"Magnificent! Just as expected of me!"
Shirou raised the dagger in his hand. The morning light made it glint brilliantly.
This was a dagger meticulously crafted by Shirou, a blend of what he had learned from the structures of Noble Phantasms with his knowledge of Danmachi's magic swords.
He had been working on it ever since forging his first Múspellsflamme arrow.
Shirou had absolute confidence that one day he would be able to forge his own Noble Phantasm.
The study of magic sword forging was crucial for his future.
Therefore, no effort would be too much in this endeavor.
He placed the dagger on a nearby table, alongside several others.
Each of these magic daggers had been forged by Shirou using different techniques, making each one unique.
Thanks to his memories from his life as Shirou and his previous life, he also possessed scientific knowledge.
Many people believe that science and magic are entirely different, incompatible things.
But that was not the case.
Science is the summarization, generalization, and verification of the known world through comprehensible data calculations, textual explanations, verbal descriptions, and visual representations.
Any technology capable of forming its own system could be equated with science.
Therefore, when studying magic swords, Shirou was not obliged to follow the methods Tsubaki had taught him.
Since returning from the last expedition, Shirou had been researching various magic swords made by other blacksmiths.
By synthesizing and summarizing each piece of information, Shirou discovered many different paths he could take.
Now, he sought the path that suited him best.
After leaving the forge, Shirou took a relaxing bath and went to the dining hall for breakfast.
"Eat, Captain. This is a dish I made myself. Eat more!"
Upon entering the dining hall, Shirou saw Tione feeding Finn, with a huge fish in front of him.
It was a giant black fish, native to the lake southwest of Orario, often sold to the city.
Although it was not fully grown, the fish in front of him was already over a meter long.
Considering that Finn was a pallum, standing only 119 cm tall, this fish could easily be taller than him.
Seeing the fish, Finn, a renowned hero of Orario, looked slightly stunned.
Seeing this, Shirou turned his face away, laughing to himself.
But it lasted only a moment.
To avoid being bothered, Shirou quickly sat down beside Lefiya.
Then, along with everyone else, they cast a sympathetic glance at Finn, who was being force-fed by the jubilant Tione.
'Poor Captain…'
"Brother, what have you been up to lately? I haven't seen you much, and yesterday you even skipped magic class."
"I've been busy with my forging lately."
Shirou replied to Lefiya's question while chewing.
He was incredibly hungry. Forging, after all, was an incredibly demanding practice.
"Is that so?"
Lefiya nodded, with a clear expression. She knew that Shirou's skills could be improved through the enhancement of his forging abilities.
Therefore, she knew he had never abandoned this path.
Now, she herself was one of the best blacksmiths in Orario.
While Lefiya reflected on Shirou's situation, Ais and Tione chatted nonstop.
"Ais, what are your plans for today?"
"The day before yesterday, I broke my sword, so I need a new one."
"Is it the foil you used in Monsterphilia?"
Ais nodded at Lefiya, who was sitting beside her.
"I need one too! If it weren't for the high costs of my recent research on magic swords, I could definitely help you."
Hearing Ais's words, Shirou couldn't help but intervene.
As he had said, most of the magic swords he had forged were experiments, needed for testing, and couldn't be sold.
Therefore, all the valis he had saved from equipment production had been poured into that bottomless pit.
Now, he didn't have much left.
"Ais, are you planning to go to the dungeon to earn money? If so, I'll come too. I'm also planning to test the magic sword I forged."
"It wouldn't be bad to go with you and earn some money along the way."
Hearing Shirou's words, Ais nodded slightly.
She was happy to go to the dungeon with Shirou to earn money.
"Then I'll go too. Since Ais definitely plans to stay in the dungeon for a week, I also need to find money to forge another Urga."
"If you don't mind, let me help too!"
Seeing that Tione would also go, Lefiya naturally wanted to join.
Knowing the three wanted to help her, Ais could not refuse, and their kindness made her happy.
"Then, please."
Seeing Ais's smile, Tione and Lefiya also smiled.
As for Shirou, he was absorbed in his meal.
"We'll be gone for a while. Should we inform Finn?"
"Indeed, although it's still early for the next expedition, if we're going to spend time in the labyrinth, it's better to report to the goddess Loki or the captain."
Seeing that the three were almost finished discussing, Shirou said, "Then go ask the captain. I still have a few things to prepare. We'll split up later."
"Right!"
After breakfast, Shirou returned to the forge to prepare his own equipment.
After all, since the expedition, he had been busy with other people's gear.
Fortunately, he didn't need weapons since he had an almost infinite stock, and he had nearly finished his combat outfit two days ago, only final touches remaining.
As for other supplies, he packed as much as he could, remembering that this expedition would likely involve a confrontation with that dangerous woman.
Against a Level 6 enemy like her, he couldn't be too cautious.
With that in mind, Shirou continued swinging his hammer, forging the last item in his hand.
His combat outfit was almost ready.
---
(End of this chapter)
"Hmph. If you really want to be useful, then entertain me, try to throw those pathetic power stones at me. Let's see if even your insolence can amuse a king."