˝I'm ready. Though Liz doesn't seem to be.˝ Alfred said while looking at the sobbing gnome. ˝So can this ceremony be done right away? Or does it take a long time to prepare?˝ He asked curiously.

˝Don't worry about Liz, she just needs time to process the situation. Seriously Liz, you know this won't be just all work and no play right. There will be plenty of time for you to relax and try out new sweets between quests.˝ 

Artisia said, trying to at least cheer Liz up a bit. She wasn't just being mean to Liz by sending her with Alfred, she was trying to help her live a better life. She knew all too well how boring and depressing it was to just do the same things over and over again in her divine realm.

This seemed to work, as Liz stopped sobbing and slowly walked towards Alfred. She extended her hand and said:

˝I might have a shity personality, but I do hope we get along Alfred.˝

˝We'll likely get along, since I barely have a personality and you have shity one. So this companionship will most certainly help us both improve as ˝people.˝ Alfred said while accepting the handshake.

˝Hahaha, I like this guy Artisia, he doesn't mince his words does he. Oh, and you should probably do that whole champion ceremony thing.˝ Said Liz with a big smile on her face.

´Wow big 180 there Liz.´ Artisia thought to herself before clearing her throat and speaking.

˝The ceremony can in fact be done right away, at least that is what it said in the manual. So Alfred if you can please kneel before me, then I'll begin the ceremony.˝

Alfred immediately got on one knee and awaited patiently for the ceremony to begin.

Artisia then breathed in and out a few times to calm her nerves, then started emitting her divine power around the both of them.  

˝Do you pledge yourself to me, the goddess of constructs? Will you honor my wishes and commands as well as protect and guide my worshipers in the world of Terra? Are prepared to be bound together for eternity, even in death? Do you accept these terms and conditions?˝

Alfred noded and said: ˝I pledge myself to you, the goddess of constructs Artisia. I will honor your wishes and commands. I will protect and guide your worshipers to the best of my abilities. I'm prepared to be bound together for eternity, even in death. I accept these terms and conditions.˝

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Artisia then kissed Alfred's forehead, right above his light sensors, filling his body with divine energy.

˝Arise, champion of constructs.˝ She said with a huge smile on her face. And then immediately started asking questions

˝So did it work? Do you feel any different?˝ 

˝My body seems to have gotten some sort energy boost. A gear shaped symbol has also been created on my chest, so It seems the ceremony was successful.˝ Alfred said while touching this new mark.

˝Yay!˝ Artisia then started jumping with joy. 

To Liz this ceremony seemed a little bit strange. ´Hm, I don't remember that part about being bound for eternity in the manual. Does Artisia seriously like him that much already? Wow, just wow.´ She thought to herself actually amazed at what Aritisa did.

Alfred then interupted the jumping Artisia with these important questions.

˝So does this conclude the ceremony? Or is there another step?˝

˝Actually there is one more step.˝ Artisia then pulled out a stack of papers and continued. ˝Please write your full name here. And sign here, here annnnd here. Alright that should be fine. Wait it says here your full name is Alfred Robot. Is that true?˝  

There was a long mechanical sigh and a monotone ˝Yes.˝ heard from Alfred.

˝Oh, do you maybe not like your surname that much? What does it even mean?˝ Artisia asked interested his surname.

Alfred sighed again and said: ˝It is just a way of saying construct.˝ 

˝How unoriginal, oh...˝ Artisia said worried that she might have insulted him.

˝Yes, it is very unoriginal, that's why I dislike using it.˝ Alfred sighed again.

˝Well I think it's kinda cute having a surname like that.˝ The goddess of constructs of course liked that kind of thing.

˝Well at least someone likes it, I guess.˝  Alfred just shrugged, putting some mechanical joints back in the correct place with a crack.

Liz was just standing there thinking ´What's with this weird atmosphere, am I some sort of third wheel or something.´ 

˝Hey, so how about you explain where exactly on Terra you will send us to Artisia.˝

Artisia snaped out of her trance and started scratching the back of her head.

˝Ah right, forgot about that, hehe. Well the portal I'm about to summon will send you to the Felis forrest near the edge of the Panthera Empire. Liz you already know this, but it is an empire ruled by Cat and Lion people, there is also one of my faithful worshipers in their capital.˝ She then started opening a portal.

˝So how will we know in what direction we'll have to go? Will you give us a map or something like that¨ Asked Liz sceptically.

˝Nope, sorry can't give you stuff like that. I will give you some basic suplies so you can camp in the woods and stuff, you will find these placed outside your starting location. All you will have to do is follow the river near the portal to get to a small town, from there you can get directions to the capital.˝ 

This didn't really fill Liz with happiness, she was't really looking forward to camping or hiking or anything like that. Alfred on the other hand was interested in camping for the first time.

˝Fine, I guess we should go now Alfred. See ya Artisia, I'll try to send you some sweets from time to time. Once I forgive you for sending me to forced labour though.˝ Liz said while waving goodbye to her co-workers. The dwarf that was previously cleaning around the throne was thinking to himself ´It's gonna be so quiet without her.´ while crying.

˝Alright, thank you for everything Artisia. I will do my best to be a worthy champion.˝ Alfred proudly announced. 

˝Make sure to look out for each other, and Liz try to work hard. Also Alfred make sure to pray to me from time to time. Since you're my champion, I will be able to talk to you directly like that. Oh, and make sure to say ´System: Info´ when you get out of the portal.˝ Artisia said with a sad smile, regretting not being able to go with them.

Alfred and Liz then stepped through the portal and were greeted by a beautiful forrest illuminated by the bright midday sun. They looked around for danger, thankfully finding no visible danger Liz immediately went to check what kind of food was given to them in the supply pack.

Alfred on the other hand decided that the most logical thing to do was to say: ˝System: Info˝