Forge and Steel

"It was a pleasure having you accompany me today, my dear Pyr."

Late at night, at the entrance of Folkvangr, the residence of the Freya Familia, Freya, Ottar, and Pyrion walked together toward the exit. Freya clung naturally to Pyrion's arm, ignoring any discomfort from the young blacksmith, while Ottar followed a few steps behind, his imposing presence silent as ever.

"I also enjoyed the meal, Freya," Pyrion finally replied with a faint smile. Despite his initial nerves, he had managed to relax during dinner, savoring the exquisite dishes Freya claimed had been specially prepared for him.

Fortunately for him, Freya had acted like a proper lady for the rest of the evening, allowing him to feel somewhat at ease while they dined together.

"Oh, darling, I'm glad you did. I'll make sure you have plenty more opportunities to dine here," Freya responded with a smile that mixed sweetness with mischief.

Pyrion let out a small, nervous laugh, trying to avoid the goddess's gaze. "Thank you... but there's no need to go to so much trouble for me."

"Nonsense," Freya replied, tightening her grip on Pyrion's arm with a radiant smile.

"Hehe... By the way, Ottar, I hope you liked your weapon," Pyrion said, hoping to change the subject as he glanced at the silent warrior.

"The weapon is perfect, Pyrion-san. It is an honor to wield such a masterpiece," Ottar replied. Although he was a man of few words, his tone carried a passion that clearly conveyed how impressed he was with the blacksmith's work.

"You see? Even the ever-serious Ottar is impressed," Freya added with a soft laugh, gently squeezing Pyrion's arm. "It's no wonder, coming from the best blacksmith in Orario."

Pyrion felt a faint blush rise to his cheeks. "Freya, you're exaggerating... I'm just doing my job as best as I can."

Freya looked at him with a gaze full of admiration. "Fufu, my dear Pyr, the perfection of your work is undeniable. Just by seeing the spirit emanating from this weapon, anyone can tell it's worthy of admiration, even by the gods."

Pyrion scratched his neck, feeling a bit awkward at the direct praise. "I appreciate your words, Freya."

"Fufu, I'll always have endless praises for my little Pyr. Remember, your biggest fan will always be me," Freya said with a charming smile, a hint of tenderness in her tone.

Pyrion sighed, showing a resigned smile. "Freya... sometimes I think you say these things just to tease me."

"Tease you? Never!" she replied, feigning indignation before letting out a giggle. "It's simply my way of showing how much I admire you."

"Sure... whatever you say," he responded, lightly shaking his head while a small smile lingered on his face.

"It's late, Freya. My goddess must be worried," Pyrion said as he looked at the moon high in the sky. He had lost track of time and knew that if he didn't hurry back, he'd definitely get scolded by Hephaistos.

"What a shame," Freya sighed with feigned regret, shaking her head as she looked up at him with a mischievous pout. "By the way, won't you say a proper goodbye?"

"A proper goodbye?" Pyrion looked at her in confusion, wondering what the goddess was planning now.

"Of course!" A playful smile appeared on Freya's face before she replied in a sweet tone. "After preparing such a special dinner for us, don't I deserve at least a little kiss? ...On my cheek, of course."

"This..." Pyrion felt a sudden nervousness at seeing the mischievous expression on Freya's face.

"Won't you do it? Not even a little kiss after all the effort I went through?" Freya exclaimed, exaggerating an expression of sadness and disappointment. She lowered her head, pretending to be hurt, letting out a soft sigh that seemed to come from her soul.

"Well, I... if it's just a little kiss, I guess I can do it," Pyrion murmured, surrendering to Freya's theatrical skill. Even though he knew he was likely falling into her trap, he felt unable to refuse.

Freya lifted her gaze, a spark of triumph gleaming in her eyes. She turned slightly to offer her cheek, placing a hand gently on her face to emphasize the gesture.

Looking at Freya's tender cheek, Pyrion gathered the courage to give his first kiss.

Taking a deep breath, Pyrion leaned toward Freya. Although he couldn't help feeling awkward, he decided to get it over with quickly. Moving his lips toward Freya's cheek, he tried not to focus on the sweet, intoxicating scent emanating from the goddess.

However, at the last second, Freya turned her face, causing Pyrion's lips to meet hers directly.

Pyrion's eyes widened in shock, while Freya closed hers, prolonging the kiss with a softness that seemed completely calculated.

After a few seconds, Pyrion felt Freya's tongue attempting to press forward. Instantly awakening, he pulled away quickly, his face completely flushed with embarrassment. "F-Freya! What are you doing?" he exclaimed, unable to hide his surprise.

