Zongman: The wrong person on the ground, double Shenwei at the beginning

"Hey, Ryu, I can't answer what is the right thing to do, but I can answer why Rod attacked just now."

"Why...?"

"It's all for us!"

"Eh?!"

"Perhaps the goddess has already seen that Rhodes does not share the same beliefs as us, and perhaps he does not even approve of our actions."

I would say that most people in the clan have realized this.

However, only Lyra and Kaguya, two realists who are so similar that they loathe each other, can truly understand him.

“I even suspect that his attitude toward so-called justice was ambiguous. If Kaguya and I hadn’t rescued him back then, we probably wouldn’t have traveled with him at all.”

Ryu couldn't understand, her empty-colored eyes wavered, and her voice trembled.

"But...didn't Rhodes eventually agree to join us? That shows he also wanted to uphold justice..."

Leila raised her hand to interrupt Liu, and said quietly.

"He wasn't protecting justice itself, but rather us who believe in justice..."

A flower that blooms tenaciously under the wind and rain will be praised for its nobility and resilience, but few people will offer their bodies to shelter it from the wind and rain.

Leila looked intently at the wavering fairy girl, as if to say that this "we" naturally includes you as well.

"If Rhodes also has a concept of justice, then protecting our purity is undoubtedly his justice, and even if it means getting stained with blood, he probably thinks it is necessary."

Liu suddenly raised her head, clenched her teeth and fists behind her mask.

"But if that's the case, it's so unfair to him...!!!"

"Could it be...could it be that he thinks I, and everyone else, are the kind of selfish fools who would take his protection and care for granted, who would assume that the world is so naive and simple, and who would then arrogantly think that this would easily create a dreamland where everyone can laugh together?"

The fairy girl was troubled by her own immaturity and annoyed by Rhodes's "arrogant" thoughts.

"Besides...and I'm clearly the senior, he's the one who should be protected!"

Leila chuckled to herself.

It's clear I care, but I just can't bring myself to say it honestly.

What a silly fairy!

One moment they're debating the definition of justice, the next they're feeling indignant for Rhodes.

Is the most effective way to save a fool the idea that turning her into a love-struck idiot...?

Tsk tsk, Rod, you really are a sinful man.

"Then let's try to understand his sense of justice, and then let's keep fretting and searching for the answer together."

With mixed feelings in her heart, her azure eyes reflected someone's troubled expression, and she couldn't help but take another step forward.

This time, Leila didn't stop her.

"Rhodes... I'll teach you that spell."

Chapter 25 Hephaestus, somewhat "lonely" (Seeking flowers and votes)

Astraea and Alyssa walked down the northeastern street.

This is Orario's proud hub for manufacturing magic stone products, located near the industrial zone.

Due to the booming manufacturing industry, most pedestrians on the street were laborers in work clothes, but today there are many more people dressed as adventurers, heads down, hurrying along.

Alexandra would occasionally glance at passersby, sometimes with a puzzled look in her eyes.

"what happened?"

Astraea noticed the plight of her family.

Alexie frowned, but ultimately shook her head, still puzzled.

"Is there any festival recently? It seems like there are a lot more people here, and a lot of unfamiliar faces."

"Well, after all, this is the heart of Orario, and even I can't possibly know everyone!"

"And, compared to this..."

It was rare for Alicia to show a look of worry. Only in front of the goddess would she take off her armor of pretense and reveal her true self.

“I’m still a little worried about Rhodes and the others. Although Rhodes is somewhat special, he’s not an adventurer after all. I don’t know if he can adapt to life in the dungeon.”

Astraea chuckled softly, showing her trust in everyone.

"This time, we'll be training the new recruits, so I doubt Layla and the others will venture deep into the dungeon. Besides, more important than the clan's funds, I hope everyone returns safely."

"But even though we have reliable people like Leila leading the team, I still have this bad feeling that we might get into a conflict with someone and cause something big."

"Hmm... Lyra is quite mature; at most, she'll just argue. Rod is also the cautious type, and being in his developmental stage, he won't rashly clash with others... I guess so."

Alexandra and Astraea exchanged a glance, a moment of silence followed, and then they quickened their pace in unison.

From afar, you can see a huge building that looks like a volcano.

That was their destination: the headquarters of the Hephaestus Familia, the Red Room of Valka.

As the largest forging clan in the entire labyrinth city, the base of the God of Blacksmiths occupies almost half of the area north of East Street.

But not all blacksmiths choose to live here.

The reason is simple: if the realm pursued by most adventurers has no clear end, then the ultimate answer that blacksmiths seek throughout their lives has been right before their eyes from the very beginning.

No matter how meticulously they crafted their tools, the mere thought of being judged from the highest level by the deity in charge of forging would make them feel suffocated and unable to breathe.

If criticized as worthless, one might lose even the confidence to pick up the hammer again.

After all, in the field of [forging], Hephaestus is absolutely right.

"But I still feel like it shouldn't be like this..."

In her office, Hephaestus rested her chin on her hand, gazing idly at the billowing black smoke rising from the workshop outside the window, and sighed softly.

