Still in Valka's Crimson Chamber.
In a room filled with functional architecture. The air inside is heavy, saturated with the scent of sulfur and hot iron seeping from the fireproof stone walls. The giant furnace in the center of the room roared like a breathing dragon, spreading reddish-orange light that danced over dozens of neatly arranged forging tools. On the walls, hung various prototypes of high-level weapons that were enough to arm many adventurers.
Eiji couldn't help looking around. Beside him, Hestia was also there to watch. For her, this was also her first time there.
Hephaestus stood near the main forge anvil, a proud expression on his face.
"This is my personal workshop, Eiji. You can use it as you please."
If Tsubaki or the rest of her familia heard this, they would definitely envy Eiji.
After all, it was Hephaestus' personal workshop!
Normally, only Hephaestus herself used it to create exclusive weapons or equipment with her own hands.
But now, she was lending it to a man who wasn't even a member of her familia.
"Your workshop is amazing, Hephaestus. Are you sure? You're not afraid of me accidentally destroying your equipment?" Eiji asked while looking at the red-haired goddess with a smile.
Hephaestus blushed slightly, she was like a woman who could not bear to see her crush smiling at her.
She folded her hands under her breasts before saying, "I just need to make it again if that happens."
[Hephaestus, you are too humble and kind to me.]
That's right. Hephaestus, are you still the Hephaestus I know!?
Eiji's inner voice sounded. Hestia looked at her best friend with a strange expression, and wondered in her heart.
Hephaestus pretended to cough and pointed at the main forging anvil beside her, "Use this anvil, Eiji. It is made from the deepest basalt stone in the Dungeon and reinforced with dragon's blood. If you truly have the abilities you claim, this place will not let you down."
"Thank you. Then, I'll start now."
Eiji did not mince words anymore, he walked towards the rack of forging tools and selected some of them without any awkwardness.
Hephaestus walked to Hestia's side, they also stayed away from Eiji so as not to disturb him. Just from the tools Eiji selected, Hephaestus knew right away that he truly had the knowledge that a blacksmith should have.
However, how much knowledge?
She could only continue to watch his next movements.
Standing beside the forging anvil, the atmosphere around Eiji changed. Not only did the legendary blacksmith's skills make him familiar with forging equipment, he also now exuded an atmosphere similar to God Grid when making equipment.
He took out a metal bar from his inventory—it was just the metal his women got from the 20th floor of the dungeon. Hephaestus was familiar with that type of metal but what made his eyes widen was... Eiji poured his own magic into it until the metal sparkled with a strange silvery black color, and beat like a heart.
"What technique is that? That metal... now I can feel the ego in it. That metal has consciousness?!"
Eiji replied, "As expected of the Goddess of Smithing, you guessed right. This is my forging technique, and it's only the beginning.'"
He threw the metal in his hand into a furnace with extremely hot flames. However, he increased the temperature further using his magic, and made the flames inside the furnace turn white before he used his telekinesis ability to take back the metal.
Then, he started swinging the hammer in his hand and pounding the metal on the forging anvil. His speed was extremely fast. The banging sound of the hammer was not the usual rhythmic "ting-ting-ting", but a constant rumble like a machine gun. Each blow released a shockwave in the center of the room that made Hestia's twintail flutter repeatedly.
"Wow! Hephaestus, look! His hand is moving so fast that it has a shadow! The flames are turning white too!"
"Do you also usually hit that fast when making weapons?"
Hestia exclaimed while pointing at Eiji who was in Legendary Blacksmith mode.
Hephaestus' lips twitched, "Hestia, did you forget goddesses like us can't use Arcanum at will in the lower world? I can't hit that fast... and even in heaven, when I could use my divine power, I never hit materials with that kind of speed. Eiji's forging technique is different from mine."
Hestia didn't really understand because she wasn't a blacksmith, but she knew that Eiji was again doing something abnormal.
In a matter of hours—not just one, but Eiji managed to make several pieces of equipment.
The legendary blacksmith skill also allowed him to have eyes that could judge equipment or objects. With his magic, he created an optical illusion that allowed Hephaestus and Hestia to see what he saw.
More precisely, it was like a status window that displayed the name, description and abilities of each piece of equipment.
[Valhalla's Whisper - Longsword]
Description: A sword with a slender blade of transparent black color like obsidian glass. Along the back of the blade, there are ancient rune engravings that glow blue whenever the user breathes.
