endless path, infinite cosmos

chapter 178

After parting ways with the Mother-Daughter duo of Milan and Tina, Vahn headed toward his intended destination in high spirits. He was happy that he would be able to help ease the burden of Milan's loneliness and intended to help her take care of Tina. He didn't particularly want a sexual relationship with either of the girls; Vahn just wanted to take care of them both so they would be happier in the future. Though he couldn't replace Milan's husband or Tina's father, he still wanted to do his best for the kind and caring pair of girls.

Vahn arrived outside Hephaestus's workshop soon after leaving the Inn and was informed by Zaff that he was allowed entrance to her office without having to notify her of his arrival. Zaff then handed him a key that could open the door to Hephaestus's workshop and Vahn made his way through the corridors with a big smile on his face. Vahn now had one of the only keys that provided access to Hephaestus's personal forge, with the only others belonging to Tsubaki and Hephaestus herself.

Remembering that Tsubaki had knocked before entering previously, Vahn gave an indication of his arrival as he inserted the key and opened the door. Hephaestus was sitting at a low table with a special cloth used to polish weapons as she turned her head to acknowledge his arrival. Before she could greet him, Vahn said, "You're looking particularly beautiful today...my wife~"

The small smile on Hephaestus's face after she noticed Vahn was the one entering the office froze as she processed the words he just spoke. This was the first time they were meeting after being engaged, and she was caught off guard by how he addressed her. After a few seconds, her face began to develop a blush as Vahn closed the distance between them.

Vahn extended his hand and helped her stand before holding her in his embrace and kissing her flushed face on the lips. Hephaestus was still a little disoriented, but she began reciprocating his affectionate embrace after a brief delay. The two kissed for nearly a full minute before Hephaestus swatted his hands away when he tried to grab her butt. With an 'angry' look on her face, she asked, "What did you come here for today, Vahn? Did you just want to see me, or was there a purpose to your visit?"

Vahn nodded in response and answered honestly, "It's both; I wanted to see you since it felt like a long time since we were together, but I also had something I wanted to show you. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised." As they were still embracing, Vahn kissed her on the lips again before pulling away a bit so he could show her the item he had brought.

Hephaestus couldn't help but feel that Vahn had become much more assertive than the last time she had seen him, and his actions made her feel a little excited. She noticed that, even though he acted affectionately, he still had much more self-control and confidence in his actions. Unlike his previous self that often sought her out more and pushed his limits, now he was more playful and teasing than overbearing. However, her pleasant surprise at his change turned into shock after she saw the item he pulled out of thin air.

Vahn had removed his [Lvateinn] from his inventory and presented it to her while explaining its use and cautioning her against swinging it around indoors. Hephaestus reached for the handle of the blade with clear intrigue on her face as she held up the sword and marveled at its structure. She couldn't help but ask with a tinge of disbelief in her voice, "You...forged this sword?" If that were true, Vahn would have clearly reached the level of a [Master Smith] in the brief period they had been separated. She began to feel a bit of excitement build up inside of her the moment she saw him begin to nod his head.

Vahn nodded but explained, "I forged it, but I haven't awakened the [Master Smith] skill yet. I used a special technique to imbue a 'fate' or a 'legend' into the blade and elevated it to its current status." Vahn then went on to explain the basic premise for his 'naming' ability and showed her the [Dance of the Amazon] and [Gram] that had also been forged by him earlier in the week.