[TTIGRAASxDANMACHI] Tempest Familia: A story written by ParadexTM
Chapter 4: A meeting that changes one's fate [1/2]
Rimuru POV
I was on my way to the Babel Tower from what Bell has told me it is a huge all in one tower basically. There are shop's for everything as well as cafes and restaurants. On the last floors are penthouses for those Gods and Goddesses that can afford to live there. It's from poor shops tille entertainment and the rich's playhouse.
<<By the way, Ciel? Did you feel that? It's the same as back in the inn, if this continues even I will be annoyed>> I said
<< Because of my good mood and that Danna-sama is taking me to a date in the Babel Tower I decided to look over it and simply block it... hehe... but it seems that I need to visit that Ant personally now>>
I felt a shiver run down my spine as usually Ciel didn't let a single drop of murderous intend out of my body but that's the problem! It's all trapped in my stomach...
<<Haha Ciel if you thought so then let us overlook it for now. Even when you are not in your Clone right now, let's enjoy our date!>> I panicked as I thought that one Goddess would leave Earth for good today.
Bell told me that those God's don't really die, they are simply sent back to heaven with one problem. It's forever so there is no chance of coming back. In a way they do die after all... and if I would have let Ciel go right now...
'Good that I took care of that! It came from the top floor. I guess it's the strongest God/Goddess in Orario. It would be a pain in the ass if she disappears.' I thought as I didn't want to change the world completely
<<Hmpf... after angering danna-sama she would deserve more than death, she is just lucky today>> Ciel said
<<Did you just pout?! It's so cute, please do it again!>>
<<...>>
And so we walked through the Babel Tower, looked around shops, went and buyed something to eat that I teleported into my Imaginary space because she wanted to eat some. I bet Ciel is just to lazy today and watches some Anime
<<Danna-sama...?>>
<<Hai!!! I didn't say anything I swear!>>
'Now that I think of it, wasn't hephaestus a guy in my world? How come it's a woman here?' I thought while I was looking through the Store window of one of the Hephaestus Familia's stores.
<<Isn't danna-sama happy about that?>> Ciel said a bit angered
<<Haha Ciel... I can't hide anything from you, right? It's just that dealing with woman is often easier and not that complicated like men>> I said
<<Of course after all they are attracted to you or jealous because of your unparalleled beauty. Still I can only laugh about the fact that it's harder for you to accept beautiful woman as your wife then dealing with the whole tempest or even World>> Ciel mentioned
<<Are you mocking me right now?>> I asked surprised
<<Negative danna-sama, it's just you should leave behind rules from your old world. If the woman knows her situation and still agrees to it shouldn't you have a clear heart about that? And not let it trouble you? Don't you want to have some fun>> Ciel said
<<You are funny Ciel, if it would be so easy to accept and forget those things I would long be different. Didn't I even wish to get a beautiful woman when I was reincarnated and became the skill [predator] because of that?>> I siad
<<Mhm, actually your sex drive is so low even I need to personally get you on the bed for some fun~>> Ciel said in a mocking tone
It was embarrassing to hear something like this from your wife <<Ciel stop it. It's not like...>>
<<I know the reason for that. Being a Slime that doesn't breed by a human standard has obviously no sex drive. But I already took care of it when we arrived at this World fufu>> Ciel said
<<Ehh?! You did what?!>> I asked and then realized why I was nervous at some points since we came here... my hormones are back.
<<You might not be aware of it but I thought of removing this trait even when we would be still at tempest... the way you are is indirectly hurting others especially your wife's while I know the reason Luminous doesn't and as a Vampire with high...>>
<<No need to explain further I understood, let's stop this here now I have to meet that Hephaestus>> I said to Ciel
'Haa I've been an idiot, Luminous has been showing her affection towards me endless times and she seemed happy. I did notice sometimes that she had a rather sad expression but I ignored it haaa... I shouldn't have stayed in the office for so long' I thought
<<Danna-sama should concentrate first on the meeting with Goddess Hephaestus>> Ciel said
<<You are right then teleport me into her office, we will wait there till she is back from wherever she was as I cannot sense her presence at the Babel Tower>> I said
'When I am back... I should have a talk with Luminous. I hope my wife can wait until then as I have neglected her till now' Rimuru thought a bit troubled until he got teleported.
Hephaestus POV
"Shouldn't you get us some better weapons?!" One of them said
"Ye right? Only because my familiar is small doesn't mean you can give us only tier 3 Magical Weapons" Another mentioned
Seriously I hate such meetings with other God's. Orario is a big City and a Lot of Familias were created here. I don't even personally know these Gods. They are probably just some subordinate Gods from others like Loki in Heaven.
It's always the same. Why do I even come to such gatherings of Gods? A few start complaining even when they don't have the money for something better. The others start whispering about me as if I wouldn't be able to hear them.
"It's her right? I heard she has many connections to God's like Loki, Freya and so on... should we try our luck?"
"You really want to be with that Crimson Eye?"
"She's right even when you could gain a few contacts you should have a bit of a distance from her or others will compare you to that"
"Yeah, better get not involved"
"How sad she never will find a boyfriend like that"
Of course I always had my business smile on as it is important even hearing stuff like that from other Goddesses or the complaints from those Gods.
"It seems that it is already late and it seems like I have no reason to stay any longer" I said putting down one class that was half filled with Champagne
"As for you, if the money is alright we can talk about a new contract. Afterall we are the Hephaestus Familia and not some kind of 3rd Class Smiths" I said and stood up as I walked towards the exit.
