Capítulo 521: Luncheon With Three Goddesses
Though there were only three large rooms in the Guest Residence, the interior was furnished with expensive decor that was intended to make the 'esteemed' guests that would visit comfortable. Many people would take offense to the fact that they couldn't enter the Hearth Manor itself, so the construction of the Guest Residence had been taken very seriously and Vahn had recently even stocked it with a variety of expensive beverages and pastries that couldn't be found anywhere else in the world. As for the food that would be offered, that was also provided by Vahn but would be taken from his Inventory or purchased through the system shop.
The front room was a massive parlor for casual discussions while there was a back room for private dealings. The room on the second floor, however, was one massive room that had been designed with pure comfort in mind and the lavish sofas were so plush you would sink several centimeters into the cushions when you sat down. There was, of course, the 'secret' room down below, which could only be accessed from the back room, but it was still waiting for repairs after the climactic 'battle' between the Sage Aldrnari and the Hiryute Sisters...
Demeter and Eirene were both friends and important members of the Alliance, so Vahn escorted them to the upper floor where they could relax and discuss matters comfortably. When they arrived, Eirene looked around the room and gave a curt nod without saying anything while Demeter laughed gently and said, "My, this room looks like something you'd expect from a palace in the Far East~." As Vahn was fond of Far Eastern design, his idea of comfort reflected his tastes and there were various pieces of artwork that spread around.
Vahn gestured to the sofas and had Demeter and Eirene, even though the later was comfortable with standing, sit down so they could talk more comfortably. He set out a sample tray of snacks and asked, "What kind of drinks do the two of you prefer?" Demeter giggled and said, "I'll be fine with anything, though I'm fond of warm milk with honey~." Eirene squinted her eyes slightly in a thoughtful expression before saying, "I would prefer a hard cider or simply water if it is an inconvenience." Vahn looked through his system shop and asked, "Is there a specific type of cider you like?" Eirene seemed to be a bit confused because the only types of ciders she knew of were apple-based. She had no way of knowing Vahn's selection of ciders was functionally infinite, including varieties from records where an 'apple' wasn't quite the same as the apples she knew of.
Eirene tilted her head slightly before saying, "I will leave it to you, as I do not wish to be an inconvenience." Loki, however, waved her hand and said, "You don't have to be like that, Eirene. You know full well what kind of pseudo-divinities Vahn has at this point. As long as its something he can think of, he can probably 'create' something entirely brand new. Though, I suppose leaving it to his discretion is actually a good choice~? Kekekeke-" When they had joined the Alliance as official members, Hephaestus, Loki, and Hestia had informed the goddesses about some of Vahn's capabilities after having them swear vows. They were a little resistant at first, but seeing that even Freya had been accepting of the idea they eventually acceded.
Vahn had heard the emphasis Loki placed on her words so he understood she was 'informing' him of some matters he may not have been aware of. He nodded his head slightly before picking a random cider from his shop that was worth 10,000OP. It was a bit expensive, but this was a special occasion and making a strong impression was always more preferable. After all, Eirene was already their ally but there was a good chance she would bear his child within the next 8-10 months. She seemed like a kind girl, but Vahn still wanted to get to know both her and Demeter better before he went through with his decision.
When Vahn pulled a large bottle of cider out of thin air, Eirene's eyes became sharp for a brief moment before a smile appeared on her face and she accepted it from his hands. Though it would be 'polite' to pour it for her, Vahn intended it as a gift and it designated them as 'equals' if she were allowed to pour it for herself. Loki laughed in a somewhat 'scary' manner before saying, "I'd like at least one cup of wine, Vahn~!" Vahn knew it was possible for gods to 'filter' out alcohol completely, which would allow them to drink as much as they want, but he still shook his head and said, "Think of our daughter, Loki. Your body may be fine, but we have no way of knowing how it would influence the child in your stomach during your pregnancy..." Loki's smile froze a little before she laughed awkwardly and said, "Fine, fine, I'll just have tea then~."
Loki didn't want to mention that she hadn't really cut back on the alcohol too much, though she had made sure that it was properly 'dealt with' by her body instead of letting it be processed naturally through her bloodstream. Gods didn't produce waste at all, and most of the things they didn't 'allow' to happen would be filtered out by their bodies in much the same way as Vahn. If she wanted to, she could drink a keg larger than herself without gaining any weight at all, though there would be a powerful aroma of alcohol in the air as her body filtered it out of her system.
