Chapter 22: Tsubaki Collbrande
Syr's sudden expression of goodwill caught Liam somewhat off guard. He looked at the bento in his hand, which was provided to the staff.
He hesitated slightly.
Actually, the reason was easy to guess. It was probably because Bell had mentioned what happened yesterday, and she connected it to him.
Could there be some other scheme?
The reason for his hesitation was considering whether the bento was made by Syr herself; otherwise, today's Dungeon exploration would have to end prematurely.
"Although I'm very grateful for your bento, will it really not affect you?"
"Of course not."
"Please don't mind it. My breakfast will still be supplied after the restaurant opens. In exchange, please be sure to come to our restaurant for dinner."
Syr bowed slightly, her eyes full of anticipation as she looked at the young man before her. She seemed to want to say more but hesitated, "Will this cause you any trouble?"
"Of course not."
Saving money on buying a bento, and it was even breakfast provided to the employees of "The Hostess of Fertility" restaurant.
Liam didn't refuse.
In exchange, he would choose to have dinner at their place. The starting point, naturally, wasn't to attract customers to the restaurant.
Probably…
It was related to Bell.
Since this was goodwill released by Freya, Liam naturally had no resistance. Making contact with Orario's strongest Familia.
Achieving the goal of purchasing lunch supplies.
Next was to go to the Hephaestus main weapon shop in Babel to fully repair the weapon in his hand.
"Get the weapon fixed."
"Then I can continue today's exploration."
The central plaza in front of Babel was already crowded with many adventurers. However, this time, Liam didn't choose to go with them.
Instead, he headed to Orario's strongest weapon forging Familia.
It could be said to be the signboard that attracted adventurers to shop. The shop locations were already marked, and there were weapon shops on various floors.
Selling weapons forged by novice smiths.
Compared to the goods in Hestia's shop (likely referring to Hephaestus's shop where Hestia worked), the prices were significantly cheaper.
There were fewer adventurers in the floor passages. He arrived unimpeded at Hephaestus's main weapon shop. And for Liam.
Good news: They were open even though he arrived early.
Bad news: Welf wasn't in sight.
The one currently tidying up the shop was a tall, well-built, dark-skinned adult woman with long, flowing hair and a noticeable ahoge (cowlick).
A half-dwarf born from the union of a human from the Far East and a continental dwarf.
Due to her mixed blood, she looked no different from a normal human, naturally not possessing the dwarven physical drawbacks of short arms and legs.
In terms of height, she was even slightly taller than Liam.
"Tsubaki Collbrande."
"To actually meet her…"
Towards Tsubaki, who was not far ahead and wore a black eyepatch over her left eye, Liam knew her true identity – the captain of the Hephaestus Familia.
Not only Orario's strongest smith but also possessing the strength of a first-tier adventurer!
If his wallet allowed.
He really wanted Tsubaki to help forge a weapon for him. But the problem to consider now was to first repair the short sword in his hand.
What Hephaestus had said back then was…
If the weapon was damaged, he could find Welf for free repairs. Whether this included Tsubaki, Liam wasn't sure at the moment.
"Since I'm already here…"
"Maybe Welf is in the forging room?"
Adhering to the "since I'm already here" mentality, Liam decisively strode towards the weapon shop. There were no other customers at this time.
Even if Welf wasn't around for now.
He felt that waiting appropriately was definitely more worthwhile than buying a new weapon!
As a top-ranking adventurer in Orario, when Liam entered the shop, even though Tsubaki's back was turned, she quickly noticed.
"If you need a weapon, look around yourself. The rule is no haggling."
"Um..."
"I'm here to find Welf. Lady Hephaestus mentioned that if a weapon is damaged, I can find Welf to help repair it."
According to Hephaestus's personality, she had probably mentioned it to her Familia members in advance. Getting straight to the point.
Liam felt that, in any case, it was faster than repeatedly probing.
And the facts didn't exceed his expectations. Upon hearing "Lady Hephaestus," Tsubaki turned around and looked at the young man before her.
A very unfamiliar adventurer's face.
Just a few nights ago, after Lady Goddess returned to the main weapon shop, she had indeed mentioned this matter in front of her.
In the Hestia Familia, if a black-haired Far Eastern young man came to the main shop here.
They should help him repair his weapon for free.
Currently, Welf hadn't arrived yet. Seeing Liam's appearance, he was probably preparing for a Dungeon adventure. There were no other urgent matters for now.
Tsubaki frowned, her tone calm as she stated, "Welf hasn't arrived yet."
"If you're really in a hurry, then come with me to the forging room."
"Then I'll have to trouble you, Senior Tsubaki."
Liam smiled and nodded; there was no reason to refuse. Orario's strongest smith helping to repair his weapon – what more could he ask for?
Following Tsubaki's steps, he arrived at the forging room.
The conspicuous weapons on the wall were basically not for sale, probably works that Smith Tsubaki was proud of. He gathered his gaze.
He seriously sized up the adult woman before him.
Her features were well-defined. Even her work clothes were of Far Eastern style. She wore bright red loose-fitting trousers, but her upper body was only covered by a white chest wrap.
Facts proved.
Attire could represent a person's character. Tsubaki was very straightforward and unrestrained. While preparing the furnace fire on her own, regarding Liam's identity.
She wasn't particularly curious.
The promise Lady Hephaestus made was, of course, out of consideration for Hestia.
And as a Level 5 adventurer, she could naturally clearly feel the sword intent emanating from Liam, which he hadn't yet been able to completely retract.
A rather interesting new adventurer.
She used a magic stone to fully ignite the furnace fire, her tone crisp and decisive, "Let me see the weapon that needs repairing."
"Alright."
"I don't want to take up too much of Senior Tsubaki's time. Just repairing it to a usable level is fine."
Liam nodded seriously and handed over the weapon, scabbard and all.
He had no intention of pushing his luck after receiving a favor, patiently waiting for Smith Tsubaki's reply. Being able to repair it was, of course, the best outcome.
And his actions.
Naturally earned him some goodwill from Tsubaki. She had actually been mentally prepared for him to bring up Goddess Hestia's status.
And request an upgrade or modification to the weapon.
Even if he had mentioned it.
Tsubaki wouldn't have refused, but she would have reported the matter truthfully to Lady Hephaestus. How to decide specifically.
Would be a matter for Lady Goddess to consider.
Reaching out to take the scabbard, she gently drew the blade. The first thing that met her eyes was the crack affecting its overall integrity.
The weapon was in extremely poor condition…
Just as Amid hoped patients would actively seek treatment, Tsubaki, as a smith, naturally hoped that adventurers.
Would take good care of their weapons!
The moment she noticed the crack on the blade, Tsubaki's brow furrowed tightly. This weapon, not particularly valuable, was now in a state…
Where it could no longer be used normally.
It could shatter at any moment.
But when she drew the weapon out completely, an extremely pure sword intent repelled her, as if it had experienced countless slaughters.
A momentum finally nurtured!
The blade was still sharp, yet its body was battered and broken.
Tsubaki's furrowed brow didn't relax; instead, her curiosity towards Liam grew even stronger. "This sword in your hand should have shattered long ago."
"It's your sword intent..."
"That has driven it this far!"
(End of this chapter)