Is it wrong to try to meet someone in a dungeon?

"Then I'll bet two months."

"About half a month—"

"Those who want to participate, bring me the gold coins—"

"G-Ladies and gentlemen!? This is so inappropriate!!"

Eina got angry when she saw her colleagues actually betting with the werewolf waitress as the banker.

She understood that the bet was just a joke to avoid the adventurer's death, and that it was their way of showing concern for her. Although she understood, she couldn't accept it.

Eina's shout drew the attention of Missia, who was sitting by the window. Missia turned her head in confusion. "Eina, you may say that, but do you really think that little boy can make a living as an adventurer?" The waitresses came over and patted Eina on the shoulder, mocking her.

It means, "I think you're afraid of losing and don't dare to gamble for more than six months, right?"

“──!”

If Eina admits it now, the matter will probably be over.

However, Eina, who sincerely prayed for the adventurers' safe return more than anyone else, could not agree with this statement, even if it was just a joke.

"Very well! In that case, I'll do it. I'll be his full-time advisor!"

Eina arrogantly declared that she would let the boy live.

"Wait, wait a minute, Zul?"

"Weren't you given other cases by your superiors and didn't have time to take care of the adventurers?"

"But it's just one person, I can take care of her! Besides, even though I'm half-blood, I'm also an elf!"

She spoke angrily to each of the waitresses.

At this critical juncture, no one could stop Eina anymore.

"If I win, please stop making these kinds of bets!" She left the office after uttering this warning, preparing to volunteer to be the person in charge of the teenagers.

I will absolutely not let that boy die.

Eina made this vow in her heart.

*

then……

(I accidentally said those things yesterday, but...)

The next day, Eina, having calmed down, walked down the corridor of the guild headquarters.

She reflected that she had been too emotional, but had no intention of retracting her statement.

She wants the adventurers to survive.

We will continue to support adventurers and cheer them on.

She recalled the promise she made to herself after her interactions with Maris and the others, and their deaths.

Eina arrived at the private room and took a breath.

Carrying three heavy textbooks for her lectures, she knocked on the door.

“—Ah.”

The boy opened his eyes wide from inside the open door, and Eina smiled at him.

"My name is Eina Zur, and I will be your advisor starting today. Please take good care of me from this day forward."

Volume 15 Interlude: The Uncold Iron

Welf Crozet

Lv.2

力量：H118→177　耐久：H123→191　灵巧：H143→G233

Agility: I71 → H138 Magic: I72 → 98 Forging: I

〖magic〗

【Invisible Will-O'-the-Wisp】

• Antimagic fire.

• Chant: [Burn away, external laws!]

〖Skill〗

【Crozzo Blood】

• Can be used to craft magic swords.

• Enhance the magic sword's abilities during crafting.

【Veritas Burn】

• Highly resistant to flames.

• When performing fire-related attacks, the effect is amplified.

On the same day Lily [leveled up], Welf also received an update to his [ability stats].

With the significant increase in ability parameters, new "skills" were discovered.

Having just reached Lv.2—and not being Bell—it was impossible for him to reach Lv.3 so quickly, but the results of his battles during the "Expedition," which risked his life, were indeed revealed.

Especially when "forging" under extreme conditions, it might have a positive side effect, with the impact of learning fire-attribute specialized "skills" being particularly significant. This would further enhance the power when using "magic swords" of the same attribute. Since the effect was simple and easy to understand, even Hestia, who knew nothing about combat, was happy for him.

However, for Welf now, these are all trivial matters.

No, there were things that made him even happier—priorities.

*

"Look, this is my new 'Demon Sword'."

The Northwest Street branch of the Hephaestus Familia.

The office on the third floor of the branch.

Unable to contain his confidence, Welf presented a weapon to the divine object before him.

That is, the "Shigao·Huangyue" that he forged in the underground city.

“…………”

The goddess Hephaestus, who accepted the weapon, narrowed her left eye, which was not covered by the blindfold, and her gaze swept over every corner of the sword.

For a blacksmith, this is the most nerve-wracking moment.

It could even be described as terrifying.

After all, this is a weapon that needs to be appraised by the god in charge of "forging" from the "supreme" level.

