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Welf took out a long string and a notebook.
He started measuring Bell's shoulders.
"Four sets of custom armor,"
Welf said. He wrote the numbers down.
"That is a big order. It will take time, and it will cost a lot of money."
"We have enough,"
Bell assured him.
"We want your best work."
Welf stopped writing. He looked at the group.
He waited for a moment.
"Are you forgetting something?"
Welf asked slowly.
"Usually, people only come to me for one thing. You really do not want a magic sword?"
"No,"
Elias answered.
"Why would we want a weapon that breaks?"
Welf stared at the tall man.
"Magic swords are very powerful,"
Welf explained.
"They can burn strong monsters to ash in one swing. Most adventurers beg me to make them."
"A weapon that shatters when you need it most is useless,"
Elias said calmly.
"We rely on our own skills to fight. We just need strong plates to keep us safe."
Welf looked at Elias, then at Bell.
They were completely serious.
For the first time in years, Welf felt a real, deep happiness in his chest.
They did not care about the famous Crozzo name.
They did not care about easy magic.
They only cared about his hard work.
"You will get my best,"
Welf promised. He grinned broadly.
"I will make armor that never fails you."
While Welf measured Lili, Dee pulled Elias to the side of the room.
"I really like him,"
Dee whispered to Elias.
"He takes pride in his work,"
Elias agreed.
"He has the eyes of a real craftsman."
"In the story I read, his past is very sad,"
Dee explained softly.
"His family used their magic swords to start big wars. They got very rich. But the swords always exploded, and a lot of innocent people died."
Elias frowned. He crossed his arms and listened closely.
"Welf hates his own blood,"
Dee continued.
"He hates making weapons that only destroy things. He ran away from his rich family because he wants to make things that protect people instead."
Elias looked across the room. He watched Welf gently measure Bell's arm.
Elias finally understood the angry look Welf had when they first walked in.
"A tool made to kill is easy to make,"
Elias said quietly.
"But a tool made to save a life requires a strong heart. He is a good man."
Dee smiled and nodded her head.
"He will be a great friend for Bell,"
Dee said.
"Yes,"
Elias replied.
"He will fit right in with our familia."
Welf finished taking everyone's measurements.
Bell handed him a heavy pouch of coins.
"Here is the payment for the armor,"
Bell said.
Welf took the pouch and nodded.
He put the money on his wooden table.
Then, he rubbed the back of his neck.
He looked very nervous.
He opened his mouth to speak, but stopped.
He waited a few seconds before trying again.
"Do you accept personal requests?"
Welf asked slowly.
"Outside of the Guild?"
Bell tilted his head.
"We can help,"
Bell said.
"But why do you not put a normal request at the Guild?"
Welf crossed his arms and looked at the floor.
"I need rare monster drops from the middle floors to make your armor strong,"
Welf explained.
"But if I put a request on the Guild board, other adventurers will take the job. They will use it as an excuse."
"An excuse for what?"
Lili asked.
"To force me to pay them with magic swords,"
Welf sighed.
"They will refuse my money. They will hold the materials hostage until I forge a magic weapon for them."
Bell understood immediately. He felt bad for the blacksmith.
Bell turned around.
He looked at Elias, waiting for the older man to tell him what to do.
Elias just smiled. He did not give Bell an answer.
"Do not look at me, Bell,"
Elias said.
"I am just a member of this party. You are our captain. You have to make the final choice."
Bell's eyes went wide. He looked at Lili and Dee.
They both smiled and nodded at him.
Bell stood up completely straight.
He felt a new sense of pride in his chest.
He turned back to the red-haired blacksmith.
"We accept your request,"
Bell said firmly.
"Tell us what materials you need. We will go into the dungeon and get them for you."
Welf let out a long, heavy breath.
He looked incredibly relieved.
"Thank you,"
Welf smiled.
"I will write down the list right now."
Freya sat alone in her high tower.
She looked out the window.
She wanted Bell. His soul was beautiful. She wanted him to be hers.
But she hesitated.
She thought about the tall man and the pale girl.
Elias and Dee made her feel real fear.
"How can I take him?"
Freya whispered to herself.
Suddenly, the room turned completely cold.
Freya shivered.
The air felt heavy.
She turned around quickly.
Dee stood right behind her chair.
She made no sound. She looked like a ghost.
Freya stepped back.
"Ottar!"
Freya shouted loudly.
She waited.
She expected her strongest warrior to break the door open.
But no one came. The room remained completely silent.
Freya stared at the pale girl.
"What did you do?"
Freya asked. Her voice shook a little.
"Where is my guard?"
Dee tilted her head and smiled.
"He is right outside the door,"
Dee answered.
"He is safe. But he cannot hear you. He cannot move."
Freya frowned deeply.
"What do you mean?"
Freya demanded.
"I wanted to talk with you alone,"
Dee explained.
"So, I made contact with the will of this universe. I asked for a small favor."
Freya felt her heart beat faster.
Even Gods could not talk to the universe.
"A favor?"
Freya asked.
"Yes,"
Dee nodded.
"I asked it to stop time for a moment. Right now, the whole world is paused. Only you and I can move."
Freya looked out the window.
A bird hung in the air outside the glass.
It did not flap its wings. It did not fall.
The clouds were completely still.
Freya looked back at Dee. She felt true terror.
"Why are you here?"
Freya asked slowly.
"Are you going to kill me?"
"Don't be silly,"
Dee said. She held up her empty hands.
"I come in peace."
Dee stepped closer.
Her dark eyes looked right through the Goddess.
"I know you are watching Bell,"
Dee told her.
"I know what you want. I know your thoughts. I actually know you more than you know yourself, Freya-chan."
Freya stood frozen.
She did not know what to say.
"I just came to have a simple chat,"
Dee smiled.
"Let's talk about Bell-kun."