Forge and Steel

Residence of the Loki Familia, Orario

"One hundred fifty million?!"

Riveria, sitting in one of the chairs in her goddess's office, watched with a hint of pity as Loki seemed to suffer a heart attack upon hearing the price of Ais's new weapon. The goddess fell back into her seat, staring at the ceiling as if it could offer her some comfort.

"And here I thought I was the person with the blackest heart in Orario..." Loki murmured incredulously, a mix of resentment and astonishment in her voice. "Damn blacksmith, your heart is like a blade!" she exclaimed, placing a hand on her chest as if she had received a stab.

Doing her best to hold back a smile, Riveria tried to comfort Loki. "Loki-sama, although the price is high, we cannot deny that Pyrion is the best blacksmith in Orario. His work is worth every valis, and Ais will be much better equipped with her new rapier."

Loki, who had gotten up from the floor, rested her head on her desk and let out a long, dramatic sigh. "Yeah, yeah... everyone says the same," she complained, her voice muffled against the wood. "But one hundred fifty million... I feel like they're ripping away my last valis, and along with it, a piece of my dignity."

Riveria hid a smile as she observed her goddess struggling between resignation and resentment. "Loki-sama, I'm sure you'll recover. After all, if anyone can honor such a large investment, it's Ais."

Loki let out another exaggerated sigh and looked up, gazing at Riveria with resignation. "I hope Ais-tan does something legendary with that rapier... because if not, I'll start charging her every time she breathes," she murmured, though her words were tinged with an affection she couldn't quite conceal.

Riveria shook her head slightly; she knew very well how much Loki cared for Ais. Although such a hefty expenditure of valis was surely bitter, it was still a worthwhile investment for the Loki Familia.

Loki, who had her head buried in her desk, suddenly lifted it and raised a finger, proclaiming her decision in a firm voice: "It seems we'll have to make cuts...! It's decided: from now on, there will only be bread and milk for breakfast, lunch, and dinner."

Riveria's lips trembled slightly, and she looked at Loki in bewilderment. "Are you trying to start a mutiny in the familia?"

Loki let out a nervous laugh. "Maybe it's not the best idea. But just imagine how strong they'll become if they're forced to overcome adversity!"

Riveria simply shook her head and said, "I think it would be better if we stopped buying the expensive Soma wine."

"What? But that's sacrilege!" Loki exclaimed, clutching her chest as if she had been struck. "Soma wine is the essence of our celebrations. Without it, how will we celebrate our adventurers' victories?"

"Seriously, though, 80% of the Soma wine we buy ends up in your hands?" Looking suspiciously at Loki, Riveria casually dismantled her heroic stance.

Loki, caught, shrugged and made a dismissive gesture. "Well, so what? I'm the goddess of this familia! It's the least they can do for me, right?"

"I don't think so... Anyway, we'll have to make cuts, and surely we'll start with luxuries. And conveniently, wine is a luxury," Riveria asserted firmly, maintaining her position.

Loki frowned as if someone had taken away a beloved toy. "Luxuries? Isn't having a goddess in your life a luxury? That should count for at least a couple of barrels of wine!"

Riveria couldn't help but laugh at her goddess's defense. "I know, I know, but even gods have to adapt. Besides, think about it: less wine means more valis for other things. Like improving the equipment of the adventurers or even... a dungeon expedition."

"Hey... sighhh, damn Pyrion. I'll definitely go cause him some trouble later," Loki muttered, unable to find any more words to retort. She leaned back against the desk, defeated.

Riveria watched her goddess, a slight smile curving her lips. "What do you plan to do? Go complain about the price of the rapier? I don't think that will work out as you expect."

It is well known in Orario that there are two things Pyrion is never willing to discuss: one is the price of his work, and the other is the quality of his craftsmanship.

"Forget it, complaining to that guy is a waste of time..." Perhaps recalling something unpleasant, a faint resentment appeared on Loki's face. "What I plan to do is complain to Hephaistos, hehe!"

"Of course! My duty as the goddess of justice is to make her see how her precious son is driving families to bankruptcy," proclaimed Loki with great resolve, rising from her desk with a determined look. Without wasting a moment, she began to walk toward the door.

