Surprise! I've Transmigrated Again

It was an abrupt request.

For powerful individuals, methods of becoming stronger are closely guarded secrets. Revealing them carelessly could make one vulnerable to enemies.

But knowing Ais's character, she clearly meant no harm.

Besides, Adam was willing to share some pointers — especially since he saw potential benefits in doing so.

"Hmm... I don't mind telling you, but first, Lady Sword Princess, let me ask: do you want to strengthen your inherent abilities or simply increase your combat power?"

"Is there a difference?" Ais asked, puzzled.

Adam explained, "There are many paths to power, but not all will suit you. Lady Sword Princess should understand this well."

Personal strength, combat experience, powerful weapons — each offers a different route to power.

Given Ais's nature, she had met many powerful Adventurers and witnessed others suddenly growing stronger. She never withheld knowledge from ordinary Adventurers.

Yet through her inquiries, she learned that everyone's path to strength differed, and what worked for one might not work for another.

Take Bell, for instance, with his〚Liaris Freese〛. His progress through talent and ability was unique — an "idealistic" method she could never replicate.

"I want to become stronger, simply stronger." Ais said, "As long as it increases my power — whether through my own strength or other means — it's fine."

"Hmm... I understand."

She didn't care whether her inherent strength increased; she simply wanted greater combat ability.

"Come to think of it... Lady Sword Princess, you've just reached Level 6, and your parameters are still steadily increasing. There's no need to rush. That leaves only Skills and Weapons to enhance."

Adam wanted to teach her Breathing Techniques — a solution he had considered from the start.

Of course, this was also his backup plan. He would be leaving soon, and the Hestia Familia had become too conspicuous due to his rapid rise to power, while Bell and the others hadn't grown strong enough to stand independently.

Teaching the technique would help build a valuable relationship. He hoped the Loki Familia might look after the Hestia Familia after his departure.

Remember — this was about the Familia, not the Sword Princess!

Though Ais cared for Bell, she couldn't act alone if her Familia opposed it.

With Loki present and proper incentive, they might persuade her to agree to this arrangement.

After all, what harm was there in the Familia making some sacrifices for their idol's growth? It was an excellent deal!

"Breathing Technique... this is my unique sword skill, and it's the simplest way I can think of to enhance Lady Sword Princess's strength."

Adam drew his sword and demonstrated the technique before her.

◈ Divine Convergence Breathing, Wind Style ⫸ Black Wind Mountain Mist ◈

Whoosh—!

Fierce wind coiled around the blade, and as Adam swung his sword, it lashed forward like a whip before everyone's eyes.

The gale's intensity sent clothes fluttering wildly and kicked up clouds of dust that stung their eyes.

Roar—!

The tempest howled like a savage lion, surging forward and tearing the earth asunder!

When the wind died and the dust settled, a massive, bottomless crack lay before them. The green grassland had been carved into a black fan shape that stretched from Adam's feet all the way to the distant gate.

"...So strong." Welf's mouth went dry as cold sweat broke out across his brow.

The sword technique's destructive power had left them all speechless with shock.

"Lord Adam's strength is incredible."

"Monster."

"Yes, Lord Carter is indeed a monster."

"..."

The observing trio couldn't help but offer their praise.

Though their tone seemed perfunctory — perhaps because, like Hestia, they had grown numb to Adam's frequent displays of power.

Ais, however, was visibly excited. Her eyes sparkled as she studied him, eager to ask questions.

While laypeople saw only the spectacle, experts recognized the technique. Though Ais at Level 6 could match or exceed this level of destruction with raw power alone, the method intrigued her.

Adam's technique was distinct — he didn't rely on magic, but rather his body's strength combined with a minimal amount of magic power. He used this power as a catalyst to transform the air into fierce wind, then wielded it through specialized sword techniques.

"What an fascinating sword technique!"

Curiosity shone in Ais's eyes as she watched Adam.

"This is the Breathing Technique. Would you like to learn it?"

"Yes!"

Ais's immediate response darkened Loki's expression. Her quick, decisive answer had completely ignored the goddess's intention to negotiate.

As the Goddess of Mischief — and one with functioning intelligence — Loki knew that Adam's demonstration of such a precious technique meant he wanted something from their Familia. Though she didn't know what, she had hoped to negotiate terms.

But Ais's eagerness had disrupted those plans.

"Think of your Familia's leader, you foolish Ais! Now he can name any price he wants!"

Attempting to salvage the situation, Loki spoke up, "Hey, kid. Though Ais wants to learn, if you ask for too much... well, you understand, right?"

"Of course, I know my place." Adam's true goal was to win their alliance.

As one of Orario's two premier Familias, their strength made them ideal allies against the Freya Familia.