Freya let out a mischievous giggle, bringing a hand to her lips as if savoring the moment. "Oh, darling, it was an accident... or perhaps destiny?" she replied in a teasing tone, her eyes sparkling with satisfaction.

"That was no accident!" Pyrion retorted, still trying to process what had just happened.

"Well, don't be like that, Pyr," Freya said with a charming smile. "Consider it a parting gift, something to remember this special night."

Pyrion sighed, placing a hand over his face as he tried to regain his composure.

*There goes my first kiss... in this life and in the past*, he thought in disbelief. Licking his lips, he noticed a faint taste of wine and strawberries. *Delicious.*

Shaking his head vigorously, he tried to dispel those perverted thoughts. "You, Freya... Forget it! I'm going home. Have a good night," Pyrion said, wanting to argue but lacking the courage to do so. He could only turn away, embarrassed.

Now he had to go home and sort through his thoughts about this humiliating evening.

...

"Fufu, Ottar... would you believe me if I told you that was my first kiss?"

Once Pyrion had left, Freya's face, which had just been full of mischief and satisfaction, unexpectedly softened. A faint blush colored her cheeks, and her eyes, usually brimming with confidence and certainty, now held an uncommon vulnerability.

"I always believe in you, my goddess," Ottar replied without a moment's hesitation. His tone carried sincerity and devotion.

Freya chuckled softly at his response, shaking her head lightly. "I don't know why I ask you such things, Ottar... I already know what your answer will be."

After a few seconds of silence, Freya lifted her gaze, her eyes following Pyrion's figure as it faded into the shadows of the night. A mix of passionate desire and an unexpectedly tender sweetness shone in her gaze.

"What do you think of Pyrion, Ottar?" Freya asked casually, though her eyes remained fixed on the blacksmith's retreating figure.

"He is a worthy man, Freya-sama. Strong, dedicated... and with a will of steel," Ottar said, his tone neutral as always, though laced with respect.

"Fufu, Pyrion is exactly as you describe," Freya murmured with a soft smile. Without looking away, her divine eyes focused on Pyrion's soul.

Before her, she saw a flame burning as brightly as the sun. Powerful and vibrant, Pyrion's essence glowed with an intensity that eclipsed any other Freya had ever witnessed. It was a pure, untamed fire, blazing with determination and unyielding willpower.

Freya let out a soft sigh, regaining her breath. "It's... beautiful," she murmured to herself. Freya couldn't recall how many times she'd been mesmerized by Pyrion's brilliance.

Ottar, with his usual calmness, watched his goddess without needing to ask what she meant. He knew that look in her eyes—the gleam of someone who had found something unique, something they could not ignore.

"What do you wish to do with him, Freya-sama?" Ottar asked, his tone as neutral as ever but his words heavy with seriousness.

Freya let out a soft chuckle, her smile taking on a mischievous and resolute edge. "Oh, Ottar, isn't it obvious? I want to make him mine... completely mine."

"Do you need my help, Freya-sama?" Ottar responded instantly, without a second's hesitation or stopping to consider the possible implications of his goddess's words.

"Fufu, always so helpful, my dear Ottar... But don't worry about that. I'm in no hurry. If there's one thing Pyrion and I have, it's time," Freya replied with a mysterious tone, her words carrying a meaning only she understood as she began to walk toward her residence.

"Understood," Ottar said, bowing his head slightly. Though he didn't fully grasp the meaning of his goddess's words, he would never question her. With steady steps, he followed Freya into the depths of Folkvangr.

---

Hephaestus Familia Residence

"So... tell us, little stray cat, do you have any excuse for this behavior?"

Inside the goddess Hephaestus room, Pyrion sat in a chair, his expression oscillating between boredom and resignation. Standing before him were the goddess Hephaestus and Tsubaki, both looking at him with clear signs of displeasure.

Tsubaki had her arms crossed, her gaze sharp and carrying a hint of menace. Beside her, Hephaestus observed him with a raised eyebrow and a slight frown, her irritation evident.

"I already told you, Tsubaki," Pyrion replied, letting out a long sigh as he massaged his temples, as if trying to ward off a headache. "I went to deliver Ottar's order to Freya's residence. That's all."

"Liar!"

Before he could react, Tsubaki stepped forward, grabbing Pyrion by the collar of his haori with impressive strength and effortlessly lifting him out of the chair.

