The reality of their situation was a harsh pill to swallow.
August's Familia was just starting out. If Hestia suddenly started hauling massive quantities of modern Earth tech or raw materials back to Orario, they would instantly beco a pri target for every greedy God in the city. Surviving under that kind of scrutiny would be a nightmare.
"Have you actually calculated the value of those materials?" August asked smoothly. He could tell the brass behind the caras was desperate to get their hands on otherworldly research materials. But research required fair compensation.
Commander Jas caught his drift. He glanced up at the security cara again. This was a negotiation, neither side wanted a bad deal. Even though August possessed a dinsional portal, he was still a citizen of this country and was willingly sitting at the table to talk terms.
"Besides, what happens when my portal links to a futuristic world?" August pointed out. "Worlds with alien empires or hyper-advanced tech—like Marvel or Star Wars. Spaceships, faster-than-light fighters, anti-gravity engines, infinite energy sources. The technological value of those items would be off the charts."
The worth of that tech would be astronomical. Even if the governnt liquidated its entire national defense budget, it wouldn't be enough to pay for a single anti-gravity drive.
"THAT..." Commander Jas rubbed his temples, feeling a headache coming on.
He was out of his depth. A literal goddess sat across from him, tangible proof that other worlds existed. If August returned tomorrow with cutting-edge technology, Earth would have nothing of comparable value to trade. The imbalance would be humiliating.
"Let's table that for now," Jas decided. Arguing over hypothetical spaceships wasn't going to get them anywhere today. It was better to focus on the imdiate weapon request.
"Regarding the weapons... if you don't mind, I can temporarily divert so of the army's active stockpile to you," Jas offered. "We can settle the initial paynt in gold or healing potions."
Jas was taking a different route than the brass. The old n up top were likely still squabbling over trade agreents. He could bypass the red tape by siphoning gear directly from his own base's inventory. Whatever August traded in return would go straight into his unit's pockets anyway.
Hearing this, August and Hestia exchanged a glance.
"That works," August agreed. Asking for thirty thousand rifles on day one was a tall order, after all.
"Oh, one more thing. Can you get my Goddess a legal ID and residency?" August casually dropped the request.
"A what?" Jas almost choked. What was this kid thinking, trying to file paperwork for a literal Goddess?
But then he paused. A Goddess from another world officially registering as a citizen of their country? The political and cultural implications were absurd.
"Not a problem. I'll handle the residency paperwork," Jas agreed, seeing the imnse value in it. Having an otherworldly God officially recognize their nation was a massive flex.
"Also, could you arrange for to et so of your disabled veterans? Specifically, amputees," August asked. "When I ford my contract with Hestia, I awakened magic. Healing magic. By expending mana, I can heal wounds and regenerate missing limbs."
"WHAT??" Jas's eyes nearly popped out of his skull.
Regenerating missing limbs? 'Holy shit, kid, why didn't you say that first??'
"August, I'll get you those n right away!" Jas said, practically vibrating with excitent. He had assud August was just a frontline fighter, but the kid was practically a walking miracle.
Jas didn't waste a second. He snatched up his phone and dialed furiously.
"Hello?? Listen to ! Find the severely wounded veterans who were dically discharged and bring them to the base hospital! RIGHT NOW!" he roared into the receiver. "You have two hours! If they aren't there, you can hand in your resignation!"
Jas barked out orders like a madman. Magic that could regrow limbs changed everything. How could he not be ecstatic? The military needed this more than anything.
"What about a location?" August glanced around the sterile conference room. They obviously couldn't do dical procedures here.
"Not a problem. We'll use the best hospital on the base. I'll drive you there myself." Jas quickly realized that a conference table was no substitute for a sterile operating room.
A proper military hospital was the ideal place for it. They could perform the magic there and monitor the veterans' vital signs afterward to make sure everything remained stable.
If this really worked, Jas knew it would send shockwaves through the entire ard forces. The military had a long list of soldiers who had been forced to retire because of permanent, debilitating injuries. If August could restore them, it would be a monuntal victory for the army's morale.
A sudden thought struck the commander.
"August," Jas said, his tone deadly serious. "If you can really heal my n, I'll personally vouch for you. Every single piece of standard-issue equipnt under my jurisdiction... It's yours to use."
The fact that August had revealed this trump card ant he trusted them. If Jas started pinching pennies now, he would be nothing but an ungrateful fool. If August wanted guns, Jas was prepared to empty his armory to supply him.
"Thank you," August replied, genuinely appreciating the support. The commander ant every word, and August respected that. Compared to his first disastrous visit, this second attempt was a resounding success. They had an actual partnership.
"Don't thank . I should be thanking you," Jas said solemnly. "An ability like yours... for n like us, it's a blessing."
If a man who could save lives and restore broken soldiers didn't receive the utmost respect, then Jas had no business wearing a uniform.
"Let's head out, then." August checked the ti. It was already past noon, and driving to the hospital would take a bit.
"YES! Let's go! Right now!" Commander Jas couldn't wait another second. The thought of seeing his disabled soldiers made whole again sent adrenaline surging through him. He was desperate to witness the miracle firsthand.
—•——•——•——•——•——•—
For every 100 Power Stones = I'll drop an extra chapter!
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