Magic swordsman of Orario

Arthur didn't answer immediately but looked at Hephaestus instead, observing her.

He can tell that she's serious just by looking at her eye and the expression she had at this moment.

She even went as far as offering one of the high quality equipments below which was created by her, the best of the best items, in exchange which was very interesting and an offer enough to tempt even gods which can be seen in Loki's earlier exclamation.

But...

Although the weapons and equipments below are all high quality and extremely expensive, they have no use to him now. As a level 1 adventurer, what's the point of having a weapon he can't use to it's fullest potential?

Nothing.

That's the same as giving the legendary rank sword to a level 1 newbie player, not only it's moronic but also impractical.

Instead of helping, it might bring harm to him instead becoming a shackle to his strength.

That's why Hephaestus had locked the Hestia Knife's abilities before in the canon and made it directly proportional to Bell's growth. The stronger he became, the more abilities of the Hestia knife Bell can unlock and utilize.

That's why Arthur was usually refrained from using Excalibur at normal times. He only used it at desperate situations as the matter of life and death.

But Arthur now don't need a weapon like that also there's no way in hell that he will spend 200 million Valis for a single weapon. Simply no way.

So Arthur is thinking of what he should ask later in exchange. After all, this kind of chance might not come again because meeting this alluring crimson-haired goddess wasn't easy at all.

As the leader of the world class level smithing Familia, her schedule tend to be full most of the times.

A weapon of his own liking. Something that would suit him andd his fighting style very well.

Daggers and knives will be fine but they are not suitable in facing against large category monsters. He needed somethig usual like the dual swords that he used now.

Swords.

But it has to be strong enough to handle his strength and his craziness in battle. It should be able to last untill he is strong enough to use Excalibur with it's full potential, which only happen when he was at least level 7 or level 8.

Just like other adventurers, his goal is also to reach the lowest floor of the dungeon and conquer it, but as he climbs down the dungeon the monsters he face only get tougher and larger as he goes on so a strong weapon is must.

Although it's funny how he's already counting the chicks before the eggs have even hatched.

Well not really. As a transmigrator with a system cheat, Arthur believed that he can overcome this world's trials and conquer it then he can go to his dream world of booby heaven.

As unbelievable as it may sound, Arthur had already seen through the sword despite only seeing it today for the first time. That's also the reason why he was mesmerised by it because it's simply insane.

He can't help but admire this crimson-haired goddess in front of him for being capable of creating such sword. She really is something.

Arthur felt like the sword was speaking, telling him how it was made, the process, the materials etc.. It's a magical thing like as if he's watching a movie on the screen.

"You overestimate me, lady Hephaestus." He said humbly. As he is right now, Arthur can only silently admit defeat in front of this goddess. "As much as I do want to get a piece of equipment below, I never really forge anything yet so I hope that my answer won't disappoint you that much.."

"You never forge anything?" Hephaestus kintted her eyebrow slightly. She's genuinely surprised. "Does it also mean that what you said earlier are all empty compliments Arthur?"

She didn't believe that's the case. Hephaestus can feel that there's something special about this young man that she can't explain.

It doesn't have to do anything whether he had forge anything or not. It's different.

His words, though it may sounds like a normal compliments for others, Arthur's words are heavier.

It's feel like it's something that came from a seasoned blacksmith. This child of Loki was indeed..... very interesting.

Deities can see through mortal's lies so she can tell that Arthur was not lying when he said that he never forged anything.

But what she didn't know that his knowledge about advanced forging technique can surpass the best blacksmiths of this world.

Though in his previous life he was a Otaku Surgeon, but he is also a fan of a particular program named 'Forged in Fire'.

There wasn't a single episode that he have missed. While watching this program his knowledge about blacksmithing also increased.

"Not at all. What I've said earlier, I really mean them all, lady Hephaestus. I'm sure that sword was very well made, it's very close to the pinnacle whepon that a mortal can make."

"Close you say?"

