Don't use Type-Moon references in Oregairu!

The count stepped out dejectedly, lit a cigarette, and gazed wistfully at the sky: "Fujimaru... you must have filled out the report wrong back then. Your race should have been listed as canine."

201. Taejin's money will be returned in full! (6K7)

The count's hand holding the cigarette trembled slightly. He felt a bump on his shoulder and turned to see Muramasa gesturing to him for a cigarette as well.

With a snap, the flame lit the cigarette, and the two old guys, who had seen it all but never found Fujimaru Ritsuka's dog, squatted down on the ground in unison, smoking.

Fujimaru Ritsuka was displeased: "You two were the ones who deliberately kept it from me, so why are you acting like the victim? Is this what mature adults are like? It's really ridiculous."

Perhaps feeling slightly uncomfortable from the protesting gaze, Senko Muramasa shifted her position slightly, adjusting her squatting posture: "Don't stare at me like that. We don't know as much as Shuten-dōji anyway..."

"So how much do you know?"

“For example, you brought the extraordinary materials, and this isn’t the first time you’ve met us. Shirohime is more of a higher-level ‘elf’ than a god, and she was corrupted by something similar to Gaia but not entirely Gaia.” Senji Muramasa chuckled awkwardly, gesturing a tiny distance with his finger. “We only know a little bit about it. Besides, mentioning these things that have nothing to do with your solution is of little use.”

Fujimaru Ritsuka snorted. These two taciturn guys were always holding back information—even if the information was useless, he was a hardcore story player before he transmigrated, and the fact that they kept these interesting mysteries hidden made him so annoyed that he was about to explode.

But now is not the time to berate the two riddle-makers. He crossed his arms, assumed the Niou stance, and glanced at them sideways: "Let's not talk about such outdated things. In short, I'm here to procure weapons. Is there any way to counter Shirahime?"

Before me lay the horned crown crystal, containing the power of the legend of the Great Red Dragon, radiating a bewitching charm that captivated all who beheld it.

"Isn't this a bit insufficient as the main material? Let's not even talk about your Red Dragon Cutter Muramasa. That was just two weapons that were broken and then reforged, and the material can't be improved anymore."

Red Dragon Kirimura was carried at Fujimaru Ritsuka's waist, letting out a mournful, defiant cry. Fujimaru Ritsuka, as its master, patted it reassuringly: "It's alright. Even a kitchen knife has its uses. We can just slice up the small monsters and the big dragon."

Red Dragon Kiri Muramasa: The greatest sorrow is a broken heart, and the greatest pain for a knife is its master's rejection.

Senji Muramasa's meaning was clear: after his exploration, he didn't think the Horned Crown Crystal was useless, but the main material for the newly forged demon sword was obviously insufficient. According to his detailed unlocking, this palm-sized Horned Crown Crystal, judging from its material, would have good hardness if its power were fully activated or even sublimated, but its toughness was insufficient. More suitable materials needed to be added to the main material to forge a good item.

"If I want to go head-to-head with Hakuhime, the size of the horned crystal is not enough to shape the blade of the demon sword, and its toughness is also insufficient. But if you can get your hands on something with strong flexibility and a universal adaptability effect, perhaps I can challenge myself and forge a true divine weapon."

Fujimaru Ritsuka fell into thought, then took out something and asked in a questioning tone, "Is this appropriate?"

"It's so small, is it meant to be a sample? This little thing... huh?" Senji Muramasa took it and examined it closely, then looked at it with surprise and uncertainty.

Dantes also leaned over and gasped in as well.

The two studied it for a while, then looked up at Fujimaru Ritsuka, heartbroken: "I know you've been under pressure lately, but that's not the reason you've gone down the wrong path! Isn't this some kind of awakened being's spirit origin? How could you preserve it... no, the premise is that you were so cruel as to dig it out directly?! What bad things did he do?"

Fujimaru Ritsuka:......

Although the premise is that I'm facing a vicious and ruthless guy, but! God the hell, digging up a spirit origin? Do you think I'm some unknown, law-abiding citizen, Mr. Kim?

"Weren't you all secretly observing my daily life all along? How come you didn't know this? It's an artificial spirit core!"

"Ah, well, we always have to give you some privacy, right..." Senji Muramasa and Dantes chuckled in unison, glossing over the matter.

Something's not right...Are you hiding something from me again?

"Hahaha! Fujimaru, you're overthinking it again! But speaking of which, how's the production of this stuff? I feel like Muramasa is looking for something."

“No, that’s right! This thing… feels very interesting.” Senjimura held the spirit core in front of him, his golden eyes staring intently at the faint flame within it. “It’s somewhere between life and non-life, like a spirit particle and like matter. What’s even more interesting is its incredibly strong extensibility and almost omnipotent applicability. Adding just a little bit can imbue the forged blades with powerful spirituality.”

"What if there were 100 of these?" Fujimaru Ritsuka estimated and came up with a method that would be enough to pull Lisa and the others' hair out.

