"Should I send this one?"
Ais stood before the lavish chessboard, an interlocking weave of pure precious gemstones, her brow furrowed. Her golden eyes lingered for a long while on the lifelike black and white pieces carved upon it.
Haimer-sama always seems to have a fair amount of free time…
The kind of person who'd be in his manor, leafing through a book to pass the idle hours. But… does Haimer-sama even play chess?
This was a game that required two people to sit across from one another for the better part of a day.
If she bought it home and Haimer-sama never touched the thing, then it would just be a slightly more expensive rock taking up space. That wouldn't do.
Ais shook her head gently, her golden hair swaying with the motion.
The proprietress had been hovering at her side the whole time, her shrewd eyes carefully watching Ais's expression. Catching the gesture, she immediately leaned in.
"Sword Princess-sama, are you not satisfied with this mithril chessboard?"
"To be honest, while this chessboard is quite valuable, it doesn't really feel suitable."
"Actually, if it's a gift for the Male God-sama, and you wish to express something a little more… personal in your gratitude, we do have some far more precious private collection items here…"
The smile on the proprietress's face took on a hint of mystery. She walked to a separate counter at the very back of the showroom, fished a small brass key out of an inner pocket, and with a soft click, opened a concealed lock.
She carefully cradled out a deep black velvet box and returned to Ais.
She gently lifted the lid.
Inside, resting quietly, was a crystal no larger than a baby's fist, giving off a strange, dark crimson sheen.
Even from a slight distance, one could catch the faint, cloyingly sweet fragrance that made the heart beat just a touch faster.
"This is a top-grade incense raw stone passed down from the Far East."
The proprietress lowered her voice, an ingratiating curve to her smile.
"You only need to shave off a tiny piece and burn it in the room, and that aroma will completely loosen even the most tightly wound body."
"And most importantly, it greatly stimulates the warming of affection, instantly pulling two hearts closer together."
"Quite a few upper-rank adventurers in Orario will pay a small fortune for this, secretly sending it to the one they fancy."
Ais looked at the red stone, her golden eyelashes fluttering twice as she blinked.
Relaxing the spirit?
She thought back to Haimer's bustling figure within the manor.
Haimer-sama looks after so many of his Familia's children every day, and he worries over their growth.
Just last night, he was dragged off by Loki to the workshop to help forge equipment — he must be exhausted.
Both his spirit and his body need to relax.
This thing… seems like it would be quite useful.
Tiona and Tione had just finished browsing the jewelry section on the other side. Hearing the proprietress's secretive sales pitch, they curiously sidled over.
Tione took one glance at that red stone giving off its cloyingly sweet fragrance, then sniffed at the scent itself. Her tanned cheeks gave a sudden twitch, and the corner of her eye spasmed twice.
This smell.
Other people might not know, but as an Amazon raised in Telskyura, how could she not know what this kind of "affection-warming" incense was used for in the brothels of the Pleasure Quarter?
This was the very same aphrodisiac the Amazon warriors used to deal with men whose mouths were stubborn but whose bodies were weak!
"Oi oi oi!"
Tione took a stride forward, her tanned arm slamming down on the crystal counter with a sharp slap, her wild eyes locked onto the proprietress.
"You black-hearted merchant — are you trying to lead our pure Ais into some shady, disreputable business?!"
"Is this the kind of thing you just casually send to the Male God-sama?!"
The proprietress flinched at Tione's sudden burst of intimidation, shrinking back, but she gritted her teeth and pressed on with her explanation.
"Wrath-Serpent-sama, please, how could you call this disreputable business!"
"This is a genuine, top-grade product, and it's in high demand! Ordinary folks have to place an order half a year in advance!"
"You still dare argue—"
Tione rolled up her sleeves, fully prepared to show this Valis-brained merchant what was what.
"Buy it."
Before Tione could explode, Ais's cool voice rang out across the hall.
"…?"
Tiona, who had just come over, froze on the spot, her mouth falling open.
Tione's expression was that of someone who'd seen a ghost. She whipped her head around to stare at Ais.
"Ais, what did you just say?"
"This stone, and that chessboard from earlier — I'll take them both."
Ais pointed expressionlessly at the red crystal, then at the mithril chessboard in the distance.
Since she didn't know what would be the best gift, she would simply buy everything that seemed useful, that could help pass the time, and send it all over. Surely one of them would be something Haimer-sama liked.
Ais's thinking was just that simple and direct.
"Right away! I'll have it packaged up for you immediately!"
The proprietress's face flipped in an instant. Her hands moved with practiced speed as she shut the velvet box, terrified Ais might change her mind.
Ais turned her head, looking at Tiona and Tione, who were still locked in a wide-eyed, dumbfounded stare-down with each other.
Then she shifted her gaze, glancing at the corner of the showroom where Lefiya was crouched, drawing circles on the carpet with her finger, an aura of gloom radiating from her entire body.
