Hope in Another World 108

Title: The Sword’s Scabbard

After a night’s rest, the Loki Familia made preparations for breakfast and the expedition.

The members put down their pots and pans and still gathered in a circle to listen to the leader’s speech.

“As I told everyone before, starting from Floor 51, the selected team will attack, and the remaining personnel will defend the camp together with the Hephaestus Familia.”

Starting from Floor 51, supporters must also have minimal abilities. The larger the force, the more time and energy it takes to lead it. To emphasize the team’s mobility, only the elite of the Loki Familia can go to the uncharted areas.

The responsibility of the remaining members is to defend the supply point, which is the base camp area.

“The team members include me, Riveria, Gareth, Shun…”

“After getting enough rest, we will launch an attack on the uncharted areas tomorrow.”

After Finn reported the names of the seven people who were First-Class Adventurers, including the leaders and executives, he then called the members responsible for support.

“The supporters include Raul, Narvi, Alicia, Cruz, Lefiya…”

Although she had already known it before, Lefiya swallowed when she heard that she was selected.

All of her supporters were at Level 4, but she was the only one at Level 3. She became nervous.

“Those who stay at the camp, if the new monster appears, use magic swords and magic to deal with it from a distance. The guards must be highly vigilant and not let the monster get close. Anakitty, I leave the command to you.”

Finn gradually informed everyone about defense precautions, methods of dealing with corrosive liquid larvae, and the camp commander.

Instead of Raul, who was traveling as a supporter, Anakitty Autumn was appointed as the team leader, and she stood up to receive the assignment.

“I want Tsubaki to come with us as a weapon technician.”

“Yes, no problem.”

Tsubaki was selected as a team member and nodded with a smile. The Level 5 blacksmith had no fear and seemed to be looking forward to the uncharted area.

After a while, all the issues were conveyed, and Tsubaki, who was sitting cross-legged on the ground, stood up.

“Well then, give me what you deserve first!”

Tsubaki’s tone suddenly became sharp as she said this to Finn and the others. Even Shun put on a curious expression.

If Shun remembered correctly, it was the best equipment in the lower world.

Except for Aiz, Shun, and Riveria, all the First-Class Adventurers had one copy in front of them, a total of five copies.

“This is what you ordered… Durandal Attributes”

Finn, Gareth, Bete, Tiona, and Tione each took their weapons and unwrapped the white cloth that appeared in front of them was a sharp silver light.

“The Roland series is based on your individual needs.”

Many Level 5s stared intently at the weapons in their hands.

Finn was a spear, Gareth was a battle axe, Bete was a double sword, Tiona was a greatsword, and Tione was an axe. They were all indestructible weapons that emitted a sharp gleam, worthy of being crafted by the most skilled blacksmith, Tsubaki. Each of the five weapons had the beauty of a work of art, and the blades also showed hidden hardness and strength.

As each weapon user confirmed the feel of the Roland series in their hands, the surrounding team members were amazed by the special weapons with beautiful appearance and function.

“Thank you, Tsubaki, exactly as we specified.”

“The weight is lighter than expected. It’s a weapon with good attributes.”

Finn placed the spear on his shoulder and smiled to show that he liked it, while Gareth easily lifted the battle axe to his head with one hand.

“You didn’t order that stupid super weapon.”

“Is there anything I can do? People told me that if I ordered a weapon like a double-edged greatsword, it would be too late for everyone to finish it before the expedition!”

Bete put the double-edged sword into its sheath and asked Tiona why she didn’t specify the form of the super-large weapon – a super-sized double-edged sword.

Tsubaki crossed her arms, looked at these users holding her work, and nodded in satisfaction.

Although the attributes were decent, if they continued to fight fiercely, the sharpness and other properties that affected the attack power would still decrease, so she didn’t take it out at the beginning of the expedition, but instead chose it at the highlight of the expedition. Her strategy, that is, before the attack on Floor 51. This opportunity was given to everyone.

The other group members remained excited about the new weapons, and finally Finn spoke.

“Half an hour of repairs. In half an hour, everyone will gather and set off!”

After saying this, everyone dispersed. Some returned to their designated tents, some went to the guards to see the situation, and some went to talk to the senior blacksmiths. Everyone had their own business.

Seeing Shun leave, Aiz also stood up and was about to leave.

“Sword Princess.”

Tsubaki came and called out to her. She looked at Aiz with her right eye that was red without an eyepatch, and pointed to Aiz’s waist.

“I’ll help you look at the weapon. It should need to be repaired.”