The unknown world below is precisely what attracts the gods.

Unknown things, unknown events, and unknown people often make the gods rejoice.

Unfortunately, the field she was in charge of was precisely one based on rationality.

For her, there is no unknown in the field of forging.

Although I still love the children and am moved by their hard work, I always feel that something is missing.

At this point, she began to envy her colleagues who were in charge of more idealistic fields.

Should we just give up on this idea altogether?

Just then, she suddenly remembered what her divine friend had said in the heavenly realm.

It would be such a shame if Hephaestus weren't even cuter!

Isn't it cute...?

Although many names have been used to praise her over the years, each one refers to her outstanding craftsmanship and fiery temperament, but from the perspective of a goddess, nothing touches upon the essence of "femininity."

Hephaestus was suddenly tempted. She quietly got up, looked at her reflection in the mirror, which exuded a cool and aloof aura, and then struck a cute pose.

She placed her index fingers close to her cheeks, tilted her head slightly, and smiled gently.

“kira~”

"Lady Hephaestus, we have a guest—"

The door was suddenly opened.

A tall woman with her black hair tied up and brown skin stared wide-eyed at the scene, her face full of astonishment and she didn't know what to say. After a long pause, she finally gave a thumbs up.

"I never knew you had such a hobby in private. I will remember that scene forever, even in my next life!"

Hephaestus, realizing that someone had seen her in such a shameful state, quickly tried to stop Chun.

"Eh? Wait, wait a minute! Tsubaki!"

But the goddess of justice, who was walking into the room with a smile and saying "Excuse me," coincidentally stopped the god of blacksmiths, who was in tears.

"Oh dear, I didn't expect Hephaestus to be this type. Wouldn't it have been better if she had just been more honest sooner?"

Alexie peeked out to try and see what the goddess was up to, but was instead grabbed by the neck by Tsubaki.

"Elbow, it's a rare treat for you to come all this way. Let me show you around my workshop!"

"But I want to see..."

"Speaking of which, I've recently been forging a Crimson Knight combat set."

"Tsubaki, let's not waste any more time, let's go quickly!"

The door closed, and Alexandra's melodious urging voice gradually faded away, but the room was still filled with a somewhat subtle atmosphere.

Astraea's deep blue eyes, as clear as the starry sky, held an ambiguous smile, while Hephaestus glared at her with teary eyes.

"You're really malicious! Are you really a righteous god? Or are you just some wild girl disguised as a gentle goddess?!"

Astraea thoughtfully took out a handkerchief and handed it to her, a hint of playfulness appearing on her otherwise composed face.

"Don't say that about Artemis, she tried very hard."

Hephaestus took the handkerchief and wiped away her tears, took a deep breath, and barely managed to regain her usual aloof demeanor.

"...Did you come all this way to see me because there's something you need?"

Although the way she changed the subject was a bit awkward, Astraea still chose to take the opportunity to move on from the previous scene.

After all, she came here seeking help. We can tease her about that incident later!

"I'd like to ask you to help me make a set of protective gear for my new baby... That's what I meant, but he might prefer the more aggressive type."

Hephaestus paused in her actions, narrowed her left eye, and revealed a playful smile, taking the initiative.

"Oh~ Is that the legendary [Hero's Weapon] that topped the list of male adventurers' most wanted assassins and ranked second on the list of female adventurers' most wanted assassins the day it became famous?"

Chapter 26 Hephaestus develops a strong curiosity about Rhodes (Seeking flowers and votes)

"What kind of weird gossip do you usually read? Rhodes is just Rhodes!"

Astraea emphasized, puffing out her cheeks.

"Hehehe, the lower realm is indeed full of attraction, to be able to witness all sorts of interesting things~"

"Even someone as pure as you would actually accept a boy; I wonder how many gods would weep with envy!"

Hephaestus had now gained the upper hand and was now teasing Astraea.

Astraea swayed her long walnut-colored hair.

"Hmm... What those idiots think is none of my business. Hephaestus, would you like to accept the commission?"

"If it were someone else, I might refuse, but since it's a request from 'justice,' I can't refuse it no matter what."

Astraea squinted her eyes happily, while Hephaestus reminded her by raising a finger.

"However, the cost is quite high. Even if we waive the processing fee out of friendship, top-quality forging materials are indispensable for good weapons."

Hephaestus had heard about the economic situation of the other family, so she took precautions in advance.

"The children have been trying to explore the dungeons, but it's probably far from enough."

Astrea's face showed realization, and she gently waved her little fist.

"But it's okay, I'm ready to go and get a job!"

Hephaestus stared in surprise, and after confirming the serious look in the other's eyes, asked incredulously.

"First you took him into a clan that only girls were allowed to join, and then you went to such lengths to prepare weapons for him. You're giving him such special treatment. What kind of magic does that child possess?"

“I love all the children in my clan equally, but Rhodes… is definitely a little different.”

"Oh? Can you tell me about it?"

Astraea winked slyly and gestured.