1.
Dolores returned to the Tower with Camilla.
There was no particular reason for the trip. She needed Camilla’s emergency medicine for Lionel’s overwork.
He might have been fine now after receiving treatment, but once he started working, he was the sort to disregard everything else.
However, just before she reached Camilla’s hideout, someone stopped her.
A pale green light bloomed at her feet, and adorable little leaves pointed toward the temple.
“…A summons?”
There was practically only one being who could summon Dolores.
Her mother did not normally call her to the temple over trivial matters. She was always considerate of her apostles’ convenience.
After sending Camilla word that she might be delayed, Dolores immediately headed for the temple.
The priests guarding the entrance opened the way the instant they saw her.
When she opened her private prayer room, she found green blades of grass carpeting the floor.
She has already arrived….
The moment Dolores stepped into the room, a voice resonated in her mind.
『Welcome, my eldest child.』
Recently, Dolores had become the “eldest child.”
"I greet the Mother of Earth."
As Dolores respectfully bowed her head, the grass around her swayed as if welcoming her.
『Yes, there is no need for a long conversation. The reason I called you today is…』
Rather than immediately continuing, Mother paused to choose her words.
Dolores could not quite guess why.
The Tower climb was going smoothly, and no problems had arisen.
『My eldest child. I wish to ask you something honestly.』
"Yes, Mother."
『Have you perhaps been neglectful of my younger child?』
"……?"
Younger child….
There was only one person Mother would call that.
Dolores’s child, Lionel.
"I… toward Lionel…"
At first, she wondered whether she had heard wrong, but….
『If you cannot even satisfy the child already in your arms, what will you do in the future, my eldest child…?』
Flinch.
Dolores’s body trembled.
Those words… Though the voice itself sounded warm, as far as Dolores could tell, it was the harshest possible reprimand Gaia could give.
『Though you hold him in your arms every day… I was quite surprised to see him already turn his eyes toward another woman. It seems the little one of fire is tremendously excited that her child was chosen.』
Ah.
Now she understood.
Normally, which god climbers served—in other words, whose apostles they were—was a secret among them….
But among themselves, as Apostles of Dawn, they tacitly knew. They simply did not mention it in public.
For example, Dolores served Gaia while Yeomhwa served Ignia, but they did not openly show that they knew this about one another.
“…The flowers.”
This was about the equipment Lionel had made for Yeomhwa not long ago.
Rumors traveled quickly among gods.
『But, my eldest child, I am not reproaching you. Nor do I mean that you should control my younger child.』
"……."
『I simply mean that my younger child may not always think of you as his first priority… so please do not make him feel neglected.』
Dolores herself had permitted Lionel to make equipment for Yeomhwa.
Furthermore, Lionel had made that equipment out of sympathy for Yeomhwa, saying that he would take responsibility himself….
There had been no reason to worry, but….
『And always keep him satisfied.』
There should not have been, but….
…He might not think of me.
Mother’s words continued to weigh on her heart.
Then.
『…Oh my.』
Dolores sensed Mother stirring, and every blade of grass lifted its head at once.
『It seems my younger child is about to ring the Divine Bell.』
Mother’s voice, which was always so unhurried, became urgent.
『My eldest child, I am sorry, but I must be going now. Please take care of yourself as well, and speak with my younger child slowly.』
And with that, Mother left….
"……."
Dolores remained alone in the temple, mulling over what Mother had said.
No matter how much she thought about it… she could not understand why those words bothered her so much.
2.
Doing it once was difficult. Doing it twice was easy.
─────────────────
[Divine Bell: True] [★★★☆☆]
[Divine Artifact]
─────────────────
A bell that notifies the gods that a skilled Heir of Fire has opened his forge.
The gods will hear it and flock in with lowered heads.
─────────────────
『Would you… accept contact…?』
── To [Skilled Blacksmith L] ──
─────────────────
This time, I made it from bronze so its ringing would carry farther.