"Do you really expect me to believe that, huh? What kind of delivery takes that long? And why did I hear that Freya herself escorted you to her door like you were her boyfriend?" she growled, shaking the blacksmith lightly as if he were a rag doll.

"Tsubaki, please! Let me go!" Pyrion exclaimed, now dangling in the air. "I'm telling you the truth! Nothing weird happened!"

Hephaestus, who had remained silent, clicked her tongue as she observed the scene with crossed arms. Finally, she let out a sigh and spoke in a tone that mixed irritation and exhaustion. "Tsubaki, let him go. We won't get anywhere if you strangle him."

"But, Hephaestus..." Tsubaki protested, though she complied, letting Pyrion drop back into his chair with a soft plop.

"Thank you!" Pyrion huffed, straightening his clothes as he threw a reproachful look at the captain. "Do you always have to use force?"

"Only when you're acting like a scoundrel," Tsubaki replied coldly, crossing her arms again.

Hephaestus, clearly tired of the situation, shook her head and fixed her gaze on Pyrion. "Alright, Pyrion. Then tell me, what were you doing at Freya's residence?"

Faced with his goddess's interrogation, Pyrion sighed again and shrugged. "I already said, Hephaestus, I went to deliver Ottar's order. That's all."

"Tsubaki, grab him again!" With a tone full of irritation, Hephaestus swiftly gestured to Tsubaki.

"Eh?" Startled by the sudden outburst from his goddess, Pyrion watched in horror as Tsubaki stepped toward him.

"With pleasure!" With a satisfied grin, Tsubaki wasted no time grabbing Pyrion by the collar of his haori again, lifting him as easily as if he were a sack of potatoes.

"Hephaestus! This is familia abuse!" Pyrion shouted, flailing as he tried to free himself from Tsubaki's unyielding grip.

"Call it what you want, but I'm not going to sleep until you confess," the goddess responded, her gaze firm.

"I already confessed everything there is to confess!" Pyrion babbled, his tone desperate as he continued to kick helplessly in the air.

"Oh, really?" Hephaestus gritted her teeth, stepping forward with an angry expression. She pointed an accusatory finger at Pyrion while Tsubaki kept him immobilized in the air. "Then tell me, Pyrion! If you supposedly just delivered Ottar's weapon, why are you drenched in that woman's scent—Freya's?"

"Eh?" Pyrion blinked, confused for a moment, before the meaning of Hephaestus words hit him like a brick. "That doesn't make any sense! I didn't—!"

Before he could finish, Hephaestus grabbed one of his ears and tugged it firmly, causing Pyrion to yelp in pain. "Ow, goddess! That hurts!"

"Of course it hurts, you little stray brat!" Hephaestus snapped, keeping her grip tight. "What did you do to end up smelling like Freya? Did you roll around on her couch? Did she hug you for hours? Speak up! ...Or worse, did you let her tempt you?!"

"None of that!" Pyrion exclaimed, waving his hands frantically in surrender. "It was just a normal goodbye! I didn't do anything weird, I swear!"

"A normal goodbye?" Tsubaki chimed in with a smirk full of ridicule, shaking him slightly. "That sounds pretty suspicious, don't you think, goddess?"

Hephaestus nodded with a low growl. "Definitely suspicious. And considering we're talking about Freya..."

"Nothing improper happened!" Pyrion insisted, trying to keep his composure as his dignity crumbled. "She just gave me a little hug to thank me for Ottar's weapon!"

"Hmm... Are you sure that's all that happened?" Hephaestus narrowed her eyes as she finally released his ear, though her expression remained filled with doubt.

"Yes, that's all that happened!" Pyrion insisted, his face flushed as he struggled to maintain a serious expression. "I didn't do anything improper, goddess, I swear."

For a moment, the room fell silent, the tension rising as Hephaestus stared at him intently. Finally, she adopted a neutral expression, her tone low but filled with intent. "Pyrion... you know I'm a goddess, right?"

"Eh? Of course..." Pyrion responded, puzzled by the sudden change in the conversation.

A flash of anger crossed Hephaestus face, and her teeth clenched as her brows furrowed deeply. "Then you must know that, as a goddess, I can detect the lies of mortals!"

Pyrion swallowed hard, a cold sweat running down his back.

"And right now, my senses are screaming that you're lying!" Hephaestus declared, pointing an accusatory finger at him.

"Hephaestus, I..."

"Tsubaki, squeeze him harder!"

"With pleasure!"

"Ahhh! You two are sadists!"

"You're not leaving here until you talk!"

"Help!"