Prelude to War

The author here, please read my note!

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After a good sleep last night, I have more energy than ever because of my date with Hephaestus today; excitedly, I jump from my bed and wash my face before summoning all of my clones.

Some of them would be researching about Grimoire, while the rest would finish the remaining order I have that already piled up.

In my usual Shihakushō, which I like because it looks so cool, especially when I tie it on my back when forging, and it also feels comfy in the searing heat inside my workshop.

Fixing my new silver hair with my new mask, I closely resemble Kakashi of Sharingan if not for my hairstyle that shines with the light and unrecognizable gender.

"Sigh* I hope Hephaestus won't be weird out by my appearance."

Even with the diverse looks and races in Orario, I have yet to see anyone with silver hair except for that goddess with a weird fetish.

Grabbing my umbrella, I kissed my necklace before heading out.

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"Someone must be excited."

Hephaestus teased him for being too early as their meeting was supposed to be at 8 in the morning; however, she was already awake as there were too many things she had to finish to clear her schedule for their date.

"Sorry, it looks like you were doing something when I barged in."

"No, it's fine. You're just right in time as I'm craving coffee before heading out."

Standing up to sit by his side, Hephaestus brushed his silver locks of hair. She liked its color in the past, but this one was not bad.

"Wait, what happened to your ear? It became pointy?"

"I just received a new skill that evolved every time I reached perfection."

"Wait, huh, so you're an elf now?"

"I guess so? I don't feel anything weird, except I can now slightly feel the surrounding mana in the air."

Hephaestus was stunned at his revelation; it sounds so simple when he talks about it, but the idea of a human expanding his container and breaking his shackles has never been heard before.

If this continues without a limit, then even the realm of god could be a possibility, as godhood is more about divinity, concept, and soul.

"By the shape of your ear, it seems you're a half-elf rather than a pure one."

"Half-elf? I don't care as long as you still love me, Hephaestus; I'm just worried that your feelings for me will change because of my appearance."

"What are you talking about, David? No matter what happens, even if you die, I will ask for your soul and find you in your next reincarnation. "

Hephaestus was beyond serious when she expressed her feelings for him; since the beginning of time, there was no one except for him to give her this kind of feeling.

It feels so suffocating that if not for the warm feeling that the Tears of Goddess exclude, she won't know what to do.

Hephaestus had an inkling of the reason for this, but she didn't know its extent.

"Die? I won't die because of one of my skills, so I'm practically ageless now."

Showing her is Falna; he didn't care if it's an unwritten rule to never show your status except for his god.

Hephaestus was unwilling at first but reading the skills and magic he had, she was awestruck, hugging him tightly from the back. She didn't know how to express her happiness even more.

To secure his safety, she even had used her Arcanum and spent an astronomical amount of valis on Ouranos for breaking the rule and avoiding being sent from heaven.

She only worries about him dying in old age, but now, after her burden is lifted, she can't help but cry in happiness.

David was scared at first when Hephaestus shed a tear as he silently promised never to make her cry; even the thought of loving anyone other than her didn't cross his mind.

A gentle light of red illuminated the room; even when the necklace was hidden in their clothes, it still shone brightly in approval for their devotion.

Hephaestus ignored it as she knew why it was reacting now; her curse in her eye in the past, which directly amplified their feeling at each other at an unprecedented speed, is now at the Tear of the Goddess.

She is not worried as reading the Magen David, it means that he is immune to anything negative but what she doesn't know is that it may protect him from any status except for his obsession.

His skill resulted from his obsession; even the Kage Bunshin is part of it as it materializes because of his wanting.

Thankfully everything was stored on the necklace to avoid any prying eyes discovering it.

After a moment, they broke from their hug and decided to move at an earlier time, they had much to do today, and Hephaestus wanted to savor every moment of it.

—-----

Walking down the busy road of Orario, Hephaestus was buying everything that she liked; even the stall which Hestia manned was emptied as a help for her friend.

"Ummm, I don't think I can eat anymore."

David, with a stuffed face, tried to protest, but it was met by a soft bread bun instead.

"Nonsense, you barely have any muscle, and you're a grown man; you should take whatever you can to grow up faster."

Looking at her sweet smiling face, he can't voice any objection and can only silently pray that she would stop buying any more food, but it seems he had to eat all day to finish it all.

