Seeing Arthas reach out again, Hephaestus flinched, instinctively stepping back to avoid his hand.
Arthas's smirk annoyed her.
"What are you laughing at?!"
Hephaestus had to admit she'd been afraid he'd destroy her hammer like the sword.
But she immediately regretted it; it was humiliating. She'd boasted about a divine weapon and then shown fear.
"Don't worry, I know this is important to you. I won't break it."
"Wh… what? Don't talk as if you could break it! This is a divine weapon, unlike those others!"
Slightly embarrassed, Hephaestus retorted after Arthas's words.
"Oh… so confident? Want to try?"
Arthas chuckled. Hephaestus shook her head. Though she didn't believe Arthas could break her hammer, she wouldn't risk it.
The hammer was more than just a weapon. It symbolized much to Hephaestus; it was too important to risk. Even if she subconsciously believed it was impossible, she wouldn't risk it.
"Alright, Arthas, stop. Hephaestus and I are good friends. She's taken care of me for years, letting me eat, drink, and live here for free, even helping me find a place after I left. I owe her so much that I'm embarrassed to ask for anything more."
Hestia smiled sheepishly.
"Thank you, Hephaestus. It was wrong of me to make such a request, but… for this child, it doesn't matter."
Hestia gently stroked Arthas's head, smiling softly.
It was difficult for her to do this; she had to stand on tiptoe. Arthas was about to speak, but Hestia shook her head.
Arthas stood still, letting Hestia's gentle touch caress his head.
"I know what you want to say, but listen first. I don't want to remain helpless. As your Goddess, I want to be your strength."
Even Loki, who was expecting a spectacle, felt embarrassed by Hestia's words.
She understood Hestia's feelings; she was the same.
The Loki Familia hadn't always been so strong; it had grown gradually. Loki watched her children struggle, worried about them, seeing them grow from Level 1 novices to powerful Level 6 adventurers.
Her feelings then mirrored Hestia's now.
"Hestia, you're a fool. Do you think I'd accept help obtained this way?"
Arthas's anger towards Hephaestus subsided; he understood Hestia's and Hephaestus's positions. Hephaestus didn't owe Hestia anything; it was the other way around.
Arthas felt pity for the small Goddess in his arms, a high-ranking Goddess acting like a little girl.
"I'm sorry… but… I just want to help Arthas, even a little. Let me be your strength."
Hestia smiled faintly, lowering her tiptoed foot and resting her head on Arthas's chest.
"Alright, you two… don't show off your affection in front of us. It's embarrassing; it makes me look like the villain."
Hephaestus said helplessly, putting away her hammer and sitting down.
"Me too… I feel irrelevant. If I'm not needed, I'll leave."
Loki spoke weakly; she'd been almost forgotten.
"Loki, Hestia asked you for something, right?"
Arthas stopped Loki as she was about to leave.
"Yes, she did. It was a side request, but she asked Riveria Ljos Alf to teach you magic."
Loki shrugged.
"Good. I reject that proposal."
"Eh… you brat?"
Loki was stunned, her narrowed eyes widening.
"The Hestia Familia doesn't ask for help. We achieve things through our own strength."
Arthas declared, looking at the surprised Loki.
"Interesting… you'll do it yourself? I want to see how you make Riveria Ljos Alf yours."
Loki laughed, her eyes narrowing again.
"This is getting interesting. Don't disappoint me, Hestia Familia… Arthas!"
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