Chapter 65

"First, about the girl's dagger, a regular blacksmith would only use mithril for the blade of a mithril dagger. Some blacksmiths might mix it with obsidian iron, but this mithril dagger is made entirely of mithril, from the handle to the blade, the pommel, the grip, and the guard! Hahaha, this is the first time I've used mithril so lavishly! Of course, the Damascus dagger is also made entirely of Damascus steel!

Next, for the little girl's staff, I made it as requested by the monk, but this is more of a cudgel than a staff."

Yu and the others had come to Woods' shop to pick up the weapons they had commissioned after leaving the Adventurer's Guild. There, Woods was waiting with a broad smile, waving them in.

Once inside, weapons were lined up everywhere, each one reflecting Woods' unique attention to detail in their design and materials. Moving past the counter to the back, they found a workshop with half-finished weapons and well-used hammers and anvils.

On the table were the weapons Yu had commissioned, and Woods began his lecture.

Yu, Rena, and Marifa understood only half of what Woods was saying, but they could tell he was satisfied with his work from his delighted expression. Nina, on the other hand, seemed preoccupied with the earlier incident with the earl, grumbling and circling around Yu.

"It's fine. The staff isn't complete yet."

"Hmm, you have something in mind, I see.

Next, the monk's sword is a greatsword made from blue steel, a rare material that can only be found in small quantities in the Ulmye mines. Blue steel has a special effect; this sword can deal damage to ethereal creatures!

You're heading to the Gorgo Labyrinth now, but after that, it will likely be the Great Forest's mid-layer or the B-rank labyrinth 'Enrio of the Rotting World.' At your level, you'll be hunting in the upper layers of Enrio, where undead creatures abound. This greatsword will surely come in handy."

"Wow, it comes with a skill from the start.

Thanks, old man.

By the way, Marifa is also going to the labyrinth, so get her some weapons and armor."

"The girl uses a bow, right? Hold on."

Woods went into the shop and returned a while later with a bow and some armor.

"This bow was used by an elf, but I bought it when they upgraded. Elves and dark elves may not get along, but they both excel with bows, so it should suit her well.

For the armor, since she uses a bow, I brought light leather armor. A leather jacket, leather boots, and leather gauntlets. They're beginner-level but sturdy."

Woods also brought a longbow, an iron bow, and a steel bow, but in the end, Yu chose the elven bow and bought the complete set of leather armor.

"Old man, you still don't have any customers, huh?"

"Shut up, I choose my customers."

"If you're that free, why don't you become my exclusive blacksmith? I'll bring you materials for custom orders."

"Monk, you want me to be your exclusive? Don't get ahead of yourself. But I have time, so bring me good materials if you find them."

Woods' ears turned red, a clear sign of his embarrassment. Yu noticed and pressed him further, getting the true prices of the armor and weapons from the last purchase and paying the correct amount. Woods reluctantly accepted the payment, and Yu and the others left the shop as if fleeing.

Back home, they started preparing dinner. Nina lay face-down on the table, not moving. Rena was muttering about dual-staff techniques while holding the Mild staff and the mithril staff. Marifa was helping Yu.

Soon, the smell of bread and soup filled the dining area. Yu and Marifa set the table with dinner. The bread was topped with melted cheese from the Doria Trading Company, which looked incredibly appetizing. The soup was rich with meat and vegetables, and every spoonful was packed with ingredients. The main dish was Bigbo's sausages, both boiled and grilled, with salt and sauce as the seasonings.

"Nina, dinner's ready."

"Ugh... Yu, be careful of that earl."

"Today's dinner looks delicious."

When Rena bit into the sausage, a satisfying crunch echoed. Marifa waited for Yu to start eating before taking her own food.

"I know. Eat up.

It'll be a waste if it gets cold. Marifa, you don't have to wait for me, so eat too."

Nina finally started eating, biting into the bread. The melted cheese stretched, making it hard to bite.

"Hot, mmm, this is definitely different, mmm!"

"Choose one, eating or talking."

Nina washed down the bread and cheese with water, then tearfully pleaded with Yu.

"Yu, let's move to the capital, no, Hameln. There's no racial discrimination there, and the climate is similar, so it's a good place to live."

