The following day, Akumo and the executives gathered at 'The Hostess of Fertility' to celebrate the successful expedition. Originally, Akumo intended to decline, but since he held the nominal rank of a Familia executive, he had no choice but to attend.
'Save me, Alfia...!'
For some reason, a dark omen of the future flashed before his eyes, but Akumo quickly looked away and dismissed it.
Step, step—
"Remind me why I had to come?"
"Don't be like that, lad! Ye're one of our executives too, aye?"
The patrons inside the tavern were visibly shaken as the Loki Familia, led by Akumo, made their entrance. Many adventurers were particularly captivated by the stunning beauty of the women in the group.
"Oi, look at that beauty..."
"You idiot, look at the emblem! That's the Loki Familia."
"The 'Giant Slayer' Familia?"
"Then that means... is that the Sword Princess?!"
Naturally, the woman with the striking golden hair was among them. Seeing her, a certain white-haired rabbit felt his face flush a deep red.
"Excellent work on the Dungeon expedition, everyone! Tonight's a feast! Drink till ye're full!"
"""YEAH!!!"""
"Cheers!"
"Drink up, everyone."
"Is Akumo paying for this?"
"Give me a break..."
'I have more than enough gold, but if she finds out, Alfia will kill me...'
The atmosphere ripened as the drinks flowed and the banquet truly began. Nearby, Loki attempted to grope Ais as usual, only to be met with a swift downward strike from the girl.
WHACK!
"That hurts, Ais-tan...!"
"You brought that on yourself."
"Haha... you never change, do you..."
In that moment, Bete slammed his tankard onto the table and addressed Ais. Akumo overheard him mentioning a few Minotaurs that had escaped during their return trip.
"You handled the last one on the 5th floor, didn't you?"
"Let's talk about that tomato kid from then."
"Some typical rookie, trying to take on a Minotaur without a clue."
"He got drenched in the stinking blood after Ais minced the thing. He looked like a damn bright red tomato!"
"And get this—that tomato bastard just screamed and bolted!"
"Our Princess got ditched by the guy she saved! Hahaha!"
"It was truly pathetic!"
Bete laughed heartily as if sharing a hilarious joke, but Ais and most of the other members did not share his amusement.
"I think he had no other choice in that situation."
"Cut it out, Bete. It was our oversight that let those Minotaurs escape from the 17th floor in the first place."
"Huh? What's wrong with calling trash exactly what it is?"
'You're going too far today... Bete.'
"Hey, Bete. You're drunk."
Despite Finn's calm attempt to intervene, Bete's voice showed no sign of lowering. Eventually, the topic shifted to talk of confessions and romance.
"Don't tell me you'd actually accept if a brat like that confessed to you?"
"There's no way, right?!"
"A weak, pathetic fry like that has no business standing by your side."
"Small fry don't suit Ais Wallenstein."
BANG—!
The sound of someone kicking back their chair echoed through the room as they sprinted out of the tavern. Then came Syr's voice.
"Bell-san!"
'So it was you... Bell.'
"What?"
"Dining and dashing?"
"A bold one, doin' that in Mama Mia's place~"
Slide—
"Ais-san? Even Akumo-san!"
Ais, seemingly realizing that the boy she had rescued had been present, immediately chased after him. Akumo walked slowly to the counter and placed the payment down.
"I'll cover the bill for the kid who just ran out."
"....Understood."
"Eh? Ye sure about that?"
"Yeah. I'm heading out as well. I'm feeling a bit tired today."
'If it's Bell... he's likely...'
Thump—
"Hah? Why the hell are you paying for a piece of trash that just ran away?"
"Bete, move. I'll explain later."
Bete was seething, incensed by how Ais and Akumo seemed concerned for the boy. To him, coddling the weak was an act of indulgence that only hindered growth.
"Answer m—"
Grip—
"Bete, I know what your intentions are. So leave it at that for today."
".....What...."
"I'm asking you nicely."
"....Tch."
Faced with Akumo's absolute, unwavering authority, Bete had no choice but to back down. Ever since joining the Loki Familia, Bete found himself unable to truly lash out at Akumo. He was the only one who had peered through his mask and understood his true feelings.
**
Slash—!
Crunch—!
Thud—!
Akumo focused on the echoes of battle resonating from the Dungeon. This sound was undoubtedly being carved out by a certain boy.
"....."
-SHREEEE!!!
"Even War Shadows..."
'Is it frustrating? Bell.'
Step—
Akumo's footsteps came to a halt. Before him stood the white-haired boy, Bell Cranel, wounded in both body and spirit. He gripped his dagger with a desperate intensity as he hunted the monsters.
"Bell."
"D... Dad...!"
"Why did you run?"
".....Because I was ashamed...!"
"Of what?"
"I was so angry and ashamed of myself for expecting something, even though I had done absolutely nothing to earn it!!!"
"....."
"That's why I have to do it! Whatever it takes!"
'Just to reach that height!!'
Witnessing Bell's resolve, Akumo smiled and patted the boy's head. It was the gesture of a proud father praising a son who had finally matured.
Pat, pat—
"That's a good mindset."
