Chapter 23 – Learning Forging
"No. I refuse."
Hephaestus rejected Hestia's request without even turning around.
She showed no concern for the friendship between gods, nor even a shred of sympathy. In a cold tone, she said,
"After all, you clearly can't afford it, right? I have no interest in making weapons for free—even for you, Hestia!"
"…I figured as much."
Though Hestia had anticipated Hephaestus's refusal, she still felt deeply disappointed.
However, she didn't give up right away. Instead, she looked firmly at Hephaestus and declared loudly:
"I'll earn the money! I'll definitely pay you back! I just need you to help me make the weapons first!"
"I've heard that excuse from you more times than I can count. Do you think I'll still believe it?" Hephaestus looked silently at Hestia.
"And do you even understand what it means to have weapons made by Hephaestus Familia? You, who have always ignored Familia affairs, probably have no idea just how absurdly high the prices go for weapons bearing our name, do you? That's the kind of debt not even selling your whole Familia could cover!"
At Hephaestus's words, Hestia fell silent.
Although she didn't know much about Familia management, she did understand some basics.
In Orario's blacksmithing world, the weapons forged by Hephaestus Familia were considered the absolute highest grade.
Even among fellow smiths, they held a reputation for supreme quality. Their lowest prices still started at tens of millions of valis. Even top-tier adventurers or Familia couldn't just buy them on a whim—it came at a tremendous cost.
Even if Hephaestus wanted to show Hestia some courtesy, there was no way she could simply gift such precious equipment—let alone allow Hestia to "buy it on credit." That would be irresponsible toward her own Familia members and would violate the greatest taboo of a blacksmith's pride.
"Give it up, Hestia. If you just came to chat, I'd be glad to spend time with you. But when it comes to selling weapons, that's not a decision I can make alone. If you want one, place a proper order and at least bring a down payment."
"Your down payments alone are several million, aren't they…"
"This is Genkai, not Tenkai. In this world below, you can't do anything without money."
Hephaestus spoke the harsh truth in a calm tone, and Hestia's face grew more and more disappointed.
But even so, she had no intention of giving up. Her personality had always been one of stubborn persistence and never backing down.
She was even prepared to get down on her knees and beg Hephaestus, to pester her for days if necessary. No matter what, she didn't want to give up.
Whether it was for Shirou or Bell, as their Familia's goddess, she couldn't just sit back and watch the two of them face the deadly dangers of the Dungeon without even proper weapons.
Just as Hestia was lowering herself, prepared to kneel—
Shirou suddenly placed a hand on her head, speaking quietly:
"You don't have to do this, Hestia."
"Shirou?" Hestia froze for a moment at his words, then quickly responded,
"How could I not? Neither Bell nor you have proper weapons or armor right now! I may be a useless goddess, but I don't want to see you two forced to fight like this! I don't care if I disgrace myself, but I don't want you two to suffer because of me!"
Hestia spoke from the bottom of her heart. Her strong will reached not only Shirou, but also left Hephaestus—watching from not far away—with a complicated expression.
As Hestia's old friend, Hephaestus knew well how soft and weak-willed she usually was. So the determination she was now showing truly surprised her and made her realize how serious Hestia was this time.
Even so, Hephaestus didn't waver. Personal feelings were one thing, business was another. As the leader of a large Familia, she couldn't afford to confuse the two.
As for Shirou, he hadn't expected Hestia to feel this way.
After all, with his Projection Magic, Shirou had never considered needing to make actual weapons. Even if he did make some, it was only for temporary use.
But thinking it over, he realized that for ordinary adventurers, having suitable weapons was essential. Hestia's concern was absolutely reasonable.
However—he didn't agree with her approach.
Relying on begging and losing one's dignity to gain what you want was not the right way to do things.
Even if you succeeded in getting something, you might lose something even more important in the process.
To Shirou, if there was something necessary, you should earn it honestly, with your own strength and hands.
"I understand, Hestia." Shirou looked at the goddess beside him and said slowly, "Then let me learn how to forge weapons."
"Eh? Shirou, you're going to learn forging?"
"Compared to spending a huge amount on buying weapons, wouldn't it be much cheaper to learn how to forge and make them myself?"
"…Well, that's true."
Hestia nodded silently, but then hesitated and asked with uncertainty:
"But… can you really learn how to forge? It's not easy, right?"
"Well, let's try and find out."
Shirou himself wasn't confident.
He had never actually forged anything before and didn't know how difficult it might be.
While the two of them were talking to each other, Hephaestus, watching nearby, fell into thoughtful silence.
After hesitating for a while, she finally sighed and said,
"Honestly… if things go on like this, I'll end up looking like the villain. I don't want people gossiping that I abandoned a friend."
"Eh!? Hephaestus, are you saying you'll help us?" Hestia's eyes lit up.
Hephaestus replied calmly:
"I still can't give you high-priced weapons, but if it's just teaching you how to forge, I don't mind. Let's say I'm taking on a new apprentice."
"You're willing to personally teach me?" Shirou was surprised.
He hadn't expected a god—let alone the god of forging herself—to personally teach him the craft.
"Well, normally I wouldn't teach forging techniques to someone outside my Familia," Hephaestus said, waving her hand. "But you're a member of Hestia Familia, so I'll consider it a personal favor.
That said, a teacher can only open the door. Whether you can truly learn the skill depends on your own talent and understanding.
If you're hopelessly lacking, I'll drop you immediately. Don't expect any guarantees."
"Thank you."
Even though Hephaestus's attitude was cold, for someone of her stature as the god of forging to be willing to teach him was already more than Shirou could ask for—and he was sincerely grateful.