The strategy of "pull one, strike one" wasn't limited to royal courts — it worked just as well in Orario.

Why choose Loki? Because that perverted Freya had set her sights on Bell. Allying with her would be like leading a lamb to slaughter.

"As for payment... when our Hestia Familia faces danger, we hope your Loki Familia will lend aid. Is this condition acceptable?"

"Allies, huh." Loki considered the proposal.

Adam's condition was cunning.

Though he specified "when in danger", the timing remained vague. Would it apply now, with other Familias eyeing them? Or sometime in the future?

Either way, his side stood to gain immensely. Simply spreading word of their alliance would deter smaller Familias from causing trouble, allowing peaceful development.

But a more extreme possibility loomed. Both Familias could become targets of Orario's opposition.

If the Hestia Familia developed freely, their rise to a top Familia was inevitable. Orario would then face a three-way power struggle.

Moreover, news of their alliance would surely provoke the Freya Familia. If that love-obsessed Goddess grew angry and charmed all of Orario to move against them, even Loki couldn't withstand it.

So...

"Sorry, we can't accept this condition." She looked apologetically at Ais and explained, "Ais, considering the Familia's development, we can't become allies with them right now."

"...Is that so." Ais's disappointment showed, but she said nothing more.

Between the Familia and becoming stronger, she would naturally choose the Familia.

But this too fell within Adam's expectations. So he adjusted his proposal.

"Then how about just hoping?" Adam said, "As long as Orario's two top Familias don't get involved, other Familias pose no threat to us."

Arrogant words — but true.

Given his demonstrated strength, if the Loki and Freya Familias stayed neutral, other Familias wouldn't dare unite against them.

Of course, this clever ploy couldn't fool Loki. She instantly saw through his hidden intentions.

"Oh—first allies, now a shield?" After considering, she said, "Fine, we've been at odds with the Freya Familia for a while anyway, just without cause to make it public."

Success!

In Orario, only that love-obsessed goddess Freya held ill intentions toward the Hestia Familia. As long as she stayed uninvolved, and Bell and the others had time to grow stronger, the smaller Familias posed no real concern.

With this arrangement, the Hestia Familia would have some security after his departure.

But there was more to discuss.

"Now, returning to our earlier topic — Lady Sword Princess, you simply wish to increase your combat power, correct?"

"Yes, that's right." Ais nodded.

"Then as I mentioned, after Skills come Weapons." Adam raised his sword, "A good weapon forms the foundation of a swordsman's strength — only an excellent weapon can fully unleash one's potential."

He had said it before: you can't fight a Demon Lord with a wooden stick, even as a Hero. At minimum, you need a Holy Sword — a Divine Item.

"I have a weapon." Ais drew her rapier, "This weapon has an unbreakable attribute."

"Hmm, good." Adam nodded approvingly, "What else?"

"Eh?"

"What other attributes does it have?"

"...None." Ais fell silent for a moment.

"You mean besides being Unbreakable, it's just a normal rapier?"

"...Yes."

Adam's words struck deep. This weapon had cost her nearly all her savings.

She ventured into the Dungeon not just to grow stronger, but also to acquire better weapons. Regular weapons were simply too fragile.

At Level 6, normal weapons would shatter after one full-power strike, which was why she relied on this Unbreakable weapon.

But in Adam's eyes, even this weapon fell short. Though Unbreakable, it still dulled and needed constant maintenance — a tedious, time-consuming process.

Most crucially, its power remained static — it couldn't grow stronger alongside its wielder.

Therefore, Lady Sword Princess needed a divine weapon!

"If you want to increase your combat power, the quickest path is to forge an extraordinarily powerful weapon... like a Divine Weapon."

Adam's words left everyone stunned.

"A divine weapon?"

"Divine weapon...?"

"I didn't mishear, did he say divine weapon?"

Unlike the others' shock, Loki erupted in anger.

"What nonsense are you spouting — you idiot!" Despite being a deity, she spoke bluntly, "Do you know how much we spent on Lefiya's weapon? 360 million! And that's not even a divine weapon, though we got an incredible deal! I ought to send you flying, you fool!"

Lefiya's staff had cost Loki 360 million, purchased in another city. The weapon was forged by combining vast amounts of orichalcum and various magic stones.

Even that weapon ranked several tiers below a Divine Weapon. Yet this person dared suggest forging a divine weapon for Ais?!

However...

"Oh? But the weapon in my hand is actually a divine weapon... and not just mine — Bell's dagger is one too."

"Ehhh—?!" x5

Along with Loki, Bell and the others stood dumbfounded. Loki's usually squinting eyes flew wide open, making her look rather comical.

But no one laughed — Adam's words had left them all speechless.

"D-Divine weapon—?!" Bell drew his dagger, staring in disbelief at the blade gleaming in the sunlight.