"You should pick something out too."
Ais said flatly.
"You all came along with me today, and you helped haul the materials. Consider it me buying you a gift."
"Really?!"
Tiona had still been reeling from the shock of Ais buying an aphrodisiac incense, but the moment she heard those words, her eyes lit up.
"Since you're being so generous, Ais, then we won't hold back!"
Tione grinned and rubbed her hands together.
The word "reserve" simply didn't exist in an Amazon's personality.
Besides — this was a tab of nearly ten million Valis.
Ais normally spent all her money maintaining that Sword of Despair, leading a life drabber than that of an ordinary adventurer. Today was, without exaggeration, the first time she'd ever been this lavishly generous.
"Thanks, Ais!"
The two of them spun around at once, like a pair of starving wolves diving into a flock of sheep, and began their frenzied sweep through the display cases.
It took barely a moment.
Tiona ran straight to the weapon-accessories section and snatched up a pair of heavy bracers.
She had them buckled onto the forearms that had wielded swords for years in a matter of seconds, then clinked them together twice.
"Bam bam—"
They gave off a heavy, solid sound.
"Heh heh, these'll be just the thing to replace my old worn-out pair."
Tiona twisted her wrists in deep satisfaction.
Tione, meanwhile, was wandering back and forth through the jewelry section.
Her gaze swept across the gleaming gemstones and exquisite necklaces, until it finally settled on a rugged necklace strung with several curved, ghostly-pale bone fangs.
She didn't know what kind of monster the bone fangs came from, but they exuded a faint, oppressive pressure.
Tione held the necklace up against her neck and muttered to herself:
"This bone has a nice texture. If the Captain wore this around his neck, paired with his light armor, he'd look absolutely dashing!"
Tiona came up beside her and jabbed her elbow into Tione's side without the slightest hesitation.
"I swear, your head is nothing but fighting and the Captain."
Tione's hand whipped back in a slap, landing squarely on the crown of Tiona's head.
"None of your business! Pick out your bracers and shut your mouth!"
The two of them carried their chosen items up to the counter, faces beaming with the smug excitement of those who'd just struck gold.
Ais watched them finish their picks, then turned her head toward the dispirited elf still hiding in the corner.
"Lefiya."
Ais's cool voice called out to her.
"Aren't you coming over to pick something?"
Hearing her voice, Lefiya shot up like a startled fawn.
A vivid blush flooded her cheeks in an instant, and her hands clutched tightly at her staff.
"I-I'm fine, Ais-san."
Lefiya's voice was as thin as a mosquito's whine.
"I barely put in any effort hauling things earlier… how could I have the face to spend your money…"
Ais stepped over.
Her sharp gaze caught sight of Lefiya's hands, hidden behind her back, gripping a pitifully thin little coin purse.
"Go pick one out."
Ais ignored her protest, standing in front of her and repeating herself.
Lefiya couldn't refuse any further.
Under Ais's steady gaze, she could only shuffle her feet sluggishly forward and walk up to the display case.
She glanced at the wind-attribute Magic Stone hair ornament she had been staring at for so long, then glanced at the price tag — five hundred thousand Valis.
She bit her lip, and at last her finger turned firmly aside, pointing instead at the slightly cheaper crystal bottle next to it.
"Th-then I'll just take this bottle of premium sword oil — sixty thousand Valis."
Lefiya lowered her eyes and spoke in a small voice.
Ais followed Lefiya's finger to the sword oil sealed in its exquisite crystal bottle.
Then she turned, walked over to the display case Lefiya had been hovering at earlier, and looked at the delicate hair ornament inside, set with three small, emerald-green wind-attribute Magic Stones.
"Are you really sure you only want the sword oil?"
Ais turned her head back and looked quietly at Lefiya.
"Earlier I saw you crouching here, staring at this hair ornament the whole time."
Her secret thoughts had been laid bare on the spot.
Lefiya's face flushed crimson in an instant. This time it wasn't just her cheeks — even her slender, fair neck took on the ripe-fruit pink of someone caught red-handed.
The pride of the elf race made her feel deeply flustered.
"Th-that one… that one's too expensive!"
Lefiya waved her hands frantically.
"Five hundred thousand Valis! How could I accept something so precious!"
Ais didn't press Lefiya any further. Instead, she turned to face the proprietress, who had already packaged up the chessboard and the incense.
"These two as well — the sword oil and the hair ornament. Wrap them both up."
Hearing that, the smile on the proprietress's face threatened to overflow.
"Of course! I'll have it ready for you in a moment!"
With extreme efficiency, the proprietress packed the bracers, the bone-fang necklace, the sword oil, and the hair ornament into separate, elegant boxes stamped with the trading house's emblem.
