It was already afternoon when they returned to Orario.
Sunlight spilled through gaps in the clouds and across the cobblestone streets, making the stones, worn smooth by years of wind and rain, gleam.
The streets bustled with life. Adventurers passed in small groups, merchants called out their wares, and children chased one another through the alleys.
Demeter and Artemis walked behind Genichi, chatting and laughing. They seemed closer than before.
Astraea brought up the rear with her Familia. Kaguya was still gesturing as she went over the battle, while Alise stifled a yawn. Ryuu remained as expressionless as ever, though her eyes held a rare hint of ease.
The group parted ways outside the Demeter Familia's home. Astraea took her members back to their own residence, while Demeter and Artemis headed inside. Genichi stayed where he was.
"Where are you going?"
Demeter turned back to look at him.
"The Hephaestus Familia," he answered calmly. "There's something I need to ask about."
Demeter paused, then nodded without pressing him.
She knew he had his reasons. There was no need for her to worry.
Artemis watched him, a complicated emotion flickering through her silver eyes. Her lips parted as though she wanted to say something, but she ultimately remained silent. She simply nodded and followed Demeter inside.
Genichi turned and set off for the Hephaestus Familia's workshop.
His steps were quick and steady, each footfall ringing clearly against the paving stones.
Sunlight fell across him, casting his shadow along the ground.
As he walked, he went over his next move. Hestia, goddess of the hearth and one of the virgin goddesses, possessed an authority over sacred flame that could purify all evil, including a goddess of beauty's charm.
He needed her authority, and he needed to obtain it as soon as possible, before Ishtar made her move against him.
The Hephaestus Familia's headquarters was an enormous workshop with red brick walls and tall chimneys. The air smelled of metal and coal smoke.
Its main doors stood open. From within came the ringing of hammers, the distinctive music of the smithing goddess's Familia.
Genichi strode inside.
The interior was much larger than he had imagined. Smithing equipment stood in orderly rows, fires flickered in the forges, and unfinished weapons rested on anvils. Heat filled the air.
Several Familia members were busy at work. Some hammered metal, others polished their pieces, and still others tended the furnaces.
When they noticed him entering, their hands briefly stilled. Their eyes settled on him with a flicker of surprise.
By now, Genichi was hardly an unknown name in Orario.
"I'd like to see Hephaestus."
His voice was calm, but there was an unmistakable firmness beneath it.
"Hephaestus-sama doesn't see just anyone who walks in. Do you have an appointment?" a dwarf asked.
Genichi looked at her, the corner of his mouth lifting slightly.
"No. But you can let her know Genichi is here to see her. Whether she wants to meet me is up to her."
The dwarf hesitated, then nodded.
Her footsteps echoed across the stone floor before fading at the far end of the corridor.
Genichi waited with his hands in his pockets. His expression remained composed, though anticipation flickered in his eyes.
With his current standing, arranging a meeting with Hephaestus was hardly difficult.
He was no longer the wandering adventurer who had first arrived in Orario, the penniless nobody whom no Familia had been willing to take in.
Now he had strength, a reputation, and the means to stand before the gods with confidence.
A short while later, the dwarf returned.
Her manner had become considerably more respectful. She bowed slightly.
"Hephaestus-sama will see you. Please follow me."
Genichi nodded and followed her deeper into the workshop.
They passed down a long corridor, rounded a corner, and stopped outside a door.
The dwarf pushed it open and stepped aside.
"Hephaestus-sama is inside. Please go in."
Genichi entered.
It was a private workshop, smaller than the main hall but equipped with finer tools. The forge burned hotter here, and the air carried an even stronger scent of metal.
Weapons and armor covered the walls. Some were finished; others were still works in progress.
At the center of the room, a red-haired goddess sat before an anvil, hammer in hand, working on a longsword.
Her movements were slow and steady. Each blow landed precisely on the blade with a clear metallic ring.
Her crimson eye shone in the firelight. Soot smudged her face, but her gaze was strikingly bright.
She wore simple work clothes with the sleeves rolled to her elbows, exposing pale forearms marked by a few small scars left by her craft.
Hephaestus, goddess of smithing. Her hair was like fire, her gaze like molten iron, and her presence carried an authority that needed no display.
Her Familia was the greatest smithing Familia in Orario. The weapons she forged were treasures every adventurer dreamed of owning.
Genichi approached and stopped before her.
Hephaestus did not look up. Her hammer continued striking the blade, its ringing echoing through the workshop.
"What brings you here?"
Her voice was level, with neither particular warmth nor distance.
Genichi watched her for a moment before speaking.
"I just wanted to ask about Hestia. Has she descended to the lower world yet?"
Hephaestus's hammer paused.
She raised her head and looked at him. Something flickered in her uncovered eye, not surprise, but amusement.
The corner of her mouth lifted, as though she had stumbled upon something interesting.
"What do you want with her?"
Her voice was quiet, but her gaze was assessing.
Genichi met it without the slightest change in expression.
"It's a private matter. I'd rather not discuss it."
Hephaestus raised an eyebrow, set down her hammer, and leaned back in her chair with her arms folded.
Her gaze swept over him, from head to toe and back again.
The scrutiny made Genichi uncomfortable, but he kept his expression unchanged.
"Then what makes you think I'll tell you anything about Hestia?"
There was a teasing note in her voice, along with wariness and a curiosity he could not quite place.
Genichi looked at her and smiled.
"It's fine if you don't want to tell me. If Hestia has already come down to the lower world, I should still be able to find out where she is by asking around."
His tone remained calm, as though he were simply stating a fact, but a glint passed through his eyes.
Hephaestus fell silent.
(End of Chapter)
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