SLAM

Looking at the door through which her goddess had just exited, Riveria smiled bitterly, though she didn't worry too much. She knew that Loki and Hephaistos had a good relationship, and her goddess's antics wouldn't cause any significant problems.

"Good thing I didn't say anything about the possibility of getting a new staff for me..." she murmured, feeling a slight relief at considering what her comment might have unleashed.

...

"Pyrion, you're a disgrace to the Hephaistos family blacksmiths...!" Tsubaki's loud shout echoed throughout the fertility host. "How dare you refuse the beer?!"

Tsubaki's voice filled the space, causing several present to stop their activities and turn their gazes toward the blacksmith Pyrion, their expressions one of disbelief.

Only the normally stoic Mia Grand looked at the scene with an amused expression.

"Hmph, what are you bastards staring at?!" Feeling everyone's gaze in the tavern, Pyrion glared fiercely at them. He then turned to Tsubaki and said loudly, "I don't like to drink, and I will never drink! Beer or wine are bad for your health and don't contribute anything."

A murmur spread through the tavern, with expressions ranging from surprise to suppressed laughter. Tsubaki frowned, unable to hide her disbelief at his statement. "What?! Are you saying that something as precious as beer can be bad for your health?! You're committing a grave sacrilege!"

Pyrion, however, did not let himself be intimidated by his companion's reaction. "I'm not saying it's bad per se, I just prefer to avoid it. Beer can make people foolish and neglect their responsibilities. I can't afford that!"

"Besides, I don't understand why you're so surprised if you've known for a long time," Pyrion looked at Tsubaki in confusion. They had known each other for decades, so Tsubaki had long been aware of his rejection of any kind of alcoholic beverage.

"It doesn't matter how many times I say it; I'm surprised every time," Tsubaki replied, making a theatrical gesture with her hands. "It's like I'm telling you that the sun doesn't shine!"

Pyrion shook his head. It didn't matter whether it was in this life or the previous one; his dislike for alcoholic beverages had always been present, especially since he discovered that the reason he fell into the orphanage in his previous life was that his mother was an alcoholic who couldn't care for him at all.

Since then, he had vowed never to touch alcohol; therefore, from a very young age, despite attempts to convince him otherwise, he firmly refused.

"Hey, forget it... it seems that attempt number 980 didn't work," Tsubaki said, watching Pyrion's steadfastness with a mix of frustration and tenderness. She sighed in resignation.

The atmosphere at the Hephaistos family table slightly dimmed; they had originally come here to celebrate the large purchase of over one hundred million valis, and everyone thought it was the perfect opportunity to finally get Pyrion to drink.

But it seems like another defeat as always.

"Here, Pyrion-san, your glass of juice," said Mia Grand, who had approached the Hephaistos family table with a kind smile while handing him a glass of fresh juice.

"Thank you, Mia-san," Pyrion said with a smile, taking his juice gratefully.

"Alright," Mia said, smiling as she directed her gaze toward Tsubaki, who was pouting. "Miss Tsubaki should stop forcing Pyrion-san to do something he doesn't want to. I think everyone would have a better time that way."

Tsubaki crossed her arms, looking at Mia in frustration. "But it's a tradition! How can a blacksmith from the Hephaistos familia refuse a celebration that includes beer? It's almost heresy."

"Hehe, everyone has their own way of having fun," Mia chuckled lightly, giving Tsubaki a gentle nudge on the shoulder before returning to the kitchen.

Tsubaki, still pouting, looked at Pyrion as he enjoyed his juice and plate of meat. "Hey, Pyr... are you mad at me?" she asked in a slightly softer tone, trying to hide the worry in her voice.

Pyrion, noticing her expression, stopped eating and looked at his almost-sister. "No, Tsubaki, I'm not mad. I just... don't like to drink. But that doesn't mean I'm upset with you," he replied sincerely, trying to calm her.

"It's just that I want us all to enjoy together," Tsubaki explained, her gaze lowered, showing a hint of vulnerability. "It's just that sometimes I feel you don't feel comfortable with our family..."

