Tsubaki showed considerable enthusiasm toward Charles. Of course, this enthusiasm was entirely fueled by her passion for smithing.
After learning that the boy before her was the creator of those dazzling pieces of equipnt she'd seen earlier, she bombarded Charles with endless questions about forging techniques.
Charles was more than happy to exchange insights with the one-eyed master. Despite having just t, the two quickly beca engrossed in animated discussion.
At first, Welf thought they were both way too absorbed, but before long, he found himself joining in.
Among the three, Welf had the deepest foundational knowledge, thanks to his noble heritage. Tsubaki had a higher-level perspective, speaking from years of elite experience.
And although Charles didn't have their background or technical depth, his unconventional ideas and creative approach brought surprising inspiration to both of them.
By the end of their exchange, all three had gained sothing valuable.
It wasn't until Tsubaki glanced out the window that she noticed the warm, reddish glow bathing the workshop. Without realizing it, dusk had already arrived.
"Crap! I totally forgot I promised the Loki Familia we'd join their expedition celebration. It's almost ti!"
Tsubaki jumped up in a fluster and, as if rembering sothing, suddenly threw her arms around Charles and Welf. "Hey! You two wanna co along?"
Though it sounded like a question, she didn't leave much room to say no. Before either of them could respond, she dragged them out the door.
As expected from a Level 5 adventurer with dwarf blood—her grip strength was no joke.
Charles could've forcibly broken free, but he figured this might be a good opportunity to network with the Loki Familia, considering possible future collaborations.
Dragged along by Tsubaki, Charles and Welf soon arrived at the party venue.
No surprise—it was the Hostess of Fertility.
Tsubaki was a little late. The Loki Familia had already arrived, and the atmosphere was lively and festive.
Since this was a celebration for their return from an expedition, the Loki Familia had booked almost the entire tavern. Charles finally got to see the elites of the Loki Familia up close.
Seated at the center was a pallum who looked like a child in both height and appearance, yet he was over forty years old.
That was Finn Deimne, the captain of the Loki Familia, known as the "Braver" and long since a Level 6 adventurer.
Despite his divine title of "Braver," he was actually one of Orario's greatest tacticians—a top-tier strategist.
Especially with his seemingly cheat-level talent—Pain Prediction Thumb. If that didn't trigger rare skill generation, nothing would.
At the mont, however, Finn wore a helpless expression, as an Amazonian girl clung to him relentlessly.
That was Tione Hiryute, the "Angry Serpent," one of the twin sisters who served as heavy-hitting berserker types in the Familia. The more wounded they were, the stronger their attacks beca.
Nearby sat a dwarf who looked like he had stepped out of a classic fantasy novel—Gareth Landrock, one of the Loki Familia's "Big Three" and known as the "Mighty Hamr."
The third of the "Big Three" sat beside him—sothing rare to see, considering she was an elf and Gareth a dwarf.
That was Riveria Ljos Alf, the "Nine Hell," currently the strongest mage in Orario.
Charles had long heard that Riveria played a motherly role in the Familia. Sure enough, most of the core mbers were gathered around her.
The younger of the Amazon twins, Tiona, was engaged in a loud, heated argunt with the werewolf Bete Loga, known as the "Fang of Destruction." Charles half-expected them to start brawling any second.
Among the others, only two were recognizable to Charles.
There was the heroine, Ais Wallenstein, calmly bringing so unknown food to her mouth with both hands.
And sitting beside her, stealing shy glances at her, was Lefiya, the "Thousand Elf" and Charles's pick to succeed Riveria as the next great magic-user.
But this yellow-hued elf really needed to tone it down—the orange vibes were practically radiating off her.
When Finn saw Tsubaki enter, he looked as if salvation had arrived. He quickly wriggled free from Tione's grip and walked over.
"Tsubaki, you're late!"
Tsubaki replied casually, "Perfect timing if you ask . Oh, by the way, I brought along two of our Familia's juniors. You don't mind, right?"
Raising his glass, Finn said, "I can afford drinks for two more. The more the rrier."
Charles couldn't shake the feeling that Finn's gaze was probing—curious and calculating.
And he wasn't wrong. Finn was indeed very interested in the two people Tsubaki had brought with her.
Usually, he wouldn't think much about her dragging along so juniors, but today was different.
After returning from the expedition, Finn had imdiately t with Loki, debriefing her on the journey and their gains. In turn, he'd been briefed on recent developnts in Orario.
As Loki's most trusted strategist, she had told him everything about the dark factions.
Even with his level of intelligence, Finn couldn't devise a solution with so little information. Still, he couldn't help but be intrigued.
At the center of the entire matter was one mysterious newcor from the Hephaestus Familia. Finn was dying to know what kind of person that was.
And his instincts told him—it had to be one of these two.
Tsubaki clapped both Charles and Welf on the shoulders. "Don't underestimate these two, Finn. They're not just ordinary smiths—both of them can forge magic swords!"
Finn's eyes lit up. Magic swords were strategic assets for an exploration-centric Familia like theirs. Any smith capable of creating them was worth befriending.
Hearing "magic sword" clearly made Welf uncomfortable, but he quickly composed himself.
Charles noticed the shift in Welf's mood—seed like their previous talk had made so impact after all.
To redirect the conversation, Charles stepped forward and said, "You must be the 'Braver' of the Loki Familia. I'm Charles, a blacksmith. I hope we can work together in the future."
Welf followed suit. "I'm Welf. It's a pleasure."
A master tactician like Finn instantly picked up on the subtle tension and smoothly followed the topic change. "Welco to our celebration. Make yourselves at ho."
Tsubaki, as carefree as ever, was already wolfing down food and drink.
Welf didn't know anyone here, and none of his fellow Familia mbers had co over to greet him. Tsubaki was off drinking with Gareth, leaving Welf alone at a small table, looking out of place in the festive crowd.
Charles sighed. He'd initially co hoping to connect with the Loki Familia, but seeing Welf like this, he couldn't just ignore him.
As Charles sat down across from him, Welf sighed and said, "You don't need to worry about , Charles. I'm used to this kind of thing."
Welf's past hadn't been smooth. Ever since he awakened the \\[Magic Sword Bloodline] skill, his family had pressured him into making magic swords.
And when he ca to Orario, his refusal to forge them led to him being ostracized by his Familia.
So when he said he was "used to it," he really ant it. But precisely because of that, Charles couldn't just leave him alone.
"Don't say sothing so stupid. You're my friend. There's no way I'd leave you behind."
Welf clinked his cup against Charles's and smiled. "Thanks, Charles. You've really done a lot for —I don't even know how to repay you."
Charles rubbed his arm. "You're being way too mushy. Just so we're clear, I only like girls."
Welf laughed. "Man, don't joke around like that!"
Just as the two were laughing, a voice ca from behind Charles.
"Sorry to interrupt! Mr. Charles, do you have a mont to talk with ?"
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