Danmachi: Is It Wrong to Be the Main Character in Orario?

'The mindset of a spectator, huh.'

Bell was slightly struck by Welf's ideals. In a peaceful world, that kind of thinking might work—but in a world as chaotic as this one, it was just naive nonsense.

Survival, and the drive to improve one's life—that's what pushed most adventurers forward.

To those adventurers striving for a better future, Welf's ideology was nothing short of delusional.

Weapons were weapons. What was the point of dressing it up?

Magic swords existed to shine brilliantly, even if only for a brief moment.

Yet the very blacksmith who crafted them chose to deny that purpose.

He forged magic swords, only to reject their primary function—leaving them to gather dust in storage, gradually erasing the very meaning of their creation.

Maybe that was even more wasteful.

'If he still can't understand this down the line, it's going to be hard for him to ever become a truly great smith.'

A weapon is a weapon.

Its purpose is to serve as one.

Refusing to create weapons just because they break is the same as denying what a weapon is. People like that aren't cut out to be renowned craftsmen.

Still, Bell understood that people who held to such ideals often had the privilege of being selfish.

And Welf Crozzo was one of those privileged few.

As a descendant of the Crozzo line, he had the rare gift of crafting powerful magic swords. It was that very talent that gave him the luxury of choice.

Talent, after all, was a kind of strength.

As someone whose talent was acquired, Bell had no right to judge.

For now, Welf could afford to cling to that belief. But one day, he'd realize just how much it held him back.

Only then might he come to see how foolish his stubbornness really was.

Still, Bell had no plans to interfere.

Honestly, it wasn't a big issue. If Welf couldn't find teammates through the Guild, he'd eventually turn to his seniors within the Familia.

Adventurers in Orario wouldn't throw their lives away just to cling to an ideal, right?

At least, Bell didn't think anyone was that foolish.

Unless their identity, status, or beliefs made it impossible for them to back down.

But anyone in that position wouldn't just abandon their role over an ideal.

Bell gave them one last glance, then turned away, heading straight to Hephaestus-sama's room.

At the door, he dispelled the magic and knocked gently.

"Ahhhhhh!"

"Come in."

Hearing the voice inside, Bell stepped in.

Hephaestus, sitting in the room, instinctively looked toward the door. When she saw the unexpected figure appear, she froze for a brief moment—then couldn't help but smile.

"Why are you here?"

That radiant smile made Bell freeze.

"What a cute reaction~"

Hephaestus couldn't help but laugh, shifting her attention away from today's invoices to the boy standing before her.

"Weren't you pretty bold that morning? Why are you so timid now?"

Bell's face turned slightly awkward. Maybe a shameless guy would've handled this more calmly.

"Hephaestus-sama, I really just... glanced a little..."

"Oh? Is that so?"

With a soft chuckle, Hephaestus tugged lightly at her collar. It was a simple white shirt, but now the top button was slightly undone.

'Oh crap!'

Bell's eyes drifted again.

Gaze control was never easy.

Some movements just naturally drew attention, and once again, his eyes wandered off without permission.

But what greeted him only brought a tinge of disappointment to his face.

He didn't see anything.

Even though he looked fast enough, his gaze had completely missed anything remotely breathtaking.

"Pfft~"

Noticing Bell's reaction, Hephaestus burst into laughter. Of course, she hadn't actually undone her collar—she wasn't that cheap.

Still, this kid's reaction was just too amusing. A single feint, and she had him hooked.

"You little perv. Your eyes definitely wandered."

"That was..."

"You gonna tell me it was some uncontrollable reflex?"

Seeing Bell at a loss for words made the mischief in Hephaestus's heart bubble up even more. She couldn't help but want to tease him further.

She set aside her paperwork, stepped forward, and stood face-to-face with Bell, meeting the crimson eyes hidden beneath his hood.

She reached up, pulled back the hood, and looked straight into his eyes.

"Peeking at a goddess's beauty—you really are a little pervert."

'I really couldn't help it... my eyes just went.'

Bell instinctively tried to back away, but as soon as he stepped back, a hand caught the back of his neck and yanked him forward.

Before he knew it, he was staring straight into Hephaestus-sama's eyes.

'Thump thump!'

His heart skipped a beat.

Hephaestus caught the subtle reaction with ease, her eyes glinting with amusement and a touch of glee.

She tightened her grip and pulled him into her embrace, leaning her head down...

"Remember this well—if you lust after a goddess, you're going to get seriously punished."

"And trying to take advantage of one? That's not something you can do so easily."

'Punished... Isn't it supposed to be the other way around?'

Bell could feel their roles reversing.

Shouldn't he, as the guy, be the one leading here? Why did Hephaestus suddenly take control like some bossy older woman?

Still, he couldn't deny it—he truly felt 'willing but powerless.'

He just didn't have any experience with this sort of thing. He didn't know how to respond, or even what to say.

After a while, Hephaestus finally let go.

Only then did he notice she was still wearing her mask on the right side of her face.

"Hephaestus-sama, you're still wearing your mask?"

"Yeah... after so many years, it just feels strange not to."

She brushed her fingers across the mask on her cheek. What she said was clearly just a cover.

The real reason she still wore the mask was simple—she just didn't want to show it yet.

After speaking, she caught the puzzled look on Bell's face, realizing he didn't get it.

She reached out and lightly tapped his face with a finger.

"Besides... I don't want my healed face causing unnecessary trouble."