[57] Embarrassed

"This is between you and me. Even if you provide the main material, with me personally crafting it, it'll cost around 10 million valis with a fifty percent discount." Hephaestus stated, having confirmed Aiden's impending advancement to Level 3 adventurer and his astonishing rate of growth. She already had a preliminary idea of how to craft it, so she quoted her price.

"Thank you for your trouble." Aiden bowed slightly, performing a salute, while speaking to confirm.

Although Aiden had mentally prepared himself, it still hurt to see Hephaestus giving such a discount to her dear friend Hestia. It felt like going from riches to rags in the blink of an eye. It was Aiden's current reality.

"I wonder what the next world will be like, but in any case, strengthening one's own abilities is never wrong. However, I only just reached the middle-class level in Orario not long ago, and now it's all spent, just like that. Could it be that poverty is truly the fate of the Sparda family? Can't be that unlucky, right?" Aiden couldn't help but start to mull over things, having spent almost all of his savings in one go, instantly becoming broke.

But amidst his musings, Aiden also felt anticipation, looking forward to what the goddess of smithing Hephaestus could create.

"Since you can accept this price, then I'll do this favor." Hephaestus took the mutated dragon horn from Aiden's hand and carefully examined it.

"The material dropped by the mutated infant dragon has turned red, without any damage. Its length and hardness are much higher than normal, and most of it has already turned into gold attributes. It's indeed very suitable for crafting a katana." Hephaestus took out tools from her waist pouch and tested the hardness of the dragon horn.

"Aiden, can I call you that?" Pleased with the quality of the material, Hephaestus looked up and asked.

"Of course, Hephaestus." Immersed in mixed feelings of heartache and anticipation, Aiden hesitated for a moment before replying.

"Do you have any requirements for this sword?" As the Goddess of Smithing, Hephaestus, fully immersed in her craft, immediately inquired about his needs regarding the weapon.

"I'm quite strong, and my fighting style, well, it's a bit wild. So when using weapons, I tend to be rather rough. Could it be a bit heavier and sturdier?" After a moment of contemplation, Aiden decided that he still preferred heavier weapons, which suited his style better.

Hephaestus's craftsmanship was unquestionably sharp, so Aiden didn't need to mention it.

"Got it." Hephaestus nodded, her excitement palpable as she entered a state of focus.

"Heavier, huh? No wonder, with your Inborn Divine Strength, Aiden."

Although Aiden's wild fighting style seemed at odds with his creamy boy-next-door appearance, neither Hephaestus nor Hestia, the two goddesses, were surprised by Aiden's request, given his inborn divine strength.

"We must absolutely create a masterpiece worthy of the name Hephaestus!"

With that, Hephaestus approached a transparent crystal box, unlocked it, and retrieved a piece of metal from among the several blocks sitting stably inside... opting not for the gleaming Orichalcum or Mithril, but for the most unassuming black iron block.

This was Black Gold, heavier and harder than iron, yet with a certain resilience, specifically used for crafting heavy weaponry, a skill only mastered by advanced blacksmiths.

Then, Hephaestus retrieved some iron blocks from the nearby unlocked box.

"Aiden, could you bring the dragon horn with you? I need your help with something." Hephaestus said, carrying the Black Gold and iron blocks into a forge room.

This was Hephaestus's exclusive forge room.

Aiden, holding the dragon horn, followed behind.

"I'll help too!" Hestia, with a beaming smile, bounced along behind Aiden.

As they entered the forge room, Aiden felt the temperature rise. The flames in the corner furnace continued to burn, and nearby stood a steel-cast table, likely the anvil. Not far from the anvil was a water basin, likely used for quenching. Various tools were laid out on the anvil.

Aiden approached the furnace, holding the dragon horn.

"Sorry, it's a bit hot. Bear with it for a moment." Hephaestus, her face reddened by the flames' reflection, walked over to Aiden, took the dragon horn from him, and then grasped his right hand.

Though it was the hand of a goddess, it still felt somewhat rough.

"Eh, w-what's going on?" Aiden, who rarely had physical contact with girls, felt a bit nervous in the face of Hephaestus's sudden attack, but fortunately, his flushed cheeks were less noticeable in the glow of the flames.

"Oh, sorry, I forgot to tell you. I need to check your grip on the sword." Hephaestus apologized hastily, caught up in her excitement.

At this moment, Hestia doesn't show any jealousy as Bell does in the anime when a woman gets close. Instead, she smiled as she watched the shy Aiden, sighing affectionately, "Aiden-kun is so easily embarrassed~"

"No need to apologize. It's my fault for not understanding." Aiden raised his left hand. "Um, I can use dual blades..."

"Dual blades?" Hephaestus also examined Aiden's left hand.

"Aiden, did you just start learning to fight recently?" Hephaestus immediately noticed that Aiden hadn't been wielding a sword for long, which further confirmed her judgment of his noble background.

There weren't many calluses on Aiden's right hand, and his knuckles were only slightly prominent. His left hand had no calluses at all, with fair skin and slender fingers, looking even more beautiful than Hephaestus's own hand.

"Aiden, you truly surpass all adventurers of the past thousand years..." Hephaestus sighed softly.

Hephaestus was genuinely impressed by her good friend's luck. Of course, she didn't know that another chosen one, Bell, was on his way to Orario. If she knew about Bell's future accomplishments, even a good friend like her would feel envious.

"Good fortune, I'm just lucky." Aiden, whose hand was held by Hephaestus, still felt a bit shy.

"Aiden-kun surpasses not only all adventurers of the past thousand years but also those in the future!'' Hestia's tone was resolute; she couldn't be happier with Aiden.

The only thing she wasn't happy about was how serious he was, never taking time to rest properly.

"I can't imagine what kind of genius could surpass him." Hephaestus sighed softly, then released Aiden's hands.

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