After leaving the guild, Bell carefully asked around the market about the location of Hephaestus's shop.
He was certain that Hestia, who was likely still slacking off at that moment, would definitely be with Hephaestus and wanted them directly.
Even though the people gave him strange looks while he was asking about Hephaestus's shop, Bell could sense that most of the gazes were silently saying, "What's this poor guy thinking?"
After all, Hephaestus was the goddess of blacksmithing, with an extraordinary level of skill in forging.
Therefore, the weapons and equipment sold at Hephaestus's shop usually cost millions of valis.
Even powerful adventurers have to think carefully before buying anything at that kind of price.
Bell knew this but wasn't there to buy weapons or equipment. He was there to find Hestia.
From the moment Hestia didn't register at the guild, Bell was certain that she had been staying with Hephaestus.
He needed to find a way to meet Hephaestus while also hoping to use the opportunity to connect with Hestia through her.
It turned out that Bell's assumption was right, especially when he stood in front of Hephaestus's shop and saw a girl with black hair, twin ponytails, and a blue ribbon.
'I've found her, the perfect goddess for me, Hestia-sama!'
Bell adjusted his mood and then pushed open the door to enter the shop.
Ding-ling!
The crisp sound of the doorbell caught the two goddesses' attention, and Bell knew he had attracted their attention, especially for Hephaestus.
Bell took a moment to calm down and respectfully focused all his attention on Goddess Hephaestus.
"Hello, Hephaestus-sama. My name is Bell Cranel. I'm a new adventurer who just arrived in Orario. I've just registered with the guild, and I'm currently looking for a familia that will accept me."
He simply explained his identity, casually mentioning that he still didn't belong to any familia.
However, this statement wasn't just for Hephaestus's ears but it was also meant for Hestia, who was listening in as well.
Hephaestus composed herself for a moment.
The kid in front of her was undoubtedly new to Orario, and it was clear he hadn't found a suitable familia yet.
"Bell Cranel, why did you come to me? Do you wish to join my familia?"
"No. I understand that Hephaestus-sama's familia members are all talented blacksmiths. Even though I would love to join, I don't have any talent like that."
Hephaestus respected what Bell said. She understood that the kid in front of her wasn't someone who couldn't see his own limitations.
It was precisely because he was aware of his own shortcomings that he wouldn't recklessly try to join a major familia.
That was actually the smart thing to do.
"Then, what exactly are you looking for from me? If you're searching for a suitable familia, wouldn't it be better to ask the guild?"
"Well, Hephaestus-sama, I know that my abilities are limited, and I'm not qualified to join a well-known familia. So, I'm hoping to join a familia that doesn't have any members yet. That way, the god or goddess wouldn't have such high expectations of me. Unfortunately, the guild doesn't have any familias that meet this requirement."
Bell answered seriously.
"I thought that, as Hephaestus-sama is the goddess of blacksmithing, she must have connections with many familias, so I was hoping that you could introduce me to one."
After hearing this, Hestia's eyes lit up.
'What a lucky coincidence!'
Hestia had been wondering how to find a member to start her own familia. She thought getting a member would be nearly impossible, but now one had shown up right in front of her.
Of course, Hephaestus wasn't so easily convinced. She certainly didn't deny the truth of Bell's words, but why did this boy think she would help him find a Familia?
Then, Hephaestus asked him.
"What if I don't help you find someone?"
"If you don't help me find someone, I hope Hephaestus-sama will take me in. I may not be able to become a familia member, but at least I could work as an assistant. I know Orario is the center of the world, but I also understand that without a position, I'll soon be swallowed up by this city."
Hephaestus furrowed her brows slightly. Suddenly, the boy in front of her had shifted in her mind.
He was no longer just a simple new adventurer. He had become someone who could assess his situation clearly and make honest choices that gave him the best chance to survive.
This city does consume people—not just the dungeon, but the city itself.
New adventurers come to Orario with their dreams and hopes, but many are crushed before they can make those dreams come true.
The children from the lower world can't lie to the gods, so Hephaestus believed that Bell's words were genuine. He knew full well that this city could devour people, yet he still came.
"You knew this city was dangerous, yet you still came. Why?"
Bell understood that this was Hephaestus testing him, and he answered seriously.
It might be the answer of the original Bell, and now, it had become his own answer as well.
However, the reason Bell had come to this conclusion might not have been as noble and was simply for his own sake.
"I want to become strong."
It was a simple and honest reason, but in the boy's eyes, Hephaestus saw an indescribable sadness and determination.
"Every child from the lower world has their own reasons. They are different from us. They're fragile… and they care deeply about their feelings."
Hephaestus didn't press further.
She had seen many adventurers before and understood why this kid had come to Orario.
A young boy coming to this city alone—his situation was already clear enough.
Hephaestus was a goddess who felt pity for mortals. She wasn't like the gods who only played around for fun.
Knowing the boy's story, she decided to offer him some help, driven by her sympathy for children from the lower world.
'But... introducing this child to idiot Hestia might be the most irresponsible thing I could do."
Hephaestus couldn't help but feel a bit concerned about whether Hestia would be capable of being a responsible goddess for someone.