Arthas, having lived in this world for quite some time, was no longer completely ignorant. He'd gained some understanding of notable figures and Familias in Orario, the Dungeon City.
For example, the incredibly powerful Loki Familia, the unreliable Ganesha Familia, and the Hephaestus Familia, which Loki had just mentioned.
The Hephaestus Familia was unique in Orario; a large Familia known to everyone.
The Hephaestus Familia was the only one not reliant on adventurers' income. It didn't have many powerful adventurers, yet it was famous throughout Orario.
Hephaestus was the Goddess of Forging; her Familia members were skilled blacksmiths. Almost every adventurer in Orario used weapons forged by the Hephaestus Familia.
Weapons personally crafted by Hephaestus herself were highly sought after.
A good weapon could significantly improve an adventurer's strength, and Arthas wouldn't refuse one. But if it was obtained by Hestia sacrificing her dignity, it would be better not to have it.
"Hey, kid, wait up! What's the rush?! Even if you want to find Hestia, do you know where she is? Or are you planning to cause a ruckus at Hephaestus's shop?"
Loki, breathless, caught up to him. Arthas stopped.
She was right; causing trouble at the Hephaestus Familia's shop was impossible. He needed to find Hestia first.
"Take me there."
"Fine, fine. And stop ordering me around! I'm a Goddess! Show some respect!"
Though Loki protested, Arthas remained impassive. Seeing his cold demeanor, Loki pouted but said nothing.
She didn't know why she'd told Arthas about Hestia. Perhaps it was because Hestia, her longtime rival, had humbled herself, making Loki feel triumphant?
She wanted to show off, and Arthas was the only option; Hestia's Familia only had him.
But Loki regretted it. Arthas's cold expression made her feel she'd done something wrong.
As weapon shops became more frequent, and adventurers in heavy armor became more visible, Loki stopped in front of a shop.
This weapons shop was twice the size of its neighbors.
Its crimson paint, reminiscent of flames, was eye-catching.
A strange symbol was on the heavy door.
It was an indecipherable script, resembling 'sacred writing,' but its meaning was known; it was the mark of the world-famous blacksmith Familia.
"Here it is. Keep up."
Loki said, and Arthas examined the shop.
Through the glass window, various exquisite weapons were displayed. Twin blades with emerald green blades, long-handled swords with impressive reach, and slender swords adorned with gold.
These sharp blades reflected the magic stone lamps, shining like treasures in luxurious crystal-studded chests.
These weapons were like art, but their sharp blades reminded people of their true purpose: killing.
The discreetly displayed price tags were dizzying strings of zeros.
This was the Hephaestus Familia shop; it sold top-tier weapons for elite adventurers.
As Loki and Arthas entered, in a back room…
"How long are you planning to do this?"
A weary question met with silence.
In her office, Hephaestus, the red-haired, red-eyed Goddess, sighed in surprise and exhaustion.
Wearing her Familia uniform, she addressed the small, round object—the young Goddess Hestia—kneeling on the floor, her head bowed low.
Hephaestus Familia, Northwest Street branch.
In the office on the third floor of this large blacksmith shop, a heavy atmosphere hung in the air.
"I'm busy, you know?"
"Even if you're quiet, you're still a distraction, lowering my efficiency. Understand?"
"…"
"Are you listening, Hestia?"
"…"
"…Sigh."
Hephaestus sighed at her silent friend, who remained motionless.
All day.
Hestia had been bowing before Hephaestus.
At the Godly Banquet, Hestia had asked Hephaestus to make weapons for Arthas, and been refused.
Hephaestus's Familia's master blacksmiths created top-quality weapons, even among their peers. The prices were beyond the reach of most adventurers or Familias. Hestia couldn't afford them.
A discount was out of the question. For Hephaestus, the leader, casually selling their hard work was unacceptable.
Hephaestus told Hestia to save up—essentially telling her to be realistic—and refused her request.
But it wasn't that simple. After the banquet, Hestia continued to plead with Hephaestus. No matter how Hephaestus tried to dismiss her, Hestia persisted, leaving Hephaestus exasperated.
Hephaestus decided to ignore Hestia, hoping hunger or exhaustion would make her give up.
Two days had passed since Ganesha's banquet.
Hestia hadn't given up, and Hephaestus hadn't relented. Loki, witnessing this, agreed to let Riveria Ljos Alf teach Arthas magic.
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