'Sigh*'

Suddenly David felt a stare closely observing him; it felt so alarming that immediately he changed the form of his Myriad Manifestation Umbrella into a gun.

He was prepared to shower anyone who had a bad intention to hurt him or his loved one.

Looking at the balcony on the second floor, he saw a squinting red-haired goddess and the sword princess accompanying someone similar to Hephaestus, hidden in a robe of clothes.

Hephaestus had to hide her identity to avoid someone knowing her relationship with him as he couldn't protect himself yet

Suddenly he felt his hand held by Hephaestus, shaking her head and pulling him towards the stadium.

"It's just a goddess with a twisted habit; avoid her at all cost."

Bowing before leaving, he had an idea who it was, a goddess who was beautiful beyond comparison but had a bad habit of seducing anyone she fancied.

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'Is it the lover that Hephaestus vehemently denied? Why can't I see his soul?'

Freya was confused as it was the first time this had happened.

'Maybe Hephaestus had done something to protect him from me, but it only makes me curious.'

With a smile, she looked back at Loki in front of her, she had caught her plan, but it won't stop her; as long as she didn't overdo it, then everything would be fine.

"Don't bother Freya Goibnui, and I already agreed to protect him from 'anything' before he reaches level 5, I don't want to spoil your fun, but maybe you can wait until then."

'So Hephaestus was already prepared, I want to ask more, but it seems Bell is already here.'

"Don't worry, Loki; I already have someone in my eyes, and I have to get going as I have a date with him."

Leaving the red-haired goddess behind, she called for Otar to investigate the young man.

'I wonder what kind of human can capture Hephaestus's heart; maybe a bite won't hurt if she didn't know.'

With a smile, she proceeds to begin her plan.

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After a day of fun, David walks into an alleyway after sending Hephaestus back to her Familia; he had to hide to avoid being seen with her after she removed her cloak.

'I heard that some monsters broke loose at the event; thankfully, it was dealt with immediately by the sword princess and a few members of Loki Familia.'

With a light step, he ventures towards the dark path to go back home; he has the best day today. Well, every day is the best day if he was with Hephaestus.

Suddenly his body reacts on its own as a massive hand of a woman that looks like a frog tries to grab him.

The force alone behind that simple gesture is a testament to her strength and level.

'A level 5 or 6, retreat.'

Immediately he jumps back to run away but abruptly stops when a shirtless man and a woman block his path.

"Our goddess Ishtar invited you for a drink; she doesn't mean harm and would only like to talk to you."

David, on a full alert, surveyed his surroundings; he looked up the building and estimated that he had no way out.

'Kill'

Like a robot programmed for perfection, his movement seamlessly turned his umbrella into a magical wand and tried to bind the lone frog-like woman, but she just shrugged it aside.

"No need to be a feisty kid; ill taste you first before that goddess!"

Like a mirage, David can barely react when she disappears and rams him into the wall, thankfully, he blocks her attack with his umbrella in a shield form to minimize the damage, but he is still smashed in the cement.

"I already like you, kid; maybe I should eat you here and now."

With a disgusting smile, she held his hand together and threw his umbrella aside; like a kid, he could barely move and reacted.

He can't summon his clone as they were already called at his Familia. Even if he already dispels them, their mind won't come back to him and would only jeopardize his life and his secrets, maybe even endangering Hephaestus with him.

Thankfully or not, her comrades pried her away from him, and a goddess with violet hair and revealing clothes intervened.

"Don't worry, young man, as I don't want to hurt you and would only like to talk to you."

Ishtar tried to calm him because even with his cool look, she could feel his burning hate on her, which only fanned her lust for him as when they fought, she could almost see his godly beautiful face again.

She doesn't want to cause a commotion here as this is not her territory and is just a few meters away from Hephaestus Familia; that's why she tried to invite him instead of kidnapping him.

But this ugly frog-like child of hers is ruining her plan and possibly her fun; she can feel that he is still pure even at his age, and looks that only worsen her impression of Phryne.

"Just come quietly, and nothing bad will come to you."

Seducingly she brushed her finger into his flawless face, almost causing her to climax at the excitement she would have with him later.

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Sorry for the late upload, guys; my allergy barely alleviated today, and I tried to create just this chapter in 2 days.

Just saying.