Originally, Genichi hadn't wanted to take this blade with him.
It was too heavy, the kind of weight that would make it far too easy for others to guess his real level. And its origins would draw the kind of attention he absolutely did not need.
But after Tsubaki Collbrande told him the truth about the sword, he changed his mind.
It couldn't be repaired.
Which meant it only had one life.
For ordinary adventurers, that fatal flaw was the sort of nightmare they wanted nothing to do with.
But for Genichi…
It gave him a strange sense of kindred misery, like two sick men recognizing each other.
And there was another reason he had to buy it.
If he refused, what would Tsubaki Collbrande think?
Ottar aside, she was recognized as Orario's strongest smith, the top craftsman under the gods. She had personally dug an old, dust-covered masterpiece out of storage and recommended it to him at a price that was practically giving it away.
And he was going to refuse even at a bargain-basement price?
What would that invite?
Suspicion.
With Tsubaki Collbrande's eye and experience, once she started doubting, it wouldn't take much for her to notice the truth he was hiding about his strength.
He couldn't take that risk.
So he bought it.
Five hundred thousand valis, in exchange for a blade that might stay with him for a long time, and in exchange for an excuse that wouldn't make her suspicious.
Worth it.
Genichi gripped the sword that now belonged to him and headed for the front counter.
Checkout went smoothly. When the cashier saw the blade, surprise flashed in their eyes, but they quickly returned to a professional smile, took the money, and wrote up a receipt: Seigi the Slayer Blade. Then they handed it over.
Everything was going fine.
Genichi stowed the sword in the storage pouch Demeter had given him and turned toward the door.
However—
"Wait."
A deep, powerful voice came from behind him.
Genichi halted and looked back.
Tsubaki Collbrande had appeared behind him again at some point. Her single eye held a hint of amusement, a playful smile tugging at her lips.
"You've got a weapon now. What about armor?"
Genichi frowned slightly.
"For armor, I already have my own. I won't be buying any more."
He was telling the truth. His light armor had been damaged pretty badly in the fight with Liliruca, but it was still usable.
And his original plan had been simple: armor was something you made do with. He'd upgrade to something good after he hit Level 3.
But when Tsubaki Collbrande heard that, she gave him a look that was half-smile, half-not.
"I just gave you a huge gift. If you don't let me make a little money off you, do you really think that's appropriate?"
Genichi immediately felt his face go stiff.
Gift?
Five hundred thousand valis was a gift?
Fine. Compared to the blade's true value, five hundred thousand really was practically free.
Still, coming out of her mouth, it somehow sounded infuriating.
"…All right."
Genichi let out a helpless sigh.
"But I can't afford any high-end armor."
"Relax. I'm not going to cheat you."
Tsubaki Collbrande reached into her clothes, pulled out a memo pad, and scribbled an address with quick strokes before handing it to him.
"Go buy armor at this place. There are two places I won't set foot in: the tack shop and the sewing shop."
Genichi took the note and glanced down.
It was an address he'd never heard of, not in the bustling commercial district but nearer Orario's outskirts, closer to where craftsmen and artisans clustered.
"This is…"
"A friend's shop."
Tsubaki Collbrande waved a hand, her tone casual. "He's got some good stuff, and his prices are fair. Go take a look. You should be able to find armor that fits you."
Genichi was silent for a moment, then nodded.
"Thanks."
"Yeah, yeah. Quit thanking me."
Tsubaki Collbrande turned and headed back into the shop, waving without even looking back. "Go on. Don't keep me from doing business."
Genichi watched her go, then looked down at the note again and carefully tucked it away before leaving the shop.
Up on the second floor, Tsubaki Collbrande stood by a window, watching the boy's back as he walked farther and farther away. In her lone eye, a thoughtful glint flickered.
"This kid's not simple."
She murmured it under her breath.
She'd noticed the moment he took the sword.
When normal people got that blade, their first reaction was always the same: shock at its weight. Then, a heartbeat later, they'd panic over the sword's real problem.
As for Genichi claiming he couldn't afford armor?
Who was Tsubaki Collbrande?
She'd seen every kind of adventurer there was. The truly broke. The ones pretending to be broke. She could tell the difference at a glance.
When that boy said he couldn't afford it, there wasn't a shred of guilt or evasiveness in his eyes. Just a calm, almost cold steadiness.
That wasn't the look of someone who had no money.
That was the look of someone who didn't want to buy.
But he bought it anyway.
Why?
Tsubaki Collbrande didn't ask.
She knew she wouldn't get an answer. But she already had seven or eight tenths of a guess.
This boy was hiding something.
As for what he was hiding—
She narrowed her lone eye, the corners of her mouth lifting slightly.
None of her business.
She was just a smith. A tack-and-thread kind of person.
Whatever secrets a customer had, that was the customer's problem.
All she needed to know was that this boy was interesting.
And besides—
She rubbed her chin, looking out the window again at the figure that was nearly disappearing around the corner.
"I hope the kid can get along with Welf."
Welf Crozzo.
Her friend. A young man just as obsessed with smithing, who'd left the Hephaistos Familia for his own reasons and opened a small shop on his own.
…
Talented as hell, stubborn as hell, but his craftsmanship was the real deal.
As for the armor that boy wanted, he could probably find something among those four pieces that would suit him.
If the two of them could get along—
Tsubaki Collbrande withdrew her gaze and headed downstairs.
Whatever. Why think so much?
She was just a smith.
The rest would depend on the kid's luck.
Genichi walked along Orario's streets, the note clenched in his hand.
Somehow, he couldn't shake the feeling that Tsubaki Collbrande's attitude was a little strange.
Not malicious.
More like…
A kind of unsolicited care.
They weren't even acquainted. Why was she treating him so well?
A bargain blade, an armor recommendation, and even a pointed reminder to say she'd sent him…
Was there some reason behind it, something he didn't know?
Genichi fell silent, then shook his head.
Overthinking it wouldn't help.
He'd already come this far. He'd go and see.
It was just buying armor, that was all.
Following the address on the note, he headed toward Orario's outskirts.
Near there, far from the glittering main shopping streets, the storefronts turned into older workshops and modest homes. The air carried the smell of metal and leather, and now and then, the clang of hammer on anvil rang out from some unseen corner.
He stopped in front of a worn wooden door, then looked up at the sign hanging over the lintel.
Crozzo Workshop
So it was him?
Genichi had already figured out who this Crozzo was.
He took a slow breath and pushed the door open.
(End of Chapter)
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