In the corridors of the Hephaestus Familia.
"Yawn——"
A yawn, completely devoid of any concern for image, rang out.
At the end of the corridor.
A figure was leaning against the wall, idly tossing a gold coin in her hand.
This was an adult woman with wheat-colored skin.
She wore an eye patch over her left eye, her long hair draped over her shoulders featuring a prominent ahoge, and she was dressed in a work skirt and sarashi chest wrap that facilitated movement, revealing the solid and explosive muscle lines of her shoulders.
——Captain of the [Hephaestus Familia], Lv.5.
——The 「Cyclops」, Tsubaki Collbrande.
Although she possessed Dwarf blood.
Her stature was tall and slender, even more so than a normal human, possessing none of the short-limbed characteristics typical of Dwarves.
Because of this, her height had been the object of envy from other Dwarves more than a few times.
...
Tsubaki caught the gold coin, glanced at the tightly closed guest room door, and couldn't help but scratch her head.
"Really..."
"Hephaestus-sama is also..."
"To think she shut herself into her private forging workshop first thing in the morning, and specifically instructed me to take this group of rookies to pick out weapons."
"And she even emphasized to let them pick whatever they want, with the entire bill waived?"
Although she complained verbally.
There wasn't much dissatisfaction in Tsubaki's eyes.
Instead, there was mostly curiosity.
After all.
As the Familia member who had followed Hephaestus the longest.
She understood her own Goddess's temper too well.
That Hephaestus, who cherished every single weapon like her own child, would actually be generous to this extent?
This wasn't just giving away weapons.
It was practically opening up the family vault and letting people carry things away as they pleased.
The iron rooster hadn't just plucked its feathers; it had stewed itself into soup and delivered it to their doorstep.
...
"Click."
At this moment.
The door to the guest room opened.
Haimer was the first to walk out.
Behind him followed the group of young girls who, after a night of rest, were now brimming with energy.
Of course.
There were also those two black bears who still looked naive and clumsy even after being washed clean.
"Morning."
Seeing Tsubaki, Haimer smiled and greeted her.
"It seems Hephaestus has already briefed you."
"Yeah, briefed me clearly enough."
Tsubaki straightened up, hands on her hips. Her single eye sized Haimer up and down before her gaze swept over the girls behind him.
Although these children were currently just Lv.1 novices.
However.
As a Lv.5 powerhouse, Tsubaki keenly sniffed out an unusual aura from them.
"Sure enough..."
"Hephaestus-sama's eye for people has always been sharp."
Tsubaki grinned, revealing a set of pearly white teeth.
"Since it is the command of my Goddess, I won't waste words."
"Haimer-sama, follow me."
"I'll take you all to witness what is called Orario's strongest arsenal."
...
Passing through several corridors.
When Tsubaki pushed open those heavy double doors.
"Hiss——"
A synchronized sound of sharp intakes of breath rang out from behind.
Even Amou Kirukiru, who was accustomed to seeing the world, couldn't help but have her pupils constrict slightly at this moment.
What entered their view was a massive space.
Rather than a warehouse, it was more like a museum.
Thousands upon thousands of weapons were neatly displayed on shelves, extending from the ceiling all the way to the floor.
Greatswords, spears, battle axes, crossbows...
Every weapon emitted a grim, cold light under the illumination of the Magic Stone lamps.
One could even faintly feel the weak fluctuations of magic power flowing in the air.
"What is displayed here are all the masterpieces created by our Familia over the years."
Tsubaki strode in, casually picking up a dagger from a shelf and twirling it beautifully.
"Whether it's equipment for beginners just starting out, or high-grade goods that only Lv.4s and above can master, we have everything here."
"Hephaestus-sama said."
"As long as you can lift it and use it smoothly, take whatever you want."
As soon as these words came out.
Several Hephaestus Familia members who were organizing the shelves nearby froze in their movements.
"Cap... Captain?!"
A young blacksmith holding a bundle of spears widened his eyes, nearly dropping the items in his hands onto his feet.
"Is it really okay to allow outsiders to take things freely?"
"Just like that... give them away for free?!"
It wasn't just him.
The other Familia members looked at each other, their faces written full of confusion.
"Cut the chatter!"
"This is Hephaestus-sama's order."
Tsubaki turned around and shouted her subordinates down.
Then she looked back at the group of girls who were already somewhat eager to try.
"Alright, don't be polite."
"Choosing a weapon is all about destiny and connection."
"However..."
Tsubaki's gaze fell upon Onigawara Rin.
"That little girl wearing the mask over there."
