The greatest benefit of winning over Hephaestus was that Genichi now had the fastest possible route to getting close to Hestia.
As mentioned in the original story, after descending to the Lower World, Hestia would temporarily stay with Hephaestus.
She would live like a complete freeloader, eating when she was hungry, reading when she was bored, sleeping when she got tired, then waking up and eating again.
That lifestyle lasted for three months, until Hephaestus finally had enough and threw her out.
Another three months passed before Hestia met the Rabbit, and the original story truly began.
That made the path to winning Hestia over almost painfully obvious.
Now that Genichi had Hephaestus on his side, he had an even better way to do it: turn Hestia into a helpless freeloader, make her unable to live without him, then gradually make her dependent on him until she was completely accustomed to his presence.
After listening to his plan, the way Hephaestus looked at him changed completely.
Her gaze was somewhere between looking at a monster and looking at some calculating creature she'd never encountered before.
She had lived for hundreds of millions of years. She had witnessed countless plots and met countless schemers, but she had never seen anyone talk about making a goddess dependent on him with such calm, matter-of-fact confidence.
"You really are a frightening man..."
Her voice was quiet, carrying a trace of helplessness, a hint of mockery, and even a little admiration she herself hadn't noticed.
She wasn't exactly worried about Hestia.
If anything, she was curious.
As long as Genichi didn't go against Hestia's own wishes, Hephaestus also wanted to see whether this man could truly win over Hestia, the virgin goddess who had rejected countless male gods in Heaven.
"Frightening?"
Genichi leaned back against the wooden chair beside the forge, arms folded across his chest as the corners of his lips rose slightly.
"I just saw the outcome earlier than everyone else. You know Hestia's personality better than I do. She's lazy, hates trouble, and doesn't want to think too hard. She needs someone to handle everything for her, someone to take care of her food and daily life, someone who'll let her be a freeloader without having to worry about anything."
"And I'm willing to be that person."
Hephaestus narrowed her single eye.
"So you're admitting that you're using her?"
Genichi looked at her without the slightest intention of denying it.
"Of course I'm using her. I need her authority over the sacred flame. I need it to make me immune to Ishtar's charm. I need her to become one of my allies."
"But I'm not only using her."
"I'll take care of her. I'll protect her. I'll give her the life she wants."
"If she wants a home, I'll give her a home. If she wants security, I'll give her security. If she wants to live without anyone disturbing her, I'll deal with every problem that comes her way."
Hephaestus fell silent.
She knew Genichi was telling the truth.
He never concealed his objectives, never tried to make his motives sound nobler than they were, and never pretended to be some kind of saint.
He was simply himself: selfish, cold, and willing to use whatever methods were necessary.
But at the very least, he was honest about it.
"So what exactly are you planning?"
Hephaestus asked with curiosity, anticipation, and a faint excitement she couldn't quite explain.
Genichi lightly tapped his fingers against the armrest, producing a steady rhythm.
"First, you need to keep her with you. Don't kick her out shortly after she descends to the Lower World. At the very least, let her stay with you for a while."
"I need time to get close to her. Time for her to get used to having me around. Time for her to start depending on me."
Hephaestus raised an eyebrow.
"How long do you want me to keep her?"
"At least a month."
Genichi's voice remained calm.
"One month is enough for me to turn us from strangers into acquaintances, acquaintances into friends, and friends into people who can't easily leave each other."
Hephaestus couldn't help laughing.
"You're awfully confident."
Genichi looked at her, the corners of his mouth lifting.
"It's not confidence. It's experience."
Hephaestus paused before understanding exactly what he meant.
He had obtained Spirit Healing S from Demeter.
Justice S from Astraea.
Lies S from Loki.
Hunting S from Artemis.
And Forging S from her.
This wasn't the first time he'd done something like this.
He had experience.
He had methods.
Hestia was merely his next target.
"Second."
Genichi raised a second finger.
"You need to create opportunities for Hestia and me to interact. Nothing deliberate. It needs to feel natural, like a coincidence."