He never imagined the dagger he'd been using to fight monsters was actually a divine weapon!

Loki gaped at Adam's weapon and said, "This was forged by Hephaestus! Could it be..."

Considering the relationship between Hephaestus and Hestia, and noting how these divine weapons could only be used by their respective owners, Loki began piecing things together.

This restriction had to be intentional. There must be some secret deal between those two.

Loki asked, "Hey, shorty, how did you convince Hephaestus?"

Hestia turned her head away, pouting, "Hmph, I won't tell you."

"Must have cost a fortune... wait, you don't even have money!"

"I didn't spend anything."

"Didn't spend anything? Impossible! Do you think I'm that gullible?" Loki lunged forward, pinching Hestia's soft cheeks furiously. "Tell-me-now!"

"I-won't!"

The two started fighting again, throwing the scene into chaos.

But Loki was clever. She knew someone else must know.

She turned to Adam, "Hey, kid, you know why, don't you? Otherwise you wouldn't have mentioned it. What do you want? Just say it."

"It's special ore. Because of this special ore, Lady Hephaestus agreed to forge divine weapons." Adam pulled out three pieces of ore. "Three types of ore—thank you for your patronage—10 million each."

Scarlet Crimson Iron Sand, Adamantium Steel, and From Zero Iron Ore — three ores from three different worlds.

Adam had brought these ores from other worlds after forging the divine weapons, as payment to Lady Hephaestus.

Initially, he'd hoped to convince her to forge more divine weapons. But Hephaestus wouldn't agree, no matter what he said. She insisted that to maintain balance among Orario's Familias, she couldn't forge too many divine weapons — even when he promised they wouldn't be used in this world.

There was no choice but to give up.

However, that didn't stop him from doing business with these ores.

"How about it? Special rare ores capable of forging divine weapons — clearance sale! Just 10 million each. Would you be interested, Lady Loki?"

Adam's merchant-like demeanor made Loki's teeth itch with irritation.

"Hey, aren't we allies? Allies should share resources, right?" She tried to convince him, hoping to get them for free.

"Eh—but Lady Loki just refused the alliance, didn't you?" Adam wouldn't budge, "Didn't you reject it earlier? Have you forgotten?"

"Tch—" Loki pursed her lips, "Fine, I'll take them all."

A deity was still a deity, showing impressive decisiveness.

Besides, the Loki Familia was quite wealthy after their expedition. V$30,000,000 for materials was pocket change — the real challenge would be figuring out how to handle Hephaestus.

"Thank you for your patronage!" He handed the three ores to Ais.

As for payment, given the large sum and neither party being prepared, there was no doubt Lady Loki would honor the debt.

However, Hestia wouldn't miss this chance to mock her, and Loki fought back just as fiercely. The air filled with their lively bickering.

The noise disturbed Beatrice, who preferred quiet. The homebody Great Spirit walked out from the mansion.

"What's going on? Why is it so noisy?" Coming to Adam's side, she leaned against her contractor, frowning at the noisy crowd.

Her appearance caught Ais's attention.

"This is...?"

"Let me introduce you — she's the Spirit I contracted with, Beatrice."

Hearing Adam's words, Loki lost interest in arguing with Hestia and moved closer to Beatrice, carefully examining the petite young girl.

"Oh, so it's you."

"A little girl?"

Loki and Ais shared the same curious reaction.

"L-little girl...?" A vein popped on Beatrice's forehead.

Though angry, there was nothing she could do. Before her stood a deity who had lived for hundreds of millions of years — calling her a little girl wasn't exactly wrong.

"Now, don't bully her." Adam patted her comfortable little head, "Beatrice is my most important partner, my Only One."

The other members of the Hestia Familia had heard this phrase many times, but for Ais and Loki, it sparked their curiosity.

"Can you two have children?" Ais asked suddenly.

Her words shocked everyone present.

Being a half-Spirit herself — born from a Hero father and Spirit mother — and possessing beauty that rivaled the Gods, Ais had reason to ask such a startling question.

"W-what... what are you saying!" Beatrice stammered, clearly flustered by the shocking statement.

Meanwhile, though caught slightly off guard, Adam had long known his answer.

'Well, I prefer more mature women, so I might find a way for her to grow into an older appearance — perhaps even like Ais's mother... but overall...' After a brief moment lost in thought, he shrugged casually, "Well... if possible, I would indeed like to have a child with Beatrice."

"What—?!" x6

His words shocked everyone once again.

✧✧✧

T/N: For those concerned about Lolicon implications, know that the MC is referring to this:

9gag.com/gag/a2WM4Bp

It's not +18, you can trust me, it's just adult Beatrice.

No FBI here with me, its safe!

That's it and happy reading! (-‿◦)

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