DanMachi: The Epic of the Heroic Spirits of Emiya Shirou

Alicia hugged Emiya, her broad chest embracing the boy's head.

"Thank you so much, Shirou. This is the most powerful sword I have ever seen."

"No, it is the most powerful weapon in the Labyrinth City!"

Tsubaki, standing to the side, sheathed her katana, "Red Rain," shrugged, and thought to herself, "Unfortunately, that's not the case~"

"Although the visual effects of the Ice Giant are more exaggerated, the [Red Spider Lily] and [Returning Swallow] are still a bit stronger..."

This is Chun's professional judgment as a blacksmith.

What makes this sword truly special is its material—the skeleton of Black Goliath. This unique material is unprecedented and virtually impossible to replicate.

As for the craftsmanship, although Emiya spared no effort in creating the Ice Skadi, the "contents" poured into the sword-making process were ultimately different.

Having witnessed the power of the black and red swords, Tsubaki was not surprised by the strength of [Ice Skadi].

Of course, she wouldn't spoil Alicia's fun at this time.

"You're truly remarkable. You are now undoubtedly the strongest blacksmith in the city."

Tsubaki watched Emiya's figure disappear, thinking with satisfaction.

"The only one who can surpass you is the goddess Hephaestus when she gets serious..."

The goddess of fire can forge a shield that contains an entire world. She recreates the world itself in a very small area. To confront this shield is to confront the world itself, and all attacks will be blocked.

This is the true power of the weapons created by God.

Shaking her head, Chun stopped thinking about things too far in the future and quickly adjusted her mood. Emiya's work also sparked countless inspirations in her, and she set a new direction and goal for herself as the "One-Eyed Master".

On the other side, Emiya was still being held tightly by Alicia. Tsubaki smiled and gently patted the shoulder of Tione, who was still in a daze.

She brought the Amazonian girl to her senses with just one sentence.

"Lefia's sword costs 50 million falies, with the magic gems for consumables calculated separately. The price of [Ice Skadi] is 600 million falies. Will it be paid in cash, or will it be charged to the Loki Familia?"

118

Chapter 118 The Loki Familia Becomes a Laborer.

"Six hundred million falies?!?"

Tiony's shout drew everyone's attention.

"What six hundred million fares... could it be..."

Alicia made a questioning sound, but the next moment, she realized something, her voice trembled, and the knuckles of her slender fingers on her right hand, which was holding the sword, turned white.

Alicia: "The price of this sword is... six... six... six hundred million falies?!"

Tsubaki: "Yes, that's right~"

【The One-Eyed Master】Her only exposed eye curved into a smile, as if she were enjoying the adventurers' trembling fear at the exorbitant price of high-level weaponry.

As a blacksmith who is proud of his skills, Tsubaki never compromises on the price of weapons and equipment.

It wasn't about money. Chun had been the city's top blacksmith for a long time and had long since achieved financial freedom. She might occasionally run out of cash, but Chun's workshop and vault were filled with all sorts of collectibles, prototypes, and rare materials; any one of them could fetch an astronomical price outside.

However, in Chun's view, the price of equipment embodies the blacksmith's talent, inspiration, and hard work.

The price represents the value of the forger's efforts. Selling a weapon for the highest price is the greatest respect and recognition for the forger.

For Tione, Tsubaki was one of the most difficult opponents to negotiate with, and as for that weapon, [Skadi of Ice], she couldn't find an angle to make a move.

"Six hundred million..."

Tiona couldn't help but exclaim, "My [Great Twin Blades Urga] only costs 120 million Fali..."

Generally speaking, the price of Tier 1 weaponry is usually between 50 million and 200 million francs, with the figure largely determined by the specifications of the equipment.

For example, Tione's Blade of Pain, being a short dagger, only costs 58 million falies, while heavy weapons such as greatswords, spears, and battle axes often cost over 100 million falies.

In addition, the price of the staff is often the highest among the female weapons of the same level.

To date, the most expensive Tier 1 weapon Tione knows of is the staff [Magna Avis] of [Nine Demon Princesses] Riveria.

It was made by blacksmiths from the magical superpower (Altina), and is the highest-grade wand in the lower realm, including the labyrinth city, that can be called the "Supreme Five Wands".

This super-sized wand, inlaid with nine of the highest-grade 'magic gems,' can amplify the power of magic to its maximum.

The staff, crafted from 'magical metal' and 'holy emperor ore', not only conducts magic power with extremely high efficiency but is also incredibly sturdy, even suitable for use as a polearm.

