"What about you, Riveria?", Ais asked.
Riveria: "I'll think of another way... The more strength we have, the greater the chance everyone will be safe during the next expedition."
Thus, Ais and Loki left Riveria's study.
As they reached the door, Ais paused for a moment. She turned back and saw Riveria flipping through the bills.
The beautiful brows of the elven princess were furrowed, her expression tinged with a hint of worry.
———
"Shirou, let's not forge anything today," The tall half-dwarf pushed open the workshop door.
"What's wrong, Tsubaki-nee?", Emiya looked up, wiping the sweat from his forehead.
After ascending to Lv.2, Emiya could now be considered a competent blacksmith in his own right, and thus had his own workshop.
Although he hadn't acquired the development ability [Forging], he had obtained what could be considered its superior, the development ability [Mystery]. With the support of [Mystery] and his high potential ability values, Emiya's forging skills were now at the level of a master blacksmith.
Especially in the forging of swords, Emiya was a natural master in the field of "sword-making." Yesterday, he forged a sword for the first time in his own workshop, and his creation was praised by the goddess Hephaestus.
A short sword engraved with the Hephaestus Familia emblem was placed in the Hephaestus Familia's specialty store in Babel Tower at a high price of 499,000 valis and was sold on the very first day. The material for that sword was just ordinary steel, and the cost was almost negligible.
A short sword of the same type, of inferior quality sold by the guild to novice adventurers, costs 3,600 valis, while a standard quality one is around 20,000 valis. The work of Emiya, a master blacksmith (limited to swords), directly increased the price by several dozen times.
No wonder the goddess Hephaestus suggested that Emiya need not collect magic stones and dropped items in the dungeon; for him, forging swords was a far more efficient way to earn money.
"Tsubaki-nee, please come in," Emiya said, letting the captain into his workshop.
The workshop wasn't particularly large, but it was fully equipped. The previous owner of the workshop had just retired a few months ago, which conveniently allowed Emiya to move in directly.
"Oh~ Shirou has started trying to forge using monster drops," Tsubaki was immediately attracted by the scene on the workbench.
"Yes, currently experimenting with using the horns of the Minotaur to forge daggers," Emiya said, "Adding the horn material during forging can enhance the toughness of the finished product. Besides, I'm also experimenting with embedding magic stones into swords."
Although no customer had urged him, Emiya hadn't forgotten that he still had an unfulfilled order from Miss Lefiya.
"Hmm, forging weapons with magical properties is very challenging and highly valuable. Keep it up, and feel free to ask me anything you don't understand," Tsubaki patted her chest, "The metal boots [Flosvirt] of the [Ferocious Wolf] from the Loki Familia were forged by me, the only special armament in Orario with magic absorption properties."
"I'm confident that no one in Orario understands magical armaments better than I do."
"Then I'll thank Tsubaki-nee in advance... By the way, Tsubaki-nee, what brings you here today?"
Tsubaki slapped her forehead, "Ah, I got so engrossed in Shirou's work that I almost forgot."
She said, "Today is the day for the bidding of our collaborative work, the [Magic Sword Spiral Blade]."
The [Magic Sword Spiral Blade], designed by Emiya with Tsubaki's assistance, based on the Noble Phantasm [Spiral Sword (Caladbolg)] of the great Irish hero Fergus mac Róich from Celtic mythology, was forged by Tsubaki and finally infused with the special magical properties of Emiya's [Unlimited Blade Works].
The goddess Hephaestus's evaluation was, "A magic sword that surpasses all previous magic swords, the key to a new era of magic swords."
It can be used three times, with a power equivalent to the wide-area attack magic of a Lv.5 magician. By briefly charging and increasing the magic output, it can consume all usage times for an even more powerful attack.
The power is equivalent to the long-chant wide-area annihilation magic of a Lv.6 magician.
It should be noted that the firepower of magicians often exceeds their level. In terms of attack power alone, Lv.2 Lefiya has the level of Lv.4, and Lv.6 Riveria's output in legion battles surpasses that of Lv.7 Ottar.
Therefore, the Loki Familia's keen interest in the [Magic Sword Spiral Blade] is not unique; any Familia with the financial means to purchase this magic sword has expressed great interest.