After everyone had something to drink, Vahn took a sip of his coffee and savored the aroma for a short while before smiling and saying, "I'll be honest, I'm not entirely sure how to start off a conversation when it comes to matters like this. I believe you both have already discussed the matter with Loki, Hephaestus, and Hestia, correct?" The one to answer his question was Eirene, who nodded plainly before calmly saying, "Yes, as it would be an affront to the girls close to you if we had selfish motives, we have discussed the matter in detail several times. Our meeting with Loki was the third time we have discussed it within the last week."
Though Vahn felt slightly relieved, Eirene's words also made him feel more awkward than he had previously since the atmosphere was a little strange now. However, instead of letting it get to him, Vahn took and quiet breath through his nose before putting on an air of decisiveness. He wasn't simply about to discuss a minor subject, but something related to his future children. His decision could impact his entire family in the future, so he had to treat the matter seriously without footing around the issue. After calming down, Vahn showed a firm expression before saying, "Then you must know that I intend to care for each of my children to the best of my ability. This includes ensuring they grow up in a safe environment without suffering the restrictions of their parent's, or their own, Divinities..."
Eirene nodded her head and said, "We understand that it is almost guaranteed that our children will be demigods that have a great amount of power. Though I would like my son or daughter to work alongside me to maintain peace and order within the City, I have agreed to raise them within the Hearth Manor. However, when the time comes I would ask for my own room since I intend to stay here when I'm not on duty." Eirene's 'demand' was something Vahn would have offered even without her mentioning it, so he nodded his head in affirmation before turning his eyes to Demeter.
Demeter showed her characteristically gentle smile and said, "I have already raised three children while I've been in the mortal world, so I have confidence I would be able to raise our child well. I'm already acting as the midwife for Loki, but I intended to assist in the Hearth Manor in the future, ufufufu~." Hearing that both goddesses intended to live in the Manor made Vahn feel a great deal of relief since he really didn't want his children to grow up in a situation where there was tension between their parents. Vahn would do his best to be a good father, but he knew he would be out and about quite a lot and the Vanir would all grow very quickly. He also didn't like the idea of separating a child from their mother at all, to the point that he actually had a lot of concerns regarding Freya in the future...
Vahn nodded his head and allowed his firm expression to turn gentle as he smiled to the two goddesses and said, "It seems our fates have become connected now...for the next few months, I would like to get to know the two of you better. I think our children would be happier if their parents cared deeply about each other so, while it may be asking for a lot, I would like to develop our relationship further in the coming months." Demeter laughed in a pleasant manner while Eirene's expression softened somewhat and she said, "I also believe that it is necessary for a child to have two parents to develop properly. It eases my heart to know you are taking that into consideration, Vahn."
For the next two hours, Vahn discussed various things with Demeter and Eirene, including tidbits about their past, the happenings within their Familias, and the hopes they had already placed in their children. Demeter simply wanted their son or daughter to be kind and happy while Eirene harbored a small hope that their child would possess a noble and heroic spirit. She believed that heroes were necessary to inspire other people to greatness and were necessary to maintain order within the world. There was far too much 'darkness' permeating through society and Eirene wanted to do what she could to expose it to the light and bring the corrupt few that propagate the cycle to justice. She had a great appreciation for Vahn's feats and paid him quite a few heavy compliments that made him feel a bit of pressure as a result.
During their entire follow-up discussion, Vahn was also pampering Loki at the same time by allowing her to lay across his lap as he fed her snacks and rubbed her belly. She never really cared much for propriety, to begin with, and was obviously trying to incite the other two goddesses to 'loosen up' around Vahn. To break up the conversation whenever things got tense, such as when Eirene was 'drilling' Vahn about his exploits, she would talk about Vahn's 'godhand', his 'technical prowess', and even his other 'interesting capabilities'. Demeter seemed to accept everything in stride, but Eirene would feel awkward whenever Loki would tease her.
Even when Eirene had sex in the past, she didn't experiment at all and had only ever selected men she believed could be 'heroes' in the future. Unfortunately, they often became somewhat corrupted after having obtained her affections and did foolish things that eventually forced her to either turn them away or even imprison them when they tried exploiting their positions. One of the reasons she was innately fond of Vahn was due to the fact that he was actually surrounded by several women, including many goddesses, yet continued walking the 'correct' path while trying to make the world a better place. Though there was a chance he would also become corrupt, he was at the very least more reliable than the other mortals she had met. Knowing of his 'prowess' made her feel especially embarrassed, however, because she felt like it might be her that became corrupted in the future...
