Danmachi: Westward Cloud [Complete]

[Vol.4] Quest 333- Preparing For The Three

Later that day.

Cirrus’ workshop is in the eastern section of the city.

"Cirrus I went and brought Artemis, Loki, Freya, Ganesha, Hermes, Hephaestus, and Hestia." Said Circe.

Clang!!

Clang!!

"Thank you." Cirrus was hammering away at a weapon. "You can let them in. (Sing)."

Crackle!!

Crackle!!

Electricity coursed through and changed the metal. The doors open, and the gods enter.

They enter to see Cirrus sweating and hammering away.

"What brought about this nice sight~," said Freya, admiring Cirrus’s body.

"I asked you all here too—psshhh!!!" He quenched the blade. "Tell you that the Behemoth and Leviathan are back."

"…" Everyone didn’t make a face.

"If you called us all the way here for a joke, it’s not a very good one," Loki said.

"I am not joking. Ouranos has detected that the cinders of the corrupted flame of heaven have found their way to suitable hosts."

"Nonsense!" said Hestia. "If the flame was still around, I would feel it!"

"And Ouranos would have informed you and the Guild of it far sooner." Said Freya.

"Yes, it is hard to believe Ouranos, who is the watcher of Gekai, did not notice this," Said Ganesha.

"It is because of the very nature of the flame that he found it hard to detect until recently." Said Vesta, appearing from the forge. "Before it was purified, the corrupted flame was a mass of hatred and evil of humanity. Now, after its champion was slain, it evolved, mutated to hide away, and grew. For Ouranos, he had to actively search and fine-tune his detection to even feel them."

"Then the beasts are back," said Hephaestus. "Is that why you are getting back into smithing shape?"

"I am, and I plan on making weapons out of that." He points to a table where they went and saw the broken fragments of Ethon.

"This…this is a divine weapon! Cirrus, where did you get it!" shouted Hestia.

"From the former wielder, Epimetheus. I broke it with mine, and I took it with me as a prize."

"He took it in case he might have to use it as material one day, and leaving it behind was something I was highly against." Said Vesta.

"…How many can you make?" asked Artemis.

"Hmm. They may—will enough for the strongest in Orario, but they will be mixed in with other metals."

"Then I shall go and send out hunting party."

"Coordinate with the Guild." Cirrus added. "They have been sitting on this for a while. "

"Hm." Artemis nods. "I'll also contact Susanoo, Poseidon, and Chang’e. We will need the ships of their respective countries to try and find the Leviathan."

"For the Leviathan speak to Ouranos on the finer details. The Poseidon Familia have been unknowingly looking for it for years."

"!!" Artemis eyes widen. "It's near Yamato..." Artemis takes a deep breath. "Hm. I will speak with Ouranos more on tracking that beast in particular."

"Then what of the most dangerous one!? You know the Black Dragon!" shouted Hestia.

"Who knows, but I would like contact with the other cities in the world."

"I will do that," Hermes said, stepping up.

"There is a box of Oculus over there." Cirrus points to a crate. "They will connect to the one at the main guild here in Orario. I made so many as to create a web of connectivity; given the nature of this, I quickly dropped all my work and finished it, so there may be some kinks in it that Asfi may fix."

"I’ll be off then." Hermes quickly left, taking the box and handing one to the gods in attendance.

"Oh, before you guys leave, I want to ask you all about getting some extra hands."

"Who?" Hermes stopped right as he was gonna leave.

"The Xeno. This will be the greatest opportunity for them to make their first mark on history."

"What exactly are you thinking?" Freya asked.

"A reissuing of the Three Great Quests. The Xeno’s contributions will give them a reputation that no one can deny. They would gain the recognition of heroes."

The god's eyes flickered with amazement.

"A new era..." Hermes grinned.

"One where man and Xeno coexist," Hephaestus said.

"A world of more possibilities," Loki said.

"Hahaha!!" Ganesha laughed boldly. "As Neo Ganesha, I will be sure to make all happy!!"

"We will go and call a Denatus," Hestia said. "We will get the other gods on board."

