Emiya's words were reasonable.
Seeing Kagaya Ubuyashiki's resolve, the kind that looked ready to offer everything he had, Hephaestus considered it briefly.
Then she nodded.
"Alright. I accept."
Kagaya Ubuyashiki couldn't hide his excitement.
A smile surfaced as he immediately knelt and performed a perfect dogeza.
"Thank you, God-sama. Thank you, Emiya-sama."
Hephaestus tilted her head slightly.
"What was that just now?"
Emiya explained calmly, "That's called a dogeza. It's used to show deference to someone of high status. It can also express a sincere request or deep apology. Takemikazuchi is especially good at it. You can ask him."
If the DanMachi timeline hadn't gone so far off course, Hestia would've already done one for Bell.
That thought crossed Emiya's mind.
He didn't say it out loud.
On the other side, when Kagaya Ubuyashiki heard the name Takemikazuchi, his heart skipped.
He wasn't familiar with Hephaestus.
But he knew Takemikazuchi very well.
A god of thunder, swords, archery, war, and the military.
A powerful existence in their myths.
The fact that Hephaestus knew Takemikazuchi meant one thing.
She was no ordinary goddess.
That realization made Kagaya Ubuyashiki even more respectful.
Hephaestus didn't waste time.
Once she decided, she acted.
She began bestowing Divine Blessings.
The first to receive it was Kagaya Ubuyashiki himself.
As the head of the Demon Slayer Corps, he had to lead by example.
But the second recipient wasn't his wife.
Nor his children.
It was a Pillar.
The Insect Pillar-Shinobu Kocho.
That surprised Emiya.
Kagaya Ubuyashiki explained.
Within the Demon Slayer Corps, his authority came first.
After him were the Pillars.
Their status surpassed even that of his family.
He had already ordered all Pillars to return immediately.
No delays.
However, the Pillars were scattered across the country.
It would take time.
Only Shinobu Kocho, master of the Butterfly Mansion, was already nearby.
She was the first to arrive.
"Proficient in medicine and toxicology?" Hephaestus said after observing her.
"You seem more suited to Miach's familia than mine."
Shinobu looked curious.
"God-sama... is Miach also a god?"
"Yes," Hephaestus nodded. "A Healing God."
Shinobu's eyes lit up.
A Healing God.
That meant-
Hephaestus noticed immediately.
"If you want to join the Miach Familia, I can recommend you."
Kagaya Ubuyashiki hesitated.
"God-sama... is that truly acceptable?"
After all, Shinobu was a Pillar.
Hephaestus answered calmly.
"You know my domain. Fire and forging. If she joins my familia, she'll only be a combatant. Her talents would be wasted."
"If she joins Miach and deepens her medical knowledge, she can develop better medicine."
"And sell it to my familia at a lower price."
"Isn't that better?"
Kagaya Ubuyashiki had no response.
As the leader, he wanted Shinobu to have the best future possible.
If their god had no objections, neither would he.
"It's Shinobu's choice."
Shinobu thought it over.
Then she bowed slightly.
"Thank you for your kindness, God-sama."
"You're welcome," Hephaestus replied.
"When you create better medicine, selling it to my familia cheaply will be more than enough."
"I will."
Over the next few days, the Pillars returned one by one.
First came the Sound Pillar, Tengen Uzui.
Then the Love Pillar, Mitsuri Kanroji.
Then the Mist Pillar, Muichiro Tokito.
By the fourth day, all remaining Pillars had gathered in the courtyard.
Kagaya Ubuyashiki personally greeted them.
When they saw him, they froze.
His face was restored.
His sight had returned.
He stood there healthy and dignified.
"Master... what happened to you?" Sanemi Shinazugawa asked sharply.
Gyomei Himejima spoke immediately.
"What happened, Master?"
He couldn't see it.
But he sensed something different.
Obanai Iguro stared in disbelief.
"Master's appearance... his eyes... even his complexion. He looks completely healthy."
"What?" Gyomei trembled.
He clasped his hands together.
Tears streamed down his face.
"Has the Buddha finally opened his eyes? Has the Master's sincerity been answered?"
Kyojuro Rengoku laughed loudly.
"Regardless of the reason, our Master is healthy! That alone is worth celebrating!"
Giyu Tomioka nodded silently.
Kagaya Ubuyashiki spoke gently.
"Everyone. The reason I have recovered is because of a god."
"I gathered you all here to introduce her."
"I hope you will join her familia."
With that explanation, the Pillars finally understood.
Tengen frowned slightly.
"Master... is this truly real?"
Kagaya nodded.
"I would never lie to you."
Sanemi scowled.
"A god's blessing? Sounds like a trick."
"I understand your concerns," Kagaya said calmly.
"But please believe me. The great goddess Hephaestus is no fraud."
Gyomei clasped his hands again.
"If she is truly a god... then she must be powerful. May I test her?"
"No," Kagaya shook his head.
"To raise a hand against a god is a grave disrespect."
Shinobu smiled softly.
"I've already met her. She is genuine. Please don't doubt this."
Muichiro stared into space.
Giyu remained silent.
Obanai asked, "If a god truly exists, why did she not appear a thousand years ago?"
"Because she only recently came to our world," Kagaya replied.
"Please. Follow me. When you see her, you'll understand."
The Pillars exchanged looks.
Then nodded.
They followed Kagaya into the great hall.
The door opened.
Hephaestus sat inside.
Plop.
Kagaya Ubuyashiki knelt instantly.
"Kagaya Ubuyashiki, leading the Pillars of the Demon Slayer Corps, greets the God-sama."
Plop.
Shinobu knelt without hesitation.
A perfect dogeza.
One by one, the others followed.
Tengen.
Rengoku.
Sanemi.
Muichiro.
Giyu.
Mitsuri.
Obanai.
All knelt.
Only one remained standing.
Gyomei Himejima.
They knelt because they saw her.
Hephaestus was a god.
It was an instinctive recognition.
Like knowing a table is a table.
An apple is an apple.
As long as one had common sense, there was no mistake.
That said, divinity could be concealed.
Just as Emiya could hide his aura with Zetsu.
Hephaestus could suppress hers and appear ordinary.
That was why Sakonji Urokodaki hadn't immediately recognized her before.
He'd only guessed through clues.
This time was different.
Emiya had suggested it.
To avoid disrespect.
A show of force.
So Hephaestus released her aura.
And revealed her divinity.
That was why they knelt.
Gyomei didn't-at first.
He was blind.
He couldn't see her.
But it didn't matter.
Less than three seconds later-
Plop.
He knelt.
When Hephaestus revealed herself, the air itself changed.
Solemn.
Oppressive.
Divine power filled the space.
Divine grace is like the sea.
Divine power is like a prison.
Gyomei felt it clearly.
Without hesitation, he bowed until his head touched the ground.
"Gyomei Himejima greets the Kami-sama."
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