Chương 16: Recording Infinite Swords and the Half-Elf's Approval

Goibniu Familia specialized in forging weapons and equipment. The Familia had more than a hundred second-tier smiths, but because they had fewer first-tier smiths than Hephaestus Familia, they could only stand beneath them in reputation. Everyone remembered Olympic champions. Who talked about the runners-up? Still, Goibniu himself was a forging god who was not inferior to Hephaestus. His Familia simply did not look as grand and refined as Hephaestus Familia.

Their shops were plainer and rougher, almost like ordinary blacksmiths' workshops. But the things sold inside were not much cheaper than Hephaestus Familia's goods.

"Hee hee. Cael, you are too nervous." Eina laughed at his lifeless expression.

"Not all equipment is expensive. There are things even rookie adventurers can afford."

"Really?"

"Of course. There are imperfect pieces made by apprentice smiths or third-tier smiths."

"Then I can relax." Cael patted his chest in relief, then scratched the back of his head awkwardly. Now that he thought about it, Hephaestus's shop also had plenty of equipment made by apprentices and third-tier smiths, and those pieces were not particularly expensive either. He had made a fool of himself.

"Welcome, Miss Eina." A bronze-skinned, bare-chested clerk with a large beard hurried over with a grin full of uneven teeth. He seemed used to this.

"Bringing another rookie adventurer to choose weapons?"

"Could you recommend something for a rookie?" Eina smiled.

"Be gentle with the price."

"Of course. We happen to have quite a few pieces from new smiths lately." The bearded man pointed toward several messy weapon racks piled in the corner, then glanced at the obvious rookie with a sly grin.

"There are even a few pieces that almost reached third-tier quality. Whether your adventurer finds one depends on his luck."

"Come on. Let us take our time. Maybe we will find something good." Eina took Cael's hand and led him toward the weapon racks. Cael froze for a moment when she held his hand. Then excitement rose in his chest.

"Miss Eina, do you often bring rookie adventurers here?" Physical contact. Elves were said to have a certain instinctive reserve about physical contact. Unless they recognized someone, they would not let that person touch even a strand of their hair. Eina was a half-elf, so she was not that severe, but she still would not casually touch others. Did that mean he had been accepted? Her hand was a little cool, very slender, and comfortable to hold.

"Yes. Most of the weapons here are ordinary, but every now and then, you can find something good. For a rookie, that little difference may change the situation in a dangerous moment."

"What do you like, Cael? Swords?" Eina's cheeks reddened slightly. Pretending nothing had happened, she let go of his hand and pulled a black longsword from the rack. The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

"Yes. I prefer dual swords. It would be even better if I could find a suitable pair here." Cael flexed the hand she had held, suppressed the flutter in his heart, and took the black longsword. He weighed it in his hand. A little heavy. Not very comfortable. Then he froze. The sword's weight, sharpness, material, and structure appeared vaguely in his mind. In an invisible, untouchable, vast space, a sword identical to the one in his hand slowly took shape. This is... The Reality Marble space. It was dark.

There was nothing inside except the newly constructed sword. Right. His Magic value was already five times what it had been at the start. He was no longer limited to reinforcement. Swords he touched, saw, and copied could be stored here. After all, Unlimited Blade Works was a great bounded field made from every element that formed swords in this world. Everything around him seemed to grow quiet, as if only he and the nearby swords remained. He entered a strange state.

Without looking with his eyes, he could sense the sword-type weapons around him. Only some swords could be recorded into the Reality Marble. The others were impossible to see through, and therefore impossible to record. Was it because his strength was not enough? Or because he could not understand them? It seemed to be both. The swords he could copy were ordinary weapons used by Lv. 1 adventurers. Third-tier weapons corresponded to third-tier adventurers, meaning Lv. 2.

Ordinary weapons could not withstand the strength of Lv. 2 adventurers. They might shatter after only a few strikes. By the same logic, second-tier weapons corresponded to Lv. 3 and Lv. 4 second-tier adventurers, while first-tier weapons corresponded to first-tier adventurers of Lv. 5 and above. Above first-tier weapons were Durandal weapons, which carried the attribute of never breaking. Only gods could forge weapons like that.

Ais Wallenstein, Orario's strongest swordswoman, used an unbreakable sword named Desperate. That sword had been made by the thin old man hammering iron by the forge. Goibniu, God of the Forge.

"You brought this sword back in such a state again? Its sharpness has fallen badly. What did you cut with it this time?"

"A Durandal sword may be truly unbreakable, but its edge can still grow dull." The voice of the forging god pulled Cael out of that strange perception. He quickly looked over, his eyes widening slightly as his expression twitched. No way. Speak of the devil. A breathtakingly beautiful girl with straight golden hair stood in front of Goibniu's forge. Her thigh-high socks and exposed pale back brought out her perfect figure completely.

Beside her stood a tall elf beauty with long green hair, wearing green robes from head to toe and giving off an icy impression.

"When did they arrive?" Cael muttered. So beautiful. In appearance, she was even more beautiful than Hestia. She simply lacked the irresistible divine allure gods held for all living beings.

"They arrived while you were holding that sword and staring into space." Eina's voice drifted over.

"Ais Wallenstein and Riveria Ljos Alf. Executives of Loki Familia. Orario's strongest mage and the Sword Princess. Their aliases are Sword Princess and Nine Hell. Top-class adventurers. Were you staring?" After saying that, Eina placed both hands on her hips in dissatisfaction. Her light-green eyes fixed on Cael, and she gave a soft huff.

"Hmph. Being captivated by another girl when there is already a girl beside you is one of the most annoying things boys do, Cael."

"Ah, no, it is not like that. I was not captivated. I was only curious because two people suddenly appeared." Sweat broke out across Cael's forehead as he hurried to explain. What? Was she angry already? That seemed a little much. Though Ais and Riveria really were beautiful. Any man would be moved. Besides, only a few days ago, he had still been a shut-in who adored fictional girls.

"Pfft. Cael really is interesting." Eina laughed at his flustered expression, then raised a finger.

"I was joking."

"Have you decided which sword you want to take?"

"I plan to look over every sword carefully." Cael gave a strained smile. She had teased him. Then he answered with some embarrassment. He wanted to touch every sword Unlimited Blade Works could record. For the time being, that would solve his sword shortage. After he Leveled Up, he would find a chance to touch every sword in Goibniu Familia and Hephaestus Familia. Your swords are my swords. Haha.

"There is no hurry," Eina said.

"Finding the weapon that suits you best is what matters." The sound Cael made while rummaging through the weapons drew Riveria's attention. The instant she looked over, her pale-green eyes narrowed. That boy? Was he using some kind of Magic? For a faint moment, she felt the terrifying illusion of facing an ultra-long chant. It also felt as if the entire world were pressing down on her. Even from that tiny trace alone, she could infer how frightening that Magic would be if fully activated.

A moment later, the golden-haired Sword Princess also looked over and tilted her head with a blank, adorable expression.