Junichiro snorted at his 'title' in the supernatural world. All of the factions worldwide knew that name and knew he'd make them quality stuff. Trades were also the only way to go about high level item sales. Frankly, selling something at the tier he was working at now would cost trillions of yen or billions of dollars. Entirely ludicrous numbers in cash. It was slightly better in gold bullion, but not by much. Raw materials though? Now that was worthwhile.
"And what's that?"
Azazel's grin grew, "Sword Birth."
Junichiro's eyes widened in surprise. He'd put the word out as soon as he started selling stuff that he was on the lookout for Sword Birth. He'd just about given up on ever getting a copy. He couldn't help smiling, "How'd that happen?"
Azazel looked slightly whimsical, "It's a funny story really. It's also something I didn't even know was possible until now! See, this particular yokai is one of the rare soul eating varieties. They don't usually live long since no one, not even other yokai, like having such a dangerous being around. This particular one though, she has a penchant for only eating the souls of the truly evil so she generally gets a bit of a pass."
Junichiro made a hand motion to tell Azazel to get on with it. Soul eating yokai aside, he just wanted to get to the Sword Birth and what this lady wanted for it. Azazel smirked but didn't speed up his tale, "So, in this instance she was hunting down a small time serial killer in Germany. The guy was known for using blades to slice his victims up."
He looked at Junichiro pointedly. Junichiro knew what he was getting at, the serial killer was using sword birth to make his blades and then dismissing them. It was an excellent way to leave zero evidence behind. Seeing Junichiro got it, Azazel continued, "So, she hunted him down and ate his soul. She was rather shocked when something caught in her throat during her meal. After hacking it up, she found herself in possession of an owner-less Sacred Gear." Azazel's grin grew, "That's where I come into the story! She had no idea what Sacred Gear she had so, naturally, she came to the most knowledgeable being on, and off, the planet! Me!"
Junichiro rolled his eyes as Azazel preened about his own greatness, "Get to the point."
Azazel sighed but continued, "So I identified it as Sword Birth for her. She didn't seem all that impressed, or happy, until I told her the great 'Artificer' was looking to get his hands on a copy of it.
Now that got her excited! She's willing to make a trade, Sword Birth for a commission of her choice. Though..." And here Azazel seemed a little uncomfortable, "She did have one request that I'm not sure should be fulfilled." Seeing Junichiro's deadpan stare, Azazel got on with it, "She wants to talk to you in person about her request."
"Why?"
Azazel sighed, "When I asked she said she would only relay the details of her request to you in person. It seems like she wants something rather... personal to be made by you. So that's the deal. She comes here, gets you to make something for her, and in exchange you get a copy of Sword Birth."
Junichiro crossed his arms over his chest, which was still and odd feeling with his version three arm. He'd ditched the wooden one he'd made with Azazel as soon as he could and made himself a second version out of metal that was essentially a hallow gauntlet.
After that he'd made this current version, a hallow gauntlet with a skeletal frame inside for further strength. It was also the most dexterous one he'd made so far, almost as good as his left hand really.
"That's a hard choice."
It really was too. He liked his privacy and didn't want it to come to an end just yet. Sure, he was at least a hundred times stronger and more prepared than he was a year ago, but he knew he was still a rather small fish.
All the sword training, working out, magical exercise, and magical items he had wouldn't enable him to handle more than someone mid-class. At least, according to Mittelt. She would know too, they'd been living together this entire time.
Azazel shrugged his shoulders uncaring, "It's your decision. Though, if it helps, she has a massive set of tits."
Junichiro rolled his eyes at the lecherous look on Azazel's face. Of course that was the important part to the fallen. After thinking about it a bit, Junichiro smiled, "Alright, tell her she has a deal on one condition. She has to sign a magical contract swearing herself to secrecy. If she agrees, bring her here and I'll make whatever I can, within limits, in exchange for the Sword Birth Sacred Gear."
Azazel nodded, "Seems reasonable. That was the first bit of news, I have other news as well..."
Junichiro sighed at Azazel drawing things out, "Well? Get on with it."
Azazel smirked, "I've been hearing some quiet whispers about a couple of devil heiresses being interested in coming to Japan. And since this is their only territory here..."
Junichiro froze for a moment at that, a flicker of remembered flames and a grotesque figure going through his mind before he shoved them aside for other thoughts. Rias and Sona were coming to Earth. He tried to figure out the timeline from that information. By his best guess, the pair of them had been on Earth for two years by the time the story started, with them being in their third, and last, year of high school. He didn't know if they spent any time at Kuoh Middle School or not.
He was currently fourteen, about to turn fifteen, and would be finishing his last year of middle school and getting ready for his first year of high school, if he was attending. So, was he the same age, or older than Rias and Sona? He'd find out eventually it seemed. Either way, he planned to find and join Rias the first chance he had. The sooner he was a devil, the sooner he could take his Essence of the Blank and begin really gaining strength using all the tricks he had at his disposal. Add having Sword Birth on top of that? Yes, he was definitely looking forward to the future!