From the current perspective, the initial estimate of 100 million valis by the goddess Hephaestus was actually the most conservative.
Even a few days ago, there were thieves who tried to steal it without permission, but the [Magic Sword Spiral Blade] was stored in the Hephaestus Familia's specialty store in Babel Tower, which is guarded by the Freya Familia.
[King] Ottar crushed all intruders, and no one dared to have any more ill intentions.
"Let's go take a look, Shirou, after all, it's our collaborative work," Tsubaki extended the invitation.
"Sure, why not," Emiya thought for a moment and nodded, "I also want to see how much that magic sword is worth."
———
Babel Tower, in a meeting room on one of its floors.
The Hephaestus Familia temporarily rented it as the venue for the bidding.
To pursue higher profits, the Hephaestus Familia chose to have various Familias bid, but this transaction was not open to all Familias, as only a few could meet the threshold for purchasing the magic sword.
Many small Familias would never see 100 million valis in their lifetime, and that figure might just be the starting bid for the [Magic Sword Spiral Blade].
Representing the seller, the Hephaestus Familia, were captain Tsubaki, Emiya who came along for the experience, and several other blacksmiths who also came to see the event. Additionally, they had a half-elf girl borrowed from the guild to serve as the host.
Emiya observed the adventurers present.
From the Freya Familia, the Lv.6 first-class adventurer, the handsome elven magician, [White Fairy's Magic Wand] Hedin Selland.
From the Loki Familia, the vice-captain, Lv.6 first-class adventurer, the elven princess, [Nine Hell] Riveria Ljos Alf.
From the Ganesha Familia, the vice-captain, Lv.5 first-class adventurer, [Red Battle Leopard] Ilta Fana.
From the Ishtar Familia, the cadre, Lv.3 second-class adventurer, [Beauty Elite] Aisha Belka.
From the Dian Cecht Familia, the cadre, Lv.2 third-class adventurer, [Saintess of Battlefield] Airmid Teasanare.
All were famous figures in the labyrinth city, and their gathering made one can't help but marvel: how many heroes are there in the world.
As for another wealthy production-type Familia, the Goibniu Familia, the Hephaestus Familia did not invite them. Because competitors are enemies, and the Goibniu Familia also has magic sword blacksmiths, the Hephaestus Familia did not want their magic sword to be studied by another Familia.
"First, thank you all for coming," The half-elf hostess said respectfully, "Lady Riveria, Lord Hedin, have you confirmed the state of the magic sword?"
Hedin looked at Riveria, first slightly bowing to show respect to the royal family, then said, "The magic contained in the magic sword is very strong, no problem."
Riveria nodded, "As Hedin said, no problem."
The two strongest magicians in the city jointly confirmed.
"In that case, the bidding for the [Magic Sword Spiral Blade] begins now, with a starting price of 50 million valis..."
"200 million valis!", The Ishtar Familia's [Beauty Elite] Aisha suddenly spoke.
Riveria's lips parted slightly, then slowly closed, swallowing back the "60 million valis" she was about to call out.
She looked around, her gaze meeting that of the Ganesha Familia's Ilta, both leaning back in their chairs, sharing a knowing smile.
———
"200 million valis!", Aisha's initial bid directly raised the starting price from 50 million valis to 200 million, causing the atmosphere in the room to freeze.
Now the most relaxed was Riveria, as the Loki Familia's maximum acceptable bid was 150 million valis; any higher might affect the next expedition.
With the Loki Familia out of the competition, Riveria's gaze turned to Airmid, lingering for a few seconds on the doll-like delicate face of the young girl before moving away.
Besides Riveria, there was another person in the room who was very calm, and that was the vice-captain of the Ganesha Familia, [Red Battle Leopard] Ilta Fana.
Ilta: *Laughing to death, no money at all, not even a single valis.*
The Loki Familia could still offer 100 million valis, while the Ganesha Familia couldn't even afford the starting price of 50 million valis. Ilta was here just to join in the fun and to uphold the Ganesha Familia's reputation.