As they settled the bill, the proprietress pulled a thick leather-bound ledger from beneath the counter and rapidly inked a row of figures onto it with her quill pen.
"Mithril chessboard — one million."
"Incense raw stone — one million."
"Obsidian bracers — one million, five hundred thousand."
"Bone-fang necklace — eight hundred thousand."
"Adding the premium sword oil and the wind-attribute hair ornament — six hundred thousand."
The proprietress finished her tally and respectfully slid the invoice in front of Ais, twirling the quill pen between her fingers.
"Thank you most sincerely for your patronage. The total comes to five million, one hundred thousand Valis."
"As a discount for you, let's call it just five million Valis."
Without so much as a flicker in her expression, Ais drew from the pocket at her waist the check she had just received from selling the unicorn's white horn, and handed it over.
The proprietress accepted the check, still fragrant with the scent of fresh ink, with both hands. Then, from the safe under the counter, she produced a smaller check for the change, along with several stuffed-full paper bags, and handed them all back to Ais.
"Please come again, Sword Princess-sama!"
And so.
The four of them, each carrying their spoils, walked out of the trading house.
The night breeze drifted down the street, bringing a thread of cool air.
Tiona, unable to wait any longer, slipped the new bracers onto her wrists and threw two strong punches at the air, feeling the change in weight.
"Heh, the balance on these bracers is excellent — way better than my old pair!"
The four of them followed the now-quiet Northwest Main Street, treading along the flagstones lit by Magic Stone lamps, until they returned to the Twilight Manor.
They pushed open the heavy doors.
The main hall was silent. Most of the Familia members had already gone to bed.
Only Riveria was still seated at the long table in the center of the hall, a thick grimoire spread open before her.
The soft glow of the Magic Stone lamp overhead fell upon her waterfall of emerald-green hair, casting a faint, luminous shimmer over it.
At the sound of the door hinges turning, Riveria closed the book and looked up toward the entrance.
Tiona and Tione yawned one after the other.
"Riveria, we're heading off to bed — I'm dead tired."
After greeting Riveria, the twin sisters made their way up the wide wooden staircase to the second floor.
Lefiya hugged the paper bag containing the hair ornament and sword oil to her chest as though she were cradling some priceless treasure.
She bowed deeply toward Riveria.
"Riveria-sama, good night."
Then, with light, quick little steps, she dashed up the stairs and returned to her own room.
In the spacious hall, only Ais and Riveria remained.
Ais walked up to the long table and set the several paper bags she had been carrying down on its surface.
"I heard that Haimer-sama is over at the Hephaestus Familia's workshop on Northeast Main Street right now."
Ais pulled out one of the high-backed wooden chairs and sat down, her golden eyes fixed on Riveria.
"I'm planning to head over there tomorrow morning to give these to him."
Riveria glanced at the beautifully wrapped paper bags on the table.
Then she lifted her gaze and looked steadily across at Ais.
A complicated emotion flickered through her eyes.
"Ais."
"On the way back through the streets — the things those adventurers were discussing, you must have heard them, yes?"
Riveria did her best to keep her tone steady, but inwardly she had already braced herself.
Braced herself for Ais's emotions to erupt — even for her to draw her sword and march off to demand an explanation.
After all, every elder member of Loki Familia knew exactly how deep Ais's hatred for monsters ran.
However.
Ais merely lowered her head quietly, her palm coming naturally to rest at her waist, gripping the hilt of the Sword of Despair.
"I only kill monsters that harm humans."
"Since Haimer-sama dared to bring them up to the surface, it means he is certain that he has them under control."
Ais lifted her head and looked once more at Riveria's stunned face.
"I trust Haimer-sama's judgment."
Hearing those words.
Looking at Ais's calm face — without the slightest sign of any emotional breakdown — the bewilderment in Riveria's eyes slowly faded, replaced by a heartfelt smile suffused with deep relief.
This child… is stronger than I imagined.
After silently marveling at this in her heart, Riveria stood up, walked around the long table, came to stand before Ais, reached out a hand, and with the utmost gentleness tucked a stray strand of golden hair behind Ais's ear.
"You really have grown so much, Ais."
A trace of feeling threaded through Riveria's voice.
"If this were the you from before — if you had heard people on the street talking about something like sheltering monsters — you would have drawn your blade against them without a second word."
"Perhaps…"
Ais lowered her head, her gaze settling once more on that slender sword.
Her fingers around the hilt tightened ever so slightly.
"Now that I mention it — ever since Haimer-sama repaired this Sword of Despair for me, I've noticed some changes."
"Whenever I grip it, the restless agitation I could never quite suppress in my heart… seems to settle very easily now…"
After listening to her words, although a flicker of puzzlement passed through Riveria's heart, what dominated more was the lifting of the stone that had been weighing down on her chest.
"It must be that the weapon's enhancement has tempered your state of mind. This is a good thing."