As for Demeter, she wasn't nearly as experienced as Loki but she had more than a few partners even after coming to the mortal world. She typically got into relationships easily, sometimes with more than one man at a time, but never felt truly invested in them. Her 'lovers' were always kind and understanding and they even got along well together since Demeter treated them fairly and without bias. When she had decided to have Vahn's child, they had all willingly taken a step back for her 'happiness' because they understood how important it was for her to have a 'real' child. Though she treated her other children very well, it wasn't much different from how she treated everyone else and it was always a little strange, especially for her daughter, knowing that she had more than one father. Her child with Vahn would be fundamentally different, as it wouldn't be a product of her Divinity, but a 'natural' pregnancy that would be a culmination between her and a single other person. This was something she had never experienced before, so Demeter was very excited for the future and hoped their child would be able to live a happy life filled with love...
---
Toward the end of their conversation, Loki seemed to think of something as she asked in an 'agonized' tone, "Vahn, what do I have to do to convince you to get me a dragon...? I won't take away your little Fafnir and Terra, but I want one for myself..." When Loki heard that Terra had a 'human' form, which happened to be a beautiful woman, she automatically assumed she didn't have a chance at getting her hands on her. As for Fafnir, it was far too fond of Vahn and wouldn't 'betray' him even if she tried to wear it down over several years. Her only hope was to get Vahn to take pity on her by trying appeal to his 'weakness' of trying to make his women happy.
Though he wouldn't profess to being able to truly read Loki, Vahn could tell that she was 'playing' him a little based on her behavior. She was obviously doing it knowing he knew too, which made him feel a bit exasperated but, regardless of his inhibitions, he couldn't find it in himself to refuse the lovable little goddess with a fat belly. His only complaint was that she brought it up in front of two other goddesses since Eirene's expression had become thoughtful, likely thinking of what it would be like to have a dragon of her own. If he easily agreed to help Loki, she might misunderstand that it was 'easy' for him to obtain them and ask for one of her own in the future...
Vahn poked Loki in the cheek as he looked down on her and said, "I can most likely help you obtain a dragon, but it isn't really that easy...I'd need a few months to prepare and we'd have to find you a suitable dragon to undergo the evolution..." Though he wanted to refute her before bringing up the topic later, Vahn knew Loki would flaunt her dragon as soon as she obtained one. If he said she couldn't have one in front of Demeter and Eirene and then gave her one later, it would cause him to lose a bit of face. He actually suspected this was the reason she brought it up right when they were preparing to bring this discussion to a close.
Loki began laughing mischievously in his lap before trying to nip at his finger, which had still been poking her cheek. She then mused, "If possible, I'd like a tyrannical looking dragon, like Fafnir, or at least something that flies super quickly~! Ah, you can make it transform into a woman if you want, but you have to be okay if I 'train' her a little, kukukuku~." Vahn furrowed his brows slightly and said, "If it's something I help to evolve, it will primarily be loyal to me. Since it will be a sentient creature, I don't want to 'force' it into that kind of lifestyle...you'll have to treat them with care or I won't let you look after it..."
Loki tilted her head with a somewhat confused expression before sitting up and whispering into his ear, "Can't you find a dragon that isn't sentient and then give it the type of nature that would make it like that type of thing~?" Knowing that Fafnir came from a normal wyvern, yet had such a drastic change in appearance and personality, made Loki believe Vahn had some degree of control over their personalities. She also knew that Fenrir had been a simple kobold before and that her character had completely changed once she became humanoid. Judging by Vahn's reaction, she knew her deduction had to be correct and, to alleviate his concerns, she said, "Don't worry, I don't want to do anything that might upset you. I'll treat it properly and you can always take it away from me if I fail to do so...besides, won't it be better for Fafnir and Terra to have more of their kind around~?"
Vahn released a heavy sigh before pinching the fleshy part of Loki's butt since he knew she was trying to manipulate him a little. It was especially effective because her words were very rational and it was actually something he had been considering. So that he could increase his own understanding of his Akashic Tome, Vahn wanted to name a variety of different creatures with emphasis on specific elements and traits. Dragons were some of the strongest creatures in all records, so they were a great choice and it wasn't that difficult to find even a normal Wyvern to potentially form into a mighty True Dragon once it grew up.