Abilities: Weight Manipulation. This sword can weigh up to 500kg when slashing, but feels light as a feather to the wielder. It has an Ignore Defense effect of 40% and the Soul Bound ability (the sword will return to its owner's hand if released).
[Dragon-Scale Sovereign - Full Plate Mail]
Description: This armor is not rigid like ordinary steel. It consists of thousands of tiny scales that interlock, giving it the flexibility of leather clothing but with impossible durability. The color is dark red with gold accents.
Abilities: Absolute Physical Immunity to attacks below Level 4. Equipped with the Fire Absorption attribute, where any fire attack that hits the wearer will be converted into stamina.
[Ghost Step Gauntlets]
Description: Thin metal gauntlets that cover up to the elbows. It is so light that the wearer feels like wearing nothing at all.
Ability: Spatial Distortion. Allows the user to "blink" or teleport a short distance (3 meters) every time they make a punching motion.
"What do you think? For beginner equipment, this is pretty good, right?"
Eiji said that without breaking a sweat.
Hephaestus and Hestia fell silent. They felt that the man was not speaking the language of humans or gods.
Out of curiosity, Hephaestus walked over to the equipment Eiji had made on the table, his hands trembling as they touched the surface of the still-warm armor. As the Goddess of Smithing, she could feel how extraordinary the equipment was.
It was a masterpiece!
"This is amazing... Eiji, this isn't just armor. This is a god-level artifact. You balanced the weight ratio and energy density perfectly, and added unique abilities to it. Even my most expensive first-class weapons... they feel inferior compared to this."
She didn't mention that if she made equipment with her Arcanum, she wasn't even sure she could match the quality of the equipment Eiji made.
Hestia lifted the black sword Eiji had made with difficulty due to her short body. "E-Eiji! If you sell just one of these, you can become very rich!"
Very rich?
Eiji wondered if he should tell Hestia that he did not lack Valis.
Ouranos had even given him the most expensive house in Orario.
To be honest, he made all those equipment not just to show off, but also for preparation. When he summoned his other women to this world, he could make them level up easily in the dungeon.
Putting aside his women who were good at fighting. But women like Utaha, Eriri, Megumi, Yukino, Haruno, Erina and the others would probably have a hard time if told to kill monsters-although with the buff from the Master-Servant contract, their physical strength was more than enough to kill a Minotaor with one punch.
"Since you two said so, that means these equipment are already pretty good. I just need to multiply them." Eiji said casually.
Still, what he said left the two goddesses in the room confused.
"Multiply them? Eiji, you mean you're going to make the same set again? Sure, you can use my workshop as long as you want."
"Hephaestus, you misunderstood."
"...?"
Eiji grabbed a gauntlet he had made, "Making the same set of equipment again is too much trouble. I just need to use my creation magic to create an exact copy. Like this for example."
In his other hand, a white ball of energy appeared and its shape began to resemble a gauntlet. Immediately, Hephaestus and Hestia were astonished when they saw a gauntlet that was exactly the same as the gauntlet Eiji had created manually.
"I call it handsome and brave... Just kidding."
Eiji suddenly remembered the name Squidward had given his painting.
He tried to joke, but why weren't the two women in front laughing and staring at him blankly?
[You're making them numb, host. Although your jokes are quite funny to certain people.]
Miss System, your words are too honest.
[Should I fake laugh?]
No, don't do that.
Without realizing Eiji was talking to another woman, Hestia put the sword in her hand back on the table before hugging one of his arms.
"Eiji, I... can I ask you to make just one copy of that armor or gauntlet for Bell-kun?" She said that flirtatiously.
Eiji could feel Hestia's breasts pressing against his arm.
Although she was pleading for the protagonist's sake, she didn't seem to be very loyal to him anymore and didn't hesitate to use her body to seduce other men.
Of course as the Virgin Goddess, she might not do it on purpose. However, Eiji did not immediately refuse and held his chin with an expression as if he was considering it.
"Hestia, didn't I make a weapon for Bell? Don't be too greedy and take advantage of Eiji's kindness." Hephaestus reprimanded her best friend.
"But, but it's a weapon... Bell-kun still doesn't have proper armor and gauntlets. The last time he came back from the dungeon, he was also badly injured from almost dying many times. I'm just worried about him... I'm not forcing Eiji either of course."
Hestia's shoulders drooped, she made a pitiful expression.
Hephaestus looked at her flatly.
Since Eiji seemed to be able to make copies of the equipment she made easily, Hestia suddenly had an idea to benefit her familia members.
