[56] Luck Goddess
After all, Aiden's looks could easily rank among the top, even among the gods and goddesses of Orario. Just by his appearance, one could tell that he must be quite wealthy.
Moreover, seeing Hestia now, with her slightly bulging belly, the scent of seafood clinging to her, and a face even rounder than a month ago, it was clear that Aiden took good care of her.
As for why Aiden was willing to join the goddess of poverty's familia, Hephaestus didn't care. Everyone has their own secrets and choices, as long as he can take care of Hestia, that's enough. No mortal dared to harm a deity; this was an ironclad rule forged by the gods who had descended to the Lower World over the millennia.
"So, Hestia, what brings you to me today? Let me guess, you're not here to borrow money again, are you? Because I won't lend you a single valis this time." Hephaestus joked with a smile.
"As if!" Hestia snorted.
"Do I look like the kind of god who would do that? Although I have indeed asked you for help many times, now that I have Aiden-kun, my days are going quite well." Hestia said proudly, with one hand on her hip and the other patting Aiden's waist.
Originally, she wanted to pat Aiden's shoulder, but because she was too short, she had to settle for patting his waist.
"I won't live as a freeloader depending on my dear friend anymore!"
"So, how many days has it been since you last went to work?" Hephaestus snorted as well.
Hestia's job referrals were all thanks to Hephaestus. It was only natural that news of her absence from work for so long reached Hephaestus's ears.
"Hmph!" Seeing Hephaestus's disdainful expression, Hestia made an indignant sound, feeling somewhat resentful.
The Hestia Familia must rise again!
"Hephaestus, today we've come to ask for your help." Seeing Hestia's defeated look, Aiden sighed inwardly. Hestia's mental age was just as cute as her appearance. At the same time, he spoke up to change the subject, revealing the purpose of their visit.
"You want me to help?" Hephaestus was puzzled. After all, Aiden had only joined the Hestia Familia a month ago, and he didn't seem like he lacked weapons or equipment. Hephaestus couldn't think of what help they could possibly need.
Then, Aiden untied the long dragon horn wrapped in cloth from his back and walked up to Hephaestus with it in his hand.
"I would like you to help me craft a katana." Aiden bowed slightly with an air of confidence.
Then he noticed an imposing set of armor and a bottomless trench nearby.
Hephaestus was wearing a white shirt.
Damn, what's up with the goddesses in this world? Do they all like to dress like this? Who can stand it? Aiden silently complained in his mind.
"A katana?" Thinking of Hestia's glorious history, Hephaestus's red left eye narrowed.
The atmosphere suddenly changed.
Not to brag, but Hephaestus's advanced blacksmithing creations had always been honored for their top quality in Orario, and accordingly, commanded high prices.
She dared to guarantee that the Hestia Familia couldn't afford products from her own familia.
Of course, if the Hestia Familia had enough money, she'd gladly offer a discount out of friendship.
"Hmph, we'll pay, don't worry. Aiden-kun is quite wealthy." Hestia chimed in, finally joining the fray.
"Even if I give you a fifty percent discount, are you sure you have that much money? And are you sure you want to do this?" Hephaestus asked without any pretense, a bit reluctant as well.
Looking at Aiden holding the dragon horn before her, Hephaestus recalled the information about him. Aiden Sparda, a fifteen-year-old youth. He seemed to be from a noble family in the Earth Empire, the sole member of the Hestia Familia, having received Falna for just a month, a bona fide novice adventurer.
'The main material is already here, and if I give Hestia a discount, it seems they can afford it.'
'But a weapon too powerful will only corrupt the user. Relying solely on the strength brought by weapon equipment will hinder the user's growth. Plus, it won't fully unleash the weapon's power.'
'That's true, but if I craft it haphazardly, it will damage the reputation of the Hephaestus Familia and go against my principle of being responsible for every piece of work.'
So Hephaestus found herself in a dilemma.
"Hephaestus, you underestimate Aiden-kun!" Sensing Hephaestus's dilemma, Hestia said proudly, hands on her hips.
"What do you mean?" Hephaestus puzzled.
"Hehe, Aiden-kun is already at Level 2, and this dragon horn was obtained when he was still at Level 1. His great feat upgrade comes from single-handedly defeating a mutated infant dragon." Hestia boasted, patting Aiden's waist, like a child bragging about how powerful their family is.
"What? How is that possible? Even Loki's favorite girl took a whole year..." Hephaestus widened her previously narrowed left eye, and even though Hephaestus was usually composed, she now perfectly embodied the expression dumbfounded.
"Aiden-kun surpassed that girl with his talent." Hestia proudly declared, then went on to mention Aiden's bet with the Loki Familia.
Hestia didn't hide much about her close friend, but she didn't mention Aiden's three magic slots or his development ability, Mystery.
"This... this is truly unbelievable." Hephaestus murmured.
Though Hestia had a childish personality, she wasn't one to lie about such matters, and upgrades had to be publicly announced.
To have picked up a member who not only surpassed the Sword Princess but was also a super genius with rare skills and was about to gain magic was beyond belief.
"Are you just a dumb goddess with dumb luck?" Hephaestus could only sigh in resignation at her friend's good fortune.
"I'm not dumb!" Hestia quickly retorted, laughing.
"Alright, alright, not dumb." Hephaestus said indulgently, patting Hestia's head.
"Hehe, so I still need your help, Hephaestus." Hestia hugged Hephaestus tightly, her cute face beaming with joy.
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