Chapter 637 Motorcycle
Hestia, Hephaestus and Loki left whilst the whole 30th floor of Babel was still in an uproar. Hestia had a hard time escaping from the curious Gods. Nevertheless, she managed to do so with some help from her best friend and best frenemy.
The three of them then immediately headed to a nondescript cafe to meet with two other Gods who had left the 30th floor much earlier, Miach and Takemikazuchi. The three Goddesses also noticed their children at another table looking at them with anticipation.
"You're here." Miach greeted them, "That was an unbelievable match and also very exciting. After this, they'll surely gather everyone's attention, especially Kisuke-kun."
The three of them sat beside them and Hephaestus replied to him, "That's for sure. However, he could have done this more quietly."
"He did this so that his Familia would have more prestige. With more prestige, it'll be harder for something like this to happen again.", added Loki and ordered some drinks.
While talking about something mundane, Hestia noticed Takemikazuchi's wordlessness, "What's wrong, Take?"
"Hmm? Ah, sorry. I've been thinking about the match from earlier."
"What's wrong with it?", asked Hestia with curiosity.
"Nothing's wrong. It's just that everyone has been talking about the flashy way Kisuke-kun dodged the attacks from all directions, but failed to notice something even more amazing about him."
Takemikazuchi then looked at everyone and continued, "While the way he dodged all of those attacks was truly a sight to behold, it could be attributed to a Skill or a Developmental Ability. However, the same can't be said for his swordsmanship. While he looked casual, the refinement behind his swordsmanship couldn't have just been a Skill or a Developmental Ability. He's a real master of the sword with skills way beyond any children I've ever met or even heard of in the lower world."
Takemikazuchi then perceived that Hestia was looking at him with suspicion and immediately said, "Don't misunderstand me. I don't intend to get any confirmation nor get information about your child. I'm just so amazed that I've been thinking about it all this time. But other Gods who have held a sword would surely be interested in him, so you should be careful with that."
"You don't have to worry about that~ That guy can take care of himself.", replied Loki while chuckling. In fact, she had been looking forward to a clash between Kisuke and a God, 'Wouldn't that be even more interesting?'
"It's about time that Kisuke-kun arrives, isn't it?", Miach suddenly pointed out.
And as soon as he said that a screeching sound of rubber rubbing on a pavement, which was impossible to hear in this world, echoed from outside, along with some screams from the pedestrians outside of the cafe.
"What's that!?" Loki immediately stood up and went outside to check what was going on and the others hurriedly followed her.
As they got out, what greeted their eyes was the sight of Kisuke, who was just getting off a strange two-wheeled vehicle, "Yo~ sorry that I've made everyone wait."
"W-w-what is that!!!?" Loki excitedly ran towards the foreign vehicle, a motorcycle, and went around it a few times. She then immediately figured out its use from the design and the marks which the tires left on the pavement.
Loki then looked back up to Kisuke with shining eyes, "What's this!? And I want it! Give it to me!"
"This is a prototype, so I can't.", Kisuke immediately rejected her while thinking, 'You'd just kill yourself within just a few seconds of riding this.'
Kisuke then ignored her and started looking around. Locating Bell Cranel and his companions, he said to them, "Cranel-san, Arde-san was released and it looks like she went directly to your Home."
Bell and his party members' faces immediately lit up in delight and all bowed down to Kisuke, "Thank you very much! I promise to return this favor one day!" With Bell being the first one to bolt away, those beside him hurriedly followed after expressing their gratitude to him.
Miach then approached him and said, "Allow me to express our gratitude one more time. Thank you, Kisuke-kun. If there's something you need, please do not hesitate to tell me. I'll do everything within my capability to help you."
"Don't worry about it, Miach-sama. You're Hestia-sama's friend and you've helped her a lot. This much, I can do. Besides, thanks to the situation, I was also able to strike a good deal with Soma-sama~"
Miach smiled wryly and said, "Is that so? Nevertheless, my offer still stands."
"Understood. But let's get inside first. It's getting crowded around here.", proposed Kisuke and went towards the cafe's entrance.
"Is it fine to leave that here?", asked Hephaestus while pointing towards the motorcycle.
"It's fine~ No one aside from me knows how to operate it and it also weighs a lot more than what a normal Level 2 would be able to run away with."
"But a Level 3 can."
"I'd honestly want to see him carry this as he runs away. I'll even cheer for him."
"Well, if you say so."
Once they'd all sat down once again, the motorcycle outside became the center of everyone's attention and was flooded by crowds of people. The patrolling Ganesha Familia had to intervene as the people were blocking traffic and interfering with businesses along the street.
