Danmachi: The Quiet Reincarnate

Author: Thanks for waiting,the bonus chapter is here!

ENJOY!

IF WE REACH 400 POWER STONE THEN ANOTHER BONUS CHAPTER!

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Cael found himself in a peculiar predicament. On one hand, his own Goddess, Hestia, was clinging to him, her face intimately pressed against his chest, a clear sign of her overwhelming joy. On the other, the formidable Goddess of the Forge, Hephaestus, was glaring at him with an intensity that, despite his calm demeanor, made him feel a subtle ripple of unease.

He was a little overwhelmed by the sudden surge of emotions and physical closeness, but his expression remained perfectly serene, a polite smile gracing his lips. With practiced gentleness, he carefully lowered Hestia to her feet.

Hestia let out a small, aggrieved sound of protest as her feet touched the ground, but her irritation vanished instantly when Cael, with a comforting gesture, placed his hand on her head, gently ruffling her hair. Her eyes softened, and a contented sigh escaped her.

His duty to Hestia momentarily fulfilled, Cael then shifted his deep blue gaze towards Hephaestus. The moment their eyes met, Hephaestus flinched, a subtle, almost imperceptible tremor running through her.

The unconscious pull of Grace of the Hollow Star intensified, a silent, magnetic force that drew her attention, making her hyper-sensitive to every minute movement Cael made. It was as if his every gesture, his every breath, was the most interesting and captivating thing in the entire world.

Cael, utterly unaware of the profound effect he was having, simply offered her another polite, appreciative smile. This, however, only served to make things worse for Hephaestus.

Her heart began to pound faster, a frantic rhythm against her ribs. An uncharacteristic wave of shyness washed over her, and she quickly averted her gaze, her cheeks flushing a faint red. So strong was her embarrassment that she instinctively moved a hand in front of her visible eye, as if to shield her face from his unassuming presence.

Cael, seeing her unusual reaction, was a little confused. He maintained his polite smile, his mind quietly processing the situation.

'She seems… shy? I have to somehow thank her properly for the sword and for being kind to Goddess. I think a kiss on her hand would do, like a formal, respectful gesture.'

His decision made, Cael moved forward with fluid, unhesitating grace. He gently took Hephaestus's hand, his touch making her feel unnaturally vulnerable, a gasp catching in her throat.

But the next action of his made her faint.

Cael placed his lips on her hand, a soft, respectful gesture.

"Thank you, Goddess Hephaestus," he murmured, his voice low and sincere, "for being kind to my Goddess and me."

He knew his touch would nullify her divinity; he had intended to use this ability, perhaps, to surprise her and soften her heart, a unique way of expressing gratitude. But he didn't expect her to suddenly faint.

With quick, practiced reactions, Cael grabbed her by the waist, not letting her fall to the ground. He lifted her effortlessly into a princess carry.

'Is she tired?' Cael thought, his brow furrowing slightly in concern.

'I only saw a girl falling unconscious due to over excitement in the anime, but in my world, it would happen when someone is hit in the face.'

Naturally, Cael concluded Hephaestus must be tired for working for a whole week, the idea of her in love with him seemed impossible to him, since his mindset was still the same as in his original world and he was not someone attractive or something right? He was the same person he was in his own world, he was athletic and a simple man with his own set of principles.

A girl falling in love with him with just a smile is nothing but fantasy, but the same could not be said for a man, a man can and has fallen in love with a women from just a smile... many times over.

Cael now carrying her with a worried, yet still calm, expression.

'She is very light,' the thought came to Cael's mind as he looked at the overwhelmed, faintly blushing face of Hephaestus, who was now utterly unconscious in his arms.

Cael turned to look at Hestia, seeking guidance, but he saw her frowning, a deep crease between her brows, confusing him. She then sighed, forcing a smile onto her face, a clear effort to mask her true feelings.

Hestia's mind raced, a tumultuous storm of emotions.

'I've never seen Hephaestus like that. It must be his skill affecting her, and even I am not spared. I feared this situation from the start.'

During the weeks both Hephaestus and Cael worked on the sword, Hestia had observed the changes. Every time she came to check on their progress, she saw the subtle shift in Hephaestus's expression whenever she came close to Cael.

It was evident her friend was deeply affected by Cael's skill.

'I hate this feeling,' Hestia thought, clutching her heart, a sharp pang of jealousy piercing her.

'Even me, a Goddess, couldn't resist the attraction, and I thought Hephaestus, with her strong will and pragmatic nature, wouldn't be affected. Perhaps no living being, divine or mortal, can truly resist him.'

The more close you were, the more time you spent with him, the more it attracted you, like an invisible, insidious current.

"It is truly a curse," Hestia mumbled to herself, her head low as she bit her lip, the jealousy brewing inside her, hot and undeniable.

She wanted him to herself, alone, away from all these other goddesses and women who would inevitably fall under his spell.

Cael, oblivious to the turmoil in his Goddess's mind, took Hephaestus to her bedroom. The room was surprisingly neat for a forge master, with blueprints and metal samples neatly stacked on a small desk.

He carefully placed her on the bed, ensuring she was comfortable.

He then noticed a pen and paper on the desk and, remembering his earlier thought, quickly scribbled a few words of gratitude, a simple, heartfelt note for her. After placing it on her bedside table, he quietly exited the room and went to his Goddess, who still had her head low, lost in thought.

Cael, looking at her bowed head, a faint smile touched his lips.

'She must be jealous because I picked up Hephaestus, haha.'

Cael, amused by what he perceived as his Goddess's childish and endearing actions, chuckled softly, a low rumble in his chest.

Hestia, still deep in her thoughts, was suddenly picked up by her child. Her eyes widened in shock, then her cheeks flushed a deep red, and an overwhelming wave of happiness washed over her.

She was utterly shocked and extremely happy at the same time, the sudden embrace a potent balm to her troubled heart.

"Don't worry, Goddess," Cael said, holding her securely, his voice a steady, comforting presence.

"I will not leave you. You will be my only Goddess." Cael's words that were inherintanly to just make her not feel sad was taken as something of declaration of love by Hestia.

Hestia looked at him with wide, glistening eyes as tears began to fall freely, though her smile remained radiant, a mixture of pure joy and profound relief.

"I don't know, Cael, but I am so happy!" she exclaimed, her voice thick with emotion.

She suddenly wrapped her arms around his neck and furiously hugged him, burying her face into his shoulder.

She lifted her face then looked at Cael for a few intimate seconds and then hugged him even more furiously. 

"Goddess, I can't breathe," Cael managed to gasp, getting delightfully suffocated by her ample mounds, but he made no move to pull away, he was enjoying the feeling, he was still a man.

Hestia, though crying tears of happiness, still felt the gnawing feeling within her, a tiny, persistent seed of dread amidst the joy.

'Oh, Cael,' she thought, deepening the hug, clinging to him as if to ward off the inevitable,

'If you didn't have that ability, I wouldn't be feeling so jealous. But you poor child, it is as if the world wants to make your life a living mess, drawing everyone to you, and making me feel so... possessive.'

She held him tighter, her unique, cursed, and utterly precious Familia member.