"Wow, there are so many people here this morning."
During her lunch break, Hestia, who had been working non-stop at Hephaestus's shop, finally had a moment to relax.
"Around this time, Adventurers usually start coming in to maintain their weapons. That's also when the shop gets the busiest."
"Geez, but maintenance isn't the same as buying weapons! Why is it so crowded this early?"
"You idiot. Do you think weapon maintenance can be done right away? I only have so many children in my Familia, and not all of them can handle maintenance work."
Blacksmiths and Adventurers go hand in hand. Blacksmiths forge and maintain weapons, while Adventurers use them to make a name for themselves in the Dungeon.
However, not every blacksmith is willing to take on just any client.
There are some Level 3 and Level 4 Adventurers in Hephaestus's Familia, but they generally don't take random orders. Only the Level 2 blacksmiths who need experience are less picky.
Even so, high-level blacksmiths in Hephaestus's Familia are limited, so reservations are required in advance.
The higher the level of the blacksmith, the more reservations they tend to have.
Take Tsubaki Collbrande for example, the captain of Hephaestus's Familia. As a Level 5 blacksmith, she undoubtedly has the most requests. But she usually only handles orders from the major Familia.
It's not about arrogance—it's just that she's only one person.
A single blacksmith simply can't take on too much work.
There's only so much one person can do.
That's why this period always ends up being incredibly busy at Hephaestus's shop, with an overwhelming number of orders for forging and maintenance.
And that's exactly why Hestia had been swamped all morning—this was her responsibility.
Hephaestus looked over at Hestia, who seemed a little gloomy, and immediately guessed the reason.
"You're not in a great mood today. Did something happen to your child?"
"Of course not."
Hestia shot her a glare. Hephaestus never missed a chance to make a snide comment.
"Bell is perfectly healthy."
"It's just... he's been throwing himself into training lately. He didn't even sleep at all last night. I'm worried that if this keeps up, it's going to seriously affect his health."
"Oh?"
Hephaestus raised an eyebrow, clearly surprised.
"That kid always seemed calm and cautious, very aware of how dangerous Orario can be."
"For someone like that to suddenly start chasing power... his goal must be enormous."
Back when they first met, Hephaestus had already noticed that Bell wasn't one to care about honor or power. So what had lit this fire inside a boy who once had so little ambition?
In the end, it all came down to setting a goal so lofty that only through sheer effort could he hope to reach it.
Once that happened, changing his lifestyle was only natural.
And looking at this hopeless idiot, Hephaestus didn't need an explanation to figure out that Bell was doing it all for Hestia, that fool.
"The goal... really is a bit too grand."
Even Hestia struggled to describe just how far Bell was aiming.
After all, his goal was Level 10—a height no Adventurer in Orario had ever reached.
"So even you think it's a big deal, huh?"
Hephaestus couldn't even begin to picture how huge that goal was.
She already knew something special had started to grow between Hestia and Bell—just like so many other goddesses who returned to Tenkai—but even her imagination wasn't wild enough to guess what his goal really was.
"Hestia, whatever his goal is, you need to talk some sense into him."
"A goal is something you reach step by step. If he can't take care of his own health, how is he supposed to take care of you?"
Hestia, sitting on a stool with her chin resting in her hands, swung her slippered feet lazily. She pouted—she wasn't blind to the fact that Bell pushing himself like this wasn't good for his body. But she also understood his desire to keep getting stronger.
After all, the goal he set from the beginning was far too ambitious.
Just one look, and Hephaestus could see the uncertainty and helplessness on Hestia's face. It was clear this idiot had no idea how to bring it up.
"Hestia, just talk it through properly with Bell."
"The body is the foundation for progress. If that foundation crumbles, there's no point in continuing forward."
After saying that, Hephaestus gave a dismissive wave.
"That's it for your work today. You can head home."
"Huh? But isn't there still the afternoon shift? You said this morning that it would be even tougher."
"I'm giving you a half-day off today—for that kid's sake."
"Yay! Hephaestus, you're the best!"
Overjoyed, Hestia jumped up from her seat.
Since she was being let off early, there was no need to hold back.
Bell had just gone to bed when she left earlier, and now she was genuinely worried that staying up all night might have affected his health.
Without even bothering to change out of her work clothes, Hestia pushed open the door and rushed out.
"I'll wear my work clothes back tomorrow!"
Watching her dash out, Hephaestus shook her head slightly.
'Just what kind of goal is that quiet child chasing so desperately?'
Bell was an unusual kid, much like the rare skills and magic he possessed.
He was someone with a strong sense of purpose.
Normally, if he believed something could be achieved with steady effort, he wouldn't be in such a rush to improve himself.
But now, that calm child had lost his composure.
"Seems like he's chasing more than one goal."
"And Hestia... she's not even trying to stop him. If he goes too far, he might just burn himself out."
"But she's changed too."
Hephaestus had known other goddesses who lost their composure after a fateful encounter.
Even Hestia—who she'd thought would never change—had started to shift. Maybe Genkai really did change the gods more than they realized.
...
(40 Chapters Ahead)
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