Chapter 258: A unique woman

Hana was part of the blacksmith's association and her skills were real.

But there was something that only the head of this very association was aware of. When he spotted Hana inviting some unknown people to her own smithy, his eyes narrowed, then he told his people to check on the husband.

In the meantime, Hana and the invited guests entered her place.

It was an unique place as the blacksmiths don't only use the furnaces and rough hammers for their work, but also other elements. It was enigma for the husband as to how it exactly works, but the room had many things here.

There was a huge water tank with some foreign letters written on it. Not too far away from it was a small tube that had silver wind going up and down at a fast speed. In the other corner, Kyoya and Noe could see the grayish soil that looked like ashes with the weapon inside it. Those ashes were crawling slowly, but only those with good eyes would be able to see through it.

"Your eyes going around this place are too obvious. A high level blacksmith doesn't use his hands to hold the hammer, but his skills. We also forge various elements, depending on the client's wish."

"I see… That's really unusual."

"Is it how the blacksmiths can accept many commissions at once?"

Noe then asked with big eyes, looking at Hana with genuine curiosity. As the tanned blacksmith just nodded to her words, she also returned a nod then looked forward to the whole process.

Since there weren't many questions, Hana took her seat, then placed her hand on the table. A small light escaped through her hand, then the furnace let out its roar.

Small fire specks ran away from it, then the hammer floated on its own.

"The blacksmiths from the ascended kingdoms work personally on the most important weapons, but other than that, we usually sit in this elemental environment and keep our eyes around. Of course, I am gonna look at that wooden hand for now."

"Do it."

"Still pretty confident, aren't you? I still feel nothing, though."

While the husband bit his lips nervously, Akaro's cat eyes carefully looked at the tanned blacksmith. There was some speculation she had within her experienced mind, but now after seeing the work, Akaro was certain.

This tanned blacksmith was using her skills without any belief.

It was outrageous in such a world, but there were 'weirdos' like that. However, Akaro knew just how important such a thing was as that was how many people became divine on their own, bringing new concepts to heaven!

Was Hana on the path to become the goddess? It was uncertain, but the possibility was high.

[Akaro(Goddess Fiana): She doesn't believe in any god.]

"Ha? You don't believe in any god-"

"You can tell?"

"..."

"Eh, is that really possible?"

The one who was the most shocked was Noe. She looked between Kyoya and Hana with trembling eyes, then barely uttered her question. As this made Hana smile faintly, she shifted her attention from the wooden hand to the duo.

And in one sentence she summed her 'existence'.

"Do those gods really exist?"

"O-Of course they do."

Wasn't there the goddess in the room right now? Though Akaro was in her cat form and had different circumstances, she was still the goddess whose lap would last five times Hana's age.

So Kyoya was feeling extremely weird, but not like he just could say 'Look, there is the goddess'.

"But I am doing all fine without relying on the god. You see… All this believer stuff… If I had to be overly honest with you, then it just doesn't feel fair to me."

"..."

"I have to work and each of my success should be attributed to the god? But would he help me, offer advice or look over my training? I spoke with many adventurers and blacksmiths… No one of them had ever heard their god's voice. What if all those techniques… and rules were made by just stronger people?"

"T-this is…"

"Did I offend you, Kyoya? Why are you so nervous out of sudden? Just say it."

It's always better to be blunt with this woman.

Kyoya was just too shocked to find out about such a person out of nowhere and as a person who had seen the gods, Kyoya was just unsure as to what to say. But now, he realized that Hana was an amazing person.

"Since you can forge items for adventurers around my strength… with no belief at all, then you are too amazing, Hana."

"Oh, thanks. It seems like this hand is related to the god or in a way it should be related to the believer's power, so it won't work on me. Disappointed? You can't bully me nor you can't make me addicted to you."

Kyoya felt like taking a step back, but his mind worked hard. He knew that Hana's potential was high and it would be waste to just tear the ties he made just now. It wasn't a coincidence that she allowed him to enter her private room.

A blacksmith was a valuable person, even if the husband could create items. It was because Hana would be able to polish them and enhance with that unique blacksmith's buff. It was always better to have more buffs!

"We can bully others together, though."

"What?"

"The technique you are using now… It's what you have learned by observing other blacksmiths or they probably helped guide you and your energy. I won't probe into that, but it's not easy to get concepts, isn't it?"

