Chapter 19: Divine Diplomacy, Advice, and Sweetness

Tsubaki Collbrande's declaration – "This boy has the protection of the Hephaestus Familia" – hung in the charged air of the Hostess of Fertility with the weight of newly forged metal. It wasn't just the Level 5 captain of a first-tier Familia defending a novice; it was a statement of alliance and warning that no one in Orario could lightly ignore.

The Hephaestus Familia, although possessing formidable adventurers like Tsubaki herself and others at levels 4 and 5, didn't base its primary influence solely on direct combat power, like the Loki or Freya Familias. Their true strength, the pillar of their top-tier status, lay in their forges. They were, arguably, the largest and most skilled producers of weapons and equipment in Orario. Familias like Goibniu's might be considered rivals in the art of forging, but the quality, innovation, and production volume of the Hephaestus Familia remained superior. Goddess Hephaestus's own skill was legendary; even without using her divine Arcanum, she was capable of creating masterpieces – like the Hestia Knife she would one day forge, or the custom weapons used by many elite adventurers, including, ironically, Bete Loga's gauntlets and boots, which were Tsubaki's handiwork. Challenging the protection of the Hephaestus Familia meant not only facing their warriors but potentially risking access to the best equipment money could buy, something no serious Familia, not even the powerful Loki Familia, wished to do.

This reality hung in the tense silence following Tsubaki's declaration. Bete Loga still seethed with anger, but even he seemed to recognize that the situation had drastically changed. Before he could say or do anything more foolish, calmer figures from the Loki Familia leadership intervened.

Finn Deimne, the prum captain with his eternally calm countenance, stepped forward, placing a placating hand on Bete's shoulder. "Bete, that's enough." His voice was low but carried unquestionable authority that made the werewolf back down, albeit reluctantly, letting out a low growl.

At the same time, Riveria Ljos Alf, the High Elf and strategist of the Familia, approached Hephaestus's table with a serious but diplomatic expression. "Hephaestus-sama, Tsubaki-san. I apologize for Bete's behavior. And," she added, her gaze briefly sweeping over Hachiman before returning to Hephaestus, "I reiterate our apologies for the incident in the Dungeon this morning. It was, indeed, the result of a failure on our part during the expedition's return." The admission was clear, public, and aimed at calming tempers and avoiding a larger conflict between two top Familias.

Loki, the patron goddess, also approached, a smile that didn't quite reach her cunning eyes on her face. "Aaaah, Hephaestus, my dear! Let's not let a hot-headed wolf and a little accident spoil the evening, shall we?" She gave Bete a playful (but firm) nudge. "I'll give this mutt a good talking-to later, don't you worry! He needs to learn some manners." She smiled at Hachiman. "And to you, kid, sorry for the scare earlier and for my Bete's foul mouth here. He gets grumpy when he hasn't eaten."

The combined intervention of the Loki Familia leaders effectively defused the situation. Bete was pulled back to his table, glaring daggers at Hachiman but restrained by Finn and Gareth. The atmosphere in the Hostess of Fertility remained tense, whispers replacing loud conversations, but the direct confrontation had been averted.

Hachiman, Hephaestus, and Tsubaki sat back down. The food, which had arrived shortly before the commotion, was getting cold. They ate in a relatively heavy silence, the previous conversation interrupted. Hachiman felt the occasional stares from the Loki Familia table, mostly from Bete, but Tsubaki and Hephaestus seemed to ignore them with professional calm.

When they finished the meal, Tsubaki paid the bill, and they stood up to leave. Most of the Loki Familia members were still there, but they avoided direct eye contact as Hephaestus's trio headed for the exit.

Once outside, under the Orario night sky, Hachiman stopped and turned to his companions. "Hephaestus-sama, Tsubaki-san," he began, feeling genuinely guilty for the complication. "I apologize for the commotion back there. I shouldn't have responded to the provocation. And... thank you very much for defending me." He bowed sincerely.

Tsubaki laughed, giving him a friendly (but strong) slap on the back. "Relax, kid! That wolf deserved to hear some truths. And nobody messes with the Chief's protégé while I'm around!" She winked at Hephaestus, who blushed again at the word 'protégé'. "But," Tsubaki added, her tone becoming slightly more serious, "he wasn't wrong about you being weak, relatively speaking. You have potential, but provoking people like Bete Loga before you have the strength to back it up is asking for trouble. Avoid that kind of direct confrontation until you're much stronger, got it?" It was practical and sensible advice.

"I... understand. Thank you, Tsubaki-san," Hachiman murmured.

"And Hachiman," said Hephaestus, her voice a bit softer now that they were away from the tavern, the blush fading. "Don't apologize. You just told the truth. And Tsubaki is right, be careful. But..." she paused, "...if you need help, or if they cause trouble for you again, don't hesitate to find me. Or Tsubaki." The offer was genuine.

Hachiman felt a wave of gratitude. "Thank you, Hephaestus-sama. Truly."

They parted ways there, Hephaestus and Tsubaki heading in one direction, probably back to the Familia headquarters, and Hachiman in the opposite direction, towards his new home. As he walked, he reflected on the day. The forging lesson had been incredibly valuable, but the confrontation at the tavern left him with a bitter taste. He had gained the implicit protection of a powerful Familia, but he had also become a target for a resentful elite adventurer.

'I need to get stronger. Fast,' he thought. But for today, he'd had enough excitement. He remembered Aqua, probably waiting for him at home, perhaps still grumbling about him being out all day. He decided a small treat would be welcome after such a stressful day for both of them (though Aqua didn't know the half of it).

He searched the streets until he found a small pastry shop still open. The sweet smell of sugar and vanilla was a welcome contrast to the smell of coal from the forge or the tension of the tavern. He looked at the options and chose a simple but delicious-looking cake with cream frosting and some fruit. He paid with the Valis he had set aside and headed home, carrying the box carefully.

Upon arrival, he found Aqua in the living room, reading one of the few books they had managed to buy, looking a bit bored.

"I'm back," he said.

"Finally!" she replied, putting down the book. "Where were you all day? And what's that?" Her eyes fixed on the box.

"I went... to learn some things," Hachiman answered vaguely. "And I brought this." He opened the box, revealing the cake.

Aqua's eyes widened and shone with pure, childlike joy. "Cake! Real cake! For me?!"

"For us," he corrected, but he knew she would eat most of it.

They sat at the kitchen table, and Hachiman cut generous slices. Aqua devoured hers with infectious happiness, commenting on how much better it was than the cheap sweets they used to buy. Hachiman ate his more slowly, watching her. The day's tension seemed to dissipate somewhat in that simple moment of domesticity. They talked a little – Aqua asked about what he learned (he gave a very simplified version about metals and hammers), he asked how her day was (apparently, she tried to 'redecorate' one of the rooms using water magic and nearly caused a flood).

When the cake was finished and the conversation dwindled, the day's fatigue finally weighed on them both. They retired to their respective rooms in the new house. As he lay down on his bed, Hachiman thought about the day. The forge, the confrontation, the cake. It was a strange day, full of ups and downs. But he was learning, he was getting stronger, and he had unexpected allies. And, perhaps most importantly, he had a place to call home and someone (even if it was an annoying goddess) to share a piece of cake with at the end of a complicated day. Maybe things were, slowly, getting better.