From the moment humanity learned to craft tools, its obsession with weapons was carved into its very bones.
Just as a clawless, fangless ape picked up the first sharpened stone—and in doing so, gained the power to tear through prey.
Weapons.
They have never been mere tools.
They are extensions of the human body, embodiments of will, and the only support by which the weak may challenge the strong.
In human history, there was even an age when mankind hunted mammoths for food.
For these girls—who had always fought in this low-magic world relying only on flesh and ordinary steel—
The weapons of Orario, forged from monster materials and even imbued with special enchantments, were without question the deadliest temptation in existence.
Like a traveler in the desert glimpsing a clear spring.
That kind of thirst could not be concealed.
Especially for Onigawara Rin.
Even after reluctantly tearing her gaze away from the [Famous Blade · Black Raven]—priced at several million Valis—she still turned her head back with every step.
Seeing this scene, Haimer thoughtfully stroked his chin.
"Um…"
After the girls' figures disappeared at the end of the corridor, Haimer turned around and looked at the still-undeparted Hephaestus.
"Hephaestus."
"If you're not busy tonight…"
"I'd like to have a talk with you."
"Oh?"
"So you noticed it too."
"The way those children looked at my wall of weapons."
"Like starving wolves staring at meat."
Hephaestus studied Haimer with interest.
"However…"
"You know very well."
"Weapons bearing the Hephaestus brand aren't cheap."
"With your current situation…"
"Are you sure you can afford it?"
"As for that, I naturally have something worthy to offer."
"So."
"Wait for me."
…
Shortly after.
A guest room within the Hephaestus Familia headquarters.
Though it was called a guest room, the conditions were just as she had promised.
Quite excellent.
The room was spacious, with soft carpets underfoot. Even spare clothes had been thoughtfully prepared.
At this moment, the air still carried the humid warmth unique to a room just vacated after bathing.
The girls had all finished washing.
They had changed into the simple night robes provided here.
Though the design was plain, on a group of youthful, radiant girls, it possessed a charm of its own.
Amou Kirukiru sat by the window, wiping her still-damp long hair.
With her movements, the loose collar of her robe fell slightly open, revealing blockbuster of snow-white skin.
Onigawara Rin sat somewhat stiffly at the edge of the bed, gripping the hem of her robe tightly with both hands. She seemed distinctly unaccustomed to the slightly short garment.
Inaba Tsukuyo sat quietly on the bedsheets, like a finely crafted doll.
Not only that—
Even the great black bear Kyoubou and the small cub had been scrubbed clean. They now lay in the corner, humming contentedly.
"Creak—"
The door opened.
Haimer walked in.
The somewhat lively room fell silent at once.
All eyes focused on him.
Curiosity. Anticipation. And a faint, barely concealed shyness.
After all, during their bath, Hestia had already explained what was about to happen.
—God's Grace.
The necessary path by which mortals transform into adventurers.
And the most sacred contract formed between a god and their Familia.
"Since you're all ready,"
"Then…"
"Let's begin."
Without further preamble, Haimer walked to the center of the room and sat down on the wide bed.
"Simply put, God's Grace is the bestowal of my divine blood upon you. It draws out the potential within your bodies and renders it into measurable form."
"This process…"
"Requires a small ritual."
His gaze swept across the girls.
"Who will go first?"
After a brief silence—
"Um…"
"If you don't mind, I would like to go first."
Unexpectedly, the first to step forward was not the most fervent Amou Kirukiru.
It was the seemingly most well-behaved Inaba Tsukuyo.
The silver-haired, blind girl slowly rose to her feet.
On her porcelain-doll-like face rested a solemn expression, as if attending a pilgrimage.
"Very well."
Haimer nodded.
Following the sound of his voice, Inaba Tsukuyo walked slowly to the bedside.
"Please remove your robe."
"!!!"
The air in the room seemed to freeze for a moment.
"R-Remove the robe?"
Onigawara Rin stammered, her face instantly flushing crimson. Both hands flew instinctively to clutch her collar, her eyes wide as bells.
She was not alone.
Kikakujou Mary's cheeks turned red as well.
"Um…"
Hanasaka Warabi shrank behind the black bear and timidly raised her hand.
"Do we really have to take it all off? Isn't that… a bit…"
"What are you thinking?"
"Only the back needs to be exposed."
"The mark of God's Grace directly affects the connection point between soul and body."
"And the back—"
"Is the largest surface area of the human body, and the closest to the spinal core."
"It is also the most vulnerable region, the blind spot humans instinctively refuse to show others."
"To expose one's back without reservation to another goes against humanity's instinct to avoid harm."
"But that is precisely the essence of the word 'Familia.'"
"A Familia is not merely a hierarchy between a god and chosen children."
"It is a contract built upon absolute trust."
"The chosen child entrusts their most vulnerable back to their god."
"And the god acknowledges that resolve, engraving upon it sacred script powerful enough to challenge the world."
"That is the true meaning of bearing a divine name."
Sitting on the bed, Haimer looked at the girls whose thoughts had clearly strayed and let out a helpless sigh.
"I understand."
Inaba Tsukuyo did not disappoint him.
Though a faint blush spread across her doll-like face, and even the tips of her ears hidden beneath silver hair glowed warm—
Her movements did not hesitate in the slightest.
"Since I have chosen to follow you, my lord god,"
"Then this body of mine has long ceased to belong solely to myself."
With that, her slender fingers moved to the delicate sash at her waist.
"Rustle…"
With the soft whisper of fabric sliding free, the loose robe slipped from her rounded shoulders, gathered briefly at her waist, and then fell away entirely.
As the garment descended, it was like clouds parting to reveal the moon.
Her petite yet supple back was laid bare to the air without reservation.
It was a breathtaking sight.
Not the fragility of pampered softness.
Years of sword training had left her skin firm and resilient.
Under the gentle glow of the Magic Stone lamps, it shone with an ivory luster.
"Mm…"
Feeling the cool air brush against her exposed back, her body trembled instinctively.
Biting her lower lip, Inaba Tsukuyo braced her hands against the bedsheets and obediently lay prone.
Her silver hair cascaded like a waterfall, covering half her back. Through the strands, that striking expanse of pale skin appeared even more alluring.
The line of her spine was clearly defined. Her shoulder blades lifted slightly, like the poised wings of a butterfly.
Like a sheet of the finest white paper awaiting the stroke of a brush.
"Excuse me."
Haimer spoke softly.
Without unnecessary movement, he stepped over her body and seated himself astride her slender hips.
This was not flirtation.
To ensure precision and stability in the engraving, the caster had to occupy a position of absolute control.
A necessary posture.
"Uu…"
____
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