"....Thank you...."
"But don't call me 'Dad' so openly like that, alright?"
"Ahaha!"
"Heh, is it really that funny?"
"Dad, I'm going to hunt just a bit more.... I want to get stronger!"
'So the real journey begins now... Bell!'
"Then I'll trust you and keep watch."
"Yeah!!"
**
The next morning. Having watched over Bell until the end, Akumo took him toward the abandoned church.
"You idiot. Did you really have to push yourself this hard?"
"....I want to get stronger."
'If that is your 'Pioneer's path'...'
"Get to the church and get treated. I've taken care of the serious wounds, so you'll be fine after some rest."
"Got it, Dad."
"Good grief..."
As they arrived at the church, they saw Hestia and Alfia leaning against the door, waiting. Akumo and Bell smiled at them, only to be promptly struck by Alfia.
THWACK—!!
SMACK—!!
".....That hurt."
"I intended it to."
"It was Bell's request, I couldn't refuse..."
"Hmph. If that was the case, you should have left it to me."
'If I left it to you... wouldn't Bete be dead by now?'
After listening to Alfia's nagging and handing Bell over to Hestia, the two began walking back toward their own home.
"So that's what happened yesterday..."
"Yeah. I thought he'd experience it a bit later, but..."
"....Putting that aside, a celebration?"
"Haha...."
"Was that Elf there too?"
"....."
"Let's talk once we're home."
'Help me...'
The next day, Akumo returned to the Loki Familia. They were in a state of rest, and Ais seemed to have already gone out.
While walking through the manor, Riveria approached him and spoke.
"Where did you rush off to so suddenly last night?"
"Ah... I had some business to attend to."
"Was it because of that child? The one who ran out?"
"....Yes."
"It seems you are playing the role of a reliable uncle not just for our Familia, but for others as well?"
"Ahaha... well, if I see someone in trouble, I help..."
"Hehe."
'I suppose even I have been on the receiving end of your help many times.'
Riveria recalled the magic stone she had received from him. It had been used in the crafting of her staff, providing a significant boost by shortening casting times—a truly precious gift.
"After you left, I gave Bete a proper scolding."
"The guy just doesn't understand his own heart yet."
"Sometimes, one must be taught with a stern hand."
"I'm speaking with him separately as well."
Riveria and Akumo conversed like a husband and wife discussing their child's education, a sight that did not escape Loki's watchful eyes from afar.
"Oho~ It's Mama Riveria and Papa Akumo, aye!"
'Between that nympho goddess and Astraea-tan's girls, there sure are a lot of predators eyein' him, aren't there?'
"Best to snap him up quick before they do, Mama Riveria."
**
Days passed, and on another morning, Akumo woke up in a daze within the Hephaestus Familia workshop.
"Haa.... It's finally done."
"Good work. Making two at once must have been grueling."
'But I'm glad I got to see that form again~'
The day before, Hephaestus had watched Akumo in the workshop as they refined ore together. Just as when he crafted Lævateinn, his skills activated naturally, and she witnessed the birth of yet another masterpiece.
Goibniu, who had stopped by to offer additional refinement advice, had watched with wide, gleaming eyes as the legendary items were forged.
"I will name them... Crimson Flame and Shadow Blade."
"....I think Tsubaki is going to be furious again?"
"I don't even have the strength left to think of names..."
"Well, given the precedent of Lævateinn, I'm sure they have separate true names anyway."
Before Hephaestus lay a dagger pulsing with the fierce momentum of red flames, and another that gleamed with a pitch-black, obsidian darkness.
"Phew! Regardless, as promised, I'll ask Hephaestus-sama and Goibniu-sama to handle the final finishing touches for one each."
"Thank you. I have much I want to explore regarding this child. Though it's a shame the other one is going to Goibniu."
"Please, observe it as much as you like. These children were only possible because of the advice you both shared with me."
"Fufu, I see."
Akumo picked up the Shadow Blade from the table and left to deliver it to Goibniu.
Several hours later, Hephaestus held up Crimson Flame by its hilt to inspect it. Her divine eyes, capable of piercing the very essence of a weapon, were filled with an intense heat, and she saw a vision pass through her mind.
A Verdant Hero.
He stood against the dragon before him.
Though overwhelmed by the dragon's absolute pressure and defeated time and again, he continued to press forward.
Eventually, alongside a green fang, another power manifested in his hand.
Wings of crimson fire granted him the strength to face the dragon.
At the same time, Goibniu, who was peering into the Shadow Blade delivered by Akumo, witnessed a different scene.
There was a certain knight.
There was nothing particularly exceptional about him.
All he possessed was a will for adventure, curiosity, and a deep longing for strength.
And that soon became the iron will that moved the man forward.
In that journey, the shadow's blade greeted him, and he faced a blood-soaked shadow.
It was not a reason to stop.
Unafraid of the blood-drinking blade, he succeeded in gaining the shadow's recognition as his own weapon.
The ordinary man began to write his own specialty, and eventually succeeded in cutting down the very nightmare that plagued the world.
The weapons held by the hero and the knight in those visions... were unmistakably masterpieces.