Even without gems, the price of [Magna Avis] is only 340 million falies, which is only about half the price of [Skadi the Ice], which is 600 million falies.

"Six hundred million fares... This price is simply outrageous..."

"If you don't think it's worth the price, you can think about it again."

Tsubaki's voice was full of confidence: "However, let me make this clear first, if it's put on the shelves, the Loki Familia might not have a chance to regret it."

"...No, I think it's worth the price."

His lips trembled slightly, and after a moment, Tiony made up his mind: "However, we don't have that much Fali to spare right now."

"It's alright, the Loki Familia is trustworthy."

Chun's attitude was kind.

No one doubts the Loki Familia's ability to repay debts; a successful expedition can bring in billions in revenue, and their credit is impeccable.

【Guardian of the Wind】Fifty million Dharma benefits, settled on the spot.

[Skadi of Ice] 600 million Fali, temporarily recorded in the books.

On the eve of the expedition, the Loki Familia once again incurred a huge debt.

All the magic stones and materials obtained from the expedition will probably have to be used to pay off debts, and even one expedition might not be enough.

Loki's expedition turned out to be working for someone else.

Lefia's hand gripping the short sword was also somewhat tense.

The price of the [Guardian of the Wind] is fifty million fali, which is almost the upper limit of the second-level weapon and is more expensive than the staff that Lefia is currently using. For this little Lv.2 adventurer, it is undoubtedly a huge sum of money.

However, because the price of 600 million was so shocking, for a moment, Lefia actually felt that it was quite a bargain.

"Shirou's work was personally appraised and priced by the goddess Hephaestus, so it is definitely worth the price."

Chun spoke calmly.

"You guys should be secretly happy. In the future, this kind of weaponry may not be something you can buy just because you have money."

Loki Familia Headquarters, Twilight Mansion.

"That's how it is, Lady Riveria."

Alicia lowered her head, her tone ashamed, like a child who had done something wrong.

The Loki Familia has a long-standing incentive rule: to provide a first-level weapon to adventurers who reach level 5. This incentive has been enjoyed by members of the Loki Familia, including Captain Finn, as well as Riveria, Ais, and Tiona.

However, the price of all the first-level weapons customized by everyone ranged from tens of millions to a little over one hundred million falies—Riviria's bare staff cost three hundred and forty million, and the Supreme Staff with its incalculable gems was purchased by her in her private capacity as an elven princess.

However, today, when it came to Alicia, she spent 600 million of her clan's wealth in one go, enough to make five of Tiona's Great Twin Blades or six of Ais's Despair Swords.

After the excitement of obtaining [Ice Skadi] subsided, Alicia realized the problem and took the initiative to apologize to Riveria.

"This is a long-standing rule of our clan, you don't need to worry about it."

Riveria, on the other hand, remained calm and unperturbed.

Although she almost fainted from a sudden heart attack when she first heard the number "six hundred million Fali", Riveria maintained her composure in front of her people who worshipped her.

"As long as it's worth the price, there's no problem. In fact, we've made a profit by being able to buy such a sword."

Riveria said, "Fali can earn more money; such armed forces are not easy to come by."

She had already learned about the power of [Ice Skadi] from Alicia. Although she hadn't seen it with her own eyes, the description of a "giant skeleton" nearly three meters tall easily blocking the full-force attack of [One-Eyed Giant] was already quite impressive.

Alicia insisted that she should pay for the weapons herself—finally, after her repeated insistence, Riveria agreed that Alicia and Loki's Familia would each contribute half of the 600 million Fali for [Ice Skadi], which would be 300 million Fali.

At the same time, the rules of the clan have been supplemented with new clauses, stipulating that the maximum amount a clan can contribute to forging weapons for newly upgraded first-level adventurers is 300 million Fali.

However, despite her words, Alicia's savings account actually had no balance; the money was still tied up in Loki's family debts.

Alicia exclaimed excitedly, "Don't worry, Lady Riveria, even if I have to sell myself to Lord Shirou, I will definitely pay back the 300 million fali!"

Riveria: "...Please try your best in the normal way."

119

Chapter 119 The Center of the New Era.

Alicia rallied her spirits and left Riveria's study, while the elven princess sighed and then slumped unceremoniously onto the sofa.

Only when she was alone would the dignified elven princess show a slightly different demeanor than usual. She casually tossed her hair, and her jewel-like emerald hair spread out, with many strands cascading over her long, white neck, displaying a messy and languid beauty.

Riveria wasn't worried about the Loki Familia's financial problems. Although the family was facing a daunting debt problem that troubled Riveria, the head steward of the Loki Familia, she understood that it was all a result of the Loki Familia's rapid growth in the previous period.

