Chapter 51: The Sharp Sword

As a blacksmith, what caught Tsubaki’s interest were special weapons—like the cheap dagger Ryotsuki had purchased from the shop.

Though the weapon was on the verge of breaking, it remained sharp thanks to the sword intent embedded within it.

During the process of repairing the weapon, she had attempted to analyze the dagger, but the conclusion was clear...

It could not be replicated through conventional weapon forging.

More precisely, the uniqueness did not lie in the weapon itself, but in its wielder—Ryotsuki, a member of the Hestia Familia!

“It seems your recent dungeon explorations have been quite fruitful.”

Tsubaki stood up, her gaze sweeping over the boy standing at the shop entrance, still clad in his adventurer’s attire.

He gave off a sharp, refreshing impression. What truly surprised her, however, was the natural sword intent flowing from Ryotsuki—not as overtly fierce as before, but now more restrained.

Improvements in ability stats were private matters, but as a blacksmith and a reasonably capable adventurer, she could clearly sense his progress in swordsmanship.

“Thanks to you, senior Tsubaki.”

“Let me borrow these two second-class weapons for a while,” Ryotsuki said, not simply placing the dagger back on the shelf.

Instead, he set it down on the counter beside Tsubaki.

Before departing, he had thoroughly inspected it, ensuring that the intensive dungeon expeditions had caused no overall damage.

“Hm.”

Tsubaki nodded expressionlessly, then drew the dagger, holding it up to the light above.

There was no sign of a bevel; if anything, it seemed sharper than when it was borrowed!

The moment she gripped the handle with one hand, she faintly felt the pure sword intent within, which slowed the weapon’s durability loss.

It also seemed to nurture and enhance the dagger’s sharpness.

She sheathed the weapon and, having reached a clear conclusion, looked at the boy beside her with a basic judgment in mind.

“The swordsmanship you wield is truly extraordinary.”

Her straightforward nature, combined with the validation of her thoughts, made her even more curious about Ryotsuki’s unique style.

“The visible increase in weapon durability, and the ability to nurture the weapon... it’s a school of swordsmanship I’ve never seen before.”

...

As for the durability enhancement, it was most likely the effect of the “Sword Soul Template” mastery skill in weapon restraint. The so-called nurturing...

Was probably the result of prolonged use of the Inside-Demon Sword Art, enhancing the weapon’s cutting power.

Receiving such high praise from Tsubaki, Ryotsuki did not shamelessly attribute everything to his special swordsmanship.

“Come with me.”

To avoid making Ryotsuki think she was repairing the weapon just to pry into his special sword style, Tsubaki quickly changed the subject.

She led Ryotsuki and Eina to the weapon forging room.

During this period, she had been repairing weapons—not merely restoring them, but essentially reforging.

The sword intent embedded in the worn dagger gave the weapon unimaginable adaptability.

Discovering this uniqueness, Tsubaki shifted her focus from simple repair to upgrading the weapon’s quality.

The results were naturally impressive.

“Here.”

The dagger lay casually on the table. If she hadn’t picked it up and handed it to him, Ryotsuki might not have recognized it at a glance.

Its overall length remained unchanged, but the most obvious difference was the material.

The original weapon, made entirely of refined iron, had been upgraded to a dark gray mythril, with neat, flowing forging patterns clearly visible.

The blade shimmered sharply under the light; its sharpness rivaled that of the dagger he had borrowed.

After withdrawing his gaze, Ryotsuki looked at Tsubaki, who stood with her arms crossed, his tone full of surprise: “Second-class weapon?”

“You know your stuff.”

No blacksmith wishes for their work to go unappreciated; Tsubaki was no exception. After nodding lightly, anticipating a thank you, she waved it off and shifted the topic.

“Try this upgraded weapon.”

“Alright.”

The reinforced hilt felt solid in Ryotsuki’s right hand, evoking a sense of reunion as he lightly swung it.

The sword intent within began resonating with the Inside-Demon Sword Art, the blade emitting a subtle sound!

Not to mention a Minotaur, even Goliath, the floor lord of the seventeenth layer.

With this weapon, Ryotsuki felt confident he could break through their defenses with the sword energy slashes from his Inside-Demon Sword Art.

The development had exceeded his expectations.

He had thought Tsubaki was merely helping with repairs, but she had gone further, enhancing the weapon’s quality significantly!

“Very sharp...”

“How much does it cost to upgrade weapon quality?” Ryotsuki asked. Since she had repaired his weapon for free, he didn’t want to trouble senior Tsubaki further.

He never intended to freeload for such an added service, as this was the only way to maintain their relationship.

“It’s purely my hobby.”

Having learned from the Archdeity that Ryotsuki had already repaid all the debts owed to the weapon shop by the Hestia Familia yesterday,

Tsubaki already had a basic understanding of his character.

If she demanded payment for the quality upgrade, Ryotsuki would undoubtedly pay. Seeing the boy’s earnest expression,

Tsubaki did not refuse outright.

Instead, she proposed another form of compensation, her tone growing serious.

“If you really want to pay me, tell me—what swordsmanship do you use?”

“Inside-Demon Sword Art.”

Even the best smith in Orary could not trace the origins of a sword style that did not exist in their world; Ryotsuki answered decisively.

Noticing Tsubaki’s brow furrowing, he thought briefly and decided to give an answer worthy of the weapon enhancement price:

“It’s a sword style I created myself!”

“Inside-Demon Sword Art...”

“Self-created...”

Her succinct response carried immense meaning, stirring something within Tsubaki as she looked at the boy before her.

If not for the fact that the Hephaestus Familia produced smiths, she might have tried everything to recruit Ryotsuki into their ranks.

There was no doubt about the truth of his words—the sword intent flowing from him spoke volumes.

Now, in the labyrinth city of Orary, where the “Sword Princess” Ais Wallenstein reigns supreme, it would likely take little time for

Ryotsuki and his self-created Inside-Demon Sword Art to shine brilliantly on this stage!

“Keep it up.”

As a word of encouragement, Tsubaki spoke without expression, glancing sideways at Eina, who stood silently beside the boy.

She waved her hand dismissively; being older, she couldn’t stand these lovey-dovey matters.

“If there’s nothing else, I won’t keep you. This quality upgrade is free only this once. If you want to continue improving it,

prepare three million Fari.”

“Thank you, senior Tsubaki.”

Sheathed the dagger and watched Tsubaki turn and head to the forging table. Ryotsuki smiled, expressing his deepest gratitude once more.

“Time to eat, guys!”

Freeloading the top smith of Orary, Tsubaki, who personally upgraded the quality of his second-class weapon!