Senji Muramasa was clearly tempted. He picked up the Horned Crown Crystal, glanced at the artificial spirit core, and said ruthlessly, "Then, perhaps we can recreate the myth! Even if it costs me my life, I will make you something really useful."

"No need, no need, old man, you should take it easy. I'm going to go and torment Lisa and the others right now, and get some good stuff for you to build to your heart's content."

“Ah, of course.” Senko Muramasa’s eyes shone as he caressed the materials in his hands, completely absorbed in the world of crafting.

Fujimaru Ritsuka was about to wake up when the Count called her back.

The count, enveloped in black smoke and lightning, looked at the back of his hand: "Haven't you replenished your Command Seals yet?"

“Yeah, that’s true.” Fujimaru Ritsuka touched the faded lines on the back of her hand and slapped her forehead. “I had almost forgotten about it.”

"Then find the Holy Grail Drops as soon as possible. That stuff can replenish the number of Command Seals. Speed ​​things up and find more. I'll teach you a quick way to replenish them, and maybe you can even achieve a six-combo Command Seals."

"Hiss... I'm the rich guy? I'll definitely speed things up." Fujimaru Ritsuka perked up and quickly disappeared from the spot.

The count, smoking a cigarette, strolled back to his hiding place. The slightly undulating hills obscured Fujimaru Ritsuka's view, and he didn't see the scene that had been pixelated.

"Ha, your last-minute attempt to teach him how to replenish Command Seals is a bit too risky."

"What are you saying? It's as if you're going to risk everything—no, risk your life—to forge that divine sword so that it won't be exposed." The count glanced sideways at Senji Muramasa, who hadn't even raised his head.

"Hmm... You can't expect a swordsmith to just let the opportunity to forge a peerless sword disappear."

The count clicked his tongue and flicked away his cigarette butt: "Tch, what a capricious old man. Well then, let's entrust everything to him. Ah, it's quite a pity. I really wanted to see the moment when the accomplice takes revenge on that self-important guy. Good luck, my Master."

-------------------------------------

Unaware of the conversation taking place behind his back, Fujimaru Ritsuka was playing the role of a cold-blooded capitalist, presenting Lisa and the others with a difficult problem.

“100… Did I hear that right?” Lisa turned around and looked at the two experimental subjects with an unfriendly tone. They were already exhausted and could only make gestures.

Let me die, that's all.

"I'll die for you, huh? Hmm, I really appreciate your determination!" Fujimaru Ritsuka, who could read sign language, chose to gleefully twist the meaning, causing the two of them to fall headfirst to the ground.

"Look at those two over there, they're practically dumbfounded... Activating the Creation Technique left to us by Master Kongming isn't an easy task. Right now, the magic generator is still in the laboratory blueprint stage, and we have to rely on our own magic to generate it. How could we possibly make it?"

"Then how about we grind down the blank spirit origin and process it into an artificial spirit origin? Wait a minute, it's just a suggestion, you don't need to stare at me like that."

Without a word, Lisa drew her wand. Seeing that he had changed his mind, she lowered her weapon and said in an unfriendly tone, "This is the only copy, a rare item transformed from the spirit origin of the high-ranking Heroic Spirit Galahad. How dare you do such a thing? We usually cut it very carefully during our research. Since we were able to use the 'Morph of Creation' technique, we haven't even touched it. What exactly do you want to do that requires such a large quantity?"

It seems that unless she reveals everything, even if she is the lab's biggest investor, she won't be able to get a blank spirit origin from Lisa Lisa. Fujimaru Ritsuka had no choice but to surrender: "Faced with Shirohime, I can only create a near-godlike weapon by gathering enough artificial spirit origins."

Lisa Lisa was caught in a huge dilemma, looking at the blank spirit core with reluctance: "But..."

"To have a lot of resources and then fail is just too tragic. Dying isn't the worst thing; the worst thing is dying before you've even finished your medicine."

Seeing Lisa Lisa's melancholy expression, Kaiki Deishu clicked his tongue and then stood up.

He, who had looked haggard and weak, suddenly perked up: "I'll take care of this. The biggest problem with the Creation Manipulation Technique is that it requires pure magic power. Even if we use collected magic crystals or magic power shared by multiple people, it still needs to be purified before being inputted, which is counterproductive."

"However, my Noble Phantasm, as the Philosopher's Stone, can be used to collect other magical energy and spontaneously purify it into pseudo-true ether, which is even more effective than ordinary magical energy! In this way, even an artificial spirit origin that would take nearly four or five days to complete can be done in just two days."

Lisa clutched her chest, her face filled with emotion: "Beimu!"

"Boss!"

"When did you start slacking off?"

If he could, Kaiki Deishuu would even like to use magic to conjure a golden question mark above his head. Sensing the situation was getting out of hand, he quickly spoke up, "Big Sister, let me explain..."

