Chapter 72 - The Unknown Sword

Sitting down and placing our orders, Freya asked what else I had on the docket for today. Telling her that I wanted to meet with Hephaestus to have a sword examined, the one I got from the Monster Rex.

"Oh yeah, Ais mentioned something about that. You think it's valuable or something?", Loki asked out of curiosity.

"No idea, probably is since it's never happened before.", I said scratching my head, "I was hoping she would know better, it's really to ornate for a standard drop. My best guess is that it's something from a former Adventurers and was just a random reward, kind of like a Treasure Chest."

"Can we see it?", Hestia inquired, "I want to see how good it looks."

Pulling the sword out of my inventory, I held it up so the women could see it. I would have let them hold it, but it was far to heavy for them to keep up. Staring at it for a moment, the Goddesses seemed to recognize it but also seemed unable to recall any information about it. The more they looked at, the more pained their expression became, like just thinking about it hurt them. Putting it away, it took a few minutes for the pain and sensation they were feeling to die away.

"Sorry about that.", I apologized, "I didn't think that would happen to you."

"It's fine...I can't really say where I have seen it, but I know I have.", Freya admitted, "That's going to bother me now, why can't I remember..?"

Not wanting them to get headaches again, I quickly changed the subject.

"Either way, Hephaestus should have more information.", I stated, "Also, after that I want to go visit some Otherworlders staying here in Orario."

"Otherworlders?", Loki said sliding over to me, "Do tell."

"They are some people that I saved from the person that attacked the Adventurers in the Dungeon. Currently they are staying with Hermes and Astraea for the time being, I am thinking of inviting them on the trip into the Dungeon.", I replied.

"Oh right, I forgot about that.", Ishtar remarked, "I have to let my elites know about the trip."

Seeing a mischievous twinkle appear in Loki's eyes, she cracked a big grin.

"So Mael, since yer are the strongest person in Orario...ya should be able to escort me into the Dungeon, right?", Loki said trying her best to act like an innocent maiden.

"You realize what you are asking him, right?", Freya told her, "The Dungeon isn't a playground, dying in there means we die permanently. Mael can't bring us back from that death."

"Beh, yer such a spoil sport. Mael's got this, right...dear?", she pleaded.

"I think I just puked a bit in my mouth.", Hestia snickered.

Staring at her, I saw sparks start dancing between them as they looked ready to pounce on one another. Telling her I would consider it, the others said they wanted to go if she was allowed too. Letting out a sigh, I said I would think about about and let them know later.

Leaving it at that for now, the Goddesses switched gears and began discussing how to breakdown Aphrodite's assets. Watching them wheel and deal with each other, I sat back and relaxed till our food arrived. Eating till everyone was satisfied, I paid for breakfast and headed to get Kratos while the three Goddesses headed off to tell their Familia's of the training exercise. I didn't want to just dump him on Makarov and Gildarts all day, I just hoped he could keep it together and not kill any deities.

---Earthland---

Walking into the Guild Hall, I saw a massive hole in the back of the building. Looking around Gildarts was swinging from a chandelier, Makarov was in an empty keg, and a lot of people were laying everywhere sound asleep.

'Who challenged Kratos?', I thought rubbing my forehead, 'I hope he didn't kill them on accident...'

"Mael!", Mirajane said coming in behind me, "I am glad I ran into you, I wanted to ask you something."

"Hey Mirajane, what are you doing here?", I asked, "What is it you wanted to ask?

"I am here to check on Elfman, he came back last night to visit and kind of got into a scuffle with your friend.", she stated motioning to Kratos who was asleep on a table.

Telling me Elfman got hammered last night, he challenged Kratos when he thought he was flirting with Evergreen. He was only asking where the bathroom was, but Elfman was too drunk to listen to reason. Punching Kratos once, Kratos blasted him out the back of the Guild Hall and out of the city.

"Everyone here was laughing at him for it.", she giggled, "He is overly protective of her. Right now he is staying in the clinic."

"Haha, sounds like a manly thing to do.", I snickered.

"Oh don't you start now too.", she teased me, "Anyways, is he from one of those other worlds you go too?"

Looking over at her, I asked what she meant doing my best to keep a poker face up. Telling me that he told everyone about my world jumping, based on what he had learned, she asked me why I didn't tell them. Apologizing to her, I gave her a semi-honest answer.

"If I told you I could jump between worlds, would you have believed me?", I questioned, "Also, some of these other worlds I am going to are really dangerous."

"You could have shown us, and we are more than capable of handling ourselves in a fight. All of us have been working out and training hard.", she pointed out with a smile, "Why don't you give us a chance?"

"Fair enough, I am going on a Dungeon Expedition tomorrow...you interested?", I inquired.

"Of course, I will go tell the others.", she stated, "We will meet you here at 9am tomorrow, is there anything we need to bring specifically?"

