Vilm and the others returned to Farren after training in Coonaria.

They had come to one of the standing arms and armor shops they'd seen on their recent stroll.

In addition, as usual, Miselio has disappeared from sight and signs of life.

''Hmmm... It's hard to find anything interesting.

Virum and the others had come to pick out a weapon for Coonaria, but unexpectedly, they were looking here and there without anything that caught their eye.

''Is that so? I thought the one in the arms store earlier looked good...?

That one has a problem with the blade. The grindstone is too soft and the blade is not evenly distributed. It's easy to see the blade falling out.

...Is there any weapon that would fit the bill?

Virum and his friends walked around while having such a conversation.

'Oh, isn't it Lord Wilm?'

Turning towards the source of the voice, I saw a dwarf who was short but had muscles like armor.

'As I recall... Assem, was it?'

Virum remembered that he was in a meeting at the Adventurers' Guild the other day.

Oh, you remember. I'm sure you're not the only one with dark eyes and black hair in this town. The fact that you're strolling around here means you're looking for a weapon or armor?

'Speaking of which, I heard you were summing up the production guild. I'm looking for a weapon for this girl, but I can't find a good one. Could you point me to a good store?

I'm sure you'll be able to find out more about this as well.

It's a good thing that you have a good eye for this. Interesting. I'll show you to my shop. I'd like to show you my shop, I'm proud to say that it has the best quality in the city, or indeed the country.

Thanks. I was just starting to think about going to another city.

'Oh, thank you! Mr. Assem!

The restaurant, which he, as a dwarf, proclaimed to be the best in the country.

The three of them walked out with high hopes, following Assem's lead.





Assem proceeded through the intricate back alleys without getting lost.

You're going very far, aren't you? If you're the best in the country, wouldn't it be more profitable to set up shop on the front street?

'Hahaha! Don't make me look like one of those profit-minded people! I only sell weapons to people I approve of. This kind of inconspicuous place is more convenient than the main street.

'By that logic, am I being recognized? If I may say so myself, I think I made a pretty bad impression...?

Seeing Virum's quizzical expression, Assem smiles at him.

It's a good thing that you've got a great deal of experience in this field. It is only natural to show respect to Virum who makes a contract with the spirit animal that stands at the top of the pyramid. It's true that when I strangled Bazelade, I wanted to punch him in the neck.

Assem stopped walking at the right moment to break up the conversation.

It was just a dead end.

'Here,'

'What? It's a dead end, you know?

Meldina and Cunaria are scurrying around, wondering if they're missing something.

''...Underground, huh?''

'Oh, you've got it all figured out. A lot of fools would barge in on us even if we refused to have a shop above ground. And since we dwarves tend to be based in the basement to begin with...

He pushes in a section of the wall made of stone, explaining why the store is in the basement.

"Gasp!

"Zzzzzzzzzzz...

There was the sound of something being dislodged and then the door to the basement was opened with the sound of stones rubbing against each other.

'This is how we have our shop in the basement.

Assem urged the three of them to come down with their fingers as they descended the stairs to the basement where they appeared.

Following the instructions, the three of them descended the stairs and were greeted by an array of weapons that were instantly recognizable as first class.

Welcome to the Eagle's Shop. I can't think of a fancy name, and I don't even think of naming it, so please don't name the store after me.

From the way he places his hands on his hips and stretches his chest, you can tell that Assem has absolute confidence in the items in this store.

''It's amazing. It's clearly on a different level from the shop on the main street.''

Vilm looks at the long swords and spears on display by the entrance and exclaims in admiration.

''This..., it's no wonder the customers keep barging in even if you say no.

Meldina looked around the entire shop, her eyes transfixed by the massive glow that weapons and armor emitted.

''Ha~...''

When it came to Coonaria, she didn't seem to be able to speak.

''Gah! I'm glad you like it. It's because all the pieces I've laid out here are my best work. Well, take your time and look around.

Assem was satisfied with the three of them and laughed as if he was in a good mood.

Starting with that laughter, the three of them began to go around the store.

Wyrm went around with Cunaria, explaining the advantages and disadvantages of each item.

Meldina seems to be looking around, focusing on the daggers.