And I used Dawn Bringer to strike it, intending to make sure the craftsmanship was solid too.
The goal was two-way communication, at least… though I had no idea whether it had worked.
"Hey, Yuna, what was the last Divine Bell like again?"
[One moment.]
─────────────────
[Divine Bell] [★★☆☆☆]
[Divine Artifact]
─────────────────
A bell that announces to the gods that an Heir of Fire has opened his forge.
The gods will hear it and ask for what they desire.
─────────────────
『Accept contact.』
── To [Formal Blacksmith L] ──
─────────────────
That was the last one… so this was a huge improvement.
It had gained another star, and even the description was way better.
More importantly, the Origin Script….
"Heh heh."
It had manners installed?
How had I done it last time? I went to the place where the moonlight shone strongest at night, set down the bell, and struck it.
Since some time had passed while I made the bell, it was already getting dark outside.
I could go ring it now.
“…But isn’t she here yet?"
When was Mama coming?
This was the first time she had ever been this late.
I took the bell outside the workshop and sat in the yard.
Under the night sky illuminated by moonlight, I set down the bell….
"This should do it."
I struck the bell with Dawn Bringer.
Dong….
Beginning with that first chime….
Ding… ding… ding….
"Ugh, it’s starting again."
The bell-ringing prank had started again.
This was surprisingly hard on the ears.
─────────────────
[The Divine Bell has received a response.]
[A divine message has arrived.]
─────────────────
"Got it."
A window floated before me.
A divine message… Last time, it had been completely one-way communication, which was kind of exhausting. Would it be like that again?
But contrary to my expectations, the window before me looked markedly different from last time.
─────────────────
[The Divine Bell of a Skilled Blacksmith echoes through the Celestial Realm.]
[The gods request communication with you.]
[You may speak directly with any god whose request you accept.]
[During conversation, you may exchange photos and videos.]
[However, you may connect with only one target at a time.]
─────────────────
"Oh…?"
This was a lot different.
Didn’t this mean two-way communication actually worked?
It was kind of like… right, like the Tower system’s DMs.
Which meant I would not get kicked out after ringing it three times and doing nothing but introduce myself, like last time….
"That said…"
『Never be seduced.』
I could not get that out of my head.
In a situation like this, I needed to put some kind of safeguard in place.
"Yuna, if it looks like I’m about to get seduced, stop me, okay?"
Would that be tough for Yuna too?
[Sorry, but that’s what I do every single day, big brother;;;;; It’s literally my business.]
[I guarantee some god isn’t gonna seduce you better than a rhythm game?????]
Suddenly, a mess of typos.
Okay. Maximum confidence.
Then—
Pop!
The first opening bid arrived.
─────────────────
[Communication Request]
[Storm Empress Pamola ▸ Skilled Blacksmith L]
『You were first last time, and you’re first again… Would you like to speak with me?』
『I ask politely.』
[1 photo attached.]
─────────────────
"……."
It really was different.
Last time, she had made a huge fuss about being first, used up all her chances, and gotten disqualified, I think.
This time, she was calm and polite.
It seemed like I could view the photo if I accepted the communication request.
Pop!
Another contact arrived before I could even accept.
─────────────────
[Communication Request]
[Goddess of Lust Lustia ▸ Skilled Blacksmith L]
『First, think of the appearance you like most. I can become anything you wish, you know?』
『I’ll let you do anything you want.』
[1 video attached.]
─────────────────
“…Wow, so this is what it’s like."
This was seriously much more full-scale.
I could really feel the attempt to seduce me.
I got it immediately.
Even why the textbook had repeatedly emphasized it.
[Big brother…?]
"Big brother isn’t sleeping."
Honestly, I was interested in the video.
But it would be kind of weird to just watch the video or read the message and bail, right? To be honest, I did not think I would accept Lustia’s request anyway.
