Hephaestus said, "Considering that Miss Alicia is a member of Loki Familia, if this annoys Loki, Skadi might actually be quite happy."
Emiya was confused, "Why?"
"Skadi and Loki don't have a good relationship... Back in the Upper World, Loki proposed to Skadi multiple times and was rejected every time," Hephaestus explained.
"Loki isn't a goddess?"
Emiya asked in confusion.
Hephaestus: "Loki is simply greedy for beauty, while Skadi hates such frivolous emotions..."
"In any case, if it's a sword forged by you, we gods wouldn't mind it being named after us," Hephaestus said.
If it were a worthless weapon given a name like 'Divine Sword of So-and-so,' it would undoubtedly be an insult and provocation.
But if it were the finest weapon forged by the children of the Lower World and then given a divine name, it would instead be an honor.
"[Skadini of Ice], considering that airheaded goddess's relationship with 'giants,' this name is actually quite fitting. It's just... such a great work, Skadi is getting off easy with it...", Hephaestus said, "Shirou, engrave your signature and our familia's emblem, then we can notify Loki Familia to come pick it up."
———
"Alicia, long time no see."
"Shirou, long time no see~"
After a long time apart, Emiya finally met Alicia again. This elven beauty still maintained the elegance and dignity characteristic of the children of the forest, just as she did when they first met.
But unlike before, after an adventure fighting side by side, Emiya had seen Alicia's lively and expressive side beneath her strict exterior. Alicia also believed she understood Emiya's personality. Unknowingly, their relationship had become much closer.
Yet, in front of Emiya, especially a clear-minded Emiya, Alicia still maintained the characteristic reserve of elves. Or rather... she seemed a bit shy.
She dared to speak nonsense in front of Lady Riveria, but when she stood before Emiya, she immediately returned to her graceful and dignified demeanor.
"Lefiya, it's been a while," Emiya's gaze shifted to the elven girl hiding behind Alicia.
"I-I should be the one saying that... Pardon me, Lord Emiya...", Lefiya was like a student in class, silently praying 'please don't call on me,' only to be called on anyway. She hurriedly stepped forward, speaking nervously and stumbling over her words.
"…Lord?", Emiya repeated the girl's form of address in confusion, "Lefiya, you can just call me by my name."
"Then... Mr. Emiya...", Lefiya said hesitantly.
It still sounded a bit too formal, but it wasn't a big deal. Emiya didn't press the matter.
Lefiya, on the other hand, let out a quiet sigh of relief. After their previous adventure, her mindset when facing Emiya had undergone a significant change.
At first, as an experienced adventurer, Lefiya had a bit of a senior attitude toward Emiya, since he had only just received the blessing of the gods and was still a Level 1 at the time. Meanwhile, she had been a Level 2 upper-class adventurer from the start.
Even in the labyrinth city, achieving level-up at such a young age was an impressive feat, so it was natural for her to carry a bit of pride.
However, after witnessing Emiya's adventures and battle style firsthand, Lefiya's sense of superiority was shattered.
Later, she came to see Emiya as an equal friend. Then, after various events, her mindset had completely reversed.
Even though Emiya was younger than her and had less adventurer experience, Lefiya instinctively saw him as a strong and reliable senior.
Just like how the Braver, the Heavy Champion, and the Nine Hell in Loki Familia were legendary adventurers... Emiya gave Lefiya a similar feeling.
As Emiya, Alicia, and Lefiya exchanged greetings, the lively girl who had come with them was looking around curiously.
"Oh~ So this is the Hephaestus Familia's workshop? It's my first time here."
"In our familia, most of the first-tier adventurers' weapons are commissioned from Goibniu Familia. Except for that guy Bete."
Alongside the two elven girls who had come to pick up their weapons, there were also two Amazonian sisters with them.
These two had outstanding beauty, even by Amazonian standards, rivaling Haruhime, and while they lacked Aisha's alluring charm, their every movement exuded the presence of warriors.
Their outfits were the typical Amazonian style, no armor at all. What could be called clothing was just simple fabric covering key areas, leaving their toned, bronze-colored skin exposed to the sun and air.
Neither of them wore shoes, walking barefoot on the floor, as many Amazons did, believing shoes would hinder their speed and agility.
Emiya looked at them. The two Amazonian beauties shared some facial similarities, but their overall auras were entirely different. The short-haired girl radiated visible energy, more like a lively boy than a cute girl.
The long-haired one had a more mature and graceful figure, with a rare sense of dignity for an Amazon.
To be honest, due to past experiences, Emiya had a bit of psychological trauma regarding Amazonian women. However, since they were his friends' companions, he remained composed.
"Great Cleave and Raging Snake?", Emiya asked.
Though it was phrased as a question, he was already sure of the answer. Their distinctive traits were too obvious.
Great Cleave Tiona Hiryute and Raging Snake Tione Hiryute, the famous Amazonian sisters of Loki Familia, both were Level 5 first-tier adventurers.
They had come with Alicia and Lefiya to Hephaestus Familia's workshop. The younger sister, Tiona, was just there to watch, while the older sister, Tione, had been entrusted with an important mission from Captain Finn. Negotiating the price.