"For example, you could have her help around your workshop, and I just happen to stop by to pick something up. Or you could ask her to deliver something to me, giving us a chance to spend some time alone."
The corner of Hephaestus's mouth twitched.
"So you want me to help push Hestia into the pit."
Genichi smiled faintly, and there was something vaguely dangerous about it.
"A pit? I'm no pit of fire."
"I'm the man she's destined for."
Hephaestus rolled her eye but didn't argue.
She had to admit that Genichi possessed everything necessary to make a woman fall for him.
His appearance, his strength, his methods, and everything else about him gave him more than enough advantages.
If Hestia really did end up falling for him, Hephaestus wouldn't find it surprising at all.
"Third."
Genichi raised a third finger, his expression becoming more serious.
"You need to occasionally say something good about me around her. Don't deliberately praise me. Just mention me naturally."
"Something like, 'Genichi finished another difficult mission recently,' or 'Genichi helped me out with something important,' or 'He looks cold, but he's actually pretty reliable.'"
"You don't need to say much. Just bring it up at the right moments and let her slowly build a favorable impression of me."
Hephaestus stared at him, genuinely surprised by how thoroughly he'd planned everything.
"You've already thought all of this through?"
Genichi nodded.
"I don't fight battles I haven't prepared for."
Hephaestus remained silent for a moment before letting out a sigh.
"Fine. I can help you, but I have one condition."
"What condition?"
"Don't toy with her."
Hephaestus's expression turned serious.
"Hestia is my friend. I don't want her getting hurt."
"If you're only planning to use her and throw her away once you're done, then I'm refusing right now."
"But if you're genuinely willing to take care of her, protect her, and give her a home, then I'll help you."
Genichi looked at her, and a trace of warmth flashed through his eyes.
"I promise."
"I won't hurt her."
"She'll be safe, and she'll be happy."
Hephaestus watched him silently for a long time.
Then she slowly nodded.
"Fine."
"I believe you."
The corners of Genichi's lips lifted slightly.
Then it was settled.
The workshop fell quiet again, leaving only the crackle of the forge and the sound of their breathing.
Genichi leaned back in the wooden chair, watching the flames dance as he considered what came next.
Hestia.
Goddess of the Hearth.
A virgin goddess.
The wielder of the authority over the sacred flame.
He needed her Divine Authority.
He needed her power.
He needed her to become part of the system he was building.
This was not merely about desire.
There was also Ishtar.
Her charm hung over his head like a sword that could fall at any moment.
Before Ishtar made her move, he had to acquire the ability to resist charm completely.
"Genichi."
Hephaestus's voice broke the silence.
Genichi turned around.
Hephaestus stood before him, something unreadable flickering in her single eye.
"If Hestia really does fall for you, how are you planning to treat her?"
Genichi thought for a moment before answering.
"I'll give her a home."
"Not one in name alone, but a real home. A place where she can comfortably live as the carefree freeloader she wants to be. A place where she doesn't need to think about complicated problems. A place where she can feel warmth and security."
The corners of Hephaestus's lips rose slightly.
"That doesn't sound bad."
Genichi looked at her and smiled.
"Of course it doesn't."
"I may be selfish, but I've never mistreated anything that belongs to me."
Hephaestus snorted and turned her head away.
"Smooth talker."
Genichi didn't argue.
He simply reached out and pulled her into his arms.
Hephaestus stiffened slightly before gradually relaxing against his chest and closing her eye.
She could feel his heartbeat, calm and powerful, each beat seeming to strike directly against her own heart.
"Hephaestus."
Genichi's voice came from above her.
"Mm?"
"I love you."
Hephaestus froze.
"What did you say?"
"I love you."
His voice was soft, carrying sincerity, warmth, and an emotion she couldn't quite put into words.
Hephaestus didn't answer.
She simply buried her face deeper against his chest, her fingers tightening around his clothes.
(End of Chapter)
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