Rod was about to open his mouth to find a random excuse when Hephaestus interrupted him, her gaze burning as she stared at him.
"Don't tell me you just want to simply deepen the alliance with the Loki Familia. Given your private relationship and the Loki Familia's attitude towards justice, it's unnecessary to go to such lengths."
"Don't think about lying in front of a God!"
Rod could only shake his head helplessly, chuckling as he gazed out the window in the direction of the Eighth District.
"Humans cannot desire things they have never seen, and the same is true for Gods whose abilities have been sealed."
"If she had never tasted the finest wine, Loki would only think that wine brewed by mortals was quite good."
"But I specifically left her half of Soma's Divine Wine..."
Hephaestus sighed, finishing the sentence.
"When she drinks less and less, becoming more reluctant and longing, and then suddenly realizes you have the last remaining Soma's Divine Wine in the world, she will definitely find a way to pay a sky-high price!"
"And because your two Familias are closely related, both personally and publicly, Loki, no matter how much she wants it or how expensive she finds the Divine Wine, can only acquire it through legitimate channels."
The art of sales is not just about selling items to those who desperately need them; it can also be about first creating a demand out of thin air, and then, by manufacturing anxiety and scarcity, selling something that was originally tasteless for a sky-high price.
Hephaestus deeply realized that Rod was indeed completely different from other children.
If he became a merchant, he might easily cause many people to go bankrupt.
In fact, there were only a few users in all of Orario who could afford to buy Soma's Divine Wine at a high price.
By targeting Loki in advance, he completely avoided the risk of being stuck with it later.
And with Loki's liquor-loving nature, even if she knew it was a trap, she would still have to bite the bullet, curse, and willingly jump into it.
"Then did you ever consider that Loki's personality, while erratic, might not necessarily spend the entire Familia's development funds for her own selfish desires?"
Rod shrugged indifferently.
"Then just give the Divine Wine away for free in exchange for their favor. It's something I stole anyway, so there's no loss either way."
Hephaestus was speechless, finally completely convinced.
Thinking of her own tiring captain, she sighed.
"I'll take these Divine Wines. I'll carefully consider the price later... but I still hope you can provide more rare drop items."
"I suppose that huge pile of eye-catching items that Ryu and the others brought yesterday was also your masterpiece."
Rod smiled faintly without denying it. Hephaestus suddenly felt a bit jealous of Astrea.
Damn it, how did you meet this child first?
"Furthermore, I also wish to reach an agreement with you."
"Hmm?"
"As far as I know, the Astrea Familia's main task is still patrolling the city and upholding justice. After their Dungeon exploration funds are met a few times, they may not necessarily continue to descend."
Hephaestus took a badge from a drawer and handed it to Rhode, on which was carved a volcano and a forging hammer.
"Although the children of our Familia are blacksmiths, they also prefer to forge with what they themselves acquire."
"I hope you can act with our main force when you have time, and two-thirds of all dropped items will be yours."
"And you and your companions will enjoy the highest discount and priority forging rights with us, how about it?"
Rhode was also surprised by the high stakes Hephaestus offered, and he gasped.
"Two-thirds of the spoils go to me… Aren't you afraid they'll get angry?"
Hephaestus met Rhode's scrutinizing gaze and shook her head with a smile.
"Believe me, once they know your abilities, they'll only think this price is too cheap."
"By the way, I'll also ask them to keep your abilities a secret, so what's your answer?"
Rhode was silent for a moment, took the badge, and smiled at Hephaestus.
"If I were to refuse your kindness again, I would be too ungrateful. I accept."
Both Hephaestus and Rhode were very satisfied with the outcome.
"Your weapon requirements are beyond my expectations, I'll need more time to prepare,"
Hephaestus took a black longsword from a shelf nearby.
"I heard you're good at Iaijutsu, so this semi-finished product with an unbreakable attribute that I forged earlier will be for you to use first."
"You can give it a name~"
Rhode took the black sword, which sparkled with a sharp light in the sun, and the Divine Script appeared faintly on the blade.
It would probably cost at least 100 million Valis to buy this so-called semi-finished product.
"Then I'll call her the Vulcan's Blade."
Hephaestus glanced at Rhode, tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, and turned away uncomfortably.
"D-do whatever you want to call it!"