"Emiya Shirou... I've heard a lot about you. You really are extraordinary," Tione met Emiya's gaze directly, their eyes locking. The sharp corners of Raging Snake's eyes lifted slightly.
Lately, in the labyrinth city, Emiya's name had been spreading rapidly as a newcomer. Tione had heard it mentioned multiple times by her Loki Familia comrades.
Previously, she didn't think much of it, but now that she saw him in person, she finally understood why Braver and Nine Hell held this boy in such high regard.
'He's only Level 2... but my Amazonian instincts feel his fighting spirit,' Tione thought to herself.
'…However, at Level 2, his base stats are still too low. If we were the same level, he'd probably be a worthy opponent,' Tione considered, 'For now, though, the captain's mission takes priority. I have to secure Alicia and Lefiya's weapons for the lowest possible price and make the captain appreciate me more—'
["Tione, you really are a devoted and capable wife,"] Tione fantasized about Captain Finn lifting her chin and gazing at her lovingly while whispering sweet words. A silly smile crept onto her face, "Hehe, Captain Finn..."
Tiona: "Sis, you're daydreaming again."
"Ahem!", Tione snapped back to reality, clearing her throat awkwardly.
"Raging Snake-senpai, are you okay?"
"Ahem! I'm fine. Just call me Tione. I'll call you Emiya, is that alright?"
"No problem, Tione."
"Emiya—", Tione nodded deeply, feigning seriousness, "Our Loki Familia usually works with Goibniu Familia to commission first-tier weapons."
"Of course, Hephaestus Familia's skills are absolutely trustworthy, especially with a rising star like you, Emiya. Even Lady Riveria highly recommends you... Perhaps in the future, our Loki Familia will have deeper collaborations with you," Tione had experience negotiating with merchant familias to lower the prices of potions and equipment while selling materials at a higher price.
She smirked internally, 'Now, I just need to point out some flaws in the work, and then I can logically demand a lower price—'
"Shirou's works surpass Goibniu Familia's by far," Alicia said, "If possible, I'd like to sign an exclusive contract with Shirou!"
Hearing this, Tione's smile twitched.
"Mr. Emiya has a talent that is not inferior to anyone; he is no worse than any veteran blacksmith," Lefiya said seriously.
Tione: 'Hey, hey, whose side are you on?'
Tiona: "Sister, you're making empty promises again. Last time, you clearly said that we would always buy potions from the Dian Cecht Familia, but then you immediately commissioned the Hermes Familia to wholesale mind potions from the Magic Kingdom."
Tione: "…"
"Shirou, just name your price. You don't need to give us a discount or any special offer just because we've been on an adventure together," Alicia said, "I believe Shirou's work is definitely worth the price!"
Lefiya: "Y-Yes, just being able to purchase Mr. Emiya's work is already an honor for me."
Tiona: "Shirou-kun, my sister is really good at bargaining, so be careful~"
Tione pressed her forehead in frustration, realizing that Finn's mission was going to be difficult to complete, 'Captain, there is a traitor in our familia…'
"As for the price, Sister Tsubaki and Lady Hephaestus helped me set it," Shirou said, "I only handle the forging; the sales are all entrusted to the familia."
"I see…", Tione smiled helplessly. Tsubaki was a veteran blacksmith master, and trying to negotiate with her was no easy task. As for Lady Hephaestus, the prices she set had no room for negotiation.
In the field of smithing, the goddess of fire and forging had the final say.
"Shirou-kun, hurry and show us the weapons you made for Alicia and Lefiya!", Tiona said in an excited voice.
Unlike most Amazons, Tiona did not have that kind of seductive charm; instead, she exuded a lively and approachable energy that made it impossible to dislike her.
"Alright, following the order of commissions, first is Lefiya's forging request. Since no specific type was designated, I chose a one-handed sword," Shirou said.
"A one-handed sword… but I am a mage…", Lefiya hesitated slightly, "Does that mean Shirou thinks I should develop in the direction of a magic swordsman…?"
"No, Lefiya, your talent has already determined that being a mage is the best path for you," Shirou said decisively, "However, even as a mage, you need at least a minimum level of close combat ability—at least enough to protect yourself."
"Shirou is right," Alicia spoke up, agreeing, "This doesn't mean you need to become a magic swordsman."
The difference between a magic swordsman and a mage who knows how to use a sword was something like this: A Level 5 magic swordsman would need their sword skills to at least match an opponent of the same level, whereas a Level 5 mage only needed to master basic swordsmanship to be able to rely on their base abilities to cut down Level 3 enemies.
"Lady Riveria is a swordmaster. In terms of pure swordsmanship, she even surpasses me, a 'magic swordsman'," Alicia said, her expression filled with admiration and reverence as she spoke of Riveria.
"I see…", Lefiya nodded.
Shirou had already taken the sword from the workshop's sword case.
This weapon was overall shorter than a typical one-handed sword, with a very slender blade. Though not to the extent of a rapier. The blade shone a bright silver, glowing with a clear radiance when drawn.
Circular magic inscriptions were engraved along the blade, while the guard and the pommel were inlaid with gold and emerald gemstones.
'This is undoubtedly a second-tier weapon, and one of the highest quality among them. With such forging and engraving craftsmanship…', Tione's heart gave a slight jolt.
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