章 61: Chapter 61 - Off To The Snowy Mountain
Kazuya, Orihime, Shizu, and Genta all walked into the blacksmith's cave early the next morning. They were in high anticipation for what the blacksmith had forged for them.
But unusually, the cave was dark, and at first glance, nobody was inside. There was barely any light illuminating the place, save for the sun's rays coming from a small window at the highest point of the vertical wall.
"Tano?" Shizu called out, but there was no response.
"What's he up to?" asked Kazuya.
"He has probably given up on the project, stolen the valuable resources required for doing so, and run away," Orihime answered, causing the rest of them to look at him with slight frowns.
"Gee, it's a joke," she said. "Don't you guys laugh anymore?"
Ignoring her childish talk, they got deeper into the cave. It was only when they got to the end of it that they could see Tano in a hidden section of the area, resting his head on a small table at the deepest point in the cave. If not for the little light from the small, high window, they wouldn't have known that anyone was there.
He was fast asleep, so much so that when they came closer, they could hear his soft snores. There were large bags under his eyes to show that it had been a hard few days recently, and saliva was dripping down from his mouth to the table. His body strongly reeked of sweat, so much so that being close to him for long wouldn't be comfortable because of the smell.
Genta and the others contemplated leaving him alone to rest and asked, "Should we come back later?" "It seems he has been busy for a long time and needs to rest," Genta said.
But contrary to that, Shizu went forward to wake him up. "With the gods orchestrating our destruction, every passing moment is just too precious to waste for convenience," she said as she tapped Tano, waking him, "he can get back to sleep once we get all our equipment from him."
Tano opened his eyes and saw the four of them, then he wiped off the drool from his mouth and cheek as he got up from his seat.
"I'm sorry to interrupt your much-needed rest, but as you know, we are in a desperate period right now, and there is no time to waste," Shizu said to him.
"Right," Tano said with sleepy eyes as he went past them towards a large cupboard. Then he opened it, revealing all of their now upgraded equipment.
"Here you go, I hope you both like it," he said to Kazuya and Orihime, who looked ecstatic to see their weapons and armor looking a lot cooler than they were before. Kazuya's armor now had the primary color of black with scarlet stripes. Orihime's shield and sword were now laced with a silver-like material, from which a breastplate was also forged for her.
"Well, what are you waiting for?" Tano asked them. "Go ahead, try them on."
So Kazuya and Orihime went forward, taking their new armor and putting it on before grabbing their weapons. When Kazuya held his sword, it felt a bit heavier than he was used to, but it felt somewhat substantiated; knowing it had been modified for the possibility of killing a god, he couldn't complain about it. He also noticed the armor felt a bit heavier as well, but that also felt substantiated, as he felt more powerful when he put it on. Perhaps it was due to his magical energy having an affinity for the material used to reinforce the armor.
After putting on the armor, Kazuya hung the sword on his back; the same thing happened with Genta, who hung her shield on her back after putting on the breastplate and putting the sword into the scabbard. She also noticed that her armor weapons were heavier than she remembered and was surprised by how well the breastplate fitted her chest with little struggle.
Kazuya noticed how good-looking Orihime looked in her new breastplate, which beautifully defined her physical features and shape. Kazuya wondered if this was done on purpose, and he took a few seconds to take it in, almost staring at her lustfully while Shizu took note and smiled.
From Genta's perspective, they both looked like new titans who could take on anything. Kazuya's armor was breathtaking, and though Orihime's new look was gorgeous and charismatic, compared to Kazuya, her inferiority stuck out like a sore thumb.
"So, what do you think?" asked the blacksmith.
"It feels just right," Kazuya replied, "is there anything new it can do?"
"Oh, right," Tano remembered, "Kazuya, I mainly increased the efficiency of your weapon by making sure it channels your inherent magical energy so it would do more damage during regular attacks." That way, you wouldn't have to expend too much magical energy on each strike. "The same logic is also applicable to what I did with your armor, but it's mainly more physical enhancements added."
Then he looked at Orihime and said, "Since you have no inherent magical ability, the best I could do for you was make several physical enhancements to your armor." "So I'm sorry if it feels a lot heavier than usual, but given your limitations in utilizing magic, that was the best I could do for you."
"Don't sweat it, old man," she said to him, "I'm grateful."
"Who are you calling old?" "I'm barely 35," Tano replied, looking playfully offended.
"Exactly my point," Orihime replied with a smile.
"You know you are going to grow old, don't you?" asked Tano, folding his hands.
"You are about double my age, Tano." Orihime pointed out, "That makes you an old man, period."
Tano was about to respond, but Kazuya raised his hand, calmly telling him to stop: "Trust me, Tano, arguing with this woman will do you no good." "Save your strength for something more productive, alright?" he suggested.
Tano took his advice, shaking his head and raising both hands dramatically.
Genta laughed as she took note of Shizu's silence throughout the whole exchange, knowing she was a lot older than Tano. Perhaps that was why she didn't say anything to refute Orihime's claims.
After the small talk was over, Shizu stepped forward and gave a slight bow of respect. "Thank you, Tano," she said, and the others did the same.
"That isn't necessary." "But if you insist, you can thank me by killing those gods who have turned against us," Tano responded, "I look forward to your victory."
"You can count on that, old man," Orihime replied. "We won't let you down."
Tano was about to give a response, but Kazuya signaled for him not to bother doing so, and he concurred.
"Alright, brats," Shizu said to them, "let's go."
So they all went as one out of the tomb and into the main hall of the building, where several wizards of the guild and even some outsiders stood, waiting to bid them farewell and wish them luck. As they walked forth, the hall was filled with people saying words of encouragement and making gestures of respect and honor towards them.
The news of wizards and adventurers going out against a goddess had spread around the region, which explained why there were supporting strangers in their midst. While everyone parsed them, none of them could let it get to their heads, as they understood the reason why they were being honored and celebrated. They were embarking on what was objectively considered a suicide mission with no way out once delved into. It was a mission almost nobody would be willing to undertake, but they chose to bear the burden, and that was why they were held in high regard.
At the door of the guild, they saw Kenpachi standing, dressed in his full armor and armed with all his weapons. His armor looked a lot different from what they were used to seeing him in whenever he was about to go on a mission. It was mainly black, laced with brown stripes, and had almost the same design as Kazuya's, openly signifying that they were both forged by the same blacksmith.
"You are coming, aren't you?" Shizu asked Kenpachi without any hint of refusal in her tone, knowing he would still come with her even if she refused.
"You know that, Master," he replied.
"Don't come crying to me when things go wrong for all of us," Shizu told him.
Kenpachi said nothing in response but followed her as well, as did the others.
Kazuya and Orihime were glad Kenpachi was coming with them. Having experienced his prowess with the sword during their six days of training with him, they were confident he would be more of an asset than they ever would be.
Genta grabbed a witch's broom, as did Shizu and Kenpachi, and they all got on, ready to ride off—all but Kazuya.
"You are thinking of riding on your sword, aren't you?" asked Shizu, and Kazuya shrugged.
"Please, we are going to fight a being of near-infinite magical energy," Shizu reminded him, "try to conserve yours, and don't waste it on something that can be done by another means."
So Kazuya took her advice and had to ride in the same witch broom as Kenpachi, with Orihime riding with Genta, and as one they all flew off quickly, heading towards the snowy mountains to raid Sarasa's temple.
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