Bestowing

The sky has turned brown, it's means the night will come and replacing the sky with darkness. No light can shine and illuminate the streets, except if it from the light that came from torch or something like lamp and made the entire Orario doesn't get covered in darkness. As been expected from the medieval-looking era in this world, where there's no electricity but most it rely on magic or some kind of magic stone to replacing that.

All of it runs by magic, that's nothing new in here and the weird thing maybe the scientific things like in modern era. If someone happen to make that in here, that would cause many drastically changes in this whole world. Inventing something new and doesn't exist will make the person being regarded as genius, the same thing happened in isekai-theme story that most of the protagonist doing the exact same thing to their new world.

It's not prohibited after all. But mostly who doing it are Japanese, who always inventing shogi or othello. Always search for soy sauce and rice, as if that's the important thing in their life and they seems cannot live without tasting them for once; and some bullshit like 'you're not Japanese if you do not eat rice and taste soy sauce!'. They planning to turn anything around them into Japanese or relating to that, making it eastern even if they're live in western-like continent or country.

That's the same as invasion, but in gentle and unnoticed ways.

But that's not the point. Orario seems fine and if the thing said in above really happened, maybe that's the result of what Alicia might be doing in the future. If only she trying to introducing any eastern culture to the western-like country like Orario. After all, that's possible since the former demon queen is an otaku or worse yet, weaboo.

Better if she takes it slowly and don't rush anything.

But the said person just sigh tiredly. The touring that being guided by Tsubaki takes a long time and they spent today hours so much. Even as pureblooded high-class demon, it's weird for Alicia to feel this much fatigue while Tsubaki looking fine as she is right now. In fact, she doesn't look like tired at all.

That's giving Alicia no choice but to replenish her own stamina with her Creation, so she make a [Stamina Restoration] to refill it. She must at least make her condition and appearance look fine to be accepted by high-ranked familia like Hephaestus, although it seems the god herself still not yet showed up.

Stamina is the important key for forging and smithing anyway.

"Okay! I think that's wrap up everything about this place and… look like Hephaestus-sama will back soon."

Tsubaki said that while giving Alicia reassuring look.

'I wonder when Hephaestus will come… I'm so eager to join this familia as soon as possible and exploring the dungeon while already being regarded as adventurer.'

Alicia's eagerness isn't showing up but deep down she surpress it and wondered when she can be adventurer. If Hephaestus do some kind of test, then she must preparing herself with smithing skills that at least ranked D or C.

She wouldn't be accepted if it below D-rank. From the current situation, she can't rely to join Hestia familia, since it seems the god herself still not yet descend to lower world and opened a familia in here. That would be problem for her, although she doesn't really like to being under Loki, even if the familia is good but she didn't like Loki that much.

------

As much as Freya want to know about the feeling she had back then, the mysterious or unknown power that suddenly exist, she can't do anything about that since the team who she ordered to find and locate it didn't bear any result. The last place where it's remain already being checked, it's not that far from Orario's gate and when they goes there, it didn't leave any trail or anything.

If only the person who has that much power or energy still exist, then it's possible to track them down but all the clue she had is only this much. It seems the person who wield that much power already inside Orario, maybe it's a new soon-to-be adventurer, then it wouldn't be that hard for her to find any information about a new adventurer who would recently join any familia.

The power… or energy she has sensed back then it just overwhelming. As if she herself can't have any power at that level. Albeit it's only for a short time and only tiny fract of it, that made her sweating and… feels dangerous, but she find it beautiful. Unlike Bell Cranel soul or power that seems very pure and purest from all of people, it's feels threaten and dark.

It is indeed dangerous but doesn't feel any malice inside of it. Instead, it's just like… creation. All of nothing. That's like the beginning of all, even if it dark and threaten, there's also that kind of feeling inside the unknown and mysterious power.

Maybe this is exaggerating, because can get all of that assumptions only from a short-time only. But Freya herself doesn't feels that her assumptions are wrong, it's not 100% but from the rough estimation, it can be 60% or 65%, just over 50%; that wasn't bad result if someone may said.

Honestly, this is the first time Freya felt something dangerous yet beautiful to her. The mysterious power seems drawn her out and made the goddess attracted to it. If it normal people or maybe other gods, they would be scared and wary of it; trying their best to encounter or facing it. Maybe get rid of the source. Meaning killing or maybe erase its existence.

But not all of it about killing, maybe just erasing or steal its power and then transfer it to another or sealed it. Possessing dangerous and threaten which also dark unknown power is only bring trouble to someone and they wouldn't want that happened. But the best act it would be sealed it, if only someone can't erase the power itself, so they have no choice but to do it.

Many ways in fiction always ended up with sealed or transfer, there's only a few about whose power being erased completely. That causing many people questioned that, they curious as why only sealed or transfer that always presented in fictions, instead why not erasing the power of someone completely.