It was like taking ten consecutive free samples and then running off.
Still, looking at all these incoming requests, being an Heir of Fire seemed structurally rough.
Blacksmiths—especially to become a skilled blacksmith—seemed like the type who could not even breathe outdoor air, let alone meet women, because they had to stand in front of a furnace and swing a hammer all day.
Then, if those hopelessly inexperienced guys suddenly got temptations like this thrown at them, there was no way they would not fall for it.
"They even tailor themselves to your ideal type?"
And record videos too…?
Fuck, that was an instant GG.
"…Hmm."
They kind of reminded me of my seniors.
My seniors, who had done nothing but study and started planning the wedding date the moment a woman spoke to them for the first time….
Of course, that was their ability.
I could not even find a job, so I never got to hear from them.
Anyway.
"Skip Pamola, skip Lustia."
Should I start by looking for a familiar name?
“…Gaia… Gaia… Gaia….”
As I said that, I started searching for Gaia’s name.
They told me not to be seduced, but, well… it was someone I liked, so it did not count as being seduced.
And I was pretty loyal.
She had sought me out first last time, and she had even given me flowers in the Tower, so I wanted the next one to be Gaia too.
Besides, as the Goddess of Earth, she could help with Dolores’s equipment.
“…Hmm?"
But no matter how far down I looked, Gaia was not there.
"Does she not need anything this time?"
…That was an unexpected variable.
I had not considered the possibility that Gaia would not need a divine artifact.
As I tilted my head—
Pop!
─────────────────
[Communication Request]
[Goddess of Fire Ignia ▸ Skilled Blacksmith L]
『You must have heard? What I have done for your people.』
『I think highly of you. Diligence and passion always burn brightest… Let us speak.』
─────────────────
Maybe because she had been appearing like a regular in my Origin Script lately, I was somewhat familiar with her.
I did not know the details. I only knew that she had abandoned the dwarves….
But I did not really understand that first sentence.
There was no way she knew my race, unlike Gaia, who had seen me in person.
The textbook had said that the gods could only see equipment.
“…By my people, does she mean dwarves?"
It seemed like she had gotten the wrong idea.
Still, the sentence below was pretty appealing, I guess.
There was no photo, so it did not seem like overt seduction… and most importantly, Gaia still had not contacted me, so it seemed worth hearing her out.
"Let’s hear her out~"
I pressed the Accept button beneath Ignia’s communication request.
[Goddess of Fire Ignia]
『Heir of Fire…?』
Oh, I could see it.
DM windows immediately appeared.
As usual, I decided to conduct the conversation by speaking while Yuna transcribed it.
"Hello."
[Hello.]
"Hey, hey, wait a second."
No, Yuna. You usually adjust it just right, but if you suddenly write exactly what I say….
[Ah, sry]
No, no… We were just going for a friendly tone, that was all.
Ignia’s reply came almost instantly, as if she had been waiting.
[Goddess of Fire Ignia]
『Yes, hello. First, I have done a few things you might like.』
Thankfully, she did not seem bothered.
But Ignia suddenly shifted into a strange topic.
Honestly, I thought she would immediately start whining for me to make her equipment.
『In the outlying dwarf settlements that had frozen because sunlight could not reach them, I sent down fire and thawed the earth. Starting this year, they will be able to grow crops again.』
『I also returned embers to the extinguished fire pits, so they should have no trouble smoking livestock to survive the winter immediately.』
『At the paths leading to the settlements, I erected ever-burning torches so magical beasts could not approach.』
『And I shared a small spark with two young dwarves who had fallen ill because their fire energy was weak.』
"……?"
Was this suddenly a briefing on helping disadvantaged neighbors?
『I started by taking care of settlements that no one had touched until now, so the circumstances of your people must have improved quite a bit.』
『What do you think? Do you like it?』
"Um…"
What I was feeling right now was…
How should I put it….
“I did all this!”
