Initially, Roy had planned to quietly spirit Welf away, but after clashing with Tsubaki Collbrande, he realized there was no need. The gap between them wasn't that vast.
Even without resorting to certain trump cards, he, along with Tione and Tiona, could defeat Tsubaki Collbrande.
So why wait? Charge ahead boldly.
Facing a goddess and Orario's most renowned blacksmith, Roy exuded an imposing aura of dominance. Tione, gazing at his handsome profile, felt little hearts flutter in her eyes.
His unyielding attitude left Goddess Hephaestus and Tsubaki Collbrande in a difficult position.
On one hand, they had a newly recruited Familia member; on the other, family had come to claim him. What should they do?
"I respect Welf's wishes."
In the end, Goddess Hephaestus made the decision, taking a deep breath. "If he's willing to return with you, I won't stop him. But if he refuses, I won't allow anyone to force my Familia member!"
Goddess Hephaestus responded with equal dominance, her deep-crimson eyes meeting Roy's, her presence unwavering.
All eyes turned to Welf.
The atmosphere in the teahouse grew tense.
The air seemed thick with the scent of gunpowder. Whether conflict would erupt rested entirely on the will of this thirteen-year-old, red-haired youth.
Welf felt a mix of grief and indignation. Hephaestus's protective words moved him deeply but also made him even more reluctant to involve her in his troubles.
Yet, he had no desire to return to the Kingdom of Rakia either.
Welf glared at Roy—"The Sprout of Justice." He had heard of this adventurer, the fastest to level up in history, one who had shattered world records time and again.
He couldn't fathom what the kingdom had offered to compel such a powerful adventurer to pursue him.
Welf stood up and declared loudly, "I will never return to that family. I'd rather die!"
The atmosphere instantly turned hostile. Behind Roy, Tione and Tiona cracked their knuckles, their pretty faces twisting into fierce, predatory smirks.
Tsubaki Collbrande sighed, readying herself for a fight.
Roy spoke softly, "Why make this so difficult? It's not a death sentence—just a trip home."
As Roy pointed out, this wasn't about endangering Welf's life. Had that been the case, Hephaestus and Tsubaki Collbrande would have already called for reinforcements.
In this city, the Hephaestus Familia had a prominent branch store and a large contingent of members.
"What do you know?!" Welf shouted angrily. "Those old fools just want me to forge magic swords! Weapons should be companions to adventurers, not disposable trash that shatters after a single use. I will never forge a Crozzo magic sword!"
Roy observed Welf. Before meeting a certain red-eyed white rabbit, his temperament truly was exceptionally unyielding.
As a blacksmith himself, Roy understood Welf's philosophy. Weapons like an Elven Holy Sword, which required bloodline activation and had begun to develop consciousness, were forged only through a blacksmith's immense dedication and passion.
But Roy was a realist.
Thus far, he had worn out plenty of equipment himself—the storerooms of the Court of Stars were packed to the brim with ruined gear.
Low-level gear was never meant to accompany an adventurer to the end of their journey. Like Welf before him, who hadn't even mastered the basics yet was already debating high-minded ideals, it was entirely premature—nothing more than a form of self-inflicted internal friction.
Roy's gaze shifted thoughtfully between Welf, Hephaestus, and Tsubaki Collbrande.
If there were major conflicting interests, it would be a different story.
乘 But in Orario, where they crossed paths frequently, he had no desire to antagonize the Hephaestus Familia, the city's premier forging guild, over such a minor matter.
Soon, Roy conceived a new idea. "You seem quite confident in your forging skills."
"Of course!" Welf lifted his chin proudly. Born into a blacksmithing family and trained for three years in the "Sword-Crafting City of Zolingen," where he handled iron and hammers daily, he was confident he wouldn't lose to any peer his own age.
Roy placed his hands flat on the table. "Then how about a forging contest? If you lose, you come with us willingly. If you win, you do as you please."
"Against you?" Welf blurted out.
Hearing Welf's dismissive tone, Tione and Tiona's faces darkened with fury, like enraged lionesses ready to tear him apart.
Welf instinctively shrank back, his neck tensing.
It wasn't that he looked down on Roy—he deeply admired Roy's leveling speed and combat prowess—but when it came to forging, Welf was brimming with absolute confidence.
Roy replied calmly, "Against me. Unless you'd prefer we settle this with a fight against the Hephaestus Familia."
Reinforcements from the Hephaestus Familia had already arrived, lurking quietly in the shadows. Tione and Tiona grew more solemn, sensing numerous presences—at least several hundred.
The Hephaestus Familia, along with allied Familias, had dispatched significant numbers.
Roy's expression remained unchanged. The only one who genuinely gave him pause was Tsubaki Collbrande, the Level 5.
To him, the world consisted of only two categories: those stronger than him, and fodder.
And no matter how much fodder gathered, it was still just fodder!
"No fighting! A contest it is!" Welf, unaware of the hidden forces outside, was overjoyed at the prospect of a forging duel. It was the perfect solution—if he won, he wouldn't have to return to Rakia or put his goddess in a difficult position.
Roy smiled faintly and turned to Hephaestus. "Shall we let this contest decide Welf's fate, Goddess Hephaestus?"
Hephaestus, however, was not as optimistic as Welf. She had heard rumors through the grapevine.
God Goibniu had taught Roy forging techniques, nearly getting himself sent back to heaven in the process. Later, he even claimed Roy was the most terrifyingly talented individual he had ever encountered.
Considering Roy's terrifying leveling speed, Hephaestus couldn't gauge his true capabilities.
Even so, she dared not underestimate this youth hailed as the "Child of Miracles." "Very well," she agreed. "But Tsubaki will join Welf's side as an assistant."
"Me?" Tsubaki Collbrande, who had been quietly observing, found herself suddenly dragged into the dispute, her expression shifting in astonishment.
"No problem," Roy said with a smile. Winning too easily would be dull. This was a perfect opportunity to witness the skills of Orario's finest blacksmith—the Cyclops herself.
Welf felt slightly displeased but said nothing. Having the world's greatest blacksmith as his assistant was something many could only dream of.
"Tsubaki, don't let your guard down," Goddess Hephaestus cautioned her Familia member.
Realizing the implication, Tsubaki Collbrande's expression turned serious. Officially, she was just the assistant, but in truth, the real contest was between her and Roy.
The group left the teahouse and headed to the forging workshop of the Hephaestus Familia branch.
Word of the wager spread rapidly.
No matter where you went, there were always people who loved spectacles. With such an unusual event unfolding, countless citizens flocked to witness it.
The streets emptied out entirely as crowds gathered, packing the area tightly into an impenetrable sea of spectators.
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