“I understand, you don’t need to explain. Your naturally dark circles under your eyes perfectly portrayed the exhaustion of having run out of magic. Your current energetic appearance is entirely due to the Noble Phantasm in your hand, right? Hmph, as expected of Hohenheim, who can create the Philosopher’s Stone. If only I had Medea’s full potential, I wouldn’t have forgotten about your abilities in this area.” Lisa Lisa seemed to have hit the nail on the head, and Kaiki Deishuu couldn’t even utter a word of explanation.

But the one most hurt was Rohan on the shore. He had a blank expression on his face, and he gripped Kaiki Niishu's trouser leg tightly. His words were full of blood and tears, like the cry of a cuckoo: "You're lying! You pretended to fall down, were you just taking a nap? How could you be so realistic?"

"...It's a prop. I used a prop designed to counter half-sleep demons to disguise myself," Bei Mu Nishu said, comforting the dregs of medicine lying on the ground.

"I have no regrets about my defeat!" Roban on the shore collapsed to the ground, unable to get up.

"Kishi-be—wake up, Kishibe! I need to take you to see a doctor!" Kaiki Deishu cried out, grabbing Kishibe Rohan and trying to run away.

Then his collar was pulled.

"Pretending to go to the doctor, and then repenting later, is that it? Do you think I would forget that Rohan Kishibe fainted and then went to his dreams to replenish his food and recover?" Lisa grabbed Kaiki Deishuu's collar with murderous intent and said these inhuman words as if nothing had happened.

Fujimaru Ritsuka looked at Kishibe Rohan, who looked small in the arms of the tall Kaiki, with pity, and felt deep respect for Kishibe Rohan's sacrifice.

Fortunately, there is only one half-dream demon. If everyone had this ability, the 996 work schedule would become even more competitive.

However, now that you've fallen into Ms. Lisa Lisa's hands, there's nothing I can do to save you.

Fujimaru Ritsuka tiptoed out of the laboratory without making a sound, and thoughtfully closed the door gently, completely shutting out Kaiki Deishuu's pleading gaze.

Ah~~ Great materials, I've got them all sorted out. Let's go find Yukino Yukinoshita and ask her for some good stuff.

Ignoring the faint, barely audible screams behind her, Fujimaru Ritsuka happily wandered around until she reached the office floor.

Pushing open the heavy mahogany door, Fujimaru Ritsuka grinned like a fox who had stolen a chick, rubbing her hands together mischievously: "Hinano-nee-!"

Yukinoshita shivered and, almost in self-defense, used her telekinesis to try to close the door.

"Don't come any closer!"

She remembered that whenever Fujimaru Ritsuka used that tone, nothing good ever came of it.

Last time, he used this extremely wasteful tone to allocate 50% of Chaldea's stored materials to the laboratory.

The last time, he used this tone to get the Western-style mansion to give the team that stayed in Chiba a large amount of bonuses.

One more time...

In short, every time this tone appears, Haruno, as the housekeeper, has to be mentally prepared to take out her money bag and pour it out openly.

"Don't be like that, Haruno-nee." Fujimaru Ritsuka pushed the door hard, struggling against the telekinetic barrier, and shouted with deep emotion, "This time, I promise I won't be reckless! This is a necessary sacrifice for the battle ahead!"

"...You must sign a written agreement! Absolutely no use of the existing materials or funds!"

"Okay, okay, I'll sign a written agreement. Let me in first."

"Hmph..." The telekinetic power vanished instantly.

Fujimaru Ritsuka rubbed her wrist, inwardly exclaiming, "Good heavens!"

This level of telekinesis... the force output must be well over a ton! That's progressing incredibly fast.

Of course, to be honest, this wouldn't stop Fujimaru Ritsuka from coming in at all. But Fujimaru Ritsuka is a smart man; he knows what he's about to do will definitely cause Haruno some trouble. If he doesn't pretend to be nice and obedient now, he might really anger the housekeeper.

Important matters will certainly not be delayed, but for small things, such as deliberately letting the chef take a vacation, or creating other situations of hardship and simplicity that will not delay things, Yukinoshita Haruno is perfectly capable of doing it.

"Seriously, this is extremely urgent. It's related to whether I'll have more trump cards later." Fujimaru Ritsuka clasped her hands together and chuckled repeatedly. "Can you give me ten or eight drops of the Holy Grail?"

The pen in Yang Nai's hand fell to the table with a clatter. She lowered her head, the shadow obscuring her expression: "Fujimaru-kun..."

"exist?"

"Did you know that the seven drops of the Holy Grail can be combined to form the Holy Grail?"

"...Know."

"Although there's currently no way to synthesize it, can you understand the importance of the Holy Grail Drops?"

"of course."

"Then you still dare to ask me for ten or eight?" Yukinoshita Haruno said with great force, and a rumbling explosion could even be heard in the background air—it was telekinesis, she had added telekinesis.

Hmm, maybe we can research this and see if it can be used as background music.

Fujimaru Ritsuka remains in a dazed and unreliable state.

After all, faced with his furious wife, he dared not advise her or argue back, as if he were experiencing firsthand what it's like for a middle-aged man to do when he comes home to face his wife's scrutiny of household matters.