In the end, Bellf was only able to escape after they agreed to negotiate again at a later date.
"I'm heading out now."
"Please think positively about joining the expedition!!!"
Mentally exhausted, Bellf ate just enough to fill his stomach and then slipped out of the Hostess of Fertility.
"I'm beat..."
"Are you really that tired?"
As he trudged home, Aiz's voice drifted from behind him.
"When did you start following me?"
"Right after you left."
"...And nobody stopped you from coming along?"
"They let me go after I told them I'd persuade you."
"..."
"Do you hate going on expeditions, Bellf?"
"Yeah. I hate them because they're exhausting and give me a headache."
"Then I won't recommend it."
"...Huh?"
"I don't like seeing you suffer."
"...Then the Loki Familia is going to have a hard time, aren't they?"
"They've done well so far, so they'll continue to do well from here on too."
That's not really something you should be saying, considering you charge at anything that looks like a dragon...
The next day, after getting plenty of rest, I opened the workshop door with light steps.
"Now then..."
I dumped the byproducts from the Deep Floor monsters I'd collected during the expedition onto the workshop floor and sorted through the usable materials.
Adamantite gathered from the Deep Floors, plus the magic stone of a Carbuncle—a rare monster I happened to kill after stumbling upon it.
With these materials, I could forge a truly powerful magic sword.
Once my preparations were complete, I immediately lit the furnace.
As the firewood burned, the flames roared higher and higher.
"This time, I hope the hammer survives."
I brought the hammer down with my usual intensity.
I had been considering making a bow, since throwing swords every time was becoming a chore, but for now, the magic sword took priority.
That meant hammering the adamantite, and every strike served as a reminder of how absurdly hard the metal was. To shape it even slightly, I had to strike it hundreds, sometimes thousands of times.
"Haa... finished..."
Still, the effort paid off; I had managed to create a magnificent magic sword.
"As for the name..."
"Maybe I'll call it Caladbolg."
I picked up Caladbolg and stepped outside.
"I'd like to test its power, but..."
Unfortunately, I still had to negotiate with the Loki Familia regarding the expedition.
And if possible, I wanted to try drawing and firing the blade as if it were a bow.
Come to think of it, the Loki Familia had some thread from a Deformis Spider, didn't they...?
"Well then, let's go."
Maybe I really should make a bow if I can get my hands on that thread.