Telling her to bring supplies for a week of camping, I suggested everyone bring armor. Telling her that where we were going we'd encounter monsters that would disembowel them with a swing of their claws. Giving me a kiss on the lips, she said she would let the others know before running off. Smiling at that, I turned around to see Kratos giving me a kissy face in teasing fashion.

"I see you are fan of multiple lovers...", he said.

"I am.", I admitted.

Telling me not to turn into what his father did, I said that was never an option in my book. I had no intention of leaving a bunch of superpowered babies all over the Omniverse without a father. His father and Gildarts were not my role models so that wasn't going to happen.

"I assume you came to get me for something?", he inquired.

"Yeah, I figured you would want some maintenance done on your equipment. Hephaestus can do it, and before you ask this one is a woman and a dear friend. Please don't get attack her.", I stated.

"I don't attack every God I see...", Kratos groaned, "As long as they don't start something, there won't be any problem."

Grabbing a few bites of leftovers, Kratos told Gildarts he'd be back tonight. Receiving a groan in response, it appeared the two men got along better than I expected.

---Hephaestus Workshop---

Leading us into Hephaestus' private workshop, like she owned the place, Hestia ran over to say hello to her friend.

"Hey Hephaestus!", Hestia said with excitement.

"Whatever you are here to bum off of me, the answer is no.", Hephaestus stated.

"I am not here to ask you for anything!", Hestia protested, "Jeez, can't I just come to say hello?"

"Of course...usually though it ends with you asking for a favor.", Hephaestus remarked with a feint smile.

Puffing her cheeks out, Hestia crossed her arms and called Hephaestus a big meanie. Letting out a sigh, Hephaestus turned from her to look at us. Asking what we needed, I said I wanted to get an item evaluated by her and have her perform some maintenance on a weapon set.

"You realize that my services aren't cheap, right?", Hephaestus pointed out, "I don't give discounts for friends."

"It's fine, the weapons in question are a bit above most blacksmith's talent.", I chuckled pulling out the sword I had, "Can you evaluate this?"

Setting the blade on the worktable, Hephaestus gave it a once over. Giving the same reaction the other six had, she managed to avoid the pain by not trying to remember. Taking measurements and hitting it a few times with a small hammer, she gave me a price for it.

"Five Hundred Million Valis.", Hephaestus said casually.

"WHAT!?", Loki and Aqua shouted in shock.

"I don't know how it happened, but this isn't a Dropped Item. This is definitely a forged weapons from outside the Dungeon.", Hephaestus replied, "I can't ID who made it thought, they are incredibly talented though as these carvings are-"

"Hmm...", Kratos said looking at the sword closer, "Brokkr..."

Looking at the sword and him, I asked who that was. Telling me he was a God of Blacksmithing, he said that he only knew of him due to Faye speaking of him and having a few of his weapons in their home. He went on to say he was the best Blacksmith in the Nine Realms he recently came from.

"Is there a Brokkr in this world?", I asked the Goddesses.

Taking a few minutes to think about it, they couldn't remember if there was. That said they had had been in Orario for so long that many deities that didn't live here became forgotten by them. It was entirely possible there was one, but they couldn't be sure.

"I do know who would know though. The slavers I work with have traveled all over the world. They would know if there is a Brokkr.", Ishtar said.

I wasn't fond of her use of slaves, but it was something she needed to run her business. Fortunately she had switched to Criminal and POW Slaves only so at least debt slave no longer ended up there. It was a small victory though, beggars can't be choosers. Asking her to introduce us, she said she'd be more than happy too.

"Alright, then there is his equipment.", I stated motioning for Kratos to put the Blades of Chaos on the table.

Giving them the once over like she did my blade, Hephaestus wore a confused look. Looking at us, she asked Kratos if he was from another world. Acknowledging that he was, she let out a sigh of relief. Telling us that she was worried that she made these on accident, since they were similar to her craftsmanship, Kratos told her that a male Hephaestus crafted them.

"A male version of me?", she repeated.

"Yes...he was...a good father.", Kratos admitted remembering how badly he wanted to protect Pandora.

"I won't ask for details, that said I can do some minor repairs to them.", she agreed, "Three million valis for the work and both evaluations. If you try to-"

Dropping a bag of coins on her worktable, I said I didn't need to haggle for quality work. Nodding her head in approval, she turned to look at Loki, Aqua, and Hestia.

"See that? You should learn from him, and not fight merchants on pricing all the time.", Hephaestus scolded them.

"You can't be upset when we are trying to get the lowest prices.", Loki told her like it was common sense.

"There is haggling...then there is Loki's swindling.", Freya snickered.

"Hey!!", Loki shouted in anger.

"I haven't seen someone else quite like her.", Ishtar admitted, "A one valis beer would still get haggled down by her."

Telling them to fuck off, Loki was done with the conversation. Asking Hephaestus how long the repairs would take, she said she would have them done in a few hours. Confirming with Kratos that he was okay to stay here to wait, I took the Goddesses away so they could prepare for the Dungeon Dive tomorrow.