After sprinting across Orario and scrambling together some money from the Familia's newly filled storage, I quickly made my way back to Welf with a full bag in hand and a wrecked sword at my side. My feet beat against the cobbled ground as I arrived back at Welf.
The redhead had a slightly surprised look on his face at my quick returnal, and his expression only grew more shocked at my next action.
Practically shoving the bag and blade into his arm I looked into my companion's eyes and asked him a question with all my heart!
"Please fix my Best Friend Sword Welf!"
"Alright, alright. Just give me a day or two." The man practically waved me off, but slightly paused as he opened the pouch of Valis.
"Hey . . . this is a lot. Even for a rush order."
"Keep it. You're worth the price Welf." The man blushed faintly in embarrassment, only to sigh moments later. His eyes were slightly tired as he stared at my smiling face, causing me a faint confusion.
"You've seemed to come into some Valis, you could get a lot better of a weapon than I can make. I can't in good conscience accept this much payment for so little work."
He crossed his arms and didn't seem to take no for an answer.
Hah! Like that would work.
I too crossed my arms, for I too would not take no for an answer in a situation like this! Welf just needed to believe in himself! I continued to stare at him, my smile turning ever so slightly smug as he began to sweat.
"Welf!" He flinched just a fraction at my sudden call to attention. Uncrossing my arms I pointed right at his heart. "You are my blacksmith buddy, my forge friend, and my treasured companion! Don't discount yourself, and don't give me a discount either!"
He unfortunately didn't seem to react all that well. Massaging his temples and letting out a sigh. "I don't even have the Blacksmith developmental ability."
"The what?"
He let out a sigh in response to my confusion. Welf really didn't seem to be doing so well. Maybe I really did overpay him?
"The ability to add special effects onto your weapons and armor. It's a developmental ability, so as a level one I don't have access to it."
"Can't you just level up then?" I tilted my head slightly in confusion. Welf seemed like a decent fighter. As long as he didn't get attacked by a Hunter he'd probably be fine. It would also be fun to see him hanging around in the Dungeon!
"I don't have a party-" Before he finished speaking I pointed a finger at myself. "Seriously?"
"Welf, I'm certain both Belle and I would love to go into the Dungeon with you! I'm also pretty sure you have more experience than the both of us so you'd be a lot of help." I gave him a bright smile, but he still seemed on the fence.
"Look, Andrew. A lot of people don't like me very much. To the point where they might try and . . . sabotage you. Are you certain you'd be willing to party with me? Even if it would bring you more trouble than it's worth?"
I shook my head. Welf fundamentally misunderstood my feelings on this matter. Didn't he know he was already delegated to friend status?
"It's exactly because it's you that it's worth the trouble." Pointing straight at his heart, his eyes didn't widen, nor did he stagger back in surprise. He probably expected this answer if his following laugh of incredulity was anything to go by.
Rank 4: We can Stand the Heat - Increases Elemental Resistance
"You know. If it were anyone else I'd think this was some kind of long con." His laugh broke apart after a moment into tears. Only then did he wipe a sleeve across his eyes, the faint wetness persisting upon the cloth before revealing his slightly bloodshot eyes.
"Welf. Are you alright?"
"I've . . ." His eyes widened, as though coming to a conclusion and giving me a small smile as he body relaxed and eyes closed softly.
Rank 5: Burning Tongs - Decreases the cost of Fire Magic
"I've never had a real friend before."
I momentarily frowned at my friend's sadness, only to smile moments later. Wrapping an arm around his shoulder I leaned into him.
"Well, now you do! Better late than never Welf!" He snorted slightly as his eyes reopened and I gave him a cheeky grin. "Don't worry either, we'll get you more companions too!"
Living life alone is the worst!
"Say Welf, how about you come into the Dungeon with Belle and I the next time we descend! It could be a lot of fun!"
"Only you could call the Dungeon fun-" He froze mid sentence and turned to me with his expression deadpan.
"Did you actually kill a Hunter?"
I sent a thumbs up his way accompanied by a smile. I wouldn't lie to Welf! I could never!
"Of course! Heir and Belle were a big help though."
He stared off into the distance for a moment, remaining fully silent as he seemed to process the information with a mix of disbelief and relief. The broken Heir held tightly in his right hand.
"A weapon I forged killed a Hunter."
He paused and held the sword in the air. A faint laugh leaving his mouth before turning into a roar.
"A WEAPON I FORGED KILLED A HUNTER!" He shouted, as though commanding the Heavens himself to look at the warped sword in his hands.
"HE MADE A WEAPON THAT KILLED A HUNTER!" I didn't really get it, but I guess this was just a blacksmith thing! Nonetheless I was happy that he seemed both excited and proud!
He blushed moments later, seeming to realize what he was doing and who was standing next to him. I gave him a thumbs up, he was clearly feeling awesome!
"Welf, do you want to spend the day with my Familia? A good celebration for an awesome occasion!"