Riveria started to worry when the Familia's accounts showed only 400 million valis left, but the Ganesha Familia's accounts, which were in deficit and debt due to their main god's obsession with monumental architecture, would probably make Riveria drop dead on the spot.
Ilta: 'Oh my, just as Shakti-nee said, this Emiya-kun's aura is really sharp, like a natural-born powerhouse. I'd love to have a big fight with him, but alas, how long will it take for him to level up to Lv.5...'
Feeling unrelated to the bidding, Miss Ilta began to daydream.
Meanwhile, at the opposite extreme from the calm Riveria and the distracted Ilta, the most nervous person in the room was actually the first bidder, Aisha.
'Of all times...', Aisha's heart was bitter, 'If only it had been a bit earlier.'
Not long ago, the Ishtar Familia had just spent a huge sum to secretly purchase an item called [Sessho-seki] from the distant Far East.
"Sessho-seki" was already an extremely rare item, and with the need for covert smuggling, the final cost amounted to several hundred million valis.
So much so that even the wealthy Ishtar Familia, which operates the pleasure district, suddenly found itself financially strained.
It was precisely because of this lack of financial confidence that Aisha had to make the first move, attempting to intimidate other competitors with her bold bid.
'If only it had been earlier, if we had spent 500 million, a billion on purchasing the magic sword first, the purchase of Sessho-seki might have been postponed...', Aisha sighed inwardly.
Hedin of the Freya Familia broke the silence, "210 million valis."
Unfortunately, Aisha's strategy did not work.
The Freya Familia was interested in the magic sword, but not that much. After all, the Freya Familia had a close relationship with the key figure in the creation of the [Magic Sword Spiral Blade], that Lv.2 Emiya Shirou.
Not to mention, the place where Emiya currently resides is a tavern run by the former captain of the Freya Familia.
If the Freya Familia really wanted a [Magic Sword], they could just order one directly from him.
The only reason Hedin came to participate in this bidding was: to prevent the Ishtar Familia from obtaining the [Magic Sword Spiral Blade].
Anyone else could have it, the Loki Familia, the Ganesha Familia, the Dian Cecht Familia, but not the Ishtar Familia.
Because the goddess Freya and the goddess Ishtar, both goddesses of beauty, have a very poor relationship, and there are numerous conflicts between their Familias.
Rationally, Hedin did not want the Ishtar Familia to obtain the [Magic Sword Spiral Blade], and more importantly, the goddess herself said: "Just the thought of Ishtar possibly getting her hands on a sword made by that child makes me sick."
With the goddess's oracle as such, Hedin unconditionally obeyed, unlike the Loki Familia where the gods are not much involved in practical affairs and the three giants lead the Familia, the Freya Familia takes the goddess's will as absolute and sole.
'If the Ishtar Familia really wins the bidding for the [Magic Sword], we'll go to war tonight and destroy the Ishtar Familia in one fell swoop,' Hedin thought expressionlessly.
After all, the Ishtar Familia's purchase of the [Magic Sword] must be aimed at the Freya Familia, so it's better to strike first.
Aisha had no idea that [White Fairy's Magic Wand] was thinking of such dangerous things, although Hedin's thoughts were completely correct, the Ishtar Familia's every action was aimed at the Freya Familia.
"250 million valis," Airmid of the Dian Cecht Familia spoke, she was the lowest level among the representatives of the various Familias, but her presence was no less than that of Lv.6 Riveria and Hedin.
Aisha spoke, "260 million valis."
Hearing Aisha's bid, Hedin immediately followed, "270 million valis."
Airmid: "300 million valis."
Aisha's emotions began to fluctuate, "310 million valis."
This is all money earned by the sisters through hard work, twisting their waists and butts... Thinking of this fact, Aisha felt her heart ache.
Hedin, however, remained calm, "311 million valis."
At this point, even a fool could sense that Hedin was simply targeting the Ishtar Familia—he didn't follow Airmid's bids at all, but immediately matched Aisha's.
Aisha glared at Hedin, but Hedin completely ignored her.
'If we go to war with the Ishtar Familia tonight, how should we arrange our forces...', Hedin was pondering this question.
Aisha felt a chill and stopped looking at Hedin.
"350... no, 400 million valis."
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