I can hear birds chirping.

I wake up shortly after.

When I open my eyes, it’s an unfamiliar ceiling.

—Ah, right. I stayed at the Astraea Familia’s base.

As I sit up, Artemis is still asleep beside me.

Rubbing my eyes, I look around, and the members of the Astraea Familia are still asleep as well.

"Oh my, you’re awake… Kiyo."

My vision is still blurry.

A gentle voice reaches my ears.

My mind gradually catches up.

Standing before me is chestnut-colored hair and pure white clothing.

The goddess Astraea smiles softly while cleaning up the dishes left from yesterday’s feast.

"Astraea, huh. Morning."

"Yes, good morning."

A pure, unclouded smile.

Still feeling a bit sluggish from waking up, I force my body up.

After washing my face, I help Astraea.

"You can keep resting, Kiyo."

"I’m already awake. I’ll help."

"Is that so? Then I’ll take you up on that."

The feast was held at the Astraea Familia’s base, ‘Starry Garden’, and I’m in the position of being hosted.

And I even stayed the night. I want to repay that, even just a little.

"—By the way, Kiyo, you seemed quite close with Lyra yesterday."

As if recalling yesterday, Astraea suddenly asks.

While carrying dishes, we speak quietly enough for only each other to hear.

"She came up to me. I’m grateful, but it’s not like we’re particularly close."

"Is that so? —fufu."

She simply smiles without saying anything further.

There’s nothing wrong with getting along with others, so there’s no reason to be told otherwise.

After finishing the cleanup, I sit on the sofa and drink the cocoa Astraea gave me, chatting casually with the goddess.

"Kiyo, come here."

While we’re talking, Astraea suddenly gestures for me to come over, smiling.

I don’t have a reason to refuse, so I sit beside her as told.

"What’s this about? Suddenly having me sit next to you…"

"I felt like fluffing you."

At first I don’t understand what she means, but after a few seconds, I realize.

The goddess is smiling brightly while patting her thighs.

In other words, she wants me to rest my head there.

"Um… Astraea?"

"No one is awake yet."

That’s not really the issue, but refusing stubbornly would be pointless—and more importantly, uncool.

And honestly, if it’s Astraea, I don’t mind.

"Fine."

Even if I don’t fully mean it, I decide to act like a child and indulge the goddess.

I rest my head on her lap as she gently runs her hands through my hair.

It actually feels… strangely comforting.

After a while—

"Good morning!! The pure and beautiful me has awakened! Fufuun!"

The comfortable moment is shattered by a loud voice ringing in my ears.

Drawn by that voice, Astraea’s Familia members start waking up one after another.

Some rub their eyes, some go wash their faces—each beginning their morning routines.

"Well, since everyone’s awake now, it’s about time…"

"Yes, that’s right."

The fluffing time ends, and I stand up from the sofa.

After relaxing for a bit, I wake Artemis up.

* * *

"Ehh! You could’ve at least stayed for breakfast too!"

After getting ready to leave the ‘Starry Garden’, Artemis and I stand at the entrance.

"That would be too much. I’d feel bad."

It’s a different Familia, and an all-female one at that, so some restraint is natural.

We may have stayed the night, but that doesn’t mean I can ignore that—it’s just my own selfish thinking.

"Well then, thanks for everything. I’ll come again, Astraea."

Artemis gives her thanks, and I bow along with her as we properly leave the ‘Starry Garden’.

Looking at the city, it’s still not fully restored, and some areas still have rubble.

But compared to the hellscape from before, it’s undeniably much cleaner now.

Priority has been given to housing for those who lost their homes.

Those with nowhere to go are all staying there for now.

No matter how many people there are, it’s still not enough.

Adventurers, adults, even children are all working together toward the city’s restoration.

As for food, it’s mainly being supplied by the Astraea Familia and other factions, so while life isn’t comfortable, survival isn’t an issue.

"Alright, let’s head back for now."

The goddess walking beside me says that, and I nod lightly.

We’re no exception to losing our home, so until our new base is complete, we’re staying in temporary lodging.

The inn we used before was destroyed.

So until our new base is rebuilt at the former church site, we’re forced to stay here.

We also plan to build Alfia’s grave there.

Returning to the temporary lodging, the room is small, but it has beds and is private, so there’s no need to worry.

It’s a simple wooden structure, but acceptable.

"Where are you going with your sword?"