Make it so they felt the feeling of useless and give them fear. But that would be make the main cast or characters regarded as evil and bad person, it won't do. Also, there's only exist a few technique to erasing someone power permanently, without make it slowly regenerated and it won't come back no matter what they do.

"I don't know why, even if I feel it for a short… my body and instinct tell me to get that power no matter what to my side. That's right, but forcing it and made the owner of that unknown power hate me isn't suits my style."

Freya lips curved into a small smile.

Forcing someone and if the results bring her a rejection and also made them hate her It's really not her style. She's not hungry to that, but rather attracted and willingly to wait in patience to see effort she planted successfully bear any fruit. After all, waiting isn't uncommon for god like her, several hundred is just like several hours for her.

Raising her cup and look at the city scenery through the window in front of her.

"Seems I have to find it myself. My eyes will be the first to witness the power that can made me shudder and shivers in fear—all I hope is just that it's success to fell into my hands."

She said that while turn around and placing the cup on her hands to the table. It seems she trying something, as she walk down from the stairs to the lower floor of her own manor, Freya's mansion or known as Folkvangr; a huge that has a solemn structure similar to a temple that located around the center of the business area within Orario.

That's not strange and weird at all, since her familai is really and actually the strongest amongst others. Having the only level 7 adventurer give her many advantages, such as others familia won't carelessly attack or engage a battle with them; only fool who doing that and must be prepared to be defeated by Ottar, their captain and the only level 7 adventurer of Orario.

The moment she leaves her study, Ottar, the most loyal member of Freya Familia immediately greet her with sound full of admiration. Freya just give a nod to him and smiled while taking a robe to cover her entire body, made Ottar confused but didn't dare to question her.

"Ottar, I'm out for a while; please don't ask me. I have a business out there."

"Yes, Freya-sama!"

Saying that, Freya then leave her mansion and leave the confused Ottar who wondered what his goddess would do when leaving alone without any guards to make sure her own safety. Isn't that Freya stupid, but she already done this before and of course Ottar secretly sent someone to safely guards her from afar; something like spy or assassins. Freya knew this and not mad, although she's a bit annoyed that always happen when she go out alone.

Freya herself want to be free and do whatever she want without any bullshit like restriction nor bodyguards. That's the shortcomings of forming a familia and become goddess; their freedom seems restricted, not all of it, but most of them.

Especially if their members are someone like Ottar who's very devoted and loyal to the point it became annoying to some. It's also a bit creepy.

But that's useless, as he think that his goddess safety is more important to him. No matter what. So he must protect her with all of his life.

------

Hephaestus' Study Room

Two individual stare at each other. They sat with various expression imprinted on their face, one is serious while one is nervous; the second is gulping with nervouness within her. Why nervous? Because the person or rather woman she facing right now is looking at her like that.

Also it's because she's one of people she admire… maybe? That's not a clear answer, but can be used as one. Although it's bad if it's really used to answering people question, such as this. But she definitely knew about the serious-looking person who she facing right now.

Yep. Alicia, the formed demon queen who's an otaku, right now in front of the important figure or characters in DanMachi franchise. Known as goddess of blacksmith and someone who play a role to give Bell Cranel an important weapon to increase his growth.

The one known as Hephaestus, head of Hephaestus familia.

She rubs her chin and observing Alicia, close to her face as if confirming something. As if she… suspicious or familiar about her. This made the demon queen really nervous and sweats bullets. A bit uncomfortable about Hephaestus behavior right now.

'Is it just my imagination or not… but I felt a tiny spark familiarity… but like Tsubaki said, she has the talent for smithing. Look like she's not lying about it, but… why though she want to join my familia…? Other than her talent for smithing, I sensed others. It's not dormant yet I can't confirm what is that…'

After a few minutes doing that, Hephaestus nod her head and take away her face from Alicia.

"Alright, you can join my familia. I welcome those who has talent in smithing even if they're adventurer, though you musn't forget about your duty as blacksmith. Got it?"

"Y-Yes! Thank you, Hephaestus-sama."

Alicia answer it with a stuttering, made Hephaestus chuckled and waved off to her.

"No problem, don't be stiff and your name is Alicia, right? Nice to meet you, Alicia."

"Nice to meet you too, Hephaestus-sama."

"Although right now I want you to get rest, there's something I want to do before I forget. The familia induction ceremony or also known as bestowing you a falna. Mind coming to my room and take a bit of your time?"

"Yes please. I'd gladly to take it."

The demon queen just obey her with nervous and quick nod.

If someone who has the wrong mind, they would look like interpret Hephaestus last words to inappropiate things. Though both of them then leaving the study room and goes to Hephaestus private room, since they both girls and it's better safe than not; they must do it in another room.