Besides Hephaestus, there are also male gods (Gubernius), and so on. As craftsmen, it's natural to feel both joy and sorrow upon hearing the pronouncements of these gods and goddesses. If someone were to be pushed off a cliff, some might not be able to hold a hammer for a long time. Their evaluations are like "oracles" to blacksmiths.

However, this was the only time that Welf was in a situation that had absolutely nothing to do with nervousness or fear.

It wasn't because he was certain he would get the desired response.

Instead, he did his best to satisfy his inner sense of "fulfillment".

If you still get negative feedback, just be determined to keep pushing your limits.

He simply accepts the evaluation without hesitation, knowing that he must surpass his current self.

Welf has poured everything into the "magic sword" before him, which has given him a magnanimous mindset.

"My Lord, as I have told you before, this 'Demon Sword' was forged in the dungeon. That fool over there forged it in the 'Dead Land,' where even the equipment was incomplete. I urge you to take this into consideration, my Lord, and judge its value with a fair and impartial eye."

Besides Welf and the others, there was also a half-dwarf with a large chest wrapped in white cloth in the room.

Chun, resting her cheek on her hand at the desk where the chief god should have been sitting, told Hephaestus sarcastically. A smile played on her lips.

Welff was extremely reluctant to let her stay there, but she insisted on being there and wouldn't listen to reason.

Just as he glared angrily at the outspoken and talkative Chun, Hephaestus, who had remained silent until now, spoke for the first time:

"It's definitely not 'Krozo's Demon Sword,' it's 'Your Demon Sword'..."

She gently stroked the surface of the sword, which bore the marks of numerous uses in the dungeon, with her fingers.

She should have already discovered that the material used was an ultra-hard metal (hard steel).

This is the culmination of Welf's technology, and more importantly, as if to prove that his flame—his "soul"—is contained within it, the crimson surface faintly reflects Hephaestus's face.

This "magic sword" is both masculine and beautiful.

"So, Lord God? What is the judgment?"

As if trying to push time forward, Chun asked.

After a short period of inactivity.

The blacksmith, who stood at the highest level, said after a while:

"...Not bad."

--Great!

Welf clenched one hand in ecstasy.

Hephaestus only gave this one comment.

But that alone was enough to boost Welf's morale.

My body felt like it was in a furnace.

The Forging God's words just now were full of such great "value".

Chun, who was watching from the sidelines, also showed a smug look.

Her expression could be described as a senior sister celebrating her junior brother's growth.

"...This is still not enough to reach the highest level you speak of. Therefore, you must continue to strive tirelessly from now on."

Hephaestus, who had been almost expressionless, smiled for the first time.

She returned the "Shigao·Huangyue" she was holding with both hands.

As if performing the rites of a subject to a ruler, Welf accepted it with both hands.

He memorized the weight of the sword as it returned to his hand with his palm, while re-wrapping the white cloth that had replaced the scabbard.

The movements were meticulous, as if they were feeling with their hearts.

Hephaestus, like a god gazing down upon her people from heaven, watched this scene with tenderness.

"……uh-huh."

at this time……

Hephaestus cleared her throat very deliberately.

She first lost her divine expression, then her cheeks flushed slightly, and she closed her eyelids.

Hephaestus turned her face toward the side, as if looking at Welf from the side, and vaguely moved her lips:

"Well, although there seem to be some rough and immature parts, it seems like you poured your soul into crafting it. Besides, to reach this level in such a short time, even I, the god, couldn't have imagined it. So, so... um, I mean... just a little bit... it's not impossible for me to acknowledge your efforts..."

Hephaestus spoke in an uncharacteristically indecisive and roundabout tone.

The more she talked, the deeper the blush on her cheeks became.

Chun, who was watching quietly from the sidelines, smiled happily.

Welf was not uninvolved either; he knew what Hephaestus wanted to say and correctly understood her divine will.

He clenched his fist again.

Welf smiled back at the red-haired, red-eyed goddess who opened her eyes and stole a glance at her.

Then, just as Hephaestus made up his mind, he also spoke up, ready to announce his own thoughts.

"As agreed, I can deliver it to you—"

"—Yes!! I will use this as a foundation and will definitely forge a sword worthy of your praise!"

He said this with such confidence that it overshadowed the goddess's words.