Isis might appear docile and somewhat slow-witted, but she actually possesses a decisive nature.
Once she realized she didn't need to abandon anything, only to stop closely following her parents' footsteps and try to discover more possibilities herself, she made her decision.
Holding the Iron Gunlance, Isis said to the craftsman, "Smithy, I've decided to try the Gunlance. Could you sell this one to me?"
The Wyverian craftsman glanced at her and said solemnly, "No."
Isis's expression froze. Before she could ask why, the craftsman continued, "This is the most basic model of Gunlance forged from Iron Ore, with ordinary performance in all aspects.
You're already a 3★ Hunter. Considering the opponents you'll face going forward, this weapon's performance is outdated."
"So you mean you can prepare something better for Isis?" Altaïr tentatively asked.
"Mm."
"But... but I don't have any suitable materials?" Isis stammered.
When she left Dundorma, she hadn't brought any materials with her. The armor set she was wearing had been crafted from Monsters hunted on her way to Val Habar.
"Ah, right! Barroth! Would Barroth materials work?"
"They would, but I don't recommend using Barroth materials to make a Gunlance."
The craftsman's expression remained unchanged as he said in an even tone, "I have blueprints for the 'Defender Gunlance', a result of countless practical tests by the Defense Corps, repeatedly improved upon the foundation of the Iron Gunlance.
Its performance far surpasses that of ordinary Iron Gunlances. The materials used are still primarily various metal ores, though the craftsmanship requirements are higher.
I'll give you a list later. Whether you purchase or gather them, it shouldn't be too difficult to collect everything."
"Thank you, Smithy!" After happily expressing her gratitude, Isis glanced at Altaïr and said, "Um, Smithy, I previously broke Altaïr's weapon. Could you..."
The craftsman made an acknowledging sound and turned to Altaïr. "Young man, you're Isis's friend. I'll be counting on you to look after her going forward. If you have any equipment needs, feel free to mention them."
"Me too?" Altaïr pointed at himself in surprise.
The craftsman nodded seriously.
"Thank you so much." Altaïr bowed slightly in pleasant surprise. Judging by the equipment he'd seen earlier in the smithy, this Wyverian craftsman only took high-level commissions.
It was true that Isis had broken his shield, but that kind of beginner equipment that could be bought with just a bit of money wasn't worth asking this master craftsman to work on.
The fact that he was willing to put in effort for a 2★ Hunter like him was entirely thanks to Isis's influence.
"I don't have any particularly suitable materials on hand either. How about making an ore-series weapon too? The materials would be easier to collect. As for the weapon type..."
Altaïr had been about to say Sword and Shield, but when his gaze swept over the Gunlance and large shield in Isis's hands, he couldn't help but recall what Senior Serl had told him.
When you can safely put down your shield, then seriously consider changing weapons.
"Sorry, Smithy, could you wait just a moment?" Altaïr gave the craftsman an apologetic look.
After receiving permission, he looked at Isis and cleared his throat. "Ahem, Isis, would you like to team up with me?"
"Huh?" Isis seemed momentarily caught off guard, but she noticed Altaïr's unusually serious expression.
"Not just temporary cooperation for one or two missions, but a more long-term partnership," Altaïr emphasized.
Sajji also poked his little head out from behind Altaïr. "It's the kind of companions who travel and adventure together, meow!"
Companions who adventure together?
A joyful feeling she had never experienced before surged in her heart. Isis put down the Iron Gunlance she was holding, wiped her hands, and then clasped Altaïr's outstretched hand. "Alright then, I'll be in your care from now on."
After saying this, she grabbed Sajji's little paw and shook it vigorously a few times. "And you too, Sajji!"
"Please take care of me."
"Gently, meow! My paw is about to break, meow!"
The Wyverian craftsman at the side twitched his lips as if smiling. "So, young man, have you decided what weapon to make?"
Having found his answer, Altaïr no longer hesitated. "If possible, please make me a Long Sword."
"Meow?"
Perched on Altaïr's shoulder and swinging his paws, Sajji looked at him in confusion. Recently, he had been obsessed with mechanical knowledge and wasn't very aware of Altaïr's training with the Long Sword.
"Long Sword? Boss, are you changing weapons, meow? Weren't you just saying something like 'I'm not yet qualified to abandon my shield,' meow?"
Altaïr rubbed his head and glanced toward Isis. "Now I am."
Understanding what he meant, Isis lifted the large shield in her hand and shook it happily. "Although I'm still just a novice Tank who doesn't know anything, I'll do my best too!"
"Then I must work even harder, meow!" Sajji pulled out a small screwdriver from somewhere. "One day, I'll build an amazing Battle Airship, meow! We'll take down those Flying Wyverns, meow!"
"...What have you been learning from Miss Naziya?"
Watching the laughing duo and cat, the Wyverian craftsman's square face showed a trace of nostalgia.
—--
At the entrance of the blacksmith shop, the duo and cat stared at the long list of high-grade ores on the inventory, their heads spinning.
The Wyverian craftsman had agreed to forge an Iron Gospel for Altaïr.
Unlike the basic Iron Katana he currently used, the [Gospel] utilized a series of high-grade ores including Dragonite Ore, Fucium Ore, and Eltalite Ore. Its destructive power and sharpness were on an entirely different level.
According to the craftsman, it was an excellent Long Sword that wouldn't fall behind even up to 4★ quests. Its blue sharpness blade could even pierce through the scales of Flying Wyverns, placing it in the same tier as the Defender Gunlance that Isis had custom-ordered.
Looking at the material list, there was significant overlap in the required components for both weapons. After all, there were only so many alloy formulas suitable for crafting hunter weapons.
The advantage of this was that they could gather materials together without having to run around separately. The disadvantage was that the required quantity of ores had doubled.
"Probably not feasible to mine everything ourselves, right?" Isis hung her head, looking dispirited. "With so many types of rare ores, how long would it take to gather them all?"
"Relying entirely on digging definitely won't work. At most we can dig up a portion, but most will have to come from trading with merchants." Altaïr tapped his finger on the list.
"Take this Firestone for example, this can only be found in volcanic regions. We can't possibly make a special trip to the Tilio area just to dig up a few pieces of ore."
"As for merchants, I only know one young traveling merchant. I can go ask him later. Speaking of which, Isis, do you know any reliable merchants?"
"Yes!" Isis suddenly clapped her hands. "Among mother's former travel companions, there was one particularly resourceful merchant!"
Altaïr: "..."
"But that old gentleman doesn't seem to be in Val Habar right now." Isis lowered her head as she remembered something. "It appears he went to do business in another region."
"Boss, maybe we could ask Teacher Naziya about it, meow." Sajji suddenly spoke up. "She should be the most familiar with where to buy ores in Val Habar, meow."
"That makes sense."
Altaïr nodded. Compared to Karim, seeking out Naziya who was a local would probably be more reliable. "Let's go see her directly. She should have suitable connections."
Isis also perked up, remembering to remind them, "Since we're going to seek advice, wouldn't it be better to bring some gifts?"
"Of course. Sajji, what do you think would be appropriate to give Miss Naziya?" Altaïr turned to ask Sajji.
Sajji glanced sideways at him. "Give her a wrench and bring two kilograms of screws, meow."
"Ah? Are you serious?" Altaïr was stunned.
"Serious my foot, meow! What else would we give? Just buy some food and bring a bottle of alcohol, meow?" Sajji said irritably.
The scene fell silent for a few seconds. Altaïr said quietly, "Sajji, you didn't used to talk like this."
Sajji also fell silent, his small paw patting his face. "I've been infected, meow."