"Orario actually has something this ridiculous?"
Tsubaki could hardly believe her ears. Did she hear that right? Something that could block fatal damage to the user?
When did Orario get its hands on such an insane item?
"It's not that ridiculous. Maybe I didn't explain it well earlier. It transfers fatal damage to a substitute scarecrow. It's a lifesaver, but that's all it is—just something that can save your life."
Isn't that basically the same thing?
Tsubaki honestly couldn't tell the difference. Even as just a blacksmith, she knew how rare something like this was in Orario. Any adventurer who regularly explored the Dungeon would probably react like they were seeing their own father if they saw this thing.
"Bell, where did you get something like this?"
"Of course, I made it myself."
"What!?"
Tsubaki had still been looking into the scarecrow's eyes when Bell's words caught her off guard. She stared wide-eyed at the boy in front of her, at least a decade younger than her. Her mind spun, and she instinctively wanted to make sure she hadn't misheard.
"Bell, did I hear that right? Did you just say you made this?"
"If I didn't make it, then how would I have it?"
"Well... that's true."
Faced with Bell's counter, she couldn't come up with a response.
At the very least, Tsubaki was sure this couldn't have been something bought. If something like this had really appeared in Orario, every Familia and adventurer would be fighting over it. There's no way it would end up in the hands of a rookie adventurer.
If it wasn't acquired, then the most likely explanation was that he made it himself.
But for something this insane to come from a boy who had just become an adventurer—that made Tsubaki a little unsure of herself, even after getting the answer.
"How did you even make something this crazy, Bell?"
This thing was outrageous beyond belief.
Tsubaki had been a blacksmith for ages, and she had never seen an item this absurd.
"The process is my own secret technique. Something like this isn't meant to be circulated in Orario. If it ever did, I'd be in serious trouble."
Tsubaki nodded in full agreement.
"No doubt. If something like this started spreading in Orario, it'd be total chaos."
An item that could save someone's life would be worth its weight in gold, something every Familia and adventurer would fight to the death for.
"It's impressive that you were able to make something like this. But honestly, I think you should put it away. This isn't something to hand out lightly."
Tsubaki looked at the scarecrow in her hands, then pushed it back toward Bell.
"No need."
Bell shook his head slightly and pushed it right back to her.
"We'll need it for this expedition. Think of it as insurance."
Tsubaki paused for a moment, and a spark of insight lit up the eye not hidden by her eyepatch.
"Bell, you're planning something with this expedition, aren't you?"
"That's right. But this time, the expedition is taking place under the watchful eyes of Hestia-sama, Hephaestus-sama, and Loki-sama."
"The gods themselves are involved?"
Tsubaki scratched her cheek in disbelief. No wonder Bell was bold enough to pull something like this off.
"So this is a joint trial organized by the gods?"
"I really can't say. I'm only telling you this much because you're the captain of Hephaestus Familia. But that's as far as I can go. I don't want Captain Finn and the others to suspect anything."
Bell's words immediately clued Tsubaki in.
"So the target is Finn and his group, huh."
"And Loki-sama's involvement is meant to steer their path?"
Bell simply smiled without answering, and Tsubaki nodded knowingly, dropping the topic.
"In that case, I'll take it."
She didn't need to hear the finer details. Knowing that Bell had the gods' approval was enough.
As for the substitute scarecrow, it really did seem to be nothing more than insurance. That meant this expedition carried a serious risk to their lives.
Tsubaki realized this wasn't a matter of whether she wanted to take it—she had to. Otherwise, it could cost her life when it mattered most.
"Bell, that trick Finn and the others have for pulling things out of nowhere—is that your doing too?"
Since she already accepted the scarecrow, Tsubaki saw no need to hold back and asked directly.
If Bell was capable of making something as outrageous as that scarecrow, then it wasn't far-fetched to think he was behind Finn's ability too.
Bell understood her immediately and pulled out a small pouch.
"A space pouch. As long as certain methods are used, the user can establish a link with the internal space and retrieve or store items through it. Of course, it can't be used to take things from other people."
Tsubaki's eyes lit up as she stared at the small pouch.
"Oh! So that's how Finn and the others were retrieving things so easily? And you didn't think to tell me about this amazing tool?"
"I doubt anyone would share something like this outside their own Familia."
"Yeah, that's true. If our Familia had something like this, I wouldn't spread the word either."
After hearing Bell's explanation, Tsubaki thought about it and had to admit it made sense.
Space-type items were truly rare in Orario. If she had something like that, she wouldn't let outsiders know either.
Then, her eyes gleamed with a new idea. With a flattering smile, she sat down beside Bell and wrapped an arm around his neck.
"Bell, since you can make something like this, could you make a few for us in Hephaestus Familia? With a space item like this, it'd be so much easier for us blacksmiths to get in and out of the Dungeon."
As a well-known Level 5 blacksmith in Orario, Tsubaki understood all too well how difficult it was for craftsmen to mine inside the Dungeon.
Every time they went down to dig or gather materials, they had to carefully consider how much they could carry. Otherwise, they might not even be able to bring the ore back safely.
But if they had a space item like this, going in to mine or collect materials would be much easier.
Sensing the sincerity behind Tsubaki's plea, Bell gave a little ground.
"Tsubaki, if it's just for you, I can give you a few more. But Hephaestus Familia has a lot of people, and I don't want my secrets getting out."
"Hmm... fair enough."
It wasn't quite what she hoped for, but knowing she could make more trips to the Dungeon and solve material issues was good enough.
With enough space pouches, she could easily haul back bags full of high-grade materials.