"I presume you also made that one? If so, then you've made yet another amusing thing.", Loki stated with a big grin.
Kisuke nodded, "I did make it, but just to be clear, I'm not the one who invented it. Though I'm the one behind the magic circuits that make it run."
"Alright! Spare us with the technicalities!" Hestia immediately stopped him. It'd be really hard to do so, once he gets into gear and starts explaining every little detail of his creation.
"I'd like to hear it, though?", complained Hephaestus.
"You two can have your time later!" Hestia then turned to Kisuke, "You already knew that it'd be hard kicking them out, didn't you? What did you give the Guild to make them change their mind?"
"Since kicking that many Familias out would certainly hurt Orario, I figured that the Guild would try to mediate and reduce their punishments, offering something else in return. But I don't care about whatever their offers were. They ganged up on us, so I'll have them leave this entertaining stage forever."
"Since that was the case, I offered something to the Guild that would counter the detrimental effects of them leaving. Loki-sama might have already guessed it, but I offered a negotiation regarding the production method of the four-wheeled vehicle and the two-wheeled vehicle from outside."
"So it's really as Loki said.", Hephaestus nodded in understanding, "You said negotiation. So you've meant to give its production to some other Familia?"
"Yep~ If I just hand it over for royalties, they could hire any Familia to produce these things. It would be distasteful if such a good job were to land on an unsavory Familia."
Hephaestus didn't speak further, but there was an obvious gleam in her eye. Seeing this, Kisuke chuckled, "I'll have Hephaestus-sama arrange the production line."
Hephaestus finally noticed the expression that she was making and feigned a cough to hide her embarrassment, "I'm glad to have your trust."
"By the way, you'll also need some Mages and Scholars to help the Blacksmiths creating the core parts of the production machine.", added Kisuke.
"I've got some contacts in Altena and they wouldn't dare not to come after I reveal the news to them. Since I would also need more Blacksmiths to focus on this, I'll ask for some people from Zolingham."
"That would be good. You'll also need a large plot of land outside of Orario if you want to mass-produce it and give some manpower into researching it."
"Note taken.", said Hephaestus and immediately stood up, "I'm sorry but I'd like to take my leave. The sooner I arrange this, the sooner I'll be able to tinker with those things."
Without waiting for the others' to reply, Hephaestus left the establishment.
"She's pretty excited...", muttered Hestia.
"I fully understand her. She'll be getting a new toy, after all.", replied Loki. It was very rare for a God to encounter something very new in their life, after all.
Editors:
28th00: Well, I’d be cheering on someone trying to steal a motorcycle by carrying it off, too. It’d be amusing to watch.
Alexander: Yep, I’ll bring the popcorn for such an event.
Staz Irvine
Ja A
After explaining that there would be more sustainable work coming from the production of the vehicles for Takemikazuchi and Miach's Familias like gathering raw materials and preparing acids for material processing, the two Gods left with light feet.
Although they were all in for the adventures of their children, if there was a much safer way to earn an income, they'd gladly take it. Besides, Takemikazuchi and his children came to Orario in search of someone important to them.
"So, what's the plan?", asked Loki.
"I'll leave everything to Sona-chan.", replied Kisuke as he drank his tea.
Loki furrowed her brows slightly and asked, "What about you?"
"I'll be going out of view for some time. I need to focus my attention and resources on certain projects that need to be done as soon as possible.", Kisuke then looked towards Hestia before continuing, "With that said, Hestia-sama. Take the former Apollo Familia mansion as our new base since I'll be closing the shop and locking up the underground facility."
Hestia's eyes widened in surprise and asked, "With just you in there?"
"Yep. Some things I'm going to try would be volatile and may cause some destruction, so I can't have Claire and the others stay there, otherwise, I won't be able to put my full attention and focus on what I want."
"But..."
Kisuke, however, didn't allow Hestia to finish her words, "My schedule was already pushed far behind and I want to get a few things done. Aside from that, although they could go out, I can't have Claire always staying in such a place. It isn't healthy for a child to never go outside. It would be better for her to see other people aside from us and interact with them."
For all the reasons he had, this was the main one. Since Claire was finally able to get away from her cage-like world, Kisuke intended for her to explore this one at her own pace. After making friends with Ophis and the others, the silent trauma that she had from before should have weakened and she'd finally be able to talk properly with other people this time.
By then, she should have eradicated her fear of people and would start to grow up brightly.
Kisuke was actually thanking Apollo for creating a situation like this, where he could immediately establish his Familia with a firm foundation in Orario.
