"Are you sure it's Hephaestus?"
A'e looked as though she were meeting Russell for the first time. Everything about him felt unfamiliar, and she instinctively raised a hand to feel his forehead.
Poor thing. After fighting Helios and Ares back-to-back, he'd gotten hit so hard his brain had turned honest.
Smack!
Russell slapped A'e's hand away and said irritably, "My mind is perfectly clear. I haven't been beaten stupid."
Impossible. Normally, you'd grab my hand and cling to it for dear life.
A'e eyed Russell suspiciously, then suddenly thought of something. She blurted out, "I get it. You've set your sights on the God of Craftsmanship's authority. You want to plot against Hephaestus, then take it from him through a fair duel."
You little freak, what kind of brain was that?!
Her words woke Russell from his daze. He suddenly remembered that if he wanted to make the finest figurines—and, while he was at it, make the trident grow another prong—the God of Craftsmanship's authority was indispensable.
If he used beating up Ares as an excuse to humbly ask Hephaestus how to forge iron, Hephaestus certainly wouldn't refuse.
Besides, Russell was eloquent, had charisma one in a hundred million, and was especially good at making friends. Moved by him, Hephaestus would surely teach him everything he knew, and then...
After learning all of Hephaestus's skills, Russell could turn around and strike, seize the God of Craftsmanship's authority, and take his hands-on ability to the next level. Wouldn't that be wonderful?
This could work. But what excuse should he use?
Russell had a headache. He was a broad-minded Sun God. Hephaestus had never provoked him and stayed home every day, quietly forging iron. It wouldn't be easy for Russell to make a move against him!
Seeing Russell stroking his chin in