Hephaestus was amused hearing that. The sword she had ever forged so far throughout her entire time here in mortal realm. She is very proud of it.

But now, this child in front of her says that it's only close to the pinnacle but not the best? Does it mean that he had seen something better before?

No. He did say earlier that this sword was the best sword he had ever seen so far. Just what exactly is going on?

Hephaestus quickly denied that thought, but if that wasn't the case, then why? The deeper she tried to think of an answer, the more confused she became.

A double edge sword that was less than a meter in lenth, two inches in width and probably around 3 millimetres in thickness. It's obsidian black in color and it has very ordinary appearance as it didn't have any unnecessary worthless designs to it.

Aside from the hieroglyphs imprinted to it which Arthur didn't want to read, there is nothing more. The sword doesn't even have a sheath to put it into.

But even so, the sword doesn't have even a speck of dust on it.

"Explain it.." Hephaestus finally said after a while with a voice that's more interested than before.

Arthur nodded his head and continued. "I think that the most crucial aspects in creating this sword was time and... Determination."

Hephaestus's eyes visibly enlarged, even the patched one, because of shock. She managed to hide it right on time. "Hmm? And what made you think so?"

"It's because this sword... Takes decades of forging to make." Arthur said as his answer made Hephaestus silent.

She only stare at Arthur, blankly. But deep inside her, a storm of emotions are surging in chaos.

Seeing that none of them are speaking, Loki who has been silent all this time finally spoke. "What do you mean, Arthur? Was a few decades really that long for gods?"

As a goddess herself, not to mention decades, even centuries or millennias wasn't a long time at all. It's only a small part of their life.

"Oh my silly mischievous goddess." Arthur flicked her fourhead which made Loki complain with a pout as Riveria on the side started to giggle as she already get his point. But Loki stare at him angrily with puffed cheeks.

"Mou! Why did you do that, Arthur? I won't talk to you anymore, hmph!" Loki pouted.

"A few decades might be a very short time for deities like you, Goddess but for us mortals, that can be our entire lifetime." Arthur explained seriously.

Loki became silent clearly understanding the gravity of the Arthur's earlier statement.

"But this wasn't an issue of being a deity or not because after coming down here in mortal world, all Gods and Goddesses have sealed their arcanum aren't they?" Arthur said as everyone in the room present nodded.

"Without your arcanum all of you are no different than a mortal. One who fell sick, get hungry, get tired etc... Well, aside from the fact that you guys didn't age at all. But still... "

Arthur paused as he looked into the eyes of Hephaestus and continued "The determination required to keep on hammering more than a ton of metal till it finally reached this size... To be able to peesist till the very end despite having that weak body... And also, that level of dedication and skills... You have my respect, lady Hephaestus."

Arthur has genuine smile filled with admiration and respect as he said all those words to Hephaestus. There wasn't the slightest hint of exaggeration to it at all.

For him whether it was a dirty or not, anyone who worked really hard for their own goals are worthy of respect. It doesn't have anything to do whether you are an immortal or not.

Drip.. Drip...

Years unknowingly started flowing from both of Hephaestus's eyes. It was already too late when she noticed what's happening.

"I... What's wrong with me?" She said with a smile trying towipe away the tears on her eyes.

"Hephaestus..." Loki tried to reach out to her but she stopped her by saying 'I'm okay.' To her. Loki can only stop and let Hephaestus be.

Arthur on the other hand didn't say but continue to looking at the sword hanging on the wall.

After a while....

Hephaestus finally calmed down, she has a bright expression on her pretty face as she looked at Arthur.

How long has it been since she became this happy? No. Has she ever been like this before to begin with? She didn't know for sure but... Having someone that was capable of appreciateing what she did.... Someone who can see through her work with just a mere glance... Someone who can understand her despite knowing her for the first time... That's feel really great.

"Tell me Arthur, do you want to have that sword? " Hephaestus said stunning everyone.

"...What?"