"I will leave that up to you guys," Hermes said, walking away. "The world will need to know."

Hermes briskly walked away.

"I’ll be off as well, Cirrus," Artemis said. "I’ll be sure to send someone for food and water," Artemis said, leaving after Hermes.

"Shall we inform our Familia’s?" asked Loki.

"Yes, have your children prepare, whether it be finally achieving that feat to level up or just raising basic stats. Now is the time. That goes for you, Hestia, and Freya. Ganesha I actually want your Familia to work with Hephaestus to improve the city’s defenses. The last thing we want is for the city to be in trouble."

"We will get it done! If my name isn’t NEO GANESHA!!!!" he shouted without doing a pose and simply left with a stride in his step.

"Hm, I will go and inform the other Smithing Familia’s of this," Hephaestus said, taking her leave as well.

"I’ll be going as well to inform my Familia, Loki, and Hestia. I’ll also be asking the Medicinal Familia for potions." Said Freya.

"Then I’ll have mine go and get material. Shrimp, what do you plan on doing?" Loki looked at Hestia.

"Hmm… I will first go and inform my Familia and go to Ouranos." Hestia said. "I want to see if I can’t find the Black Dragon now that it has the flame. From there, I will call a Denatus and have my children help your children with gathering material for the Medicinal Familia’s."

"Now you sound like a competent goddess!!" Loki said in a mocking tone.

"Of course!! If I didn’t get better, I would shame my children!"

As the three goddesses left, Cirrus spoke up.

"Loki." She turned around. "Tell Ais to meet me here." He glanced at her, and she nodded. "I have something for her."

"Alright." Loki nods and leaves.

With all of them gone, Circe remained.

"I should go. I have potions to make," Circe said.

"Before you go, I have a request for you." Cirrus glanced at her.

"What is it?"

"I want you to—"

A while later, Ais came to his workshop.

"Cirrus!" She burst through the door. "Is it true!"

Having known Ais since she was 9 years old, she had grown up to be a great beauty and, eventually, a mother as well.

"It is true," Cirrus said, taking out a weapon from the forge.

"Then is that a—"

"It’s not a divine weapon; it’s a normal iron sword. I’m merely getting back into form."

She goes to take a seat. Ethon caught her eye.

"This... you're going to use his weapon?" She turns to Cirrus.

"I am, but as you can see, it is fairly big, but it’s not enough for everyone, so only a few will have Divine Weapons."

"…" She grabs her sword, Desperate, and the one Cirrus made for her when he left Orario. She held both out. "Then can you use these as material for a divine blade?"

Cirrus could see the look in her eyes. They were fully ready to fight to the death.

"I don’t like that look you have on. I know you wish to kill it, but know that you have a family now, a child of your own blood."

"!" Her expression changed, and she lowered her swords. "I…I’m sorry. I was blinded by the thought of... you know? After everything, my goal, my purpose, is right before my eyes."

"That’s fine, but I think it’s good you are sending off these weapons; a weapon with the name of Desperate, well, that’s not a name fit for a person who is going to kill that one-eyed fuck." He said with a smile. "Put them over there. I’ll make you your weapon first."

"T-thank you!!"

"But, uh, you should say sorry to the guy who made you Desperate, I will be destroying and making it."

"Hm!" She nods.

"Oh, and um, tell Bell to come here as well. I have to tell him something."

"I understand." She nods again.

Another while later, Bell showed up.

"Ooh!" Bell looked around, amazed. "Is this your workshop?"

"It is," Cirrus said, taking a break. "Bell, I asked you here to tell you something."

"Okay? Is it about the Three Great Quests being reissued?"

"Yes, but mostly about the plan with the Xenos."

"What about them?" He took a seat.

"Well, you are going to be the one to be their hero."

"… Eh?"

"Bell, it’s time for you to step forward as a hero."

"B-but—Really!?" Bell said, nervous and flustered.

"Yes, what is going to happen is that the Xeno will need someone to vouch for them. You are the captain of the Hestia Familia, a rescue-type Familia that has saved countless people. You will be the Xeno’s ambassador."

