After talking a little more with Ottar, he brought me breakfast, and I ate. After that, he said I was free to go. I thought I would have to meet the goddess Freya, but that didn't happen.
And during our conversation, I discovered something quite concerning.
I had been asleep for almost a whole day.
He found me yesterday in the afternoon, and I slept through the evening and the entire night, only waking up this morning.
In other words, I've been "missing" for a long time. Hephaestus has no idea where I am. When I asked Ottar if he had contacted my Familia, he said he hadn't.
If he had, it would have made things a little easier.
Then, Ottar accompanied me outside the house.
When I stepped out, I realized just how enormous the Freya Familia's mansion was.
"Thank you very much for saving me. Please tell the Goddess that I'm deeply grateful," I said, bowing my head.
Ottar's expression didn't change. "You'd better be very grateful. The Goddess doesn't help just anyone."
After saying that, Ottar turned to leave. But before he entered the mansion, I asked:
"What do you mean by that? Did she already know me?"
"..." Ottar turned to face me, stared at me for a few seconds, then entered the mansion.
I clicked my tongue and walked away.
"Not only is he rude, but he also stole my sword. I'm sure that bastard has my sword."
But he gave off such an overwhelming sense of danger that I decided not to say anything unnecessary.
We're almost the same height, but he's far stronger than I am.
#####
*Hephaestus' POV*
*The day before*
It was getting dark outside, but Eryk still hadn't come home. I was getting worried, so I immediately called for Tsubaki. As soon as she entered the room, I explained the situation.
"He hasn't come back yet!?" Tsubaki asked, alarmed.
"I don't remember exactly when he left, but he went to the dungeon and hasn't returned since."
"He might be at a restaurant. You told me before that he had dinner with members of the Loki Familia, right? Maybe he's with them again."
"…I think I should wait a little longer." I don't like acting rashly, but this had never happened before.
Ever since I met Eryk, he's spent 90% of his time at home. Now that he's started exploring the dungeon and suddenly disappeared, there's no way I wouldn't be worried.
"You don't need to panic. But if you want, I can go look for him."
"Please do. I won't be able to relax until I'm sure he's okay."
"Alright. Don't worry, Goddess." Tsubaki smiled and left my office to search for Eryk.
As soon as she left, I couldn't hold back anymore and also decided to go out and look for him.
I came back home in the middle of the night, with no news of Eryk.
Tsubaki returned shortly after, and she hadn't found any clues about his whereabouts either.
Even though I was sure he wasn't dead, I couldn't sleep.
####
*Eryk's POV*
The closer I got to home, the more nervous I felt. What is Hephaestus going to say? Is she mad or something?
I reached the door and hesitated for a few seconds before entering.
As I stepped inside and walked down the main hallway, everything was eerily silent.
I sighed and started walking slowly toward my room to take a bath.
Ottar had lent me new clothes, but I was dirty and reeked since I hadn't bathed.
And then—
Step~~ Step~~ Step~~
I started hearing heavy, hurried footsteps coming toward me. Suddenly, someone appeared in the hallway, their eyes glowing.
It was Hephaestus, her eyes filled with tears.
She stood still for a few seconds, just staring at me.
"I'm sorry," I said.
Without saying a word, Hephaestus ran toward me.
She jumped into my arms, and I caught her as if she were a teenage girl.
"Mmm~~" She stole my lips, giving me a passionate kiss.
When our lips parted, she said:
"Never do that again."
I gave her a bitter smile.
Because I was sure I'd worry her many more times in the future.
####
When Hephaestus finally calmed down, I told her what had happened to me. Of course, when she heard that I had been seriously injured, she got really scared and started checking my entire body to make sure I was okay.
"Your leg was torn off? I can't even imagine how much pain you must have felt." Tears welled up in her eyes. "You could have died!"
"But I didn't," I smiled.
"Eryk, I'm not joking!"
"Neither am I. Of course, I know I could have died, but I didn't."
"You said someone helped you. Who was it? I need to thank them!"
It was finally time to tell her who had helped me.
"Ottar."
When she heard the name, Hephaestus paused for a moment, as if she had forgotten who he was.
"Ottar… Isn't he the captain of the Freya Familia?"
"That's right. Ottar found me—I was really lucky. He took me to the Freya Familia's home, and they treated me there."
"The Freya Familia's home... Did you meet her?"
"No. As soon as I woke up, I came home. I know I shouldn't get involved with her, but I still wanted to thank her at least."
"Don't worry, I'll thank her later. You don't need to talk to her."
"Don't tell me you're jealous again."
"It's not jealousy… I just don't trust her."
"I can understand that." The few things I remembered about Freya from what I had read… said she was a rather problematic Goddess. Better to avoid trouble.
I got up from the bed and headed to the bathroom to finally take a bath. But before I could, Hephaestus called out to me.
"Eryk."
"Hm?"
"I won't forbid you from going to the dungeon… But please, be extra careful. From what you told me, this was all caused by your ability, right? Please be cautious, because you don't seem to have full control over it yet."
"..."
"I won't stop you from going to the dungeon, even though I want to."
"Don't worry, I'll be careful."
I felt happy hearing her words. They showed how much she truly cared about me.
And also that she didn't want to hold me back or hinder my growth.
####
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