"What are you talking about? We just bought this mansion. We can't do something so wasteful."

"Ugh, because a pervert is after you, Yu."

"Calling an earl a pervert is a bad idea.

By the way, Marifa, you can cast spells without incantations now, so come here and I'll heal your wound as promised."

Marifa knelt before Yu. Yu seemed to want to say something but prioritized the healing. Placing his hand over Marifa's neck wound and casting Heal, the scar slowly faded.

"How does it feel? Can you speak?"

"Ah, ah... Yes, no problem."

"Marifaaaa, that's great!"

"...I have more talent."

Nina rejoiced like a mother, while Rena was jealous that Marifa could cast spells without incantations before her. Marifa rubbed her throat, confirming the scar was gone, then slowly leaned in to kiss Yu's foot, making him jump back.

"What are you doing all of a sudden!"

"Kissing the foot of my lord... Is there a problem with the ritual?"

"Who's your lord!"

"Marifaaaa, Yu isn't a lord."

"...Hmph, what a disappointing dark elf."

"What are you two talking about?

I can heal scars and aftereffects without divine magic and grant others the skill to cast spells without incantations. I am nothing less than a lord!"

Nina was about to agree when Yu interrupted with a headbutt.

"...Why am I the only one you call by my name?"

Marifa stood up and approached Nina and Rena. Rena hid behind Nina, wary.

"I learned to cast spells without incantations because I have something to say to you."

"What, what is it, Marifaaaa, you look scary."

"...You talk a lot."

"Are you not ashamed to push all the cooking, cleaning, and laundry onto a lord?

When I arrived, I was surprised to find that the lord prepares all the meals, does the laundry, and even prepares the bath every morning, noon, and night!

All you do is eat and sleep, and you even sneak into the lord's room. Even if the lord allows it, I won't permit it in the future!"

"That's because helping would just get in the way..."

"...Nina is right; not helping is the best help."

"That's not all! I've never seen you pay any money, even though you're freeloaders!"

"We, we give you all the quest rewards!"

Nina nodded vigorously, and Marifa laughed, her eyes wide as she confronted Nina and Rena. Her ears were sharply pointed!

"I've only been the lord's slave for two weeks, but I know how luxurious the food here is.

This mansion is a dream for the average citizen. How many average citizens have a house with a bath? Nina and Rena are D-rank adventurers, but no D-rank adventurer lives such a luxurious life!

Even the clothes and equipment are extravagant. The Mild staff and Goldba necklace that Rena has are items every elf and dark elf dreams of. They cost more than 3,000 gold coins.

Do you know how much the lord paid for the equipment this time? The mithril dagger, Damascus dagger, mithril robe, wyvern leather jacket, and serpentine leather gauntlets cost 20 platinum coins in total."

Nina and Rena's expressions darkened, and Yu silently cheered Marifa on. Even Crow, who had been listening quietly, was shocked by Marifa's outburst.

"Crow, you too!

What's this? You're supposed to guard the lord's room, but you always go through Nina and Rena! As the lord's slave, you should be ashamed!"

"Chuff!"

Crow collapsed, even though he wasn't injured. He must have been deeply hurt.

"Marifa."

"Yes! Lord?"

Yu called her name, and Marifa's ears perked up in a different way. Her expression clearly showed she was ready to follow any command.

"Marifa, don't say it."

"Yes..."

Marifa's ears drooped more than ever before.

Name: Yu Sato

Race: Human

Job: Magic Warrior, Enchanter

Level: 29

HP: 962

MP: 1399

Strength: 308

Agility: 234

Vitality: 312

Intelligence: 264

Magic: 305

Luck: 1

Passive Skills:

Sword Mastery LV7

Axe Mastery LV5

Dagger Mastery LV3

Staff Mastery LV2

Unarmed Combat LV4

Spear Mastery LV6

Shield Mastery LV4

Hammer Mastery LV4

Throwing Mastery LV4

Brute Strength LV3

Physical Enhancement LV6

Agility Enhancement LV2

Perception LV6

Leadership LV5

Night Vision LV3

Fire Resistance LV4

HP Regeneration Speed LV4

MP Regeneration Speed LV5

Darkness Resistance LV2

Trap Detection LV4

Stealth LV2

Status Resistance LV2

Skin Hardening LV3

Dragon Eye LV2

Regeneration LV3

Cooking LV1 (NEW!)