After thinking it over, Vahn said, "It will take a few months, so think about what kind of dragon you'd like to be associated with. Fafnir is Darkness, while Terra is Nature and Earth...this means you can choose Fire, Water, Wind, Light, or any other elemental attribute you can think of..." Loki immediately understood Vahn's intentions and quickly said, "I want something that is kind of overbearing, so if it is related to Fire, Chaos, or Wind, that would be the best. If I had to choose, I guess wind would be ideal since I want something that is super fast~!" Vahn nodded his head but then a thought crossed his mind and he asked, "How about...space?" Loki's eyes widened as an almost 'evil' grin appeared on her face and she said, "Yes, one-hundred-percent yes~!"
Space and Time were two of the most powerful forces in the world and Vahn knew it should be possible to name a dragon that possessed one, or even both, of the affinities. Since it would help him increase his own knowledge of the two immensely powerful attributes, Vahn figured it would be a good idea to get an early start on it. He already knew his own future Divinities like related to space, meaning he should have a natural affinity for it, so having a 'teacher' would be very beneficial. There was also a chance it would be able to learn magic from Eva, assuming the orb didn't awaken beforehand, so Vahn needed to seriously consider the matter. As for if it would be able to take on a human form, Vahn believed it was a good idea but would try to avoid having his own preferences influence the form it took...
As he was thinking, Vahn saw Eirene's look so he showed a wry smile and said, "I plan to tame a variety of different creatures in the future, so I'll see about finding one with the Light attribute. Instead of a dragon, maybe a Pegasus would be better since I think it would suit your attire..." Vahn really didn't want to become the 'go-to' for everyone obtaining a future mount, but he also knew he would likely be in this record for decades and had plenty of time and reason to do so. As long as they were treated well, and not like actual servants and pets, Vahn didn't think it would be that much of an issue. Besides, it would allow him to have more companions when he goes to future records since he would be able to store their cores into his inventory and resummon them later, assuming he wasn't caught off guard and killed unexpectedly.
Eirene had liked the idea of a dragon, but hearing Vahn mention the winged Pegasus didn't seem like a bad idea either. As he said, it was far more suitable and she would even be able to ride it about the City streets without causing too much of a stir. Having a massive dragon wasn't always suitable as their size could often be a limitation in modern living. Now that she thought about it, there wasn't even any place to keep a dragon near the barracks so she would have had to leave it at the Hearth Manor when she wanted to walk around normally. With a Pegasus, she could just pull its reins and guide it through the streets with relative ease.
Since she seemed fond of the idea, Vahn promised to take it into consideration but told her it would likely take more than a year before he was able to procure one. Much like the matter of helping goddesses getting pregnant, there were a lot of restrictions on his unique 'taming' method and it typically took more than two months just to use it once. He couldn't give them any of the key details, which they didn't seem to mind at all, but Vahn assured her that he would do his best to 'tame' a Pegasus for her.
Fortunately, Demeter didn't seem to care at all, leading Vahn to believe that her nature was very carefree. She didn't seem to mind anything at all, other than trying to make sure people were well-fed and living healthy lifestyles. He suspected she would be another one of the 'motherly' figures in the Manor in the future and would probably help Hestia run the 'daycare' in the northwestern section of the Manor. Given her nature, Vahn felt like the children would be very happy, even if things got a little 'chaotic' with having so many mothers in their lives. Since the books he read said it was important for children to be raised in an environment filled with understanding and consistency, Vahn felt like he would have to become the 'consistent' part of their lives, as he would be the only father for them all...
(A/N: Alternate Titles: 'Awkward Conversation o3o','Loki wants a dragon~!','Mom, Mama, Mommy, Mother, Mum...(UwU);','If Vahn's kids didn't grow up so fast, he would be sooooo fucked xD)
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Capítulo 522: Clubhouse
After seeing off Loki, Eirene, and Demeter, Vahn sent Fafnir to watch over them from the shadows before making his way to his 'clubhouse' for the first time. It had already been completed during the expedition, but Vahn had been so busy at the Manor that he had never made the time to check it out. Since he would be taking Tina and Shizune into the Dungeon in the next few days, he wanted to at least furnish the building before creating keys for everyone that he wanted to invite over. He had already sent out notifications to Finn, Gareth, Raul, Cruz, Welf, and Ouka to hold a small celebration this afternoon so he needed to be there to avoid having them waiting. Fortunately, he had asked them to stop by a little later, as he had wanted to set up furniture and his private room, so there was still plenty of time to look around before they arrived.
