the experience richer."

Maribel couldn't help but blush, her heart warmed by the playful intimacy they were sharing. 

However, their brief moment of tenderness was soon interrupted as the servants of Vinespine House announced that Breakfast will be served. 

"Good morning, Lord Vecna, Lady Maribel," she said with a slight curtsy. "Breakfast is ready to be served in the dining room whenever you're prepared."

"Mhm. We'll be there soon." replied Vecna who turned around to take his first morning meal inside Satisfy, and with his first act, Marilbe whose attire was messed from a night of rummaging her brains to defeat Vecna, extended her slender hand.

"Wait, let me change my clothes!"

While she did bring her clothes from her own dimensional bag, in her rush to change, Maribel started stripping right in front of Vecna. 

She was so focused on getting into more practical attire for the upcoming forge work that she momentarily forgot about her audience. 

Her outfit consisted of a dark leather tunic and pants, specially designed for ease of movement and resistance to the heat of the forge. Over her tunic, she wore a leather apron, a pair of well-worn gloves, and a sturdy pair of boots, all tailored to protect her from the intense conditions of the forge.

"It's been a while since I wore something like this." murmured Maribel to herself, and in her self-centric focus, she shifted a gaze slowly to the man standing there undisturbed.

"Kyaa, you actually didn't even try to turn around. You, pervert!"

Maribel's words playfully accused Vecna of being a pervert, but there was a sparkle of delight in her eyes as she scolded him. She couldn't deny that she enjoyed his attention. With a sly smile, she gathered her belongings.

Vecna couldn't help but watch with an appreciative gleam in his eyes as she changed into her work attire. 

"Flowers should be admired. That's all I shall say in my defense."

As Vecna and Maribel arrived at Davian's dining room, they were greeted by the sight of Elysia engaged in conversation with Rax. Rax rose to his feet and respectfully bowed as Vecna entered, his presence a mark of respect and recognition of Vecna's authority.

"Vecna," Rax began, his voice carrying the weight of a decision. "I'll be departing for the Goblin Tribes soon. First, I'll head to my Darkclaw Tribe and establish myself as their Chieftain. After that, I plan to visit the other two surviving tribes that we didn't have time to visit."

Vecna regarded Rax with a sense of understanding. "You have my blessing, Rax. Do what you see fit on your journey."

Rax continued, his eyes filled with earnestness. "I want to bring back my companion, Sersa, to Summit's Crest. She's been with me through thick and thin. 

What I was discussing with Lady Elysia earlier was if she would be willing to teach Sersa about the elves and humans, sharing common knowledge and insights accessible to the cultured races."

Vecna understood the depth of their bond and the importance of preserving it. He turned to Elysia, the ethereal beauty with silver hair that cascaded down her back like a shimmering waterfall. Her purple eyes held a depth of knowledge and wisdom that transcended the mortal realm. 

They sparkled with quiet intelligence and curiosity, always observing the world around her with a calm and collected demeanor. Elysia's gaze had a way of drawing people in, captivating them with its otherworldly charm.

"What's your opinion on this, Elysia?" Vecna asked, genuinely interested in her perspective.

Looking at her, Vecna was glad that she came out of her shell a little bit thanks to Maribel's efforts at cheering her up, mark was Elysia's attire. While casual, it was still a testament to her refined taste. 

She wore a flowing, lavender-colored gown made from the finest silk in the Valoria Duchy, which draped gracefully over her slender frame. The dress was adorned with delicate, intricate embroidery in silver thread.

Elysia, her presence emanating the grace of the Sylphs, considered the request carefully. She didn't reject it; in fact, it appealed to her. Teaching others would not only bolster the goblins' knowledge but also enrich her own understanding of magic through instructing them.

With a nod and a serene smile, Elysia responded, "I believe it's a noble endeavor. Educating Sersa will not only enrich her understanding but also foster bonds between the goblins and ourselves. I'll teach them how not to become prey to humans for sure."

With the group's consensus reached, they sat down to enjoy their breakfast. Vecna occupied the seat at the head of the table, a position that reflected his newfound leadership and his pivotal role in the town's transformation. 

Meanwhile, Maribel approached Elysia, and the two women began to whisper animatedly to each other. It was evident that Maribel was regaling Elysia with the events of her passionate night, and this information didn't escape Elysia's notice.

"We'll have to talk," Elysia finally remarked, her purple eyes regarding Vecna with a hint of seriousness.

Vecna felt a tingle down his nape, but he didn't dare to disregard Elysia's request. He only nodded like a good boy, who knew he messed up. "Surely. Not now, unfortunately. I'll accompany Maribel to a Forge in town. If you want, you can join us, Elysia."

Maribel, always one to speak her mind, chimed in. "This is a good idea, Vecna! Ely, you should join us, you haven't seen the crafting process of swords and other weapons, right? Reading all those books of yours and mumbling about your Revenge, isn't good for your mental health."

Elysia looked at Maribel, slightly embarrassed by her directness. "Hey, don't talk about that in his— How long will it take crafting that sword?"

Maribel considered the question for a moment. "Depends on the equipment I have at my disposal. We're building a Demonic Sword, so it would be quite fun. You might see the fathom of Archdemon Camio when the sword is completed."

Elysia's curiosity was piqued. "Ohhh, I'm willing. I'll go. Let me change into my traveling clothes."

As Vecna and Maribel arrived at Davian's dining room, they were greeted by the sight of Elysia engaged in conversation with Rax. Rax rose to his feet and respectfully bowed as Vecna entered, his presence a mark of respect and recognition of Vecna's authority.