"Although it is true that many gods in the Heavens are keen on having their children constantly attribute all credit to the gods' words..."
"But I, for one, do not care for that sort of thing."
Saying this, Haimer's tone became serious.
"The so-called [Grace], in the end, is just another ticket of admission I gave you."
"It is merely an opportunity that allows you to break the limits of mortals and touch a higher realm."
"As for weapons..."
Haimer pointed his finger at Onigawara Rin's [Black Crow].
"It is indeed a fine blade."
"The craftsmanship of the Hephaestus Familia is impeccable."
"But no matter how sharp the blade, it depends on who is holding it."
"If the user is a coward, a spineless person who dares not even look a monster in the eye..."
"Then even if they hold a Divine Weapon capable of severing heaven and earth..."
"In the moment the monster roars."
"They will still tremble with fear, throw the weapon on the ground, and turn to expose their back to the enemy."
"At that time."
"No matter how invaluable the weapon, its only end result will be to become a burial object left by the user in the Dungeon."
"It might even become evidence for latecomers to mock the former's incompetence."
"Therefore."
Haimer paused, his tone softening slightly.
"These weapons are certainly good; they are the lifeblood of the Hephaestus Familia."
"But without your resolve to swing the blade in that instant..."
"Without your determination to face death and fight for life..."
"They would remain nothing more than a pile of scrap iron."
"Thus."
"There is no need to completely ignore the sweat you have shed just to please me, or to forcibly push the credit onto me."
"That is not only a desecration of the sweat and blood you have shed."
"At the same time."
"It is also a slight against my judgment in choosing you, against me as a God."
"..."
As soon as these words came out, silence fell over the tavern.
Everyone was stunned.
Onigawara Rin opened her mouth, seeming to want to say something, but couldn't find the words. Inaba Tsukuyo's tightly closed eyes trembled slightly, seeming to digest the weight of these words.
People are accustomed to placing themselves in a humble position, accustomed to looking up to the gods. But they didn't expect that at this moment, the God was personally breaking this concept, and instead uplifting them.
"Of course."
"I am not saying these words to blame you."
Finally, looking at the dazed expressions of the girls, Haimer gave a helpless smile.
"On the contrary, the reason I am speaking so clearly now..."
"Is precisely because you are the children I have chosen."
"Since you are the children I regard highly..."
"Then be a little more confident."
"Even being a little arrogant doesn't matter."
"Because this is the glory you deserve."
"You accomplished what others could not; that is the fact."
Clap!
A crisp sound of applause followed immediately.
"That's right!"
"Strength is strength; there are no excuses!"
Tsubaki clapped her hands, her single eye shining with undisguised admiration.
"Haimer-sama's words make even me want to jump ship!"
"If it weren't for Hephaestus-sama treating me well, I'd really want to tag along with Haimer-sama."
Saying this, Tsubaki grinned at Haimer, then looked at the girls who were still a bit dazed.
"Now do you little monsters understand?"
"In Orario, great ability is the hard truth, and battle records are the best business card."
"Today, you solidly broke the Guild's rookie record."
"Pushing flat to the 12th Floor on the first day and returning fully loaded—that's not something luck can achieve."
"And just now at the Guild, you didn't look closely."
Tsubaki seemed to recall something interesting, and the smile on her face deepened.
"If you had looked back, you would have realized how spectacular that girl Eina's expression was."
"Knowing her for so long, it was the first time I saw her look so flabbergasted."
"The quill in her hand almost poked a hole in the document, and she even forgot to push her glasses back up when they slid to the tip of her nose."
"And those Guild staff around who snooze all day..."
"Their eyes were popping out, and their jaws hit the floor."
"Just the Magic Stones that Kyoubou carried back, converted to Valis, would be enough for an ordinary small Familia to eat and drink well for a month!"
"This matter won't even wait until tomorrow."
"It'll probably spread through every tavern tonight."
"By then, it'll be hard for you bunch of little monsters from the [Haimer Familia] not to be famous!"
Being praised so straightforwardly by their own Patron God and Tsubaki, a flush instantly rose on the girls' faces, which were originally still a bit dazed.
Even Amou Kirukiru couldn't help but slightly raise her chin at this moment. Although she didn't say anything, the slightly upturned corners of her mouth clearly revealed that she enjoyed this evaluation very much.
Being acknowledged. Especially being acknowledged by the strong one has acknowledged oneself. This feeling isn't bad.
Seeing the timing was about right, Haimer also nodded and continued the conversation.
"Miss Tsubaki is right."
"As a God, what I can do is actually very limited."
"I merely provided you with an opportunity to become stronger, and secured a handy weapon for you."
"That is all."
"As for how to live wonderfully in this world..."
"How to write your own story, whether to become a hero or a legend..."
"That is your own assignment."
Haimer's voice was gentle and incomparably serious.
"The road is beneath your feet."
"How far you can walk, how high you can climb, depends entirely on yourselves."
"I won't be like a mother hen dictating everything."
"I just need to watch at the finish line."
"Or when you are tired, let you know that someone is behind you, that is enough."
Saying this, Haimer raised the wine glass on the table, looked at everyone, a smile on his lips.
"So."
"To your own efforts."
"And to the glory that belongs to you."
"Cheers!"
"Cheers—!!!"
Cheers rang out again.
This time, the girls' voices had less restraint and more of the high spirits truly belonging to youth.
The wine glasses collided in the air. The crisp sound emitted was like the prelude to a new era.
"Gulp gulp—Hah!"
Tsubaki downed the wine in her cup in one breath and wiped her mouth happily.
"Refreshing!"
"But then again, Haimer-sama."
Tsubaki put down the glass, picked up a large piece of roast meat with chopsticks, and said while chewing indistinctly:
"Since we're talking about being famous..."
"Tomorrow there will probably be quite a few flies smelling the scent and coming to the door."
"After all, for a rookie team that performed so exaggeratedly on the first day, other Familia—whether they want to rope you in or suppress you—will definitely not be able to sit still."
"You have to be mentally prepared."
Tsubaki's words sounded like a kind reminder to those unaware, completely normal.
However, after Shakti heard this, her eyelids couldn't help but twitch violently.
"..."
____
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