[C-rank patrol mission completed]
[Mission reward judged as normal.]
[Congratulations, you have obtained Ryu's skill · Spirit Charge.]
[Effect: The greater the mental energy consumed during an attack, the greater the strength amplification.]
[Congratulations, you have obtained 200 Prayer Points.]
[A-rank spontaneous prayer completed.]
[Mission reward being judged....]
[Recovering stolen money, leading the robbers to another path of self-improvement, preventing Ryu from being tortured and broken, interrogating Erebus into speechlessness, drawing his attention to you....]
[Mission completion is excessive, prayer satisfaction is abnormal.]
[Congratulations, you have obtained Erebus's special authority · Grace Activation.]
[Effect: From today onwards, your blood is not divine blood, but it has gained the ability to guide out the potential within others and gradually upgrade it!]
[Congratulations, you have obtained 1000 Origin Points, current balance 4000 points.]
"....I see, this child has been through these things."
Hephaestus, the red-haired goddess with an eye patch over her right eye, made up her mind without much hesitation after hearing Rhode's account.
"Although we are a Familia primarily composed of blacksmiths, we do not reject diligent supporters."
"From today onwards, Liliruca Erde is a member of my Hephaestus Familia!"
The conversion ceremony was completed quickly and decisively.
The progress was so smooth that Lily's sincere speech, which she had prepared, was not needed at all, leaving her still without a sense of truly joining this large Familia.
She nervously gripped Rhode's finger, secretly observing her new main god.
Although she wore a dignified black eye patch, as expected of a goddess, her beauty was not diminished in the slightest!
Coupled with a white top, black pants, and gloves, her simple, almost masculine attire could be described as 'beautiful woman'.
There was always a sense of security, like a big sister....
"Thank you, Goddess Hephaestus, for taking in Lily. Please guide her in the future."
Rhode sincerely expressed his gratitude to Hephaestus.
After all, as a faction that semi-monopolized the dungeon city's equipment market, they not only excelled in wealth and high-end weapons but also possessed formidable military power.
People wanting to join the Hephaestus Familia were as numerous as carp crossing the river, and some high-level adventurers even wanted to change their Familia just to gain internal benefits and acquire high-level weapons at a low price.
However, over ninety percent of those who were not blacksmiths were directly rejected.
Lily being accepted by her was indeed an exception.
Rhode was somewhat disappointed that the ability he had previously obtained from Erebus was not a divine authority, which had been his initial expectation.
But being able to bestow Grace upon others gave him a few more plans for future development.
Rhode had seriously considered whether to simply keep Lily by his side, as he could also unlock her sealed ability values.
But after calm consideration, he chose to entrust her to the Hephaestus Familia.
The reason was the same as at the beginning.
By his side, Lily had no room to grow.
Moreover, if all went well, the Hephaestus Familia would eventually become his people anyway, so it made no difference.
Hephaestus smiled gently at Lily, recalling her status panel she had just seen.
All her attributes were so low they were unbearable to look at, but she had developed a very interesting magic.
"No, I should be thanking you for bringing me such a reliable talent."
As expected of someone recommended by the child Astrea favored.
"Ugh...."
Lily was so touched that tears welled up in her eyes, and she silently gripped Rhode's index finger tightly.
Aside from being in the Court of the Stars, this was the first time she had been acknowledged by anyone else, especially a god!
At the same time, Lily's resolve to gain experience and grow desperately within the Hephaestus Familia became even stronger.
In just one day, going from hell to heaven felt like a dream.
Although Brother Rhode said he came like a god descending because he heard my prayer, I cannot comfortably enjoy this hard-won happiness.
I will remember that all of this change was brought about by Brother Rhode. I must.... become more useful!
"Ryu, take Lily to find Captain Tsubaki, and get her familiar with her future life."
Ryu nodded slightly at Rhode after hearing Hephaestus's words, then turned and left with a reluctant Lily.
The door closed softly.
Only the two of them remained in the empty room.
Hephaestus pointed to the seat opposite her, crossed her legs, and chuckled softly.
"Sit down, don't be shy."
After Rhode sat down as instructed, Hephaestus propped her chin and narrowed her left eye with keen interest.
"Astrea told me a lot about you. Before meeting you, I had some doubts, but after seeing you, I'm convinced everything she said was true."
"Oh?"
"Because of your eyes."
The God of Blacksmiths, who had forged countless ironworks, gave such an affirmative answer.
"Those unwavering, resolute eyes cannot lie. You are not someone who will embark on the path of a righteous hero, but your journey will be far longer and more glorious than those heroes!"
If the children of the lower world were considered raw embryos, then Rhode was the most dazzling, most unique, and most one-of-a-kind among them!
Hephaestus sighed softly, at this moment understanding Astrea's thoughts somewhat.
Such an existence, which even gods found astonishing and exciting, naturally made them more cautious in nurturing him.
If she had been the first to see this 'material', she probably would have hesitated for a long time and not concluded to forge it herself.
Because this child is a treasure that even a God cannot monopolize...
"Astrea asked me to forge a weapon for you. After seeing you, I also felt a long-lost urge to forge something myself, so... do you have any requests?"
Hephaestus chuckled, a look of anticipation flashing in her slightly narrowed eyes.
A weapon can reflect a person's inner qualities, so what exactly is this child like on the inside?