Chapter 147: I'm Sorry, Hestia (Bonus)

Bell stood frozen for a long time before snapping out of his daze.

The lingering dampness on his cheek served as a vivid reminder of what had just happened.

His thoughts spiraled into chaos.

He remembered what had just occurred, but he still couldn't believe something like that had actually happened to him.

'That wasn't just my imagination, was it?'

His first instinct was to doubt his own mental state. He reflexively checked himself using Rune techniques and quickly confirmed that both his body and mind were completely fine.

'Good grief! Did Hephaestus-sama really kiss me just now!?'

The moment the realization hit, Bell went stiff again.

He had no idea what could've led to something like that, but then he recalled what Hephaestus-sama had whispered in his ear just moments before.

'Right, that was Hephaestus-sama's way of saying thank you!'

But his expression quickly turned odd. Would someone really use a kiss to express gratitude?

He remembered her words—'A goddess's kiss is only given to one person.' That was something Hephaestus-sama had said herself.

Which meant what happened just now wasn't normal. Far from it—it was deeply personal.

'Could it be... love?'

A kiss meant for only one person, and she gave it to him? That didn't sound like self-delusion anymore.

Still, Bell quickly regained his composure.

'Maybe it's because I helped Hephaestus-sama resolve a long-standing affliction. That's why she granted me such a rare honor.'

If his earlier reaction had been self-indulgent, this seemed like the most reasonable explanation now.

Once he came to terms with it, Bell began to relax.

He didn't know what Hephaestus-sama truly felt, but for now, this was enough of an answer.

"Haah~"

Hephaestus turned away, still wearing a radiant smile.

In her search for something unknown, she had finally found a special child.

The only pity was that this child wasn't suitable for her Familia—and had already joined Hestia's.

But despite that, Hephaestus felt no regret.

The gods fell in love with the children of Genkai because they were drawn to their unpredictability and potential. Among goddesses, this feeling was even more pronounced.

Hephaestus had never experienced anything like it.

But this time—just this once—even she, the goddess of smithing, felt a flutter deep in her heart that she couldn't quite describe.

'Freya... maybe now I can understand how you feel.'

She even felt a spring in her step as she walked.

Just like she had said before: a goddess's blessing is only given once. That single blessing carries the deepest sincerity—gratitude, affection, love.

Which is why... it can only be given once.

That was how she felt.

She wasn't sure what Freya's situation was, but based on what she knew, Freya had probably never given hers away either.

After all, Hephaestus knew that woman's favorite pastime was to entice and bewilder others. Probably only Loki could rival her in that regard.

...

She descended through the hidden passage leading to the basement.

As soon as she opened the door, she saw that Hestia had already sat up in bed, stretching lazily.

Maybe she'd heard the sound of the door opening—her head turned toward the entrance.

"Hephaestus, you're up so early."

That pure, flawless smile made Hephaestus feel a pang of regret.

She and Hestia were best friends, yet she had just bestowed the goddess's only blessing on the child Hestia cherished most. It felt like she had stolen something from her best friend.

Hephaestus admitted she had acted on impulse, but her gratitude toward that child had simply exceeded what she could contain.

As for love, perhaps it hadn't been there before—but now, she could feel something new stirring in her heart.

Still, after seeing Hestia, that earlier impulse left her with a lingering sense of guilt.

"And Bell-kun too... He got up so early, even though I told him he could sleep in today."

Hestia continued to fret and complain with concern.

Listening quietly beside her, Hephaestus gradually felt her guilt begin to fade.

"That child has a goal of his own. That ambition drives him forward."

"Hestia, did he ever tell you what that goal is?"

"Huh?"

Hestia hadn't expected Hephaestus to be interested in Bell's motivation. She might hesitate to speak in front of the other gods, but with Hephaestus, it was different.

"Bell-kun... He wants to reach Lv. 10."

As soon as Hestia said it, Hephaestus understood the implication.

"A Demigod... Is that what he's aiming for?"

But did that child truly seek eternal life? Something didn't sit right with Hephaestus. She kept her eyes on Hestia.

"..."

Hestia seemed a little flustered, clearly finding Hephaestus's gaze too intense.

"Because... the gods' time is infinite, but the time of the children of Genkai is limited."

"So, that child also wants to gain infinite time."

Hephaestus paused for a moment, then her eyes lit up.

Love between gods and children of the Genkai was as fleeting as a bloom that vanished in the blink of an eye. A few decades meant nothing to a god, but for a child of the Genkai, it was a lifetime.

For the children, those decades might be rich and fulfilling. But for the gods, they passed too quickly.

But what if the children of the Genkai could live as long as the gods?

Wouldn't that be the perfect answer to the love between gods and the children of Genkai?

'So that's his goal.'

'Is that why he chose to start his journey?'

Hephaestus could feel her heartbeat quickening.

Maybe she couldn't take that child away from Hestia. But if they could be together longer... that would be enough.

Even so, she found herself looking into Hestia's eyes with growing guilt.

'Sorry, Hestia. Maybe patience is the only choice I have right now.'

'But this feeling... might never come again.'