'Did I become weak to alcohol?' I thought as I felt the 3 classes of champagne that I drank out of frustration.
"The same again... and here I hoped... haa forget it" I said to myself as I was walking towards the Babel Tower where my Office is. It was a long walk. Should I have called for a carriage?
'Forget it... I'll forget all of it later when I swing my hammer again' I thought as it seemed like I still... couldn't ignore those things at all...
3rd POV
Hephaestus opened the door to her office casually and walked inside without realizing the presence of another person in there. She let herself fall into the chair as she enjoyed the short moment of silence.
After the walk she had overcome the burden of the Alcohol she had in her body and sighed "What did I do to deserve this Crimson Eye! I just wanted to explore the limits of smithing.. why am I being punished for this my whole life" Hestia said suddenly and hit her desk.
<<Danna-sama it seems like the same as in the egyptian mythology that she was punished for creating something powerful and dangerous that heavens judgment decided to take one eye which made it way harder to do smithing and experiencing pain from the wound>> Ciel explained
<<Seriously? Making the old geezer a beautiful woman but not changing the curse? What a shitshow how could they do that to her? Anyways Ciel can you fix it?>> Rimuru asked after hearing Ciel's explanation.
Rimuru seeing her like this had a heavy heart. It's not something a Beautiful Woman like her should experience for following her hobby.
<<Nothing easier than this curse danna-sama>> Ciel answered
<<Good, this can help us in making a deal. I have an idea>> Rimuru said
"A beautiful Goddess like you shouldn't have to curse like this... alone in her office" Rimuru said and only then Hephaestus was able to sense the unfamiliar person in her office, leaning against a wall.
"Who are you? If you don't have a good reason for being here I'll make sure that you never step into one of our familia's shops at any time again" Hephaestus answered immediately.
But she felt more confused than surprised and that's because she couldn't sense any lies in his words. Was it possible that this stranger seriously thought of her as beautiful? That's what Hephaestus was thinking at that moment.
"I do apologize for coming into your office without any notice or invitation as I didn't think that you would be out of the house for so long Goddess Hephaestus... but where are my manners? My name is Rimuru Tempest" Rimuru said and sat down in the seat in front of he red haired goddess
"Still you haven't answered me yet" Hephaestus said feeling complicated, should she treat him like this... while he called her beautiful?
"I am the Captain of the Hestia Familia and I am here to talk about business related stuff, but I wouldn't mind a glass of wine in the aftermath" Rimuru said hiding his smile behind the mask
<<Danna-sama sure is aggressive..>> Ciel said
<<You misunderstood Ciel!!> Rimuru answered immediately
<<Fufufu... I was just teasing you danna-sama>> Ciel said laughing
Hephaestus eyes widened and her face got a bit red as she was stunned by the sudden statement of Rimuru but soon she regained herself
"Ehem... first we should probably talk.. about the business you have with me. It seems like that idiot really used my money for creating a Familia for that boy" Hephaestus said
"Hmm I guess you are right, well regarding the matter of the money the Goddess Hestia took from you... I have it and could repay but... I think there is a better way for us to come to a friendly point" Rimuru said
"Why not just the money when you have it already haa... seriously you're lucky that I didn't call any of my Familia members yet to kick your ass out" Hephaestus said
'So she can use words like that too.. and here I thought she was the innocent and soft type~ Guess I was a bit fooled but still...' Rimuru thought
"We both know... that this money isn't the most important thing for you or else you wouldn't even have lend it to her not expecting that you would never see it again" Rimuru said
"Haa... seems like you do have an eye for details. So what is that other way you suggested" Hephaestus said, still on guard while being shaken by his sweet words at the beginning.
"First... shouldn't a Goddess be confident enough to not hide something from your face? I think taking that off would get us closer already" Rimuru suggested in an innocent way
"He.. that's coming from a person that hides his complet face under a mask" Hepheastus answered
"Weren't I right then? If we both expose ourselves we will already reach a more friendly and trustworthy relationship." Rimuru said
Hephaestus clenched her fists "It might be easy for you.. but that means not that it's the same for-"
"Fear that I might run away after seeing the Curse that you needed to endure for many years?" Rimuru said in a soft voice
Hephaestus eye widened and the tension in her arms and hands faded as she stopped clenching her fists. Rimuru... someone she has never seen before knows that it is a curse inflicted on her and not something that had happened while forging a failed magical weapon.
It was only Hepheastus who knew it was a curse inflicted on her and no one else seemed to believe her saying that it happened while she was forging something. The only ones who never said anything about that matter were Hestia and Loki. That's why she thought of them as friends
"You.. who are you?" Hephaestus asked in a low voice
"Rimuru Tempest, Captain of the Hestia Familia" Rimuru answered calmly
"Not that.. who are you really?" Hephaestus said again
"Is that important now? How about we both lift up what is restraining us from talking comfortable to each other" Rimuru suggested
Hephaestus knew what Rimuru was saying with that... Rimuru removing his mask and her removing what was covering the so-called Crimson Eye. Several memories from being mocked and looked down on because of the distorted part of her face rushed through her brain.
She had fear... fear of removing the piece of lather from her face. But would she ever get a situation like this? Will she ever get a chance to take it off comfortably? Might this be what she needed all this rushed through her heart and brain until she finally said
"I'll trust you ... whoever you might be Rimuru Tempest"