"… I… I don’t know what to say." Bell felt a pressure on his shoulder unlike any he had ever felt—the weight of an entire race.

"You will be fine. Unless you want me to actually kick your ass again?" Cirrus took a bite of his food.

"No, no, I’m fine!"

"You sure? I can help you reach level 9, you know?"

"Well..." he scratched his head. "Can I ask why you aren’t going to do it? You have more fame than me?"

"Because, Bell, I have faith that you would do a better job than me. Besides, I feel… I feel like I won’t be around for long."

Bell immediately spoke up. Offend by the thought.

"Don’t say that! I have seen you do great things!!"

"I appreciate your faith in me, but... I will be facing the Black Dragon."

"But you won’t be going against it alone!"

Cirrus took a moment to think about the situation and its possibilities.

‘Given my luck, I would probably have to face the Black Dragon...

"Depending on how everything goes, I am not sure."

His words reminded Bell of the time he was turned into a boy. He had an underlying tone of defeatism.

"Do you think you're gonna die?"

"…"

Silence filled the room.

"Yes," Cirrus said bluntly. "I expect that I will… die."

Anger built in Bell.

"You will not die." A sternness fueled his words. "I won’t let that happen."

"I would love to see you do that. But… the bells are tolling in the distance, the clock ticks closer to the 12th hour."

"Do not say that; you have—!?" Bell understood why he wanted him to be the Xeno’s ambassador. "Do… do you want me to take over for you?"

"You finally caught on." Cirrus smiled. "Bell, I have known you have a skill that boosts your growth."

"!?" Bell shudders. "How... when did you know?"

"When I returned to Orario after seven years, Royman, the Guild Head. He forcibly took your Guild Advisor’s records on your level-up model. Your growth is insane, but you really wasted those early levels. I chalk that up to your goddess and your inability to keep a secret."

"…" Bell acknowledges that fact about himself. "So, have you been sitting on this for years?"

"More or less. I informed the Guild that they needed to nurture and grow you to be able to match me. Hence why you and your Familia have progressively been getting harder and harder quests."

"… So? Have I lived up to your expectations?"

"Somewhat. Truthfully, Bell, you are not suited to be an adventurer."

His words stung Bell deeply as if a dagger had struck his heart. After so many years, he still saw Cirrus as a figure to look up to.

"I… I am sorry I—"

"I’m not finished talking. You are not suited to be an adventurer but far more suited to be a hero."

"!!!"

In an instant, his words purged the painful stings from his heart.

"I... you think I am suited to be a hero? R-really!" He said with stars in his eyes.

"Yes. I knew this back when I came to the village. You are a kind and pure soul. The life of an adventurer doesn’t fit you. You should be traveling and saving lives, rescuing people from danger, and making the world peaceful one day at a time. That is what I see in you."

Bell couldn’t help but feel proud. Noticed by one, he looks up to see that he is capable of being the hero he so wished to be.

But that doesn’t excuse his belief in his death.

"Cirrus, promise me!" Bell spoke boldly. "Promise me that you will live, not for yourself but for your wives and kids."

A sense of seriousness washes over Cirrus. Bell knew that, as a father and husband, Cirrus would not make his loved ones cry.

"You have some fucking balls to say that."

Bell walked over to one of Cirrus’ shelves and grabbed a dagger.

"Promise me." Bell walked up to Cirrus, and he cut his own palm. "Grandpa told me that Spirits make contracts through blood; even if I am not a spirit, you know the significance of a contract. So promise me."

Cirrus looked at him before smiling.

"Hahaha!!" Cirrus chuckled a bit. "You certainly have matured, Bell." Cirrus took the dagger, cleaned it off, and cut his own palm. "Very well, I Cirrus Zephyr. Promise that I will live for my wives and kids."

"And I promise to be the hero you see in me!"

The two clasp hands, making a contract with one another.

"Good, I will inform you of the plan for how this is going to go down."

"Hm!"

Cirrus told Bell how he wanted this ordeal to go down, and Bell agreed to it.

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