Pyrion frowned, reflecting on her words. "It's not that. This family is important to me. You all are my family, and you always will be. It's just that some of your customs don't sit well with me. However, for me, being here, sharing a meal, and seeing everyone laugh and enjoy themselves is something I also fully enjoy."

Tsubaki smiled upon hearing Pyrion's sincere words, feeling a weight lift off her shoulders. "Thank you, Pyr. Sometimes I worry that you don't fit in completely, and that makes me want to insist more. I just want what's best for you and for all of us to enjoy."

"Hehe, you don't have to worry, silly dwarf. If I find something that bothers me, I'll naturally tell you," Pyrion replied with a mischievous smile, trying to ease the tension in the air.

"HA HA HA, then I feel relieved!" Tsubaki exclaimed with a contagious laugh, getting up from her chair with energy. "Come on, guys! Drink whatever you want! Today the captain pays the bill!"

"LONG LIVE THE CAPTAIN!"

With the cheers from all the family members, the cheerful atmosphere settled back at the Hephaistos family table.

"Hey, I feel my pockets bleeding..." Despite the sad words, a bright smile appeared on Pyrion's face.

...

Residential area of Orario.

"Hey, Alice, did you hear the recent rumors? They say Pyrion has built a top-class weapon again for the little girl from the Loki family," commented a small Pallum with pink hair, excited as she walked alongside a beautiful girl with fiery red hair.

Alice, with a curious smile, tilted her head to the side. "Really? It must be amazing then. Pyrion-san doesn't usually build top-class weapons unless it's for a great adventurer."

"That's right, it seems Pyrion-san has seen great potential in that girl from the Loki family," added the Pallum.

"Hey, I'm envious, I would love to have a weapon made by Pyrion-san," said Alice, filled with longing.

"Hahaha, don't dream about it, captain. Do you know how much that weapon cost?" Suddenly appeared another beautiful girl with black hair and wine-colored eyes, smiling mockingly.

"Eh? Do you know the price, Kaguya? Come on, tell us already!" Alice asked with curiosity.

"One hundred fifty million Valis..." Kaguya, with a mischievous look, shattered Alice's hopes with just a few words.

"ONE HUNDRED FIFTY MILLION?!" Lyra, the small Pallum, jumped in surprise upon hearing the price. "That amount of money we wouldn't get even if we sold Ryu!"

"You! How dare you think about selling me?" Ryu, who had been listening to the conversation with interest, suddenly jumped up angrily upon hearing Lyra's words.

"Hey, Ryu, you have to learn to sacrifice yourself for the family," Kaguya replied, finding the situation quite amusing as she added her comment with amusement.

"That's right, stupid elf, you have to understand our difficulties," said Lyra, laughing as she looked at Ryu mockingly.

"You guys!" Ryu, even more angry upon hearing the teasing from both girls, took her wooden sword, ready to fight.

"Okay, okay, stop fighting," though amused by the situation, Alice still intervened to prevent them from fighting in the middle of the street.

"Fufufu," Kaguya laughed.

"Hehe," added Lyra, unable to contain their laughter at seeing Ryu so angry, who actually looked quite cute.

"Hey, but despite the huge price, I'm sure it will be an incredible weapon," Alice commented, letting out a sigh with a touch of envy as she remembered the cost of the sword.

"Well, knowing Pyrion, it must be an exceptional weapon," Kaguya nodded, sharing the sentiment of admiration. It was well known in Orario the quality of the weapons Pyrion forged; his reputation preceded him.

"Hey, we have to work hard if we want weapons like that in the future..." Lyra commented with high expectations, imagining the day they could have one of his masterpieces.

"Hahaha, that's true! As long as we work hard, we will definitely be able to buy such good weapons," said Alice, brimming with optimism as she laughed joyfully.

"If not, we always have the option of selling Ryu."

"LYRA!"

"HA HA HA HA."

...

Chapter four of my new work, hehe.

Well, I wanted to add something here, first to say that this work will have a somewhat slow pace, unlike my previous novel, this one will have a much calmer rhythm.

I plan to give much more depth to the characters, so there will be many chapters like these, however, don't worry too much, I won't delay the main plot too much, I just won't do it as quickly as I usually do.