"Your eyes haven't moved from that sword since just now, have they?"
Onigawara Rin's body stiffened.
Her gaze had indeed been glued to a crystal cabinet in the center of the exhibition hall.
Placed there.
Was precisely the [Famous Blade: Black Raven] she had seen when passing by last night.
"Good eye."
Tsubaki walked over, opened the cabinet door directly, and took out the tachi worth several million Valis.
"Catch!"
"Eh?!"
Onigawara Rin flusteredly caught the sword thrown at her.
A heavy weight pressed down on her hands.
She drew the blade.
"Zheng——"
A crisp sword hum.
Cloud patterns flowed across the pitch-black blade, radiating a piercing chill.
"Is this... the feel of this sword..."
Onigawara Rin's hands were trembling slightly.
Not from fear.
But from excitement.
"This sword is forged from Obsidian Steel unique to the middle floors. Its hardness is extremely high, and it has a special bonus for slashing attacks."
Tsubaki crossed her arms, speaking with experience.
"For a swordswoman who follows a fierce and bold path, it's a good sword."
"This is the one!"
Onigawara Rin slammed the sword back into its sheath, her eyes incomparably determined.
"As for you..."
Tsubaki looked at Inaba Tsukuyo standing to the side.
The girl stood quietly with her eyes closed.
"Are you blind?"
Tsubaki asked this very bluntly.
Even a bit offensively.
However.
There was no malice in Tsubaki's tone, only pure inquiry.
Inaba Tsukuyo nodded.
"Then don't use those heavy things."
Tsubaki turned and took down a sheathed long sword from another shelf.
This sword was slightly more slender than a standard tachi, and its scabbard was pure white.
"This one is called White Egret."
"Light, fast, and the blade makes almost no wind noise when swung."
"For someone who relies on hearing to fight, it won't interfere with your judgment."
Inaba Tsukuyo took the sword.
Her fingers gently stroked the hilt.
"Thank you."
The girl's voice was very soft, but her fingers gripped the sword very tightly.
Immediately following.
"What about me? What about me?"
Kikakujou Mary couldn't wait any longer, squeezing to the front and pointing at herself.
"You, huh..."
"What type of weapon do you want?"
"Rapier type!"
"Rapier type? That's actually rare."
Tsubaki rubbed her chin and pointed in a direction.
"Rapiers are over there, third shelf."
"There's actually one there called Rose Thorn. It comes with a bleeding effect; it hurts a lot when you stab someone."
"It hurts a lot when you stab someone?!"
Kikakujou Mary's eyes lit up.
"I want that one!"
This was simply tailor-made to coordinate with her 『Noble Verdict』 skill!
...
With that.
Under Tsubaki's guidance, the selection continued.
"That green-haired little girl over there."
"What do you want?"
"Hmm~ Little Satori wants a weapon that can turn defeat into victory by surprise!"
"In that case."
Tsubaki pointed to a row of swords on a corner shelf.
"The goods over there are more suitable for guys who like to play dirty."
Hearing this, Nomura Satori's eyes immediately curved into two crescents.
She skipped over, her fingertips sliding across the rows of blades, finally stopping on a tachi that looked unremarkable, its blade presenting a dull gray color.
"That sword is called [Gray Snake]."
Tsubaki glanced at it and introduced it casually.
"The blade has undergone a matte finish treatment; it reflects almost no light in the dark."
"And extremely fine channeling grooves have been reserved on the blade edge."
"If you were to coat something on it..."
Tsubaki didn't finish her sentence, merely shrugging her shoulders.
"Oh my~ that is truly too thoughtful~"
Nomura Satori grabbed the sword, playing with it in her hands unable to put it down, revealing that kind of innocent smile on her face.
...
On the other side.
Amou Kirukiru did not look at those dazzling weapons.
She walked straight to the armor section.
Although she had the skill [Incarnation Blade] which treated the physical body as a weapon.
That didn't mean she liked to run around naked while getting beaten up.
"I want that set."
Amou Kirukiru pointed at a set of light armor hanging on a mannequin.
It was protective gear woven from black leather and metal plates, ensuring joint flexibility while providing sufficient defense for vital areas.
"Good eye."
Tsubaki walked over and patted the armor.
"This is woven from the hide of the middle floor [Shadow Leopard] and refined steel wire. It's light and wear-resistant."
"Wear this, and even if you roll around on the ground, you won't scrape your skin."
Amou Kirukiru deftly took the armor down and put it on herself.
She moved her hands and feet a bit.
"Just right."
____
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