For the next week, Genichi practically holed up inside the Dian Cecht Familia and turned every last batch of materials they had purchased into potions.
Measuring, refining, blending, bottling.
He handled every step himself.
When he got tired, he drank one of his own magic recovery potions.
When he got sleepy, he leaned against a wall and dozed for a while.
When he got hungry, he casually stuffed down a few bites of dry rations.
Seven days and seven nights, without rest.
At last, when the seventh day came to an end, Genichi had not only paid back the full two-hundred-million-valis advance, but had also settled the sixty million valis he still owed Tsubaki for his equipment.
When he handed the last crate of potions over to the Dian Cecht Familia staff, a trace of weary relief finally flashed through those dark eyes.
"You've worked hard."
Amid came personally to receive the delivery. Looking at the neatly stacked crates of potions, her face was filled with a satisfied smile.
"Mr. Genichi, your efficiency is truly astonishing."
Genichi shook his head.
"It's what I should do."
He said nothing more and turned to leave the Dian Cecht Familia.
The moment he stepped out through the gate, the sunlight made him narrow his eyes slightly.
Seven days.
It was finally over.
He took a deep breath and started walking toward the far end of the street.
During that time, one other thing had happened.
Ryu Lion had returned.
And her level had already risen to Level 5.
The elven girl who had once fought him in a life-and-death struggle had now become one of Orario's top-class adventurers.
The moment she returned, she came looking for Genichi to fulfill their previous agreement.
But Genichi did not meet her.
He only had Demeter pass along a message for him:
"Wait."
Ryu did not understand why he wanted her to wait, but she did not press the matter.
She simply nodded and stayed at the Demeter Familia estate.
However, for certain reasons, Genichi had not let Ryu know that he had summoned Alise.
At least for now, it was not time yet.
...
At the Hephaestus Familia.
Inside Tsubaki's workshop.
Genichi pushed open the door and walked in, only to see the one-eyed master smith standing before the forge, holding a weapon that had just been completed.
Its shape was strikingly similar to the blade Bai Yuekui carried in Ling Cage.
The blade was long and straight, with only the faintest curve to it. The edge gave off a cold, sharp gleam, while the spine was etched with fine patterns.
The hilt was wrapped in dark samegawa, smooth and textured under the hand.
The guard was simple and practical, enough to protect the hand without hindering movement.
The whole sword gave off a quiet, dangerous aura.
"You're here?"
Tsubaki turned around and handed it to him.
"Try it."
Genichi took the sword.
The moment it settled into his hand, his expression shifted slightly.
Heavy.
But not clumsy heavy. It was the kind of solid, substantial weight that carried true presence.
In his grip, it felt as though it fused naturally with his arm. Just from that alone, he could tell it would move beautifully.
He gave it a light swing.
The blade cut through the air with a faint whistle.
"A fine sword."
The praise came from the heart.
Tsubaki smiled, then took out something else.
It was an inner armor made from the Black Goliath's hide.
Who knew what materials Tsubaki had added, but when worn, the whole set felt weightless, as if it were nothing more than a thin layer of cloth.
But Genichi had tested it.
Even when he struck it with the full force of his Level 4 strength, it did not leave so much as a mark.
The defensive power of this inner armor was astounding.
"Perfect."
Genichi put the inner armor away as well, then took out the gold card from his clothes and handed it over to Tsubaki.
"Sixty million. The rest of the payment."
Tsubaki accepted the card and casually set it aside without even looking at it.
Then she looked at Genichi, and a strange smile flickered through her one eye.
"Kid, you got one hell of a bargain."
Genichi paused slightly.
"What do you mean?"
"Originally, I was planning to forge this weapon myself."
She paused.
"But later, my goddess learned about it and decided to make it personally."
Genichi's pupils contracted slightly.
Lady Hephaestus?
The goddess of smithing and fire had personally forged his weapon?
"This..."
His voice came out a little dry.
"Why?"
Tsubaki looked at him, the amusement in her eye growing even clearer.
"According to my goddess..."
She paused again.
"It was because Lady Demeter asked her to."
"That's why she agreed to forge this weapon for you herself."
Genichi fell silent.
Demeter.
Again, it was Demeter.
For his sake, that woman had actually gone and asked Lady Hephaestus for a favor?
Demeter and Hephaestus were on good terms, but there was no way asking Hephaestus to personally forge a weapon for Genichi had come without a price in goodwill.
And anyone with half a brain knew that an Unbreakable weapon forged by Tsubaki and one forged by Hephaestus herself were in entirely different leagues.
Tsubaki was only human.
Hephaestus was a goddess.
Genichi lowered his head and looked at the blade in his hand, the one Lady Hephaestus had personally forged.
Its body was still calm and austere, shining with cold light.
But somehow, he could almost feel that another woman's feelings had been entrusted to it.
After a long while, he put the blade away and looked up at Tsubaki.
"Tell me the difference in price. I'll make up the rest."
His voice was quiet, but utterly sincere.
Tsubaki waved her hand.
"No need. My goddess only stepped in because of Lady Demeter's request. Since the price was already agreed on, it won't change. My goddess just told me to pass something along."
She looked at him.
"Don't let Lady Demeter's feelings go to waste."
Genichi was silent for a moment, then nodded.
"I won't."
He turned and walked toward the door.
When he reached it, he suddenly stopped, then looked back at Tsubaki.
"One more thing."
He paused.
"Does the sword have a name?"
Tsubaki shook her head.
"My goddess said the name is for you to decide."
Genichi was quiet for a moment, then nodded lightly.
Then he pushed the door open and stepped outside.
The sunlight was perfect.
Genichi held the sword, feeling its solid weight in his hand, while thoughts surged through his mind.
He thought of Demeter's amber eyes.
He thought of how bold she had been in the lingerie shop.
He thought of how she had stood before him in the fitting room, those eyes burning with emotion.
He thought of the words she had said to him.
"I like you, Genichi."
He took a deep breath.
Then he started walking toward the far end of the street.
He was going back.
Going back to see her.
Going back... to tell her the name of this blade.
Its name was Mitsukotoba.
(End of Chapter)
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