Thus,
in the dining hall of the Hephaestus Familia residence.
The long dining table was laden with sumptuous food.
The two Black Bears—the big Fierce Person and the small one—were settled in a corner, gnawing wildly on bone-in meats thicker than their thighs.
Hanazake Warabi similarly stuffed her mouth full of meat, her cheeks puffed up like a hamster's.
Kikakujuo Mary, though trying her utmost to maintain the elegance of a young lady, found her fork moving swiftly in the face of these never-before-seen otherworldly delicacies.
In contrast, Kirukiru Amou and Inaba Tsukiyo were much quieter.
Though their eating speed was no slower.
Hephaestus sat at the head of the long table. Her single exposed eye looked over the table of people devouring their food, and the bears in the corner.
Her face, usually known for its stern and efficient demeanor, showed signs of cracking.
'So...'
Hephaestus rubbed her temples and looked at Heimdall, who was sitting nearby, eating with a calm expression.
'Is this what you meant by it's fine to bring a few extra mouths?'
'Don't put it that way, Hephaestus.'
'These are all promising seedlings I've taken a liking to.'
'The future strongest Familia in Orario is right here.'
'Pfft—'
As soon as these words were spoken, Hestia, who was drinking soup, couldn't hold back.
A mouthful of thick soup sprayed out, even splashing a bit onto the table.
Flustered, she grabbed a napkin to wipe her mouth, coughing and widening her eyes.
'Cough cough cough... Strongest Familia??'
'With these kids who just arrived... and those two bears?'
Hestia's face was full of disbelief.
Hephaestus, however, did not mock her.
After all, as a deity who had descended long ago, she had been operating in the lower world for many years and had seen countless Adventurers.
Her eye for people was naturally much sharper than Hestia's, who had descended not long ago and was still freeloading off her.
As the saying goes, laymen watch the spectacle, while experts discern the essence.
Precisely because of this,
after Hephaestus's gaze swept over them,
her previously casual expression gradually grew serious.
A glint flashed in her single eye—a light only a true expert could understand.
It was the light of delight upon finding a treasure.
Most things in this world are like this.
So-called raw gems
are priceless treasures in the eyes of those who understand, perfect raw material for forging legendary divine weapons in the future.
In the eyes of those who don't understand, they are merely common, mud-stained stones by the roadside.
However,
in this world, swift horses are common, but those who recognize them are rare.
In this fiercely competitive Orario,
countless newcomers with dreams flood in every day, rushing into the Dungeon like moths to a flame.
And countless others leave dejectedly, or even vanish without a trace.
Even children who truly possess decent potential
may end up lost in the crowd, struggling their whole lives in the mire of the lower ranks, if they join the wrong Familia, follow the wrong deity, and don't receive proper guidance and development.
Opportunity is often more important than talent.
'Heimdall.'
Thinking of this, Hephaestus withdrew her gaze and looked again at the male god sitting beside her, who was leisurely cutting his steak.
Her tone lost some of its teasing and gained a touch of gravity.
'It seems during this time...'
'you've really excavated an incredible mine.'
'A mine?'
Hestia looked utterly confused, her fork still holding a piece of potato. She looked at the girls, then at Hephaestus.
Her big eyes were filled with big questions.
'Where's the mine? They aren't carrying any ore on them?'
'Idiot!'
As soon as these words left her mouth, Hephaestus couldn't hold back. She raised her hand and rapped Hestia's head with her knuckles.
A crisp *thunk* sounded.
'Ouch ouch ouch!'
Hestia covered her forehead, tears welling in her eyes.
'Hephaestus, why did you hit me!'
"I'm doing this to open your eyes."
"When I talk about a mine, I'm referring to these children themselves."
"Heimdall's children, each one of them is a top-tier raw gem."
"With just a bit of polishing, granting them a blessing, and igniting the divine fire, they will shine brilliantly."
"So calling them a mine is not an exaggeration."
"You, if you could spare some thought to observe the children of the lower world, you wouldn't still be here as a lone commander."
Hephaestus shook her head helplessly, disappointed.
Hestia shrank back, not daring to argue.
She could only stab a piece of steak with her fork, take a big bite, and mutter softly, "Whatever, I'm just not ready yet..."
...
"Speaking of which, since Hestia says you are newcomers to Orario."
"Then..."
"Heimdall, you haven't granted these children the blessing of the gods yet, have you?"
No blessing.
Means no level, no ability values.
Even with a good foundation, in Orario, they are just Lv.0 ordinary people.
"I haven't had the chance yet."
Heimdall spread his hands.
"I just brought them to the shrine and haven't had a moment to breathe before Hestia dragged me over here."
"I haven't even had a sip of water."
After speaking.
Heimdall glanced meaningfully at Hestia, who was focused on finishing her steak.
"Mmm!"
Hestia protested softly, but her mouth was full, making her words unclear.
"In that case."
"There's no time like the present."
Hephaestus looked around at these girls, then glanced at the completely dark sky outside the window.
"Why not..."
"Stay here tonight?"
"With so many people,"
"Your shrine, which even a mouse would find cramped, definitely won't fit everyone."
"After all..."
Hephaestus pointed to the two Black Bears in the corner.
"Just these two Black Bears alone would take up half your floor space."
"My Familia's residence might not be luxurious, but we have plenty of guest rooms available."
"Besides,"
"Tonight, you can also perform the ritual to grant these children the blessing of the gods here."
Upon hearing this.
The girls' eyes lit up instantly.
Especially Kikakujuo Mary, who was worried about having to sleep on the floor.
"Really, really?"
"Can we take hot showers?"
"Of course you can."
Hephaestus laughed heartily.
"Although we are blacksmiths, our living standards are not bad."
"After all, only with good rest can we have the strength to swing the hammer."
"Then we'll take you up on your offer!"
Since the offer was made, Heimdall did not hesitate and accepted on behalf of the girls.
As for Hestia.
After she finally swallowed the last bite of steak.
Her cheeks were puffed out like a hamster stuffed with food, and she struggled to swallow.
Only then did she wipe her mouth, her large blue eyes filled with suspicion as she looked at Hephaestus sitting in the main seat.
"Hephaestus..."
"You wouldn't be trying to poach them, would you?"
Upon hearing this.
Hephaestus' smiling face froze.
Then,
She sighed helplessly and raised her hand again.
With a practiced motion.
"Thump!"
The sound of a flick to the forehead rang out again.
"Ouch! Ouch! Ouch!"
Hestia held her forehead.
Hephaestus withdrew her hand, her single eye filled with a helpless look that said, "I didn't expect Hestia to be any smarter."
"Idiot."
"Do you think I'm that kind of person?"
"Besides,"
"Even if I wanted to poach,"
"I would have to see if Heimdall is willing to let them go."
After speaking.
Hephaestus glanced meaningfully at Heimdall.
Heimdall smiled slightly, neither confirming nor denying.
Let them go?
Impossible.
Even if the heavens demanded it, no one could take a single person from him.
However,
After finishing dinner,
As they passed the large weapon display cases outside the dining hall,
Heimdall keenly noticed,
Whether it was Rin holding her tachi, or the usually squinting Tamaba Satori, even the normally carefree Sanori,
Their steps slowed unconsciously.
Their gazes were drawn like magnets to the weapons displayed in the cases, gleaming coldly.
That look,
Heimdall was all too familiar with it.
It was the longing of a swordsman for a fine blade.