"Alright, Shirou. I'll leave these to you."
"You can count on me, Captain."
Watching Finn, Ais, and the others leave the Familia headquarters, Shirou let out a quiet breath.
"Looks like today's going to be busy."
At the moment, the Loki Familia headquarters felt unusually empty.
To process the magic stones and materials brought back from the expedition, almost all Familia members had gone out into Orario, fiercely negotiating prices with various shops. Shirou, meanwhile, stayed behind to handle equipment repairs and maintenance.
He also planned to forge new equipment for the next expedition, though that part could be done gradually.
In reality, the workload wasn't as overwhelming as he had initially imagined.
After all, Shirou wasn't responsible for maintaining the entire Familia's equipment.
In Orario, most high-level adventurers had exclusive blacksmiths with whom they signed contracts. These blacksmiths forged equipment tailored specifically to them.
Bell and Welf were a classic example of such a relationship.
Ais was even more special.
Her exclusive blacksmith was Gobniu, the patron deity of the Gobniu Familia.
It was just a pity.
Gobniu didn't use divine techniques when forging Ais's weapons.
If he did, Shirou wouldn't need to wait so patiently for Bell's Hestia Knife.
And that-
Was exactly why Shirou valued the Hestia Knife so much.
Because it concerned his own power.
Everyone knew that for Shirou to project a weapon, he first had to analyze its structure.
Only then could projection occur.
After receiving the Divine Blessing, Shirou's Unlimited Blade Works strengthened continuously alongside his level.
Among its improvements, one aspect stood out.
Analysis.
Unlimited Blade Works
Projection Magic
Reality Marble
Structural Analysis
These four components formed the complete framework of his magic.
Compared to the Unlimited Blade Works he once possessed, this version was far more comprehensive.
Under the Divine Blessing's enhancement, Shirou even felt that-given enough time-he could analyze Gilgamesh's Ea.
But analysis was only the first step.
Whether a weapon could be projected afterward was another matter entirely.
During his battle with "Fake Gilgamesh," Angelica, Shirou had successfully projected divine armaments like Emerald Horizon, Land Breaker and Crimson Horizon, Sea Scorcher.
Yet what he produced were empty shells.
They lacked the abilities of the originals.
Something crucial was missing.
Shirou believed the missing link lay in divine forging techniques.
And those techniques-
Existed in this world.
The Hestia Knife.
Forged by Hephaestus at Hestia's request.
That blade contained divine techniques.
More importantly, although it was divinely forged, it did not contain divine power.
It was a divine work created within the human world.
Which meant-
Shirou could analyze it.
Once he obtained the divine forging techniques contained within that blade, not only would the gap in his abilities be filled, but his own forging skill would also increase dramatically.
His forging characteristic would likely improve as well.
And with that-
His overall strength would rise again.
Higher forging characteristics meant better performance from the weapons he forged.
Then there was Bell.
Later on, Bell would draw Freya's attention away for him.
Thinking of that, Shirou smiled faintly.
"This kid really is my lucky star."
-
In a secluded corner of the Loki Familia headquarters, the sound of hammering echoed without pause.
This was Shirou's forge.
As the Familia's only blacksmith-and a high-level one with tremendous potential-Loki had generously allocated him a dedicated space within the headquarters.
It made commissions far more convenient.
Time passed.
The sky gradually darkened.
Just as Shirou was fully immersed in his work, a voice sounded from outside the forge.
"Hey, blacksmith."
"Watch the time. It's almost time for the celebration."
"Thanks for the reminder, Bete."
"Hmph. I wasn't reminding you. I was just passing by."
"Right, right."
Shirou listened as Bete muttered and walked away.
He shook his head helplessly.
Bete wasn't truly arrogant.
His sharp tongue toward the weak came from a desire to push them forward.
In the original story, Bell's growth into a true hero was closely tied to Bete's provocations.
In a strange way, Bell's transformation perfectly matched what Bete wanted to see.
Even if Bete himself wasn't always aware of it.
Lefiya, too, had been spurred forward by him.
In his own way, Bete really did live up to the title of a hero's blacksmith.
After Bete left, Shirou didn't stop immediately.
He focused on finishing the item in his hands.
A necklace.
Delicate.
Elegant.
A celebration gift he had prepared for Lefiya.
After all, Lefiya had reached LV.4.
This celebration banquet was hers as well.
-
"Finally done."
"And I didn't delay dinner."
Looking at the necklace, Shirou carefully put it away and returned to his room to clean up.
After working all day, he couldn't show up at the banquet covered in sweat and soot.
Once changed into casual clothes, he left the headquarters.
The evening breeze brushed against him as he walked through Orario's bustling streets.
"I really haven't experienced Orario's nightlife much," he muttered.
"My life's still pretty rigid."
"Dungeon. Forge. Underground."
"Three points in a straight line."
"But... it's fulfilling."
Shirou genuinely enjoyed his current life.
With steady effort, his strength continued to grow.
That alone was enough.
Arriving at the Hostess of Fertility, he found that nearly everyone had already gathered.
"Sorry, sorry. I'm late."
"It's fine," Riveria replied. "The banquet hasn't started yet."
Shirou smiled and sat down in the empty seat beside her.
Then he took out the gift he had prepared and handed it to Lefiya.
"Lefiya. Congratulations on reaching LV.4."
"Thank you, Brother!"
Lefiya accepted the gift and carefully opened it.
The moment she saw the necklace inside, her eyes lit up like stars.
"I love it! Thank you, Brother!"
"I made it myself," Shirou said calmly. "So take good care of it."
"Yes!"
Watching Lefiya clutch the necklace happily, the other girls nearby couldn't help but stare.
Envy filled their eyes.
Sensing their gazes, Shirou sighed lightly.
"When everyone else levels up, I'll prepare gifts for you too."
Cheers erupted instantly.
Only Loki looked utterly dissatisfied.
Is this guy seriously winning hearts right in front of me?
Unfortunately for her, no one was paying attention anymore.
With Shirou's arrival, the celebration banquet officially began.
Laughter and chatter filled the tavern.
Amid the lively atmosphere, Shirou casually glanced to the side.
And saw him.
The white-haired boy.
--------More Bonus Chapters!!!!
Every 300 power stones = 1 Bonus Chapter