The new generation of children are bearing the fruits of their talents, and the veteran member Alicia has also broken through her bottleneck. The Familia has added five Level 1 adventurers in a short period of time, and for a time, its popularity has even surpassed that of Freya's Familia.

The Loki Familia's financial crisis is essentially a happy kind of trouble; despite accumulating huge debts, the Loki Familia's foundation has actually been greatly strengthened.

As long as the fact remains that the Loki Familia is "the strongest group composed of numerous first-class adventurers," there is nothing for the Loki Familia to worry about.

What truly unsettled and even worried Riveria was Finn's unintentional judgment—that the tide of a new era had already begun to surge.

[Sword Maiden] continues to level up at an astonishing pace, reaching the first-tier adventurer realm; [Swift Wind] briefly disappeared, then returned in triumph, catching up to Sword Maiden; a new type of magic sword with power far surpassing its predecessors; a first-tier weapon like a mythical creation…

And, there's that child, Shirou Emiya, who's subtly at the very center of the storm of the new era.

Riveria suddenly felt that she could no longer see clearly, could not see these children who were moving forward at a speed far beyond her imagination, and could not see this era that had suddenly become somewhat unfamiliar.

"Am I getting old? I'm not even a hundred years old yet."

Riveria murmured to herself.

"Should I also go to Shirou to have a sword made..."

While Lefia and the others were testing their swords at the Hephaestus Familia, [Sword Princess] Ais didn't rest either, but instead practiced her swordsmanship in the dungeon.

By learning from Emiya's strategies, she found a way to effectively train herself even in the upper district of the dungeon where the monsters were weak—by moving at high speed while deliberately attacking specific locations.

She imitated Emiya, attacking only one eye of the monster, making sure to strike each monster only once, plunging the Sword of Despair into its brain through its left eye, stirring it, and then pulling it out, killing it instantly.

At the same time, try to control your strength and avoid blowing the monster's head off with one strike.

Although any simple attack from [Sword Maiden] could easily pierce and cut through the seemingly tough skin or shell of monsters, Ais always insisted on this laborious and thankless attack method.

As it turned out, this kind of training was very effective. Ais's "Dexterity" ability value improved significantly faster than other abilities.

One minor consequence was that the rumors about the "Eyehunter" in the upper district intensified—the monsters in the dungeon would quickly decay into ashes after death, but Ais's speed in moving around was so fast that many people still saw the traces she left behind.

Now, many low-level adventurers are seriously spreading the word that enhanced monsters that specifically devour eyes have appeared in the upper district of the dungeon, spreading fear, and they're just short of asking guilds to issue targeted extermination quests.

"It's not enough. I'm far inferior to [Swift Wind] right now..."

With a single sword thrust piercing the tiger-like monster's left eye, Ais moved like the wind, continuing to traverse the narrow paths of the dungeon labyrinth, searching for her next target.

She couldn't help but compare herself to [Swift]—the fact that she was defeated by Ryu back then had a huge impact on Ais.

Since becoming an adventurer, Ais has experienced failures, but all the enemies or monsters she couldn't defeat in the past were beings whose levels surpassed hers.

For example, the "Great Demon King" Riveria, Ais has been suppressed by her countless times, and even now she finds it difficult to resist Riveria's violence.

However, at least since activating the magic [Wind Spirit Swiftness], Ais has never lost a battle against an opponent of the same level.

There was only one draw, which was the conflict with Ryu several years ago. At that time, Ais felt that she had the upper hand and believed that she had a better chance of winning if the fight went to the end.

However, this time, it was [Swift Wind] who defeated her. In this battle, Ais could be said to have suffered a complete defeat.

The slight pride and complacency that had arisen from upgrading to Lv.5 vanished, and Ais began to train even harder. Influenced by her, Bert, the [Fierce Wolf] from the same clan, also intensified his training.

The upgraded Ryu is like a catfish, stirring up not only the girls who were originally lying low in "The Abundant Mistress", but also the Loki Familia.

"There are two main reasons why I will lose to [Gale]. First, [Gale] is better at fighting against humans than I am."

Ais thought to herself as she precisely killed the monster.

This is not an excuse, but an objective fact. Ais's skills not only target monsters, but her combat experience also primarily involves dungeon exploration, training, and expeditions.

As for [Swift Wind], her experience in human combat is probably second to none in the entire city.

Ais could accept this gap, because she didn't have anyone she wanted to fight, but there was a monster she had to kill no matter what—the Black Dragon.