"Haha! I see. So you are going for a different approach. But I can only learn from stronger blacksmiths and their connections are something you shouldn't scoff at."

"It'd be fine to go for a little stronger people than you. Not like we have to start our bullying from the head of the blacksmith's association."

"That sounds… fine, I guess? Though I have still to see this hand in work… Can I modify it?"

"Yeah, what's your plan?"

As Hana and Kyoya got closer, the tanned lady spit out all her plan to which Noe nodded with 100% approval. Kyoya was the same and he felt like this blacksmith was already liking the plan too much!

Kyoya just talked a little more about the blacksmith job and Noe herself didn't waste this chance. She talked with the person that worked in the ascended kingdom, so it was a somewhat big moment for the lady from the 15th floor.

Then, Kyoya and Noe left the blacksmith association. The moon hung above them, but it was still far away from the end of nightlife here.

In his hand, Kyoya had a modified wooden hand that was just waiting for some work. Of course, Kyoya never would agree to leave this treasure behind as it would make him pretty much useless and Hana would be able to have fun on her own.

"Let's go home."

"Yes."

"It was a different day, but I did enjoy it. What about you?"

"I like to experience the new world, so it was more than enjoyable."

"That's great. I guess we have to make more ball games. Maybe until I learn that new concept?"

"I feel like these would end in the same way for most time, so keep them coming, the husband."

"Haha. Some competition in our house feels just right. I should think of more games."

Akaro was already sleeping, not even participating in the conversation. She knew that there will be small reunion in the husband's house, so she told him to just put her to Xiaoxiao's bed.

Nowadays, it was mostly Akaro's bed as Xiaoxiao slept with the husband and Xaya.

"We are back."

"The husband!"

"Yes, yes. Wait a second."

Kyoya kissed his wife who was already too close, then put Akaro's cat body to the bed. Once he did it, Kyoya stroked her for a while before leaving the room. Akaro's red eyes opened slightly, then she returned to enjoy the mortal sleep that was different from the divine one.

The goddess was free of her responsibilities, so it was another big plus. She enjoyed eating, sleeps and rests a lot more as it was just carefree. During those times, Akaro also tried to guide her close people around. It was easy as she just needed to speak and share her knowledge for now. If there was harder work, then Akaro would do it quickly and smoothly.

Meow!

It was her bed now, so Akaro meowed and fell asleep with satisfaction.

-

"You two look like you haven't eaten in a while."

"Xaya's food is just too good. Do you even realize it? Probably not since you have it everyday!"

"Calm down, Maria. Welcome back, Kyoya!"

"I am calm! Ah, second helping!"

"...I mean… Ah, well!"

Kyoya felt like Josef and Maria switching places in their relationship was bound to happen at some point, but it already happened. He just smiled as it was fine as long as both of them enjoyed their life.

After Josef calmed down Maria, he quickly ended the meal and two friends could speak freely.

"I heard the news… Congratulations."

Josef smiled broadly, then added, "I think I am content with one wife."

"Ah, that's what you meant. Thanks."

The good friends then got a place for themselves after Maria kicked her boyfriend away. She told him to tell Kyoya about all important stuff, then the ladies began to enjoy their time. But Maria first barraged Noe with some questions.

"Blacksmith woman! I knew it! Haha! I won the bet."

"Everyone knew it, but Xiaoxiao said otherwise so that this bet could happen."

"What.. Is she correct, Xiaoxiao?"

"Um, yes… Rosa is correct, but I also wanted to play with destiny! So keep the reward."

Kyoya and Josef looked weirdly while hearing this. They then left for the garden where some serious stuff could be talked about.

"So, the enemies?"

"The ones that attacked us on the 15th floor. Those bastards with scales! We know they are from this adventurer party, but we can't prove it. We are also insignificant, you know… Though we have been doing a lot of party missions, we are insignificant because of our strength. Oh, did you know? A lot of missions are related to the castle now."

"I heard there were some people on the 19th floor trying to find a solution to turn the castle around."

"That's one of those. Noble families are going all around the floors in search of various means, so they take people from popular and strong parties. It's kinda safe as those people mostly use their status."

"And our enemies also used their status to try to kill you."

"Exactly."