Even without using [Shundo], Vahn reached the Clubhouse after 'walking' for around five minutes. Terra had informed him about the formation she had broken so Vahn was trying to 'bait' out the earth mage by pretending to be complacent. He had casually strolled through the streets with an appearance as though he was very tired, aimlessly looking toward the sky with his hands behind his head. Unfortunately, other than a few curious glances from pedestrians that recognized him, there were no signs of the danger lurking in the shadows. Vahn felt very confident in being able to defeat the mage in their next encounter, regardless of how fast they tried to run away...
Vahn's Clubhouse was a relatively discreet looking building with a spartan design that was only a single story. However, discerning eyes would see that the high wall and the entire grounds of the building were covered in a dense array of magical formations that would even give trouble to a Level 5 trying to forcibly break into it. Those with perception like Vahn would also note that, though it was only a single story above ground, there were an additional two levels below including a passageway that connected into the large building located next door, which happened to be Hephaestus' new workshop front. As a result, the security in the area was very high and Vahn could sense several 'neutral' and 'amicable' gazes on him from the surroundings.
Curiously, there was already someone present standing outside of the tall wall carrying a large bottle that was covered with a fine cloth. Welf's perception was lacking so Vahn managed to walk all the way up to him before patting him on the shoulder, nearly causing the red-haired youth to drop the bottle. He turned around with an angry expression before smiling when he saw who had 'ambushed' him. Vahn was briefly reminded that he 'promised' to punch Welf the next time he saw him but, seeing his smiling and friendly expression, he decided to let the matter lay. After all, he had no reason to envy Welf for his relationship with four Amazons, especially considering his current situation at the Hearth Manor. He had even parted with three beautiful goddesses earlier, two of which would likely become his future lovers. Thinking this, Vahn felt a strange urge to slap himself instead of the 'cheekily' smiling Welf...
Welf saw Vahn's weird expression but held up the bottle in his arms without asking and said in a cheerful voice, "Hey man, I brought some pretty good stuff imported in from the Far East. I figured it would be a good present for the celebration!" Vahn accepted the bottle gratefully and said, "Thanks, Welf, I look forward to sampling it with the others." After stowing it away in his inventory, Vahn pulled out a communication scroll, logbook, and a pouch with several vials of ink for Welf's use, explaining, "This will help us keep in touch in the future. The green pen lets you communicate directly to me while the others connect to other scrolls. If you look on the cover, there is an index in case you forget..."
Though it was an imported bottle of sake, Welf had only spent 23,000 Valis to obtain it, which was a large part of his savings right now. Receiving what easily amounted to several million Valis worth of goods from Vahn made Welf sigh deeply, but he still accepted them and said, "Thanks, it'll be good to talk about some of the things I've been researching with you. I've actually been making a fair amount of progress these days, though I feel like I'm still scratching away at the surface..." Welf's research was actually similar in nature to what Vahn was working on, though the direction was decidedly different. Though he wasn't sure if it would help, Vahn pulled out a journal and handed it over to Welf, saying, "This has a bunch of notes about magic formations, runes, and even the structure of magic circles. You should be able to make some headway if you combine this with your own research."
Welf was well aware of how 'monstrous' Vahn could be since he had once tried to consider himself as his rival. Vahn's feats were well documented and he had even received the title of 'Sage' from the Elves, being the first human to carry the title. Combined with the fact that he was the youngest [Master Smith] in history, Welf had no illusions about surpassing him. There was a big difference between being ambitious and trying to surmount true 'genius', especially since he knew Vahn was incredibly hard-working. Since they were comparable in age, it was easy to see the differences between them so Welf couldn't rationalize trying to compete against him at all...
Opening the journal Vahn had given him, Welf released a sigh before snapping it shut and placing his arm around Vahn and saying, "Thanks, man..." Even the random page he had opened to was very insightful so Welf knew it would be a great boon towards his own research. Since Vahn could casually hand it over, it once against emphasized the vast disparity between them. At least he had the benefit of being one of Vahn's friends, especially considering the many 'benefits' he had already received. Though he still needed a bit of work, as the girls weren't content with letting him Level-Up easily, he was approaching Level 2 and would likely obtain it within the next 4-5 months.
Vahn wasn't too comfortable with Welf putting his arm around his shoulder, even if it was a display of friendship, but he decided not to let it bother him as he walked toward the Clubhouse and said, "This is my first time checking out 'our' Clubhouse, so lets look around for a bit before the others show up." Welf had felt how 'tense' Vahn had been when he touched him, which was a little surprising since Vahn seem unphased by most things. He removed his arm and nodded his head, saying, "I honestly expected this place to be a bit bigger...well, considering its a Clubhouse created for you, it probably has a few hidden functions, eh? Let's check it out!"