"That doesn't sound like a bad-" He paused mid sentence and gave a soft pat to my best friend's sword. "Actually I'll be busy. But I'll get it fixed by the day after tomorrow. You have my word." He gave me a sharp smile, and I couldn't help but return it. I could see his confidence, maybe a Hunter was a bigger deal than I thought if it had Welf in such a good mood.
"I'll see you then Welf. I don't want to interrupt your work, but if you need a break I'm sure you can find me running around!"
I gave him a wave as I headed off, his casual return of the gesture was interrupted as he turned down the weapon with a wry smile. He had a lot of work to do in order to get Heir back into fighting form!
I made my way back to our Familia headquarters, if I may call it such a grandiose title! I felt like it deserved something indicative of our progress as a team at least, we took down a Hunter together! That might have been a bigger deal than I thought!
Well, Rose did make a pretty big deal out of it, so I don't know why I expected anything else.
I saw Hestia frowning at me with her arms crossed on the steps, Belle nowhere in sight. I slightly tilted my head at her face, but greeted her nonetheless.
"Hi Hestia! Good morning!"
"Andrew, my sweet beloved child, where did 100,000 of our valis go?"
Oh, so that's how many I took!
"I gave them to Welf to fix my sword!" I gave her a simple nod and a smile, I didn't remember exactly how much the original sword costed, but I was fairly certain that repairing a sword could actually be more difficult than making a new one all together.
Hestia put her hands on the side of her head and let out a groan but I wasn't exactly sure if she was mad about the 100,000 valis being spent, or me giving them to Welf.
She didn't trust Welf like I did, but after I get my sword back I'm sure she'll understand.
"Don't worry Hestia, Welf does good work! Anyways, where's Belle?" My tone quickly switched, seriously, where was she? This is normally the part where she shows up all tired and stuff!
"She woke up way before me, apparently she had to check something with the guild."
Belle woke up early? A single tear fell from my eye, and I quickly wiped it away. Belle truly was dedicated to the shounen lifestyle.
As I registered the rest of her words I palmed a fist in my hand, my eyes widening slightly in understanding.
"Of course! I totally forgot that the Guild owes us money!" If Rose owned the guild I would never dare put her in debt, but whoever runs that place is probably filthy rich so I'm sure that no matter how much that Hunter magic stone is worth they'll be able to pay it back in no time!
Hestia seemed to lean in at that, her interest peaked instantly.
"How much do you think we'll be getting?" She leaned against me, rotating her neck upwards to look me in the eyes with a hopeful smile.
In response I put on my metaphorical thinking cap, a hand going under my chin as I pondered her question.
"HESTIA!" She practically bounced off me in a panic, but my next words brought her to an instant halt. "I have no idea!"
After being frozen for about three seconds she let out a sigh and started grumbling to herself, not even speaking words!
Perhaps she figured out that I could always hear her? I leaned in towards her, my head nearing her own until suddenly I felt a faint pinprick of danger behind me!
Turning around quickly I reached down to find no sword, could this be the end?
No, it was just Belle! In her hand was a large pouch of Vali's.
"Hi Belle! Looks like you've been busy!"
She approached me slowly with a smile, her eyes flicking down to Hestia for a moment, her smile becoming sharper.
"I have been, I wonder what you two were talking about just before my arrival? Perhaps you could fill me in?"
"I was asking about where you were, but it turns out you were just getting paid." I gave her a nod as I leaned in towards the large amount of money she held, Hestia following suit after slight hesitation.
"It's about 300,000 Valis, finishing up our total stores to 800,000 valis in total." She gave a small nod, proud of her advanced math of addition! Unfortunately for both Belle and I, Hestia had to cut in.
"700,000. Andrew spent 100,000 valis on repairing his sword." Hestia couldn't help but slightly palm her face again.
"A-ah." Her mouth made an o shape as she slightly leaned back, taking in the information with understanding.
"Welf is an awesome blacksmith, I'm sure we'll get our money's worth!" I had to convince them Welf was worth it, I knew I did!
Belle seemed to softly smile upon finding out who the blacksmith was, her expression curving with slight danger, yet when I turned towards her she just appeared as an innocent rabbit!
"I also invited Welf to Dungeon dive with us when he finished repairing my Best Friend sword, which he said would be in about a day or two."
Belle lightly hummed, as though deciding something in her head, then she gave an adorable smile!
"Very well." She then put her hands together, the adorable smile still holding strong! "Why don't we celebrate our victory over the Hunter together? Perhaps some high quality food is necessary?"
I nodded in agreement, Belle had a good point.
"Good idea Belle, all three of us worked as a team to beat that Hunter. We deserve something special!"
Belle seemed to lose a small amount of bravado while Hestia puffed out her chest in pride.
Hestia's blessing was critical, so Hestia deserved to be proud! Though I did momentarily wonder why Belle seemed slightly disappointed, Belle seemed to recover quickly and instead suggested a place we could go for some food.
"I have a place in mind, have you ever heard of sushi?"
My eyes widened and my stomach growled, I most certainly did. Walking to stand beside Belle I casually set a hand on her shoulder and leaned down at her with a smile.
"Belle, this is why you're the best."