Emiya wasn't surprised that Hephaestus could see through him.
She was a goddess who had lived for hundreds of millions of years. The knowledge contained in a single strand of her hair probably surpassed everything Emiya knew combined.
So figuring him out was only natural.
"I just chose not to hide it from you," Emiya said calmly. "After all, we'll be partners from now on."
Hephaestus's gaze flickered slightly.
"My captain told me you're a member of Loki Familia."
"That's right."
"So Loki knows your true identity as well."
"She does."
"Tsk." Hephaestus clicked her tongue. "And she still let you come to me."
Her relationship with Loki had always been lukewarm.
That much was obvious just from business dealings.
Loki Familia relied heavily on dungeon exploration, which meant their weapon wear rate was astonishingly high. But the Familia they entrusted with purchasing and repairing those weapons wasn't Hephaestus Familia.
It was the Goibniu Familia.
Second only to Hephaestus in blacksmithing.
That alone showed how distant the two Familias were.
Which was why Hephaestus found it strange that Emiya had come to her instead of Goibniu.
Emiya's answer was simple.
"Why would I work with an old man when I can work with a beautiful goddess?"
Hephaestus froze.
"...Don't joke."
Emiya paused.
Then he understood.
Hephaestus had never considered herself beautiful.
The face hidden beneath her eyepatch was rumored to be terrifying. In the past, every god except Hestia had mocked it. Some of her own Familia members had even been frightened by it.
Because of that, she was deeply insecure about her appearance.
Which was why Emiya's words had clearly touched a nerve.
"I'm not joking," Emiya said seriously. "Hephaestus, you are a very beautiful goddess."
Hephaestus gave a self-mocking smile.
"You'll change your mind once you see my real face."
"I-"
Before Emiya could continue, Hephaestus cut him off impatiently.
"That's enough about my appearance. Let's talk business."
Emiya shrugged slightly.
Since she didn't want to pursue it, he didn't insist.
"Alright. Business, then," he said. "You've seen what a cell phone can do. What do you think?"
"It's extremely novel," Hephaestus replied. "If it's really as capable as you say, it could sweep Orario. No-possibly the entire world."
Emiya nodded.
"I'm certain of that. Cell phones transformed my world. I believe they can transform this one too."
"Once they become widespread, the profits won't just be in the hundreds of millions of Valis. They could reach trillions. Even tens of trillions."
Hephaestus fell silent for a moment.
"So you're planning to give me the technology to manufacture cell phones."
"Yes," Emiya said. "But before that, there's one issue you'll need to handle."
"What issue?"
"Magic modification."
"...Magic modification?" Hephaestus frowned slightly.
"The cell phone comes from another world," Emiya explained. "Its technology is fundamentally different from this world's systems. Once you have the tech, I want you to modify it so it can function using magic."
Emiya had no doubt she could do it.
If mortals could create cell phones, there was no reason a god couldn't rework them with magic.
Especially a god who specialized in forging.
Hephaestus considered it carefully.
Then she nodded.
"Alright. I agree. When will you give me the technology?"
"That'll take some time," Emiya replied. "I need to make preparations."
"That's fine."
Emiya turned to Erina.
"When you go back, can you have your grandfather-Nakiri Senzaemon-prepare the cell phone manufacturing technology? Can you manage that?"
Erina nodded without hesitation. With the Nakiri family's resources, it wasn't difficult.
"Do we need to purchase a full production line?"
Emiya thought about it briefly.
"You can. Just in case."
Hephaestus immediately understood.
"So you can travel freely between those two worlds."
"More or less," Emiya said. "If you're interested, I can take you there for a visit."
Hephaestus's interest was instantly piqued.
"Really?"
"Of course. It's no trouble," Emiya said. "Loki's actually staying at my place right now. She refuses to leave."
"...That does sound like her," Hephaestus said flatly.
Then she looked at Emiya.
"So from now on, we're partners."
"Yes," Emiya nodded. "From now on, we're partners."
"However," he added, "as your partner, I need a small favor. Can you help me?"
"If it's within my ability," Hephaestus agreed without hesitation.
Emiya didn't waste time.
"I need a magic item that can strengthen my mind and mental power. I want you to forge it personally."
Hephaestus narrowed her eyes.
"So you want me to do it myself."
"Yes. And if possible, I'd like you to use your divine power. I want a Divine Item."
"You should know," Hephaestus said calmly, "that gods in the Lower World are forbidden from using divine power."
She didn't refuse outright.
Emiya's heart jumped.
"I know that rule. But it only applies to this world, doesn't it? It doesn't apply to other worlds."
"That's correct," Hephaestus replied. "The rules of this world don't govern another. If you truly can take me there, I'll personally forge a Divine Item for you."
"Thank you, Goddess."
Emiya was genuinely delighted.
With his primary goal achieved, he continued,
"Since business is settled, shall we discuss the other matter?"
"Hestia," Hephaestus said, her gaze shifting to Erina and Hisako.
Emiya nodded.
"Exactly."
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