Without waiting for Vahn to lead the way, seemingly forgetting he didn't have a key yet, Welf walked face-first into the invisible barrier without any hesitation. Vahn nearly burst out laughing at the sight but stifled the urge after seeing Welf holding his nose and showing an embarrassed expression. Vahn pulled out a large black loop that had several crystalline tabs attached to it. He took off one of the tabs and handed it to Welf who gave him a somewhat 'resentful' look as he snatched it away. Welf had always been a prideful boy, so his embarrassment was rather 'heavy' compared to most people. Since he looked up to Vahn quite a bit, it was even worse since it felt like he lost a lot of face...
After dripping his blood onto the key, Welf gingerly felt around with his hand to make sure the barrier wasn't preventing his access anymore. He released a relieved sigh and put the 'key' into his pocket before returning to normal and saying, "Let's check it out!" Vahn nodded his head and followed behind Welf, still stifling the urge to laugh because there was a dribble of blood coming out of Welf's nose, even when he acted normally...
The first floor of the Clubhouse was actually a wide-open space that had been fitted like a pub. There was an unstocked bar with several shelves as well as a slightly elevated area at one side of the room that looked like a stage. Vahn could easily imagine having several circular tables within the room filled to the brim with people boisterously drinking and having a good time. He wasn't sure how long it would take, but Vahn felt an urge to extend his network to the point where they could fill up the room in its entirety. For now, he just stocked the bar with a variety of different drinks under 100OP since he didn't really want to outshine Welf's gift right now. He knew it was probably very 'expensive' for Welf, so Vahn was trying to be considerate. Other than the [Dwarven Drought], which was set under the bar in a small keg, Vahn chose relatively cheap alcohols from other records to fill out the shelves.
Beyond the 'pub' area, Vahn found a complete kitchenette that was already stocked with utensils, pots, pans, spices, and other cooking accessories. Knowing that Vahn actually liked to cook, Hephaestus had incorporated a kitchen into the Clubhouse so he could experiment with developing new dishes without being badgered by the other girls. There was also a corridor leading to a 'secret' staircase on the opposite side of a wall. You had to walk all the way down the corridor before looping back to be able to see it, making it both easily accessible but also secretive. Without his [Eyes of Truth], Vahn wouldn't have found it as quickly as he did.
Seeing the 'hidden' staircase, Welf shook his head in an exasperated manner before saying, "As I expected...hahaha, nothing is ever what it seems when you're involved, Vahn!" Without waiting, Welf began to walk forward again before he came to a stop at the top of the stairwell. Reaching out with his hand, Welf made sure there wasn't another barrier barring his entrance before sending a 'glare' at Vahn when he heard a muffled snicker...
The first subterranean floor of the Clubhouse was a series of rooms that all had formations that allowed a person to register for access. Vahn realized these were rooms where people could rest after partying and getting drunk, and there were also workbenches and tools that could be accessed from a supply closet. The room furthest at the end was much larger than the rest and Vahn could tell that it had been intended for his use since the symbol of the Alliance, specifically prepared for him, was on the door. It also had much stronger protective measures than the other rooms, including soundproofing and hardened tiles on the floor, reinforced concrete walls, and several ventilation shafts. If he wanted to, Vahn could easily turn the room into a forge or atelier for mixing and alchemy.
After Welf picked a room for himself, they followed another looping corridor that led to the final staircase. This time, however, Vahn placed his hand on Welf's shoulder as he tried to walk forward. Unlike the second floor, this one did have another barrier so Vahn wanted to avoid seeing Welf embarrass himself once again. The only way to get access beyond this point was if Vahn personally allowed people to enter, which he would have to be inside to allow. After leaving Welf outside of the barrier, Vahn walked forward and placed his hand against a previously invisible rune. This temporarily disabled the barrier and allowed Welf to walk down the stairs as they inspected the bottom floor.
The third floor was one massive room that had several supporting pillars reinforcing the above structures. It was completely dry without any humidity at all and there were several magic cores that allowed the temperature of the room to be regulated within specific areas. Vahn realized this floor was essentially intended to be private storage where he could keep items for use in the clubhouse without having to stock them in his Inventory. He could even see a 'trapdoor' like mechanism that connected to his room above, so it would be useful if he was doing long-term research that he wanted to keep a secret. It wasn't that big of a distraction having the girls enter his workshop, but there were definitely things Vahn wanted to look into that he wasn't comfortable with the girls finding out about early on.
