Sword Astraea

Planning

In case I haven't said this before there will be LN spoilers. Read at your own risk.

Welf walked into Hephaestus's office. His mind was already made up as he shut the door behind him. Hephaestus looked up from her paperwork and smiled at Welf.

"How can I help you Welf?" She asked setting her pen down.

Welf stared at his goddess's face and found it beautiful. Everything about it seemed radiant to him. Which made what he was about to do that much harder for him.

He took a deep breath before speaking. "Lady Hephaestus, I would like to transfer over to the Astraea familia."

Hephaestus sat up straighter as Welf began to explain why he wanted to join.

"I want to help them out in their war game. Also, they're my party and it would make sense for me to be there as well. Plus I'm their smith so it would also be easier for me to be with my clientele at all times to fix their equipment when needed-

Welf kept bringing up more reasons as to why he wanted to join the Astraea familia. But Hephaestus didn't listen, she just sat there frozen. Her thoughts ran wild.

"He wants to leave me? Does he think I'm ugly? Or maybe my boobs are too small and he likes them bigger. Has he fallen for Astraea? What does she have that I don't? Or maybe he swings the other way? Has that been the truth the whole time? No, no that's not true! Oh did I do something wrong? Was it too much dancing from a few nights ago?"

More and more deprecating thoughts entered her mind while Welf kept explaining his reasoning. He wasn't aware of the inner turmoil going on inside her head.

"-So that's why I want to join them. Also instead of a hundred vs four, it'll be a hundred vs five. Not good odds but better than before." Welf finished.

Hephaestus snapped out of her thoughts and gazed at Welf. He stood there in silence awaiting her response.

"And you've made up your mind?" Hephaestus asked.

"Yes, goddess. I-I want to help my friends."

Hephaestus let a small smile grace her lips. Welf had been alone for so long after arriving in Orario. But now he had friends. Friends he wanted to protect. She couldn't fault him for that.

"Very well I approve of your transfer to the Astraea familia. Just be sure to give me a good show alright."

Hephaestus was sad to see him go. But his reason for leaving was a noble one. She would just have to get used to not seeing him around as much.

"Oh and one more thing. I know this might be selfish of me to ask. But can you still teach me that runecraft? I want to get better at it."

Hephaestus didn't even hesitate to answer. "Of course. Just come by whenever you're able."

Welf smiled before leaving her office. Once gone Hephaestus let out a sad sigh. She pinched the bridge of her nose and looked down at her desk.

"Good luck in your endeavors Welf. I hope you'll still have time for me." She thought.

Welf meanwhile walked down the hallway and exited Babel Tower. He already knew his destination.
.
.
.
.

A few days had passed since Apollo's ball and the Astraea familia was at their table eating breakfast. The room was silent as everyone was dealing with the fact they had a wargame coming up.

Karen and Lili were told about the war game the night after. They worriedly looked at Bell who told them everything would be fine. They wanted to believe him truly. But the numbers disadvantage worried them greatly.