What she pointed to was the Desperate Sword that Aiz had used until this floor. Not only the fight with the monsters, but the fierce fight with Ottar also completely exhausted the blade of her sword.

“…Sorry to trouble you.”

After hearing Tsubaki’s suggestion to accurately check the condition of her weapon, Aiz nodded honestly.

After everyone dispersed, the camp center became quiet.

In the place surrounded by many tents, Tsubaki prepared a furnace and a whetstone, and took Desperate from Aiz. She took off her clothes, leaving only her hakama pants and bra, revealing her full bust and tanned skin, and began to repair her weapon.

In front of her, Aiz sat on a small base that had been prepared.

“But again, that little girl has now become a First-Class Adventurer.”

In various places in the camp, like Tsubaki and Aiz, there were combinations of several high-level blacksmiths who were trusted to repair weapons, and adventurers who were watching from the sidelines.

While many people were concentrating on maintaining their best condition, Tsubaki said to Aiz in front of her:

“Maybe I should have caught you earlier and prevented others from taking you? What a pity.”

She laughed as she worked. Tsubaki said that although she couldn’t directly make a contract, she should at least let capable adventurers become customers. She said it as if she was regretful, but there was no regret in her tone. She had lived in Orario for a long time before Aiz joined the Loki Familia, and she remembered the past as if she was talking about the past.

“Ten years ago… no, nine years ago? Back then, you were like a drawn sword.”

“No matter how chipped or damaged the blade is, we have to keep fighting. I’ve thought from the beginning that you would definitely die if you did that.”

“That skinny little girl.”

Aiz listened to her voice silently. At the same time, she looked at the sword in her hand, its worn surface.

“Sword Princess, I’ll explain it. Back then, I didn’t want to fight for you at all.”

Usually, if Tsubaki saw a talented adventurer – a rough jade that was expected to shine in the future, she would be excited to try as a blacksmith, but when she saw Aiz, she didn’t feel that way.

Tsubaki said this while waving Desperate.

“Of course, you only see yourself as a sword. How could a blacksmith want to make a weapon for someone like that?”

“I—”

“Yes, it wasn’t you who used the weapon back then. It was you who used the weapon made by me or other blacksmiths.”

Aiz hesitated to speak, but Tsubaki helped her continue and spoke firmly.

“Back then, I laughed at the name the gods gave you. I thought the alias Sword Princess was ironic.”

“I just wanted to know when you would break.”

Tsubaki raised her gaze from the sword, and a vulgar smile appeared on her raised lips. She said that until a few years ago, Aiz was just a dangerous and fragile creature, like a sword with a chipped blade that kept fighting.

Unintentionally, Aiz remembered Loki who always told her, “If you run forward and lean forward, you will fall someday.”

Aiz remembered Loki’s advice and looked into Tsubaki’s right eye.

“But you’ve changed.”

This time, Tsubaki smiled gently.

“Huh…?”

“I mean you’ve become more refined. Although the world still says you look like a doll, your expression has become softer.”

Tsubaki pointed with her squinting right eye as if she wanted to see everything with one eye.

“Do you think… I’ve become weaker?” Aiz asked Tsubaki.

What Aiz meant was: I’m no longer a drawn sword, and I’m no different from a wild beast whose fangs are broken.

“You must have become stronger. After all, you’ve been promoted to Level 6.”

“That’s not what I meant!”

Seeing her laugh, Aiz rarely emphasized her tone.

Being described as a doll, with an expression that had no emotional changes, caused her to be shaken.

Seeing Aiz’s eyes drooping, Tsubaki repaired the sword for a while, closed her eyes and smiled.

“Maybe its sharpness is gone, but to describe it as a sword, it has found its scabbard.”

Seeing Aiz raise her head, with a smile on her lips, she continued:

“Protected by its scabbard, the sword doesn’t need to be sharp all the time. And once it encounters an enemy that needs to be killed, the protected sword can be drawn and shine.”

The blade must have its scabbard, and Aiz, who used herself as a sword, must have a place to live.

Tsubaki looked at Aiz and told her clearly:

“In my opinion, you are now stronger than before.”

“Aiz Wallenstein, have you found your scabbard?”

Listening to those words, Aiz looked at the long sword that had been polished brightly, and various expressions of Shun’s face appeared in her mind.

Shun’s warm palm, the peace of mind within him that was like the warmth of the winter sun, the closeness of the spirit of nature, and that night presented a perfect combination of soul and body that had never been seen before.

As long as Shun was here, no matter what her future held, Aiz wouldn’t be afraid.

As Aiz raised her head again, she gave a beautiful smile that even made Tsubakidu amazed.

“Mm, I found it.”