It sounded like something written by a child waiting for their parents to praise them.
『I would never have done it if not for you.』
More specifically, a child who had never done a good deed even once before.
And this person—no, god—right now.
"I guess she thinks I’m a Sun Dwarf."
Well, that could not really be helped.
At least I understood that the dwarves had received an unprecedented amount of help.
I was not a dwarf, but if someone treated dwarves well, then… it was not a bad thing.
Though honestly, there was not a single benefit in it for me.
Harngar would probably love this.
"Wow, you really worked hard. Good, good."
She seemed starved for praise, so I gave her some….
[I am impressed by the compassionate will of the Goddess of Fire. Those who received your aid will surely be greatly pleased as well.]
『Right?』
Her reply was fast.
"Yes, but is there perhaps something you would like to receive?"
I understood the effort, at least.
But let us… get to the point.
"Ah, wait, Yuna. Can you make it sound like I’m not necessarily making something just because they request it, but that I’ll do it if it seems interesting to me?"
[Yeah, one moment.]
A little later, Yuna’s polished reply appeared.
[If there is a divine artifact you desire, would you tell me its form and purpose? My forge is limited, so I cannot grant every request, but if it is an object that moves my heart, I will gladly devote my utmost sincerity to it.]
Was that… kind of rude?
It was basically saying, “I’ll hear you out, then maybe make it if it seems good.”
『I like that confidence… Keep it.』
『I cannot be satisfied with ordinary things. You feel the same, do you not?』
Her reaction was pretty good.
"Yes, of course."
『Let us have a deep conversation. There is something I have always had in mind, so wait just a moment.』
Sure, got—.
That was when it happened.
Though it said I could not open another communication while receiving one, the requests themselves kept arriving.
Then—
Pop!
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[Communication Request]
[Goddess of Earth Gaia ▸ Skilled Blacksmith L]
『I’m sorry, my child… I am unaccustomed to speaking this way, so I was a little late.』
『Did you wait long? It seems you are already speaking with another child….』
[1 video attached.]
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"……."
A video from Gaia????
So it was not that she had nothing in mind. She had just been late….
The problem was that to open it, I would have to close my current chat with Ignia.
I was loyal, so how could I…?
Loyalty to Gaia, and loyalty to Ignia….
"What am I supposed to do…?"
Whichever one I chose, I would feel sorry to the other.
As I agonized over it—
Pop.
Another message from Gaia arrived.
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[Communication Request]
[Goddess of Earth Gaia ▸ Skilled Blacksmith L]
『My child. There is one thing I failed to tell you.』
『Dolores is an apostle who has served me for many years, and she is the eldest child I cherish more than anyone.』
─────────────────
What?
All right, everyone freeze.
Dolores was Gaia’s apostle?
"What does that mean?"
I knew from the Origin Script that she cherished Dolores as her daughter more than once.
I had even gone with Dolores to the temple to pray, and I had seen her get scolded.
But I thought Gaia simply cared for her because Dolores had built a huge temple and prayed often.
“…An apostle?"
I did not know what an apostle was.
"What’s an apostle, Yuna?"
[Apparently, they’re like an agent who serves a god and acts in their stead.]
[Since they’ve been chosen by a god, when the god they serve rises in standing, that power flows to the apostle too.]
"…What?"
Then that changed things.
The entire reason I had decided to make a divine artifact this time was to make better equipment for Dolores.
But if simply offering a divine artifact to Gaia raised Dolores’s standing….
Hmm….
I could get a feel for the power of earth while making Gaia’s divine artifact, and Dolores would grow stronger in the process too….
No matter how I looked at it, this was a complete Dolores gift set….
"……."
It seemed the scales of my decision had tilted a little.
『I’ll tell you.』
"Ah, just a moment."
A message had suddenly arrived from Ignia.
"…Um."
『?』
I was truly sorry, but….
"Could we postpone it for one year, Goddess of Fire…?"
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