It was also about time that he left the management of the Familia to Sona, making her the main decision-maker for the team. With enough time and experience, even without Kisuke, Yoruichi or Serafall, she'd be able to lead everyone, and maybe even save him from a predicament if that were to come about.
"How about the negotiations? Are you going to lock yourself up after that?", asked Loki.
"No. I'll be initiating my plans as soon as I can. Sona-chan will be the one who'll take over my position and duties. Even without me, she would do a wonderful job. And even if things get difficult, her older sister is there to support her along with everyone. Though please keep in mind that I'll explicitly ask her only to lend her knowledge and experience."
Loki immediately caught on to that and asked for clarification, "In other words, she won't be using her strength unless things get really dangerous?"
"Correct. Only if the situation is way beyond the girl's capabilities, only then would Serafall be allowed to help directly with force.", replied Kisuke.
"Even if it means not achieving their goal?", asked Hestia in a small voice.
"Yes.", answered Kisuke with a serious expression, "As Deities, you should be aware that, if a child could depend on an unconditional power at any time, things are going to get rough. It'll only breed disaster and stagnation, making them unable to escape the grip of convenience and losing the reason to strive for more."
The two Goddesses became silent but both of them agreed.
"I see, this is also one of your reasons to hide at this timing.", muttered Loki.
"Yep~ With all the eyes on us, things will inevitably become rough, so this is a good chance for growth~! Who knows? Your children might even clash with our girls."
Loki grinned and asked, "Then is it fine if I were to ask them not to hold back?"
Kisuke grinned back and answered, "That would be great~ And please do tell them that we won't interfere with Sona-chan's decisions nor do anything if they're against it."
"I'll do just that. I don't want my children to hesitate on their beliefs because they've come to fear you."
Hestia could only sigh between the two of them.
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After the celebration of their victory that night, Kisuke announced his plans. No one went against it, because they knew the importance of his creations and projects. They also thought that it would be good for Claire, if they were to live on the surface instead of the stuffy underground place where you could always hear groans of pain and raging profanities.
"Would that also mean that our training would stop?", asked Koneko.
"For the most part, yes. But you'll have to keep your daily routine of sparring. This time, without using any lethal moves or weapons. I'll also be leaving my dummies, but with toned-down mechanics."
"How should we contact you if needed?", asked Aika.
"For now, it'll only be Sera-tan who'll be able to contact me. It'll be up to her if I need to be contacted." This also meant that they couldn't contact Kisuke at all, as there should be no situation where Serafall couldn't handle it herself. And the moment Serafall uses her power, Kisuke would immediately feel it and, assuming that something troublesome has happened, stop his activities to come out.
Sona and Medusa understood this but didn't say anything. With that realization, Sona knew that she couldn't expect any help from him nor from her sister and realized the former's intentions, 'I won't betray your trust and expectations.', she thought to herself and started arranging the information inside her head to plan for the future.
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The next day, everyone, except for Kisuke, first went to the Guild to claim all of their earnings. On their way, they would catch everyone's attention and many of the looks were full of hate. However, they couldn't see the hateful figure of the man wearing a bucket hat who made them bet for the Apollo Familia's 'easy win'.
When they reached the Guild, Sona first passed Kisuke's message of returning the money of all non-Adventurers and Level 1s. Kisuke understood that almost everyone would see the game from yesterday as a riskless bet and that those who were struggling might gamble their everything for various reasons, be it for their sick family member or some other reason that could've made them choose to gamble their lifeline.
Although they didn't care if the Adventurers were to hate them, they couldn't have the normal citizens hate them for winning, too. It would be unreasonable for them to hate the Hestia Familia, but it was in people's nature to hate something they didn't like, regardless of reasons.
Strong Adventurers, on the other hand, could fend for themselves and they'd gladly take their money. Besides, the majority of the money they got from the bets was from these strong Adventurers, so it wasn't much of a loss for them.
"He doesn't strike me as a charitable man. I'm surprised he didn't take it all.", was Sophie's first words after hearing it, "Though I'm really thankful for this. It's really hard to see those devastated faces from people who gambled their everything so that they could finally help their families."
Koneko wanted to say that he wasn't doing that for the people, but for the girls to have not bad time with the citizens, however, Aika stopped her.
Editors:
28th00: Aika used common sense, it was super effective! Sera-tan is in charge now… Oh dear. Phis-chama and Claire-chan are gonna be out on the town now! I pity Orario, they were never prepared for this terrible duo.
Alexander: Personally, I’m wondering about the weak reaction of Hestia and Loki over the fact that the mad scientist is going to evacuate his family, just so that he can experiment without worrying over their safety.
Staz Irvine