"I’m heading to the Hephaistos Familia for a bit. I want them to adjust this sword."

"Got it. Be careful."

I thought she might come along, but apparently not.

Holding my black sword, I head toward the Hephaistos Familia.

At their base, ‘Valka’s Crimson Workshop’, I arrive and open the door without hesitation.

Inside are countless weapons and armor, most shining silver and reflecting light.

"Excuse me…"

When I call out, a woman approaches.

Black hair, tanned skin, and a distinctive eyepatch over her left eye.

"Oh? What brings you here today?"

She lowers herself to match my eye level, giving off a welcoming atmosphere.

I respond by presenting the black sword in my hand.

"I want this sword adjusted to suit my body."

This sword originally belonged to Alfia.

With our difference in height and build, it naturally doesn’t suit me.

I can still fight with it, but I can’t draw out its full potential.

"Let me see."

She takes the sword and examines it closely.

The ‘One-Eyed Master Smith’—Tsubaki Collbrande, captain of the Hephaistos Familia.

There’s no adventurer in Orario who doesn’t know her name.

The moment she sees the sword, her eyes widen as she inspects it more deeply.

Even without expertise, I can tell—it’s an incredible weapon.

"This sword… what’s your name?"

Her sharp gaze meets mine.

"Kiyo. I’m with the Artemis Familia."

"Artemis… I see! So you’re that rumored promising rookie!"

Promising?

I don’t recall anyone expecting anything from me.

Shaking off the distraction, I refocus.

"So, the sword?"

"...Honestly? It’s insane."

Whether it’s lack of words or sheer shock, one thing is clear—it’s extraordinary.

"Specifically?"

"It’s made from materials I’ve never seen before. Does that explain it?"

A top-class smith unfamiliar with the material—its danger is obvious.

"I see."

"We’ll need to consult my goddess. Come along, Kiyo-kichi."

Kiyo-kichi?

That nickname feels strange, but I follow her to the goddess’s room.

Inside stands Hephaistos, the goddess with short red hair and an eyepatch over her right eye.

She notices us and approaches.

"Oh? What is it?"

"Goddess, do you have a moment?"

"I don’t mind, but…"

"I want you to look at this sword. The kid brought it."

She takes the sword—

And immediately her eyes widen in shock.

"No way… this sword…"

"I couldn’t identify the material. I thought you might."

Even Tsubaki couldn’t determine it.

"Listen carefully. This sword is made from the scales of the Black Dragon!"

"WHAT!?"

A shout echoes through the workshop.

Black Dragon scales… no wonder.

Not from Zeus or Hera—they lost.

So it must be from ancient times, from the strongest hero who took one of its eyes.

Perhaps even a will passed down through generations.

"But that’s strange… no smith today should be able to process this…"

Modern reliance on machines has dulled craftsmanship.

But if anyone could…

"Kiyo, where did you get this?"

"...From someone important to me."

"Honestly… this is beyond you as a new adventurer. Even if you use it, you can’t fully wield it."

Her gaze is serious.

"That’s why I came here—to make it suit me."

"I see."

She nods.

"I’ll take responsibility for this sword. Kiyo, will you let me be your personal smith?"

That was unexpected—but I accept quickly.

"That would help a lot."

"I won’t charge you. This is a rare opportunity for me too."

"Then…"

"Yes."

"Deal."

We shake hands.

Now I have a personal smith—personally trained by a goddess.

"I’m jealous already," Tsubaki mutters.

Then Hephaistos takes the sword and heads to her private forge.

The heat is intense, filled with the sound of metal being struck.

Only the two of us are there.

Before she begins, I speak.

"There’s something I need to tell you."

"What is it?"

"You know I’m level 3, right?"

"Yes… though I heard level 2 before."

"What if that’s a lie?"

"What?"

"My real level is higher. High enough to surpass the Mighty One."

Her hands stop.

"...Are you saying?"

"Yeah. I’m actually level 8. And I defeated the Conqueror and Silence during the Great Feud."

She grips my shoulders tightly.

"You’re telling the truth?"

She realizes I’m not lying.

"I had to tell you, since you’ll be my smith."

"Did you report this to the Guild?"

"No. It would cause chaos. And being level 8 at my age would bring resentment."

"That explains the sword…"

"Can you adjust it?"

"I’ll try—but no guarantees."

"That’s fine."

"Then I’ll begin."

And with that, I’m kicked out of the workshop.

Guess I’ll check back tomorrow.