#951 Count Your Sins

Continuing, I am Hermes, a celestial deity.

The cause of Hephaestus’ mental turmoil, it would seem... are giant robots!!!

“...Huh?”

So sudden was this revelation, I could scarcely follow.

What is a giant robot?

Nay, I am familiar with the term ‘robot,’ yes?

It refers to a machine created by the forbidden powers of science, a concept foreign to this world.

Especially those machines that mimic the human form art called robots.

‘Tis sinful indeed.

For man, crafted in the image of the gods, to then fashion something in his own likeness is a profound audacity.

To attempt to mimic the miracles of the gods could very well provoke divine wrath.

Yet, in this realm, we need not fear, for most gods art forgiving.

Alas, in our world, there exists no such technology as ‘science’ to even conceive of building robots.

...or so I thought before quickly dismissing that notion.

Upon the earth, there now exist those who claim, “Both science and miracles exist,” surmounting all manner of technical challenges.

“I hath been watching over them on the earth...”

It has to be them, huh?

The otherworlder saint and his comrades.

Not only the saint who received Hephaestus’ gift but also his companions who recently exhibited powers beyond human comprehension.

Nay, ‘beyond divine knowledge’ might be a more fitting term.

“Perchance... did the saint create a robot?”

“No, ‘twas the orc minions of his who crafted it.”

Why would orcs be crafting robots?

Were they not supposed to be wicked and dimwitted monsters? It seems the very concept of orcs is collapsing— a total Orc Gestalt collapse.

“Even the mortals below, though their creations art still crude, have managed to build such marvelous robots. As a god, I must not idle away my time without endeavor; stagnation is akin to death.”

The efforts of those on Earth have unduly stimulated Brother Hephaestus’s creative desires.

I’d rather he spare me the excitement.

“...Brother Hephaestus, thou art a god of the forge, nay? Forging generally involves crafting swords and the like, not robots.”

Though it feels like a futile struggle, I point this out, clinging to a sliver of hope.

“I craft chairs, jewels, and many other things, so it is nothing new, really.”

“Indeed...”

Yes, Brother Hephaestus, though thou art a god of the forge, thy creations extend far beyond the realm of mere metalwork; crafting a robot wouldn’t be too far-fetched at this point.

“I was utterly captivated by the passionate yet naive creations of those on Earth! As a Virgo, I could not help but feel a sentimental fate!”

Hephaestus is a Virgo?

It seems paradoxical that the gods of Olympus should have zodiac signs.

“And so, I decided to confront my own follies to rediscover the passion I knew resided within me.”

“Follies?”

What art thou talking about, brother?

No matter how sinful the gods may be, surely there is nothing of the sort that could be attributed to him.

It is no exaggeration to declare him the most innocent among the Olympian gods.

What could this ‘folly’ of Brother Hephaestus be?

“These here.”

He indicates a room overflowing with numerous boxes.

Absurdly numerous, indeed.

Tens? Hundreds? The boxes vary in size but art generally flat cuboids made of what seems to be paper.

“What art these?”

“These art plastic models I bought while traveling to other worlds.”

Plastic models?!

Wait, Brother Hephaestus travels?

I had pegged him for an indoor type to the extreme!

And plastic models?!

There is too much to unpack here.

“The models from that world art of the finest make...! Intricately and accurately constructed, perfectly colored, and whereas once adhesives and screwdrivers were necessary, with time fewer tools art needed—now, one merely needs nippers to assemble them to a good standard!”

“Is that so...?!”

“The impact of a one-hundredth scale is good, but nowadays, even a one to one hundred forty-four scale offers plenty of reality and impressiveness! I disguise myself as a human and travel to that world solely to purchase these models!”

“Wah... that is so like thee, brother!”

Though traveling seems out of character for him, the purpose is indeed fitting.

“Alas, of late, time hath escaped me so, I do but purchase and simply store. I fancied making them in mine own leisure time, yet even in sparse moments, I hath deferred to other chances... thus they have languished long unheeded.”

“I see...”

“Alas, this shall not do! For it is not time I lack, but passion! With passion ignited, no lack of time could prevent mine own crafting of models!!!”

Hephaestus, enlightened about his own plight, witnesses the masterpieces of the orcs upon the earth.

“One might say it is superfluous...!” I could scarcely deny.

“Therefore, first, I resolved to dismantle the mountain of model kits amassed, each one assembling! Counting my ‘stacks’ was the task at hand!”

“Ah, indeed...!”

So scattered around the room art, it seems, empty boxes of completed model kits.

Upon closer inspection, completed models art neatly displayed along the walls.

Typical of Hephaestus, though unpainted, the panel lining and seam removal art meticulously done, causing one to sigh.

...Ah! Is this not a clear model?

Brother, has thou ventured into limited editions? Surely, this would necessitate a journey to acquire them...!

...But well, if crafting models consumes his creative urges, perhaps that is for the best.

If the world remains peaceful through his hobby, all is most splendid indeed!

To report to Brother Velesares and others, “Brother Hephaestus has recently been ensconced in a fervor for model building,” shall suffice.

This matter is resolved!!!

“And then, the ideas wrought by many a repetition in model-making led to the construction of this robot!!!”

...It was FAR from resolved.

Brother Hephaestus... hath actually fashioned a colossal robot!

Oh, it’s huge.

How many meters tall is this mechanical automaton?

And how can such a giant fit within this temple?

“The material is orichalconium. It harnesses condensed solar energy in the Apollo Reactor for power. Armed with a Megido Beam Rifle, the melee weapon Excalibur for close combat, a shield, and seven autonomous wireless artillery turrets called ‘Pits.’ Moreover, it emits a high-powered beam from its chest, the Megido Blast!”

“Heh... I see.”

I comprehend it not.

Brother Hephaestus... hath matured his robot passion from mere model fever, and now hath built a real, massive robot?

“Additional armaments include a bazooka cannon and a striking hammer; its backpack can be swapped for operations underwater or in space! Designed to suppress enemy forces single-handedly—a veritable hero machine indeed!!!”

“That so...!”

Well, if this satisfies Brother Hephaestus’ creative desires, all is well...

Though if this giant robot were actually to launch into battle, it could herald tremendous turmoil, yet satisfaction came upon its completion, did it not?

Such is the way of an engineer.

Then, all is well!

Let this matter be deemed resolved!

“Then, we proceed to the next phase.”

“Hm?”

What next phase?

“Vulcan, thou were not wrought to merely adorn a shelf! Thou art to battle and proclaim unto the world that Vulcan, my creation, is supreme!”

Ah, that robot.

Its name is “Vulcan,” then?

“Go forth, Vulcan! Thy rivals await thee upon the earthly realm!!!”

Wait, just a moment.

By rivals, could it possibly be...?

Before I could intervene, Brother pressed some button, and the colossal robot belched a great cloud of smoke and ascended into the sky at once.

“Woaaaaahhhhhhh!”

He’s headed to where the saint resides!

Good heavens. After a long pause, Hephaestus’ engineering spirit hath run wildly amok!

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sorry for the sudden lack of updates TT my weekdays have been pretty busy lately due to irl events that i have during the weekends. hopefully we get to catch up within this week or the next (currently behind by 4 chapters as per my sched)