She was worried that the woman had offended Eiji.
However, the man didn't seem to be angry and was still smiling.
"Bell, huh? I still remember that young man. Instead of copying this set, I wouldn't mind making another different one for him."
Thinking of the protagonist, Eiji suddenly had an idea.
An evil idea to be precise.
"Really?" Hestia raised her face cheerfully, but she suddenly remembered something and embarrassedly said, "B-But I don't have much money to pay you..."
"I don't lack Valis. In exchange—" He lowered his head to look at the short goddess and chuckled softly. "Pay me with whatever favors I want from you in the future."
"That's it?" Hestia underestimated what favors Eiji might want from her in the future. But from this close distance, and she who she could see in his eyes, she felt there were only the two of them in the room. Her face felt hot at that moment and she said. "I agree."
"....." Hephaestus.
She felt that the two people in front of her were flirting with each other which made her jealous!
This was her home, her workshop.
Why did she suddenly become the third person?
[Hestia's positive level towards the Harem King: 74 --> 75 (Gratitude + Feeling Much Indebted + Feeling You're So Good to Her That She Can't Help Falling in Love with You)]
[As expected of our King! Your skill in stealing a woman's heart is unrivaled!]
Leme praised her host passionately.
Eiji was speechless until Miss System commented.
[To trick a woman in a situation like this...]
[Host, you are a beast among beasts, the pinnacle among NTR villains!]
'Miss System, take back your words. I am a true love warrior! I have never tricked any woman.'
Miss System pretended to be deaf.
On the surface, Eiji tried to stifle his laughter and started making a set consisting of armor and gloves for Bell. He must not waste Hestia who was moved by his kindness, he must at least make something that was not bad but also not better than the equipment set for his women.
Don't misunderstand, this was also part of his plan to make Bell have very good feelings for him until the future, he could only force a smile when he saw him and his goddess come out of the same bedroom and bid them good morning.
Miss System: You may not know, but there are tons of NTR plots inside this guy's head.
In Hestia Familia's house, an abandoned church.
Bell suddenly woke up from his sleep as he again felt an uneasiness in his heart.
Hestia who hadn't come home even though it was already noon didn't help either, it made him a little anxious.
"Where is Kami-sama? Isn't she coming home for lunch?"
Speaking of lunch, Bell felt hungry and innocently ignored the feeling of something being stolen from him.
He changed clothes and decided to go to the Hostess of Fertility for lunch.
His face was innocent and he was welcomed well by Anya, but Bell actually had hopes that Syr would tease him.
Don't look at the innocent face of the protagonist, but what man doesn't look forward to meeting beautiful women? Especially Bell who had been indoctrinated by his grandfather, Zeus.
Before Eiji came to that world, Freya who was disguised as Syr had flirted with him many times and even gave him a free lunch.
Although Bell was pursuing Ais, he did not keep his distance from women like Syr who often flirted with him. However, when he deliberately ate slowly—he didn't see Syr anywhere.
"Is Syr-san on leave?"
Hearing his mumbling, Mia who happened to be delivering a glass of beer to another table grinned and stopped beside him, "Hey boy, if you're looking for Syr, you're late. Before you came, she dressed up so pretty and took half a day off to see another man."
"E-Ehhh!? Syr-san dressed up so pretty to... I see. I was just wondering where she was!"
Bell flinched like a rabbit, he was surprised when he saw Mia and felt embarrassed that his words were heard by her.
Even so, he didn't realize his expression was a little ugly. Knowing Syr was dressed up so pretty to meet another man, he couldn't help being curious about what she was going to do?
Was she going on a date!?
And not with him, but...
Bell smiled bitterly, he didn't know why his heart ached. After all, Syr and he didn't have a clear relationship, he just often received her kindness in the past. Why would he feel uncomfortable hearing she might be dating another man?
The only woman he liked was only Ais!
Bell convinced himself, but he was still in a bad mood. This is what happens when protagonists like him find out that the women around them are interested in other men. They would panic and not know what to do about it.
Unlike in the original work where they were the only men capable of attracting the heroines, and enjoyed their pursuit to the point of having to choose.
Now Bell had to adapt to the fact that he had a love rival!
"Oh my." Mia didn't tell Bell how ugly the expression she was making now was.
She actually wanted to provoke his reaction, but the result was disappointing. The young man who had previously been favored by her former goddess was too passive. He didn't even dare to ask who the man Syr wanted to meet was.
If he asked, she wouldn't mind telling him that it was a god named Eiji.