Welf looked around the area a bit before they both made their way back to the top floor to prepare for the celebration. It was a good opportunity, so Vahn decided to actually cook some food while Welf left to take his 'network kit' back to his workshop. He only lived two blocks away, so he would be able to return before the celebration officially started. Carrying around several million valis worth of goods was somewhat uncomfortable and Welf was afraid he would lose or damage it when he got drunk later...
As it was meant to be a celebration, Vahn decided he would make steaks for the meal using large cuts from one of the tails he had acquired on the 58th Floor. Dragon parts were worth a great deal of Valis and 'dragon steaks' were considered a rare delicacy that few could enjoy. Even a single cut weighed more than 10kg so there was plenty to go around after he cut it into thin strips. He made sure that the strips were small enough to eat with chopsticks, as he was fond of using them, and only lightly sauteed with butter, chives, garlic, and a pinch of allspice. Because everyone would enjoy eating according to their own preferences, Vahn set out a massive hot plate in the middle of the room where they would be able to cook the meat further. He also set out a variety of pickled fruits and vegetables with some lightly salted almonds.
By the time Welf had returned, the top floor had 'evolved' after Vahn decorated a bit and it was now filled with warmth and a rich mouthwatering aroma. He could hear Vahn cooking from the kitchen and felt a little guilty as he eyed the tantalizing meat that was set on plates around a square table. He had no idea what kind of meat it was, but Welf knew it had to be delicious since he couldn't do anything about the waterworks in his own mouth. He hadn't even been that hungry before, but now it felt like he hadn't eaten in months and it was very difficult to stop himself from beginning to eat without permission...
Vahn walked out of the kitchen with a wok in hand, stir-frying some green beans with mushrooms, onions, bell peppers, and some diced garlic cloves. Seeing Welf's 'hungry' look, Vahn smiled and said, "Welf, this place is supposed to be a Clubhouse where we can hang out and do whatever we want. If you're hungry, feel free to eat. If you want to cook, feel free to cook. I don't even mind if you want to set up your own workshop here in the future, just don't make a big mess unless you have the sense to clean up after yourself."
Hearing Vahn's works, Welf's eyes were set ablaze as he sat down at the table and grabbed a pair of chopsticks and started eating. From the very first bite, Welf's eyes turned round as saucers as he said, "Wow! This is the best meat I've ever had! What the hell did you do to make it so damn tasty!?" Vahn laughed and said, "I've still got a ways to go to be a capable chef, but I have the benefit of having some premium ingredients. That there is dragon meat, so make sure you savor it properly. Go ahead and try cooking it against the hot plate I set out; I'm fond of cooking it all the way through and seasoning it with a bit of that brown sauce. It's made with soy sauce, brown sugar, and a few other extra ingredients. Seriously though, don't make a mess unless you plan to clean it up..."
As Vahn had been explaining things, Welf was eating piece after piece of meat without any regards for table manners at all. Things would likely get even 'worse' when other people showed up and alcohol got involved so Vahn just shook his head before emptying the stir-fry vegetables into a pan to simmer and stay warm. He poured a bit of soy sauce into the pan, added a half cup of water, and then covered it with a lid to let it steam until someone wanted to eat it. Afterward, Vahn prepared several other dishes and only stopped when he detected the arrival of several people outside. Based solely on their auras, Vahn could tell it was Gareth and Finn though, on the periphery of his domain, Vahn could also sense Bete pacing about in an alleyway nearby.
Vahn set his pan to simmer before going outside to see Gareth and Finn wearing casual clothing waiting outside the entrance. Gareth stroked his beard while Finn showed an amiable smile and said, "Good afternoon, Vahn, thanks for your invitation today." Gareth laughed while tapping against the barrier and said, "Let us in, kiddo, I've been looking forward to this for a while! Grahahaha~!"
After giving the two their keys, Vahn looked in the direction of Bete and asked, "What's going on with Bete?" Gareth shook his head and said, "That boy can't swallow his own pride and simply open up to others. He came all the way here and now it looks like he plans to return..." At the end of his words, Gareth released a long sigh because they had walked for more than an hour to reach here. As for Finn, his smile had become a little awkward until Vahn also shook his head and said, "Go ahead and make your way inside. There is plenty of food that I personally prepared and there is a fully stocked bar if you're thirsty. As I told Welf, though, don't make a mess unless you're going to clean it up. This place is meant to be used by everyone to relax and hang out, so I don't want to see it ruined haphazardly..."