Riveria gave Ais's shoulder a soft pat.
"In that case, don't think too much tonight. Hurry off and get some rest."
"Tomorrow morning, take your feelings with you and give them to that one."
"Mm." Ais nodded.
And so.
Ais carried the paper bags back to her own room.
She set the bags neatly on the bedside table.
She lay down on the bed in her clothes, her golden eyes staring up at the ceiling.
In her mind, unbidden, an image surfaced — the black-haired god, gripping his heavy forging hammer, sweat pouring from his brow before the roaring furnace.
Those deep, tranquil eyes seemed to carry some kind of force that settled the heart.
Slowly.
Ais closed her eyes, her breathing gradually steady and long.
It was the fastest she had fallen asleep in a very, very long time.
The hands of time ticked quietly on.
Soon enough.
The pitch-black night sky outside the window was torn open by a sliver of dawn, beginning to glow the pale white of a fish's belly.
A new day had arrived.
Northeast Main Street — the private forge of the Hephaestus Familia.
Inside the workshop.
Within the massive Magic Stone furnace that took up half the room, the white-hot flames still burned stubbornly.
Only, the blaze was far smaller than the wild fury of the night before, giving off a soft, breathy huff.
"Clang——"
The final hammer-strike fell, its echo trailing through the empty workshop.
Haimer stood before the dark iron anvil and let out a long, weary breath.
He set down the forging hammer in his hand, which had taken on a reddish hue from being pounded against extreme heat for so long.
A full night of high-intensity hammering without pause had finally come to an end.
A sword blade in its rough form, dark and dull in hue, faintly pulsing with a deep, unsettling resonance, lay quietly in the quenching trough, wisps of white steam curling up from it.
Haimer turned his head.
In the corner.
Loki was already sprawled out in a distorted spread-eagle shape, flopped on the floor like a dead dog.
Her right hand was still locked in a rigid pose, clutching with iron grip the polished handle of the bellows.
Her eyes were squeezed shut, and her once-fair face was coated in a thick layer of black soot, leaving only her two rows of eyelashes their original color.
Her mouth hung half open, and with each breath, the faint puff of air from her nostrils had blown open two small crescent-moon-shaped patches of clean floor in front of her.
This patron deity, whose name shook all of Orario, was at this very moment utterly out cold from exhaustion — and what's more, she was even letting out a faint snore.
As for the other corner of the wall.
Tsubaki was hugging a notebook with a battered cover, its pages crammed with dense rough sketches.
She was slumped against the wall, her single remaining eye webbed with frightening red veins, but still riveted to the weapon blank Haimer had just completed.
An entire night of observation had left Tsubaki in a state of extreme exhilaration.
As the first ray of morning sunlight slanted through the ventilation window high up in the workshop, falling across the chaotic forging tools scattered all over the floor.
A few crisp, pleasant birdcalls drifted in from outside the window.
It seemed dawn had broken.
Haimer raised his arm and unrolled the cuff of the white shirt he had kept rolled high on his forearm.
He casually patted the dust off his clothes.
He shifted his gaze, glancing at Loki, who was sprawled on the ground with not a shred of dignity left, looking for all the world like a filthy, big red cat.
He shook his head, and the corner of his mouth, for once, curved upward in a rare, gentle arc.
Haimer stepped over.
He bent down.
His hands slipped beneath Loki's underarms and the bend of her knees, and he lifted her up steadily from the cold, hard, filthy floor.
Since he had worked her like a beast of burden all night long…
Now that it was over, he ought to show her at least a god's due measure of consideration.
After all — gods are merciful.
As a result.
The very moment Loki's feet left the ground and she dropped into that solid, warm embrace…
The eyes of the supposedly unconscious Loki, which by all rights should have been shut tight, suddenly cracked open the tiniest sliver, a sly, cunning gleam flashing within them.
Then.
Loki's body arched upward!
Her two limp arms looped around Haimer's neck in one smooth motion.
"Heh heh, Haimer, I knew you really did pity me deep down…"
Loki's soot-smeared face, without the slightest hesitation, ground itself twice with great force into the chest of Haimer's white shirt — which had been mostly clean before, only lightly dusted.
"..."
Haimer lowered his head.
He looked at the red-haired goddess in his arms, who was climbing the pole and pushing her luck for all it was worth.
Then he glanced at his clothes, at the huge, glaring black smudge upon them.
The corner of his eye, which had still held a trace of gentleness, twitched a few times.
As expected.
One should never let one's guard down around this woman.
After two seconds of silence.
Without the slightest hesitation, Haimer's two arms, which had been holding Loki up steadily, decisively retracted to either side.
"Aiyaa——!"
"Thud!"
Accompanied by a crisp shriek of misery.
Loki, deprived of her support, performed — thanks to gravity — a flawless free-fall.
Her backside made solid, intimate contact with the floor.
____
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