Active Skills:

Sword Techniques LV5

Combat Techniques LV5

Dagger Techniques LV3

Staff Techniques LV1

Fighting Techniques LV3

Magic Fist LV4

Spear Techniques LV5

Shield Techniques LV4

Axe Techniques LV5

Hammer Techniques LV3

White Magic LV5

Black Magic LV6

Necromancy LV2 (UP)

Enchantment LV4

Elemental Magic LV4

Temporal Magic LV3

Magic Sword LV3

Blacksmithing LV2

Alchemy LV5

Steal LV2

Stealth LV2

Appraisal LV4

Roar LV5

Lockpicking LV4

Trap Disarming LV4

Barrier LV2

Magic Awakening LV1

Breath LV3

Unique Skills:

Otherworldly Magic Eye LV3

Plunder LV3

Familiar Subjugation LV3

Beast Killer

Enhanced Hearing

Regeneration

Brute Strength

Equipment:

Weapon: Spirit Sword (Level 4): Increased damage to ethereal beings

Armor: Flying Hat (Level 5): None

Damascus Armor (Level 4): Enhanced confusion and sleep resistance

Damascus Gauntlets (Level 4): Enhanced instant death and charm resistance

Damascus Boots (Level 4): Enhanced magic and status resistance

Magic Shield (Level 4): Enhanced magic and status resistance

Accessories: Mirage Ring (Level 3): Displays false information when analyzed

Name: Nina Leva

Race: Human

Job: Thief, Assassin

Level: 28

HP: 406

MP: 200

Strength: 167

Agility: 308

Vitality: 136

Intelligence: 82

Magic: 62

Luck: 22

Passive Skills:

Perception LV3

Trap Detection LV3

Dagger Mastery LV4

Stealth LV4

Dual Dagger Mastery LV2

Assassination Techniques LV2

Evasion LV1

Agility Enhancement LV1

Active Skills:

Steal LV1

Ambush LV4

Trap Disarming LV3

Stealth LV4

Combat Techniques LV3

Dagger Techniques LV4

Assassination Techniques LV2

Lockpicking LV2

Unique Skills:

Earth Magic

Equipment:

Weapon: Mithril Dagger (Level 4): None

Damascus Dagger (Level 4): None

Armor: Steel Helmet (Level 6): Enhanced paralysis resistance

Wyvern Leather Jacket (Level 5): None

Serpentine Leather Gauntlets (Level 5): Enhanced poison resistance

Hard Leather Boots (Level 6): Enhanced agility, strength, and defense

Accessories: Demon Armlet (Level 3): Enhanced strength

Fairy Earring (Level 4): Enhanced charm resistance

Sisya Pendant (Level 5): Enhanced stealth and disguise

Dragon Armlet (Level 4): Enhanced all abilities

Name: Rena Forma

Race: Human

Job: Mage, Witch

Level: 25

HP: 201

MP: 998

Strength: 41

Agility: 56

Vitality: 53

Intelligence: 289

Magic: 397

Luck: 16

Passive Skills:

Staff Mastery LV1

Incantation Speed LV3

MP Regeneration Speed LV2

Magic Enhancement LV1

Reduced MP Consumption LV1

Active Skills:

White Magic LV3

Black Magic LV4

Barrier LV3

Magic Awakening LV2

Unique Skills:

None

Equipment:

Weapon: Mild Staff (Level 4): Reduced MP consumption, enhanced magic

Mithril Staff (Level 4): Enhanced magic

Armor: Triangular Hat (Level 6): Enhanced HP regeneration speed

Mithril Robe (Level 4): Enhanced magic resistance

Sticker Mantle (Level 5): Enhanced fire resistance

Ogre Boots (Level 5): Enhanced magic resistance, poison resistance, and paralysis resistance

Accessories: Ygg Amulet (Level 5): Enhanced defense

Life Ring (Level 5): +50 HP, enhanced HP and MP

Goldba Necklace (Level 4): Reduced MP consumption

Rock Dragon Ring (Level 4): Enhanced defense