After a quick round, when she was about to choose from a few candidates, the sight of a weapon she hadn't seen yet entered Virum's field of vision as he suddenly looked up.

A few weapons inserted cluttered into a large barrel placed in a corner of the store to keep a low profile.

Assem's eyes twitched as he saw Virum approaching as if he was being sucked in.

Wyrm pulled out the single large axe that was plugged in and studied it closely.

It was dull, blackish silver, and gave the viewer a somber impression.

Vilm's gaze was glued to the great axe that ten people would see and ten people would pass by without.

''Oh, Master...?''

Coonaria is worried when she sees Vilm continuing to stare at the big axe in silence, and she calls out to him fearfully.

''Cunaria, I'll take this one.

At the sound of Coonaria's voice, Virum reflexively turned around and showed the great axe he was holding.

''This, this?''

Cunaria's reaction to seeing the proffered great axe was slow, but this would be the natural reaction.

''Ah, no doubt about it. This is the best performing weapon in this shop. I don't know what kind of processing was done to it, but it contains mithril, judging by its good magic conduction rate. And yet it's also heavy enough to not lose its destructive power as an axe. Honestly, I didn't expect a gem of a product to be this good.

Mithril ore is an excellent material for swords and spears because it has a high magic conductivity and is light as a metal.

However, on the other hand, it was generally agreed that it couldn't be used as a material for weapons that require weight, such as great axes and hammers.

Seeing Vilm, who spoke of the reason for his choice in a tone of mixed admiration and excitement, Assem, who had been watching the proceedings in silence, began to laugh.

''Gah! Well, well, well! Lord Wyrm was the first to recognize this guy on his first visit.

After laughing with a look of heartfelt amusement, Assem begins to explain about the Great Axe.

I used a special metal made from a mixture of mithril and steel. The performance is excellent, but with such a dull coloration, most people think it's a failure and don't look at it. However, Virum-dono was not fooled by appearances, and he chose this one admirably. I'm sure you'll be able to find out more about this. I'm impressed.

Assem's expression is happy as he nods at his own words.

'Assem, I've decided on this guy. It doesn't seem to have a price on it, how much is it?

I don't want the money. I didn't want to take money from the guy who chose him in the first place. If he's going to be an apprentice of someone who knows what he's worth, he's going to want it.

'Thanks, but I still don't feel good about being free. As I recall...

Wyrm thought for a moment, then reached into his pocket and pulled out the cloth bag he had been using as a purse and fished out the contents.

''Ah, there it is.''

I don't want the money. Don't be shy...

Assem froze the moment he saw what Wyrm had taken out.

What I took out was a small red stone that could fit in the palm of a child's hand.

Not only is it red, but it's not just a stone because it emits light gently.

"Well, you don't think..., magic stone, huh?

The flames, you know. You know what to do with it, don't you?

Smiling as if the prank was successful, Vilm tossed the magic stone in his hand to Assem.

''Oops! And... and...! You idiot! You can't throw this precious cargo at me! Treat it more carefully!

It's just as Assem said, the magic stone is highly rare.

It's difficult to obtain them because they are housed in the bodies of high-ranking demons and the like.

Of course, it flows into the market more than the fruit of the Jewel Tree, but even so, the price is almost always high.

I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make it work.

''You received it, right? Now that thing is yours. Put it on display, embed it in your weapon, or do whatever you want with it.

Assem let out a sigh at Vilm's reckless behavior.

''...All right. I'll accept it gratefully. But this is too much for me. You'll have to ask your daughter to pick one of the items. It's a gift from me.

Are you sure?

Meldina's eyes lit up at the unexpected suggestion from Assem.

He had already made up his mind, or maybe he had already decided, and without hesitation, he brought a dagger made of mithril.

''Assem, I'm sorry for Meldina's part.

Don't worry about it. I'm still getting way more than I am. Don't you want anything else, Master Virum?

I like my fists better than my weapons. If you insist, just give me a free pass next time you come back.

It's a deal. You are welcome to come back anytime. You're more than welcome to come back to us, Mister Wyrm.

Meldina laughs and supports Cunaria, who is dazed as she tries to lift the great axe.

Wyrm takes the big axe from Cunaria and carries it lightly on his shoulders and leaves Assem's shop with Meldina and Cunaria.