Vahn gave Finn and Gareth their 'network kits' before disappearing from sight with his [Shundo], leaving the two veteran Adventurers smiling at each other before making their way inside. The moment Gareth smelled the aroma in the air, he shouted, "Dragon Steak! Grahahahaha~!" and left Finn behind with an awkward expression on his face...
Shortly after he disappeared from the Clubhouse, Vahn reappeared inside the same alleyway where Bete was still pacing about in a frustrated manner. The Werewolf immediately noted Vahn's presence and showed an annoyed expression on his face as he asked, "What the fuck do you want, kid!?" Vahn smiled gently, pissing off Bete even more, but, before he was able to make another snide remark, Vahn had vanished once again. All of Bete instincts triggered and he jumped back nearly 30m before landing in the center of the street. His eyes darted around looking for any indication of Vahn before a sense of dread overwhelmed him and he rolled to the side. Looking back, he saw Vahn standing in the spot he had just evacuated with a plain expression on his face.
Vahn knew Bete wouldn't be able to move forward unless he taught the angsty Werewolf a 'lesson' that left nothing to question. While doing his best to remain calm, Vahn said in a low tone, "There is no reason for animosity between us, Bete. I would like for us to be friends in the future, as we're already allies that have fought on the same battlefield..." Bete's face turned sour and he spat, "I don't need-" Before he could finish, Bete felt like an ocean of pressure was squeezing his entire body as Vahn disappeared once again. He felt a hot sensation at the back of his neck that made all the hair on his body stand on end as Vahn said, "The greatest mistake anyone can make is underestimating their opponent based on a false perception of strength and personal bias. Even before we went on the expedition, I would have been your opponent, Bete. Now that I've become even stronger, there is no contest to be had between us unless I hold back..."
The moment he could move his body, Bete's instincts to him to kick out but the only thing he felt was empty air before he saw Vahn standing several meters away. Vahn shook his head and said plainly, "If you truly had any pride, and not just baseless arrogance, you would have admitted defeat the moment my fingers touched your neck..." Waving his hand, Vahn let his fingers generate a massive amount of heat that even started burning away at his tunic. Though they were twenty meters apart, even Bete could feel the heat and knew Vahn could have ended the fight in an instant if he hadn't stopped his attack. However, this didn't make Bete happy at all since it felt like Vahn was 'taunting' and making fun of him.
Seeing Bete's reaction, Vahn released a sigh and said, "If you really wish to fight, Bete, we can settle things whenever you're ready. However, will you really be satisfied with that? How with Lena feel when you get injured?" Hearing Vahn mention his lover, Bete's expression became fierce and he shouted, "Don't mention Lena you bastard! You think you can actually hurt me!? Without your flames and that bullshit magic, you're just a human child without any-" Instead of maintaining his calm, Vahn glared at Bete and snapped, "Bete, what the hell is your problem!? You criticize me for my strength yet, even when I put in the effort to become strong enough to protect the people I care about, you don't change your tone at all!? What exactly do you want me to do to compromise with your stupid ass!? Do I really need to beat the arrogance out of you before you'll stop barking like a fool!?"
Vahn couldn't understand how Bete could be so obstinate about things when there wasn't actually any reason for animosity between them. He was starting to feel like Bete wouldn't take a step back unless Vahn forced him to do so. If that is what it took, Vahn wasn't going to keep playing games with Bete so he allowed his full aura to disperse and converge on the scowling Werewolf. They had already drawn a crowd, but Vahn didn't care at all since Bete had genuinely pissed him off. He couldn't tolerate that he always tried to make concessions and compromises yet it didn't seem to matter to him at all!
Bete's instincts had 'exploded' at this point and every fiber of his being was telling him there was only a single course of action left to him, running away. He gripped his fists into a ball to stop the shaking and, instead of trying to talk with Vahn, kicked forward with enough force to shatter the cobblestone street below. Spinning around mid-air, Bete tried kicking Vahn's head to force him back. As long as he could pressure him, Bete was confident he would be able to get-- Unable to complete the though, Bete found himself smashing into Vahn's scaled arm as a wave of green flashed, completely dispersing his blow. Before he could react further, Bete found Vahn's vice-like grip around his ankle as the world around him turned into a blur...
(A/N: Alternate Title: 'Secret Clubhose (UwU)','Anyone else hungry?','RIP Bete')
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