------

Hephaestus' Bedroom

As soon as they enter the room, Hephaestus told Alicia to lie down on the bed while facing upwards and taking off her shirt, leaving her slim back which can make Hephaestus herself stunned for a bit until she shook her head to focus on the current matter.

This is familia induction ceremony and it was about to begin. Although all the time she spent in this world and heaven, she still can stunned and slightly blushed when looking only at Alicia's back, considering she always seen many share of bodies; it's almost unparallel Freya herself which has been dubbed to have a perfect golden ratio body amongst gods in heaven and this world.

'I don't know that such person like her even exist… if Freya found out about her, she would be freaked out and do whatever she want to make Alicia join hers.'

Her hands then reached towards the table left to the bed and took a small needle to poke the tip of her right index finger. Following that, she brought her finger, and drop the blood pooling on top of it, down towards Alicia's upper back.

Which as soon as the blood entered her body through the pores in her skin, it happened. The blood that's currently resides inside her body trying to process and adapt itself to Alicia, to make sure she accept and get the falna that being bestowed by the goddess Hephaestus.

Only a few minutes had passed and Hephaestus finished the familia induction ceremony. A symbol resembling a volcano who has crossing hammers graced Alicia's upper back, written with Ichor that now looked like pitch-black ink. But instead of having a jubilant expression, Hephaestus furrowed her brows when writing down Alicia's status on a sheet of paper.

'She… not human…?'

Without saying anything, she just handed her the sheet, waiting for her to take a look first. Just as she expected when seeing the entire stats that written down in the sheet, Alicia just goes awe and nodded her in her mind when knowing that the entire stats that's written in the sheet she currently hold is going according to her plan.

[Name: Alicia Sevaria]

[Familia: Hephaestus Familia]

[Race: Demon]

[Level: 1]

[Stats]

[Strength: I-0]

[Endurance: I-0]

[Dexterity: I-0]

[Agility: I-0]

[Magic: I-0]

[Magic]

[■■■■■■■ - ???]

[Skills]

[None]

[Development Abilities]

[Blacksmith – D]

[Abnormal Resistance – SSS]

[Magic Resistance – SSS]

[Mage – SSS]

[Mixing – C]

[Mystery – C]

Although Alicia a bit disappointed that her development abilities showed up three SSS-rank and her magic being unreadable, she still think it's enough to make people think of her as average with a little bit special flavor on it.

Hephaestus just stare at it.

There's nothing wrong with her stats, as it understandable that everyone would start from 0, but Hephaestus finally understand one thing. Alicia is someone that unleash that unknown power yesterday, it's look so obvious from the absurd magic, skills, and development abilities she have right now.

'Her [Skills] is [None]? Unbelievable. That's no way she doesn't have any skills when her development abilities is like that and her magic… I can't read it clearly. Did she conceal it? If that's true, what's the reason… but I musn't forcing her to tell me about it.'

Yep. Hephaestus is correct. She isn't stupid enough to not notice something unusual like this. Ignoring her race, Alicia herself is strong person. She has two SSS-rank development abilities listed in the sheet. Demon may be, but she musn't quickly judging Alicia from her race only.

Demon. A creature that being regarded as evil and banished from heaven to underworld because disobey the god order. They have pointy horns and bat-looking wings, also have tail that everyone always noticed; but Alicia differents.

No sign of horns and tail from her body. This made the goddess of smithing in confusion because this unnatural sight or traits that she seen. She even began to doubt about the familia induction ceremony itself, because the ceremony won't lie about everything that involving familia. What's written down in the sheet after drop the blood onto Alicia's back is absolute truth.

If Alicia capable to deceive goddess eyes, then she surely dangerous. If that's happen, then she must—

But Hephaestus shook her head to get rid of that thought. Doubting her own 'child' would be wrong, even if she isn't her biological child. She already accept Alicia as her familia member, thus she acknowledge her as Hephaestus' own child. That matter can be solved later when she brought many pieces of puzzle that being referred as 'information' or 'hint'. When she put all the pieces, surely the mystery behind her newly child or familia members would be clear. She must be patient and not let her thought be filled with suspiciousness.

She just letting out a heavy and long sigh. Her shoulder suddenly felt heavy when think about Alicia.

Hephaestus clear her throat and coughing.

"Alright, tomorrow you can go with Tsubaki or other members to buy your equipments and weapon. After all, you aim to be adventurer who do smithing, right?"

"Yes, I want to explore dungeon and become blacksmith."

—Although the 'become blacksmith' part is a lie she told to Hephaestus.

"Great. Then, I'll call her to take you to your own room."

With that, Alicia completing the join familia thing and ready to register as adventurer tomorrow. She became the official member of Hephaestus familia who mainly do smithing. She also want to make her own weapon from scratch after all.